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Full text of "Penn Yan, New York"


(uNIVSiSSITY) 



CORNELL 

UNIVERSITY 

LIBRARY 




FROM 



The instate of Chas. H.Hull 



^ ^ Cornell University Library 

F 129P42 P41 



Penn Yan, New York. 




„ 3 1924 028 825 128 
olin Overs 



Cornell University 
Library 



The original of this book is in 
the Cornell University Library. 

There are no known copyright restrictions in 
the United States on the use of the text. 



https://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028825128 



PENN YAN 

NEW YORK 







.I.J iH^iOO 

vri^'n.HVM'irj 



FOREWORD 



We issue this brochure in the modest hope that It may contribute 
toward satisfying the demand, persistently expressed,' for a portrayal 

of the beauties of Penn Yan and Lake Keuka. The aim has been to 

* 

make this more than a passing souvenir by adding historical and 
descriptive matter to the illustrations. The task has been undertaken 
with a desire to further the interests of our village and county and 
not in the expectation of any direct personal benefit. We realize its 
limitations and imperfections, yet trust it may in a measure meet the 
want and win the approval of those interested. 

THE PUBLISHERS. 




"To him who in the love of nature 
Holds communion with her visible forms. 
She speaks a varied language." 




PENN YAN, NEW YORK 



HI 8 thriving village of Penn Yan is located in the 
heart of the wonderfully beautiful and productive 
territory' of Western New York, and is rich in its 
historical and material settings. Nestled at the foot 
of the hills of Lake Keuka, it is beautiful for 
situation, and its surroundings are most attractive. 
The climate of this locality is healthful and the soil 
fertile and its natural advantages are unsurpassed 
anywhere in the world. It is midway between the 
-city of Rochester, to the northward, and the city of Elmira, to the southward, 
and occupies a central position in the great lake country of the Empire State. 

ilore than a century ago a band of sturdy settlers were attracted to this 
locality. The lake was here, offering a means of navigation, and its outlet 
gave promise of a future source of power. The country 'round about was 
capable of easy cultivation, and thrifty pioneers saw the future possibilities 
of the expanse of field and forest. The first inhabitants to take up their abofle 
m the then wilderness were from Connecticut and j\Iassachusetts. They were 
of stern fibre, and possessed strong characteristics. They gave strength and 
character to the community and cheerfully provided for the church and school- 
house out of the first fruits of their increase. Naturally their influence has 
been felt throughout all the years of history which ha^'e followed, and their 
descendants hold their works in grateful memory. They were men and women 
of positive convictions, and some of them came into this country under the 
(.lominating influence of a religious leader whose strong personality gave her 
a place in local history although her doctrine has fallen into oblivion. 

From its earliest days Penn Yan has been a thriving and busy place. 
There are many romantic tales told of those -who first came in contact with 
the original inhabitants of the land. Tradition tells of Eed Jacket and his 
fiery eloquence, and of important Indian councils held nearby. It is something 
more than tradition which records the naming of the village, thus uniting the 
followers of William Penn and the hard-headed Yankees under the graphic, if 
not euphonious title, Penn Yank. Surely this was a combination worthy of 
conveying power to future generations, while the refining influence of time 
removed the hardening twang of the '"k" and gave additional culture to the 
place. 

With the advent of the canal, Penn Yan received its first active impulse. 
Commerce flourished on the lake and innumerable craft came over the 
canal to supply the region with the trade of the East. Lumbering became 




KLM STREET— WEST 



MAIN STREET— NORTH 



JACOB STREET— EAST 



an industry, and Penn Yan was soon the active grain and produce market of a 
large territory. Thus the village grew and the adjacent country was settled as 
a prosperous farming section. 

Then came the railroad to supplant the canal and stage-coach, and the 
Penn Yan of today illustrates the growth and prosperity of a modern and 
up-to-date village. Two of the great railroad systems, the New York Central 
and the Pennsylvania, afEord most excellent passenger and freight facilities, 
while the Branchport and Penn Yan Electric Eailroad connects the village 
with Branchport and a large area of country about the western branch of the 
lake. Surveys have been made for a trolley road between Savona, Penn Yan 
and Sodus Bay, which may run along the eastern shores of Lake Keuka. This 
will open up a long stretch of lake shore for cottage and tesort purposes. 

The boat service is excellent, connecting Penn Yan with Hammondsport 
and at Bath with the Erie and Lackawanna railroads. And too much cannot 
be said of beautiful Lake Keuka, its Indian name signifying "Crooked," as 
one of the most attractive and picturesque little lakes in the world. Chapters 
might be written of its vine-tufted hills, its shady nooks, its cool shores, and its 
excellent fishing. All who visit this gem of the inland lakes are charmed with 
its clear waters and picturesque hills, but to the residents of Penn Yan its 
loveliness is enhanced by a thousand memories of days gone by, and delightful 
hours spent upon its placid surface. 

Penn Yan has always possessed an excellent public spirit, which has found 
expression in handsome shaded avenues and well kept-public buildings. While 
it has never been the policy to expend more than could be afforded, nevertheless 
the enterprise which has been displayed has borne rich fruit. Our schools are 
among the best in the country. A handsome high school, or academy, 
supplements and completes the work accomplished in the fine graded depart- 
ment. A large addition to the graded department is being planned. The 
churches are represented by the Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Eoman 
Catholics, Episcopalians and Free Methodists, and are supported by large and 
devout congregations. An excellent public library is the center of the coun- 
ty's literary activity, and offers a large variety of literature, historical, ethical 
and fictional, to a people constantly growing in its appreciation of this store- 
house of knowledge. 

The water supply of the Village of Penn Yan isi one of its very best 
assets. It is taken from Lake Keuka, and not only affords pure and wholesome 
drinking water, but has a strong pressure for use in protecting the town from 
fire. This water supply is supplemented by a complete sewer system which was 
put in a few years ago, and which greatly adds to the health and convenience 
of the village. 

The Village of Penn Yan owns its own electric lighting plant, and its 
streets are said to be lighted as well as any in the State. The Penn Yan Gas 
Light Company furnishes gas for business and residential consumption. 

Penn Yan possesses a most effective volunteer fire department. From 




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its organization it has sliowu a spirit of heroic interest in protecting the 
village from fire. 

- Penn Yan is the county seat of Yates County, and the Annual Fair of 
the Yates County Agricultural Society is held here. The society has large 
grounds and new and convenient buildings, and is in a flourishing condition. 
It affords an excellent means for displaying the products of the well-tilled 
farms surrounding Penn Yan. 

As will be seen ))y tbe foregoing partial enumeration of the advantages 
of Penn Yan, it oifers great inducements as a place of residence to those who 
wish to combine the attractiveness of village life with those modern improve- 
ments and conveniences which make life worth living. 

The business and commercial interests of Penn Yan are in a flourishing 
condition. Its business men are aggressive and enterprising in their methods, 
carrying complete stocks of goods which oflier many inducements to their 
customers. The stores are unusually spacious and would do credit to any 
small city. No resident of Penn Yan need go outside its limits to obtain tjie 
best which the market affords. 

There are a number of flourishing manufacturing plants in Penn Yan 
proper, all of them doing a ca])acity business and furnishing employment to 
a large number of workmen. The present difficulty seems to be to get sufficient 
help, and provide suitable dwelling places for them. 

The outlet of Lake Keuka has a descent of 20!) feet in six miles, affording 
magnificent ^^'ater power for manufacturing purposes. There are several 
paper mills and other industries using \y<\tvT for power, and yet there are 
available sites yet unoccupied. 

The Village of Penn Yan has a Business i\Ien's Association which is 
earnestly co-operating with its public officials to encourage the substantial 
growth and development of all its industries. 

The Penn Yan of today is the legitimate heritage of the character and 
determination of its founders. It is the center of a fine agricultural region, 
it is beautiful for location, and its pleasant streets, handsome houses and re- 
ligious and educational advantages make it an ideal place in which to live. 





RESIDENCE W. M. PATTESON RESIDENCE MRS. T. F. WHEELER 

RESIDENCE MRS. F. G. WAGENBR RESIDENCE TIMOTHY COSTELLO 
RESIDENCE W. D. HODDOWELD RESIDENCE NELSON DAMOTH 



# HISTORY OF PENN YAN # 




By WALTER WOLCOTT 

VER a century has passed since Penn Yan 
was first settled and over three-fourths of a 
oentupy since the village was incorporated. 
Successive generations have each played a 
part in local affairs during the years that 
have intervened from times now present back 
to that period when the pioneers established 
themselves in what was to them a howling 
wilderness. 

Such was Western New York at the close 
of the Revolution; a trackless waste covered 
with dense forests and the haunt of the 
panther, the wolf and the bear. The Senecas, 
a tribe comprising one of six, all of whom 
formed in a mighty league of aborigines, called 
by the French, the Iroquois, at that time held sway over this section. 

During the War for Independence had occurred that memorable expedition 
against the Six Nations of Indians and from which they had experienced sad 
results. In 1779 an army consisting of three thousand men marched from Easton 
in Pennsylvania into the country of the Genesee, as it was then called. This 
army was commanded by General John Sullivan, subsequently elected to the 
office of Governor of New Hampshire, while a contingent force of two thousand 
men who marched from Albany and joined him at Tioga Point was commanded 
by General James Clinton, the brother of one Governor and the father of another 
Governor of the Empire State. The Indians were defeated at Newtown (now 
Elmira) and their villages burned, their orchards cut down, and their growing 
crops destroyed. An Indian village located on Kashong Creek in Torrey was 
among the number which were burned at that time. 

Shortly before President Washington's first term occurred the affair known 
as Shays' Insurrection in Massachusetts. Among those concerned was Jacob 
Fredenburg, who, in 1787, fled from that state and came and lived among the 
Indians on the land where Penn Yan is now situated. He was therefore the first 
white man in Penn Yan of whom we have any record. The Indians permitted 
him to build a log hut by the side of Jacob's brook, and to fish in that stream, 
which one report says derived its name from him. Fredenburg was adopted into 
the tribe, but his hunting and other privileges were somewhat circumscribed. 

It seems proper to here relate that all this section of country was obtained 
in 1788, by treaty with the Indians, by Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, and 
was called the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The eastern boundary was desig- 
nated by a line extending north and south from Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania 
and known as the Pre-emption Line. In Turner's History of the Phelps and Gor- 
ham Purchase it is stated that "after the treaty Mr. Phelps surveyed the land into 



11 




RESIDENCE HON. J. S. SHEPPARD 
RESIDENCE E. J. WAI^Kl'in" 
RESIDENCE H. C. UNDERWOOD 



RESIDENCE HON. THOS. CARMODY 
RESIDENCE H. A. WAGENER 
RESIDENCE W. N. WISE 



tracts, denominated ranges, running north and south, and subdivided the ranges 
into tracts of six miles square, denominated townships, and designated each by 
num.bers, beginning to number both ranges and townships at the eighty-second 
mile-stone, in the southeast corner of the tract (now the southeast corner of 
Steuben County), numbering the townships northwardly to the lake from one to 
fourteen and the ranges westerly from one to seven." Thus the tract on which 
Penn Yan was started and on which the most valuable part of the village stands 
to-day, was designated as Lot 37 of Township 7, first range, 276 acres. 

In 1791 George 
Wheeler, an early 
settler, obtained 
possession of this 
tract, which he di- 
vided between his 
two sons - in - law, 
Robert Chissom and 
James Schofield. 
They were the pio- 
neer settlers of 
Penn Yan. James 
Schofield erected a 
log house a short 
distance west of 
Sucker brook, but 
later removed to 
Chautauqua county, 
where was born his 
distinguished d e s - 
cendant, Major-Gen- 
eral John M. Scho- 
field. Robert Chissom located on what is new Maple Avenue and on his 
prem.ises built the first tavern. His building stood on the site of the present 
residence of DeWitt C. Ayres, editor of the Yates County Chronicle. The next 
owner of the tract was Lewis Birdsall, whose son. Dr. Lewis A. Birdsall, was for 
many years a prominent citizen. In 1796 Lewis Birdsall sold the tract to David 
Wagener, with whose advent the real history of Penn Yan begins. 

David Wagener was, at first, a respectable farmer and prosperous land owner 
in Montgomery County, Pa. His residence was located about sixteen miles north- 
west of Philadelphia. In 1786, Jemima Wilkinson (or the "Public Universal 
Friend") came to his house and continued there for some time. She had been 
for about ten years preaching and proselyting in Rhode Island (where she was 
born), in Connecticut and in other states and had collected quite a following. Some 
writers say that David Wagener became a follower, but that is a mistake, for 
though he thought her a very good woman and aided her materially in many 
ways, yet he never claimed to be a member of her Society. In 1789 various mem- 
bers of the society formed a settlement, called the Friends' Settlement on the 
west bank of Seneca Lake, in what is now Torrey. The Friend (as she called 
herself) joined them the following year, at which time a grist mill was erected 
by James Parker, Abraham Dayton and Richard Smith, three pioneers particularly 
distinguished for their enterprising tendencies. In 1791 David Wagener came to 
the new settlement and became an owner in part of this mill. Five years later 
he bought the lands on which Penn Yan now stands, and built the first grist mill 
the south side of the outlet — where now is located the mill of Andrews, Son & Co. 




WAGENER HOUSE, COURT STREET 
Erected in 1828 



13 




RESIDENCE E. R. TAYLOR 
RESIDENCE E. L. HORTON 
RESIDENCE HON. G. R. CORNWEL,L 



RESIDENCE W. H, FOX 
RESIDENCE P. HALLBTT 
RESIDENCE LATE H. B. STRUBLE 



He died August 26, 1799, and was the first person buried in Lake View cemetery. 
His lands at Penn Yan he left to his two sons, Abraham and Melcholr. 

Abraham Wagoner (or Squire Wagener as he was commonly known) has 
been considered, and justly so, as the founder of Penn Yan. In 1799 he came on 
the lands left by his father and erected the first frame building within the bounds 
of the village, into which he moved on the 1st day of January, 1800. He and his 
brother, Melcholr, played a prominent part in the early history of the town, and 
through their influence many of the most valuable of the original residents were 
induced to here make a location. In 1801 Abraham Wagener erected a second 
grist mill on the north side of the outlet and north of the one his father had pre- 
viously built. In or about 1816 he erected the domicile which was long known 
as the Mansion House. This stood at the south end of Main street and on the 
west side. On the same side and extending northerly to Elm street was his or- 
chard, in which, among other varieties, was produced the celebrated Wagener 
apple. 

Dr. John Dorman came to Penn Yan in 1795 and his was the second frame 
house erected. In after years it was known as the "old red house" and during the 
middle of the last century was used by the late Charles V. Bush as a house-build- 
er's shop. It was opened as a tavern by Dr. Dorman and in an addition which 
was built en, his son, Joel Dorman, started the first store. He was succeeded by 
George and Robert Shearman. Another early and well patronized merchant was 
George D. Stewart. He had in his employ two young men of ability named Eben- 
ezer B. Jones and James Dwight Morgan. By his advice and direction each after- 
wards started in business for himself. Jones went into the dry goods business, 
and Morgan went into the hardware business, and both achieved success and dis- 
tinction. 

At the commencement of the nineteenth century Penn Yan contained the two 
grist mills already mentioned, together with a saw mill, all located on the outlet 
at the Main street bridge, while at the head of Main street were nearly all the 
dwelling houses which had been erected. These were few in number, wide apart 
and scattering. About half a dozen stores were also in evidence about this time. 
It was an out-of-the-way place and for some years did not show a very rapid 
growth. About 1810, the singular name, by which it has become distinguished, 
was conferred upon the village. 

During the first year of the last century, Morris P. Sheppard removed from 
Germantown, in Pennsylvania, and started a tannery, and also erected a dwelling 
house on Head street, near Jacob's brook. The other early residents would 
refer to his domicile as "Morris' villa," a designation to which he did not objeci, 
and at length the nascent village then located on upper Main street began to be 
spoken of as "Morrlsville." Another village of the same name (now the county 
seat of Madison county) had been already established, and the impracticability 
of thus denominating this place being manifested, other names were proposed, 
but none seemed worthy of popular acceptance. Such is an account given to the 
writer by Hon. John L. Lewis, at one time County Judge of Yates county. That 
a meeting was once held, to decide upon a name for the village, may be a fact, 
although Judge Lewis declared it to be traditional. According to one report of 
this meeting, a man who was present named Philemon Baldwin said, "Let the 
place be called Pang Yang." A more complete version gives the following as 
the words he uttered: "Gentlemen, if we cannot untie this knot, we must cut it. 
We are part of us Penn-ymites and part Yan-kees and I move we christen our 
village Penn Yan.'' There is still another story which takes the credit of naming 
the village from Philemon Baldwin and gives the honor to one Benjamin Barton, 
who, it seems, was a military officer of some distinction. This story, briefly 
given, is that Benjamin Barton, taking into consideration the fact that the in- 

15 




^agi3it.^»?y rr 



habitants then were Pennsylvanians and Yankees about equally dominant, 
suggested the name of Penn Yank. For some time the place was so called until 
Jimmie Greaves, a Scotchman by birth and a merchant's clerk by occupation, be- 
gan in his correspondence and conversation to mention the name without the 
final k. The latter form, being more acceptable to the masses, was adopted. 

From a comparison of documents, still extant, it would seem that our village 
was not mentioned as Penn Yan previous to 1810. In Spafford's Gazetteer of the 
State of New York published in 1813 the place is referred to as "a small village 
about one mile from Crooked Lake, and called Pennyan or Penn-yank, a name 
derived from the circumstance that the first inhabitants were Yankees and Penn- 
sylvanians in about equal numbers." 

At a meeting of the Yates County Historical Society, held several years ago, 
Dr. John Hatmaker, a pioneer of this section, gave an amusing account of his 
first journey to this place in 1818. He came in company with William M. Oliver, 
afterwards a prominent man in Yates county. The two young men brought their 
books and most of their temporal possessions in a one-horse wagon. On arriving 
at Waterloo they made inquiries about Penn Yan, their place of destination, but 
nobody seemed to know of such a place until finally a well dressed gentleman 
stepped up and told them it was a dirty, miserable, little village in the farthest 
corner of Ontario county, where the walls were plastered over with constables' 
es.ecutions and there was a general reign of discouragement. This man, it turned 
out, was a Universalist minister who had preached in Penn Yan and received a 
very rude reception. Not discouraged by his unfavorable report, the two trav- 
elers came on and took up their residence in this vicinity. Dr. Hatmaker died in 
a good old age in 1877, while Oliver became the first Judge of Yates county and 
also served four years in the State Senate and two years in Congress. 

Among the other 
early residents and the 
occupations they followed, 
may be mentioned as at- 
torneys and counselors : 
Cornelius Hasten, Geo. H. 
Green, William Shattuck, 
John Wiley, Abraham P. 
Vosburgh, Thomas J. Nev- 
ins, Levi Lyman, Jas. 
Taylor, William Cornwell, 
Evert VanBuren, Roder- 
ick N. Morrison and Hen- 
ry Welles; as physicians 
and surgeons: Walter 
Wolcott, XJri Judd, Rosius 
Morse, Henry P. Sartwell, 
Andrew F. Oliver, Francis M. Potter, William Cornwell and Joshua Lee, and as 
merchants: William Babcock, Henry Bradley, Eli Sheldon, John Sloan, Benjamin 
Tyler and Edward J. Fowle. 

There was one industry which was carried on to a considerable extent in this 
section, during the pioneer times, and that was the distillation of whiskey. The 
earliest distillery, within the bounds of the present county of Yates, was a small 
log building after the manner of nine-tenths of all the buildings of those days, 
and stood not far from Benton Center, on what is still known as the Benton 
farm. It was erected as long ago as 1795, by a distiller named John Leak, and 
the extent of the business consisted in the distilling of one bushel of grain per 




THE UNIVERSAL FRIEND AND HER JERUSALEM 
HOME. 



17 



day, and fronj whjcli but two quarts of whiskey were obtained. Robert Chissom 
owned a distillery, which was then situated on the south side of Maple Avenue, 
near his residence. Dr. John Dorman also about this time changed an old log 
house into a distillery. Aaron Gilbert Dorman, his son, had three distilleries in 
full blast, and, strange to say, named his eldest daughter Temperance. The 
whiskey that was thus supplied met with a ready demand. Melzer Tuell, who 
came to Penn Yan in 1817, told the w;;iter that many suckers were formerly taken 
from Sucker brook. A few, it seems, could have been spared from the land. 

Yates county was established by act of the Legislature February 5, 1823, and 
commenced its political existence on the 1st day of July, following. It derived its 
name from the honest, true-hearted old Governor, Joseph C. Yates, just then 
elected, and was set off from Ontario. The county seat of the new county was 
located at Penn Yan by the following commissioners: John Sutton, of Tompkins 
county; George H. Feeter, of Herkimer county, and Joseph B. Walton, of Otsego 
county. In th© second edition of Spafford's Gazetteer of the State of New York, 
published in 1S24, Is the following reference to this village as it was at that 
period: 

"The post Village of Penn' Yan is situated on the outlet of the Crooked Lake 
in the northwest corner of the town of Milo, about half a mile below the foot oi 
the east arm of the Crooked Lake, and is a very busy place, with an active popu- 
lation. A small part of the village is in the town of Benton. If any sound moral- 
ist has doubts of the fatal influence of 'whiskey mills,' small grain distilleries, 
Qn the morals and habits of the people, he would do well to spend a few days 
in this section of country. There is a strange want of soundness in our legisla- 
tion, as refepect these establishments, and the enormous attachment to strong 
drink, everywhere found around them. Penn Yan was settled by about equal 
lUimbSrs of Pennsylvanians and Yankees, from which circumstance its very odd 
came is derived, a sort of fantastical compound for the land of whiskey and the 




LOWER MAIN STREET— PENN YAN IN 1858. 

18 



land of pumpkin pie. The village now contains about seventy dwelling houses, 
two grist mills, two saw mills, a trip hammer, four stores, a printing and post 
office, two school houses and three inns. About twenty of the buildings are in the 
town of Benton. There is a small Society of Friends, and a Presbyterian clergy- 
man is settled in the village, but m.y correspondents omit to say whether or not 
he has a church. The main road from Geneva to Olean leads through this village, 
and thus far it was a good one when I traveled it in 1817. Penn Van is twenty- 
one miles southeast of Canandaigua, sixteen south of Geneva and thirty north of 
Bath." 

If the author of SpafEord's Gazetteer could have lived in Penn Yan in 1911, 
he would have recorded the fact that Penn Yan had reformed. In fact, the 
county of Yates, in which this thriving village is located, is now entirely "dry," 
the first all-dry county in the State of New York. Penn Yan voted "dry" in 1909 
and again in 1911. 

Nine years after the description quoted above was printed, Penn Yan was 
incorporated as a village. The Act of Legislature incorporating the village was 
passed April 29, 1833. The first Board of Trustees was as follows: Abraham 
Wagener, Roderick N. Morrison, Russell R. Fargo, Morris F. Sheppard and John 
Brooks. Abraham "VVagener was elected President of the Board of Trustees, and 
Henry Eno was appointed Village Clerk. The following description of Penn Yan, 
printed in Gordon's Gazetteer in 1836, will give an idea of the village as it was at 
the time of its incorporation: 

"Penn Yan, founded by Mr. Abraham Waggoner (sic), incorporated 29th 
April, 1833; the shire town about half a mile below the foot of the east arm of 
Crooked Lake upon a pleasant plain, and on the outlet, partly in the town of 
Benton, contains a new court house of brick, a prison of stone, a fire-proof office 
for the county clerk, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist and 1 Episcopal 
church; an academy, incorporated and highly flourishing; 18 general stores, 
2 book stores, 2 printing offices, each issuing a weekly paper; 5 taverns, a bank, 
incorporated April 2d. 1831, with a capital of $100,000; 2 grist and 2 saw mills, 
and 450 dwellings. This is a thriving village, growing rapidly, and has many 
good buildings. It Is finely exhibited to the passenger descending the hill on the 
road from Geneva. Its singular name was derived from the circumstance that 
its Inhabitants were Pennsylvanians and Yankees, in equal numbers." 

The first court house and jail combined was erected in 1824, and in 1834 it 
was burned. In 1835 a new brick court house was built on a public square (now 
known as the Court House Park) at a cost of $12,000. This is the present edifice, 
and has at different times been repaired, and the interior remodeled. A jail, 
detached, was erected the same season. The latter was destroyed by fire in 
February, 1857, and was rebuilt the same year at a cost of $10,200. This jail was 
demolished after an entirely new jail had been erected, north of the old one, and 
on the same lot, in 1904. The new "Yates County Building" was erected In 
1889 and containa the Supervisors' rooms, the Surrogate's office and the County 
Clerk's office. The "fire-proof office for the County Clerk," which is above men- 
tioned, stood formerly on the site of this edifice. It was built of stone, and was 
erected shortly after the first court house was burned down. 

The first newspaper in Penn Yan was the Penn Yan Herald, which Abraham 
H. Bennett began issuing weekly in May, 1818. The name was changed in 1822 
to that of the Penn Yan Democrat, which it has retained until this day. In 1835 
the proprietors became Bennett & Reed, and in 1841 the elder Bennett disposed 
of his interest to his son, Clement W. Bennett, who in 1842 conducted this paper 
In partnership with Alfred Reed, under the firm name of Reed & Bennett. In 
1847 Alfred Reed became the proprietor and was succeeded by Darius A. Ogden in 

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1S50. Mr. Ogden was succeeded in 1853 by Reuben Spicer, who in 1857 was suc- 
ceeded by George D. A. Bridgman. Mr. Bridgman was succeeded In 1860 by Ell 
McConnell, who was associated in partnership with Warren J. Stanton. Mr. 
Bridgman again edited and published the Penn Yan Democrat from 1863 to 1865, 
when he sold out to Eli McConnell. For many years, from 1865 to 1888, Mr. Mc- 
Connell was proprietor of this paper, and still resides in Penn Yan. Walter B. 
Sheppard became editor in 1892. The present owner is Harry C. Earles. 

On the 16th of December, 1824, the second newspaper was started by Ed- 
ward J. Powle. He procured his printing material from the Harpers, of New 
York, having been a former employee of that firm. Yates county tad just been 
established and it was at the urgent request of several prominent citizens that 
Powle started this journal, which he called the Yates Republican. He continued 
to run it until 1831, when he sold out to John Renwick. The name of the paper 
was then changed to the Penn Yan Enquirer by Mr. Renwick, who was suc- 
ceeded in 1833 by Henry Gilbert, who again changed its name to The Western Star. 
Its name was again changed in 1837 to the Democratic Whig by William Child, 
who came to Penn Yan from Waterloo. Two years after Edward J. Powle be- 




THE MILL, DAM. HIGH WATER IN 1869-70. 

came again the editor of this paper, the name of which was changed to the 
Yates County Whig, and Nicholas D. Suydam was the publisher. In 1845 it 
passed into the hands of Rodney L. Adams, who in 1852 sold it to Stafford C. 
Cleveland, in partnership with John B. Look. Mr. Look soon retired, and in 
1856 the name was changed to the Yates County Chronicle, and Mr. Cleveland 
continued as editor until September, 1881. 

The subsequent editors and publishers of the Yates County Chronicle have 
been: Malcolm D. Mix until 1883; Stephen B. Ayres, Jr., until 1886; Samuel P. 
Burriir until 1889; since then this newspaper has been conducted by DeWitt C. 
Ayres. 

In 1904 Mr. Ayres sold an interest in the Chronicle to Franklin H. Wil- 
son, and since that time the partnership has been known as the Peerless 
Printing Company. On April 19, 1905, the Rushville Chronicle appeared as a 
second weekly paper printed by this company. This paper was issued to supply 
the long-expressed wish of the residents of Rushville and the Middlesex Valley 
for a "home" paper. 

Fron^ a chapter entitled "The Press of Yates County" in a history of this 
county published in 1892, is quoted the following in regard to the third weekly 
newspaper printed in Penn Yan: "G. D. A. Bridgman, who had sold the Demo- 

21 



crat in 1865, began the next year tlie publication of tbe Penn Yan Express. In 
1S69 it was edited by Thomas Robinson. In 1870 Mr. Bridgman returned to the 
editorial chair and in 1872 the journal passed under the control of the present 
proprietor, Reuben A. Scofield." 

Shortly after the incorporation of the village of Penn Yan, Abraham Wag- 
ener, its .founder and principal resident, moved onto Bluff Point, near the south 
end, where he erected a very substantial stone house. He then disposed of his 
property at Penn Yan to John Sloan, who came to this place from Geneva. The 
property then embraced all that part of the village lying east of Liberty street 
and south of Elm and Jacob streets. Included in the purchase were Mr. Wag- 
oner's grist and saw mills and his residence on Main street, which he called 
"the Mansion House." To Mr. Sloan is due the credit for enlarging to a consider- 
able extent the business facilities of Penn Yan. A new street was at this time 
opened through what had 
been Mr. Wagener's orch- 
ard, and called "Wagener 
Street," and another street 
was^ likewise opened along 
the water front of the outlet 
and called "Water Street." 
The Mansion House was 
moved back, leaving a neat 
square in front, and the 
domicile changed into a 
public house. Building lots 
were then marked off on 
the two streets above men- 
tioned, together with lots 
for stores on Main street, 
and sold to various parties. 
Owing to losses by fire and 

other causes, Mr. Sloan did not realize any permanent pecuniary results from his 
investment. He was the father of Major J. Barnet Sloan, after whom Sloan 
Post, G. A. R., is named. 

