Yates County, New York

Businesses in the Town of Penn Yan

From the History of Yates County, NY
published 1892, by L.C. Aldrich

pg 304 - 308

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The little rural villages, one at the head of the street and the other at the foot of the lake, each trying for mastery in the matter of importance, could produce but one result, and that the gradual growing together and final dissolution of the name of the lesser burgh.  The Wagener mills occupied a site about midway between them, and the natural tendency of travel and trade was in their direction.  Abraham WAGENER’s dwelling stood near the corner not far from the mills, and he of course, drew improvements toward his own home.  On the corner just north of this house was a store, but by whom built and by whom first conducted the writer knoweth not. 

During the first twenty or thirty years of its existence the village of Penn Yan was rapidly increased both in population and industries.  The people who located there represented all trades and professions incident to their period, but to mention each of them would be a thing next to impossible.  Some were prominent in local affairs, while others were conservative n both thought and action, and did not therefore appear conspicuously in the settlement.  By 1817 or 1818 the place had acquired a population sufficient to warrant the starting of a newspaper – the Penn Yan Herald – through which channel the business portion of the community could proclaim themselves and their wares to the inhabitants of the region.  But the one great event which gave to the old village its greatest upward start and brought to it a considerable population, was the erection of Yates County, and the designation of Penn Yan as the county seat.  The occurred in 1823, and from that time deated the certainty of future growth and prosperity.  With the establishment of the county seat, attorneys came to practice at the courts; to get the quiet people into trouble and then kindly help them out again.   

A writer of village history of Penn Yan, covering the period form about the beginning of the present century down to about 1832, informs us as to the principal interests represented at the head of the street, and from his reminiscences we are able to furnish the present reader with a fairly accurate list of the businesses conducted, together with the owners thereof. 

Lawyers -  Cornelius MASTEN, George H. GREEN, William SHATTUCK, John WILEY, Abraham P.  VOSBURGH, Thomas J. NEVENS, Levi LYMAN, David B. PROSSER, Henry WELLS, Welles & Treat, Everett VAN BUREN, Prosser & Winants, Prosser & Eno, B.W. FRANKLIN, Henry M. STEART, William CORNWELL. 

Merchants – William BABCOCK, Hezekiah ROBERTS, Henry BRADLEY, Bradley & Bissell, Ira Gould & Co., Eli Shelden & Co., L.G. Budlong & Co., E. MOUNT, John SLOAN, John h. Bostwick & Co., James W. NORRIS, William and John BROOKS, B. Tyler & Co., Tyler & Fowle, Augustus STEWART, Milliken & Bradley, Wheeler & Sawyer, William T. Scott & Co., Moore & Coffin, Seabury KISSAM, H.J. LEE. 

Physicians – John HATMAKER, Walter WOLCOTT, Uri JUDD, Roscius MORSE, A. WOODWORTH, Francis M. POTTER, William CORNWELL, William D. COOK. 

Watchmakers and Silversmiths – Frederick A. SEYMOUR, Charles SCOTT, A. B. TERRILL, C. H. GUIGER.

Carriage Makers – Melzer TUEL, Amaza TUEL, James COOLEY, Timothy BRIGDEN, Heman SQUIRES.  

Carriage Painters – George STIMSON, Charles MEEKS, Edward BOWERS, James I. BROOM 

Carriage Trimmers – John D. APPLEGATE, Lewis INGALLS, Albert LITTLE. 

Cabinet and Furniture Makers – Samuel F. CURTIS, Amasa HOLDEN, N. P. HAWKS, William MORRIS.  

House Painters -  Stephen WILLIAMS, Jacob WOODRUFF, Alexander EDSON 

Mason – Isaac YOUMANS 

Dentist –  Joseph ELMENDORF 

Saddle & Harness Makers -  James SEARS, L. Himrod & Co., Charles P. BABCOCK, John C. BABCOCK, Charles RISDEN, William D. MC ALLISTER. 

Carpenters -  Jacob HOVEY, Hubbel GREGORY, Abraham PROSSER, Elipha PECKINS, ???? ROGERS, John HORN, D. REED. 

Hatters – Ebenezer JENKINS, Sutton BIRDSALL 

Grocers – Higley & Haskill, Benjamin REMER,  John NORCOTT, Henry A. TYLER,  George W. MASON. 

Baker - John D. APPLEGATE 

Tailors – Lewis VANDERLIP, J. SEYMOUR, George COOLEY, Luther LEE, Samuel FULLAGER, Henry M. LOCKE, Morris EARLE, Milton P. BURCH

 Shoemakers – Hitchcock & Scofield, John SCOFIELD, Joseph ELMENDORF 

Blacksmiths – John POWELL, Powell & Elliott, Powell & Simonds, Aaron WOOD, Abraham STETLER, Reuben STETSON, Jaems S. POWELL 

Cooper -  Gideon MAYNARD 

Stoves, Iron and Tinware – P. Carson & Co. 

