Articles Below:
The Nurseries and Nurserymen of Newark
The Story of Newark’s Founding
Cindy Russell – The Nurseries and Nurserymen of Newark
A sometimes overlooked area of history is that of agriculture and its impact upon on the settlement and prosperity of our area. Arcadia and Newark have had other identities but agriculture has played a huge role in our history from the first early settlements through today. Fertile farm conditions, and the building of the Erie Canal and railroads which provided unlimited access to markets, helped propel a movement beyond early generalized farming to more specialized crops being cultivated. This was especially true in fruit farming and fruit became one of the county’s most important agricultural products.
What grew to be an industry that established Newark as one of the leading nursery stock centers of the country had its beginnings in the mid 19th Century. Primarily through the vision and enterprise of two leading nurserymen, Charles W. Stuart and Charles H. Perkins, many hundreds of acres of land in and around Newark were devoted to growing fruit and nursery stock, cultivating trees, shrubs and plants. As Newark became an increasingly important nursery center and the nursery industry prospered, additional nursery firms were established and expanded in new directions. The nursery industry also provided jobs for hundreds of families. Field workers planted, tended and dug up the stock; packers prepared the plants for shipping; and salesmen traveled the country with full-color plate books selling the goods.
Nursery owners became wealthy, and their business acumen had an impact on the history of Newark and was largely responsible for the economic prosperity of the time. The leaders of what became national known nursery industries helped shape the culture of the community in which they lived and prospered. They were highly involved in public life and contributed to the beautification of Newark. To this day the impact and eventual loss of the C H Stuart Company and Jackson and Perkins Company are still felt.
John Zornow – Best Town on the Line
Most every household had one and they were published every other year from about 1903 to 1960. The Newark Directory was published by various newspaper firms and even by a local surveyor.
I have several in my collection dating from 1911 to 1960. Most householders discarded their old directory when the new issue came out, but thankfully many were saved because the old directories have been a great tool for researchers like myself.
Advertising paid for the costs of printing and the directories cost $1.00 to as much as $5.00. So, what was inside?
My 1927-28 directory was published by the Newark Union Gazette, one of Newark’s two weekly newspapers. The first couple of pages described the village of Newark, the population, and what the community had to offer. Useful information detailed a list of all churches (9), clubs for women (21), fraternal organizations (19) and a complete list of all teachers in Newark’s 5 public schools. This one scares me as I had several of these same teachers when I was in school from 1949 to 1961!
Featured next was a list of all stores and services. Too many to mention here except “grocers” (24) and “cobblers” (4). Try and find one now. Five railroads served our area.
The “meat” of the directory was a complete rundown of all streets and homes by number and the occupants. A separate chapter listed all residents and their addresses, as well as telephone numbers. Also included was a fold out map of Newark with all the streets. Where was Boardman Avenue?
Newark’s industries and employers were all listed. Heading the list was the Bloomer Bros. Company. Nearly every family had someone working at the “paper mill” or “box factory”. Hallagan Manufacturing was a major employer with many family members working together. C.W. Stuart and Jackson & Perkins Nurseries employed hundreds while the Commercial Building with its 14 associated companies was on its way to becoming a major player in direct selling.
Check out the museum’s collection of Newark directories. Great fun and a great tool for those interested in local history. See why Newark was the Best Town on the Line .
Chris Davis – The Story of Newark’s Founding
The village of Newark, in the township of Arcadia, county of Wayne, was founded by Joseph A. Miller, Sr. in 1819 — 201 years ago this year!
In May 1819, Joseph Miller (1769 to 1831), then of Herkimer County, was awarded a contract to build 1 1/4 miles of the Erie Canal through the area that would become Newark, after having completed several other sections near Rome in 1817. Considering that work on the canal began July 4, 1817 in Rome, Miller was one of the first to receive a contract.
Newark owes its existence to the Erie Canal. Miller purchased 102.5 acres of land from farmers Jacob & Betsey Lusk for $3,500.33. The deed was signed on July 1, 1820. The other villages in the county on the canal — Macedon, Palmyra, Lyons and Clyde — were all founded before the canal was built, making Newark a true canal town.
