In 1858 George Sweet, Nicholas Wagner, and Christopher Rhiner incorporated and placed in active operation the Carthage, Lowville, and New York Line. The opening of this line made access to New York and intermediate points during the season direct, cheap, and convenient. The incorporators maintained six boats. Their office and storehouse, with dock attached, was a large building, very eligibly situated on the river, just at the corner of Canal and West streets. For the first year or two the boats were towed up the river, a distance of about 44 miles, by the steamer L. R. Lyon. The Lyon was an immense boat, built after the pattern of the Mississippi steamers. She was propelled by an immense wheel, situated at the stern, and was altogether too large and unwieldy to render practical service upon the Black River--a very crooked stream, and in places quite narrow as the ascent approaches the falls. She burned to the water’s edge August 10, 1878. The vent was peculiarly distressing, inasmuch as it involved the death of George Roberts, only son of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Roberts, who still are residents of Carthage. George was sleeping in the boat, having been acting as engineer.

Captain Sweet, a practical and experienced river man, in 1860 placed in the service of the line a new steamer, which he named after R. Gallagher, one of the principal citizens of the village. This was in fact the first steamboat ever placed upon the river that was really adapted to practical use. This boat ran successfully until 1873, when it was disabled by being stove in by the ice at Carthage. Upon the rival of the railroad at Lyons Falls Captain Sweet was in readiness with another new and handsome craft, built in 1864, which ran between Carthage and that station, carrying passengers and freight. The name of this boat was the F. G. Connell. Captain Sweet placed another steamboat on the river in 1868, which he named after another highly respected citizen of Carthage, John L. Norton. The Connell was very popular with the traveling public, and was skillfully and carefully handled, so that in its entire career no accident resulting in injury to passengers occurred. In 1869 she was totally destroyed by fire. The completion of the railroad to Carthage put an end to travel upon the river. Captain Sweet put another boat upon the river in 1874, which is still running as a tow-boat during the season.

Captain Sweet also opened and commenced running the first daily line for passengers between Cape Vincent and the Thousand Islands. This boat, the James H. Kelley (afterwards the John Thorne, now, as improved, the Islander), ran in connection with the R., W. & O. Railroad. Captain Sweet is still engaged in the running of a passenger boat. The Ontario, an extremely fine boat, advertises regular trips between Oswego and Alexandria Bay.

Carthage being the terminal point of the canal and river navigation the scene at the docks and in their vicinity, during the season, was one of considerable activity. The river was alive with boats passing up and down, laden with merchandise of every description. The products of the forest furnished load after load for shipment, at numerous points, while the tanneries received cargoes of hides, numbering high in the thousands, which they in due time returned to the market enhanced in value through the labor which they had furnished to half a hundred heads of families. Millers not being forced into competition with the great wholesale dealers, now so easily accessible by means of the railroads, received large consignments of wheat, corn, and other grains, which, in the handling, grinding, and distribution to customers at numerous points, gave occupation to others, and added to the general industry. Merchants, mechanics, and dealers could not help but flourish if prudent and attentive to business. The farmers of the surrounding country were not among the least of those realizing the benefits of this opening up of a cheap access to the large markets. Potatoes, which had formerly been of no account aside from the limited supply needed for home use, now found ready sale by the boatload at fair prices. Butter and cheese had formerly to be hauled long distances, on wagons, to Watertown, or some other point. Shipment could not be made direct, and at rates which, in the aggregate, amounted to a large saving and profit for makers. Wheelwrights, blacksmiths, and mechanics generally found ready employment at good wages, or, if ambitiously inclined, entered into business on their own account, with the certain prospect of fair success if industrious and capable.* The lumber business, comparatively insignificant before now, sprang into great activity, and has, if anything, kept increasing in its proportions up to the present time. This also furnished employment to an army of laborers, even as it does now, and will, in all probability, continue to do until the forests are annihilated.

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*The centralization of capital, and attendent (sic) destruction of many of those industries which provided means of livelihood and competency to thousands, has been made possible by the advent of railroads. Discussion of this or other phases of the labor question would be out of place here, and we will drop the subject content with stating the fact.