The business part of the village was at first more particularly at the head of 
Main street. But the location of the Yates County Bank, the construction of a 
canal from Penn Yan to Dresden, combined with cheaper lots for business or 
dwellings, gradually, but at length almost entirely, drew all the business to the 
foot of the street. The Yates County Bank was the first banking institution 
established in Penn Yan, and stood where now the Lown dry goods store is 
located. It began business, or the charter was dated, April 2, 1831, and failed 
in 1857. The Crooked Lake Canal, as it was commonly called, was authorized to 
be built by an act of the Legislature passed April 11, 1829. It was begun in 
1830 and finished in 1833. It had a descent of 269 feet by 27 locks. The last 
year it was kept in running order was 1873. During its continuance it furnished 
a good opportunity for various unscrupulous persons to financially benefit them- 
selves at the public expense. 

In Barber & Howe's New York Historial Collections, published in 1841, Penn 
Yan is described as "a thriving incorporated village, which is principally built 
on a street about a mile in length. It contains a Presbyterian church, a court 
house, a Baptist church and a Methodist church. The other public buildings in 
the village are an Episcopal church, an academy, a prison, a bank and a county 




THE "WAGENER HOUSE" REMODELED. 
BY WILLIAM T. MORRIS. 



OWNED 



22 



clerk's office. The place is one of mucli business, and has many mercantile 
stores and about 300 dwellings." 

It will perhaps be interesting to here mention a few by name who then con- 
ducted mercantile stores in Penn Yan, as given in an old newspaper in the 
writer's possession. This is a copy of the Yates County Whig and is dated Tues- 
day, December 15th, 1840. It is a four-page, six-column paper about 16 by 22 
inches in size. The first, second and part of the third pages are devoted entirely 
to the official canvass of the election of that year. Among the advertisements 
which appear are those of Stewart & Tunnicliff, Reddy & Morse, Bentley & 
Streeter, Davenport & Morrow, Ayres & Dunning, Tyler & Powle, M. Hamlin, 
L. B. Mandeville and J. C. Babcock. In this paper appear also the advertise- 
ments of George Ccoley, merchant tailor; Henry Garner, fashionable barber, and 
Joseph Elmendorf, dentist. Mention is made of the Penn Yan Hotel, which was 
then conducted by Elisha S. Ryno. This hostelry was erected by Asa Cole, and 
for many years was a popular place of resort, and enjoyed a large patronage. 
Another inn, which is likewise referred to, was the American Hotel, of which 
the first landlord was Samuel Wise, the father of the late John J. Wise. It 
stood on the site of Cornwell's Opera House Block, and in 1857 was destroyed 
by fire. 

In 1835, at a meeting held in the latter hotel, the first fire company in Penn 
Yan was organized. The first chief was Thomas H. Locke, who was a book- 
binder by occupation, and for a long interval held the office of Justice of the 
Peace. By the direction of the village trustees, Mr. Locke went to Rochester 
and there purchased a fire engine called the "Neptune," together with a supply of 
leather hose. This fire engine was worked by brakes, and was kept in a small 
wooden building which stood on a lot on the south side of Head street, between 
Main and Jackson. 

On the west side of Sheppard street and extending to and beyond Jacob's 
brook was formerly a spacious grove. It contained a number of large trees some 
of hickory, chestnut and butternut. It was a delightful location for the holding 
of picnics, which were held there till within the writer's recollection. It was 
the place usually selected for holding the regular exercises of a 4th of July cele- 
bration. 

The oldest house now standing in Penn Yan is on Cherry street 
and is the house owned for several years by the late Joseph St. 
John. This house was built over a century ago by Samuel Lawrence, who 
formerly owned all the land in the east portion of the village. He was one 
of the sons of John Lawrence, an early pioneer of Milo, and the head of an im- 
portant family in the history of Yates County. Samuel Lawrence was Supervisor 
of the town of Snell in 1808, a town which embraced all that is now included in 
Milo, Benton and Torrey. He was also a Member of Assembly in 1808, 1809 and 
1818, and Sheriff of Ontario county when Yates county was taken off in 1823, 
When Member of Assembly (from Ontario county) in 1818 he procured the 
organization of a new town. Being well read in the classics, he named the new 
town Milo after, as he said, a famous athlete of antiquity, who was a sort of a 
Samson among the ancient Greeks. 

Another old house is the residence known as the Scott house, on the corner 
of Main and Mill streets. This was erected' by John VanPelt, a soldier of the 
Revolution, and was at one time the residence of Abraham P. Vosburg, the first 
surrogate of Yates County. Another old dwelling is Mrs. Mary J. Seymour's house, 
on Main street. This is the first residence owned and occupied by Dr. William 
Cornwell (the father of Hon. George R. Cornwell), and where he commenced 
keeping house in 1817. 

23 



A post office was first established here at the close of the eighteenth cen- 
tury and was named Jerusalem. After about fifteen years the name was very 
properly changed to Penn Yan. As an example of the lack of postal facilities 
in the pioneer days, Mrs. Pamela Winants stated that her uncle, 
Daniel Brown (who settled in Benton in 1791), used to make weekly trips, car- 
rying the mail from Canandaigua and Geneva to Penn Yan on horseback and 
occasionally on foot. At one place on his route he would leave letters and 

papers in a hole cut in 
a tree, and secured by 
a cover, and everyone 
who expected a letter 
would go to thisi prime- 
val post office and ex- 
amine the mail. 

Abraham H. Ben- 
"nett was one of the 
early postmasters. It 
was said of him that 
"he carried the post 
office in his hat." He 
wore a tall "stovepipe" 
hat and when a person 
called for a letter, he 
would take off his hat, 
remove from therein 
his spectacles and hand- 
kerchief and look over 
the letters. 

Besides having the 
honor of being the 
founder of this village, 
Abraham Wageiner has 
also the distinction of 
naming the village 
streets when they were 
first opened. The au- 
thority tor this state- 
ment was his daughter, 
the late Mrs. Henrietta 
Monell. Main, Liberty, 
Head, Jackson, Clinton, 
Court, Chapel, Jacob 
and Elm streets were so 
named by him, also Canal street (now called Seneca street) and Pine street 
(now called Keuka street). Canal street was thus called from its proximity to 
fhe canal, and Pine street, from a number of pine trees on its borders. 

Mrs. Sarah Cornwell (the wife of Dr. William Cornwell) told the writer that 
she was one of the spectators at the very first show ever held in Penn Yan. This 
va^ the exhibition of an elephant at a barn then owned by one Zachariah 
Wheeler and located on the lot now occupied by B. R. Ramsey, on Upper Main 
street, above Head. Melzer Tuell was also one of the number who went to see 
the elephant. He gave the year of the exhibition as 1820 and said that the ap- 
pearance of a single elephant attracted probably as much attention among the 




SCENES ALONG P. T., K. P. & B. RT. 



35 



then residents as a big circus and menagerie would among tbe present 
generation. A few months later (as he said) he attended another sJiow, this 
being an exhibition of figures in wax-work. 

Six years after the village was incorporated the first band of music was 
organized (1839). The organizer and leader was A. M. Cobleigh, who played on 
the key-bugle. The late Benjamin L. Hoyt, Esq., was one of the players and he 
informed the writer that the band consisted of ten pieces. He acted as trump- 
eter, and among the players were Edwin C. Gillett, clarionet player; Charles Lee, 
bugler, and 'William Sears, cornetist. The year the band was organized the 
musicians went to Bath and gave a concert. The next year during the Presi- 
dential campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," Charles Babcock, deputy sheriff 
under Uriah Hanford, the sheriff of Yates county, got up a grand excursion to 
Syracuse, where a political meeting was to be held. This band accompanied 
the excursionists going from Penn Yan to Syracuse in a canal boat and making 
the distance in a day and a half. 

In addition to the canal, the 
residents of that age, when they 
wished to communicate with the 
outside world, made use of a line of 
stage coaches, which extended froni 
Bath to Geneva and passed through 
Penn Yan. The stage coach went 
out one day and returned the next 
The line was owned and managed 
by John Magee, who then resided in 
Bath, and he would occasionally 
come himself in his stage coach to 
Penn Yan. In the early fifties the 
whistle of the locomotive began to 
be heard in our village, as the first 
train passed over the Canandaigua 
and Elmira Railway, as it was then 
called. This railroad, when first put 
through, was largely built by Penn Yan capital and was later owned by the 
f-Torthern Central, and now by the Pennsylvania system. It will not be out of 
place to here state that the second railroad to reach Penn Yan was a branch of 
the Fall Brook (now the New York Central) and extended from Dresden along 
the line of the canal. This railroad was first opened for traffic in 1885. 

For some years after its first settlement Penn Yan bore the character of a 
very irreligious place. Sunday was to a great extent a day devoted to business, 
pastime and tavern resorting. It was owing to William Babcock that a religious 
sentiment began to prevail in the community. Though not a professor of religion, 
he encouraged the holding of meetings and helped in a financial way the preach- 
ing at different times of transient ministers. The first church in Penn Yan was 
the First Presbyterian church, which was organized February 18, 1823. The 
church edifice was completed the year following. St. Mark's (Episcopal) church 
v.'as organized January 3, 1826, though their first church edifice was not built 
until 1837. Mrs. Susan Woodin (a sister of the late Samuel J. Potter, Esq.) be- 
gan holding Methodist prayer meetings in 1828, thus beginning the establishment 
here of the Methodist society, but it was not until 1836 that their first church 
(jdifice -was erected. One year previous (that is, in 1835), the First Baptist 
church edifice was built. St. Michael's (Catholic) church was first dedicated in 
1S50. New and grander edifices have since been built, and, with one exception, 
at different locations from those first erected. 




LAKE KEUKA OUTLET AND CANAL. 



26 




The early inhabitants of this section must have appreciated the saying, 
"Knowledge is power," for hardly had the ring of the pioneer's axe been heard 
in the fcrest than arrangements began for the establishment of schools. It would 

be proper to 
here mention 
the schools 
which in times 
past have been 
opened in Penn 
Yan, but space 
forbids. Refer- 
ence can, how- 
ever, be made to 
the Yates Acad- 
emy. This stood 
on the lot where 
now stands the 
residence of 
Hon. John S. 
Sheppard. The 
building was 
first erected for 
a tavern by an 
old English sea 
captain named 
Elijah Holcomb 

and was called the Washington House. In 1828 it was changed into an academy, 
and conducted successfully as such for some years. A later institution, the well 
known and noted Penn Yan Academy, was completed in the summer of 1859, 
and has within recent years been enlarged, remodeled and improved to a. sur- 
prising degree. 

The attack on Port Sumter in April, 1861, aroused to a considerable extent 
a patriotic sentiment in Penn Yan, and immediately on receiving the news of 
President Lincoln's proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers, the first war meet- 
ing was held in Washington Hall. At this meeting General Alexander P. Whitaker 
presided and George R. Cornwell was secretary. The organization of a military 
company was at that time begun. This company, the first to be raised in Penn 
Yan, was called the Keuka Rifies, and as Company I in the Thirty-third Regiment 
of New York Infantry, did good service during the first two years of the Great 
Rebellion. Washington Hall (in the upper story of the Smith Building, and on 
Main street) has the further distinction of being designated as the location of the 
armory and headquarters of a company of militia, known as the First Separate 
Company N. G. S. N. Y., and organized in this village June 15, 1875. 

The writer now concludes this historical sketch of Penn Yan, though various 
references could still be made to many other incidents of interest and of progress. 
Conscious, however, that he has already transcended the limits originally intend- 
ed, he brings this record to a close, hoping that it will be appreciated by all who 
read the same. 



N. C. R. R. BRIDGE CROSSING OUTLET AND N. Y, C. TRACKS. 



27 




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H 

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Eh 
to 

H 
M 

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Pi 

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►4 



LAKE KEUKA 




AKE KEUKA, of delightful surroundings, surpassing 
lovliness and peculiar formation, is perhaps the most 
charming, all things considered, of what are sometimes 
called The Finger Lakes of Central New York. 

Geologists tell us that ages and ages ago some 
curious glacial action dammed up the channels of pre- 
historic rivers, which resulted in the present interesting 
group. 

Lake Keuka is fifty feet higher than Canandaigua 
lake; 271 higher than Seneca Lake; 331 higher than 
Cayuga Lake; 343 higher than Oneida Lake; 487 higher 
than Lake Ontario and 718 feet higher than the ocean 
level. As compared with land elevation in this im- 
mediate vicinity, it is found that Keuka Lake is 236 feet 
lower than the village of Dundee; 42 lower than the 
hamlet of Himrod; 153 lower than Milo Center; 880 
lower than Barrlngton Summit; 372 lower than Bath; 
707 feet lower than Bluff Point; 776 lower than Prattsburgh; 1,324 lower than 
Italy Summit, and 572 feet lower than Rose Hill, in Jerusalem. 

Like a pretty picture on a printed page. Lake Keuka illuminates the map of 
New York. Its irregular outline is in strong contrast to those of its sister lakes 
that dot the atlas. Its situation is such that while the southern portion of the 
lake lies in the county of Steuben, 
its Y-shaped forks, or northern ex- 
tremities, are in the jurisdiction of 
Yates county. 

Lake Keuka has never been ex- 
ploited as have other localities less 
worthy. For some reason the poets 
have strangely overlooked it. Long- 
fellow, for instance, half aj century 
ago, w;rote in praise of "Catawba," 
which is still the only American 
wine song: 

There grows no vine 
By the haunted Rhine, 

By Danube or Guadalquivir; 
Nor on Island or cape 
That bears such a grape 

As grovs by the Beautiful River." ^^^ j^^-^ ^^^^ Demolished). 

But the "only American wine 
song" is sadly in need of revision; for while that particular grape is all the poet's 
fancy painted, it is not " by the Beautiful River," that the Catawba is now grown 
to perfection, but by the Beautiful Keuka. * * * 




29 





Eh' 

M 

o 
ft 

h 

J 

m 



^:.: 


' J 


^ 


1 




\ 




1 




i 



Keuka lacks her poet; but that is all she lacks. The subject matter is here, 
and here the inspiration. 

Keuka is a name of Indian origin. Its signification is "crocked." Wot many 
years this was popularly known as "Crooked Lake," a m.ost appropriate designa- 
tion. The modern philologist, with a true regard for the perpetuation of our 
beautiful Indian nomenclature, rescued it from the commonplace and placed it 
in the vocabulary of the sentimental. 

Now, softly sailing o'er the blue waters, look on tire scene which, 
just as the finished picture in the Academy of design surpasses 
the preliminary study which the artist made, so does this 
catch the eye of the tourist, and with shade and shadow, 
tint and tone, such as pen cannot describe nor the camera 
portray. The landscape is a panorama of beauty, of 
which the visitor, whether familiar or unfamiliar 
with its changing scenes, never tires. The steep 
and gullied shores, once nearly valueless, under 
the vineyardists' skilful hands, have become 
the source of, by far, the larger part of the 
income of the region. 

Lake Keuka's wave Is rarely more 
than a ripple. "The long light shakes 
across the lake's "mirrow-like sur- 
face, in which is reflected mile 
after mile of trellised vine. 
Indian tradition rests on the 
region. Red Jacket's summering 
place and his winter quarters are 
pointed out to the student of aboriginal 
story. That here he rested, fished and 
hunted is beyond successful contradiction, 
THE POPLARS— WEST BRANCH but no red trail of blood soils the ground 
Photo by Biret. nor resounding war-whoop echoes over this 

Here, in a terrace happy scene, 

garden overlooking the 
lake, were grown, in 
1847, the first out-door 
grapes to find their way 
to the New York mar- 
ket. The shipment con- 
sisted of fifty pounds of 
Isabellas, grown upon ar- 
bors, and was disposed 
of to advantage. The 
next year 200 pounds 
were forwarded, but so 
great a supply broke the 
market, and for a few 
year the grape industry 
languished; but it re- 
vived subseciuently and 
to such an extent has it 
been carried that forty 
million pounds have been shipped from the Lake Keuka district in a single 
year. More than one hundred varieties are raised hereabouts, but those most 





THE CHANNEL— LOOKING SOUTH. Photo by Biret. 



31 



depended upon for shipping are Concords, Catawba, Niagara and Delaware, 
Grapes from the Keuka region bring better prices than those of other localities, 
their flavor being superior, more care is used in sorting and packing, and the 
basket is handsomer. Six million baskets are made annually in the vicinity. 

Lake Keuka, inaptly known years ago as Crooked Lake, might better have 
been called Forked Lake, if a commonplace descriptive title were necessary, 




GIBSON'S— BLUFF POINT IN DISTANCE. 

inasmuch as a tongue of land, some eight miles in length, divides the lower part 
of the lake into two tines or branches. From the head of the lake, to the foot 
of the longest branch, is twenty-two miles, the width varying from three-quarters 
of a mile to two miles. The entire shore line must be about sixty miles. Near 
the head the banks are high and precipitous, in some places rocky and pictures- 
que, but towards the foot they meet the water in gentle slopes. The most strik- 
ing feature is Bluff Point, 
the promontory that di- 
vides the two branches, 
and which is said to be 
at the highest altitude, 
about 700 feet above the 
water. 

It Is difficult to say 
from which point of view 
this lovely lake is at its 
loveliest, that of the steam- 
er floating on its surface 
or from the drives along 
the hills looking down 
upon the water. To enjoy 
either and not both is to 
forego half the scenic 
pleasure the opportunity 
affords. The steamer 



l^^l 


J| 


^^u III ^^M 


l^^^^s 







THE GABLES. 
Summer Home of O. J. Garlock, 



Palmyra. 

trips are most available, for nowhere else on any similar body of water is the 
service so ample and so inexpensive. 

To anyone who likes to be on, or in, or about the water. Lake Keuka is par- 
ticularly desirable. Owing to its situation among the hills, no lake is safer for 
boating, there being noticeable freedom from the violent and sudden storms that 
add an element of danger to many bodies of water no larger than Keuka. The 
weather is always comfortable on the lake, usually a gentle breeze is blowing, 
and the untainted atmosphere is always strong and bracing, yet wholly different 
from the ocean air, which many find too harsh and penetrating. The change 



33 




STONELEB. 
Summer Home of Dr. H. S. Nichols, Brooklyn. 



from the seaboard is specially striking, and often marked in its effects. Suffer- 
ers from hay fever and asthma usually find immediate relief. 

There are beaches for bathing, and hundreds of unoccupied sites for camp- 
ing, with an unlimited country to draw upon for fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs 

and butter, cream and milk, 
chickens, etc., at prices 
much less than those to 
which the profits of com- 
mission agents and middle- 
men have added. 

With an electric or 
steam launch at command 
or even an ordinary row or 
sail boat, or canoe; pure 
air to breathe; complete 
immunity from dust, ma- 
laria and mosquitoes; all 
this lovely, restful scenery 
to delight the eye, and the 
best of fishing in the State, 
where can there be a bet- 
ter place to spend, a vaca- 
tion or all summer? 
It is all easy and natural at Lake Keuka. It is a good place to go also after 
the ordinary season at other places has practically ended. Summer visitors who 
are at Lake Keuka "What time the vine is in the bud" are always wishing they 
oould be here when grapes are ripe, and then, indeed, is this part of the country 
most enchanting. Nowhere can there be a better place to try the efficacy of the 
Grape Cure, which in Ger- 
many, Hungary, Austria and 
Switzerland has long been pop- 
ular. 

A word about the fishing: 
Twenty-five years ago, Seth 
Green, America's greatest pis- 
ciculturist and originator of 
artificial propagation of fish, 
wrote over his signature: 

"I think Lake Keuka un- 
surpassed by any water in 
America as a fishing resort. 
The purity of the water and 
the large amount of fish food 
contained in the lake tend to 
put the fish in the finest con- 
dition for the table and render 
them very strong and gamy 
when on the hook and line." 

These conditions have in no way changed except that the fishing, owing to 
continuous restocking of the lake, is better today than it was when the foregoing 
lines were written, a quarter of a century ago. Salmon trout, black bass, pickerel, 
perch, wall-eyed pike and rainbow trout are caught in great quantities every 
season, both by professional fishermen and amateurs. 

Fishing for salmon or lake trout continues from early in April till October, 




HART AND SCOTT'S POINT. 
A Favorite Spot on Lake Keuka. 



35 




ESPERANZA, Summer Home of Wendell P. Bush, of New York. 

Catches of twelve or fifteen, weighing from four to six pounds each, are not un- 
common, and fishermen trolling with three branch lines at different depths some- 
times get three trout at once. Trout weighing twenty pounds have been caught. 

No statement upon this subject is considered complete that does not allude, 
at least, to the one fish story that has made Lake Keuka famous — the "yarn" 
which is always first heard with natural incredulity, but which is absolutely true ; 

How at Brandy Bay, Lake Keuka, one sunny afternoon, Harry Morse, then a 
boy of seven years, was leaning over the side of a boat looking into the water, 
when his mother, also in the boat, heard him scream, and turned to behold her 
boy's face covered with blood, and a great trout floundering in the skiff beside 
him. The trout evidently mistaking the boy's nose for something good to eat, had 
leaped from the lake to seize it, and the boy's involuntary drawing back, with 
the force of the fish's leap, had resulted in the most astonishing catch on record. 
The trout weighed eight pounds. It cannot now be seen because the incident 
happened as long ago as August 27, 1873, but its photograph is extant, and the 
nose is still visible on one of Penn Yan's most respected citizens. 




CASCADE AT SENECA MILLS 



VIEW 



BRUCE'S GULL^-. 



36 



LAKE KEUKA AND ITS NAVIGATION 




P IT were possible for the plain, methodical 
and matter of fact writer of history to become 
at all romantic or sentimental, he might justly 
say : "Beautiful Ogoyago of the Seneoas, what 
changes has the devastating hand of man 
wrought in your appearance during his reign 
of an hundred years?" Where once alone did 
glide the noiseless canoe are seen large and 
elegant steam craft, each freighted with the 
fruits of innumerable vineyards, or laden with 
pleasure-seeking passengers. But to lay aside 
romancing and come to the material facts, it 
may be stated that the now called Lake Keuka 
is peculiarly the possession of Yates county 
despite the fact that its upper waters lie in 
an adjoining shire. Seneca lake bounds Yates 
county on the east, and Canandaigua lake on 
the west; but with these bodies the county has nothing in common except inci- 
dentally and remotely. But with Keuka the situation is different. Local capital 
and industry have developed its resources and placed upon it the most elegant 
lines of steamers that ever graced an interior lake. 

To the ancient Senecas this lake was known as Ogoyago, while to a later 
generation of the same occupants the name Keuka appears to have been applied 
to the lake. But this is a disputed question and the writer may be treading on 
dangerous ground in making the above assertion. It is claimed, and upon good 
authority, too, 
that the true 
Seneca name of 
this lake was 
Keuka, meaning 
"Lake with an 
elbow," which is 
truly descriptive 
of its outline 
formation. It is 
also asserted that 
Ogoyago in Sene- 
ca means "Land 
between waters," 
fairly descriptive 
of the promon- 
tory called Bluff 
Point. Both of 

these statements may be and perhaps are true, and yet the original assertion will 
stand unimpeaehed; for one of the customs of the ancient Senecas was to name 




37; 



their lakes and rivers after some peculiarly prominent point of land in their 
immediate vicinity. If to them BlufiE Point was Ogoyago, so, too, might the lake 
be called, and that regardless of the fact that Keuka, "Lake with an elbow," was 
more properly descriptive of the character of the lake itself. 

But this is a comparatively unimportant subject to argue in this place. Both 
sides can present strong arguments in support of their positions; but the matter 
is satisfactorily set at rest in the fact that common consent has adopted the 

name of Lake 
Keuka as proper 
and fitting" to 
Yates county's 
own body of wat- 
er. It may be 
stated, however, 
that the white- 
fa c e d pioneers 
gave the name 
Crooked Lake, by 
which also the 
lake has ever 
since been 
known. 

Navigation on 
Lake Keuka has 
passed through 
many stages and conditions since the first occupancy of the region by the white 
man. First there was the dugout or birch bark canoe used alike by the red men 
and the white-faced pioneer. This was followed by the fiat boat period, of which 
Capt. John Beddoe seems to have been the pioneer. His craft was of three tons 
burthen and was brought to 
Lake Keuka from New York, 
being carried over the territory 
intervening between navigable 
waters. Captain Beddoe's voy- 
age was made from the foot of 
the lake to his tract or pur- 
chase of land in Jerusalem in 
1798. The flat boat period, 
however, was not commenced 
until some years after John 
Beddoe's voyage, nor was he 
even to be counted among the 
early regular lake navigators. 

In 1833 the Crooked Lake 
Canal was opened for business. 
This brought to Lake Keuka 
an importance not before en- 
joyed, and following it was an 





ON LAKE KEUKA. 



era of prosperity that even the most ardent pioneer enthusiast had never dreamed 
of. But this was nothing more than a single onward step, and the importance of 
the canal and occasional sail boat period was more than dwarfed into insignifi- 
cance by the appearance of the first steamboat — the Keuka — built and put upon 
the lake in 1837, and commanded by Capt. Joe Lewis; John Gregg, engineer. 
The Keuka was owned by the Crooked Lake Steamboat Company, the principal 



38 



stockholders In which were S. S. Ellsworth, of Penn Yan; John Magee and W. W. 

McKay, of Bath; Thomas W. Olcott, of Albany, and B. Whiting, of Geneva. Capt. 

Joe Lewis, of Geneva, commanded the Keuka until 1841, and was then succeeded 

by John Gregg, her former engineer, Four years later the boat stranded and 

beached near the foot 
of the lake. She was 
dismantled and her 
cabins taken to form 
the nucleus of the re- 
cent summer resort 
known as the Ark. 

In 1845 Captain 
Gregg built the steam- 
er Steuben and was 
her captain until the 
spring of 1864, when he 
sold her to Capt. Allen 
■\Vood. She was burned 
in July, 1864. The 
steamer George R. 
Youngs was built in 
1865 by Capt. Allen 
Wood, who commenced 
running her in the 
month of September of 
that year. In 1868 
Captain Wood built the 

screw steamer Keuka, which ran for a few years and was then sold and removed 

from the lake. 

In 1871 the firm of Crosby & Company, composed of Morris P. Sheppard, 




A LAKE KEUKA STEAMER. 




CROSBY LANDING. 

Joseph F. Crosby and Farley Holmes, bought the George R. Youngs of Capt. Allen 
Wood, and changed her name to the Steuben. In 1372 they formed the Lake Keuka 
Steam Navigation Company, of which Farley Holmes was president; Morris F. 



39 



Sheppard, secretary and treasurer, and Joseph. F. Crosby, superintendent. They 
built the Steamer Yates. Morris P. Sheppard and Joseph F. Crosby sold out their 
Interest in the Lake Keuka Steam Navigation Company to Farley Holmes. 

In 1878 the Keuka Steamboat Company was organized at Hammondsport, and 
built the Lulu. In 1880 the Keuka Navigation Company was organized with 
Nelson Thompson, president; Ralph T. Wood, vice-president; Morris F. Shep- 
pard, secretary and treasurer, and George A. Sanders, superintendent. They 
purchased the Lulu of the Keuka Steamboat Company and built the steamer 
Urbana. In 1881 the Keuka Navigation Company bought the Yates and Steuben 
of the Lake Keuka Steam Navigation Company. In 1882 George A. Sanders re- 
signed and W. W. Eastman was appointed superintendent. In the winter of 
1883-84 the steamer Yates was burned at her moorings in Penn Yan. 



1- ''' ,~' 

,. . '■ •■■■,- 


Wm^^ 








■;;. 


mm^^M' 






^^^mM 


Wm 




^bISSb,' aJp 'i^f'^g^^W g 


S* ''^^jobB 


"' -iH^^'fi 


" ' '*, ■■ ' / '' ' 


P 




^ ' ^''V.^* ' "|. 


y J _^, ' , ' r]. 


1 




1- ' k '' 




^fe^ 


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It' m 


■' ' y ■ '■' ■' 


^^^^ 


. ' 



"THE WILLOWS," AT ELECTRIC PARK. 



