Full text of "The Rushford centennial, August 16-21, 1908 : with other data and reminiscences"

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LIBRARY

ANNEX

GORNhLL UNI VERM 1 i

LIBRARIES

ITHACA, N. Y. 14853

JOHN M. OLIN
LIBRARY,

Cornell University Library
r IO.R95R9
The Rushford centennial, A"9"St J6-21, 1

3 1924 005 449 503

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MRS. ELY WOODS

(NANCY GEAKEY)
THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN WHO SPENT THE NIGHT IN BUSHPOED SO PAR AS KNOWN.

" Remembrance is that power of the human
spirit by which the past is made present and the
dead alive again. Remembrance is that secret
charm by which the absent is recalled and the lost
found. All great art is full of remembrance.
All poetry is the musical expression of powerful
emotions, recollections in tranquillity. All true
and deep love is saturated and made fragrant
with memories too dear for words."

H. V. D.

JUDGE JAMBS McCAIiL

COMMITTEES APPOINTED

FOR

ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY

Founding of Rushford, N. Y,

and Home Coming Week

Members of the following committees are re-
quested to meet with the Executive Committee
at Agricultural Hall, Saturday evening, July nth,
at 8 p. M., sharp:

Executive Committee — W. W. Bush, J. G.
Benjamin, L. J. Thomas, R. B. Laning, O. T.
Wilmot,

General Committee — One from each school
district:

District No. i , E. C. Gilbert and H. B. Ackerly.

2, R. M. Wilmarth.

3, D. W. Gilbert.

4, S. B. Williams.
5,J. D.Hill.

6, B. F. Babbitt.
" 7, Frank Hogg.

8, Newell McCall.
" 9, Grant Smith.

" lo, Albert Warren.

" 1 1 , Roy Taylor.

" 12, Dean Gordon.

" i3,C. C. Proctor.

" 14, Charles Moon.

Committee for Farmer's Day — Dean Gordon,
Roy Taylor, O. T. Wilmot, S. E. Kilmer.
Historical Committee — Mrs. Helen Gilbert.
Committee on Program for Historical Day —
Mrs. Helen Gilbert, W. W. Bush, Jas. G. Benjamin.
Committee on School Day — Miss Ellen Lyman,

Mrs. Catherine Tarbell, Miss Katherine Baldwin,
Greydon Davis.

Committee Church Day — Miss Ellen Gordon,
M. E. Church; Mrs. S. E. Taylor, Baptist Church;
Mrs. D. S. Damon and Millie Metcalf, Free
Methodist Church.

Committee G. A. R. Day— A. L. Litchard, John
R. Heald, W. W. Bush.

Village Improvement Committee — The Exec-
utive Committee.

Committee on Streets and Walks — B. D. Kyes,
District No. 4; Thomas Atwell, District No. 6;
W. S. MuUiken, District No. 6%; Claud Nye,
District No. 12; Will Cooper, District No. 32.

Committee on Music — W. W. Thomas, W. F.
Benjamin, A. J. Lyon.

Committee on Amusements — Wm. W. Bush,
L. E. Hardy, John Benjamin.

Auditing Committee — L. E. Hardy, W. H.
Thomas, Charles Weaver.

Committee on Refreshments — W. H. Thomas,
F, G. Gordon, E. C. Gilbert.

Committee to see to Collecting Old Papers,
Magazines, Books, etc., and to sell same and hand
proceeds to the Treasurer — L. J. Thomas, John
Benjamin.

Committee to look after Old Relics and to care
for them and to appoint or select such assistance
as he may need — Frank Board.

Rushford's Centennial
and Home Coming Week

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

W. W. Bush, Pres. J. G. Benjamin, Sec.

L. J. Thomas, Treas.
R. B. Laning O. T. Wilmot.

HPHE Executive Committee of the Rushford
Centennial and Home Coming Week, in
behalf of the people of Rushford, extend to you
a cordial invitation to be present at the anni-
versary exercises to be held August 16-21, 1908.
The undersigned will be pleased to entertain you
for the week. Kindly sign and return before
July loth.

To Rev. and Mrs. Henry C. Woods.
Accept with pleasure.

Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Woods.

8
Written for the Rushford Centennial, 1908.

Mamaxm. An? !

G. W. F. Buck.
From afar to my mountain dwelling

Come letters my heart that thrill,
Of gentle speech they are telling

By friends who remember me still,
Through the century's half, since together

We carolled youth's glad refrain
Through all that changeful weather,

Its sunshine, its cold, fierce rain.

Love me, love me a little blindly,

Dear ones who have loved me so long;
If ye think of me too kindly

God will say " 'Tis no terrible wrong."
Of each other the worth, not weakness,

We please Him best to learn.
Very sad must be the bleakness

Of souls that are swift to spurn.

With tenderness, "How faring?"

Friends mine, ye would ask, I know;
How sure we were once of sharing

Each day's delight and woe!
Very old, a trifle weary.

Not eager to go or to stay.
Seem never these calm years dreary

As above me they roll away.

We agree, life and I, much better

Since 'tis plain that soon we must part,
Beats now against his fetter

Not so recklessly, quite, my heart.
Shine the spheres seven more brightly

These nights than they shone in the Past,
They're bending down to me slightly.

That my route there may seem less vast.

I must tell you the supreme blessing

That has been to my ownership brought,
'Tis the home of my possessing;

None finer by gold can be bought.
Building slowly, we braced it securely,

Shrewd builders, my soul and I !
For this mansion we know full surely

We'll inhabit it after we die.

Not a stick or a stone that can perish

Allowed we from basement to peak.
"We will use what we always can cherish,"

Thus each to the other would speak.
This abode, I fancy, is quaintest

That whirls round with our whirligig ball,
"Heart's Home" — not a sign of it, faintest.

Would you notice, if coming to call.

The framer, I term it so, merely

Vista, cleft through my vanishing days.
And the reason I dwell there so cheerily

Is that all the broad space is ablaze
With memories; here of Beauty and Splendor

I sighed for, or tried for, or shared.
And there of a Pathos so tender —

Fit to chant it, not born yet the bard.

Faults, follies, all those are excluded;

Not mine only; especially those
That into my being intruded

Friends thoughtless, or too thoughtful foes.
For why should we care to remember

The Darkness, the Doubt and the Doom,
When for every dull December

There are months so many of Bloom!

Oh, the glow, oh, the gleam of my treasures
As I move through my magical hall ;

But a scene of the Northland o'er-measures,
Quite o'er-measures the others all.

Not of sea, or of mountain the glory ;

Mid the upland a valley fair
Too meek for song or for story

Softly nestles a hamlet there.

Oh, the dear, dear forms that wandered

Long ago down that quiet street!
Oh, the mad, mad love we squandered

That no answer in love would meet!
I must dream, must dream no longer;

Regrets long dead arise;
Forgive that I am not stronger.

That my world is a wild surmise.

That I need not your Rushford, the real,-

Its autos and trains rushing through ;
That I yearn for a Rushford ideal,

Knowing well it has faded from view.
Ye longed for, here they sever

Us harshly Time and Space,
But we learn of a fair Forever

Where friendship will find more grace.

Moriturus, Ave! saying,

I salute thee, O Rushford the New,
And while Death still deigns, delaying,

Receive this fond adieu!

Mt. Lookout, Ga.

The Rushford Centennial began with religious
services on Sunday, August i6th, 1908. The
Committee for the program of the Platform
Meeting on that day were Mrs. A. M. Taylor,
Miss Ellen Gordon, Mrs. D. S. Damon and Miss
Millie Metcalf. Rev. H. C. Woods preached a
most interesting sermon to a large congregation
in the Methodist Church, and Rev. E. O. Taylor
preached the Centennial Sermon, which follows.

WATSON W. BUSH

(CHAIBMAN CENTENNIAIi COMMITTEi:)

The afternoon exercises were held at the Academy
Hall, which was crowded with people. There
was a song service, of which mention is made in
the article on music. The Revs. Poate and
Johnson took part in the service. Rev. N. E.
Heald gave a short address, as did Rev. Arthur
Warren. Mrs. Minerva Roberts expressed ap-
preciation of the early residents who had been
helpful to her, and was followed by Rev. H. C.
Woods, who pronounced the benediction. Serv-
ices were also held in the Free Methodist
Church in the morning, the history of the Church
being read, and in the evening Rev. H. C. Woods
preached a fine sermon.

Rev. F. E. G. Woods.

Our fathers builded well. They laid the cor-
ner-stones of Rushford's moral and religious life
and reared thereon the superstructure that has
stood in honor, good name and fame until this
day. The chief glory of this township has ever
been the elevated tone, the spiritual atmosphere
which everyone felt in coming to this locality.
Peace, order, friendliness, prevailed.

The founders brought with them from New
England the influence of Plymouth Rock that
flowed over all these Northern States and pro-
duced the highest civilization the world has ever
known.

On the Rock, Christ Jesus, they laid the second
foundation stone, the doctrine of Christian expe-
rience, that is: conversion, assurance and prayer-
ful life. Experience is vital; for to be a Christian
the heart must be brought to God to receive his
Spirit's renewing influence and remain in com-
munion with Him. Our fathers used to ask:
" Have you experienced religion ?" And the next
stone of their foundation was noi " gain the world

first and then give attention to religion," but it
was this: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
and his righteousness and all these things shall
be added unto you."

Secluded somewhat from the rush of world-
wide affairs that crowd the present-day life, their
religious gatherings assumed a special interest
and prominence.

Preaching services being less frequent, the
talent of the laity had free exercise; lay preach-
ing was much in use, and the whole church gave
testimony. Their lively and well attended prayer-
meetings, their hearty amens, their enthusiasm
for earnest preaching of the Gospel, their exhor-
tations to the unconverted, publicly and privately,
betokened such a sincerity that we are here this
day to commemorate them and long for their
spirit. When Recollection fondly turns over
those brightly illustrated pages of the past, I see
them still, that sainted band; I hear their earnest
prayers; before my vision they still stand and
testify or sing their spiritual melodies, but their
raiment is white and glistening; their faces have
a heavenly radiance, and the Vision brightens
with the passing years.

Sxtrarta fvam (Hmtstmval PiUtuBA.

RusHFORD, N. Y., August i6, 1908.
Rev. E. O. Taylor, D.D. — Boston, Mass.

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many
generations ; ask thy father and he will show thee ; thy
elders and they will tell thee.

One generation shall praise thy name to another and shall
declare thy mighty acts.

Walk about Zion, and go round about her ; tell the towers
thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces ;
that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this
God is our God forever and ever ; He will be our God even
unto death. Deut. 32, 7; Ps. 145, 4; 48, 12-14.

These words suggest thq course of our medita-
tion on this memorable occasion — the centennial
of the founding of the town of Rushford.

JAMBS G. BENJAMIN

(UEMBER CENTENNLU. COHHITTEE)

To consider properly the years intervening be-
tween the then and the now, imagination must
supply what the records lack in giving us a clear
perspective of conditions in the dawn of our his-
tory. The beginnings were primitive in the ab-
solute sense.

A section of " The Holland Purchase " had been
" laid out " to be subdued by the hand of civiliza-
tion. There was wildness equal to that of the
" wild and woolly west " of a later day. Indeed,
this was then " the west." Forests were to be
felled; log- piles to receive the torch; potash to be
made from the ashes; the potash to be trans-
muted into a little money, or exchanged for its
equal; cabins to be built; bachelor kitchens to be
established, perchance awaiting brides to be; vir-
gin soil to be tickled with the teeth of the " brush
drag," or to receive the wooden ploughshare,
and the varied machinery to be started with which
to build a Christian town. Hundreds of miles
intervened between the homes to be and those
left behind; journeying, some on foot, others on
horseback, or with ox teams, the hardy pioneers
made their way. Mail routes were limited, post
offices were many miles away, postage $i.oo per
letter for every 400 miles of carriage, whereas by
the fall of this year a letter can go from San Fran-
cisco to London, a distance of 6,000 miles, for 2
cents. Facing such conditions our honored fore-
fathers and foremothers came with as brave hearts
and holy purposes as ever inspired the Knight
Crusaders of old.

It is natural and inevitable that the character
of the first work of a town, in the order of its
building, should be largely material, commercial,
industrial. Everything is in a formative state;
but after lands are taken, homes made, schools
established, churches built, wheels of commerce
well under way, then comes the period of reflec-
tion, culture, art, and at last, ancestral pride.

Eyes are turned backward to the great sources of
prosperity. Centennials come pressing the ques-
tions : Where did all these advantages come from ?
Who started all this machinery? To whom is the
largest credit due? What were the sacrifices
made to bring it all to pass ? How do I stand re-
lated to it ? Were my father and mother among
those first people ? And, withal, what essential
agencies were combined in producing the condi-
tions of to-day ?

In trying to answer such questions, we, the
children of succeeding generations, are glad to
journey back to the old homesteads to see for our-
selves where our fathers and mothers, grand-
fathers and grandmothers, wrought in our behalf,
here to weep over their graves, rejoice over their
triumphs, kodak the scenes of our childhood, at
least upon our memories, receive fresh inspiration
for life's duties and learn where to place the em-
phasis necessary to make a human life worth liv-
ing, and a civilization worth perpetuating. In
doing so, we are only paying a debt of honor we
owe to ourselves, as well as one of gratitude and
loyalty to an honored ancestry. Duty and pleas-
ure, therefore, combine in summoning us hereto-
day; even common decency requires that we
shall not let the names and achievements of our
sires perish from the earth.

Patriotism, self-respect and religion unite in de-
manding a study into the philosophy involved in
the processes of those early days, the products of
which have been transmitted to us as a glorious her-
itage. The history of civilization shows that the
character of the factors entering into the found-
ing of a town impresses itself upon all its future
history.

I desire, therefore, to lay particular stress upon
the prominence of the religious element in deter-
mining the character of the civic life of our town,
that we may tell it to the generations following.

OBED T. WILMOT
(member centennial committee)

The Baptist Church was organized in Decem-
ber, 1 815, seven years after the founding of the
town. They by no means claim a monopoly of the
responsibility and honor of shaping the religious
character of the town. Every denomination
which has found a place anywhere, at any time,
in the warp and woof of our civil fabric should,
and doubtless will, receive its own just meed of
praise on this occasion.

It belongs to us here, however, to make a care-
ful study of the human agents and instrumentali-
ties used by Baptists, under God, in founding this
Christian community.

The mother of our civilization is the Christian
church. The outside critic, non-church-goer and
non-supporter of religion may deride the church
if he pleases, the impression yet prevails, and al-
ways has prevailed, more or less potent, among
all classes of men, that among the first things to
do in establishing a town is to build a meeting
house.

No man wishes to settle in a community where
there is no church. Local governments accord-
ingly, have well nigh universally admitted the
practical value of the church to a new community
by granting concessions of land for building
houses of worship. The Baptist Church records
show that in 1821 the trustees of the Church were
instructed to select 100 acres of land, offered by
the Holland Purcheise Company to the first church
' organization applying, and to obtain a deed of the
same; the land selected is involved in what is
now known as the A. W. Litchard farm. The
Christian pioneer takes God into account from
the start, makes provision for the needs of the
spiritual nature, for the blessings of religion, in
order to endure suffering and hardships, to com-
fort the sorrowing and the dying, to promote pub-
lic morals, public peace, and to secure domestic
happiness — which in part, at least, indicates the

purposes of God distinctly recognized in Christian
government.

Our fathers were no exception to the rule.
From all the evidences at hand, the men whose
influence dominated the establishment of the new
community were God-fearing, Bible-loving, Sab-
bath-keeping men.

What transpired religiously between the time of
the first comers and the organization of the Bap-
tist Church does not appear in the records, except
that missionaries, supposedly from the Baptist
State Convention, made occasional visits to the
new town. Indeed, it would seem that no sooner
was the first cabin built than that the first mis-
sionary knocked at its door.

Throughout the history of the world, great
commonwealths, as well as great religions, have
been built around great personalities. Men pro-
ject themselves into the product of their own
genius.

Rushford, from the time of its founding up to
the time, at least, when it was isolated by railroads
on every side, was noted as one of the most in-
telligent, thrifty, moral, religious, law-abiding and
influential towns of its class in Western New
York. The men who stood in her pulpits em-
bodied in their lives and preaching these charac-
teristics. Honor to whom honor is due, requires
at least the mention of their names.

The following is a list of pastors of the Baptist
Church in the order of succession from the first
to the present incumbent :

Titus Gillet, Eliab Going, Absalom Miner, a
graduate of Hamilton College ; Simeon G. Miner,
Absalom Miner, second pastorate ; C. Wardner,
first pastorate ; E. L. Harris, E. J. Scott, Ira W.
Simpson, A. T. Cole, A. V. Eddy, M. Livermore,
P. S. Everett, W. L. Munger, C. B. Smith, A.
R. Spencer, T. P. Poate.

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RALPH B. LANING
(member centennial committee)

The following is a list of those whom the
Church has either licensed, or ordained, or both:

Peter Freeman
Ezra Going
James Going
Eliab Going
Simeon G. Miner
Elijah W. Freeman
R. Cherryman
Elbert Clark
C. Wardner
James Mclntyre
Ira W. Simpson
I. H. Foster
Peter Mead
Charles Wilkinson
Elbert O. Taylor
A. V. Eddy
Frank F. Himes
Arthur W. Warren
Edward James

Hcensed
licensed
licensed
licensed

licensed

second pastorate
licensed

licensed
licensed
licensed
licensed

ordained

ordained
ordained
ordained
ordained
ordained
ordained
ordained

ordained

licensed
licensed
Hcensed

George Gould went out from the Church and
was licensed and ordained by some other church.

The impression has quite commonly prevailed
that Eliab Going was the first pastor of the
Church. He was among the first subscribers or
founders. The records of the Church clearly show
that Titus Gillet was the first pastor chosen in
1818 to preach one half the year. James Going
was licensed to preach this year and was Clerk
while Jonathan Going was Moderator, Levi Ben-
jamin Deacon. Eliab Going became his successor
as Pastor in October, 1821, to preach one half the
time. His work bore fruit and he was corre-
spondingly prominent. In September previous
eighteen were candidates for baptism and were
baptized by two missionaries. Elders Bradley and
Morris.

Those who have had opportunity to trace the
history of churches other than this, and to study

the characteristics and lives of their respective
preachers will not fail to discover at a glance that
the line of pastors which this Church presents is
far above the average in many respects. Study-
ing these men more closely, there was not a
" poor stick " among them to cut down the gen-
eral average; they were "all-around" men.
The preacher and the pastor were happily
combined in each. Some were more impulsive
than others, but zeal was according to knowl-
edge. Some were more logical and conservative
than others, but their reasoning took on a practical,
' spiritual tone. There were Peters, Pauls, Johns,
and Apolloses among them, but all alike gloried
most of all in the Cross of Christ. Not all were
evangelistic in method, yet none were failures in
soul winning, and all were builders of spiritual,
moral and civic character. Negatively speaking,
it is a fact to enter into the centennial history of
the Church that no one of its leaders showed a
weak spot in the armor of Christian doctrine. The
records give no account of any trial for heresy, no
suspicion lurked in any mind of unsoundness in
the faith, and no breath of gossip was breathed
against the character or private life of any one of
this honored list.

No doubt each had his weaknesses peculiar to
common humanity. They were not saints. But
this centennial is not concerned with the incidental
mistakes and failures of men. We of to-day wish
to emphasize the qualities they possessed which
are worthy of imitation by the generations that are
to follow. Nor are we compelled to believe that
they were superior to the men of to-day. What
the records imply is this: That, for their day and
surroundings , they were an unusual group of men.

In order to place this history in more concrete
form, let us divide the time period of the Church
into two parts, approximately of fifty years each
(for the Church has to run its course only seven

LUTHER J. THOMAS
(MEMBER CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE)

years more to celebrate its one hundredth anni-
versary). We will then place Eliab Going, who
was substantially, not really, the first pastor, at the
beginning of the first period, which we may prop-
erly denominate ancestral history, and Ira W.
Simpson at the midway point closing up the old
and introducing the modern era.

Parenthetically, I may be allowed a personal
statement in this connection. The reason, as I
understand it, for imposing upon me the responsi-
bility, with its honor of addressing you on this
occasion, was the simple fact that I am the oldest
living licentiate of the Church, and therefore would
supposedly be more familiar with the remote past.
It seems even to me to be a strange yet pleasant
coincidence, that as a convert under the preaching
of Ira W. Simpson, who also baptized me, and a
licentiate through his influence and teaching, I can
stand at his side at the dividing of the times, and
reaching backward, shake hands in personal ac-
quaintance with Eliab Going, the first clerk of the
Church, the first man whom the Church ordained
out of its own ranks to be its pastor, and then for-
ward to include in the sacred fellowship the present
incumbent — an honored man in an honored line
of Gospel Messengers. In fact, I went from the
close of Ira W. Simpson's pastorate in 1863,
with license in hand, granted at a special session
of the Church, on Sunday, at the noon hour, di-
rectly to Eliab Going's home in McHenry, Mc-
Henry County, 111., where he was then pastor,
and for whom, two weeks thereafter, I preached
my first sermon. Stranger still it seems, that in
less than a month after my first sermon for Eliab
Going he had secured for me a pastorate and
installed me over the First Baptist Church of
Richmond, 111. It is also a matter of surprise
to discover that I have personally known every
pastor in the history of the Church with two ex-
ceptions, viz., Titus Gillet and Simeon G. Miner;

and every licentiate who has gone out from the
Church with three exceptions, viz.: Ezra and
James Going, and Elbert Clark, whose name I
bear.

It is an incident appropriate to recall that dur-
ing my last visit to Eliab Going, not long before
he passed away, he expressed to me his great in-
terest in having his experiences as a pioneer
preacher in Western New York written out and
put into form for preservation that generations of
younger ministers might profit thereby. Accord-
ingly, an agreement was entered into whereby he
was to prepare the sketch as rapidly as failing
health would permit, and I was to superintend its
publication in case he should not live to oversee
the work himself. But God took him almost be-
fore the work began, preceded only two or three
days by the death of his wife, when I was sum-
moned to assist in laying them side by side in the
same grave.

Had he lived to see the fulfillment of his plans
this Church would doubtless have in its posses-
sion now an invaluable historic record, and we
would have to present you to-day facts, incidents
and appeals which would alike enkindle gratitude
for the men of the past, and inspiration for the men
of to-day and of the future.

The Church records show that on the 7th day
of November, 1815, Brethren James McCall, Levi
Benjamin, Eliab Going, J. L. Delano and Aaron
Capen, together with Elder Beckwith, a mission-
ary, organized themselves into a Conference under
the name of the " Caneadea Regular Baptist
Conference," James McCall as Moderator and
Eliab Going as Clerk. Elder Beckwith and Eliab
Going were appointed a committee to draft Articles
of Faith and Practice, and report at the next
meeting. They met the following day, November
8, and accepted the report of the Committee,
which consisted of twelve " Articles of Faith " and

twelve " Articles of Practice," the same remain-
ing unchanged to this day.

It is a most happy coincidence that while we
are now dealing with Eliab Going and Ira W.
Simpson as the two representative ministers of
this Church, we should have with us to-day,
without prearrangement, the eldest daughter of
Eliab Going — Mrs. Harriet Going Colby, of Hol-
land, N. Y., born in Rushford 84 years ago, on
what is well known as the Talcott farm, in a house
which is still standing on the original site.

There is present also in this audience Miss
Alice Simpson, daughter of Ira W. Simpson.

Mrs. Colby contributes an item of important
and interesting history, quite distinct in her
memory, which we are glad to give in this con-
nection for purposes of permanent record. She
locates the original Baptist meeting house on the
west side of the Creek and north side of the
street, about midway to the foot of the hill, and
the original Methodist meeting house on the op-
posite side of the street, a little nearer the Creek.

Referring again to EUab Going and Ira W.
Simpson as ushering in two distinct periods in
the life of the Church, each was peculiarly suited
to the period which he represented. Elder Going
was strong in intellect and personality, logical,
judicial, conservative, impressing himself upon
the Church and community in no uncertain way.
Educated, but largely in a " self-made " sense, al-
though receiving more or less of special training
at Middlebury Academy, N. Y. Faulty in utter-
ance, stammering, he could not be an orator. He
was a teacher — a man qualified to lay the foun-
dation of a spiritual and civic structure, and he
did it well.

On the other hand, Elder Simpson was the
scholar resultant from the modern college and
theological school, quick, yet sound in judgment,
happily fitted to stir the latent energies of the

Church into greater activity by applying its knowl-
edge of doctrine in practical ways of salvation; an
orator of impassioned eloquence, a born indoc-
trinator and an adept in soul winning. But once
before in the history of the Church was there ex-
perienced a more powerful revival than that of
1857-8 under his ministry. The exception oc-
curred under the ministry of Absalom Miner,
when the entire community seemed to be moved
to lay hold on God for salvation, and people
came to the meetings, it was said, from " every-
where."

It may be because of personal contact, expe-
rience and affectionate relationship, that Elder
Simpson seems to be exalted in my own estima-
tion of him, but no man ever succeeded in get-
ting a stronger hold on my life than did he.

I recall distinctly an incident which illustrates
Elder Simpson's power as a preacher in dealing
with sin and salvation. It occurred in the old
schoolhouse on " Taylor Hill." He was preach-
ing from the text, " God be merciful to me, a sin-
ner." His descriptions of sin and the sinner were
so clear, his assurance of God's mercy through
Christ was so pronounced, his eloquence was so im-
passioned, that his audience seemed transfixed and
hung in breathless silence upon his words, when
in the midst of that awful hour, awaiting decisions
for eternity, a woman suddenly arose, broke the
stillness and the sermon, and cried in the language
of the text, "God be merciful to »«^, a sinner."
It is hardly necessary for me to say to those who
knew Elder Simpson that such a cry was his op-
portunity. The sermon broke into a prayer meet-
ing and a soul was saved. Who the woman was
by name has long since gone from my memory
but my impression is that she was baptized and
joined the church.

Another incident has been related to me since
coming to this meeting. A young man, not in

the habit of attending the Baptist Church, strayed
one Sunday into the old gallery. Elder Simpson
was preaching from the text: " Now is the ac-
cepted time, now is the day of salvation." The
sermon was so direct, searching, earnest and pathet-
ic that the young man was deeply moved thereby.
Upon returning home he went into his father's
barn and there upon the hay-loft committed him-
self to God. That young man is here to-day —
Paul Dow.

Both Going and Simpson were alike at least in
two important respects. They were men of one
book — the book. They knew the Bible. They
laid due emphasis upon civic righteousness, and
entered practically into the merits of the civic
reforms of those days. Indeed, Simpson finally
gave himself up in Christian duty to the cause of
moral reform and died from overwork in his
assaults against the saloon.
" He stood upon the world's broad threshold; wide
The din of battle and of slaughter rose;

He saw God stand upon the weaker side.

That sank in seeming loss before its foes:

******

therefore he went

And humbly joined himself to the weaker part,

Fanatic named, and fool, yet well content

So he could be the nearer to God's heart.

And feel its solemn pulses sending blood

Through all the widespread veins of endless good. "

But what these men were as forerunners of their
respective periods, their successors have been to a
greater or less degree. These were types of the
men called to be leaders in the religious sphere of
the town's history.

The Message.

Such men could but have a message. They
could but speak the things they had seen and
heard. To silence them was as great an impossi-

bility as it was in the case of Paul and Silas. They
came into their pulpits with something to say, and
they said it earnestly and took time enough to
say it all. Sermons in those days were lofiger
than the average sermon of to-day. Instead of
the twenty-minute sermon they preached for one
hour, every Sunday morning. This was followed
by the Sunday School, with a few minutes in
which to give the youngsters a chance to munch a
doughnut, or eat a cookie; then came another
sermon of equal length. Not too much for the
fathers and mothers of those days, who were
hungry for the bread of life, but rather hard on
the little chaps who were not old enough to com-
prehend the meaning of it all, and out of sheer ex-
haustion fell asleep in their mothers' laps, for those
were days when children were taken to church.

There were two things about Elder Scott which
I shall never forget. First, the impression he
made in handshaking. The second thing about
him, no less impressive, was his sermons. They
were written, read, scholarly, very profound, and
very long. On one occasion while he was preach-
ing I fell asleep, as usual, when upon being awak-
ened at the end of the sermon, I found myself in
as much of a quandary as to time as another
youngster did in a similar situation, when he
asked, " Mamma, is it this Sunday or is it next
Sunday ?"

But if the sermons were long, they had a
glorious gospel ring in them. The burden of the
messages of those men was that of the personality
of God — the reality of and accountability for
sin —potency of salvation through the atonement of
Jesus Christ, and the fact of immortality. Other
phases might be specified, but these were the
mountain peaks of the doctrines they preached.
And what a message ! In exact proportion that
the message of the preacher emphasizes the
verities alluded to, in the same proportion will

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the complex demands of the individual and of
civic life be met.

The Rushford Church in its early membership
well illustrates this law. Elder Wardner testified
of those people as follows: "It is unusual for a
church to start on her career with so much talent,
worth, and influence as this possessed. When I
came to this Church in my youth, in 1842, my
great embarrassment was attempting to preach to
so ripe and intelligent a people."

How faithful and consistent was the watchcare
of the Church over its members ! What exacti-
tude of conduct was required ! Here are a few
examples taken from the early records: one was
excluded for not paying for a cow he had con-
tracted to buy from another member; two for
intoxication; another was made to retract pub-
licly concerning some " impudent speeches " she
had made at a former meeting; a sister, a mem-
ber of another church, but living in this vicinity,
was found to be " mixed up with the vanities of
the world " and was " labored with " for not
attending the " Covenant Meeting," and when
she failed to improve under the admonition, the
Clerk was instructed to report her case to the
Church to which she belonged.

Justice was sought in equalizing the financial
burdens of the membership. In 182 1 a resolution
was passed that every male member of lawful age
shall pay the sum of 12,00 as a poll tax towards
defraying the expenses of the Church, and the re-
mainder of such sums voted to be raised shall be
made out on the property he is actually worth.
Then follows the valuation of property: — Land,
$1.00 per acre; improvements, li.oo, per acre;
money at interest, $4.00 per hundred; oxen, $6.00;
horses, $10.00; two-year-old colts, $4.00; one-year-
old colts, #2.00; colts and calves, #1.00; framed
barns, $25.00."

All this was in keeping with the 8th " Article of

Practice," viz.: " Every church member ought to
communicate of his substance according to his
ability; and the church has a right to judge of
his ability, and ought to deal with those as covet-
ous who neglect this duty."

The practical as well as the spiritual life of the
Church was above the average. Nothing strange
that the people knew their Bibles. Quite unlike
the case of a young man, member of a Bible class,
who recently, when his teacher spoke of taking up
the study of the Epistles of Paul and Peter, re-
marked, " Why, I always supposed that the Epis-
tles were wives of the Apostles"; and worse still,
the incident of some theological students who were
testing one another as to their knowledge of the
Bible, when the question was propounded, "What
book follows the book of Hezekiah ? " After
much guesswork, imagine their confusion when
told that there was no such book as Hezekiah.
I imagine that such ignorance did not prevail in
the earlier days of this Church.

Nor is it surprising that the deacons and super-
intendents of those days present an unbroken line
of superior men " able to teach others also."

The present and future generations should hold
in special honor the names of Kimball, Hapgood,
the Westcotts, Persons, Mason, Sill, Gould,
Himes, Taylor, and doubtless others, who served
the Church in the office of Deacon; and the names,
among others, of Nelson McCall, Elder Harris,
Persons, White, Sill and Taylor, who served as
Superintendents.

The home life of those early days, patterned
after the scriptural order as many in our day are
not, deserves special mention. How savory the
discipline ! What care was taken in training the
conscience in all things ! How persistent the in-
struction in the Bible ! One verse must be mem-
orized each day, or seven in the week, to be re-
cited, and explained and enforced by the teacher

on the following Sunday. Many here to-day will
remember how, under the teaching and inspiration
of Elder Simpson, whole chapters and books of
the Bible were voluntarily memorized by the
younger members of the congregation.

Many of us will never forget how sacredly the
Sabbath was kept, how regularly we all went to
Church. Rain, snow, hail, wind, drouth, flood,
these were no obstacles in the way. Somebody
from each home was sure to represent it at the
Church, and at prayer meeting as well.

And what mothers God gave to the homes of
those days ! Their teaching, discipline, sacrifices,
love, prayers, patience, faith and hope — what a
galaxy of virtues ! Such was your mother and
mine.

May I not be permitted herein to memorialize
the mothers of those early homes in terms of a
personal tribute written of my own mother: —

My Mother.

Mother! Mother! Wondrous name!
No other word is just the same,
No other ever won such fame,
And nothing sets the soul aflame
As does the name — that blessed name —
The name of sainted Mother.

The name that echoes back her prayer.
The very words she used, and where
She knelt, and plead, and wept, and there
Found grace to live, and help to bear
The load of life. She had her share.
No one e'er prayed like Mother.

My Mother's love! And, oh, what love!
Un-wea-iy-ing, bom from above.
That follows me where e'er I rove,
A pardon-bearing, white-winged dove,
Such was, forsooth, my Mother's love.
No one e'er loved like Mother.

My Mother's song! And what a songl
In lullaby, 'mid choral throng,
In sacred hymn on Sabbath dawn.
To strengthen faith or curb a wrong;
Enchanting, heavenly was her song.
No one e'er sung like Mother.

My Mother's book! Of books the book!
Its truth her compass whence she took
Her course. Through lens of which to look
Beyond. Then once for all forsook
The fashion of the world ; God's book!
The well-worn book of Mother.

My Mother's life! How full of care!
Her willing hands how quick to share
The hardship of each one — to bear
The galling load. How quick to hear
The cry at night, in play, on stair.
To dash through flame, and death, and dare
To save her child. Oh, wondrous care!
Unfaltering care of Mother!

My Mother's death! Her last farewell!
No human tongue can ever tell
Of rising tides that surge and swell.
Which, summoned from the soul's deep well.
Can never pass from mem'ry's spell
Of that good-by — her last farewell.
There is no death like Mother's.

My Mother's home! Her heav'nly rest!
Mansion prepared for all the bless'd.
Where never come the care-oppressed.
Her ministry, henceforth, expressed
In terms of heaven's own bequest —
Redemption's legacy — the best.
God give us rest with Mother.

Nor is it strange that under such standards set
by the Church a comparatively large percentage
of the population became law-abiding, church-
going people; that the house of God was rever-
enced as a sacred place.

I shall never forget how, when I had grown to
be quite a lad, and consent had been given that I
should sit one Sunday in the old gallery, while in
the act of whispering. Nelson McCall, who was a
member of the choir, left his seat during the ser-
mon and, coming down on me from the rear, put-
ting his hand upon my shoulder, said — " Stop it ! "
and I stopped it. It didn't take a second to do it,
and it was done once for all.

And then how natural that righteousness and
justice should characterize in large measure the
legal affairs of the town. Arbitration has been a
prominent method of settling differences through
all the history of Rushford. It has been said that
for the first fifteen years of that history the town
did not develop an indictable offense. Who can
tell how far-reaching in such matters was the in-
fluence of the Christian jurist, Judge James Mc-
Call, whose legal advice and judgment were sought
in both local and State matters.

Under such conditions it could not be other-
wise than that education should receive its proper
emphasis, and adequate provision be made for
the same. The records of the town show that
Judge McCall was largely instrumental in begin-
ning the public school system. Bates T. Hapgood
was a member of the first Board of Academy Trus-
tees. Such men as these were the balance of
power that tipped the scale of every great cause
in favor of a higher citizenship.

Business integrity and religion walked arm in
arm to a marked extent. Bates T. Hapgood and
Judge McCall were notable exponents of such a
type of life. Think of Deacon Hapgood, in his
place of business, which was the rendezvous for
the ablest thinkers of the town, advocating on the
one hand the claims of Christianity, and on the
other the demands of justice and righteousness
among men in civic and commercial life. His
advocacy and exemplification of Christian in-

tegrity and honor were such that his judicial
advice was often sought in arbitration of disputes.

He was not a lone star of this magnitude.
Many others of this Church belonged to the same
constellation. To speak only the family names
of some of those worthies is but to summon be-
fore the mind simiHtudes of sternest honor in
business, coupled with deep, intelligent piety;
McCall, Benjamin, Hapgood, Freeman, Going,
Gordon, Hardy, Kimball, Kendall, Searle, White,
Taylor, Lewis, Westcott, Warren, Davis, Ames,
Sill, Gould, Claus, Himes, followed by a host of
others as brave, capable and honorable as they.

Moreover, if the pulpit, coupled with home Hfe
and its teachings concerning rectitude and honor
in business and civic life, counts for anything,
may we not with especial pride hold before us to-
day in concrete form a noteworthy example of
their influence finding its way down to the second
and third generation, in the person of the grand-
son of Bates T. Hapgood — our late and lamented
fellow-townsman — Senator, and Governor of New
York — Frank Wayland Higgins. Bates T. Hap-
good had just been baptized when that giant in
logic, Eliab Going, began his ministry, advocating
the practice of righteousness alike before God and
among men. Who shall say that the stern in-
tegrity and high business ideals which were
always accorded to Frank Wayland Higgins by
all classes of men, exemplified alike in private
business and in public trust as the State's chief
executive, were not the natural and logical prod-
uct, in large measure, of the standards held
sacredly and rigidly by the Baptist pulpit and
Baptist homes in the early church, transmitted
through grandsire to grandson?

The political critics of Governor Higgins' ad-
ministration concede the fact that for businesslike
integrity and just enforcement of law, he gave to
the State a public service which has not been sur-

passed by any of his predecessors; and here in
his native town, whose centennial we are now
celebrating, and where he had more or less to do
with its public affairs very early in life, we find
everywhere prevalent evidences of his influence
in the ideal standards which he set up.

When recently in Saratoga attending the
World's Temperance Centennial Congress, a resi-
dent of that city related to me an incident illus-
trating Governor Higgins' force of character and
determination, under his oath of office, to see
that the laws of the State were properly enforced.
A notorious gambler of Saratoga built a million-
dollar gambling house and defied the gambling
laws of the State for many years. Governor Hig-
gins sent word to the sheriff of Saratoga County
to close this place in twenty-four hours or he
would send a man who would. It is needless to
say the establishment closed its doors forthwith
and forever. In that particular Governor Higgins
was the "John the Baptist" of Governor Hughes,
whom the nation delights to honor for the re-
forms he has inaugurated.

But we must not fail to note that what is im-
portant in the building of a town is equally im-
portant in perpetuating its institutions. What now
of the future .'' Speaking broadly, the church,
which alone can suit eternal verities to the human
soul must ever be a necessity to the higher inter-
ests of human society. The Christian Church is
by no means an incident in civilization. It is not
a barnacle on the keel of the good ship of state.
It is rather the heart of civilization. It is the sail
that catches the breeze of heaven, wafting the
vessel onward towards its divine destiny.

The wisdom and knowledge of God is of
greater importance than grammar, geography and
arithmetic. " The fear of God is the beginning
of wisdom." Note — the beginning, not the end
of it. The need of the church is cumulative. The

present needs it more than the past, and the fu-
ture will need it more than the present.

President Roosevelt has recently said: " Edu-
cation in things spiritual and moral — even more
than education of the hand and head — are neces-
sary to make the highest type of citizen." A man
is not educated until his triune nature of body, soul
and spirit are drawn out in equal balance. How
to develop and care for the body and brain be-
longs to the physiology and psychology of the
schools ; but it is left for religion expressed in the
corporate life of the church to train the everlast-
ing spirit of man.

Daniel Webster said: "The most important
thought I ever had was that of my responsibility
to God."

Thousands of parents would consider it bar-
barous not to use every influence and provide
every necessity to put their children through an
academic or normal course of study, while with
ponderous stupidity and indifference they neglect
to use equal influences and make equal provision
to place their children under the teaching and
atmosphere of the Christian Church.

* President Eliot, of Harvard University, recently
gave utterance to the following statement : " There
can be no true social reform without education,
and there can be no true education except it be
deeply rooted in a religious life." That was a
great saying by a great man — one of the greatest
educators in the history of our country. Here
again the necessity of the church is seen, as it
deds with the source of power and purity in the
spheres of social, educational, and civic life.

Recently a great convention of governors met
in the White House at Washington to plan lor
the conservation of our forests. It has been dis-
covered that the ruthless destruction of timber
lands has resulted in drying up streams, con-
sequently closing up factories, parching great

tracts of arable land, ruining markets, spoiling
trade, depopulating towns, changing thrift to
poverty and bringing homes to want. While
those forests stood, their leafy branches reaching
out toward heaven, they gathered the dew from
the atmosphere and drew the rains from the sky.
The streams were kept full of refreshing water,
and all the machinery of the towns below was
kept busy. Markets were stocked, trade was
brisk, farms, homes, schools, churches, all were
prosperous. No greater cause could have called
together the greatest men of the country. They
were there to protect the sources of wealth and
power. The wisdom of President Roosevelt in
that matter has been commended by wise men —
even beyond the limits of our own country.

But what those forests were to the towns below,
the churches are to the civilization of to-day.
While the trees of yonder mountains stood side
by side in large acreages of forests, they were
sources of power, wealth and prosperity. But
when thinned out so that branch could not touch
branch to form shade, condense atmosphere, con-
trol winds, bring rain, and fill the streams below,
the sources of prosperity were destroyed and
desolation took its place. When Christian men
stand together in associate church capacity they
become sources of power for the spiritual and
civic processes of an entire community. As the
President and Governors are credited with far-
seeing wisdom in conserving the forests of the
country, although not till after great damage had
been done, so the work of conserving the church
must be regarded as of a much higher type of
wisdom, notwithstanding its neglect on the part of
many otherwise good citizens.

What is needed most of all in conserving the
forces of the church is a better conception of the
place the church holds in the building of a Chris-
tian community.

What transformations would at once take place
in this old town if every family in the village, and
every home on the hillside, should make it its busi-
ness to be represented at church every Sunday !
The sheds would be full of teams; homes full of
blessing; trade full of honor; schools full of children
with highest and purest ideals, and the whole
civic life of the town would be a full tide of in-
fluence, carrying the hopes of the people ever
upward to their highest fruition.

It is a matter of exceeding pleasure on the
part of the home-comers to note the painstaking
preparations which have been made by nearly all
homes, and citizens generally, to place the town
in suitable order for our welcome. Houses have
been cleansed within and painted without; furni-
ture dusted and repaired; carpets renovated;
cobwebs brushed from the ceilings; larders
stocked with extra provisions; lawns mowed;
highways repaired; streets cleared of rubbish, and
everything put into " spick and span " order for
the noteworthy occasion. Rushford would not
be true to her time-honored record did she
not do just such a beautiful thing. But more
truly magnificent would it be for Rushford to
make this Centennial the occasion for putting her
house in better order on the social, civic, moral,
spiritual side of her life; for every household to
lift the standards of home life a little higher; for
every Christian to mend his broken vows; for
every young person to seek the companionship
of those who serve the Christ, and for every citi-
zen to take God into his account.

By the record which this Church has made, by
the influence for good it has exerted, by the truth
it has represented and proclaimed, by the exem-
plary lives it has produced, by the faith, hope,
prayers and sacrifices of the fathers and mothers
who worshipped here, long since gone to heaven;
by the clouds of witnesses surrounding us now,

and by the cross of Christ, we beseech you all —
" Be ye reconciled to God."

In closing, let me remind you that as we thus
point to the imperishable monuments, preserve
the memories and recount the deeds of those who
fought valiantly in the former days, which we
proudly do to-day, let us not forget that what would
please them most, were they here, would be that
we should re-dedicate our lives to the religion they
represented, the Church they served, and the civic
life they produced.

Attwatral 1|pttt.

God of our fathers, hear
The prayer to Thee we bear.

Thou God above;
We bring our oflFering now.
While we before Thee bow.
And here renew our vow

Of faith and love.
Thou didst to them of old
Give light and might untold

While here they trod;
Thou art the same God yet,
Nothing can turn or let.
Help us to ne'er forget

Our fathers' God.
They toiled and prayed and wept.
Thy laws and ways they kept.

For us to-day;
That we might happy be,
And in Thy truth be free
To all eternity.

For this we pray.
Inspire in us new zeal.
In mercy with us deal,

While thus we pray;
Keep us as in Thy sight,
Protect us by Thy might
While we pursue the right,

And serve as they.

l&taptian a«I» iSffitatratum iag.

Monday, August 17th, was Reception and Reg-
istration day. Most cordial greetings were ex-
changed on that day and during the week. The
Centennial Register contains the names of hun-
dreds who were present to take part in the various
exercises, and many more came whose names do
not appear at all in this book. There was a large
attendance at the W. C. T. U. medal contest, at
the Academy Hall on Monday evening. The pro-
gram consisted in an entertaining musical service,
and there were seven contestants for the medal.
Clare Davis, Florence Brady, Newton Hadley,
Helen Taylor, Ethel Stearns, Layton Morris and
Imogene Lane. The judges awarded the medal to
the latter.

Stp? 3Tartt»ra' iag l^umU, Auguat 18%

Jui,iA TARB:ei.L Merrill.

Old Home Week in Rushford was a succession
of pleasant surprises, and in some instances abso-
lute wonder as to how it all came about. Per-
haps no one thing excited more wonder and ad-
miration than the beauty and pairistaking care
which were bestowed upon the planning and ar-
rangement of the floats in the different parades.

Tuesday, August 18, 1908, dawned bright and
beautiful, a veritable farmers' dav. Rushford
looked at her best and just what it is, a country
village well kept. With her wealth of shade trees,
broad streets and long stretches of cement walks,
the appearance was certainly inviting. The bus-
iness places and many private dwellings were lav-
ishly and tastefully decorated with bunting and
Japanese lanterns, \yhile the Stars and Stripes
seemed to be floating everywhere.

The different school districts planned and
arranged what they should represent. Obed T.
Wilmot had general charge of the farmers'

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parade, and the success was in a large measure
due to his careful forethought and manage-
ment. In some way pioneer life, experiences, so-
cial entertainments and the improvements down
through the century were portrayed. Romaine
W. Benjamin, mounted on a Shetland pony, was
marshal of the day, with Fred McElheny, Reu-
ben Lewis and Russell Wilmarth as assistants,
while several well-mounted young men dressed
in Indian costume composed the marshal's staff.
The floats were preceded by the Rushford Cor-
net Band. We do not recall any floats picturing
the future settler as a babe in his eastern home.
District No. 2 furnished three floats. The
first represented a wedding. On the float a bride
and groom attended by groomsmen and brides-
maids, all dressed in costumes of one hundred
years ago, were going through the marriage cere-
mony. The tall, lank parson somewhat resembled
the description of one of our early circuit riders.
A goodly company of guests similarly attired
accompanied them. As the parade covered a
long distance the ceremony was of necessity some-
what lengthy.

Following this came a covered immigrant
wagon with the wife and several children looking
out through the openings in the canvas of what
was to be their home during the long journey.
Pails and kettles hanging underneath, and within
the bare necessities for a home in the wilderness.

The next living picture was a wagon with trees
that had just been cut down and the pioneers
busily preparing them for use in the building of
a cabin.

District No. i represented the improvements.
We saw the same settler a few years later in
possession of a horse and a very high-wheeled
sulky with a seat for two more arranged on the
back. In the costume of that time he and his

wife, with two children, were on their way to a
"merry-making," eating their lunch from "a ca-
lamity box" as they drove along. In striking con-
trast we had the twentieth century turnout al-
most covered with artistically arranged flowers,
the occupants up-to-date in dress and appear-
ance.

The float from District No. 5 represented but-
ter and cheese making in pioneer days. On the
float were an old-fashioned milk heater and a
hand cheese press operated by a young man who
acted the part of an old-time cheese-maker, while
a young lady presided at the tin cheese vat and
wielded the hand curd cutter. The butter-mak-
ing apparatus consisted of four wooden troughs
for milk, pans, wooden pails, a small dash churn,
the dash of which was vigorously plied by a
young girl, who was at the same time rocking
with her foot a little wooden cradle. Another
young woman with an old-fashioned butter ladle
in her hand stood beside a huge butter bowl work-
ing over butter; all were clad in extremely plain
costumes typical of those early days.

Following directly behind this district, Tay-
lor Hill had a large float illustrating a modern
dairy scene; at the front of the platform a cen-
trifugal cream separator was in operation. Lit-
tle Allen Taylor was busily churning with a re-
volving barrel churn, while a young matron was
using a butter worker and molds for fancy, but-
ter prints. As the golden bricks were turned
out a little girl wrapped them in oiled paper
ready for market. Another was washing pails
and milk cans, while a pyramid of cheese boxes
of various sizes adorned the back of the float.
The ladies in their neat shirtwaist dresses and
work-aprons, the men in the costume of the
day, emphasized the fact that this was a twenti-
eth century scene. The decorations of bunting
and flags were profuse.

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District No. 8, East Rushford, furnished a
float representing an old-time paring-bee. The
float was twelve by twenty feet, surrounded by a
railing wound with red, white and blue bunting,
and decorated with strings of apples. Bunting
was draped round the wagon and the big bay
horses had each a blanket of the bunting with
"East Rushford" in large white letters. Horses
and wagon were also decorated with flags.
A dozen people, dressed in old-fashioned clothes,
were engaged in paring, quartering and cor-
ing apples, while some of the younger ones
were stringing them; after the apples were
finished, pumpkin pie, fried cakes and cider
(cold tea) were passed and much enjoyed.
Then the platform was cleared and, to the music
of a fiddle, the occupants were soon engaged in
dancing an old-fashioned cotillion. Some of the
bystanders began to comment on good Methodists
dancing and taking their parts as though used to
it. Rev. Henry Woods said, "Every one is justi-
fied in dancing Old Home Week," and that settled
it.

District No. 7, Rush Creek, had a float show-
ing the old style of threshing; men with
flails were threshing out the grain, while the
hand-fan or winnowing board, over one hun-
dred years old, was manipulated by a sturdy
farmer with the skill of an old-time settler. An
old fanning mill was in evidence and old-style
implements. Directly behind this float was mod-
ern threshing, the apparatus consisting of a
traction steam engine, with tank wagon and sep-
arator.

A large float drawn by a yoke of oxen was of
much interest. Hardy's Corners, District No. 10,
represented a husking bee. Right diligently the
young men worked and, like their grandsires of
old, claimed as their prerogative a kiss for every

red ear found. A surprisingly large number of
red ears were brought to light. The second time
they passed the reviewing stand the husking bee
was over and, to the music of a violin, the Vir-
ginia Reel was danced with a spirit that would
have done credit to their ancestors, while the
sound of the familiar tune made many of the
gray-haired onlookers unconsciously keep time
with them. It was very realistic A/^^ith the old-
style clothing and even the cider jug in evidence,
the early curse of the country.

In line were a company of about twenty men
carrying sickles, scythes, grain cradles, wooden
pitchforks, old two- and three-tined steel forks,
flails, winnowing scoops and, in fact, all those old
utensils for cutting, gathering and threshing the
crop in the primitive farmer's style. The guards
for this company carried flint-lock muskets and
old-time lanterns. After these came a fine dis-
play of up-to-date machinery, including sulky
plow, disc-harrow, grain drill, mowing machine,
feaper and binder, side-delivery rake, hay loader
and corn harvester. Following the floats came
a long line of carriages, double and single, of
the most modern style, carrying farmers and
their families.

3ffarmpra' iag f rngram. Auguat IB, 13BS.

Afternoon Program, i p. m.

Music Band

Prayer Rev. T. P. Poate

Music Orchestra

Address Surface, Soil and Forests

Eugene Hammond, Cuba, N. Y.

Song Choir

Address The Dairying Industry

D. B. Sill, Cuba, N. Y.

Recitation Miss Kate Proctor

Music Orchestra

History Rushford Cheese Factory

Dr. H. C. Elmer, Ithaca, N. Y.
Five Minute Speeches by Old Resident Farmers
Music Band

Evening Program, 7.30 p. m.

Music Orchestra

Recitation Miss Imogene Lane

Song Quartette

Address Eugene Hammond, Cuba, N. Y.

Recitation Ely Mulliken

Music Orchestra

Address Rev.. Arthur Warren, Butler, Pa.

Music Band

I|tat0rg nf % ^ml^avh (Si^ies 3Fartorij.

H. C. Elmer.

When I was invited by your Committee to ad-
dress you to-day, I was as much surprised as I
was flattered. Some of you may know that I am
by occupation a teacher of one of the dead lan-
guages. How this occupation makes me a proper
person to address a gathering of farmers regard-
ing the cheese industry is somewhat of a conun-
drum. The connection between ancient lan-
guages and modern cheese-making is surely not
clear. You have every reason to fear that the
wrong man has been chosen for the occasion,
and that he probably knows nothing about his
subject. In self-defense, however, I feel that I
ought to say that I am not to blame for the choice.
The guilty man is O. T. Wilmot, who invited me
to speak. When I get through with my remarks,
if you feel that you must swear at somebody,
swear at him — not at me.

I think of only one or two facts that may, to
some extent, make it seem appropriate for me to
say a word on the subject assigned me. The
most important of these facts is that my father, C.
J. Elmer, has been closely identified with the en-

tire history of the Rushford factory, and I have
myself lived, as it were, within smelling distance
of it, during a good part of my life. One of the
very earliest memories of my childhood is the
memory of a wonderful ride I once had up
through Main street of Rushford. I had just
emerged from babyhood, and was now some four
years old. All other memories of the time seem
to have faded away, but the memory of that ride
even now stands out clear and distinct. It was
a ride in the old pineapple cheese factory when it
was being moved up the hill. It had previously
stood just south of the spot now occupied by the
old Academy building. Here Norton and Elmer
had been engaged in the manufacture of pine-
apple cheese in the only factory devoted to that
purpose, with one exception, in the United States.
But my father had just acquired what has since
been known as the Rushford Cheese Factory,
situated on the spot it still occupies. As the
pineapple cheese business was to be continued, it
seemed more convenient to have the two factories
together. Hence began the slow process of mov-
ing the old pineapple building up through the
streets, and annexing it to the new factory. In
memory I seem to see it for the first time just as
it was passing my old home — the house now
occupied by D. C. Woods, directly opposite the
school building. With many a creak and groan,
it was crawling, inch by inch, up the street and,
with my father's permission, I was on board
taking it all in and seeing the sights. You may
talk all you please about your fast express trains
and your mile-a-minute automobiles. I have
tried them all. But to me no other ride was
ever half so thrilling as that ride of my childhood
up through Main street in the old pineapple
cheese factory. Verily, such a ride deserves to
be chronicled, and as I was the only passenger on
board, so far as I can remember, it seems appro-

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priate for me, above all others, to hand it down
to the memory of posterity.

Soon after the pineapple factory was estab-
lished on its new site, my father took up his resi-
dence on the corner where he still lives, just
across the street from the factory, where I spent
my entire boyhood, I was always near enough
to the factory to throw stones at the windows, to
help catch the rats and mice, and to steal rides on
the milk wagons. I was near enough and rash
enough to make frequent raids on the curd sink —
sometimes, alas ! with disastrous results. But, for-
tunately. Dr. Bixby happened to be living next
door to me, always ready to patch me up. In
spite of the curd sink and other temptations on
one side of me, the good Doctor on the other
side managed to keep me as comfortable as could
have been expected of a wide-awake boy in such
a dangerous neighborhood.

In those days there was a good-sized pond
within a few feet of the factory, and the older boys
had constructed a raft with which they navigated
its waters. I remember that I took this raft one
day, unbeknown to my fond parents, and attempted
a lonely sail all by myself. I remember, too, that
I soon found myself floundering in the water up
to my neck. And I remember best of all the
sound spanking that followed soon afterward,
during a painful interview with my father.

But I hear you asking the question, " What is
the connection between all this and the history of
the Rushford Cheese Factory?" On second
thought, I fear there is none. Let me, therefore,
go back to the beginning, get into closer touch
with my subject and give you a brief historical
outline of a few of the essential facts.

The old pineapple cheese factory was built by
Robert. Norton in 1851, and continued to be
managed by him until 1857. In that year it was
turned over to my father, who continued the busi-

ness on the original site until 1864. In those
days no milk was brought to the factory, and no
curd was made there. Each farmer made his own
curd and sold it to the owners of the factory. The
business of the factory, therefore, was merely to
receive the curd and make it into cheese. The
pineapple cheese business continued to flourish,
but its prosperity was temporarily threatened in,
1863. In that year Charles Benjamin, while visit-
ing at Herkimer, became very much interested in
a Cheddar cheese factory that had just been started
in that place. Upon his return to Rushford, he
persuaded Robert Morrow and H. K. Stebbins to
join him in the project of building a similar factory
in Rushford, and no time was lost in constructing
the building. The factory was opened for busi-
ness in July, 1864, with Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin
as the cheese makers. Now, for the first time,
the farmers, instead of making their own curd,
brought their milk to the factory and the curd
was all made in the factory itself. This, of course,
was a revolution in the methods of conducting the
dairying business. The farmers, naturally enough,
were pleased with the change. But trouble began
to brew at the other end of the business. Mr,
Benjamin and Mr. Morrow became dissatisfied
and sold out to Mr. Stebbins. Mr. Stebbins, in
his turn, began to have trouble with the farmers,
which became so serious that he finally sold his
factory at cost to my father, who took possession
in October, 1 864. The; old pineapple factory was
at once moved up the hill, as I have already stated,
and attached to the new building, and from that
time on the two kinds of cheese continued to be
made side by side for many years. Mr. Robert
Norton, however, continued to be half owner of
the pineapple cheese part of the business. Mr.
Norton was a Presbyterian clergyman, pastor of a
church in St. Catherines, Canada. He devoted
his entire time and attention to the ministry.

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and entrusted his interest in the manufacture
of cheese entirely to my father. Mr. Norton was
a man of sterling worth, whole-souled and large-
hearted. He was very generous to the poor,
and is said to have devoted most of his salary
to charity. The result was that he depended
for his support upon the income he received from
the cheese factory. It may not be generally
known that the Rushford Cheese Factory was for
many years run partly in the interests of the Pres-
byterian Church. Other factories may have con-
tributed as much to the general prosperity of the
community they have served, but, as far as I
know, the Rushford factory is the only one that
ever supported a minister of the gospel. Possibly
this may account for the fact that, for many years,
the Rushford cheese was the best cheese on the
market, and brought the highest price. However
that may be, there can be no doubt that the Rush-
ford factory flourished from the start. Milk was
brought from many miles around. At first there
were only two vats and ten presses, and each
cheese was made to weigh one hundred and
twenty pounds. The second year the factory had
to be enlarged. Five vats and thirty presses
were put in, and the size of the cheese was reduced
to seventy pounds. The business continued to
grow, and during the winter of 1866 sixty presses
were put in. Even with sixty presses the facilities
were inadequate to take care of the business, and
finally it was found necessary to run the factory
nights as well as days, and for three or four years
the factory was kept running night and day. By
this time other factories had been built in the sur-
rounding country, reducing the amount of milk
brought to Rushford, and making it unnecessary
to continue the night work.

While the Rushford cheese from the first had
the reputation of being of good quality, they were,
nevertheless, somewhat inferior to the best of

English cheese. My father, therefore, conceived
the idea of going to England to investigate Eng-
lish methods of manufacture. This he did in
1873. As a result of this investigation, certain
changes were made in the methods of manufactur-
ing Rushford cheese, and the quality was very
much improved. Indeed, from this time on the
Rushford factory had the reputation of making
the best cheese manufactured anywhere in the
United States. There was always a strife each
week among buyers to see which should get these
particular cheese, with the result that they com-
monly brought a higher price than any other
cheese in the country. Men who had worked in
the Rushford factory began to be in great demand,
and many went out to take charge of similar
work elsewhere. Thus the influence of the Rush-
ford factory was felt far and wide, and it has
been an important factor in improving the meth-
ods of cheese manufacture throughout the country.
One somewhat remarkable thing connected
with the history of the Rushford factory is the
fact that since it opened in 1864 the cheese-
makers in charge of the factory have been changed
only five times. Martin Barnes managed the
factory for one year (1865); Andrew Kimball for
two years (1866 and 1867). Then came John G.
James, who remained at his post for twenty years.
His remarkable success in this position is a strik-
ing example of what can be accomplished by
thrift, fair dealing and devotion to work. After
John James came Lincoln Olthoff, who ran the
factory for two years. Since then J. S. McMurray
(Joe, as we all call him) has been in charge. This
is Joe's nineteenth year. It looks as though he
had set out to beat the record. It would be hard
to imagine now what the old factory would do
without Joe at the helm. Here is a man who was
never known to do a mean or unfair thing in his
life, level-headed, large-hearted, faithful and de-

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voted to his friends, charitable to all. Health
and prosperity be his to the end of his days.

Before I close, it may be interesting to say just
a word about the influence the factory has exerted
upon the prosperity of this particular community.
We may safely say that no other local industry
has served the community so faithfully, or so well.
If we begin our reckoning with the pineapple
cheese factory, the Rushford factory has been do-
ing its work for fifty-seven years. During each
of these years it has brought into Rushford from
the outside world a very large amount of money.
One year this amount reached the sum of eighty-
six thousand dollars. A rough calculation shows
that the total amount of money brought into Rush-
ford from the outside world during the entire
fifty-seven years would probably be enough to
board at the Tarbell House every man, woman and
child in Rushford for about twenty years. Surely
an industry that can make such a showing as this
deserves at least honorable mention on Farmers'
Day of this " Old Home Week."

With this honorable mention I take leave of the
old factory. And, as I do so, I express the hope
that, while the days of its glory may belong to the
past, the days at least of its usefulness may never
end.

Extract from letter Rev. R. Norton.

About the Pineapple cheese — My father's
patent was issued in 1808, and bears the auto-
graph of President James Madison. As to the
long-keeping qualities of the cheese, the incident
you allude to was a veritable fact.

My wife was born December 21st, 1822. About
the time of her birth, my father, who was in-
debted to the skill of her mother (Mrs. Harford,
the wife of Hon. J. Harford) for the making of
the first pineapple cheese net in 1808, sent Mrs.

Harford a present of a pineapple cheese. The
cheese was placed on the mantle-piece, and was
regularly varnished with the furniture. Nearly
twenty-six years afterward on the morning of
my wedding day, September 8, 1847, I aided in
the cutting of the cheese. It was in perfect pres-
ervation, as perfect as any Egyptian mummy.
It was hard, but not unpalatable. From its crys-
talline structure I judged that chemists would
have detected a large percentage of ammoniacal
salts. But I was content to regard it as an omen
of the durability of the love that there asserted
its supremacy.

As you infer, my remembrances of old Rush-
ford friends are as pleasant as they are vivid.
They were noble, true-hearted men and women,
just the ones to rear such sons and daughters
as our country needs.

You inquire as to my son. He was born in
185 1 in the small house directly in front of the
Academy. He graduated from Hamilton Col-
lege in 1872, and was chosen valedictorian. Mak-
ing choice of chemistry as his profession, he
went to Europe and entered Heidelberg Univer-
sity, where his career in chemical research began.
He was there awarded "P. H. D. summa cum
laude." After several thousand miles of pedes-
trian travel through central Europe, Greece, Tur-
key, Palestine, Egypt and Italy, he entered the
Berlin University as an assistant. Thence went
to Paris and became manager of a large chemical
manufactory. In 1882 he returned home, mar-
ried and was elected to the Chair of Chemistry in
the University of Cincinnati. His department
has been one of the largest of all chemical de-
partments in the country

*******

Thomas Norton is now Consul at Kiel, Ger-
many.

four l&spnsirAvAxnis Abroab.

Extracts from Address.
Rev. Arthur L, Warren.

It is, indeed, a sincere pleasure, and a great
privilege as well, to be able to enter into fellow-
ship with you all, and participate in the celebrat-
ing of Rushford's one hundredth anniversary.
While it is not ours, to catch the spirit of the
song " Going Back to Dixie," we all have drank
deeply of the spirit of a grander one — " Home,
Sweet Home," and, be the dwellings plain or
otherwise, to us, the sons and daughters of
Rushford, there is " No place like home."

With our coming back to our native soil, to
the inhaling of pure air, the viewing of familiar
landscapes — to the hum of the bees and the
lowing of the kine, to the cackle of the hens that
denotes fresh eggs for breakfast, and the song of
the splcishing brooks, where the speckled beauties
used to dwell, and to the familiar faces we love,
we say with Longfellow, " Ah, how good it feels.
The hand of an old friend," and we shall go back
into the world's arena of activities with new life
and renewed zeal, and a more definite purpose,
and a stronger determination than ever before to
be more worthy of the confidence and love oi
kindred and friends, and worthier to emulate the
godly example of those " hewers of stone and
drawers of water " who have passed on before;
not dead, but just away. The men and women
of yesterday, who blazed out the paths that
led to their success, along which we travel
to reach a greater usefulness, and who laid
deep and secure the foundation upon which
our successes shall rest, did their work faith-
fully and well, and we trust passed on into
the rest that remains for the people of God —
" Into those everlasting gardens. Where Angels
walk, and Seraphs are the wardens " — ^leaving to

5°

us a richer heritage than silver or gold, with which
we, their representatives of to-day, are to exem-
plify their character and magnify their achieve-
ments, and attain a greater and more lasting suc-
cess. And shall not Rushford be pardoned if she
boasts a little in the achievements of her children ?
Are not your boys and girls of yesterday, who are
the men and women of to-day, fiUing the positions
and callings of life as successfully (and we trust as
profitably to all) as the fathers and mothers did ?

H: * «

First, allow me to say, that Rushford! s repre-
sentatives of to-day are what we are, largely, be-
cause of the stable and exemplary characters of the
men and women of yesterday. * * *

Enterprise marked the life of those of yester-
day. They were not satisfied with that which
surrounded them, or with their then present
attainments, but pressed on to greater achieve-
ments in order that others might be benefited
through their labor. Their thought was, " I
may not enjoy this, but others coming after me
will." * * *

Again, we of this generation ought to live a
higher and a nobler life, being ambitious to
acquire true greatness, and reach lasting success.

Notwithstanding what we are, we, your repre-
sentatives of to-day, cannot acquire true greatness
and lasting success by the heritage bequeathed to
us by our forefathers, but by our own individual
achievements. True greatness does not spring
from worldly power or amassed wealth, but from
pure and noble thoughts. Thought, then, is the
making of the individual. He who spake as
never man spake declared: "As a man thinketh in
his heart, so is he." Is it, then, saying too
much if I say that by thinking pure thoughts
one only becomes truly great ? Emerson says:
" There is no prosperity, trade, art, city or
great material wealth of any kind, but if you

trace it home, you will find it rooted in a thought
of some individual." This being true, the oppo-
site is true also — ^that avarice, crime, immorality
and evil in general, if tiraced to its source, would
be found intrenched in the thought. How well
then does one need to guard his thought. Sincere
thoughts are the wings of lofty aspiration, with
which we mount up to reach a lasting success.
Right thinking leads mankind to true great-
ness. * * *

There are no obstacles great enough to keep
one from attaining success if determination possess
the heart. * * *

Again, if we, your ambassadors of this genera-
tion, are truly to succeed, we must possess the
chief characteristic of success, which is love.
This grace of all others pre-eminently determines
character. That which one loves unmistakably
reveals what one is. Love is the touchstone of
character. Love for humanity is not only the
heart of the Eternal, but it is the soul of in-
dividuality and the mainspring of successful liv-
ingf. * * *

And, having thought a little concerning the
past and present, shall we not glance a moment
into our future? Some one has said: " There is
no time like the present, the future is not ours."
But I am quite sure that that which the future will
have in store for each of us — and those who follow
after — of good or ill is contained in the present.
In other words, the future will be what we have
made the present, in profit or loss, joy or sorrow,
bane or blessing. If we have bought up every
opportunity for doing good, have cornered every
chance to minister to the needy humanity around
us by giving them the " bread of life," though it
be but the giving of a cup of cold water to a
thirsty soul, its influence will not be lost but still
live on; and like bread cast upon the waters " re-
turn after many days " with hands filled with
blessings for us.

C^trtPttnial imj. August 13. laflB-

Afternoon Program, i p. m.

Music Orchestra

Address by President W. W. Bush

Response Rev. H. C. Woods

Song, Home Sweet Home Double Quartet

Eneas Gart-.y Rev. F. E. G. Woods

The Gordons Miss Ellen Gordon

Reader, Miss Genevieve McCall
Song, The Old Oaken Bucket. . .Double Quartet

The Woods Mrs. Ira Calkins

Song, Away to the Woods Double Quartet

The Pioneers Mrs. E. C. Gilbert

Recitation from Snow Bound . Miss Mary Johnson

Song, Annie Laurie Double Quartet

The McCalls Mrs. A. M. Taylor

Reminiscences J. B. Jewell

Reader, Allan H. Gilbert

Song, Cousin Jedediah Double Quartet

Casualties J. G. Benjamin

Music Orchestra

Evening Program, 7.30 p. m.

Music Orchestra

The Early Settlers Mrs. E. C. Gilbert

The Old Time Customs Mrs. W. W. Merrill

Song, Home Again Double Quartet

Movements Miss Ellen Lyman

Reminiscences and Characteristics

Mrs. Helen M. Judd
Reader, Mrs. A. E. White

Song, Comin' Thro' the Rye Double Quartet

Recitation, The Old Band Greydon R. Davis

Music, Poor Nellie Gray Band

Reminiscences Mrs. Cornelia G. Green

The Semi-Centennial Mrs. E. C. Gilbert

Reader, Allan H. Gilbert
Poem by Mrs. Cynthia Woodworth

Mrs. R. T. Brooks

Song, Auld Lang Syne By the Audience

Our Bells Miss Katharine Baldwin

Our Newspapers E. C. Gilbert

Song, Long, Long Ago, Double Quartet

Reminiscences of East Rushford, Kelloggville and

Rush Creek H. B. Ackerly

Reader, Mrs. Newman M. Woods
Music Band

Abhrwa at W^lcomt,

Captain W. W. Bush, President of the Rush-
ford Centennial Committee, 1908.
Fellow Citizens, Sons and Daughters of Rush-
ford, FROM Abroad: —
The occasion which has called together this
assembly is one which will ever be remembered
as the brightest period of our earthly existence.
To-day Rushford welcomes home her sons and
daughters, and as one who still lingers upon this
soil, consecrated by the sacred ashes of your
fathers, I have been commissioned by the present
citizens of Rushford, without distinction of party,
creed or location, in their behalf to express their
most sincere and cordial greeting, to extend to
you who have come hither from every quarter of
our great and glorious land, the hospitalities of
our town, to assure you that every door in Rush-
ford is thrown wide open to receive you, and that
you may feel the same degree of freedom that a
child would, upon returning after a long absence
to visit the parental roof. Thus are you welcomed;
yet the occasion is so fraught with recollections
of our early life, and so eminent are the characters
of those who have come back to honor the place
of their nativity, that I cannot dismiss the subject
without briefly expressing a few thoughts that
seem to me appropriate. You are welcomed, not
as the prodigal son, yet with an equal degree of
affection. Unlike him, in poverty you left us,
with nothing but your unblemished reputations,
which you have kept pure, and your stern purpose
and firm resolves to do and conquer upon the

battle-fields of life. Unlike him, you have not
spent your substance in riotous living, yet, while
plenty has crowned your efforts, in the various
appointments which you have been called to fill,
and want goes from your door, we have killed the
fatted calf, and upon it you will be fjeasted, in
token of our appreciation of your exalted worth ;
and as you surround the table of reunion with
loved and cherished friends and companions of
your youthful days, you will find, while joy and
gladness shall abound, and mirth and song and
dance shall speed on the happy hours of this
reunion, that this is not entirely an occasion of
unmixed festive enjoyment. Room will be left to
drop the tear of affection over the vacant chair,
and over the graves of those we loved and honored
twenty, forty, sixty years ago. To them is due
much of your success in life. Their careful super-
vision of your early education, the sterling worth
of the early settlers of Rushford, their examples
of economy, virtue, honesty and strict integrity
have left an imperishable impress upon your
characters. And so we find that this reunion of
Rushford's sons and daughters is composed of an
array of talent seldom equalled, and it impresses
the mind with the transcendent value of our in-
stitutions, which open to the rich and poor alike
throughout our vast domain opportunities to
acquire fortune and fame. Rushford with her aca-
demic halls has furnished members to our State
Legislature and to our National Congress and
United States Senate, and also a Governor to the
Empire State, and many to other positions of trust
and honor. She has also furnished her full quota
of officers and men for our victorious armies, many
of whom now sleep beneath the sod of a southern
clime, with nothing but the green and waving grass
to mark their resting place. We have heard with
pleasure and pride of the promotion of many who
have left their Rushford homes, to posts of trust

and honor in other States. In addition to all these,
the agriculturists, artisans, commercial men, citizens
who represent all the industrial pursuits of life
that Rushford has thrown forth upon the world,
challenge the respect and admiration of every
community from Plymouth Rock to the golden
shore on the Pacific. Nor are the learned pro-
fessions wanting in illustrious examples reared
upon this sacred soil. Of them I need not speak,
for they will speak for themselves during their
stay with us, in strains of native eloquence. And
yet again, Rushford's sons and daughters have
plucked the fairest roses from the field of science.
While all I have said, and more, is true of
Rushford's children, I am not left in wonder that
in your hearts welled up a yearning desire to
visit once more the magic spot that has given
to the world so rich a legacy. There is a phil-
osophy closely connecting a people with the land
of their birth. God, Nature, divine revelation
and humanity in its normal condition are all in
harmony. Hence the lovely scenery, beautiful
landscapes, healthful, invigorating breezes, en-
larged and comprehensive views of nature in her
sublimest moods, witnessed and enjoyed by your
mothers and yourselves during your early exist-
ence, have left an impress upon your minds and
assisted to form characters that will continue to
exert a salutary influence which will reach ever
onward and upward throughout the boundless
cycles of eternity. This glorious old town of
Rushford, with landscape views extending into
several towns, itself but a succession of lofty,
luxuriant hills and fertile valleys, with its beautiful
rivulets, in its original form, separating the waters
upon its summit, to find their meandering way to
replenish the exhausted streams under the burning
sun of a Southern clime, or to mollify the freezing
current of our Northern lakes, is one of the spots
upon this green and rolling earth where the true

lover of nature would like to be born; therefore,
in conclusion, I repeat, Welcome to these sylvan
shades and cool retreats; welcome to these
academic halls, where, under the tuition of Sayles,
Buck and scores of other learned instructors, you
together learned to climb the hill of science;
welcome to the holy places where sleep your
buried dead; welcome to our mountain homes;
welcome, yea, thrice welcome to our hearts; and
should we never meet again on earth, be assured
that this reunion we to-day are permitted to
witness and enjoy is typical of that never ending
reunion that God, the Father of our spirits, has
reserved for all his children.

l&iOftmBi to Wiltam at l^ttsihmt W. M. ^mif.

Rev. H. C. Woods.
Mr. President:

This is the highest peak of privileged honor in
a life time, to be permitted the rare enjoyment of
such an eloquent, enthusiastic, whole-hearted and
warm-handed welcome to our native town, and
then to stand here for all the thousands and voice
their acceptance in this great Centennial celebra-
tion. I was in this hall fifty years ago a lad.
Before forgetting it, let me say we accept this
welcome, and with all the eagerness of the girl,
Mary, who had been courted for seven years
without a definite word from John, when she said
to him one Sunday night at 12:45: "John, I've
been thinking it over, and have made up my
mind that if you want me you can have me." To
which he very suddenly said, "Why, yes, Mary,
that's just what I do want. Why didn't you say
so long ago? " We have been waiting and long-
ing for this invitation, and here we are, and we
are yours. It is quite apropos that the Bush
should welcome the Woods. Soon after the war
this gallant Captain so admired the natural ad-
vantages of Rushford that he went out foraging

REV. HENRY C. WOODS

and confiscated one of its loveliest Hills for the
culture of an improved variety of Bushes,

You invited us to come back, and here we are,
like the new baby, " From out of the Everywhere
into the here."

From all the century's increase and scatterings
of migration, in the cities of the east and beyond
the Mississippi, we put ear to the ground and heard
sounds of a stir in Old Rushford. It was as earn-
est as those familiar lines in the Old Town's 4th
Reader:

" 'Come back! Come back! ' He cried in grief,
Across the stormy water,
' And I'll forgive your Highland Chief,
My daughter! Oh! my daughter.' "

For one hundred years you have been prepar-
ing for the event; and coming back into this valley
over the hills that kept out railroads so long, we
find the purest air, the sweetest spring water, the
most restful religious peace and enthusiastic de-
votion, the finest singers and players, the best
cooks, the prettiest girls, old and young, we have
ever found in all our wanderings. We do not for-
get those earliest sunrises, and most welcome sun-
sets of farm life, with the sweetest tones of the old
tin horn at high noon.

It seems easy to believe here and now in these
glad reunions that " The whole round world is
every way bound by golden chains about the feet
of God." The first comers of a century ago, my
own distinguished great grandsire and his daugh-
ter, Nancy, my father's mother of sainted memory,
came thro' the snows of mid-winter bringing coals
of fire in a kettle of ashes. They also brought
the fires of patriotism, Grandsire, himself, a
veteran of the Revolution from Connecticut, and
of devotion to God's Word and Son, whose loyal
liege lords they were, a heaven-patented nobility,
from New England's rugged hills and with its
sterling character. They went out like Abraham

from Chaldea "not knowing," except it was to
Range 2, Town 5, of the Holland Purchase, and
into the virgin forest to carve out homes. That
ancestor, who lived here until eight days after I
came myself (he doubtless thought it safe to go
then), has been succeeded by a lineage of over
two hundred. The largest number, as far as I can
learn, being seventy- seven and in the branch of
the famous " First White Woman." And she was
white, and one of the first and best in the land.
The only living grandchild is here, Mrs. Champlin
of Cuba.

Again — Here we are, and glad we are to be
here. You will say, perhaps: " Glad to see you're
back from the front," as to the starved Irish soldier,
who replied, " Bedad, I know I'm thin, but didn't
think you'd see clear thro' me like that." What
books of remembrance are being opened and read
here this week. The wireless reports that will go
on the Recording Angel's pages for eternity were
never so pathetic and sweet as these greetings
with tears and kisses this day in one-hundred-
years-old Rushford. Like the time of return from
the captivity in Jerusalem, the noise of them that
wept over the loss of old friends and the old tem-
ple and the shouting of joyous youth could not be
distinguished. The yarns and folk-lore of a cen-
tury are reproduced, but of them all the Rushford
Spectator has gotten the start with the fishiest fish
story of all. If I had only known of this way fifty
years ago !

" Fish Milk Cows.

" Mr. Atwater, whose pasture is along Canan-
daigua Lake, found that the flow of milk was rap-
idly decreasing. He watched his cows as they
went into the lake to get rid of the flies on their
legs, and discovered that they were being milked
by carp."

We think of many who are not here to-day, for
they went never to come back to this royal wel-

come. God bless their sacred and precious mem-
ories. Over two hundred men of Rushford served
in their country's armies, seven in the Revolution
(before coming here, of course), ten in the war of
1812, and 187 in the Civil War. Many went into
the ministry. People usually feel safe about such,
tho' not always. The old mother hen consoled
herself about the loss of her best chicken, Billy,
after a convention of ministers had been held in
the town, saying that Billy had entered the min-
istry, and he never would have been of much ac-
count in the laity, anyhow. In many occupations
others have proved themselves worthy and merit
our praises. We recall lawyers, teachers, bankers,
and especially our own great and distinguished
first citizen, who became one of the best and
purest Governors this Empire State ever had,
Frank Wayland Higgins. I would he were here
to-day! For six years I lived near his home and
found him a true man, one to be proud of!

We thank you for this welcome, and feel a new
birth of love for our dear old Rushford home.

Ellen Lyman,
mormonism.
The Mormon, or Latter Day Saint, movement,
under Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Lord, be-
gan in 1830, and when it will end no man can
prophesy. The first regular church was instituted
at Manchester, New York, in April, 1830, and
contained only six members, of which Joseph
Smith was the chief. Soon after Sidney Rigdon
and a man by the name of Pratt joined the ranks
and were made elders. The first of these, Rigdon,
was famous throughout this region as a powerful
expounder of the faith, and a very successful
proselyter. A few years ago there were many
living here who could testify to his wonderful
power. At the time of Joseph Smith's death, he

claimed the right to the presidency, but was de-
feated by Brigham Young, and cut off from the
church.

For a time Rushford seemed to be a center of
their activities. Meetings were held by Rigdon
and others in the school. houses of the town, and
in many private houses. Just at this time fashion
decreed that the coats worn by gentlemen should
have the sleeves fulled at the top. The resident
minister of the Methodist denomination bought a
new coat. As it had the fashionable sleeve, to
which many of the members objected, it caused a
division in the church. The elders of the Mormon
faith were not slow to take advantage of it. Con-
verts were numerous, and many were baptized
near the place where the old school house on the
Creek Road stood. It was there the cavalcade
formed when they started on their journey to Kirt-
land, O. Most of the converts were strong,
robust men and women, determined to make a
success of the new doctrine, but the citizens of
Kirtland were not well-disposed toward them, and
soon they removed to Nauvoo, 111., where they
built a famous temple. Polygamy dates from
about this time.

Among the many to whom the new doctrine
strongly appealed were Mrs. Eliza Ann Phelps
and Fraser Eaton, the first of whom, Mrs. Phelps,
went as far as Nauvoo, but, becoming disaffected
by the new teaching, polygamy, returned to Ohio,
renounced the faith, and later joined the Metho-
dists.

Mr. Eaton was a prosperous farmer, occupying
and owning the place now known as the Clark
Woods farm, and a prominent merhberand worker
in the Methodist Church. He disposed of his
property, which was large for the time, andjoined
the numbers who gathered for their then long
journey. It was said he converted all his means
into silver, of which he had a peck. Not many

years after he returned poor in purse and broken
in health and spirits, and never seemed to regain
his former thrift. There are no members of that
belief living here now, though there are some in
the County.

TEMPERANCE.

Next in point of time comes the temperance
movement, which in origin, rapid spread, influence
and enthusiasm, was the wonder of the day. The
prohibition laws of 1840 were inseparably con-
nected with the name of Neal Dow. It was
during this year that the old Washington Society
was formed, and Rushford contained many mem-
bers. In fact, it has always as a town been allied
with all temperance movements, the Sons of
Temperance, the Good Templars (during the
sixties there was a flourishing lodge in town), and
now the W. C. T. U., an organization which has
come to stay. The local union was instituted in
1882 by Mrs. Rosina Damon Evans. Mrs. Harvey
Alderman of this village was its first president.
It has done good work for the temperance cause,
and is still laboring for its best interests. The
first years of its existence it was instrumental in
securing the services of Horace Bemis, a prominent
jurist of western New York, and none who heard
him will easily forget his brilliant addresses, de-
livered in the Methodist Church. Later, in 1887,
P. A. Burdick of Alfred was here for some time,
and during his stay there occurred a great religious
as well as temperance revival. The town is with-
out license, and has been for a number of years.

SPIRITUALISM.

To the little village of Hydeville, in Wayne
County, New York, belongs the distinction of
being the place where originated the most
mysterious, wonderful and wide-spread phenom-
enon since the world began. In less than ten
years its avowed adherents were estimated at one
and one-half million.

The revelations were introduced into Rochester
from Hydeville; they acquired great notoriety, and
came to be known as the " Rochester Knockings."

Rushford had much to do in this movement
called Spiritualism, though many who gave this
matter attention, and listened to the so-called
manifestations, were only investigators and some
of them quite skeptical. They knew there was
much claimed by mediums that was not real, not
from those departed, but there were messages,
such as automatic writing and table-tipping by
alphabet, that seemed to come from the other side
of existence.

About the year 1852 or '53 a young girl of
about twelve years, by the name of Cora L. U.
Scott, whose mother was Lodency, a daughter of
Oliver Butterfield, began speaking to small gath-
erings of so-called Spiritualists in Cuba, Rushford
and adjoining towns; a few years later she spoke
in the old Rushford Academy on Correlation and
Conservation of Force, the subject being given
her at the time by Professor Buck, who was then
in charge. Those who heard her were greatly
interested, and considered the subject handled
eloquently and logically. She is now Mrs. Cora
L. U. Scott Richmond, of Chicago.

Some of us are accustomed to consider the
bloomers worn by some of the women, the long
hair of the men and other fads as a part of the
spiritualist belief, but it was not. A portion of the
members considered the dress more cleanly and
convenient, so adopted it.

About fifty years ago, many of the members
here and in the adjoining town of Farmersville .
thought it best to build a hall or temple, in which
to hold meetings, and on what was known as the old
Hubbard place in Farmersville, a room was built
sixteen by thirty feet, and was peculiar in this, that
it had no windows and was entered by a trap door.
Many of our townspeople attended the meetings
held here.

The " ism," if we may so call it, has been violently
opposed and ridiculed, but notwithstanding all this,
there is a large number who believe that the
mind, after leaving the body, still knows, and can,
under favorable conditions, manifest itself through
human mediumship.

REVIVALS.

Revivals of religious feeling and interest, at-
tended with great accessions to the various de-
nominations of Christians, have not been infre-
quent from the earliest period of the country's
settlement, and our town has had a part in most
of them.

In 1857-58 occurred what was called the
" Great Awakening." It did not depend so
much upon any leader or preacher, however elo-
quent, and was far from being denominational,
but seemed to be an outgrowth of need felt in
common by the people who had just passed
through that financial tornado of 1857, which
swept over the land and gave weight to the truth
that " the things which are seen are temporal."
Old residents have told us that, though our town
felt the depression, yet the religious awakening was
of incalculable benefit. The meetings held here
at that time were mostly in the Baptist Church,
and resulted in the organization of religious so-
cieties in the near-by towns, as well as large addi-
tions to the membership of the local churches.
The rite of baptism was administered nearly every
month.

About thirty-eight years ago a company ot
men, old and young, called the Praying Band,
came into the County to hold meetings. The
people of this town felt the necessity of a more
general attention to religious matters, so they
were invited to come to Rushford. Warren
Damon and W. H Leavens went to Wiscoy,
then Mixville, after them. The band consisted of
eight or nine members, of which Bolles, Corey

and Father Hard are distinctly remembered. The
meetings were successful, arousing the whole
town, and many were the accessions to the
churches.

Later, in 1875-6, the waves of the great revival
movement under Dwight L. Moody reached even
our little town. Since then there have been local
revivals under different evangelists, and as an out-
come there have been additions to the churches,
possibly as many in proportion as in larger com-
munities.

POLITICS.

Politics, as one of our old residents was accusr
tomed to say, are the worst kind of ticks that ever
troubled man or beast; but, much as they may
annoy, there is a sort of satisfaction in belonging
to one of the organizations, especially if it happens
to be the one that is popular.

The town has always been enthusiastic over the
political issues of the day, and many have "been
the battles of words between the opposing parties.
I remember hearing some of the first settlers dis-
cussing the views of the Federalists and Anti-
Federalists of the days of our first Presidents ;
later the Anti-Federalists became the Democrats,
and at the time of William Henry Harrison's
election the political parties were Whigs and
Democrats. That campaign of 1840, the result of
which made Harrison President, was a year of
great excitement, and differed from previous years
in, at least, one respect, the number of political
songs that helped arouse the country, — " Tippe-
canoe and Tyler too — 'Tis then we will beat litde
Van," being specimens. Some writers claim
that Harrison was literally sung into the presi-
dency. Beside the parties mentioned as belong-
ing to that time, we have the Free Soilers, the
Know-Nothings or Americans, and numberless
parties of later times. In fact, all organizations

of whatever stripe have had their adherents
among us.

During some of the campaigns societies of men
and boys were formed, going from town to town
attending the poUtical gatherings; those of note
were the Barn Burners, the Silver Greys, the
Rail- Splitters, the Wide Awakes, etc. Even the
campaigns had names, the Log Cabin and Hard
Cider being memorable.

I must not forget the Abolitionists, of whom
there were a number in our midst and many
were the colored people who found friends, John
Holmes being one, to help them by way of the
underground railway to Canada and freedom.

ItllB of )Ru0^nt:i>.

Katherine Baldwin.

For over sixty years there has dwelt in our midst
an old pioneer. To-day his voice rings out as full
and clear as in the days of our fathers. Faithful
indeed has he been to his abiding place !

The sons and daughters of the town have grown
from childhood to age and gone their way into
the world, yet the old town Bell still rings in
the belfry tower. How closely is its history
woven into the history of our town ! Before the
Academy was built, and while the Methodist
Church was still a cherished dream, when those
whose hair is now white were in their youth, the
village Bell became a part of Rushford.