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Carthage, having become the shipping point for a goodly portion of the surrounding country, naturally became, also the depot from which a corresponding amount of supplies were drawn. Many obstacles have, first and last, stood in the way calculated to retard if not to prevent the growth and prosperity of the place. These have all in their turn been surmounted, and a steady, solid advancement has been made. With all her present advantages, steady, solid, advancement has been made. With all her present advantages, natural and acquired, it seems impossible that the future career of the village can be otherwise than one of honorable, progressive, and upward movement. Whatever advantages can accrue to the place by means of the canal (and they are not to be overlooked) belong there still. The enormous hydraulic power afforded by the river remains unimpaired. The geographical situation of the village, as considered in connection with the existing railroads, is not only important, but may be said to be unique. To the south it had uninterrupted connection with the metropolis and seaboard; to the west is a branch connecting with the great lakes; north and northwest, the Thousand Islands, Ogdensburg, and the Grand Trunk; while not by any means of the last importance to this growing town, the Carthage & Adirondack Railroad has afforded access in the east to the inexhaustible mines of the great iron sections and the vast wealth of the forests, while for the tourist there remains recreation at lake or stream, or, as shall suit his humor, he may find rest and peace in the contemplation of nature in her wildest as well as her most grandly beautiful forms. The building and completion of the contemplated railroad from Rome and Carthage (a thing which at present seems almost certain of accomplishment) will place this village in many important respects without a peer among inland towns in any section of Northern New York.

The C., L. & N. Y. Line, after a very successful and prosperous career, finally ceased operations in 1870, being unable to profitably compete with the railroads. There is still, however, a considerable amount of business done in heavy freights, such as lumber, etc., at points along the upper parts of the river, and some coal is brought here by boat; but the railroad may be said here as elsewhere, to have things pretty much its own way, for the principal reason that it is available in winter as well as in summer, and vastly quicker in the transportation of goods.

A candid survey of the probabilities forces the conclusion that, had the Black River Canal been brought to completion at the time first expected and designed, Carthage must then have rapidly become a large and important village, ranking by the present time with the largest in Northern New York. The prospective advantages at this point were very great, and would, as surely as cause will lead to effect, have brought all necessary capital and enterprise to have adequately insured the benefits to be derived therefrom.*

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*That great hopes and expectations were entertained in that day may be shown by the fact that Mr. Le Ray sold to persons, the most of whom did not live in the village, 50 acres of land, bounded on West street, and taking in what is now known as the “slip lot,” for $12,000, reserving a large share to himself, so that he realized $8,000 in cash for an amount equal to about one undivided two-thirds interest. The same land would probably sell today for $2,000. About the same time Dr. Eli West sold a house and a quarter of an acre of land on the corner of West and Canal streets for $5,000. The house has since been taken down and replaced by other buildings. The bare lot to-day would probably sell for $800. All this happened in 1836-37, and has been known in local history as the great land excitement. This was, of course, pure speculation on the part of the purchaser, involving what for these days was a large sum of money, and like many other transactions of a similar nature resulted in loss to the investors. It is given a place here to show the view taken by clear-headed business men (for they were such) of the value which investments would attain here, upon the opening up of intercourse with the outer world. It must be borne in mind that those were not the days of railroads, that time not yet having arrived.

From the Appendix, submitted too late to be inserted:

The following is from Spafford’s Gazetteer of 1824, speaking of Wilna in 1820: --

“The town contained $66,778 of taxable property; 1,268 acres of improved land; 383 cattle, 79 horses, 386 sheep; three grist-mills, seven saw-mills; one blast furnace, and two forges. Of these at Carthage were the furnace, two bloomeries for making refined iron, a grist-mill, two saw-mills, and about 40 dwellings, a church and school-house, two stores, and a tavern.”

On the night of June 7, 1890, the tannery owned by Samuel Branaugh was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $18,100, upon which was an insurance of $10,000.

