Bianbridge Postoffice, 1900

 

 The Bainbridge Postoffice

Chenango Union, Feb. 15, 1900

 

The Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] postoffice was moved Wednesday night of last week from the Clark block on West Main street, across the road to T.D. Willsey's building opposite.  The office has been in the Clark block for 39 years, and in the rooms just vacated 24 years.  The postoffice was established in Bainbridge village in 1805, and in the 95 succeeding years there have been 16 postmasters.  The first postmaster was the Hon. John C. Clark, who held the office till his election to congress in 1826.  He served under four presidents, namely, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe and John Quincy Adams.  He was succeeded by Col. Moses G. Benjamin who held the office till his death in 1833, under both Adams and Andrew Jackson.  Dexter Newell was then appointed who retained the office 16 years, until 1849, under five administrations, namely, Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and James K. Polk.  After Newell's incumbency the terms of postmasters were single ones and in some instances made short by death or removal form the place. Abram G. Owens was appointed to succeed Mr. Newell in 1849.  Dr. Samuel L. Banks followed Owens and held the office until his death in 1853 when Simeon Shepardson was appointed.  He and Col. Hiram Schrom filled the interval until 1861, when Dr. E.H. Van Horne was appointed and held the office three or four years.  He was succeeded b Theron R. Hollister who held it till his removal to Binghamton, Dr. Blin S. Sill next held it till his death in 1873.  John W. Cudworth next held it till 1877, when Fred J. Nichols was appointed.  Those to succeed and fill out terms have been Don A. Gilbert, George I. Skinner, Esq., and A.D. Payne.  Our present postmaster, Charles G. Norton, began his term of office the 1st of July, 1899.--[Bainbridge] Republican.