Purchased by public subscription, and placed
with our Baptist friends as the most convenient
and safe dwelling place, the old Bell holds a place
not alone in the town's history, but in the hearts of
the people as well. And what interesting bits of
legend and history might it not tell us, if only the
sounds from its iron tongue were intelligible to us !

In olden times people rose and slept, went to
their daily duties, attended church, celebrated their
festivities; yea, even passed into the great un-

known at the ringing of the Bell. We are told
that at the early hour of five the call came for ap-
prentices to arise; at nine o'clock it was rung for
school, at twelve o'clock for noon, and at nine for
apprentices to stop work. I doubt not that the
youth of to-day are counting themselves fortunate
indeed not to have lived in the good old days,
when people rose with the lark and retired with
the chickens.

And those of you who are more than forty
years young can remember with what awesome
feelings and deep solemnity you Hstened to the
tolling of the Bell when a friend or neighbor had
passed away. Ten rapid strokes, and then the
slow and measured tolKng, telling one by one the
years of the departed. A most solemn reminder
of the passing from life to eternity ! " Forever
and ever," it seemed to say, " Passing away ! Pass-
ing away !"

After awhile the old Bell had a duty to per-
form, a grave responsibility; namely, to tell the
passing hours for the new Town Clock. Every-
one is familiar with the incident which occurred
soon after its arrival. It seems a part of the
townspeople thought we were more in need of a
fire apparatus than a clock, and when, soon after
the purchase of the clock, the flames broke out in
the Globe Hotel, the anti's yelled, " Bring up
your clock and put out the fire !"

The great events of the town have in no way
interfered with its performance of duty. Floods,
fires, frosts and droughts have come and gone.
Its face has thrice been blackened by smoke, but
it has never failed to respond in time of need, not
excepting the Fourth of July, when its old heart
throbs vigorously, and it loudly voices its patri-
otic sentiments. The peacefully disposed inhab-
itants, aroused from sweet slumber, are wont to
wish then that the old Bell was tongue-tied.

It has almost as many variations of tone and

expression as has the human voice. Who has
not felt a thrill of terror at the first rapid stroke
of the fire alarm, or caught the spirit of wild en-
thusiasm at a presidential campaign blow-out, or
felt the deep peace and sweet-toned invitation of
the Sabbath morning Bells ?

Who knows but it has its days of sorrow and
its days of mirth, along with the rest of us ! It
must have its playful moods, for we all remember
the time when a wedding was about to take place
in the Baptist Church, and promptly on the stroke
of twelve the " Wedding March " was to announce
the arrival of the wedding party, but alas! the
old clock, which up to that moment had ticked
faithfully, now failed entirely to strike, thus caus-
ing dire confusion. It was whispered that a
spirit of mischief had taken hold of one of our
village youths that day, and that he was in league
with the Town Clock. At any rate, the Spectator
thought it necessary to remark, the following
week: " Seems as tho' the Old Clock would be
'most ashamed to show its face after the caper it
cut up last week."

Not far from the Town Bell, and still nearer in
the hearts of the people, is the Academy Bell.
The Academy, itself, has been altered much, and
many improvements have been added since the
time it was built. No doubt to the scholars of
many years ago, who have returned to visit old
scenes, the interior at least will appear new and
strange; but one thing remains unchanged — the
sound of the School Bell will bring back old
memories and old associations that nothing else
could call to life. " Do you remember," we all
say when we hear the bell, " how we sat in that
seat, and the pranks we played on the teacher,
the initials we cut on the desk, and the time we
were locked up in the belfry ? " Oh ! those were
happy, care-free days, and it is strange that at the
mere chiming of the bell so many seemingly for-
gotten things should flock to our minds.

Of more recent years are the Presbyterian and
Methodist Bells, the Presbyterian having come
and gone with the rise and fall of its denomina-
tion in our village, and now graces a church in
Houghton. The Methodist Bell was purchased
but a short time ago, and while it is lacking in
the time-honored associations of the others, yet it
is dedicated to the memory of two men, of whom
Rushford has ever been proud: Milton Woods,
whose life was a sweet song, the echo of which
never dies away, but reaches even to the Glory
Land; and Alamanzo Litchard, whose name is a
synonym for the virtues that belong to a God-
fearing, public-spirited gentleman.

The Bells of Rushford are to us all Memory

Bells.

Sweet Memory Bells! Their witching chimes
Have charms as dear as olden rhymes.
We hear them oft at twilight hour,
When sets the sun and shuts the flower.
Oh, happy bells! Oh, chiming bells!
The clear, sweet bells of memory.
When Luna's mystic silver light
Bathes hill and dale at noon of night.
Men's voices ring with magic strain,
Breaking the calm with sweet refrain.
Oh, happy bells! Oh, chiming bells!
The pure, sweet bells of memory.
Telling of childhood's joyous lays.
And hopes and fears of by-gone days.
Of bridal vows and farewells said,
And solemn dirges for the dead.
Oh, mournful bells! Oh, chiming bells!
The sad, sweet bells of memory.
Soon, soon our weary feet shall tread
That land where no sad tears are shed.
Soon wc shall clasp the hands of friends,
Where with the song no discord blends.
Oh, happy bells! Oh, chiming bells!
The dear, sweet bells of memory.

mh^vtns (Etxstama.

Julia Tarbell Merrill.
It seems unfortunate that we are able to ob-
tain only meagre accounts of the old-time customs
and conditions, and these were largely gathered by
inducing the older inhabitants to drop their fish
lines into memory's pond for stories and incidents
which were left there long ago. However, it needs
no written history to prove that the hardships
were great and that there were many amusing as
well as perilous experiences. Primitive indeed
were the beginnings, scarce and rude the imple-
ments with which to work, both indoors and out.
This must of necessity have been so, as some,
like Oziah Taylor, who began life in the woods
with only what he brought on his back and sev-
enty-five cents in money. He spent the money
for an axe. Others came here from Vermont,
Massachusetts and other Eastern States, bringing
their families, all their possessions and provisions
to last for months, on a single sled or wagon. On
arriving at their destination the first thing was
shelter; trees were felled, the logs made ready,
and as soon as possible the house was built.
Oftentimes the roof was of branches or bark, and
blankets supplied the place of doors ; holes were
sawed through the logs for windows, and in place
of glass oiled paper was used, or white cloth if
they had it; in some instances a hole in the
roof served for a chimney, later chimneys were
built on the outside of basswood slats filled
in with mud. The floors were of logs split
in half and hewed down smooth ; these were
called puncheon floors. The bedsteads were
poles placed on long pegs, with boughs of trees in
place of straw for beds — a rude cross leg table
was made, and also stools for chairs. At first
no ploughs were needed, nor could be used, the
settlers simply planted their grain among the
roots and stumps ; when ready to harvest, it was

cut with a sickle and threshed with a flail on hard
ground, which was previously prepared and swept
smooth for that purpose; sometimes small quanti-
ties were pounded out in wooden troughs. The
first plows were rude wooden affairs, the first
drags were made by cutting a crotched tree
of such shape that two of the branches would
lie flat, the body being used for a tongue ;
across the branches another piece was fastened
in which holes were bored and wooden pegs
driven through for teeth. The early settlers
had at first to go to Batavia to mill, and a
little later to East Pike for grinding. As it was
so far, they would often pound up some of their
rye or corn in wooden troughs or in a hollow
stone. It would take a woman all day to pound
enough for a loaf of bread. It was a long journey
for a man to take a bag of grain on his back and
carry it to mill; sometimes a neighbor would lend
his oxen and sled, and frequently several neigh-
bors would hire one who had a yoke of oxen to
take their grain to mill. The sleds were made
by cutting a small tree with limbs peculiarly shaped
to form runners, a cross piece put on and the bags
of grain piled up; the body of the tree was used
for the tongue of the sleds. Being obliged to
stay over night they slept on beds extemporized
from bags of grain.

The housewife also worked under many diffi-
culties ; pancakes were baked in a spider with legs
three or four inches long, bread and johnny cake
in an iron bake-kettle with legs and cover; coals
were placed under and on the top of the ketde;
sometimes pancakes and johnny cakes were
baked on a plank in front of the fire; a lug pole
was fastened up over the fire place with long
iron hooks on which meat was hung to cook, with
a dish underneath to catch the " drippings." As
conditions improved, brick and stone ovens were
built, and a crane with its hooks adorned the fire-

place. To bake in these ovens, they would build
a fire, and when the stones or brick were hot,
rake out the coals, sweep out the oven, then put
in their meat, bread or cake, and shut it up.
Brooms were made of swamp birch and hickory;
the piece of wood cut in splints, turned up and
tied, then the splints turned down and tied again,
but very often hemlock or pine branches were used
for brooms. For a mop, a piece of board was
utilized, if they could get it; if not, a stick as long
as the mop was to be and about a foot in diameter,
hewn down at one end, through which auger holes
were bored and rags tied through them, the other
end shaped for a handle.

In place of soda or salaratus for use in baking
the housewife burned corn cobs, poured hot water
over the ashes and used the lye to raise her bread
or cake. Money was scarce, and about the only
way of obtaining it was in selling black salts.
Trees were felled, piled and burned; from the
ashes a lye was made, and then boiled down until it
crystallized into a hard substance called black salts,
or later pearl ash (it would be interesting to know
that our salaratus is made from this same " pearl
ash " by another process). The making of black
salts was a common source of revenue, but the
price paid, two dollars and a half or three dollars
per hundred pounds, was hardly commensurate
with the labor required, and it also had to be
taken many miles to market, at first as far as Buf-
falo; later asheries were built. Black salts, pelts
and sugar were the chief articles with which the
settlers had to procure the necessities of life, and
only the black salts brought money.

Sugar making was difficult; the sap was caught
for the most part in wooden troughs with wooden
sap spouts; sometimes a deep notch was cut in
the tree to form a basin and the sap dipped out.
Sap troughs were used as cradles for babies and
smaller wood troughs used in place of dishes on

the table. Many times there not being stools
enough for all to sit down, the children would
stand around the table, take their rye bread or
johnny cake and dip info the central dish of veni-
son, or whatever it happened to be.

The first potatoes were brought to Rushford by
Holton Colburn in a pair of boots; he came on
foot from Rochester with a pair of boots slung
over his shoulder, filled with potatoes which a
friend gave him; they were blue potatoes, and
considered a fine variety for many years. In 1811
or 1 8 1 2 Wm. Vaughn brought from Vermont some
apple seeds in his trousers pocket. From them
many of the orchards in the south part of the town
sprang; the orchards on the Wilmarth,' Bos worth
and Vaughn farms especially. The trees years
ago used to bear better, for in after years seventy
or eighty bushels of apples were gathered from a
single tree, and from one tree on the Vaughn farm
one hundred bushels were gathered. Mrs. Abi-
gail Bowen Gordon also brought apple seeds from
Vermont, raised the trees which form the orchard
on the farm where Bowen Gordon now lives;
many of these trees are still standing.

Very early, stewed pumpkin was used for sauce
and considered a treat. Many times when the
larder was nearly empty, a circuit rider stopping
for the night at the home of a settler had nothing
to eat but stewed pumpkin and milk. When black-
berry bushes sprang up the settlers were much
pleased, as they enjoyed the fruit. Some had friends
back at the old home who would send a few dried
apples. Fathers and mothers would go without
bread for weeks so the children could have it — the
bread was usually made of rye flour or corn meal,
there was no bolted flour in those days.

Deer were plentiful, and venison formed the
chief article of diet, but some men were not good
hunters. David Vaughn was a " mighty hunter"
and often neighbors, when hard pressed for meat.

would get him to go hunting for them; all he
asked was that they should work on the farm
in his place. We are not told what was done
in case he failed to obtain any game, the supposi-
tion is, he never failed. The deer were so tame
they were often seen near the houses, and at the
deerlicks sometimes a long line of them could be
seen. The skins of deer were used for whip-lashes
and for clothes. We are told a young man had a
pair of deer skin pants made without tanning the
hide; he wore them in the rain and when they
dried they shrank all out of shape.

When a settler owned a cow he was well off;
the cows were pastured on the common and usually
wore a bell so they could be found. To churn,
the cream was put in a large bottle or jug and was
shaken until they had butter. Sometimes two or
three neighbors who owned cows would put the
milk together and make cheese; it was pressed in
a four-quart or peck measure, according to size,
and for a press placed under a log. It was often
a long time before a barn was built, and some men
would get up nights to chase their cows around so
they would not freeze. Near every cabin a small
patch of flax was raised; the women spun and wove it
into cloth for clothes and general use. Sheep were
soon brought and then woolen clothes were also
made, but wolves were so numerous that at first it
was very difficult to keep sheep. Women spun
flax and sold it for five cents a knot; they spun
tow, wove it and then made bags for which
they received twenty-five cents each. They also
braided whip-lashes; David Vaughn bought a
horse for sixty dollars and paid it all by selling
whip-lashes. They killed the deer, tanned the
hides, then cut and braided lashes of six or seven
strands each. A settler's daughter braided and
sold whip-lashes enough to buy a silk dress.
Mrs. Wm. Weaver made a coat for a neighbor,
receiving one dollar for it, bought a bushel of

wheat and her husband cleared off enough land
to sow the whole of it that year.

The wash-boards of early time were simply a
piece of board and with a paddle called a " battle "
they pressed out the dirt. The time of day was
told by cutting notches on the door sill, if it faced
the south or was on the south side of the house; this
would answer well when the sun shone so they
could keep track of the shadow.

We must not think of the people as being dis-
couraged; they were doubtless as happy as we
of to-day are. Their social life combined health-
fulness with fun; log-rollings, husking-bees, spell-
ing schools, raisings, besides the evening visits.
We are told that after log-rolling, when supper
was over they would sing hymns and songs and
visit. The nearest neighbor might be three or
four miles distant; they had no conveyance but
an ox team and sled, no road but blazed trees, yet
they would go for the evening; ofttimes there
was very little to offer a guest, but they did not
worry; they had as good as their neighbors, which
was sometimes only potatoes and salt. Mrs. Chap-
man Brooks often told of the first time she was
invited out to tea; it was at Samuel Person's, who
then lived where Dr. Bixby's house now stands,
Mr. Person's family were considered well-to-do,
and had the best things of any one around; they
had wooden plates and wooden forks and some
pewter dishes. For supper there was johnny-
cake, sage tea and fried pork. The pork was
fried, cut in small pieces and put on the pewter
platter in the centre of the table; as there was no
butter, each would reach over, take a small piece
of pork as a relish for the johnnycake; a lump of
sugar was suspended by a string and hung over
the table ; each in turn would take a bite as it was
swung to and fro. Cow cabbage, called poor
man's cabbage, was cooked and eaten; and some,
at times, had little else. The first hen on record

here was brought by a woman on the Centreville
road. Some one gave her a hen and fifteen eggs;
she set the hen and raised the first chickens in
Rushford, Chas. Swift is said to have had the
first horses here.

When the settlers began to build barns and
larger houses, it was customary at a " raising " to
have a keg of whiskey. Wm. Weaver decided
to omit the drink when his barn was raised and
have a good supper; the men gathered and began
to inqilire for a drink; finding there was no whis-
key, many said if he was too stingy to furnish
drink they would go home, and they went, but
enough remained to raise the barn. Usually a
bottle of whiskey was broken on one of the plates
and the building named; that day the young men
broke a bottle of water and named the barn the
" Flight of the Drunkard."

After a few years, spelling schools were com-
mon and in 1822 the school at Cady-town sent a
challenge to several schools and among them
to Rushford; Julana Perry, of Rushford, only
12 years old, spelled the schools down. School
houses were made of logs, and in case of
spelling schools or preaching were lighted by
torches in the evening; there were benches around
the sides and no desks. To go with ox sleds,
whether the ground was bare or not, was common
for there were no roads, only bridle paths, blazed
trees and Indian trails, and so many mud holes or
stumps and logs, it was safer. When horses were
to be had, young men would go to the merry-mak-
ings on horseback, taking their best girls up be-
hind them. Wolves and bears were plentiful and
occasionally a panther was seen; the wolves were
very troublesome and a law was passed giving a
bounty for the scalps of wolves and panthers. A
young man by the name of Wilson living at Cane-
adea came to Rushford to see a Freeman girl
whom he afterwards married; he was a " fiddler "

and often played for dances. Going home one
night after a dance the wolves chased him; he took
refuge in a deserted old hut and the wolves fol-
lowed. Wilson began playing, and was obliged to
play until daylight when the wolves slunk away.
He played first for the boys and girls, then for the
wolves.

The settlers were kind to one another. Pota-
toes were scarce and many had none at all.
Chas. Swift, who kept a tavern on the English
farm, had a quantity ; a stranger offered him a
good price for all he had and pay the money down.
" No," said Mr. Swift, " my neighbors have none,
and they are in need of them and can pay me in
work." Postage on a letter was twenty-five cents;
the one to whom it was addressed having to pay.
Often no money was to be had to pay the post-
age and sometimes it would be weeks before they
could get it. Ozial Taylor hewed out sap troughs
and sold them in order to get the money for a let-
ter. Many others went through similar experi-
ences. We are also told that some had arrange-
ments made that a little mark on the letter would
mean " All well," and the one to whom it was
addressed would look at it and seeing the " All
well " sign, would get some satisfaction in case
he had no money and could not get the letter.

Although there were no churches, the settlers
were for the most part not forgetful of God and
the Sabbath day. Saturday afternoon many quit
work and prepared for Sunday. The blessing was
not only asked at the beginning of the meal in
many families, but the head of the house arose and
returned thanks at the conclusion.

Many amusing incidents occurred. Rev. Tom
Pratt used to tell that a young couple came to
him to be married; the young man said, " I have
no money, nothing to pay you with but if you will
marry us I will bring you a pig." The Rev. Pratt
married them and three or four months later the

young man appeared with a blue spotted pig
under his arm and gave it to Mr. Pratt.

One day Warren Bannister was dressing a
sheep. A neighbor seeing him said, "What,
Elder Bannister, meat again ?" " You should not
say ' meat again,' that implies we were out of
meat; you should say 'more meat,' that would
imply we had meat," replied Mr. Bannister.

Mr. Gary kept a hotel and used to say he
brought the fire from beyond the Genesee river
and had never let it go out. The Indians used
to buy bread of him, and would sometimes ask
for bread, promising to bring venison later; they
always brought it. At one time the Indians took
sixpence worth and would pay in " two moons";
when the time was up they left two quarters of
venison hanging on a post. The Indians were
very glad to exchange venison for pork, which
was a scarce article. Rev. Tom Pratt used to say
that the pork barrel was often nearly empty and
as it neared the last the pioneer would reach
down, take up a piece, look at it and then drop it
back. All he could think of was, " Hark from the
tombs a doleful sound."

My grandmother, Hannah Walker Tarbell, used
to feed the Indians as they passed her cabin
on their way back and forth from the Genesee
to the Allegheny rivers, and the Indians thought
much of her. The " white woman," Mary Jami-
son, and one of her children called there once.
Ben Hudson, the chief, with a party ot Indians
often would stop and the Indians called her the
" good squaw," and sometimes she would find a
quarter of venison hanging near her door.

Many can remember when the first matches
were brought here. Samuel Persons was much
interested in the novelty and starting to light one
burned up the whole box. At one time tobacco
was very scarce; the nearest distributing point
where supplies could be obtained was Cuylerville.

A young man wanting to go to a dance had no
shoes; he cut off some leather from a saddle and
made himself a pair of pumps. When they killed
hogs, they would blow up the bladders, tan them
in some way and make children's nightcaps of
them, fit to the head and bind around with a little
slip of cloth. Mrs. C. M. Alley says she has
heard her mother, Mrs. Chapman Brooks, tell of
going to East Pike on horseback and of buying
blue calico for a dress, paying fifty cents per yard;
she also bought a half yard of factory cloth to
make Mr. Brooks a dickey.

Lonely indeed must have been their lot at times;
the wolves howling around their log cabins, their
nearest neighbor two or three miles away, and
sometimes farther. The comforts and many of
the necessities of life were lacking. The first
settlers, before they started, obtained information
and descriptions of the country from the land
office or of some surveyor, and armed with this
plunged boldly into the woods, having to make
their own roads after leaving the last settlement
behind them; one would choose a valley, the next
wanted his home on a hill, but the site for the house
was usually near a spring. If it was a long dis-
tance from any neighbor, a cabin built of poles
was made first, simply because a man could not
build a log house alone. In case of sickness or of
trouble it was customary to blow a horn to call
neighbors, providing the neighbor was within
hearing distance; also when members of the family
or other friends expected, did not arrive on time,
a horn was blown to guide them. A young couple
going to a wedding, lost their way; knowing that
they intended coming and had not arrived, a horn
was blown at intervals which the lost ones heard,
and, guided by the sound, arrived safely. As it
was some time before a physician located, near
even, a woman, who happened to be a good nurse
in sickness, would be called upon to go miles to care

for the sick. It was so thinly settled that for sev-
eral years they had to go as far as " Morgan Stand "
to get men enough for a raising. Rushford grew
beyond all other places around and in a few years
many of these difficulties had vanished.

In telling the story we have to take the condi-
tions of the earliest settlers and that of the ma-
jority into consideration. Even the few, who came
here with means, were obliged to put up with
many discomforts; it could not be otherwise when
they journeyed to Albany for supplies, three hun-
dred miles away.

I want to go back to Rushford — back to the old home

town,
Where the friends I knew were true as blue, and some

of great renown ;
Where the grasp of a hand was rugged, but the clasp was

firm and true ;
And the eyes of the man behind them, looked honest and

frank at you.

I want to go back to Rushford, back among the hills,
Where one can remember the pleasures and banish the

world's ills;
To sit under the spreading elm tree, so tall and stately yet,
Where we romped and played as children — those joys

we'll ne'er forget.

Back to dear old Rushford, where a fellow has elbow-
room,

Where he's never afraid to cross the street for fear he'll
meet his doom.

I want to hear the music of the dear old Rushford Band,

And in the old Academy I long once more to stand.

I want to go back to Rushford and visit the little band.
And help loyally to commemorate the settling of the land ;
Back to the dear old home town, and the streets I've often

trod—
For that was as near, I reckon, as I've ever been to God.

^tlfaal lag J^aralif.

Arranged by Catherine Hyde Tarbell.
• Line of March.

From Agricultural Hall down the north side of
Main Street, crossing in front of the Tarbell
House to the south side of Main Street, and to
the school grounds.

Marshal Romaine Benjamin,

The Rushford Cornet Band,

The Pupils of each district of Rushford,

The Alumni of the Rushford High School,

The Philomatheans of the Rushford Academy.

The pupils were divided into companies, car-
rying United States flags, each company headed
by one of the High School boys acting as marshal.
They marched up the school walk to the review-
ing stand — the school building porch — then faced
to the left and marched to the center space on the
east side of the campus.

The Alumni and Philomatheans marched by
classes to the space on the east side of the campus
next the street. As each class was called the
members marched to the reviewing stand, where
they performed their stunts and then returned to
the space at the left of the pupils.

CLASS OF i9o8. II MEMBERS.

Represented by

Edith Poate, Jennie Wilmot, Ruth James,

Martha Williams, Gertrude Crowell, Estella Crowell.
Ethelyn Woods, Edith Howard,

Costume — Dressed as children, in white dresses with crimson
sashes.

Stunt— Class Yell

Clickety, Clackety, Rickety, Rate!

We are the class of 1908!

Loyal we'll be to the crimson and white

Rough though the storm and raging the fight.

Gladly we welcome you home for this day,

May you be happy in your lot alway.

a
m

la
a

K
o
o
f

CLASS OF 1907. 9 MEMBERS.
Represented by
Archie Lewis, impersonating Wm. J. Bryan— 16 to i banner.
Mary McFarland, G. N., impersonating Mrs. Bryan— Class

banner, gold and white.
Harrie Hall, impersonating Wm. H. Taft— G. O. P. banner.
Gwendolin Gibby, impersonating Mrs. Taft.
Stunt— One of us will occupy the White House. Which will
it be?

CLASS OF 1906. 6 MEMBERS.

Represented by
May Brady, Millie Metcalf, B. N.,

Louisa Hiarris, Winifred Merrell, G. N.,

Helen Murray,

Misses Brady, Metcalf, Merrell and Murray were dressed in
blue sprigged muslin made in the short waist and straight skirt
style of one hundred years ago. They were preceded by Miss
Harris, dressed in white with purple cap, and sash, bearing a
large gold banner with purple streamers.

Stunt — The miinuet curtsey.

CLASS OF 1905. 13 MEMBERS. ,
Mother Goose Characters.

Mother Goose Grace Hardy

Red and black peaked cap ; red and black gown ; large gray goose.

Little Bo- Peep Marena Woods, G. N. '08

Pink and white shepherdess' costume, crook.

The Maiden All-Forlorn Cora McElheny

Light blue gown, white cap and apron ; milk pail.

Red Riding-hood Frona Brockway, G. N. '07

Red cloak with hood; basket.

Little Miss Muflfet Winifred Hill, G. N. '08

Child's costume; spider.

Little Jack Horner Elliott Gibby, B. and S. '08

White ruffled blouse ; knickerbockers ; large sailor hat ; pie.

Queen of Hearts Elizabeth Poate, F. N. '07

White dress decorated with red hearts; gilt crown.

Tom the Piper's Son : . .Charles Damon

Brown Russian suit; with pig under arm.

The Fat Man from Bombay Grover Babbit

Appropriate costume.

Little Boy Blue William Calkins

Little boy's suit of blue; tin horn.

Simple Simon John Brady

Little boy's suit; burlesque Merry Widow hat; fish pole.

Old King Cole Greydon Davis

Gray wig and beard; blue and tan suit; black cape with ermine

border. Followed by the Messrs. Babbitt with violins

as his fiddlers three.

Old Mother Hubbard Clare Mason, Br. N.

Black peaked cap; black gown; cape; dog.
Class Banner — Large blue and gold banner.
Stunt — Each recited the couplet belonging to the character
he represented ; then all gave the class yell :
Razoo, Razoo, Rip, Rah Ree!
We beat the record, ten plus three.
Clickety, clackety, we're alive,
Rushford High School, Nineteen five!

CLASS OP 1904. 3 MEMBERS.
Represented by
Anna Merrill, Genevieve McCall.

Mliss Merrill wore a Spanish costume. Red silk skirt heavily
spangled; black velvet bodice; black lace mantilla over head;
cymbals. Miss McCall wore a red silk skirt; white waist; black
silk laced girdle; black lace mantilla over head; banjo.
Stunt — The Spanish song, "Juanita."

CLASS OP 1903. 9 MEMBERS.
Represented by

Allan Gilbert, C. U Impersonating Daniel Webster.

Mr. Gilbert explained that the rest of his class represented
famous American women, and called the roll.

Pocahontas Grace Fuller, G. N. '07

Beautiful Indian costume.
Response — "Ugh ! Me big Injun !"

Priscilla Katherine Baldwin

Puritan costume.
Response — "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?"

Martha Washington Ethel Tait, B. N. '07

Martha Washington costume.
Response— "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts
of his countrymen."

Barbara Frietchie Genevieve A. Pratt, B. N. '08

i860 costume.
Response — "Shoot, if you will, this old gray head, but spare my
country's flag, she said."

Carrie Nation Kate Proctor, C. U.

Plain black dress and bonnet; hatchet.
Response— "Down with the saloon, smash the saloon!"
Class Yell:

Flippity, Plippity, Flippity Flop!

We are, we are, at the top.

Zip, Boom, Za,

Rip, Rah, Ree

Rushford High School

1903!

CLASS OF 1902. I MEMBER.
Represented by
Ivucy Poate, F. N. '04.
Beautiful gold embroidered Oriental costume.
Donald Leavens in Japanese costume preceded Miss Poate. He
carried a Japanese lantern, upon which was the year '02.
Stunt — ^Obeisance and salutation in ceremonious Japanese.
CLASS OF 1901. s MEMBERS.
Ruth Laning, G. N. '07, Ethel King Babcock, B. N. '04,

Myrtee Metcalf Bush.
Silk gowns and straw bonnets of 1850.
Stunt — Deep curtsey.

CLASS OF 1900. 3 MEMBERS.
Represented by

Earl G. Taylor, R. B. C. '02 "Uncle Sam"

Star and stripe costume.

CLASS OP 1899. 5 MEMBERS.

Represented by
Carrie M. Tarbell, G. N., I. C. N.,
Frances M. Merrill, S. U.
Red Cross nurses' costume. Each carried a large bouquet of
purple clematis and golden rod.

CLASS OF 1897. 8 MEMBERS.
Represented by
Bessie Thomas, M. Raymond Atwell, S. U., '03,

S. Archie Taylor, Earl D. Kilmer, U. of B., '04.

Clarence H. Thomas, U. of B. '03.
Miss Thomas was dressed in white, large white hat trimmed
with red, riding a Shetland pony. Over her head a canopy of
red and white, from which depended streamers carried by four
young men of the class dressed in red trousers, white shirt
waists and red ties.
Stunt— Class Yell:

Are we in it?
Well — I guess !
Ninety-seven, ninety-seven,
R. H. S.!

CLASS OF 1896. 12 MEMBERS.
Represented by
Mary F. Calkins, G. N., '99, Grace Farewell-Lynde,
Grace Claus- Taylor, Ednah Merrill-Thomas, G. N., '99.

Edith Kendall-Pettit.
Costume — White dresses; garlands of large white daisies with
yellow streamers over right shoulder and crossing to left side.
Banner — ^White and gold.

Stunt— Class Yell:

Tu Lah, Tic Lah,
Tu Lie Tah!
Rushford, Rushford,
Rah, Rah, Rah!
We are, we are,
Two times six,
Rock Chalk, Jay Hawk,
Ninety-six I

CLASS OF 189s. II MEMBERS.
Represented by

Inez L. Leavens, G. N., '98, Rena N. Taylor,

Delia L. Mason, A. N. C, '02, Rene Merrill-Grove,

Grover Hall.
The ladies wore white dresses and large pink hats with green
tam crowns, trimmed with pink roses.
Mr. Hjall — ^Light flannel suit.

Mr Hall preceded the ladies, bearing a large pink and green
banner, heart shape. Four wide pink streamers, fastened to the
banner, were carried by the ladies.

Stunt— Song, "School Days" and Class Yell:
Kee-i, Kee-i, Kee-i Ki!
We are eleven of the Rushford High.
Are we in it?
Well, I guess.
Ninety-fivers, R. H. S.l

CLASS OF 1893. 4 MEMBERS.

May Gorden-Wilmot, Talcott Brooks, C. U., '01,

Margaret Kendall-Pratt, John A. Bush.

Costume — College cap and gown.
Large red and white banner with streamers.
Stunt— Class Yell:

Zepala, Zepala,
Boom, Hah, Hah!
Rushford, Ninety-three,
Rah, Rah, Rah!

CLASS OF 1889.
Cora Beaumont, G. N., '91.
Costume — College cap and gown.
Marched with Class of 1893.

PHILOMATHEAN SOCIETY.
Represented by
B. F. Babbitt, William Ingleby,

W. H. Benson, B. D. Keyes,

Ludan Benjamin, W. H. Leavens,

Alex Conway, i R. B. Laning,

E. C. Gilbert, Homer Tarbell,

F. G. Gordon, L. J. Thomas.
Costume — Calico dress; sunbonnet; broom.

W. H. Leavens, hand organ; F. G. Gk>rdon, leading dog.

Stunt — Song, "We are Yankee Doodle Dandies."

Note I. — ^Graduates who have spent at least a year in a higher
institution of learning, also those who have not yet finished their
course, have the initials of their school placed after their names.
Those who have finished their course of study are credited with
the year of graduation.

C. U. Cornell University,

S. U. Syracuse University,

U. of B. University of Buffalo,

A. N. C. Albany Normal College.

B. and S. Bryant and Stratton Business College.
R. B. C. Rochester Business College,

I. C. M. Ithaca Conservatory of Music,

Br. N. Brockport Normal,

B. N. Buffalo Normal,

F. N. Fredonia Normal,

G. N. Geneseo Normal.

Note 2. — The Rushford Band played while the classes were
marching to the reviewing stand. Mrs. Talcott Brooks was
the pianist.

^fifool Bag, Attg«0t 20. ISOS.

Afternoon Program, i p. m.
Grand Parade, headed by the Rushford Cornet
Band, the pupils of each district in the town
of Rushford, the graduates of the Rushford
High School and the Philomathean Society
of the Rushford Academy will march the
length of Main street to the school grounds,
where short exercises will be held.

Music Duet

Anna Merrill and Elsie Tarbell

History of the School Miss Ellen Lyman

Music Solo

Robert Woods

Remarks by Representatives of the Several
School Societies.

Philomathean W, F. Bement

Mystic Mrs. M. B. Roberts

Polyhymnian . Miss Myrtie E. Nye

Present Philomathean . . H. Kendall Hardy

Music Duet

Anna Merrill and Elsie Tarbell
Reminiscences of school life by former Principals
and Students.

Music Quartette

MilHe C Metcalf Jennie Wilmot

Charles Damon Robert Woods

il|t0t0rg of % ^rifonl-

Ellen Lyman.

Some one has well said that the early settlers
of a locality have a far-reaching influence on the
growth and prosperity of a community. They
sow the seeds of their characteristics, which are
just as sure to grow and produce after their kind
as the corn and potatoes they plant.

Our schools are the result of good ancestral
blood. The early settlers, nine-tenths of whom
were of sturdy New England stock, struggling in
a half-cleared wi^derness, with debt and heavy
taxes to open roads, a necessity they could not
get along without, seeming to have a comprehen-,
sive and practical grasp of the matter, resolved^ I
come what would — education should not be neg-
lected. They prepared, as soon as possible, to
build school-houses, then churches.

The town was organized in 1816, and in 18 18
fifty dollars for schools was voted; in 18 19 sixty
dollars and sixty cents. In 1 82 1 , this is the record:
Resolved, " That the town raise school money to
the extent of the law," a remarkable resolution,
a forecast, the corner-stone of the old Rushford
Academy. This resolution to raise money to the

ELLEN LATHROP HOLDEN

NELLIE MABIE DICKEY

MART LATHROP HOLDEN

extent of the law was not a spasmodic effort, for
it was repeated in 1822-23-24-25, and in 1830
was added the clause, " the balance now on hand
of poor funds and moneys collected from strays."
In 1840 and '41, it was voted to double the amount
of school money, so that taxation for education
kept even pace with the increasing prosperity.

School districts were formed as rapidly as there
seemed need, and the parents could get enough
ready money to send their children, even a part
of the time. In those early days tuition must be
paid according to the number of days each child
attended, and if the head of the family found it
out of the question to raise the money required,
then the children must remain at home and depend
for instruction upon the older ones.

Schools were held in rooms of private houses
until such time as the settlers could cut and pre-
pare logs for the buildings. The furnishings usu-
ally consisted of a chair for the teacher, and for
the pupils seats made of slabs, with round sticks
cut from sapplings for legs, too high for the feet
of the little ones to reach the floor, but on which
they must sit bolt upright. Parker Woodworth,
of Girard, Penn., tells us that when a young
boy he attended school in a log building across
the street from where the Methodist Church now
stands; that Aunt Huldah Kinney taught him his
letters, and w^as very sure to have the feet " toe
the mark."

Some time later the school houses in the vil-
lage districts were situated, one nearly opposite
the residence of Mrs. Ellen Nye, the other across
from the old home of John Robinson. A few of
the early teachers were Miranda Knickerbocker,
Avery Washburn, Monroe Washburn, Mrs. Mar-
tha Woodworth Howser, Mrs. Cynthia Brooks
Woodworth, Mrs. Aurora Thompson Green,
William B. Alley (later Dr. Alley of Nunda), Ira
Crawford, Asa Burleson, Miss Cross and Miss

Swift. Of this list, Avery Washburn, Mrs. Green
and Mr. Burleson are now living.

As early as 1 849 there seemed to be a growing
demand for an institution where the young men
and women of the town should obtain a higher
education than that furnished by the common
schools, and the community as a whole seemed
to think there could be no better paying invest-
ment than to establish a school for that purpose,
by which their own and the children from adjoin-
ing towns might profit. Accordingly, sufficient
funds were raised by subscription to erect, in
1 85 1, the Academy, the building now used for the
Union School, and so much energy was manifested
that the next spring the school was equipped and
ready for business, with the following Board of
Trustees: B. T. Hapgood, President; Robert
Norton, Secretary and Treasurer; Dr. William
McCall, Corresponding Secretary; WilUam Merry-
field, Washington White, Oliver D. Benjamin,
Titus Bartlett, Isaac Stone, John G. Osborn,
Israel Thompson, James Gordon, 2nd; Charles
Benjamin, John Holmes, Sampson Hardy, Wil-
liam Gordon, Alonzo H. Damon.

Many others were prominent in petitioning for
the School, among them Isaiah Lathrop.

The first Board of Instruction consisted of Ira
Sayles, Principal; W. W. Bean, Assistant; Miss
Frances Post, Assistant; Mrs. S. C. Sayles, Assist-
ant Teacher in French; Miss Aurora Bailey, As-
sistant Teacher in Music; Miss M. B. B. Sayles,
Assistant Teacher in the Primary Department.

As this was among the first schools to be
established for this purpose in Western New
York, there were students from all the surround-
ing towns, Hume, Belfast, Centerville, Angelica,
Farmersville, Oramel, Cuba, Pike, Scio, Free-
dom, Hinsdale, New Hudson, Amity, Lyndon,
Franklin ville, Caneadea, Granger, Portage, Or-
leans, Holland, Caroline, Groveland, Belvidere

and one each from Steuben, Pennsylvania and
New Market, Canada West; total number, three
hundred and three. The majority were eager
students, entering into all their duties with zeal
and earnestness,

Of Prof. Sayles, one of his old students writes:
" It would have been difficult to find a better and
more competent man, strict, impartial, always
ready to work for the best interest of the school
and town, and withal one of the most eminent
geologists in this part of the State. He remained
as Principal for five years, from 1852 to 1857,
and was succeeded by G. W. F. Buck, who was a
graduate of Lima, N. Y., and came with high
honors.

Prof. Buck began his work here with interest
and enthusiasm. He remained in Rushford as
Principal until 1865, and many who are here will
remember him with respect and affection. He
inspired his pupils with the belief that he was able
to answer correctly any question that might be
asked. He was well-informed on all subjects
and one of the best of teachers in the sciences.
Among his assistants we find the following: Rev.
M. C. Dean, John S. Spicer, George S. Albee,
Miss Antoinette Kendall, Miss Albertine Olivia
Buck, Frank Thompson, Charles N. Brown,
Hiram A. Coats, Lucien L. Benjamin and Howell
Williams. The course of study during this period
was comprehensive enough to cover the first two
years in any college in the State at that time. I
find there were seventeen who finished the course,
among them Mrs. Sylvia Baker Whitney, Mrs.
Antoinette Kendall Stacy, Mrs. Ruthen Smith
Browne, Rev. F. E. Woods, Hiram Goats, Hiram
Walker, Latham Higgins, F. E. Hammond and
Robert and William Crawford. We have not
been able to obtain the names of the other seven.
J. E. Mclntyre followed Prof Buck as Principal,
and remained until 1867.

In 1866 the people of school districts numbers
one and five began to be agitated over a project
to unite and organize a Union School, according
to a law passed in 1864, as amended in 1865. A
call was made by thirty-two taxpayers for a con-
solidation. In answer, the Trustees appointed
the twenty-seventh day of August, 1866, as the
time of meeting. It was decided in the affirma-
tive, and the consent of the State authorities
having been obtained, a committee of five, A. T,
Cole, O. T. Stacy, C. W. Woodworth, John G.
Osborn and James Gordon, and, were appointed
to select a board of education. The report
recommended O. T. Stacy, O. T. Higgins,
J. P. Bixby, C. J. Elmer, Stanbury Gordon and
Wolcott Griffin. They were duly elected.

In 1867 Prof. Sayles was again engaged as in-
structor, for the people remembered the high
standing of the school during his former princi-
palship. He remained until 1870, when he left
to make a home in Virginia.

Other Principals were: A.J. Crandall, '70-71;
Dana Jenison, '71-73; William Girdell and W.
W. Bean, '73-76; F.J. Diamond, '76-77; M. L.
Spooner, '77-80; H.J. Van Norman, '8o-'82; J.
M. McKee, '82-85; W. D. Moulton, '85; W. H.
Wilson, '85-'87; Edward Maguire, '87-93; Wil-
liam C. White, '93-94; H. J. Walter, '94-96;
Joseph Howerth, '96-97; H. W. Harris, '97-99;
S. K. Brecht, '99-1901; Frederick Leighton,
'01-04; W. Eugene Powell, 'o4-'o6; Gray M.
Moreland, '06-07; Howard F. Brooks, '07-08,
and Lester C. Sterner, '08.

Many of these were college men, the others were
graduates of our best normal schools and all have
labored faithfully to sustain the high standard of
excellence required by the community, ably sec-
onded by their assistants.

Among the principals F. J. Diamond has the
degree of Ph.D., to Mr. Maguire belongs the

honor of placing the Union School on a firm and
sure footing, and it was near the beginning of Mr.
Leighton's term and largely due to his efforts
that it became a High School. The Union graded
school was changed to High School in 1901.

Much excellent work has been done, as the
Regents can testify. There have been 109 grad-
uates, the class of '88 being the first and consist-
ing of one member, Cornelia Weaver; '89, Cora
Beaumont; '90, C. Hanford Kendall; '92, Frank
A. Bailey; 1902, Lucy S. Poate; the other classes
average about six members each.

As a community we are justly proud of the
work of the graduates of our school; very few of
them are satisfied with the knowledge that they
are doing well — most of them are striving to raise
the standard and do better still.

Many thanks are due to the several school
boards who have worked without other compen-
sation than a consciousness of laboring in a good
cause.

Success to our High School.

W. F. Bement.
I well remember the discussion, pro and con, in
regard to the building and equipment of the old
Rushford Academy, which, at that time, was a
most important event in the history of the town. I
was there in person; I heard the plans for the enter-
prise previously discussed; I saw the framework
of the building raised and attended its first term of
school. There were in attendance a goodly
number of resident students and many from ad-
joining towns. Many of the assistants were
changed during the first terms, but Prof. Sayles
remained in full possession when I left, and a bet-
ter and more competent man it would have been
difficult to find. Our Professor furnished us with
lectures on astronomy, philosophy and physiology.

We had our entertainments where supplies of
eatables were amply provided, thereby maintain-
ing a friendly feeling among the students and in-
teresting the public generally in the welfare of
the school.

It is a pleasure to think over the names of the
students; I was not aware I could recall so many.
Among the rest, the name of Peter Mead — I can't
forget Peter, who was preparing for the ministry
and boarded in the family of the Baptist minister
— comes to mind. He made a speech from the ros-
trum on one of the regular times for our publics,
and chose for his subject " The Devil." He had
been greatly disturbed some nights previous by a
" Horning Bee," and his subject was no doubt
suggested by an improvised machine which the
crowd had with them.

Among the school exhibitions, the one which
seemed to make the most lasting impression was
that of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," played in the Chapel
by members of the school. Some of those who
represented the different characters were Isaac
Weaver of Centerville, who took the part of St.
Clair; Lois Bell of Rushford that of Topsy (and
she did it up to the text) ; and I think Isaac Van
Ostrand of Granger was Uncle Tom. The room
was crowded to its utmost capacity, for the
people came from far and near to attend and en-
joy the entertainment. The people of the North
being greatly agitated over the slavery question,
the time was ripe for the presentation of the sub-
ject as prepared by Mrs. Stowe, and the actors
entered into the drama with heart and soul. I
have witnessed many "Star" performances of
'' Uncle Tom's Cabin " since, but none, in my
judgment, that equalled the one in the old Chapel.
"There were many duties that were pleasant,
and many that were irksome, but absolutely for
the benefit of the students. Among the latter, the
one most dreaded by the majority was public

declamation. Soon after the beginning of the
first term, the order came to be prepared on a cer-
tain day with a selection to declaim. Orders must
be obeyed, so I made my selection and repaired
to the Chapel at the appointed time. No one
kaew who was to be the first victim. Prof. Sayles
first gave preliminary instruction in relation to
manner, position and gestures — then called Bowen
Gordon for the first speaker. The question in
my mind was — Who next? I kept my eyes on
Bowen that I might learn how. He walked up
on to the stage, presenting a bold front. So far, so
good ; I could do that. Then began his oration.
What he said I do not know, but very soon he
turned about and looked out of the window, and
while I was looking and taking in the situation,
Bowen moved quietly to his seat among the audi-
ence. Then, all at once, and to my consterna-
tion, my name was called. I obeyed, and when I
faced that gathering of fellow-students, it seemed
that their number had increased more than a
hundred-fold. I had a short speech of two verses,
and whether I whispered or yelled I cannot say,
but I stopped at the end of the first verse and re-
tired from the platform with as good a grace as I
could muster. Bowen told me afterward that, if
the window had been open and the distance not
so far to earth, he should have jumped out and
taken the consequences.

There are many other matters of interest that
could be mentioned, which occurred during -my
school days in Rushford, but perhaps these will
be sufficient.

I give some of the scholars as they come to mind :
Copeland Gordon, Wesley Gordon, Hiram Gil-
bert, Amanda Gilbert, John B. Stewart, Albert A.
Abbott, Orville Abbott, Abbie Abbott, A. L.
Aldrich, Miss Grimard, Helen Doland, Ellen
White, Stella White, Edwin A. Bardett, Frank
Thompson, Emma Thompson, Julia Thompson,

Frank McCall, Mary McCall, Mary Allen, Ellen
Osborne, Sardis Rawson, Helen Merryfield, James
Merryfield, America Lathrop, Julia Lathrop, Ellen
Lathrop, Jennie Laning, Antoinette JKendall,
Latham Higgins, Laura Higgins, Martha Higgins,
O. T. Stacy, Mary Stacy, Ellen Stacy, Jennie
Stacy, Peter Mead, Miriam Keyes, William E.
Keyes, Sylvia Baker, Emma Baker, Tilden Hop-
kins, Michael Hanks, Mr. Piersons, Grace Hoyt,
Kate Hoyt, Charles Burr, Amelia Burr, Jane
Hammond, Marietta Hammond, Jonas Hammond,
Helen Byrnes, Henry M. Teller, Willard Teller,
Mr. Weaver, Webster Hardy, Asa Hardy, Lois
Bell, Debias Worthington, Wm. H. Worthington,
F. E. Woods, W. F. Woods, Murray Blanchard,
Albert Bishop, Adaline Bishop, Soloman R.
Seeley, Loretta Seeley, Ensworthy McKinney,
Nathan Lyman, James Spofford, Orra Morris,
Delos Graves, Harriet Cummings, Clinton Bond,
H. G. Bond, C. W. Saunders, Frank Saunders,
Wealthy Gleason, Joel G. Morgan, Hiram G.
Coats, Bowan Gordon.

These were among those whom I knew during
the terms of my attendance, and in my retro-
spective view, I plainly see them, each and all, as
in the days of over fifty years ago.

These notes were contributed largely by W. F.
Bement, of Cuba, New York,

Not long after the opening of the Rushford
Academy, the young men organized a Literary
Society. It was finally named the Philomathean
Society,

The room in the third story of the south-east
corner of the building was obtained of the trus-
tees for the purposes of the Society. Within,
and with closed doors, the constitution was framed
and, after much discussion upon the different
clauses therein contained, adopted and signed by

the following members: C. W. and Frank Saun-
ders, H. M. and William Teller, A. L. Aldrich,
Delos Graves, Isaac Van Nostrand, Mr. Weaver,
Frank Woods, Debias Worthington, John B.
Stewart, Frank Thompson, Edwin A. Bartlett,
Orrin Thrall Stacy, Tilden Hopkins, Joel G.
Morgan, Hiram G. Bond, Francis Findley, A. A.
Abbott, Orville Abbott and Murray Blanchard.
Perhaps the names of some members have been
omitted, but this is the list as far as can be ascer-
tained. Charles Wesley Saunders of Belfast was
President, and Joel G. Morgan of Freedom, Secre-
tary. A fund was raised to furnish the room with
carpet, chairs, settees, tables, lamps and chandelier.

Regular meetings were held once a week.
There was public discussion in the Chapel at ap-
pointed times. Two members, who chose their
own subject and had two weeks for preparation,
were chosen to represent the Society.

The Society also maintained a course of lec-
tures, which were open to the public, given by
such men as Horace Mann, Dr. E. H. Chapin,
Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Greeley, Frederick
Douglass and Josh Billings. These speakers were
expensive, but they drew large audiences. The
Society paid expenses, with a surplus left in the
treasury.

The years called the " Fifties " were those of
political unrest both in Europe and America, and
the questions which agitated those countries were
discussed within the walls of the Philomathean
Society, but none so completely engrossed its
time and attention as that of slavery. They dem-
onstrated that they were not only lovers of learn-
ing, but lovers of liberty as well; and many of
them, in the Civil War that followed, gave their
time and their lives in defence of their principles.

John B. Stewart, during the Kansas trouble,
went from the school to that territory and was
killed by a band of border ruffians. When the

news reached home an indignation meeting was
held by the Society, and throughout the town in-
dignation was freely expressed at this lawless-
ness.

Wm. Teller became a noted lawyer in Colorado.
He was a brother of U. S. Senator Teller. Hiram
Bond became a broker in New York, afterward
Judge, and died suddenly while riding over a large
estate in Oregon, where his son survives him.

During the administration of G. W. F. Buck the
organization continued to flourish, and be more or
less prosperous according as the students were in-
terested in such work, until it adjourned " sine die"

B. F. Babbitt.

The Philomathean Lyceum was reorganized at
the beginning of Professor Bean's principalship.
Prior to that there had been one or more organiza-
tions of the same name, the last of which had been
defunct several years, from a combination of com-
plications, supplemented by the acute one of in-
solvency; presumably from the fact that its prin-
cipal asset left to us as a lega:cy was a bill for sev-
eral dollars, promptly presented by the drug store
for kerosene, stationery and miscellaneous articles
it had received. Whether its dictionary, reference
books and the rest of its library and archives had
been attached for debts, or attached in some other
obvious way, is one of the uncertainties of those
times. The record book of former purchases, the
constitution and by-laws, weekly journal of its
proceedings, and a worn copy of Cushing's Man-
ual, safely past the period of being worth stealing,
were the only visible relics of its past greatness.

Three of the school trustees favored a reorgani-
zation, two were indifferent or non-committal
about it, and the sixth one. Dr. Mason, strenu-
ously opposed it from beginning to end, and all

through the middle, alleging that its sessions had
been invariably held behind closed doors, undi-
rected and uncontrolled by the school authorities ;
that its influences were in a general way demoral-
izing, and much else of that general purport,
without coming to tangible specifications. I sug-
gested as a compromise, and to placate such as
might be disposed to take his view of the matter,
that the school teachers and trustees should be
admitted upon courtesy whenever they might
apply, but it apparently only confirmed his belief
that it masked some sinister design.

After considerable manoeuvring by various
factions to give the Society a twist in certain
directions the organization was perfected by adopt-
ing the original constitution, with the amendment
last mentioned, as an all around conciliatory
measure.

Of the membership at that time or during the
two or three successive years in which I took a
more or less active part in its proceedings and
deliberations I now recall the names of: Samuel
and Henry Talcott, the only ones that had been
members of the previous organization; RoUin
Houghton, John Renwick, King Smith, Alfred
Green, Will Worden, Truman Wier, Burton Har-
rison, Willard Morrison, Forest Aiken, Alex.
Conway, Winnie Persons, Bertie Bean, William
B. Kivilen, Thomas and T. M. James, Frank
Beaumont, Daniel Callihan, Henry Mason, W.
H. Benson, Herbert Elmer, R. B. Laning, Lucian
Hardy, E. C. Gilbert, Homer Tarbell, Fred Gor-
don, W. H. Leavens and W. D. Woods. Very
likely I would recollect others upon the mention
of their names.

I well remember being appointed upon a pre-
liminary provisional committee of three, to devise
ways and means and make recommendations for
a new society. The committee handed in at least
one report signed by a majority of its members

and two minority reports. It subsequently devel-
oped that the committee itself was positively unan-
imous on the one question only, of admitting girls
to membership upon equal terms with the boys.
The directive influence of said committee, as well
as the appreciation of femininity by the aforesaid
membership, is well illustrated by the fact that the
committee was actually able to command its own
three votes only in the meeting it was submitted
to. I remember thanking the meeting in behalf
of the committee for their loyal and generous sup-
port of the measure, and complimenting their free-
dom from feminine allurements, and hoping that
they might ever remain equally as free from
various restraints.

The weekly sessions began with reading the
mmutes of the preceding meeting, and clearing
the table of left-over business. Then followed a
summary of the week's current events, without
any comments whatsoever; then a short reading
by rotation from some of the manuals on parlia-
mentary usage, also selections from works upon
political economy and civil government, with calls
for comments, explanations, and so forth; a bio-
graphical sketch of some individual of this county;
a declamation, or the reading of a few stanzas of
poetry; and then the soul-torturing ordeal of
making a three or five minutes' extemporaneous
discourse upon any subject the presiding officer
might see fit to give to the poor unfortunate, after
his appearing and saluting the audience. If that
did not put a quietus on loquacity, there never has
been anything invented that either would or will.
It is by all odds the worst contrivance to prompt
one's forgetting apparatus imagination can con-
ceive of. When it is just running under normal
conditions, it will congest thoughts and paralyze
purposes. People that can, apparently, talk a life-
time, after they have already told all they had to
say and a considerable more, can be switched out

of reach of their particular hobbies, and hung up
speechless. It will work exactly as well on a highly
civilized, cultured being as it does with the ordi-
nary, commonplace barbarian. Then came a de-
bate upon some question of relevancy. All mem-
bers had a chance to speak twice under such
limitations as the amount of time available before
eleven o'clock would warrant. The leaders had
double the time of the others to sum up the evi-
dence and dates already brought out, honoring
(except in practice) the rule that no new evidence
should then be introduced.

The most difficult intricacy was the selection of
a question for the next meeting, the import or
wording of which would not cause all or nearly all
members to prefer one side of it. Last before ad-
journment came a pretty general and quite well
deserved all-around calling down by the censors
and critics. By the way, I cannot remember that
any of the school trustees ever visited the Lyceum,
while I was present, and it was very seldom that
any of the teachers, excepting the Professor, was
there. Quite a delegation of pretty girls was in-
variably in attendance, with somewhat embar-
rassing effects, at each open session.

Professor Bean was a very modest and sensi-
tive man, so it would take him considerable
time to recover and collect his scattered wits.
I shall always remember the last time he ever
volunteered in our Lyceum debates. The ques-
tion involved some civil damage proposition
to the Local Option Law. Mr. Houghton was
leading the affirmative, and I was trying to
lead the negative, or letting it go where it wanted
to. Houghton had a peculiarity of elaborating in-
genious theories, and then recapitulating them
interrogatively and telling you that you must say
yes or no to this. I knew by experience that
either alternative would involve, in some manner,
some ulterior implication or inference, and warned

lOO

my supporters to studiously evade them. When the
debate was all through but summing up, Professor
Bean was called upon for remarks. It happened
that the question was one that he was deeply in-
terested in as a temperance extremist, and much
to my discomfort, proceeded to make what seemed
to me to be a prepared speech, in which he several
times repeated a stock phrase of his, " I'll stake
my honor on this," and to make the matter still
worse for my side of the case, he called my sup-
porters and myself to account for not answering
Houghton's innocent questions, when simply yes
or no would do it, and insinuated that we had not
treated Mr. Houghton fairly, etc. Then Hough-
ton further amplified their obvious advantages in
summing up the affirmative. I gathered up and
classified what remnants of arguments and evi-
dence we had left, in summing up for the negative,
with a profound realization that our only hope lay
in breaking the force, strength and connections of
their argumentative structure, and as usual was
desperately short of logic to do it with; so re-
sorted to ridicule, expressing surprise that the
Principal of the school should even try to induce
the Lyceum to gamble by three times offering to
" stake his honor," but that was not half so sur-
prising as it was to have him think that the Lyceum
might or would gamble on such an absurdly small
and ridiculous bonus as a gambling Professor's
" honor." I at once turned to Houghton's inter-
rogatives (without any fear of their ulterior capa-
bilities, for no one could speak again), intending
to handle them barehanded at last. While doing
so, I perceived by the purple crimson color of the
Principal's face that he was thoroughly discon-
certed, and asked him directly if those questions
could be answered by yes or no. He nodded
assent. Then I asked him if any question could
be. He nodded his head again. " Very well,"
said I, '♦ now just answer this one by simply say-

lOI

ing yes or no: ' Have you stopped pounding your
wife ?' " He has not answered it yet, but the de-
bate was favorably decided soon. Although my
boarding house was nearby his house, I did not
walk down there with him that night, and was
rather tardy at school the next morning, stopping
in Sill's jewelry store just long enough to very
quietly step into the school room during chapel
services — but he did not speak to me about it until
I met him on the Pennsylvania Railroad eleven
years later.

Much could be learned by an observing person
in a lyceum conducted as that one was, and it is
gratifying, for instance, that not a single one of
the numerous parliamentary blunders that have
been made in our town caucuses, some of them
causing factional divisions and alignments of many
years' duration, has been caused by the stupidity
of a single person that got a good thorough drill-
ing in those tactics in the old Philomathean.

It is a pastime and recreation to trace mem-
ory's course backward into those delightful days
of giddy hopes and glittering expectations, but it
produces an impression that there is something
fundamentally and radically wrong in chronologi-
cal reckonings, then or now, for it really seems to
me that there was just as much time between
Christmas and the Fourth of July then as there
is in a year now, and the period between the
Fourth and Christmas then would duplicate an-
other modern year.

PrMf«t 3^1ftloma%a« ^orfetg.

Soon after Frederick Leighton became Princi-
pal of the Rushford High School, in 1901, the
subject of forming a literary society was agitated
among the students, and the outcome was a meet-
ing of those interested, and the election of the
following ofificers: Ethel King, President; Ethel
Tait, Vice-President; Allan Gilbert, Secretary;

102

Katherine Baldwin, Treasurer; Earl Kingsbury,
Teller.

The name — Philomathean — was unanimously
chosen, either from sentiment or as a characteriza-
tion of its members. There were present at the
first meeting, which was held in October, forty-
two active and five associate members. The pro-
gram consisted of music, readings and recita-
tions, followed by a debate on the question —
" Resolved, That woman should have political
equality with man," which was decided in the
affirmative.

Under the auspices of this Society a series of
lectures and entertainments were furnished, which
were liberally patronized by outsiders; and, in
connection with the school, a paper called The
Banner was published every month, containing
original poems, essays, communications from for-
mer pupils and friends, school happenings and
spicy editorial comments. Its life was brief, be-
cause of the added work and lack of financial
support. The subscribers missed its cheery pres-
ence.

The Society still has a good membership and
enthusiasm in its work. Debates form a part of
the programs, and sometimes especially fine music
is rendered.

The present officers (August, 1908), are H.
Kendall Hardy, President; Millard Smith, Vice-
President; Mary Baldwin, Secretary; Leighton
Morris, Treasurer.

Its open meetings are enjoyed by the public.

®Ip? mgattr &orWH.

The following information regarding the organ-
ization and object of the Mystic Society of Rush-
ford Academy was furnished by Prof. G. W. F.
Buck of Pittsburg, Georgia, and the names of
members collected by Mrs. M. B. Roberts:

Some time during the first terms of the Rush-

103

ford Academy there was formed a Literary So-
ciety for the benefit of the young men, but more
especially for the young lady students, until the
winter of 1859, when "the Mystic Society" was
organized for debate, reading of essays, literary
improvement in general and as a means of social
enjoyment.

The membership was never numerous, but in-
tended rather to be select and congenial. No
name outside the school is found among the list
of members except that of the late Mrs. Cynthia
C. Woodworth, who was very helpful in all the
public or semi-public enterprises, not only of the
societies, but of the entire school. She came to
be styled among the members the " arbiter ele-
gantum." The list contains many who have
made a name for themselves in literary circles.
Among the honorary members we find the names
of Grace Greenwood (Mrs. Lippincott), Fanny
Fern (Mrs. Parton), Mrs. L. H. Sigourney and
Cora L. V. Hatch, now Mrs. Richmond.

There were a few public sessions, but publicity
was not much desired by this Society, more quiet
means of culture being in keeping with the char-
acters of most of its members. There was, how-
ever, one public session held in March, 1859, by
the Mystics and Fhilomatheans which was long
remembered. It was reported in full in the Rush-
ford News Letter, and the report says: " It was
such an entertainment as Prof. Buck may be proud
to have repeated."

Many of the members from elsewhere, having
finished their work and left tor their homes, the
Society was dissolved in the Spring of 1862.

Names of the Mystics as far as can be ascer-
tained:

Ellen Green, Antoinette Kendall, Eleanor Ses-
sions, Margaret Mary Williams, America Lathrop,
Julia Lathrop, Mary McCall, Marian Keyes, Mary
A. Freeman, Sarah Tufts, Julia Thompson,

I04

Marietta Hammond, Myra Freeman, Sylvia Baker,
Emma Baker, Emily Bridgeman, Lydia Bridgeman,
Helen Doland, Louise McKinney.

Address delivered by Myrtie Emily Nye,
Rushford Centennial.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Dear Friends, all — When I received Miss Ly-
man's letter asking me to talk to you for
five minutes, I was both surprised and pleased.
Pleased that you remembered me, but surprised
at your asking me to do it, and the only alluring
thing about it, which made me say " Yes," was
that she said five minutes, and used the word
" talk." You know I couldn't write a paper if I
tried, and I never in all my life made a speech,
but I can i(alk all day. Don't be alarmed ! I'm
not going to do it, and even if I wanted to, I
have a cousin in the audience, who has promised
to hold up her watch if I talk over five minutes.

The Polyhymnian Society was organized in the
fall of 1878, during the time Professor Spooner
was Principal of our school — in fact he was its
originator. Well do I remember one afternoon
when a paper was passed around the senior de-
partment stating the need of such a society, as the
time in school for the study of literature was too
short.

The first meeting was held in the old Lyceum
Room, Thursday evening, October 3rd, 1878.
The following persons were present: Professor
M. L. Spooner, H. C. Elmer, D. Callahan, H. R.
Charles, F. E. White, C. Crowell, H. E. Tarbell,
G. D. Ryder, E. C. Gilbert, O. L. Elliott, Helen
J. White, Jennie Laning, Kate Lundrigan, Nellie
E. Persons, Esther Wilmot, Myrtie E. Nye,
Verna Gordon and Ella Farwell. AH but D. Cal-
lahan joined the Society.

I05

The following officers were elected: President,
E. C. Gilbert; Vice-President, Helen J. White;
Secretary, O. L. Elliott; Treasurer, Jennie Laning;
Corresponding Secretary, H. C. Elmer. Three
committees were appointed, the first to frame the
constitution and by-laws, the second to select
reading matter, and the third to prepare a pro-
gram, for the next meeting. The Vice-President
always took charge of the class. We studied
Shakespeare three evenings out of four, and on
the fourth took up the work of other poets.

We read "Julius Caesar ", " Macbeth ", " Ham-
let ", " Merchant of Venice ", " Comedy of Er-
rors " and " Romeo and Juliet ". We also took
up " The Lady of the Lake " and " The Lay of
the Last Minstrel " by Scott; Tennyson's " Locks-
ley Hall", "Maud" and "The Holy Grail";
Whittier's " Snow Bound ", and Longfellow's
" Skeleton in Armor ".

Our class study generally lasted about an hour.
Following the class work we had a short inter-
mission, after which the business of the Society
was disposed of, and then we had what we termed
our miscellaneous program, much enjoyed by all.
It consisted usually of recitations, orations, music,
extemporaneous speeches and discussions, mostly
indulged in by the boys.

At one time we decided to have a lawsuit — a
mock murder trial. Herbert C. Elmer was the
judge, Eddy C. Gilbert and Orrin Leslie Elliott the
lawyers. Some one made up a gruesome tale of
Calvin Crowell's poisoning his wife, so he might
marry his charming housekeeper, Nellie. We
thought it might last a couple of hours, and an-
swer for a miscellaneous program for two even-
ings, but it lasted several evenings, and not only
were our own members interested, but our little
room was crowded to its utmost capacity with
townspeople, and we would stay until the mid-
night hour, much to the disgust of our fond parents.

io6

Puffed up with the success of this venture, we
decided to have another — a Breach of Promise
suit — but this fell flat — blighted affection seemed
of litrie interest beside the poisoning of a wife.

In spite of the fact that some of our elders spite-
fully said it was rightly named " Polyhymnian ",
as it was only a meeting place for the " Pollys "
to be taken home by the " Hims ", we derived
much benefit therefrom, and I never read or hear
one of those plays or poems which we studied with
just the same feeling I have for other literature,
and I'm sure other members will agree with me.

The membership was chiefly made up from the
senior department in school. The last meeting of
the Polyhymnian Society was held May ist, 1883.

MtrnatQ ptturFB.

Sarah Ford Crosby.
We'll ask Time to turn backward for forty odd years
And paint us some pictures that will drive away tears.
What object is that on the street that we see ?
It is coming this way ! Is it an animated teespee ?
You must be a stranger — It's Miss Ford and her cloak
That the ladies presented — out to walk with her flock.
As many as can, have a hand on the border
And a score or less primaries are all under cover.
There's one holds her hand who has marvelous eyes
And for Frank the years held the State's highest prize.

There sits Professor Mclntyre seen dimly perhaps,

For he had fever and then a relapse ;

By his side is your servant — ^but she's not aware

That she's hastened to school without her back hair,

Strange oversight, for the waterfalls we wore

Much resembled the pack Bunyan's Pilgrim once bore.

This faded grey woman " shrunk away in her wear "

Was more than forty years younger when she sat in that chair.

Will any one now say she was never that fair ?

Misses Lyman and Freeman are all nice and trim ;

Miss Thompson's skilled fingers ready to music the hymn ;

I07

Miss Campbell came later when the preachers grew tired
To help with the Latin and what else was required.
Professor Sayles and his wife came as they said they would

come
To forward the work years before they'd begun.
The teachers are competent ; that picture complete
We'll now strike the bell and fill every seat.

There are the boys and girls you all know ;

A hundred are seated there, row after row,

Adams and Ackerly was the way they began

And all your best names down the alphabet ran.

I'd name all their names if you'd give me time.

But I've less than five minutes to jingle this rhyme.

How did we manage them ? We had but one rule ;

They managed themselves, for love ruled the school.

All were decorous and studious — even submitting to spell

Though they knew every word — as Sarah Mason can tell.

And after ten years had in history occurred

They sent me some letters never missing a word.

And when the fever laid Professor aside,

And between the two rooms I myself did divide,

With the help of the pastors we carried them through

And marked them all perfect. Didn't they whisper ? A few.

Do you think that those boys and those girls in their teens

Found nothing to study but on the program was seen ?

They were as wise as the birds in the trees,

' ' And became of each other devout devotees. "

And though I talked long and explained without measure.

Some failed to appropriate cube root as their treasure.

Hattie Stebbins and Norton often laughed at the way

They let Cupid trick them in that far away day.

Was I proud of my classes ? Proud of them ? Quite.

Reading German with Mary Lathrop and Viola White

If it did make me study far into the night.

And the conspicuous absence of gum chewing to-day

Proves Charley Howser's gum class did good in a way.

The Exhibition at closing was a flourish so grand,
No wonder our pupils are the pride of the land !

io8

There's the doctor, and lawyer, and merchant and priest

And farmer and orator and gubernatorial chief !

Let Rushford recount all her products, the completest

Will be boys and girls, then, now, forever, the sweetest

Till all of her goodies, even her maple molasses.

Can never compare with her lads and her lassies.

And of all the dear "old pictures that hang on memory's

wall "
Rushford and Rushford Academy are among the dearest of

all.

Cornelia Oilman Green.

School Days ! The name has a magic sound,
carrying us back to hours free from care, and to
the dear teachers and schoolmates.

Professor Sayles was a most excellent teacher
and a fine disciplinarian; his assistants, Professor
Bean and his wife, Jane Hammond, who (in those
days) I looked upon as a walking encyclopaedia,
and our dear music teacher, Aurora Bailey. Fond
memories cluster around the dear old days.

The records show many pupils educated in the
old Academy, of whom Rushford may be proud.

I must recall one incident that has probably
been forgotten by all except those who took part
in the play, the time we students presented Uncle
Tom's Cabin, to raise money for painting the
building, Volney Mills taking the part of Uncle
Tom; Lottie Young little Eva, and a capital Eva
she was, too; Louis Bell the character of Topsy,
and a better Topsy I have never seen. Our first
night we could not accommodate the crowd, and
were obliged to repeat. Then we were invited to
play at Belfast, a great compliment to our acting,
we thought, and a greater benefit to our fund,
enabling Mr. Archibald Adams to proceed with
his work.

The many years that have passed ! I still re-
tain the composition book when Kate Woods and

I09

I were the happy ones chosen for the honor of
being the Editresses. My school friends have al-
ways held a very dear place in my heart, and I
anticipated seeing many of them here. Time has
made so many changes in us all, that we do not
always recognize them as our old school friends,
but we should be known to each as Jack and Nell,
and the dear names we used to know, and extend
the welcome hand of greeting, that we may again
renew old friendships and talk of bygone days.
Few there are left to answer to roll call.

^tmxmBtsntiB at 3S«aljforJ» ^rJ|0nl laga.

AN ADDRESS BY

Herbert C. Elmer, M.A., Ph.D.

It seems to me that, taken as a whole, the pres-
ent week is the most interesting week that Rush-
ford has ever seen. And to me the most inter-
esting day of this interesting week has been
School Day. The day has called together a good
many people. But I venture to say there is not
another person here who has as many reasons as
I have for being deeply interested in the Rushford
School. In the first place, if you will glance di-
rectly across the street, you will see the house in
which I was born — the house now occupied by D.
C. Woods. When- 1 first opened my eyes upon
this world, one of the first things I saw was this
old school-building. Every time I went out of
doors, throughout the first few years of my child-
hood, it was this building that first caught my eye-
Then I moved with my parents further up town.
But, not to be deprived of the familiar sight, I
began to come down here every day to school,
and I continued to come every day afterward till
I was nineteen years old. Then I went to
college.

After finishing my college course, one of the
first things I did was to send an old college chum
of mine, my very best friend, Mr. Maguire, to

become Principal of the Rushford School (and, by
the way, he brought the School to a higher state
of efficiency than it had known for many years).
A little later, after I became a member of the
Faculty of Cornell University, I proceeded to send
here at different times various pupils of mine to
take charge of the School. Then the Rushford
School began to send some of its graduates down
to Cornell, and I am glad to say that one of these
proved to be among the very best students I have
ever had, and stood near the head of her class at
Cornell. Again, only last year, we elected another
graduate of the Rushford School to our Phi Beta
Kappa Society — an honorary fraternity to which
we elect each year a select few of the best scholars
in the junior and senior classes. And I was glad
indeed to welcome him into this organization as a
brother Phi Beta Kappa.

Is there any other person presentwho has been so
closely connected with the School from his birth
to his old age (you see my grey hairs) as I have ?
As I said at the outset, I claim to have a larger
number of reasons for an undying interest in the
Rushford School than any other person. If any-
one present can dispute this claim, let him speak
now, or forever after hold his peace !

During the exercises in the school yard this af-
ternoon, we heard a song entitled " School Days."
I knew we could never get through the day with-
out that song. But did you ever notice that there
is a little something wrong with that song ? Listen
to the words of it:

" School daySr school days,
Good old golden-rule days,
Reading and writing and 'rithmetic,
Tanght to the tune of a hickory stick," etc.
I do not know who wrote that song, but, who-
ever it was, I am very sure that his school days were
not spent here in Rushford. He says his school
days were the " good old £-olelen-ruleda.ys." Now,

iir

the golden-rule, as I understand it, tells us to do
unto others as we would that they should do unto
us. No one paid much attention to that rule in
the old Rushford school days. I remember that
our teachers, for instance, used to do all sorts of
things to us that they would not have wanted us to
do to them. Think of the switching and the hand-
spatting, and the ear-boxing and the hair-pulling !
And think, too, of those naughty boys who used
to put bent pins in our seats ! Surely, the golden
rule was not much in evidence in those days. And
yet, after all, those days were all right, as we look
back upon them now. We would not give up
one of those memories. Who of us does not en-
joy telling about that warming-up his teacher once
gave him for pulling the chair out from under little
Willie ? And as for those bent pins in our seats,
they played an important part in our education.
They taught us how to suffer and endure, and to
look pleasant, all at the same time, and any one
who has learned how to do that has learned a very
useful lesson.

The " hickory stick " part of the song reminds
me of what one of our old Rushford teachers once
told my father. He said there used to be two
boys in our school who were always up to so
much deviltry that they deserved a sound " thrash-
ing," but they always had their lessons so well
that he could never bring himself to the point of
giving it to them. I don't mind telling you, con-
fidentially, that one of those boys was Will Ben-
son. The other boy, for reasons of a private na-
ture, I must refrain from naming.

I remember that in the old days the attic of this
school building used to be a wonderful and mys-
terious place. In those days there were various
rooms up there, used by the different literary and
debating societies. The oratory that used to
thunder forth from those upper regions was some-
thing astonishing. The logic of the speakers

112

swept everything before it, and great political
questions were often definitely settled there in one
short evening. Some of these questions, I be-
lieve, were afterward reopened in the United
States Congress, but that is not surprising, as the
people down there had had no opportunity of
hearing our debates. I remember that one of the
shining lights of our old debating society in those
days was Ralph Laning. No matter how care-
fully I had prepared an argument, I always knew
that Ralph's logic would probably knock it end-
wise, and leave me speechless.

But I must not indulge in too many reminis-
cences. Our minds are carrying us all backward to-
day to old times that throng with memories never
to be forgotten — memories that make us not merely
fond of the old School, but proud of it. I do not
believe that you can find another school anywhere
in the United States, in a village of the size of
Rushford, that can boast of having turned out a
larger number of men who have achieved distin-
guished success than the Rushford School.

We may well be proud of the past of the Rush-
ford School. I understand that it once had no less
than three hundred academic pupils. We can
hardly hope that it will ever again enjoy such
prosperity as that. But we may hope and expect
that it will continue to do a great and good work
in this community, and that it will continue to turn
out men and women who will go out into the
world with high aims and purposes, determined to
do their full share of the world's work, and pre-
pared to do it well.

A ^anojjata of U.K. Ciitktte'a AlJjirMa ^iJjDoliaQ.

Among the interesting reminiscences given on
School Day were those of V- R. Gilette, a man of
eighty, with the heart of a boy. He told of his
mastery of Colburn's Mental Arithmetic before
being allowed to use slate and pencil; of his ask-

ing the teacher, Mr. Thomas Gordon, what he
would give him to do the work in the higher book
without assistance. Mr. Gordon laughed at the
idea, but said " ten cents." He went to work with-
out thought of the reward, but to see what he
could do. In those days one had to sit with his
back to the school in order to use the desk. He
became so absorbed in his work that he was not
aware of anything that was going on in the room,
and he earned his ten cents. He then took up
algebra. His method was never to give up and
fly to the teacher at the first failure, but to keep
on striving until he was successful.

When he was sixteen he began his work of teach-
ing at ten dollars per month, " boarding around."
He had heard that there were two boys belonging
to the school which he had engaged to teach, who
had twice before succeeded in ousting the master,
and of course considered themselves too large to
be ruled by a boy, but he was young and believed
that kindness with charity would conquer. For
several days all went well, but when sliding down
hill began, these two would deliberately slide once
more, paying no attention to the call of the bell.
He remonstrated with them, but to no effect.
This continued for about a week, and finding that
kind words made no impression upon them, he
decided to try Dr. Beech. Accordingly, he cut
two swamp beech gads, as they were called;
toughened them in the ashes, and was ready.
When they came in at noon, he told them he would
now settle with them. He had taken the precau-
tion to place within reach the six foot iron poker,
so they knew he meant to defend himself. They
were so taken by surprise that they offered no
resistance. He used up his whips, and the boys
declared if he would spare their lives they would
make no further trouble. They kept their word,
and all went well. This was the only time he ever
had to use the rod to conquer. Some years after

114

they visited him, and told him that flogging was
the making of them.

His next school was in the Wheeler, Ackerly
and Bannister district. Three of the former
pupils of this school, Parker Woodworth aged
eighty-six, Andrew Ackerly seventy-nine, and
Hosea Ackerly seventy-seven, were sitting on
the rostrum; and, when telling of this year's
work, he said, " Boys, stand up." Then he said
that the only other pupil of this school, who, to
his knowledge, was living, was Albert Bannister,
of Pasadena, California. This school was har-
monious in every respect.

He taught a number of terms after this, and as
he gained in experience he received larger wages.
He told of the " boarding around," the log houses,
and waking many a morning to find the bed cov-
ered with snow, but at night the good woman of
the house would warm the bed with a warming
pan. Those were days of large schools, some-
times seventy pupils, and numberless things were
required that we never hear of now, such as
making and mending quill pens, writing copies
and so forth. He thought one great advantage
in boarding around was making the acquaintance
of the families and observing their modes of man-
agement.

Throughout all his remarks, one could see that
kindness and firmness were the leading factors in
his discipline.

Slfp AUmttti Aaanrtatinn of % SUwifforli Iftg^

Music Orchestra

Niobe, Overture, Mackie Beyer.

Address of Welcome Winifred Merrill, '06

Response Grover James, '08

Song Ahimni

Original Poem Lucy S. Poate> '02

ETHEL KING, MYRTIB MBTCALF BUSH, RUTH LANING

115

Paper Cora Beaumont, '89

My Trip to the Black Hills

Piano Solo Anna Merrill, '04

La Czarine, Louis Ganne

Recitation Helena Murray, '06

An Old Sweetheart of Mine
Greetings from Absent Alumni Members

Reader, Allan Gilbert, '03

Music Orchestra

Diamond Necklace Overture, J. Hermann.

Remarks Friends and Members of Alumni

Song Alumni

Music Orchestra

Koontown Koonlets

Adjournment of Members of Alumni Association

to Informal Reception at Agricultural Hall.

Officers of the Alumni.

President Winifred Merrill

Vice-President Marena Woods

Secretary May Brady

Treasurer Bessie Poate

®ur AUtmm.

Words by Zella W. Spenxer.
Our Alumni gladly greet we.

Once again on this glad eve ;
Gathered in from plough and college,

We shall all be loath to leave.

CHORUS.

Our Alumni, dear Alumni,
Is a union strong and true;

And we will our Rushford honor,
As each year we meet with you.

As we here have met together,
Each will try to pleasure give.

And to make this hometime coming
A bright star, toward which we live.

Chorus.

ii6

Toasts and singing we delight in,

All of which are very fine;
And we'll listen to the music,

Which is rendered in true time.

Chorus.

Oh ! The School Board, and the supper.
We do need them each you see;

Do not ask us which we'll part with.
That would spoil our jubilee.

Chorus.

When the program all is ended.

We will say to each, adieu,
And we'll turn our footsteps homeward,

On the streets which are so few.

Chorus.

Aitbr^aB of WsUatxte.

August 20th, 1908, given by Winifred Merrill,
President of the Alumni.

The clock of time has struck the centennial
hour of the settlement of Rushford, and no man
or woman would consider the festivities of this
week complete • without a prominent part being
given to Rushford's greatest pride — " The Acad-
emy " of half a century ago — " The High School "
of to-day. We younger ones have always been
taught to believe that the Rushford Academy was
the best school in Western New York. The ex-
ercises and speeches of this afternoon have fur-
nished conclusive proof that the half has never
been told.

It is my happy privilege to extend greetings to
the many visitors and former students of this
school, to this, the annual meeting of the Rush-
ford Alumni Association. The love and patriot-
ism of a nation have crystallized into one word,
the most significant in the English language, the
royal word " Welcome." It shook Manhattan
Isle from center to circumference when the

117

Olympia cast her anchor in the bay and Admiral
Dewey came back to his own. It has formed an
unbroken chorus from the Atlantic to the Pacific
since ever the first battleship of our Atlantic fleet,
after its long journey around Cape Horn, steamed
through the Golden Gate of California, and
" Fighting Bob " and the boys sighted " Home
Sweet Home." This country will be wild with
enthusiasm, and welcomes will be bubbling up
everywhere when this same white squadron under
the command of Rear- Admiral Sperry, after its
unparalleled cruise and visit to the Orient, shall
steam again into American waters. But there
can be no welcome more heartfelt and sincere
than that which we tender to you.

In behalf of the Alumni Association of the
Rushford High School, I welcome you, former
residents of Rushford, to this your old home
town. Students of the old Academy, we wel-
come you here. Thrice welcome, former prin-
cipals and teachers who labored so earnestly
for our school; and greetings to you, members of
the Alumni who have returned to grace this occa-
sion with your presence. Members of the Board
of Education, you who so unselfishly and untir-
ingly labor for the welfare of the school, we bid
you welcome. We are pleased also to welcome
here this evening the principal for the ensuing
year, Lester C. Sterner. If the pupils of to-day
are as full of mischief as they were half a century
ago, he will need to possess "Sterner" qualities.
I rejoice to greet you, one and all. From many
states you have journeyed during the past week
to meet in Rushford at this Centennial. You
planned to come, not because of the expectation
of grand parades. Wild West shows or Coney
Island attractions; not because, perchance, you
needed a change of air and scene; not because
you wished to get away from home, for above all
things earthly we love our homes; but because

ii8

you were to meet and greet beloved friends of
early days, and because you hold in loving and
tender memory Rushford's old Academy with its
associations. You are welcome here this even-
ing. The voices that bid you welcome are many
and faithful and true.

Many of you were students here in the old
days before the Alumni was organized. As we
look up the records we are proud to find that
some have written their names high on the roll of
fame. Among the number is United States Sen-
ator Henry M. Teller. Another filled with honor
the Governor's chair of this Great Empire State,
Frank Wayland Higgins. Some have donned
the ermine of the bench, while yet others as
musicians, ministers, lawyers, doctors, editors,
have won for themselves enviable positions.
With these illustrious examples before us, may
the members of our Alumni not lower the stand-
ard, but all strive to do their best, and some at
least, inscribe their names equally as high.

We have been fortunate in having as principals
of our school, men of high moral and intellectual
standards. Of course each class naturally thought
its principal the best. Each man has had his own
particular characteristics. Of all of Mr. Sayles'
numerous qualities we are told his strongest
points were correct English and the use of a black
snake whip. Being himself the author of a gram-
mar, it is reasonable to infer that he would have
been horrified to hear his pupils reply in answer
to a question " You bet," or " It's up to you," or
remark " Now what do you know about that? " We
dare say Mr. Buck would have been equally as
shocked to hear a student of his, when struggling
with a problem in mathematics, say he was " up
against it." Mr. Maguire's specialty was history,
and he insisted upon his students learning long
lists of dates. This being so, doubtless their
very footballs seemed to echo " 1492-1620-1776-

119

i8i2." Then there was Mr. Harris who ruled by
love and whose characteristics seemed — order ;
his motto being " Order is Heaven's first law."
Mr, Leighton's hobby was arithmetic. He thought
arithmetic, taught arithmetic, talked arithmetic,
and perhaps he tried to sing it. Thus some par-
ticular trait of each teacher will linger in the
minds of their pupils.

To you, the class of nineteen hundred and eight,
we accord a special welcome, for we welcome you
as members of our Alumni. Henceforth you are
one with us. The Rushford High School owes
much to the early members of this organization,
whose intrepid courage gave it birth.. The inevi-
table changes incident to passing years and con-
stantly broadening scope have in no way lessened
their loyalty. Although many of the members
are so situated that they are unable to be often
present at our annual meetings, they are held in
loving reverence. Since our organization in 1888,
over one hundred members have been enrolled
and only one has passed to the homeland — Mary
R. Thomas.

We would that all the members of our Alumni
were here to greet you, but this could not be.
One is accompanying our battleships on their
journey to the East; another holds an honored
position in Manila, while others are scattered all
over this fair land of ours, from the Rock-ribbed
hills of Maine to where the waves of the Pacific
wash the golden sands of California; from the
frozen shores of Lake Superior to the sunny South-
land.

' ' Some in this vale of quiet,

They're happiest, linger still;
No breath of the wild world's riot

Breaks over yonder hill,
isomemix in the din terrific

Of the marts by Atlantic's tide;
Some by the vast Pacific

In glens of bliss abide.

I20

One to a realm so distant,
Has taken her course remote;

Though our anguish moans persistent,
No answers back to us float."

The golden gate of graduation swings open only
after years of hard work. We do not for a moment
think our school days are over. Ah, no ! They
are but just begun, for whether in school or work
shop, college halls or on the farm, we are still in
life's school and are learning new lessons every
day. While we greet you, we would also advise
you to aim high. You will not reach higher than
you aim, " Hitch your wagon to a star " and
patiently follow on. The traces may break, the
roads be hard and steep, but ever upward, still
upward, keep climbing.

The twentieth century is upon us with its many
doors of opportunities. We must fill faithfully the
position we now occupy, keep our eyes open for
opportunities for progress and grasp them when
they are presented. In order to do this we must
be our real selves. We are measured by what we
really are. Pretension never abolished slavery,
never opened to a darkened China the way to
Christ by breaking down the walls of superstition
and ignorance, never won a Gettysburg, captured
a Manila, nor sank a Cevera's fleet. To climb the
ramparts of success we must work. If there were
no Alps to climb, no Vicksburgs to be taken,
there would be no incentive to work. It has been
said that " the great highroad of human welfare
lies along the old highway of steadfast well being
and well doing, and they who are the most per-
sistent and work in the truest spirit will invariably
be the most successful; success treads on the heels
of every right effort."

Once again I bid you welcome.

We welcome you to Rush ford town,

To peerless clime, to wondrous view;
We welcome you to hearts and homes,
A country welcome, warm and true.

121

Recited Alumni Evening, Rushford Centennial.

This is the night on which our dreams
Flit backward thro' the misty years, —
Forgot our present hopes and fears,

The vanished past, the present seems.

The same hall answers to our tread,
The old familiar faces smile,
Dead friendships are revived awhile.

And gaily the old greetings said.

Fellow alumni, you recall

This night, your own commencement day.

Picture once more, as best you may,
Yourself within this dear old hall.

You sat upon this self same stage.

You felt yourself admired of all.

You heard the plaudits in the hall.
And rose to read your essay sage.

It was an effort trite and true.
And writ on some time honored theme.
Of paper it required a ream.

And it was tied with ribbon blue.

It settled the affairs of state.
Or censured fashion's foolish laws.
You dealt in proverbs and wise saws,

Or dabbled with the hand of fate.

Your subjects deep were scorned by some.

Unlettered these, an untaught few.

For our alumni, since they knew
Their own past follies, would be dumb.

Ah! there upon the stage that night
What hopes you had for future days!
With what high hearts upon life's ways

Would you life's hardest battle fight!

122

For one he would a lawyer be,
And one would in the pulpit stand,
And some to be physicians planned.

And some, old maids — like me, you see.

A lawyer grave would be our Kate,
And engineering stunts she'd do.
With dabs of art, and Latin, too.

But she's turned schoolmarm, such is fate!

One lad, he would a trapper be.
For Xmas gifts he sold the hide.
But at the Xmas tree he sighed, —

The girls all gave him traps, you see.

But blush not, though your dreams be far,
Within your hearts we cannot see;
We know not what you hoped to be.

We only see you as you are.

Five score and more there are of you,
Of some we fain would further speak;
These from among you let us seek.

An honored and a favored few.

And there is one for whom we know
A pride too deep to be expressed,
CTiosen among your ranks the best,

Across the broad Atlantic go!

Your honor we must feel as ours.
Our Alma Mater's daughter, you,
A daughter, earnest, gracious, true.

Redeeming fully all your powers.

And there are some who from our school
With scholarships to college went.
To Syracuse, Cornell, we sent.

And they proved wonders, — as a rule.

123

For one, the country with his costumes rung,
Broken the promise of his youth.
For then he ran, but now, forsooth.

He rides the country roads among.

One laddie sails the ocean blue.
Brave Herbert is a midshipmate.
Strange tidings he doth homeward write, —

O Temperance Union, be they true?

And one, our next year's president,

A matronly and gracious dame.

Will surely win undying fame
On parliamentary learning bent.

Wits would our Rushford pace deride.
But courage! we are not so slow.
We have our weddings, too, you know.