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The history of the Black River Canal need not be told here. When it did at last reach to this point it had lost nearly all of that importance which it had at first obtained for this section. The energy, enterprise, and sagacious foresight of leading citizens in Watertown had secured to themselves the inestimable advantages of a railroad, and that busy, enterprising village marched steadily and swiftly on its upward path until, from being the most thriving village in the state, it is now one of the brightest cities. We do not undertake to say that Carthage would have attained to the dignity of a city, but we do say that nothing could have prevented the immediate growth of a large and important manufacturing town, and to-day have become at least double its present size. We trust, however, that we have been able to give the reader some idea in the course of this article of the facilities which are at our command at the present time for this immensely important item in business affairs, namely: adequate advantages for the transportation of commodities, and our eligibility, not only in this, but in some other almost equally important respects.

NATURAL BRIDGE is a post village located in the eastern corner of the town, upon Indian River. It contains two churches, one tannery, a grist-mill, saw-mill, planing-mill, four general stores, two groceries, two blacksmith shops, a hardware store, two cabinet stores, two hotels, an opera house, and a fancy goods store. Improvements commenced here in 1818. In 1819 and 1820 mills were erected. The early settlers were Zebina Chaffee, Arnold Burr, Abel Bingham, Teunis Allen, Stephen Nutting, Charles R. Knight, and others. Bingham opened the first store in 1820, and Knight the first inn in 1821 or ‘22. After the purchase of a large tract in this vicinity by Joseph Bonaparte (Count Survilliers), he caused a large framed house to be built here, for his summer residence, and on one or two summers he made a short sojourn here. This house is still standing in a good state of preservation. The village derives its name from the fact that, in dry seasons, the water of the river finds its way by a subterranean passage, under a mass of white limestone, that here constitutes the rock at the surface. In floods the excess flows in an open channel on the surface, over which a bridge passes. From the soluable character of this rock it has been worn into grottoes of some interest, which, in low water, may be entered a short distance, and here, as elsewhere along the junction of the white or primary limestone and the gneiss rock, there occurs a great variety of minerals, which afford an inviting field of research.

WOOD’S MILLS, a hamlet located in the northern part of the town, contains one church, one grist-mill, one saw-mill, two butter tub factories, a blacksmith shop, and about 16 dwellings.

WILNA is a postoffice in the central part of the town.

NORTH WILNA (p. o.) is located a little northwest of the center of the town, and contains a hotel, church (M. P.), a school-house, and a small number of dwellings.

Natural Bridge tannery was started by P. E. Johnson. About 1861 Thomas E. Proctor became a partner in the business, and in 1866 bought Mr. Johnson’s interest, since that time continuing the business alone.

Natural Bridge lime works, located on road 22, were started by Luther Hall. In 1887 John Shoemaker bought the quarry, put in the perpetual kiln, with the capacity for manufacturing 100 bushels of white marble lime per day.

Hall’s white marble lime manufactory, located at Natural Bridge, was started by Luther P. Hall about 1863. He manufactures from 3,000 to 4,000 bushels of lime annually.

Lake’s planing-mill, located at Natural Bridge, on Indian River, was formerly occupied as a carding and cloth-dressing factory. In 1874 it was converted into a planing-mill by C. C. Lake, and was also used for a shingle-mill. In 1886 the mill was struck by lightning and was burned, but was rebuilt the same year. Mr. Lake employs from three to four men, doing a business of from $4,000 to $6,000 annually.

C. V. Graves’s saw-mill, at Natural Bridge, is run by water-power, gives employment to four men, and manufactures 1,500,000 feet of lumber and 2,000,000 shingles annually.

Cline’s grist-mill, located at Wood’s Mills, on Indian River, was built by Jonathan Wood in 1848. It is now owned by B. E. Cline, has three runs of stones, and does custom grinding. A turning lathe is also connected with the mill.

Carter & Randall’s butter tub manufactory is located at Wood’s Mills, on Indian River. It employs from two to five workmen, and manufactures from 10,000 to 15,000 tubs per annum.