Gunsmiths – Gilbert & Bales 

Wool Carding & Cloth Dressing – Morris F. SHEPPARD, Higley & Haskill 

Tanners – Morris F. SHEPPARD, Henry HUBBARD, Hubbard & Warner

Butchers – Nathan E. LACEY, Lyman H. NEWTON 

In 1824 and the years following, the newspapers, or at least one of them, published at the village, was called the Yates Republican.  Its editor and proprietor was Edward J. FOWLE.  At the time or during the period first mentioned, a number of hotels were in operation at the head of the street, prominent among which was the “Penn Yan Hotel, Stage House and Livery”, Major Asa COLE, proprietor.  On the opposite side of the highway and on the corner was “Luman Phelps’s Inn.”  Mr. PHELPS died in the business and was succeeded by David H. BUELL, and still later by Dr. Jeremiah b. ANDREWS.  Another public house in the same locality was that know as “Smith Cole’s Inn.” 

Among the men who were prominent in public and local affairs and dwellers within the village proper at an early day, were William BABCOCK and Elijah SPENCER, who were members of Congress; Aaron WOODWORTH, Edward GENUNG, Robert BUELL, and Luther WINANTS, justices of the peace. 

Of course the readers will not be led into the belief that the persons and firms above mentioned were in business at the head of the street at the same time, for such was by no means the case.  They were in business during the first thirty or thirty-five years of the present century, constantly coming and going as is the custom at the present day. 

One of the more prominent men at the lower end of the street, during the period of which we write, was George SHEARMAN.  He came to the village in or about 1808 or ’09, and from that time forth was closely identified with its business interests.  He had a store, standing very near the corner of Main and Jacob streets, and was in trade something like twenty-five years.  On the land now occupied by Hon. George R. CORNWELL’s block, Mr. SHEARMAN built a hotel, the American, which will be remembered by many of the present residents of mature years.  Mr. SHEARMAN also was proprietor of a potash works and a distillery; likewise a mill on the outlet.  In fact, he built and established two mills and two distilleries.  He contributed toward the building up of his part of town as much as any man during that period.  

About the year 1820, as near as can now be determined, a brickyard was started on the south bank of the outlet near the site of the present planning-mill.  Dr. RAYMENT, Erastus and Albert PAGE are said to have been among the early proprietors at this point.  The clay supply, however, soon became exhausted and the owners moved to a more abundant field across the highway – Lake street, as now laid out.  A yard was in operation here for more than thirty years, and the brick there made, were used in building many of the older residences and blocks now in the village.  It was discontinued about twenty-five years ago.  The imported bricks and “bats” were afterward used in filling depressed places, and were covered over with earth.  Lake street, along where the yard was in operation, was in this way built up to grade level. 

The book as stationery trade is fairly well represented.  The most extensive dealer in his line is George R. CORNWELL at No. 39 Main street.  Mr. CORNWELL embarked in this business in October 1858, as successor to E. DENTON.  He purchased the building soon afterward, and about 1875 fitted up and equipped the Cornwell Opera House, occupying therefore the rooms over his and the adjoining store.  Mr. CORNWELL is also an extensive dealer in sewing machines and musical instruments.  The other booksellers and stationers of the village are H. C. GUNTRIE, H. SHERWOOD and Mrs. A. V. MASTIN.   

The leading grocers of the village are F. W. STEELMAN, Lucius P. WAGENER, Charles HUNTER, McMath & Morgan, MacKay & Co., Norman LOCKWOOD, Johnson & Hazen,  B.F. FENNER, John BROWN, T. S. BURNS, C.W. COFFIN, Eaton Brothers, McCarty Bros., and M. W. Phalen.  

The general dry goods trade is represented by tour large and substantial houses.  The oldest of these is the present firm of T. O. Hamlin and Co., at 44 Main street.  This business hose was first established in Penn Yan by Myron HAMLIN, a former merchant of Dundee, then known as Harpending’s  Corners.  Mr. HAMLIN established himself where Stewart & Burnham’s shoe store now is, bus soon afterward moved the stock to the opposite side of Main street, about were D. A. OGDEN’s hardware store is located.  In 1842 Abraham F. HAZEN, who was a former clerk in the store, became Mr. HAMLIN’s partner, having charge of a branch store at Rushville for a single years, and afterward locating at the county seat in connection with the principal business.  After five years of pleasant and profitable partnership.  Mr. HAZEN retired from the firm of Hamlin & Hazen and established himself in trade.  In 1858 Mr. HAMLIN occupied the store now owned by his son, and as his sons arrived at full age they were associated with him in the business.  The firm name thus became M. Hamlin & Sons, and so continued until two had retired and Theodore O. HAMLIN only, remained, when the style of M. Hamlin & Sons was adopted.  This continued until the death of the senior member in 1886.  Theodore conducted the business thereafter until February 1890, when H. C. UNDERWOOD became his partner, under the present firm name.  George E. HAMLIN, one of the sons, left the firm in 1865 and went into the carpet business in Syracuse, leaving the firm in 1877.  Abraham F. HAZEN, above mentioned, went to Dundee, a poor boy, in 1833, walking a part of the distance from Chemung County to that place.  He was taken in by Mr. HAMLIN as clerk at $5 per month, increased to $7 the second year.  He was Mr. HAMLIN’s clerk also in Penn Yan from 1837 to 1842, when he was taken in as partner.  After conducting the Rushville branch store one year, he came back to the county seat and continued in the main house until about 1848, when he bought the dry goods stock of Daniel S. MARSH, which business he managed successfully about five or six years, then selling out and going to New York.  In the latter city he advanced through the grades of clerkship and managing clerk to finally becoming the leading and senior member of the large house of Hazen, Todd & Co., jobbers of dry goods.  About four years ago, Mr. HAZEN retired from active business.  (Here is another apt illustration of the possibilities open to every earnest, industrious young man). 