About this time William L. Halsey, of Rochester, formerly of Steuben coun- 
ty, became interested in the company. In 1883, owing to some misunderstanding 
with his associates, Mr. Halsey organized "the Crooked Lake Navigation Company, 
with a capital stock of $12,000, and officers and directors- as follows : William L. 
Halsey, president; George H. Lapham, vice-president; T. O. Hamlin, secretary 
and treasurer; O. C. Knapp, superintendent; directors, W. L. Halsey, O. C. 
Knapp, T. O. Hamlin, W. W. Quackenbush, W. M. Johnson, George S. Weaver, 
Allen Wood and George H. Lapham. The new company built and put upon the 
lake the large steamers Holmes and West Branch during the year 1883, and set 
up an opposition to the old line. The result was a most bitter enmity between 
the contending companies, which continued for years. The Crooked Lake Com- 
pany put the fares down to ten cents to any point upon the lake. The old com- 
pany immediately followed by reducing them to five cents. In 1884 Mr. Halsey 
died and T. O. Hamlin succeeded to the presidency of the company, still retaining, 
however, his positions as secretary and treasurer. . In 1887 Mr. Knapp died and 
was succeeded by William N. Wise as superintendent. In 1885 Morris P. Shep- 

40 



pard was elected president and treasurer of the Keuka Navigation Company; 
Nelson Thompson, vice-president, and William T. Morris, secretary. 

In 1886 the Lake Keuka Navigation Company was formed with the following 
oflBcers: Morris P. Sheppard, president and treasurer; F. M. McDowell, vice- 
president; William T. Morris, secretary, and W. W. Eastman, superintendent. 
They purchased the steamers TJrbana and Lulu of the Keuka Navigation Com- 
pany, which was dissolved. 

In 1887 the Crooked Lake Navigation Company built at Penft Yan and put 
upon the lake the steamer William L. Halsey, a boat slightly larger than the 
Holmes. The officers of the company were as follows: Theodore O. Hamlin, 
president, secretary and treasurer; H. M. Halsey, vice-president;! W. N. Wise, 
superintendent; George B. Mumford, H. M. Halsey, George S. Weaver, J. W. 




ROADWAY BETWEEN KEUKA COLLEGE AND YACHT CLUB. 

Davis, George Gibson, J. H. Coryell, W. W. Quackenbush and T. O. Hamlin, 
directors. On January 1, 1890, the owners of the Lake Keuka Navigation Com- 
pany sold out to Charles W. Drake, of New York City. 

On October 17, 1891, the Lake Keuka Navigation Company signed' a contract 
with the Union Dry Dock Company, of Buffalo, N. Y., for a new steamer 150 feet 
in length, twenty-five feet beam, steel hull, twin screws, double boilers, two 
triple expansion engines of the capacity of 700 horse-power, and steam steering 
gear. The speed provided for in the contract was twenty miles per hour. The 
cost of this boat, including its furniture and upholstery, was something over 
$40,000. This beautiful steamer, one of the finest on any inland body of water 
In the state, was named the Mary Bell, and put into service in 1892. On June 
5th, 1905, the name of this boat was changed from the Mary Bell to Penn Yan. 
The steamer is licensed to carry 600 passengers. 



41 



### THE SCHOOLS ## 



When, after many years of patient and impatient endurance of British tyr- 
anny, our forefathers wisely resolved to secure the blessings of liberty to them- 
selves and their posterity, they rightly held that they were endowed by their 
Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which were life, liberty . and the 
pursuit of happiness. 

Closely associated with this last, and nearly allied to it, is the pursuit of 
learning, and in this our ancestors were earnestly engaged long before the days 
of the Declaration. 

Yates county can hardly claim to be Revolutionary territory, but its first 
settlers had all the interest in education possessed by the Revolutionary patriots, 
and it is gratifying to know that the public school received their early attention. 

The old log meeting house of the Public Universal Friend, built in 1790, in 
what is now the town of Torrey, undoubtedly the first structure devoted to relig- 
ious worship erected west of Fort Stanwix, deserves our additional consideration 
as also the earliest devoted to the cause of education, for under its roof was 
held the first public school. 

Here Sarah Richards, manager-in-chief of the temporal affairs of the Friend, 
taught for a few weeks before her death; Ruth Pritchard, for some time secre- 
tary and amanuensis for the Friend, also taught here in 1796, and John Briggs, 
another follower of this society, at about the same time. 

In 1797 Ruth Pritchard was married to Justus P. Spencer; they lived in the 
little settlement which was the beginning of what is now Penn Yan, and she 
taught a school in her own house, after her marriage, for many years. She un- 
doubtedly taught the first school in Penn Yan. A woman of mucli intelligence 
and of devoted piety, she was a power for good in her day and generation. She 
died in 1816. 

Early School Houses. In 1820 there was a rude school house upon the Main 
street front of the present Academy lot. Just when it was built nobody seems to 
know, but it was in a dilapidated condition at that time. This was followed by 
a brick school house, built about 1830, on the west side of what is now Liberty 
street, a little above the Academy lot. This brick structure was succeeded by 
the present frame building upon Head street, built about 1843, now used as a 
place of worship by the Free Methodists. 

About 1824 a school house was erected on Rag street, near the site of the 
Wagener shoe factory. Nine years later, when Penn Yan had become an incor- 
porated village, It had shuffled off this unsavory title, and the highway was then 
known as Canal street, and now as Seneca street. This school was a large one, 
and this building was ihe scene of the education of many useful members of 
society, until it was replaced by the school building erected in Maiden Lane in 
1842. The late Benjamin L. Hoyt, Esq., taught here in 1840-41. 

Joseph Bloomlngdale was the first, or nearly the first, teacher in the Maiden 
Lane school; he Is said to have had a large school, and to have employed two 

42 



or three assistants. If we may credit the reports which have come down to us, 
"he was a scholar, and a ripe and good one." 

Professor Henry R. Sanford, now the senior member of the Board of Con- 
ductors of Teachers' Institutes, under the direction of the Regents', was at one 
time a teacher there. The Maiden Lane school was closed and the building sold 
to O. N. Hoban after the completion of the new school building upon the Academy 
lot on Liberty street in 1893. 

District Number 9, at the foot of Lake Keuka, since mostly absorbed by the 
Union School district, was organized about 1825; VanRensselaer Vorce was 
teaching in Aaron Plympton's old log house at that time, and he also taught the 
first school in Number 9 after the district school house was built. Prominent 
among the teachers in this school was Samuel V. Miller, who taught in 1840-41; 
he was also a school inspector, and was the first town Superintendent of Schools 
in Milo, in which office he served for about ten years. 

The limits of this sketch necessarily shut out any complete account of the 
many select and private schools which flourished here with more or less suc- 
cess in the early days, and before the present complete school system which has 
rendered them unnecessary. No account of education in Penn Yan would, how- 
ever, be complete without some reference to what must now be called the old 
Academy. 

The Old Academy. Thirty years before the establishment of the present 
Academy, there was incorporated under the laws of our State an institution 
entitled the Yates County Academy and Female Seminary, which, though it was 
in existence for only about ten years, did much for the advancement of learning 
and general culture in this community. 

The original Board of Trustees consisted of Henry Bradley, Bbenezer Brown, 
Samuel S. Ellsworth, Ira Gould, Joseph Ketchum, Cornelius Masten, Thomas J. 
Nevins, Andrew F. Oliver, Aaron Remer, James C. Robinson, George Shearman, 
i2ben Smith. 

Gai^diner Kellogg, a graduate of Bowdoin College, was Principal, and the 
Academy was opened on the first Monday of January, 1829, with about seventy 
students. The building stood where John S. Sheppard now lives, and was 
erected by Elijah Holcomb, and had been used by him as a hotel. The catalogue 
of 1834 contained the names of 341 students and eight teachers; that of 1835 
showed 315 — a large attendance for those days. 

Penn Yan Academy. The act incorporating the Penn Yan Union School Dis- 
trict was passed by the Legislature early in 1857. The Board of Education or- 
ganized April 30th, and in the same year purchased the Academy lot at a cost of 
about $2,000. Mr. Charles V. Bush was awarded the contract to erect the Acade- 
my building at the price of $8,000. The work was finished in the summer of 
1859, and the Academy was opened on the first of September of that year with 
an enrollment of 293 students. 

In 1905 the Academy was rebuilt and enlarged at a cost of $24,000. At this 
date, May, 1911, the registration in the high school proper is 335 and in the Aca- 
demy building over 500. 

The primary schools were made free upon the organization of the Union 
School District, and the Academy was made free to all residents of the district 
in 1875. 

Other School Buildings. The Board of Education also established a primary 
school east of the Northern Central Railway in 1876, in what was then district 
Number 4 of Milo. This had been in its time an important district; among the 
teachers there in its early days, were Benjamin L. Hoyt and William P. Gaylord. 

44 



In 1879 this district was also absorbed by the Union School district, and the 
brick school building on Chestnut street was erected in that year, at a cost of 
about $3,000. They also established a primary school on Lake street in 1876, and 
erected the present brick school building there in 1879, at a cost of about $2,000. 

In 1893 was completed the large and commodious school building standing on 
the Liberty street front of the Academy lot. It represents, an expenditure of 
about $10,000, and forms an important part of the present school system. 




LIBERTY STREET SCHOOL, ERECTED IN 1893. 

In the summer of 1894, a new brick building for primary scholars was erected 
on Hutton street, at a total cost for lot and building of about $2,000. 

St. Michael's School. Working side by side with the public school system of 
the village, in the primary and intermediate grades of study, is St. Michael's 
Roman Catholic school, under the direction of the resident rector. The building, 
a fine brick structure, thoroughly equipped, was completed in 1883, and the school 
was opened in October of that year. It cost, completed, about $10,000, and it was 
secured largely through the efforts of Rev. Eugene Paganni, at that time the effi- 
cient rector of this parish. 

Personnel — Officers. The Board of Education named in the act incorporating 
the Penn Yan Union School District was as follows: Levi O. Dunning, Benedict 
W. Franklin, Jeremiah S. Jillett, Ebenezer B. Jones, Darius A. Ogden, Charles C. 
Sheppard, Martin Spencer, Daniel W. Streeter and George Wagener. 

The Presidents of the Board since 1859 have been: Ebenezer B. Jones, 1859- 
'61; Charles C. Sheppard, 1861-'63, 1865-'73; Benedict W. Franklin, 1863-'65; Dari- 
us A. Ogden, 1873-'76, 1880-'89; Levi O. Dunning, 1876-'77; Stafford C. Cleveland, 
1877-'80; Benjamin L. Hoyt, 1889-'91; George R. Cornwell, 1891-'94; John S. Shep- 
pard, 1894-'95, 1900-'03; Edson Potter, 1895-'97; John H. Lown, 1897-'98; Charles 
B. Shaw, 1898-'99; DeForest H. Stoll, 1903-'04; Clarence T. Birkett, 1904-'06; John 
H. Johnson, 1906-'ll; John Hyland, 1911—. 



45 



The Academy has had twenty-one Principals: Rev. Otis L. Gibson, 1859-'61, 
Willard P. Gibson, 1861-'63, and Winsor Scofield, 1863-'66; Cicero M. Hntchins, 
1866-'68; Rev. Rufus S. Green, 1868-'69; John T. Knox, 1869-'70; Samuel D. Barr, 
1870-'72; Burr Lewis, 1872-'73; Rudolphus C. Briggs, 187'3-'75; Rev. Francis D. 
Hodgson, 1875-'83; Henry White Callahan, 1883-'90; F. Theodore Shultz, 1890-'95; 
George Howard Hoxie, A. M., 1895-'97; Frank C. McMaster, A. B., 1897-'98; How- 
ard Conant, A. M., 1898-1900; Fred C. Wixom, Ph. B., 1900-'01; B. W. Cutler, A. B.> 
1901-'03; L, Dudley Wilcox, A. B., 1903-'07; Glenn Penhollow, 1907-'08; Everett S. 
Elwood, 1908-'10; W. Eugene DeMelt, 1910~. 

In 1895 a Superintendent of Schools was elected to have general oversight 
in the graded departments. These superintendents have been: William Joseph 




THE OLD PENN YAN ACADEMY, ERECTED IN 1859. 

Pelo, A. B., 1895-'96; George Howard Hoxie, A. M., 1896-'98; Jay Crissey, 1898- 
1901; Jeremiah M. Thompson, Ph. B. 1901-'05; N. Winton Palmer, 1906—. 

The Preceptresses since 1859 have been: Frances A. Sweet, 1859-'60; Mary E- 
Clark, 1860-'61; Susan R. Gibson, 1861-'64; Louise P. Dana, 1864-'67; Louise M. 
Randal, 1867-76; Helen M. Stark, 1876-'77; Emma H. Murphey, 1877-79; Edith Van 
Dusen, 1879-'80; Margaret Emerson, 1880-'87; Louise J. Starkweather, 1887-'91; Es- 
tella Mullholland, 1891-'92; Alice Hulburd, 1892-'94; Ida Shaper, 1894-'96; Katherine 
Rowe Moore, 1896-'97; Mabel B. Hall, 1897-'1899; Mrs. Lizzie Lowell Hammond, 
1899-1907; Katherine Rowe Moore, 1907 — . 



46 



THE CHURCHES ### 



Fir^ Presbyterian Church 



The First Presbyterian Church of Penn Yan was organized in February, 1823. 
For four years prior to that time services had been held, principally in the Benton 
church. As early as 1819 Rev. James Hotchkiss preached in a school house in 
Penn Yan, when there were only two members of the Presbyterian faith in the 
village — both women. Rev. Richard Williams came here to live the following year, 
preaching here and in Benton. In 1824, the denomination, then quite 
well organized, built its first church — a small, unpretentious frame building. 



near the residence 
of the late T. F. 
Wheeler on Main 
street. In 1841 a 
division occurred 
among the mem- 
bers of the church 
and the pastor and 
a number of fol- 
lowers left and 
formed a congrega- 
tional Society and 
built a place of 
worship where the 
Methodist Episco- 
pal church now 
stands. This was 
inl841. The disrup- 
tion was a severe 
blow to the stanch 
Presbyterians, 
but they met the 
issue well and four 
months afterward 

The succession of pastors has been as follows: 




FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHtJRCH, 



they secured an- 
other pastor at an 
increased salary. 
At the same time 
they made radical 
changes and im- 
provements in the 
church building. A 
heavy debt was 
thus incurred, but 
gradually many of 
those who had de- 
serted went back 
to the fold, and it 
was not long before 
the church was 
again affluent. In 
1864 the building 
was again repaired 
and enlarged. This 
served for fifteen 
years, when in 1879 
the present large 
edifice was erected. 
Richard Williams, 1820 to 



1825; Chancey Eddy, 1826 to 1831; Samuel A. Allen, October to December, 1831; 
Stephen Crosby, 1832 to 1836; Ovid Miner, 1837 to 1841; James Richards, 1841 to 
1847; William W. Robinson, 1848 to 1850; James Ells, 1851 to 1854; W. W. Tay- 
lor, 1854 to 1860; L. S. Fine, 1860 to 1862; Frederick Starr, 1864 to 1865; David 
Magie, 1865 to 1872; William Lawrie, 1872 to 1873; D. Henry Palmer, 1873 to 
1910. The latter completed nearly thirty-seven years as pastor of the churchy re- 
signing on account of ill health. He died not long afterward. The church was 
without a pastor until May, 1911, when Rev. Nevin D. Bartholomew became the 
pastor in charge. 



47 



Fir^ Methodic Episcopal Church 



In 1792, four years after the first white settlers came to this section of the 
country, Ezra Cole, a Methodist local preacher, held a service in a barn. In 

1793 the Seneca circuit was formed and a regular Methodist class organized. 
The quarterly meetings were held in a log house near where is now the farm 
house of Charles B. Shaw, probably the Sam Wise tavern house. The first visits 
to these parts of those two great Methodist preachers, Revs. William Colbert and 
Valentine Cook, were made in 1793-6. The latter was the presiding elder. In 

1794 Alward White was preacher and Thornton Fleming presiding elder. The 
following preachers succeeded: John Lackey and Joseph Whitby, 1795; Anning 
Owen and Hamilton Jefferson, 1796; Johnson Dunham, 1797; Jonas Stokes and 
Richard Lyon, 1798; Johnathan Bateman, 1799. The preachers until 1825 in- 
cluded the following: Benjamin Bidlack, Benjamin G. Paddock, George Harmon, 
Palmer JRoberts, William J, Kent, Robert Parker, Ogden Lanning and Henry J. 
Kent. 

In 1824 the work had become so established that the First Methodist Episcopal 
church of Penn Yan was duly incorporated, and a church building erected, the 
dedicatory sermon being preached by the Rev. Israel Chamberlayne, December 
21st, 1826. 

In 1848 the parsonage was purchased and the church repaired and improved; 
soon after the first pipe organ was added. In 1856 the society moved into the 
Congregational church building, which was purchased, and, soon after, enlarged 
and improved. In 1897 the beautiful, modern brownstone structure was erected, 
a building which gives every convenience for progressive church work. A mag- 
nificent three manual pipe organ, added in 1909, completes the equipment of this 
commodious place of worship, which cost complete about $40,000. 

The membership is now about five 

hundred. There is a large Sunday school, 

/ an energetic Brotherhood and Epworth 

League, as well as strong missionary 
societies among the women. 

The following have been the pastors: 
John B. Alvernon, 1826-8; Abner Chase, 
1829; Manley Tooker, 1830; Chester V. 
Adgate, 1831-2; Wilbur Hoag, 1833; Rob- 
ert T. Parker, 1834; Thos. J. Champion, 
1835; Seth Mattison, 1836; Thos. J. 
Champion, 1837; Allan Stelle, 1838; Free- 
born G. Hibbard, 1839; William P. Davis, 
1840; F. G. Hibbard, 1841-2; Clinton W. 
Sears, 1843; Isaiah McMahon, 1844-5; Wm. 
H. Goodwin, 1846-7; Alpha Wright, 1848-9; 
Israel H. Kellog, 1850-1; D. D. Buck, 
1852-3; Thos. Tousey, 1854-5; Nathan 
Fellows, 1856-7; John C. Noble, 1858-9; 
Sanford Van Benschoten, 1860-1; Chas. 
W. Bennett, 1862-3; D. D. Buck, 1864-5; 
Thos. Tousey, 1866-8; Jas. E. Latimer, 1869; W. B. Benham, 1870-1; M. S. Leet, 
1872-3; J. P. Farmer, 1874-6; K. P. Jervis. 1876-7; A. N. Damon, 1878-80; E. M. 
Mills, 1881-4; J. H. McCarty, 1884-6; J. V. Benham, 1887-9; L. F. Congdon, 1890; 
Arthur Copeland, 1891-3; J. F. Beebe, 1894-7; F. T. Keeney, 1898; H. E. Frohock 
] 899-1900; W. H. Giles, 1901-3; DeWitt S. Hooker, 1904-10; H. I. Andrews 191o' 




FIRST M. E. CHURCH. 



48 



St. Michael's Church 

Catholicity in the village of Penn YaH goes back as far as the year 1847. At 
that time there numbered about fifteen Catholic families. One of those families 
deserving special mention was the Hendrick family, which gave two distinguished 
sons to the church, the late Rt. Reverend Thomas A. Hendrick, Bishop of Cebu, 
P. I., and Rt. Reverend Joseph W. Hendrick, present pastor of Holy Cross Church, 
Ovid, and Domestic Prelate to His Holiness Pope Pius X. 

There was no Catholic church in Penn Yan at that time, and Fathers Bradley 
and O'Flaherty came here occasionally from Geneva, and said Mass in the homes 
ol Mr. Hendrick, Mrs. Mary Mulligan, In the Court House and in a school house 
near the present Pox's Mills. 

In 1849 Mr. Hendrick collected funds for the erection of a church, which 
building still remains on Keuka street. The ground was donated by Abraham 
Wagener. About 1850 this church was dedicated in honor of St. Michael, which 
name it has retained ever since. Father Gilbride was the first resident pastor, 
having Hamm.ondsport and Ovid for out missions. Father Gilbride was in charge 
about two years. 

The following priests have 
since been pastors: Rev. P. 
Canny, two years; Rev. J. 
Dean, one year; Rev. J. Mc- 
Kenna, seven years; Rev. D. 
English, seven years; Rev. B. 
McGowan, five years; Rev. W. 
Gregg, two years; Rev. Eugene 
Pagani, fifteen years; Rev. 
Angelo Lugero, six years. The 
present pastor is Rev. Martin 
J. Hendrick, who was appoint- 
ed pastor August 15, 1898. 
Rev. John R. Fitzsimons is the 
assistant, and was appointed 
March 18, 1909. 

The handsome new edifice 
which now stands on Liberty 
street was built by Father Hendrick, the present pastor, in 1902. 

Sf. Michael's parish is the largest congregation in this village, having a mem- 
bership of over one thousand souls. 

There is a parochial school connected with the church which was built by 
Father Pagani in 1883. It is supported by the voluntary contributions of the 
Catholics. The school is in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and has an at- 
tendance of 125 pupils. 

The valuation of all church property, including rectory, barn, school and old 
church property, is about $70,000. 

Under the activity of Rev. Fitzsimons, the debt incurred by the parish be- 
cause of the erection of the new church is being paid off yearly in substantial 
amounts. In time a tower will be erected on the southeast corner, the church 
being built with that addition in view. Also, when financial cares are less bur- 
densome than now, a larger and more elaborate altar will be installed, according 
to present intentions. 

The resident priests have also the Catholic church at Dundee in their pas- 
torate. 




ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. 



49 



St. Mark's Church 

St. Mark's parish was incorporatei^ May 8, 1837. Henry Rose and Abraham 
Dox were the first wardens. John N. Rose, Dr. Henry P. Sartwell, Sealobury Kls- 
sam, Francis M. Potter, Erastus Page, Ebenezer Lord, B. W. Franklin and William 
C. Parsons, the first -vestrymen. 

Before the parish existed legally, i.e., before the act of incorporation or a 
name had been chosen, the Rev. William W. Bostwick, missionary at Hammond- 
sport and Bath, held occasional services, beginning about 1826. 

The first church was built in 1838, opposite the Penn Yan Academy, where 
the home of Wm. N. Wise now stands, and was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Ben- 
jamin Treadwell Onderdonk, Bishop 
of New York, whose diocese com- 
prised the entire state. 

The first rector of St. Mark's 
was the Rev. Edmund Embury, 
1838. Several of Penn Yan's old- 
est families are related to Mr. Em- 
bury. 

The property on upper Main 
was sold, the parish then built the 
present church on Main street, cor- 
ner Clinton, in 1879, while the Rev. 
William Catterson was rector. Oc- 
tober 30, 1879, the Rt. Rev. Arthur 
Cleveland Coxe, D. D., L.L. D., 
Bishop of Western New York, con- 
secrated the new church. 

This building was enlarged to 
its present size and the tower add- 
ed during the rectorship of William 
H. Lord. 

Thus St. Mark's parish is over 
73 years old; has had many rectors, 
only two or three of whom are now 
^.iving. For the past thirteen years the Rev. J. H. Perkins has been the rector, 
and in years of service is the oldest clergyman in Penn Yan, St. Mark's being 
his first and only charge. 

Before coming to Penn Yan he was in charge of the Archdeaconry of Buffalo 
and ministered to all the small parishes and missions in Niagara, Erie, Wyoming, 
Chautauqua, Catteraugus and Alleghany counties, under the direction of the late 
Bishop Coxe. 

Rev. Mr. Perkins was born in London, Eng. He is the son of a clergyman and 
was educated at Hobart College, where he studied for four years with the class of 
'91. In 1894 he graduated with his class from the Seabury Divinity School and 
's'as ordained by Bishop Coxe. 

The parish is small but active, the different societies and guilds working 
together for the one object, the Church and her missions. 

St. Mark's is not only free from debt, but is at unity — working harmoniously, 
continually improving the church property. Many handsome and costly memor- 
ials and gifts have been received in the last few years. 
The church is well appointed, well kept and homelike. 

Visitors to the church always remark what a beautiful little church — the little 
church on the corner. 




ST. MARK'S CI-IURCH. 



5U 



Fir^ Bapti^ Church 



As early as 1811 Baptist services were conducted in this locality, but it was 
not until 1829 that a movement- was made to establish a Baptist society in 
Penn Yan. In that year a number of members of the old Second Milo church 
severed their relations for that purpose, and the early meetings were held in 
various places — in old Masonic Hall, 
in schools, in the court house, and even 
in a printing office. In 1831 it was de- 
cided to build a brick church, and in 
1834 one was erected on the site oc- 
cupied by the present church. It was 
a plain building and cost $9,000. This 
served until 1870, when it was torn 
down to make room for the present 
building. The new church was dedicat- 
ed May 18, 1871. 

The Baptist society has prospered 
in Penn Yan and has a large member- 
ship. The succession of pastors has 
been: Samuel Carpenter, David Hurl- 
but, John D. Hart, Ira Bennett, Orei 
Montague, Samuel Adsit, Howell Smith, 
Hiram K. Stimson, Charles Morton, 
Samuel D. Bainbridge, Charles N. 
Chandler, Edwin P. Brigham, N. Judson 
Clark, G. M. Peters, T. R. Peters, J. P. 
Parmer, D. Crosby, D. R. Watson, Ed- 
ward M. Saunier, Eugene Haines, 
Thomas deGruchy, Forrest L. Fraser. 
Rev. George W. Rockwell, the present pastor. His immediate predecessor. Rev. 
F. L. Fraser, resigned to take up the work of superintendent of the Albany Dis- 
trict of the State Anti-Saloon League. 




BAPTIST CHURCH. 



Free Methodic Church 

What was the People's Rescue Mission was, on October 21, 1906, formed into 
a Free Methodist Church Society of North America. Nine members were received 
into full membership from other churches. Later the old Head street school 
property was bought, and the building is used as a place of worship. 

Philip S. Culver ministers to the spiritual needs of the members of the 
church, which serves a useful purpose in its special field of endeavor. 



51 



THE CEMETERIES 



Lake View Cemetery 

Since 1799 a part of what is now Lake View Cemetery has been the last 
resting place of residents of this community. . David Wagener, the father of 
Abraham, was the first to be buried there. In 1837 Abraham Wagener deeded two 
acres to the village of Penn Yan, and this small plot sufficed until 1853, when the 
village trustees bought from Abraham Wagener six acres adjoining the original 
cemetery on the west, paying for it $600, the seller reserving two acres for burial 
purposes. In 1855 Abraham's heirs — Charles Wagener and others — gave another 
deed of this two acres cf reservation for $400, this time retaining only fifty lots 
for the Wagener fam.ily. This was called the "First Purchase." 




ENTRANCE TO LAKE VIEW CEMETERY. 

In 1867 five acres adjoining were bought from Charles Wagener for $2,500, 
and in 1878 another purchase of eight acres was made, the price being $600 an 
acre. In 1906 a fourth purchase was made, when ten acres were bought from 
Charles Wagener's heirs, making the total area of Lake View Cemetery thirty 
acres. For storage purposes a half acre north of the original burying ground was 
bought in 1908. 



53 



While Lake View Cemetery is most carefully tended and more attractive 
than most rural cemeteries, it is the aim Of the cemetery trustees to make even 
more improvements. Plotting, planting, lawn making and road building have 
been planned by a Cornell landscape architect. In laying out the last purchase 
the "lawn plan," or park system, has been observed, in which it is found desir- 
able to limit the stone work and monumental display as much as is compatible 
with the personal desires of those directly interested. 




IN LAKE VIEW CEMETERY. 

The trustees m.aintain a perpetual care fund. By paying in a certain small 
amount a lot will be taken care of for all time. Donations and bequests to this 
fund are asked for by the trustees. There are twenty or more lots now in the 
perpetual care fund. Lake View is indeed a beautiful city of the dead. 

A chapel is to be erected near the Court street entrance, Mrs. Henrietta 
Monell, a daughter of Abraham Wagener, having bequeathed in her will $5,000 
for that purpose. It is to be of Gothic or Swiss design and of brick or stone, 
and will be an ornament to the cemetery, as well as a convenience for the use 
of funeral parties. 

St. Michael's Cemetery 

During the pastorate of Rev. Eugene Pagani, the Roman Catholics bought 
about thirty-two acres of land for cemetery purposes, to the west of Lake View. 
Much is being done under the supervision of Rev. Martin Hendrick, pastor, and 
Rev. John Fitzsimons, assistant pastor, to beautify the grounds, and they are well 
kept. 



53 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 




RIOR to the incorporation of the village of Penn Yan 
in 1833, and for some two years afterward, the resi- 
dents fought fires with a hand engine and bucket 
brigades. There was no fire department, every- 
body lending a hand. In 1835 "Fire Engine 
Company No. 1" was formed, and a brake and 
suction engine, called the Neptune, was pur- 
chased and kept in a building on Elm street. 
The old hand engine, called the Cataract, 
■K "•. was kept in a shanty on Head street. In 
; 1838 persons residing in the northern part 
■-■',,■ of the village formed what was called 
' "'■ ' "Cataract Company No. 2," using the Cata- 
ract engine. This engine was first used 
when what was called "Brimstone Row," extending from Wheeler's corner to 
Hamlin's store, was burned. It was in use for twenty years. The Neptune was 
eventually sold to Hammondsport. 

In 1851 a number of citizens assembled in the court house and formed a 
company called "Keuka No. 1." Four years later "Excelsior No. 2" was formed, 
and the present engine house on Main street was built. The third brake engine 
was obtained that year. 