Hendrickson Brothers’ steam saw-mill, located on road 47, was built in 1882. It employs six men and cuts 8,000 feet of lumber daily.

Carthage brick yard was started in 1971 by Charles Rugg, and was run by him until his death. In 1884 it was bought by Hiram Houghton, the present proprietor. In 1888 a steam machine was put in, which doubles the former capacity, making from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 brick annually, furnishing employment to 20 men.

Conway’s Black River brick yard, located on road 89, near Carthage village, was started in 1885 by George W. Conway, the present proprietor, who employs from 20 to 30 men, and manufactures from 500,000 to 1,000,000 brick annually.

Cold Spring Brook cheese factory was built in 1878 by Frank Sanders, and in 1884 it was purchased by Charles D. Chase, the present owner. It receives the milk from about 300 cows, and in 1889 manufactured about 75,000 pounds of cheese.

Indian River cheese factory was built in 1866, by B. P. Smith. In 1880 it became the property of L. B. Gibbs, who has since run it, with the patronage of about 350 cows. It is located on road 11, in the north part of the town.

Eureka cheese factory, located on road 5, in the north part of the town, was built by Madison Tooley in 1887. It receives the milk from 300 cows and manufactures about six cheese per day.

Central cheese factory, located near the center of the town, was built in 1888 by Marion Hull. It receives the milk from 300 cows and manufactures about nine cheeses per day.

Grace Church (Protestant Episcopal), located on State street, in Carthage village, was organized in 1860, with three members, by Rev. J. Winslow, the first rector. Their first house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected in 1866, and was burned in the great fire of 1884. In 1885 the present brick structure was erected at a cost of $8,000. It will comfortably seat 200 persons, and is valued, including rectory, grounds, etc., at $12,500. The present number of members is 120, and they are without a rector. The Sunday-school has a membership of 45 scholars and 12 teachers.

The First Baptist Church of Carthage was organized in 1833, by a council of which Elder Little was moderator, and A. P. Lewis, clerk, and at its organization consisted of 21 members. The first pastor was Elder Warner. Their first house of worship was of wood. In 1869 a brick structure was erected, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1884, and in 1885 the present building, also of brick, was erected at a cost of about $12,000. Its full seating capacity is 500, and it is valued, including grounds, etc., at $16,000. The present membership is 250, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Frank P. Stoddard. The Sunday-school during the past year had an average attendance of 131.

The First Presbyterian Church and Society of Carthage was organized as a Congregational Church, March 3, 1835, by the Revs. Nathan Dutton and James H. Monroe. It then consisted of 12 members. On October 26, 1851, the church unanimously voted to become Presbyterian, and on February 10, 1852, the then Watertown Presbytery received it under its care. Its first pastor was Hiram Doane. Its first house of worship was erected of wood in 1851, and was followed by a second wooden structure erected in 1864. The present fine brick edifice was erected in 1886 at a cost of $10,000. It will seat 300 persons, and is valued, including grounds and other church property, at $14,000. The present membership is 132, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Jacob V. Shurtz. The Sunday-school has six officers, 13 teachers, and 144 scholars, and an average attendance of 90.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church. --As early as 1820 the Methodist intinerants (sic) visited this locality and laid the foundation of the present prosperous church. Their first house of worship, a frame building, was erected in 1840. The present brick edifice was erected in 1873 at a cost of $40,000, including parsonage. It will comfortably seat 800 persons, and is now valued, including grounds, etc., at $25,000. The present membership is 335, and Rev. J. C. Darling is the present pastor.