The present firm of Lown & Co. is composed of J. H. LOWN and H. J. MC ADAMS.  Their business is the indirect outgrowth of that established in 1871 by Jones & Lown, then being located where is now T. F. WHEELER’s drug store.  In 1877 the firm name changed to J. H. Lown & Co. and still later to the present name.  The Lown block was built in 1889-90, and occupied by the firm.  Their stock includes dry goods, carpets, millinery, crockery and glassware. 

The dry goods house and firm of Roenke & Rogers was established in April 1881, by Julius R. ROENKE and Jerome D. ROGERS.  Their place of business is at the corner of Main street and Maiden Lane. 

Cassius N. MC FARREN became a dry goods merchant of Penn Yan in September 1891, by the purchase of the stock and former business of George CRAMER. 

Dealers in Drugs and Medicines – The village has four substantial representatives of this branch of trade, viz.: Theodore F. WHEELER, established in 1864, as successor to Lyman MUNGER; W. W. QUACKENBUSH, established in 1867, as successor to  Lapham & Bullock; E. FENTON, April 1877, successor to Miles LEWIS; Frank QUACKENBUSH established April 28, 1879. 

Hardware Dealers - Hollowell & Wise, J. C. Shannon & Son, Wixson & Woodruff, D. O. OGDEN. 

Clothiers, Furnishers and Merchant Tailors – McAdams Brothers, McMahon Bros, Seligman & McNiff, Marks Bros., the Gloe Clothing stone, E. DONAHUE, M.C. STARK, John WALTERS, Charles BANDEL, Jacob DAVIS. 

Boot and Shoe Dealers – J. Henry SMITH, Wagner Bros., Stewart & Burnham, A. DECKERMAN. 

Fair Stores – A. J. OBERTIN, Hood & Co., Singer & Strong 

Agricultural Implements – J.C. Shannon & Son, C.C. HICKS, James M. SMITH, D. O. OGDEN, Hollowell & Wise, Wisxon and Woodruff, A. F. STARK 

Cigar Manufacturers – James MEADE, John BIRMINGHAM, Joseph F. MARKEY, C.A. MANSEN, Peter CURRAN 

Furniture Dealers – Clarence H. KNAPP, A. C. KLUBE 

Undertakers – Clarence H. KNAPP, Hopkin Brothers 

Elevators – Freeman & Barber, George BRUEN 

Coal Dealers – S. S. ELLSWORTH, Freeman & Barber, Sheppard-Comings Co., Potter, Kinne & Kendall. 

Harnessmakers and Dealers – Arthur JESSUP, A.V. MASTEN, J.F. BRIDGMAN, William HOLLOWELL, L. P. WICKHAM, William CORCORAN 

Insurance Agents – Norris S. DAILEY, A. C. HARWICK, H. M. T. AYERS, Bush and Co., Silas KINNE, M.F. HOBART, W. P. GAYLORD

Jewelers – E. H. HOPKINS, S. B. DUNTON

Livery and Boarding Stables – W. T. BEAUMONT, Emmet HAZARD, Patrick BURNS, C. H. SOUTHERLAND

Lumber Dealers – Potter, Kinne, & Kendall, Eugene LEWIS, Charles D. WELLES

Meat Markets – Charles S. BELL, William MC EVOY, Hyland & Caviston, James DOLAN, L. A. SPRAGUE, W. H. STARK, Gilbert CARROLL,  A. & D. O. Carroll 

Nurseryman – Justus O. RUPERT

Painters and Glazers – D. Clinton ROBINSON, George W. KRITZER, E. THOMAS, I M. BALLARD

Dentists – H. R. Phillips & Wrean, Charles ELMENDORF, R. W. REYNOLDS, W. W. SMITH, O. S. VOAK

Photographers – Frank CAREY, Fred F. CRUM

Bakers – C. R. ROBINSON, George ZELUFF

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