All honor to Old Home Week's bride !

This lawyer in a Western town

In boyhood loved the dance so gay, —
The waltz and two-step, so they say.

But now he talks the wisest down.

And one, that golden headed youth,
A gallant swain in days of yore,
But married now, he flirts no more,

A printer's devil he, forsooth.

A cat has nine lives, so they say.

Seven operations on one's pet.

And seven from nine leaves two lives yet, —
The doctor's cat lives to this day.

Fellow alumni, I am through.
My muse is halting at the best,
At more of her you would protest.

So let me bid you each adieu.

124

Dear school, I cannot say good-bye.
Could I forget those pleasant ways
Through which I walked in school girl days,

Then could I part without a sigh.

O Alma Mater, tender, true,
We have no need to say farewell,
For always in our hearts you dwell.

An ever present memory, you.

(Copy of the Charter of the Rushford Academy
granted in 1852.)

^ifB fipjpittH nf % InterBttjr of % ^atpof

To all to whom these Presents shall or may
come, greeting:

Whereas, Isaiah Lathrop and others, by an
instrument in writing under their hands, bearing
date the twenty-first day of February, in the year
1852, after stating that they had contributed more
than one-half in value of the real and personal
property and estate collected or appointed for the
use and benefit of the Academy erected at the
town of Rushford to the County of Allegany, did
make application to us the said Regents, that the
said Academy might be incorporated and become
subject to the visitation of us and our successors,
and that Bates T. Hapgood, Samson Hardy, Titus
Bartlet, John Holmes, Isaac Stone, William
Gordon, Oliver D. Benjamin, Charles Benjamin,
Israel Thompson, Washington White, Robert
Norton, William Merryfield, James Gordon, 2d,
John G. Osborn and Alonzo H. Damon might be
Trustees of the said Academy by the name of

Rushford Academy.

Now KNOW ye, That we the said Regents, hav-
ing inquired into the allegations contained in the

ISAIAH LATHROP

125

instrument aforesaid, and found the same to be
true, and it having been made to appear to our
satisfaction, that the said Academy is endowed
with suitable academic buildings, library and
philosophical apparatus of the value of at least Two
thousand five hundred dollars, and conceiving the
said Academy calculated for the promotion of
Literature, do by these presents, pursuant to the
Statute in such case made and provided, signify
our approbation of the incorporation of the said
Bates T. Hapgood, Samson Hardy, Titus Bart-
let, John Holmes, Isaac Stone, William Gordon,
Oliver D. Benjamin, Charles Benjamin, Israel
Thompson, Washington White, Robert Norton,
Wm. Merryfield, Jas. Gordon, 2d, Jno. G. Osborn
and Alonzo F. Damon by the name of Rushford
Academy being the name mentioned in and by
the said request in writing, on condition that the
said endowment shall never be diminished in
value below Two thousand five hundred dollars,
and that the same shall never be applied to pur-
poses other than for public academic instruction.
In witness whereof, we have caused
our common seal to be hereunto affixed,
(seal) and the names of our Chancellor and
Secretary to be hereunto subscribed, the
fourth day of March, in the year 1852.
G. W. Lansing, Chancellor.

T. RoMEYN Beck,

Secretary.

126

RUSHFORD ACADEMY
Course of Instruction.

TEXT BOOKS, RATElS OP TUITION,

Prices of Board.

Room Accommodations, Regulations,

and

GENERAL REMARKS.

Rushford, N. Y.
1854.

Oeeicers — Board op Trustees.
Mr. John Holmes, Mr. Wm. J. Burr, M.D.,

Mr. Israel Thompson, Mr. Washington White,

Mr. Titus Bartlbtt, Mr. Samson Hardy,

Mr. A. K. Allen, Mr. Wm. McCall, M.D.,

Mr. RoBT. Norton, Mr. J. G. Osborne,

Mr. Jas. Gordon, 2nd, Mr. Avery Washburn.

President:
Titus Bartlett.
Secretary & Treasurer:
RoBT. Norton.
Librarian :
Ira Sayles.
Board op Instruction.
Principal:
Ira Sayles, A. M.
Male Assistant:
W. W. Bean.
Preceptress:
Miss Elizabeth S. Cole.
Teacher in French:
Mrs. C. S. Sayles.
Teacher in Music:
Mrs. E. P. Barry.
Teacher in the Primary Department:
Miss M._ B. B. Sayles.
Teacher in Penmanship:
Thos. C. Pound.

SUMMARY.
Of the Academic Department:

Whole number of Males 158

" " Females 164

" Students 322

THE ACADEMY IN 1856

THE HIGH SCHOOL 1908

127

Of the Primary Department:

Whole number of Boys 32

" Girls 28

•• Pupils 60

Course of Instruction.

Any individual who is desirous of attending
some of the Higher Institutions of Learning, for
any length of time, will be cheerfully received,
and accommodated to suit his convenience for
time, and for choice of study; but to all who are
anxious to fit themselves for the stirring duties
of active life, the Trustees of this Institution beg
leave to recommend especial attention to their
adopted Academic Course of Instruction, re-
marking that it is especially designed to meet the
wants of the community in general. It is planned
to occupy four years' study, from the first of the
course to its close; though it may be completed
in less time. The following is the course, viz. :
English Language and Literature . . Six Terms

Pure Mathematics Nine "

Natural Sciences and Applied Math-
ematics Ten "

Intellectual and Ethical Sciences .... Eleven "

This constitutes the regular course for Young
Men; so that, as there are three terms in the year,
three recitations daily, will complete the course
in four years.

The Young Ladies' course may vary from this,
by dropping four terms' study in Mathematics,
and substituting, instead, an equal amount of In-
strumental Music, or Drawing and Painting.

The Departments are three: A Primary, de-
signed for the youngest and least advanced
scholars, and a Regular Academic Department,
subdivided into a Male Department and a Fe-
male Department.

128

Studies Pursued in Each Department.

Primary Department. — Reading and Spelling,
Penmanship, Arithmetic as far as through the
simple rules, simple Descriptive Geography, Gen-
eral Outlines of History; Comstock's "First Les-
sons in Natural History," Comstock's "First Les-
sons in Botany," Lambert's "First Book in Physi-
ology and Anatomy"; One term in English
Grammar, Writing Simple Sentences, Exercises
in Mental Arithmetic.

Regular Academic Department. — Common
Branches, Arithmetic as far as to Involution and
Evolution, in practical works. Geography as in
"Smith's Quarto," History as in Willard's
"United States," English Grammar; second
term. Derivation of the English Language, as in
Lynd's "Etymological Class Book."

Higher Branches — Mathematics : Higher
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry,
Conic Sections and Surveying ; English Language
and Literature, Higher English Grammar, Eng-
lish Composition, Rhetoric, Critical Exercises in
the Structure and Use of Language; Intellectual,
Moral and Ethical Sciences; Logic, Intellectual
Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Natural Theol-
ogy, History of Civilization, Science of Govern-
ment, ^sthetical Philosophy; Natural Sciences
and Applied Mathematics; Chemistry, Physi-
ology and Anatomy, Natural Philosophy, Botany,
Geology, Astronomy, Mapping and Use of
Globes, and Physical Geography.

Irregular Studies. — Book-Keeping, Mathe-
matics, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Engineer-
ing, Analytical Mechanics, Mathematical As-
tronomy.

Languages — Latin Language and Literature,
—Greek
— German "

Ornamental Branches — Oil Painting, Em-
broidery, Drawing and Sketching, Piano Music,
Water Painting, Monochromatic Painting.

129

Expenses.

Primary Department $3 00

Academic Department, Common Branches 4 00

Higher " )

Ancient Languages )- 5 00

Modern " )

Extras.
Piano Music, with use of Instrument. . . .$10 00

Oil Painting 7 00

Water Painting 2 50

Monochromatic Painting 2 50

Embroidery 2 50

Incidental Expenses, in all cases 25

Board in private families, including room,
lodging, fuel, not to exceed $2 per week.

Note I. — Classes will be formed in the Irregu-
lar Studies whenever sufficient call for them is
made.

Note 2. — Frequent Scientific Lectures, illus-
trated with appropriate apparatus, will be given
free of charge to students.

Note 3.-^It will be seen, that, aside from books
and clothing, the expenses need not exceed, at
most, thirty-three dollars and a half per term,
and, by boarding one's self, need not exceed
one-half this sum. What young man, or young
woman, cannot do something towards fitting
himself or herself for the coming events of
the great future to which all are surely hasten-
ing?

Library.

This- is, as yet, quite limited; but it was selected
with special reference to the wants of both teach-
er and pupils, in the prosecution of the various
branches of study pursued.

Apparatus.

This is more than ordinarily full and complete.
It is of the best character, and of the widest range
of application.

I30

Rooms and Accommodations.
As many students prefer to board themselves,
the Academy Building has in its upper story
rooms for the accommodation of about thirty-
six. Some rooms may also be obtained for the
same purpose in the village; otherwise, board is
at all times to be had in private families. None
need leave for want of accommodation.

Regulations.

First Class of Disciplinary Offenses. — Neglect
of Studies ; Neglect of School Exercises ; Leaving
the Neighborhood of the School without excuse
previously obtained; Attending Parties of Pleas-
ure, without excuse previously obtained — Pub-
lic Balls are especially prohibited; Smoking or
Chewing Tobacco in or about the Academic
Premises or Buildings ; Keeping late hours, in the
Academic Building; Congregating about places
of public resort, especially during hours appro-
priated to study and recitation; Clownish Con-
duct; Clownish Language; Visiting each other
at improper times or places. This class will first
be cause for reprimand; but perseverance in any
or all of them will cause dismission from the
privileges of the school.

Second Class of Disciplinary Offenses, calling
for more stringent measures. — Gambling; Use of
Alcoholic Drinks as a beverage; Profanity, Li-
centiousness, in Conduct, or in Language ; Disre-
spect for the proper School Authority, etc., etc.

Remarks.

It is wholly impracticable to enumerate all
which may arise and clearly demand disciplinary
notice. So, too, it is equally impracticable to fore-
judge all degrees of viciousness, in the violation
of any of the principles of decorum, propriety, and
rectitude.

The intercourse of students with each other,

131

with the town's people, or with strangers, must be
left for special occasions to call forth special dis-
cipline, in cases wherein the rules of genuine ur-
banity, respectability, and social reciprocity, may
have been disregarded, or grossly violated.

Moreover, the rights of property, in all cases,
whether' of the property belonging to the Insti-
tution, to teachers, to other students, or to the
neighbors, will demand scrupulous observance.

Repetition of offenses will, of course, call for
increased stringency towards the offender; and
obstinate perseverance in oflfensive conduct must,
sooner or later, compel the removal of the delin-
quent.

Students who reside with their parents or
guardians, in the vicinity of the school, will, of
course, be under the control of their parents or
guardians, in all such matters as do not fall di-
rectly under the jurisdiction of the school author-
ities; and in all such cases as require stringent
measures to be resorted to, against any such stu-
dents, the parent, or guardian shall first be con-
sulted, and due respect shown for a parent's, or
guardian's authority and feelings. Still, no pa-
rent's authority or feelings, can be permitted to
interfere with the just and equitable enforcement
of proper school discipline.

The Trustees have appointed three of their own
number, who reside near the Institution, to act as
a disciplinary committee. This committee are
to be the Principal's advisers, in discipline, when-
ever they may deem the occasion to require it;
and they are also to constitute the highest dis-
ciplinary authority, recognized in the Institution.

No corporeal punishment, no suspension from
class privileges, nor expulsion from the Institu-
tion, can take place, except as the adjudication of
this committee.

It may be remarked that such a course as this

132

cannot fail to secure the student against any rash
and hasty, or ill-judged punishment, which is
liable to arise, when there is no check to a hot
temper, or an exasperated mind ; and, at the same
time, it will give to the school an authoritative
and efficient disciplinary tribunal, uniting, so far
as practicable, in the Principal and this com-
mittee, the qualities of both parental and civil
government.

Location.

This institution is located in Allegany County,
fourteen miles north of the New York and Erie
Railroad, in one of the most agreeable and
healthy villages in the State. The situation is
eligible and pleasant, — the surrounding country
romantic and beautiful.

PROFESSOR and MRS. W. W. BEAN

133

>>*^

A¥imrwm:

—OK TlIB—

WEDNESDAY EVENIKO, .UASCH 9, 1869.

PRAYER, -..--.. BY REV. J. H, HENKY.

MUSIC BY CUBA BRASS BAND.

CA1.LIKO ROr.I^ - ,
SAI-UTATOBY. ....

ESSAY- VoiCR OK THK Mystic, '
ESSAY— Al-TilAJltu's Vision,. ^ . ,

iwitrsic-

OBATiosr— rotiTiciL rAKiiEs,

OBATiON-Iteslo.T, - . .

XkCCrsxc-
TtflflA.ii:-^?ifiiitwu.i ■ -1 , . ^ , - ■

ESSAY— Troths Glbaxrd tfU)M..SociRTr,

lircrsic-

OKATIOS'— lltnCK or I<;tri.i.eot,
VALEDICTOBY. - . - -

A 1 ) J () V K N M l! N T

Bpflpondin^ by Scntlmcutii,
- ■ W. Spafttord.

UlasA.KcndalL
Mist U. U. Dolaud.

I. W. Kimball.
H. a. Bond.

Unw A. O. Buck.
- Mlia J. BIsbcc.

J. ti, Mortinn.
n. A. Coatii.

fJ«*uUin<*iilN will be ruHd from dltttttigulfhcd Lit<'rar.v &ti>n And Wotn&n-^
TIull...44uv.\RO ISvrrktt, Koi). lloKATio Sbyhour, H<iii. Gerrit Smitit,-'
Mtr, SigochiIkv, Graok Owrkxwooi,. I''a.vsv Fkrs, &c.

"ClTVJJia>o«T?JB1nl,_JYclliiTilie, X. V.

134

"Act, Act, in the Living Present,
Heart within and God o'erhead."

MYSTIC SOCIETY,

OF RUSHFORD ACADEMY.

Public Session,

Monday Evening, March 5th, i860.

ORDER OE EXERCISES :

Music. By Palmer's Unequalled Cornet Band

Calling Roll Responding by Sentiments

Salutatory Miss A. E. Ellethorpe

Poem : The Dead of 1859 Miss A. O. Buck

MUSIC.

Discussion Whatever Is, Is Right

Affirmative, Mrs. Howser.
Negative, Miss A. Sears.

MUSIC.

Essay — "Worshippers" Miss A. M. Lathrop

Poem — A Southern Scene. .Miss M. A. Kendall

MUSIC.

Home and Foreign Correspondence.

MUSIC.

Valedictory Miss M. E. Williams

MUSIC.

Adjournment.

-H j^HBnj^l

-if ■'

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■ A -

P /

f " "" j^

^^^^^BSs^^ '" "^

m
f

•

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M^3I'"''^* _.

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.#^2

^"Wt^^',, ,_

p- .f.m.i-t-' -"^^

^IMI

H. W. SPEAR. L. A. STEVENS. M. C. BISSELL.

H. C. WILLIAMS. PROF. G. W. F. BUCK. H. A. COATS.

AND
MEMBERS OF CLASS 1860

135

ATTT CiBSAB, AUT NULLTTS.

EXEEGISES OF TB.K

'iwim

'© €LMS,

■%Vc-diiesclay Evening, June 20, 1860.

^lm\(f

^wMoxA €omtt W>mA.

SALUTATORY, Earth's Benefactors, B. Latlii'op.

OUB DESTINY,

THE SPIRIT OF SUCCESS

OVCTJSIC-
O TIMES: O MANNERS:
NOBILITY OF THOUGHT,
GLOOM,

America and her inflilence,

Expression,

Individuality, Valedictory,

PRESENTATION OP DIPLOMAS,

H. W. Spear.
L. A. Stevens.

M. C. Bissell.

H. C. Williams.

A. O. Buck.

L. Higgins.
P. E. Woods.
H, A. Coats.

cnapin Bros. Print.

136

Public Session

OF the;

PHILOMATHEAN LYCEUM

RusHPORD Acade;my,

Wednesday Evening, June 22, 1864.

Ubi Libertas Ibi Patria.

L. L. Benjamin, President.

ORDER OF exercises :

Music Rushford Cornet Band

Salutatory C. Damon

music.

Discussion: Resolved, That the Southern Con-

. federacy will achieve its Independence.

Affirmative — F. E. Hammond and O. S. Vree-

land.
Negative — C. G. Wing and F. L,. McKinney.

MUSIC

Oration : "Suffer and be Strong"

G. H. Giddings

MUSIC

Address: "Garibaldi" Prof. G. W. F. Buck

MUSIC

The exercises will be varied by the introduc-
tion of Tableaux Vivants — Classical, Historical
and Comical.

ADJOURNMENT.

Admittance — Fifteen Cents.
The object of the fee is to assist an indigent
student, well known to the citizens of Rushford
and vicinity, in the prosecution of his studies.
As the Band have generously given their services
for the occasion, and all other expenses are de-
frayed by the Lyceum, the entire proceeds will be
appropriated as above mentioned.

PROFESSOR G. W. F. BUCK

137

Rwnllfrtiotta.
Professor G. W. F. Buck.

By long residence in the South one learns to
use the phrase " Befo' the wa'," as indicating all
ancient history — ^that is, at all important. Especi-
ally suitable is this in this section; it is appropri-
ate to our whole country, so momentous are the
changes since that epoch. Rushford has been
transformed, it seems to me, in a rather unusual
degree. Partly from this cause; of the Union
soldiers from that town, many who survived, re-
turning to the familiar scene, found the extreme
quiet tedious, and made their homes elsewhere.
The energy of these wanderers bringing success,
a younger class followed their example. Strangers
came to occupy the vacant space, introducing a
new element.

As it happened, my sojourn in Rushford began
a few years before the great conflict and ended
near its close. Thus I know exactly what the
village was before the war. We hear much now
of university towns, such as Ithaca, which exists
only for the sake of its noted institution. In the
old era Rushford was literally an academy town.
The Academy was its pride, its hope, its life; it
was, indeed, the town. The school was self-sup-
porting— maintained, that is, by tuition fees. The
students were almost wholly of advanced grades;
a large proportion of them, sometimes the ma-
jority, were from other towns. Thus the Academy
was a link joining us to that outside world with
which we had otherwise what would now be con-
sidered slight means of communication. But the
school itself? Since my connection with it I have
had much acquaintance with other localities, vary-
ing in their remoteness from Rushford, and, in
their aloofness, from its spirit. Yet the old Acad-
emy has always remained in my memory, not only
as a most delightful experience, but as one alto-
gether and, in a wonderful way, unique. Here are

138

a few noticeable points: Pupils of the most ami-
able docility, of such alertness for learning — I do
not say ambition, that would imply rivalry. But,
with us all, kindly co-operation; no dictatorial
rules; occasionally a gentle admonition; more often
words of encouragement. Only one case of suspen-
sion, very brief, from recitation. Only one student
advised, and that privately, "to depart." I have
since thought that I might have possibly avoided
that " harshness " if I had been more thoughtful.
No formal reports " to parents or guardians,"
but visits to them and interchange of views. The
fewness of reports in general, and the total ab-
sence of red tape gave time for that social inter-
course which was always a special feature with
us. In fact, to use a term not then in use, we
had, was it by some happy chance. Education by
" Suggestion " rather than by routine. We had
even then something — the Quincy system. Or, to
use a still greater name, our school was of the
idyllic type that would have pleased Rousseau, it
agreed with so much of his theory, it was so
greatly a return to the natural method described
by him with such fondness. For these results,
that I still consider admirable, that are closely in
harmony with the ideal method just now dawning
on the educational horizon for the prosperity of
the school, which was allowed to be quite remark-
able till interrupted by the response of so many
young men of that region to the " call to arms,"
I would not claim praise altogether or even chiefly
to the teacher, certainly not to the principal.
Credit should be given in two directions: first,
to the ancestry of the students — Massachusetts,
Vermont, offshoot of the Puritan, just as gifted
as the Massachusetts-Connecticut type and more
genial. Secondly, the environment. Life in
Rushford, how simple it was " Befo' the wa' ", but
simplicity of the most exquisite refinement, of the
noblest charm, of the most generous manliness.

139

May I give one or two illustrations of Rushford
as it was known to me ?

Our " Events " were the Debates of the Liter-
ary Societies of the Academy, Maple Sugar
Feasts, Donation Parties, Teas without any color
schemes, traveling to Cuba to take the train. To
make that festive journey still more enjoyable,
one thoughtful stage driver fitted up his covered
winter vehicles with a stove and fires. As joyous
an excursion to me then as motoring to Florida
has been since.

Board at the Rockwell House was six dollars
a month, excellent board, too, nothing " simple "
there, except the price. But John always seemed
satisfied and happy. He deserves honorable
mention as, in his way, a benefactor of the school.

Aside from the food supply, liberal at every
table, the rule throughout the community was
Wordsworth's "plain living and high thinking."

Of that far-off era, the members of the Board
of Trustees, who were as considerate for me as
though each had been my father, many of the
patrons, almost all of them personal friends to me,
many of the pupils who were, in general, each as
a brother of mine or sister, have passed beyond.

Of my life, so full of years, most of them fairly
happy years, I count this a special felicity — this
chance to express, if faintly, my fond, my tender,
my grateful remembrance of the dear, dear Rush-
ford that I knew.

&0mp ©Ijararte rialtra of Suaifforb.

Written by a pupil in the Academy in its early
period.

I have been very strongly importuned by some
of my friends to write something for the " His-
tory of Rushford." Perhaps I am as competent
as some of these impecunious titled foreigners who
hang upon the frazzled fringe of nobility and travel

I40

from New York to Chicago on the Twentieth
Century Limited, after which they return to their
own land and write a history of America and the
American people, their habits, customs, industries,
etc.

Now I once spent three whole months in Rush-
ford, which would give me ample time to see, study
and learn all there was to learn, and as this is my
first effort to write anything for the press, that fact
would also make me perfectly competent. Rush-
ford, as you all know, is known all over the
United States. It was settled by people who
valued churches and schools, and as religion and
education go hand in hand, they very soon had
churches and school houses built. The churches
soon developed into five or six denominations;
the schools into the Rushford Academy, which
drew students from all over the surrounding
country. It flourished and became very popular.
The parents of two young innocents, in due time,
heard of it and felt anxious that their boys should
enjoy the benefit of such a noble institution. There-
fore, the father of one and the mother of the other
took a trip to Rushford to complete arrangements
for having their sons enrolled with the noble
band of students, and to engage board for the
same. The former was easily accomplished, and
the latter they secured with Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Norton, who with their little son " Tommy " lived
opposite the Academy, which was very fortunate
for one of the innocents, as he had been on crutches
for two years and was then only able to get around
by the aid of a cane. Mr. and Mrs. Norton were
two of the finest people that ever lived, and
Tommy was — well, he was all boy and full of
pranks, for which we loved the little rascal, and
have been greatly pleased with his later success
in life.

We drove to Rushford in March, 1856, in a
sleigh. Part of the way the roadbed was narrow

o
w
o
a
►d

a
1=1

141

and the snow as high as the top of the fences, in
some places as high as the horses' backs at the
sides. The Principal of the Academy was Prof.
Ira Sayles, who was noted for having abone in
his back, and stood up straight. He could not en-
dure a joke or levity of any kind; was always
very proper in his pronunciation, and was a very
good teacher. We hired a study room in the dor-
mitory of the Academy, which was in the then
third story of the building, being made into rooms
for the students, some of whom boarded them-
selves. We made but few acquaintances, as we
did not enter school to visit, but to study.

At that time there were Baptist, Methodist
and Presbyterian Churches, with no regular Pas-
tor in the Presbyterian Church. As we were Pres-
byterians, we attended church there whenever
Mr. Norton read a service, but, like the old col-
ored woman, we " patronized them all." Mr. Nor-
ton was at that time studying for the ministry,
afterwards going to the Auburn Theological Sem-
inary. He was at that time making pineapple
cheese in a little building back of the Academy.
He did his banking business at Cuba, and he often
walked there in the forenoon, attended to his busi-
ness, and walked back again in the afternoon, mak-
ing thirty-six miles.

Studies and lessons went on like clockwork in
routine. As new maple sugar came into the mar-
ket, we had a few sugar eats in our study room in
the evening, always enjoyable. As the weather
grew warmer, we would go a-fishing and down
to the "old swimming hole", and have a general
good time on Saturdays. A few times the "Prof."
would hear a noise during school in study hours
that did not indicate an application to books, and
he would stealthily ascend to the third story, and
solemnly put his face into our room, thinking the
levity came from there, but always found himself
mistaken.

142

My room-mate (a nice young fellow) was devel-
oping into a young society man, and, not being
handicapped with a lame ankle, he received many
invitations out for the evening, as he made a
better beau home than the writer, who was then
lame, caused by the bite of a vicious dog.

There was one cult that I have not yet men-
tioned; that was Spiritualism. Among whom
was one man who let his hair grow long, and was
bringing up his son like Samson, with long
locks. Some of the naughty boys in the dormi-
tory opened a barber shop one evening; the boy
went on a tour of inspection, and Delilah relieved
him of his locks. The "innocents" were not there;
neither did they know who ran the barber shop.
It was not open for business the next day. As I
have before said, the people of Rushford were in-
tent upon getting knowledge. There had been a
lecture on Spiritualism in the home town of these
two "innocents", and the brother of one of them
sent to him one of the hand bills with a blank
space for inserting the place and date of the lec-
ture, which was duly inserted, naming Academy
Hall and for the following Wednesday evening,
and the bill was fastened to the Academy gate.
That was all that any one excepting the innocents
knew about it. The janitor lighted the hall, rang
the Academy bell, and the audience gathered,
only to be informed that from some unforeseen
cause the lecturer had failed to get there, and
they were dismissed.

A few days before the close of the term, as a
few of us were gathered on the steps outside the
front hall door, making very little noise, the pro-
fessor suddenly appeared and sternly warned us
to be quiet, with some dire threat, whereupon we
hushed. But a little later when bidding each other
" good bye," I experienced the rapture of Leigh
Hunt's verses "Jennie kissed me." For a mo-
ment I was dazed, but later, alas ! when too late,

143

would have been willing to have taken Adam's
place for another bite of that apple.

During our stay in Rushford we came home
three times, once Mrs. Norton coming with me and
Tommy with my roommate ; twice hiring a brown
pony of Mr. Higgins, and twice a big sorrel of Mr.
Holmes. Although the writer was in Rushford
but three months, he has always had a warm spot
in his heart for the place and the few people he
became acquainted with, and has gone back a great
many times, always taking others with him to en-
joy the beautiful drive. At the time of my so-
journ in Rushford there was a road through the
gorge from East Rushford to Smith's Mills. At
that time it was a beautiful drive and we always
went that route, but the flood of 1857 destroyed
it, as well as much of East Rushford.

I attended the Old Home Gathering, which I
very much enjoyed, and hope I may again take
the beautiful drive to the village of Rushford.

(§nt ($omttvmtA ©p«J»a Mart to iiaanluttnn tlfmt
ConHoltdation.

Isaiah LathroPx
1856.
Mr. President:

As I am called upon to offer a few remarks in
support of the affirmation of this question (viz.,
Resolved, that our Government tends more to
dissolution than consolidation), I shall be under
the necessity of presenting the dark side of the
picture. Unpleasant and mortifying as it is to
speak of the failings and vices of our friends and
officers of our Government, truth and facts must
come out.

Were we to enter into a detail concerning the
character and conduct of the officers of our Gov-
ernment, we should find that bribing and corrup-
tion of the blackest and deepest kind were too

144

prevalent; party spirit and sectional feeling and
interest too strong, to sustain and perpetuate our
Government but a short time.

Look at our representatives in Congress, and
witness the divisions and contentions among
them upon the construction and design of the
Constitution. The bitter feeling and animosity
which have grown out of these debates have
nearly broken up our Congress and destroyed the
Government.

The right of Petition, which has been so pow-
erfully and ably contended for by some of the rep-
resentatives from the North, has been as strongly
and eloquently opposed by those of the South.
Whilst one member is discharging what he re-
gards as a constitutional and conscientious obli-
gation by presenting a petition, he is censured and
charged of such infamous crimes as subornation
of perjury and high treason against the Govern-
ment. Are not, Mr. President, such imputations
as these productive of evil consequences ?

And among the many causes and reasons we
might adduce to prove that our Government is
tending to a dissolution, we say, the slave ques-
tion is one that is agitating our Republic, and car-
rying alarm and consternation among the slave
holding States, affecting their interests and rights,
as they boldly contend. The evil must be arrested,
says a Southern member. It is vain, utterly
vain, to suppose that the South will submit to the
present state of things. Peace we must have in
or out of the Union. It is the doctrine of South
Carolina that they had a right to secede from the
Union. And if one State has a right to secede,
then the whole have. The separation of one dis-
solves the Union; the barrel falls to pieces the
moment one stave is taken from the hoop. I say,
Mr. President, this subject is one which will
constantly afford a bone of contention between
the North and South, thereby endangering our

145

civil liberty, threatening us with civil war, alienat-
ing those from each other who should be bound
together by the strongest ties of friendship.

Now, sir, what can be more destructive to any
Government than these civil and political broils
and contentions ? What is there more to be
dreaded than a civil war in the midst of our Re-
public, and what would more portend the disso-
lution of our Government than such war ?

The late decision of the Supreme Court in de-
claring the right of trial by jury to a claimed slave
in the free States unconstitutional and void is
one, the most important ever made by that Court
or any other, as it involves not merely the right
of a few slaves or free people of color, but of
the States, — and involves them in such a way as
can hardly fail to make but one party of this
question in all the States north and west.

Petitions for an alteration of the Constitution
will pour into Congress from all the free States.
They have laws and citizens of their own at stake
in this matter, who cannot fail to see that, by this
decision, the Constitution is actually made to pro-
tect slavery and nothing else. If this decision
bore as hard on the South as it does on the
North, we should hear at once the threats of
nullification, secession and disunion.

But the South says, make that clear in the Con-
stitution which the North considers doubtful; take
away the power to abolish slavery in the District
of Columbia and the Territories; shut the subject
of slavery forever out of the halls of Congress.
And let the States restrain their citizens from
combining and plotting the overthrow of our
Union. If such amendments are adopted, the
South will have peace; but if rejected, it will
prove to the South that the Union ought to be
dissolved.

146

l«aljfnr&'0 ^ami fflcmittg, JffriJiag, Attguat aiat.
^nUiwra' anb CS. A. S. imj.

PROGRAMME.

Morning.

1 1 a.m, — Visiting and other comrades will report
at G. A. R. Headquarters for registration.

Noon — Dinner. '

Afternoon.

1. 1 5 p.m. — Veterans will form in line and march
to the hall.

1.30 p.m. — Music by the band.

Prayer Rev. Johnson

Music Orchestra

Address . Past Department Commander Judge Swift

Honor Roll Comrade W. W. Rush

Quartette.

Addresses by State Department Chaplain Rev.
Henry Woods and others.

Evening.
7 p.m. — Lighting of camp fires.
7.30 p.m. — Music by band.
Prayer — Rev. Poate.
Quartette.

Addresses Rev. Macklin and Rev. Parker

Music — Orchestra.

The Blue and the Gray . v. Comrade Davis

Comrade S. S. Karr will exhibit the old Stockade

Andersonville flag and tell how he came by it.
Colonel Elwell, keeper of Bath Soldiers' Home, is

expected to be present.
Song, led by quartette

" We Wont go Home till Morning "

Benediction Rev. Henry Woods

Visiting delegates will be entertained both day

and night by Woodworth Post.

By Order of Committee.

THE GRAND PAEADE

147

Julia Tarbeli, Mi;rrili«

By request, on Friday, the Farmers' Parade
and the School Parade, with some alterations
and additions, were repeated in connection with
the Special Parade prepared for that day, mak-
ing a never-to-be-forgotten scene. As on pre-
vious days, Romaine W. Benjamin was in
charge as marshal. This was, officially, G.
A. R. Day. The column was headed by an
old soldier bearing the national flag; next
came the band wagon carrying the Rushf ord Cor-
net Band, composed of sixteen pieces, which fur-
nished inspiring music; they were followed by
carriages containing the Grand Army men, the
speakers of the day and the guests of honor.

The second division, in charge of Fred Mc-
Elheny, was composed of the floats of Farmers'
Day Parade, with some changes.

The third division, in charge of R. L. Lewis,
consisted of the School Parade, which is described
elsewhere. The different classes were in car-
riages beautifully decorated with their class col-
ors, and it surely was one of the prettiest features
of the day.

The fourth division, in charge of Russell Wil-
marth, was composed of automobiles carrying
the ball team, who were the center of interest
and were cheered all along the way. Rushford
was very proud of her ball team, which won every
game during the week.

The Cynthian Club float was beautifully dec-
orated in yellow, the club color, the ladies wear-
ing large bouquets of golden glow.

For pure ridiculousness the Philomathean So-
ciety certainly "took the cake." These staid busi-
ness men, all members of that society in the years
long gone by, wore sun-bonnets, old calico dresses
and were leading dogs and carrying banners.

148

while "Bobby Dusenbury's" little green cart was
much in evidence.

A most interesting feature of the parade was
a company of cowboys on horseback and another
company of well-costumed Indians on their
ponies, in all numbering about seventy. There
was a skirmish between the two, and the cowboys
were victorious. The firing of muskets and re-
volvers made it very exciting and realistic. No
one was injured, notwithstanding the appear-
ance of a riderless horse dashing through the
crowd. Among the horseback riders was one of
Rushford's young ladies dressed in full Indian
costume, her long dark hair heightening the re-
semblance. There were other attractive features
and additions. The procession was a very long
as well as entertaining one, and the verdict of
the strangers within our gates was that it was one
of the most interesting and enjoyable parades
ever seen anywhere. How much it meant to those
who were interested in Rushford would be diffi-
cult to tell.

J. G. Macklin.
The Home Coming Week at Rushford was
wisely planned to follow the labor of the harvest,
when rest and recreation were most needed for
the toiler, and when those who had reaped abun-
dant harvests were contented and joyful. This
contagion of good cheer was wafted upon every
breeze. It was the echo of every conversation
and it gave animation and unanimity to every;
effort of an intelligent and patriotic community
to make their centennial celebration memorable
as a week that would most appropriately termi-
nate a century of progress and cast the light of
its purposes and glad associations far into the
years of a bright and promising future.

THE GRAND PARADE

149

Whatever the previous mental mood of the
visitor had been, his cares took wings, his bur-
dens disappeared, and his sorrows were forgotten
in the atmosphere of Rushford, where only one
temper of mind prevailed, and that universally
expressed in smiling faces, kind words and un-
bounded hospitality. Under the able presidency
of Captain Bush, with his cabinet of department
leaders, the people were expectant and confi-
dent that success would crown and harmony
characterize the proceedings of the eventful week.

The first evidence of welcome that greeted the
visitor was the G. A. R. Hall, with its large flag
flung high in the breeze, inviting us for social
greeting and repose to this hospitable headquar-
ters of the Post and Relief Corps. The spacious
interior of the hall was tastefully decorated, mak-
ing a most attractive place for the comrades to
rest, and relate in animated conversation the war
scenes of the Sixties. The ladies of the Relief
Corps, with tireless energy and generous hospi-
tality, served refreshments to members of the
Post and visiting comrades. These considerate
women entertained us most delightfully, and as
we reflected upon their kindness the conviction
grew upon us that the female arm of the service,
either in war or peace, is after all the strongest,
and by far the most essential to our success', our
comfort and our happiness.

My part of the programme was the concluding
address of the last day, a day set apart in honor
of the veterans of the Civil War.

During the afternoon I listened with pleasure
to Judge Swift, of Buflfalo, and Rev. Henry C.
Woods, of Bath, Chaplain of the G. A. R. of New
York State. These men held large audiences, and
were frequently applauded as they delineated in
graceful speech incidents of the great war
through which they passed. These addresses

ISO

were part of their lives, reminiscent, pathetic, in-
structive, and vital with soldier heroism.

When the sun had sunk behind the western
hills the people with undiminished enthusiasm re-
assembled to see the great campfire send its leap-
ing tongues of flame above the treetops and
brighten the faces of men who had built their
nightly fires from Atlanta to the Sea.

Turning from the warm, bright glow of the
burning stumps, the band, playing national airs,
led the way to the Academy hall, which soon was
filled with the age and youth of Rushford, many
of whom had come from distant States to pay
what might be their last visit to the cherished
home of their birth. Invocation was offered by
Rev. T. P. Poate, followed by music and an ad-
dress from Comrade Rev. T. F. Parker, which
greatly added to the interest of the occasion.

My address was not enriched by experiences of
campaign life, and, therefore, lacked that peculiar
interest that a participant and spectator can
create, which must be lacking in the utterances of
a long-distance observer in the field of historic
events. Mine was a summary of the questions in-
volved in the war, some having their origin in the
early days of the Republic and becoming storm
centers around which the passion of debate swept
for eighty years :

The forces in the conflict representing distinct
and separate civilizations, with their giant leaders,
their vast resources, their indomitable courage
and surprising numbers.

The magnitude of the Rebellion, with its bear-
ing upon the commercial interests of foreign na-
tions.

The hostile attitude of Lord John Russell and
Lord Palmerston of England, the British fleet in
Halifax harbor and an army in Toronto, the de-
struction of our commerce by ships built in British
navy yards, the Canadian Parliament taking a re-

151

cess of half an hour to cheer and drink over our
defeat at Chancellorsville.

Beecher in England turning the tide of
popular s)mipathy in our favor. Notwithstanding
the hostility of the aristocratic element, the com-
mon people of Great Britain and Canada were in
sympathy with Lincoln and the North.

We reviewed the war with its loss of life, its
cost of treasure, and recalled some of its forgotten
lessons and concluded with the following words,
addressed to about one hundred of the Boys in
Blue, who had answered their Country's call in
her darkest hour of danger :

"Gray-headed survivors of this fratricidal
strife, since you stood in the death lines of Antie-
tam and Malvern Hill and repulsed the furious
charges at Shiloh and Gettysburg and stormed the
strongholds of Vicksburg and Richmond, your
numbers have grown less until to-day there is but
a feeble remnant of the once mighty host, the
pride and strength of our Republic. The battle-
fields where brothers fought are quiet now, while
monuments of bronze and marble mark the place
of rest and keep silent watch over the slumbering
dust of fallen heroes.

"A new generation has arisen to appreciate
your heroism and to estimate the war in its de-
cisive and far-reaching results, from a dispas-
sioned standpoint nearly fifty years removed from
the scenes of debate and carnage with which you
were so familiar. * * *

"You met and conquered a valiant foe who
was flushed with success and confident of vic-
tory. * * *

"You scattered the mighty horde of misguided
warlike knights who had thrown themselves
across the pathway of progress and attempted in
their madness to stay the march of modern civil-
ization. You beat into subjection the discordant
factions that threatened our destruction, thus

152

making our country a land of peace and prom-
ise. * * *

"You dispelled the black cloud of shame that
had hung over us for two centuries and let the
light of liberty shine into every cottage and cabin
within the bounds of our great commonwealth.

"You struck the shackles from the hands of
four million bondmen, and established their feet
in the pathway of progress, while the world lis-
tened with delight to their glad song of emanci-
pation.

"Your courage and endurance were severely
tried by countless ordeals. * * *

"You laid broad and deep in the councils of
magnanimity the foundation of reconstruction, so
that our unity to-day is the admiration of the
nations, our prosperity is unparalleled and our
wealth phenomenal.

"Amid lamentations of sorrow and shouts of
triumph we welcomed you back from fields of
carnage to pursue with us again the arts of peace,
and in this you surpassed the fondest hopes of
your countrymen and the highest expectations
of mankind. * * * You built schools and churches,
you advanced reform, you represented the people
in State legislatures and sat in Governors' chairs
and taught us that patriotism is obedience as well
as the defense of righteous laws. Five of your
number were the recipients of the highest gift of
the people and became our chi^f executives at the
White House, while others stood for justice and
American rights in councils of foreign nations.

"In the unique combination of physical courage,
intellectual fibre and moral rectitude you sur-
passed the soldier of the world of any age or
nation.

"We, never can forget your labor and sacrifice,
and as the countless generations of Columbia's
children shall rise in rapid succession and follow
each other with hurrying feet across the stage of
human activity, they will rise up to do you honor.

CAPTAIN W. W. BUSH

153

They will cherish and defend the principles for
which you fought. They will sing of your victories
as the Greeks sang of Marathon. They will teach
their sons and daughters the significance of the
issues involved in the conflict of the Civil War
and the character and heroism of the soldier of
the Sixties."

W. W. Bush.
Revolutionary Soldiers, who moved to
rushford and are buried there.
Eneas Gary —

Born September 23, 1757; died August 17, 1844;
aged 87 years.

We have no record of his service, except his
pension certificate, which reads as follows :

War Department, Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the
United States, of the 7th of June, 1832, Eneas
Gary, of the State of New York, who was a private
during the Revolutionary War, is entitled to re-
ceive thirty five dollars per annum, during his nat-
ural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831,
and payable semiannually, on the 4th of March, and
4th of September, in every year. Given at the War
Office of the United States, this twenty-ninth day
of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.

Lewis Cass,
Secretary of War.

J. L. Edwards,

Commissioner of Pensions.

James Gordon, Senior —

Came from Leeds, Perth Co., Scotland, as a Brit-
ish soldier under General Burgoyne May, 1775, and
afterwards joined the Americans under General
Washington; at one time he was Aide-de-camp of
Gen. Washington.

154

James Gordon —

Enlisted in Poor's Regiment, Captain Morris'
company, June 15, 1775, from Epping, Rockingham
Co., New Hampshire.

He joined the Continental Army in Prince Long's
Regiment, Capt. Mark Wiggins' company, at Ports-
mouth, N. H., August 27th, 1776, from Epping,
N. H. Discharged December i, 1776.

Joined the Continental Army, under Capt. Zebulon
Oilman, September 8, 1777. Re-enlisted under
Colonel Nathan Gillman August 3, 1779, for one
year, from Poplin, N. H.

Enlisted under Captain Rowells, 2nd N. H., 3rd
Co., February, 1781. Placed on, the pension roll
July 24th, 1820; commenced to draw pension May
8th, 1818, at the rate of Ninety-six dollars a year;
total amount of pension drawn, $1,471.25.

Died in Rushford December 9th, 1844, in his 93rd
year.

Daniel Kingsbury —

Served as sergeant of the company raised in
Enfield, Conn., for the Lexington Alarm, under
Major Nathaniel Terry. He was appointed Ensign
in the Second Battalion of State troops November,
1776, and served in Rhode Island under General
Wooster; he settled later in Cherry Valley with his
son Benjamin Kingsbury, came to Rushford in
1830, and died on the farm now owned by George
H. Kingsbury.

Captain Jonathan Going —

Died August 25th, 1848; aged 86 years, 11
months.

David Kinney —

Oliver Cromweu, Bennett —

Served as a private in Capt. Eell's company. Col.
Durkee's Regiment, Connecticut Line. Being but
sixteen at the opening of the war, he first accom-
panied the regiment in 1776, as a cook or officer's

IS5

servant. He was in the battle of Long Island,
August 27, 1776, narrowly escaping capture. Later,
in 1780, he was a regularly enlisted man under arms.
The record also shows that he served all of the year
1781.

Joshua Wilson —

His parents settled in Goffstown, New Hamp-
shire. At the age of sixteen years he was drawn in
Captain Samuel Richards' company, of Colonel
John Starks' regiment of New Hampshire Militia, to
repel Baum's advance on Bennington, and fought in
that battle August i6th, 1777. Afterwards he served
as a part of the garrison of Fort Ann, and in the
operations designed to cut off the retreat of Bur-
goyne's army to Canada.

Soldiers of the War op 1812, who moved to

rushford and are buried there.
Sampson Hardy —

Died November 17th, 1831; aged tj years, 11
months.

Leonard Farwell —

Died September 24th, 1846; aged 70 years.

E. J. Peck—

Died February 17th, 1850; aged 56 years.

Benjamin Kingsbury —

Came to Rushford from Cherry Valley, N. Y.,
in 1830; he served in the War of 1812, going from
Cherry Valley, to Fort Niagara. Died November
I2th, 1850.

David Babbitt —

Died March 17th, 1867 ; aged 72 years, 10 months.

Ira Bishop —

Died June 5th, 1873 ; aged 80 years.

Alvin K. Morse —

Died July 28th, 1870; aged 76 years, 4 months,
19 days.

iS6

Amos Pbck —

Died November 6th, 1866; aged 76 years.

John Lamberson —

Died January 20th, 1874; aged 81 years.

Andre Bennett —

Born 1788; died March, 1851.
Was drafted from Rushford, and served in the
War of 1812, at Fort Erie, Buffalo, N. Y.

Soldiers of the Civil War.

Burton Freeman —

Age 32 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years; mustered in as a sergeant, Co. I, May 21,
1861 ; promoted to second lieutenant, September
I, 1861 ; first lieutenant, February 7, 1862; captain,
September 27, 1862; mustered out with company,
May 31, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y.

John R. Heald —

Age 18 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private, Co. I, 27 N. Y. Infantry; mustered
out with company. May 31, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y.

Philander D. Ellithorp —

Age 20 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private, Co. I, 27 N. Y. Infantry ; promoted
corporal, March i, 1862, sergeant, March i, 1863;
mustered out with company, May 31, 1863, at
Elmira, N. Y.

Second enlistment; mustered January 4, 1864, in
the Second N. Y. Mounted Rifles, as sergeant;
wounded and lost his left arm, front of Petersburg,
Va., June 17, 1864; discharged July, 1864.

Albert Babbitt —

Age 26 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private, Co. I, 27 N. Y. Infantry; killed
July 21, 1861, at Bull Run, Va.

BRIG.-GEN'L R. H, PRATT

157

Ira Ames —

Age 25 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private, Co. I, 27 N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged February 11, 1863, at White Oak Church,
Va.

RoMAiNE W. Benjamin —

Age 20 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry, dis-
charged August 9, 1861, by order of General Mans-
field.

Timothy C. Charles —

Age 23 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged June 5, 1863.

Enoch Hibbard —

Age 34 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; died
August 20, 1862 at General Hospital, Philadelphia,
Pa.

Stanley Hobart —

Age 32 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; pro-
moted to corporal; died December 3, 1862, at Staf-
ford Court House, Va.

WlNEIELD TuETS —

Age 18 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry;
mustered out with company May 31, 1863, at Elmira,
N. Y. Second enlistment, June 29, 1863, for three
years as private Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery; pro-
moted to sergeant; discharged with company, Sep-
tember 2, 1865.

Charles A. Woodruef —

Age 21 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years as private Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; pro-
moted to sergeant; wounded in left knee, at Gaines

158

Hill, June 27, 1862 ; discharged December 23, 1863,
from General Hospital, Baltimore, Md., by sur-
geon's certificate of disability.

Ira C. Worthington —

Age 19 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years, as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry;
mustered out with company May 31, 1863, at Elmira,

N. Y.

Georgb Watsrs —

Age 24 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years, as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged August 9, 1861, by order of General Mans-
field.

Aaron H. Wright —

Age 28 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, for two
years, as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged May 31, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y. Second
enlistment in Co. F, Fourth N. Y. Artillery.

John W. Bishop —

Age 21 years. Enlisted July 5, 1861, for two
years, as private,' Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; pro-
moted corporal; wounded July 21st, 1861, in first
Bull Run; died at Richmond, Va., while a prisoner
of war.

Wii,BEE S. Chamberlain —

Age 18 years. Enlisted July 5, 1861, for two
years, as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged September, 1862, at Bakersville, Md., by
order of Secretary of War.

Edwin Huntley —

Age 21 years. Enlisted July 5, 1861, for two
years, as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged with company. May 31, 1863, at Elmira,
N. Y.

Charles I. Hobart —

Age 19 years. Enlisted July 5, 1861, for two
years, as private, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry, pro-

159

moted corporal; wounded, September 14, 1862; at
Crampton's Pass, Md. ; died November 29, 1862, of
said wounds.

William A. Eaton —

Age 20 years. Enlisted August 26, 1861, for three
years, as private, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry; dis-
charged December 31st, 1863, at Stevensburg, Va. ;
re-enlisted, December 31st, 1863, as private, Co. E,
5th N. Y. Cavalry, for three years; taken prisoner
March 11, 1864; confined at Andersonville and other
prisons fourteen months; discharged January 24,
1865.

Aaron C. Eaton —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 26, 1861, for three
years, as private, Co. E, Sth N. Y. Cavalry; dis-
charged December 31, 1863, at Stevensburg, Va. ;
re-enlisted December 31, 1863, for three years in
the same company and regiment, as private; dis-
charged July 26, 1865, at close of war.

Sumner E. Kilmer —

Age 18 years. Enlisted August 26, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. E, Sth N. Y. Cavalry;
discharged December 31, 1863, at Stevensburg, Va. ;
re-enlisted December 31, 1863, in the same Co.
and regiment, for three years; discharged July 26,
1865, ^t close of war; served as Brigade Quarter-
master sergeant from 1862 to discharge.

Leonard M. Worthington —

Age years. Enlisted August 30, 1861, for

three years, as private, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry;
discharged December 31, 1863, at Stevensburg, Va. ;
re-enlisted December 31, 1863, for three years; taken
prisoner June 29 1864; confined at Andersonville
and other prison.s nine months; discharged, 1865.

Isaac W. Evans —

Age 23 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64 N. Y. Infantry;

i6o

discharged September 27, 1862, for disability caused
by gun shot wound received at battle of Fair Oaks,
Va.

Alonzo Brown —

Age 23 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded in action, June 12, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ;
died June 12, 1862, at Fifth Street Hospital, Phila-
delphia, Pa.

G50RGB W. Hapgood —

Age 25 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded in action June i, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ;
discharged September 30th, 1862, at U. S. A. Hospi-
tal, Philadelphia, Pa.

Second enlistment December 23rd, 1863, as ser-
geant in the Second N. Y. Mounted Rifles; dis-
charged August 24th, 1865.

Henry Chamberlain —

Age 24 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged November 14, 1862, at Frederick, Md.

Syi,vester Hall —

Age 19 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability, March 6, 1862, at Camp
Fitz Hugh, Fairfax Co., Va.

George Franklin Pelton —

Age 33 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va.;
discharged September 24th, 1864, near Petersburg,
Va.

John Peters, Jr. —

Age 22 years. Enlisted September 14, 1862, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded May 13, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.,

DR. WM. J. BURR

i6i

and July 2, 1863, ^t Gettysburg, Pa.; discharged
May 5, 1864.

WlLI,IAM W. WOODWORTH —

Age 41 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years; mustered as first lieutenant, Co. D,
64th N. Y. Infantry, December 2, 1861 ; promoted
to captain February 26, 1862; died of disease De-
cember 28, 1862, near Falmouth, Va.

Clayton G. Jewel —

Age 23 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years; mustered as second lieutenant, Co. D,
64th N. Y. Infantry, December 10, 1861 ; as first
lieutenant February 26, 1862; discharged July 6,
1862.

Second enlistment: In the 13th Ohio, Veteran
Cavalry, as first lieutenant, Co. A; killed in action
July 30th, 1864, front of Petersburg, Va.

IrYMAN B. MetcalF —

Age 41 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
discharged October 9, 1862, at Fort Monroe, Va.

Second enlistment: December 25, 1863, for three
years, as private in Co. B, 2nd Mounted Rifles ; dis-
charged August 9, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

Alfred W. Morrison —

Age 24 years. Enlisted September 15, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
wounded June i, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ; discharged
August I, 1862, at Elmira, N. Y.

RosWELL WilmarTH —

Age 23 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
promoted sergeant July 9, 1862; wounded Decem-
ber 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va. ; promoted sec-
ond lieutenant March i, 1863; discharged December
15. 1863, for disability, having lost an arm.

1 62

HsNRY H. Scott —

Age 20 years. Enlisted September 16, 1861, for
three years, as private in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infan-
try; wounded June i, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va.,
September 16, 1862, at Antietam, Md., and also
wounded and captured May 12, 1864, at Spottsyl-
vania, Va. ; paroled (no date) ; discharged April 11,
1865, at Elmira, N. Y.

Erastus W. Smith —

Age 26 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted corporal, January i, 1862; wounded June
I, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ; promoted first ser-
geant August II, 1862; discharged January 19, 1863,
at Washington, D. C.

John H. Roberts —

Age 33 years. Enlisted September 26, 1861, for
three years, as private in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
wounded June i, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ; dis-
charged for disability November i, 1862, at Albany,
N. Y.

Howard M. Root —

Age 18 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, for
three years, as private in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infan-
try; came home on furlough, died of typhoid fever
January 16, 1862, at Franklinville, N. Y.

Eouis E. Tarbeli^ —

Age 25 years. Enlisted October i, 1861, for
three years, as sergeant, Co. D, 64th N. Y. In-
fantry; discharged for disability June 9, 1862, at
St. Eliza Hospital, Washington, D. C.

'Chari,es a. Vandusen —

Age 21 years. Enlisted October i, 1861, for three
years as private in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg,
Va. ; promoted corporal October 31, 1863; killed in
action May 12, 1864, near Spottsylvania, Va.

i63

Enoch W. M. Cheney —

Age 31 years. Enlisted October 5, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
killed in action June i, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va.

Leonard Van Ai^st —

Age 32 years. Enlisted October 12, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
died of disease January 26, 1862, at Camp Cal-
ifornia, Va.

Thomas Jefferson White —

Age 36 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
captured in action October 14, 1863, at Bristow Sta-
tion, Va. ; died August 9, 1864, at Andersonville
Prison.

Martin White —

Age 24 years. Enlisted October 14, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. K, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
transferred to Co. D February 25, 1862; sent to
hospital at Harrison's Landing; no subsequent rec-
ord.

George W. Howe —

Age 18 years. Enlisted October 15, 1861, for
three years, as musician, Co. D, 64th N. Y. In-
fantry.

Henry B. Colburn —

Age 25 years. Enlisted October 15, 1861, for
three years, as corporal, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
promoted sergeant January i, 1862; wounded June
I, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ; discharged for disability
February 5, 1863, at Philadelphia, Pa.

John L. Daball —

Age 20 years. Enlisted October 17, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted corporal January i, 1862; sergeant March,
1862; discharged for disability May 28, 1862, at
Columbian College Hospital, Washington, D. C.

164

David W. James —

Age 18 years. Enlisted October 17, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y, Infantry;
killed in action May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.

OivivBR E. Woods —

Age 21 years. Enlisted October 17, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
discharged April 8, 1862, at Clermont Hospital, for
disability.

John H. Farwixl —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, for three
years, as private, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded and died May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville,
Va.

Ralph L. Benjamin —

Age 18 years. Enlisted September 2, 1862, as
private, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
wounded in action December 13, 1862, at Fredericks-
burg, Va. ; promoted corporal on date; killed in
action May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.

William H. Hutchins, Jr. —

Age 30 years. Enlisted August 31, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
Wounded in action May 12, 1864, at Spottsylvania,
Va. ; died June 8, 1864, at Lincoln Hospital, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Daniel T. Ely—

Age 19 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
killed in action May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.

William Ely —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted corporal October i, 1863; wounded in
action June 3, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Va. ; discharged
for disability May 6, 1865, at U. S. General Hos-
pital, Rochester, N. Y.

i6s

William A. Day —

Age 23 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability January 15, 1864, at
Elmira, N. Y.

Philander Kellogg —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
killed in action May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.

Warren B. Persons —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
captured in action, July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa. ;
died of disease at Andersonville, Ga., July 9, 1864,
while a prisoner of war.

Nathan B. Miller —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability July 5, 1863, at Elmira,

N. Y.

Jackson Lvon —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted drum-major April, 1863; discharged May
30, 1865, at Alexandria, Va.

John F. Wier —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps November 15,
1863; discharged August 15, 1865.

Nathaniel Sevey —

Age 35 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged May 30, 1865, near Alexandria, Va.

Thomas R. Wilmarth —

Age 23 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;

i66

promoted corporal; killed in action May 3, 1863, at
Chancellorsville, Va.

Warren D. Withey —

Age 24 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability January 12, 1863, at Emory
Hospital, Washington, D. C.

Second enlistment, August 30, 1864, as private,
for one year, Co. C, First N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Harrison T. Smith —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted sergeant January 18, 1863; wounded in
action May 12, 1864, at Spottsylvania, Va. ; captured
in action August 25, 1864, at Reams Station, Va.;
paroled on date, promoted first sergeant October 30,
1864; sergeant-major, January i, 1865; promoted
captain, Co. H, March i, 1865; killed in action
March 25, 1865, at Hatchers Run, Va.

Henry C. Woods —

Age 18 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability December 14, 1862, at
Frederick, Md.

Lewis Wright —

Age 25 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability February 10, 1864, at ren-
dezvous of distribution, Va.

WiixiAM Starkweather —

Age 31 years. Enlisted August 14, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
wounded in action December 13, 1862, at Freder-
icksburg, Va. ; captured in action July 2, 1863, at
Gettysburg, Pa.; died October 16, 1863, while a
prisoner of war at Belle Isle, Va.

i67

Georgh; W. Woods —

Age 19 years. Enlisted October 12, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability July 9, 1862, at Carver
Hospital, Washington, Va.

CharIvES McMui,lin —

Age 34 years. Enlisted August 30, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry;
appointed wagoner. Re-enlisted January i, 1864;
discharged July 19, 1865, at Winchester, Va.

James Pattyson —

Age — years. Enlisted 1861, as private, for three
years, Co. I, 85th N. Y. Infantry ; taken prisoner of
war at Plymouth, N. C. ; died at Andersonville, Ga.
Albert Bishop —

Age 25 years. Enlisted October 9, 1862, as musi-
cian, for three years, Co. D, 50th N. Y. Engineers;
transferred to brigade band July i, 1863 ; discharged
June 8, 1865, at camp near Washington, D. C.

Isaac B. Gordon —

Age 30 years. Enlisted October 9, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. E, Soth N. Y. Engineers;
appointed musician, transferred to brigade band"
July I, 1863 ; discharged June 8, 1865, at camp near
Washington, D. C.
Thomas R. Merrii,i, —

Age 18 years. Enlisted January 16, 1862, as pri-
vate, for two years, Co. I, 27th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged May 31, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y.

Second enlistment, enlisted June 23, 1863, as ser-
geant, for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
transferred to Co. E August 12, 1864, promoted
first sergeant; discharged with detachment July 18,
1865, at Norfolk, Va.
Henry Wah,ace —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 29, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 23rd N. Y. Infantry;
discharged June 24, 1865, at Fort Monroe, Va.

i68

ChaRIvES J. HURLBURT

Age 24 years. Drafted July 15, 1863; mustered
as private, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery, for three
years; died of disease March 11, 1864.

SlI-AS A. GlLLEY —

Age 18 years. Enlisted July 11, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
promoted corporal, date not stated; discharged Au-
gust 24, 1865.

James Heausy —

Age not stated. Enlisted July 11, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
discharged August 24, 1865.

Charles P. Tufts —

Age 18 years. Enlisted June 29, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
promoted sergeant, transferred to Co. L, 6th N. Y.
Artillery July 18, 1865 ; discharged September 2,
1865.

James G. Robinson —

Age 18 years. Enlisted June 27, 1863, as cor-
poral, for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
transferred to Co. L,,. 6th N. Y. Artillery, July 18,
1865; discharged August 24, 1865; prior service,
Co. I, 131st Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Chester C. Beecher —

Age 20 years. Enlisted July 8, 1863, as cor-
poral, for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
transferred to Co. L, 6th Artillery, July 18, 1865;
discharged September 2, 1865.

Watson W. Bush —

Age 22 years. Enrolled November 23rd, 1863;
mustered January 12, 1864, as First Lieutenant,
Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted Rifles ; captured Septem-
ber 30, 1864, at Pegram's farm, Va. ; paroled Feb-
ruary 20, 1865; exchanged March 10, 1865; pro-

169

moted Captain, Co. B, January 28, 1865 ; discharged
August 28, 1865.

Leroy C. Ely —

Age 18 years. Enlisted December 22, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles ; transferred to Co. C, 19th V. R. C, May 19,
1865; discharged September 5, 1865, at Buffalo,
N. Y.

Henry Elmer —

Age 35 years. Enlisted December 25, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles ; discharged August 24, 1865, at Buffalo, N. Y.

John Cole —

Age 18 years. Enlisted December 23, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles ; died in hospital.

George F. Durkee —

Age 20 years. Enlisted December 15, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles ; discharged August 24, 1865, at Buffalo, N. Y.

George S. Hackett —

Age 19 years. Enlisted December 22, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles ; discharged June 18, 1865, at Whitehall Hos-
pital, Philadelphia, Pa.

Abram S. Howell —

Age 40 years. Enlisted December 12, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles; appointed bugler January 12, 1864; dis-
charged August 24, 1865, at Buffalo, N. Y.

L(UCiAN L. Lewis —

Age 18 years. Enlisted December 16, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles; promoted corporal May i, 1865, sergeant
July 20, 1865 ; discharged August 24, 1865, at Buf-
falo. N. Y.

170

Lafayette Mead —

Age 18 years. Enlisted December 14, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles; wounded June 18, 1864, in front of Peters-
burg, Va. ; died of said wounds July 17, 1864, at
Emory Hospital, Washington, D. C.

Riley W. Pettit —

Age 20 years. Enlisted January 4, 1864, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles; died of disease September 4, 1864, at Field
Hospital, City Point, Va.

Dewit C. PeivTon —

Age 29 years. Enlisted December 22, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles; promoted corporal; killed on picket, March
14, 1865.

Chauncey Williams —

Age 30 years. Enlisted December 24, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, 2nd N. Y. Mounted
Rifles; appointed farrier May i, 1865; discharged
August 24, 1865, at Buffalo, N. Y.

James Spencer Marsh —

Age 25 years. Drafted August 17, 1863, for three
years, joined Co. A, 76th N. Y. Infantry, as pri-
vate; wounded in action before Petersburg, Va. ;
discharged December 6, 1864, by reason of disability
caused by wound.

Albert K. Damon —

Age 24 years. Enlisted January 4, 1864, as pri-
vate, for three years, in the 8th N. Y. Artillery;
wounded in action before Petersburg, Va. Sent to
Hospital on Davids Island, New York Harbor, died
of wounds July 25, 1864, buried at Cypress Hills
Cemetery, N. Y.

Albert A. Hitchcock —

Age 17 years. Enlisted February 4, 1864, for
three years, as private, Co. G, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
discharged June 3, 1865, for disability.

171

Michael Collins —

Age i8 years. Enlisted Febraary 4, 1864, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. G, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
discharged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

George G. Eastland —

Age 19 years. Enlisted March 10, 1864, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
discharged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

LAWRENCE Powers —

Age 21 years. Enlisted February 9, 1864, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. B, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
wounded August 10, 1864, at Newtown, Va. ; dis-
charged June 28, 1865, at Elmira, N. Y.

DwiGHT Scott —

Age 37 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, ist N. Y. Drdgoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Otis White —

Age 30 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. H, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Valorous Swift —

Age 24 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

John H. F. Buccanning —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Edwin A. Burr —

Age 32 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Julius R. Ford —

Age 34 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

172

Jambs K. Hitchcock —

Age 42 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. D, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Nathan E. Heai^d —

Age 26 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

James Dempsey —

Age 30 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

E1.IJAH Bishop —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged June 29, 1865, at Jarvis U. S. A. General
Hospital at Baltimore, Md.

John F. Dewey —

Age 37 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. B, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Bezera p. Bacon —

Age 35 years. Enlisted August 30, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Amby H. Alderman —

Age 42 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Chancy D. Aujerman —

Age 30 years. Enlisted September 13, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
discharged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

IjYMAN G. BeechER —

Age 28 years. Enlisted September 2, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

173

Pheletus C. Gratton —

Age 40 years. Enlisted September 2, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. K, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
wounded December 22, 1864, at Liberty Mills, Va. ;
discharged May 17, 1865, at U. S. General Hospital,
York, Pa.

William Babbitt —

Age 36 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. H, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
never joined company.

Alonzo D. Abrams —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 16, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Anson T. Lawton —

Age 33 years. Enlisted September 2, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

HosEA B. Persons —

Age 36 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged May 8, 1865.

Plin a. Tayix)r —

Age 30 years. Enlisted September 6, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Alvin C. Taylor —

Age 33 years. Enlisted September 2, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons ; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Alvin Slocum —

Age 18 years. Enlisted September 17, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. F, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
discharged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

174

Edwin Leonard Adams —

Age i6 years. Enlisted August lo, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. C, 104th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged June 7, 1865, by G. O. No. 94.

Lyman Barber —

Age 31 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. F, ist Veteran Cavalry; dis-
charged June 8, 1865.

Cyrus Wescott —

Age 21 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 14, 1865, at Mower U. S. A. General
Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

Orange Cole —

Age 38 years. Enlisted September 6, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
transferred to Co. K, 6th Artillery; discharged
June — , 1865, at Norfolk, Va.

Eber Laeeerty —

Age 38 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. F, 13th N. Y. Artillery;
transferred to Co. D January 24, 1865 ; discharged
June 21, 1865, at Norfolk, Va.

Ira Petty —

Age 44 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. F, 13th N. Y. Artillery; died
of disease January 6, 1865, at Gosport, Va.

Lyman J. Cole —

Age 18 years. Enlisted September 20, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. B, 189th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged May 30, 1865, near Washington, D. C.

George S. Marsh —

Age 18 years. Enlisted October 2, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. F, 189th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged May 30, 1865, near Washington, D. C.

175

James Leonard Adams —

Age 17 years. Enlisted September 2, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Go. I, 120th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged June 2, 1865, by General Order No. 26
(served as substitute for John Tousley).

Henry C. Pettit —

Age 19 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. D, 120th N. Y. Infantry,
discharged June 2, 1865, by General Order No. 26.

Charles E. Pettit

Age 17 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. D, 120th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged June 2, 1865, by General Order No. 26.

James Tapp —

Age 30 years. Enlisted September 4th, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. B, nth Pennsylvania
Infantry; discharged May 8th, 1863.

Second enlistment, September — , 1864, for one
year, as private, Co. F, 141st N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged July — , 1865.

James Augustus Hitchcock —

Age 17 years. EnHsted April 11, 1865, as private,
for one year, Co. E, 149th N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged May 3, 1865, at Elmira, N. Y.

AdelbERT E. Gouuj —

Age 18 years. Enlisted August 28, 1861, as pri-
vate for three years, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry; dis-
charged October 22, 1864.

Charles W. Beardsley —

Age 25 years. Enlisted August 25, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry ; dis-
charged March 31, 1862, re-enlisted August 23, 1864,
as saddler; discharged June 13, 1865.

Sylvester T. UptegrovE —

Age 21 years. Enlisted August 30, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry;

176

promoted corporal, re-enlisted, as sergeant, February
22, 1864 ; wounded twice (no dates or place given) ;
discharged with company July 19, 1865, at Win-
chester, Va.

WiLUAM H. Tapp —

Age 19 years. Enlisted August 16, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, in Co. B, nth Pa. Infantry;
taken prisoner August 28, 1862, exchanged Decem-
ber II, 1862; re-enlisted February 1864, Battery L,
U. S. Artillery; discharged February 9, 1867; died
August 6, 1904.

Sidney C. Clark —

Age 28 years. Enlisted September 3, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. B, 189th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged May 30, 1865, near Washington, D. C.

Benjamin Kingsbury —

Age 36 years. Enlisted July 13, 1863, as pri-
vate, for three years, in Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery,
transferred to Co. L,, 6th Artillery, July 18, 1865;
discharged August 25, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

Al<EXANDER L. LiTCHARD

Age 20 years. Enlisted August 29, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 86th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged November 12, 1862, for disability.

AlAMANZO W. LiTCHARD

Age 20 years. Enlisted August 29, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. D, 86th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged December 9, 1862, for disability, at Alex-
andria, Va. Second enlistment.

Otis Kingsbury —

Age 21 years. Enlisted May i, 1861, as private
for two years, in Co. B, 23rd N. Y. Infantry; dis-
charged with company May 22, 1863, at Elmira, N.
Y. Second enlistment June 11, 1863, as first ser-
geant, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery; resigned June
II, 1865.

177

James Kingsbury —

Age 23 years. Enlisted September 13, 1861, as
private, for three years, Co. D, 64th N. Y. Infantry ;
promoted corporal October 31, 1862; wounded in
action December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va. ;
promoted sergeant March, 1863 ; discharged for dis-
ability June 23, 1864; died at Rushford May 9, 1894.

Charles C. Himes —

Age 26 years. Enlisted October i, 1861, as private,
for three years, Co. F, 85th N. Y. Infantry ; wounded
in action May 31, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. ; promoted
sergeant August 5, 1862; re-enlisted as sergeant
January i, 1864; captured in action April 20, 1864,
at Plymouth, N. C. ; parole date not stated; dis-
charged June 27, 1865, at New Berne, N. C. ; died
at Rushford February 9, 1898.

John A. O'Conner —

Age 35 years. Enlisted August 26, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. F, 85th N. Y. Infantry;
discharged for disability November 11, 1862, at

N. Y. City. Second enlistment, , 1864, in

Co. H, 2nd Mounted Rifles, discharged August 24,
1865, at Buffalo, N. Y.; died at Rushford August
4> 1903-

George W. Cady —

Age 33 years. Enlisted March 31, 1865, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. , 8ist N. Y. Infantry;

discharged August 31, 1865, at Fort Monroe, Va.;
died at Rushford December 30, 1902.

Harvey McElheney —

Age 24 years. Enlisted August 7th, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. F, 85th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted corporal; captured in action April 20,
1864, at Plymouth, N. C; re-enlisted January i,
1864; discharged July 27th, 1865, at New Berne,
N. C.

178

Hiram L,. Wickwire —

Age i8 years. Enlisted June ii, 1863, as private,
for three years, Co. D, 13th N. Y. Artillery; died of
disease February 10, 1865.

Edward W. Beechek —

Age 23 years. Enlisted January i, 1864, as ser-
geant, for three years, Co. E, 21st Pa. Cavalry; dis-
charged July 8, 1865 ; died .

CoRYDON Mason, M. D. —

Age 32 years. Enrolled March, 1864, as assistant
surgeon, 32nd Regt. U. S. Colored Troops; dis-
charged August, 1865 ; died at Rushford, January
2ist, 1891.

Daniel D. Persons —

Age 43 years. Enlisted in the U. S. Navy, as
landsman, for one year; served on U. S. Steamer
Paw Paw ; discharged June 25, 1865 ; died at Rush-
ford November 15, 1900.

James Wii<son —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 13, 1861, as pri-
vate, for two years, Co. C, 26th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted corporal January i, 1862; wounded at
Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862; discharged
May 28, 1863, at Utica, N. Y.

Charles Gordon —

Age years. Enlisted , 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. L, 8th Illinois Cavalry; dis-
charged , 1865, with company; died at

Rushford March 31, 1904.

Byron Vaname —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 9, 1862, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. F, ist N. Y. Dragoons;
discharged June 10, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.

Everett S. Thompson —

Age 20 years. Enlisted May 13, 1861, as private
for two years, Co. I, 26th N. Y. Infantry, wounded
August 30, 1862, at Bull Run, Va. ; discharged Jan-

179

uary 6, 1863. Second enlistment December 19,
1863, for three years, Co. F, 24th N. Y. Cavalry;
discharged , 1865.

Leonard Adams —

Age 36 years. Enlisted August 28th, 1861, as
private, for three years, Co. E, Sth N. Y. Cavalry;
discharged September 27th, 1862, at Elmira, N. Y.,
on surgeon's certificate of disability; died at Rush-
ford September 22nd, 1908.

William Beaumont —

Age 26 years. Enlisted September 15th, 1862, for
three years, as private, Co. L, loth N. Y. Cavalry;
wounded June 20th, 1864, at Whitehouse Landing,
Va., and June 24th at St. Mayrons Church, Va. ;
discharged at Clouds Mills, Va., July 19, 1865.

John S. Trowbridge —

Age years. Enlisted August 26th, 1861, for

three years, as private, Co. E, Sth N. Y. Cavalry;
wounded and died at Hanover, Pa., July 5th, 1863.

Howard P. Lapferty —

■^gc 34 years. Enlisted December 9th, 1861, as
private, for three years, Co. D, 105th N. Y. In-
fantry; discharged July 4th, 1862, from General
Hospital at Falls Church, Va., on surgeon's cer-
tificate of disability; died at Rushford, 1872.

William Alfred Lapferty —

Age 18 years. Enlisted August nth, 1861, as
private, for three years, Co. I, ist Penn. Rifles;
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps; dis-
charged August 13, 1864; died at Rushford, 1869.

John Small —

Age 38 years. Enlisted December 19th, 1863, as
private, for three years, Co. D, 5th N. Y. Artillery ;
discharged July 19th, 1865 ; died February 20, 1904.

George P. Walker—

Age 21 years. Enlisted December 23rd, 1863, as
private, for three years, Co. H, 8th N. Y. Artillery;

i8o

wounded and captured June 3rd, 1864; died in
prison June 13th, 1864.

Charles W. BeardslEy —

Age 25 years. Enlisted August 25th, 1861, as
private, for three years, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry;
discharged March 31, 1862, by order of Gen.
McClellan. Re-enlisted August 23rd, 1864, as sad-
dler, for one year; discharged June 13th, 1865.

Thomas D. Bradford —

Age years. Enlisted September 30th, 1861,

as musician, for three years, Co. A, 104th N. Y.
Infantry; discharged (date not given).

Phillip G. Ellithorp —

Age 18 years. Enlisted May 30th, 1861, as pri-
vate, for three years, Co. I, 13th Pa. Infantry, Re-
serve Volunteer Corps (42nd in line, Bucktails First
Rifles); died of wounds received at Gettysburg, Pa.,
October 3rd, 1863.

Warren Clark —

Age 23 years. Enlisted August 12th, 1862, as
private, for three years, 2nd Ohio Independent Bat-
tery; discharged February 7th, 1863; died Decem-
ber 16, 1906.

William G. Laeperty —

Age 44 years. Enlisted September 3rd, 1864, as
private, for one year, Co. H, 199th Pa. Infantry;
discharged June 28th, 1865.

Titus B. Chapin —

Age 2^ years. Enlisted September 16, 1861, as
private, for three years, 3rd Wisconsin Battery,
Light Artillery. Taken prisoner September 20,
1863; died January 7th, 1864, in Danville Prison,
Va.

Henry Boardman —

Private, Co. F, 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry; buried in
Rushford.

i8i

Elijah Metcalf—

(Unable to obtain his record.) Buried in Rush-
ford.

Marclus Palmer —

Age 38 years. Enlisted September 21st, 1862, for
three years, as private, Co. F, 4th N. Y. Artillery;
discharged January 14th, 1863, for disability, at
Fort Ethan Allen, Va.

James Wilson —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 13th, 1861, for
three years, as private, Co. C, 26th N. Y. Infantry;
promoted corporal January ist, 1862; wounded at
Antietam, Md., September 17th, 1862; discharged
with company May 28th, 1863.

Names of Those Who Served as Substitutes

FOR RUSHFORD MeN.

Alonzo D. Abrams —

Age 22 years. Enlisted August 16, 1864, as pri-
vate, for one year, Co. E, ist N. Y. Dragoons; dis-
charged June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills. Va. Prin-
cipal, Orrin T. Higgins; amount paid by the princi-
pal, $500.

Alva Prichard —

Enlisted February 28, 1865, as private. Principal
Burdett McKinney ; amount paid by the, principal,
$600.

G. W. Kelly McCash—

Enlisted August 4, 1864, as private, for three
years. Principal, Orrin T. Stacy; amount paid by
the principal, $500.

James Sharp —

Enlisted August 10, 1864, as private, for three
years. Principal, Wolcott F. Griffin; amount paid
by the principal, $500.

l82

John Rice —

Enlisted August 9, 1864, as private, for three
years. Principal, George W. F. Buck ; amount paid
by the principal, $500.

Frederick WEtLS —

Enlisted February 28, 1865, as private. Princi-
pal, Adaniram J. Colburn ; amount paid by the prin-
cipal, $100.

Charles Wing —

Enlisted September 6, 1864, for one year in the
Navy. Principal, J. Dezelle Hill; amount paid by
the principal, $500.

Rushford sent more men to the Union Army
than were called for. The first sacrifice for the
Union, from Allegany County, was one of her
honored sons, " Albert Babbitt, who was killed at
Bull Run, Va., July 2ist, 1861." Eugene Ferrin
was killed later on the same day. The Town was
splendidly represented on all the great batde-
fields of the war for the Union, by gallant fighting
men, at Bull Run, Shiloh, Stone River, Vicks-
burg, Chicamauga, Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, and on to Appo-
matox; carrying mourning into Rushford s homes,
but crowning her with glory.

Note. — In compiling the above records, of the individual
service, of the men from Rushford who served in the Army, I
have examined the public records, and have been assisted by the
Adjutant Generals of several States, and I think the records are
as nearly correct as can be made at this time.

W. W. Bush.

a
1=1

w
a

i83

Ea % Abantt 'MaUaxUtr.

By J. R. Pen HOLLOW.

Brave one ! thou hast gone to fight

In a glorious cause —
Gone to battle for the right

Of a nation's laws.

Daring was thy look and mien.

Bravely didst thou go,
Trusting in Jehovah's power

To crush the rebel foe.

Thou hast left thy home and friends,

All thy heart holds dear,
Por the sake of right and truth,

Most noble Volunteer.

May the God of battles shield

And protect you ever;
May his own right arm uphold,

And desert thee never.

May the dark and gloomy clouds
Which hang o'er our nation,

Break ere long before the light
Of a world's salvation.

Then in all her might and strength.

She will surely rise,
'Mid the shouts of victory,

Ascending to the skies.

Freedom, then, shall be our song,

Vict'ry be the chorus;
Negroes now in slavery's power.

Will repeat it for us.

When all this has come to pass.

Most noble Volunteer,
May'st thou with bright laurels crowned

Return to home so dear.

Then we'll welcome thee with joy.

Brave, noble Volunteer ;
Then our hearts will bless the day

We shed the parting tear.

March 3, 1863.

i84

aWfp mml War l^tvvA.

Sumner E. Kilmer.
Company E, 5th N. Y. Cavalry.

The excitement at the beginning of the Civil
War was intense, and the discussions of the
means to be employed occupied the attention of
every citizen of the Town of Rushford. Opinions
varied, but the general sentiment was that the
Union must be preserved at all hazards, regard-
less of the cost of life and treasure. When the
news was flashed over the wire that the flag had
been fired on in South Carolina, the incident in-
spired the greatest indignation. No man can de-
scribe the feelings as expressed at that time. At
this crisis a call was made by the President, Abra-
ham Lincoln, for troops to enforce the laws and
to compel those who had rebelled against the
authority of the government to return to their
homes and obey the constituted authorities. Every
loyal State was called upon to furnish a certain
number of men, and the number that fell to Rush-
ford at dififerent times during the war was always
filled, and many times more than the necessary
number furnished. The men were enlisted also
for other towns in the county. The fathers and
mothers bade their sons go, and if it were their
fate to fall in battle, to meet death like true sons
of America, and never to disgrace the parents
who gave them birth. When Dwight Scott bade
his mother good-bye she said, with tears trick-
ling down her cheeks, "I'm afraid you will get
shot." He responded, "Mother, I can kill as
many of them as they can of me."

The scenes of parting with wives and children
were too sacred ever to be forgotten. Rushford
was represented in nearly every branch of the
Union Army, some enlisting in infantry regi-
ments, some in cavalry, some in artillery and some
in the engineers corps. The navy was also repre-

i8s

sented by Dodge Persons. Rushford furnished
nearly two entire companies, and her sons are
sleeping in soldiers' graves all along the battle
line. As the war progressed the sanitary com-
mission was established, and the patriotic women
of Rushford contributed liberally by sending
lint bandages and many luxuries to be used
in the hospitals. Hattie Jewell went as a
nurse. The sufferings of the wives and chil-
dren that were left in indigent circumstances
by the absence of their natural protectors
cannot be understood by those who have
never been placed in similar circumstances, but
they proved themselves true American women,
fighting the battle of destitution at home that
their country might be saved, and the chains
that bound human beings in slavery broken and
freedom granted to all.

The citizens of the town in 1863 voted to pay
everyone who enlisted for three years, or during
the war, three hundred dollars, and the promise
was faithfully kept in every instance. In 1864,
it was raised to six hundred dollars, which demon-
strated that the citizens of the town were deter-
mined that nothing should be left undone upon
their part for the preservation of the Union.
Many of Rushford's sons fell victims in prisons
in the South. In the "prison pen" at Charleston
the enemy placed officers of the Union in direct
line of fire of the Union guns, hoping they would
be killed by their own friends.

The first soldiers from Rushford enlisted on
the 13th day of April, 1861, in Company I, 27th
New York Vol. Infantry, and this company had
the distinction of having in its ranks the first
man from Allegany County killed in the Civil
War. The victim who fell at the first battle of
Bull Run was Albert Babbitt. There were nine-
teen men enrolled in that company from Rush-
ford. They formed at Angelica, New York, and

i86

then went to Elmira, and were mustered into
service on the 2ist day of May, 1861. This reg-
iment was enlisted for only two years and served
that time in the Army of the Potomac, and was
present and took an active part in every battle
during the first two years of the war. Burton
Freeman enlisted on the 13th day of May, 1861,
in Company I, 27th New York Infantry; was
promoted from Sergeant to ist Sergeant July
2 1 St, 1 861; to 2nd Lieutenant September 1st,
1 86 1 ; to 1st Lieutenant February 6th, 1862, and
to Captain September 26th, 1862. He also served
as Color Sergeant at the first battle of Bull Run.
His record shows that he served with honor not
only to himself and friends, but to the town of
Rushford, where he was born and grew to man-
hood. When this company was enlisted the town
was not called upon to furnish any quota as it
was later on in the war ; so the enlistment of these
men was voluntary, with no incentive except one
of duty and patriotism, as no financial considera-
tion was held out at that time by the town, and
not until 1863 was the proposition of giving
bounties to all who would enlist submitted to the
vote of the citizens of the town.

The first Colonel of the 27th was Colonel Slo-
cum, who became the famous General Slocum
later on in the war.

Company D of the 64th New York Infantry
was raised principally from Rushford boys, as
forty-eight enlisted from this town during Au-
gust and September, 1861, and were drilled in the
ball-room of the old Globe Hotel. They went to
Elmira, N. Y., and were mustered into the service
of the United States October loth, 1861, except-
ing two who were rejected on account of perma-
nent disability, leaving forty-six. This company
was enlisted for three years or during the war,
and served in the Army of the Potomac.

i87

The 64th Regiment of New York Infantry was
in forty-six battles or skirmishes, and also pres-
ent at a greater number of engagements than any
other regiment in the service during the Civil
War.

William Woodworth enlisted September 13th,

1 86 1, at Rushford for three years or during the
war; was mustered as ist Lieutenant of Company
D, 64th New York Infantry, December 2nd, 1861,
and was promoted to Captain February 26th,

1862. He returned in 1862, enlisted some more
men from this town for Company D of the 64th
Regiment, and returned to his company with
these men. He died of disease at or near Fal-
mouth, Virginia, December 28th, 1862. His body
was sent home and is resting beside those of his
kindred. His funeral was the largest that ever
has been seen in this town before or since. It be-
ing a military one, something never before seen
in this section, and the great respect in which he
was held by all, caused the people to pay their last
tribute of love at his bier. The Grand Army Post
at Rushford was named in his honor.

Harrison T. Smith enlisted in Company D,
64th New York Infantry on the 14th day of
August, 1862; was promoted to Sergeant Janu-
ary i8th, 1863. He was wounded in battle at
Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, 1864; cap-
tured in battle, August 25th, 1864, at Reams Sta-
tion, Virginia, and paroled. He was promoted
to 1st Sergeant October 30th, 1864, and Sergeant-
Major January ist, 1865; promoted to Captain
of Company H of the 64th New York Infantry
March ist, 1865, and killed in battle March 25th,
1865, at Hatchers Run, Virginia.

Clayton G. Jewell enlisted at Rushford, Sep-
tember 13th, 1861, in Company D, 64th New
York Infantry, and was mustered as 2nd Lieu-
tenant of the same company, December loth,
1861, and as ist Lieutenant February 26th, 1862.

i88

He was discharged July 6th, 1862; after-
wards enlisted in another organization. He was
killed July 30th, 1864, in front of Petersburgh,
Virginia, at the time the mine was exploded, and
was buried on the field.

Fifteen of Rushford's boys were enrolled in
Company B, 2nd New York Mounted Rifles, for
three years or during the war, in December, 1863.
They were ordered to Buffalo, N. Y., and mus-
tered into service of the United States Jan-
uary 1 2th, 1864. In the month of March,
1864, they were ordered to Camp Stoneman, near
Washington, D. C. This regiment was ordered
to join the Army of the Potomac sometime dur-
ing the month of May, 1864, and they received
their first experience in war at the battle of the
Wilderness. They were enlisted as cavalry and
were drilled in cavalry tactics, but served as in-
fantry during the summer of 1864. They par-
ticipated in all the battles in which the Army of
the Potomac were engaged, from the Wilderness
to the close of the war. They received their
horses at City Point, Virginia, in the fall of
1864, and served after that as cavalry until they
were discharged at the close of the war. This
regiment suffered very heavily in killed and
wounded, serving as infantry and fighting side
by side with veterans who had been fighting for
a long time and were experienced in war.

Watson W. Bush was enrolled November 23rd,
1863; mustered as ist Lieutenant January 12th,
1864, in Company B, 2nd New York Mounted
Rifles; captured September 30th, 1864, in battle
at Pegram's Farm, Virginia. The number cap-
tured at that time was forty or fifty, and the
number killed and wounded was from fifty to
seventy-five. He was taken to Libby Prison,
Richmond, Virginia,, then to Danville; from there
to Salisbury, N. C, and was transferred from

1 89

there to Libby to be exchanged February 22nd,
1865. He was promoted to Captain of Company
B, 2nd New York Mounted Rifles January 28th,
1865, and was discharged August 28th, 1865.

There were a number of Rushford boys who
joined other New York regiments, but their num-
bers were few in each organization.

Rushford's only means of receiving news from
the outside world was the easy-going stage, which
brought only one mail daily over the old stage
road from Cuba, N. Y., fifteen miles south and
from Arcade, the same distance north. Every
one knew the time when the mail was due to
arrive, and the people would assemble at the Post
Office, lioping, yet fearing to hear some news
from the Army. The papers were eagerly seized
and read with fear and trembling by fathers,
mothers, wives and friends of the boys who were
at the seat of war.

The citizens of the town of Rushford can look
back with pride at the deeds of her valiant sons,
who sacrificed life and health to perpetuate the
principles of a free and independent people, and
one of the grandest and best governments on the
earth.

A member of Company B, Sixty-fourth N. Y.
He died in Andersonville prison, Ga., July 9,
1864. The number of his grave is 3082.

Andersonville, July 2, 1864.
Dear Friends at Home :

It is just one year ago to-day since I was cap-
tured and I have taken the care I could of myself,
and struggled long and hard for life for my sake
and the s3ce of loved ones at home, but it is of no
use. I discover I lose a little strength daily, and
the feeble beating of my pulse warns me that what
little remains for me to do must be done quickly.
I have no particular disease, except general debility,

igo

and I shall probably die an easy death, but my prin-
cipal reason for writing to you is to let you know
that I die in hope of a blessed immortality beyond
the grave, and I can truly say, " O Grave, where
is thy victory, O Death, where is thy sting ?"

I pray God that these few lines may reach you
some way, for I know that such an assurance from
me will afford you more consolation than any
other message I could send. I wish I had more
strength to think and write, I could say many
things, but I am easy and happy. I find great
comfort in reading the 14th, 15th, 1 6th, and 17th
chapters of St. John. The whole word of God is
precious to me, I only wish I might live to preach
it. I thank God that others have been raised up
to preach it, and that through its hearing and
believing I feel I am saved. Do not regard me
as one lost, but as one merely gone before, wait-
ing to receive you to Heaven's untold joys. Oh,
be sure one and all to meet me there, where
weeping and parting shall be no more. I have
hated to die, and have temptations at times that
way now, but what are the moments and pleas-
ures of time compared with the unending duration
and untold joys of eternity it fills my soul with
rapture to contemplate now.