The engine house on Main 
street near Head street was 
built in 1868 and was occupied 
by Excelsior No. 2. The hose- 
men of that company took the 
name of the "Holmes Hose," 
in honor of Farley Holmes, 
then a prominent resident of 
Penn Yan. 

Until 1872 these engines 
and hose supplied the village 
with fire protection, when the 
steam fire engine "Keuka" 
was purchased. 

"Keuka Engine Company" 
was organized in 1871 with 
eighty-three members. This 

body was soon after granted permission to organize into a hose company, and 
the result was the formation of the "Ellsworth Hose Company," named in honor 
of General S. S. Ellsworth, of Penn Yan. This company, organized in 1872, has 
been maintained to the present day. 




THE BENHAM HOUSE. 



54 



The "Hydrant Hose Company" was organized in 1866. It was at first called 
"Hydraulic Hose Company." 

The "Hunter Hook and Ladder Company," which has charge of the ladders 
and similar equipment of the department, was organized in 1880, when the 
truck was purchased. The "Sheldon Hose Company" came into existence in 
1895 and was named after William Sheldon. It occupies Engine House No. 2, on 
North Main street. 

The department of today is an active, alert organization. The equipment 
consists of a powerful steam fire engine, a chemical engine, a hook and ladder 
truck and three hose companies. There are sixty hydrants and several outlying 
hose houses, and with the inexhaustible water supply from Lake Keuka and the 
tremendous pressure maintained, the village is capable of successfully coping 
v/ith the more serious fires. 




A FIREMEN'S PARADE IN PBNN TAN. 

The most serious, and probably the most destructive, conflagration that ever 
took place in Penn Yan, occurred April 30th, 1872. The flre started in a large 
wooden building on the south side of Jacob street, in the afternoon. This build- 
ing was occupied as a foundry by the firm of Whitaker & Bryan and was known 
as the Commercial Iron Works. The firemen of Penn Yan assembled promptly, 
but in spite of their efforts the foundry was speedily consumed. In the meantime 
the fire extended to the buildings on the opposite side of the street. These 
were occupied as business blocks, and were all burned down, together with a 
large carriage manufactory. Several residences on both sides of this street, and 
on the west side of Benham street, also a number of barns, were likewise des- 
troyed at that time. By the arrival of a fire company, summoned by telegraph 
from Canandaigua, and the assistance thus rendered, the fire was brought under 
control. One person, an old veteran by the name of Martin Hope, is believed 
to have perished in this fire, as he was never again seen. The entire loss 
amounted to $130,000 



55 



PUBLIC UTILITIES OF PENN YAN 



In the matter of public utilities, Penn Yan stands in the front rank among 
the villages of New York State. Very few municipalities are the owners of their 
water, light and sewer plants. 

Penn Yan's water plant was constructed in 1894, at a cost of $66,000, and is 
built on the gravity system — having a large reservoir at an elevation of about 
SOO feet above Lake Keuka, which is supplied by pumps having a capacity of 
75,000 gallons per hour. 

There are nearly sixteen miles of water mains in the village, supplying 
practically every street. There are 116 fire hydrants in use, the service of which 
is furnished without expense to the village. 

The power plant is modern and complete and planned to develop power at 
the lowest possible cost. There are two 225 horse-power high-speed engines 
connected with power water pump. These are used in connection with the elec- 
tric light department, thereby effecting a saving in operation for each depart- 
ment. 

At the present time there are over 1,250 water users, with an annual rental 
exceeding $13,000. 

During the year 1910 there were pumped 156,066,621 gallons. This, however, 
includes the water used for Are hydrants. 

The high elevation of the reservoir gives ample pressure for fire protection, 
running from 125 to 140 pounds. 

The installation of a water system for the best results require a system of 
sewers. A complete system of sanitary sewers was constructed by the village 
in 1903 at a cost of $80,319.80. It covers practically all of the viliage streets, 
13% miles of mains being in use. There is no expense to property owners for 
the use of the public sewers. 

The sewage is taken 
care of at the treatment 
works, which operate 
automatically, requiring 
very little attention, and 
practically no expense 
for maintenance. 

Per the proper 
cleansing of the sew- 
age system there are 
located throughout the 
village 172 man-holes 
and 48 flush tanks. The 
flush tanks are auto- 
matic to insure the prop- 
er flushing of sewers 
at regular intervals. 
The electric light plant was installed in 1905, and the total cost to this time 



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SEWERAGE TREATMJiNT WORKS. 



56 



is $39 872.83. This covers additions and extensions made necessary by the in- 
creased number of consumers. It supplies current for 82 arc lights for the pub- 
lic streets, and there are nearly 200 private consumers. It also furnishes power 
for manufacturing purposes. The receipts for the year 1910 were $12,854.84 for 
light and power. 

The dynamos and electric apparatus are all in duplicate, so that continuous 
service may be given without danger of delay. 

For economy in operation the water and light departments are combined at 
the power plant. That is, while water is being pumped, electric current is gen- 
erated, power being furnished with the same engines and boilers. 



The Public Library 

THE Penn Yan 
Public Library is 
now in its six- 
teenth year, and 
is one of the in- 
stitut ions of 
which the village 
is justly proud. 

For ten years 
it occupied a sin- 
gle room in the 
old Academy; in 
1905 it took pos- 
session of its 
present attractive 
and convenient 
building, thegiftof 
Andrew Carnegie, 
Esq., erected 

upon a lot provided by a few public spirited citizens. From some 1,400 volumes 
with which the Library opened in 1895, the collection has grown to more than 
7,000 well-selected books. In addition to these more than twenty newspapers 
and periodicals are regularly upon the tables in the reading rooms. 

The library is open every evening and on three afternoons of each week; it 
is supported by taxation, and its use is free to all residents of the village of suit- 
able age; it also serves, under certain conditions, the people of the imro.ediate 
neighborhood. 

The management is in the hands of a board of five trustees, and it is admin- 
istered by a librarian of unusual ability, to whose intelligent and able conduci 
much of its success is due. 

In addition to purchases for the library, choice books are being constantly, 
donated by residents of Penn Yan. 




Fraternal Societies, Grand Army Posts and Auxiliaries 

Ancient Order of Hibernians, organized in 1895. Meets first and third Tues- 
day nights in each month. Has about 46 members. 

Catholic Mutual Benefit Society, organized in 1888. Membership about 60. 
Meets the second and fourth Tuesday nights in each month. 



57 



Ladles' Catholic Benefit Association, organized in 1897. Membership about 
80. Meets the first and third Thursday nights in each month. 

Danish Brotherhood, organized in 1893. Membership about 190. Meets the" 
first and third Saturday nights in each month. 

Danish Sisterhood, organized in 1899. Membership about 26. Meets the first 
Sunday in each month. 

Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F., was originally instituted in 1845. A new 
charter was granted In 1879. Membership about 340. Meets every Monday night. 

Penn Yan Encampment of Patriarchs, I. O. O. P., organized 1882. Member- 
ship about 100. Meets the second and fourth Friday nights of each month. 

Lake Keuka Rebekah Lodge, organized in 1905. Membership about 250. 
Meets the second and fourth Tuesday nights In each month. 

Knights of Pythias, organized in 1886. Membership about 28. Meets the 
second and fourth Wednesday nights in each month. 

Lake Keuka Camp, M. W. of A., organized in 1900. Membership about 80. 
Meets every Thursday night. 

Royal Neighbors, M. W. A., organized in 1910. Membership about 25. Meets 
the first and third Wednesday nights in each month. 

Metawissa Tribe, I. O. R. M., organized in 1888. Membership about 200. 
Meets every Thursday night. 

Miniska Council, Degree of Pocahontas, organized in 1906. Membership 
about 70. Meets the first and third Tuesday nights of each month. 

Mllo Lodge, No. 108, F. & A. M., organized in 1846. Membership about 210. 
Meets first and third Fridays of each month. 

Jerusalem Commandery, K. T., F. & A. M., organized 1849. Membership about 
90. Meets the second and last Tuesdays in each month. 

Order Eastern Star, organized in 1905. Membership about 90. Meets the 
second and fourth Wednesday nights in each month. 

Morris Brown Camp, S. O. V., organized in 1905. Membership about 70. 
Meets the second and fourth Tuesdays in each month. 

Yates Tent, K. O. T. M., organized in 1888. Membership about 140. Meets 
every Friday night. 

Penn Yan Hive, L. O. T. M., organized In 1898. Membership about 90. Meets 
every Monday night. 

J. B. Sloan Post, G. A. R., organized In 1869. Membership about 115. Meets 
the first and third Wednesday nights in each month. 

Phil Sheridan Circle, Ladies of the G. A. R., organized in 1890. Membership 
about 116. Meets the first and third Wednesdays in each month. 

William H. Long Post, G. A. R., organized in 1895. Membership about 50. 
Meets the first and third Tuesday nights in each month. 

Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies of the G. A. R., organized in 1888. Member- 
ship about 50. Meets the first and third Tuesdays in each month. 

58 




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The Keuka Yacht Club 



Probaoly the most active nautical club on any of the Inland lakes of New York 
State is the Keuka Yacht Club. The pride of the cluh is its fleet of six Class A 
sailing yachts, five of which are of the same build. The club holds the champion- 




HOMB OF THE KEUKA YACHT CLUB. 

ship of the Inter-lake Yacht Racing Association, and last year one of its boats 
defeated the pick of all the other lakes in an unofficial race. Races are held 
every week on Lake Keuka and four trophies were contested for last year. 

The club house 
is well appointed. 
A steward and as- 
sistants are em- 



ployed about five 
months in the year; 
it is electrically 
lighted throughout; 
is of three stories 
and has sixteen 
sleeping rooms. 
Some very speedy 




which are rented for 
the season. The 
building is located 
on a bluff overlook- 
ing Lake Keuka. 
Tennis and croquet 
grounds contribute 
to the attractions of 
the place. The club 
has over two hun- 
dred members, 
of the club, one In 



motor boats are owned by members 
particular being excelled by few in the entire country. 

The Keuka Yacht Club is recognized as being the leader in genuine seaman- 
ship among the lakes of New York State, having the fastest sailing yachts and 
the best sailors. 



The Penn Yan Club 

The Penn Yan Club is a social organization composed for the most part of 
business and professional men. It was organized in 1895, and has a membership 
of 119, of which number 105 are resident members. The club has handsome 
quarters on Main street, equipped with billiard and pool tables, current reading 
matter, and other forms of amusement and entertainment such as are usually 
found in high-class social clubs of this character. 

New comers to Penn Yan who desire to come in social touch with many of 
its progressive citizens could do no better than to become members of the Penn 
Yan Club. 



60 



THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 




HE Yates County Agricultural Society was organized on 
March 4, 1840, when a constitution, was adopted and 
officers were elected. The society began auspiciously, 
having 140 members. The following were the first 
officers: President, John Hatmaker, of Milo; Vice- 
Presidents, John Spicer, Barrington; Samuel Wise, 
Benton; Elisha Doubleday, Italy; Uriah Hurford, 
Jerusalem.; Daniel B. Lindsley, Middlesex; Henry 
P. Startnell, Milo; Henry Husted, Potter; Henry 
Spencer, Starkey; Secretary, Darius A. Ogden, 
Milo; Treasurer, Ebin Smith, Milo. At that 
time the town of Torrey had not been formed. 
The Society was organized in the American 
Hotel, and in June another meeting was held at 
the Court House, when it was considered inex- 
pedient to attempt to hold a "fair and cattle 
show" that year. A committee was appointed to 
prepare a premium list for the year 1841. The 
total amount of this first prize list was $141. Of this amount only $106 was paid 
out, the society's officers reserving the right to decline to confer prizes on exhib- 
its not worthy. This agricultural fair was held at the court house grounds and 
in the Court House itself. This continued to be the place for the holding of fairs 
until 1851, when Dundee was chosen for two years. By 1853 four acres of ground 
in Penn Yan had been fenced in and a hall erected 50x70 feet, as well as pens 
and a stand for the exhibition of poultry. The same grounds with other pur- 
chases are in use today by the society. At this fair in 1853 the society charged 
iidmission for the first time. 

From the beginning the Yates County Agricultural Society has prospered. 
During the past ten years it has advanced rapidly, and the premium list will com- 
pare favorably with county fairs in counties very much larger than "Little Yates." 
A fast half-mile track encircles the interior of the grounds, while on the outside 
of the track is a fair building for the exhibition of domestic exhibits, the arts, 
etc.; also pens and buildings for live-stock, a fine building for the accomodation 
of trotters and pacers, a ne»w and very comfortable grand stand, a poultry house — 
in fact, everything needful. The exhibit of poultry last year was the largest ever 
held In this section. 

This year the grounds are to be greatly improved. Plants, flowers and shrub- 
bery will beautify, the plan being to make a park-like place of the grounds inside 
of the race track, where the public can enjoy the summer evenings, fanned by 
breezes from Lake Keuka. A new baseball diamond is to be laid out opposite the 
new grand stand, and this is to be the only form of sport to be allowed in the 
park. Hereafter circuses will have to seek other quarters. 



61 



The Guertha Pratt Home 



In a pretentious looking 
residence building, surrounded 
by spacious grounds, with 
flowers, shrubbery and noble 
trees, is the Guertha Pratt 
Home, for elderly women. 
The existence of this splendid 
home was made possible by a 
gift of $5,000 by Seneca L. 
Pratt and the generous con- 
tributions of m.any others. . 
There are fourteen available 
rooms, nine being sleeping 
chambers. The home has 
broad porches, large and lofty 
rooms, and there is every im- 
provement for the comfort of 

the inmates. A small sum is charged for admission as a life member of the 
household. While the home was founded originally by members of the Method- 
ist church, the institution is non-sectarian. It is supported by voluntary contri- 
butions. It is hoped that the endowment fund, small at present, will be added 
to by philanthropic persons. The home is a living monument to those who 
worked so industriously for its establishment. Just prior to his death, Mr. Pratt 
gave $10,000 to the home, and his mother, widow of Harvey D. Pratt, gave 
?5,000 at the same time. 



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THE GUERTHA PRATT HOME. 



Miss Hatmaker's Private Hospital 



A private hospital for the care and 
treatment of non-contagious medical, surgi- 
cal, gynecological and obstetrical cases 
was opened in July, 1911, in the house 
form.erly known as the "Watkins house," 
with main entrance on East Main street 
and carriage entrance on Watkins street. 
There are seven rooms tor patients, an 
operating room, administration and other 
rooms. All patients must be under the 
care of a physician or surgeon. The hos- 
pital is open to all doctors, and has no 
house staff. The nurses are on twelve- 
hour duty. Sanitary plumbing, a hot-water 
heating system and an acetylene gas plant 
have been installed. A hospital has been long needed in this community, and 
inasmuch as the physicians of Penn Yan stand ready to treat cases at the Hatf 
maker hospital, and competent professional nurses are employed, its existence 
should be appreciated in a proper manner. The hospital is in charge of Susannah 
G. Hatmaker, R. N., 246 East Main street. 




THE PRIV.VTE HOSPITAL. 



63 



Holmes Inn 



This charming wayside 
place is fast becoming well 
known over a large territory 
for the excellence of its cuisine. 
Automobile parties have no 
hesitation in leaving their 
route, if necessary, in order to 
stop for dinner at Holmes Inn. 
It was built only three years ago 
for the purpose, and tne travel- 
tired guest finds everything 
there for his comfort. It is on 
beautiful Lake Keuka, "the 
fisherman's paradise;" is 
reached by trolley, steamboat 
or auto in a few minutes from 

Penn Yan, but is away from all noise and dust, and is cool and comfortable in 

the hottest of weather. 

The menu embraces everything in season. If you want a meal "fit for the 

gods," you can get it; if you want simply plain food, you can get that. All you 

have to do is to order. 

The inn is owned and conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Holmes, both 

entirely capable, and is situated about one mile from Penn Yan on the Penn Yan, 

Keuka Park & Branchport trolley road. 




HOLMES INN. 



The Potter House 



One hundred and eighteen years ago the house illustrated herewith was 
built. It still stands, five miles west of Penn Yan. It was erected by Arnold 
Potter, whose father was Judge William Potter, of Rhode Island. Arnold Potter 
came to Yates county when 
thirty years old, and did much 
during his twenty years of 
life in his new home in clear- 
ing the wilderness, building 
mills and promoting agricul- 
ture. 

All the men Arnold Potter 
could hire were engaged in 
building his home, an impos- 
ing one in this section in 
those days. Every room has 
a wide and deep fireplace, not 
excepting the kitchen, which 
is as big as the entire ground 
floor of many modern dwell- 
ings. A wide hall runs the 
length of both floors, with two immense rooms on each side, upstairs and down. 

More than a century ago Louis Phillipe, afterward king of FVance, spent 
several months at the Potter home, he being then an exile and in hiding from 
his enemies. Many other distinguished guests were entertained within the walls 
•>f this historic and one-time mansion. 




63 



Red Jacket 



The birthplace of the celebrated Indian orator, Sa-go-ye-wa-tha, or Red 
Jacket, has been the subject of controversy on the part of Indianologists. Much 
evidence has been adduced from time to time in support of the claims of differ- 
ent localities. Canoga, Geneva, Old Castle, and even Ganundewah, on the shore 
of Canandaigua lake, have had their advocates. The latter location has been 
set forth mainly upon the legendary origin of the Seneca Indians on the high 
lands of Bare Hill, overlooking the lake. But the allegations on this score are 
too vague and shadowy for even the semblance of history. The other places 

named have been exhaust- 
ively weighed in the bal- 
ance relative to the so- 
called proofs and found 
wanting in direct and posi- 
tive evidence. Second-hand 
testimony, or hearsay, is 
neither as satisfactory nor 
conclusive as that of those 
who were living witnesses. 
Red Jacket lived dur- 
ing the early years of his 
life in Jerusalem and about 
the shores of Lake Keuka, 
according to Asa Brown, 
Margaret Botsford, Alfred 
Pelton and other pioneers. 
They have each declaired 
of their own personal knowledge that Red Jacket was born near the Sand Bar, 
on the shore of the North Branch of Lake Keuka. Asa Brown livejl with the 
father and mother of Red Jacket for several years of his early life. The integrity 
of Asa Brown was never questioned. 

The testimony of Red Jacket himself merits consideration. In a speech at 
Geneva he voluntarily stated that he was born over on the arm of Lake Keuka. 
The late Judge John L. Lewis stated to the writer that Red Jacket told him that 
he was born on the west shore of this arm of Lake Keuka. Much other informa- 
tion corroborative of these statements is in reserve. 





AN EARLY PICTURE OF THE COURT HOUSE. 

64 





[ EUKA COLLEGE is a co-educational Institution of higher learning, 
locatsd at Keuka Park, four miles from Penn Yan. Closely con- 
nected with It, and occupying the same huilding, is Keuka Insti- 
tute, a secondary school of unusual merit. These institutions offer 
classes from the eighth grade, preliminary, through the usual High 
School courses, and then on through college. 
The Institute is a regularly registered Regents school, each 
student being required to take and pass the regular Regents examinations. Ths 
faculty is carefully selected and especial emphasis laid upon individual instruc- 
tion. 

The College offers the regular standard college courses, granting the degrees 
of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science under the seal of the Regents of 

the University of the State of 
New York. The faculty of the 
college is separate from that 
of the Institute, being com- 
posed of men and women well 
equipped for the work they 
are doing. Intimate associa- 
tion with the students is on 3 
of the very great assets of 
the small college. 

The purpose of the found- 
ers was to establish a school 
of high standards, where, un- 
der Christian influences, the 
HBUKA COLLEGE student of limited means 

might secure an education. This purpose and aim have been steadfastly adhered 
to since the beginning. The entire cost of a year's schooling, tuition, room rent 
and board, is less than two hundred dollars. In many instances this figure has 
been materially reduced through work furnished the students about the building 
and on the farm. 

The College property consists of about one hundred acres of land on the 
west side of Keuka Lake. The campus of sixteen acres, much of which is lake 
shore, is beautifully situated. In the center stands the main college building, a 
four-story brick structure, containing one hundred and ten rooms. The lower 
stories are used for class rooms, while the upper stories are given over to 
dormitory rooms. The building is heated by steam, lighted by electricity, modern 
plumbing and substantially furnished throughout. 

The College has its own dairy and farm. A fine young fruit orchard has 
been set out, which will soon yield a good income. All kinds of vegetables are 
grown as well as fodder for the cattle. This industry furnishes labor for students 
and a fine income for the institution. 

Besides the main building and farm, the College owns a factory, the water 
works, barns, and professors' residences. The total value of the holdings is 
$25,000. Around the College has grown up Keuka Park, a hamlet of some sixty 
houses and stores. These have been built upon lots purchased from the College. 
An excellent trolley line runs through the property, connecting with Branchport 
and Penn Yan. 

Keuka College has never had adequate endowment for its most moderate 
work. This has made it necessary to carry on an annual campaign for current 



65 



expenses, and caused perennially the question as to its future to become promi- 
nent. Could the problem of its permanency be settled and proper advertising 
carried on, the building could be crowded with students. 

The largest donors to the College have been the Ball Brothers, of Muncie, 
Ind., nephews of the late Dr. Geo. A. Ball, for many years president of the Insti- 
tution. These men have given annually large contributions to maintain the 
school. At the present time they are giving $5,000.00 annually. This sum is 
duplicated by the citizens of Yates County. Never has there been a better inter- 
est by the neighbors of the College in its welfare than now. 

The alumni of the College is not large, but those who have gone out are 
occupying positions of honor and importance. Law, medicine, ministry and 
commercial life have been entered, but by far the larger number have taken up 
the work of education. Keuka points with pride to her teachers, some occupying 
positions in university and college life. Judged by the standard of the work being 
done by the members of the ten classes graduated, Keuka, College may well claim 
the support and interest of its friends and neighbors. 



Penn Yan's New Federal Building 

The building contains one story and basement of approximately 3,800 square 
feet ground area. It is brick-faced with limestone base, tin roof, wood trim and 
lireproof construction. It has a frontage on Main street of flfty-two feet and is 
seventy-two feet deep, exclusive of front and rear approaches. Its height from 
the ground to peak of roof is forty feet. 

The front entrance is handsome, with large stained-glass windows on either 
side. In the rear is the mailing platform, with concrete floor and cement finish. 
On each side are three large and two smaller windows. The building is sur- 
mounted by a flag staff twenty-five feet tall. In outside appearance the building 
is solid and substantial. 

The ceilings on the first floor are from fifteen to eighteen feet in height. The 
postmaster's room is at the right of the front entrance and in the rear of it a 
vault of great strength for money, stamps and other valuables. The portions for 
the public are on tha front and north sides, with floors of marble and terazzo, 
and contain three desks. At the rear of the money order and registered letter 
office is another vault. The post office work room occupies a large space on the 
south side of the building, extending to the rear, and is fully supplied with all 
modern improvements and appliances, for handling the mail. 

The basement, which is nine feet in height, will contain toilet rooms, lava- 
tories, shower bath, ice box, hot water tank and steam apparatus. 

The appropriation of $50,000 made by Congress for the site and building came 
through the exertions of the late Congressman Sereno E. Payne and is fully ap- 
preciated by our citizens. The fact that Penn Yan has a federal building is some- 
thing of which to be proud, and it increases the rating of Penn Yan among the 
-ther villages of the state and country. 



66 



f>f>f>THE VINEYARDS f>f># 



F the industries in this rich agricultural section of the state, the 

Oi\A growing of grapes, in this immediate vicinity, is perhaps the most 
\\ important. Lake Keuka, which is twenty-two miles in length, with 

* an arm, or branch eight miles long, is entirely surrounded with 

vineyards reaching from the water's edge back from half a mile 

to a mile and a half. The extent of the acreage is not definitely 

known, but is roughly estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000 acres. 

There has been something over one hundred varieties of grapes produced in 
this territory from first to last, and no doubt nearly that number could be 
found today in the Lake Keuka vineyards, but aside from the standard varieties 
nearly all others are grown in quite small quantities. Of the standard varieties, 
mentioned in the order of the quantities produced, are Concords, Catawbas, 
Niagaras, Delawares and Salems. There is also a number of varieties of grapes 
grown on the shores of this lake, not known to the general public, that are in 
such demand for wine making that they are never seen in the markets — such 
as the Zona, White Diamond, Clinton, Eumelan, Elvira and others — many of 
which are not desirable for table use. 

The industry 
was started in this 
locality about 
1836, but it was 
some ten years 
later before grapes 
wers shipped to 
the larger cities 
in any quantities. 
In 1850 the de- 
mand for them in 
the large markets 
of the country was 
much greater than 
the supply, and as 
late as 1858 there 
is record of their 
PICKING THE LUSCIOUS GRAPE 

selling as high as 35 cents per pound, and about tliat time many were purchased 
for wine making at 18 cents per pound. Notwithstanding these extraordinary 
prices, the growth of the industry was not very rapid until about 1872, but for 
fifteen years thereafter the increase in the acreage was very great; land adapted 
for the purpose increased very greatly in value; and although the price of grapes 
has declined to an average of perhaps $40.00 per ton in late years, there has 
been a slight increase in acreage continually. The wine industry has steadily 
increased until there are now more than twenty cellars within twenty-five miles 
of Penn Yan, this locality having been chosen on account of the superior quality 




er 



ot grapes for wine making. This product is shipped to every part of the 
United States. 

There are also several factories for the manufacture of unfermented grape 
juice, for which there is an increasing demand. The unfermented juice is 
also produced to a considerahle extent at the wine cellars. 

A large number of men and women find employment in the care of the vines 
and in picking the fruit and preparing it for market. All of the hand-made bas- 
kets used for the shipment of the fruit are made by women, and the packing of 
the grapes in baskets is especially women's work. In fact, grapes are never 
packed by men or boys here. 

Every vine in all vineyards is tied to the wires at two different times dur- 
ing the growth, 
first with willow 
or fine wire and 
the second time 
with rye straw. 
Much of this work 
is also done by 
women, who b3- 
come very expert. 
The trimming of 
the vines, which 
is done in the win- 
ter, is men's work. 
To see the vines 
in a f i r s t-c 1 a s s 
vineyard after they 
have been sclen- 
gIaBN l. WHEELER'S APPLE ORCHARD. tiflcally trimmed, 

one unaccustomed to the business could hardly believe that anything was left to 
bear fruit for the next season, so much having been cut away and only two or 
three small canes being left. But a few months later, in thrifty vineyards, the 
vine trellises are entirely covered with the new growth. 

The grapes from the Lake Keuka district are generally packed In a man- 
ner superior to those in other grape growing territories, and are shipped in a 
more tasty basket than is manufactured elsewhere. There are several large 
factories in the neighborhood that are famous for the superior quality of the 
grape baskets which they produce. The high quality of the basket in which 
they are shipped, and the careful and attractive m.anner in which they are 
packed, have won for Lake Keuka grapes a reputation in all the markets of the 
country that is of great value to the growers, especially in tim,es of glutted 
markets, as the preference Is always given to the celebrated Wise brand, the. 
label under which a large proportion of the fruit is shipped. The prominent 
place which the fruit takes in every city in the land is due very largely to the 
efforts of W. N. Wise and others, who have labored for over twenty years to 
bring about the results mentioned. Mr. Wise, in particular, has so systematized 
the business that he is now represented in every city of the United States by 
one dealer who makes a specialty of Lake Keuka grapes, and to whom Is given 
the exclusive sale for that city. The system which he has in operation is the 
result of years of hard work, and has been brought to its present perfection by 
the gradual adoption ot successful methods and the discarding of old plans and 
ways that have proved unsatisfactory. ' His loading building is four hundred feet 
long, from which he loads twelve cars at one time, and from which he ships in 




68 



the busy season as many as eighteen to twenty cars per day. While the cars 
are being loaded with grapes they are also bsing thoroughly iced from his own 
ice house, the fruit all being shipped in the best refrigerator cars. Mr. Wise is 
personally known to nearly every fruit dealer in the country, and his methods 
of handling the fruit, and his square dealing, have built up for himself and the 
Lake Keuka growers a trade that has gradually grown to be the largest of its 
kind in the country. 

While the interests and efforts of the fruit growers in this locality center 
chiefly about the grape, there being some ten, thousand acres on the shores of 
Keuka Lake devoted to its culture, the soil and climate conditions are very 
favorable to the production of almost any variety of fruit that can be grown in 
this latitude. 

While almost every farm has its apple orchard, and often a considerable 
number of pear, plum, cherry and peach trees, comparatively few growers give 

the intelligent 
care, by up-to-date 
methods, that is 
necessary to se- 
cure the results 
that are reached 
in other sections 
where the natural 
conditions are not 
more favorable 
than are ours. Yet 
there are notable 
instances in this 
immediate vicinity 
that prove that 
where the right 
methods are fol- 

B, C. GILLETT'S PEAR ORCHARD. lowed as gOOd 

fruit can be grown, and as great profits made as in any other section of the state. 
In the immediate vicinity of Penn Yan, in the season of, 1911, several orchards 
of apples, pears, peaches and plums gave a return of more than 10 per cent, on 
a valuation of $2,000 per acre. In small fruits, such as raspberries, currants, 
gooseberries and strawberries, results have been attained even better than with 
the tree fruits. 