The land purchased by Miller would become what is now downtown Newark. He secured the assistance of another canal engineer, Hiram Tibbets, in surveying and plotting a new village. McIntosh’s “History of Wayne County” (1877) describes it as “All about the stumps stood thickly; there were low, wet places, and an orchard of thirty apple and peach trees occupied what is now a portion of the village. Eastward was the original forest, through which only foot-paths led, with here and there small farm improvements and primitive log homes.”
Four hand-drawn maps from the 1820s exist: one on sheepskin, two on paper and another on fabric. One is believed to be the original Tibbets map (on display at the Newark Public Library). Two are on display at the Newark-Arcadia Museum, including the sheepskin example which is signed by Miller and dated February 1829. There is also a map at the Ontario County Archives. Wayne County was formed from a part of Ontario County in 1823.
The maps show Newark’s original streets: Vienna Street (Main), which went south to Phelps, then called Vienna; Palmyra and Canal streets (West and East Union), Miller Street, Norton Street (East Avenue) and Bartle Street (Williams). The canal is shown prominently as the Grand Canal. The Public Square is still in existence as Central Park. There were 101 building lots shown, ranging in price from $30 and up. Only 10 were north of the canal at the time. The maps also show the heavily forested areas as well as the original Lusk apple and peach orchard.
Additionally, the map also shows two canal basins on the south side and on either side of the Vienna Street bridge. A basin was used to accommodate loading and unloading of both freight and passengers well out of the way of the steady flow of traffic.
Newark would quickly become a great wheat market, with large quantities of grain brought to the canal port. It was not uncommon at certain times for loaded wagons to be stretched for two miles in either direction, each waiting its turn to be loaded onto the boats.
Miller and his family were known to come from Vermont, being born there in 1769 before Vermont was even a state. He is referred to as Capt. Miller on one of the first maps, which may suggest he served in the War of 1812. However, no documentation has been found so far.
Miller built the first frame house in the village in 1820. It originally stood on Vienna Street (South Main). After a few years, it was realized that this site would make valuable building lots. The house was moved just around the corner onto Miller Street where it stood for many years until 1952, being torn down to build a bank. Today, there is a historical marker on this site.
Miller’s wife was named Polly, which genealogists have said was a nickname for Mary. They had three sons and a daughter. Joseph Jr. (1797 to 1879) was a successful businessman, co-owning Miller & Cronise Hardware Store which also produced the “Continental Coffee Pot.” Joseph Jr. married Louisa Fletcher in December 1823, the first marriage in Newark. Their son, Allen, was the first child born in Newark in 1825.
Joseph Sr. had a number of accomplishments after founding Newark. In 1824, he built Marvin Hall, a two-story building used as a school on the first floor. The second floor was used as a Masonic Hall (Miller was a Mason).
The school then became a town hall after a new cobblestone school was built on Bartle (now Church) Street. A lending library was started. Miller was one of the first trustees; he also owned a large library of books.
The proudest day of Miller’s life may well have been on Oct. 28, 1825, when Newark was visited by Gov. DeWitt Clinton and other dignitaries as the Wedding of the Waters was celebrated all along the route of the Grand Canal. From an early newspaper account it was stated “A few minutes before 11 o’clock the fleet of canal boats hove in sight. Their appearance was greeted by the discharge of cannon, and minute guns were fired … each heart beat with rapture, and every countenance beamed with pleasure.”
All gathered at Brown’s Coffee House, with appropriate toasts made: by the Governor “This flourishing village, the offspring of the canal.” By the Lt. Governor — “The independent freemen of the west, may they never learn to stoop, except to the bridges on their own canal.” Miller toasted the president of the United States, John Quincy Adams.