I die the death I have always prayed for, i. e.,
I have ample time for meditation upon and prep-
aration for this great and final change. I am well
aware I have not always lived as I should, and this
may be my punishment that I must die away from
friends and home, but Christ is my friend and
comforter, and I feel I am not alone.

I would love to write more, but if this reaches
you it will do perhaps.

Give Frank Woods a nice book from my
library, and one to Albert Damon. Everything
else I leave to you and at your disposal.

Farewell until we meet in Heaven.

Your loving son and brother,

W. B. Persons.

igi

ICpttpr t0 INatijan ICgmatt-

A letter written in War times to Nathan
Lyman of Illinois, formerly from Rushford.

RusHFORD, Dec. 2d, 1 86 1.
Dear Nephew and family: —

Yours of Oct. 3d came to hand in due time.
The time had been so long since you had written
us, that we had almost concluded that your busi-
ness absorbed your time and attention too much
to find time for writing us. But we were happily
disappointed, and hope we shall not have occasion
to think so again; and moreover, we will try and
answer sooner than we have this time. So much
for preliminaries.

Yesterday, Sunday, was the first wintry day we
have had. People have continued to plow till last
Saturday. Our crops of all kinds were just about
middling fair for this country. Dairies sold very
low this fall, 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cents. Your Aunt
Emily's cheese sells as high as any one's in town.
We sold this year from 20 cows 8,300 lbs. Last
year 8,000 from 1 7 cows.

Rosina is at home this winter. Mr. Evans has
enlisted for three years. He has been at the
camp at Elmira for two months, he was home last
week Some 4000 men are there. They leave
this week for Washington. He is in the 64th
Regiment N. Y. State Volunteers under Col.
Parker. He has three brothers in the Army.
John Worthington's two youngest boys are in the
Army. The youngest was at Bull Run. Ira
Ames was there also. Albert Babbitt was killed
there.

Rushford and vicinity — Rushford being the nu-
cleus— has sent off at three different times, about
130 men, and Rev. (Capt.) John C. Nobles has
enlisted about 40 more in this region, who go into
winter quarters at Leroy. Uncle John W. goes
with them. The Colonel of the Regiment is Rev.

192

Jas. M. Fuller of Genesee Conference, Presiding
Elder for five or six years.

I am glad you Western Patriots are doing so
much in this our Country's trials. But when you
go ahead of old Rushford, let us know about it.
We had at one meeting here $2,000 pledged for the
benefit of the families of Volunteers. Old York
State is right side up with care, 1 30,000 men in
the field within seven months from the time Beau-
regard with his legions, aroused the slumbering
fires of '76 from their ashes. See what Gen. Dix,
one of New York's Patriot sons, has just accom-
plished in Accomac and Northumberland without
the loss of a single man. And see also what the
brave old Gen. Scott said of the N. Y. 69th — Col.
Bendix, I think — " the best disciplined regiment
reviewed at Washington before he left for
Europe. It is supposed at the present time that
N. Y. has furnished more than her quota.

But enough of this: (excuse this boasting won't
you ?)

Clark Bannister has just enlisted in the Navy
for three years. Wm. O. Kingsbury has three
boys in the Army. A Mr. Merrill on the old
Hardy farm has two sons there. James Tapp, and
two brothers just over from England, have en-
listed. Two of Clark Kendall's sons also. Lyman
B. Metcalf and a son of his, Lyman Eaton's
two oldest boys are in a cavalry company.
And so it goes. The mass of the people here are
fearful of the effect of Fremont's removal; but we
hope the Government has not done it without
good cause.

« 4: 4: « «

Your Uncle Alonzo Lyman has been sick but
is better. The rest of the family are about as
usual. I must bid you an affectionate farewell.
Be faithful unto death, and a crown is in waiting.

A. W. E. Damon
N. E. Lyman and family,

and Family.

193

^atas AgauL

Lines written for Home-Coming Week, when
the town of Rushford celebrated its Centennial,
and dedicated to the old friends and the old
home, by Esther Saville Allen.

Standing at eve in her doorway,

With the yearnings of hope in her breast,
A mother, while night shades are low'ring.

Looks forth to the North and the West.
Then tenderly turns to the Eastward,

Where beats the great pulse of the sea;
And anon to the far sunny Southland,

O'er mountains, and river and lea.

Like emeralds the hills of her dwelling.

Her valleys are fair to behold;
Her streams are the clearest of crystal.

Her sunsets the rarest of gold.
And the years with the gentlest of fingers

Have touched her on cheek, and on brow;
Tho' she wears on her clustering tresses.

The snows of a century now.

Listen! As in her soft, gentle accents.

To her children wherever they roam.
She calls, to come back from the highway,

To the cool, sheltered paths of the home;
To revisit the dear scenes of childhood.

Where Hope and Ambition first met ;
And which the bright glamor of youth-time

Enfolds in its radiance yet.

They hear, and they come from the prairie.

And the mountains exultant and free.
From the cities of trade's ebbless surges.

Thy children come, Mother, to thee!
Aye, they come from the dim Northern forests,

Exultant with anthem of pines;
And they come from the land of magnolias.

With the vine-enwreathed temples and shrines.

194

And what though their locks have grown thinner?

Or with dust of the highways are gray ?
And what though the tired feet falter

From the roughness and length of the way?
Since they come bearing with them their life-work.

With its crown of endeavor complete;
And they lay it in grateful remembrance,

Dear Mother, at shrine of thy feet.

But what of the graves of thy children,

Who hear not the summons to come,
Once more to the rest and the shelter

And the tender endearments of home;
They who fell in the van of the battle,

Or pined in the deadly stockade,
But true to their flag and their country.

Met death and were never afraid?

Now back to the worn, dusty highway.

To the sparkle and lees of life's wine;
Aye, back to the toil and endeavor

From the paths of the dear "Auld lang syne."
But, Mother, dear Mother, your blessing,

Ere we rev'rently turn to depart.
With the fires of faith newly kindled,

And a new song of hope in the heart.
LiTTtB Rock, Ark.

SWff (HalUttvm xxf SpUra at Slfj Swalfforli
Ol^ntettnial.

Annie Wier Thomas.
It is often said that the present generation can-
not realize the hardships of the pioneer. A col-
lection of the farm and kitchen utensils was ex-
hibited at the Centennial and Old Home Week
that should stand as an object lesson to the young,
and a reminder of other days to the older ones.
/^%There were flax wheels with Mrs. Belknap to
show her skill, the linen table cloths, sheets and
pillow covers made in the homes of the early

CHBISTIANN WILMARTH BELKNAP

195

settlers. Wool cards, spinning wheels, and the
many beautiful bed covers of blue and white, that
were the result of the patient effort of our fore-
mothers, the crude fire place, bake ovens, warming
pans, foot stones, pewter dishes of all shapes and
sizes, cradles that hushed little ones to sleep, the
old splint-bottomed rocking chairs, wagon chairs
that father and mother used when coming to
church, blue dishes that spoke of more prosperous
times, the china that is the pride of the third or
fourth generation. Nor had the personal adorn-
ments been cast aside to the old clothes gatherers,
for there were bonnets that had graced the heads
of brides, combs that held their veils in place,
shawls that are priceless heirlooms in many fami-
lies. The dainty dresses that were hand made
for the first baby, put to shame the careless sew-
ing of the present day.

Many of the farm implements would tax the
strength of an athlete to lift, much more to use,
winnowing boards, flails, shovels, hoes of such
crude workmanship, their use often doubted, were
seen. The pictures of ancestors from the sil-
houette to the enlarged photograph, were brought
out to bring to mind faces of long ago. Crude pic-
tures that were first hung upon the walls of the log
house, such as Washington and his family, death
bed scene of Andrew Jackson, the monument with
place for names of the departed shadowed by the
weeping willow, these were all brought from gar-
rets for the crowd to comment upon and ask if these
were ever considered works of art.

Then there was the array of guns from the flint
lock muskets to the more modern rifles, sabres,
swords; uniforms of no earlier date than the Rebel-
lion seemed very ancient to many a youth.

These and almost numberless other relics of the
early days, leave us wondering what the next one
hundred years will bring to us, in labor saving
devices, art and fashion.

196

Frank M, Board.

A very interesting and instructive part of
Rushford's Old Home Week Program was the
exhibit of relics which were placed in the lower
rooms of the Academy, facing the west. And so
well filled were the rooms that only a fair space
was left for the onlookers.

Arranged on the wall were pictures of some
of the early settlers and their children, in-
cluding Roswell Wilmarth, Capt. Wm, W.
Woodworth, Israel Thompson and wife. Judge
James McCall, Levi Benjamin and wife with R.
W. Benjamin at seven years of age; O. D.
Benjamin, Asa Benjamin and wife, a silhouette of
Dimmick Damon, father of A. W. E, Damon;
Wilson Gordon and his first wife, Lydia Pratt,
L. L. Benjamin, James Gordon, L. C. Kimball,
Mary R. Evans, Maria Benjamin, four generations
of the Higgins family in a group. Dr. Timothy
Higgins, Frank W. Higgins and O. T. Higgins,
2nd ; Chapman Brooks and wife, Bethuel
Freeman, Judge Lyon and wife, C. W, Wood-
worth, R. Bonham Laning, Newbury Eddy,
Sampson Hardy and wife, Nahum Ames, David
Sill and a group containing five of the Talcott
family — Electra, Elihu, Ravillo, Samuel and
Henry.

Above these hung blue and white coverlets,
eleven in all, with several of other colors ; six
quilts — some of wonderful designs and intricate
patterns ; several baby dresses and needlework
well worth seeing.

On tables were tools and implements used by
the pioneer — swingling knives, six hatchels and
flax ready for the hatchels, candle molds, a
puncheon that was in use before jugs could be had
for carrying drink to the fields, a pair of shackles
made by Chauncy McDonald for John Holmes, a

197

carpenter's square made by a blacksmith, a large
mortar used by Wm. Geiry, sickles, saws, froes
for splitting shingles and staves, punctured tin
lanterns, iron tea-kettles, an ancient broad axe
crude enough to have been used in Noah's time,
a tray for mixing bread; warming pans — a wooden
scoop shovel, made by John Knaggs, a brother-
in-law of D. C. Woods, iron skillets and spiders,
an old surveying instrument used on the Holland
Land survey, and a sheet iron box in which to
borrow fire from the neighbors,

A show case containing many pieces of home-
made linen cloth and fine thread, two stocks worn
by men on dress occasions, silver shoe buckles,
beautiful bead bags, tortoise-shell combs so large
that they had to be carried in milady's bag until
her bonnet was taken off; six or more samplers,
these were the proof that the maker could use
the needle as dexterously as the present generation
can play the piano; the oldest one of these was
made by Mary Palms who was born in 1760. In
this show case were many old books — a bible that
belonged to Wilson Gordon, the Osterwald trans-
lation printed previous to 1747. Also a poster
advertising the Semi-Centennial Celebration
held fifty years previous to the Home-Coming
Week and Centennial Celebration. Almanacs
dating from 1832 to the present date were also to
be seen.

One of the cases contained the exhibit loaned
by Miss Ellen Gordon. Dresses worn by J. B.
and Fred Gordon when babies, a corset board
worn by Julietta Gordon, wedding socks of J. B.
Gordon, a group picture of William, Martha,
Samuel and Jedediah Gordon, a picture of J. B,
Gordon and his first wife, Eneas Gary's Masonic
certificate and pension papers, a pitcher used by
Esther Gary, a warming pan belonging to Eneas
Gary and one of the old factory shuttles were a
part of this collection.

198

Other relics were silver spoons that had be-
longed to Judge McCall, many pieces of old pot-
tery, among which were the various kinds of lustre
ware, both light and dark; seven pewter platters,
many rare candle sticks of both glass and brass,
an old mirror in a quaint frame, which was said to
be more than a hundred years old. The saddle
bags used by Dr. Mason, also the one used by
Dr. Bixby, a small leather-covered trunk contain-
ing an article for land from the Holland Land
Company (an article was a contract for a deed
when the said contract had been fulfilled), and a
case containing some wonderful millinery of the
olden times, some of which belonged to the
Higgins family.

There were flint-lock guns, powder horns, a
cartridge box, bayonet in a sheath, a leather pouch
in which to carry bullets with a priming wire at-
tached and a small bristle brush to wipe the pan
of the flint-lock gun, a real Barlow knife; all these
were of Revolutionary fame, while alongside these
relics were a saber and sash, revolver, canteen,
belt and uniform that had seen service in the Re-
bellion; also the large brass horn with which
Bo wen Gordon helped to put down the Rebel-
lion.

In another room was the big wheel for spinning
wool and the little wheel for flax, with Mrs. Eras-
tus Belknap to spin the real flax; the swifts and
reels to wind the yarn when spun; a clock reel
and a hand reel or " niddy noddy." The fireplace,
with its real mantlepiece of the olden time, shov-
els, tongs, andirons, a trammel used in the Judge
McCall household, and a tin bake-oven to use in
front of the fireplace, a wagon chair that would
seat two, a splint-bottomed affair, to be used
in a lumber wagon when it did duty for a car-
riage.

Perhaps the most interesting of all was the
canopy bed, the height of style and elegance back

a
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ei
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I— I

199

in the thirties. This was made up with a well-
filled straw tick, a generous feather bed, sheets
and blankets that were woven and sewed by
hand, as were the pillow-cases and a patch-work
quilt.

Keeping watch over all was the grandfather
clock once owned by the first white woman to stay
overnight in the town of Rushford, Nancy Gary
Woods. The clock is now owned by Watson W.
Bush.

The success of the Old Home Week exhibit in
its collection and display was due in a great meas-
ure to the efforts and time given to it by Mrs.
Annie Thomas and Mrs. Jennie Bush.

At the Rushford Centennial.
Fred K. Woods.

Rushford's history shows that we have always
had an abundance of musical talent, and at no
time was this more true than during this Centen-
nial and Home Coming Week. Where is the
small town that can furnish a band, an orchestra,
a chorus choir, a double quartette, a mixed quar-
tette, a male quartette and several soloists, all
strictly home talent ?

During the previous winter, when plans for
Rushford's Centennial and Home Coming Week
began to assume tangible shape, the boys, realiz-
ing the importance of having a good band for
that great week, assembled in Editor W. F. Ben-
jamin's office and reorganized the famous Rush-
ford Cornet Band. Some had been members of
the old Band, and some raw recruits were ac-
cepted. Weekly practice meetings were held,
and by Old Home Week the Band was ready to
" Do it for Rushford " on any and all occasions.
The Band at Old Home Week numbered nine-
teen. The names of the players and their parts

200

were as follows: W. F. Benjamin, Leader, E-flat
Cornet; Dr. E. D. Kilmer, William Burton, Ken-
dall Hardy, Greydon Davis, Clare Davis and
Miner Taylor, B-flat Cornets; F. K. Woods,
Clarionet; Warren Hadley, Tuba; W, W. Thomas,
Baritone; Dean G. Gordon and Clare Gere, Trom-
bone; Steven Wilmot, Tenor; Dewitt Stone, Solo
Alto; A. P. Benjamin and Arthur Alderman, Alto;
A. J. Lyon, Snare Drum; D. W. Woods, Bass
Drum and Cymbals.

About the same time Dr. F. C. Ballard, who for
the many years of his practice of medicine here
had been compelled to let his musical talent lie
dormant, suddenly became enthusiastic for an
orchestra. After much labor and financial assist-
ance by the Doctor, the Rushford Orchestra,
more often called Ballard's Orchestra, was started.
New members were accepted from time to time,
so that at Old Home Week there were nine mem-
bers, as follows: — Dr. F. C. Ballard, Leader, ist
VioHn; Mrs. John A. James, ist Violin; Miss
Helen Taylor, 2nd Violin; F- K. Woods, Clario-
net; Miss Bessie Thomas and William Burton,
Cornets; Dean D.Gordon, Trombone; A. J. Lyon,
Drum; accompanied by Mrs. Lena Werries on
the piano.

The general committee on Old Home Week
music were W. F. Benjamin, W. W. Thomas and
A. J. Lyon, and their part of the program was
carried out with the same great success that char-
acterized the whole of the week's program and
preparations. This committee appointed a com-
mittee of three, one from each of the Churches;
namely, Mrs. Sophia Taylor, Miss Ellen Gordon
and Miss Millie Metcalf, to select the music for the
first meeting of the week, the Platform Meeting,
Sunday afternoon, August i6th, 1908. This com-
mittee asked D. W. Woods to take charge of the
large chorus, consisting of the choirs of the three
Churches and other singers of the town. The

201

selections were the oldest hymns, which were
more familiar one hundred years ago, and were as
follows: —

Italian Hymn, Rev. Charles Wesley, 1708.

Antioch, Rev. Isaac Watts, 1674.

Ariel, Lowell Mason, 1792.

Hebron, Lowell Mason, 1792.

Sherburne, George Frederick Handel, 1685.

Portuguese Hymn, Unknown.

Exhortation, Rev. Samuel Stennett, 1727.

Amsterdam, Rev. Robert Seagrave, 1768.

Windham, Rev. Isaac Watts, 1674.

Coronation, Rev. Edward Perrouet, 1792.

Monday was without a public service until
evening, when the W. C. T. U. held a medal
contest in Academj' Hall. The Band made their
first appearance for the week on the street, before
the exercises in the Hall began. The music in-
side was furnished by the Orchestra; by Mrs. R.
T. Brooks, who sang a solo which was very fine;
by the Male Quartette, Messrs. Robert Warren,
S. E. Wilmot, D. D. Gordon and Eben Haynes,
who furnished some excellent selections ; by Rob-
ert Woods, who sang a solo, and by the con-
testants, who sang their contest song, the
words being set to the tune, " Marching through
Georgia."

Tuesday, Farmers' Day, started off with a
parade, the music for which was furnished by the
Band, riding in the famous old Band Wagon.
After the dinner hour the Band again called the
crowd together, with music in the street until the
time for the afternoon program in the Hall. The
Band played a selection inside, followed by one
by the Orchestra. A quartette next sang. The
singers were Mrs. Lena Werries, soprano; Miss
Velma Haykes, alto; Robert Warren, tenor; and
Eben Haynes, bass; accompanied by Miss Bessie
Thomas on the piano. The Orchestra then fur-
nished another selection.

202

The evening program opened with orchestra
music; other music for the evening was a song
by the Quartette. The Orchestra played another
number, and the Band played at the close.

Wednesday, Centennial Day, was a very busy
one for the musicians, some of them playing in
the Band, the Orchestra, and singing. In the
morning, the Band took opportunity to serenade
some of the distinguished guests. A few selec-
tions were rendered on the street, and the boys
then marched to Mr. C. J. Elmer's lawn, where
two or three pieces were played before Mr. Elmer
and Dr. and Mrs H. C. Elmer, of Ithaca, N. Y.
Prof. Elmer responded with words of appreciation
in behalf of the family. The home of Captain and
Mrs. W. W. Bush, where so many distinguished
guests were entertained all the week, was next
visited. The boys made their circle very prettily,
and the spacious porch was soon filled with the
guests of the house. Besides the family of Cap-
tain Bush, there were present Mr. and Mrs. Frank
S. Smith of New York, Rev. and Mrs Henry C.
Woods of Bath, Mrs Annie Thomas of Lansing,
Iowa, Mrs. Flora Hammond of Minnesota, and
others. Words of appreciation were spoken by
several of these, and after very touching remarks
by Mrs. Smith, she was introduced and shook
hands with each member of the band. The boys
then marched back to the hall, where they dis-
banded for dinner. Assembling again several
pieces were played, the boys always willing to
keep things going.

The afternoon program opened with music by the
band, followed by the orchestra. The songs for
the day were selected by the Centennial Day
Committee, and were sung by a double quartette,
consisting of: — Soprano, Mrs. Jennie Gordon and
Mrs. Minnie Woods; Alto, Mrs. Myrtie Bush and
Marena Woods; Tenor, Dr. E. D. Kilmer and F.
K. Woods; Bass, A. P. Benjamin and D. W.

203

Woods; Piano, Miss Anna Merrill. The songs,
as sandwiched in between the speeches, were
Home Sweet Home, The Old Oaken Bucket,
Annie Laurie and Cousin Jedediah. The or-
chestra played a selection for the closing number
of the afternoon.

The evening program opened with music by
the orchestra. The double quartette sang:

"Home again, Home again, from a foreign shore,
And O! it fills my heart with joy to meet my friends
once more."

The next song was " Comin' Thro' the Rye."
Then the musical selection " Poor Nellie Gray "
was played by the Band. The audience then
arose and sang an adapted version of " Auld
Lang Syne," as follows:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot.

And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne we meet to-day.

For auld lang syne;
To tread ihe paths our fathers trod

In days of auld lang syne.

We've passed through many varied scenes.

Since youth's unclouded day;
And friends, and hopes, and happy dreams,

Time's hand has swept away.
And voices that once joined with ours,

In days of auld lang syne,
Are silent now, and blend no more

In songs of auld lang syne.

Yet ever has this light of hope

Illumed our darkest hour.
And cheered us on Life's toilsome way.

And gemmed our path with flowers;

204

The sacred prayers our mothers said

In days of auld lang syne,
Have ever kept us in the right,

Since days of auld lang syne.

Here we have met, here we may part,

To meet on earth no more,
And some may never see again

The cherished homes of yore;
The sportive plays and pleasant days

Of childhood's auld lang syne —
We ne'er shall meet to know again

Those joys of auld lang syne.

But when we've crossed the sea of life

And reached the heav'nly shore.
We'll sing the songs our fathers sing.

Transcending those of yore;
We there shall sing diviner strains.

Than those of auld lang syne —
Immortal songs of praise, unknown

In days of old lang syne.

The last song of the evening was " Long,
Long Ago." The Band played the closing piece,
and continued with several others on the street
until nearly every one had retired to their homes,
or to the dancing pavilion.

Thursday, known as School Day, opened with
a parade at eleven a. m., led by the Band on foot.
The only other musical instrument noticed in the
parade was a hand organ played by W. H.
Leavens. The parade concluded its march be-
fore the High School, where each class of alumni
marched before the reviewing stand separately,
to a short strain from the Band, or an appropriate
tune on the piano played by Mrs. R. T. Brooks,
and did their stunt. The Band, as on all occa-
sions, was present on the street during the re-
mainder of the afternoon, or at the ball games,
playing between innings and making much noise
to help out the rooters. Leader Benjamin scarcely

205

gave the boys time to eat between appearances,
and the Band often struck up with hardly a
quorum, but before many pieces were played the
last man was present.

The evening program, in charge of the High
School Alumni, opened with music by the Or-
chestra. Two Alumni songs were on the pro-
gram. Mrs. Lena Werries was pianist, accom-
panied by Mr. Burton on the cornet, and the
members of the Alumni sang as a chorus. The
first song, adapted from college songs, to the tune
" Maryland, My Maryland," was as follows:
Our love and praise to-night we give,

Rushford, dear Rushford.
Long may your glorious record live,

Rushford, dear Rushford.
Your sons and daughters, as of yore,
As in the years that have gone before.
Now pledge their loyalty once more,
Rushford, dear Rushford.

No matter where we spend our days,

Rushford, dear Rushford.
Our fond allegiance with you stays,

Rushford, dear Rushford.
Our songs are gay, but thoughts are grave.
We'll strive to keep our purpose brave.
To make your colors ever wave,

Rushford, dear Rushford.

The second, to the tune of " Old Black Joe,"
was: —

Gone are the days when we lived in Rushford,
Gone are the years that we toiled there faithfully.
Yet in our hearts we've kept thy memory,
All hail to thee, our Alma Mater, R. H. S.

Chorus.
We're bringing by singing
Our tribute here to thee.
All hail to thee, our Alma Mater, R. H. S.

2o6

Tho' we may roam in' countries far and near,
Tho' others tempt and offer us good cheer,
Yet when we hear "Alumnus come to me,"
We'll never fail to heed thy summons, R. H. S.

Chorus.

lyong may thy children loud their praises sing,
Long may thy halls with cheerful laughter ring.
Long may we feel this night we've met with thee.
Thou art our queen, our Alma Mater, R. H. S.

Chorus.

During the evening Miss Anna Merrill rendered
" La Czarine " very beautifully on the piano, and
the orchestra played two more selections. The
closing song, " Our Alumni," was written for a
previous occasion by Mrs. Edward James, formerly
Miss Zella W. Spencer, to the tune, " Clementine."

Friday was Soldiers' and G. A. R. Day. The
G. A. R. had engaged a drum corps, consisting of
three lads from Hume, who filled the old Vets
with war-time spirit. After the dinner hour the
Veterans were marched to the Academy lawn by
the Band and Drum Corps. Several selections were
played by the Band while the people were gathered
on the lawn.

Friday evening was to be the grand finish of
the week's celebration. The program called for
music by the Band, and the Band was very much
in evidence from early in the evening until the
small hours of the morning. They played around
the Camp Fire, marched the crowd into the Hall,
and after the evening's program they played for the
fireworks display, and then the band boys claimed
the remainder of the night for themselves. For
nearly three hours could be heard the familiar
strains of " Marching through Georgia " and
"John Brown's Body." Down the street they
went and into the dancing pavilion, breaking up
the dance. Around the hall they marched, with a

207

large following of boys. Out they came, and were
soon lined up at the restaurant bar, where the
proprietors saw fit to " set 'em up." Of course,
everything was " soft " in Rushford, as it had been
all the week, and no overloaded specimens were
seen. Out they went to the same old tune,
" John Brown's Body," and into the Moving
Picture Show, where they were entertained with
a special performance. Songs were sung and
Spokesman Ed. Pratt's command to " Clap your
hands if you like the pictures " was vigorously
obeyed. Into the street again came the same old
tune, as if the Band could play no other; then the
crowd took possession of the Merry-go-Round,
and were treated to a ride to the tune of " March-
ing through Georgia" for a change. A round
of the stores was made; then the crowd, headed
by the Band, started on a serenade. First they
marched to the home of Capt. W. W. Bush, and
at the command of Spokesman Pratt, three hearty
cheers were given Captain Bush, President of the
Home Coming Week Committee, who did so
much to make the week a success. President
Bush appeared, and responded with words of
appreciation. Judge R. B. Laning was next
visited, and given a hearty cheer for his untiring
labors to promote the interests of the week. All
through the town they went, the Band playing,
and sometimes singing the same old tunes. Other
members of the Committee, who did so much to
make the happy week the success that everyone
voted it to be, were visited; among them were
Miss Ellen Lyman, Mrs. A. M. Tarbell, Mrs. E. C.
Gilbert, James Benjamin, L. J. Thomas and R. W.
Benjamin. The crowd, getting smaller at this late
hour, gathered around the smouldering remains of
the Camp Fire, which was replenished with fresh
pine knots. Speeches were made and songs sung,
and thus was Old Home Week brought to a vic-
torious finish early on Saturday morning.

208

jR«Biffnr&*0 (Bsntmniai.

Rev. F. E. G. Woods.

The looth year of the settlement of Rushford,
N. Y., was celebrated by its citizens in a manner
worthy of such an important event. Its program
covered August 16-21, 1908, taking the form of
an Old Home Coming Week and consisted of a
series of appropriate exercises commemorating
the various phases — industrial, educational, reli-
gious— of the people's life in the century just
ended. There were no dull days in this con-
tinued festival. The numerous public exercises
bringing out from a century's treasury relics, and
also records rehearsed in speeches and essays on
features historical and biographical, enlivened
by story, song and instrumental music, occu-
pied the hours not otherwise given to renewing
acquaintances of friends separated by many
years. The street parade was a living, moving
panorama of what had been rehearsed on the
platform, showing the industrial life in varied
phases contrasted with new inventions, giving also
former social customs. The whole was so realistic
as, seemingly, to transport the spectator back to
an earlier era, and, for the while, he imagined him-
self to be living in a former age.

mh f 0tttt Week at a«0l|forJ».

Mary Sherwood,
Among the pleasures of the year
That woke my heart and gave it cheer,
Not one to me that was so dear

As Old Home Week at Rushford.

Arriving on Centennial Day,
I saw the streets in fine array,
And everything so bright and gay

For Old Home Week in Rushford.

THE RUSHPORD BASEBALL TEAM

LEFT TO RIGHT

BACK KOW: ABBAM P. BENJAMIN, DR. WM. W. BDSH, MANAGEB, GREYDON DAVIS,
HOMER BROOKS. MIDDLE ROW: ERNEST VAN DUSEN, ROBERT WARREN, WM. G.
SICE, CAPT. ; GEORGE VAN DUSEN. FRONT ROW : «. J . WILSON, BARTON TABBELL,
CHARLES VAN DUSEN.

209

But really it was best of all,
The decorations of the hall,
And glorious ever to recall

Of Old Home Week at Rushford.

And on the rostrum as they read
Of ancestors among the dead,
Almost I saw and heard their tread
Along the streets of Rushford.

Year after year they toiled along,
And cheered their toil by hymn and song.
To be recalled by future throng.
Centennial year at Rushford.

Their histories were all well told;
The phases of their lives unrolled.
But little dross among the gold.
In the pioneers of Rushford.

School Day opened by parade —
The memory of which will never fade,
Of young and old, and how arrayed
The pupils were of Rushford.

Float after float glided along.

Yell after yell, both shrill and stfong.

Awaking laughter from the throng

That filled the streets of Rushford.

Friday was G. A. R. Day,
The last is always best, they say.
And in the mind will longer stay,
And it was so at Rushford.

For the parade was — ^yes — ^just grand !
For those therein had all the sand
To act their parts with heart and hand.
To enliven the streets of Rushford.

The veterans of course were there,
And first of all they had their share
Of honor, which they well might bear.
The veterans of Rushford.

2IO

Now, it would take many a day
To all I saw or heard portray
And weave into this roundelay

Of Old Home Week at Rushford.

So I will quickly speed along,
Skip speeches, only mention song.
That I may feel not in the wrong,
About the time at Rushford.

"Home Sweet Home" and "Home Again,"
And "Annie Laurie's" sweet refrain,
"Auld Lang Syne," like summer rain.
Refreshed our hearts at Rushford.

And oft were wafted by the strain
Of orchestra or band again.
To youthful days all void of pain.
Of youthful days at Rushford.

But I must not forget the door
I opened oft, and o'er and o'er
I viewed the relics there in store,
The curios of Rushford.

In vain to give their meed of praise,
How well preserved from ancient days.
How plain to show in many ways
The old time week of Rushford.

But now a word I long to say.
The greatest pleasure of each day.
Was greeting friends from far away

Who were gathered there at Rushford.

Although we ne'er again may meet.
To clasp the hand and kindly greet.
The memory ever will be sweet

Of Old Home Week at Rushford.

211

%ietax9 of % 3tti MttifoUet Oliptrrl;.

Millie C. Metcalf.

This being the occasion of the hundredth anni-
versary of the town of Rushford, it has been
deemed fitting that at this time each church take a
glance at its past history and consider for a mo-
ment a few points of interest in its course.

The Free Methodist Church cannot boast of this
as its hundredth anniversary, for it is but forty-
eight years the coming October, since its birth in
this town. Two years previous to this, however,
the, work had started and was well on foot which
resulted in the organization in i860.

In October, i860. The Genesee Conference of
the Free Methodist Church was organized at
Rushford, AUe. Co., N. Y., by B. T. Roberts, its
founder. Five preachers were received into full
connection, and among the number, J. W. Reddy,
who was appointed pastor of the Rushford cir-
cuit. Soon after the close of the conference, he
organized a Society consisting of the following:
Elijah Metcalf, Wilson Gordon, Sophronia Gor-
don, Charles English, Robert English, Frances
English, Maria Benjamin, Rufus Adams, George
Worthington, Harry Howe, Elvira Howe, Harris
Gilbert, Levanche Van Dusen, Ophelia Van
Dusen, Salome Metcalf, Cornelia Metcalf, Levi
Metcalf.

Of the original members, Cornelia Metcalf,
Charles English and George Worthington remain
living. May their lives yet be spared many
years.

The first trustees of the church here were Harry
Howe, Wilson Gordon, Robert English, Harris
Gilbert, Levi Metcalf.

Classes were soon organized at Gowanda, Bel-
fast, Caseville, Caneadea, Cadwells, and other
points. These rdgether with the Rushford class
composed the Rushford circuit.

212

The first Free Methodist meetings in this place
were held in the old Methodist Episcopal Church
which, upon the erection of the new church build-
ing was moved to the present site of Myron
Claus' harness shop. This building, having been
bought for the purpose, was used as a house of
worship about two years, when it was destroyed
by fire. The Free Methodist Society then secured
the rental of the Presbyterian Church) in which
house they worshipped until the present one was
purchased. This was bought of the Universalists
in 1873, when T. B. Catton was pastor. Soon
afterward the church was remodeled. The pulpit
which had formerly stood between the two doors,
was moved to the opposite side of the room, and
the seats arranged accordingly.

Since the first Genesee Conference in i860j
three annual conferences have convened here,
the first in 1882, during A. H. Bennett's pastorate,
the second in 1898, when G. D. Mark was pastor,
and the last in 1904, when N. B. Martin was
pastor.

During the 48 years since its organization, the
Rushford circuit has had 26 pastors. I will men-
tion their names in order, and with the term each
served:

J. W. Reddy, 2 years; Wm. Manning, 2 years;
A. F. Curry, 2 years; F. J. Ewell and A. B.
Mathewson, i year; O. O. Bacon, 2 years; Wm.
Jackson, 2 years; Wm. Jones, i year; I. C. White,
2 years; T. B. Catton, 2 years; M. H. Monroe
(supply), I year; John Robinson, i year; A. A.
Burgess, 2 years; A. H. Bennett, 2 years; M. C.
Burritt, 2 years; L. D. Perkins, i year; C. C.
Eggleston, 2 years; M. E. Brown, 2 years; T. S.
Slocum, 2 years; N. Palmer, 2 years; H. W.
Rowley, 2 years; G. D. Mark, 3 years (last year
supply); J. H. Wheeler, 3 years (term changed);
J. E. Tiffany, i year; N. B. Martin, 3 years; J.
H. Harman, 2 years; C. L. Wright.

213

The former Rushford and Rockville circuit was
divided in 1907, so each point now has a separate
preacher.

The Rushford Society is now composed of 58
members; 48 in full connection, 10 on probation.

In view of the progress which has been made
both in numbers, and we trust in spirituality, we
have reason to take courage; and believing still
in the same principles that made us a church, we
are endeavoring to " walk by the same rule and
mind the same things." As we continue in so
doing, we may expect the blessing of the Lord to
attend us.

QIl^ Kftnnii^ltttQ of % ill. & ^iftxctif at lSi.viai(tavli.

We've been up to the M. E. Church,
We've climbed its stairs once more;

But we stopped and gazed in wonder.
As we stepped within the door.

For lo! some skilled magicians,

With true decorative art.
Have given the dear old structure

A complete "change of heart."

The pews are rich and ornate,

Placed in semi-circular style;
And all the faithful pilgrims

Wear a sort of — circular smile.

For they've labored long and patient

To perfect and re-arrange
Their modest place of worship;

And they glory in the change.

You can claim no more the backache

As excuse to stay away.
With all those high-backed settles,

Just inviting you to stay.

214

Now all the little boys and girls
Must mind their "p's" and "q's,"

And do just as they're told to do
While sitting in such pews.

The walls and frescoed ceilings

Are so restful to the eye;
Small wonder if some members

Wer'nt caught napping on the sly.

We never s'posed we'd live to see
This change, so grandly wrought;

The plain, old-fashioned church for us
Was good enough, we thought.

But now, we find that modern ways

Are well to emulate;
'Tis best to have our churches

Kept quite strictly up to date.

Yes, — they've held a grand old rally,

And old pastors far and near
Came to praise the earnest workers.

And bring to all God's cheer.

They put soul into their sermons
With an eloquence pure and high;

Pictured life as not all of living.
Nor, is it "all of death to die."

For we know there is a heaven

Which begins down here below;
Where love to God and all mankind

Straight from the heart doth flow.

There's a "gateway," too, — ^man can't improve.

Although it's oft been tried;
Great men have pondered over it,

And studied till they died.

It shines undimmed by ages.

Like gold refined from dross ;
'Tis the "way" to the Kingdom of Heaven

By the symphony of the Cross.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH, MAIN STREET

METHODIST CHURCH

215

J. G. Benjamin.

HISTORY OF EARLY METHODISM IN RUSHFORD.

One of the first Methodist ministers on the
west side of the Genesee river was Elijah Met-
calf, a circuit preacher. Rev. Metcalf at that
time resided in Salisbury, Herkimer County.
His circuit commenced at what is now Batavia
and extended south through Genesee, Wyoming
and Allegany counties into Pennsylvania, thence
west through Cattaraugus and Chautauqua coun-
ties.

He traveled mostly on horseback, fording
streams, stopping where night overtook him, re-
ceiving such hospitality as one always found
among the early settlers of this section of
country.

During one of these circuits the first class in
the town of Rushford was formed at the home of
Daniel Woods, father of D. C. Woods. The
members of this class were Daniel Woods and
Joshua Wilson and wives. The time of the
formation of this class cannot be definitely
stated, but was sometime between 1810 and
1 816. During this period his home was at
Salisbury.

In 1 8 16 Rev. Metcalf organized the first M. E.
church in Rushford with ten members — Mr. and
Mrs. Daniel Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gordon,
Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. James
Gordon, Mrs. and Mrs. Tarbell Gordon.

About that time Wm. Gordon was licensed to
preach. He was an acceptable, earnest, local
preacher until his death in April, 1870, aged 83
years. To him remains a debt of gratitude from
church and people which can never be discharged,
or fully known and comprehended until the re-
deemed of the Lamb shall gather around the
throne of our Heavenly Father.

2l6

His generous contributions to the church, and
cheering, encouraging exhortations will be re-
membered. His timely help to the struggling
unfortunates will then be made manifest to all.
To show the interest he had in the welfare of the
church and to uphold its integrity, he at one time,
when the preacher was about to go to conference
with his salary unpaid, sold the last cow he had
and out of the amount paid the preacher in full.
It was a common saying that no needy or hungry
one ever went from his door. A man having
nothing to help himself with but his tools went to
Brother Gordon to borrow $300 to purchase some
land to build him a home, and Brother Gordon let
him have the money without any security but his
word. The whole amount was paid in three and
one-half years in installments from fifteen cents
to 130.

This church at first held their meetings from
house to house, later in school houses, in order
to increase its membership and influence. In
1826 and 1827 a church was built on West
Main street. Their membership increeised so
rapidly that the little church could not accommo-
date them and others who were inclined to attend
the meetings.

Elijah Metcalf was admitted in full connection
into the Genesee Conference in 181 1.

In 1832 Rev. Elijah Metcalf moved his family
here, and in 1833 Robert English and family
came and joined the little church. In 1835 the
trustees purchased a part of the lot now occupied
by this church and in 1837 built a more commodi-
ous and imposing church. This second church
was about 38 x 50 feet, with a gallery on two sides
and the north end. The entrance was from the
north end into a vestibule, with stairs to the right
and left into the gallery. The choir sat in the
south end of the gallery. The audience room be-
low was entered by two doors, one at the right

217

and the other at the left; the pulpit was between
the doors. In entering the church the congrega-
tion was facing you, so they did not have to turn
around when the door opened to see who was
coming in. The stoves were in the right and left
corners of the audience room as you entered, with
seats on three sides of them. Here they wor-
shipped until 1852, when at an official meeting
the following preamble and resolutions were
adopted. The following named persons were
present: Rev. C. L. Cheney, John Lamberson,
Israel Thompson, Robert Morrow, Amos Peck,
R. S. Goff, Levi Metcalf, Rufus Adams, C. A.
Wilson, A. Washburn.

"Whereas, by the blessing and favor of
Almighty God, the members of our church and
congregation has become quite too large to be
accommodated in our present house of worship;
and

" Whereas, under the smiles of beneficent Provi-
dence our members and friends generally have
enjoyed temporal prosperity; therefore,

" Resolved, that it has become our sacred and
impressive duty to use our best endeavors for the
erection of a house of suitable dimensions for the
accommodation of all who may desire to meet with
us in the worship of God.

" Resolved, that Wm. Gordon and Rev.
C. L. Cheney be appointed a committee to draft
and circulate a subscription paper, collect funds
and solicit contributions for the above named
purpose."

Although Brother Cheney did not stay here long
enough to complete what he had commenced.
Brother Sanford Hunt took the matter in hand
where Brother Cheney had left it, and with the
help of others carried it on to completion.

On January 10, 1855, the church was dedicated.

The services were: Singing by the choir; read-
ing scripture by Rev. C. D. Burlingham; sermon

2l8

by Rev. Smith, of Buffalo; anthem, " I was glad
when they said unto me let us go into the House
of the Lord," by the choir; benediction by Rev.
Simpson.

The church was not large enough to contain the
people who came to attend the services. In the
evening Rev. McNeil, of Warsaw, preached to
another large congregation.

In my mind's eye to-night I see the many saints
who have transferred their membership from the
church militant to the church triumphant. Over
in the south-east corner, at that time called the
" Amen Corner," were Wm. Gordon, R. S. Goff,
John Worthington, Levi Metcalf, Elijah Metcalf,
Isaac Stone, Aaron Rice, Ely Woods, E. S. No-
bles, John Boise, John Lamberson and Robert
Morrow, and in the back seat behind them were
Frank Warren, Fl-ank E. Woods, Warren Persons,
Samuel Persons and Wilson Gordon, and in the
body of the church were Israel Thompson and
family, John, Alonzo and Hosea Persons with their
wives, J. B. Gordon and family, A. W. E. Damon
and family, A. H. Damon and family, and Mr.
Smith and wife. So many I remember well, and
many others have passed away whom I do not
now recall.

The first record of trustees that I find is dated
November 5, 1850. At this time there was one
trustee, S. Y. Hammond. A resolution was passed
to have six trustees. S. Y. Hammond was re-
elected, and the others were A. Washburn, John
Lamberson, Ely Woods, Amos Peck and William
Gordon. Also in the records of the meeting I find
the following resolution: " Resolved that the trus-
tees be instructed to pay R. S. Goff I25, for which
sum said Goff is to furnish wood and candles,
sweep the house, build the fires and see that the
house is kept sufficiently warm during the ordi-
nary services of the church, light the house for
evening meetings, also find wood for singing

219

school in case there should be one, for one year
commencing Nov. 7, 1850. Signed by Ely Wood,
chairman, and A. Washburn, secretary."

The next trustee meeting was November 7,
1 85 1. S. Y. Hammond resigned as trustee and
A. W. E. Damon was elected in his place, and
Samuel Hopkins was hired to care for the church
and furnish the same as the year before, six
months for |2i, commencing November 7, 1851.

November 15, 1853, the number of trustees was
increased to seven and divided into three classes,
as follows: One year, A. K. Allen, Ely Woods,
Israel Thompson; two years, A. Washburn, Wm.
Gordon; three years, Isaac Stone, R. S. Goff.

The next elections were in 1855; 1858; No-
vember 16, 1864. At that time a motion was car-
ried to have nine trustees. During the year,
Brother A. Washburn moved away, and Charles
Benjamin was elected to his place; E. S. Nobles
died, and D. H. Woods was elected in his place.
The names of the other trustees are not in the
record.

December i, 1866, a full board of nine trustees
was elected: A. H. Damon, D. H. Woods, Clark
Rice, W. F. Griffin, Spencer Packard, A. W. E.
Damon, D. C. Woods, Israel Thompson, Charles
Benjamin, none of whom but D. C. Woods, sur-
vives; he has been a trustee ever since.

Beginning with 1835 there have been but four
recording stewards — A. Washburn, 1 835-1 864;
A. W. E. Damon, 1 864-1 867; W. F. Woods,
1 867-1 87 2; J. G. Benjamin, 1872 to the present
time.

The first parsonage was built in 1840 on the
ground now owned by the Masons between their
home and the creek, and was first occupied by
Rev. Albert Terry. The next parsonage was the
present one, purchased in 1865. The first minis-
ter to occupy it was Rev. M. H. Rice, and through
him and his estimable wife there was the largest

220

' and most successful revival since this church was
built. By their efforts was established the society
of the officers and teachers of the Sabbath School
which was continued until 1896.

Through their efforts the S. S. at that time was
the largest in the history of the church.

In 1865 there were 140 pupils; 1866, 200
pupils, 23 officers and teachers; 32 infant class.

The following persons have been licensed as
preachers and exhorters: S. Y. Hammond, John
Delamatyr, Gilbert Delamatyr, Walter Delamatyr,
R. S. Goff, John Worthington, Samuel Hopkins,
J. C. Nobles, Wm. H. Kellogg, Levi Metcalf,
Marlin Lyon, Walter Gordon, D. B. Worthington,
M. C. Dean, J. F. Warren, A. K. Damon, F. E.
Woods, Lowell Farwell, Warren Persons, A. C.
Burr, R. S. Hurd, N. W. Warren, Chas. Dailey,
H, C. Woods, Luther Jennison, C. M. Damon, N.
Mclntyre, L. A. Stevens, S. Y. Renwick, Fletcher
Wells and Thomas Atwell.

Those present at the dedication and also present
at the 50th anniversary were: D. C. Woods, Mrs.
Levi Metcalf, Ellen Gordon, Mary Thompson
Gordon. Jas. G. Benjamin and Ella Claus.

Following are the names of the representatives
at the fiftieth anniversary of five families who were
the original members of the M. E. Church in
Rushford: Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Wilson and Mr.
and Mrs. Daniel Woods, represented by Clark
Woods, his children; Jennie Gordon, Ella Claus,
Will D. Woods, Grant Woods, Jason Woods,
William Gordon, Fred and Ellen Gordon; Wilson
Gordon by Newell and Genevieve McCall; James
Gordon by Jas. G. Benjamin.

The Rushford Circuit was formed in 1820.
The name Rushford District was changed to
Olean District in 185 1,

The Genesee Conference has been held in
Rushford twice, the first time September 25th to
October 2nd, 1850. Bishop Waugh presided;

221

Rev. J. M. Fuller, Secretary; Rev. Charles
Shelling, Pastor.

The Second Conference was held October ist
to October 6th, 1863. Bishop Matthew Simpson
presided; Rev. A. D. Wilbor, Secretary; Rev,
John Meen, Pastor.

Names of Pastors.

Cyrus Story, 1820-21; James Hazen, Philetus
Parkus, 1822; John P. Kent, Jonathan E. Davis,
1823; John Arnold, John P. Kent, 1824; Daniel
Shepardson, Menzer Doud, 1825; Daniel Shep-
ardson, Mifflin Marker, 1826; Elijah Boardman,
Mifflin Marker, 1827.

RUSHFORD AND FRIENDSHIP.

John Wiley, Ira Bronson, Sheldon Doolittle,
1828.

RuSHFORD.

John Wiley, Daniel Anderson, 1829; John
Cosart, John Stainton, 1830; John Cosart, Philo
E. Brown, 1831.

Pike and Rushford.

Reeder Smith, Samuel Wooster, William D.
Buck, 1832; Samuel Wooster, Daniel Anderson,
Carlos Gould, Fuller Atchinson, 1833.

Rushford and Friendship.

Fuller Atchinson, Abram F. Waller, 1834;
Augustine Anderson, Francis Strang, 1835.

Rushford.

Horatio N. Seaver, Carlos Gould, 1836; Abram
C. Dubois, John M. Bell, 1837; Abram C. Dubois,
1838; Orrin F. Comfort, 1839-40; David Nichols,
1841-42; Nathan Fellows, 1843-44; Charles D.
Burlingham, 1845-46; Chauncey S. Baker, 1847;
John McEwen, 1848-49; Charles Shelling, 1850;
Benjamin T. Roberts, 1851; C. L. Cheney,

222

supply, 1852; Sandford Hunt, 1853-54; Milo
Scott, 1855-56; Jason G. Miller, 1857-58; George
W. Terry, 1859; William S. Tuttle, 1860-61;
John McEwen, 1862; George G. Lyon, John
McEwen, 1863; Milton H. Rice, 1864-66; Edward
A. Rice, 1867-68; William Blake, 1869; E. Lan-
sing Newman, 1870-71 (Appointed . P. E. April
17, 1872, Carlton C. Wilbor, supply); Zenas Hurd,
1872-73; Roswell K. Pierce, 1874-75; Otis M.
Leggett, 1876-77; Charles S. Daley, 1878;
William McGavern, 1879-80; William B. Wag-
oner, 1881-83; Asa H. Johnson, 1884-86; R. C.
Grames, 1887-88; James E. Wallace, 1889-90
(Withdrew from conference July, 1891, J. A.
Gardner, supply).

Mrs. E. B. Eldridge on the Glorious Old
Times of Fifty Years Ago.

I was at the dedication, and a beautiful service
we had, and a crowded house, full to overflowing.
Brother Edward Pratt remarked that it would
probably never be so full again. The friend he
was addressing said " Oh, it will be perhaps, when
some noted and worthy man dies." And sure
enough it was, when in a few weeks, Brother Pratt
himself was taken so suddenly from us, but our
loss was his gain. As we came down from the
audience room, Mrs. Boardman said she would
like to know who would be the first to be buried
from the church, and sure enough, it was her own
self. How strange !

Fifty years ago it was an honorable thing to be
a resident of Rushford. We were a religious
people and served the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Fifty years ago Uncle William Gordon was the
main spoke in the wheel, and he told me once
that he was not a successful business man until
after he was converted. This statement verifies
the Bible verse " Seek first the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness and all these things shall

223

be added unto you." His money helped build
many, many churches. Scotch blood, with relig-
ion, works miracles.

Fifty years ago the class meeting weis a great
success, with Brother John Worthington to invite
people in. The Holy Spirit, it seems to me, was
always there and love prevailed. Faces were lit
by Heavenly light. Brother Goff would com-
mence and sing his pet verse:

"Here I'll raise mine Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help 1 come,
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home. "

He has already arrived in the home prepared
for him and his sainted wife, Sophia. You re-
member he always in love feast said the last quar-
ter had been the best in his life.

When I think of the church 50 years ago.
Brother Israel Thompson, our staid Standard
Bearer, is foremost in the picture. Brother Wash-
burn in class would sing with fervor, " My Days
are Gliding Swiftly By," but he is still spared, won-
derfully spared, and no doubt can still sing the
same song.

Fifty years ago we had exhorters and they used
to wake us up. They held meetings in school
houses. Father loved to sing " On Jordan's
stormy banks I stand and cast a wistful eye to
Canaan's fair and happy land, where my posses-
sions lie," and once Father Metcalf said to him in
class meeting, " When I die I want Brother Woods
to sing that at my funeral," and he did.

But I need not write more. We old ones can
see Brother Stone with tears filling his eyes as he
related his experience and referred to his sweet
wife as the one under God who assisted him into
the Kingdom. Mother's especial gift was in
prayer. Her prayers, to me, seemed to reach the
very throne. Rushford church sent out some
able ministers. Some died in prison and died
triumphantly and went home to Glory.

224

Rev. F. E. Woods.
I remember the days of the building of this
church. We were very fortunate in our pastor,
Dr. Sanford Hunt. He was a financier and a
builder. In the winter of 1852 and 1853, just
fairly settled in the parsonage, he, with Elder
William Gordon, our most liberal and well-to-do
member of the official board, were driving about
through the snow drifts, getting subscriptions for
the new church. The enterprise was pushed. The
minister watched the progress of the work arid
with his coat off assisted the workmen. Such
an all round preacher, scholar and financier is sel-
dom seen. No accident marred the work, but
when the tower was being erected a beam slid
from its height and just missed our dear brother,
Clark Woods, who, working below, was spared
to fill out a long life of usefulness. In about a
year from the undertaking the edifice was com-
pleted. I recall the dedication. It was a great
day. Henry Ryan Smith, D.D., a member of
our conference, preached the dedicatory sermon
from the text in II Samuel VI, XI, " And the ark
of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-
Edom, the Gittite, three months: and the Lord
blessed Obed-Edom and all of his household."
It was a remarkable sermon showing how the
blessing of the Lord abides with nations and indi-
viduals. The church, I believe, was dedicated
practically free from debt. The choir, led by
Avery Washburn and Milton Woods, had been
practicing for several weeks and rendered an-
thems to the delight of the large audience. Let
it not be forgotten that these people labored also
to upbuild the spiritual temple of the Lord of
Hosts. They prayed, they exhorted, they labored
with sinners to give their hearts to God, not only
in church meetings, but in their daily intercourse
with the world.
There once was an " Amen Corner " in the audi-

225

ence room, and when the sermon dwelt on practical
Christian experience, there were responses of a
hearty " Amen" from some of those who had had
glorious realization of the things the preacher was
talking about. May the " Amen Corner " never
be abolished from our beloved denomination.
The fathers, where are they ? They have gone
to their reward. A generation of their children
have mostly also gone, but the influence of the
spiritual life which shone in them has lightened
many a heart in distant realms and will forever
shine. May we be able with them to say as did
the psalmist, " Lord, I have loved the habitation
of Thine House and the place where Thine Honor
dwelleth." What can better express the record
of these noble souls than the familiar hymn:

' ' Servants of God, well done !
Your glorious warfare past.

The battle's fought.

The victory won.
And ye are crowned at last."

From Rev. H. C. Woods.

A boy of ten years then, was just old enough
to leave at home with the stock, the fires and his
sister, all one cold day in mid-winter, while the
family went to the dedication of the new church.

The old church was moved down where the
brick block now stands to be used for a Musical
Institute by Professor Vickery. Afterward it be-
came a church again to be used by the Free
Methodists until it burned.

In the old meeting house when the love feasts
were held the door was locked at nine a. m. I
can never forget seeing Mrs. Joseph Weaver and
my mother weeping together by the closed door
outside, but I believe they found an abundant
entrance into heaven.

The men sat on the east side and the women
on the west side. Little boys had to go along
with their mothers and sit on " the women's

226

side," which was humiHating. When a lad was
big enough to sit on " the men's side " he was
" quite some." This order of things was changed
with the new church, and it came to be a very-
aristocratic and fashionable aftair for a gentleman
to sit with the ladies, although the old custom has
not entirely faded out. Look over there by the
north-east entrance to-day and see if there are
not the young men and the old bachelors and that
every one has a twist in his neck toward the west
and south-west where are no men at all. Another
strange innovation for those days was the furnace
for heating the new church. It was the topic of
talk among the boys at school in all the surround-
ing regions, from Rush Creek, Honeyville, Po-
donque and Fairview to Grant's and even over to
Henpeck. Nobody could quite see through that
plan of heating the church until they saw it in
operation. The original plan of two tin covered
affairs never worked well and were finally thrown
aside for one brick furnace which was well heated
by the ever faithful Mr. Allen. Whether he had
the house warm or not, however, almost any boy
would go to church to see the sexton's beautiful
daughter with her pretty curls and ladylike manners.
Miss Sophie Smith's curls were darker and a little
more curly, but then she went to the Baptist church.
People were very denominational in those days.
Several families who lived in sweet accord at
home six days in the week, suddenly agreed to
disagree on the seventh and worshipped at differ-
ent places. For example, Israel Thompson and
his good wife came up Main street together and
at the top of the hill he, with daughters Mary and
Aurora, would enter the Methodist church, while
she with daughters Julia and Emma went across to
the Congregational. Eliab Benjamin sang in the
choir at the Baptist church while Maria, his wife,
was at the head of the alto row in the M. E.
church. Newell McCall was also faithfully in his

227

place down street, while Jerusha and all the rest
of the three-seated-wagonful were up where they
belonged. The same with our old St. Paul,
local preacher Goff, who waited for the other
church to close before he could go home, because
his faithful wife, another McCall, was a Baptist,
and Mrs. Putney still another, and so on.

In those days Rushford people " went to meet-
ing." Four churches were regularly open for serv-
ices— Methodist, Baptist, Congregational and Uni-
versalist. All came from New England, bringing
their convictions and creeds with them, except the
Methodists, who were mostly made such after com-
ing west. The Universalists ran fairly well until,
Spiritualism came and took its victims mostly from
that society, so that the edifice came to be often
used for their meetings, lectures and seances,
which would naturally divide the flock. But from
these scattering thoughts we return to our own
church, which in the great revival of 1857-58 had
a new and large edifice two years old and had a
preacher full of revival spirit — ^Jason G. Miller.
Full of electric energy and enthusiasm, his tow-
colored hair usually stood up all over his big head,
and he himself stood four-square to every wind
that blew. And if they did not happen to blow
he could raise a breeze himself, and often did.
Whoever heard his one discourse on the mode of
baptism, given in reply to four by the pastor down
the street, will never forget it, especially those who
came from the other church to hear it.

In the great revival months and for about a year
before the sad division, this pastoral captain had
a force of a dozen exhorters and local preachers
who surrounded the town every Sunday evening
with school-house meetings. The church services
were at 10:30 a. m. and 1:00 p. m., with Sunday
School and class meetings, two of the latter, in
between services. So the evening of Sundays
witnessed the drill of embryo preachers. Among

228

them we can recall, beside the veteran, Father
Goff, his near neighbor, John Worthington, a
veritable Boanerges, a flame of eloquence when
at his best, and Levi Metcalf, who began low and
rose higher. These two last named always shook
my little hand in their large ones and said kind
words. God bless their memories and raise up
their like many times.

Lowell Farwell was another local preacher, and
among younger men were M. C. Dean, only re-
tired at the last session of conference; Albert
Damon and Warren B. Persons, both of whom died
for their country, as those who " died in faith, not
having received the promises, but having seen them
afar off and were persuaded of them and embraced
them." They have " a better country, that is an
heavenly, for God hath prepared for them a city."
L. A. Stevens, Frank Warren, Allen Burr and F.
E. Woods were also in the list, and doubtless others
not known to a boy of thirteen who lived three
miles out on a hillside farm, where few teams
passed in a day. Grandfather and Grandmother
Woods said that over twenty men had been sent
out of Rushford charge into the ministry. Those
I remember are Wm. H. Kellog, DeBias Worth-
ington, Samuel Hopkins, Walter Gordon and Gil-
bert DeLaMater.

The new church was yet barely six years old
when the war of the Rebellion came and took
some of the bravest sons of the town into its wild
maelstrom to become an atonement for the terri-
ble national crime. Not until the Judgment Day
reveals it will ever be known how many precious
promises of salvation taught in the pulpit and Sun-
day School of this church stood by those boys on
the field of battle, in the hospital, and especially
in prison, when all alone with the God of their
fathers, and especially their mothers, they surren-
dered back to the earth their dust, and their spirits
unto God who gave them.

229

Of course everybody knows that the chorister for
many years was Milton Woods, of the matchless
tenor voice. When he was absent it fell either to
Clark or Avery Washburn to bite the steel tuning
fork and quickly jerk it to the ear before the tone
cooled off and so tell the rest of us where in the
" Do, mi, sol, do, sol, mi, do," to find our respective
notes to begin on. Then, with hymn book in one
hand and tune book in another, the singers made
melody. It may be that they sang from the green
covered " Psalter," the straw colored " Boston
Academy," or the " Carmina Sacra," early, but in
our own day there came the " Olive Branch," with
easy tunes and pretty anthems.

Until the Academy brought strangers with new
ways, the audience turned about and faced the
choir, then in the rear, in the time of singing, but
after a while we all faced the other way and gave
up our Vermontish habits.

With all their quaint manners, however, those
ancestors were stalwart heroes in their way, and
for myself, I record a prayer of gratitude to God
for such a royal training in such a church, whose
people knew God and knew how to lead us to
Him. May we find them all again in the Better
Country.

Edward H. Frary.

I was boarding with Deacon Bethuel Freeman
and attending school in the Chas. Benjamin dis-
trict, Frank Woods, teacher. He and I used to at-
tend the meetings at the village nearly every night.
We also attended some of those held at the Po-
donque school house, where was a glorious revival
that winter. I think it was there and then that
H. C. first faced toward the light.

I remember a story current that winter in which
Father Goff was a factor. He with several others,
including J. Worthington, had been to a meeting
at East Rushford where they had a glorious meet-

230

ing, Father Goff being especially full of the spirit
of witnessing for Christ. He had come with
Mr. Worthington, then walked to his home a
little north of the corner. The next morning he
was in the barn when he hurried into the house,
saying to his wife, " Mother whom did you lend
Dolly to last night ?" She answered " No one."
He said, " Then some one has stolen her." His
wife inquired, " Did you bring her back from
the meeting?" Father Goff, raising his hands,
said " Poor Dolly, it has been a hard long night
for you, I must go right off after you," and did
before he had his breakfast, walking down to East
Rushford and finding Old Dolly under the mill
shed where he had left her the night before.

Reminiscences of a Pastor's Wife —
Mrs. M. H. Rice.

My stay in Rushford is one of the bright chap-
ters in my life. How well I recall that dear old
church and its loyal membership. Ely Woods
and Uncle Goff had gone home before we came,
but the other names published in the paper are
like household words to me.

I speak advisedly when I say that for principle,
loyalty to duty, and love for God and humanity,
the Rushford church had not its superior in the
Genesee Conference when we identified ourselves
with it. Brothers Stone and John Worthington
were promoted during Mr. Rice's pastorate. How
well I remember an incident which occurred at a
ministerial conference held in Rushford. A pa-
per was read on the " Harmony between the
Mosaic account of Creation and Modern Geology,"
followed by a discussion. Brother Worthington
was called upon and said in part: " Some people
know one thing and some know two, as for me, I
know little of the strata of the rocks, but this one
thing I do know, ' Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners,' and on this rock I stand." In
the weekly prayer meeting the places of Israel

231

Thompson, Warren Damon, Clark Woods and
Mr. Kingsbury were seldom vacant.

Mr. Rice organized a Normal class for the study
of the Bible, which was among the first in the con-
ference. We fitted up one of the rooms in the
basement for our Sunday School teachers' meet-
ing and Normal drill. We had a noble band of
workers in our school: Lucian and James Ben-
jamin, Desalvo and Charles Damon and sister,
Mesdames Laning, White, Woods, Benjamin and
Julia Thompson, Olivia Stebbins, Ellen Gordon,
Imogene Kingsbury, Miss Benjamin and many,
many more whose names I have not time to men-
tion. I was proud of my own class of more than
twenty, now scattered. James Bell was promoted
before we left Rushford. Grover Pratt and wife
are in Rochester; Hattie Stebbins in Friendship,
N. Y.; Mrs. Mattie Stebbins Leet in Batavia, N.
Y.; Emma Claus Woods in Macedon, N. Y.; and
Helen Nobles, Miss Morrow, Mary Gordon, Clara
Woods, Miss Farwell, Mary Pratt and Mary Gor-
don, sister to Ellen, where are they ? And Echo
answers where ? There were many noble men
who helped maintain the church and took a lively
interest in its welfare, always present at the
preaching service, but who did not identify them-
selves with the Sunday School, class and prayer
meetings. I said many times that the Rushford
church could maintain itself for a year or two with-
out a pastor, such was its strength and loyalty to
God.

During our last year we were greatly helped
by the uplifting influence of Mrs. Hattie Griffin.
She was a Methodist of the old school, and had
rare tact in interesting the young people and chil-
dren in Bible history through song and object
lessons. How I would like to attend an old-time
Rushford class and prayer meeting. In the thirty-
seven years since we left, the fathers and mothers
and many who were then in middle age have
passed " over the river."

232

Rev. R. C. Grames.

I was pastor at Rushford for two years. Rev.
A. Cone was the excellent Christian brother across
the way, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and by
the way a father to me all the while, and Rev.
Munger was the beloved pastor of the Baptist
church. We were very fast friends and as you
(some of you) remember were often together in
union services. It was Brother Cone who tapped
the maple trees across the way, and in about two
hours the sides were all wet, clear to the ground
and no sap in the pails. Romain Benjamin came
along and said, "Well, Elder, what's the matter
with your sugar bush ? " " Don't know," replies
Brother Cone. " Why, here you have the spiles
in wrong end to." Didn't I dodge into the par-
sonage and laugh ! For Brother Cone was a great
farmer — book farmer. He acted on Brother Ben-
jamin's suggestion, pulled out the spiles and
changed ends and got lots of sap, so we all had a
taste of molasses.

On Monday I was at Charles Benjamin's on the
Centerville road, in the woods, and shot four black
squirrels. I had seen one on the fence Sunday as
I was going up there to preach, and so I went up
Monday. I met Chas. Benjamin coming from
town. He said, " Hello, Elder, have you been up
to our house ? " " No," I said, and at the same
time held up a string of squirrels, and he said
" Well, I didn't know that you could shoot like
that."

I also remember Brother Brown, who was the
faithful pastor of the Free Methodist society, and
a brotherly man, and also Brother A. H. Johnson,
who always had a word of cheer whenever there,
and I was always glad when he came to visit his
children. Brother Macklin gave at our con-
ference a splendid memoif of Brother Johnson and
I could say, " Amen " to every word of it. " His
memory is blessed."

233

I have most pleasant memories of the friends in
Rushford. I remember a rule which I found
worked very well for the first three months in
Rushford and surrounding country. By the way,
Rev. Henry C. Woods, ex-presiding elder, said
to me, " I have 140 cousins in Rushford," and I
tound more than that, for my rule was to call
every fourth person " Woods," and you would
strike the right name usually, and if there was any
deviation from that call them Gordon or Claus
and you would hit it right every time. Benjamins,
by the way, were not scarce. Rushford was a great
town ! You never could talk about anybody be-
hind their back, for everybody is related to every-
body, married and intermarried. So I told the
next preacher not to say a word until he found out
" who is who."

It was at Rushford I found men and women in-
telligent enough to write and read a paper, to
make splendid addresses, help make laws, as Hon.
A. W. Litchard; Grover Pratt to go into a city and
take the head of one of the largest wholesale dry
goods departments outside of New York City.

Many most excellent and competent school
teachers and professional men and women ; and it
is Rushford who rightly claims Frank W. Higgins,
whose face for the last four months has been seen
in the windows of city and country homes, busi-
ness places, offices, etc., and who now has been
honored in the election as Governor of the Em-
pire State. And, by the way, it might be of in-
terest to state that for once in a lifetime I turned
aside from a straight Prohibition vote, and for per-
sonal, public, and other reasons growing out of a
knowledge of the man, both in his boyhood home,
Rushford, and in his present home in Olean,
N. Y., I deemed it my duty, as well as privilege,
to help elect such a man to govern this great state j
as I believe he will, in fidelity, integrity and for
the best interest of all the people.

234

Well, you know who was pastor when the
church was built — Dr. Sanford Hunt — afterward
member of the Methodist Book Concern and one
of the leaders in World Wide Methodism. I do not
know as I ever entered the building but I thought
of Dr. Hunt.

I sincerely hope and pray that the blessing of
God, who has so marvelously wrought in this
church in the last fifty years, may abide with you,
making the future even more glorious unto the
coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reminiscences by Rev. T. W. Chandler.

You ask me for some reminiscences of my
Rushford pastorate. It was in the closing hour
of our conference at Dansville, October 6, 1891,
when every ear was attent to catch the name of
place and pastor as Bishop Andrews deliberately
read the appointments that I heard this announce-
ment, deeply impressive to me: "Rushford — T.
W. Chandler." On the following Saturday I left
Smethport, Pa., for my new appointment. Leav-
ing the train at Caneadea, I asked for the Rush-
ford stage. A good, honest faced man, looking
me over with an inquisitive eye, answered: "I
suppose you are our new preacher, that we are
looking for to-day." I confessed to the indict-
ment and took a seat with him, for it was none
other than Brother Clark Rice, who at that time
drove the stage. I had never been in Rushford
previous to this. Every preacher remembers the
feelings experienced in going to a new charge, as
he looks the town over, being often very con-
scious that he himself is as thoroughly being
looked over by the people. I was driven to the
home of Brother Grover Pratt, where I was very
kindly entertained and the warm hospitality ac-
corded me by the family soon drove away all
thoughts of my being a stranger, and almost con-
vinced me that I had always known them.

235

The Sabbath congregation was large, not an
unusual thing on the opening day of a new
preacher, and attentive, and my four years in
Rushford only deepened the impressions of that
first Sabbath, that I had an unusually intelligent
and attentive audience before me. The choir
had always had the reputation of being far above
the average of church choirs in its ability and in
its harmony. How else could it be with its fine
personnel and under the leadership of that prince
of choir leaders. Brother Milton Woods ? They
were equally fortunate in an organist, Clara Claus,
always faithful and in her place, sunshine and
storm, until one dark, gloomy Sabbath, in October,
1893, when her place was vacant and it was
whispered through the audience as they assem-
bled for worship, " She is dying !" The hymns
were sung that day without the organ. Our
last number was " Guide Me, Oh Thou Great
Jehovah." It was learned afterward that the time
of her death was almost exactly coincident with
the singing of the last stanza:

' ' When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid tny anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling current,

Land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises,

I will ever give to thee."

One short week and that dreaded scourge of
diseases, diphtheria, had done its work and her
pure, sweet life went out, leaving only its rare
fragrance in the sad and desolate home. Her
successor, Lena Hall, was faithful and efificient.
Just six months after entering on her service she,
too, with equal suddenness, though not by the
same malady, was summoned from her earthly
life and friends. Again the organ was draped, in
love and grief for the absent one. Mrs. Prof.
Walters very kindly consented to act as organist

236

th^ remainder of the year and rendered most ac-
ceptable service.

The Sabbath School was, during my entire
pastorate, under the wise and efficient superintend-
ency of Brother A. W. Litchard. It was a
strong right arm to the church. How could it be
otherwise with such a corps of teachers as Mrs.
John Persons, Mrs. J. B. Gordon, Mrs. Laning,
Mrs. Helen Gilbert, Ellen Gordon, Mrs. W. W.
Merrill, Misses Jennie Gordon, Flora Lyon, Miss
Hyde, since become Mrs. A. M. Tarbell, Dr.
Wells and others .-'

The 6 o'clock Sunday evening meetings, as
well as the Thursday evening meetings, were well
attended and seasons of great profit, while the
love feasts and quarterly meetings were unusual
seasons of blessing. The Ladies' Aid Society
was well organized and a very helpful factor in
church work. Among its presidents I recall Ellen
Gordon and Mrs. Arlie Ives. The Rushford
Quarterly Conference often elicited from the Pre-
siding Elders the remark of its being a strong
official boon. Of its deliberations. Brother James
Benjamin has for a long time been its careful re-
corder. Flora Lyon entered upon her work as a
deaconess and her larger life of usefulness during
the four years. About the same time Dr. Wells
united with the Genesee Conference.

My relations with Pastors Smith and Spencer
of the Baptist Church were of the most fraternal
chcU-acter. I recall with great pleasure the prin-
cipals of the High School, Profs. Maguire, White
and Walters, with their assistant teachers. I al-
ways admired the pride which the Rushford
people took in their school, and its prosperity.
After noting the large number it has sent out and
the impress of intelligence and refinement it has
left on the community they have good reasons for
being proud of its history,

One morning shortly after my coming to Rush-

237

ford, I met down street a bright little fellow strid-
ing along with a wooden gun on his shoulder.
" Good morning, Sir ! " was my salutation, " What
are you going to shoot now? " His prompt reply
was, " I'm hunting for bears ! " How he came out
with the bears, I never heard, but he certainly has
shot ahead successfully, for one of the numbers on
the semi-centennial program was a fine address by
Allan Gilbert, the president of the Epworth
League.

The first year I held services almost every
Sabbath afternoon at Hardy's Corners. The sec-
ond year Caneadea was united to Rushford and
has remained so ever since. A sad thought to
me, as I suppose it was with all of the former pas-
tors present, was the memory of the absent ones,
the faces once so familar but never again to be
seen in this world. It comes to me like the minor
chord in the joyous strains of an anthem. How
their faces come back to me ! Milton Woods and
wife, John Persons and wife, Hosea and Alonzo
Persons, Mrs. Myra Ann Farwell, Daniel Woods
and that warm friend of the church, J. B. Gordon,
Clark Rice, Brother John Beaumont, Mrs. Griffith,
Mrs. Chas. Benjamin, Grandma Swift, Mrs. O'Con-
nor, Mrs. Marietta Kellogg, Mrs. Morrow and
others whose names are written in heaven. And
while thinking of these I cannot forget the living
and the homes with which are linked so many
pleasant memories.

Reminiscences by Rev. Mark Kelley.

I think that I am hardly old enough yet to
write interesting reminiscences. Nevertheless, I
have very pleasant memories indeed of the three
years we spent in Rushford. I can scarcely con-
ceive how three years could have been made pleas -
anter for a young pastor than were those made to
me by the good people, both inside and outside of
the church.

238

Under the leadership of Sister Laning it was
our good fortune to be in at the beginning of the
transformation of the parsonage which has since
been completed. And how much better it looks
and is. And how much better the Epworth
League room did look after the young folks were
through with it. Nor have we forgotten the lawn
mower for which W. H. Benson raised the money
on condition that we keep the lawn mowed.

I recall also the fact that now excites more
wonder than it did then, that we found a teachers'
meeting of something like thirty years' standing.
By some strange freak of memory, one meeting
held at the home of Sister Orra Gordon is indeli-
bly stamped upon my mind. I wonder why and
cannot tell. It was at the home of Sister Nancy
Persons that we held our first Bible study. Heaven
was certainly enriched when she went home. Not
only now as I write but very often there rises
before me the picture of Sister Kate White speak-
ing in prayer or class meeting. More than once
did she " overcome by the word of her testimony,"
and, in my soul at least, "She being dead, yet
speaketh." I do not forget either that series of
class meeting studies and talks which Brother
Claus gave us on the Ten Commandments. Ah.
but that is the kind of religion to have, the kind
that loves the commandments of God just as truly
as His promises. I enjoyed those meetings greatly.
The memory of class meetings, prayer meetings
and love feasts helps me to-day. I am a better
man for them.

May God both bless you and make you a bless-
ing.

Recollections of Rev. Dr. Sandford Hunt of

New York.

The congregation at Rushford was one of the
most intelligent I ever had. Wm. Gordon, an old
local preacher, was well posted on questions of

239

theology, and a stalwart friend of the Methodist
church and its pastors. One of the most remark-
able families I ever knew was the Woods family
from which Rev. H. C. Woods sprang. His
grandmother was a woman of wonderful power in
prayer, and although the family lived a mile and a
half or more from the church, they were always on
hand. Mr. Thompson, one of whose daughters
was a teacher at Lima, was a man of great intelli-
gence and good sense. My whole recollections of
Rushford are very pleasant indeed, and I should be
exceedingly glad to spend a Sabbath with the peo-
ple there.
Recollections of A. Washburn, Topeka, Kan.

The name of the pastor of the M: E. church in
Rushford in 1840, was Comfort, next Nichols,
then Fellows, followed by Burlingham, Shelling,
Roberts and perhaps one or two more before San-
ford Hunt, who engineered the erection of the
building of the present M. E. church edifice. He
was a great worker and a right good pastor.
Some incidents connected with the raising of the
frame of the church may be of interest. Copeland
Gordon was up on the top of the frame of the bel-
fry, prying with an iron bar, when the bar slipped
and Cope fell, and had it not been for a rope
hanging down near by, which he caught in his fall,
no Copeland Hotel would now grace Kansas
Ave. in the City of Topeka.

Another incident — the iron bar or a stick of
timber dropped from above and struck within a
few inches, I think, of Clark Woods, and had it
hit him on his head, I am quite sure there would
have been a less number of children in Rushford
by the name Woods than there has been.
" Honor to Whom Honor."

In every successful organization there is one
watchful eye at the helm — sometimes several —
some one must guide the ship along the safe
waters.

240

In the long period that developed notable suc-
cess, there was one person who as a pilot for over
thirty years seemed never to take his eye off the
vessel's course. He was from an Eastern State,
taught a select school in Rushford for a while and
then went into manufacturing. He was a careful,
accurate and painstaking ofificial of the church, and
for most of the time mentioned was chorister,
Sunday school superintendent, financial and dis-
trict steward and a sort of general all-around
director, holding most of these offices at the same
time, looking carefully to everything without seem-
ing to be officious. Others did nobly, he espe-
cially so; and when business took him to another
state, his loss was greatly felt. This man was
Avery Washburn. Rarely amid wide experience
in many churches have I met one serving in so
many capacities so long, proficiently, so honorably.
I write this, feeling that it would seem a serious
neglect and want of appreciation if such valuable
service did not have particular mention in the his-
toric notes. His esteemed helpmeet also shares
the honors that crown ripe years and pleasant
memories of deeds well done.

Most of those who contributed reminiscences
were not familiar with the first half of the fifty
years.

It is very pertinent to add that a promising
successor, Lucien Benjamin, was for a short time
filling well the place vacated, but departed to his
heavenly reward. Two of his mottoes are worth
remembering; they were: " Say little and work,"
" Think of rest and work on."

Yours truly,

One who was Benefited.

Extracts from Early Minutes of Genesee

Conference.
" Rushford circuit in 1832 embraced New Hud-
son, Rushford, Centerville, Belfast, Caneadea,

241

Hume, Pike, Eagle, Gainesville and Castile. Rev.
Nathan Fellows was pastor of Rushford circuit in
1845. The salary was $240 per year. For his
table expenses he was allowed $122 and for trav-
eling expenses $5. There were 215 members in
the Rushford church at that time.

In 1847 Rev. C. D. Burlingham was pastor. He
received I400 a year.

Resolutions were passed in the conference that
young people should study the science of music;
also that the singers should all sit together and
have the use of an instrument if it was thought
best.

It was a rule of the church at that time that
those members who did not pay their salary that
their names should be read out. Everyone knew
then who was true to the vows of the church."

Note. — The articles concerning the Methodist Church were
nearly all printed in the Rushford Spectator.

Mrs. Cornelia Metcalf.

As my mind runs back seventy or more years,
clear is the picture of the old Methodist Church,
where I was accustomed to go with my father's
family to worship.

The building, which stood on the present site
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was of simple
structure. The interior consisted of an audience
room below, with a gallery on three sides. The
pulpit, between the two doors entering the au-
dience room, was at least six feet in height, to
accommodate hearers both above and below.
Above the entry to the Church was a room for
prayer and class meetings.

The first minister whom I can easily recall was
Rev. Hemmenway. As I remember, he was a
large, kindly looking man, with a smooth shaved
face, as were all Methodist ministers in those
days. His face wore the expression of a devoted,

242

earnest man of God. His dress, like that of all
Methodist ministers of his time, consisted of a
clerical coat buttoned to the neck, and a vest
likewise, a white kerchief about the neck, and a
white hat. A methodist preacher was known as
far as he could be seen.

Next to my mind comes the name of Nathan
Fellows, of precious memory to me, for it was
through his labors that I, with many others, was
brought to Christ, and from his hand received the
ordinance of baptism. Also, during the affliction
which came to our family in the illness and death
of my eldest sister, he was in attendance often at
our home, and preached her funeral sermon from
the text, still fresh in my memory: "The grass
withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; but
the word of the Lord endureth forever."

In these early times there were two services
on the Sabbath, one in the forenoon about eleven
o'clock and one in the afternoon about one
o'clock. The hour between was used for class
meeting, Sunday School and luncheon.

The Sabbath services were especially well
attended. There seemed to be a general incli-
nation to attend church. On Sabbath morning,
farmers, for several miles around, could be seen
with horses and lumber wagon, or oxen and cart,
with entire family, wending their way to the house
of worship.

The preaching was thorough and earnest, and
the people were held to experimental and practical
rehgion. The "Amens" and other responses were
frequent and hearty, and came without restraint.
After the sermon it was a common thing for one
and sometimes more, without invitation, but as
the spirit of the sermon prompted, to speak of
their own experience or exhort others to come to
Christ — an occasion which seldom failed to melt
the audience to tears.

The singing was wholly congregational. The

243

first leader whom I recall was Daniel Woods.
Frequently the verses to the hymns were lined —
two lines being read, then sung, and so on until
the end of the hymn was reached. To me the
singing seemed " in the Spirit and with the un-
derstanding also."

The class meeting at the noon hour was well
attended. Each member was expected to tell
present experience or how he had prospered during
the past week. The leaders were very searching.
Such questions as the following were frequently
asked:

Have you indulged in speaking evil of any
person during the past week ?

Have you engaged in foolish conversation,
jesting or joking, which is contrary to the word of
God?

Have you given way to unholy tempers ?

If so, have you repented and sought forgiveness?

No person was allowed in the class more than
three times unless he or she expressed a desire
to become a member.

The love-feasts in those days were held with
closed doors, those being excluded who had on
their persons superfluous adornment of any kind.
Those allowed to enter were provided with tickets
for admittance. This means of Grace seemed to
be especially owned of God. Well do I remem-
ber times when wave after wave of God's presence
was felt and manifested in a marked degree.

Weekly prayer and experience meetings were
held around in nearly every school district, as
well as at the church, especially during the winter
season. When the minister was not able to take
charge, there were always plenty of local preachers
or exhorters to take his place. These meetings
were well attended, nearly every family in the
neighborhood being represented. The prayers
in those days were earnest and loud. It was a
frequent saying — that they could be heard for

244

half a mile. I recall, however, but few lengthy-
prayers. A revival spirit seemed always preva-
lent. It was a common thing for sinners to break
down and plead for mercy right in the midst of a
warm testimony or exhortation.

Many incidents come to my mind, which my
father Metcalf, one of the pioneers of Methodism
in these parts, has related to me of his own con-
version over a hundred years ago, and of his
travels and labors on the three hundred mile cir-
cuit through this section of country.

A aual!fnr& O^uarterlg iHwting at Jiftg ^^ara A50.
C. M. Damon.

The earlier custom of admitting to love feast
by presentation of quarterly tickets at the guard-
ed door had gone out of use. But there was
much interest in the visits of the Presiding Elder,
with a preaching service on Friday evening, at
times at least, the Quarterly Conference Saturday
afternoon, the Elder's sermon Saturday evening,
the nine o'clock love feast Sabbath morning, fol-
lowed by the Elder's sermon, the collection and
the sacrament, and another sermon in the even-
ing. Probably the Pastor preached on one of
these occasions.

The great occasion of interest was the Love
Feast. This was regarded as a sort of joyous
family gathering, where it was in order to speak
very freely of present and past experiences, of
special love for the Methodist Church, as such,
with reminiscences of conversion, attachment to
the brethren, hopes of the future, etc. It was not
a meeting for " outsiders " to criticize this glory-
ing in Methodism as an evidence of bigotry.
Those so inclined should not have been there.
This was our own meeting, where precisely these
things were in order. Those who had been
pulled out of a pit by these very brethren, or by

245

Pastors and members removed years agone, or
long since in heaven, were not to be construed
as speaking against others, if in this private fam-
ily meeting, the halo of the early history of the
Church, excelling romance for heroism, hardship
and achievement, rendered them enthusiastic.
Others doubtless felt the same in their specially
denominational meetings.

After the new church was built the Love Feast
was on the first floor, in the room sometimes called
the Lecture Room. The Pastor and Presiding
Elder occupied the pulpit, and after Scripture read-
ing, song and prayer, made some remarks suitable
to opening; then called the Stewards forward, and
gave them the plates and bowls to pass the bread
and water as a substitute for the family meal of
the early Church, and as a token of Christian love
and fellowship. Probably Clark Woods or
Brother Washburn struck up another hymn, in
which the congregation, some of whom had come
four or five miles in lumber wagons, joined
" lustily." The early rising, the rapid choring on
the farm and the glad anticipation prepared them
for hearty worship.

This through, the meeting was thrown open for
testimony. It was the prerogative of those up in
the left-hand corner, by the side of the pulpit, to
lead off. Perhaps the first would be Rev. William
Gordon — no, " Uncle Bill" — respected both as re-
tired minister and loyal friend of the Church, and
as a business man. Then old Father Goff, tall,
spare, bald, full of fervor, full of love, and rejoic-
ing in the Lord and in the Church, would follow
and generally tell of his near anticipation of heaven
and having more friends on the other side than
here. It was now high time for more enthusi-
astic singing, and we all began to feel good and
" get blessed." Possibly Brother Washburn and
one or two more in that corner would speak be-
fore Aunt Nancy Woods came in with her ster-

246

ling testimony, weighty with the confidence all
had in her. By this time the coast was clear for
brethren and sisters in all parts of the room. Thus
the meeting would run on for its appointed time, one
here, one there, or several rising at once, the tide
rising as voluntary singing was interspersed.
Those who remember Uncle John Worthington's
fiery exhortations in the great revival of 1857-8,
as he swung back and forth across the width of
the church in front of the altar ; the fervent testi-
monies of Levi Metcalf; the earnestness of Elijah,
after he was reclaimed from years of backsliding;
the peculiar intonations of Warren Persons, as he
said, "I do not consider that I am to keep my
religion, but that my religion is to keep me "; the
cool, deliberate testimony of Allen Burr, standing,
on one foot, with his crutch; Sister Kingsbury's
firm purpose to be true to God and His truth,
" regardless of consequences"; Jenny Jagers' fiery
and vehement eloquence; Uncle Ely Woods,
" getting on his high heeled shoes to day "; A. W.
E. Damon, with husky voice, choking with emo-
tion, and the multitude of others, old and young,
will know what to imagine when all gathered in
the Love Feast. Isaac Stone would sit down
and shake his great portly body with subdued
laughter, the joy of the Spirit. Brother Thomp-
son, grandson of the eccentric and fiery Benjamin
Abbott of early Methodism, was himself staid and
reverent. Sister Stone, speaking tenderly of
" the lambs of the flock "; Pluma Persons and the
excellent wife of Watson Woods; Arminda Peck
and Eleanor Blanchard; Cornelia Metcalf and her
brother Charles, both earnest and spiritual, added
much interest. But time would fail to tell partic-
ularly of Lowell Farwell, saying, " Bruthren, I
wish I was a better man"; of E. S. Noble and
wife; of Samuel Thompson's daughter Mary, pray-
ing to be cleansed " from the last and least remains
of sin"; of Frank Warren, fervent and zealous,

247

ready to "preach before a Bishop"; of Aaron
Rice and Spencer Packard and families ; of all the
Gordons, Persons, Pecks, Benjamins, of Sister
Lyon and Mary, and many others.

With the quarterly report of membership and
finances by the Pastor, the meeting was brought
to a close. No wonder there was a general
shaking of hands throughout the room, and a feel-
ing universal, " It is good to be here."

We were now ready for the service upstairs.

I|tat0rg af tiff Saliwa* Kxh i-nmt^ of %
iHrtljnJitBt CHijurri} of SuaiiforJi. H. %

Ellen E. Gordon.

October 26th, 1881, a few lady members and
friends of the M. E. Church met at the home of
Mrs. P. A. Worden to consider the question of
organizing a ladies' aid society in connection with
the work of the church, the object of which should
be to aid in every way possible the church, finan-
cially and spiritually, for the promotion of the
Gospel, to raise funds by proper and Christian
means, and to appropriate the same to such pur-
poses as the society should deem best.

November 9th the ladies met at the home of
Mrs. G. M. Pratt. The constitution and by-laws
which were framed at the meeting at Mrs. Wor-
den's two weeks before were adopted; the follow-
ing offices were chosen :

Pres., Mrs. Helen Laning.

1st Director, Mrs. J. B. Gordon.

2nd Director, Mrs. P. A. Worden.

Sec, Mrs. G. M. Pratt.

Treas., Mrs. Ida M. Leavens.

The board of managers consisted of the reg-
ular elected officers, also Mrs. Wagoner and Miss
M. E. O'Conner.

Committee on fancy work. Miss Emma Claus,
Erna Wier, Mary Pratt.

248

The amount raised at this meeting amounted to

15-97.

The first year the Society numbered 78 members.

Of the original 78 members there are 37 Hving.

The whole amount raised the first year amounted
to $124.07.

At the suggestion of Rev. W. B. Wagoner, the
Pastor, the society assumed the debt of $600 re-
maining unpaid upon the pipe organ.

November 23rd, 1887, the constitution was
amended; the Board of Managers since then con-
stitute the present acting ofificers, and the ex-
presidents.

In 1888, while Rev. R. C. Grames was Pastor,
and Mrs. A. J. Lyon President of the Society,
the Church was repaired to the amount of |6oo; of
this amount the ladies furnished $557.

The windows were the gift of Miss Electa
Lamberson, costing I300.

The lettering upon the organ was the work of
Rev. R. C. Grames.

Through the efforts of Mrs. Lyon, the reflector
was purchased. Clouds and darkness hung around
the closing days of the month of August. On the
28th, while all were trying their best to be ready for
the re-opening of the church, a higher Power bade
us pause. " My ways are not your ways, saith the
Lord." Truly we felt they were not; liow could we
be parted from our beloved President, who had
been an inspiration to us all through the year.
Pleasantly and eagerly did she devise ways and
means to have every member interested in doing
her share of church work.