The opportunities for developing the fruit business in this section have 
widened greatly since the cannery was established. 

While it is obvious that all the successful growers cannot be mentioned in 
a brief notice like this, these named have been particularly successful in their 
different lines of work: Timpthy Costello, Glen L. Wheeler and George H.. Excell 
with apples; Frank E. Spencer and E. C. Gillett with pears and berries; E. G. 
and H. S. Pullagar and Isaac Clark with peaches; Frank Kipp with pears and plums. 




69 



STREET IMPROVEMENTS 




DDING what the state contributed, there has 
been spent for brick paving in Penn Yan dur- 
ing the past six years, $110,138.82. Of this 
amount the village pays $77,564.14. Jacob 
was the first street to be paved. This 
was in 1906, and the cost was $12,500. 
Tlie improvement in this street was 
so marked that a desire for more 
pavements gradually grew, and in 
1910 the taxpayers readily voted 
r_^ to pavs Elm street to Keuka. The 
"~% cost was $15,500. At the same 
- time Maiden Lane, a narrow but 
• ;- much traveled artery, was also 
brick-paved at a cost of $3,338.82. 
Charles A. Kelly was the con- 
tractor for all three pavements. 
When it became known that the state road through Yates county would 
traverse the entire length of East Main and Main streets, it was seen by those 
interested in public improvements that hers was the opportunity to pave these 
streets with brick at a great saving, as the state would just as soon spend money 
for brick as for macadam paving. The proposition to raise money was carried by 
a large majority. The cost was less to the village than was at first estimated, 
being but $46,225.32 for a stretch of pavement a mile and two-thirds long. As soon 
as spring opens in 1915 the Elm street paving will be extended to the cemeteries 
and a state road extended to a point near Branchport. 

As a further improvement— and a great one — the village decided to have all 
telephone, telegraph and lighting poles removed from between Lake and Chapel 
streets on Main street, which includes all of the business part of Main and some 
of the residential portion. Ten thousand dollars was spent in the construction 
of a conduit for the accommodation of all wires, and unsightly poles through 
the principal business section of Penn Yan are a thing of the past. 

Inasmuch as the municipal lighting plant poles would have to be removed 
it was decided to adopt the boulevard system in Main street business section by 
locating iron poles with cluster lights at short intervals on both sides of the 
street. Each pole has five electric lamps — one at the apex and four forming a 
circle below. The central, or apex, lamp is sixteen inches in diameter and the 
lower four are each twelve inches in diameter. The height of each pole is, to 
the top of the central lamp, twelve feet, ten inches. The spread of the "arms" 
is thirty-four and a half inches. There are forty of these poles between Lake 
and Chapel streets. 

Nearly all of the sidewalks in the business section of Main street have been 
widened to meet the new curb boundary. This has necessitated entirely new 
walks in most cases, and Penn Yan has the finest sidewalks of any village in 
New York state. Probably in no other village in the state have so many miles 
of cement walks been laid as in this village during the past ten years. 



70 



Scenes in the Manufacturing District 




VIEW OF SENECA STREET AND THE MILL, DISTRICT 



»^^4 J'JpttL 




FLOUR MILLS AND BUSINESS BLOCKS 




LOOKING SOUTH TO LAKE 



•»- -*>». .♦>>>. 



www INDUSTRIES WWW 



The Walker Bin Company 



HE WALKER BIN COMPANY was established in Phil- 
adelphia in 1895 and was incorporated in 1898. In De- 
cember, 1909, it was incorporated in the State of New 
York. 

The business was originated by E. J. Walker after 
a practical experience of forty years as a retail and 
wholesale grocer. The desirability and necessity of 
the proper display, the economy of space and the gen- 
eral attractive appearance of grocery stores were taken 
up by Mr. Walker as early as 1885, and since then not 
only E. J. Walker, St., but his son, B. J. Walker, Jr., 
have given their undivided attention to the designing and equipment of modern 
grocery stores throughout the United States. 

In 1902 a case made by this concern in Philadelphia was shown W. M. Pat- 
teson, and the advantages were immediately seen by Mr. Patteson and the sub- 
ject of making a connection for manufacturing in Penn Yan was taken up direct 
with the Philadelphia company. 





At first a few orders were made up and filled direct for the company, but 
suggestions of changes in details were thoroughly discussed by Mr. Patteson in a 
practical way, and these suggestions were followed out by the Walker Company. 



73 



As the business increased and construction and flnisli of tlie Output as sug- 
gested in their manufacture were adopted, it was deemed advisable to discon- 
tinue the factories located at Philadelphia and Rochester and concentrate the 
making of the fixtures in Penn Yan. In May, 1909, the main office moved to 
Penn Yan and Mr. E. J. Walker, Sr., continued the branch office in Philadelphia. 

At the present time the company has selling agencies in all large cities in the 
United States and their product is recognized as the standard grocery equipment 
of the country. 

All of the 51 agencies are in the hands of men drilled in the sale of this class 
of work and each agency as a rule has a number of men in their employ. 

There is no question but what the Walker Bin Company brings more outside 
money into Penn Yan than any other local industry, and owing to the fact of its 
diversified interests in practically every part of the United States, local condi- 
tions do not affect its output. If the rice crop is bad in Texas, the chances are 
that the wheat crop in Minnesota will offset it; and if there is a depression in 
business in the East, the West takes care of the output. 

The Walker Bin Company is very proud of the fact that during the two 
panics through which it passed it has never discontinued businass. It continued 
to make shipments, and with the exception of a small percentage it lost in sales, 
was not aiifected. 

The principle of the Walker Bin consists of a tilting, pivoted bin mounted in 
a bin chamber and completely separated from the other bins so that the differ- 
ent classes of merchandise do not affect each other. The front of the bin is 
glass and behind the glass is arranged a display so that all goods are attractively 
shown, showing a full bin at all times. The stock never becomes old or stale. 
The bin is counterpoised so that it is completely open or shut at all times. 

These bins are used in wall cases with shelving above and for both the 
fronts and backs of counters. Various designs are used in the construction for 
the display of groceries as well as fruits and vegetables. 

The company maintains a, corps of architects to handle store problems and 
their advice is solicited in all large undertakings of this character. 

The business is not confined to grocery store fixtures alone, a number of seed 
stores being another specialty of the concern. Although all kinds of store fix- 
tures are manufactured, the business is chiefly grocery and seed fixtures. 

The company employs about 100 men and its annual pay roll is over $60,000, 
which is new money distributed among the retail dealers of the village of Penn 
Yan. 

The lumber used is chiefiy purchased from the surrounding country. During 
the last year a large part of all the lumber cut in Yates county was purchased 
by the company in preference to outside sources, and it has been the object of 
the company to always purchase at home first. It lias always been the policy 
of the company to only hire such labor as is desirable to bring into the town — 
men who have families — preference always being given to men qualified for the 
work in the town. 

The selling of the product is under the direction of E. J. Walker, Jr., and 
the management of the factory under W. M. Patteson, the designing in the charge 
of E. J. Walker, Jr., and other competent architects, and the management of the 
lumber department in charge of Thomas Manley. All of these men are recog- 
nized specialists in their respective departments. 



73 



The Taylor Chemical Works 



The outlet of Lake Keuka, running through a rocky gorge, often with a 
precipitous descent, affords splendid water power, and several manufactories 
have been built along its course. Among these are the chemical works of Edward 
R. Taylor, in which hs manufactures bisulphide of carbon by means of electrical 
furnaces. 

This product is a compound of sulphur and carbon, one atom of the latter to 
two of the former, hence its name — bisulphide of carbon — its chemical symbol, 
CS=. It is formed by passing sulphur fumes into contact with red hot charcoal. 
It is a clear liquid, with a disagreeable odor, heavier than water, and it volatizes 
with great rapidity. Its vapor is two and a half times heavier than air and is 
very inflammable. 




THE TAYLOR CHEMICAL WORKS 

Bisulphide of carbon is a most powerful insecticide, hence it is used for the 
destruction of vermin of various kinds and in this it has no equal. Its vapor acts 
as chloroform, as an anesthetic. It is very valuable in killing pests of the field, 
the shop, the granary, the mill and the household. The grape phylloxera is 
killed by making small holes in the ground around the grape roots, pouring in 
some bisulphide and quickly closing the holes. Ants are killed in the same way. 
Weevils and mice in mills and granaries may b3 killed by leaving vessels filled 
with the liquid so that the lower portion of the room may be filled with tho 
poisonous fumes. Woodchucks, moles and rats may be killed by saturating balls 
of cotton, pressing it into the burrows and then closing quickly. Thousands of 
gallons are used every year in the West for killing gophers and prairie dogs. It 
may be used in killing moths, carpet bugs and other household pests, but because 
of its inflammable nature great care must be used not to bring a fire or a light 
in contact with the vapor. A lighted match or cigar brought into a room filled 
with it would cause destruction and death. 

Carbon bisulphide is also used as a solvent in the arts. In olive countries it 
is used to dissolve out of the olive pulp the oil which remains after the pressings, 



74 



and the oil thus recovered is used for soap making. A large quantity is used 
yearly in this country to dissolve gutta percha to make the cement with which 
shoemalcers put on "blind patches." Wood pulp, after treatment with caustic soda, 
is treated with the sulphide. The resultant product is dissolved in water and 
squirted through fine holes into a solution that will neutralize the soda. The 
hair-like threads in due course are woven into an artificial silk, of great dura- 
bility and rivaling- the natural silk in brilliancy and beauty. 

Bisulphide of carbon was discovered by Lamphidius in 1796. Until recently 
it was produced in retorts heated externally by a coal fire or some other suitable 
source of heat, but the retorts burn out and have to be renewed every few weeks. 
This makes its production very expensive, and it can only be produced in small 
quantities. It was because of this that Mr. Taylor contrived the electric furnace, 
which is his own invention and which he at length succeeded in bringing to per- 
fection, and effecting what Dr. Chandler, of Columbia University, New York City, 
has called "the cleverest application of electricity to chemistry that has so far 
been made." Incidentally, Mr. Taylor's new furnace greatly enlarges the pro- 
ductive capacity of his plant at Penn Yan, one of his furnaces now making more 
bisulphide that the combined plants of the country made before the improvement 
was put into use. 

The principle employed is substantially the same as that of the arc light. 
The electrodes, however, are introduced through the walls of the furnace near 
the bottom; the carbon is fed through hoppers, to be continuously in contact 
with the electrodes, while the sulphur is contained in the hollow walls of the 
furnace, where the heat that otherwise would .be lost by radiation, is conserved 
to melt the sulphur, which, when melted, flows automatically into the furnace. 
The charcoal, or carbon, is fed into the furnacs above the electrodes and the 
liowing sulphur. When the electrical current (produced by water power) is 
turned into the furnace, thq charcoal, or carbon, is heated, the sulphur is melted, 
and the fumes pass upward through the superheated charcoal, and out through 
the top of the furnace as vapor, which, being condensed, is the carbon bisulphide 
of commerce. The furnace is largely automatic and self-regulating, and is 
probably applicable to other forms of chemical production than that to which Mr. 
Taylor has put it in his own business. 

Mr. Taylor has been awarded an Elliott Cresson gold naedal by Franklin 
Institute, of Philadelphia, one of the most coveted marks of scientific distinction 
this country affords "for improvements in the manufacture of carbon bisulphide 
and in the construction and operation of closed, continuous-working, electro in- 
candescent furnaces." 

Mr. Taylor has contributed papers on Conservation of Water Power, etc., 
before different societies, among them, "Forestry Water Storage and Navigation," 
before the American Electro-chemical Society, and on "Natural and Artificial 
Conservation of Water Power for Electrical Purposes," before the Franklin Insti- 
tute at Philadelphia; on "The National and International Conservation of Water 
for Power," before the Seventh International Congress of Applied Chemistry at 
London in the summer of 1909; on "Co-ordination of Water Interests" at the 
December, 1909, meeting of the New York State Waterways Association, and on 
"Changes Caused in Industrial Chemistry by Electricity," before the American 
Institute of Chemical Engineers. 



Mr. Taylor was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His early boyhood was 
spent at Brasher Falls, where his father, Thomas R. Taylor, deceased, was a 

manufacturer, and who was called to Eng- 
land to introduce the American manufac- 
turing methods. There the son received 
instruction for two years from an English 
teacher, and, after his father returned with 
him to this country and located in Cleve- 
land, Ohio, the young man attended the 
Cleveland Institute, where he became inter- 
ested in science, and especially in chemis- 
try. This prepared him for taking up the 
study of chemistry as a specialty at the 
Lawrence Scientific School, of Harvard 
University, where he graduated in 1868. 
Subsequently he engaged as analytical 
chemist with the corporation now known 
as the American Steel and Wire Company, 
and in his seven years' employment made 
improvements in analyses pertaining to 
iron and steel. He resigned this position 
to tak3 up manufacturing chemistry, mak- 
EDWARD R. TAYLOR. ing a specialty of bisulphide of carbon. 

Mr. Taylor is an associate member of the American Institute of Electrical En- 
gineers, and a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Electro- 
chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry, the American Institute of 
Chemical Engineers, the American Geographical Society, and Fellow of the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science. 




Penn Yan the Home Town of Russelloid 

There is an old adage which states that "if you a want a thing done well you 
should do it yourself." Several years ago it was decided that dealers who 
handled every kind of roofing that was made, besides nearly every article of 
merchandise called for, from a fine-tooth comb to a horse-rake, could not give 
the attention necessary to push the sale of any one article. 

Russelloid Roofing is an article of merit, and when it was demonstrated that 
the average dealer would not in many cases furnish it, even if it were called for, 
the manufacturers of this roofing decided that it was high time that the general 
public were informed of the fact that Russelloid was the roofing they were 
looking for. 

In the olden days shingles were exceedingly good. They were made from 
good lumber, but they have been growing poorer all the time, until it is a fact 
that the ordinary grade of shingles is very unsatisfactory, and the cheap grades 
are not worth putting on a roof. By paying an extravagant price shingles can 
be bought, which, if they are dipped in preservatives, will do good service. The 
same is true of tin, galvanized iron, steel and many other kinds of roofing. These 
products have been cheapened until they are hardly worth buying. 

True economy is practiced by buying a good roof. The roof is the important 
part of every building; and leaks, which damage the contents, as well as the 
building itself, are very expensive. Russelloid has always been made as good 
as it was possible to make it, regardless of cost. Its motto has been: "Up to a 
standard, not down to a price." 



76 



The weak point of every roofing lias always been and always will be, the 
joint or lap. As a chain, which, is only so strong as its weakest link, so is the 
roof, no matter how well it is covered, water-tight only when it does not leak at 
the seams. 

The invention of Russellap came at a time when it was most needed. It 
safeguards the joints absolutely and does away with the use of cement, which, 
at its best, is unsatisfactory and often unreliable. Russellap, with its three 
folds, goes over and under and in between, forming a thorough protection to the 
joint. To look at it is to know that it does the business. 

Russell & Dexter Co. are the pioneers in the sale of roofing direct to the 
consumer. While their methods have brought out scores of imitators and a 
vast number of competitors in every direction, their sales have been constantly 
increasing and their territory has been widening out until the name of Russelloid 
and its home town of Penn Yan are becoming well known far and near. Their 
advertising matter is sent out in every direction. Salssmen are working in 
many states, and they are obliged to answer the question: "Where is Penn 
Yani" many times every day; so at the same time that the name of Russelloid 
is becoming known the town of Penn Yan is also being talked of and advertised. 

There are several grades of roofing higher priced than Russelloid, and are 
probably just as good. It has always been claimed, however, and never yet dis- 
proven, that for the price the equal of Russelloid cannot be found. Since the in- 
vention of Russellap, which goes with Russelloid, and without charge, it has 
made a combination which is hard to break; and while many imitators of Rus- 
selloid needed no other argument, but to say that it was just as good, when it 
comes to Russellap, the advantages of which are so apparent, they know not 
what to say. 

This combination is so strong that the establishment of trade in new terri- 
tory is an easy matter. The goods speak for themselves; and the reputation of 
the firm for fair dealing being indisputable, aids greatly in extending this pros- 
perous business. 

This is an age of specialties; specializing in various branches seems to be 
the order of the day. Unquestionably, no one can do everything and do it well. 
Starting at a time when the point has been reached when it was practically im- 
possible to find a dependable roofing material at a reasonable price, Russelloid 
came at the right time; and by sending representatives direct to the users of 
roofing, the people learned of its advantages and availed themselves of the 
opportunity to purchase the right kind of roofing at the right price. 

They found out about it several years before they would ever had known, 
had they waited the routine of the old method from manufacturer to distributor, 
from distributor to jobber, from jobber to retailer, and from retailer to con- 
sumer; and even then it would have been a long wait to get the best in the 
face of the policy of the average retailer — to sell the cheapest because it sells 
the easiest. 

'The proof of the pudding is in the eating." Satisfied customers are the 
best assets. Thousands of Russelloid roofs now in use many years testify to the 
superiority of this article; and that is the reason why the sales of each year 
have doubled, and more than doubled, on the previous year. 

The Birkett Mills 

The business of The Birkett Mills was founded in 1797. It has grown from 
a small country grist mill until it is now one of the large commercial and manu- 
facturing enterprises of this section of the country. It is operated by a corpora- 

77 



tion, the officers of which are: W. W. Miller, of Wellsboro, Pa., President; 
Claude H. Birkett and A. L. Bailey, Sales Manager and Secretary and Treasurer, 
respectively, both of Penn Yan. 

In addition to the water-power derived from two large water wheels, it uses 
the steam from four one-hundred-flfty horse-power boilers. The exhaust steam 
from its engines, together with what live steam is necessary, is supplied to the 
Penn Yan Steam Heating Company, which heats eighty per cent, of the business 
places on Main and Elm Streets, as well as a large proportion of the residences 
on its mile of steam lines. 

They have built in the last three years an addition to their mill proper 40 
feet by 70 feet, three stories and basement, which will hold in grain bins twenty- 
five thousand bushels, and on floors forty carloads and a warehouse on Water 
street fifty by eighty feet, two stories high. They have just bought from the Penn 
Yan Coal Co., their property on Seneca street and expect at once to remodel the 
coal pockets on it for grain storage. 




THE BIRICETT MILLS 

The principal products are wheat, rye and buckwheat flours and beans, of 
which the total sales amount to half a million dollars per year. The shipments 
of this concern go to nearly every state of the Union, including Washington, 
Oregon, California, Texas, Florida and Maine. 



The Yates Lumber Company 



This company began making baskets in 1909. The flrst year's output was 
1,600,000 baskets. Their business has steadily grown until in 1915 their esti- 
mated output will be 9,000,000 baskets. 

These baskets are manufactured upon automatic stapling machines, the 
patents of which they own and which they control for the entire eastern portion 
of the United States, and they claim great advantages in these machines, not only 



78 



in the fact that baskets can be produced much faster than by hand, but for the 
reason that they are a much stronger package and are more evenly manufactured 
than it is possible to do under the old-fashioned, hand-made process. 

They cover today a considerable territory, shipping baskets as far west as 
Kansas City, as far south as Kentucky, and through the entire New England 
States, and have trade to Canadian points and for export. 

This factory runs steadily for about eleven months during the year and gives 
employment to about seventy people. 




INTERIOR OF BASKET MACHINE ROOM 

They have installed many labor-siving machines and devices, which enable 
them to produce the goods in large quantities and at the lowest possible prices. 

This company has warehouses at Naples, Canandaigua, Ulster Park, German- 
town, Middlesex and Hector, which are used as distributing points and are all 
available to the fruit growers. 

Ever ready to adopt new ideas or inventions, they have secured the exclusive 
right in the "United States, outside of Yates county, to the wire handle and the 
machine to apply the same, lately gotten up by Messrs. McMatb & Townsend, of 
Penn Yan, N. Y. These handles are a very great success, and with the machine 
to apply them have proven the greatest labor-saver that has ever been invented 
for the benefit of the grape growers. They also sell these in Yates County, to- 
gether with Guile & Windnagle. 

In connection with the manufacture of baskets, it is of interest to say that 
Penn Yan today produces more of all of the different varieties of fruit packages 
than are manufactured in any other town in the United States. 

Guile & Windnagle 

The firm of Guile & Windnagle has been organized for eighteen years. It 
has been located at its present site for the past seven years. Its extensive fac- 
tory and storage buildings occupy 51,500 square feet of floor space — nearly one 
and one-quarter acres — at the foot of Monell street, on the New York Central 
Railroad, and on the outlet of Lake Keuka. 



79 



At this factory all kinds of splint baskets and fruit packages are manu- 
factured. Quality is the chief consideration in making these baskets, and for 
that reason most of the work is done by band. This insures uniform and very 
serviceable baskets and furnishes work to a large force of employees. In order 
to improve the quality and usefulness of their products, Guile & Windnagle have 
made arrangements for the sale of the new McMath & Townsend wire handle and 
handling machine. 




THE GUIDE & WINDNAGLE BASKET FACTORY 

Their goods are shipped to practically every state in the Union, as well as to 
Canada. Last year, baskets for shipping hatching eggs were sent to twenty-two 
different states. In addition to their line of baskets, they also make to order a 
great many different kinds of crates and boxes and especially the wire-bound 
shipping boxes. 

These gentlemen are thorough and painstaking in their business methods, 
honorable in their dealings, considerate of the comfort and interest of their 
employees, genial and social with friends and patrons. 




PBNN TAN RESIDENCE OP AVILLIAM T. MORRIS 
80 



Penn Yan Gas Light Company 



Ths Penn Yan Gas Light Company was organized under the laws of this state 
May 11th, 1860, the incorporators being Darius A. Ogden, L. 0. Dunning, George 
McAlister, Samuel H. Wells, John McDougal and Charles Stark. The capital 
stock of the company was $10,000. At the first meeting of the board of directors, 
Darius A. Ogden was elected president and Samuel H. Wells, secretary. 

The contract for the erection of a plant on .Tackson street was let to Mc- 
Dougal & Avery, who finished their work September 25th, 1860, when the gas 
was first turned on in this village. In June, 1888, William T. Morris bought the 
controlling interest of the local company and rebuilt the works on the site of the 
old plant. Nine years later the company purchased the Tuttle malt house prop- 
erty on Water street, and in 1899 built the plant now being used. Ths present 
ofiicers are William T. Morris, president; Morris Tracy, secretary, and M. P. 
Buckley, superintendent. 



Harris Grape Juice 
Company 

This is an illustration 
of the large building occu- 
pied by the Harris Grape 
Juice Company, manufac- 
turers of pur3, unfer- 
mented grape juice. A 
more extended notice will 
be found on page 88. 




The Milo Paper Mill 



The Milo Paper Mill is erected on the site of a distillery owned by 
Calvin Drake and Charles Hewms. The property was purchased in 1868 
by Calvin Russell, Henry Russell and Frank Krum, of Schoharie county, 
and operated by them until 1872, when it was turned into a paper mill and re- 
named the "Milo Paper Mill." Some time thereafter Calvin Russell became the 
sole owner. 

On April 1, 1882, John T. Andrews bought a half interest of Mr. Russell and 
the co-partnership of Russell & Andrews continued until December, 1888, when 
Mr. Andrews became sole owner. 

In 1889 he rebuilt the mill, erecting a much larger building of brick, in 
place of the old wooden building, and adding a new 68-inch paper machine, 
increasing the capacity of the mill from an output of about 45 tons per weak to 
75 to 80 tons. 

In 1910 the plant was almost entirely destroyed by fire, but the ashes had 
hardly cooled before the owners were planning to rebuild. In place of the some- 
what antiquated arrangement of machinery, pulleys, belting, wooden floors, 
partitions and ceilings, there was erected a building as fire proof as possible, 
with pulleys, shafts and belting under the floors, thus reducing the element of 
danger. New machinery of the most approved types was installed. 

It Is now a two-machine mill. One is an 88-inch, the other a 68-inch machine. 
A trolley system takes the finished product as it comes away in rolls and 
deposits them before the trimmer. 

As an illustration of the equipment of this plant, there are automatic 



81 



sprinklers above the sorting machines. Should a blaze start, the attendant heat 
would, cause a sprinkler to revolve, and quench the blaze. 

In keeping with the model character of this mill's equipment is its product, 
for which there is a large demand. The company employs high-grade men and 
pays more than the ruling price for labor. Wrapping paper of different quali- 
ties is made exclusively. Being equipped with twin Corliss engines, the plant 
is prepared for a shortage of water. Its weekly output is between 100 and 120 
tons. It does business over a wide territory, and it Is recognized as one of 
Penn Yan's stable industries. 

The company is composed of Hon. John T. Andrews, Charles Andrews and 
Clarence Andrews. 



Penn Yan Cable Company 



This plant is located at the extreme northern part of the village and has 
been in operation for a comparatively short time, but it has been the means of 
making the village of Penn Yan known in practically every county in the Union. 




PENN YAN CABLE COMPANY—BXTEIRIOR VIEW. 

The Penn Yan Cable Company's products consist almost entirely of electrical 
conduits and conductors, and it ranks third in the amount of factory productions 
of its particular line. 

Both products and machines are covered by patents, and the products have 
gained an enviable reputation in the electrical trade. 

' The stock is mostly held by local people, although it is said that some of the 



82 



larger electrical jobbing houses are interested in the company. The officers are! 
President, E. R. Ramsey; secretary, George S. STieppard; treasurer, John H. 
Parker, 




PENN YAN CABLE COMPANY— INTERIOR VIEW. 

The Dibble Spoke Company 

One of the many historical spots near Penn Yan is tlie site of the Dibble 
tpoke factory on the outlet. Years ago on this site stood a wool carding and 
llax mill and a saw mill conducted by Albert P. Randall. In 1851 the saw mill 
ran night and day, manufacturing wooden rails for the New York Central 
Railroad, for that was before the advent of steel rails. In 1875 the building was 
re-modeled and enlarged and Mr. Randall began the manufacture of wheels and 
spokes. About 1880 the factory was purchased and operated by a company 
known as the Penn Yan Wheel Company, manufacturing complete wheels aside 
from the ironj work. A few years later the factory was rented to A. J. Dibble, 
who had been making spokes on his farm in Barrington and selling to the Penn 
Yan Wheel Company. Mr. Dibble continued the business until 1890 or 1891 
when the main factory was destroyed by Hre. He then purchased the entire 
outstanding stock and built the factory recently destroyed by Are which he operat- 
ed until his death, when the present company was organized. 

About 400,000 spokes were made each year, using about 500 cords of hickory 
and oali^ timber. The output of this mill found a market in all parts of the 
L'nited States, as well as to foreign countries, Australia and Spain. It was the 
only factory of its kind in operation in New York States. The power used was 
three turbine water wheels, developing about ninety horse-power. A. L. Barnes 
was the manager of this company. The mill was burned a second time in July, 
1913, and has not been rebuilt. 



S3 



Barden & Robeson 

The firm of Barden & Robeson purchased the old Price Bros.' spoke factory 
on Head Street, about a block east of Main Street, in the fall of 1909, and, in the 
January following, incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. The 
main factory building has been entirely remodeled and enlarged, adding a second 
story to the entire building and increasing the working floor space to about 
12,000 feet. There has been built a warehouse which will store about eighty cars 
of baskets, and it is filled during the winter months, thus giving employment to 
about seventy-five people during the winter, when work is most needed. 

The firm makes only the highest grade of baskets, paying especial attention 
to fruit packages. They have built up quite a trade on their peach baskets and 
bushel baskets, which already have the reputation pf being the neatest and 




THE BARDEN & ROBESON FACTORS'. 

Strongest baskets made in the United States, for the purpose of containing fruit 
for shipment. Other styles of baskets are made and wagon hubs are turned, 
making employment for the winter. 

George L. Barden, the president of the firm, is a son of the Hon. L. J. Barden, 
of Benton, ex-member of assembly of Yates County, and is a capable young man. 
He graduated from Colgate University in 1902 and is a member of Milo Lodge, 
No. 108, F. & A. M, ; the Penn Yan Club and the Keuka Yacht Club. 



Combination Vender Company 



The Combination Vender Company was organized under the laws 
York state in 1906. They manufacture and sell a four-department 
machine, which finds ready sale. The amount of the capital stock is 
The stockholders are Jacob Davis, John McMath and H. W. Hurford, all 
Yan. Their entire output is now being sold in the eastern, central and 
states, but they expect to fill the western states in the near future. The 
of the factory is between three and five thousand machines yearly. 



of New 
vending 
$100,000. 
of Penn 
southern 
capacity 



84 



Hammondsport Vintage Company 

There is probably few business ventures in Penn Yan or vicinity owned and 
managed by one Individual that has made more progress or grown faster in the 
past ten years than the Hammondsport Vintage Company. The plant was pur- 
chased in 1894 by Fred U. Swarts from George H. Lapham; it was then located 
in the Fall Brook cold storage building on Seneca Street. In February, 1901, 
the cold storage building was burned, the Hammondsport Vintage Company 
losing its entire stock. The loss was a heavy one, but, with renewed energy, Mr. 
Swarts purchased the Bruen elevator, entirely remodeled it, put in new cooperage, 
purchased a stock of wines and started again. The old trade was held by pur- 
chasing of the neighboring wineries. 