Miller died Jan. 5, 1831 at the age of 61. His epitaph mentions a lingering affliction. The “Wayne Sentinel” of Palmyra (Newark had no newspaper at this time) said, “Capt. Joseph Miller, aged about 65 years. Capt. Miller was an early settler in this county. He was a man of undeviating integrity, and ended his earthly career much esteemed and lamented by a numerous circle of friends and relatives.”
A good friend, John Wesley Benton, said “he was a man of clear head and vigorous spirit.”
In a letter in the collection of the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society, written July 6, 1823 and mailed from Newark, includes a description of the new village of Newark. Dr. James H. Ball had this to say: “… Should the county prosper I anticipate that the new village of Newark will in the course of a century become a larger and populous city — the first house was erected last season … about 3/4 mile east of it are three locks … and to which there is no doubt the village will soon be extended.”
Newark has indeed grown and prospered, with much of its great history attributed to the building of the Erie Canal and Joseph Miller’s vision for a new community along its banks.
John Zornow – The Forgotten Aqueduct
So…..what was all the fuss about? It had been known for years that the culvert carrying Military Brook under West Union Street was failing and the village took advantage of grant money available to fix the problem once and for all. Also, the decision was made to fill in the area where Military Brook enters the canal.
Long a favorite fishing spot, I caught my first big one there. As youngsters living on West Miller Street, we were just minutes from the West Union Street activity that included the canal, several auto dealers, Gerry’s Trading Post, Tony Muscolino’s root beer and hot dog window, and other fun activity.
Having traveled down the lane to fish the canal I had noticed that Military Brook traveled underground before it emptied into the canal. I once surmised that maybe it was where the towpath crossed the creek. Years later I realized that the towpath was on the other side of the canal. So much for that theory.
Years went by and I finally discovered through an 1874 map that this underground route for Military Brook was where the creek had been routed UNDER the original Erie canal, and the map clearly proved it. Research showed that when the original Erie was dug, existing waterways had to be rerouted, traveled under or over as in an aqueduct.
Attached photos show where the brook entered to travel underground, but what was not visible was the structure that took the creek under the original Erie Canal a/k/a/ Clinton’s Ditch. Workers laboring long ago fitted granite blocks to assemble a structure as other forms of culverts were not available yet. I now realize that Joseph Miller, who had the contract to build the Erie through this area supervised the building of this odd looking structure sometime around 1819. Captain Miller went on to found Miller’s Basin that later became the Newark we know.
While I lobbied for the saving of the granite blocks at the entrance to the tunnel, the state canal authority and DOT ultimately decided to save and store all the blocks used in building this odd structure almost 200 years ago. Captain Joseph Miller would have been very happy that his structure lasted all that time.
Chris Davis – The Drug Stores of the Past
Drug stores of the past were much like those we know today. They sold much more than medicines. Some even had their own soda fountain.
Newark has had many drug stores over the years, dating back to the 1830s. This is the story of a few of them and the people who owned them.
Murray W. Palmer was born on the family farm southeast of Port Gibson in 1857. He graduated from Newark Union School and moved to Taunton, Mass., where he became a druggist. In 1883, he returned to Newark and purchased Foster’s Drug Store on South Main Street. Customers were informed to look for the “sign of the illuminated mortar” which hung above the front door. Shaped like a mortar and pestle, it was bejeweled with many small colored pieces of glass which when lit at night would really attract attention.
One specialty sold at Palmer’s was “Raymond’s Pectoral Plasters” which claimed to cure whooping cough in 10 days, as well as bronchitis, lumbago and sciatica. Like many drug stores, wines and liquors were sold – for medicinal purposes only, of course!
Several different bottles are known, embossed “M.W. Palmer, Newark, N.Y.”, which contained some of his own medicines. Palmer’s Drug Store closed in 1893. The prescription files were sold to William H. Kelley, who was known as the Opera House Druggist.
In 1866, Moses M. Kenyon purchased the drug store of J. Moreau Smith on Main Street, first established in 1858. It was located one door south of the four corners. In 1878, Kenyon made a big move, relocating to the Frey Block across the street on the southeast corner of Main and Canal streets. It would quickly become known as the “Corner Drug Store” and customers were told to look for the “sign of the gilt mortar.” This site would later become well known as a bank building.