To us her life mission seemed incomplete; to
the Father, doubtless, her mission was as complete
as though she had lived her three score and ten
years.

November 5th, 1902. Mrs. Myra Griffith was
chosen President for the second time. Again clouds
and darkness hung over us. March 17th, we

249

were left without a President. The Lord said of
Mrs. Griffith, after working hard and faithfully
for the good of the society, " Thy work is done,
come up higher."

In 1905, while Rev. David White was Pastor,
Miss Ellen E. Gordon was chosen President for
the fourth term.

This year a thorough repair of the church was
made to the amount of $2,831.75, including the
gift of the seats by Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Ives,
also the choir chairs given by Mr. W. F. Benja-
min, and $75 from the company from whom the
bell was purchased. The ladies gave $300 towards
the repairs of the church at this time.

November iist, 1907, while Rev. F. A.Johnson
was Pastor, Mrs. W. H. Leavens was chosen
President. Since the society was organized in
1 88 1, there have been 17 different presidents, of
that number 1 1 are still living.

The society has raised during the 28 years
13,210.53.

Without boasting, as a society we count it a
success, spiritually, socially and financially, and
trust it will be kept alive as long as the church
remains, and that it may receive the approbation
of the Lord.

May His blessing rest upon it in the future as
in the past.

The present officers are :

Pres., Mrs. W. H. Leavens ; ist Vice, Mrs. N.
M. Woods ; 2nd Vice, Mrs. J. S. McMurry ; 3rd
Vice, Mrs. A. E. White ; 4th Vice, Mrs. W. H.
Thomas ; Sec, Mrs. C. H. Ives ; Treas., Miss. E.
E. Gordon.

Aurora Thompson Green.
Seventy years ago, August i6th, 1838, the
Presb5^erian Church of Rushford was organized
in " the west school house," with nineteen mem-

2SO

bers, viz: Eneas Gary, Esther Gary, Earle Baird,
Ruth Baird, Joel Griffin, Clarissa Griffin, Submit
Griffin, Sarah McDonald, Warren McKinney,
Betsy McKinney, Alvin Congdon, Roana Cong-
don, Lyman Congdon, Fanny Morrison, Rosina
McCall, Alfred Bell, Juliette Bell, Huldah McCall
and Electa McKinney. Alfred Bell was chosen
Clerk. Earle Baird, Joel Griffin and Lyman
Congdon were elected Elders. At the beginning,
by a strong resolution unanimously adopted, the
little Church declared itself in favor of temper-
ance.

Though financially unable to support a settled
Pastor, it planned for occasional services. The
ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered
at stated periods. While the date cannot be fixed
definitely, the first settled Pastor, Rev. C. W.
Gillam, began his work and was ordained in 1840
or 1 84 1 . Soon after a church edifice was planned,
funds raised, and the building completed in 1842.
The dedication occurred on August 20th of the
same year, which, says one of the very few sur-
viving members of the forties, was a notable occa-
sion, not only for the little church, but for the
town as well. The building was crowded. Pas-
tors of churches of near-by towns were present,
taking part in the services. The dedication ser-
mon by the Rev. Mr. Conkling, of Pike, was re-
garded as one of the ablest of its kind.

During the winter following occurred a revival,
perhaps the largest and most interesting in the
history of the Church.

As the result of this religious awakening many
members were added, especially among the young
people, who contributed largely to its life and use-
fulness. Some of these young men and women
in after years sought homes elsewhere, and be-
came prominent members in the church and com-
munity. Very few of the members in the forties
are now living.

251

The Pastor, Rev. C. W. Gillam, was a man of
fine presence, a good preacher, active and earnest
in his pastoral work; he especially endeared him-
self to the young — his influence over them was
most salutary. After some four years of service
he accepted a call to a larger pastorate, much to
the regret of a large portion of his parishioners.
During the pastorate of Rev. C. W. Gillam, and
for many years after, the church was favored with
members of sterling religious worth, faithful to
duty, and earnest in every good cause. Among
them may be named Father Hammond, of blessed
memory. Although entirely deaf, he was always
at church on the Sabbath. Usually he could catch
the meaning of the text by watching the Pastor's
lips as he read it. This occupied his thoughts
during the sermon, after which it wcis given him to
read at his home. His place at the weekly prayer
meeting was seldom vacant. His earnest, power-
ful petitions impressed one as the out-breathing of
a heart in close touch with the Heavenly Father,
yet so humble, so conscious of his unworthiness,
he was wont to express a fear that he was not
" one of the elect," that at last he might fail to
receive the plaudit of the Master, " Well done, thou
good and faithful servant."

The prayer meetings of the first and perhaps the
second decade were, though the church was Pres-
byterian, somewhat informal in character. The
sisters as well as the brothers spoke, prayed and
sang as the spirit moved. Uncle Joel, as he was
called by the young folks, never failed to " do his
duty." In his weak, though not unpleasant voice,
either at the beginning or close of the meeting, he
never failed to sing the hymn : " Whate'er of life
or earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies," etc.

It would be interesting to write of many of the
members long since passed away — of the McKin-
neys, the Beechers, of Father Thomas and his
son David, of Mr. Galpin, Archibald Adams and

252

Others, of " the elect women not a few," but the
church record is wanting, and those who might give
us information have passed to the Eternal Home.

In 1853 the church united with the Congrega-
tionalists. In 1867 it returned to the Presbyterian
fold. The second Pastor was the Rev. I. Rawson,
who with his wife were graduates of Oberlin Col-
lege. Sixty-five years ago, even less, for a woman
to be a college graduate was so unusual, that Mrs.
Rawson was regarded as almost a marvel. In-
deed, she was a real help-meet to her husband,
who was a good Pastor, a sincere and earnest
preacher of the Word.

The Rev. Mr. Doolittle was his successor. He
was a serious, dignified man — an old time Presby-
terian. He was averse to women taking an active
part in the meetings of the church, whereupon the
sisters refrained from lifting up their voices in
prayer and testimony. However, the Peistor was
quite willing for them at the meetings " in tuneful
lays to sing the Master's praise."

The record of Pastors who succeeded Mr. Doo-
little is missing — only their names have been pre-
served. They are as follows : Revs. Miller, Henry,
Johnson, Lane, Frost, Ballard, Cofrin, Spencer,
Ward, Watkins and Cone. Some of these served
the church three years or more — others but a brief
time, the last Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Cone, from
1888 to 1890. From this date the church, by
death and removal, lost so many of its members,
and was so unequal to the support of a Pastor
that the Presbytery, which had the supervision of
it, decided to sell the building. An old time mem-
ber, Philinda T. Brooks, to whom from childhood
this " church home '* had been dear and an object
of interest, became the purchaser in 1 898. Some
years ago it was sold, and is now a rallying place
for the farmers and all citizens who are interested
in agricultural and labor problems. The name
given to it is " Agricultural Hall."

253

lllHtory of t^ MmttprBaltBt (Hifoxtii.

Ellen Green Nye.

The first I remember of the Universalist Church
was attending a meeting with my mother and
father in the old school house, which stood op-
posite my present residence, on West Main Street.
I could't have been more than three years old,
but it was made very impressive on account of
being taken home and punished for pointing at
the big bass viol and talking; probably I had
never seen one before. It is the only time I re-
member going there to church. It must have
been in 1846. I think Elder Hunt was then the
pastor; the parsonage was in William Beaumont's
house. Soon after this a church edifice was
erected, and a society organized. They had good
congregations, and did good work.

The early preachers were Revs. Nathaniel Stacy,
William Gowdy, I. B. Sharp, J. B. Sax (brother
of Asa), J. J. Bray ton and J. Whitney. Elder
Whitney built the house that Mrs. Mason now
owns and a daguerrean shop on the same lot,
which was moved off and used by Edward Brooks
as a shoe shop. Those who were most prominent
in building up the church were Isaiah Lathrop,
James Green, Alpheus Howser, Samuel White,
Luther Woodworth, Emerson Kendall, Oliver
Benjamin, Holton Colborn, Charles Colborn,
E. P. Richards, Madison Richards, David Board,
Ira Bishop, Daniel Leavens, Grover Leavens,
John Merrifield, Pliny and Roderick Bannister,
Jonathan Charles and many more whom I do not
recall.

They took great pride in their choir; it was
called the best in town at one time. Barnes Blan-
chard played the bass viol, Grover Leavens the
violin, some one the flute, and Marion Angel the
melodeon. Later players on the melodeon were
George Woodworth, Ellen Lathrop and Albert
Bishop. HoUister Chapin led the choir. Instru-

254

mental music was not very popular in some of the
churches at that time, and they thought the Uni-
versalists were going to be lost sure.

The Sunday School was held in the gallery
over the pulpit. The only superintendent I re-
member was Galucia Leavens. His wife and
Mrs. Howser were teachers, and were greatly
beloved by the scholars. They had a fine
library ; I don't remember ever taking out a book
that was not interesting. We each had a little
testament, and learned chapter after chapter just
as it was printed. I sometimes thought it was a
good deal of work.

I am indebted to Miss Gratie Colborn for this
description: On Christmas eve, about the year
1850, there was an entertainment given that
would hold an honorable place with those of to-
day. The church was trimmed with green, and
there was a row of lighted tallow candles through
the center of each window. A snow-white dove,
with spread wings, about to alight upon the altar,
was invisibly suspended. In the distance among
the green was the star that led the shepherds
across the plain. Heavily loaded, the branches
of the conventional tree hung low over the
orchestra rail — a pleasing sight to the eyes of
children. Music, recitations and interchange of
friendly greetings made the evening one long to
be remembered.

The Sewing Society was well attended. There
were men in town at that time learning trades,
who, being away from home, would hire the
members of the Sewing Society to do their sew-
ing. The proceeds were used for church work.
The socials and donations were very pleasant and
largely attended.

They would hold the Association here occasion-
ally. Ministers and delegates coming from other
towns made the meetings interesting and profitable.
They met with opposition from the other churches,

255

and the spirit affected the children. When they
were angry with us, they would say, " You are old
Universalists, you believe everyone is going to
be saved, and you will go to the bad place and
burn and burnforever." It was well they had con-
fidence in their parents, or their Hves would have
been sad. We would go home and tell our parents,
and they would say, " Don't worry about the "for-
ever," God will take care of that; you must look
out for the bad places here." There wasn't so
much said about the " Fatherhood of God and the
Brotherhood of Man " as now, but when times of
great emergency or trouble came they forgot all
about creed or sect, and arose as one man and
worked in the spirit of Christ, as they have always
done.

The questions of Woman's Rights and Spirit-
ualism came up. They were not very popular in
those days, and caused a division in the church.
Developed on right lines, they have since brought
a great deal of happiness to mankind. The Uni-
versalists had services occasionally after this;
William Gowdy was the last who served them.
He organized a church {it had always been a
society before), but they were so depleted by dis-
agreements, death and removals that they were
obliged to disband, aind the church was sold to the
Free Methodists in 1873.

Aibreaa at % CHlinatmaa ®«p tax % Mtittei
^uniaa-^rljnnla, Swpmbtr 2311?. IBfiS.

LuciEiN Benjamin.
Parents and friends, we give you hearty greet-
ing. Another annual circle is complete. Another
year is added to the past, and again we are as-
sembled at our anniversary, teachers, scholars,
parents, all. No, not all. The dead year bears
away many an angel face that will smile upon us

256

no more. He has crushed our hopes and swept
our idols from us. Teachers, scholars, parents,
brothers, sisters, dear ones, have passed away.
Some sleep in graves near their own quiet homes ;
some sleep in unknown graves, in distant South-
ern climes. Some died at home with fond ones
around them to catch their last whispers, to antic-
ipate their wants. Others fell when not a friend
was near, where no kindly aid could come, and
none to bear a parting blessing to the dear ones
far away.

But it is not fitting that we should call to mind
our afflictions only, though they were meant for
our profit. Has the past year not brought us
royal gifts? What heart has not thrilled with
joy and throbbed with a quicker impulse as God's
blessings have dropped into it one by one like dew
from Heaven? Yes, there have been blessings
all through the vanished year scattered broad-
cast. Bright garlands have been twined, and
mellow songs have burst from lips overflowing
with life and gladness. The never-forgetting
Father has not dealt His bounty to one of us with
a miserly or reluctant hand. Human friendships,
too, have blossomed along our pathway, yielding
odors more fragrant than were the roses of June
— perfumes whose breath lingers on our winter
air unwasting and priceless.

How they come crowding up — the twelve
months' procession of kind words, friendly greet-
ings, neighborly favors; and dearer than all, the
little nameless unremembered acts of love, in
which we have lived and breathed as in an atmos-
phere.

Nature, too, has toiled for us. The blind ser-
vants of a Love and Wisdom all Divine have
wrought together to make this place of our mor-
tal habitation a scene of comfort and beauty. The
seasons have come and gone, each clad in its robe

257

of peculiar glory, each bearing in its hand the love
token of the Creator.

So many hundreds of times have the day and
night walked in their stately round; so many
hundreds of times has He, the God of all bounty,
trailed his robe of golden light along our horizon,
and caused the outgoings of the morning and the
evening to rejoice us. His smile has lighted up
the firmament that we might perform all daily
duty with cheerful heart. His wing of love has
been folded over our midnight rest. Let us then
think kindly of the dead old year and embalm
sacredly in our hearts the beautiful memories He
has left us.

But why are so many happy children gathered
here, so many bright-eyed little ones, who are gen-
erally slumbering at this hour ? Certainly, I need
not tell you why after you have seen this beautiful
tree, so richly laden with Christmas gifts.

Parents and friends, happy indeed are we to
know that you so eagerly manifest an interest in
our Sunday-Schools. We thank you for these
tokens of love and afifection, and earnestly pray
that the next twelve months may bring to you
hours freighted with blessings from a kind and .
generous Father.

Dear Teachers and Officers of the Sunday-
School, our little hearts are full of gratitude
toward you for your constant and untiring efforts
in our behalf, for the interest you are ever mani-
festing, the many sacrifices you have made. We
will try to remember all the good lessons you have
brought to us in the past, that we may be largely
benefited by them in the future, and may God
keep you, bless you in your labors of love and give
you a happy home at last.

258

The Celebration of the Fiftieth Year of the set-
tlement of the Town of Rushford will take place
on the First Day of January, 1859, by the Oldest
Inhabitants; at the Academy Hall, at 10 o'clock

A. M.

Programme.

1st. Introductory Remarks by A. J. Lyon.

2d. Martial Music.

3d. Introductory Address, by Rev. T. L. Pratt.

4th. Music.

5th. Historical Address, by Dr. S. F. Dickinson.

6th. Music.

7th. Anecdotes, by L. Peet, Esq.

8th. Music.

9th. Remarks by the Oldest Settlers generally.

loth. Closing Scene — Exhibition of Relics.

Dinner at the Town Hall.

Committee of Arrangements.

J. G. Osborn, E. P. Lyon, S. Hardy, J. Bell, L.
C. Kimball, W. White, S. Root, B. T. Hapgood,
W. C. Young, I. Lathrop, J. T. Wier, J. Holmes,
J. Griffin, A. K. Allen.

President, — A. J. Lyon.

Vice Presidents. — S. White, A. Rose, Wm.
L. Gary, E. Perry, L. Benjamin.

S. White, Corresponding Secretary.

" Ben Franklin " Printing Office, Rushford, N. Y.

259

A meat tram Mia 3aaxnviL

Cynthia Woodworth.

January ist, 1859, was celebrated at Rushford
as being the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement
thereof. Speeches, martial music, and feasting
were the order of the day.

All Hail! thou joy inspiring morn; All Hail!
Auspicious day; whose heralding has been
The deep, wild din of rattling porcelain.
The quick, fierce clash of cutlery and tin.
The very mention of those near approach
Has proved acknowledged signal to all
Turkeys and fat hens, to lay their heads
Upon the block — nor take them up again ;
And e'en the stubborn, contra swine, with grunt
Defiant, yielded his life at last for
A "Thank Offering," and all in vain essayed
"To save his bacon." Savors, smelling sweet,
Arose from household altars (vulgarly called
Ovens), until our neighbors, far and near,
Exultingly have snuflfed the breeze of thy
Forthcoming — and join with us to bid thee
Hail ! Most welcome day of kindly cheer.

Assembled now; that is to say, we're packed.
And jammed, and crammed in just no space at all,
, Regardless all of crinoline, or hoops
(That everybody knows will break) ; we list
With mouth agape and ears unstopped, to all
The incidents, the accidents they please
To tell. And sure, this is a joyous time.
The hightened radiance of all eyes betray
The gathering tear; but smiles dispel the
Dimming mist, and hearty, deafening cheers
Succeed for "Auld Lang Syne." And well I know
All hearts are young and kindlier grown, for
This day's festive cheer. And now, in place of
Highest honor, I behold the gray haired
Pioneer, whose glittering axe, and arms,

26o

"Young strength," the mighty forests have subdued,

And who has Hved to see his chosen home

The pride and glory of his sons. And here

Are men of middle age, whose opening gaze

Upon their "Mother Earth" took in her deep,

Dark wilds, her "vasty mountain steeps," whose

Evening lullaby the hoarse wild wolves took

Leave to join, but who have found among old

Allegany's stumps and steeps, space to grow

Stately and tall, and who have never blessed

Another clime, or soil, with the dear name

Of Home. The young I see, to whom all things

Seem as they were at the beginning.

And on whose wondering ear the story

Of their grandsires' suffered toil, fall like

Some fairy tale, that scarce may be believed;

And toddling babes are here, who know not that

They live at all, but pull and whine with all

Sang froid, who deem the occasion quite

Befit to prove that infant lungs are not

Degenerate, nor infant appetites appeased

With speeches fine, or sight of sausage of

Whatever length or weight. In short, they are

The only "things" (excuse me, mothers, if

I call them "things" ; it best doth suit the

Measure of my verse). As I have said,

They are the only things the touch of time

Or chance has left unchanged, and all admit

They are most perfect counterparts of

Babes fifty years ago —

But Hark! the welcome sound, "to dinner now,"

Befogs my brain. Report me "absent," Muse.

H. B. ACKERLY.

Rushford has been noted for its dairy interests
from an early date and for its first farm dairies. It
was considered a banner town in dairying early in
its settlement. I will give the names of some of

26l

the men who owned farms: Allen Taylor, Ozial
Taylor, Charles Benjamin, Almond Benjamin,
Robert Morrow, Newel McCall, Isaac Stone, Wil-
liam Ackerly & Sons, Aaron Rice, Alonzo Far-
well, Lemuel Farwell, Claus & Sons, Nelson Tar-
bell, Abel Tarbell, Emerson Kendal, Adaniram
Colburn, Wilson Gordon, Thomas Gordon, Eze-
kiel Gillett, Benjamin Tarbell, Ely Woods, Riley
Woods, Lebret Woods, Alonzo Damon and many
others not named here. About fifty years ago a
pineapple cheese factory was started by Robert
Norton and run by Charles Elmer. About forty-
four years ago they made a part factory round
hoop, and others square which were shipped in
square boxes. Later all round factory cheese was
made by C. Elmer, who bought Norton's interests
and still continues the business.

In 1864 A. J. and H. B. Ackerly started the
second factory on the Simpson farm, at McGraw-
ville. Squire Clark was associated with H. B.
Ackerly in selling and handUng the cheese. In
1866 A. J. and H. B. Ackerly built a cheese fac-
tory on the farm which they now own, two and a
half miles from Rushford. Mr. D. B. Sill and
Warren Damon were salesmen and A. J. Ackerly
was treasurer. In 1870, D. B. Sill, A. J. and
H. B. Ackerly formed a partnership to handle
cheese, and connected themselves with C. S.
Brown & Co. of New York City on joint account,
and were with them for thirteen years. The
cheese then was mostly exported. As high as
fifty thousand boxes a year were sent abroad.
Later we commenced shipping to the home market,
which has grown to use the most of the cheese.
Canada now largely supplies the foreign market.
The members of our old firm in New York are
all dead. The Ackerly Sill Company are still doing
business together in Cuba. Their relationship in
business has been pleasant, and I believe they
have the good will of the people in this State

262

with whom they have been associated so long.
W. B. Ackerly and A, O. Renwick have become
partners now in the firm and are paid a salary for
doing the business of the Company.

Charles Elmer was a prominent cheese buyer
for a number of years in this section, but retired
as a buyer a number of years ago. In about
1870, A. J. and H. B. Ackerly, with D. B. Sill,
had interests with the late O. T. Higgins in Cat-
taraugus County, this State, in CaroUton and
Great Valley Townships. Two steam saw mills
were stocked for a number of years and timber
lands purchased in Pennsylvania, New York,
Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. There was
a lumber yard in Olean and thirteen dwellings in
which they were interested. With O. T. Higgins'
ability as a business man and our experience in
lumbering, we did well for all. He was a noble
Christian man. H e showed this in all of his dealings
and walks in life. How many trips west I have
made with him and visited Sunday Schools in school
houses, where there was no church near. I have
known him to shake hands with the superintend-
ent of the Sunday School and leave a bill in his
hand to help his work along. In our travels in
the back settlements amongst the poor people*
where provisions were scarce, we would stop and
get a meal, consisting perhaps only of salt and
potatoes, bread and poor butter and a cup of tea*
He would leave the hostess happy, telling her
how much we had enjoyed our meal, and we did,
as we were very hungry. He did so many good
deeds in his lifetime, I remember when Hough-
ton was called "Jockey Street". It was said
they ran horses and traded on Sunday and that it
was a drunken place. Willard Houghton experi-
enced religion and started a Sunday School in
their school house. O. T. Higgins gave him five
dollars to buy such helps as he needed in this and
continued to advance money for years to help him

263

on in the work for others. Mr. Willard Hough-
ton after a time was impressed to start a Wesleyan
High School and Church, such as they have there
now. He traveled over different States amongst
his people to solicit subscriptions for the cause.
They have many buildings and I understand they
have an endowment for its support. It shows how
a little help accumulates in doing wondrous works
for good. Mr. Higgins was very quiet in giving,
as well as in his business transactions. My ac-
quaintance with hiln was long and we were thrown
closely together in the western forests. I deeply
mourned his loss.

After his death I became better acquainted with
his son, Governor Higgins. He was also a noble
man, honest and reliable. His grandparents,
Deacon Hapgood and Dr. Higgins, were very
good people. Now when I go to Olean I feel
lonesome, as I cannot stop in to visit with them.

We had other business men of note, William
Gordon & Sons, Luther & James Gordon. Before
the railroad they drove cattle to New Jersey for
market. Isaac Stone and son Amos did lumbering
south of Cuba, and many others. Charles Colburn
and Sons and numerous other people lumbered on
a smaller scale.

Sptntttta«ttrfa-

Maria Benjamin.
I came to Rushford, Allegany County, in 18 14.
My father, James Gordon, came in 181 1 from
Vermont. In 18 10 some of the Gordons came.
They cut down trees and made some log cabins.
In the winter of 1810-1811 Tarbell Gordon went
back to Vermont, returning to Rushford that
same winter with the rest of the Gordons, except
their father. He came in 181 6. Mr. Morgan
came in 181 1 when the Cordons came. He made
his home north of Cuba.

264

In 181 7 my mother and hired girl and one
little child besides myself were going through the
woods from Bo wen Gordon's farm to the old
Metcalf farm, then the Daniel Ely farm. A fox
crossed the path a little way from us. That was
the first fox that I ever saw.

In August, 181 7, I had a little brother die.
He was the first dead person I had ever seen. I
thought he was asleep and wondered that mother
did not put him on the bed.

For a few years we had a great variety of
music, not on the organ, but in the woods. In
the evening we would stand at the door and hear,
south of the house, an oriole sing who, who, who,
who-o-o-o; then, north of the house, the chorus
hah, hah, hah, hah, ah-ah, ah-ah. The oriole
south of the house sang soprana and the one
north alto. Next a fox would bark a little way
from the barn. A little further off the wolves
would howl. Sometimes they would make a
horrid noise. I think the wolves sang bass,
while the foxes sang tenor.

November nth, 1820, father went out to the
barn in the morning and found two sheep the
wolves had killed in the night. I think that was
all he lost by them. In 1821 father sent me
through the woods to one of the neighbors. I
had gone part way through the woods when I
heard a little noise and turned my head to see
what it was. Well, about three rods from the
road there were three wolves looking at me.
Then they went one way, and I went on my way
where I had started. When I came back I did
not see them. I was not afraid of them, as I had
never heard of their hurting any one. Bears were
not very plenty here in those days, but one day
I was standing out doors a little way from the
house, and I saw an old bear come out of the
woods and walk across a little pasture to another
piece of woods. That was the only wild bear that

26s

I ever saw. Deer were very plenty then. They
would come into the pasture and eat grass with
the cows. One day father went out to the edge
of the woods and found an old deer dead and a
little fawn standing by her. When it saw him it
lay down by its mother. He took it up and
brought it to the house and taught it to drink milk.
It grew to be a large deer. Then father sold it;
it was so full of mischief.

In 1817 a Methodist minister came to Rush-
ford. He came to my father's house. His name
was Story. He was the first minister I ever saw.
I think he was a missionary. Then in 182 1 he
came here to preach. His first name was Cyrus.
He had a camp meeting that summer. It must
have been near where Mrs. Elbert Hardy's house
now stands. At that time, from the corner
where Mr. Taylor's store stands up to near the
Baptist parsonage, was a swamp. Logs were
cut and laid down for a bridge for teams to
cross on. Then north of this were logs laid
the other way for people to walk on. What a
change! In the place of log bridges, iron bridges;
in the place of forests, churches and school-
houses; all this because the people had a mind
to work.

Years ago we did not hear little girls say, " Oh,
I am so tired I don't know what to do." Never
until I was over thirty-five years old did I hear a
woman say, " I am so nervous I can't work."

I have some pieces of a dress and apron, that I
wore to school when I was a little girl, that was
made from flax that grew on Bowen Gordon's
farm. Mother spun and colored it.

I remember the first murder that was committed
in Allegany County, but I don't remember the
date. My father was going to see Howe hung.
He got most ready to go, then thought he could
not see a man hung by the neck till he was dead,
so he stayed at home.

266

In 1832 there were six cases of typhus fever in
Rushford. One little girl died of it.

In 1825 Cyrus Eaton was killed in the Pine
Woods by a tree. They were cutting pine trees
for lumber. The tree struck another tree that
threw the butt around. It struck him on the head,
killing him instantly. I have always remembered
the text that was used at the funeral. It was,
" Be ye also ready, for in such hour as ye think
not the Son of Man cometh."

One little incident which occurred when I was
eight or nine years old, which I had forgotten till
four years ago as I was thinking over my early
life in the woods, came to my mind. It was this ;
My father was coming down town to Thursday
night prayer-meeting. I asked him if I could go
with him. He said yes, if I wanted to. It was
light when we went down. There was no moon,
so it was dark when we came back; the wolves
howling in different directions, but we were not
afraid of their noise. When we were near a quar-
ter of a mile from home we had to turn from the
road and walk through the woods by a little foot-
path. Father said to me, " I don't know whether
we can follow the path." I stepped in front of
him and said, " I can." I had been through there
several times. I had learned the shape of the
openings in the tops of the trees; one place one-
half of one tree top was broken off. There was
no moon to give light; all the light came through
these little openings. If I had looked down I
could not have followed the path. As long as I
looked up I was all right. I thought then that
father meant what he said. I think now he did it
to see what I would do or say. When Noah was
in the Ark he could see no light, only when he
looked up. That is the way to get the true light.

In the year 1841 we had a very early spring,
snow gone, roads dry. The month of April was
like summer — thunder showers and very warm,

267

trees leaved out. I think it was about the tenth,
or twelfth of May we had a snowstorm, then a
freeze that killed all the leaves on the trees. Then
they had to leave out the second time.

July nth, 1848, Rev. Harris's little boy died.
Four o'clock the same morning Mrs. Nancy Row-
ley died. Both of them were carried to the
church at the same time, the only time I ever saw
two caskets in the church at the same time.

I think those old settlers were a more neigh-
borly class of people than the people of the pres-
ent day. Then if one were sick the others would
turn out and help. Now if one is sick, perhaps
the next door neighbors won't see them for weeks;
but One said, " Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of
the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto
me.

M. B. D.

The memories of my childhood passed in Rush-
ford are very pleasant — the riding with my
father on his business trips to the various towns,
riding on loads of hay, and the school days. One
noon all the school went to the creek to slide and
skate and were all late. I shall never forget the
line across the room when the teacher strapped
our hands. As I was one of the smaller ones, I
thought he would be tired before he came to me.
Lewellen Chamberlin told me a few years ago
in Kalamazoo, Mich., that I broke his sled that
day and he had always wanted to tell my mother.
One time the Sunday-School went down to D. B.
Sill's on a sleighride. A chicken pie was served
for the children and a dove flew out when it was
cut."

My sister and I enjoyed driving all over the
hills in an old buggy and the music of the wheels

268

was so painful to us that it was a great pleasure
when we were permitted the use of a better one.

Barnum's Circus came to Caneadea, and of
course the parents must take the children to see
the animals, so we all went. Lucia Green, AUie
Lathrop and I think Frank Higgins was one of
the boys who was with us that day.

When I was twelve years old, I went with my
parents to Goffstown, N. H., to the farm where
my father was born. Our trip on the cars and
the boat from New York City were wonderful
to me. I went up the stairs to go to our state-
room and saw 63 on the door and walked into a
large mirror. I looked around to see if anyone
saw me and there stood my father laughing at
me. I afterwards found out he had just done the
same thing. We visited the cemetery where my
grandfather was buried, and copied this epitaph
from his tombstone: "Jonathan Bell, June 10,
1844. Age 89. He was at the battle of Bunker
Hill and afterwards served in the army of the
Revolution."

Another one of my pleasant memories was the
annual visit to the Bells in New Hudson. There
was a crowd of cousins who gathered at Thanks-
giving or Christmas to. a dinner which Aunt Re-
becca knew so well how to prepare and which
was much enjoyed after a ride over the hills. I
remember Nellie came home one day and said
they went to New Hudson, but New Hudson
wasn't at home, so they went to Charles. We
were at Uncle Rodney's when a peddler brought
the news of Lincoln's assassination, and we went
home and found it was not yet known in Rush^
ford, as the stage had not yet arrived. ■ ,|i

Another of our pleasures was the singi^
school, where our dreams of singing in the choitf"
as our mothers had, were encouraged by H. R.
Palmer.

A GROUP OF KUSHFORD GIRLS IN THE SEVENTIES

269

Then the never-to-be-forgotten day we girls
all went to Portage Falls. There was a joke that
one of our drivers had been told by a phrenologist
that if all the girls left town he would want to go
too, and I think nearly all went that day. I re-
member James Benjamin took the "Adams
girls," AUie Lathrop, my sister, myself and one
or two others. We had our luncheon at the
Lower Falls, then came up to Glen Iris and across
the wooden bridge — that was so wonderful — to
the hotel, where we had our dinner and then ar-
rived home in the early morning.

I believe the memories of my childhood and
friends in Rushford are the most precious to me.

l^gVBonsi HwolltcttottH.

C. M. Damon.
My recollections of Rushford, name ever dear
during forty years of wanderings, go back to from
fifty to just sixty years ago, when first I " saw the
elephant " come down from Colonel Hardy's, past
Joseph Bell's (where years later " Jimmie " was
so sadly mangled and killed by an explosion of
the boiler in the tannery) to the corner now occu-
pied by the Tarbell house. " Uncle " Lucius
Kimball, the old Town Clerk, worked at chair
making for Mr. Root. Aunt Lavinia Kimball
took me across the street to the second floor of
" the Tavern " to see the circus come into town,
about as near as I ever was to one. I was born
on Israel Thompson's place, about eighty rods
toward Rushford from Hardy's Corners, and from
two to twelve I lived a half mile south of the
Corners. Going to town, we passed Enoch
Richardson's, Alpheus Wiltsey's, Kingbury
Howe's, William Kingsbury's, Warren's, Ben-
ham's, Armstrong's, Chamberlain's (earlier Grim-
ard's), Robert English's, Belknap's, Robert Mor-
row's, Judge Lyon's, Rev. Thomas Pratt's (Uncle

270

Tom's), and William Gordon's (Uncle Bill's).
We generally took the " Lower street," past
Dolan's shoe shop, whose sign read,

" I work for those who pay the best,
And when I've time, I'll serve the rest.
I've trusted many to my sorrow;
Pay to-day, I'll trust to-morrow."

Turning up street from the corner in town, we
passed our staid Methodist blacksmith Thompson
on the right, and How's blacksmith shop on the
left, and then the most familiar places to my recol-
lection were the Churches, Baptist, Methodist,
Presbyterian.

Once a year, in childhood, we used to take the
road from William Kingsbury's, past " Uncle
Johnnie Moore's," Kimber Smith's and his father's,
to visit N. C. Kimball, our mother's father. The
next day we would go east past Nahum Ames',
down past Norman Beecher's, and cross-lots to
Uncle Alonzo Damon's, on " the Creek road,"
then home through the village. It was a fine walk
for young boys. In Uncle Alonzo's neighborhood
were John Hill, Columbus Ely, Elijah Lyman and
Alonzo Farwell. From near Farwell's a road went
to " Old Father Metcalfs " and Levi's. Toward
the village were Eliab Benjamin and his boys,
Lucian and James, — our intimate friends.

When Elder Simpson, the energetic Pastor of
the Baptist Church, came around on horseback
raising a subscription to build the Academy,
father subscribed according to his limited abilityr
and worked it out with his team. In later years,
after Professor Sayles had gone, just before the
fiftieth year celebration of the settlement of the
town, he traded farms with Robert Morrow, that
we might more conveniently get the benefit of the
school. Those were the days when Professor
Buck, who seemed literally to " know everything,"
was in charge, and Professors Bean and Alby

271

were teachers. No reminiscences of the Academy
can separate it from the old Philomathean Ly-
ceum, with the Bonds, Morgan, Latham Hig-
gins, Hiram Coats and other famous orators and
debaters of that day. I have a program of a later
Public debate, when I drove a considerable dis-
tance to get Will Crawford to come to beat me in
the same debate. It was honor enough to be de-
feated by such as he.

Among the most prominent memories of those
days are the funerals of Grandfather Kimball,
Judge McCall, other prominent citizens, church
members and the children of oiir own neighbor-
hood.

The Methodist Pastors were McEwen, Shelling,
Roberts, Cheney, Hunt, Scott and Miller. The
great revival held by the latter in 1857-8 stirred
the town and surrounding country profoundly,
and added large numbers to the church and to a
steadfast religious life. There were ten or twelve
local preachers and exhorters, regularly traveling
a circuit of outlying school houses for many miles
around.

There is one dark feature in the recollections of
my childhood. Despite the great growth of the
power and influence of the liquor traffic, I doubt
not the state of things in Rushford has greatly
improved in half a century. In our immediate
school district, or adjoining it so closely as to pass
through going to and from the village, were sev-
eral who were dead drunk or foolishly so often —
and I think there were several others accustomed
to drink more or less. When we moved nearer
the village, a team used to go by on a dead run,
regularly and often, with the owner practically
dead drunk in the wagon. This was a sad and
shameful example to be placed before the young.
The Sabbath schools and annual celebrations,
however, by the churches in union, were fruitful
in impressions in favor of piety and Sabbath ob-

272

servance, and against drinking habits, the use of
tobacco and profane language.

Elder Simpson aroused some prejudice and ani-
mosity against himself by his determined and
radical efforts to prevent Church members attend-
ing the circus. This I think he counted a badge
of honor.

The course of lectures one winter were delivered
by Horace Greeley, the great editor; Horace Mann,
father of American education, and Fred Douglass,
the marvelous colored orator. They made pow-
erful addresses; and at other times Prof. Sayles
shed the light of his learning on the mysteries of
science, or entertained us with travels and history.
These are pleasant memories. Rushford did much
for our instruction and pleasure those days.

Then came distracting times of discord and tur-
moil in church when, as in other days and on
varied occasions in the history of the religious
world, some sought to bear witness to their faith
by bold rebuke of sin and suffering of reproach ;
and the strife of Civil War in the nation, calling
for patriotic sacrifice and martyrdom for the lib-
erty of the slave and the unity of the nation.
Rushford bore her part of the burden. What a
record would be made were the full history of the
boys who went from among us written! Why
does not my old classmate, the Rev. H. C. Woods,
undertake the work ? A few, perhaps, came home
sound in body, but ah, how many with wounds
and disease ! How many fell in battle or died
in hospital; or still worse, perished like Warren
Persons by slow starvation amid the dreadful
horrors of a Southern prison pen !

If the history of Rushford is truly written, there
will be a wonderful and inspiring record of heroic
men and deeds in private life, from fifty to one
hundred years ago, deeds of able and devoted
ministers along down the generations, triumphs of
scholars, statesmen and publicists raised up there.

273

or educated in her public schools. And the list
of the departed, who shall make it ? And what a
record it will be !

Space fails to speak of the strong men who
lived in the village, north toward Centerville on
both roads, on Taylor Hill, in East Rushford, and
beyond; and to recall the teachers of common
schools, Amanda Squires (Mrs. M. A. Rood),
Esther Woods, Lydia and Nathan Lyman, the
Williams girls; County Superintendents like Rob-
ert Norton, L. L. Benjamin; Sabbath School
Superintendents, of whom greatest and best was
Avery Washburn. Then of the names of class-
mates and Academy students,

With one suggestion I close. Those who re-
ceived birth, education and character training in a
place like Rushford, if blessed with means to do
it, owe it to themselves in point of gratitude and
honor, like D. L. Moody, to remember the home
of their childhood and youth with substantial gifts
— their own monument, and instruments of mate-
rial, educational and religious blessing to the gen-
erations which shall be born.

Mitchell, South Dakota.

Mrs. Esthe;r B. Eldridgs.
In early times Podonque was called the
"Woods Settlement" and the cemetery the
"Woods Cemetery." The French language was
quite popular about that time, and H. C. Woods
says that some persons wanted to spell it Peau-
donque, but finally it was decided to make it a
little more like English, and it was written Po-
donque. The name Podonque was given by a
debating club, of which Watson Woods, Daniel
Leavens, Nehemiah Horton and, I think, Horace
Babbitt and Dodge Persons were members, with
other young men of their age, between the years

274

1830 and 1845. A man from the western por-
tion of the town, in speaking of the debating
club, said that some of them became so accus-
tomed to the parhamentary style of language
that in after years when one's wife pulled his
hair severely he shouted, "Eglantine, desist !"

One of the best famihes who lived in that
neighborhood in the early days were Mr. and
Mrs. Swallow, from Vermont. She was a niece
of the renowned Ethan Allen. Their daughter
Fanny was well educated and a great reader.
She could debate learnedly on any question of the
day, and was better informed in politics than
most men. She married Gilbert Wheeler, and
their grandson, Clyde Wheeler, graduated from
the Rushford High School only a few years ago,
and is now a lawyer in New York.

"Uncle Daniel" Woods, as he was always
called, deserved much credit for the wideawake
Methodism he first introduced into the town.
He prayed and sang and exhorted the people, and
his rich, sonorous voice resounded over hill and
dale for two or three miles, it was said. The
"first white woman" was converted through his
preaching, and lived the happy life of a Christian
about fifty years, and fell asleep in Jesus in 1869.
Her name was Esther Garey. She was ever
ready and willing to do all that she could, and
the text at her funeral was very appropriate:
"She hath done what she could."

Elder Warren Bannister was the first exhorter
and had an ingenious way of making compari-
sons. He declared in one of his sermons that
when Baptist and Methodist preachers got to
arguing on doctrines (which I can remember
they often did), it was like a hen scratching a
skein of yarn — the more she scratches the more
it snarls.

The mothers of the Woods children and the
Bannister children had a brother who was a

275

noted school teacher in those days. His name
was Abishai Ely, but he was called by all his
numerous relatives "Uncle Bish." His name
was a household word with the Woods boys, and
their children never tired of hearing about him
and his unique way of managing his pupils.
They had to chew wormwood or sit on the end of
a ruler for punishment. His knowledge seemed
to know no bounds. I heard Col. Fuller say as
late as our Civil War that if he desired light on
any subject he always wrote to "Uncle Bish"
Ely.

The tooting of a dinner horn at any other
time of day than the dinner hour was understood
in the Woods settlement as an alarm of fire or
some other calamity, so when Ely Woods was
digging a well and the pet mare slipped in back-
wards his wife took down the dinner horn, stood
at the head of the horse to keep it quiet, and
tooted for the neighbors, who soon put in an ap-
pearance and safely landed the beast above
ground, li kodaks had been in vogue we might
now have a picture of the scene, but our lively
imaginations are with us and we will laugh at the
picture we can conjure up.

I am the oldest living daughter of Nancy
Gary Woods, and I remember many things she
told us. The first merchant we heard of was
Deacon Kimball. He brought his goods from
Pike on horseback, and had no need for a store,
as he might dispose of the whole lot before he
reached home.

The Caneadea Indians often visited the town.
They would shake the big pockets worn by the
women to see if a coin would be given them for
whiskey. One called on Uncle Daniel Woods for
some whiskey for a sick toe he had. Uncle
Daniel thought it no go, but old Shongo said he
wotrld drink the whiskey, and it would go ker-
chunk, chunk, chunk, right down to his toe.

276

Mother learned to talk with them, and sometimes
they would sing and dance around us and give a
whoop, which, though it frightened us, amused
us. As to their food, I did not hear any com-
plaints, yet all could repeat,

"Bean porridge hot, bean porridge cold,
Bean porridge best when nine days old."

In 1828, when I arrived in town, there was no
scarcity at our house. There was always pork in
the barrel, sugar in the tub, chickens and lambs,
with veals in the spring, milk, butter and cheese.
Cornmeal and flour were seldom lacking.

Settling in a forest was more desirable than
on a prairie, because game was abundant. As
late as 1835 or 1840, I saw deer feeding in our
pasture. Partridges were plentiful in the woods.
The streams abounded in trout, and no one froze
to death for want of firewood. Crabapples, wild
plums, grapes and berries furnished sauce and
jelly. In the winter the farmers made sap
troughs and spouts. The Vermonters laughed
when an Irishman, speaking of making sugar,
said if he liked the business he should continue it
all summer.

Our amusements consisted in elections, town-
meetings, training days, camp-meetings, logging
bees, husking bees and quiltings.

In the winter we rode in a sled drawn by oxen,
and there were no accidents, except perhaps a
tipover into a snowdrift. Mother said that one
time she sat in a rocking-chair on a sled, and as
they were going uphill her chair fell off. She
was so overcome by laughter that she could not
call father, who was driving the oxen. On
reaching the top of the hill he was greatly sur-
prised to find his load at the bottom of the hill.

It was sometimes dangerous work burning off
the wood lots. Your house or your cattle might
be surrounded by fire. When Mr. Hill arrived

2-77

in Rushford from England, he said he thought
it was wicked to burn up such beautiful trees.
We laughed, but we can now agree with him.
When he first brought logs to the sawmill they
asked him how he wanted -them sawed. "Right
through and through," was the reply. He and
his wife were lovely Christians, and a great help
to the Church.

I was the namesake of Esther Buckingham
Gary. She said they always named the homeliest
after her, but she never forgot my birthday and
always had a nice gift for me. Their visits to
our home were great occasions, for they never
forgot to bring candies and sweetmeats.

Life seems short to us old people, and I am re-
minded of the sayings of Maltbie Babcock:
"Life is what we are alive to. It is not length,
but breadth. To be alive only to appetite, pleas-
ure, pride, money-making, and not to goodness
and kindness, purity and to love history, poetry,
music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hopes, is
to be almost dead."

Spmtnta«««H at ^txeif{ath,

Cornelia Oilman Green.

As I am called upon for reminiscences I con-
clude I am numbered among the centenarians.
My recollections carry me back to childhood days.
About my first recollections are when my dear
parents were invited to parties, and sister and I
were left in the motherly care of Aunty Young,
who was ever ready to do kind deeds.

The neighbors, Mehitavelle, Mary and Charles
Smith, are any of them living ?

There were Mr. James Thirds, with his tailor
shop, and Aunty Thirds, with her lovely hats. I
imagined the flowers grew on the almond shrubs
that were in her yard. Nan and Belle are still
living and should be here to-day. Of the Parker

278

family not many are left. The Carpenters, with
Miss Caroline Smith, who became Mrs. Adolphus
Scrogs, I have visited in their Buffalo home.
Next, the dearest of all, the Remingtons ! Who
could ever forget the musical family, the father,
the son Samuel and my loved friend Marcia, who
became Mrs. Wilson Gordon ? On trips to Po-
dunk or the Woods Settlement, where the Rem-
ingtons taught the singing school, noble-hearted
Cyrus Gordon used to take us over with his hand-
some team of horses. A jollier party could not
be found; we sang all the way over and back
again. I am thankful for those happy days for
sad ones came later to all, and the memory of
those days seem all the brighter. In the White
family, Stella, or Mrs. Blanchard, was my own
age, and we celebrated our birthdays together.

Mrs. Osborn was a very dear friend of my
mother's, and was beloved by all. My admiration
for horses was increased every time I saw Mr.
Osborn with his fine team, for which he was
noted. Mr. Lyman Congdon always had a habit,
when he met me as a little girl, of raising me in
his arms, giving me a kiss and setting me down
again.

The Post Office on the corner was owned by
the Boardman family. I never remember the Post
Office being anywhere else. Across the way was
the Oramel Griffin home, and it was a great treat
to be invited to the home and hear Miss Achsah,
now Mrs. Marshall B. Champlin, play on the
piano. Who could ever forget the courtly Lan-
ings? both looked as if they stepped out of an old
time picture that we have occasionally seen. This
allusion calls up Mrs. Boman Laning and her old
time friend, Cynthia Woodworth, just as I saw
them in my girlhood days, with their never-to-be-
forgotten pink and blue hats, so coquettish and
becoming that we forgot our Sunday School lessons
in admiration of the hats and the faces under them.

279

Next in memory is Aunt Clarissa Griffin, who,
when she laughed, shook everybody around
her. Who has remembered " Grandpa " Ham-
mond, the deaf man who regularly attended the
Presbyterian Church? In the kindness of his
heart he made for sister and me some little
benches for our swinging feet to rest upon, sur-
prising us one Sunday morning as we were about
to sing, " Lord, in the morning Thou shalt hear
my voice ascending high." My thanks went
higher that morning than usual. Dear good
Father Hammond !

I cannot omit speaking of our good singing
teacher, Horatio Palmer, whom we had hoped
would be with us to-day. I also must speak of the
Bradley family. Juliette and Augusta were play-
mates never to be forgotten. I also recall Addison
Freeman, Isaac Bradley, and Harrison Noble, who
married Aldura Bell. Later she became the
mother-in-law of our excellent Governor Higgins.

Auntie Stewart, the good motherly soul, could
never be forgotten, nor John, her son, one of the
brightest boys in school. We prophesied for him
a bright future, but he died young.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Norton claim a place in
our memory. A letter received from Mrs. Norton
since the death of her husband shows her mental
faculties still unimpaired, a beautiful letter, prized
highly. Judge McCall, his wife and large family,
were among the friends of old time. Judge Eben
Lyon, whom my father admired for his good
sense. Uncle Bill Gordon and Sampson Hardy were
among my father's friends, also Harmon Hyde.

Time torbids my mentioning more, except my
last tribute shall be to Orrin Thrall Higgins, whom
my father loved as his own son. He began his
business career here with my father when very
young. He possessed noble principles, devotion
to business interests, and uprightness in all rela-
tions as well as other fine traits of manhood.

280

iEarlg 3RwoUwtt0na of Sualfforli.
J. B. Jewel.

My recollections date back no further than 1833,
when Rushford was composed of Upper and Lower
streets with now and then a house between them,
and at times rivalry ran high between the two locali-
ties. Lower street had such men as Bates Turner
Hapgood, Israel Thompson, Sampson Hardy,
Joseph Bell, Cady, Isaiah Lathrop, John
Holmes, Chapman Brooks, Nathaniel James, Ru-
fus Jewell and John and William Merrifield, all
very straight-laced men, with a temperance hotel
in their end of town; while Upper street had Mr.
Boardman, Mr. Knickerbocker, Oramel Griffin,
Esq. White, True Swift, Cephas Young, William
Woodworth, John Osborn and others, with two
hotels kept respectively by Mr. Young and Mr.
Knickerbocker, which were not considered quite
up to the standard of morals of Lower street.

Some parts of Division street, as I shall now
call it, was at that time fenced with rails. In front
of Dr. Wm. Smith's residence, where the Academy
now stands, the doctor's mare was often hitched
to the top rail of the fence. While hitched there
one day, Mrs. Thompson came up the street and
was about to get over the fence when the mare
sprang back with the rail, which hit her on the
side of the head, injuring her quite badly. An-
other peculiarity of the mare was that when the
doctor turned her out to graze she would lop her
ears and chase him.

Rushford and vicinity at this time and along in
the forties could very properly be divided into
two classes. One class could see nothing on Sun-
day but a church spire and always shut their eyes
when the contribution box came around, although
they made lavish requests to the Great Giver for
good situations after this life. The other class
made but few professions, but tried to get all the

28 1

pleasures that nature affords. They were visitors
at Rushford on Saturdays, and their headquarters
was usually at Cephas Young's tavern on Upper
street, where they would read newspapers and tell
stories of pioneer life. Of course, during their
afternoon exercises one of them might get ducked
in Knickerbocker's watering trough if a good op-
portunity was presented.

Another class of every-day Christians were
William Gordon, Sr., Mr. Goff, Daniel Woods,
Oliver Jennison, Wilson Gordon, Sr., and Judge
McCall.

Now I will present it so we can draw a conclu-
sion. I will take William Gordon, Sr., in the
woods at a camp meeting, singing and shouting,
and John Gordon, his brother, at a circus, being
hoisted on the shoulders of his nephews, with
nothing on but a palm-leaf hat, linen pants, cotton
shirt open at the neck, and barefoot, whooping
and laughing. Who gets the most of life? While
boys, William and John had the same parental
training. William was endowed with great rever-
ence for things unseen, and John was so consti-
tuted as to enjoy life as it appeared to him best
suited.

From 1838 to 1850 and later, Rushford had
more than its quota of intelligent men and women,
but of her present population, modesty forbids me
to speak. Among her lawyers were A. P. Lan-
ing, Charles Woodworth, Grover Leavens, Gid-
eon L. Walker and Mr. Stewart, men competent
to represent their constituents at any court.
Among her physicians were William Smith,
William McCall, J. P. Bixby and Dr. Alley, a.11
men celebrated in their profession. Rushford's
manufacturers were Selah Root, chairs; Merri-
field Bros., later Wier & Bixby, tables; Joseph
Bell, leather; Mr. Hyde, jeweler; White & White,
farm implements; the Gordons, cloth, lumber and
flour; I. Thompson, A. Houser, John Osborn, C.

282

McDonald and Mr. Bresler, blacksmiths; Harry
Howe, harnesses. This is a partial list of the
business once carried on in Rushford, but it has
long since become the home of retired farmers
and other well-to-do men. Fifty years seems a
long time, but men and incidents appear to my
mind more vivid and with much pleasanter recol-
lections than in later years of life.

Sw0llttttnn0 attiii QIIjararteriiBltra.

Helen McDonald Judd.

From the sombre light of age we look back
fondly upon the brightness of early days; it being
a law of nature that bright things are better seen
in gloom.

I will speak only of things that were and have
■ gone. My earliest recollections of Rushford life
are rather vague, for the child is careless of sur-
roundings which only shape themselves as years
are added. Everything is taken for granted, the
world and all that surrounds us. Ego is the
center of this mundane stage, and all is for us.
Life and people and the town do not interest us,
and if only a few memories are recorded here of
the long ago they may interest those who may
call them to remembrance.

Outside of the family life my first vivid memo-
ries are of school, a Select School taught by Miss
Margaret Boardman in the chamber of her father's
general store and Post Office. A choice few
were there introduced to the alphabet, reading,
spelling and a dust or faint odor of arithmetic.

Now, to show that Rushford possessed origin-
ality and invention, and almost threatened to
forestall the great Froebel, the father of the
kindergarten, I will say that whenever the day
was rainy we pupils employed the recess time in
making paper baskets, such as "My Lady"
serves the dessert or confections in at her fash-

283

ionable dinners. We also made Lucifer matches.
Sticks prepared in a block by being split the
proper size we broke off and dipped in the
igniting paste, and carefully laid them side by
side upon a paper to dry ; when dry we put them
in boxes ready for disposal. Then we sang
songs, marched, and were taught to walk and
stand properly. We were taught to draw angles;
further that that the teacher had no artistic
leaning.

Having begun with this store as a landmark, I
will mention a few others that are gone. Diago-
nally opposite, on the east side, was a tavern (long
since removed), managed or mismanaged, as the
case may be, by Mr. Knickerbocker. I have
little recollection, except that personally he did
not resemble the historic Diedrich.

On the other corner diagonally opposite stood
the Dry Goods store belonging to Mr. Oramel
Grififin. I never remember being inside, but
thought everything that the world knew could be
purchased there. A few scattering dwellings
were along that side of the street and near the
slope of the hill stood the Youngs' Hotel. They
didn't call it Inn or Tavern, for the French word
more fitly denoted its great ability to serve the
public to rest, refreshment and the "needful
beverages." No wave of Temperance had pene-
trated these conservative regions then. Cephas
Young had formerly been the landlord, or, as he
was familiarly called, " Uncle Cephas," but land-
lord or not, he spent most of his time there
"taking mine ease in mine Inn," and was a merry
companion to the others who spent their leisure
there. He seemed to enjoy Hfe and, it is hoped,
lived up to his epitaph.

From the Post Office corner west, on the south
side of the street, another landmark disappears;
the old Methodist church, which could no longer
hold the flock, moved down the street nearly op-

284

posite the Baptist Church and was used for a
Musical School. The eccentric professor, his
spectacled eyes always to the front, I remembej;,
well. When the Pro-Slavery trouble was in
Kansas he was heard to exclaim: " O, it's all
Kansas, Kansas. What do I care for Kansas?
Just give me plenty of music pupils and when the
time comes I'll vote all right."

Nearly opposite, just east of the Baptist chufctt,
was the grocery store of Clark McCall. I think
every one will remember the sign painted on the
side under the cornice: "Paints, Oils and Dye
Stuffs." What good paint it must have been to
endure so long! Mr. McCall possessed a large
flock of children, and as they were play-fellows,
the majority of the school children gave their
patronage to the store in the shape of slates,
pencils, candy, licorice and nuts.

The next building that I recollect on that side
of the street was a long, low building containing
stores and shops which has given place to other
buildings; also, the store and shop owned by Mr.
Lathrop, which was replaced by a new one that
in time disappeared by fire or flood.

That side of the street and the one running
north were not much different from their present
appearance only there seemed to be more, life
there then. The street leading West on the right
hand side was nearly as it is to-day but the other
side was far different. The store kept by Mr.
Bates T. Hapgood stood on the corner just east of
the bridge or between bridges; its ghost stands
there yet. Beyond the bridge was the great Elm
tree in its majesty then, and one house and the
School House of the District No. 2. There may
be those present who received their first instruc-
tion there and some attended who there absorbed:
all the school education of their lives. The pupils
were many and of ascending ages, and I remember
the girls in summer sought for their playground

WEST MAIN STREET

UPPER STREET

285

the Cemetery's sacred haunts among the myrtle
and the ponderous cherry trees. If they had any
particular ideas concerning the fitness of things,
they thought the w eary were resting in celestial
realms. At this time the street leading south con-
tained six houses and a barn on the one side, and
four houses and two barns on the other. In re-
calling these times and bringing judgment to bear
on it I see that the inhabitants were individually
and collectively a fair representation of Uncle
Sam. Physically, they were inclined to be slim
instead of portly and were invariably slow of
speech. The men loved to sit at the grocery
door at evening and tell tales and with corkscrew
inquisitiveness, learn their neighbor's business.

Under the aspect of simplicity they were won-
derfully shrewd at a bargain and quick to dis-
cover the " main chance." Yet when charity was
solicited they were open-handed and willing. No
village could surpass them in their care for the
needy.

At this time what were called " amusements "
were few. The arrival and departure of the stage
elicited interest; a traveller with a trunk was in-
teresting; where they hailed from and their desti-
nation. A crowd rushed out to listen to a foreign
Missionary lecture. Once in a while a Temper-
ance lecturer came, and also Anti-Slavery speakers
were listened to. I remember Frederick Douglas
lecturing in 1846, I think, to an enthusiastic aud-
ience in the Baptist Church. Once in a while
there came a concert by the Hutchinson Family
and other travelling companies, but a " Theatre
Play " was an unknown quantity. A sleight-of-
hand performance followed by a Magic Lantern
exhibition would fill our very souls with joy, and
all the boys of the neighborhood would be " do-
ing tricks " for the next six months. The coming
of the circus was, to the youth of the town, the
acme of delight, and many a boy determined to

286

seek renown, when he was older, in the circus ring.
If there were animals they had a crowd in attend-
ance, for parents, you know, went "just to please
the children." Yet when it arrived and the proces-
sion passed no one had the hardihood to go out
on the street to view it. I once asked after see-
ing crowds represented on the bills, if people ever
went out on the street like that, dressed in their
holiday attire. The reply was: " Not by any
means; that was only an advertising scheme."
The yearly camp meeting came to the young as
an amusement, for I suspect they went more to
witness the intense religious excitement than to
hear the Gospel.

It was a great event when the Town Clock was
purchased, and Rushford was very proud of it and
justly so. Directing attention to the clock re-
minds me of the old custom of the tolling of the
bell when any person died, and their age was
counted off by strokes. What a terrible feeling
it always gave the children ; they would group
together, wild eyed and sober, and realize the
sorrow and grimness of the visitation of the Death
Presence,

One pronounced peculiarity of the people was
a division of religious belief in families. A man
would drive into town, turn and leave his wife and
daughter at the Baptist church and accompanied
by his sons go on to the Methodist church. An-
other father, with his two daughters would go to
the Methodist church for spiritual comfort; the
mother and son and daughter, seek consolation
at the Presbyterian. Another husband would
seek the shelter of the broad gauge Universalist,
while wife and children would sit under the Bap-
tist teachings; and so on among many more
through the speeding years.

They saw their neighbors' creed kindly, but be-
lieved their own bore more substantial fruits.
These good people have all long ago sailed across

287

the unknown Sea to the " Blessed Isles " where
they have found that both are rigfht, perhaps.

In the stirring times of the founding of Tele-
graph lines we had a prophet, Chauncey Mc-
Donald, who was quite prone to speak in hyper-
bole, who said:

" I have faith to think that wes hall yet talk by
word of mouth and have our streets lighted by
electricity."

He lived to see his prophecy fulfilled; he fore-
told better than he knew. Another prophet said
he thought that we would " yet subsist on the ele-
ments " but that hasn't quite arrived. Still the
scientists are finding so much poison in what we
consider harmless, that we may come to it sooner
or later.

There were some very eccentric people among
us. On the west street in the solitary house on
the left near the great Elm tree, dwelt a woman,
not old then, but thinking herself so, who strug-
gled with the world, and school children in partic-
ular. She imagined that both were her enemies
and that both would eventually beat her in the
struggle. She magnified the children's pranks
and considered them insults, and made her resist-
ance manifest when she could capture a mischiev-
ous boy with an application of the switch or the
omnipresent slipper. Boys were no different then
than now; they only laughed and jeered while she
mentally consigned them to the prison or the gal-
lows. And yet two of these boys became minis-
ters of the gospel. The boys considered her a
great amusement.

There was a man in town noted for his long
prayers. One morning the hired man unnoticed
slipped out of doors before prayers. There he
met a man at the shop who wished to see the pro-
prietor immediately. The hired man said: " You
can't; he is at prayers." The man said: " How
long, do you suppose, before I can see him ?"

288

" Well," said the hired man, " I'll see." He
stepped to the window and listened. " Well," he
said returning, " He has just got to the Heathen
and he will be here in ten minutes."

Another man gloried in religious phrases and
exclamations. He one morning entered the store,
exclaiming: " Hallelujah to the Lamb. Give me
half a pound of your good two shilling tea."

At one time one of the churches was agita-
ting the question of buying a chandelier. A
man said: " What's the use of spending your
money for such a thing ? When you get it, there
is no one here that knows enough to play on it."
He was the man who said he " played the bugle
for his own conversion."

Later, when Mr. Lincoln was nominated for
President, a man inquired: "Who might this
Abraham Lincoln be ? I never read of him in
history. Another wondered what they did at a
caucus — " Did they sing?"

One strong-minded woman went out to dinner
and supper, leaving her mate to pick up his meals.
When she returned he suggested supper.

" Oh, my dear," said she, " you just go and
pop you some corn and I will get you a fine
breakfast in the morning." He obeyed.

The Methodist Church Society desired an or-
gan, for which they were to raise the money by
subscriptions from the members and as many
outsiders as possible. Approaching one of the
oldest and most responsible members, they
broached the subject to him. He said he would
subscribe a liberal amount conditionally ; that is,
that there should be no fiddling between the
singing, meaning the preludes and interludes. I
never knew whether those " conditions " were ac-
cepted.

In larger towns, more friction caused by rub-
bing against each other mentally, a certain con-
ceit inherent to the isolated life is ground away.

289

but when one lives alone; there being no counter-
action, a person is likely to become an egoist and
occasionally eccentric, and obtains satisfaction in
" springing a trap " upon both friends and stran-
gers. A bachelor, living alone among the Rush-
ford hills, received one morning a call from a Ped-
dler, who inquired if his wife was at home; he
would be glad to sell her some wearing apparel.
The man replied that he would call her, as she
was down cellar churning. He stepped to the
door and told the invisible wife to come up and buy
herself a new dress. There was no response or
appearance. Then the man remarked that she
was mad about something and wouldn't answer.
The Peddler went away, but inquired at the next
house what manner of woman lived in the pre-
ceding farm house, who wouldn't come upstairs to
buy a dress. They laughingly informed him that
the woman could not " materialize, as the man was
a bachelor and lived alone with his jokes."

When the Temperance movement began in
Rushford, an innkeeper at East Rushford learned
that the Women Crusaders would visit him, to
talk with him on the discontinuance of selling
" The Ardent." He sent word to them that if
they came near his place they would all walk
home dead corpses.

When the Academy was started, preparations
were made for a new life. Everything was
changed. It was truly a Renaissance; life and
action everywhere; new energy in business; a
general " fin de siecle " pervading. To the young
people each day was a holiday, no matter how
strenuous their tcisks. The curtain was lifted;
we saw way down the vista of the future with
hope our only spiritual possession, the Valley of
Diamonds, the learning we had longed for.

Those happy days and enthusiastic pupils soon
passed along to make room for the entering
crowd. Some went to the Civil War; others to

290

the many professions; some to the Legislature or
to Congress; some to be Governors of States;
some to the Camp or the Sea, and others to the
Court of Foreign Countries; the women to be
teachers, musicians, artists, poets, journalists,
wives and mothers.

And now over fifty years have cast their gleams
of brightness and clouds of gloom; comparatively
few teachers or pupils remain, and nearly all these
have wandered to seek their homes far away from
the Alma Mater.

"And some we knew, the loveliest and the best,
That from the vintage, rolling Time has prest.
Have drunk their cup, a round or two before,
And one by one crept silent from the door."

Franklinville, N. Y., July 21, 1908.

Mary E. Lane, Widow of Rev. John Lane.

The little white village among the hills, a name
of my own bestowing which I sometimes use in
speaking of Rushford, is a place around which
many memories cluster, and where many of the
affections and friendships of my life were born.
A ministerial friend, who used to visit us in Rush-
ford, once called upon me here. He was asking
me about one of our villages and I replied: " It is
not a pretty place like Rushford. At least I always
thought Rushford a pretty village," and he said:
" It is. I always thought so too." I was pleased
to hear this expression of opinion corroborative
of mine, as the gentleman is a born artist, and 1
knew that a sketch of this village from his fingers
would be a little gem. It was picturesque in
approaching it from whichever direction. The
houses were mostly white, the school building
centrally located, and the churches, of which there
were four, were also white, while the green hills

291

rose lovingly around it as though they thought it
worthy of their protection and caresses. The
house we owned and lived in for seven years
showed us a view from our sitting-room window
of the old cemetery and the ascent beyond. There
were many trees there; some of them seemed to
be of the aspen variety, which, when clothed with
their summer verdure, twinkled and quivered with
a silvery, frost-like appearance in the sunlight,
while beyond it the slope arose gracefully and
gradually to distant hill-tops crowned with majes-
tic elms. There are plenty of elms in this level
country and near where I live, but they never
seem so stately as those growing in the hill-tops
of old Allegany County, which was my home
for so many years. I began to know Rushford
in 1859, the year of my marriage, in our frequent
drives from Centreville, where my husband was
then preaching and where he had been seven
years, and in that time he had formed quite a large
acquaintance with the people of the neighboring
towns. We were invited there often upon occasions
of interest, or socially, as the case might be, and
we usually stopped at Mr. Galpin's. Mrs. Galpin
was my first acquaintance and friend in Rushford.
To use an old-fasbiemed but expressive phrase,
their " latchstring was always out," and they had
a ready and delightful hospitality for guest and
friend, which we always shared and deeply ap-
preciated. How many friends of " auld lang
syne " we met there — how many precious ties
were cemented in that home. They were a
family never to be forgotten, around whom tender
recollections cling. Upon the numerous occasions
when we were invited to Mr. Galpin's, I recall
one which was quite memorable which occurred
before we came to Rushford to live. It was one
Fourth of July and we were to come there to
meet other friends, and from Mr. Galpin's we
were to repair to a nearby orchard to listen to the

292

orator of the day, a gentleman from New York
whose name I do not now remember, and who
had consented to come for a consideration of one
hundred dollars. Great preparations had been
made. There were brass bands and other music,
and singing, and a large audience that filled every
seat. The crowd was enthusiastic and patriotic.
The ministers and other dignitaries were present,
adding whatever interest they might to the oc-
casion. The national colors were in evidence.

Naught lacked they in that splendid show.

Of pomp or color, gleam or glow.

Among other features were young ladies rep-
resenting the States in number, and attired in
white, fresh as the morning, with sashes of red,
white, and blue draped diagonally over one
shoulder and floating gracefully away below the
waist, with an effect which was very pleasing and
unique. All the preliminaries having been fitly
attended to, the speaker began his address. But
just at the moment when the attention was fairly
arrested, and expectation was at its height, an
imperative whisper from my husband warned me
to flee. " Stand not upon the order of your going,
but go at once"; this seemed to be the spirit ot
the command. So, unable to resist, I went in
haste and our little party reached Mr. Galpin's
door just in time to escape the onslaught of the
unwelcome downpour which broke up the well-
planned order of the day. The people fled pell-
mell, and the poor " States " went scurrying by,
their white garments clung around them, but their
colors were intensified by the unsparing rain.
Every one who wore a color looked brilliant, how-
ever, despoiled of all starchiness of their attire.
There was not an umbrella to lend protection to the
fugitives and really no help for it. All sought
shelter as best they might. The speaker, with
such gentlemen as were so inclined, went to the

293

town-hall, where he pieced together his discourse
as well as he could, but the heavens were no re-
specters that day of the "glorious fourth." But
for us, at least, things did not turn out ill, for a
large company went to the house of Mr. Stebbins,
where we had a fine time, and partook of a
splendid repast.' As with many other troubles,
we can laugh at the rain when it is over, and that
is the only time I remember when it badly inter-
fered with the plans or pleasures of the people of
Rushford. I think it may have been about the
year 1866 that Mr. Lane was called to assume the
charge of the Presbyterian Church of Rushford,
where he preached for nine years, and I remem-
ber well the friendly faces of those who greeted
us on our arrival. The people preceded us to
the house, and when we came everything had been
arranged as nicely as possible, and a beautiful tea
was served; no one knew better how to do that
than the ladies I knew so well in that little church.
Introductions seemed almost unnecessary, so cor-
dial was their greeting, and such bright good- will
appeared in every countenance and was uttered by
every voice. Those voices are silent in this world,
but they still speak in the memory and heart. The
house where we lived for two years belonged to
Henry Kirke White, and living near the White
family led to an acquaintance which was a delightful
one. Mr. Lane greatly esteemed each of the
brothers, Washington, Quincy and Henry Kirke.
The father and mother were living at that time
with their daughter, Mrs. Stella Blanchard, and
her husband, Barnes Blanchard, also valued friends.
In an obituary notice of Samuel White, whose
death occurred in 1874, Mr. Lane speaks of offici-
ating at his funeral. The text given is from ist
Cor. 15: 20-28, the points given thus: i. Power
infinite can raise the dead. 2. Suffering life is
death; not mere natural change, unburdened and
unaccelerated. 3. A self-determined life is also a

294

subordinate life. Source and sequence cannot be
parted. We are the offspring of God. In Him
we live and move and have our being. Hence,
immortality is certain, for, however long life may
travel, it cannot annul its connection with its
cause. God cannot be transcended ; all things
shall be subject unto Him that put all things under
Him, that God may be all in all. After speaking
of the widow and other members of the family,
the obituary closes with these words: " Rushford
has lost a citizen, a man superior, just, temperate,
virtuous, faithful without ostentation in every pub-
lic or private station. He was a thorough gentle-
man of the older school of man." We were also
guests at his golden wedding in 1868. In those
years there was steady preaching at the Presby-
terian Church — usually morning and evening;
and Sabbath School and Bible classes were main-
tained; also a weekly prayer meeting, and other
stated meetings were observed. Usually the
singing was exceptionally good. There were
good voices, and our choir was often praised.
Those who played the organ at different times
were Misses Marion Woodworth, Julia Thompson,
Myra Blanchard, Delia Hauser and May White.
While we were there the church was put in beau-
tiful order; papered in fresco, as was then suit-
able; furnished with new and handsome pulpit
chairs, carpet, new organ and a fine bell. There
was also purchased an excellent Sabbath School
Library. This was not done by a church board,
but through the interest which had been awak-
ened and at the expense of the people. They
also raised such a salary as they were able for the
minister, and contributed largely to the various
benevolences of the church. The Elders were
Wm. T. Galpin, David Thomas, Jr., and Archi-
bald Adams. There were also Deacon David
Thomas, Sr., Deacon Barnes Blanchard and
Deacon Peck, all of them men of sterling charac-

295

terand greatly respected in the community. Nel-
son Blanchard was Sabbath School Superintendent
and I was assistant until the last year of Mr.
Lane's ministry, when, owing to the failure of Mr.
Blanchard's health, he resigned, as I also did, and
David Thomas, Jr., and Mr?. Cynthia VVoodworth
were selected in our stead. The Rushford people
were very social. There were teas, dinners and
other events almost constantly going on, to call
people together, and it would take much time to
relate in how many homes and with what friends
we were so pleasantly entertained. The ladies of
the church and congregation made me at least
one visit every year, and frequently they came
oftener. They served the tea themselves, always
a very nice one and we were treated as invited
guests. This hospitality was charming and in it
they never failed. They were a self-constituted
committee to see that everything was as it should
be, and it always was. They devised many ways
of enjoying life in a neighborly way, but more
than anything I enjoyed the Christmas Tree occa-
sions of the church. Not being a large building
it was possible to decorate it beautifully, and I
used to delight in twining wreaths over doors and
windows; in fact, the church would look like a
perfect bower. I have never seen anything pret-
tier than it was in any church before or since. I
remember one Christmas we were to have a tree,
and I wanted a new dress for that occasion. I
went to the store of Mr. Higgins and my mind
was made up to be contented with lower-priced
goods, which I was looking at when Mrs. Homer
Brooks came in. She saw the material I was se-
lecting and 'she called my attention to a beauti-
ful dark-blue cashmere. It was a lovely piece
in color and texture. It was held before me
alluringly but I resolutely turned from the bait,
purchased my cheap dress, and had it ready to
wear when the time came ; and I wore it con-

296

tentedly, thinking it would do for me. But when
it came to the distribution of the gifts, a package
was placed in my hands and upon opening it there
was the beautiful dark-blue cashmere itself, a pres-
ent to me from my friend, I expressed my sur-
prise and pleasure as best I might, and Mrs.
Brooks said : " As soon as I saw you looking at
that cheap piece I made up my mind you should
have the other." You may be sure it was very
much appreciated, and did me great service for a
long time. The community generally were con-
siderate of those who needed assistance, and I re-
member how once two young ladies, namely, Miss
Mary Lanthop and Miss Green, afterward Mrs.
Nye, called upon me just as I was upon the eve
of departure for a little journey we were about to
take, and I would be away from home for several
days. They were arranging their program for a
benefit, the proceeds to go to aid a family, and
they desired me to contribute something which I
was to write. I did not venture an actual promise
fearing that I would not be back in time, but I
did not quite refuse, only it seemed impossible
for me to write anything very worthy when I re-
turned, the event planned for would be so im-
mediately near. But no sooner had I entered my
door, not having removed my bonnet even, than
both young ladies appeared again. They knew
what they wanted and how to win. This time I
promised, and casting housekeeping and other
cares to the winds, I settled down to writing
poetry, feeling very sure I had no time to lose,
and I was ready at the moment when called for,
and not much before. My poem, I remember,
was in two parts, and it was written in Rushford
and for Rushford. It may add some interest if I
copy part first in this manuscript.

Softly now the morning light

Ushers in the blushing May,
Twining in her tresses bright

Buds and blossoms gay.

297

Mark the rainbow round her head,
See the emerald robe she wears.

Let the music of her tread
Drive away our cares.

Smiling April would not wait.

But through sunset's open door.

Fled and closed the outer gate,
Just the day before.

But the bees a welcome bring

In a hum of happy words.
And the brightening woodlands ring

With the songs of birds.

Btirst from bondage leaps the brook,
Laughing to the balmy mom.

And in many a fragrant nook,
Violets are born.

In the forests cool and deep,

Where the warbling waters glide,

Where the tender ivies creep,
And the mosses hide.

Crowned and kingly elms arise,
With their coronals of green.

Towering to the far-off skies.
And the clouds between.

Clouds that break in freshening showers,
Watering all the verdant earth.

Baptism of the blessed hours,
And the world's new birth.

Born again to beauty bright.

Out of winter's frozen tomb.

Into loveliness and light.
Into joy and bloom.

298

Blossoms blushing underfoot,

Blossoms breaking from the sod,

Blossoms pregnant with the fruit,
From the heart of God.

Fragrant orchards bend and sway
Sweetly to the sighing gale.

And the whispering zephyrs play.
With their branches pale.

Lilacs lift their purple freight,
While by some Eolian tune

Lulled, the slumbering roses wait
For the kiss of June.

Sunshine tinges all the plains,

Woos the verdure on the hills.

Warms the maples' flowing veins,
Sparkles in the rills.

Decks the daisy-haunted spots.
Lingers in the leafy shades,

Courts the blue forget-me-nots.
On the upland glades.

Throbs and thrills in nature's heart,
Reaches to its inmost shrine,

Makes its quickened pulses start.
With a life divine.

With unstinted hand adorns.

Showers around a wealth untold.
Spreads with white the crested thorns,

Dots the meads with gold.

Sights and sounds and scents of spring,
Varied with delicious grace,

Breathe and move in everything.
And through every place.

299

If on embassy divine,

Some fair seraph staid his flight,
Where these glowing landscapes shine.

Bathed in golden light ;

Would he deem earth's Eden vales

Seared by sin and dark with death;

Or in Spring's serenest gales.
Feel the winter's breath?

Question we, while human flowers

Which have made our gardens dear.

Perish from our earthly bowers.
Shall they reappear?

From our ears a song is fled,

From our sight a form is gone.

Lost and hidden with the dead,
Yet do they live on?

Yes, for though the flickering breath
Flees away mid throes of pain.

After life and after death,
Comes the life again.

Tender treasures fade and fall

Blasted 'neath the wintry sky;

God who is the life of all
Will not let them die.

While the unfailing fountain flows
Still the Elysian fields shall bloom

Vernal in serene repose.
Freshness and perfume.

Planted on a deathless shore,
Thriving in perennial bliss

Live they, reign they evermore
Whom we mourn and miss.

3O0

Aye this miracle of love

Wrought around us year by year,

Doth the eternal problem prove ;
Makes the answer clear.

Emblem of that coming day,

When the world renewed shall shine,

Garlanded by endless May,
Hailed by hymns divine.

Among the prominent families of Rushford were
the Stacy's, well known to Mr. Lane, with friends
and relatives of theirs, for many years. The father
of Dr. Orrin T. Stacy was one of his oldest friends,
he having practiced medicine in Centreville when
my husband first came there, and he was very
widely known and highly esteemed by the people
of that town and vicinity. He died I think in
Rushford at his son's, and I remember my hus-
band delivered an address in his memory at the
Centreville Presbyterian Church, which was
largely attended. One of the older sisters of Dr.
Orrin T. Stacy joined the church in Centreville
under his ministry. This was Mrs. Minerva
Blodgett, who did not live long after her christian
profession. He also officiated at the marriage of
another sister, Mrs. Mary Hubbard, and in after
years he attended her burial from the house of
her sister, Mrs. Wm. Kyes. We also knew Ellen
Stacy, and she with Mrs. Kyes were at one time
members of my Bible Class. Mrs. Orrin T. Stacy
was also one of my personal friends. A cousin of
Dr. Stacy, Harlan Hopkins, married the daughter
of Washington White, Miss Viola, the marriage
ceremony being performed by Mr. Lane.

The Talcotts were a family very much beloved
by us, and closely associated with us in church
and society. Mrs. Talcott was living with her
children when we came to Rushford, her husband
having died, and they lived a short distance from

301

the village. They were a very popular family.
Everybody liked to go to their house, and they
were sure of a welcome. Mrs. Talcott was a
woman of beautiful christian character, loving her
church and working unselfishly to promote its in-
terests. She had been away and was returning
home enfeebled in health when she saw the light
from the church windows. She knew the people
were assembled in the prayer meeting and would
gladly have been among them, but that was not
to be, for she had returned only to die, and I
remember well in visiting her the calm and beauti-
ful expression of her sweet face when she spoke of
departing to be with Christ, saying " that would
be better." Only one of that household remains,
the youngest daughter, now Mrs. McKee. The
other daughter, Mrs. Homer Brooks, was one whom
I can never forget. How much I could relate
of her sympathy, her kindness, her hospitality.
If even now I dwell upon the specialties of my
acquaintance with her the tears will be falling
upon my paper. She was with me when my hus-
band died. She came to me in my great loneliness.
Her table was the last I sat down to in Rushford.
She never failed me, and truly it has been said,
"We know not until we behold the parting
wing that an angel has been with us." The
two brothers, Samuel and Henry, are re-
membered by me with affection, two young men,
warm friends of Mr. Lane, as I know he
was of them. The last funeral service
performed by him was that of Henry Talcott.
The day before he had attended the funeral
of Mrs. Laura Higgins, of Higgins Mills, one
of his oldest and most loyal friends, a woman
of .interesting personality, and it was also in
Centreville that he first knew Mr. Orrin T.
Higgins, who was engaged in the mercantile
business there, before he came to Rushford.
Mr. Higgins was a prosperous merchant, who

302

had hewed out his own fortune with consum-
mate business ability from his earhest youth,
and was a man of refined manners, pleasing ad-
dress and sterling integrity. We frequently had
proof of his kindly interest shown in many ways,
and always regarded him not only as a friend but
as one of Rushford's best and most upright citi-
zens. And Rushford may well be proud of such
a one as his son, Frank Wayland Higgins, born
among them, who spent much of his early life
there, and who became so eminent as chief
executive of the State of New York. There is
no one whom I remember better, just entering as
he was upon early manhood, and filled with the
bright enthusiasm, courage and earnest purpose
of youth. Many were the occasions when we
met him, and even then he was recognized as one
of the leading spirits in the community, giving
promise which was fulfilled in later years. He
was in the Higgins Land Company office at
Olean at the time of my husband's death. In the
preceding months I remember the kindness of
himself and Samuel Talcott in sending boxes of
delicacies, which I acknowledged in hurried
notes, but which I have never forgotten, although
the donors may have done so. How I watched
every event of his public career; how rejoiced I
was when he was elected Governor. And when
at last he was so ill how I hoped against hope for
his recovery, for it seemed to me that his life-
work had yet to be completed, but in this life
his labor was done and well done. Of blessed
memory — and he is happy I doubt not in the
life beyond. Miss Clara, she then was, I was
privileged to know, and in the intimacies of
Rushford society we shared her graceful hospi-
tality as the young mistress of her father's house.
Of Dr. and Mrs. R. T. Charles I would also
speak. They were for a long time our nearest
neighbors and intimate and beloved friends. In

303

coining to Rushford she presented a letter from
the church in Angelica, and ever after she was an
influential worker in Church and Sabbath School,
and she was one of those greatly endeared to me
by her presence and sympathy in the sorrowful
event of my husband's death, as was also Mrs.
Stella Blanchard, Mrs. Mary Thomas, Mrs. Galpin
and Mrs. Cynthia Woodworth. And it is only fit-
ting that I mention Louis, our son, as he lived in
Rushford in those days, sharing in the interests
and friendships of his father and mother, a student
in school and at home, as long as we were there.
Of how many friends I have written, and still
they come. They throng the halls of memory
and knock softly upon the door of the heart. And
each one is pleading, " Have you forgotten me ?"
and I reply, " No, I have forgotten none." But time
presses and weariness urges me to drop the pen.
And so Rushford, and dear people of Rushford,
good-bye, good-bye. But partings are not forever,
and some glad day I shall see you all again.

For love outlives the years,

Outlasts our flowing tears,
Smiles when we weep above the silent grave,

When life's most sacred trust

Doth crumble into dust,
She builds anew, she doth confirm and save.

And you who come to-day.

Flowers of a long-lost May,
Wearing so well the semblance of the past.

Shall prove me yet again.

Where life, not death shall reign.
In perfect real truth how love doth last.

For you beloved and dear.

Haply in memory near.
And speaking soul to soul with olden art.

In yet a little while

We shall clasp hand and smile,
And glance to glance shall answer, heart to heart.

304

Augusta Searle Sheldon.

My earliest memory is of trying to sit alone and
handle playthings. Mother sat sewing by a win-
dow; she turned white, and beckoned to father out-
side, as an Indian stole in and laid down oVi the
hearthstone. Father came with a horsewhip and
lashed the intruder out.

The second memory is of a garden of fragrant
flowers, into which my half-grown nurse took me
upon her back, and lifted me to a sunflower. Mil-
ton McCall's house stood near, and Aunt Lucy
(Searle) McCall was watching us as I toddled
down a slope, fell into a tiny stream, and shrieked
with fright. It was in 1826. Later, Nelson
McCall's store and dwelling house were built
across the street; Rosina Bell became his wife,
and blessed his life. East Rushford was begun.

Singing was the usual pastime, and the old
Baptist Meeting House was a favorite resort. By
appointment, people came at " early candle light,"
bringing their closely wrapped up babies, who, on
the back seats, were made comfortable, to reach
out little hands and whisper, or to sleep, while
around a table the parents were rehearsing for the
Sabbath service. None of us wee ones cried
there.

Another memory was a Sabbath scene. Many
people were singing beside a stream. Father held
me in his arms. Mother was led down and buried
in baptism. As she was raised, the seraphic look
on her face and the burst of sacred song " Oh how
happy are they. Who their Saviour obey," thrilled
my innermost being.

People sang at home also. Mother led with
the treble, father sang tenor and played the bass-
viol in " While thee I seek, protecting power,"
" Vital spark of heavenly flame," or the "Judgment
Anthem," in which the " holy, holy," and woe !

305

woe ! of that resonant bass-viol were unforgetable.
(About fifty years later, the Anthem was brought
out as fiew and very fine, in one of our most
musical cities.) Grandfather McCall thought some
of the Rushford voices were fully equal to the dis-
tinguished vocalists he had heard in Albany and
New York City.

Aunt Maria McCall returned home from Caze-
novia Seminary, and was married to the Rev.
Absalom Miner. I could not understand the long
address, or the crowd of guests. There were
heavy silks and satins — some of the bonnets had
been brought by stage, all the way from Albany.

I think neither of us was past four years old,
when a beautiful little boy said to me, " When I'm
a big man I'll be your little husband, if you'll be
my little wife ".

One of the best formative influences in early
Rushford was the " House to House Prayer-
meeting". The very children enjoyed the eve-
ning; the hearty sympathy of friends, and the in-
formal uplifting devotions.

In 1828 and later we lived nearly opposite
Luther Woodworth. Eliza Ann, Newell Cath-
erine and Jacob McCall, my youngest uncles and
aunts, led me to school in a small red building,
four-roofed and tipt with a shaft and ball. Theo-
dosia Babcock was our teacher; dear little Achsah
Griffin and I were learning to spell. Later
Oramel Griffin's store was built near.

My father, David Searle, prepared for the
ministry in the Hamilton Literary and Theologi-
cal Seminary (now Colgate University). The
second year mother accompanied him. Elder
Absalom Miner supplied alternately the church in
Rushford and in Friendship. In the latter place a
couple from New York City had opened a Ladies'
Seminary; there I was cared for two years.

On July 4th, 1833, my excellent grandmother,
Elizabeth Deye McCall, was laid to rest.

3o6

A reunited family, father, mother and I, moved
to Springville, Erie County, N. Y., on July 1 2th,
1833. Thereafter I was rarely in Rushford. It
was a small community, but had the church
records been carefully kept would have been pub-
lished as a stimulating example,

I gratefully remember that from my birth-
place went Elbert Clark as Pastor of a church in
Buffalo; Lenas Freeman as Professor in a theo-
logical seminary in Rochester; also the *' Home
Missionaries " — Freeman to Michigan; Stedman
B. Searle and Simon G. Miner to Indiana; Eliab
Going to Illinois; Absalom Miner to Wisconsin;
and that Peter Conrad and many others found in
Rushford added stimulus for striving to "lay
foundations " in the Great West. David Searle
was ranging a large region to raise the necessary
funds for the work.

l&ttalUttwna of a p%Binatu
O. T. Stacy, M. D.

The spirit which animated the medical profession
and the service which they gave in the pioneer
days of Western New York are worthy of con-
sideration in any review of those times.

The services of a physician were at times of
epidemics in almost constant requisition night and
day. All the roads were miserable, and some
were merely log-ways or trails through large
tracts of forest, so that horse-back riding was the
only practical way the physician could make the
rounds among his patients. Fatigue and loss of
sleep did not excuse the pioneer physician, in his
own mind, from responding to the call of the sick.

The pay of the pioneer physician was painfully
small and totally inadequate to properly provide
for the needs of a large family. Any physician
who collected one-half of his small fees would have
made a Major-General of finance if he had lived in

O. T. STAGEY, M. D.

307

these times. There was a prevailing feeling of
sympathy and comradeship among the early
settlers. If a man was sick his neighbors planted,
cultivated and harvested his crops freely, without
pay. Why should not the physician doctor him
without fees ?

In the absence of any records to consult I am
obliged to write wholly from memory, and I wish
it understood that the physicians mentioned and
incidents related are typical, and that many
physicians were animated by the same spirit, were
equally well qualified, and met with similar
experiences.

It happened that the first physician with whom
I become acquainted was my father, Dr. William
Allen Stacy. He took three courses of lectures
at the Castleton Medical Academy and the Uni-
versity of Vermont in 1822-1823 and 1824. In
the intervals between the lectures he studied in
the office of a physician in Hamilton, Vermont.
He was twenty-six years old when he commenced
to study medicine. He had a good academic
education, had taught school, and was therefore
fitted by age and discipline to profit by his medical
instruction. In 1824 he married Nancy Bingham,
only child of Nathan Bingham.

As soon as arrangements could be completed
he, with his bride, seventeen years of age, with
her parents, started in a land-schooner for the
Holland Purchase in New York State. They
reached Centerville the last of October, and on
election day he attended the election to meet the
people. In those days every man went to the
election in the morning and stayed until night,
devoting the whole day to athletic sports and
corn spirits. Dr. Stacy was soon challenged to
wrestle with some local athlete. Fortunately,
that part of a boy's education was not neglected
at that time in Vermont. The challenger was
thrown to the frozen ground with such force that

3o8

his kneepan was broken. He became the patient
of the new doctor, who thus won his first patient
by his muscle. Dr. Stacy soon had a practice
sufficient to tax to the utmost his hardy constitu-
tion. His practice extended into all the surround-
ing towns, including a considerable portion of the
town of Rushford. Probably at that time more
than half of that country was covered with dense
forest.

