Otselic History by Frank E. Cox

Otselic History

by Frank E. Cox

DeRuyter Gleaner, June 16, 1938

From my earliest recollections, the "gala day" was when I could go to the "Burg" with the folks, weekly, or whenever in need of supplies--a three mile trip from the farm on the hill.  I knew the village by no other name until I was well along in my teens.

South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] was named when the Township of Otselic was formed in 1817.  However, in early times it had been known as "Sugar Hollow," "Plum Creek" (the Indian name), "Bowen Settlement" and "The Burg."

Just why it was called "Bowen Settlement" aroused my curiosity to the extent of looking over the transactions in real-estate of one Luther Bowen, as recorded in the county clerk's records.  His first deed was of April, 1822, as a resident of Smyrna, but on April 1st, 1824, he began in Otselic by deeding to Jethro Hatch 300 acres for $600.  The last recorded deed was a sale to Simeon Miner of Lincklaen, January 26, 1846, making a total of 155 deeds recorded.  Mr. Bowen died in 1850, aged 68 years.

I find many familiar names as I go thru the long list, Here are a few:  Norman Ford, William Thompson, Lyman Beach, William Tyler, Reuben Parker, Elihu Thompson, Myrtule N. Waldron, Ezra T. Webb, Simeon Miner, Levi Allen, Jethro Hatch, South Otselic Baptist church, and others too many to mention.

In 1839, Luther Bowen entered the mercantile business with his son, Wells, but in 1947 sold his interest to Myrtulo N. Waldron, who soon sold out to Wells, and he took in his brother, Dr. James K. Bowen. They built the old Parce store in 1851.  This store burned October 4, 1877.  Was rebuilt in 1878. The Bowen Brothers sold out to Wells B. Ufford in 1856.  Wells went to Kansas and the Doctor to Missouri.

Along in the 1870s, LeRoy Bowen was operating a farm of 366 acres near town and the place is still [in 1938] known as the Bowen farm.  So far as I know there is none of the descendants in this locality.

David B. Parce built the 1878 store recently [in 1938] demolished to make way for a Texaco gas station.  I have been told that a log blacksmith shop occupied this site in the early history of the village.

The first physician in South Otselic was Dr. Norman Ford, who came from Delhi in 1824, and married a daughter of Jonathan Beach of Lincklaen in 1826.  He kept the first tavern in the house he built, adding to it as business increased for fifteen years.  He was also the first postmaster, and kept it in his house.  It was established in 1830.  He held it a long time.

Others to hold the office were James Clark, Doctor Wyckoff, and David B. Parce, who was appointed in 1861, holding it until 1879, when Judson E. Parce was appointed and held the same until his death, December 26, 1884.

The Gothic House was built in 1850 by John P. Taylor.

Thomas G. Healey had the first blacksmith shop.

The South Otselic Baptist church was organized in 1844, and bought their lot of Luther Bowen for $75.00

I think this will do for this time, but may trouble you again some time if I feel so inclined.

Frank E. Cox,  June 13, 1938