Soon after this Mr. Swarts built a large, up-to-date, iron and concrete cham- 
pagne vault, and Is constantly making improvements, putting in all the new and 




RMPIRE STATE WINR CO. 



I-IAMMONDSPORT VINTAGE CO. 



modern machinery. Today, the Hammondsport Vintage Company is one of the 
large cellars of the Lake Keuka district. This company manufactures still 
wines, brandies and champagne. 



Empire State Wine Company 



In 1895 Frank G. Hallett, of Penn Yan, and Hiram Henderson, late of Himrod, 
proposed engaging in the wine business in Pann Yan. About this time the death 
of Mrs. Henderson changed their plans. Mr. Hallett interested A. Clinton Brooks, 
who was then employed by Barrett Bros., in the venture. These two men started 
the wine business in 1896. Mrs. Lulu S. Barrett, of Auburn, a sister of Mr. 
Brooks, entered the firm as a third partner in the same year. In 1897 the com- 
pany was incorporated with a capital stock of $38,000, under the name of the 
Empire State Wine Company. Today the capital stock is $400,000, of which 
$250,000 is common and $150,000 preferred. The company has a large and 
handsome plant at the foot of Lake Keuka and a large storage and shipping 
department, using the "old malt Rouse" property on Seneca street, near the New 
York Central station. The directors are George S. Barrett, Charles B. Post, 
John Brooks, A. Clinton Brooks, Charles H. Mitchell, Claude Birkett, 
Charles C. Hunter, Jr. The company manufactures champagnes, brandies, still 
wines and unfermented grape juice. 



85 



The Rochester Shoe Company 

Wagener Brothers' Shoe Company was organized in May, 1900, in a small 
shop in the rear of the Sheppard Opera House, with a capital of about $1,000, 

making at first from 
twenty-four to thirty-six 
pairs of shoes each day. 

The business grew 
and prospered very rapid- 
ly, and in 1902 the earn- 
ings of the small factory 
were sufficient to pur- 
chase a property on Sen- 
eca Street, erect a 
$20,000 plant and equip 
it with machinery, with a 
capacity of 1,500 pairs 
per day. 

The new plant was 
run as the Wagener Bros' 
THE SHOE FACTORY. gj^^^ Company until 

October, 1909, when H. Allen 
Wagener sold the controlling 
stock to Fred C. Snow, E. W. 
Clark and William T. Morris. 
The following February Mr. 
Wagener retired from the 
active management and was 
succeeded by William T, ) 
Morris. 

In February, 1911, the com 
pany was re-organized under the 
name oif the Rochester Shoe 
Company. About one hundred 
operatives are employed. The 
business has a steady and 
healthy growth. 




^^^^^^^^!g^^!^^^^^^^^^^i^<iZ^y^^^JlO^^T~^^^^f^B ' 


i 



THE SHOE FACTORY, INTERIOR VIEW. 



Seneca 



Mills 



The property known as Seneca Mills, located about four miles from Penn 
Yan, acquired its present name in 1884, when the Yates County Oil Mill was 
demolished and a new stone and brick paper mill erected at this point on the 
Lake Keuka outlet, which, as a water power, eclipsed any other on the stream, 
and for safety from flood and general efficiency has few equals anywhere. The 
original natural rock dam furnished about twenty-six foot head. On top of this 
a modern stone dam was built, and by blasting out the rocky bed of the stream 
below, a head of forty-two feet was secured, which furnished, under ordinary 
conditions, from 750 to 1,000 horse-power. 

Seneca Paper Mills was built and owned by Andrews & Company, com- 
posed of the members of the firms of Russell & Andrews, of Penn Yan, and 
Russell & Armstrong, of Philadelphia and Lock Haven, Pa., the members of the 
two firms being John T. Andrews, Calvin Russell, Calvin Russell, Jr., M. M. 
Armstrong and L. D. Armstrong. 



86 



This mill was started and run for several years on news print and book 
paper. It was afterwards changed to other grades of paper. 

In the meantime the firm of Andrews & Company was succeeded by C. & H. 
Russell, and afterwards by Russell & Sons, which latter firm was composed of 
Calvin Russell, Calvin Russell, Jr., and Henry Russell, 2d; and the Penn Yan 
Electric Light Company plant was added, Which furnished the village of Penn 
Yan with its first electric lights. 

The property was afterwards leased to a concern who equipped It for 
making high grade white and fibre papers from straw by a special process, which 
was not successful, after which the paper making part of the mill was dis- 
mantled, and the power has since been used for electric light purposes only, 
under the corporate name of the Yates Electric Light and Power Company. 

In June, 1912, this company was merged with the chemical works owned by 
E. R. Taylor (see page 75), under the name of the E. R. Taylor Chemioal Com- 
pany. The E. R. Taylor company now practically owns all the water power 
between the "Seneca Mills" and Seneca Lake, and land on either side of the 
stream. 



The Fox Paper Mill 



The Keuka Mill, better known as the Fox Paper Mill, was established by 
W. H. Fox in 1865. P. P. Curtis purchased a one-fourth interest in 1882 and 
retired in 1905. W. D. Fox became a member of the firm in 1900 and H. D. Fox 
entered the firm in 1911. The firm is noAv W. H. Fox & Sons, composed of W. b. 
Fox and H. D. Fox, actively engaged, and the W. H. Fox estate still retaining a 
one-fourth interest. 

The produce of this mill is rye wrapping and corrugating paper. A specialty 




is made for corrugating purposes. About all the rye straw grown about here is 
used, but for ten ygars past three-fourths of thei strawi has come from the West. 
The output of the mill is between fifteen and seventeen tons a day. Watei 
power and steam power combined are used. This mill is unique in its record 
as the steadiest runnin.g plant, without exception, in this country and possibly 
in the world. It has run continuously night and day, Sundays excepted, for the 
past forty years, never having shut down except for repairs. The mill employs 
about thirty men. W. J. Turner is the superintendent. 



87 



The Yates County Canning Company 

The Yates County Canning Company is one of the latest enterprises to be 
added to Penn Yan's many manufacturing interests. In 1907 George H. Frederick 

erected a small canning 
factory and put upon the 
market a fine line of 
canned apples and plums, 
known to the trade as the 
"Yates" brand. The busi- 
ness steadily grew, and 
with its growth new 
buildings and modern 
machinery were installed. 
In 1911 H. C. Ovenshire 
purchased an interest in 
the business, and in 1912 
Fred C. Whitaker became 
a member of the firm. 
Again in 1913 it was 
found necessary to en- 








THE TATES COUNTY CANNING COMPANY. 



large the plant, making possible almost double the output of 1912. The factory 
now employs from 70 to 100 people during the busy season. All kinds of fruit, 
berries, beans and tomatoes are handled. The output last year was beyond all 
expectations.. This factory is of inestimable value to this fruit section. 

The oflficers of the company are: G. H. Frederick, president; H. C. Oven- 
shire, secretary; F. C. "Whitaker, treasurer. 



The Harris Grape Juice Company 



aKE5 IDK 




One of the many rapidly growing 
industries in this section is the Harris 
Grape Juice Company, established in Penn 
Yan only seven years ago. In that time it 
has several times had to liave more room, 
and the demand for its product has become 
so great that last year It was found neces- 
sary to purchase a large concrete factory, 
'10x180 feet, with a cellar twelve feet deep. The company makes only pure, 
unfermented grape juice, from selected Concord grapes. These grapes are 
grown on the shores cf Lake Keuka, and are conceded to be the best in tlie land. 
The business was begun by the Harris company in a small way, but notwith- 
standing that the output was increased rapidly, the past year found the company 
unable to supply all demands, and at the close of the year it was without any of 
ihe product en hand. Thisi can scarcely occur again while in the new plant, as 
its capacity now is very large. 

The Harris unfermented grape juice is pressed from the grape and bottled 
in carboys — large glass bottles — in the autumn. This stands for three months, 
when it is syphoned, treated, sterilized, bottled and packed, and is then ready for 
the trade. All this means a lot of careful work. The company ships to all parts 
of the country, with a large trade in the western states. The repeat orders it 
received alone taxed the capacity of the former quarters. 



88 




COMMERCIAL 



OO much praise cannot be given 
Penn Yan for its general appear- 
ance of prosperity, its up-to-date 
ideas as to municipal ownership of 
public utilities, its improved streets 
and boulevard system of lighting, 
its attractive business places and 
well stocked stores. There are 
signs of thrift and prosperity on 
every hand. A stranger cannot fail 
to be impressed with these facts 
and they invariably call forth 
favorable comment. It has long been recognized that Penn Yan is a natural 
center for trade, that its business and professional men are unusually pro- 
gressive and that no town of its size on the great Pennsylvania or New York 
Central systems equal it in the amount of outgoing freight. The most exacting 
consumer should find no difficulty in supplying his needs here. 



Banking Houses of the Pa^ 



There was no banking house in Penn Yan prior to 1831, but in that year 
steps were taken to organize a bank under authority of the law. On April 2d, 
the Yates County Bank was chartered and incorporated. Its organized capital 
was $100,000, which, according to its books, was subscribed for and owned by 
William M. Oliver, Andrew F. Oliver, Abraham H. Bennett, George Young, 
Mordacai Cgden, Alanson Douglass, Thomas W. Olcott, Alexander Marvin, James 
Harris, Samuel Stevens, Green C. Bronson, Ira G. Smith, Lot Clark, Bben Smith, 
Blias Patterson, William B. Welles, Henry B. Gibson, Olivia Hockstrasser, 
Grattan H. Wheeler, William W. McCay, Hervey Wheeler, Samuel S. Ellsworth, 
Asa Cole and John Spicer. 

This bank appears to have been a political-financial institution, as it procured 
its charter through this influence and was afterwards managed and conducted in 
the interest of the so-called Hunker element of the Democratic party. It was 
organized under the then existing safety fund system, but it was radical in 
its policy and managed under unsafe business principles. All this tended to its 
early and disastrous downfall, which occurred in 1848. William M. Oliver was 
its president and John A. Welles acted as cashier. The business office was over 
Mr. Oliver's ofiice and later was located on the site now occupied by the Lown 
Dry Goods Company. 

The charter of the Farmers' Bank of Penn Yan was dated August 20, 1839, 
and because it proved unprofitable it ceased business in 1843. Judge Samuel S. 
Ellsworth, Alvah Clark and E. H. Huntington were the moving spirits. The 
bank had its place of business where Frank Quackenbush now conducts a drug 



89 



store. The bank was known as the "Red Dog Bank," so called from the fact of 
its bills having red backs. The house eventually fail«d. The capital stock was 
$300,000. 

The Bank of Bainbridge was chartered by the state in April, 1847, and became 
a local institution two years later. In 1849 Nathan B. Kidder, of Geneva, erected 
the bank, building later used by the First National Bank. Mr. Kidder was' virtu- 
ally its owner, but its management was intrusted to Henry B. Bennett, after- 
wards assisted by James Tims. The bank was run about two years. 

In the early fifties Oliver Stark was a prosperous insurance agent and 
determined to conduct a banking business therewith. He was very successful for 
a few years, but extending his operations too extensively, he finally met disaster, 
after operating as a banker about fifteen years. The business was conducted 
under the name "Oliver Stark, Banker." 

J. T. Rapalee's Bank is well remembered even yet by some persons with 
deep sorrow and regret. Mr. Rapalee commenced business about 1860. He occu- 
pied the old Yates County Bank Building. Mr. Rapalee was a rabid Democrat, 
so rabid as to antagonize a majority of the people and bring misfortune upon 
himself. 

After the downfall of the Stark and Rapalee banks, there was a lull in bank- 
ing operations, but people found temporary accommodation with the malting firm 
of George R. Youngs & Co., a most prosperous business firm at that time. 

The First National Bank of Penn Ypn was organized by the purchase of the 
charter of the First National Bank of Watkins and the removal thereof to Penn 
Yan. The reorganized bank had a capital stock of $50,000. Its first board of 
directors was Ezekiel Castner, John C. Sheetz, James Forbes, William S. Briggs, 
John Southerland, George H. Lapham and Fred S. Armstrong. John Sheetz was 
president; William S. Briggs, vice-president, and George H. Lapham, cashier. 
Mr. Sheetz retired in 1885 and was succeeded by Mr. Lapham. H. K. Armstrong 
became cashier, but resigned in 1890, when A. W. Kendall was elected to that 
position. This bank failed iti 1899. 

The Yates County National Bank was incorporated December 30, 1878, with 
a capital stock of $50,000. Its first board of directors was as follows: Andrew 
Oliver, Charles C. Sheppard, Nelson Thompson, John Lewis, Morris F. Sheppard, 
Theodore Bogart, George R. Cornwell, George S. Sheppard and Ralph T. Wood. 
The officers were: Andrew Oliver, president; Morris F. Sheppard, vice-president; 
Frank R. Durry, cashier. When Mr. Oliver retired in 1881, Morris F. Sheppard 
became president. Hanford S. Struble was president of this bank when it closed 
its doors in 1896. 

Banking Houses of the Present 

Baldwins Bank 

In 1869 Mason L. Baldwin started a private banking house, under the name 
"M. L. Baldwin, Banker." He met with marked success. In 1881 Baldwin's Bank 
was organized, with $50,000 capital stock. Its prestige and influence have grown 
steadily with its resources until it is now one of the leading banking institutions 
in Western New York. Mr. Baldwin held the position of president of this insti- 
tution until January 1, 1913, when he retired. 

The present oflicers are: A. Flag Robson, president; William N. Wise, vice- 
president; Lars P. Neilson, cashier; Charles E. Willis, assistant cashier. The 
directors are C. A. Baldwin, F. M. Collin, O. G. Shearman, W. N. Wise and A. F. 
Robson. 

90 



A banking house indicates the prosperity of a town 6r community. It is 
interesting to note the steady gain in resources of this bank as shown by data 
compiled from reports of the New York State Banking Department. Take, for 
instance, fifteen reports beginning with May 31, 1900, when the resources were 
.$379,112.00: 

June 3, 1901, $370,105; June 10, 1902, $379,040; May 23, 1903, $413,172; June 
6, 1904, $466,866; June 7, 1905, $480,613; May 16, 1906, $499,832; June 4, 1907, 
$588,899; June 17, 1908, $598,692; April 28, 1909, $654,437; June 30, 1910, $659,343; 
.Tune 7, 1911, $639,348; June 14, 1912, $683,603; June 4, 1913, $781,319; March 2, 
1914, $838,925. 

It is the aim of the bank to show every courtesy and accommodation to its 
patrons consistent with safe and sound banking. They pay interest on deposits, 
and for the purpose of encouraging thrift in the community, have recently estab- 
lished a system of Home Savings Banks for use in the home in accumulating 
savings preparatory to making deposits. 

Their vault and safe deposit boxes afford ample room for the safe keeping 
and protection of valuable papers. 

The Citizens Bank 



The Citizens Bank of Penn Yan was chartered as a State Bank on the 14tli 



day of April, 1899, its capital stock being $50,000. It 




this 



NEW BANK FRONT. 
achievement gives this institution a place 



was apparent from the 
beginning that it was 
the aim of the manage- 
ment to make the bank 
a sound, progressive 
and conservative insti- 
tution and to furnish 
the community the 
best service possible, 
and, as a result of this 
policy, the bank early 
established itself in the 
favor and confidence of 
the public, and it has 
had a steady and sub- 
stantial growth. At the 
time of its last report 
to the Superintendent 
of Banks, March 2, 
1914, its surplus and 
undivided profits which 
represent actual earn- 
ings were $61,779.97. It 
has been a dividend 
paying bank from the 
start. Only about one 
in every twenty banks 
has surplus and undi- 
vided profits in excess 
of its capital stock, and 
among banks on what 



91 



is called the "tloll of Honor.'' At least four times during each year reports 
must be made to the Banking Department, showing, among other things, the 
condition of the bank. A study of these reports discloses the interesting fact 
that the deposits of the bank at the time of its first report on June 14, 1899, 
were $60,238.07, while on March 2, 1914, they were $571,445.89, and the total 
resources were $683,225.86. 

Its doors were opened for business on the 19th of April, 1899, and its first 
home was in the store now occupied by Clay Kinyoun. 

After remaining a year at its first location, the building formerly occupied by 
the First National Bank was purchased, and in April, 1900, the bank moved into 
its new quarters. In order to take care of its increased volume of business and 
to render a more efficient service to its numerous patrons, the banking house 
has been remodeled and enlarged, and made convenient and complete in all of 
its appointments. On August 21, 1911, it was finished and occupied. 

Realizing that the conditions of modern banking made it imperative that the 
Board of Directors should be composed only of men who were experienced in 
business and who would render actual service, and who were of the trustee type, 
the stockholders at their first meeting chose representatives of this character. 

There has been no change in the active officers of the bank since its organi- 
zation, and only two changes in the directorate. 

The directors at present are as follows: John T. Andrews, John H. Johnson, 
L. Gerome Ogden, John A. Underwood and Harvey C. Tallmadge, all of Penn 
Yan, N. Y.; Henry M. Parmele, of East Bloomfield, N. Y., and Howard L. Wood- 
ruff, of Dundee, N. Y. 

The following are the officers: John H. 
Johnson, President; Heni^^ M. Parmele, 
Vice-President; J. A. Underwood, Cashier; 
Fred H. Lynn, Assistant Cashier. 

The new vault was designed and built 
by the National Safe & Lock Company, of 
Cleveland, Ohio, and is seven and one-halt 
feet wide, ten feet deep and seven feet 
high. Within the concrete walls a steel 
cage of closely set bars is imbedded, and 
the plates of steel which line the vault are 
one and one-half Inches in thickness. The 
outer and the inner doors are controlled by 
combination and time locks, and the latest 
and most improved methods of construc- 
tion serve to render the vault secure 
against loss from burglars and fire. 

A large number of steel safe deposit box- 
es have been installed, and they are offered to 
the public for the( safe keeping of wills, 
bonds, mortgages, deeds and other valuable 
papers. The low rental of these boxes Is 
trifling in view of the absolute safety 
afforded, varying in price from $2.00 to 
$5.00 a year, according to size. The renter 
has access to his box at any time during banking hours and holds the only key 
which will open it. An apartment has been provided where renters may, at their 
leisure and in strictest privacy, examine their papers. 




OLD BANK raONT. 



92 




INTERIOR VIEW THE CITIZENS BANK. 




INTERIOR VIEW THE CITIZENS BANK. 

93 



Pearce & Coe 

The firm of Pearce & Coe was organized about seven years ago for the pur- 
pose of carrying on a wholesale and retail business In the sale of farm implements 
and kindred lines. The senior member of the firm, Thomas M. Pearce, has been 
engaged in this business for the past fourteen years. 

One little suspects from a view of the exterior of this establishment on Jacob 
Street the amount of floor space the stock in the storerooms occupies. The build- 
ing runs back a total of 400 feet, and both basement and first floor are filled with 
the finest and most complete lines of farmers' tools and implements to be found in 
Western New York. The stock consists of harness, robes, whips, cream separa- 
tors, buggies, wagons, gardening tools, sprayers, oils and, in fact, everything 
needed by the up-to-date farmer for the successful carrying; on of his farm. 

This firm is agent for the Auburn Wagons, LeRoy and Munnsville Plows, 
Summit Stoves, United States Cream Separators and Ideal Engines. 

H. J. McAdams 

Henry J. McAdams has had an experience in the handling of boots and shoes 
of eighteen years, and has been in business for himself in Penn Yan since 1889. 
He hias been at his present location, on the west side of Main Street, for the past 
fifteen years. His stock comprises one of the largest, if not the largest, line of 
boots, shoes and rubbers in Yates County. His large and varied stock necessitates 
the use of a large basement and also a stock room in the second story of the 
building he occupies. 

The factor that has been mainly instrumental in building up his successful 
business has been "A Square Deal to Everyone." He is a public-spirited mer- 
chant, and can be found in every movement for public good. 

He is an active member of the Business Men's Association of Penn Yan and 
served with much acceptance as its president during the first year of its 
existence. 



Kelly & Corcoran 

The firm of Kelly & Corcoran has been established in its present location nine 
years, succeeding the old, well-known firm of McMath & Morgan, who for many 
years were among the leaders in the grocery business in Penn Yan. Both part- 
ners had a number of years' experience in the grocery business before embarking 
for themselves. 

The store was recently remodeled throughout with fixtures manufactured by 
the Walker Patent Pivoted Bin Company, of Penn Yan, and occupies three' entire 
tloors, together with an extensive storehouse in the rear, where much of their 
surplus stock is stored. A full and complete line) of staple and fancy groceries is 
always on hand. Tile firm is also engaged in the wholesaling of berries, currants, 
buys and sells produce and eggs, and makes a specialty of the best farm and 
garden seeds in Penn Yan. It is the exclusive agent for the White Seal illuminat- 
ing oil. The cardinal principle of the firm is "Satisfaction Guaranteed," and it 
is considered a very wide-awake and up-to-date firm with which to do business. 

Clarence H. Knapp 

The furniture store of Clarence H. Knapp, located on the east side of Main 
Street, is one of the largest in Penn Yan, being 125 by 24 feet, three stories high, 
v,'ith a large basement. These fioors are filled with a beautiful display of all kinds ot 

94 



furniture and carpets. The store is very neatly appointed. Mr. Knapp has been 
engaged in the furniture and undertaliing business for upwards of twenty-nine 
years, and his facilities for undertaking are of the best. He is a prominent mem- 
ber of Milo Lodge, No. 108, F. and A. M.; also of the Business Men's Association. 



M. J. Gavin 



In the Sampson Block, at the head of Main Street, in Penn Yan, is the grocery 
store of M. J. Gavin, where a line of flrst-class groceries of all kinds is constantly 
on hand. These include teas, coffees, and the best of everything, neatly arranged. 




This store makes a specialty of Gold Medal Flour, one of the best flours for all 
kinds of uses that the market affords today. 

Mr. Gavin has a system of wagon deliveries, by which means all portions of 
the village are covered promptly. In his large store are located both telephones, 
so that patrons in using that method of communication can be assured of prompt 
and careful attention. In addition to the general line of groceries carried, a line 
of pop-corn, tobacco, spices, bread and cookies and canned goods of well-known 
and reliable makes are constantly on hand. 

Sharp & Co. 

The millinery establishment of Sharp & Co. was started at the present location 
in Penn Yan, nine years ago, and from a small beginning, employing one or two 
trimmers, the trade has steadily increased until now it is patronized by many ot 
the exclusive residents of Penn Yan and surrounding territory. The force in the 
work rooms has been increased during the years the store has been in operation 
until at the present time eight persons are given employment. Mrs. Ruscoe is 
now the sole proprietor. At least twice a year, and sometimes oftener, Mrs. Ruscoe 
visits New York in search of the latest creations in millinery and trimmings. She 
has also visited Paris in search of new designs for her store. 



95 



E. R. Bordwelll 

E. R. Bordwell, druggist, has been in business for himself at the present site, 
corner of Main and Elm Streets, for ten years. Previous to that time he was as- 
sociated with Theodore P. Wheeler. He has had forty years' experience in the 
drug business. 

In his large and varied stock is a full line of paints, oils, varnishes, cigars, etc. 




The prescription department is in competent hands, and patrons may be assured 
that they are getting the very best of everything that the markets afford, com- 
pounded in an expert and careful manner. 

Mr. Bordwell is a public-spirited citizen. He has served two years as clerk 
of the town of Milo, and six years as a member of the Board of Supervisors, and 
represented the town of Milo in an able manner. He was elected Member of 
Assembly for one term, capably representing Yates County. He has also been a 
member of the Municipal Board, and is now serving his sixth term as president 
of this village. 

He is a member of Milo Lodge, No. 108, F, and A. M.; Keuka Lodge, No. 149, 
I. O. O. F., and of the Business Men's Association. 



A. MacKay & Co. 



One of the oldest grocery stores still doing business in Penn Yan is that of 
A. MacKay & Co. This Arm was organized in 1866, and has continued in busi- 
ness since that time. 



96 



The motto of this store is first-class goods of all kinds at reasonable prices. 
In the stock of goods carried is a full lino of staple and fancy groceries and 
bottled goods; also a line of the fine Cresga imported goods, there being none 
finer on the market. 

This firm does an immense business in shipping grapes and other produce 
to all portions of the covmtry. 

-, The grocery business has increased to such an extent that an auto delivery 
wagon is necessary. Customers appreciate the excellent service. 

Mr. MacKay, the founder of the business, is a public-spirited man, having 
served as a member of the Board of Village Trustees for a number of years. 



The HoUowell & Wise Co. 

The firm of Hollowell &. Wise was established in 1862, at the present location, 
corner of Main and E'm Streets. W. D. Hollowell and William N. Wise, the orig- 
inr,l members of the firm were known to be business men of strict integrity. After 
' - the death of Mr. Hollo- 

well, the business was 
incorporated under the 
name "The Hollowell 
& Wise Co.," C. B. 
Briggs, president, treas- 
urer and general man- 
ager, and their stock 
of goods carried is 
probably the largest in 
Yates County. The 
store proper occupies a 
large space on the first 
floor, while the second 
floor is a most com- 
plete and up-to-date 
section devoted to 
house furnishing goods of all kinds, the remaining two floors being used for 
plumbing and storage. 

A large storehouse in the rear, and storage in several adjoining buildings, are 
full of surplus stock of all kinds. 

A general line of heavy and shelf hardware, and all kinds of plumbing, hot air, 
steam and hot water heating systems are Installed at the lowest prices consistent 
with good workmanship. They are the exclusive agents for the reliable line of 
Stewart stoves and ranges. 




THE HOLLOWELL AND WISE CO. STORE. 



Wilkins & Ellis 

are located at No. 23 Main Street. In the stock carried by this firm are phono- 
graphs and graphophones, with a complete line of records; guns, rifles, lawn 
tennis sets, bicycles and sundries, fishing tackle, skates, playing cards, all kinds 
of athletic goods, including footballs, baseballs, clubs and other accessories 
pertaining to the National game; cutlery, dumb bells and fencing foils. 

In addition to the large and varied line of sporting goods, the firm does p. 
general line of repairing. 



97 



Frank Quackenbush 

The drug store of Frank Quackenbush, located on Main Street in Penn Yaii, 
■ivas established in 1879. Mr. Quackenbush was born in Bath, N. Y., and was em- 
ployed by his brother, Wilson W. Quackenbush, as clerk for twelve years. He 
succeeded Edward C. Wilkinson in the drug business. His large store, 85 feet 
long by 20 feet wide, is filled with a complete and up-to-date line of drugs and 
druggists' sundries, paints, oils and toilet articles. 

The prescription department is a feature of the store of Mr. Quackenbush, and 
anyone going there for that particular part of the drug business may re"y upon 
getting the best drugs that the market affords, which will be compounded at rea- 
sonable prices. 

A large soda fountain is in the front part of the store, from which is dis- 
pensed cooling drinks during the summer months. 

Besides Mr. Quackenbush in the store, he employs several competent clerks. 



Hotel Knapp 



The Hotel Knapp was erected in 1897 by Oliver C. Knapp on the site of 
the old Mansion house. After the death of Mr. Knapp, the business was 

conducted by his son, 
Charles, until his death. 
Since that time there 
have been several man- 
agers, among thsm A. 
J. Obertin, P. J. Rowe, 
N. A. Damoth, King & 
Co. and Chapman & 
Durnin. Mrs. F. E. 
Knapp is now In 
charge. The hotel has 
recently been painted 
a light cream color, 
with dark trimmings, 
and thoroughly over- 
hauled, giving the place 
a more inviting appear- 
ance. The management has also had a number of large display signs painted 
and placed at different points in the village and surrounding country. 




HOTEL KNAPP. 



Abe V. Masten 

The well-knowTi bookstore of Abe V. Masten is located at 110 Jacob Street, 
and is one that adds to the literary advantages of the community. He has been 
engaged in business in Penn Yan since March 25, 1884, when he commenced on 
a very small scale, and steadily increased his business until at the present time 
it is one of the largest stores of its kind in town. 

He is a wholesale and retail dealer in books, stationery, art, music and 
sporting goods, novelties, druggists' sundries, fishing tackle, fireworks, etc.; 
also an extensive jobber in new and second-hand school books, and carries the 
most complete line of law blanks to be found in the county. He has also an 
extensive picture framing department, in which he does a large amount of busi- 
ness annually, making a specialty of mat mountings. Subscriptions are taken 



for all daily and Sunday newspapers and magazines of all kinds, fie also has 
a full line of photograph supplies, cameras and post cards, and carries a large 
assortment of periodicals of all kinds. 

J. Lord & Bro. 

The confectionery and delicatessen store of J. Lord & Bro. is on Jacob Street, 
where a complete line of fine candies, oranges, lemons and fruit, in their season, 
are constantly on hand. The store is tastefully and comfortably arranged. A 
large and varied stock of tobacco and cigars is also kept. The Arm has been in 
the confectionery business for twenty-one years. 