At one time night overtook him in the woods
near Crystal Lake, and he found himself traveling
in a circle, was unable to get out of the woods,
and was obliged to hitch his horse and spend the
night sitting on a log.

At another time he was riding on a road through
woods late at night, when his horse and he were
frightened by a menacing growl of some wild ani-
mal but a few feet from the road. The horse
turned in a flash and raced back to the house they
had started from. In the morning some hunters
and dogs traced the animal to the east side of the
Genesee River, found him in a treetop and shot
him. It was a lynx.

In November, 1833, Dr. Stacy was riding home
rom Rushford about three o'clock in the morn-
ing, when he witnessed the most startling and bril-
liant natural phenomena recorded in history — ^the
great storm of meteors of that year.

In 1856 Dr. Stacy moved to Rushford, and con-
tinued the practice of medicine. He had a keen
sense of humor, and was usually able to get some
fun out of the most vexatious circumstances.
After attending a family in which the various mem-
bers had taken turns in having typhoid fever, the
sickness covering a period of about four months,
the first payment he received on the bill came in
the shape of a dressed pig so poor and skinny
that he credited the debtor with one hundred and
sixty-five pounds of pork rind. He never made
any complaint to the man, but got full value re-

309

ceived in the amusement he received from the
transaction.

He was merciful to his horse. Some patients
thought a little too much so. He left Elijah Met-
calf s house on the Creek road one dark night,
and had been but a short time on the road when
the horse stopped. He hit the horse a gentle cut
with the whip. He started off again on a trot, but
after going a few rods stopped again. The Doc-
tor got out and investigated, and found that one
of the thills was not in the loop, and the horse
had recognized the mistake. The Doctor said
that he took off his hat and made all the apologies
due from one gentleman to another, and never
afterwards put bits in his mouth or hitched him.
On one occasion when the spring mud was
deepest he drove this same horse out of town up
a heavy grade, and overtook a farmer who had
come to town on foot, because it was too muddy
to take his own horses out. The farmer asked
for a ride; the Doctor said, " Certainly," and as
the farmer was getting in on one side of the
single-seated buckboard the Doctor stepped out
of the other side, and started the horse. The
farmer said, " Aren't you going to ride ? " " No,"
the Doctor said, " one man is all my horse can
draw in such mud. I will take turns with you."
The man concluded to walk.

Dr. Stacy more than sixty years ago stoutly
maintained, and ever after maintained, his abso-
lute certainty that pulmonary consumption was
an infectious disease; although it is not more than
thirty years since the physician to the great
Brompton Hospital of England as stoutly main-
tained that pulmonary consumption was not
infectious, and it is less than thirty years since the
infectiousness of consumption was generally ac-
cepted by the medical profession. He also believed
and maintained as much as sixty years ago that all
infectious diseases were produced by a germ.

310

After forty-one years of service among the sick
I do not think that he ever was accused of slight-
ing any patient because there was no prospect of
pay. His last illness was caused by blood poi-
soning, contracted from a patient whom he was
attending.

One of the oldest physicians I remember in
Rushford was Dr. William Smith. I only knew
him by the general reputation which he bore when
I first went to Rushford, fifty-eight years ago. I
think he came from New York City. He had a
very large practice, and was so entirely devoted
to it that in busy times he made no charges on
his books. People paid him when and what they
saw fit. It was said that every spring he got sick
trying to eat the veal that his patrons brought
him. He was a well qualified physician, of excel-
lent natural ability.

Dr. John Saunders, of Belfast, studied medicine
with him, and imbibed a large share of his spirit
of devotion to the duties of his profession.

In length of practice and constancy to his call-
ing, through more than half a century, I think Dr.
Jesse P. Bixby takes precedence over all > the
physicians who have lived in Rushford. He has
many of the elements of a skillful surgeon.

When I commenced practice in Rushford, forty-
eight years ago, good enough pioneer conditions
existed in spots, especially in what was known as
the Pine Woods. Two or three instances which
I will mention will serve to illustrate the beauties
of medical practice in the " good old days."

In the first month of my practice, March, I re-
ceived a call in the night to go to Porter Swift's;
was told to go to East Rushford, turn to the
right, and go up the hill to the second house.
There was a violent storm of snow and sleet, and
the darkness was complete. I got to the top of
the hill without seeing a house. My horse ran
into some object, which I got out of my sulky to

examine, and found it was an old-fashioned drag.
When on the ground I discovered a house but a
few feet away. I aroused the occupant, who in-
formed me that I was on the wrong road. I
started to go back, and had gone but a few rods
in the total darkness, when suddenly horse, sulky
and I were pitched into the corner of a fence in a
heap. Finally I was able to crawl out. The horse
floundered, the sulky cracked, and I could smell
from the wreck all sorts of odors which came from
my demolished medicine case. After quite a long
struggle the horse gave it up, and quieted down.
By the sense of feeling I unbuckled, unhooked
and cut straps enough so that I could pull the
sulky away. After getting the horse on his feet,
I got upon the horse in quite a dilapidated con-
dition and rode home, leaving the patient to get
well without my interference. I went back the
next day, and found that I had tried to run over a
pine stump about four feet high and three and a
half feet in diameter. This stump stood in the
center of the road.

The next month I reached home at ten o'clock
one night after having driven that day to New
Hudson, Houghton, and home by the way of Po-
donque. There were about four inches of snow
on the same amount of mud. By the time I got
home it was freezing, and the buggy wheels were
loaded with a mixture of frozen mud and snow. I
found at home a boy from the top of Lyndon Hills,
who had come for me with instructions not to
leave until he saw me started, as the patient, a
woman, was desperately sick. After feeding my
horse I commenced the dreary journey, arriving
at the summit of Lyndon Hills about one or two
o'clock. There was no " light in the window for
me." I knocked loudly at the door, but got no
response. A few kicks on the door brought the
proprietor, who unlocked the door, opened it
about two inches and informed me that his wife

312

was better, evidently meaning to imply that there
was nothing for me to do but to go home, and appar-
ently thinking that if he kept me out of the house he
would have no fee to pay. I afterwards found out
that he was proof against all fees. I went in and
found that his wife merely had a sick headache,
from which she had recovered in due time. There
had been no fire in the house for several hours. I
was nearly frozen and demanded that a fire be
built, which was done out of green wood, and my
horse put in the barn and fed. I reached home at
daylight. All the pay I ever received was the
valuable moral lesson. All physicians have such
moral lessons very often, which accounts for the
exalted state of moral excellence to which many of
them attain unless " they watch out."

In 1863 my father was called to visit Mrs.
Watson Woods, and found that she had confluent
small-pox. At that time no vaccine farms ex-
isted, and vaccination was done from arm to arm,
or from the dried scale. Several persons had
been exposed to the infection, and Lemuel Fare-
well was dispatched to Portage to find some scale,
as small-pox had recently visited that town. He
returned in the evening without having met with
success. About ten o'clock in the evening I was
driving up Main Street and met my father, who
said I must go to Hornellsville at once to get
some vaccine virus. I protested that I had had
no sleep in thirty-six hours, and was then on my
way to McGrawville. My father said that if he
sent any one else they would fail ; that the people
looked to us for protection, and that I must go.
I turned around and drove to Cuba. It was mid-
winter and very cold. I got the horse into the
hotel barn, and hastened to the Erie Station,
which was closed. I walked the platform until
a freight train came along, and got into a cold
caboose, reaching Hornellsville at daylight; got
a physician up, and without stopping for any

313

breakfast went with him in pursuit of a vaccine
scale that was at just the right stage to be taken
off. We drove constantly through the streets of
Hornellsville until three p. M., when I succeeded
in finding a boy from whom I obtained the scale
with great difficulty. I made immediate inquiries
for the quickest way to get home, and found that
I could get home the soonest by taking a freight
train that was then nearly ready to start. I had
time only to take a dish of raw oysters and some
crackers. I found the caboose unheated, rode in
it to Cuba; got my horse at the hotel without
going into a warm room ; drove home and passed
my own house to the neighborhood of the small-
pox patient. I vaccinated everyone who had
been exposed, and then had a square meal after
daylight at the house of Oliver Benjamin. I had
then been seventy-two hours without sleep or
rest, the last thirty-six of which were passed
without eating anything except that dish of raw
oysters.

My twenty-five years of medical practice in
Rushford was at times strenuous and exhausting,
but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed it. All
the unpleasant features have long been forgotten,
and a thousand memories remain. All the grati-
tude and appreciation which I ever deserved were
freely given. The intimacies with so many fami-
lies, which only the physician enjoys, served to
increase my respect for human nature, and led me
to believe that I was fortunate in the people with
whom I lived and worked the best part of my
life.

E. O. Taylor.
In the spring of 1862, when but a mere boy, I
caught my first glimpse of the great world outside
of Allegany County, N. Y. It came about in this

314

way: Having been in school for several succes-
sive terms, and not being in very good health that
summer, I was open to any suggestion, coming
from almost any source, that would suit a some-
what adventurous disposition (inherited perchance
from my American ancestor, John Taylor of Had-
ley, Massachusetts, who was described in the
pioneer records as an " adventurous youth "), and
at the same time contribute somewhat to health,
pleasure and profit. Accordingly, when Manny
McDonald, a well known Rushford boy, proposed
that we take a tramp together to see something of
the world outside the place where we were born,
it did not take very long to decide upon a pro-
gram. The scheme involved a journey of no less
magnitude than a trip to Washington, D. C, par-
ticularly to see, if possible. President Lincoln in
the White House, and to visit the Capitol and
other government buildings and places of interest.
Absolute secrecy was our watchword lest our plans
should become foiled by the pater, familias. We
had no money and did not propose to ask for any.
How to " get there" and back again under these
circumstances did not disturb us in the least, ex-
cept to supply us with stimulation and determina-
tion, for we were bound to go just the same. Our
motto reminds us of that famous placard on a
western " Prairie Schooner " in pioneer days —
" To Pike's Peak or Bust." A Httle money, how-
ever was a necessity, for while we were perfectly
willing and expected to " rough it " the greater
part of the way, safety in traveling through Mary-
land, already hostile through the secession move-
ment, would require passage by rail through
that State into the Capitol City and out again. To
meet this emergency we conceived the idea of
canvassing the farm houses and smaller towns
en route for the sale of stationery, including let-
ter paper, envelopes, pens, holders, ink, pencils,
erasers, etc. This in turn required some kind of

3IS

a case in which to carry our stock. We, there-
fore, confided our cause to Galpin and Tubbs,
cabinet makers in Rushford, who made us each a
small hand trunk, about the size and shape of a
physician's medicine case. The work was done
in the back part of the building now standing on
the site of O. T. Higgins' store. With these
in hand and a very scanty stock of goods to be-
gin with, we started out on our long journey,
making our way through Caneadea, Belfast, An-
gelica, Alfred, Wellsville and so on toward the
South. We had succeeded well enough by this
time to assure us of success, when we began to
plan for the enlargement of our business some-
what. Preparations for war on the part of the
government having progressed so far as to neces-
sitate the raising of additional revenue for antici-
pated military operations, special " tax lists " were
published, showing " rates " on taxable property.
Those, and " war maps " showing the places
where battles had already taken place, and the
relative position of the contending troops, were
in great demand. Our opportunity was to supply
that demand. A good stock of " lists " and
" maps " was accordingly laid in, which proved to
be a great bonanza for us. Often a " list " or a
" map " which cost from one to three cents would
sell for ten, or keep us over night at some farm-
house, including supper and breakfast. The
" war maps " were published by Lloyd & Co.,
New York City, who offered a leather bound
copy of Shakespeare for every five-dollar order of
maps. In this way I secured the first copy of
Shakespeare I ever owned, and which, because of
this incident, has been carefully preserved, and
still occupies a safe place in. my library. The
littie hand case is still in existence, duly preserved
and labelled as a souvenir of the occasion when
I first saw the world outside of Rushford.
While never lacking shelter at night, we were

3i6

occasionally furnished variety by sleeping in a
box-car.

When, once we failed to secure lodging at
a farmhouse down among the " Pennsylvania
Dutch," we betook ourselves to railroad ties as a
short-cut route to the nearest town — ten miles
distant — which we reached long after dark, weary
and hungry beyond description, with the toes of
our shoes " befrazzled " by the rock ballast be-
tween the railroad ties. Upon reaching Williams-
port, Pa,, I made a detour to find a cousin whom
I had never seen. Unfortunately, as we usually
say, but fortunately in adding to my stock of ex-
perience, he was conducting a logging camp in
the pine woods, fifty miles or more away. I set
out at once to take that in as a part of my
itinerary. To my surprise, when I reached the
latter part of the journey, I found the camp
located five miles in the dense forest beyond any
dwelling-house, and was obliged to guess my way
between the ever diverging log roads till at last
I reached the cabin, where I staid over night
with my cousin, meantime enjoying the lumber-
men's menu of pork and beans and black coffee;
sleeping in a bunk, what time I was not kept
awake by the weird sounds of wildcats and other
animals of the forest.

Joining company again with my friend Mc-
Donald, who had gone on before me to Harris-
burg, we worked our way, sometimes by tramping,
sometimes by " stealing a, ride " on a freight car,
until we came to York, Pa., near the border line
of Maryland, where it became necessary for us to
board a passenger train to take us safely through
Maryland, which had already become an enemy's
country, to Washington, D. C. Fortunately, we
had succeeded sufficiently well in the " peddling "
business to assure us of covering expenses, on a
very economical scale, until we should return to
York.

317

I shall never forget the sensation as we crossed
the line into a Southern State where slavery
actually existed. On to Washington we went.
The Capitol and all the other government build-
ings were visited, including, of course, the White
House, To see the inside of this, and to catch at
least a glimpse of President Lincoln, was our
supreme desire. Being green country boys,
minus dress suits, kid gloves and polished shoes,
we experienced a good deal of anxiety as to
whether or not we would be admitted, and if so,
on what kind of an excuse. Fortunately we
learned that the day on which we were there was
the President's reception day, when all who
desired to see the President could do so. Our
breath was quite taken away, however, when
about to enter we were asked for our cards. We
had no cards, but presented our faces and were
passed in without further question. We did not
know exactly what to do, now that we were inside
the White House, but we followed the example
of others and took our seats and waited for the
appearance of President Lincoln. At last he came
into the room. I think it was the " Blue Room."
As I recollect, there did not appear to be any
formal presentations. He began mingling with
the people, shaking hands and talking with them
in the most informal way. We were just dying
to shake hands with him also, but being deceived
into supposing that we should have some definite
and important errand with him else we had no
business to be there we began to feel nervously
guilty and embarrassed so that when Mr. Lincoln
appeared to be approaching us, and not knowing
what excuse we could offer for being there, we
found it convenient to suddenly and quietly with-
draw, thus, through a mistaken notion, missing
the greatest opportunity of the entire trip — that of
shaking hands with the great President Lincoln.
For had we known as much of him then as we do

3i8

now we would have been assured of his kindly
greeting and congratulation upon saying to him:
" President Lincoln, we have no other excuse for
being here than that of seeing and shaking hands
with you, and have traveled three hundred miles,
mostly on foot, to do so."

After leaving the White House we started to
visit Alexandria, Virginia, which took us across
the " long bridge " fifteen miles away, expecting
to walk the distance. We were fortunate in going
on that particular day, inasmuch as the famous
war order was issued the next day closing the
bridge to all without passports. When nearing
the Virginia end of the bridge a detached engine
and tender overtook us. We asked the engineer
if we might ride with him to Alexandria. He
replied affirmatively with a roguish twinkle in his
eye. After being seated on top of the tender full
of coal, he pulled the throttle and away we sped
at the rate of a mile a minute, every moment
fearing lest we be dashed to pieces by being
blown from our insecure positions. When asked
if we would not like to return with him, we said:
" No, thank you, not at that rate.''

While in Alexandria we visited the famous
Marshall House, where we saw the stairway on
which Col. Ellsworth had been shot a few days
before while attempting to replace the United
States flag which the rebels had hauled down.

Coming back to Washington, we boarded the
train for York, Pennsylvania, having had just
money enough to take us out of the " war zone,"
when the homeward jaunt began, and the " ped-
dling ' was resumed.

The experiences of that trip and the knowledge
gained of the world at large were worth more
to me than an " acre of diamonds."

According to the school records of District No.
1 1 , I began to attend school five months before I
was four years old. It is related by some of the

319

older scholars, Elvie among the number, that the
teacher on the first day of my attendance tried to
get me to " say my letters," but failing, opened
the stove door and threatened to throw me into
the fire. The story does not relate the result.

The first coal oil lamp that was brought into
my father's house was one I bought during one
winter when I was not well enough to attend
school and proposed to master elementary al-
gebra and higher arithmetic by myself at home.
The lamp was bought without permission, for
which I received a good scolding, with the remark
that it was " very extravagant and unnecessary,"
but it lighted my way successfully to the mastery
of those two studies and marked the transit from
the candle to the lamp in our home.

It was during that same winter that I had a
curious experience in solving a difficult mathe-
matical problem in a dream. I had worked hard
over the problem all the night until four o'clock
in the morning without result, when I retired and
fell into a dream in which I wrought out the
result correctly, and when I awoke wrote it out as
I had dreamed.

Sophia E. Taylor.

In telling the story of the hardships and strug-
gles of the beginnings of life in a new country as
Rushford was a century ago, perhaps we may
leave the impression that it was all hard and dis-
agreeable, which may be a fact, until they got a
shelter for their heads, and land enough cleared
upon which they could raise provisions for daily
sustenance. We presume, however, that the old
saying " Misery loves company " gave them a
common sympathy and a spirit of helpfulness to-
ward all. Their first crop was undoubtedly corn,
and after a few years with larger fields cleared,

320

came the increased crop of corn. The inherent
social nature, naturally led them to devise ways
by which the drudgery of corn husking was made
more endurable. It was a long evening when a
man went alone to the barn, even if there were
a son or two with him to husk the corn two or
three hours, so they changed work, made " corn
husking bees " and the neighbors turned in and
helped each other. The women folks often came
along to make a little visit in the house. If the
season had been propitious for pumpkins the
buskers were treated to pumpkin pie. How good
they tasted to the tired buskers; with what glad-
ness they remembered the large piles of yel-
low corn at the barn. Now a day is set apart for
gathering in the corn, cutting it up and filling the
silo; all done so quickly. In process of time
orchards were grown, and apples produced in
abundance. For want of a better way the surplus
crop was made into dried apples. These fireside
family gatherings which lasted for weeks, became
monotonous, so again they resorted to the co-
operative system: invited in the neighbors, young
folks and all, and great piles of apples were gotten
ready for drying. Many a kitchen was festooned
with long strings of apples hung everywhere,
racks were suspended high over head and filled
with the fruit, which when ready for market
represented more or less purchasing power and
helped to supply family needs. Lots of work, but
when the best fellows were there to help the best
girls, who cared for the work. Refreshments fol-
lowed, then lots of fun, and such good times !
Now the apples are barrelled, put into cold storage
to await the opportunity for a good sale. Lots
of work saved but where is the fun ?

Quilting bees were quite popular. The neighbor-
ing women were all invited to help a friend in this
time of need, for a quilt meant a good many stitches.
The men folks came to supper. It was often left

321

for them to remove the quilt from the frames. A
social evening and then the good nights.

The " bees " had their day and uses supplying
recreation for those times. However the love for
association remained, so the neighborhood families
exchanged hospitality, and great sleighloads of
jolly people would visit the several homes during
the winter season. The good housewives vied
with each other in furnishing refreshments and
entertainment. With the growth of the new
generation came the demand for better educational
facilities, which the wise fathers were not slow to
provide. When Rushford Academy became an
established fact, quite a change was evident.
With the influx of foreign pupils came the stimulus
of intellectual life. Aspirations were awakened
and a number of individuals who have taken high
rank as statesmen, lawyers, in fact, in many
avocations in life, made their first speeches, took
part in their first debates, in the Lyceum rooms of
the old Academy. In the early fifties Mrs. Eliza-
beth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony
graced the platform, evoking some admiration but
more criticism by their earnest words on the then
unpopular subject of " Women's Rights ", and
by their words and illustrations on dress
reform. They were pioneers on the suffrage
which is not settled yet. Lecture courses were
inaugurated, and men of national reputation, such
as Fred Douglas, Horace Greeley, Horace Mann,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wendell Phillips and
others, spoke from our platform, and the
audiences listened with intense interest. They
put high ideals before the young people and in-
spired them to higher aims and a determination
to climb to them. Many lecture courses have
followed, bringing talent and entertainment to the
people. During much of the time in the last
fifty years Rushford has maintained some tem-
perance organization : Sons of Temperance,

322

Daughters of Temperance, Good Templar organ-
izations, a pledge signing campaign under the
leadership of H. P. Burdick, and last, but not
least, The Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
with a small local organization, but belonging to
the largest woman's organization the world has
ever known. These have resulted in keeping
temperance education and agitation continuously
within hearing.

Study Clubs have kept alive the desire to keep
in touch with advancing ideas. In the sixties some
of the young ladies with Miss Sarah Ford, a teacher
in the school, banded themselves together for the
study of Shakespeare. Later The Historical
Society was organized among those no longer
students in the school, but who desired by faithful
work to keep up to their standard. For several
years this society enjoyed the instruction of
Prof. Maguire. In 1892 and '93 a University
Extension course was maintained with an In-
structor from the Regent's Department for those
who were no longer school girls. The subject
was Pre- Historic America, and as a result of ex-
aminations some received pass cards from the
Regent's Department who never had one before.
In time the gentlemen dropped out, and a re-
organization found the members all women, with
Mrs. Cynthia Woodruff as President, and took
the name of The Cynthian Club, which has always
been popular, consequently a growing institution,
and last came the Sesames, who organized for
earnest work and self-culture. These clubs have
furnished delightful social events and kept the
old folks young.

The One Hundredth Anniversary or " Home
Coming Week " brought together friends of the
oldest days and revived old loves, and was also
the occasion of new loves, for descendants of
some of the first families (Woods and McCall)
met and admired each other, and finally loved

323

and married. And we expect these will always
remember Rushford with gratitude as the home
of their ancestors and the place of their first
meeting.

3n l|0«0r at Maatjinstntu

The husbands and friends of the Cynthian
Club who received invitations to the open meet-
ing of the club in honor of Washington's Birth-
day, Friday evening, were indeed very fortunate,
as the occasion was one of much enjoyment.

The pleasant and commodious home of Mrs.
Margaret Benjamin was tastefully decorated with
the "Colors of Our Country," large flags being
used very effectively for the draperies. Pictures
of General and Mrs. Washington adorned the
walls and the china and bric-a-brac included many
rare articles preserved from the early days. Tal-
low candles in holders used long ago added much
to the effect of the decorations and kept the Gen-
eral's servants busy with the snuffers.

George W. Hall and Mrs. Cora Benjamin, at-
tired in the costumes of General and Mrs. Wash-
ington, occupied the places of honor and received
the guests with rare grace and dignity. They
looked and acted well their parts. The ladies of
the club were dressed in quaint old gowns and the
whole made a scene of much interest and merri-
ment.

When the meeting was called to order by the
president, Mrs. Ida Leavens, each member re-
sponded to roll call with a quotation from Wash-
ington, following which was an interesting sketch
of the life of Washington by Mrs. Maude Brady,
which closed with the well-known lines from By-
ron, beginning with :

"Where may the wearied eye repose.
When gazing on the great?"

324

The lesson was on the Philippines and brought
out many curious facts about the races and tribes
of our citizens across the waters which would
have been news to even Gen. Washington.

The miscellaneous exercises included a recita-
tion by Miss Erna Mulliken, entitled the "Photo-
graph Album," which she rendered in an excellent
manner and was heartily applauded.

The program was interspersed with jolly, old-
time songs by a trio composed of Mrs. Minnie
Woods, Mrs. Margaret Benjamin and Miss Bes-
sie Thomas, with Mrs. Lena Werries as accom-
panist. Their voices harmonized beautifully and
the music was one of the features of the evening.

The favors were the programs. The covers
were a faithful representation of the "Old Lib-
erty Bell," done in water colors, and the leaves on
which was the program were the colonial colors.
The whole was tied with ribbons also of the colo-
nial colors and made a very artistic and novel
souvenir.

At the close of the literary exercises, Mrs.
Leavens announced that in the next number on
the program, all would be expected to take part,
and it proved to be something for which every-
body seemed to come prepared and no excuses
were heard. Supper was served, after which
"America," was sung by the whole company, clos-
ing the evening's entertainment, which was
fraught with much pleasure and inspiration for
love of country and admiration for that noble man
who was "First in war, first in peace, and first
in the hearts of his countrymen."

&0mj MimavveB.

Annie M. Wier Thomas.
When Capt. Woodworth recruited his com-
pany in 1862 the young women gave a banquet
at the Globe Hotel. The good things to eat

325

were contributed by both town and country peo-
ple. As the dining room was in use until after
the supper hour, it made lively work for willing
hands to get the tables ready by 9 o'clock. If I
remember correctly, they were relaid three times,
and when the last lad had eaten, the dishes
washed, and room left in good order for break-
fast, it was in the " wee sma' hours." Of the
speeches and war songs that were listened to in
the ballroom on the third floor we only remember
by hearsay. The soldiers and their friends that
had gathered from Farmersville, Freedom, Cen-
treville, New Hudson and other near-by places
were ordered out early the following morning
for their long drive to Cuba, where they took
an east-bound train to the Elmira rendezvous.
This was the sad part, the farewells, the last that
some ever saw of their loved ones.

The social events of these times consisted of
balls given on New Years, Fourth of July and
other holidays, given at the hotels. These often
brought the young people from the neighboring
towns. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniver-
sary of the settlement of Rushford, dancing was
kept up all day and the following night at both
hotels. The more staid events were the church
social and annual donation visit to the different
pastors. The most vivid of the latter was held
at the Methodist parsonage during Major L.'s
pastorate. Mrs. L. owned a fine Persian cat.
Holding it in her arms she approached Rev. C,
of the Baptist Church, and said to the good gen-
tleman: " This cat has never been baptised."
He replied: " Madam, any time you will hold the
cat I will be pleased to immerse it." But the most
amusing donation was one given Cynthia Wood-
worth after she had read sermons in the Presby-
terian Church for a long time. This took the
form of a burlesque donation — a pint of beans in
a grain sack with a note pinned to the sack, " to

326

be returned to the giver." A donation was made
to the Rev. Henry, who was shipwrecked off the
coast of Oregon, when he lost his library and
nearly lost his life. The citizens met and had a
supper, and collected a sum of money to send
him.

In oonsideration of tlie loss sustained Hy Rev.
J. H. nENRY, in eomeiiTienco of the wreck of the Noetheszb, on tbo Pseiflc
goaat, hU fk'ieada ore iBVltrd to attend a DOISATIO'S VISIT,

AT mmm mall, bmef^eb,

ON THE AFTBBKOOir AND EVKNIITG OT MAJtCH22d.
to repair, as fSr as possible, his losses on lliat oc-
casion, vhioh ore undc;ftood .to incliido all hU effects except the clothing liei
wore at tbo ttrae.

All wiio Icnow iti". Heiiry, have the satisfaotioii
to know that whatarer the; may contribute for tliia purpose will be not only
Ihankfiilly received, but most worthily bestowed.

J. T.V'IERaxdLwt. L. CONGDON Ann Last. Ret. I. SIMPSOK AXtiliAIT..

M.D.HIG0IS3 " J.A.HDBBELr- " " AW. READY "

O. HOWARD " ©.CARPENTER" " P. B. PRATr "'

D0CI.BOKD " T. COMMINGS •• " G.W, TERRY "

J-W. miA. " A. FARWBLL " J. 6. OSTORN .'S.

Vr. WiriTB " W. T. OALI'IN " D. OODEN "

J. TUBES " C. J. ELMER •• CHAS. BENJAMIN "■"

A.WASHBORX " A. BENJAMIN " W. WOODWORTH "

3. C. PlTTS " K. OEORGEi .T. G. MORGAN.

D.H. BROOKS. Doci. BIXBY. MissLUTflEBAGORDOK.

Uiss M. MITCHELL. Miss AMELIA COOLEY.

Bushford, March 0th, I860.

Chapin, Printer, RutbKir<l,Ki V.

Annie Wier Thomas.

When the streets of Rushford were first called
" Upper Street " and " Lower Street," and what
led to the feud between them, dates back of my

ANNfB M. WIBR— AGE SIX

(MBS. J. W. THOMAS.)

327

memory. That such a feeling did exist, is one of
my clear recollections. It was often manifested
at the birthday gatherings among the children.
The feud was not so deep seated as to exclude
"Upper Street" girls and boys from "Lower
Street " parties. If the discussion as to which
was the better street to live on and the best Dis-
trict School to attend did not wax too warm be-
fore supper, the invited number sat down to-
gether. Sometimes an "Upper Street" girl's
feelings were so hurt that she would announce
her determination to go home before the birth-
day feast was ready. Then the hostess would
enumerate the good things that would be set be-
fore her friends in due time, and in other ways
appeal to her disgruntled visitor, and prevail
upon her to stay. If the discussion became too
general, the hostess, instead of being conciliatory,
would quell the disturbance by saying: "I shall
let the party right out if you cannot behave."
When ■ the party was over the children would
march two by two through the village to let it be
known that little Miss So-and-so had had a party.
How else could they know it? There was no
paper to publish the social events.

The Republican Era, published in Oram el, by H.
E. Purdy, furnished news of the County and some-
times a serial story. " Little Marlboro " or the
" Silver Bottle " must have been intensely exci-
ting by the interest which was shown on the ar-
rival of the stage that brought the weekly edition.
The first copy of " Uncle Tom's Cabin " was read
and loaned until it was in tatters.

The building of the Academy was a great event,
the framing and raising a wonder to the youth,
many of whom had never seen so large a building.
In the spring of '64 Mr. O. T. Higgins took his
son, seven years old, the late Governor Frank
Wayland Higgins, to Niagara Falls. When asked
on his return what he thought of the Falls, he re-

328

plied, " Oh, I thought they would be as big as two
academies and they are not much bigger than
one." When the upper plate of the Academy
was in place, Arch Adams, Jr., was seen to climb
the long ladder and walk around the entire struc-
ture, encouraged by the shouts of his father. This
for a lad of ten years was considered a remarkable
feat. In the third or fourth year of the school
Miss Jane Hammond taught in the preparatory
department. During one of her terms the chil-
dren were playing " funeral." Tommy Norton was
laid upon the front bench covered with a news-
paper, and Adelphia Green, as chief mourner, with
her Shaker bonnet, had the cape over her face for
a veil. A young McCaw was the preacher. Mr.
Root, the undertaker, was impersonated by an-
other small boy. He took off the paper, and the
chief mourner was led up to take a last look, when
the solemnity was disturbed by Adelphia exclaim-
ing, " The corpse is chewing gum."

When the old Methodist church was moved to
give place to the present building it stood one
night facing the Baptist church. At midnight the
town clock on the Baptist church struck one
hundred, and it was never known whether it was
indignation or McDonald, the bell ringer.

During the short pastorate of Major Lyon, a
donation was given him, and Elder Cole of the
Baptist church was present with other members
of that denomination. Rev. McCuen, who fol-
lowed Major Lyon, could not see through a
joke evidently, for when told by a lady whose
husband had returned from New York without
the Rev. Mr. Noble, who had accompanied him,
that the last seen of the Reverend he was in
the "Tombs," he was so disturbed by the re-
mark that he was unable to preach the following
day. When a Methodist Conference was held in
Rushford, Bishop Simpson was present. Mrs.
Higgins, although not a member of the church or

329

congregation, offered to entertain him, as she did
his family and several others at the same time.
Needing additional help in the house, a woman
was asked to come in who consented readily. She
said she had often worked in families that had
entertained " Methodist ' disorders,' " meaning
" exhorters."

A Christmas tree in the Academy chapel was
an event long to be remembered, the first thing of
its kind ever seen by many of the students. That
all should have a gift hung upon the tree led to
many consultations and great preparations. Each
young man was given a pair of slippers, and the
shoemakers were busy night and day for weeks
putting soles to the often shapeless things that
unskilled schoolgirls had cut and embroidered.
Bottles of perfumery and books of sentimental
poetry in gay binding made the tree a thing of
beauty and evidently " a joy forever," as the
custom is still kept up.

Endowed schools became rivals of the once
famous Rushford Academy, and in 1867 it was
decided to vote to unite the two school districts
into a graded high school. The Academy is
centrally located and has not ceased to be the
center of interest to the entire village. It has been
kept in good repair and the grounds made at-
tractive in various ways. May " Ichabod " never
be written upon her walls.

Rev. F. E. Woods.

In the early, forties a dense pine forest skirted
the entire eastern boundary of Rushford. It was
a mile and a half across it. This and adjacent
forests afforded ample space to prowling wolves
for covert, roaming and retreat after attacks on
domestic animals. In the early evenings just

330

about dusk the wolves began their nightly con-
cert. First, in the northeast corner of the town
one would be heard in the deep pines, barking
much like a dog; then another, and others till a
wild chorus was heard on every side, the forests
resounding with the din of their yelping and
growling for an hour, when it gradually ceased. I
recall covering my ears with my hands when a
child to shut out the prevailing re-echoes.

Mr. Asa Benjamin, of District No. 6, number-
ing among other useful vocations that of house
plasterer, was returning through the great forests
about dusk from Caneadea and encountered a
wolf sitting contentedly in the narrow road before
him. Each watched the other awhile with no
change of position. Finally Mr. Benjamin, pull-
ing the bag of tools from his shoulder, threw it
down in front of this unwelcome watcher, which,
startled by the rattling trowels, marched off into
the thicket. The workman picked up his burden,
and feeling considerably relieved, resumed his
homeward journey.

A Woman of Courage.

On the hillside southwest of Rushford, an early
settler had built a log house, the rear of which
was several feet from the ground, but enclosed,
and entered by a small gate, which one morning
was left open. While the men and a helper were
some distance away chopping for clearing, "his
wife, busy at her spinning wheel, heard a noise
under the floor. Floors then were made of the
halves of logs that had been split and the halves
laid together as closely as possible, but leaving
open spaces here and there as such floors must.
The spinner, stopping to ascertain what that noise
meant, saw a wolf underneath, devouring her soap
grease scraps, a needful material in those days
for making soap with lye. The brave woman
did not faint or scream, but glided quickly around

331

the house, closed the gate and penned Mr. Wolf
in. Then, taking down the tin dinner horn that
all families kept by the door, she gave it no un-
certain sound. Her husband, listening, said: "I'll
bet Sal. has treed a bear." The men came, dis-
patched the wolf, and the woman received a hand-
some bounty from the State.

EimsB ^iVitAxi l^arB A30.

Wm. Guilford.

How things have changed in seventy years

No one can hardly tell;
But few log houses now are left

Where people used to dwell.

All the houses then were built

Of logs just as they grew;
They did not stop to peel the bark,

Or even try to hew.

A big stone chimney all must have,
Built up straight through the "peak,"

Covered with shingles two feet long.
So they would never leak.

They had to have an iron crane.

And six or seven hooks
To hang the kettles 'round the fire

And accommodate the cooks.

The pots and kettles all were made

Of iron, thick and stout;
Tea kettles weighing twenty pounds.

With great long iron spouts.

Old-fashioned griddles two feet wide
(But few now can be found).

All had a swivel in the bail

So they could turn them 'round.

Bake kettles, too, they always had

To bake big loaves of bread;
They set them on live coals of fire.

With coals upon the head.

332

Six or seven kitchen chairs.

Most always painted red;
And big and clumsy bedstead

With dashboard at the head.

Most every house had spinning wheels

For spinning wool and flax.
Our mothers had to make the cloth

To clothe the numerous backs.

See how they had to spin and weave.

And had to knit and sew;
Make all the stockings and the clothes,

How can this all be so?

To see the tools they used to use,
'Twould almost make you ache

To see the swinging knives and board.
And the old flax break.

To see the warping bars they had.
Those old long spools and "scarn,"

And see the big and little wheels
They used to spin their yarn.

Some are wishing for old times.

But ah! they do not know
The burdens that our parents bore

Some seventy years ago.

Slfp HittiJ Btoxm at 1S37.

Mrs. E. R. Belknap.

In the summer of 1837 a terrible storm visited
the town of Rushford. Rain fell in torrents,
trees were uprooted, fences leveled, and one house
on Rush Creek completely demolished. It was
owned and occupied by John Bosworth, whose
wife, Maria Belknap, was the daughter of one of
the town's earliest settlers.

Mr. Bosworth had gone to the village black-
smith shop, leaving his wife and two children
alone. He little thought, as he bade them good-
bye, that his home was so soon to be wrecked.
Upon reaching town, he noticed the dark cloud

333

rapidly coming up, but did not think it near
enough to damage his home, until his brother-in-
law, A. Belknap, appeared on his other horse,
telling him to hurry home, that his house was
blown to pieces. As fast as possible he did so,
and sure enough, the little home was a complete
wreck and one child, a little girl of about two
years old, dead, buried under the ruins of the
great fireplace chimney. A neighbor, by the
name of Waterbury, lifted unaided the mantle-
piece that partly covered her. The next day he
could not move it an inch. Mrs. Bosworth with
the other child, a baby of six months, was at the
door, and so escaped death, but she received in-
juries that hastened her death a few years later.
The babe, Nancy, escaped and is still living, hale
and hearty at seventy-one, the wife of Norris
Cleveland, of Farmersville Centre.

The wind did some strange things then, as it
does now. A large grindstone was blown a long
distance, and the flour barrel, kept upstairs, was
blown to pieces, the staves being found many
miles away. The effects of this storm were seen
many years after, where the wind mowed the
trees down, making a path through the heavy
timber.

mnoh of IBSa.

J. G. Be;njamin.
The first flood that gave Rushford very much
damap-e occurred June "^th, 1859. The most of
the damage occurred at East Rushford. A small
house, occupied by a Mr. Welch, with his wife
and two children, standing about south of the
mill now owned by Mr. McElhaney, on a point of
land or elbow in the Creek, was surrounded by
the water, which rose so rapidly they had no way
of escape. The water, continually rising, soon
surrounded their home and it floated out into the

334

stream, and down with the current. As it came
near the Point of the Hill, on the Wilson Gor-
don farm, it floated up near the shore. The hus-
band, Mr. Welch, wished to throw the children
on the shore. Their mother objected, and they
were carried down the stream to Kellogg's mill
dam. There the house struck a rock and went
to pieces. The mother and one of the children
were never seen. The body of one child was
found some time afterward. The father stayed
by a part of the floating home, and as he passed
by a tree hanging over the water in Kellogg's
mill dam, he caught hold of a limb of the tree,
pulled himself up and came to land — ^his family
all gone.

®I|0 Mttah nf Austtat. lBfi4.
Rev. J. McEwEN.

Taken from scrap book of Ellen E. Gordon.

This morning Rushford presents a sight terrible
to behold. We have been visited by one of those
fearful floods which sometimes happen in hilly
countries. It commenced raining last night. I
awoke this morning at one o'clock, and hearing
an unusual noise, rose and rushed through water
to the front door, and. opening it saw that the
whole of the lower part of Rushford was a lake.
The water at one time was as high as the top of
the fences, and rushing with apparent impetuosity
of a Niagara Falls rapid. It was the most appalling
spectacle I ever beheld, and how it was that so
many of our dwellings escaped destruction is a
mystery. As it was, several have been destroyed,
but thanks be to God and to daring men, as his
instruments, not a single human life was lost.

You remember the fine building of O. T. Hig-
gins, where Bishop Simpson and Dr. Fillmore
were entertained during conference ? The main
part of that house went down at one crash, a few

ISAIAH LATHROP HOUSE

BATES TURNER HAPGOOD HOUSE

335

minutes after Mr. Higgins had taken his lady out
of a bedroom window, and carried her on his back
through the water to a place of safety. The upper
story, which the Bishop and his cabinet occupied,
now stands in the middle of the street. Another
building which stood on the same side of the street
occupies a place with it. A small building owned
by a pious widow lady, Sister Gillis, also went
down a few moments after she was rescued from
it by our mutual friend. Brother Nobles. A large
barn belonging to I. Thompson, was carried off.
Mr. Thompson's loss is very heavy. In addition to
the loss of his barn and hay, the wing of his black-
smith shop, in which was a coal house and count-
ing room, was taken away. All his account books
were lost. Several other buildings were greatly
injured. The hotel is quite a wreck. The stores
of O. T. Higgins and Wolcott Griffin were greatly
injured. A part of Mr. Griffin's went off. Dr.
Bixby lost a building which he was fitting up for a
drug store. Dr. Orrin Stacy has also suffered pretty
severely. A house belonging to an old gentleman
on the west side of the creek was moved several
yards; he and his aged wife were in it and barely
escaped. In East Rushford I understand that six
houses have been lost. Messrs. Gordon and
Washburn lost three thousand pounds of wool.
I am informed there is not a bridge left on the
creek for several miles. You cannot conceive of
the destruction which has been wrought here
within a period of three or four hours. One
dwelling, the parsonage, is completely blockaded.
Logs from two or three feet in thickness are lying
upon our door, and above them all and directly
against the house is the roof of a building which
has been carried down stream. The parsonage lot
is a heap of stone and sand. But how grateful
should we be to that good Providence which saw
and delivered us in our hour of peril. The loss of
the town cannot be well estimated. Bridges, mill

336

dam and fences contiguous to the creek have all
been swept away. There were many who ex-
posed themselves and exerted all strength to save
others. We are indeed " smitten, stricken and
afflicted," but thank God we yet live.

Cotter IS. (d. aftggitta fflntuprning Moot, 1804.

August, 1864.

Your note of yesterday is just received, and I
hasten to reply, though it will be in a most discon-
nected manner.

As you are aware, our pleasant home and all
its treasures, save our own lives, are gone. No,
I will not say all, for we have a few things left
which we can make of some service, and even
these will be treasures to us now.

The water commenced rising in the creek about
nine o'clock, and the little foot-bridge above us
on the West street was started from its founda-
tion, but we anticipated no serious trouble. Or-
rin had been sick during the day, and felt rather
nervous with regard to the large bridge near us;
said it was possible if the water continued to rise
that it might be carried away. I had no fears, but
told him if he would go to bed I would lounge
down and not go to sleep, and give the alarm
if there were any trouble. He accordingly went
to bed and to sleep. I lay down without undress-
ing, and left my lamp burning. After a little
time, I got up and looked out, and found the rain
subsiding and the water in the stream very much
lower. People who had been out watching had
gone home, and all was quiet. I went to bed, fell
into a drowse, but was soon awakened by a sud-
den crash. I hastened to the door, and to my
utter astonishment the large bridge was gone.
Imagine, if you can, my feelings at that moment.
The waves dashing and tumbling on every side of
us; my husband hardly able to think of helping

337

himself, to say nothing of helping me to escape,
and seemingly no possibility of our friends reach-
ing us to afford us any relief. But venture we
must, or perish where we were. Orrin put on his
trousers, plunged from our bedroom window
into the water, and carried me upon his back to
Mr. Lathrop's (Frank, fortunately, was upon the
hill at Uncle Taylor's). We had not been there
over twenty minutes when the waves came dash-
ing through the windows of our house, and not
over half an hour from the time when we were
first aroused. By this time the whole street was
aroused, but many to find themselves in a most
perilous situation, with no possible chance of es-
cape. A mother took two small children and
forded the stream until someone met her and
took them from her. Then she returned to the
chamber of the house, which was being washed
from its very foundation, as she supposed to per-
ish with her three older children.

Bells were being rung in several houses ; shrieks
and cries for help filled the air from those whom
it was impossible to reach or render any assist-
ance. But again the waves subsided, and we
were happy again in hope. Then it would have
been possible for us to have made our escape to
higher ground, but we felt quite secure and made
no effort to do so. Suddenly it commenced rain-
ing again, and such a rain may I never witness !
With one mighty rush, as it were, the waves came
dashing against our house, and creak, creak,
crash, crash, and soon the house — our own pleas-
ant home — was racking, tumbling into the dread-
ful current. O, mother, you can never imagine
what a sound that crashing was to me ! Yet, we
hoped even after the foundation had given away
that possibly some part of it would remain, with
its contents, unharmed. Thus, between hope and
fear, we watched the dear old home until we saw

338

the lower part of it dashed to atoms. Then we
began to fear again for our own safety. The
upper chambers of the upright part moved down
the stream a Httle way, turned with the current
in another direction, and sent the waves tumbling
and dashing against the house in which we were.
Within twenty minutes the stream, or rather
the whole body of water, came up over two feet.
Now was our greatest peril. Until then we had
hoped to escape with our lives. But, O, what a
moment of despair ! Never before did we realize
our utter helplessness as then. We gathered in
the chamber of Mr. Lathrop's house, and tried to
prepare our minds as best we could for the worst.
We thought not only of ourselves, but of our dear
parents and our darling orphan children. "Why
is it," we said, "that they should happen to be
spared alone f" We tried to recognize in it the
hand of Providence, but it seemed so dreadful.
I said to Orrin, "Can you see one ray of light?"
His reply was, "Only that we are in the hands of
a just God. We may go down in fifteen minutes."

There was but one sentence that seemed to
afford me any consolation, and that was, "Be still,
and know that I am God." This in a measure
quieted me and quelled my fears. A strange con-
fidence seemed to take possession of me which I
had never known before, and while in the most
intense anxiety I was yet perfectly calm.

But, thanks to a merciful Providence, once more
the waves subsided, and Elder Nobles came to our
relief. He took me from a window and brought
me on his back to father's, with the water still
above his hips. Orrin came with us, and a hap-
pier meeting you never witnessed than when we
were all together. The loss of property seemed
nothing.

When morning dawned and we looked out upon
the desolation our hearts grew sick — not for the

339

amount of property, but the dear home, and the
thousand little treasures that can never be re-
placed. The keepsakes, the books, all my beau-
tiful pictures, everything which made home,
swept away ! I will not murmur, but O, the feel-
ing of sadness as one after another of
them is presented to my mind by some scattered
broken fragment, or some pleasant recollection or
association! You can appreciate my feelings as
another cannot. You know how fondly I cher-
ished so many of these little treasures, but it is
vain to mourn. Nothing can bring them back,
and we have still everything to be grateful for.

* * * You would not know the place at all.
You can form no idea of the utter wreck. * * *
Griffin has abandoned his store entirely, and gone
up street. Orrin has not decided what to do.

* * * I lost nearly all my clothing. Three
dresses were found in the upper story, which still
stands whole, having been just set off from the
lower story and lodged a little below. * * *
My broadcloth cloak, broche shawl, velvet mantle,
lace mantle, my brown and black silk dresses, and
everything that I had in the shape of a bonnet
are gone. * * *

It seems perfectly miraculous that not a life was
lost. The loss of property throughout the town
is estimated at one hundred thousand dollars.
Rushford will never recover from the terrible
catastrophe.

J. G. Benjamin.
The fires of this town have been numerous for
so small a town. As we have information from
others and what we can remember ourselves, we
have obtained a record of sixty-eight fires, a very
large number. The ground where the Brick block
now stands has been burned over three times.

340

In 1864 were burned the Methodist Church, W.
E. Keys' store, H. Howe's harness shop, L. E.
Tarbell's grocery, C. W. Woodworth's law office,
the Post Office, and the store of Tousley & Cham-
berlain, as well as the bakery and candy manu-
factory. Some of these burned again when owned
by W. E. Keys and others.

December 20th, 1883, the building owned by
Pratt & Colburn, W. W. Merrill's hardware store
and the Woodworth building were burned; also
John Holmes' dwelling house, the Spectator office,
McDonald's blacksmith shop, Alfred Green's
building and the Smith Fuller house.

April loth, 1885, another large fire occurred,
when I. Lathrop's Block, S. Root's furniture store,
C. Mason's feed store and office and A. Howser's
blacksmith shop were destoyed.

January 23rd, 1886, O. T. Higgins' store, occu-
pied by C. D. Shaw as a hardware store, was
burned; also Parker's Hotel.

The Globe Hotel has been burned twice.

Other Rushford fires were as follows: The
Searl's Block on corner of Main and Upper
streets; bakery owned by Tousley & Chamberlain.

The three fires that were most detrimental to
the largest number of people were Gordons'
Woolen Mill, Gordons' Grist Mill, and the Grist
Mill at East Rushford.

Tune, " My Maryland."
Rev. F. E. G. Woods.
We've honored here with praises high
The deeds of men in days gone by, '
Who left a noble heritage
That grows with each succeeding age;
Withhold no praise for place they won.
Give merit due to every one.
Let on that roll of worthies stand
The name of Rushford's Cornet Band.

341

O, have you heard the Rushford Band
Render our national anthems grand?
They raise the patriots' spirits high
With memories that never die.
In sweetest strains they speak to me
Of Home and friends and Liberty;
Then sound them still throughout the land,
O, Rushford Band! O, Rushford Band!

When Victory our arms had crowned
How swiftly sped the joyful sound !
The crowds poured in from miles around
And booming cannon shook the ground.
O, then we heard the oft demand:
"Bring out the Band !" "Bring out the Band !"
They struck the notes of "Freedom's L,and;"
They're patriots all, that Rushford Band.

A pebble dropped into the sea.
Its waves roll through immensity.
The notes sent forth into the sky.
They echo still and never die.
O, let me hear those strains once more
That charmed the heart in days of yore;
Still listening ears it doth command
The music of the Rushford Band.

Passed fifty years again we meet,
With loving words each other greet.
But some have gone beyond the skies
Where heavenly anthems joyful rise.
Play sweetly soft for them once more
Who rise in memory o'er and o'er,
They wait to extend the welcome hand
O glorious band, celestial band!

342

IfiatorH of % Sualjfnrb IBatti.

Sumner E. Kilmer.

Some time away back in the thirties, the first
blast of Rushford's pioneer brass band rolled up
the long-fenced streets and down the corduroy
avenues, and went singing through the virgin
forests till echoed back by the grand old sentinel
hills. It was truly a gala day. Almost the entire
population of the stirring, thriving hamlet that in
less than ten years became the Metropolis of the
county was in the streets and door-yards. Rush-
ford had a brass band bringing pride and joy to
every heart.

Who were those precious fellows who organ-
ized so much exultant harmony } Well, the leader
was Robert Dennison, one of the most consum-
mate clarionet players ever heard in grand old
Allegany, Men and women who remember him
say that no other player on that instrument, be-
fore or since, has ever tingled their nerves,
ravished their ears and dissolved their souls as he
did. The members of his band, as far as obtained,
were Arehibold Adams, Harry Howe, James
Jewell, Isaac Noble, William Woodworth, Smith
W. Tuller, Ely Gordon, J. B. Gordon, Eben P.
Lyon and Andrew Kimball. This band played
at the marriage of Marshall B. Champlin, of Cuba,
to Achsa Griffin, of Rushford.

After a few years Mr. Dennison, who did not
live in Rushford, was succeeded by Arehibold
Adams as leader of what may be called the second
band. It was composed mostly of members of
the first, to whom were added Justin Palmer,
a man of exquisite ear and taste in music, father
of Professor H. R. Palmer, Cyrus Gordon, Justin
Delano, Cyrus Maxwell, Jedediah and Riley
Hubbard, Lucius E. Kimball, Arthur Hardy and
Alfred Maxwell.

Andrew Kimball told of riding to Ellicottville
on a hay-rack to a big political meeting to hear

343

Millard Fillmore speak in 1844. There were
sixteen members of the band, which easily took
first place in a competition with half a dozen
other bands. A Mr. Johnson, who was their
teacher for a short time, led them on this occa-
sion,

Rushford was without a band about ten years,
until in 1857 a new band was organized under
the leadership of H. R. Palmer, and was called
Palmer's Cornet Band. At that time the first
band-wagon was bought, and Palmer's Rushford
Band painted in large letters on each side. The
original members of H. R. Palmer's band were as
follows: H. R. Palmer, Leader; Barnes Blanchard,
Asa Hardy, Dewitt McDonald, Horace Howe,
Milton Woods, Bowen Gordon, George Howe
and A. J. Lyon.

When Harry Howe, who took Mr. Palmer's
place, was leadef, Ed. Prior, of Corning, became
instructor, and greatly improved the volume and
expression of the band.

About i860 Asa Hardy, who had developed a
surprising mastery of the E-flat or leading horn,
became leader and gave the Rushford Band the
the best standing of any band in Allegany or
neighboring counties. Just who of the old mem-
bers remained is impossible to state, for the
nature of all bands, especially country bands, is
an almost continuous change. The wonder was
that an efificient organization was ever maintained,
as it has been in Rushford, for so many years.
Asa Hardy was leader and instructor till his
death in April, 1886. Members of the band for
many years were Barnes Blanchard, Charles
Howe, S. A. Hardy, -D. C. McDonald, John
Quinton, J. F. Wier, Lewis Ely, Clarence Hardy,
Irving Hardy, M. M. Tarbell, Albert Bishop and
A. J, Lyon, the veteran drummer, who still
remains on duty.

During the skating-rink craze, in 1884, a few of

344

the band under the leadership of Charles Howe
furnished music at the rink, in the basement ot
W. W. Merrill's hardware store.

In 1885, a new organization was perfected, with
the personnel of George Parker, W. F. Wells, H.
A. Holden, C. C. Colburn, John Quinton, H. E.
Tarbell, W. P. Beck, Burton Hardy, Grant Woods,
Homer Adams, M. M. Tarbell, A. J. Lyon, S. A.
Hardy and W. F. Benjamin. Asa Hardy was then
in poor health, and died the following year. W.
F. Benjamin, who had been in the old band since
1876, having taken Barnes Blanchard's place,
was chosen leader, and has held the position to
the present time, excepting a few years when
Will Jenks was leader. Under the training of
Professor Willey, of Nunda, who was engaged as
instructor, the band reached its highest proficiency.
The following list of the members after ten years
shows the wonderful changes time works: Otis
White, William Jenks, Merle Jenks, Will G.
Thomas, Roy Keys, Talcott Brooks, Clarence
Thomas, W. W. Thomas, Will Ingelby, A. J.
Lyon, Will D. Woods and W. F. Benjamin.

The band has paid out in ten years over one
thousand dollars for instruments, uniforms, band-
wagon, instruction, music, etc. Some of this was
earned by playing at picnics, fairs and celebrations,
and some by ice-cream festivals. Public-spirited
citizens contributed money to build the handsome
pagoda on the Academy lawn. It is one of the
finest in Western New York, The uniform of the
Rushford Cornet Band was regulation West
Point Cadet gray trimmed with black. They had
the finest band-wagon in Allegany County, drawn
by two well-matched teams, with the best plumes
on the horses' heads that the band could buy.

Rushford has been noted for its good drummers.
A. J. Lyon has played the small drum. Miles
Tarbell played the bass, and his time was like
clockwork. When the war broke out A. J. Lyon

345

bade the band good-bye, and enlisted in Com-
pany D, Sixty-fourth New York Infantry. He
became drum-major of his regiment, and later
was promoted to drum-major of the First Divi-
sion, Second Army Corps. On his return home
he took up his position as drummer in the band.
He has been a member for over fifty years. He
is one of three members of Palmer's Band now
living. The others are Dewitt C. McDonald and
Bowen Gordon.

Arthur Hardy always sat in the band-wagon
with one foot out, ready to jump if anything hap-
pened.

Charles Howe was an artist on the B-flat cor-
net, but he always had a girl on the string. After
the Band had waited a long time, and several
calls had been blown, Charley would turn up very
deliberately. He was the only single man in the
Band.

The Band sometimes advertised concerts, to
which they charged admission. They started for
Arcade one very cold day to hold a concert.
Henry Hyde was with his wife in a cutter, follow-
ing the band. Someone said, " Henry Hyde is
freezing." His wife had not realized his condi-
tion. He was helpless, but by carrying him into
a house and giving him heroic treatment, they
succeeded in restoring him. They failed to fill
the bill at Arcade.

The Rushford Band had an established rule
that no member while on duty should indulge in
anything detrimental to the interests or morals of
the Band. Their reputation was such that their
services were in great demand in all parts of this
county, as well as in adjoining ones.

The history of music is as old as that of man.
Good music is one of the signs of high civiliza-
tion. It is high credit to any community to be
noted for musical attainments. Rushford would
not have been as moral and intelligent without its

346

Band. It has refined and educated the young,
and been a solace and a comfort to all classes. I
venture to say that no town in western New York
has had a continuous band organization for the
same period.

J. F. WiER.

The first band I remember in Rushford was
at the wedding of Achsah Griffin and Marshall
Champlin, which took place, they say, in 1845.
It was led by Arch Adams. The members were
J. B. Gordon, Stanbury Gordon, Andrew Kimball,
Harry Howe, Ely Gordon, George Pettitt, Cyrus
Gordon, Ike Nobels and John Merrifield.

The Band known as H. R. Palmer's was the
second, and commenced practice in 1856 or '57.
The members were Asa Hardy, Arthur Hardy,
D. C. McDonald, Barnes Blanchard, Horace
Howe, Milton Woods, Albert Bishop, Bowen
Gordon, Henry Hyde, Arch Adams, John Quin-
ton, J. A. Lyon, Miles Tarbel, Lucian Benjamin,
Harmon Hyde, Wilbur Woods and Charles
Howe. I joined in 1866 or after the war.

Bowen Gordon, Albert Bishop and J. A. Lyon
enlisted and served as musicians through the war.

SualfforJi AraJiJtntt of iMuatr.

This new Institution opens its first term, on
Wednesday, the 28th inst., under the supervision
and instruction of Prof. John Vickery.

The course of instruction will be as thorough
and complete as in any Institution of the kind in
this State. In connection with this Institution, a
permanent orchestra will be organized, into which
young practitioners may be placed for instruction
and drill.

The full course will comprise the theory and
practice on the following instruments, viz. : Piano

347

Forte, Organ, Melodeon, Guitar, Violin, Violon-
cello, Double Bass, Clarionet, and all instru-
ments appropriate to Orchestra Music.

Vocal Music, Thorough Bass and Harmony
will receive special attention.

Terms :

There will be three each year, coinciding with
those of the Literary Academy.

Prices of Tuition per Term:

Instrumental Music $12.00

Thorough Bass and Harmony i5-00

Vocal Music, in Classes 2.00

Robert Norton, ]
Harmon Hyde, \- Trustees.
Isaiah Lathrop, j
Rushford, Nov. 16, 1855.

muatr.

Compiled by Sophia E. B. Taylor.

The story of the earlier days of Rushford would
not be complete without a few words concerning
the ministry of music as a unifying force in family
life, an inspiration for good in social life, and the
power of God in the beginnings and growth of
its church life. The popular thing for young
people was " to get together and have a sing."
For want of data the subject must be developed
in a general way.

We read in the records of the Baptist Church
that in July, 1821, Oliver Butterfield was chosen
standing chorister.

The few people remaining to tell the story say
that among the early worthies who " pitched " the
tunes and led the singing were Daniel Woods,
Deacon Delano, Levi Benjamin, the McCalls,
Eliah Benjamin, the Beechers and others. The
hymns were evangelistic in character. The tuning-
fork added much to the ease of getting the proper

348

key. The human voice was the only channel of
expression in those days.

Avery Washburn came to town in the thirties,
and was chosen chorister in the Methodist Church.
He taught singing schools and was interested in
the music of the town as long as he lived here.
Milton Woods took his place, whose genial tem-
perament and rich tenor voice made him a popu-
lar leader, both in the band and in quartette and
chorus, and as a soloist. The Methodist choir
has been served by him or others of the name of
Woods to the present time.

Some time in the forties musical instruments
began to be used in the churches. The despised
" fiddle " was the first, soon accompanied by the
bass viol, played by Justin and Chester Delano in
the Baptist Church. We suppose the "fiddle"
was depised because of its associations with the
dance, and some of the sturdy Christian fathers
objected. This prejudice was overcome, and the
seraphim was installed in the Baptist Church,
This instrument was made in the cabinet shop
where Horatio Palmer was an apprentice. It was
played by Mrs. Daniel Leavens, and her husband
was chorister at the same time.

All these years the candlesticks had to be kept
in shining order, both for church meetings and
singing schools, for if one expected to see much
he had to hold a candle. Memories still linger of
how the friend or brother removed the burnt wick
with thumb and finger before snuffers came into
use.

If the people of those days were telling the
story, they would mention the " Old Boston Acad-
emy " (the singing book used, with its buckwheat
notes and its fugus tunes), and surely the tune and
time would be a formidable undertaking in pres-
ent times.

The grandparents of to-day remember Norman
Beecher, who led the Presbyterian hosts in the

349

service of song, and the " Old Folks Con-
cert," which he led so successfully; also Auntie
Goff and Aunt Maria Benjamin, whose effective
contralto voices were much admired. As an art,
music reached its climax in the fifties, when
Rushford Academy maintained a Musical Depart-
ment, conducted in what was known as the Musi-
cal Academy, presided over by Professor Vickery.
There were three pianos in as many rooms on the
first floor, and a class in vocal music was
conducted two evenings each week during the
school year on the second floor. Each term closed
with a concert, the proceeds of which were always
the Professor's. Music was his forte; he loved
good harmony. When he left town Mr. Palmer
took up the musical work with great vigor. He
had been chorister of the Baptist choir for some
time. In 1857 he organized the famous Rushford
Cornet Band, and brought them to a degree of
proficiency that made them popular. In 1859 he
brought out the cantata of Queen Esther for the
first time in these parts, he himself taking the part
of the king; Bowen Gordon, Mordecai; Asa
Hardy, Haman; and Minerva Simpson, Queen
Esther. This was a great success. His kind-
heartedness endeared him to all his pupils. In
1861 and 1862 he attended Bassino's Normal
Music School, at Geneseo. This was at great
sacrifice for himself and his wife, for up to this
time their means were limited, A year or two
later he left Rushford, going out to win for himself
a name and a place among the most brilliant and
successful composers of music and best equipped
teachers in this country. Mr. Palmer lived in
New York City for many years, and engaged in
compiling church music and other musical publi-
cations, as well as in composing and editing in
those directions. He traveled extensively abroad
with his wife.

His " Yield Not to Temptation " has been

350

translated into several foreign languages and so
sung around the world. He was also an eminent
chorus leader, serving annually at several Chau-
tauqua Assemblies. He was heard to say in his
later years that Elder Simpson and Almon
Benjamin were the friends who helped him to
believe in himself, and literally pushed him out,
to discover the "acre of diamonds" that were his,
for their development.

Asa Hardy, whom Mr. Palmer had trained, took
his place as chorister of the Baptist choir, where
his fine tenor voice was heard to the end of his
life, nearly twenty-five years. He also was leader
in the band for several years, as was Barnes
Blanchard, who had a fine bass voice.

The above mentioned trained others, who have
kept up the musical standard, among whom are
Will D. Woods, Grant Woods, Stephen Wilmot,
Dean Gordon and Robert Warren. Instrumental
music was not neglected, for some of the girls
were successful teachers, among whom Martha
Hardy Glaus, Julia Thompson, Alice Lathrop
Holden, Alice Williams Brecht and Lena Warren
have won honorable mention.

As to the musical standard of the present, the
singers, the orchestra and the band have borne
witness for themselves during Old Home Coming
Week.

Here the world's sweetest sweets are always landed,
And the honey of honeymoons never gets candid,
And love-lit enamoring glances constantly prevail,
And real well done sweethearts seldom get stale,
Where things are so up to date and the very hour,
That really fresh eggs are seldom found sour.
Where it's no trouble at all for women to be pretty,
But the deuce of a hard job for men to be witty.

351

Where people think so much, so fast and so bold,
They learn foreign languages, to get it half told.
Even then ; think faster than they can tell it at their best,
And have to get machines to talk while they rest,
Until talk has become the easiest kind of play,
Never stopped ; when they tell all they have to say,
Although their training and culture is so well preserved.
That it really seems so ; it was mostly reserved.
Where things are so harmonious and musically in check.
That even dogs wear brass bands around their neck.
And nothing worth remembering is ever forgotten.
Unless there is something about it a trifle rotten.
Where the iridescent bloom of youth is quite pronounced,
And elaborate costumes, still more frilled and flounced.
But seriously, there is no manifest actual reality.
Of costumes getting far in excess of personality.
And the people are so good they never quarrel.
Unless they want to demonstrate some kind of a moral.
For none believe in hades, for their own selfish edification.
But think it a benevolent provision for neighbors' edu-
cation ;
And they have so much of this love, with a vengeance.
That they attend their neighbors' business with loyal

allegiance,
And good deeds are sure to count, and not words of sham.
Unless you are about to send some kind of a cablegram.
And such good people have many smart children, of

course,
Although there are many other things they need much

worse.
And here they handle liquor questions, without reticence,
Always giving a good majority against any kind of

license.
Which makes all classes just perfectly well satisfied.
And also keeps them all just about as well supplied,
Far better than any other way you could possibly think,
For templers have their law and topers have their drink.
Here milk and snow must always look kind of white.
When they are contrasted with the darkness of night ;

352

And other very odd things about colors may be seen,
For even blackberries are always red when they are green.
The whole of Rushford's politics and very much aside
Is more than all wool and a good full yard wide,
And there really is not enough ; very stupid blundering.
To fully justify the whole of the unwholesome wondering;
And their colors take so very many varied hues,
Their partisans never have a chance to get the blues ;
For Rushford's thought on the great questions of civics
Is so hedged about and reinforced by metaphysics.
That on election day they select men to run the town

right.
And the rest of the year find fault with them day and

night.
But the Republican party would be as happy as a nest

of rats,
Were it not for a very few, very troublesome Democrats,
And the necessity of still more remorseful sighs,
Over the reckless abandon of the accursed Prohis'.
But for all that, a great life might begin here barehanded.
Without much danger of its soul getting stranded.
Tho' elements are so fertile, that a balmy breeze and

gentle rain
Will grow right into hail of a boisterous hurricane ;
Still it is such a good place to just begin life's storm.
That a late Governor came here on purpose to be born.
And it is equally as true and straight and just as right.
That many good people have had the same foresight ;
But never, a right out-and-out, self-confessed trouble-
breeder.
For instance, something like the ordinary proof-reader.
Nor did the town ever make an awkward stammer.
As birth to a being, that went long upon English Gram-
mar;
And it certainly can, with full as much truth aver,
That it never had a nuisance like Worcester or Webster.
In other fields of scholarship it has fairly good running.
And in many it is intrepid, striding and stunning ;
For of its native originality, there is no telling,
Especially in the matter of English spelling.

MAP OF RUSHFORD VILLAGE, 1869.

353

If its citizens are slow in either learning or letters,
They more than make it good, as confirmed forget'ers.
And Rushford is a place where it can be truthfully said
That all streams have a mouth that is larger than their

head;
That is so funny you scarcely could have thought it.
But the funniest thing about it is, so many people

caught it;
And living right by them, we might perchance find.
Has given people a complaint of just the same kind.
But they can, without trouble, cool and refresh their

sanity.
By simply retiring into the grateful shade of their own

vanity.
And the religion that they want and are really after,
Is applied to others here, and themselves hereafter;
And it is so sincere and so little selfish about it.
You are at a loss for an immediate reason to doubt it.
And they have so much in every member, limb and joint.
That it fills their souls quite to the bursting point.
Being nothing about themselves either brilliant or great.
And having no promise in posterity, worthy to relate.
So desperately hung on such dubious precarious hooks,
About ancestry ; they talk, write and publish books.

The first newspaper published in Rushford was
in 1846, by H. E. Purdy, with the assistance of
A. P. Laning. It was called The Republican Bra.
The terms were a dollar and a half per year if
paid in advance, two dollars if paid within the
year, and twenty-five cents in addition if deliv-
ered at the door of village subscribers. In 1848,
the price was reduced to one dollar.

The editorials of The Republican Era during
the Van Buren-Cass campaign, in 1848, were
mostly of a political nature.

A call for a Democratic County Convention

354

was signed by A. P. Laning, as one of the com-
mittee.

In August, 1847, the paper said that the oat
crop was "bountiful, corn good but potatoes rot-
ting badly."

In another issue the local news is confined to
two items — one that the "Abolitioners" com-
menced "a kind of four-day meeting in this place
on Tuesday." The marriage of Andrew Kim-
ball and Maria Hardy was announced.

A. P. Laning, W. A. Stewart, G. L. Walker,
D. W. Leavens, George Leavens and George
Bishop had advertisements as lawyers in 1847,
and as doctors, L. B. Johnson, W. McCall, H.
H. Smith, Wm. B. Alley and James Ward. The
Empire Dry Goods Store by James and Luthur
Gordon; Irwin and Remington, the People's
Store; J. D. Boardman; L. A. Soatts, Marble
Factory; W. McCall & Co., Drugs and Books;
George and Doolittle, "The Little Men," Variety
Store; Clark McCall, Variety Store; Miss E. C.
Wing, Millinery; H. Hyde, Jewelry; S. Root,
Chair Factory; H. Dockstader and C. H. Smith,
Tailors, all have notices, as does Israel Thomp-
son, "Carriage Making and Blacksmithing. He
also continues the manufacture of Axes and Me-
chanics' Edge-tools of almost every variety." D.
S. Dunham, carriage and wagon manufactory; I.
Lathrop, tinware and stove store ; Weir and Gage,
manufacturers of wagons and carriages; B. F.
Lewellen, boots and groceries. N. McCall ad-
vertises eight dozen scythe-snaths, six dozen
scythes, two and a half dozen forks and ten dozen
rakes.

"A live painter caught and tamed so as to be
perfectly harmless and of great service to man.
A. L. Adams will give his special attention to
house-painting on the hook and ladder mop sys-
tem or with the brush to suit employers. And for
beauty and durability of workmanship he chal-

355

lenges competition. The painter may be seen by
calling at the first door east of Clark McCall's
store, Main Street, Rushford."

"Pro Bono Publico. People's Emporium. No.
I Empire Block. N. A. Hume, after many years
of patient toil, research and experience has at
last discovered the all-important and long-lost
secret which has been shrouded in mystery since
the days of the immortal Shakespeare that 'there
is a cut in the clothes of men which taken at the
making lead on to fashion,' and is now prepared
to exhibit specimens of his taste in this long-neg-
lected art to the whole civilized world and more
particularly to the inhabitants of Rushford and
vicinity who may see fit to bestow upon him their
patronage in the tailoring line. The antiquated
and abused idea that it takes nine tailors to make
a man is now exploded. Persons wishing to buy
good clothing cheap will find it to their advantage
to examine my stock before buying the out-of-
style second-hand, miserable and flimsy trash
generally kept at clothing-stores."

A notice was published in 1846 that an appli-
cation would be made to the next Legislature for
an act to incorporate the village of Rushford.

Sxtratta from " Uwkl^ -Nprna Eftter."

Rushford, Saturday February 5, 1859,
" If proper indulgence is conceded to the awk-
wardness of a first obeisance to the public, it will
only be necessary for us to state in a few words
to our patrons and readers, the object for which
our paper is published.

A leading feature of our paper will (as already
intimated) be the Home interests of our town and
county. To give the Local News of the Day is
our primary object- Neifcari^ of a tecal character
ta -wiwrft the least public interest attaches, will
fail of a notice in our columns.

356

We shall also endeavor to present our readers
with a weekly summary of such general informa-
tion as will interest them all. In fine our object
is to make the News Letter a useful, readable and
interesting paper to all classes of the community,
and if energy and active industry can effect this
purpose, our patrons and the public will not be dis-
appointed, and at the end of the current year, we
shall have experienced no personal regret or in-
curred any pecuniary loss from our undertaking.
We have confidence in ourselves, and shall ar-
dently labor to deserve the confidence and secure
the good will of others."

" Our Office is open for the reception of visit-
ors ten hours every day, Sundays excepted. Boys
should keep at least four inches from the press
and stands and avoid drumming and whistling.
All persons are requested not to finger the type
or read the proof sheets.

We have lately removed our Office to a pleas-
ant and convenient apartment next door to (in
front of) that formerly occupied by us.

Our paper this week does not contain a great
deal of news matter, from the fact of our not hay-
ing an exchange list to copy from. We promise
to do better in our next issue."

Humorous.

" What is Lager ? Lager is said by the med-
ical faculty to be a tonic. Adoniram says he
thinks it is too tonic (Teutonic)."

Pat's Apology. Two men, strangers to one
another, met one day, and spoke to each other in
mistake. One of them happened to be an Irishman,
made his apology in this manner:

" Oh, Gorrah, its all a mistake ! I thought it was
you, and you thought it was me, but it's nather
of us."

357

" St. Valentine's Ball. A Ball is advertised
to take place at the Globe Hotel, in this village,
on Monday evening, the 14th inst. Mr. Gray
extends a general invitation to all lovers of danc-
ing. A ' good time ' may be expected."

" Mr. Farnsworth, of Illinois, hardly calculated
the ultimate effects of his late resolution to annex
the Canadas to the U. S. By annexation, all
British America, would be brought within the
scope of the Fugitive Slave Law, and the negro
could find no ' city of refuge ' on the continent.
The discovery, it is said, has created quite an
excitement."

" At the Printer's Festival at Cleveland a letter
Wcis read from Horace Greely, with the following
sentiment:

Type Metal— Destined to batter the visage of
Despotism and perforate the Vitals of Superstition
— if the powers of darkness refuse it free course,
let way be made for it with shooting-sticks."

" Married. In Warsaw, Wyoming Co., on
the 19th of January, '59, by Rev. W. Cormic, Mr.
J. Holmes, of Rushford, to Miss L. Windsor, of
the former place.

In Rushford, on Thursday, January 27th, by
Rev. — Henry, Mr. James Gibby to Miss Mary
Thomas, of Rushford."

Died. In Rushford, on Saturday, Jan. 1 5th,
Mr. John Moore, aged 71 years.

In Rushford, on Thursday, January 27th, Mr.
Holton Colburn, aged 53 years."

"Rushford Cabinet & Chair Shop
The subscriber begs to tender the compliments
of the New Year and thanks to his old patrons

358

and frjends, and announce that he is constantly
manufacturing and receiving the most desirable
patterns of Plain and Ornamental Chair and Cab-
inet Work, which he will sell at the lowest re-
munerative prices and warrant.

S. Root."

H. Howe,
Saddle, Harness and Trunk Manufacturer.

J. A. HUBBELL,

Fashionable Tailor, Corinthian Block, Main street.

Gallery of Art.
A few doors west of the Musical Academy, Main

street, Rushford.
Ambrographs, Melainotypes, &c.

Call and get your Pictures on

Glass, Iron and Leather.
Pins, Rings and Lockets filled. Don't let the
golden opportunity pass without getting a
Picture of yourself and friends.
A splendid assortment of cases constantly on
hand.

L. G. Beecher.

Iron Foundry
Corner of Main and E. Cross Sts.

White & Blanchard.

Globe Hotel,

Commercial Street, head of Main,

Rushford (Allegany Co.), New York.

Rushford Academy of Music,
J. Vickery, Principal.

THE LATHROP BUILDING — BURNED APRIL, 1885

"'^

iM%

^ SK i '^^^

m ^ ^ .

THE UNION STORE, GRIFFIN & BUSH

359

" Ben Franklin "

Printing Office.

Corinthian Block, Rushford, New York,

Henry H. Chapin, Proprietor.

Rev. B. T. Roberts

Will hold a meeting in this village, commencing

February 25th, 1859.

^gxismsvA, lEmm (&twcs^ mXtif 3loHiat| IFr?? man.

The first "article of agreement" which has been
sent to the Committee is that of Eneas Gearey
with Josiah Freeman, dated the 24th day of Sep-
tember, 1808. It pertains to "that certain Tract
of Land, being in the County of Allegany, in
the State of New York, being part or parcel of a
certain township" owned by the Holland Land
Company, surveyed by Joseph Ellicott and "dis-
tinguished by Township No. 5, in the 2nd Range
of said Townships," and which is south of Lot
32, containing 195 acres.

It was farther agreed that Josiah Freeman
should, before the 24th day of September follow-
ing, "erect or cause to be erected on the Tract of
Land or Premises * * * qj- some part
thereof, a messuage fit for the habitation of man,
not less than 18 feet square, and shall live and
reside thereon during the term of three years
from thence next ensuing, and shall on or before
the 24th day of September next clear and fence
* * * not less than five acres of the said
Tract of Land, to the satisfaction of the said
Wilhem Willink and others."

It is provided that payments shall be made at
different periods, the total sum being $438.75.
In case that all the payments are made and con-
ditions complied with, Wilhem Willink and his

36o

associates agree to "relinquish and release to the
said party of the second part all the interest
which shall have accrued upon such principal
sum of $341.25 money for the period of two
years."

This is signed by Eneas Gearey and Josiah
Freeman, and witnessed by Ezra Beckwith. Re-
ceipts for payments are endorsed on this Agree-
ment, the first being on the date on which it was
given. The last endorsement is dated, "Hamil-
ton, loth Febry., 1813. Received on my own ac-
count I horse etc. to the amount of $48. Eneas
Gearey."

QIattm (§f&tiVB.

Compiled by W. W. Bush,
town meeting.

Copy of the original records as found in the
Town Clerk's office of Rushford, N. Y.

At the first annual town meeting of the town
of Rushford, held at the house of Levi Benjamin,
in said town. Agreeable to the Act of the Legisla-
ture on the (no day given) day of April, A. D.
1 8 16, the town officers for said town were chosen
as follows, viz.:

Dr. Dyer Story, Supervisor.

Pliny Bannister, Town Clerk.

Roderick Bannister, Assessor.

Mathew P. Cady,

Abel Belknap,

Tarbel Gordon, Com. of Highways.

Jerry White, " " "

James Orcutt, " " "

Daniel Woods, Collector.

Levi Benjamin, Constable.

Thomas Pratt, "

Ebenezer P. Perry, Overseer of the Poor.

Levi Benjamin, " " • " "

36i

Eliab Going, School Commissioner.

William Vaughn, " "

William L. Gary, " "

Dr. Dyer Story, Inspector of Schools.

Abel Belknap, " " "

Reuben Bennett, " " "

Joshua Wilson, Overseers of Highway.

Daniel Woods,

Junia Freeman, Fence Viewers.

Joseph Young,

Leonard Farwell,

Jonathan Going,

Amby Alderman, Damage Prizers and

Charles Swift, Jr., Pound Keepers.

William Vaughan,

Cromwell Bennett,

Mathew P. Cady.

Also the following resolutions were passed:

Resolved, that there be raised $250.00 town
money, for the use of the Commissioners of High-
ways.

Resolved, that Hogs shall not be free Com-
moners.

Resolved, that our next annual town meeting,
shall be held at the house of Sampson Hardy, inn
keeper.

The first mention of any Justices of the Peace
is in this Appointment:

The Town Clerk being absent, Roderick Ban-
nister was appointed to serve in his stead,
by James McCall, Eneas Gary, Jesse Bullock,
Justices of the Peace, on the first day of March,
1817.

April I St, 181 7.

Resolved, that in case the law granting a State
Bounty, for the destruction of Wolves be repealed,
this Town give five Dollars, for each and every
full grown Wolf killed in this Town, by any per-
son residing in this town, and in case the County
bounty for the same purpose be removed, then

362

this town pay the sum of ten Dollars, in lieu of
the aforementioned five.

Resolved, Nevertheless that neither of the afore-
mentioned bounties are taken off, then this reso-
lution to be void and of no effect.

April 7th, 18 18.

Resolved, that the Town raise fifty Dollars for
school money.

Resolved, that if any of the inhabitants of the
town of Rushford, shall knowingly suffer any
Canada thistles so called, to go to seed on their
farms, shall pay a fine of five Dollars.

Resolved, that if any of the inhabitants of the
town ot Rushford, shall knowingly let any Tory
weed so called, go to seed on their farm, shall pay
a fine of five Dollars.

Resolved, that the overseers of the Poor, are
hereby directed to give up to Joseph Young and
Sampson Hardy, 2 notes in their hand, which is for
five Dollars each, which was taken for Licenses.

April 4th, 1820.

Resolved, that the Supervisor raise sixty Dol-
lars and sixty cents, for the use of common schools.

March 6th, 182 1.

Resolved, that the town raise school money to
the extent of the law.

(The last resolution was repeated many years.)

The following is a list of the names of persons
elected to the office of Supervisor and Town
Clerk, in the town of Rushford, from 1816 to
1908, also the names of the Justices of the Peace,
since the date they were first elected, in 1830.

year. Supervisor. Town Clerk. Justice of the Peace.

1816. Dr. Dyer Story, Pliny Bannister,

18 17. Cromwell Bennett, James Going,

1818. Cromwell Bennett, Eneas Gary,

1819. Cromwell Bennett, Mathew P. Cady,

1820. Mathew P. Cady, Chesterfield Persons,

1821. Mathew P. Cady, Chesterfield Persons,

1822. Mathew P. Cady, Eneas Gary,

1823. Mathew P. Cady, Eneas Gary,

1824. Mathew P. Cady, Eneas Gary,

1825. William Hull, Eneas Gary,

1826. Samuel White, Eneas Gary,

1827. Samuel White, Oramel Griffin,

1828. Tarbel Gordon, Orvil Boardman,

1829. Tarbel Gordon, Onril Boardman,

363

Year. Supervisor,

1830. Tarbel Gordon,

1831. Sampson Hardy,

1832. Tarbel Gordon,

1833. Tarbel Gordon,

1534. Tarbel Gordon,

1535. John Hammond,

1836. John Hammond,

1837. Sampson Hardy,

1838. Sampson Hardy,

1839. Abraham J, I^yon,

1840. Abraham J, I#yon,

1841. Samuel White,

1842. Samuel White,

1843. Samuel White,

1844. Samuel White,

1845. Isaiah Lathrop,

1846. Isaiah Lathrop,

1847. Orvil Boardman,

1S48. Orvil Boardman,

1849. Jedediah B. Gordon,

1850. Jedediah B. Gordon,

1851. James Gordon,

1852. James Gordon,

1853. Avery Washburn,

1854. Avery Washburn,

1855. ^benezer P. Lyon,

1856. John W. Hill.

1857. Winthrop G. Young,

1858. Winthrop G. Young,

1859. Washington White,

i860. Washington White,

1861.
1S62.
1863.
1864.

1865.
1866.
1867.
1868,
1869.
1870.

Bates T. Hapgood,
Bates T. Hapgood,
Avery Washburn,
Avery Washburn,

Town Clerk.
Orvil Boardman,
Orvil Boardman,
Orvil Boardman,
Orvil Boardman,
Orvil Boardman,

Oramel Griffin,

Oramel Griffin,
Charles Gillman,
Charles Gillman,
Harmon Hyde,

Harmon Hyde,
Charles Gillman,
Charles Gillman,
Isaiah I^athrop,
Isaiah I/athrop,
Orvil Boardman,
Orvil Boardman,
Harmon Hyde,

Harvey George,
Harvey George,
Harvey George,

A. W. Colby,

Washington White,
Washington White,

Washington White,
Harry_ Howe,
Washington White,
Washington White,
I/Ucius C. Kimball,
Lucius C. Kimball,

Lucius C Kimball,

Lucius C. Kimball.
Lucius C. Kimball.
Lucius C. Kimball,
Lucius C. Kimball,

Avery Washburn, Lucius C. Kimball,

Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,
Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,
Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,
Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,
Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,

1871. Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,

1872. Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball.

1873. Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,

1874. Charles W. Woodworth, Lucius C. Kimball,

1875. Charles W. Woodworth, Watson W. Bush,

1876. Jedediah B. Gordon, Watson W. Bush,

1877. William E. Kyes, Watson W. Bush,

1878. William E. Kyes, Watson W. Bush,

1879. Willard A. Stone, Watson W. Bush,
J880. Willard A. Stone, Watson W. Bush,

1881. WiUard A. Stone. Watson W. Bush,

1882. Charles B. Kendall, Watson W. Bush.

1883. Alexander L. Litchard. Watson W. Bush,

1884. Charles W. Woodworth, Watson W. Bush,
i88s. Charles W. Woodworth, Watson W. Bush,

1886. Charles W. Woodworth, Watson W. Bush,

1887. Henry A. Holden, Watson W. Bush,

1888. Henry A. Holden, Watson W. Bush,

1889. Wm. H. Benson, Watson W. Bush,

1890. Grover M. Pratt, Watson W. Bush,

1 89 1. Grover M. Pratt, Watson W. Bush,

1892. Grover M. Pratt, Watson W. Bush,

1893. Henry A. Holden, Watson W. Bush,

1894. Alexander L. Litchard, Watson W. Bush,

1895. Alexander L. Litchard, Watson W. Bush,

Jostice of the Peace.
Asa Benjamin.
Samuel White.
Bates T. Hapgood.
Abraham J. Lyon.
Daniel Baird.
MUton McCall.
Mathew P. Cady.
Charles Swift.
Bates T. Hapgood.
Abraham J. Lyon.
John Hammond.
Daniel H. Searl.
Ira Bishop.
Daniel H. Searl.
Grover Leavens.
Lyman Hubbard.
Nelson Hewett,
Grover Leavens.
Samuel White.
Lyman Hubbard.
Chapman Brooks.
Gideon L. Walker.
Grover Leavens.
Samuel Remington.
Gideon L. Walker.
Stephen Y. Hammond.
Chapman Brooks.
Ralph B. Laning.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Ralph B. Laning.
Oliver D. Benjamin.
Asaph K. Allen.
Randolph Heald.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Asaph K. Allen.
Randolph Heald.
Thomas Gordon.
John C. Pitts.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Chapman Brooks.
Chapman Brooks.
Thomas Gordon.
John C. Pitts.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Otis White.
Chapman Brooks.
Otis White.
Washington White.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Washington White.
Otis White.
Joseph E. Bixby.
Willard A. Stone.
Lyford Leavens.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Samuel A. Hardy.
Barnes Blanchard.
Gardner George.
Nathaniel Jewell.
Washington White.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Gardner George.
William S. Mulliken.
William A. Stewart.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Willard A. Stone.
John R. Heald.
Wilber F. Woods.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Remain W. Benjamin,
Henry C. Dresser.
Charles H. Ives.
Charles W. Woodworth.
Romain W. Benjamin.
Henry C. Dresser.
Eddy C. Gilbert.
Charles H. Ives.
Sumner E. Kilmer.
Henrv C. Dresser.
EddyC. Gilbert.

364

Year. Supervisor. Town Clerk. Justice of the Peace.

1896. Alexander I,. Litchard, Watson W. Bush, Asa H. Johnson.

1897. Alexander L. Wtchard, Watson W. Bush, Sumner E. Kilmer.

1898. Alexander L. Litchard, Watson W. Bush, Henry C. Dresser.

1899. Alexander I,. Litchard, Watson W. Bush, Eddy C. Gilbert.

William Beaumont.
1901. Alexander I<. Litchard, Watson W. Bush, Sumner E. Kilmer.

Henry C. Dresser.
1903. Alexander L. Litchard, John A. Benjamin, William Beaumont.

Nathan B. Miller.
1905. Elmer A. Gere (E. A.
Gere resigned Oct. 4,
1906. Ralph B. lean-
ing appointed to fill . . „ — ,,.,
vacancy), John A. Benjamin, Sumner E. Kilmer.

Henry C. Dresser.
1907. Ralph B. Laning, Frank W. Damon, William Beaumont.

Nathan B. Miller.

A Siattnsttiatfpb Hiattar.

F. E. W.
The town was early honored by a visit of W.
L. Marcy, who was United States Senator, Gtov-
ernor, Secretary of State and in the Cabinet of
Franklin Pierce. He was a friend of Judge J. B.
Church, of Angelica, who founded Angelica and
other towns. His official station and financial
standing, owning an estate of fifty thousand
acres, made his acquaintance and influence desir-
able. It was probably while on a visit to the Judge
that he rode over to Rush ford, doubtless on polit-
ical matters. He had been defeated in his first
running for Governor. Mounted on a lively steed
that pranced about considerably, some one called
out, "Look out, Marcy, your horse will throw
you!" "Oh, no," said he; "I ride better than I
run." His humor added to the pleasure of his
visit.

Arl»rlg 3Famtlg.

Holland was the country from which the Ack-
erly family came, early in the Eighteenth century.
Little is known of the first settlers of that name.
William Ackerly settled in the town of Andes,
Delaware county, N. Y. He was Justice of the
Peace. As there was no church, then in that
locality, he opened his house and once a month

HOSBA ACKERLY

365

the circuit minister came on horseback and held
services.