St. James’s Church (Roman Catholic), is located on State street, Carthage village, was organized in 1819, by Count James Vincent Le Ray, Rev. Father Salmon, Patrick Walsh, and Edwin Galvin, and at its organization consisted of 100 members. The first pastor was Rev. Father Salmon. Their first house of worship, a wooden structure, was built in 1821, and was followed by a second edifice in 1864. The present edifice was erected in 1875, will comfortably seat 1,100, and is valued, including grounds and all other church property, at $75,000. The parish consists of 1,600 souls, under the pastoral charge of Rev. P. J. O’Connell, of the religious order called “Hermits of St. Augustine.” In the parish are 500 children being taught the principles of the Catholic religion. The parish school was built by means of a fund given by William Clark, who resided in the parish. The building is of brick, two stories in height. The school, which was opened in it March 15, 1886, is conducted by six Sisters of St. Joseph, under the supervision of the pastor of the church, and it is maintained by the laudable charity of the Catholic congregation.

The Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ), located in Carthage village, was organized September 29, 1855, by J. D. Bennedict, the first pastor, with 17 members. Their first house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected in 1862. The society at present has no pastor and no stated place of public worship. A lot has been purchased on State street, but we are informed that “there is no immediate prospect of their building a church.”

The Universalist Church, located at Natural Bridge, was organized in 1872, by Rev. J. H. Stewart, the first pastor, and at its organization consisted of 20 members. Their house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected in 1872, will comfortably seat 250 persons, and cost $1,500, about its present value. The present membership of the church is 52. The Sunday-school has about 50 members.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Wood’s Mills, was organized in 1839, with 12 members, by Rev. G. W. Barney, the first pastor. Their house of worship, a wooden building, was erected in 1849 at a cost of $500. It will comfortably seat 200 persons, and is now valued, including grounds and other church property, at $800. The present membership is 40. Rev. C. W. Brooks is pastor. About 25 scholars attend the Sunday-school.

The North Wilna Methodist Protestant Church was organized about 1835, by Rev. James Smith, the first pastor. The first house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected in 1851, and the present building, also of wood, in 1884, by G. P. York, at a cost of about $1,200. It will comfortably seat 250 persons and is valued, including grounds and other church property, at $2,000. The present membership is 72, and G. P. York is pastor.

Patrick Somerville Stewart, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, was born in 1790. When 14 years of age he shipped as a sailor and came to America. In 1815 he entered the employ of the Le Ray family, and here he continued for half a century. His natural sagacity, good judgment, and sterling qualities were such that he gained the confidence of his employers, and in 1835 he had full power as their attorney and care of their vast estates. He had eight children. His wife died February, 1876, aged 86. Mr. Stewart was a Methodist in his religious affiliations and a generous contributor; a Whig and Republican in his politics. Possessed of an indomitable will, independent, energetic and positive in the maintenance of his principles, he was yet a man of more than ordinary tenderness, and would often sacrifice himself to serve a friend. He died in November, 1874, aged 84 years, leaving a reputation in no wise tainted or fused with anything unjust.

The Goodale, Goodell, and Goodall families are from a common ancestry. At what time, or why, the orthography of the name was changed is not known; but there is a tradition that three brothers, living in the same town, agreed to adopt a separate spelling for their mutual convenience. Robert Goodell, the first American ancestor, a great-great-grandson of Robert of England, was born in 1604, and sailed from Ipswich, England, August 30, 1634, in the ship Elisabeth, with his wife and three children. They settled in Salem, Mass., and had numerous descendants, many of whom removed to New Hampshire.

When the town of Temple, N. H., was incorporated, August 26, 1768, in accordance with a petition presented in June, the name of Ezekiel Goodale was among the petitioners, and as one of the embattled farmers of the Revolution his name is recorded in history. From Hammond’s (New Hampshire) Town Papers we extract: --

“Lieut. Goodale’s Petition, 1780. The Humble Petitioin of Ezekiel Goodale of Temple sheweth that your Petitioner was appointed a Lieutenant in Capt Frys Compt in Col’o Scammels Ridg’t the 11th of Feb’r 1777 that he marched with the first Davision the first April to Ticondaroga--& Discharged the duty of a Lieut to acceptance: was in the several disputes with Gen’r Burgoyne and then marched to Penselvana: & continued there until Apr 30, 1778 when by reason of the Continued applycations from my Family of their Distressed Circumstances I procured a Discharge & Come home--your petitioner Lost at the vacuation of Tycondroga as by the account 28-4-0 lbs. That your petitiioner Never received a farthing for it Nor for Depreshasion of money for his waiges--therefore your petetioner prays that your Honours will take his Case into your wise serious and Marcyful Consideration and make him such reward for s’d loss and waiges as your Hon’rs think Just and your petitioner as in Duty Shall Ever pray--

“Temple Feb’r 14-1780 EZEKIEL GOODALE   LEUT.”