THE CHRONICLE, BIRKETT AND JESSUP BUILDINGS. 

W. H. Whitfield & Son 

W. H. Whitfield & Son at 135-137 Jacob Street are among the few remain- 
ing old time carriage makers, in fact, they are the only firm in Western New York 
that manufactures vehicles complete. They employ eight to ten men, making 
their hand-made-made! upon-honor buggies in the old fashioned way. As a ma- 
jority of people have realized the cost of repairing a factory-made buggy after a 
year or two of wear so this firm enjoys a growing trade as people realize the 
advantage in buying the class of work made and sold by them. They are the 
makers of the famous "Whitfield's Peerless Grape Wagons." Fruit dealers justly 
claim the fruit arrives in market in better condition when drawn on one of these 
wagons. This firm does all kinds of repairing — wagon as well as automobile — 
repairing all parts of an auto but the engine; makes auto tops, curtains, storm 
curtains, fore doors, etc. They have mechanics who can repair a broken frame or 
spring. Their slogan is "Whitfield's Wagons Wear Well." 

A. C. Robinson 

The store of Mr. Robinson is located at No. 10 Main street. A general line 
of high grade groceries is kept at this store and a specialty made of domestic 
and tropical fruits in their season. While Mr. Robinson caters to a select home 
trade, he also is a wholesaler of tropical fruits and deals extensively in local 
produce. Mr. Robinson has been in the grocery business for twenty-seven years, 
twelve years for himself, and has the unique distinction of never having missed 
but one Saturday from business during over a quarter of a century. 



99 



Frank M. McNiff 

Frank M. McNiff has been engaged in the clothing and gentlemen's furnish- 
ings business longer than any other clothing merchant in Yates County. The 
store he occupies at No. 106 Main street, Penn Yan, has been used as a clothing 
store since 1855. A successful business was carried on by those who laid the 
foundation, and notwithstanding panics, dull times and the keen competition, the 
reputation of this store for absolute fair-dealing has besn steadily maintained, 
with a consequent steady patronage. It is a business landmark; yet while 
being senior among its fellows as a business, it is new as regards stock carried. 
Close buying and a keen preception of what the public wants is the secret. 
"The Invincible Brand of Guaranteed Clothing" is carried. It is doubly guaran- 
teed — by the manufacturers and by Mr. McNiff. 

Mr. McNiff has been honored with several public offices and is now serving 
his second term as Treasurer of Yates County. 

E. A. Dean 

The photographic studio of B. A. Dean was established in the Cramer Block, 
on the east side of Main Street, in 1902. Mr. Dean was for twentyrflve years 
previous to his removal to Penn Yan established in Williamsport, Pa., where he 
had one of the leading photographic studios. 

Cn the night of March 18, 1907, the Penn Yan studio was completely des- 
troyed by fire, together with upwards of 3,500 negatives, many| of which can 
never be replaced. As soon as possible after the fire the studio was rebuilt and 
equipped with all modern appliances for doing first-class work, including enlarg- 
ing, copying and view work. The studio is pleasant and easy of access and 
modern in all of its appointments. All work is promptly completed and delivered. 

He has one of the best stocks of photographic mounts carried by any studio 
in Western New York, manufactured by Tapprell, Loomis & Co., of Chicago, 111., 
and A. M. Collins Co., of Philadelphia. 

Many of the illustrations in this book are from photographs taken by Mr. 
Dean. In the development of photographs of outdoor scenes for purposes of 
reproduction in print by the use of cuts, Mr. Dean has had much experience, and 
for this work he has the highest grade cameras and supplies, and the combination 
of experience and excellent facilities enables him to deliver orders in exception- 
ally quick time. 

Kinne & Yetter 

Kinne & Yetter are engaged in business at 109 Benham street, where they 
have a modern equipped plant. The senior member of the iirm, Remsen M. 
Kinne, started in business seventeen years ago. About two years ago Isaac Yet- 
ter purchased an interest in the business, which is now conducted under the 
present firm name. The firm handles coal, wood and a large and complete line of 
masons' materials, making a specialty of the famous Atlas Cement. This busi- 
ness has grown to such an extent that they have been obliged to open a branch 
office and yard at Bluff Point, this county, where a full line of their material 
may be found. Their local business now requires four delivery wagons. Mr. 
Kinne is an influential member of Milo Lodge, No. 108, P. & A. M., and a Knights 
Templar, also a member of Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. 0. O. P., and the Penn Yan 
Club. Mr. Yetter is an active member of the Penn Yan Club. 

100 




o 

H 
Q 

1-1 

£ 



101 



Roenke & Rogers 

This firm was organized in 1881 and bsgan business in a store in the Mills 
Block, at the corner of Main Street and Maiden Lane. Later their increasing 
business made it necessary for them to seek larger quarters, and they removed 
to the Cornwell Block, on the east side of Main Street, where a most successful 
business was conducted for twelve years. They were again obliged to seek 
larger quarters, and have removed to their own store, recently purchased and 
enlarged, in what was formerly known as the BushLown Block, at 133 and 135 
Main Street. This new and beautiful store is fully adequate in every respect to 
carry on their large and increasing business. It is full of a complete line of dry 
goods, ladiss' furnishings, notions, rugs, carpets, draperies, etc. A large force of 
competent and courteous clerks assure the customer prompt and efficient service 
at all times. 

Another large store owned by this Arm is operated in Geneva, N. Y., where 
an equally large and varied assortment of goods is carried. J. R. Roenke has 
charge of the Geneva store and J. D. Rogers the Penn Yan store. 



The Railway Depots 

The N3W York Central depot was erected in the summer of 1909 on the site 
of the old building, which had been in active use for twenty-five years. The new 




THE PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NEW YORK CENTRAL STATIONS. 

depot is a standard New York design, all stations in the various villages along 
the line being of this type. It is a modern structure, built in cottage style, with 
shingled sides, with two waiting rooms and baggage room at the east end of the 
building. The new station is a decided improvement compared with the old 
structure. 

The Northern Central Station on Jacob Street was built about thirty years 
ago. It is a large frame structure heated by steam and lighted by electricity. It 
has a pavilion built on the north side for the accommodation of the patrons of 
the railroad and those of the trolley line. Prom August 1st, 1914 the station will 
be called the Pennsylvania station, the Northern Central Company having trans- 
ferred its interest to the Pennsylvania Railroad system. 

Central House 

The Central House is located at 106 Jacob street, in close proximity to both 
railroad stations. It is centrally located in the business section of the village. 
This popular hostelry is conducted by Frank V. Shattuck, a popular hotel man. 



102 



The Sampson Theatre 



This popular play house was opened to the public October 11-12, 1910, with 
I.ouis Mann's laughable play, "The Cheater." The structure is 60x100 feet, three 
stories, about 70 leet high in the rear and 55 feet from street level. Ths building 
contains about 50,000 feet of masonry. The seating capacity of the house is about 
1,000. There are 365 
seats on the ground 
floor, 210 in the balcony 
and 300 in the upper 
balcony or gallery. The 
twelve boxes will seat 
forty-eight. 

The stage is 36 feet 
deep and 58 feet wide. 
There is a lift of 55 fset 
from the stage floor to 
the rigging loft or grid- 
iron. The proscenium 
is 32 feet wide by 25 
high. 

There are eight 
dressing rooms, and 
these are of cement. 

The lighting scheme is artistic. A large circle of incandescent burners, sur- 
rounded by three smaller circles, decorates the ceiling. There are rows of lights 
along the balcony and gallery and three in the rear of each. Each box is lighted, 
und there are four rows of white and colored lights on the stage. 

W. N. Newby & Son, of Penn Yan, had the wall decoration in charge, while 
Chadwick & Haskin, of Interlaken, furnished the curtains and scenery. E. L. 
Murray did the electrical work. 

The drop curtain is a beauty, containing as it does a reproduction of 




THE SAMPSON THEATRE. 



S'^,®^K 




! 


im 


M 


Ini 


g 

i 


1 




BB^^^^^BHtl 


"Mum 


BBBI 


M 


*'fi;]: 


TJjmf,, 


r I I 1 a 1. i 


■n'M 




m 





tp 





THE "PENN YAN" ONE OF THE FINE STEAMBOATS ON LAKE KBUKA. 

Esperanza, formerly the summer home of Wendell T. Bush, who donated the 
curtain. 

The village is indebted to Dr. F. S. Sampson for the enterprise shown in 
erecting such a fln3 play house. The business is conducted under the firm name 
of P. S. Sampson & Co. Charles Sisson is the local manager. 



103 




Sailing Over Lake Keuka 

Glenn Curtiss, who is known throughout the civilized world as one of 

greatest inventors or 
this day, spent his boy- 
hood days at Rock 
Stream, Yates county. 
Later his parents 
moved to Hammonds- 
port. In that hamlet 
vnA Rochester the in- 
ventor began his career 
as a newsboy. While 
still a young man, he 
opened a bicycle re- 
pair shop. In his spare 
moments he worked on 
a small gasoline engine, 
which he eventually 
perfected and installed 
in a bicycle, which was 
then called a motor- 
cycle. Later Mr. Cur- 
tiss became interested 
in aviation and is con- 
sidered one of the 
greatest American avi- 
ators. 

The accompanying 
views were taken on 
Lake Keuka and ars of 
the hydro - aeroplane 
"America," built by 
Mr. Curtiss, for Rodman 
THE "AMERICA" SKlMlNllNG LAKE KEUKA, Wanamaker, to make a 

trans-Atlantic flight. 
Lieutenant Cyril Forte, R. N., retired, is to be the pilot in charge. 



.\MERICA," THE TKAXS-ATEANTIC HYDROPLANE 
BUILT AT CURTISS FACTORY, LAKE KEUKA. 






1 . -.,■ 






w ^ 





VIEW NEAR PENN Y'AN ON OUTLET. 
104 



Mr. George Himler 



Mr. Himler was born in Germany, in 1852, and came to America 
when only ten years of age. For the past twenty-three years he has been con- 
ducting a cigar factory and retail cigar and tobacco store at 146 Main street, 
.Vrcade Block. It has long been considered one of the leading establishments 
of its kind in Yates county. Mr. Himler has been a prominent figure in the 
growth and development of the cigar industry in this part of tlie country. He 
is a wide-awake, business man and a thoroughly practical cigar-maker, whose 
past success and present prosperity have been achieved through honorable deal- 
ing and progressive methods. 

His factory is equipped with all modern improvements for insuring rapid 
and perfect production, a force of expert hands being employed throughout the 
year, and special care is exercised in the selection of tobaccos for both wrap- 
pers and fillers. Mr. Himler gives close attention to the process of manufactur- 
ing so that al} cigars leaving his establishment are warranted perfect and are 
sure to give satisfaction. The result is that his brands are enjoying an ever in- 
creasing demand by first-class dealers, hotels, and large consumers. Wherever 
they have been introduced and tested his retail patronage is large and influen- 
tial, demonstrating that Penn Yan's popular cigar manufacturer is a leader in 
his business. All orders, by mail or otherwise, receive the most prompt attention. 

Eckert's Provision House 

Eckert's Provision House, formerly known as the T. S. Burns grocery, at 103 
Main street, was made possible by two brothers, I. E. and C. F. Eckert. Previous 
to coming to Penn Yan these young men conducted one of the largest cash gro- 
cery stores in Monroe county, for an incorporated company of New York. Their 
motto is "Sell for cash and in return discount all bills by paying cash," thereby 
giving Yates county the benefit .of their purchasing power. Eckert Brothers 
started in with a limited capital, but by legitimate advertising and honest deal- 
ing have exceeded their expectations, both financially and in building up a volume 
of business unexcelled in this county. These young men buy nothing but the 
best in quality and conduct special sales each week. The prices are so reason- 
able and the quality of goods so high that the public cannqt resist such money 
saving offers. Their strict business methods and progressive advertising bring 
them a volume of business which keeps five men busy. 



Mr. Arthur Jessup 



Penn Yan's oldest and one of its leading harness makers is Arthur Jessup, 
whose store and shop is located at 104 Elm street, where he has been in busi- 
ness for the past 37 years. Mr. Jessup was born in England and came to Penn 
Yan when only fifteen years of age. He began his apprenticeship with C. W. 
Bishop and finished his instruction with J. F. Bridgman. In 1877 he bought out 
Mr. Bishop and has continued the business in this location since that time. Mr. 
Jessup has been twice married, his first wife was Miss Irene Stanton, whom he 
married in 1875. She died in 1892. Three children were born to them, Harriet, 
Maude and Albert, all of whom are married and living in the West. In 1894 he 
married Mrs. Harriet Nelson Hurford, and they have one daughter, Eva. Their 
home is at 317 Main street. 

Mr. Jessup has been town assessor for ten years and inspector of election 
for the past twenty-five years. He is also a deacon of the Baptist church and 
an active member of Keuka Lodge, I. 0. O. P. 

105 



Lake Keuka Floral Company 

A small but beautiful building of Gothic architecture, opposite the Baptist 
Church, is the home of the Lalte Keuka Floral Co., a comparatively new industry 




SHOW AND SAI^ES ROOM 

hexe, having been opened to the public March 1, 1913. This cottage-like structure 
contains office, and show rooms and in its large plate glass window are displayed 
beautiful potted plants, ferns, palms and cut flowers. 

In the rear are two large green houses, 25 x 100 and one 20 x 96, and one 
16 X 50 work room. About 1,000 square feet of glass, weighing seven tons, are 
required to cover these buildings, and 4,000 feet of piping for heating. 

The growing demand for the choice flowers raised here has made it neces- 
sary to increase the capacity of the plant, and soon two new green houses will 
be erected, one 12 x 50 and another 26 x 107. Lewis J. Brundage, the proprietor. 




ONE OP THE GREENHOUSES 

is an expert florist and landscape gardener and will be pleased to estimate on 
work to be done in his profession. 



106 



E. H. Hopkins 

Born in Prattsburgh, N. Y., in 1844, educated there at the Franklin Institute, he 
came to Penn Yan in 1865 and engaged in a jewelry store where he learned the 
trade of watchmaker and engraver. He started in the jewelry business in 1869 
for himself and has since met with reasonable success. He carries at all times 
a fine stock of all classes of jewelry, watches, clocks and silverware, also a fine 
selection of diamonds. His store also has in stock a large selection of kodaks, 
cameras, and photographers' supplies, and is, in fact, able to supply anything in 
the line of finest jewelry, silver ware and cut glass which is not in regular 
stock. Mr. Hopkins is also a successful optician. He is a man of genial and so- 
cial qualities and is ever making friends and able to retain them. 

Craugh's Bakery 

Craugh's Bakery is a sort of landmark among Penn Yan shops. Richard 
Craugh, who was a professional baker for Mr. Ranney for years, purchased the 
business in 1902 and since then has successfully conducted the establishment. 
About 800 loaves of bread are made every day, besides the usual array of pastry 
found in a first-class bakery. Besides a general bakery, a confectionery store and 
restaurant are connected with the establishment and catering for parties is made 
a special feature. 

Penn Yan Tobacco Company 

The Penn Yan Tobacco Co. is the successor of the well known MacLeod To- 
bacco House, on Main street. The business and building is now owned by Dr. J. 
M. Ward and is under the management of P. A. Griffiths. This is the largest 
wholesale and retail tobacco firm in Yates county, with a full line of smoking 
and chewing tobacco, imported and domestic cigars, pipes and smokers' supplies, 
ladies' and gentlemen's pocketbooks, bill-pocketbooks and diaries. This store 
carries the largest assortment of souvenir post cards in the county and a full 
line of celebrated Waterman's Ideal fountain pens. The best and most popular 
line of 10c sheet music, the Century Edition, in the care of a competent musician. 
This is also the headquarters of the famous Dennison crepe paper, specialties 
and playing cards. They also carry a complete stock of staple and fancy station- 
ery, writing tablets, inks, mucilage, office and school supplies in general, all the 
popular magazines, daily and Sunday papers. As far as possible, all goods are 
displayed in handsome glass cases, making an ejcceeding attractive store. The firm 
is enjoying a large and satisfactory patronage. 

Yates Real Estate Company 

In 191J. H. E. Chilvers opened a real estate office in Penn Yan. His efforts 
met such marked success that the business became established and on July 4, 
1913, a partnership was formed with J. Monroe Lown, under the title "The Yates 
County Real Estate Co., Inc." The company now maintains pleasant offices in 
the Arcade building and have among their clients many of the leading farmers 
and business men in Yates and surrounding counties. Within the past year they 
closed the largest real estate deal ever made in farm property in Yates County, 
when Glen L. Wheeler purchased the Timothy Costello orchard, one of the finest 
orchard properties in Western New York. They have listed many fine village and 
farm properties, and if you wish to buy or sell real estate, their office is head- 
quarters. 

107 



W. W. Quackenbusk 



One is probably safe in saying that W. W. Quackenbush, who conducts a 
pharmacy at 125 Main street, has been engaged in business longer than any 
other man in Penn Yan today. When the first shot was fired on Port Sumter in 
1861, Mr. Quackenbush was a drug clerk in Lock Haven, Pa. Prom 1861 to 
1865, he held a similar position in Bath, N. Y., and during 1865 was employed in 
a drug store in Chicago, 111. He returned to this state and opened a pharmacy 
in Phelps, Ontario county, in 1866, remaining there about a year, and in the 
spring of 1867 he came to Penn Yan and purchased the drug store owned by 
Lapham & Bullock, in the location now occupied by Habberfield's meat 
market, where he remained for two years, after which he moved into the store 
now occupied by H. Merton Smith, where he remained thirty-three years. He 
then purchased the store which he now occupies at 125 Main street, next to 
Baldwins Bank. 

Mr. Quackenbush carries a complete line of fresh and pure drugs, toilet 
articles, paints, oils, varnishes, etc. Special attention is given to the careful 
compounding of prescriptions. It should be with satisfaction that he can con- 
template the difficulties he has overcome and realize today that he has endeavored 
to serve his patrons faithfully for forty-eight years, and hopes to continue his 
usefulness for many years to come. 



Wagener Bros.' Automobile Exchange 



Wagener Brothers' 
Automobile Exchange, 
located on Jacob 
street, started in bus- 
iness in 1905. It has 
steadily grown from 
a business of selling 
six or seven cars a 
year to more than 300 
cars a year. They deal 
in supplies of all 
kinds and their equip- 
ment is such that they 
can handle gasoline 
in carloads, buying it 
in tank cars, having 
an equipment to unload 10,000 gallons in twenty-five minutes. 

They supply the outside trade with both lubricating oils and gasoline, as well 
as handling cars for central New York State. 

They have lately improved their lines and are now handling the famous Na- 
tional car which holds the world's record; the Haynes, which is the oldest car 
built in this country, and the Hudson, Reo and Studebaker. 

They have in connection with their garage a splendid equipped machine shop 
with all modern appliances, and they employ from five to eight mechanics the 
year around. This garage is said to be one of the most successful and largest in 
this section of the state. They handle nothing but high-grade, reliable cars and 
make a specialty of satisfied customers. 





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108 



John A. Fiero 



In your walk about the beautiful village of Penn Yan just call at the coal 
and general supply plant of John A. Fiero, at 119 Benham street. For more 
than forty years this has been headquarters for coal, wood, cement and lime pro- 
ducts. Here may be found ths famous "Raisin Monumental Fertilizer," known for 
over fifty years as a reliable brand. Always analyzing above guarantee in line, 
drillable condition and sacks in good condition to handle, while customers are 
always satisfied. The price is the lowest, considering the quality. Mr. Fiero also 
handles the "Levi Smith Oil" at wholesale. This he receives in tank cars, and 
it is delivered to the trade in steel drums and cans, no more wood barrels. Mr. 
Piero's warehouse and storage plant are on a private switch, 130 feet long with 
cellar, and has a capacity of 6,000 barrels of apples, a large quantity of hay and 
fruit, and is general headquarters for farmers' produce. He also handles the 
Watkins' salt, binder twines, Niagara plaster board and wall plaster. Before 
purchasing he requests an opportunity to quote prices on anything in his line. 



Goodspeed & Miller 



The business of underwriting has always afforded a wide field for the opera- 
tion of men of ability, and in every city and village are to be found men of high 
standing who are engaged in the fire insurance business. 

To be a successful underwriter requires ability of the highest order and 
strict integrity, combined with energy and push, and in the possession of these 
qualities lies largely the success of Goodspeed & Miller in the insurance business. 

James C. Goodspeed, the senior member of the firm, purchased the insurance 
business of Miss H. M. T. Ayres, who for many years was a successful insurance 
agent in this village. His partner, David Miller, purchased an interest in January, 
J 902, and the firm has since built up a very large business' in this particular line. 
The firm also deals largely in real estate and has a large list of desirable prop- 
erty, which they will be pleased to show persons interested. 

The firm are members of the Business Men's Association, and Mr. Miller is 
at present Supervisor of the town of Milo, which office he has acceptably filled 
for several years. 

The most reputable of American and foreign companies are represented by 
Goodspeed & Miller. That the firm itself and the companies for whom it does 
business are to be commended to the public is evidenced by the fact that not in 
a single case where loss has been paid as the result of fire has there been 
litigation. 

The following are the well-known companies represented by this enterprising 
firm: Hartford, Home of New York, Liverpool and London and Globe, Spring- 
field, Royal, Insurance Company of North America, Royal Exchange, Western 
Toronto, Aachen and Munich, Providence-Washington, Equitable, Fireman's Fund 
of California, American Central, Phoenix of London, Travellers' Life and Accident, 
United States Fidelity and Guaranty of Baltimore, New York Plate Glass, Hart- 
ford Steam Boiler. 



Lampson's Laundry 



Lampson's Laundry, owned and conducted by George B. Lampson, is located 
at the south end of Main street bridge. This is the oldest establishment of its 
kind in town and though old in years is most modern in equipment and work- 
manship. Their specialty is nice, clean work. Mr. Lampson has been in business 
in this location for over twenty years. 

109 



Penn and Yan Lake Shore Railway and Yates Electric 
Light and Power Company 

These public service interests are two of Penn Yan's most useful public 
institutions. The railway was constructed in 1897 from Penn Yan to Branchport 
and serves a most convenient purpose to the inhabitants living along the west 
branch of the lake, for both freight and passenger traffic. Arrangements have 
been made with the trunk line railroad companies whereby shippers secure the 
same rate from Branchport or any intermediate station to any point east of 
Buffalo, Pittsburg or Erie, as is enjoyed from Penn Yan. This road serves a 
most prosperous farming section and has made possible easy access to many 
lakeside cottages. 

The Penn Yan Electric Light Company was organized in 1891, and continued 
business until 1900, when it was reorganized under its present name. The Yates 
Electric Light and Power Company. This company handles everything in elec- 
trical appliances for cooking, heating and lighting, does all branches of electric 
wiring and repair work, installs motors, furnishes electric powex, etc. 

The two industries are under .the same management, and the business is 
carefully managed by W. J. Tylee, the superintendent and secretary, who has 
been in this capacity since 1907. The public find Mr. Tylee a courteous and 
obliging official. 




The above illustration is an interior view of the companies' main office in 
Penn Yan. 



110 



N. S. Dailey 

An imiportant part of a village's Interests is entrusted to the various insurance 
agencies, their integrity and general knowledge having much to do with a village's 
material, prosperity. 

Prominent among the insurance agencies located, in Penn Yan is that conduct- 
ed by N. S. Bailey, in the Lown Block. Mr. Dailey is a native of Prattsburg, N. 
Y. He received his early education in the common schools and later at the Penn 
Yan Academy. For a period of nine years he devoted himself to teaching in Yates 
Comity, and then established the well-known insurance agency he still conducts. 

Mr. Dailey may be justly called a pioneer insurance agent of Penn Yan, as he 
is the longest in the practice of that business in the village. During his activities 
in the Insurance business he held the important office of village clerk for nine 
years. Mr. Dailey carries on the various branches of the insurance business, such 
as fire, life, tornado and casualty insurance. 

For over fourteen years he has been a member of the Vestry of St. Mark's 
Episcopal church, also serving as treasurer of that church, and in connection 
with his insurance he carries on an extensive real estate business. He is 
a highly respected citizen of Penn Yan. 

Bradley T. Mallory 

Prominent among the fire insurance agencies located in Penn Yan is that of 
Bradley T. Mallory. He has been established here since 1889. In that year, Mr. 
Mallory purchased the Chapman fire insurance agency, which was formed in 
Benton more than thirty years before. He moved that to Penn Yan, where he 
is conveniently located in Struble's Arcade.. Mr. Mallory acts only for the well- 
known and popular companies. In 1908 he purchased the Hobart agency, which 
is composed of ten famous companies. In the insurance business Mr. Mallory 
represents fifteen separate companies. 

He was a member of the Board of Supervisors from the town of Benton for 
two suceeeding terms, the last term of which he was chairman of that body. He 
is also interested in agriculture, owning one of the finest farms in the town of 
Benton. 

Fraternally, Mr. Mallory is one of the best known Odd Fellows in Western 
New York. He was initiated into Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F., at Penn 
Yan, March 16, 1896; appointed Warden July 6, and again .Tanuary 4, 1897; was 
elected to Vice Grand June 28, 1897, and Noble Grand December 27 of that year. 
He was the choice for Representative to the Grand Lodge in 1899, and has served 
two years as D. D. G- M. of the District of Schuyler and Yates. He is also 
P. G. P. in Penn Yan Encampment, No. 98, and in May, 1910, was installed as 
Grand Patriarch of New York State, which is the highest state office of that body. 

He has been trustee and treasurer of the Baptist church in Penn Yan for 
many years. Besides attending to his daily duties, Mr. Mallory finds time to 
contribute his share to the upbuilding of Penn Yan, as a member of the Business 
Men's Association. 

De Forest H. Stoll 

Born in Bradford, Steuben County, N. Y., educated in Bradford Union School, 
Private Academy and Starkey Seminary. Taught school for thirteen years in 
public schools of Steuben and Schuyler Counties, the last eight years in Watkins. 
Later he was ticket clerk in the Northern Central station, Watkins, for three 
years, and then agent of the Fall Brook Railroad Company and N. Y. C. & H. R. 
R. R. Co., at Penn Yan, from January 17, 1887, to April 18, 1913, at which date 
he retired from railroad service. Mr. Stoll is now engaged in all classes of 
insurance in Penn Yan. 

Ill 



Wagener Bros.' Shoe Store 

In the year of 1882 Messrs. John A. Underwood and G. Fred Wagener 
purchased the old established shoe business of Randolph & Long and continued 
the business until 1890, when Mr. Underwood retired and H. Allen Wagener 
became associated with his brother under the firm name of Wagener Brothers. 

Their business increased very rapidly, and in 1898 they purchased the con- 
trolling Interest of the Cygolf Shoe Company, of Brockton, Mass., a manufactur- 
ing plant making the Cygolf shoe, with retail stores throughout the country. 
They continued the business until the death of Mr. G. Fred Wagener in 1904. 

In 1900 Wagener Brothers started manufacturing shoes in Penn Yan in the 
rear of the Sheppard Opera House, now the Lown Block, and continued thexe 
nearly two years, when they built the large factory on Seneca street, which had 
a capacity of 1,600 pairs of shoes a day. They operated this factory very suc- 
cessfully for ten years, when it was sold to other interests. 

In their retail shoe business, which is now conducted under the same name, 
they have always sold an excellent grade of shoes and rubbers, never having 
fiealt in the cheaper qualities. 







WILSON UNDERTAIiING PARLORS— Established in Penn Yan 1908 

112 



Edwin Waldron 

Edwin Waldron was born in Dresden in the year 1836. He received his 
early training in the rural schools and later in Penn Van and Geneva. Imme- 
diately following the completion of his education, Mr. Waldron read law with 
Judge Lewis for three years. On account of ill health he was forced to abandon 
the legal profession, and for many years carried on regular farm work. He was 
particularly successful in the breeding of thoroughbred Jersey cattle. 

Five years ago Mr. Waldon engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- 
ness, with offices over the Shutts grocery, on Main Street. For many years he 
has been influential politically as a Democrat. He is wide-awake to the upbuild- 
ing of Penn Yan, and has shown his willingness to promote its growth by becoming 
a member of the Business Men's Association. 

The M. C. Stark Clothing Company 

The M. C. Stark Clothing Company, located on Elm street, is one of the old- 
est clothing companies in the county, having been established about thirty 
years ago. Since that time two branch stores have been opened, one in Batavla, 
known as the Stark, McAlpine Co., and one in Geneva, under the name of Baker 
& Stark. Both branches are now separate from the Penn Yan store, but Mr. 
Stark still retains an interest in them. The Penn Yan store thirty years was 
known as William Holloway & Company, and later. Stark, Hess & Co., which was 
followed by Stark, Donaldson Co., until about two years ago, when Mr. Donaldson 
severed his connection with the Elm street company. Since then the firm has 
been known as the M. C. Stark Clothing Company, and is conducted by Paul 
Stark, assisted by Ray Campbell. The sfore is one of the largest and modern in 
all its appointments, handling gents' furnishings as well as ready-made clothing. 