His oldest son, William, was born in 1800.
Married Alma Berry, who was of English origin,
and was born in Conn. Two sons were born to
them in Andes, Andrew and Hosea. When the
latter was about two years old, the family decided
to move to the then Far West, coming to Rush-
ford, Allegany county, in the fall of 1834, the
trip being made in heavy wagons and taking
about two weeks. William Ackerly bought forty
acres of land in the eastern part of the town, pay-
ing one hundred dollars for it; but as it needed
a great deal of labor spent on it before it would
produce anything, he obtained employment of
Wilson Gordon in his sawmill on the Caneadea
creek, working there in the Spring and going
North to work in the wheat fields during the Sum-
mer. In time the land was paid for, and he
bought fifty acres more of Oramel Griffin for five
hundred dollars. Great economy was used until
this also was paid for. Farm products did not
then bring the prices that they do now. Butter
sold for eight or nine cents a pound. Two-year-
old steers for twelve or fourteen dollars. Lum-
ber delivered in Buffalo only brought from seven
to eight dollars per thousand feet.

At first they lived in a log house, but soon built
one of the first frame houses in that section. Flax
was raised and spun into linen cloth. Woolen
cloth was also made in the home. A blacksmith
shop was built, and while the father was busy
in this and the sawmill that he built a little later
on Rush Creek, the sons were clearing the land
and attending to the farming generally. The saw-
mill was in active operation until the pine and
oak timber of that locality was about exhausted.

In 1864 the two sons, Andrew and Hosea, es-
tablished the second cheese factory of Allegany

366

county, on the Wm. Simpson farm in New Hud-
son. This they sold to Nelson Smith and bought
what was known as the "Grinard" farm south-
west of Rushford, and erected a cheese factory
there. After running this factory for three years
they sold it to Charles and Henry Pettit. H. B.
Ackerly then bought cheese for two years for E.
M. Bond.

In 1870 the firm of Ackerly, Sill & Co. was
formed, composed of Andrew J., Hosea B.
Ackerly and D. B. Sill. They all moved to Cuba,
N. Y., and started the wholesale cheese business,
which is still in a flourishing condition.

About the same time that the cheese business
was established, they became interested with the
late O. T. Higgins in buying and selling West-
ern timbered lands ; owning with him at various
times property in Penn., Mich., Wis. and Minn.
This partnership continued for nearly twenty
years and was mutually pleasant and profitable.
Mr. Higgins and H. B. Ackerly had many inter-
esting and thrilling experiences in the western
wildernesses, which then abounded in wild game.
Mr. Higgins had a high regard for Mr. Ackerly
both as to his integrity and ability. He found
him an enthusiastic traveller, as his letters writ-
ten on birch bark prove, many of which were
sent from the depths of the forest.

Later the firm of Ackerly, Sill & Co. bought
timber lands in Cattaraugus county. The timber
was cut and a lumber yard was opened in Olean
under the management of Andrew J. Ackerly.

H. B. Ackerly is the only one of the original
firm. He is now in his eightieth year, is still ac-
tively engaged in the cheese business, and is pres-
ident of the Ackerly Lumber Co., a corporation
operating near Norfolk, Va. He owns a planta-
tion on the Isle of Pines, and divides his time
between there and Norfolk, his farms in Rush-
ford, and his home in Cuba.

367

William Ackerly — Born in Andes, Del. Co., April 4,
1800. Died in Cuba, N. Y., Dec. — , 1887.

Married: Alma Berry, Feb. 27, 1828. Alma
Berry, born in Kent, Ct., May 30, 1806,

died in Cuba, N. Y., , 1895.

Children: Andrew Jonathan Ackerly,
Hosea Berry Ackerly, Atwater
Ackerly.

Andrew J. Ackerly — Born in Andes, N. Y., March 27,
1829. Died in Cuba, N. Y.

Married: Adaline Bishop, , 1861.

Children: William Bishop Ackerly; Alice
Cary Ackerly, born July 26, 1873, died
May — , 1877.

HosEA B. Ackerly — Born in Andes, N. Y., May 14,
1831.

Married (ist) : Augusta J. Woodruff, Oct. 22,
1863.

Children: Charles Andrew Ackerly,
Edith Mae Ackerly, Emma Alma
Ackerly.
Married (2nd) : Elizabeth Rude Haver, Dec. 3,
1878.

Atwater Ackerly — Born in Rushford, N. Y., June 25,
1842. Died in Rushford, , 1846.

William B. Ackerly — Born in Rushford, N. Y., Jan.
16, 1868.

Married: Mary Louise McWhorter, Feb. 17,
1892.

Children: William Bishop Ackerly,
Jr., born Aug. i, 1893; Helen
Ackerly, bom June 6, 1895 ;
Louisa Ackerly, born Sept. 14,
1897.

Charles A. Ackerly — Born in Rushford, N. Y., Oct. 3,
1865.

Married (ist) : Annie Saunders, June 12, 1892.
Children : Frances Elizabeth Ackerly, born
March 10, 1893; Charles Edwin Ack-
erly, born Jan. — , 1898; Robert
Saunders Ackerly, born Oct. 31, 1900;
Edith Alida Ackerly, born July 3,
1902.
Married (2nd) : Ida Achsah Prentiss, Oct. 23,
1907.

368

Edith Mab Ackeri,y. — Born in Rushford, N. Y., July
26, 1867.

Married: Alva Otis Renwick, May i, 1890.
Children: Dorothy Ackerly Renwick, born
Nov. 4, 1892.
Emma Ai,ma Ackerly — Born in Cuba, N. Y., March 23,
1877.

Married : John Lockhart Dudley, Oct. 9, 1902.
Children: Alicia Ackerly Dudley, born
Aug. 2, 1904; Richard Ackerly Dud-
ley, born Oct. 13, 1907.

iamJ» labbttt.
B. F. Babbitt.
David Babbitt, a cavalier in the war of 1812,
moved into Rushford in 1838, and occupied one
hundred acres of the farm now owned by the
Babbitt family. On his way from Otsego County
he tarried a year in Pike, where live the descend-
ants of Stephen Babbitt, the only relatives of the
family by that name in this part of the State. His
wife's maiden name was Lucy Shipman, which is
all that is known of her family except that they
were of Puritan lineage. The Babbitts of the
fourth generation prior to David were purely
Scotch- Irish. David was a confirmed rationalist;
his wife equally as devout a churchwoman. They
had six children that grew to manhood and
womanhood, three of each. The youngest son,
Albert, was the first soldier from Allegany
County who was actually shot in the Rebellion;
some had died in the service before that. The
youngest daughter also died young. David was
six feet and one and one-half inches tall, twenty
inches broad across the shoulders, and of propor-
tionate weight; in his younger days a wrestler,
a ball player and athlete. As a practical joke, his
brother Steven wrote the name of Thomas Jeffer-
son under one of David's pictures, and presented
it to one of the Masonic Lodges of Wyoming
County. Eight years later, when David visited

369

the same Lodge, the long arranged joke was first
discovered.

Nature undoubtedly intended David Babbitt for
a naturalist. Without question he was the acutest
observer of natural phenomena of any resident of
the town of his time or since, and knew the pecu-
liarities and distinguishing characteristics, haunts,
habits and names of a greater proportion of our
insects, reptiles, animals and birds than any other
person in this vicinity. He was familiar with the
elementary principles of astronomy, locating the
position of all the planets of our solar system,
visible at any time of the year, as readily as
ordinary people can the phases of the moon.
Only a few years before his death he began a
systematic study and investigation of the geologi-
cal features of the foothills of the ancient Ap-
palachians in this vicinity.

Explanation of discoveries made since his day,
like the X-ray, radium and wireless telegraphy,
when shelled out of their technical terms, are
nothing more or less than his theory of a fourth
state of matter, less cornplicated, perhaps, than in
its universal application to the universe. He
hoped and believed, but not with the assurance of
certainty, that death was to relieve us of de-
pendence upon matter in its cruder forms, by
endowing us with senses acute enough to make
use of it in its more refined forms. This belief
was derived from a vast multitude of deductions
from natural phenomena only.

Mr. Babbitt was a very careful observer of
people and believed that the great Iroquois
Confederacy had displayed a wonderful capacity
in organizing their league of different tribes.

He was a shoemaker by trade, but never
worked at it except in inclement weather and
sometimes a little evenings. His amusements were'
mostly confined to investigations of natural phe-
nomena of some kind. Sundays he took his wife

370

to church, returning for her. In the afternoon
and evening he took long walks, mostly in the
woods and along the banks of streams, sometimes,
but not often, taking a gun, with which to secure
specimens, but he never hunted for sport, although
he was a perfectly accurate shot at eighty rods
with the rifle. He almost invariably carried a
newspaper or magazine with him, which he read
at intervals through the day, while resting from
work or waiting for anything.

Some idea of his reading capacity can be formed
from his boast that in just fifty weeks he read all
of the first fifty volumes of the old Podonque
school library, lacking only three of making the
record consecutive, because someone else had all
that he had not already read on those weeks.
The five volumes of Rollins' Ancient History or
Josephus' Works were a fair average of their
voluminousness. He was very methodical. Al-
though he attended an old-fashioned district school,
he made enough use of that to teach select school
in town, that would now be rated several grades
higher than those he attended.

No amount of noise disturbed him in the least
while reading, but touch his book, chair, candle,
or especially the snuffers on the chair arm, and —
well, there was considerable to it, with ulterior or
posterior inferences when the writer of this was
a repenting kid. He died with as much confident
assurance that a tallow candle gave a better light
to read by than the brighter light of a kerosene
lamp does, as he had of the final adoption of his
hypothesis concerning geological climatic phe-
nomena and the fourth state of matter. He was
very sociable and very fond of visiting with people;
and the more radically they differed with him in
opinions, especially if they could support those
opinions with good logic, the better he liked it.
He thought that no two persons of the same iden-
tical opinion, on all conceivable questions, had

371

ever met yet, and probably never would, and it
would be an unfortunate occurrence to both of
them if they did.

The evening before he died he was visited by
a physician and a clergyman. The former frankly
told him that he did not think he could live until
morning. He replied that he thought he would
see another day. The latter inquired if he wanted
any advice concerning the hereafter. He replied
that it was quite evident that it could be of but
little use just then, " for by this time to-morrow I
expect to be where I can see more of it in a mo-
ment than any live person can tell me in all night,
or be forever unconscious." Twelve minutes be-
fore death he called the two watchers, and told
them that he had always said he would never die
in bed if he could help it, and peremptorily com-
manded them to help him into his reading chair
in the next room. With their help at each arm,
he walked some twenty feet, took his reading
chair, faintly thanked them and expired. He was
buried by the Masonic Fraternity.

^attnrallg Utogratttfiral.

Even when so fresh, that nothing embittered,
And all the world fairly shone and glittered,
I could surely and truly make the affirmation.
Without even one single qualifying reservation.
That Rushford had the handsomest girls, most adorning
That ever met a springtime or midsummer morning.
But I could have passed them all with the unruffled ease
That a thistle down floats on the afternoon breeze.
But for the satiating bewitchery of a single one.
That all the retrospective, quite majestically outdone.
Her pronounced intellectual mien was a day-dream to see,
Fairer by long and far, than all else of the world to me.
With eyes so large, so bright, so dashing, flashing black.
They just fairly reflected all daylight back,
Like a dazzling aurora borealis ascending high,
In the moonlit shadows of a midnight sky.

372

Her glossy black hair was decked with ribbon bow,
For an exact line, that would let you know,
Where fatigued and exhausted, adorning nature ends.
And, the trifling frivolities of decorative art begins.
Beneath her prominent upper face, and nicely dividing.
Dark eyebrows, were in ellipse circling crescents abiding,
And when shadows of frontlets, over eyebrows or lashes

fell.
Which gleamed and glistened blackest, none could tell;
But giving all a complimentary radiant glow.
By contrasts and reflections, from a face white as snow,
So expressive, that no stray glance was ever. ended.
Until with those other charms it was finically blended.
And then when the merest glance was finally done,
It was gilded with the brilliance of a midday sun.
Her artistic nose I might perchance mention,
A trifle pert or perky, as if in rapt attention.
And as emotions and expressions sought for places.
For so many animating, blameless, crowding graces.
As those flitting phantoms of commingling fairy crea-
tures.
Darted amidst graceful outlines of comely shaped fea-
tures.
Revenges of playful smiles were modestly hinted.
From rose-budded lips, usually firm but ruby-tinted.
And withal a complexion as clear and ruddy fair.
As any blond freckled rival with sorrel or paint-brush

hair.
An apotheosis consecrated and canonized, so piously de-
vout.
By instinct and training, from within and without,
That you could not even wink toward that fair face
Without saying the usual stereotyped orthodox grace.
And even then there was considerable extra toll,
If it happened to be inspired from an ethical soul.
Combining to make her countenance a refulgent light.
That would cast shadows on the darkened depths of night.
Her carriage, her bearing, her very majestic gait,
Were all enchantments, it beggars language to relate.

373

But 'tis folly to recapitulate, worse than vain to tarry; '

In short, the only girl I had ever wished to marry.

I was an unrestrained, restless, wayward youth.

She a maid of ambitious hopes, higher aims and truth;

I a lad uncouth, crudely devilish, saucy and rude,

She so very reverent, refined, elegant and sensitively

prude.
That she very wisely determined to wait.
Until she was much nearer heaven, to find her mate.
And, divining that I should ever be without her,
She condescended to ever remain my well-wisher.
To think that she was bad, or to wish her ill,
I certainly never could; I certainly never will.
For she more than filled all of virtues' many bills.
Then double ruffled them with flounces and frills.
And as no franchise to a Sadducee can be given.
When a Pharisee may have the right of way to heaven,
So it was plain "no such ordinary worldly cuss"
Could begin to administer virtues in such surplus.
Although most of the transports giddy youth knows.
Are but to glide over the crest of radiant rain-bows,
And are like drear, murky night's startling lightning

blast,
Too vivid in dazzling brightness to very long last.
Not so the loves that are desperately hard to part.
They are but guideboards to some warmer heart.
And keen remorse, that the will can scarcely control.
Are but the signal fires of a more responsive soul.
And like a flood of sunshine after dark rain,
"The dying embers of love were rekindled again,"
By one cut on a trifling different bias,
And on the whole not quite so pious.
Experience had made convictions so hard or brittle,
That of piety I had not much and wanted little.
So there was plenty left for her and all such.
As have but little and think they want much ;
And so most of the real afflictions of piety.
In the course of time pass off with gentle quiety.
When you asked that I, something for the book prepare,
I really knew of nothing catchy, snatchy, rich or rare.

374

But did know people have a peculiar aversion against

taking
A great deal of autobiography in advance of its making,
And I never read of but one that told in detail,
All the mourners and the undertaker at his own burial;
But thought they might gladly waiver merits for variety,
And possibly read these random rhymes with forgiving

charity,
Or from the sterner augmenting force of an acquired

habit,
Which be all the same to your friend, B. F. Babbitt.

VmtntHtrr iFamtlg.

Amelia DeBerczy.

Windsor County, Vermont, noted for its
staunch patriotism and resolute citizens, became
interested in the inducements the Holland Pur-
chase Company held out to settlers to buy their
land in Western New York, and their young
men, who had grown up in sharing the hardships
and industry of their parents, embraced the plan
as a desirable method of getting lands and homes
of their own. So they came, in some instances
many members of the same family. I will mention
some of those who had come early: The Bannis-
ters, Woods, Benjamins, Kendalls, Gordons, Elys
and Hapgoods from Mass. Nearly all had
emigrated first from England and Scotland to
Massachusetts, then to Windsor County, which
was not declared to be in Vermont until about
1777. They called their settlement Rushford, but
it was not set off from Caneadea until 1816.

Pliny Bannister immigrated to the Settlement
in 1 81 2; Roderick Bannister in 18 13, and Wayne
Bannister in 18 14. Warren Bannister, formerly
a Congregationalist in Vermont, brought his
family, consisting of wife (who was Sarah Place
of Rochester, Windsor County, Vermont), child-
ren and sister-in-law. Miss Lydia Place. Mrs,

375

Warren Bannister died and was laid in one of the
first graves made in the old cemetery, leaving four
small children, who in late years were known as
Mrs. Pluma Bannister Persons, Mrs. Hester Ann
Bannister Richards, Mrs. Sarah Bannister De
Lano, and Mr. Clark Bannister, all now deceased.

Pliny Bannister had been a school teacher in
Massachusetts, and when there were children to
be taught in the new settlement, he was employed,
making him among the first school teachers in
Rushford. His first school certificate in New
York State in existence is dated Caneadea, De-
cember 20th, 1815, and is signed by Dyer Story
and Abel Belknap, Inspectors of Common Schools.

In April, 18 16, Pliny and Wayne Bannister
took a tract of land of two hundred acres each,
four miles east on Caneadea Creek, on which
they builded a saw and grist mill. Lucy Ban-
nister, a sister living at Windsor, Vt., joined
them. During the year 1820 Wayne fell from
the dam, and when found was dead. His sister
could not endure the strain and returned to
Windsor, Vermont.

Roderick Bannister, with his wife (nee Lydia
Place), came to the valley home and formed a
partnership with his brother, Pliny Bannister,
which continued for a number of years. Later
the mills were sold to other parties. Roderick
Bannister's children were Mrs. Rowena Bannister
Charles, who lived in Rushford for many years,
and afterwards moved to Fort Scott, Kansas,
where she died in 1893; ^^^ Albert Bannister,
who now lives at Pasadena, California.

In 1823 Pliny Bannister married the daughter
of Stephen Wicher of Rochester, Vt., who was
engaged in teaching school in Angelica, N. Y.
They lived in the home they made in the
valley near the mills forty-three years. Mrs.
Pliny Bannister possessed great executive ability,
good health, a cheerful disposition and a helpful

376

willingness to share the burdens that were present
in an undeveloped country, not only in her own
home, but in the homes of her neighbors, in sick-
ness or trouble. Their family of nine children,
grew to manhood and womanhood in this home.
Their eldest daughter, Esther, was married to
Luther Gilman of Center ville, and died at Pasa-
dena, California, in 1907. Silas Bannister married
Lucinda Emmerson; he died at Los Angeles in
1894. His family still live there. Henry Clay
Bannister died at the old home, age nineteen years;
Stephen W. Bannister, age eighteen years. Harriet
Bannister, wife of Alfred Kellogg, died in the old
home of her parents. Her family live in the
vicinity. Amelia Bannister, the only surviving
member of the Pliny Bannister family, is the wife
of Mr. Charles A. DeBerczy, who live at Fort
Scott, Kansas. Fanny Bannister Kendall was the
wife of the late Linus Kendall, of Churchville,
New York. She died at Fort Scott, Kansas,
March 26th, 1876. Their living children are now
in Churchville at the Kendall home.

Julia Bannister, wife of Dr. V. W. Sunderlin,
died in Pasadena, Califorina, April i8th, 1896.
Andrew J. Bannister in 1861 enlisted in Captain
Woodworth's Company D, Sixty-first Regiment,
New York. He never returned; he died a pris-
oner of war. His grave is in Richmond, Virginia,
in the National Cemetery.

In the childhood days of the Bannister children
their acquaintances and friendships were limited in
a degree by the school district. It gives me great
pleasure to mention the many worthy people we
called neighbors, but to us they were like relatives.
From the Bannister house we could see " Uncle
Bill " Woodworth, Will Wheeler, Will Ackerly,
Mr. Pryor, John Orcutt, Dan Balcom and Len
Walker. All their children met in a small school-
house, year after year. They were interested in
each other, noting the absence or presence of the

377

expected. There were no dissensions of a serious
nature among the pupils; the little school was a
veritable arcadia. Neither is it a wonder; when
grand and beautiful scenery surrounding us was
ever suggesting the inspiration of changing love-
liness. The bright sunshine, the flitting clouds,
quick showers, green fields, singing rivulets and
cool springs, indulgent teachers and loving
homes about us. Truly, it is a beautiful oasis in
the retrospection of life in the far-away habita-
tions !

Pliny Bannister was generous and kind to all, a
loving friend, good conversationalist and a clear
reasoner, which often led him into debates.
He would illustrate his point by a telling
story, leaving his opponent in good humor, but
with something to think of. In that community
everybody had opinions of his or her own, and
there were often some very spicy debates, at
noon recess, or between the hours of preaching,
from twelve until one on Sunday. Then the
church bell would ring, and all would be seated in
expectant silence.

Pliny Bannister was a liberal supporter of all
denominations, and later in life was one of the
builders of the Universalist Church. He was a
fine singer, and trained his own children in devo-
tional music. He was temperate in habits, evenly
poised in mind, and was interested in public im-
provements as well as local development of the
country's industries, especially good roads and
good schools. Pliny Bannister built a portion of
the Plank Road, having a saw and planing mill in
the gorge of Caneadea Creek, a tributary of the
Genesee, and was a respected and desirable
citizen.

After leaving Rushford, he began life anew in
the forests of Michigan, but soon was convinced
that his strength would not be equal to develop
his plans there. From Michigan he moved to

378

Fort Scott, Kansas, to his daughters, Amelia and
Julia.

I am proud to remember the many friends he
won in his short life in Fort Scott, where he died
in our home. Father and mother passed away in
1870; Pliny Bannister at the age of eighty,
Abigail Bannister at seventy.

A. W. Bannister,

My grandfather, Silas Bannister, saw some
service in the war of the Revolution, as attested
in the capture of an English account book. The
captor used it as a general account book later,
and it has been in my possession for the past half
century. It has this obituary by his son Warren :
"Silas Bannister" — "a friend of Literature and
Science, a believer in Christian Theology and
Gospel Ethics. Died in peace April 29 — 1827 —
Aged 75 years."

The home of Silas Bannister and his wife,
Thankful Ely, in Windsor County, Vt., was the
native home of six sons and six daughters; all of
them lived to mature age.

Warren joined the troop and won name and
fame in that line. He married Sarah Place ot
Rochester, and they and her sister Lydia were
among the first settlers of Rushford. Tradi-
tion says he planted a grindstone at the
center of the Town; which, althoiigh not a con-
spicuous land mark, may be still in place. His
brother Roderick made a long mark, illustrating a
mode of transportation a century ago, in driv-
ing a pair of steers and sled from Windsor County
to Rushford about 18 10 or 181 2. Pliny and
Wayne also joined the colony, and Wayne and
Warren's wife were among the first burials in the

379

westside cemetery. Among the first graves made
in West Cemetery is the following inscription :

Sacred

to the

Memory of

Sarah Bannister, wife to

Elder Warren Bannister,

Who was Neat, Industrious,

Economical and Pious,

An Ornament to her Sex,

Died Aug. 13th, 1820,

JE. 29 yrs. & 23 dys.

Till Christ Returns

Thy dear Remains

My Bosom Friend

Lies here for Worms.

Roderick, who was one of the first Assessors,

married Lydia Place, and later he and Pliny built

mills at the " Gorge " of Caneadea Creek, where

they lived neighbors for a generation, and there

was my boyhood home. I do not remember the

incident, but tradition says that my father —

Roderick — ^took me to the kitchen to show to the

"hired men" December ist, 1825.

Pliny and wife Abigail raised a large family of
children. My only married sister, Mrs. Charles,
was born at Rushford about 1820. Pliny Bannister
was a pioneer school-teacher, teaching the winter
of 18 1 3-14 where the Methodist Church now
stands. He was also the first town-clerk. Pliny
and Roderick Bannister were Universalists.

We reverently cherish the memory of that no-
ble band of our forefathers with heartiest sympa-
thy for the privations and hardships incident to
pioneer life, although there was no doubt a com-
pensating novelty in the simple life, and a sus-
taining enthusiasm in building homes in a wilder-
ness, surrounded by wild beasts and roaming
bands of Indians. But I must leave to abler pens
than mine to portray these sturdy virtues that left

38o

their impress upon the intellectual, moral and spir-
itual growth of Rushford, that has been so impor-
tant a factor in the development of Allegany
County and Western New York.

Alfred Bell was born at Washington, New
Hampshire, September 23rd, 1810. He was the
eldest son of James Russell and Abigail Bell.
When he was a lad, his parents, with their family,
which included Alfred, his sister Rosina and
brother Nathaniel, moved to a farm then in Rush-
ford, now New Hudson, Allegany County, N. Y.
His health was not robust and a year later he
went to Rushford village, where he was taught
business methods by the late Bates Turner Hap-
good. On April 17th, 1837, at Bath, Steuben
County, N. Y., he was married to Juliet Dibble.
The town records show he was one of the found-
ers of the Presbyterian Church of Rushford, and
chosen clerk of that church. His sister, Rosina
Bell McCall, and his wife were among the first
members of the little church. He and his wife
removed to Nunda, Livingston County, N. Y.,
where their children Charles Alfred, Frederick
Alfred, Katherine M. and Charles Edward
were born. The eldest and the youngest chil-
dren died in infancy. The second son, Fred-
erick Alfred, became a member of the largest
bituminous coal firm in the country, and with his
brother-in-law, George Howard Lewis and
Arthur G. Yates, founded the Bell, Lewis and
Yates Coal Mining Company. Each member of
this firm is now dead. Katherine M. married
George Howard Lewis, October 22nd, 1874. Two
sons were born to them, one Frederick Howard,
who died in infancy, the other Alfred George,
who married in I903, Agnes Bevan Slosson in
Geneva, New York. They have two children,

ALFRED BELL

38i

Katharine Bell Lewis, 2nd, and Alfred Geor,ge,
Junior. This grandson, Alfred George, who
owns the White Springs Farm, at Geneva, New
York, has now the greatest Guernsey herd of cat-
tle in the world.

After Alfred Bell's removal to Nunda, he went
into several business enterprises which proved
successful. In 1858 he was elected to the State
Legislature and served faithfully for two years.
He was one of the founders of and the largest
giver to the Presbyterian Church at Nunda, and
was Superintendent in the Sunday-School for
many years. While living in Nunda he made
purchases of large timber tracts at Bellport,
and at DuBois, Pennsylvania. In 1866, he
moved with his family to Rochester, N. Y., and
was quite actively engaged in the lumber busi-
ness at Bellport. After cutting the timber off
the lands there, he leased his coal lands at Du-
Bois to the firm of Bell, Lewis and Yates, of
which his son and son-in-law were president and
vice-president. He was the owner of large tracts
of timber lands in Michigan and Wisconsin,
which he afterwards sold. He was a philan-
thropic man, doing always for others, although
his later years were not active business years.
He died at his beautiful home in Rochester,
August 24th, 1892, aged 81 years and 11 months.
His wife died December loth, 1893, at the home
of her son, Frederick Alfred Bell, in Buffalo, N.
Y. They are buried in the family lot in Mount
Hope Cemetery, Rochester, N. Y.

In speaking of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, the Post-Bx-
press, of Rochester, says : "They were prominent
and popular members of Rochester society. Their
commanding forms, dignified bearing and genial
ways made them desirable acquisitions to the
social circle. Their manners gentle, refined and
courteous, were those of the old school which are

382

more and more appreciated as its representatives
lessen in number. They possessed also the higher
graces of kindly, sympathetic natures. Their
silent, secret benevolences were many, but were
generally unknown to any but themselves and
their recipients."

Katherine B., their only daughter, the widow
of George Howard Lewis, is still living at the
home, Elmstone, Buffalo, New. York, where her
husband brought her soon after their marriage.
Within the past four years she has purchased a
country home next to her son, which she has
named Bellwood Farms, in memory of her broth-
er's home and of the family name.

Matplji IB? IL

Mary Bell Dickey.

Joseph Bell was the youngest of twelve chil-
dren, born to Jonathan and Deborah Bell, at
Goffstown, New Harripshire, August loth, 1805.
His father was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and
afterwards served in the army of the Revolution.
Like other lads of his day, he was apprenticed to
learn the shoemaker's trade at Manchester, New
Hampshire, near his home. When but nineteen
years of age he started on horseback for New
Hudson, New York, where his older brothers,
Russell and Rodney, had settled. On his way a
man wished to trade some land in Rochester for
his horse. He did not accept the offer, but came
on to Rushford in 1824.

He began making shoes for a man who owned
the tannery there. By hard toil and close econ-
omy, he became a partner, and afterward sole
owner.

About 1830 he married Lydia Elvira Dunham.
Six children were born to them, Minerva, Martin
A., William R., Lois A., James J. and Laurette,

383

whose death in 1843 was the first in the family.
Hers was soon followed by the mother's on March
22nd, 1849. The six children were born in the
"old house." Their mother died in the "new
house," now occupied by Mrs. Arlie Ives.

On September 14th, 185 1, Mr. Bell was mar-
ried to Matilda M. Coburn at Covert, N. Y., by
the Rev. Chauncey Wardner, who had former-
ly been Pastor of the church at Rush ford. Two
children were born to them, Mary Coburn and
Nellie E.

He was early associated with the Baptist
Church, of Rushf ord, being baptized in the winter
of 1838, when it was necessary to cut the ice to
administer the ordinance. With the exception of
five years, he was a member until his death.

Once when he was enlarging his tannery the
citizens, by subscription, bought a steam whistle
and placed it on the tannery, to be blown four
times a day and in case of fire.
■ When the family lived in the "old house," the
chambers were used for shoemaking and repair-
ing. At this time he made a great many fine
boots, with red morocco tops, at five dollars a
pair. When the tannery was first purchased by
him the bark was ground by horse power, and
afterwards as his business prospered steam was
put in (1849). He made frequent trips to the
West, buying hides for his business. In 1867,
his son, James J., was killed by an explosion of
a boiler in the tannery. After the death of his
son he sold his interest in the tannery to his other
sons and A. J. Colburn, who rebuilt it.

During the Civil War he, with several others
of his age, used to meet at the store of Hapgood
& Higgins, where Mr. O. T. Higgins would read
aloud the New York Tribune. In an early day he
was an Abolitionist, and afterwards a Republican.

For a time Mr. Bell dealt in cows, going to

384

Canada to buy them, and shipping them to Rush-
ford for the cheese industry.

In 1872, although past the prime of life, he
migrated to Michigan and located in the thriving
city of Ionia, and from thence to Maple Rapids,
where he engaged in mercantile business. While
in the West, Mr. D. B. Sill and Mr. O. T. Hig-
gins came there to buy pine land. Mr. O. T.
Higgins and his guide were lost for several days
in the woods, and afterwards when he was visit-
ing Mr. Bell he said that the bountiful dinner he
was partaking of did not taste any better to him
than a piece of bacon held on a stick over a fire
and dripping into his hardtack, during the time
he was lost in the woods.

But nothing could wean Mr. Bell from the
associations of former days, and after a residence
of five years in Michigan he returned to his home
in Rush ford, to pass his declining years in the
surroundings So interwoven with his experiences.
He always enjoyed entertaining his old friends,
and was never so happy as when surrounded by
his friends and relatives.

While on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Lois
Ferguson at Geneseo, he died October 3rd, 1883.

At his death he was known as one of the sub-
stantial and honored citizens of Rushford.

Levi Benjamin, the first of the family known in
Rushford, came from Woodstock, Vt., in 1815,
and settled on Lot Thirty, one mile north of
the village, where he lived and died in 1864,
eighty-seven years of age. His family consisted
of a wife, Abigail Kendall, whom he married in
1802; Sally, thirteen years old; and two sons,
Eliab, three years, and Almon, eighteen months
old. Two sons were born in Rushford: Albert,

FRANCES HAMMOND

(MRS. •J. G. BENJAMIN)

385

who died in young manhood, and Charles, born in
1818. Levi was the first Postmaster, and kept
the first pubHc house or inn, as it was called at
that time. He and his wife were consistent mem-
bers of the Baptist Church, which began its life
in November, 18 15. He held several official posi-
tions in the Church, and was one who shared in
the building up and growth of the new settlement.
The daughter married Daniel Chase, living in the
vicinity until he with his family removed to Iowa
about 1850.

The children of Sally Benjamin Chase were
Isaac, who married a Miss Tubbs ; Levi married,
leaving one son, Arthur, a violinist ; Ezra married
Naomi, a daughter of James McCall, and had four
children. One son went to the war and never re-
turned. A son, James, in Greely, Iowa, has three
sons, one a physician. The two daughters settled
in the West. Daniel Chase, Jr., married Sally, a
daughter of Matilda McCall Howe, settled in
Iowa, and died there. There were three others,
Elmer, Eliab and Emma.

On January 13th, 1836, Eliab was married to
Maria Gordon, daughter of James Gordon, and
began housekeeping on what is known as the Tal-
cott farm. Four children came to gladden the
home: Julia died in early life. James G. has
always lived in Rushford; he was School Com-
missioner, and has been interested in church and
other activities, and a useful member of the Cen-
tennial Committee. He married first Frances
Hammond, daughter of Augustus Hammond, of
distinguished ancestry. She came to Rushford
Academy January ist, 1862, and was a woman of
beauty and great loveliness of character. Few
women in Rushford have had more grace and
charm than she. During the great local flood in
August, 1864, two months previous to the birth
of her son, her life was in peril by their home

386

being surrounded by water. Mr. Benjamin was
absent, and as soon as it was possible to reach the
house, Rev. J. C. Nobles and O. T. Higgins waded
through the water, made a chair of their hands
and carried her to safety. Their son, W. F. Ben-
jamin, born in 1864, was left motherless when a
babe only a few days old. His grandmother cared
for him tenderly, but who can name the loss of
such a beautiful influence and such lovely sym-
pathy as a mother would have bestowed upon her
child?

W. F. Benjamin, after his school days were
over, and when only twenty-one years of age,
purchased the Rushford Spectator, March ist,
1885. It was founded in 1878. Mr. Benjamin
has been its owner and publisher twenty-five
years, and it is one of the most breezy newspapers
in the County, and undoubtedly has one of the
largest circulations. Mr. Benjamin has a furni-
ture store and other business interests in Rush-
ford. He married, April 29th, 1886, Miss Cora
Chase.

James G. married for a second wife, Imogene
Kingsbury, daughter of Nelson and Emeline
Lyon Kingsbury, who is the mother of the other
three boys.

John married Margaret Reese, and is in the
furniture business. He was Town Clerk for two
years.

George graduated in Toronto, and is located
at Hamilton, Canada.

Abram married Marie Lewis, and is employed
in the Spectator office.

Lucian, second son of Eliab, died unmarried in
1867, respected and loved by all who knew him.
Burney went to New York when a young man,
married and died there, leaving one daughter,
Bertha, who married Edward Davis, a very suc-
cessful business man. They live in Beverly, Cali-

387

fornia. Their son is in business with his father,
and they have one daughter.

Almon, Levi's second son, was married in June,
1835, to Eliza Ann McCall, a daughter of James
McCall. After purchasing various farms they
went to Erie County for seventeen years, finally
returning to Rushford to spend the remainder of
their lives. Almon was a total abstainer and an
aggressive temperance worker. He "used
hospitality without grudging," and was always
ready to undertake difficult tasks. He died Oc-
tober 19th, 1893. He had four children. The
eldest, Francis, served during the Civil War, en-
listing from Rockford, Illinois. At the close of
the war he married Mary Poor, of Illinois, and
came to Rushford and went from there with his
father to Hamburg. A little daughter, too fair
for earth, brought much gladness, but only lived
a few months, and in March, 1868, the mother
followed.

In 1870, he married again and spent the re-
mainder of his life in Erie County, where his five
sons were born. Frederick Frank married and
lives in Derby. He is a traveling salesman and
quite successful. Almon, Jr., was a successful
teacher for a few years, and is now proprietor of
a hotel in North Dayton, N. Y. He has one
daughter.

Roy went to live with his Uncle Frank and
Aunt Mary Lyman in Waukesha^ Wis., when
seventeen, where he was graduated from the
High School, and he now has a shoe store in
that city.

Earl, the youngest, owns and operates the gro-
cery business formerly owned by his father.

Francis and his son, Fred, were killed on their
grocery wagon by a train. May 2d, 1907. Sophia,
a daughter of Almon, married A. M. Taylor, of
whom further mention is made under the Taylors.

388

Mary, the second daughter of Almon, had great
musical talent and received instruction under
Prof. H. R. Palmer and others. She went to
Wisconsin to teach music in 1865, where she met
and married the next year Frank W. Lyman, who
was a railroad man for forty years. In January,
1 90 1, he passed away.

Cloe, the youngest, had a contralto voice and
is an attractive woman. She went to Hamburg
with her parents, and has since lived there.
She married Myron L. Colvin, in December,
1866. They have two daughters, who married
Brandel brothers, one an employee of the B.
& S. R. R. Company, the other engaged in
life insurance business. The oldest daughter has
one son, the polar star of the entire family, Myron
Philip Brandel.

Charles Benjamin, youngest of Levi's sons,
married Huldah Lamberson, daughter of John
Lamberson. He was a successful farmer. He
cared for his father the last years of his life. The
mother, Abigail, died in 1842. Three children,
Romaine, Arcelia and Ralph, were born to them.
Romaine enlisted in the army in 1861, but from
disabilities remained only a few months. He
married Ellen Williams of Freedom. They have
two sons, Charles, Jr., and Lucian, both engaged
in the hardware business in Warren, Pa.
Charles married Ella Michael, of Hamburg, and
has four children. Lucian remains unmarried.
He loves to sing, and does it well. He uses his
talent as a church singer. No Rushford parade
would be complete without Romaine Benjamin as
Marshal.

Arcelia married George Hall ; she had six chil-
dren.

Ralph married Georgie Thomas, of Farmers-
ville, where they lived. They have two children.
Harry, who was graduated at Rushford High

389

School, spent some time at an art school in New
York, and is now employed in Canada as a win-
dow decorator and advertiser. Agnes is at home.

Fred was for a time in Pittsburg, Pa., where
he married. He removed to Cleveland, Ohio,
where he is engaged in the real estate business.
His wife died in 1908.

Carl, a teacher, died unmarried, as did the only
daughter, Lena.

Charles married Jennie Barras, of Rushford,
and lives on the old homestead. They have three
sons.

Grover, graduated at Rushford High School,
taught a few years, is now a grocer in Quincy,
Michigan. He married and has four children.

Ralph, the youngest son of Charles, enlisted in
the army as soon as he was old enough, and was
killed in the battle of Chancellorsville.

Asa Benjamin, a brother of Levi, and Samuel
Persons, whose mother was a sister of Levi, came
to Rushford about 1818 from Vermont. At one
time there were so many families living on the
same street in that neighborhood that came from
Windsor, Vermont, that they called it Windsor
Street.

Asa's children were: Sylvia, married John
Neff ; Abigail, married John Bishop ; Percy, mar-
ried Seth Colburn, and Harriet, married George
Colburn.

Oliver, the son, married Lucia Woods. He
came into possession of his father's home, where
he lived and died, leaving a daughter, Sylvia, who
married Thomas Williams, and in turn came into
possession of the family homestead. The girls
first lived in Rushford, but after a few years the
Neffs went to Cuba, and the Bishops to Couders-
port. Pa.

The descendants of Asa Benjamin who are
living in Rushford in 1908 are: Sylvia Ben-

390

jamin Thomas, who had five children; only the
youngest, Daniel, remains, and he occupies the
O. D. Benjamin place, which was the original
Asa Benjamin homestead. Dan married Nellie
James, a daughter of E. T. James ; they have two
daughters. Percy Colburn left three daughters :
Gratie; Julia married Nathan Miller and died
leaving three children; Ethel married Eben
Hynes, has four children and lives near where her
grandparents settled.

Julia, second daughter, keeps house for her
father. Harriet Benjamin Colburn left two chil-
dren, an unmarried daughter. Flora, and a son,
Homer, who married Flora Alderman, and died
leaving a son and daughter, who are unmarried
and live at East Rushf ord.

Those who have lived elsewhere for a long
time are equally thrifty people.

March, 1900.

Stellah White was born in the town of Rush-
ford, July 14th, 1835, and died at her home in
Rushf ord, March 21, 1900.

July 1 8th, 1855, she was married to Barnes
Blanchard, who died April 26, 1880. She was
the mother of two children. Homer who died at
the age of three years, and George, who at the
age of twenty-seven died April 23, 1890, in Ten-
nessee, on his way home from Florida, where he
had been spending the winter in hopes of regain-
ing his health.

She came of a family of six children, two
daughters and four sons. Her sister, Mrs. Ellen
W. Hubbell, has resided in the West for the past
seventeen years. Her brothers — Washington,
Henry, Quincy and Thomas White — all died in
Rushford, except Thomas, who enlisted in the

391

Civil War in 1862 and died in Andersonville
prison in the fall of 1863.

Mrs. Blanchard joined the Presbyterian
Church in 1871.

She endured the trials, sufferings and priva-
tions of this life with Christian fortitude, and
died in the triumphs of a living faith.

iatnit If. loarli.
F. M. Board.

The first blacksmith in the town of Rushford
was born in Castleton, Vermont, July 27, 1792.
He came to Rushford about 18 16 and started a
blacksmith shop on lot 30, on the land now owned
by Mrs. George Hall, on the east side of the road,
near the south line of the farm. To this day, when
the land is ploughed, charcoal, where he burned
his pot for charcoal for the forge, bits of iron
and cinders show. He went back to Vermont
and married Laura Woods in 1818. He settled
in East Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., black-
smithing until about 1823, when he moved to
Rushford, so his wife could be near her brothers
and sisters, buying an article for tract of land
on part of lot 22. Here Mr. Board farmed it
the rest of his Ufe. He died on his wedding anni-
versary, Aug. 2nd, 1877.

During the time they lived at East Bloomfield
a son, Oscar F. Board, was born, in 1820. He
was nearly four years old at the time his parents
moved to Rushford ; here he lived on a farm most
of his life. He died in 1899 at his residence in
town. He was survived by a wife, formerly Miss
Clarissa Richards, who was born in Broome
County, N. Y., in 1819. She was married in
1848 and died in 1906. Their son, Frank M.
Board, born in 1850, and their daughter, Anna
Board, born in 1852, died in 1906.

392

Elmer M. Bond is the son of Dr. Hiram Bond
and Almeda Slussar. He is descended from Col.
William Bond and others who served in the Colo-
nial and Revolutionary Wars. The family early
came from London and Dorset, England.

Dr. Hiram Bond, born in Grafton, Vt,
in 1801 ; married October 17th, 1830. He grad-
uated from Middlebury Academy and practised
medicine in western New York.

Elmer M. Bond, his son, was born in Farmers-
ville, N. Y., April i6th, 1841, leaving there
in 1857 for Rushford, to continue his studies.
While there he took up the study of law with
Charles Woodruff, and from Rushford entered
the Harvard Law School. On account of the con-
finement and indoor life, he was advised by his
physician to leave Harvard. He then went to
New York City, where he formed a partriership
and engaged in the produce business. He mar-
ried October nth, 1864, Sophia Smith, daughter
of Charles and Lucy Cady Smith.

Moses Smith, the father of Charles, came from
Freehold, N. J., to Charlton, N. Y., where he was
an early settler and became Sheriff and Member
of Assembly. In the family is still preserved an
old cockade with a miniature of Washington.

Sophia Smith was a beautiful girl, and had
much talent in painting. She was in school at
Gainesville, N. Y., and had other opportunities
to cultivate this art.

Mr. and Mrs. Bond had three children, two of
whom are living, Jennie Livera Bond and Charles
Elmer Bond. Jennie Livera was graduated from
Mrs. Reed's famous school in New York. She
is now the wife of Edwin Coupland Shaw,
General Manager of the B, F. Goodrich Rubber
Company, of Akron, Ohio. She has had much
opportunity for travel, both in this country and
abroad, and is a woman of engaging personality.

ELMER M. BOND

393

The surviving son, Charles Elmer Bond, re-
sides with his parents at White Plains, New
York.

In 1868, Elmer Bond severed his connection
with the New York firm and returned to Rush-
ford to carry on the commission business on an
extensive scale, having a New York correspon-
dent. He remained there until 1870, when he re-
moved to Cuba, N. Y., to extend the same busi-
ness. In 1880, he assisted in organizing the First
National Bank of Cuba, and was elected its presi-
dent, holding that position in connection with his
other business interests until he removed to
Buffalo, in 1887, where he continued the commis-
sion business on probably the largest scale of
anyone in Western New York. He was per-
suaded by owners of large combinations to return
to New York to superintend and act as their sell-
ing agent. This business grew to such large pro-
portions that it comprised the most important
combinations in the State, giving him a powerful
influence on the New York market, to the discom-
fort of many of his competitors, which naturally,
as success always does, made them jealous. They
said, "He came to New York in a palace car, but
we will send him back on foot in sixty days."
He acted in that capacity, however, until the time
of the Centennial in igo8, when the business be-
came diverted from New York City and was dis-
tributed by different cold-storage firms direct
from the country districts. He lived in New York
City during these years, where he still retains his
office. He now has a residence at White Plains,
N. Y, where he has been Alderman for the past
four years, for the sake of trying to assist in
good government and add to civic pride.

Mr. Bond has accomplished much for himself,
his family and others, and is one of whom Rush-
ford may well be proud. He and his attractive
daughter were present at the Centennial.

394

(El^apman IBrnnka.

Chapman Brooks was born the year Washing-
ton died, 1 799, in Paris, Oneida County. Afoot,
with a pack on his back, he came to Rushford in
1820. He ate his first meal in town at Ephraim
White's on the hill this side of East Rushford.
All they had for supper was hulled corn and mo-
lasses. He had one acquaintance in town, Dr.
Smith. In 182 1 he married Maria Roberts of
Otisco. They made their journey to town in a
lumber wagon. Their first home was on the
Cream Ridge road. There he had a log house
with two large outside doors, opposite. The fam-
ily were surprised one day by seeing an Indian
walk through with a deer on his back. The neigh-
bors were so far away that after he left home to
teach school Monday morning, sometimes his wife
would not see a person to speak with until his
return Saturday night.

He was Justice of the Peace many years.
When he considered himself still a middle-aged
man, some one said to him, •' Uncle Chapman."
He didn't look up. " Uncle Chapman." Still^he
didn't look up. " Mr. Brooks." Then he heard.

His children were, i, Caroline (Mrs. W. B.
Alley) ; 2, Cynthia (Mrs. C. W. Woodworth) ; 3,
Mary J. (Mrs. S. R. Remington) ; 4, Homer
Brooks ; 5, Amelia (Mrs. D. Atkins).

On this side of the hill south of the village,
where there is still an old orchard and where
roses still bloom, Mrs. Woodworth was born in a
log house. Homer Brooks was born in the
Washington house, now the Tarbell house, which
his father owned and kept over twenty years.
Mrs. Brooks used to tell with pride, in her old age,
that she baked a barrel of flour in one day.

395

Jprot (S. H- Jf. Surk.

G. W. F. Buck was born May 5th, 1833, in
Reading, near the foot of the Green Mountains,
Windsor County, Vermont. While still a child
his parents and several relatives moved to what
was quite a remote West, locating in Granger,
Allegany County, New York.

He was educated, to a considerable degree, at
home, the family and kindred having enjoyed the
benefit of the New England schools. Later he
attended Nunda Academy, Oberlin and Genesee
Colleges. At the latter College, now trans-
formed into Syracuse University, he graduated
in 1856. He went South immediately and was
tutor for a year in the family of a Southern
planter in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, near
Winchester, Virginia. Returning North, he was
Assistant in Rushford Academy in the fall of
1857; then Principal till the close of the fall term,
1864.

He then went to New York City and spent con-
siderable time continuing his studies in the
Modern Languages and History. He also began
there newspaper and magazine work, which he
followed for several years, with frequent travels
and with intervals of teaching in New York and
Ohio.

For change of climate he went South in 1887
and has since lived there, not engaged in active
pursuit, residing, in general, in a very romantic
section of historic Mt. Lookout, a few miles from
Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Having recently sufifered from a severe attack
of la grippe, he is now sojourning in Alabama,
with a very skilled physician, his personal friend.

Many tributes have been paid to Professor
Buck for his unusual qualities as a teacher and
preceptor. While Professor Sayles planted the
wise seeds, they produced an abundant harvest
under Professor Buck's discriminating care.

396

There is grace, as well as brilliancy, in his pen
pictures, which give pride to all who knew him,
and admiration as well as gratitude to those who
have the pleasure of reading his contributions.
As he has loved the memories, so is he beloved
in memory.

ir. HtUiam 3. litrr.

Dr. William J. Burr came to Rushford in 1849.
He was born, as was his sister Mary, who mar-
ried Daniel Leavens, at Homer, Cortland County,
N. Y. He taught about ten years in Rushford.

Dr. Burr enlisted in the Civil War as Hospital
Steward, in the 76th N. Y. V. He was soon pro-
moted to Assistant Surgeon of the 59th N. Y. V. ;
then Surgeon of the 42nd Regiment. When
mustered out of the latter regiment he was ap-
pointed Acting Staff Surgeon.

Many have gone out whose names have been
connected with Rushford, and it is a pleasure to
record Dr. Burr among the number who have
won distinction.

His son, George Lincoln Burr, is Professor of
Mediaeval History at Cornell University.

His daughter, Sarah B., is Mrs. Becker, of
Buffalo, N. Y.

Conradt Busch, the grandfather of Watson W.
Bush, was a Revolutionary soldier, who had more
thrilling experiences than fell to the lot of most
men, even in those days of action and heroism.
He was born at Gir, in Holland, October 29,
1753, and emigrated to the American Colonies in
1770, landing in New York, where he lived until
the War of Independence began, when he immedi-
ately volunteered and served through the entire
war. He describes General Washington at the

397

time he took command of the army at Cambridge
under the historic elm, as "a tall, finely formed,
dignified man with noble air, dressed in a blue
broadcloth coat, buflf knee breeches, silk stock-
ings and a cocked hat."

During the first part of his service, he was
one of General Washington's mounted body-
guards, who were nearly all Hollanders or Ger-
mans, commanded by Major Barth Van Heer.
While serving as such guard he was one of a
party of scouts sent out by General Washington
to locate the enemy. It was a dark, foggy day,
and before they saw the enemy they were in their
midst. The British fired upon them, killing all
but three, who gave rein to their horses and
escaped. On returning to camp they told the
General what had happened; he only said:
"We'll pay them for that." He sent out a de-
tachment and before dawn they came to the same
place, spiked the guns of the British as they
slept, and took the whole camp prisoners.

At times he acted as an impromptu secretary
for Timothy Pickering, later General Washing-
ton's War Secretary. Conradt Busch further
served with Pickering in the Quartermaster's De-
partment. He also served with General Lafayette,
who recognized his old companion in arms be-
fore he reached the dock, on his visit to Syracuse,
in 1825. He was in Colonel Lamb's famous Regi-
ment of Artillery, where he rose to be Captain.
He was at the battle of Long Island with a com-
pany of Pennsylvania Militia under Colonel John
Peter Kichlein, also at the battle of Trenton and
Princeton, and crossed the Delaware on that bitter
cold Christmas night, when the blocks of ice in
the river were pushed aside by the cutlasses of
the soldiers, and was present at the surrender of
Cornwallis.

After the war he returned to New York,
choosing the vocation of what would now be

398

called a country peddler, at that time a traveling
merchant. In 1784 he married Mary Watson,
the daughter of William Watson, who emi-
grated from Ireland and took up his residence
in Ulster County, N. Y. On July 7th, 1791,
he was granted 640 acres of land for his military
service, being Lot No. 47, in Pompey Township,
N. Y., where he moved in 1800, and made it his
future home. Here he died, December 19th,

1855-
He always considered the privilege to vote the

most sacred duty he had to perform, and voted at
every election as long as he lived. On the morn-
ing of Election Day he put on his full military
uniform, including his belt and sword. When he
presented his vote he always removed his hat and
stood at attention until the vote was deposited in
the ballot box. On one occasion a young man
thought he would have some fun at the old gentle-
man's expense, so he challenged his vote on the
ground that he was a foreigner, and had not been
naturalized. The old gentleman did not take it
that way ; he drew his sword and stood as straight
as he did in his younger days, and said : "Young
man, I swore my vote in over that blade; if you
do not withdraw that challenge, I will swear you
into your eternal grave with it." It is not neces-
sary to say that challenge was withdrawn.

Mr. and Mrs. Busch had twelve children, three
of whom served in Capt. I. Castle's Company of
New York Militia, in the war of 1812, namely,
John, Jacob and Alexander.

Alexander Bush, the father of Watson W.
Bush (the name having been anglicized), was
born August 3rd, 1795, in Ulster County, N. Y.,
and came to Pompey, Onondaga County, N. Y.,
in 1800, with his parents. He later helped clear
the land where Syracuse now stands. December
1 6th, 181 7, he married Deborah Grimes, the

399

daughter of Thomas and Mary Greenfield
Grimes, of Scotch and English descent. They
began housekeeping on a farm he had bought,
and also took 40 acres of public land from the
State, that adjoined his farm, which is now in
Lafayette, N. Y.

In 1825 he was Lieutenant in a Militia Com-
pany and had command of the same, acting with
the balance of the militia under General Gott, to
escort General Lafayette on his visit to Syracuse.
In 1826 he sold his farm and moved to Pike, then
in Allegany County, where he made his home
until 1873 ; he then came to Rushford to live with
his son, where he died, March 26th, 1891, and
was buried in Pike, by the side of his wife, De-
borah Grimes Bush, who died May 17th, 1862.

To them were born four children, Harriet
Jane Bush, September 4, 1818, who married
Royal Adams; she died September 28, 1899.
Angeline Bush was born February 23, 1821, and
married Horace Blodget ; she died July 22, 1878.
Lucina Grimes Bush was born April 4, 1831, mar-
ried Wolcott F. Griffin, January 9, 1855, died
May II, 1863. They had one daughter, Ella L.
Griffin.

Watson W. Bush was born at Pike, N. Y.,
August 14, 1841. In the fall of 1857, when he
was 16 years old, he engaged in the mercantile
business at Pike, under the firm name of Adams
& Bush. After the death of his mother. May 17,
1862, he sold his interest in the business, and
came to Rushford, on June 5, 1862, entering the
store of Wolcott F. Griffin, which was known as
The Union Store, and continued in the same until
November, 1863, when he entered the Army.

In November, 1862, his first vote was cast in
Rushford for James S. Wadsworth for Gov-
ernor.

In November, 1863, he obtained authority from
the Adjutant General of this State to recruit a

40O

company for the Army, and filled the quotas for
a number of towns in Allegany, Wyoming and
Cattaraugus Counties, and was mustered as First
Lieutenant of Company "B," Second New York
Mounted Rifles, on January 7, 1864. The com-
pany and regiment did duty at Buffalo, N. Y.,
until March, when they were ordered to report m
Washington, D. C, where the month of April
was spent in drill and preparing for active service
at the front. So many had enlisted in this regi-
ment that had previously served from one to two
years in other regiments that it was classed as a
Veteran Regiment. On May 2nd they received
their orders to join the Army of the Potomac,
then commanded by General U. S. Grant, which
they did at the Wilderness, on the 7th day of May,
1864. And there Capt. Bush saw the remains of
General James S. Wadsworth, who was killed in
the hard-fought battle of the 6th, and for whom
he had cast his first vote for Governor, in 1862.
From thence on he and his regiment shared in the
hard fought battles of the Army of the Potomac.
On September 30th, at Pegram's farm, he was
taken prisoner, after a hard fight and against
great odds, where about seventy-five were killed
and wounded; about forty, the remainder of the
detail, were taken prisoners and were held in the
following Confederate prisons, at Petersburg,
Va., Libby Prison, at Richmond, Va., Salisbury,
N. C, Danville, Va. Capt. Bush was sent to
Libby Prison and paroled from there February
22, 1865. A large number of the prisoners who
were taken at the same time died in prison, and
others, after they had been exchanged in our
Government hospitals.

He was promoted to Captain, January 28, 1865.
After being exchanged he returned to his com-
pany and served with the regiment until it was
discharged, on August 28, 1865.

Returning to Rushford, October i, 1865, he

JENNIE •" )i^

(MBS. W. W. BUSH)

40I

formed a copartnership with W. F. Griffin under
the firm name of Griffin & Bush. In 1868 Mr.
Griffin sold his interest to O. T. Stacy and Wm.
E. Kyes ; the business was then conducted under
the name of W. W. Bush & Co. In the fall of
1872 Mr. Bush sold his interest to Stacy & Kyes,
and bought the Concrete Store building of Wash-
ington White, which he now owns. He was one
of the Board of Education of Rushford Union
School for ten years, serving one year as Presi-
dent and nine years as Secretary of the Board.
He also served as Town Clerk from 1875 to
January i, 1904, twenty-eight years, which is
the longest term that any one has held an office in
the history of the town. On February 5, 1873,
he married Wealtha Jane Hill, the daughter of
John W. and Sophia McClure Hill. To them
were born two sons, John Alexander and William
Watson.

John Alexander Bush was born April 21, 1874,
and graduated from the Rushford Union School
in the Class of 1893, and went at once to the O.
T. Stacy Company, at Rochester, N. Y., where he
still remains as Treasurer of the company. June
30, 1902, he married Mary Whitney, the daughter
of Wm. Graves and Sylvia Baker Whitney. They
have one son, William Watson Bush, born August
21, 1904.

William Watson Bush was born April 17,
1882; he attended school at Rushford, and was
graduated from Dental Department of the Uni-
versity of Buffalo in the Class of 1903, and has
practiced his profession at Rushford since. On
the 12th of November, 1903, he married Myrtie
Metcalf, the daughter of Charles Levi and Nellie
Persons Metcalf.

402

Prismn lExtviimrFB in (EMl Wax.

W. W. Bush.

By special request I will write a sketch of my
experiences while in Libby and other Confeder-
ate Prisons. This is a portion of my life that I
have always tried to forget, and is a subject that
never gives me pleasure to recall. For that reason
I seldom say anything about those days of suffer-
ing and privation. Perhaps it would be in keep-
ing at this time to give a short sketch of prison
life, as quite a number of the boys from Rushford
who served in the army had the misfortune of
experiencing the same.

On the 29th of September, 1864, we received
orders to draw three days' rations and issue to
every man sixty rounds of cartridge. On the
morning of the 30th we had our breakfast before
sunrise, and at about 10 o'clock the line was
formed. We passed through the Fifth Army
Corps and formed our line in front of them, with
our Brigade, commanded by General Curtain, on
the right and our regiment at the right of the
Brigade. Six companies from the right of our
Regiment were taken, and deployed as skirmish-
ers, and advanced, driving back the Rebel line
through a field and piece of woods and across a
large open field for about three miles, when we
came in sight of their main line, about a thousand
feet in front of us. We held the line there estab-
lished until about 5 p. m., when they charged
our line on the left and in our front, charging
several times, only to be repulsed. As we were
armed with the Spencer repeating carbine, and
could fire six shots as quickly as the infantry could
one with their muzzle-loading muskets, they
succeeded in breaking through five double lines
of the Fifth Corps on our left, and swung around
to their left and surrounded the right end of our
line and six officers and about forty men were

403

captured, with about seventy-five men killed and
wounded. That night we were taken to Peters-
burg and placed on the island. On the morning
of October ist all the prisoners were searched and
relieved of their blankets, extra clothing and what
Confederate money they had. After the search
was completed they were marched to about the
center of Petersburg, and near the river, and
placed in an old cigar and tobacco factory. The
officer that had charge of the guard said,
"You'uns needn't be afraid, as the Yanks has
only hit this building three times, but have
knocked hell out of all the other buildings around
it," as we could see. Here we were kept until
October 3rd. During the three days they gave us
one ration, consisting of three sea biscuits, and
removed us to Libby Prison, at Richmond, which
was the Waldorf-Astoria of the Confederate
prisons. On arriving at Libby they took every-
thing that had been omitted at Petersburg, and
told us rations had been issued for that day, so
we would have to wait until to-morrow for ours.
On the 5th we received a small ration of soft
bread. By this time we thought we were getting
initiated into prison life. Our stay here was to
be short. At half past three p. m., all the officers,
who were quartered together, were ordered be-
low, and were given rations for three days, then
marched to the Richmond and Danville Railroad,
and placed in box cars. Our trip south then be-
gan. At 3 o'clock p. M., Sunday the 9th, found us
at Greensborough, N. C. At 8 a. m. of the loth,
we were marched to the railroad and placed in box
cars and started farther south, arriving at Salis-
bury, N. C, at 8 o'clock p. m., and marched to the
Penitentiary grounds. On entering, the first per-
son I saw was my old friend, Captain Jasper
Griggs, of the 104th New York State Infantry,
who told me to come with him as he had a good
place for me. On arriving there I found the only

404

place left was under an old building, that was not
over two feet from the ground, but it sheltered us
form the storm and was far better than many of
them had. Here I bought a tin cup, paying five
dollars for it. At this prison the officers were
separated from the enlisted men, by a space about
fifty feet wide, with a light furrow turned on
each side, called the "dead line," with guards
marching back and forth through the center. The
officers and enlisted men were not allowed to
speak to each other. The prison was inclosed with
a stockade about twelve feet high, on the outside
of which were platforms about 50 or 60 feet
apart. A guard was stationed on each platform.
About 12 feet inside of this stockade was a light
furrow turned, called the dead line. If one of the
prisoners came to or crossed that line the guard
would shoot him. On Sunday, October i6th,
Lieutenant Davis, of the 155th N. Y. S. Volun-
teers, and the writer were standing under an oak
tree several feet back from the dead line, when
the guard shot Lieut. Davis, in the left breast,
grazing a Masonic pin that he wore. It was re-
ported that the punishment that guard received
for that brutal act was a promotion to sergeant.
Here the prisoners had made plans to escape.
October 19th the last word was to be sent across
the dead line to the enlisted men. It was placed in
a hollo^y bone, with the ends filled with dirt, to be
thrown across the dead line, where it would be
picked up by the men, but in throwing the long
distance it fell short and dropped between the
dead lines, and was picked up by the guard and
sent to headquarters. In less than one hour, and
between four and five o'clock p. M.^the order came
for the officers to fall in and they were marched
out of the enclosure, placed in box cars, and
started for Danville, Va., where we arrived Octo-
ber 20th, at 10:30 A. M.

We were taken to prison building number 3

405

and placed on the second and third floors of an
old tobacco warehouse. There was not floor space
to allow them to all lie down at the same time, so
some had to stand while the others slept. To
this time the hardships had not been great, ex-
cept from hunger and a lack of water. Now,
we were to face another hardship which was to
cause more suffering than the short rations. It
was the cold we could not escape, as we had noth-
ing but our light summer clothing, consisting of
a wool blouse (not lined), a flannel shirt, wool
pants, boots or shoes, and many without stock-
ings. The building had most of the windows
broken out and slats nailed across the lower half
of the windows. It was furnished with one small
stove on the second floor, which would not warm
twenty feet away, and the rooms were about thir-
ty feet wide by ninety feet long. Here we were
to stay for the next four months through the cold
winter that was to come. It was so cold the Dan
river was frozen over so that they crossed it on
the ice with teams. I have no doubt that the
cold caused more suffering and death than the
poor and scant rations they received — ^but both
did their part. Soon there was room to spare.
The rations that were issued here for the most
of the time consisted of a piece of corn bread,
about two inches square and about four and a
half inches long, and about a pint of bean soup,
which looked like water with a few black cow
beans thrown in, and these were always whole,
occasionally a small piece of poor meat not larger
than a hen's egg. As for myself I was better off
than most of the officers. I had succeeded while
on the cars going to Danville, when the guard
was not watching, in getting a half of a wool
blanket and a rubber one. October 28th, I sold
an old watch for $200.00 (in Confederate money)
and bought a wool blanket.

4o6

On November 7th I had made a brass ring
from the end of a shell fuse, which looked like
gold (and I have no doubt I said it was). I
traded this ring for a coat made of Kentucky
jean, which kept me warm and did me good ser-
vice. The man with whom I traded promised
to let me have the ring back after the war, for
$icxD.oo in gold. I have never seen the ring from
that day to this, and have never tried to find the
man. The blankets I had were always shared
with others, and were in use both day and night.
One blanket would cover three or four at night,
as we had to lie so close together to keep warm
(we call it spoon fashion) that if one wanted to
turn over he would wake the whole line and they
would all have to turn over. Sometimes it was
not appreciated along the line and there would be
some adjectives used to express their displeasure.

November the 8th was election day, and we
decided to hold an election in our prison and cast
our votes for President, which we did. It result-
ed as follows:

The whole number of votes cast was 367

of which Abraham Lincoln received 276

and George B. McClellan 91

November 12th the sergeant of the guard re-
ported there were 10,000 letters for the prisoners
at Danville to be distributed, and brought in six
for Brigadier-General Joseph Hayes, one for
Colonel Gilbert Prey, and one for Colonel Hoop-
er, which was all that were received of the 10,000
reported. On November 15 th we heard that Lin-
coln was elected President and Reuben E. Fen-
ton Governor of New York. December 7th flour
was selling for $352.80 per barrel and rice at
$2.00 a pound, in Confederate money. During the
whole time I was in prison there were plans
being made to make a general break and escape
to our lines. The most favorable plan was to

407

move south and meet Gen. Sherman's army. On
the 9th of December a guard of about 150
marched in front of our building and stacked
their arms, which caused quite a commotion in
our prison. If they had been organized they
might have made a break, and taken the chance
to secure the arms and ammunition and try to
reach Sherman's army. On the morning of the
loth the feeling was stronger than it had been at
any time and it was soon decided to take the
chance. The plans were all arranged and the
whole of our prison organized for the move,
which was to be under the command of Brigadier-
General Joseph Hayes and Brigadier-General Al-
fred N. Dufifie. Colonel Ralston of the 24th N.
Y. Cavalry was to take the outside guard and the
extra guns belonging to the extra relief, number-
ing about forty. About fifteen were to go out
after water, and the officers of the 2nd N. Y.
Mounted Rifles were to take the two inside
guard, stationed in the lower room. At about
1:30 p. M. Colonel Ralston, with his squad,
passed out. When they reached the guard house,
which was about thirty feet from our building,
they dropped their buckets and took the extra
guns. In the meantime the officers of the 2nd
N. Y. had done their part of the work. The
doors of the prison were thrown open and the
prisoners rushed out. The plan was, first, to
burn the railroad bridge that crosses the Dan
River, take what they could that would be of
use in the march, and start for General Sher-
man's army. The train that had just passed
north over the bridge had left a detachment of
soldiers, who had not yet stacked their guns.
They rushed over the hill. As soon as they came
in sight they began firing on the prisoners, and
drove them back into the building. When reach-
ing the same they fired many shots through the

4o8

windows, wounding quite a number of the pris-
oners, one of whom was Colonel Ralston, of the
24th N. Y. Cavalry, who died the night of the
15th or 1 6th from the wound. When asked by
the officer of the guard who were responsible for
the break, he said, "I am the only one responsi-
ble, and I am now past any fear from you." They
also brought in the guard that was stationed in
the lower room at the foot of the stairs, to iden-
tify the three who had taken him, saying they
would make examples of them. The guard had
received a blow sufficiently hard to render him
unable to identify the ones he had encountered.
Major Wm. H. Mapes, Captain Henry G. Steb-
bins and the writer were not molested. On many
occasions we would hear the cry near the en-
trance of the prison, "Fresh Fish," which meant
we had a detachment of new prisoners. We were
all eager to meet them and. hear the news from
the outside world. At other times we would learn
of some of our number to be returned to our line
on a special exchange. Almost every prisoner
would have some word he wished to send home.
There were many occasions when the guard
would announce they had some office work or
some other duty to be performed and would give
the prisoners a chance to do the work, and have
a good place to stay with plenty to eat. They
never had the pleasure of finding a man who
would do the work, thereby releasing one of their
men so that he might be sent to the front. Our
answer would be "You can send around your
dead-wagon and take us out, but we will not
work even if we starve." We always furnished
the help to take care of our own sick in the hos-
pital. During the month of January and the fore
part of February, '65, we began to hear rumors
of exchange and there were special exchanges
which helped to give the men new hope. On Feb-

409

ruary 14th orders came for ten men from our
prison to go to Richmond for exchange, and to
follow this was the order of the i6th for one
thousand from this post to report at Richmond
for exchange. From thence on there was noth-
ing else talked of except the exchange. The next
day at 10 p. m. we were marched to the railroad
station, and took the train for Richmond, where
we arrived at 2 p. m. and were met by the Rich-
mond guard, who did not even try to keep the
prisoners in line, but said, "If you'uns can get
home any quicker than we'uns can send you we
have no objection to your going." On the morn-
ing of the 20th the parole was signed by the pris-
oners. At 8 A. M., February 22nd, we left Libby
Prison to pass down the James River for ex-
change at Aikins Landing. On arriving there
Colonel Mumford (or Mulford), our commis-
sioner of exchange, said he had made arrange-
ments to take only about three hundred and there
were about eight hundred of us. "If the balance
will go back to Libby I will meet you to-morrow
with suitable accommodations for you all." There
was a silence and none responded. Then he said,
"I can take all of you, but cannot give you the
accommodations and care you deserve, but will
do the best I can." There went up one cheer;
he raisied his hand, saying, "It is against orders
to allow any demonstration until you are within
our lines." Then we passed off the boat. About
a half-mile back from the landing was our picket
line. Here we could see the regimental flags
as they waved in the gentle breeze along the line.
We were once more among our friends and under
the folds of the old Flag for which every prisoner
was willing to die. I have not tried to describe
the sufferings that these men endured. If I did
I should fail, for no one can find words to de-
scribe them. At Danville and Salisbury the

4IO

death rate was larger than at Andersonville,
Doubtless this was due to their being farther
north. Of all the horrible suffering that I have
ever heard of or read, I can say any prisoner who
was there for five months or more, has seen a
parallel case. Along toward the last of our stay
there, in the morning the prisoners would go
around to see how many had died during the
night. On coming to one you would hear re-
marks like this; "Poor fellow, he is out of his
misery," or another would say, "I wish it was
I," or, "In a short time we will all be with
him." Many could count the days upon their fin-
gers, others the weeks and only the best the
months, when they would join their companions
and be at rest. Still they were loyal to their
Country and their Flag. During all these sad
days there were those who always tried to keep
up the courage of their fellow comrades with
cheerful songs and story-telling. There were ex-
pert chess and checker players and occasionally
a few packs of cards found willing hands to
shuffle them, and last, but not least, a fine ven-
triloquist and magician. Each one helped in his
own way to shorten the long, dreary hours.

February 22nd, '65, on board the U. S. trans-
port at two p. M., we left Aikins Landing and
proceeded down the James River. On passing
City Point it was a beautiful sight; every boat
was profusely decorated with flags, as well as
the buildings on the shore, in honor of the birth
of the Father of our Country. As the day passed
on there gathered a black cloud in the northwest
and soon large flakes of snow began to fall,
which added discomfort to the many prisoners
who could not get shelter within the cabin. The
surgeon placed every hospital steward and nurse
on duty, and distributed every blanket on the
boat, for the comfort of those on deck. Hot

411

coffee and bread was passed and urged upon
every man; none was allowed to lie down upon
the deck. On the morning of the 23rd the snow
had fallen to the depth of about two inches. On
arriving at Fortress Monroe, those who had died
on the boat were removed, and we proceeded to
Annapolis, where we arrived about 9 A. m. We
were assigned to the U. S. A. Officers' Hospital,
where I remained until February 28th, when we
were given a leave of absence awaiting the Gen-
eral Order for our exchange. At the date I was
captured I weighed 178 pounds. On February
23rd, at Annapolis, I weighed Syj/z pounds. I
had lost 905^ pounds in weight during the four
months and twenty-two days that I was a pris-
oner. I had eaten every ration that was issued to
me, and had used about $300.00 in Confederate
money buying extra rations during the time. The
$300.00 in Confederate money was procured
through parties at Danville, Va., for which I
gave my note for $50.00 and paid the same at
Annapolis, Md.

This statement of Prison life is not made from
memory, but is taken from my diary, which I
kept every day I was in prison.

I returned to my company, taking command of
the same before I weighed a hundred pounds.

Watson W. Bush,
Late First Lieutenant and Captain
of Company "B," 2nd New
York Mounted Rifles.

Mathew P. Cady was born in Windsor, Ver-
mont, in 1786. When he came to Rushford, we
do not know, but he was elected one of the assess-
ors at the first town meeting in 18 16.

His first wife, Lucy Hardy, was the mother of
six children, the eldest of whom was Patrick. He

412

had two children, George Washington and An-
drew Jackson, by his second wife, Lucy Tarbell.

He owned land on the west side of the Creek
road, and lived where Mrs. Caroline Crocker now
lives.

Mathew P. Cady, John Spencer and others built
on Caneadea Creek the first saw-mill in Rushford,
in 1816.

He caught cold while lumbering in the Pine
Woods, and in a week he was gone at fifty-nine
years of age. The last day of his life he uttered
these words, " Two o'clock and I must give it up."

In 1819 he was town clerk. For five years he
was supervisor.

In a book upon " Speculative Masonry," dated
1822, we find the following officers of Rushford
Lodge: R. W. John Hammond, William Hull,
Levi Benjamin, Eliab Going and Mathew P. Cady.
He was one of the trustees of the " First Burying
of Rushford," in 1832, where one may read his
epitaph, " Though lost to sight to memory dear."

Clfarba doUntrn.

Charles Colburn with his wife and three sons,
George, Caleb and Abijah, came from Shrews-
bury, Vermont, in 1833 and settled in Podonque.
His brother Seth owned the adjoining farm. Two
or three years later Holton, the younger and
unmarried brother, came, walking over from
Rochester with his boots on his back filled with
potatoes for seed. He bought the farm south of
Seth's. Thus the three Colburn brothers lived near
each other for many years.

In 1838 Holton married Phebe Benjamin. In
1846 Charles and Seth built a saw-mill on Thunder
Shower Creek. This mill was run incessantly at
certain periods of the year. In 1846 Charles, with
his sons George and Caleb, built a saw-mill at
Kellogsville. They had the first circular saw used

413

in Rushford. Teams were sent to Rochester
after it.

These brothers possessed a combination of fac-
ulties that made them desirable citizens. They
were good farmers, good mechanics, able to turn
their hand to almost any kind of work. They
were upright and temperate. They did not de-
sire notoriety, yet they aided in every worthy
cause.

The children of Holton were Gratie, Julia (Mrs.
Nathan Miller, deceased) and Myra (Mrs. A.
Frazer). Gratie and Myra still reside in Rush-
ford.

Adoniram and Henry B. were the sons of
Seth.

^kplrij of % Samnna.

Rushford had in its earlier days many families
of Rooseveltian size, whose members in various
branches, produced a numerous and honored citi-
zenship. The names of Gordon, McCall, Woods,
Persons, Hardy, Benjamin, Lyman, Eaton and
many others are familiar in this connection, and
among them, perhaps, the Damon brothers. The
oldest of these was Warren, always known as A.
W. E. Damon. He was born in Reading, Windsor
County, Vermont, May 15th, 181 2. At thirteen
years of age his father, Dimmick, son of another
Dimmick, moved to the central part of New York
State. After remaining there about two years,
he moved with his wife, Debby, a sister of
Frazier Eaton, to and located his family on
the "Creek," or "Buffalo Road," northwest of
Rushford, probably in 1826. Dimmick was an
industrious, kindly, well-disposed man, somewhat
noted for feats of strength. Later he went to
Indiana, with several of the younger of his eight
children.

A. W. E. Damon spent his life of fifty-eight
years in habits of uniform industry. He was a

414

man of firm principle and character, of broad in-
telligence, a great reader, taking a deep interest
in public afifiairs, and in promoting the educational
interests of his neighborhood. In politics he was
a Democrat till the organization of the Republican
Party, after which he voted for Fremont, Lincoln
and Grant.

The great social and political upheaval follow-
ing the abduction and murder of William Morgan
in his youth, and which was represented by such
statesmen as Thurlow Weed, William H, Seward
and John Quincy Adams, impressed upon his
mind a settled and lifelong disapproval of Secret
Societies, and particularly of Free Masonry. This
sentiment was not allowed, however, as later with
some of his family, to rupture his relations to
Church and society.

His most prominent characteristic was his
steadfast religious life. He found a home in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he held
an influential position and various offices for many
years.

Notwithstanding his strong Methodism, he
chose for a companion a deeply conscientious
Baptist, Emily, daughter of Nathan C. Kimball,
one of Rushford's early and respected citizens,
and a pillar in his Church, of whom " Colonel "
Hardy once remarked, that if he forgot when
Sunday came he could " always tell by seeing
Deacon Kimball go to meeting." Later, through
the influence of Rev. Nathan Fellows, Pastor of
the Methodist Church, and for the sake of united
work in the training of their children, she joined
her husband in the fellowship of the Methodist
Church.

Two or three incidents throw light upon his
character and show the esteem in which A. W.
E. Damon was held in the community. On a
certain occasion, when their five children sat at
table as usual, three sons on one side, two

415

daughters on the other, the conversation turned
with a tone of anxiety on the future of the
Church. The wife said, " What will become of
the Church when we are gone?" With a
quick glance of appreciation and cheerful confi-
dence from one side of the table to the other, he
remarked, " I expect these to take our places."
All were together with them in the Church, at
one period, and that " expectation," no doubt,
had something to do with it. Family prayer was
regular. The team was before the door at ex-
actly nine o'clock on Sabbath morning for the
four and a half mile slow drive to church, which
was entered before the villagers arrived. The
children stayed to the two preaching services, and
attended Sabbath School at the same hour as the
Class meeting was being held. The home was
open for the entertainment of Ministers, to the
delight of all the family. On one occasion three
Baptist Ministers were so entertained. Not many
years since, one of the old and prominent citizens
of Rushford remarked the irripression on his mind
as to the character of the man, both as citizen and
Christian, in making a township assessment with
him, some forty years ago.

On more than one occasion, when death entered
an irreligious home, he was chosen to attend and
offer prayer by those who shrank from having a
clergyman enter the house. No visiting of neigh-
bors was suffered on the Sabbath, save for neces-
sary entertainment, and novels and games were
prohibited in the family. But time and means
were freely sacrificed that the children might at-
tend the Academy or prepare for the ministry.
When death came, the Rev. C. S. Daley, a warm
friend of the family, preached from the text, " I
have fought a good fight; I have finished my
course; I have kept the faith."

A. W. E. Damon had five children, Mary Ro-
sina, Albert K., De Salvo, Charles M. and Emily.

4i6

Rosina, the oldest, became the wife of I. W. Evans,
and after residing some years in Olean and later
in the States of Nebraska and Iowa, returned to
Cuba in the year 1902, and in a few weeks died.

Albert K. was early called of God to the Gospel
Ministry, but before he had completed his educa-
tion his country's need of men appealed to him,
and he enlisted in the 8th New York Heavy Ar-
tillery. Near the close of the war he received
wounds in battle, from which he died at the hos-
pital in New York City, in June, 1864.

D. S. was the next in age, and the only one
now residing in the town. He has six children.

Charles Milton, the fourth of A. W. E. Damon's
children, has been for many years a devoted min-
ister of the gospel, and is now residing in Mitchell,
South Dakota. Of his five sons, three are preach-
ers, and one a teacher in the Philippines. One
daughter is a missionary.

The second son of Dimmick was Alonzo H., who
was born in Reading, Windsor County, Vt., in
the year 181 5. After the removal of Dimmick
from Rushford to Indiana, the two sons, A. W. E.
and Alonzo, remained with their families on the
farm which their father ha,d first occupied on the
creek road, where Alonzo continued to reside until
his death in 187 1. A. W. E. removed to Hardy's
Corners.

Alonzo Damon was a successful farmer and
business man. He was a meimber of the M. E.
Church, to which he contributed freely of his
means. His wife was Roxana Metcalf. Their
cjiildren were Thomas, Rhoda and Riley, all of
whom are now deceased.

The third son of Dimmick Damon, Martin, was
born in Reading, Vermont, in the year 1825. He
came with his parents to Rushford, where he grew
to manhood, marrying Caroline Chase, another of
the early residents of this town. He was by trade
a carpenter, and became an expert. One son.

MRS. CHARLES J. ELJMEE

(NEE JANE ASHLEY)

417

Lannis, now a resident of the town, is pursuing
with success his father's avocation. Martin died
at the early age of forty-three.

De Salvo and Riley Damon were the twin sons
of Dimmick Damon. They were born in Rush-
ford in the year 1828, but Riley did not remain in
Rushford many years. DeSalvo lived and died in
the town. His wife was Maria Chamberlain, Mrs.
Clara Morrison of Franklinville is a daughter.

ir. ^. ffi- Slttwr.

There is throughout the county a strong in-
terest in local history and an evident pride in its
leading men. The writer feels sure that a brief
note on the career of a promising scholar will be
of interest to the people of his native county.

Herbert Charles Elmer, Professor of Latin in
Cornell University, was born at Rushford, in
i860. He is the son of C. J. and Jane Ashley
Elmer, and a grandson of Joel Elmer, a soldier
of the Revolution.

Professor Elmer received his early education
at the Rushford Union School, completing his
preparation for college under a private tutor.
He entered Cornell in 1879, with the Class of
1883, S-'^d s^t once took high rank in his studies,
but especially in Latin, under Prof. Tracy Peck,
and later under Prof. W. G. Hale, and in Greek
under Prof. Isaac Flagg. The required work
completed, he took up eagerly all the electives
offered in those branches, and before his gradua-
tion, in 1883, had made evident that his life work
was to be the study of the classical languages and
literatures.

Though a most conscientious student, he did
not neglect other lines of student activity. By
his senior year he had by successive promotions
from the ranks upward reached the grade of
major of the battalion of cadets. He was Junior

4i8

president, a Woodford orator, and one of eight
chosen to represent his class on the commence-
ment program. He belonged to the Debating
Club, the Classical Society and Beta Theta Pi.

The year after his graduation was spent at
Johns Hopkins. Then followed about two years
of study and travel in Europe, most of the time
being spent at the universities of Gottingen, Bonn
and Leipsic. Returning to Johns Hopkins, he
took the degree of Ph. D. in 1888, and was imme-
diately given an instructorship in that institution.
The next year, on the recommendation of Prof.
Hale, Dr. Elmer was made acting head of the
Department of Latin.

Dr. Elmer, besides his work as a teacher, has
had constantly under way the investigation of
some subject of interest to the specialist in Latin,
and his rank among specialists is very high. Be-
sides papers for the American Journal of Phil-
ology and those read before the American Philo-
logical Society, he has published, "Que, Et, Atque
in Inscriptions of the Time of the Republic," "The
Latin Prohibitive," which has made necessary
the revision, in that division, of the standard
Latin grammars, and which attracted the atten-
tion of scholars everywhere; and an edition of
Terence's Phormio, now one of the standard
editions for English speaking college students.
His latest and perhaps his most important work
is "Studies in Latin Moods and Tenses," which
forms Volume VI of the Cornell Studies in Classi-
cal Philology. This discussion forms an octavo
volume of 231 pages, and its object is, as the
author states in his preface, to point out "the
erroneous ideas held by modern grammarians re-
garding the force of the perfect (aorist) tense of
the Latin subjunctive in all those expressions in
which that tense is used of future time."

As a scholar Dr. Elmer's most striking charac-
teristics are painstaking thoroughness, by which

PROF. H. C. ELMER

419

he goes to the bottom of every subject he touches,
and clear, logical reasoning, by which he is en-
abled to present his conclusions convincingly. As
a teacher he requires thorough, earnest work,
never permitting the appearance of it to pass for
real knowledge, and yet he is popular among his
students. Personally he is a genial, wholesouled
man, making warm friends, and retaining them
by his tact, affability and modesty.

Dr. Elmer was married first in Baltimore, Md.,
to Miss Rose Elmore, 1886; second, at East
Aurora, N. Y., 1891, to Miss Bertha E. Beebe.
Their children are : Basil, born 1892; Charles
Wellington, born, 1898 ; Clarence Jefferson, born
1904.

To those whose place of nativity is Rushford
there are gratification and pride in the men,
among whom is Dr. Elmer, who have attained
reputation and culture in varied walks of life.

Samri Elg.

Julia Williams Streight.
Daniel Ely was born in southern Connecticut in
1787. He was of English descent, one of his
ancestors having been of the number who came to
America in the historic Mayflower in 1620. He
was married in 1807. In the course of a couple
of years his wife died, leaving him with an infant
daughter. Soon after he came to central New
York, where he met Mrs. Mary Carrier, a young
widow with three children, who had recently come
from Massachusetts to that place, and who be-
came his wife. They moved to Rushford in 1 8 1 5
or 1816, and first settled on the farm, in later
years owned and occupied by Lyman Metcalf.
While here an Indian family was one of their
nearest neighbors, and companies of Indians, with
their entire household possessions upon their
backs, frequently passed by on their way to better

420

hunting grounds. Sometimes these companies
camped in the neighborhood for a few days, and
these were awe-inspiring times, at least to the
younger members of Mr. Ely's family. He re-
mained on this farm about twelve years. Only
a few years ago an apple orchard still remained
there, most of the trees having been grown from
seeds brought in Mr. Ely's pocket from his former
home.

In 1827 he moved to a farm on the Creek road
from Rushford to Fairview. Here Mr. Ely lived
until about 1852, when he sold the farm to his
eldest son, C. C. Ely; and later bought a small
place a half-mile from Fairview, where he resided
until his death in August, 1864. After his death,
his widow made her home on the old farm with her
son and family, moving with them to Rushford
village (Gordonville) in 1869, where she died a
few years later at the advanced age of ninety
years.

Mr. Ely was the father of six children, all but
one of whom passed the age of three score years
and ten. The youngest and only surviving child,
Mrs. Cornelia Bixby, for the past few months, on
account of the infirmities of age, has been an in-
mate of the home of her nephew. Will Ely, of
Franklinville.

Mr. and Mrs. Ely lived together for more than
fifty years, and three of their children — C. C. Ely,
Mrs. Sarepta Williams and Mrs. Cornelia Bixby —
also reached and passed their golden wedding
anniversaries.

Mmmm Jffamtlg-

Harriett a. Free;man.
Josiah, son of Juniah Freeman, came to Rush-
ford from Madison County, in September, 1808.
He located on Lot No. 32, taking out articles for
the whole of the lot. Josiah Freeman died in
1812, and his father came to Rushford in 1814,

421

and brought his family of seven children. He re-
ceived a deed of the south half of Lot No. 32,
which is two miles north of the village. Josiah
Freeman died in April, 1847, ^^^ then the farm
passed into the hands of his youngest son, Eri B.
Freeman. Eri B. Freeman was born 1806, and
married Sarepta Bronson, in 1825; their children
were Addison and Burton. Addison married
Agnes Lloyd. Burton, who is now living in Wis-
consin, had two children by his first wife and
three by his second wife, who was Martha Claus.
Burton Freeman enlisted in the army May 13,

1861, for three years. He was mustered in as
Sergeant in Company 1, May 21, 1861. He was
promoted to Second Lieutenant September i,

1862, to First Lieutenant February 7, 1862,
and to Captain, September 27, 1862. He was
mustered out with his company at Elmira, N. Y.,
May 31, 1863.

Eri B. Freeman's first wife died in 183 1, and
that same year he married Ann Cowdery, by
whom he had four children. Cynthia Freeman
was born in 1832. She was for many years a
teacher in the Rushford Academy. She married
Albert LaSell, and died in 1886.

Albert Freeman was born in 1836, but only
lived to reach the age of twelve.

Sarah Freeman was born in 1838, married Asa
Hardy, and left three children, who are now
living. Irving Hardy of Portville, N. Y., May
Hardy Gibbon, of Springville, N. Y., and Bert
Hardy, of Clean, N. Y.

Ellen Freeman was born in 1834. She was a
teacher in Columbus, Pa., at the time of her death,
in 1863.

Ann Cowdery Freeman died in 1847, and a year
later Eri Freeman married Harriett Rose Taylor,
by whom he had two children.

E. Wilbur Freeman was born in 1854, and is a
farmer in Rushford. He married Lydia Brown,

422

in 1879, and has four children living, Nye, Har-
riett, Edith and Ralph.

Albert B. Freeman was born in 1855, and lives
near Franklinville, N. Y. He married Etta
Ryther, in 1884, and has six children: Mrs. Free-
man Hewlett, of Arcade, Mrs. Leslie McGeorge,
Ellen, Mildred, Carrie and Floyd Freeman, of
Franklinville.

All of Eri B. Freeman's children were born on
the old homestead, which he sold, in the latter
years of his life, to his son. Burton. Eri Free-
man died in Rush ford, in 1864.

I have been told that I must live up to the
record, for my great uncles were preachers and
my aunts were teachers, and all were Christian
men and women.