This petition was granted.

The wife of Lieut. Goodale, whose maiden name was Gill, was one of the gentlest of women and looked well to the way of her household, and her children were tenderly and lovingly cared for. She died in Watertown about 1822, at the residence of her son, Dr. Reuben Goodale. Lieut. Goodale emigrated from Temple, N. H., to Litchfield, Herkimer County, in 1792, and engaged in agriculture. Here he remained until 1820, when he removed to Ellisburgh, where his daughter, Mrs. John French, was a resident, and died there in 1824, at the age of 84 years. He was a man of positive character, and openly expressed his views on any matter. “He served his day and generation well.” His son, Joseph, born in Temple, N. H., August 29, 1780, was brought up as a farmer in Herkimer County. He came to Watertown in 1815, and established himself in trade, conducting a large drug store for nearly 20 years, when he retired from merchandising, and for some years his principal business was carrying on his farm in Pamelia (now embraced in the limits of the city of Watertown). He erected the brick building next below the Kirby House in 1828, and there he died June 29, 1859. Joseph Goodale was a man who had fixed opinions in politics, religion, and other matters. He was a Federalist, Whig, and Republican, never an aspirant for office, but a zealous worker in the ranks; a thorough anti-slavery and temperance man, and a denouncer of any in opposition to these sentiments. Strong and reliable in his friendships, he had the respect and esteem of good men. He was a great reader of historical works, political economy, etc., and kept himself informed on the topics of the day. His wife, Agnes Bush, born November 24, 1784, in Enfield, Conn., was a descendant of Plymouth colonists of early settlement. She was a strong Presbyterian in her religious views, and a woman of great moral worth. Her death occurred July 3, 1876. Their two children are Lawrence J. and Augustus.

Lawrence Joseph Goodale was born in Watertown, February 20, 1816, in the “Edmonston house,” so-called, on the north side of Public Square, which stood where the lower end of the present “Iron block,” just above the Woodruff House, is located. Mr. Goodale received a liberal education; he prepared for college at Watertown and Fishkill Landing; he entered Union College, Schenectady, in 1835, in the Sophomore year, and was graduated in 1838. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and has ever retained an interest in it. He taught school for a year and a half from May 1, 1838, and then entered the office of Sterling & Bronson, Watertown, as a law student. In October, 1840, he was admitted to the bar at Albany, and commenced the practice of his profession at once in Carthage. September 1, 1841, he married Isabella, daughter of Patrick Somerville Stewart. March, 1842, Mr. Goodale removed to Watertown, and formed a partnership with Micah Sterling as “Sterling & Goodale.” This continued until the death of Mr. Sterling in April, 1844. From that time until 1847 Mr. Goodale practiced alone, when, with Joseph Mullin as partner, he conducted legal business until 1852. July 4, 1853, Mr. Goodale established himself as a lumber dealer in New York city, and in 1856 opened a law office at the corner of Fulton street and Broadway. He was in constant practice of his profession here for eight years, when, September 20, 1864, he returned to Carthage, where he has since resided and devoted himself to real estate business, having been an agent of the Le Ray de Chaumont estate, which has been sold and settled under Mr. Goodale’s careful and judicious administration. He has also acted as counselor, drafted papers, and as executor and administrator settled many estates involving a large amount of property. Since the organization of the Carthage Savings Bank he has been its president and a director.

