Wikisource:New York/Edmeston/1880s
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The history of Edmeston, New York: 1880 through 1889
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[edit] 1880
We were in Edmeston a year ago and when we saw the telegraph poles and telephone lines, thought it would not be long before the steam horse would arrive. And before this great change let us glance at some of the people as they are today, and whose example youth may well follow.
The owner of the splendid residence and large shoe store at the foot of the hill near the cemetery is William Joslyn, Fifty years ago he was a poor boy without parents to guide his way from the temptations that ruin so many; always kind and generous to his playmates, ready to help all and wrong none, with but little time at school, he learned the tanners and shoe trade with Mr. Bilyea about a mile from the village. Until sale shoes were made, shoe making was his only occupation, and by early learning Franklin's rule, "that he must keep his shop who would have his shop keep him," and by the superiority of his work attracting customers for miles around, always careful of unnecessary expenses, (we do not know that he ever owned a horse, for his business did not need one), he occupies a position that many, with all the advantages of wealth to start with, might well be proud of.
A short distance down the creek we find the master mechanic and Natures nobleman, Louis Green, standing perhaps at his forge, while in some of shops, iron is moulded in various forms, and in other plained as smooth as glass. And all of this machinery is run by water wheel of his own invention, said to be the best wheel in the United States. he also invented and manufactured for sale various farm implements — his plows and horseshoes are known the best in the section.
As we return, we pass the residence of James Ackerman, If fine Churches, academies, school houses, stores, hotels, and dwellings add to the beauty of the country and the welfare of the people, Mr. Ackerman should receive the thanks of the whole community, for it has been largely by his industry and executive ability, that both village [hamlet] and country presents so fine an appearance. He has been a large purchaser of timber from all sections. He paid five thousand dollars for what was on fifty acres of land. The logs were hauled to this village and sawed, and thence to his large machine shops for doors, window sash, blinds, etc. His son Burt now carries on the shops, while he farms it as health permits.
We saw at least forty bushels of wheat to the acre on his farm last year. — James Slocum
[edit] 1882
The first local paper, Wharton Valley Echo, was established.
[edit] 1883
- New Berlin Gazette/Edmeston hotels, Jan. 23, 1883, about the owners of the two Edmeston hotels up to 1883
Subsequent owners of the Gaskin House included:
- Mager Mitchell came along, and Elmer Welch fits in there.
- Not many wanted the business for more than a year or two.
- In 1901 steam heat was put in, and Mr. Utter sold in 1901 to Earl Thomas.
- In 1903 an addition was made to the west side (back).
- A Mr. Beatty owned it 1909-1912.
- David Chapin owned it a short time and sold to Harvey Johnson.
- In 1923 James Monroe purchased the Hotel and sold it after 25 years to Thomas Pinto.
- Clifford Bibbins owned it a while.
- Then Edward Masterson, Roland Todd who sold it to Joseph Tasior.
- By this time a couple of fires had caused the elimination of the third floor. The Tasior family resided on the second floor. Porches were removed and the only business transacted was a bar.
- Joseph Tasior sold it to Central National Bank in 1987. They tore it down and put a new bank and post office on the site.
[edit] 1989
The Erie Canal was of tremendous importance to New York’s commerce and to farmers near its route, but it brought ruinous competition from the Western States to this remote region and others. The coming of the steam engines, which could operate in these regions and during the winter as well as in the summer, soon triumphed over river traffic. In 1889, the railroad was extended from New Berlin to Edmeston; it reached to Sidney at the opposite end. The coming of the railroad led to the building of a shipping station in 1890 for the exporting of milk. Farmers could then dispose of their milk more easily and get a better price, for instead of carrying their milk to cheese factories as they had to do, they could ship fluid milk directly to New York City; even then, Edmeston was recognized as one of the finest dairying section in New York State. The railroad meant much to the town. Edmeston was the rail head for a rich farming territory and the freight hauled was tremendous, both out and in. But with the coming of good roads "probably is only a short time until the right of way will be abandoned" F.T.50 This prediction was correct — in the late 1940's the tracks were removed.
The worst and first flood was in 1889; not much is recorded about this tragedy.— Sandra Lohnas Haggerty