Throughout the 1870s, M.M. Kenyon’s was the place to buy Dr. VonMoschzisker’s Specifics, including the doctor’s eye wash, catarrh remedy, throat gargle, cough syrup, ear and constitutional remedies. The eye wash was recommended for “all who desire to keep their eyes in strong and healthy condition, especially students, or those whose occupation renders unimpaired sight a necessity. One bottle, $1.00.”
The catarrh remedy was for “extraordinary discharges from the nose, offensive or otherwise, water dripping into the throat from the head. …” The ear remedy was for “discharges from the ear, arising from scarlet, typhoid or other fevers, measles or inflammation of the inner ear, also a remedy for noises in the head and slight deafness.”
Some of the other offerings included perfumery, toilet soaps, tooth powders, stereoscopes and views, inks, sperm whale oil for machine and lamp use, sheet music and books. In 1872, Kenyon started a circulating library and in 1887 became an agent for the Democrat & Chronicle.
In 1890, Kenyon sold his drug store to R.E. Morse & Son and a year later moved to Jersey City, N.J., where he was appointed as clerk in the office of City Comptroller George Hough, formerly of Newark.
The Corner Drug Store, well remembered in Newark, had its beginnings in 1892. The building’s first owner was Rollin E. Morse (1842-1898). Morse moved the store he purchased from Kenyon back across the street to the southwest corner of Main and Union streets, proving to be an ideal location for the next 76 years.
Morse’s head pharmacist was John E. Wiser. Together they formed the Nouffer Pharmaceutical Co., producing a best-selling tapeworm remedy. They produced several lines of their own medicines, including Morse’s Certain Cure, good for pain in man or beast, curing everything from sudden colds to neuralgia to painter’s colic.
A soda fountain, fitted with marble, produced a fine soda water consisting of fruit juice, pure water, rock candy, syrup and Jersey cream.
Rollin Morse married Emma Herrick in 1876. She was the daughter of patent medicine king Dr. Lewis Herrick of Albany, made famous by his pills and plasters. As a wedding gift, he had one of the finest homes in Newark built for them, on East Avenue.
The Corner Drug Store was sold to Caleb Hanks in 1897. In 1900, Hanks formed an alliance with a London drug firm to produce Hanks’ Cod Liver Oil. He was a graduate of the University of Rochester, operating drug stores in Olean and Hudson before moving to Newark.
In 1917, H. Sherman Mosher, a longtime druggist from Clifton Springs, became owner. William Colvin entered the scene in 1919, having previously owned one of the largest drug stores in Elmira for many years.
Henry J. Wildhack became owner in 1922. Born in Utica in 1889, he graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy in 1908. A drug store clerk since the age of 17, he managed stores in seven communities before coming to Newark. In 1936, Henry became president of the New York State Board of Pharmacy.
Wildhack was very active in his community – and a noted actor. He was remembered for the leading roles he portrayed in many plays and minstrel shows in Newark and the area.
In 1925, the store was greatly improved with the addition of new fixtures and soda fountain. The new soda fountain even had a new “iceless” refrigerator. An ad read “The iceless fountain keeps soda and creams colder than ice can and without any of the muss and fuss.” The store sold Coca-Cola products and its large two-sided porcelain sign is now in the collection of the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society.
Wildhack died in 1951. His wife, Annabelle, took over the responsibilities of running the store for the next 15 years. In 1966, it was sold to August J. “Gus” Dobish, a pharmacist at the store. Coincidentally, he also became well-known for acting, even appearing in national television commercials and small parts in movies after his pharmacy days.
Also interesting is that Wildhack’s grandson John, who worked for ESPN, is now the athletic director at Syracuse University. Coach Jim Boeheim of Lyons remembers going to Wildhack’s pharmacy as a child.
The Corner Drug Store became a camera store in 1968 and met its demise in 1974 as a result of urban renewal.