Mr. Goodale is one of Nature’s noblemen; he has a great heart, and his whole life has been devoted to acts of benevolence. Happy himself, he believes in making others happy as far as he is able. His religion consists in doing good according to his means. Of him it may be truly said, the world is better for his living. He teaches by precept and example, and the two go hand in hand. The most tolerant of men, he has his own opinions, and they are rigidly adhered to until he is satisfied that they are erroneous. In his business operations he is method itself, and so has a logical mind. His impulses are all of a noble character, and being animated by lofty principles he has become the best type of a man as naturally as water finds its level.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Tully, Onondaga County, N. Y., April 6, 1831. His early life was spent on a farm with his parents, Francis V. and Phebe White. In the summers he assisted his father on the farm, and winters attended the public school; at all times when not employed he would be poring over his books. At the age of 20 he was converted under the labors of Rev. Charles Blakesley, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He soon engaged in teaching the district school near his home, and in which he had acquired his own education. He always opened school with a short scripture lesson and prayer. His trustee sent him word that he must discontinue this practice. He replied, “I can leave the school if you wish, but cannot continue it without prayer.” The trustee said to neighbors, “To-morrow I will go there, and unless he will stop praying I’ll pitch him out of doors.” The next day he started for school to put his threat into execution, met with an accident, and was taken home a corpse. Before the school term closed, in addition to unprecedented advancement of the pupils in book lore, nearly every member of the school had made a public profession of religion. In the spring of 1852 he went to Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y. He paid his expenses by teaching winters and working vacations, and graduated from that institution June 28, 1855, with the honor of valedictorian of his class. During his school life he “boarded himself” with a “chum” of like spirit, who relates that at times for days together their fare would consist of potatoes and salt; rising at 5 A. M., and working till 10 at night. At the beginning of the fall term, 1853, one of the professors was taken sick, and soon after died. Mr. White took one-half of his classes for nearly the rest of the year, in addition to his own studies. About the middle of the spring term following he was compelled to leave school on account of failing health.

May 7, 1856, he was married to Sarah H. Van Allen, of Pillar Point, N. Y. who graduated from the same school at the same time he did. In June of the same year he was received into the Black River (now Northern New York) Conference. When the war broke out he had just entered upon his second year at Ilion, N. Y. The defeats and disasters of the few terrible months which followed moved his patriotic soul, insomuch that he enlisted as a private October 9, 1861. He took out recruiting papers, and went to raising a company under Col. O. B. Pierce, with headquarters at Rome, N. Y. In December, 1861, they were ordered to Albany, where they were consolidated with Oswego recruits, and constituted the 81st N. Y. V. Inf., and Mr. White was commissioned captain of Co. I. In February they were ordered to Washington, and soon after to the field, and under Gen. McClellan engaged in the Peninsula campaign of 1862, in the battles of Williamsburg. White Oak Swamp, Gaines Mills, Fair Oaks, White House, and Malvern Hill. For valiant services he was promoted to major in October, 1862. Soon after he went South with his regiment, and was engaged in bombardment of Charleston, S. C. In May, 1863, the regiment was sent to guard Beaufort Harbor, N. C., and was quartered at Fort Macon, Morehead, and Beaufort. Here they remained till October. Meanwhile he frequently led the effective men of his regiment in scouting expeditions in Eastern North Carolina. In October, 1863, they were ordered to Newport News, and afterwards to Bermuda Hundred, under Gen. Butler. They were engaged in the spring and summer campaigns of 1864 before Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Weldon Road, Drury’s Bluff, Chapin’s Farm, and the second battle at Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines. This regiment went into battle at Cold Harbor with nine captains, and came out with two. Five were killed, and two so severely wounded they never returned to service. At the next battle in which they were engaged the remaining two were killed. August 10, 1864, he was detailed to the command of the 5th Maryland Regt., better known in those days as the Baltimore “Plug Uglies,” on account of the insubordination of the soldiers and the discord among the officers, which rendered the regiment almost unserviceable. On assuming command his first words gained the respect of the men, and inspired them with confidence. Military discipline was enforced without difficulty. Self-respect was aroused, and soon the 5th Maryland was pronounced one of the best disciplined regiments in the service. The colonel of the regiment, who had been detailed to brigade duty, wrote Major White a long and most complimentary letter of thanks, saying, “You have done yourself and the service great credit.” Soon after the colonel, rather than return to his regiment, tendered his resignation, whereupon the officers petitioned Gov. Bradford to promote Major White to fill the vacancy. From this petition, we extract the following: “In the darkest days of the regiment, when discord reigned supreme, among officers high in rank, when discipline seemed almost at an end, and destruction threatened the regiment, Major White was placed in command. Under his sway order, confidence, and discipline were restored, the discordant material eliminated, and the reputation of the regiment redeemed.” This was signed by every commissioned officer with the regiment. Gov. Bradford could not promote the Major, as he was a citizen and soldier from another state.