Wheeler Brothers 

One of the enterprising grocery houses in Penn Yan is conducted by Messrs. 
J. P. and J. S. Wheeler, under the firm name of Wheeler Bros., and located at 113 
Elm street, where, during the past sixteen years, they have been in business and 
have met with marked success. 

The store is under the personal supervision of Jesse P. Wheeler, the senior 
member of the firm. Jerome S. Wheeler is engaged in the manufacturing business 
at Guelph, Ontario, Canada, where he makes both steel and fibre flexible conduit, 
and all sorts of electrical appliances for lighting, heating and cooking. 

Among the many choice articles of food carried by this firm may be men- 
tioned full cream cheese, quality coffee and old-fasWoned molasses, of which 
they make a specialty. Another specialty is green vegetables, fresh every day, 
grown in their own gardens. 

Jesse P. Wheeler was born at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1873, and Jerome S. 
Wheeler, at Dresden, New York, two years later. The senior member of the firm 
is a member of Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F., and has served as a member 
of the village board of trustees for two terms. 

113 



The Barry Hotel 

One of the homelike hotels of Penn Yan Is the Barry House, of which t,. G. 
McCann is the genial proprietor. Located adjacent to the Pennsylvania railroad 




BARRY HOTEL, L. G. MC CANN, PROP'R 
station, and within five minutes' walk of the shopping and theatre district, steam 
heated, electric lights, bath, hot and cold water, cuisine first-class, rates reason- 
able. This hostelry is headquarters for theatrical companies and travelers. 

The McCann Carting Company 

The McCann Carting Co. does a general freight and carting business, furni- 



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ONE OF THE MC CANN CO. RIGS 
tare and safe moving and baggage transfer; special attention given to piano 
toxing and moving. Office in the Barry Hotel, Jacob street. Both phones. 

114 



John D. Moore Coal Company 



The Sheppard street 
coal yard, located on the 
Pennsylvania railroad, 
formerly owned and oper- 
ated by John S. Sheppard, 
is the largest coal plant in 
Penn Yan. It is equipped 
with a covered trestle and 
storage capacity of 2,000 
tons of coal. 

Large hopper cars of 
forty to fifty tons can be 
unloaded In less than ten 
minutes. 

This plant is now 
owned and operated by lake keuka near kbuka college 

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Moore, under the Arm name of John D. Moore Coal Co., 
who are doing an extensive business in coal, wood, cement, fertilizers, gasoline 
engines and farm machinery. 




Frank J. Seeley 



The subject of this 
sketch is one of Penn 
Yan's energetic young 
business men, and his 
well-stocked and finely 
appointed clothing and 
gents' furnishing store, 
at the corner of Main 
and Jacob streets, fa- 
miliarly known as the 
Seeley Clothing Co., 
represents the last 
word in gentlemen's 
clothing. 

Mr. Seeley was 
born in Torrey in 1879, 
LOWER MAIN STREET (WEST SIDE) ABOUT 1S67 and when only sixteen 
years of age entered the employ of a clothing dealer at a salary of $3.00 per 
week, from which position, by pluck and perseverance, lie has attained his present 
popularity. Three years ago last April he began business for himself, and with 
his seventeen years of previous experience, square dealing and honest values, he 
has built up a large clothing Duslpess in Penn Yan today, and one that few, if 
any, in this locality have excelled in growth in so short a space of time. 

His stock is complete in all lines and every article is sold under a guarantee 
to be as represented. Among the brands of clothing he handles and that have a 
national reputation for merit are the Michaels, Stern & Co., Fashion and Society 
makes. A new department recently inaugurated in the basement, of $10 and $12.50 
clothes, is proving an exceptional attraction to those who wish good values at 
a small outlay of money. 




115 



TKe Penn Yan Cider Company 

The Penn Yan Cider Company, established in Penn Yan by Graham Parsons, 
who moved to Penn Yan from Brighton about three years ago, was incorporated 
in July, 1914. It is one of Penn Yan's young and thriving industries and a 
great benefit to the apple growers. The output last year (1914) was 4,000 bar- 
rels of vinegar, and 4,000 barrels of sweet cider. During their busy season they 
employ from fifteen to eighteen men. The oflicers of the company are: President, 
Graham Parsons; secretary and treasurer, E. R. Parsons. 

The vinegar made at the local plant is said to he of the best placed on the mar- 
ket. The company has six generators sixteen feet high and six feet in diameter 
which are divided by hollow compartments. These compartments are filled with 
corn cobs which generate a heat when alcohol in the cider comes in contact with 
them, converting the cider into vinegar. In this plant there are three large cider 
presses with a capacity of 250 casks a day. 




HOME OFFICE OF RUSSELLOID (See Page 77) 
116 



PROFESSIONAL 



Dr. C. E. Doubleday 

Dr. Doubleday was born at Italy Hill, Yates county, April 3, 1864, where bis 
father, Guy L., and grandfather, Elisha, practiced medicine for many years before 
his time. He received Ms early education in the Penn Yan Academy, and gradu- 
ated from the Syracuse University in 1887. 

He has taken several post-graduate courses, in Vienna, Heidelberg, Frankfort- 
on-Main, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago, and has had a 
varied experience in hospital practice in several of the larger cities, which has 
thoroughly equipped him for Ms profession. He served for one year as assistant 
surgeon to Dr. Jacobson, Chief Surgeon of St. Joseph's Hospital at Syracuse. 

Dr. Doubleday's office and residence are located at 171 Main street, Penn Yan. 



Dr. Frank S. Sampson 



Doctor F. S. Sampson, whose residence is at 175 Main street, was born at 
St. Alban's, Maine, May 25, 1851. He received his early education at the common 
school and High School of his native town. In 1880, he entered the Hahnemann 
college, in Philadelphia, and was graduated in the class of '82. He began the 
practice of medicine at Scottsville, N. Y., after his graduation. Twenty-six years 
ago he removed to Penn Yan, where he is still engaged in general practice. In 
1895, Dr. Sampson took a post-graduate course in allopathy in the New York Post- 
graduate Medical School. He belongs to the State Allopathic Medical Society, and 
to the Yates County Medical Society. He is a former member of the American 
Institute of Homeopathy. He has held the offices of president and trustee of the 
village of Penn Yan, and is now one of the coroners of Yates county. The "Samp- 
son" Opera House shows the doctor's enterprise Eind faith in Penn Yan's future. 



Dr. Edward M. Scherer 

One of the prominent and substantial professional men of Penn Yan is Dr. 
Edward M. Scherer, who has been practicing in Penn Yan for the past twenty-one 
years. He was born in Hunter, N. Y., and attended the Dundee Preparatory 
School and later the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York City, from 
which institution he was graduated in 1893, and came to Penn Yan in July of 
the same year. In 1895 he erected the residence he now occupies at 123 Elm 
street, where his office is also located. 

Dr. Scherer is a member of all the state and county medical societies, a 
member of the Society of North American Surgeons and also of the Masons and 
Knight Templars. H'e has served the county for five years as coroner and has 
slso been a member of the village board of trustees. His skill as a physician 
and surgeon is well known to the citizens of Yates and adjoining counties. 

117 



Dr. A. L. Powers 

While Dr. Powers has only been located in Penn Yan for the past three 
years, he has been very successful in winning the confidence and patronage of 
the people and his office in the Cramer Block, Main street, is well known to 
those who are in need of treatment for the eyes, ears, nose and throat. Dr. Pow- 
ers was bom in Otselic, Chenango county, in 1865. He was educated in the ele- 
mentary branches at Sherburne Academy, at Sherburne, N. Y., and graduated from 
the University of the City of New York in 1890. He devoted his time for several 
years to the general practice of medicine at Blodgett Mills, Cortland county, N. 
Y., when he took up the specialty of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, to which 
he now devotes his chief attention. 

To perfect himself in these branches he took post graduate courses in the 
Post Graduate Medical School of New York, and chemical work at Philadelphia 
Polyclinic. During the winter of 1905 to '06 was also House Surgeon at the Knapp 
Ophthalmic and Aural Institute of New York. 

Dr. V. T. Poole 

Born in Cedarburg, Wis., obtained his early education in the primary schools 
and graduated from the high school in the year 1906 in his native town. Dr. Poole 
began his medical career in the year 1907, taking his premedical work of two 
years at the University of Wisconsin, and entered a four years' course at Mar- 
quette University, Milwaukee, Wis., in the year 1909, graduating therefrom in 
1913. He had hospital practice while attending Marquette University in Trinity 
Hospital and spent one year at Emergency Hospital in Buffalo, in post graduate. 
He, located in Penn Yan on August 1st, 1914. His office is in the Penn Yan Gas 
Co.'s Building. He has met with deserving success as a physician and surgeon. 

Dr. G. E. Stevenson 

Dr. Stevenson was born in Napanee, Canada, in 1871, and received his early 
education at Trinity College School at Port Hope, Canada. He later entered 
Trinity Medical College, at Toronto, then Baltimore Medical College, at Baltimore, 
Md., and did post graduate work in New York Polyclinic. Upon the completion 
of his course at the latter institution. Dr. Stevenson removed to Gorham, N. Y , 
where he practiced his profession for fifteen years. In 1909 he moved to Penu 
Van, where he has established a large and influential connection. 

Dr. Stevenson is a member of the Yates County Medical Society, and of the 
New York State Medical Association; also a member of the American Medical 
Association. He has offices in the W. J. Turner residence on Elm Street. 

Dr. J. A. Conley 

At his residence, 321 Liberty Street, in Penn Yan, is the office of Dr. J. A. Con- 
ley. Dr. Conley was born in the town of Bristol, Ontario County, in 1867, and re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools and the Penn Yan Academy. 
At the completion of his primary education he entered the New York Electic 
Jledical College, and was graduated therefrom in 1888. Immediately after his 
graduation, Dr. Conley began the practice of his chosen profession in the towns 
of Italy and Middlesex, where he remained until 1905; in that year he removed to 
Penn Yan, where he has acquired a very steady practice. 

Dr. Conley is a member of the Yates County Medical Society, New York State 
Medical Society and the American Medical Association. 

118 



Dr. E. Carlton Foster 

Dr. E. Carlton Foster is a native of Steuben County. He acquired his early 
education in the common schools and at the High School at Hammondsport, N. Y. 
Upon the completion of his High) School studies in 1901, he took up the study of 
medicine and entered the University of Buffalo, where he was graduated upon 
completing the regular four years' study of medicine. At the time of his graduation, 
which was in 1905, he was engaged as house physician at the Massachusetts State 
Farm General Hospital. In, 1906 Dr. Foster entered the state service for a period 
of three years, spending one year in the "Insane Work" at Ogdensburg, St. 
Lawrence County, and Central Islip, Long Island, and the remaining two years 
as assistant surgeon at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Bath, N. Y. 

In 1908 Dr. Foster took a post-graduate course in the Society of Lying-in-Hos- 
pital, New York City, and upon the completion of this course he located in Penn 
Yan, where he has since been engaged in his chosen field of labor. 

Dr. Foster is secretary of the Yates County Medical Society, a member of the 
New York State Medical Society, and also of the American Medical Association. 

His offices are in the Wheeler Block, corner Main and Elm Streets. 

Dr. H. W. Matthews 

Born in Yates County in 1872, and educated in the common schools of Penn 
Yan Academy, Dr. Matthews has become one of the leading physicians in this 
locality. After his graduation from the Penn Yan Academy, Dr. Matthews entered 
Starling University, Columbus, Ohio, and there received his certificate in the year 
1896. His practice of his chosen profession was commenced in North Dakota, 
where he remained for a period of four years. He then studied in the Post- 
Graduate Hospital, Chicago, and upon the completion of that course, in 1907, 
returned to Yates County and commenced the practice of medicine in Penn Yan. 
He is still actively engaged in his profession. 

Dr. Matthews is a member of the Yates County Medical Society and also holds 
membership in the New York State Medical Society. 

Dr. Joseph T. Cox 

The subject of this sketch was born in Rochester, New York, November 24, 
1865, and educated in the Rochester public schools and at Vosburg's Academy. 
He graduated from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College in 1888, and lo- 
cated in Rochester, where he practiced until 1897 when he removed to Penn Yan. 
Dr. Cox has been a coroner of Yates county since 1904. He is a past master of 
Milo Lodge, P. & A. M., a member of Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F., and a 
member of the Yates County Medical Society. His residence and office are at 
135 Elm street. 

Dr. Cox always takes a liberal interest in the affairs of the town. He enjoys 
a large practice in Penn Yan and the surrounding country and is recognized as 
a successful physician. 

Dr. Charles Elmendorf 

Dr. Charles Elmendorf was born in Canandaigua in 1829, and received his early 
education in the common schools of Penn Yan. He began the practice of his 
chosen profession, dentistry, in Penn Yan in 1850, at No. 124 Main Street, where 
his office has been for this long period of years. 

He is a member of the Ninth District Dental Society of the State of New York. 
For many years his father was the only dentist in Penn Yan. 

Dr. Elmendorf is a prominent member of Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F., and 
served for many years as its efficient treasurer. 

119 



Dr. H. J. MacNaughton 

In Brussels, Canada, in 1870, Dr. H. J. MacNaughton first saw the light of 
day. He received his earlier education in the common schools of that town and 
Mitchell High School. Later he took courses in. the Toronto Dental College and 
the Philadelphia Dental College, from both institutions he graduated with high 
honors. He came to Penn Yan in 1898 and established an office in his present lo- 
cation on Main street, where for nearly seventeen years he has enjoyed the con- 
fidence and patronage of our citizens. Dr. MacNaughton is a member of the Sev- 
enth District Dental Association, of the State of New York, and of the National 
Dental Association of the United States. He is also an active and enejgetic mem- 
ber of Milo Lodge, No. 108, F. & A. M., and of Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F. 

Dr. H. R. Phillips 

One of the oldest and best known dentists in Penn Yan is Dr. H. R. Phillips, 
who was born in Tioga county, Pa., in 1835. His early education was obtained 
in the public schools of his native state. A college education in dentistry not 
being compulsory in those days, the only instruction he received in his chosen 
profession was imparted by his father, who was a dentist of well known ability. 

Dr. Phillips came to Penn Yan in 1887 and opened an office in the Chronicle 
building, where he remained for six years, then removing to the Cramer Block, 
where for seventeen years he faithfully attended to the dental needs of his many 
patrons. For many years lie was assisted in business with Dr. Robert Wrean, his 
son-in-law, who died in May, 1913. 

In the winter of 1913-14 the doctor unfortunately fell and broke his hip, which 
has incapacitated him since from working at his profession. His daughter, Mrs. 
Dr. Wrean, is at present in charge of his business, which is located in the Arcade 
Block. Dr. Phillips is a member of Milo Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Penn Yan Club. 

Dr. I. T. Whalen 

One of the latest acquisitions to Penn Yan's list of professional men is Dr. 
I. T. Whalen, dentist. Dr. Whalen is a native of Perry, N. Y., where he was born 
in 1885. He received his early education in the Perry High School and was 
graduated in dentistry from the University of Buffalo in 1909. For three years he 
practiced his profession in Dundee, N. Y., and came to Penn Yan last February, 
associating himself with his old class-mate and fellow graduate. Dr. J. M. Ward, 
who has been located here since 1909. Their offices are located over H. O. Ben- 
nett's drug store on Main Street. All diseases of the teeth and gums are care- 
fully and scientifically treated, and dentistry in all its branches is practiced 
by the latest and best known methods. Dr. Whalen is a member of the Delta 
Sigma Delta Fraternity. 

Dr. Charles B. Scudder 

One of the well-known dentists of Penn Yan Is Dr. Charles B. Scudder, who 
has parlors over the Seeley Clothing Co.'s store, corner Main and Jacob streets. 
Dr. Scudder was born at Rando'lph, N. Y., and was graduated from the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, Ann Arbor. With the exception of three years, he has been in 
constant practice of his profession since 1890. He came to Penn Yan in 1910 and 
has been located in his present offices since that time, where he is enjoying an 
ever-increasing patronage from those who desire first-class work in any line of 
dentistry. Fraternally, Dr. Scudder is a member of Berean Lodge, No. 811, F. & 
A. M., Cattaraugus, N. Y., and Keuka Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F. 

120 



Dr. G. Howard Leader 

Born in Olean, N. Y., August 20, 1882, educated there and graduated in the 
high school of that place in 1902. Studied medicine at Buffalo, N. Y. Graduated 
at the Kentucky University in September, 1906. He had hospital work in the 
Sisters of Mercy Hospital one year in Buffalo and at Riverside Hospital for six 
months and while in this work he had seven months' practice with Dr. Howe, 
the celebrated specialist on the eye, after which he settled in general practice 
of medicine at Cuba, N. Y., where he remained until the fall of 1912, when he 
went to New York City for a special course in the Manhattan Bye, Ear, Nose 
and Throat Hospital, where he remained for one year, and in the fall of 1913 he 
located in Penn Yan, limiting his practice to the special branches, and is meet- 
ing with fine success. 

Dr. William A. Thompson 

Dr. William A. Thompson was born near New Market, Ontario, Canada, and 
came to Yates county when a small child, receiving his preliminary education 
in the schools of districts three and six of Jerusalem. Later he took a three-year 
course in the Ontario Veterinary College, of Toronto, and a one-year special 
course in the department of Veterinary Science, graduating in 1911 with the 
honor of holding the gold medal In both classes and with the degrees of V. S. 
and B. V. Sc. He went to Rushville immediately after his graduation, wliere he 
practiced his profession for three years, removing from there to Penn Yan in 
July, 1914, and established his oflBce in Fellows' hitch barn on Wagener street. 

Dr. Thompson makes a specialty of veterinary surgery and dentistry, and Is 
particularly pleased to handle cases where others fail. In the near future he 
intends erecting a veterinary hospital, with all the modern appliances. 

His advice to farmers and horsemen on any special subject of diseases is 
free, and his published articles are read with much interest. 



Dr. Lyman D. Lockwood 



Dr. L. D. Lockwood was born near Watkins, Schuyler county, in 1861. He 
obtained a common school education from the public schools of that locality 
and continued to reside there until 1889, when he moved to Penn Yan. 

He received his education as a veterinary surgeon at the Ontario Veteri- 
nary College, Toronto, Canada, from which institution he was graduated in 1890. 

For a quarter of a century Dr. Lockwood has been practicing his profession 
in Penn Yan and his success is vouched for by the large practice which he en- 
joys. His office and residence are located on Elm street, near the corner of 
Liberty. The doctor is a prominent member of the local branch of the Knights 
of the Maccabees. 



J. Frank Douglass 



The present police justice, Attorney J. Frank Douglass, is a native of the 
state of Illinois. Coming to Penn Yan in infancy, he received his schooling at 
Penn Yan Academy and Starkey Seminary. Having studied law in the office of 
Judge Knox, he was admitted to the bar on March 23, 1897, at that time being 
clerk of the Surrogate's Court. At the expiration of a year's partnership with 
Judge Knox, Mr. Douglass established a law office of his own. In June, 1912. 
he was appointed police justice and was elected to that office in the following 
March. He has served the village as trustee and Is at present transfer tax at 
torney for the county. He is a member of Amity Chapter, F. & A. M., and Keuka 
Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F. 

121 



Spencer F. Lincoln 

The subject of this sketch, Spencer F. Lincoln, was born at Naples, Ontario 
county. New York, on July 3, 1868. His preliminary education was obtained in 
the Naples High School and he was graduated from the law department of Cor- 
nell University, being admitted to the bar in 1894. 

He practiced law with his father in Naples from 1894 until January 1, 1903, 
when he came to Penn Yan and entered into a lawpartnership with Calvin J. Hu- 
son, which continued until February, 1912, when Mr. Huson was appointed State 
Commissioner of Agriculture, since which time Mr. Lincoln has been in business 
for himself. From January 1, 1907, to December 31, 1912, he served Yates coun- 
ty as District Attorney. In 1892-93 he was a member of the editorial staff of the 
"West Publishing Company of St. Paul, Minn., a large publishing house of law 
books. 

Clinton B. Struble 

One of Penn Yan's progressive citizens is Clinton B. Struble, who was born 
in Canandaigua in 1869. He came to Penn Yan in his infancy, receiving his early 
education in the old Penn Yan Academy. Later hs attended Rochester University. 
He attended the law department of Cornell University with the class of 1891 and 
was admitted to the bar that year before completing his college course. For 
twenty-three years he has had offices in the Struble Arcade, one of Penn Yan's 
best equipped office and mercantile buildings, which he owns. 

Mr. Struble takes much pride in the growth and appearance of liis home 
town. His real estate Jioldings are large, including some of the most valuable 
properties in Penn Yan and along the lake. Among these are Esperanza, the 
beautiful summer home, formerly owned by Wendell T. Bush, of New York; the 
.irk property, which was entirely remodeled in 1911, and is the most commodious 
landing place on the lake. The three springs located at this point, which are 
extensively known for their medicinal properties, have been thoroughly devel- 
oped. Mr. Struble also owns a modern apartment house in Penn Yan, located 
at 213 Main street. 

Mr. Struble has served as president of the village and as a member of the 
Board of Trustees. He is an active member of Milo Lodge, No. 108, F. & A. M.; 
Damascus Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, of Rochester; Jerusalem Com.'- 
mandery Chapter, and the D. K. E. Fraternity, of Rochester. 

Roger E. Chapman 

A good illustration of what energy and zeal can accomplish is shown in the 
rapid advancement of the youngest attorney in this village, Roger E Chapman 
He was born in Penn Yan in 1883, educated in Penn Yan Academy and studied 
law in the office of Huson & Lincoln, being admitted to the bar on September 22 
1913. He held the office of village clerk during the year of 1911 and was con- 
fidential clerk in the Department of Agriculture at Albany from February 1912 
to October, 1913, at which time he became a practicing attorney in his home town' 
his office being located over the Baldwin Bank. Hs is a member of the Masons 
and Odd Fellow fraternities, Metawissa Tribe, I. O. R. M., and the Democratic 
County Committee, 

123 



Charles Warren Kimball 



Among the prominent attorneys of Penn Yan who have accomplished some- 
thing worth while, hoth in a professional and social way, is Charles Warren 
Kimball. Mr. Kimball was bom in Chester, New Hampshire, in 1847, and re- 
ceived his early training in Chester Academy and Pinkerton Academy, Derry, 
N. H. 

In 1871 he was graduated from Harvard University. He practiced law in 
New York City from 1876 to 1886. He came to Penn Yan in 1891 and served this 
county as district attorney from January, 1898, to December, 1900. 

About six years ago he was instrumental in organizing the Society tor 
Prevention of Cruelty to Children in this county and has since served as its 
president. This society has been of incalculable benefit to the welfare of nsedy 
and dependent children, and now has the support of the Board of Supervisors, 
v/ho annually appropriate .f600 for this good work. 



Hon. Gilbert H. Baker 

Gilbert H. Baker was born in the town of Milo, Yates County, New York, 
and received his early education in the Dundee preparatory school. He began the 
study of law in the offices of Briggs & Sunderlin, and later with the law firm of 
Briggs & Kimball, and was admitted to the bar in 1897. 

Mr. Baker was a Police Justice in Penn Yan for nine years. He was elected 
County Judge and Surrogate of Yates County in 1907 and re-elected in 1913. 

Judge Baker has been called to preside in criminal courts in Brooklyn for 
several years. So far, he has never had a decision reversed. 




UNLOADING GRAPES. THE W. N. WISE FRUIT HOUSE 

123 



Penn Yan Federal Building 

The Penn Yan post office was erected in 1912 by Daniel T. McCartliy, con- 
tractor, of Philadelphia, at a cost of .f 60,000, which includes the purchase price 




TENN YAN FEDERAL RUlLDrNG. 

Of the site on which it was built. John Knox Taylor was the supervising 
architect. The building is a colonial style structure of red brick and has an 
old-fashioned entrance. The office is one of the most complete in this section of 
the state. It is said that Penn Yan Is the smallest village in New York State 
to have a federal building that cost $60,000. For a more extended description 
see page 65. 

The Soldiers'^and Sailors' Monument 

"Lest We Forget" is the inscription on the soldiers' and sailors' monument 
in the Court House Park, a reminder of the boys of '61, who left their homes in 

Yates county to fight for the Union, many never 
returning. The population of Yates county was 
then 20,290, and the number enlisted was 2,109, or 
,-,over one-tenth of the population. The monument 
cost about $8,000, part of which was paid by the 
county and the balance by popular subscription. 
The monument is granite, with four emblematic 
figures on the sides, representing an infantryman, 
an artilleryman, a cavalryman and a sailor. Some 
of the names of battles in which the Yates county 
soldiers fought are: Gettysburg, Fredericksburg. 
Vicksburg, Wilderness, Antietam and Spottsylvania. 
Although it is stated that 2,109 residents of Yates 
county enlisted in the rebellion, it is a fact that 
several hundred cams here from adjoining coun- 
ties and states and enlisted. The number enlisted 
in this county is probably nearer 1,800 than 2,109, 
which is a big percentage compared to some 
counties. The monument erected by Little Yates is pronounced by visitors as 
one of the most beautiful to be seen anywhere. 

124 








Z 

H 
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125 



The County Buildings 

An act of 1823 provided that a commission be appointed to determine ^ 
proper "site or sites for a court house and gaol." The Supervisors were directed 
to meet at the home of Miles Benham, in Milo. They voted to raise $2,500 the 




COURT HOUSE AND COUNTY BUILDING. 

first year and a like amount the year following. Dresden and Jerusalem both 
worked hard to secure the site and it looked at one time as if Kinney's Corners 
would be the county seat. 

Walter Wolcott, in his sketch of Penn Yan, gives a history (page 19) of these 
buildings. A rare print of the old court house will be found on page 64. 




COUNTY JAID, ERECTED 1904. 
126 




MABUJSIC TJiiMiJr-l^li;. lUHiiiUTiOD 1914 

The Masonic templs in Penn Yan was erected by tlie Milo Lodge, F. & A. M., 
in 1914, and cost approximately $18,000, the building being of concrete and brick, 
with two stories and a basement. In the basement the lodge has a banquet hall, 
the first floor being one large display room and the third floor is used for the 
lodge rooms. The work of erecting the temple was in charge of Dr. Franklin 
S. Sampson, and because of his efficient service a tablet, bearing his name and 
the date the building was erected, is placed in the building. 

The corner stone of the temple was laid .Tune 20th, 1914, with fitting cere- 
monies. The stone bears the emblem of the lodge, the square and compass, and 
the year 1914. In the stone are the names of the officers and members of the 
Milo Lodge, No. 108. The by-laws of Milo Lodge, the lodge calendar, list of the 
grand officers for 1914, list of the officers that participated in the corner stone 
laying, list of the members of the Penn Yan Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M., the 
by-laws of the Penn Yan Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M., list of the officers of the 
Jerusalem Commandery, No. 17, the list of the members of the Amity Chapter o? 
the Order of Eastern Star, the by-laws of the Eastern Star, the history of the 
Masonic Temple Association, a copy of the Penn Yan Express, the Penn Yan 
Democat and the Yates County Chronicle. 

The lodge has had many celebrated Masons who were members of the local 
Masonic fraternity, the one especially prominent being the late John L. Lewis, 
who, it is said, has done more for Free Masonry than anyone in the "United States. 



127 



An Acknowledgment 

This book, as now presented, has been made possible by the generous support 
and encouragement of some of our enterprising manufacturers, business and 
professional men, of whom mention has been made. 

Time Brings Swift Changes 

Some residential property has changed ownership since this work was 
started. On page 10 the residence of Mrs. F. G. Wagoner is now owned by 
George H. Frederick; the residence of Timothy Costello now belongs to Glenn 
L. Wheeler, and the residence of Mrs. T. F. Wheeler was recently purchased by 
W. N. Coe. On page 12, the residence of Hon. J. S. Sheppard has been purchased 
by Mrs. E. L. Allen, and the residence of Hon. Thomas Carmody by John Fitz- 
patrick. On page 14, the residence of E. L. Horton is now the home of John B. 
Cramer, and the residence of Frank Hallett has been purchased by Dr. J. A. 
Conley. 

"The Home of the Keuka Yacht Club," page 60, is now the property of Frank 
Alley, and is used as a summer resort. 

On December 7th, 1914, the C. H. Knapp furniture and undertaking business 
was transferred to James Davis and Charles Dugan. Mr. Knapp (see page 94) 
has been engaged in business in Penn Yan for nearly thirty years. 

As the final pages of this book go to press, the Harden & Robeson Basket 
Co. (page 84) is erecting a fire proof steel and cement building. This, it is 
promised, will be one of the finest factory buildings in Western New York. 

E. S. Biret 

Many of the excellent photographs of buildings and bits of landscape used 
in this work are from the Biret studio, located in the Acrade Block. Mr. 
Biret was born in Richmondville, N. Y., and before engaging in business in 
Penn Yan in 1898 had seven years' experience in some of tlie finest studios in 
Philadelphia. He is recognized as an artist of unusual ability. 




HAIiRY MORSJi AND HIS THOUT 

Photograph Talien in 1873. (For history, see page 36) 

128