February 17, 1865, Gov. Fenton, of New York, commissioned him lieutenant-colonel 81st N. Y. V. V., and July 12th of the same year commissioned him colonel of the same regiment. On this latter he was not mustered, as hostilities had ceased, and no more musters were made. The regiment was mustered out of the U. S. service, August 31, 1865, and out of state service September 20, Lieut.-Col. White being the only commissioned officer in the regiment who held a commission when first ordered to the front. In his four years’ service he was never wounded, never so sick as to spend a day in hospital, never a prisoner, was never detailed to staff office, and was in every battle and skirmish in which his regiment was engaged. even when he led the 5th Maryland they fought in the same division in which his own regiment was engaged. But that no soldier ever excelled him in promptness or unflinching bravery is fully attested, even his enemies and rivals themselves being judges.

For meritorious services President Johnson, the U. S. Senate concurring, conferred on him the title of brevet colonel and brevet brigadier-general, July 23, 1867. Immediately after being mustered out of service he returned to Hampton, Va., and in partnership with Hon. George Chahoon (sic) established a paper called True Southerner, which was outspoken in the principles for which he fought, and was one of the first in the nation to advocate suffrage for the freedmen. The first issue appeared early in November, 1865, prospered for awhile, but in time it failed, the last issue being in June, 1866. Just at this time the Methodist Episcopal Church Missionary Society sent agents South to organize churches. When they met Mr. White, and learned that he had been a minister in the same church, they impressed him into their service, and when the Virginia and North Carolina Conference was organized he became a charter member, and was made presiding elder of Richmond district, embracing all Eastern Virginia from Richmond to Washington. Such was the prejudice against everything Northern, and especially against the Methodist Episcopal Church, that it was with great difficulty he could secure a place for religious service. This, together with the political influence acquired by his connection with the paper, being constantly urged to make political speeches, of necessity drew him into politics. He was elected delegate to the constitutional convention which assembled in Richmond the first week in January, 1868. The conference of which he was a member held its second session also at the same time, in the same city. After consultation with the bishop and presiding elders it was unanimously thought he could better serve the church and the cause of reconstruction by remaining in the convention. A location was granted him with most flattering resolutions of esteem and regret, and cordially inviting him to return to his connection with them whenever he thought best to do so. His record in the convention gratifying, being an acknowledged leader on the side of the Union. He was temporary chairman when the convention was organized, and was often called to the chair in the absence of the speaker. The convention continued in session till May, 1868. In August he was appointed assistant sub assistant commissioner of the Freedman’s Bureau, with headquarters in Eastville and Johnston, on the eastern shore of Virginia, which appointment he retained till it was revoked in consequence of the discontinuance of the bureau, December 31, 1868. The following extract from a letter from Gen. S. C. Armstrong, his superior in office, who was then and still is at the head of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, speaks for itself: --

My Dear General: -- At the close of your labors in the bureau I take great pleasure in assuring you that you have done the best school work of any officer ever on duty in my district. You have in a few months done a great work, and are entitled to a credit beyond my power to fully render. * * *

                                                                                                                   “S. C. ARMSTRONG, Sub-Assistant Commissioner.”

Note: The family sketches followed. Those are presented on Nan Dixon's NYGenWeb site for Jefferson County, N. Y.