©iff (Bwcxi Jffamtly-
Rev. F. E. G. Woods.
Eneas Gary, the first settler of the township ot
Rushford, N. Y., was born in Taunton, Bristol
County, Mass., September 23rd, 1757. He,
with two brothers, Seth and Loved, and one
sister, Hannah, comprised the children of the
household. These brothers kept the family lines
of their descendants separate by each spelling the
surname differently, as, Gary, Garey and Geary,
and Governor Gerry of that State, said to be a rel-
ative by one versed in Gary genealogy, had still
a different spelling of the name. The daughter
of the sister Hannah married a Mr. Bridgman.
Their daughter, Laura Bridgman, was, in her day,
as celebrated as Helen Keller, having been ren-
dered deaf, dumb and blind by scarlet fever when
two years of age. Dr. Samuel G. Howe, husband
of Julia Ward Howe, won great notoriety by edu-
cating Laura Bridgman, and has been called the
Cadmus of the blind. Miss Bridgman became a
skillful teacher of the blind at Perkins Institute,

423

Boston. Charles Dickens, the English novelist,
visited her and wrote of her in his American
Notes.

Eneas Gary early moved to Lebanon, Conn.
The records in the pension office at Washing-
ton, D. C, show that he enlisted at Lebanon when
21 years of age, and during the seven years of the
Revolutionary war he enlisted three times. He
was in the battle of White Plains when Washing-
ton retreated from Long Island.

He was in the mercantile business as an im-
porter. His partner, a relative, took funds to Eng-
land to pay on account and make purchases, but
died while on this business, and as no papers of
his payments were found on him, Mr. Gary was
again obliged to send funds for settlement, which
he made in full, and closed the firm's accounts.

The opening of the Holland Purchase attracted
eastern people, and Mr. Gary, as the records in
the County Atlas show, took up lot No. 30, about
a half a mile north of Rushford Village, in 1808,
moving his family from Weathersfield, Vermont,
where he had been in business for one year. The
journey was made with an ox-team. The party
consisted of himself and wife, son William and
wife and three children, the youngest being about
five years of age. Arriving at Centerville, where
Mr. Maxon had, a few months before, begun the
settlement of that township, and leaving most of
the family there, he and his son William and the
lively girl, Nancy, then nearly nine years of age,
drove south six miles (having previously blazed
the way through the unbroken forest), on January
1st, 1809, to found a home and begin life anew
in the wilderness. It was a great change from a
mercantile life. On the ox-sled they had brought
a kettie of coals, the fire from which was probably
kept for many years and kindled again on the
hearthstones of many newly arriving setders.
Going to the neighbors to borrow fire was no un-

424

common thing in those days. The son WiUiam
felled the first tree. They put up that day a log
shanty, a half roof, covered it with cotton cloth
and spent the night, having tied the oxen to trees,
and built seven fires about to keep off the wild
beasts. The rest of the family came soon, and
next year his sons-in-law, William Gordon and
Josephus Young arrived, and a year and halt
later, his son Charles Gary and wife also.

With the increase of population, young families
growing up, the needs of household articles, espe-
cially crockery, were very apparent. But, New
York, the city of import, was over four hundred
miles distant, ox-cart freight line at that. So, for
a while, Mr. Gary associated himself with Mr.
Seth Gillett in the manufacture of wooden ware,
turning of bowls large and small, which came into
extensive use.

After making improvements for five years on
this well located place, now the Isaac Weaver
farm, Mr. Gary sold it for #1,000.00, and moved
on to the road west, and a half a mile north, to
what is now called the Thomas farm. Here he
built a two story house and set out an orchard,
perhaps the first one in town. His son-in-law,
Mr. Young, lived on the same farm on the lower
road.

Of course Mr. Gary had to keep open house
for the new comers, and as he was very sociable
and friendly, his home was somewhat of a hotel
for a while. Born about thirty miles from Boston,
living in the stormy times that preceded and fol-
lowed the long struggle for liberty, himself a
soldier in it, he had a fund of anecdotes and
reminiscences and, withal, business experience,
fitting him for an agreeable entertainer.

How he became acquainted with the Gordons
is not now known. Mr. James Gordon, a Scotch-
man, came to this country as a British soldier, but
afterwards joined the Revolutionary army. In one

425

ot his genial banters with his friend, Mr. Gordon,
Mr. Gary, alluding to Gordon, said to those about,
"This is the man I took prisoner." " Well," Mr.
Gordon replied, " my son captured two of Mr.
Gary's daughters, so I guess we are about even."
Just how much of the taking prisoner was war-
like, no one now living can say. Mr. Gordon
said, as he took his pension, " I came over to
fight you Yankees, and now you are paying me
for it."

As an item of historical interest in boundary
lines it should be stated that the new settlement,
just mentioned, was included in a rather large
section called Caneadea, now embracing four
townships. The western half of this section was
set off March 8th, 1816, and called Rushford, It
included New Hudson, which was formed from
Rushford, April 10, 1825.

Mr. Gary surveyed what is now Rushford town-
ship, and marked the center by embedding a
grind-stone in the middle of Main Street, a little
below the Union School grounds. Nearly oppo-
site this point is a cottage, which is now the rear
of the Morgan home, where the early settler and
his wife spent some of their later years, till, too
old and feeble for household duties, they were
tenderly cared for in the home of their son-in-law,
William Gordon.

Mrs. Gary, respected and honored, filled well
her station, caring for her family and welcoming
the new settlers. Before her marriage, she was
Miss Esther Buckingham, daughter of Jedediah
P. Buckingham, of Lebanon, Conn., a man of
large family and noted fame in that state. A
letter to Rev. F. E. Woods from the war Gov-
ernor, William A. Buckingham, also born in
Lebanon, states concerning " Gary- Buckingham "
genealogy, " No doubt we are relatives, for I have
known no person bearing my name, residing in
this country, unless it may be a family in Mary-

426

land, who is not a descendant of Thomas Buck-
ingham, one of the first settlers and one of the
seven pillars of the church in Millford, Conn."

Mr. and Mrs. Gary were people of refinement
and genteel manners. He wore continental style
of clothing (knee breeches with gold buckles),
powdered hair and a wig for " dress up." Mrs.
Gary had silk and satin dresses. They were
Presbyterians and had family prayers. Mrs. M.
B. Champlin, of Cuba, when a young girl, called
on these, her grandparents, one morning, and
finding them at family prayer, waited at the door
till their devotions were over.

Mr. Gary was also a member of the Masonic
fraternity, record of which is with Miss Ellen
Gordon, of Rushford.

•Until their golden wedding anniversary and
three years after, this worthy couple were per-
mitted to journey together, till at last the beloved
wife fell asleep, August 27th, 1841, aged 78
years, and Mr. Gary died three years later,
August 17th, 1844, aged 87 years.

On the morning of his departure, he said, " I
saw Esther last night, she was just as beautiful as
when I married her."

Their remains rest in Rushford cemetery.
Seven children and about forty grandchildren sur-
vived them.

Commendatory.

With due honor to his helpmeet, we may say
of Mr. Gary, that by his loyal service to his coun-
try in the long and uncertain struggle of the Rev-
olution ; by beginning again, when past fifty years
of age, bravely to battle with difficulties and regain
a competence; by his service to the community in
which he lived; by his love for his fellow-men and
to God; by these things, he made himself an
honored pioneer in the founding of a well-famed
town.

427

Descendants.

The children of the first settler were: William,
called Capt. Gary; Esther, wife of Joseph us
Young; Mira, first wife of William Gordon;
Charles, Martha, second wife of William Gordon ;
Nancy, wife of Ely Woods; Caroline, wife of
Oramel Griffin.

These all lived and died in Rushford, excepting
Charles, who with his family embarked on a raft
at Clean, went down the Allegheny and Ohio
rivers and settled in Indiana. His eight children
grew up to honorable estate; two of them were
Methodist preachers in Kansas. Two of Eneas
Gary's sons-in-law, William Gordon and Oramel
Griffin, were very prominent business men in
Rushford; the former building and operating
mills, the latter a very prosperous merchant, who
earned his first hundred dollars by felling trees for
a clearing. With this money he early opened a
store in town, continued in that business over
twenty-five years, accumulating, it was supposed,
1 1 00,000.

At the opening of the Genesee Valley canal,
he moved to Oramel, built there extensively and
the village was named for him.

The daughter Nancy, by accompanying her
father, Mr. Gary, on the first day of settlement,
became, thus, the first white woman, as far as
known, to stay in the town over night. At a re-
ligious service, probably a prayer-meeting, held
at the home of Levi Benjamin — there were no
churches in the settlement then — Ely Woods first
saw his future wife, then Miss Nancy Gary.
Score one, please, for attendance at prayer-
meeting. On March 31st, 18 18, she was married
to Ely Woods. For a wedding trip they drove
with an ox-team, from Mr. Young's down to
the present site of Rushford, where the people
gathered to attend a raising of the first hotel, a log
structure, at the present location of the Village.

428

To begin housekeeping, they placed the furniture
on an ox-cart, on which she was seated. They
drove to the farm on which they both lived and
died, having reared a family of eight children.
Until their new house was built, which was the
first frame family dwelling-house in the township,
they resided in a log-house previously occupied
on the place by Richard Goff. A stone mason
could not be secured immediately to build the
chimney to their new home, and cooking by an
out-door fire was the result. The new house-
keeper said she burned out seventeen stumps
cooking beside them before the chimney was ready.
Stick chimneys, built by laying stick piles four
square and plastering them over with mud and
clay, were often in use and sometimes took fire.
A woman noticing her chimney thus afire called
to an easy-going neighbor, who was driving by,
to come and extinguish the blaze. He came,
looked at it, and drawled out, " I guess it will
do if you watch it well," and drove on.
The woman, disgusted at such neglect to help,
then climbed up to the roof and put out the
fire herself. The man's laziness was for a long
time a by-word.

The grass on the hillside farm was sweet, and
Mrs. Woods' butter had ready sale till even after
the cheese-making era arrived. H. E. Purdy,
editor of Rushford's first paper, was one of her
customers. It will surprise present-day people to
learn that for many years in the early settlement
butter brought only six cents a pound.

A year after celebrating their golden wedding,
Mrs. Woods departed this life, aged nearly
seventy; Mr. Woods, about ten years later, aged
nearly eighty-five. They were both earnest,
religious people. He was a class leader
in the Methodist Episcopal church nearly forty
years.

429

Olifp doings.

Harriet Going Colby, Eighty-four Years Old.

In 1815, Captain Jonathan Going came from
Reading, Vermont, to Rushford, New York, with
his wife and four children, James (who married Anna
Young in Vermont), EHab, Ezra and Sarah. He
settled on what is now known as the Talcott farm.
His son James lived on the southern part of the
farm until 1832, when he moved to Pennsylvania
with his wife and six children. He had previously
been ordained as a Minister in the Baptist Church.

Eliab Going was with Judge McCall for some
years. In 18 18 he married Sarah Freeman,
(daughter of Junia Freeman, of Rushford), by
whom he had six children, A. Judson, J. Bradley.
Harriett, Kate R., Jonathan R. and J. Freeman,
Three are still living. Bradley, who was with
Grant in the Ninety-sixth Illinois, lives in Mich-
igan; Harriett Colby in Holland, New York, and
Kate in Spokane, Washington.

In 18 19, Eliab Going's sister married, and his
mother died, so he took the farm, and his father
lived with him. Captain Jonathan Going died in
Aurora, Erie County, in 1848, at the age of eighty-
six years. He was buried in the Gordon Ceme-
tery in Rushford. He was a soldier of the Revo-
lution, and one of the first to draw a pension.

Eliab Going commenced preaching about 1820.
He was a missionary among the Seneca Indians.
He attended the Middlebury Academy under the
tuition of Reverend Joshua Bradley. He was
ordained in Rushford, and became the pastor of the
Baptist Church in Rushford. In 1832 he moved
to Franklinville. He organized churches in Hinsdale
and Olean, and supplied them. Later he preached
in Holland, Aurora, Wales and other places.

He and his wife lived to celebrate their golden
wedding, March 5th, 1868. His wife died Tues-
day, and he died Thursday of the same week, and
they were buried together February 28th, 1869.

43°

Eliab Going was a member of the Masonic
Lodge in Rushford in an early day, and as one
old lady said, "He never pronounced it," For
many years he did not meet with the order, but
his views were unchanged. In the time of war
they needed a chaplain in the Lodge in the place
where he resided, so he met with them. Some
two hundred of the order were present and parti-
cipated in his burial.

He was quite often called upon to marry a
couple, and many pleasing incidents occurred. He
married a couple one week before he died; they
wanted no one else. He stammered quite badly
at times. I recall a man coming for him to marry
a couple when he was very tired. The man said,
" Elder, you can never pronounce them husband
and wife, you stammer so. I bet you a quart of
wine, you will fail to say husband." But he got
the wine. One fellow wanted to be married, and
pay the fee when he harvested his beans. Once
he had a call to Great Valley, about twelve miles
distant, to a stylish wedding. The roads were
muddy, so he went on horseback. Everything
passed off pleasantly at the wedding. The groom
gave him a sealed envelope with the marriage fee
in it. The coin seemed like a five dollar gold
piece. He did not open the envelope, but when
he got home, he, as usual, gave it to his wife.
She opened it, and lo ! it was a new penny. In
after years, when traveling in Michigan, as it was
Saturday, he drove up to a fence where he saw a
man working in the field, and inquired for a Bap-
tist tavern. The man said, " If I am not mistaken,
this is Elder Going. You do not recognize me."
He then asked him if he remembered attending
a wedding at Great Valley. " I am the man. I
thought as I was engaged in a lottery I would
venture a penny, but I won a prize. Come and
stop with me." He stayed over Sunday, and left
with ten dollars.

WILLIAM GORDON

FRED and MARY GORDON

431

1 305-1 908.

This great Scottish historical house takes its
origin and name from the house of Gordon in
Berurdshire. The first traces of it are found in
the beginning of the Thirteenth Century, when
Gordon witnessed the Charters of the Earls of
Dunbar and Marges to the Monks of Kelso.
Sir Adam Gordon held under King Edward ist,
1305 A. D., of England the office of Joint
Justiciar of Lotham, and sat at Westminster as
one of the representatives of Scotland. He was
one of the last to join under the banner of Bruce,
who rewarded his adherence by a grant of the
northern lordships of Stratsbogie.

The present Earl of Aberdeen comes from this
distinguished lineage, who is nqted for his phil-
anthropy as well as his statesmanship. He is
popular in his own country, and has welded many
factions in Ireland, where he is lor the second
time Lord Lieutenant. He was for some years
Governor General of Canada.

From the same old lineage came James
Gordon, Sr.

The following paper was read by Miss Ellen
Gordon at the Rushford Centennial:

James Gordon, Sr., was born in Leeds, Perth
County, Scotland, in March, 1752. He came to
America as a British soldier under General Bur-
goyne in May, 1775. Like many other Tories he
joined the Americans under Washington. At one
time he was aide-de-camp to General Washington.
He married Jerusha Tarbell, of Groton, Massachu-
setts. They had eight children, Thomas, Kastern,
James, Jr., Tarbell, William, John, Wilson, Sam-
uel. There were only five of the sons who were
connected with the history of Rushford. James,
Jr., or as we in Rushford used to call him, " Uncle
Jim," was born in Mason, New Hampshire, Octo-
ber 30th, 1783. He married Abigail Bowen, of

432

Connecticut, January loth, 1808. They had
eleven children, Nancy, Alonzo, Maria, Riley,
Fordyce, Fletcher, Mary Ann, Julia Ann, Laura,
Bowen and Julia. James, Sr., died December 9th,
1844.

James, Jr., and wife came to Rushford from
New Hampshire with an ox-team in 1 809. Bowen,
their youngest son, lives upon the farm his father
acquired from the Holland Land Co. when he first
came to Rushford. Mrs. Julia Gordon Fletcher,
of Pony, Montana, is their only other surviving
child. So far four generations have made this
farm their home. James, Jr., died October 24th,
1868, aged eighty-five years.

Tarbell was born in Mason, New Hampshire,
January 2ist, 1785. He married Lucy Lawrence.
They had eleven children, Laura, William,
and Laura, born in Cavendish, Vermont, and
Simon, Ely, Adaline, Myra, Elvira, Luthera,
Salome, and Cyrus, born in Rushford. Tarbell and
his family came from Vermont in 181 1, and took
up the land north of the village. The farm was
owned by some member of the family until 1898.
Tarbell Gordon was remarkable for his firmness
and inflexibility of purpose, when the truth of God
and conscience were concerned. He was one of
the first who composed the Methodist class organ-
ized in 1816.

On the evening of the twentieth of February,
1845, ofi^ of his brothers spent the evening with
him. Soon after the brother left, he attended
family worship, and retired for the night. About
two o'clock in the morning, his wife found that he
had passed into the spirit world. His death was
a great shock to the community, as sudden
deaths in those days were not so common as to-
day. He was forty years old at the time of his
death. All of his children have passed to the
other world. He has three grandchildren living
in Rushford, Mrs. Lucy Gordon Gant, Mr.

fV V

ME. and MRS. AVERY WASHBURN

433

Willis H. Leavens and Mrs. Flora Metcalf
Thomas.

William Gordon, Jr., was born in Mason, New
Hampshire, October 7th, 1787. He married for
his first wife Mira, second daughter of Eneas
and Esther Buckingham Gary. William came to
Western New York in company with Eneas
Gary to look the country over in 1808, remaining
only a short time, when he returned to Vermont.
In 1809 he and his wife returned to Rushfordand
settled upon a farm just north of the village.
William finally moved from that farm to a house
south of the village. In 1836 he built a grist-
mill. This mill was owned by some member ot
his family, with the exception of a year or two,
until it was burned in 1883. He also built a
carding mill, where rolls were made for the
women to spin and weave into cloth. In 1842,
A. Washburn, a son-in-law, became a member of
the firm. At this time it was owned by Mr.
Washburn, Samuel and J. B. Gordon. Later
Samuel was bought out by the other partners,
and for many years it was known all over the
county as Gordon and Washburn's Woolen Mill,
As the time demanded and the business increased,
new style looms were added till it was doing an
extensive business, making woolen cloths which
found a market in many States. In 1873 it was
burned. At this time it was owned by J. B.
Gordon and Son.

William was a local preacher in the Metho-
dist Church, and he was its first class leader. He
had charge of the building of three Methodist
churches in Rushford, the present one built in
1854. In the early days ot Rushford people had
to go to Rochester for their supplies. At one
time while there he saw a bake oven. It was a
great improvement over the brick oven, and he
brought one home. Although very late in the
day when he arrived, he must show the family

434

how the new oven would bake biscuit, so he had
some made and set them in front of the fireplace
to bake. Another time when in the city he
bought a cook-stove and brought it home. He
was the first person in town to have either of
these improvements. He was a man who kept
up with the times.

He had two sons by his first wife. Samuel, 3,
born June 12th, 18 10, was the first male child
born in the town of Rushford. One time when
his father was going to Mount Morris for supplies
he took Samuel with him. On their return
Samuel came very near freezing. His father
made him get out of the sleigh, and made him
run by whipping him. In this way he was kept
from freezing. He married Nancy Griffin. At
this time he was in business in Centerville. After
the wedding he and his bride rode to their new
home horseback, both upon one horse. Later
they moved to Rushford, where he was in busi-
ness with his father and brother, and built a
house. In 1851 he and his brother Lorenzo went
to Erie, 111. Later they moved to Sauk Rapids,
Minnesota, and he died there December 14th, 1879.

September 7th, 181 2, their second child was
born. They named him Jedediah Buckingham,
after his great-grandfather on his mother's side.
When he was only six weeks old his mother died.

"Jed," as he was aiifectionately called, did not
marry as early as some of his brothers. People
used to ask him why he did not marry. He re-
plied that he was afraid he would marry some of
his relations if he married in Rushford. He at-
tended school in Wyoming. There he met Miss
Juliett Hovey, a charming woman, and fell in love
with her. February 21st, 1839, they were married,
and he brought his wife to Rushford. He built
the house where Fred Gordon now lives, about
1 84 1. The first time Mrs. Gordon visited her
father's home after her marriage, her grandmother

JEDEDIAH BUCKINGHAM GORDON

435

asked her what her husband's name was. She
gave his full name. Then she was asked where
he got the name of Buckingham. She replied,
" From his great-grandfather." Tracing the name
back, they found that their great-grandmothers
were twin sisters. In the room for old relics at
the Centennial was a baby dress which Jedediah
wore when a baby. The dress was made from his
grandmother Carey's wedding dress. He was As-
sessor many years, served his town as Supervisor,
and was Colonel in the State Militia. He was
twice married. His second wife was Mary
Thompson, of Rushford. He lived in the house
which he built until his death, May 24th, 1898.

Jedediah B. Gordon was destined to become
an important factor in the history of the town,
almost to the close of the century. At the age
of twenty-one he was taken into partnership
with his father in his carding mill and he re-
mained in active business in Rushford during
the intervening years. He was also interested in
western pine lands and grain speculations.

Avery Washburn, of Topeka, Kan., who was
associated with Mr. Gordon for nearly a quarter of
a century, in writing of him says: "In all this
period of our partnership never was there any
disagreement or wrangling. It is difficult to con-
ceive, almost, how so long a partnership could ex-
ist without more or less jarring or unpleasantness
at times, but I attribute it to the very genial dis-
position of Mr. Gordon. He was possessed of a
very mature judgment and, quick to comprehend,
he grasped the conditions, and whatever the sub-
ject, he seemed to be ready to give his reasons
for his belief; he was decided in his statements
and the reasons for his faith were hedged about
with a good deal of decision and independence.
The fact is, he dared to be independent in his
sentiments. He thought for himself, reasoned for
himself and decided for himself. * * * "

436

At a special meeting of the Rushford Board of
Trade, on the 28th day of May, 1898, resolutions
were adopted, expressing great esteem and sorrow
at his death.

William Gordon married for his second wife
Martha Gary, a sister of his first wife. They had
ten children, Lorenzo, Kastern, Stanbury, Janetta,
Stoddard, Salome, Copeland, Wesley, Asbury
and Tarbell. As his children married, he gave
each one a lot upon which to build his house.
Lorenzo built his where Frank Fuller lives;
he moved to Erie, Illinois, in 1851. Mr, Wash-
burn, who married Kastern, built the house where
Mr. Dowe lives; they moved to Kansas in 1865.
Stanbury built the house where Mrs. Elbert
Baker lives. He lived in Rushford, and died
February 15th, 1875. Stoddard and Copeland
went to Topeka early in life, living there before
Kansas became a State. Copeland was pro-
prietor ol The Copeland Hotel for many years.
Asbury and Tarbell also moved there. Scilome,
who married Russell Bell, moved to Sterling,
Illinois. Wesley lived in Rushford. He died
October 4th, 1907.

There are five of William's children living, Mrs.
Kastern Gordon Washburn, Mrs. Salome Gordon
Bell, John Copeland Gordon, Asbury Bishop
Gordon, Tarbell Gordon. William has three
grandchildren living in Rushford, Ellen and Fred
Gordon, and Mrs. Verna Gordon Tarbell. Mrs. W.
H. Acker, another granddaughter, lives in Michi-
gan. William married for a third wife Mrs. Laura
Woods. He built his house about 1837, living
there the remainder of his life. He died April
5th, 1870, aged eighty-three years. Because so
many of his children had homes about him, that
part of Rushford was called Gordonville.

John Gordon was born in Cavendish, Ver-
mont, August 4th, 1 790. He married Harmony
Woodworth January 24th, 18 10. They came to

"a
o

g.^

437

Rushford in 1811, and took up the farm where
Mr. Freeman Hves. The farm has always re-
mained in the family; it is now owned by Mrs.
Alice Gordon Hooker, of Fairport, New York.
They had five children, James, Luther, Matilda,
Walter and Wilson. James and Luther were
among the stirring business men in Rushford's
early history; they were dry-goods merchants for
many years. In 1856 they moved to Brockport,
where they carried on an extensive lumber busi-
ness. Luther invented the famous Genesee plow,
which to this day is manufactured and extensively
sold.

Wilson Gordon, the youngest son of John, is
the only living child. His home is in Topeka,
Kansas.

Wilson Gordon, the youngest son of James, Sr.,
was born in Cavendish, Vermont, June 4th, 1794.
He married Lydia Pratt; they came to Rushford
in 1812. They had four children, Sophia, Jerusha,
Thomas and Orson. Wilson's farm has always
remained in the family. In company with his
brothers, John and William, he built a sawmill
about 1830, and ran it some twenty-five years.
Wilson was thrice married. His second wile was
Mrs. Paulina Walker Brown; his third Mrs. Eliza-
beth Ward, who is still living. Wilson died
February 27th, 1879, None of his children are
living.

Three of the original Gordon farms which
were bought of the Holland Land Company
are still owned by some member of their
family. There are eight grandchildren of James
and Jerusha Gordon still living. Mrs. Kastern
Washburn, in her eighty-ninth year, is the oldest
Gordon living, and Tarbell Gordon, in his seventy-
first year, is the youngest; both children of Wil-
liam. Their homes are in Topeka, Kansas.

The brothers, James, Tarbell, WiUiam and Wil-
son were old-time Methodists.

438

Marii CHlara (BaviatL

Mary Clara Gordon, daughter of Jedediah
Buckingham and Juliett Hovey Gordon, was born
in Rushford, April 3, 1851.

Her first school was held in the basement of the
Academy, where Cornelia Washburn and she,
with their blue and white bag filled with books,
trudged back and forth, hardly letting a day pass
without stopping at the Post Office and asking if
there was any mail for the "Dordonville" folks,
never getting any mail until on February 14, 1856,
Mrs. Cynthia Woodworth, Postmistress, said
there were letters for Cornelia Washburn and
Mary Gordon ; did any persons by that name live
there? Of course they did, and two prouder
girls never walked that road than those six and
five year olds with valentines written by Mrs.
Woodworth, ornamented with silver tinsel on
pink writing paper. Cornelia was always telling
Mary she could never catch up with her, as she
was six years old. Mary was very anxious to
catch up with her, but God took Cornelia, and it
was many years before Mary had another chum.
Miss Emma Kilburn, later Mrs. Albion Tourgee,
was her governess, after which she attended the
Rushford Academy.

Her trunks were packed August 17, 1864, to go
to Lima Seminary, N. Y., when the flood of that
date prevented. When the bridges were rebuilt
she went to Gainesville, N. Y., as that school be-
gan later, afterwards attending the Rushford
Academy until the fall of 1869, when she went to
Rochester, to the Riverside Seminary, where she
remained until her mother's death.

September 12, 1871, she with others started
for California, returning April, 1872, having seen
no snow until her return to Allegany County.

July, 1872, she met one who was to be her
future husband on the step of Mrs. Hapgood's

MABY CLABA GORDON

(MES. W. H. ACKER)

439

house, the grandmother of the late Governor Hig-
^ins, and the house where he was born. She was
married to William Henry Acker, June 4, 1873,
going to Carson City, Mich., where they lived five
years, moving to Richmond, October, 1878,
where and in Detroit they still reside, having a
home in both places.

She joined the Baptist church in Rushford,
May 4, 1867, taking a letter from there to unite
with St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church of
Detroit, where she is a regular attendant.

Mrs. Acker is a member of the Eastern Star
Lodge, of the Louisa St. Claire Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution of De-
troit, and a Daughter of 18 12. Her husband, Wil-
liam H. Acker, is a banker, and was one of the
number who drew up the present Constitution of
the State of Michigan, being on the Committee of
Rules, Banking, Cities and Villages, as well as on
two other committees. He was a Presidential
Elector from Michigan in 1908, and has held
other important positions. He is considered a
very capable business man and is well known
throughout the State of his adoption, as well as
in the State of New York, where he was born.

StttpB to lEllm (Bttrhtin

FROM

Mary Touslby.
"Oh! think not of me in the lighted hall,
Where beauty and music lend grace to all" —
When light feet are treading the mazy dance.
And bright eyes are meeting thine, perchance —
Then think not of me.

When proud dreams of glory throng to thy view,
More radiant than moonlight that glitters on dew-
When the rosebuds of hope are all opening fast,
And thy heart fondly thinks joy forever will last,
Then think not of me.

440

But when the rude winds of adversity blow,
And earth's blossoms of hope are forever laid low-
When thou art surrounded with darkness and storm,
And thou lookest in vain for the coming of morn.

Then think thou of me.

When thy visions of glory are fainter by far,
Than the last fading ray of the morning's dim star.
And thy soul turns away from the meteor light
To the love of that "Being divinely bright,"

Then think thou of me.

When thou bowest before the eternal throne
Of the purely spotless and Holy One —
When thy incense of prayer ascendeth on high
And the angel of mercy is hovering nigh,

Wilt thou then think of me?

SamsB (Btxvhan, 3r.

Earl Gordon.

James Gordon, Jr., was born in Mason, New
Hampshire, in 1781. In 1808 he married Abigail
Bowen, and came to Rushford in 1809 or '10
from Vermont, bringing his family and goods
with an ox team ; one cow was also brought
along as a foundation for a dairy. After looking
the township over Mr. Gordon settled on the
farm now occupied by his son, Isaac B. Gordon,
and grandson, Dean Gordon. Mr. Gordon was
led to settle where he did by the large size of the
timber, as he believed that it indicated a rich soil.
Near the place where he built his log-house stood
an elm, which he called the largest he had ever
seen.

For a number of years there was very little
chance to market the farm products at home, so
each year a trip was made by team to Rochester
with a load of butter and cheese, which was
traded for supplies for the family. The cheese
would bring from 5 cents to 6 cents per pound
and the butter about 12 cents. As the village
grew a market was made for firewood, for which
20 cents per cord was paid for cutting. Mr. Gor-

MISS ELLEN GORDON

441

don and his brother Tarbell made a record of
chopping 81/8 cords of four feet wood in a day.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Gordon. Nancy, the oldest, in 181 1. She mar-
ried Isaac Rowley, who built the house now
used as the Methodist parsonage and lived
there for some years. Their three children,
Silas, Elliot and Mary Rowley Wilson, married
and settled in other places.

Alonso, Riley and Julian Gordon died in their
youth.

Maria Gordon was born in 1814, and in 1838
married Eliab Benjamin ; she moved to the house
now occupied by her grandson, W. F. Benjamin,
and lived there until her death in 1900.

Fordyce Gordon was born in 18 19, and a few
years after his marriage to Sarah Smith he moved
to Cuba, where he resided until his death in 1908.
There were ten children in his family at the time
of his death. Few people could claim as many
children and great-grandchildren as he.

J. D. Fletcher Gordon was born in 1821, and at
his marriage to Sophrona Adams settled on the
farm now owned by W. D. Buttifant. His five
children, Frank, Milton, Lucy, Mrs. Attie
Youngs and Mrs. Ella Holmes, are all living
and are held in high esteem by their many friends
in this section.

Marion Gordon was born in 1822. After her
marriage to Baxter George she lived for some
time in Rushford, but later they moved to Iowa,
where they both died.

Laura Gordon was born in 1827. She married
John Nobles. Their five children, Louise, Wilbur,
Helen, Milton and Arthur, all settled in distant
parts of the country.

Julia Gordon was born in 1834. After her mar-
riage to J. T. Fletcher she moved to Montana,
where she still lives, being, with her brother Isaac,
the only survivors of the large family.

442

Isaac B. Gordon was born in 1832. He served
in the Civil War in the 50th N. Y. Engineers'
Brigade Band. In 869 he married Melinda
Rice and settled on his father's farm, where he
has since resided.

Earl, the oldest of his four children, married
Vira Wilmot and moved to New York, where his
three children, Clain Mildred and Jeanette, were
born. The death of his wife followed in 1904.

May, his only daughter, married S. E. Wilmot,
and they have since resided on a farm at Fair-
view where their children, Alice and Obed, were
born.

As Herbert, the youngest child, died when
seven years of age, the management of the farm
has fallen upon Dean, the next older. In 1904
he married Birdella Weaver, and their daughter
Leila represents the fifth generation that have
lived on Brookside Farm, as James Gordon, Sr.,
made his home there later with his son.

Ellen Green Nye.
James Hagerman Green was born in Muncie,
Pennsylvania, in 1805. He was of Enghsh
Quaker descent on the father's side and German
Calvinist on the mother's, and was one of twelve
children. He always felt his lack of education.
Occasionally a teacher came along and taught a
select school for a few weeks, but tuition was
high, and as there were so many of them, not
all could go. Since his father was a boat car-
penter and away from home most of the time,
and his brother was brought up by the Hager-
mans, James was left to do the work of the small
farm, and to see to the family. To supply them
with meat, he used to hunt nights with his two dogs,
one lying at his feet and the other at his head
when there was no game stirring. As soon as

443

they heard anything, they would start up and run.
This would waken him. He thought it affected
his health, sleeping on the ground so much.

When he was eighteen, there was a defect
found in the title of the farm, and fearing they
were going to lose it, he started out on foot with
twenty-five cents in his pocket, and came to
Elmira (went right past an uncle's, but would not
stop for fear he would send him home again),
where he learned the shoe-makers' trade. He
next went to Cayuga Lake, where he worked
awhile, when some one prevailed upon him to go
to Perry. He lived there a number of years and
owned some property, which he traded for his
farm in Centerville. He rejected the severe Cal-
vinistic belief, but did not know there was any
church teaching his belief until he found a Uni-
versalist Church in Perry.

In the fall of 1833, Daniel Searle went to Perry
and hired him to act as foreman in his shoe shop
in Rushford. He also wished him to keep the
books. The latter he refused to do, for fear he
could not write well enough. Mr. Searle said they
could get along with that, for they would both go
to writing school, as there was a good teacher in
town.

It was in Rushford he met Lydia La Salle, who
was visiting her cousin, Mrs. Searle. She didn't
really want to give up her independent life, so she
went home to Madison County and stayed one
year before she gave him an answer. Then he
went out there, and they were married in the fall
of 1836 by one of the most noted of Universalist
Ministers, Rev. E. M. Woolley. Cake and wine
were served at the wedding, and the company
were entertained by a poem written by Mr. Wool-
ley for the occasion.

Mrs. Green's family were Connecticut people,
of French descent. They were supposed to be
related to the explorer by that name. Mr. and

444

Mrs. Green began keeping house in the spring ot
1837 in the rooms over Mr. Searle's tannery, on
the Washington White lot. There was no other
place to be rented at the time. He bought land
of Sampson Hardy, and erected a house, where
they always lived. He finally started a shop in
the chambers and went to work for himself,
promising mother he would build a shop, but the
rooms proved so comfortable she could never get
him out, though she needed the room for her
growing family. Since his family was consump-
tive and the disease hung about him, I have no
doubt it prolonged his life a good many years, to
have the sun and air streaming in on him from
three large windows. He had one peculiarity, he
dearly loved his white plush stove-pipe hats, which
I presume a good many now living remember.

There was a great deal of work done in the
shoemaker's line at that time. He never kept
very much help, but most of them kept several
hands. Those who carried on business at that
time were Joseph Bell, Mr. Dolan, Cyrus Lathrop,
Mr. Congdon, Edward Brooks, Mr. Barras, Rosel
Williams and Mr. Colburn. The old apple trees
in the yard were brought up from Caneadea by
Mr. Hardy on his back and set out by him.

Mr. Green was the trustee in his school district
a number of terms and Librarian a good many
years.

He died August 24th, 1887. Lydia L.Green,
who lived to be ninety-five, died July i6th, 1906.
They did what they could; they were a good
father and mother, and honorable citizens. They
had six children, Marcus L., of Avon; Mary A.,
who died in 1862, and who was postmistress dur-
ing Buchanan's administration; Ellen L., who was
a teacher, and married M. B. Nye (she has one
son, Claude Nye); Sarah E. and Lucia A., who
took care of their aged parents and still live at the
old home, and Sam H. Green, of Centreville.

445

STljif ^vep^tth IFamtlg.

Compiled prom Ne;w Engi^and and Ne;w York
Public Records.

Bates Turner Hapgood was descended from
Shadrach Hapgood, "who at the age of fourteen
years embarked at Gravesend, England, May 30,
1656, in the Speadwell, bound for New Eng-
land."

Shadrach, m. 1664, Elizabeth Treadway. He
obtained a grant of land in Massachusetts which
has remained in the Hapgood family to the pres-
ent time. Shadrach was killed in the massacre at
Brookfield, Mass., while he was on scout duty
during King Philip's War.

Thomas, son of Shadrach, b. Oct., 1669, in
Mass., married Judith Barker, in 1690. He had
large tracts of land in Mass. and Conn. One of
the Garrison houses in Marlboro was named for
him in 1704. In 1690 he was in the bloody fight
against the Indians near Oyster River, N. H.

Thomas,* b. 1702, m. 1724, Damaris Hutchins.
Captain Thomas was precinct treasurer and par-
ish treasurer of the North Parish, in 1743, which
later became Boylston.

Lieut. Asa,* their son, b. 1728, m. 1750, Anna,
dau. of Asa Bouker, who was among the first
settlers of Boston.

In 1773, a town meeting was called to "con-
sider a circular letter from the town of Boston,
concerning the State and Rights of the Province."
The letter was referred to a Committee of Three
and Asa Hapgood presented the petition, which
was signed by the Governor June 17, 1774. "He
was Chairman of the Committee of Safety in
1775, ai^d of the Committee of Correspondence,
and had great influence in reorganizing the
militia. He was a delegate to the Convention
in 1779, for the express purpose of framing a
form of government." "In this important con-

446

vention, Barre was represented by those clear-
sighted men who had performed great public
service." Lieut. Hapgood served in Rhode Island
in Col. Whitney's Regiment, in 1777; later in Col.
James Wilder's Regiment. He died 1791.

The son, Asa,^ b. Shrewsbury, Mass., 1759,
m. Jane, daughter of Charles Bouker. They
settled in Reading, Vermont, in 1780. Sixteen
years later they went to Fairfax, where Bates
Turner was born, in 1800.

Bates Turner Hapgood was in school in Conn,
and Mass. So far as the family or State records
show, he did not go to western New York until
1 82 1. In a pamphlet published on the seventy-
fifth anniversary of the Baptist Church of Rush-
ford, it is said that in September, 1821, B. T.
Hapgood and Allen Taylor were among those
who were candidates for baptism, and that they
were later baptized by two missionaries.

In January, 1826, he was married to Alzina
Taylor, when she was sixteen years old. They
went on horseback from Massachusetts to Chau-
tauqua Lake, N. Y.

His brother, Joel Nelson Hapgood, and a sister,
Jane, also went to Lake Chautauqua and lived
and died there, as well as other members of the
family.

Another brother, Asa,® while visiting his two
brothers here in 1829, was drowned in Lake
Chautauqua, near Mayville, April 2. An un-
usual occurrence was connected with this event.
Bates and Alzina Taylor Hapgood, were sitting
at the table eating fish, when the door was
suddenly thrown open and a distracted man
exclaimed, "Your brother Asa has been
drowned in the Lake. Come quick!" Mrs.
Hapgood rose suddenly from her seat, naturally
much perturbed by this intelligence, and swal-
lowed a fish bone, which caused at the time ex-

BATES TURNER HAPGOOD

447

treme suffering, as it lodged in her throat. Local
physicians were summoned, and she afterward
consulted noted physicians throughout the coun-
try. Two operations were performed, but it was
impossible to extract the fishbone in the begin-
ning, and later, although her suffering was allevi-
ated, nothing could be done to restore the throat
to its normal condition. From that time, during
her entire life, she could only take liquid food.
This did not make her an invalid, however.
After the family found that no relief could
be obtained, she accepted it in a philosophical
manner, and allowed no shadow to be cast upon
others by what would have seemed to many a
great deprivation.

Charles Hapgood, a brother, purchased from
the Holland Land Company, in 1833, Lot 53, in
Rushford. He married Miss Kendall. One son,
George Washington, served in the Civil War.
Another, Harrison, went to Colorado in the early
days with Fremont.

In 1834, B. T. Hapgood acquired his first
land in Rushford, a portion of Lot 36, containing
fifty acres, from the Holland Land Company,
bounded south by land of David Seaton and Wil-
liam Gordon, east by lot 28, west by line parallel
to east lot, north by land deeded to David Searle.
In 1836, James Kendall and wife deeded to B. T.
Hapgood, consideration six hundred dollars, a
further portion of Lot 36, containing forty-four
and one-half acres. On May 4th of the same
year, J. Holmes and wife deeded a portion of Lot
37, and on the same date the Holland Land Com-
pany gave deed for further lands in this lot. In
October, 1836, he added to his land by purchase
from the Holland Land Company.

In 1842, he purchased land of Milton McCall
and wife, consideration eleven hundred and fifty
dollars; in March, 1844, from James McCall and
wife, consideration twenty-five hundred dollars.

448

eighty- four acres in the southeast corner of Lot
28, and forty-one acres adjoining above. The
hydraulic power was reserved and six square rods
of ground for burying purposes, but the
hydraulic power was released by James McCall
in 1846 to B. T. Hapgood.

In 1853, Israel Thompson deeded land in Lot
36 to B. T. Hapgood. In 1859, the Farmers'
Loan and Trust Company of New York deeded
land to him in Lot 16, as did Edwin B. Weaver.
In i860, he purchased lands from Marcellus
Palmer, and from Benjamin Chamberlain and
others.

Although he is spoken of in the early histories
of the town as being among the early merchants,
one giving him as the third merchant in Rush-
ford, he must also have been much interested in
the land.

In the year 1836 he completed the house, which
still stands, where his daughter, Lucia Cornelia,
was married to Orrin Thrall Higgins, and where
their son, Frank Wayland Higgins, and their
daughter, Clara Alzina Hapgood Higgins, and
Orrin Thrall Higgins, 2nd, son of Frank Way-
land Higgins, were born. Bates Turner Hap-
good went to the "Everlasting Arms" from this
house, July, 1867. His wife, Alzina Taylor
Hapgood, passed away peacefully at Angelica,
New York, at the home of her granddaughter,
Clara A. H. Smith, January 5, 1879. The chil-
dren of B. T. and Alzina Taylor Hapgood were
Lucia Cornelia, b. March, 1831; Edwin, b. Feb-
ruary, 1837, d. Dec. 26, 1846.

"Mrs. Hapgood was a stately woman." Her en-
ergy knew no bounds. Her life undoubtedly had
in it many struggles in common with those who
went from Massachusetts to western New York,
although she was remarkably shielded by her hus-
band; and in those days the husband, the broth-
ers, the children and grandchildren gave her

MRS. BATES TURNER HAPGOOD

(ALZINA TAYLOR)

449

homage. The parents did not then exist for the
sake of the children, but the children were
taught not only obedience to God, but to honor
those who had come before them in life.

Professor Buck, who is in no way connected
with the family, has sent a most spontaneous
tribute, which follows this sketch.

Another has written that "B. T. Hapgood was
a broadly educated and, what is better, a thor-
oughly good man."

The compiler remembers B. T. Hapgood as the
companion and play-fellow of her childhood. His
cheery nature, sympathy and poise meant much
in the home. She recalls him as the typical coun-
try gentleman of the old type.

At the early dawn of a July morning in 1867,
the two little grandchildren were brought to the
grandfather's bedside, where the family and El-
vira Taylor were watching. They were told by
Marshall Nye that their grandfather was dying.
He evidently overheard, for he said in a clear,
triumphant tone : "Sweet fields beyond the swell-
ing flood stand dressed in living green." The
little girl ran and brought to him a white rose.
He drew her toward him, saying "I am the res-
urrection and the life." Then his voice faltered.
He said, "Clara," and passed on.

Prof. G. W. F. Buck.

My intimacies at Rushford were in general,
especially at first, with families who had chil-
dren attending the Academy. The social ele-
ment was, indeed, the basis of my education
theory.

Deacon Bates Turner Hapgood had been fore-
most in establishing that institution and promot-
ing its welfare in its earliest history. After I

45°

became Principal he withdrew from the Board of
Trustees, considering that those officials ought to
be heads of such families as I have mentioned.

Owing to these circumstances, my remem-
brance of him is one of impression rather than
of incidence; but of impressions so vivid that I
recall him with utmost care after this long period,
exactly "in his habit as he lived."

A man of excellent sense and judgment, of
course, since he was a Yankee (Massachusetts
and Vermont) domiciled in Rush ford. Almost
but not quite so much a matter of course, a man
of undeviating, unflinching integrity — praise al-
ways given by all his neighbors, the only praise
that he would have valued, would even have al-
lowed, such was his extreme modesty.

A Puritan or Covenanter developed in a
softer air, a milder civilization than those an-
cients enjoyed — ^more human, more humane, just
as decorous and devout.

Nay, Abou Ben Adhem of the quaint school-
reader poem, there you have Deacon Hapgood,
just so watchfully kind, so tenderly considerate,
a benign oriental Sheik, not genial in our rude
western way of showing good nature, but gravely
gracious, sedately, if the phrase were allowable,
austerely gentle.

Most willingly would the angel have written
him down "As one who loved his fellow-man";
adding this, "Loved by them also." For in all
the years that I knew him in that delightful old
town — how dear to me, almost painfully dear to
me yet, but like other small towns, as it was then,
sometimes gossiping a trifle unamiably, I never
heard a "harm word," as they say in the South,
of Deacon Hapgood. Surely from the sweetness
of that "Dream of peace" which a life, aging
like his into perfect purity, can gain even here,
he awoke into the reality of peace beyond.

451

Once more I must quote that poem ; I have
learned to admire it so much, and it is here so
suitable :

"Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one niglit from a deep dream of peace,

And saw within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich and Hke a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold :

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold.

And to the Presence in the room he said,

'What writest thou?' — The vision raised its head.

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered — 'The names of those who love the Ivord.'

'And is mine one ?' said Abou ; 'Nay, not so,'

Replied the angel. — Abou spoke more low.

But cheerily still ; and said 'I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.'

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again, with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blessed

And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."

LuciEN E. Hardy,

Samson Hardy was born in Bedford, Mass.,
December 30th, 1753, and little is known at present
of his boyhood days. On the 19th of April, 1775,
he marched in Captain Moore's Company, from
Bedford, Mass., with the minute men, as the alarm
had been given by Paul Revere the evening of
the 1 8th, to John Hancock and Samuel Adams,
that General Gage with his British regulars had
left Boston on their way to Lexington.

He served in the Revolutionary war until the
Declaration of Independence, and was at Ticon-
deroga. He was pensioned for his services.

Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war
he was married to Mary Spaulding of Weslford,
Mass., who was born December 3d, 1764.

They settled in Cavendish, Vermont, at which
place all of their children were born, nine in number,

452

named — Polly (Mrs. Upham), born February 26th,
1787; Rachel (Mrs. Blakesley), born January 28th,
1789; Lucy (Mrs. Cady), born January 26th, 1791;
Hannah ^Mrs. Nott), born April 24th, 1793;
Lucinda (Mrs. Patterson), born September 7th,
1795; Stephen, born September 23d, 1797;
Samson, Jr., born October 23d, 1799; Betsy (Mrs.
Ely), born April 28th, 1802; Rebeccah (Mrs.
Philips), born August 24th, 1804.

In 181 1 he moved with his family from Caven-
dish, Vt., to Rushford, N. Y., and bought of the
Holland Land Company 200 acres on lot No. 37,
at #2.25 per acre. Beside his occupation of farming,
he kept a hotel or inn as it was called in those
days. He also owned, and ran a distillery.

The second town meeting held in the town of
Rushford was held at his house in 18 17.

On the morning of New Years day, 1817, his
log house was burned; by twelve o'clock, noon,
the neighbors had assembled with axes and ox
teams, and before night they had hauled logs
enough to rebuild the house.

About this time Judge McCall appeared on the
scene and advised them not to build a log house
but to build a plank house, and he offered to saw
the lumber, gratis. The next day a sufficient
quantity of logs were drawn to McCall's mill, and
in a very few days Mr. Hardy's family were
occupying their new plank house.

All of his children with the exception of
Sampson, Jr., and Rebeccah having married, and
left home, he sold his farm and all of his other
property to his son Samson, Jr., on the 2d day of
April, 1 82 1, and as part of the consideration,
Samson, Jr., was to keep and care for Samson, Sr.,
and his wife during their lifetime, and was to give
them each I2.00 per year for spending money.

He died in Rushford, November 29th, 1831,
and his wife, Mary Spaulding Hardy, died at the
same place February 24th, 1852. Both were buried

453

in what is known as the " First Burying Ground,"
in the west part of the village of Rushford.

Samson Hardy, Jr., who bought his father's
homestead and other property in 182 1, was
married on the 4th day of June, 1823, to
Sophronia Wright, who was born at Westford,
Mass., June 23d, 1802. They immediately went
to housekeeping on the homestead farm, and were
residents of Rushford all the rest of their lives.

They had ten children, three of whom, Rolon,
Susan and Mary, died in infancy. The other seven
children were, Samuel A., born January 17th, 1827,
died March 2 2d, 1907; Maria, born March 3d,
1829, died February 22d, 1877; Lucy, born
November 9th, 1830, died August 28th, 1899;
Webster, born December 28th, 1832, died May
20th, 1893; Sophronia, born May 3d, 1835, died
January i8th, 1910; Asa W., born August 4th,
1837, died May 8th, 1886; and Martha, born
January 26th, 1840. All settled in Rushford and
spent nearly all of their lives in this town.

Samuel A. Hardy married Catherine Youngs
May 6th, 1850, who died in 1852, leaving one
child, Elbert C. Hardy, born June 22d, 1851, now
living in Buiifalo, N. Y., and who married Florence
Hill of Rushford, who died in 1901; his children
are, J. Dezell Hardy, of Buffalo, N. Y., and E.
Clarence Hardy, of Ludington, Mich.

February 5th, 1855, Samuel A. married the
second time, Ann Williams, who was born in
Wales, January ist, 1833, and who still survives.

He had three children by this marriage, Lucian
E., of Rushford, born October 26th, 1857;
Catherine A., of East Aurora, N. Y., born March
7th, 1863, who married W. F. Wells, whose chil-
dren are William A. and Herbert E. ; and Martha
E., born September 6th, 1865, who died in infancy.

Maria Hardy married Andrew Kimball Jan-
uary 28th, 1847.

Lucy Hardy married DeWitt C. Butts Septem-

454

ber 30th, 1 851; children, Mary (Mrs, W. W.
Kimball), and Josephine, both living in Bingham-
ton. N. Y.

Webster Hardy married Mary Jane Pettit July
6th, 1855; children, Clarence, who was killed at
Baltimore in 1881; Elmer E., now residing at
Farmersville, N. Y.; Fred and Etta (Mrs. E. A.
Potter), both living at Belmont, N. Y.; he was
married the second time to Nelia Hyde, of Rush-
ford, N. Y.

Sophronia Hardy married Adison Kimball No-
vember 30th, 1854. One child, Addie (Mrs.
Charles Pelton), residing at Franklinville, N. Y.
She was married the second time to D. D. Per-
sons, of Rushford, N. Y.

Asa W. Hardy married Sarah Freeman Sep-
tember 20th, 1858; children, Irving D., residing
at Portville, N. Y.; Burton F., residing at Olean,
N. Y.; and May (Mrs. John Gibbon), residing at
Springville, N. Y.

Martha Hardy married Abner H. Claus De-
cember 24th, 1857. One child, Grace (Mrs. Roy
Taylor), residing at Rushford, N. Y.

Samson Hardy, Jr., was generally known in
this section as Colonel Hardy, having been
commissioned Colonel during the time that
general trainings were held. He was Supervisor
of Rushford in 1831, 1837 and 1838; the
Town Meeting in 1830 was held at his house.
He was also postmaster of Rushford for several
years.

He was a member of the first Board of Trus-
tees of Rushford Academy, and was prominently
identified with nearly all public enterprises and
improvements for the betterment of the town
during the first half century after it was organ-
ized.

He bought and sold several tracts of land, and
the northwest part of the village of Rushford was
mostly sold off from the old homestead.

455

For several years he was salesman of the Rush-
ford Cheese Factory, and, as there were no ade-
quate banking facilities in the town in those days,
he would receive the pay for the cheese in cur-
rency and pay it out to the patrons, sometimes
$5,000.00 or $6,000.00 at a time.

His wife, Sophronia Wright Hardy, died on his
seventy-first birthday, October 23d, 1870; and he
died August 5th, 1876.

Samuel Arthur Hardy, eldest son of Samson
Hardy, Jr., was born at Rushford on the old
homestead farm of his father and grandfather, and
lived the last forty years of his life and died on
the same farm. Notice of his birth, marriages
and children are given in preceding paragraphs.

He bought ninety acres of land about one-half
mile north of Rushford village on the Buffalo road
when he was a young man, and lived there until
1867, when he traded with his brother, Webster,
for the old homestead.

Farming was his principal occupation through
life. For several years he and his brothers,
Webster and Asa, owned quite extensive hop
yards, and raised large quantities of hops for
shipment; after a while the price of hops got so
low that it did not pay well to produce them.
Hence the yards were abandoned and the land
used for other purposes.

He was elected and served for several years as
Justice of the Peace, and was also for several
years one of the trustees of the Rushford Union
School.

He was a great lover of music, and when a
young man he was one of a male quartette organ-
ized in Rushford for the purpose of furnishing
campaign songs at political meetings, and was
also one of the original members of the Rushford
Cornet Band, which was organized under the
leadership of Prof. H. R. Palmer. He played one
of the instruments for a great many years, and

456

his brother, Asa W., was leader of the band for
several years previous to his death.

While he did not care for public office, he was
a great reader and took a lively interest in public
affairs. He died March 22d, 1907.

Lucian E. Hardy, son of Samuel A. Hardy,
was born in Rushford October 26th, 1857. His
family is now the only Hardy family left in Rush-
ford.

He was educated at the Rushford Union
School; and later was one of the trustees of said
school and Secretary of the Board of Education
for six years and for the past nine years has been
Treasurer of the School.

Nearly all the time until he was of age he
lived at home on the farm.

He was in the drug store and studied the drug
business and became a licensed pharmacist; but
was offered the position as cashier for Stacy &
Kendall, Bankers, in 1884, and accepted and filled
that position for twenty-five years, when he and
C. J. Howden purchased the business, continuing
it under the name of Howden & Hardy, Bankers,
he still acting as cashier for the new firm.

On the 26th day of March, 1884, he married
Anna A. Kendall, daughter of C. B. Kendall, of
Rushford.

They have four children, Grace A., bom De-
cember 25th, 1886, who graduated from the '
Rushford High School in the class of 1905; H.
Kendall Hardy, born November 7th, 1890, who
graduated from the Rushford High School;
Charles A., born June 2d, 1902; and Leigh E.,
born March 2d, 1906.

Orrin Thrall Higgins was a descendant of
Stephen Hopkins, of the "May Flower" and other
Pilgrim fathers. His first ancestor by the name
of Higgins who emigrated from England was

MR. and MRS. ORRIN THRALL, HIGGINS

457

Richard, who was born in Langley Parish, Hert-
fordshire, August 1st, 1603. He came in the
ship Ann, when very young, but returned to
England, and then went to Leyden, Holland. He
emigrated to the Plymouth Plantation, on the
Talbot in 1629. His name appears on the first
tax roll extant, and he was a member of the Co-
lonial Assembly, 1647-51 and 1661-67. The line
of descent continues through his son, Benjamin,
and his wife, Lydia Hicks Bangs ; their son, Sam-
uel, and his wife, Hannah Payne Cole ; their son,
Captain Israel, and his wife, Ruth Snow Brown ;
his son, Israel 2nd, and his wife, Elizabeth Woods
Aiken; his son, Captain Timothy, and his wife,
Lucy Whitmore; his son Timothy, and wife,
Elmyra Thrall.

The following extracts may interest some mem-
ber of the family :

"The counsel of war, in this time of danger
from the Dutch and French, our common ene-
mies, embraced Anthony Thatcher, Lieutenant
Freeman and Richard Higgins of Eastham"
(Cape Cod, p. 261).

"Two hundred years have passed, and still, Old Tree,

Thou standest in the place where Prince's hand

Did plant thee in his day,

An undesigned memorial of his race

And time, of those, our honored fathers,

When they came from Plymouth o'er, and settled there, ,

Doane, Higgins, Snow, and other worthy men,

Whose names their sons remember to revere."

(History of Eastham p. 15).

The family continued to reside in Massachu-
setts until prior to the Revolutionary War, when
they removed to Middlesex County, Conn., and
engaged in ship-building on the Connecticut
River. During the Revolution, five brothers of
the name were enrolled among the Continental
soldiers. Timothy, the son of one of the broth-
ers. Captain Timothy, was born at East Haddam,
Conn., in 1802, and was baptized there.

458

His brothers, Russell and Willard, had come
"to the Genesee country, because they had learned
of the large forests." Their uncle, Rev.
David Higgins, a graduate of Princeton and
formerly a student at Yale, was among the early
missionaries sent out by the Congregational
Church to Western New York. Timothy Hig-
gins joined his relatives here, living in vari-
ous places until his marriage, when he went
to the town of Centreville, which was created by
an act of the Legislature on January 15, 1819.
This town was named after one in Windsor
County, Vermont, which was supposed to be the
centre of Windsor County in that State, from
which came so many of the founders and early
inhabitants of Rushford. Dr. Higgins did not
practice medicine during the latter part of his
life. He was appointed Surgeon General in
the Militia by various Governors, including
Governor Marcy, and was Supervisor. He was
more interested in politics and geology than in
money, and displayed small financial ability.

Dr. Higgins married (2d) Sophronia Thrall,
a sister of his first wife. Sophronia Thrall Hig-
gins had ability with her pen, as had her brothers,
and she spent much time in the cultivation of
flowers. Dr. and Mrs. Higgins lived in Rush-
ford a few years prior to their death. They
were advanced in years, and had little part in the
activities of the village. One incident might be
related :

During the Greeley campaign his son, Orrin
Thrall Higgins, who was a great admirer and
friend of Horace Greeley, was a most enthusi-
astic supporter of the Greeley candidacy for the
Presidency, in 1872. Mr. Higgins had engaged
a speaker of unusual ability and at large expense,
to address the citizens on the issues of the cam-
paign, in the Academy Hall. Dr. Higgins did

459

not share his son's views, but went to hear the
noted speaker. The latter made a statement
which was extremely pronounced, whereupon the
ponderous form of Dr. Higgins slowly rose and,
pointing a finger at the speaker, he said "That is a
lie," and stalked not only in a dignified, but in an
indignant manner out of the hall. Needless to
say, that the great eloquence of the speaker, as
well as the money of Dr. Higgins' son, had been
wasted on this meeting.

It was necessary for Orrin Thrall Higgins to
begin his activities in a business way early in
life. While employed during the day by a mer-
chant, he had an opportunity to study in the even-
ing under the direction of a most excellent teach-
er, and thought this a great privilege. He was
later with Mr. Charles E. Oilman, whose mem-
ory he often recalled.

Among his early burdens, he said, was wait-
ing in a store for a customer to arrive while his
employer was absent. He was not permitted to
read, but interested himself in studying the dif-
ferent colors in the skeins of sewing silks, and
placing them so that they would be harmonious,
not only to attract buyers, but because of the
pleasure it gave him to be occupied and to study
what combinations of colors might be made. His
enthusiasm over nature, with its varied colorings
and light and shade, was infectious. Although
of such quiet manner, his eyes and example en-
kindled a spirit of industry in all those about
him. It used to be said, "driving like Jehii" meant
"driving like O. T. Higgins."

When only six years old the fearful Higgins'
will power manifested itself by his walking from
Pike, where he had been shopping with his step-
mother, to Centreville, a distance of seven miles,
because she would not allow him to drive. This
was not the end of his punishment. Failing to

460

comply with his father's demand that he should
express regret for his disobedience, he was "rolled
over a barrel" after his return home until sub-
dued, and held it up as a great lesson, in which
he was early taught to obey.

One of his business ventures, in the early fifties,
was in placing such moneys as he had been able
to put aside through his own efforts in the stock
of the "Plank Road," which was built through
the Gorge to Oramel. The stock of the same is
still in existence, and so far as the writer
knows, has never paid a dividend. The pro-
ject was abandoned and Mr. Higgins had
his first lesson in "high finance." Dr. Schurman,
President of Cornell University, says, "Recogniz-
ing the future values, in 1853 and subsequent
years, O. T. Higgins purchased timber lands in
Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and
Washington. Later he purchased iron lands on
the Mesaba and other ranges in Minnesota." Mr.
Higgins was at one time in partnership with Mr.
Billings, and in a village directory in 1869, O.
T. Higgins and W. Griffin are each put down
as broker and merchant. He had stores in vari-
ous towns in New York and Pennsylvania, in
which many Rushford young men found employ-
ment and became Superintendents or partners
after certain years of experience. Among them
were Grover Pratt, Henry Talcott and Homer
Brooks. Again, to quote from President Schur-
man, "Orrin Thrall Higgins is one of the
men who have verified Emerson's saying
that 'America is another name for oppor-
tunity.' The man of organizing genius
knows how to satisfy the wants with those re-
sources. He is a benefactor to society, and soci-
ety does not begrudge him compensation for his
services or profit on the capital he risks in enter-
prises to meet future demands, and so he pros-

461

pered. His personal notes circulated as currency
in Western New York during the days of strin-
gency in the money market at the time of the
Civil War. He carried justice and fair play into
business."

The Chautauqua Assembly Herald of June,
1895, says: "O. T. Higgins belonged to that
class of far-sighted, energetic and capable men
who have done so much for the economic devel-
opment of the country, and have laid the founda-
tions of that material prosperity which is a pre-
requisite of intellectual, aesthetic, moral and even
religious progress.

But success in this work did not satisfy his
nature. His broad human s)mipathies led him
to render aid in countless ways to his fellows.

Although not a member of any church, he con-
tributed to the support of many. Reluctant to
commit himself to any one creed or form, Mr.
Higgins had, nevertheless, a deeply religious na-
ture, and displayed those virtues of strength, in-
tegrity, sympathy, purity and genuine gentleness
which find their full expression in a character
dominated by a sense of responsibility to God and
of the duty of service to mankind."

His devotion to his father-in-law and his wife
during her illness, when he gave up all business,
as well as the opportunities which he made
possible for his children, are gratefully remem-
bered, but the greatest legacy to his children and
to his children's children is that of his honor and
integrity. Progress seemed to be his great watch-
word, and simplicity and nobility characterized
his life.

"His face was a thanksgiving for his past life.
And a benediction to all mankind."

O. T. Higgins married Lucia Cornelia Hap-
good, daughter of B. T. and Alzina Taylor Hap-

462

good, September 25, 1852. Some of the wedding
invitations still in existence show the customs of
the time, as they are placed on rather elaborate
ornamented white note paper. The announce-
ment cards were engraved upon a highly glazed
surface, and read:

Mr. O. T. Higgins.
Miss L. C. Hapgood.

The wedding, which took place in the evening,
may or may not have been characteristic of its
day, but the record of it has been quite minutely
described, as well as an ambrotype of the bride
and groom in their wedding garments. After the
ceremony had been solemnly performed, the
guests repaired to the large front chamber on the
second floor, where supper was served. The
table being removed, an orchestra or band played.
Especial mention is made of the introduction of
two violins, which were suggestive of something
which so marred the solemnity of the occasion
for Mr. John Holmes that he went down to the
living room, which opened from the central front
door, and began reading the Bible.

Lucia Hapgood's name first appears on a
school register in Rushford in 1841, when Dr.
William B. Alley was the teacher. She was
graduated in 1848 from Phipps Union, Albion,
N. Y., and studied elsewhere.

"Mrs. Higgins was a woman of brilliancy and
rare culture of mind," wrote Bishop Simpson.
All who knew her realized how fond she was of
her bright world, and she contributed largely to
the happiness of those in her home, and to the
many whom she delighted to have about her.
In the year after her father's death, "Mrs. Hig-
gins faced and fought a fatal illness, with the
greatest heroism," said Dr. Willard Parker, of
New York. Her smiles and songs between in-

463

tervals of great pain made the atmosphere about
her not Uke one who was passing away from
earth, but as she frequently told her children,
she was "only going on a pleasant journey," to
see their "grandfather and our Father in Heaven.
It will be so beautiful there. You must be glad
that I can go." Each day the children were asked
to bring a little book and write down quotations
from scripture. Those written on July 15, 1868,
are here given :

"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye
shall find rest to your souls."

"Ask and ye shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. Knock
and it shall be opened unto you."

"These are they that have come up out of great tribula-
tion, who have washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the lamb."

"Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them that despitefully use you."

In August, 1868, after having spent much of
the summer in the East, having had consultations
with eminent physicians, she returned to her
home to "fall asleep."

Clara Alzina Hapgood Higgins, daughter of
Orrin T. and Lucia C. Higgins, was in the Bryan
School at Batavia, N. Y., and afterward in school
in Europe. She married Frank Sullivan Smith,
of Angelica, N. Y., and New York City, a grad-
uate of Yale College, holding the degrees of A. B.
and LL.D., who is a well-known lawyer.

Frank Wayland Higgins, their son, born in
Rushford, m. June 5, 1877, Kate Corinne Nobles,
of Sparta, Wis. Children: Orrin Thrall, 'born
in Rushford, m. Elizabeth Bransford, April 16,
1902; Josephine Bell, b. in Olean; Frank Harri-
son, b. in Olean.

Frank W. Higgins had a joyous childhood until

464

he lost his grandfather and mother. He and his
sister had their first lessons from their grand-
father Hapgood, their mother teaching them
French. Later Miss Janette Caldwell was an ef-
ficient governess, compelling them to learn their
lessons. When they failed, punishment was sure
to follow. Frank managed to gain some little
pleasure, however, in almost every punishment
meted out to him, such was his sunny nature, and
he was full of ingenuity. When obliged to sit
quietly in a swing near ' a strawberry, bed,
he arranged a fish hook on a line, which he always
had in his pocket for convenience sake, and man-
aged to fish a few berries and more leaves into
the swing. He was first allowed to go to school
for part of the day, walking to and from there
with his hand in Miss Ford's, and protected by
her great cloak.

He was on the alert every moment; when not
studying, drawing, playing some musical instru-
ment or singing. While in school in Rushford,
he was not so studious in the ways pointed out
by his teachers as in reading newspapers and
books. He had a remarkable memory. On Feb-
ruary loth, 1 87 1, he wrote his first paper on Po-
litical Parties. From early childhood the ques-
tions of the day were discussed by him with much
enthusiasm, and he expressed his views in no un-
certain terms.

He graduated from the Riverview Military
Academy, and engaged in business with a class-
mate in Chicago, afterwards going to the Yellow-
stone Park with Generals Grant and Sherman.
For a short time he was in business in Stanton,
Mich., but returned East to assist his father in
his business affairs.

From the time he entered public service as
Senator, through the many years following, he
had the same genial qualities of his boyhood, to

FRANK WATLAND HIGGINS

465

which was added a sense of great responsibility.
The following has been written by one who held
public office for many years, and may be of inter-
est to the friends of his childhood :

"I had the good fortune to know intimately for
a period of twenty years Frank Wayland Hig-
gins, late Governor of the State of New York,
In that time I came to know something about the
many high qualities which he possessed. * * *
He had a dislike of public show, and no desire to
exploit his personal achievements. His sense of
right and abhorrence of wrong were most acute.
As a public servant he believed his best efforts
and entire time belonged to the public. His belief
in this respect led him to labor many weary hours,
when had he cared less for the exactness of the
task before him, he would have relieved himself
of the burden. No Senator, no Governor ever
made a more careful study of public business
than he. His work in this respect will live in the
statutes of the State, and the results will be a
lasting benefit. By a single statute he revolu-
tionized the State's system of bookkeeping, there-
by making it possible to know precisely the finan-
cial condition of the State at all times. His
knowledge of the details of every State depart-
ment, and all of the penal and charitable institu-
tions was phenomenal. In legislation the name
attached to a measure does not always disclose
the real author. The quiet, thoughtful represent-
ative, with strong character, clear mind and high
purpose, often is the influence that shapes public
policy in legislation, and proper credit is not given
to the real worker. He possessed two of the
greatest qualifications known among men in busi-
ness and political life. He never broke a promise
and never forgot a friend. All in all, he was a
clean-handed, high-minded, patriotic American,
leaving everyone who knew him better for the

466

acquaintance. His term of years reached only
to a century's half-way mark, yet in that time he
had accomplished great things for his fellow-men.
Those who loved him best think of him as one
'who had done his work and held his peace, and
had no fear to die/ "

John W. Hill was the son of John Hill, of Eng-
lish descent, who moved from Vermont at an
early date to Middlebury, N. Y., where John W.
Hill was born in 1814. In 1828 he came with his
father to Centerville, N. Y., where he had bought
a farm near Fg.irview. He helped his father clear
the land, build a dwelling and barns. Arriving at
manhood he bought a farm on Lot No. 40 in Cen-
terville.

In 1839 he married Sophia E. McClure (a
granddaughter of Gen. Joseph McClure, of Rev-
olutionary fame, who was the first settler of
Franklinville, N. Y.). He built a dwelling and
barns and resided on the farm until 1851. The
farm being back from the road, he was not satis-
fied with the location, so he bought another farm
of 2 14 acres on Lot No. 56 in Rushford, and moved
there. He proceeded to build the dwelling and
barns that are now on the farm, which was to be
his future home. Besides doing his work on the
farm, he built many buildings for others. He also
found time to serve his town as Supervisor, High-
way Commissioner and Assessor. He lived on
this farm forty years and died May 20th, 1891.
Mrs. Hill died March 8th, 1891.

They had seven children: Jeannette (Mrs. M.
M. Tarbell), their children Jennie, Abel and
John; of these Abel is the only one now living;
Abel married Catherine Hyde (one child, Theo-
dore); Jennie married Stephen Wilmot (one child,
Jennie); John Dezelle, who married Esther Wilmot

467

(children, Milford and Winnifred) ; Wealtha Jane
(Mrs.W. W. Bush) (children, John and William);
John married Mary Whitney (one child, Watson);
William married Myrtie Metcalf. Fred. O., Sophia
E., Florence A. (Mrs. E. C. Hardy) (children,
Grace, Herbert, Dezelle, Clarence and Grover, of
whom Dezelle and Clarence are now living); De-
zelle married Eliza Riggs (one child, Florence).

Of the seven children, two are Hving, John
Dezelle, who now owns and resides on the farm,
and Wealtha Jane, wife of Watson W. Bush.

®1|? il|iUarg iFamilij-

Maud Howard Brady.

David Hillary was born in Yorkshire, England,
in 1790. He married Hannah Agett. They
came to America in 18 14 in a vessel called The
Two Brothers. As the passage was very stormy
they were eight weeks and two days making the
journey. They settled at Perry, Wyoming
County, New York, where they lived two years.
Then they moved to Rushford, on the farm
now owned by David Hillary, where they spent
the remainder of their lives.

David Hillary was an orphan. He was ap-
prenticed for seven years at wagon making. At
that time the lumber which was used was sawed
in a saw-pit, in which the saw worked perpen-
dicularly, one man standing in the pit and the
other above. He was a great reader, and found
more pleasure in arguing politics than in doing
his work.

He was loyal to his new country. He died in

His wife, Hannah, was born in 1795. She was
never idle; every spare moment would find her
knitting. She died in 1880.

Two children were born to them, James in
1818, and Nancy in 1822. James married Emma

468

Johnson. To them were born six children, Jennie,
Hannah, Mary, Ida (deceased), George and
David.

Jennie married Harry Wallace, who for several
years operated a saw mill at Hardy's Corners,
and then moved to Dellville, Virginia, where he
died. She now lives with her two sons.

Hannah took care of her aged parents at their
home in Gordonville until their death. She after-
wards married Lawrence Clark.

Mary married Louis Keeton. They now reside
at Perry. Two children were born to them.

George married Mae Baker. He now resides
at Centerville. They have one child.

David, who now lives on the old homestead,
married Helen Abbott.

Nancy Hillary married Eleazer Howard. They
lived in various places, Farmersville and Rush-
ford and finally, in 1880, moving to the farm,
where they resided until their death. Nancy
Howard was a constant reader of the Bible. Four
children were born to them, Mary J., Emma C,
Francis and Walter. Mary married Edwin Pasco,
and now resides in Pittsburg, Michigan. Their
children are: Emma, who married John Moore;
Francis, who married Carrie Capin. Frank
Howard was for years Deacon in the Baptist
Church. Walter married Eliza Van Name. They
reside on the old homestead. They have one
child.

Mary Ann Hyde.

Mr. Hyde was born in Burlington, Vermont,
July 28th, 1807; he was the eldest child of Erie
and Pamelia Hyde. His people moved to Rush-
ford, New York, in the fall of 183 1. They bought
a farm two miles north of town.

He learned the jewelers' trade in Buffalo of a

469

Mr. Stevenson. The contract was that Mr. Hyde
was to board himself and pay one dollar per week
for learning. At the end of the first month, Mr,
Stevenson said to him that he was a natural
genius, and he was willing to give him the one
dollar per week, instead of taking it.

After finishing his trade he returned to Rush-
ford, and established himself in business in 1834.

June 25th, 1837, he married Miss Tabitha Gil-
man, a sister of Mrs. Thirds, On account of illness
in the Thirds family, the marriage took place at
the residence of Mr. Oramel Griffin.

In 1840, Mr. Hyde built a house and place of
business on Main street. It was the second or
third building on Main street.

Mr. Hyde was widely known and honored as a
strictly honest man. Mrs. Hyde was a very active
woman and helpful when sickness came into a
home in town. Their family consisted of nine
children, Lestina, Henry, Mary Ann, Lauretta,
Charles, Cornelia and Cordelia (twins), Harmon
and Fred W. The family now living are Mrs.
Gififord (Lestina), of Washington, D. C; Mary
Ann, Weishington, D. C; Mrs. Cornelia Hardy,
Rushford, New York; Harmon, Silver Springs,
New York, and Fred, Rushford, New York.

Mr. Hyde died September i6th, 1867; Mrs.
Hyde September 5th, 1884.

Natlfan 01. KtmbalL

Nathan C. Kimball was born in New Hamp-
shire, but came with his family from Catherine,
Schuyler County, New York, to Rushford in
1820, when thirty-four years of age. For a
short time he was a dry -goods merchant. Per-
haps hearing of the independent life of the
farmer, he gave up the mercantile business and
settled on what was later known as the Andrew
Kimball farm. For years after he had cleared

470

sufficient land to erect a house, he could see from
his place no clearing but his own.

The children of the first wife were: i,
Lucius; 2, Emily (Mrs. Warren Damon); 3, Mary
(Mrs. Reuben Lyman); 4, Louisa (Mrs. Naham
Ames); 5, Albert.

The children of the second wife were: i, An-
drew; 2, Addison and Adaline (twins); 3, Susan
(Mrs. Beecher),

Andrew was connected with the orchestra when
Vickery's Music School was flourishing.

Nathan C. Kimball was a long time an official
member of the Baptist Church. In 1855 he
passed on to the great majority.

Mrs. Susan Beecher is the only living child.
Mrs. Charles Pelton, of Franklinville, and Charles
Kimball, of Buffalo, are grandchildren.

Unsigned.

Ralph B. Laning, one of the members of the
Centennial Committee, is said to be the eighth
resident lawyer in the village of Rushford. He
is the son of R. Bonham and Helen Woodworth
Laning. Mr. Laning's father was a lawyer, as
was his distinguished uncle, A. P. Laning, first
of Rushford and later of Buffalo. Mr. Laning's
grandfather, Rev. Ralph Laning, married Anna
Pierce, cousin of President Franklin Pierce.

Ralph B. was in school at the Rushford Acad-
emy ; read law with his uncle, C. W. Woodworth,
who was for many years postmaster of Rush-
ford, and with A. P. Laning, of Buflfalo ; was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1880. He at once became a
partner of his uncle, Charles W. Woodworth,
and has been a successful lawyer, as well as hold-
ing public offices. He is now Supervisor. Mr.
Laning married in 1880 Nellie, daughter of
Gideon L. Walker, a former lawyer in Rushford.
They have one child, Ruth W.

CHARLES W. WOODWORTH

471

OJI^ ^tkltap JFatntly.

John Lathrop, born in Elton, Yorkshire, Eng-
land, emigrated in the Griffin in 1634, settling
first in Scituate, Mass., then in Barnstable, where
he died in 1653. "He preached in London to the
first Independent or Congregational Church or-
ganized in England, and was the first minister
both of Scituate and Barnstable, Mass."

Samuel Lathrop, born in England ; removed to
Norwich, Conn., and died there in 1700. He
married (ist) in 1644, Elizabeth Scudder, who
was the mother of his nine children. He mar-
ried (2nd) at Pljmiouth, Abigail, daughter of
the famous John Doane, to whose family ref-
erence is made in connection with the Higgins
family. He was the ancestor of another Rev.
John Lathrop, a distinguished minister in
Boston, and of Dr. Daniel Lathrop. His drug
store was for many years one of the landmarks
of Norwich. His importations of drugs and
chemicals were large for those times. The youth
of Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, the poetess, was passed
under his roof.

Samuel Lathrop, Jr., married the daughter of
Deacon Thomas Adgate.

Samuel Jr.'s son. Col. Simon Lathrop, com-
manded one of the Connecticut Regiments in the
successful expedition against Annapolis and
Louisburg, and was for some time in command
of the fortress at Cape Breton.

"Col. Lathrop was valued for his judgment in
council, as well as for his gallant bearing in the
field, and was of a prudent, thrifty disposition,
fond of adding land to land and house to house.
There was a doggerel song that the soldiers used
to sing after their return from Capertoon that
alludes to this propensity :

'Col. Lotrop, he came on

As bold as Alexander;
He wan't afraid nor yet ashamed,
To be the chief commander.

472

'Col. lyOtrop was the man,

His soldiers loved him dearly;

And with his sword and cannon great,
He helped them late and early.

'Col. Lotrop, staunch and true.
Was never known to baulk it ;

And when he was engaged in trade.
He always filled his pocket.' "

"Simon Lathrop^ erected in 1779 a chocolate
mill, which was moved by water wheels and could
he tended each by a single workman." The choco-
late made was of the best quality, according to
the history of Norwich.

Some members of the family went to Vermont.

Isaiah Lathrop was born in Bethel, Vt., Au-
gust 2nd, 1805. When a young man he came on
horseback from Vermont to Pike, N. Y., where
he taught school. Here he married Allathyna
Greene, also a teacher. She was the daughter of
Arnold Greene, of Worcester, Mass., whose
father, Benjamin Greene, was the brother of Gen.
Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary fame, and a
direct descendant of John Greene, who came to
Plymouth, Mass., from Salisbury, Eng., in 1820.

Mrs. Lathrop's strength of character was dem-
onstrated through the lingering and what she
knew to be fatal illnesses of her children, as well
as in other ways. The lovely smile and her sweet,
strong nature were shown in her face, and have
been transmitted to her only surviving child,
Alice, whose grace, charm and loyalty of heart
have been apparent to all who have come in close
touch with her since her early childhood.

In 1835, Mr. Lathrop removed to Rushford
and opened a "tinware and stove store" (as adver-
tised in early county papers). It was the first
in town, on the corner of Main and Buffalo
Streets. People came from all the surrounding
towns to buy hardware and the bright hand-made
tinware. He lived in rooms in the rear of the
store while his new home, across the creek on

AMERICA and ELLEN LATHROF

MARY, ALICE, WILLIS LATHROP

473

Cuba Street, was being built. Here he lived until
his death in 1887.

In 1852, he erected a block on the site of the
old shop. The west store was used as a fully
equipped hardware store until it burned in 1885.
Willis C. Lathrop was in partnership with his
father until his death in 1884. At that time Mr.
Lathrop resigned the business into the hands of
his son-in-law, Henry A. Holden, and his grand-
son, Irving L,. Bond. Many young men found em-
ployment with Mr. Lathrop, two of whom later
became wealthy and influential. Mr. Sessions
worked about twenty-five years in the tinshop,
and the shelves filled with shining pans, pails and
dippers of all sizes showed his skill in this line.
Mr. Lathrop, himself, worked with the others,
and could often be seen mending sap boilers and
stove pipes. The east store was occupied by a
brother, Cyrus Lathrop. Boots and shoes were
made to order by him and Lucius Kimball. The
third floor was fitted up as a lodge room, and was
used by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
of which Mr. Lathrop was a member. When the
building burned in 1885, the east store was used
by Charles Howe as a harness shop.

In the flood of 1864 the store was in danger of
being swept away. A large hole, ten feet deep,
was washed out at the southwest corner, and
some of the people who were being helped from
the hotel on the opposite corner came near losing
their lives there. At this time Mr. Lathrop was
busy at his home, assisting people across the
angry torrent filled with driftwood, which flowed
down Cuba Street. He, with difficulty, rescued
a one-legged shoemaker, whose crutch had been
struck by a log. Eighteen people spent a night
of anxiety at the Lathrop homestead.

Mr. Lathrop served the town of Rushford as
School Commissioner, Town Clerk, Supervisor
and Assessor. He was early interested in the

474

cause of education, and with sixteen others raised
the money for the building of the Rushf ord Acad-
emy before its incorporation. The latter was
effected in 1852, as may be seen by the Charter
printed herein. His name appears as applicant
for the Charter granted from the Board of Re-
gents. He was a student and thinker. It was
but natural that he should frequently take part
in the debates at that time when men gave their
best thought toward questions of progress. One
of his debates is published in this volume, showing
the thought of the man. Other interesting papers
written by him are in existence. He was dignified
in bearing; had a liberal, unprejudiced mind, and
welcomed new thought.

In early years Mr. I^athrop was a Universalist,
and attended the services in that church until they
discontinued, although he purchased a pew in the
Baptist Church in 1839, for himself and his heirs
forever. He was always a staunch Republican,
but a great admirer of Horace Greeley, and
a subscriber of the Tribune for many years.

America was the eldest daughter of Isaiah
and Allathyna Green Lathrop. She, as well as
her sisters, Julia, Ellen, Jane and Mary, died
early in life; all women full of promise. Julia,
married Dr. Clinton Bond, who served in the
Civil War as surgeon, and afterward practised
medicine in Libertyville, 111. Their son, Irving
Bond, born in 1859, in Wisconsin, lived with his
grandparents until his death in 1888.

Mary, a beautiful woman, passed some time
in Colorado in the pursuit of health, after her
marriage to Capt. Hiram A. Coats, a sketch of
whom follows this paper.

Alice, the only surviving child, married
Henry Anthony Holden, son of Anthony and
Maria Clark Holden, descendants of the early
settlers of Rhode Island, their ancestors hav-
ing come with Roger Williams. He attended the

MART LATHROP

(MBS. H. A. COATS)

475

Greenwich Academy and later was graduated
from the Providence Business College. He came
to Rushford in 1871, and added to his business
activities interest in politics, being Super-
visor several terms, and holding the office of Post-
master eight years. Mr. Holden, with his family,
removed to Buffalo in 1894, where he is now liv-
ing, engaged in the business of real estate, loan
and insurance. Their daughters, Mary and
Ellen, began their education in the Rushford
High School, and were graduated from the Buf-
falo High School and Cornell University, and are
very successful teachers. Lathrop, the son, is a
pupil of Lafayette High School, Buffalo, N. Y.

Mrs. Holden has given much time and interest
to the compilation of this volume.

^feptrli of % ffitfe nf dapt. l^vcwax A- ffloata.

Among the graduates of Rushford Academy
in i860 was Hiram A. Coats, who soon after
graduation began the study of law in his home
town of Wellsville, with the Hon. W. F. Jones.
The Union, summoning defenders, found a ready
response in him, and having aided in the organi-
zation of other companies and regiments, he
enlisted for service in the 85th N. Y. Regiment
and was made ist Lieut, of Co. H, which he had
helped raise. Upon his merit as an officer he was
soon promoted to be Capt. of Co. G, and in further
recognition of his military capacity he was after-
ward detailed upon the staff of Gen. Wessels.
While serving in such capacity, and during an
engagement early in 1864, just after he had re-
inlisted for a second term of three years, Capt.
Coats was wounded and taken prisoner, and was
held as such for nine months. He was confined
in Libby Prison, then in Charleston, S. C. At
that time Charleston was under Union fire, and
one day while the prisoners were eating their

476

noon-day meal, a Union shell dropped into their
midst, but it proved a friendly shell in more senses
than one, for it refused to burst and the group of
prisoners was saved. While imprisoned in Ma-
con, Ga., Capt. Coats with a companion managed
to escape, and assisted by an old colored woman,
who dragged a boat across a plowed field for
them, they were enabled to go down the river to
a point where they could signal a Union gunboat,
which they did with the remaining fragment of
white shirt with them, and Hiram arrived home
early in January, '65. The greeting the town
gave him showed the high regard in which he
was always held in the town of Wellsville.

In 1870, when Capt. Coats visited the old
friends in Rushford, he found a younger sister
of his beloved old classmate, Ellen Lathrop, had
grown into an ideal young woman, and the next
year he was married to Mary Lathrop, who, all
too soon, showed that she was the victim of the
same dread disease which had carried away her
older sisters, and caused her death Jan. 27, 1877,
and that of her husband seven years later.

For many years Capt. Coats was a member of
the firm of Coats Bros. Furniture Manufactur-
ing Company, of Wellsville. Reverses by fire and
steadily declining health were not sufficient to
check the enterprise and steady courage which
led on to business success, and to which he con-
tributed with the intelligent force for which he
was widely noted in a generous degree. In all
public enterprises and in every charity his heart
and purse were freely extended. He was an
ardent Republican, and his aggressiveness in po-
litical warfare was one of the prominent charac-
teristics of his life. He was a prominent and de-
voted Mason, and a member of the Lodge and
Chapter in Wellsville, as well as of the Com-
mandery at Olean.

Capt. Coats was a noble man. If he was ever

477

adjudged at fault in judgment, he was never
accused of the lack of magnificent courage of
manly convictions. His appreciation was stronger
than his prejudice, and no man ever doubted his
earnestness or sincerity. There was no pretense
in his composition. He was the man, the friend,
the counselor he stood for, and his friendships
were as enduring as life itself. His death oc-
curred in Wells ville, Nov. 12, 1884.

Willis H. Leavens.

The ship William and Francis left London
March 9th, 1632. A distinguished passenger on
this voyage was Mr. Edward Winslow, of Plym-
outh, returning from a visit to England and to
be Governor of Plymouth the next year. The
records say he brought with him a friend, one John
Leavens, an Englishman of means. In the pro-
bate office at Boston there is a well-preserved
document concerning an estate, the ninth settled
in the Colony. It reads as follows: " An inven-
tory of the goods and chattels of John Leavens of
Roxbury, deceased, taken and appraised by us
whose names are under written, the thirtieth day
of the sixth month 1648." This seems to be
the first record of the Leavens name in America.
The records of Roxbury show that on May loth,
1775, a company was organized with Charles
Leavens, a great-grandson of John Leavens, as
Corporal, also one Daniel Buck and one Henry
Wardner. This company was Company 8 of Is-
rael Putnam's Regiment, and was ordered to cover
the retreat of the American forces upon their with-
drawal from the scene of the fight.

At the close of the Revolution Charles Leav-
ens, Daniel Buck and Henry Wardner settled at
Killingly with their families. Charles Leavens had
ten children — Mary, who married Benoni Buck, a

478

son of Daniel Buck (Benoni Buck was grandfather
to Prof. G. W. F, Buck); Calvin, born Aug. i8,
1784; Chloe, born June 17th, 1789; she married
Luther Wardner. Their son was Pastor of the
Rushford Baptist Church at two different times.
In 1780 Charles Leavens and the Buck family
moved to Windsor, Vermont.

Calvin Leavens settled in the town of Rushford
in the spring of 1828. He married Lucy Woods
of Reading, Vt., in 1807. He died in Rushford
May 5th, 1862. Lucy, his wife, died in Rushford
Aug. 17th, i860. Their children — Calvin Galu-
sha,born at Reading, 1808; Grover, born at Wind-
sor, 181 1 ; Laura, born at Windsor, 18 12; Lyford,
born at Windsor, 181 5; Lucy Loraine, born at
Windsor, 18 17; Daniel W., born at Windsor,
1822; Louisa, born at Rushford, 1830.

Calvin Galusha married Mary A. Richards of
Rushford in 1834; she died in Michigan 1871.
He married for his second wife Lucia Woods
Benjamin, who died in 1893. He died in Rush-
ford September i6th, 1888. He had three chil-
dren, but all died in infancy.

Grover Leavens married Mahitable Roberts of
Warsaw in 1833. She died in Horseheads Oc-
tober I, 1865, and Grover died December 16,
1865, at Horseheads. He was collector for the
State Canal at Oramel for three terms, and was
member of the New York State Legislature in
1847-48.

Laura married Edward B. Pratt at Rushford in
1843. Edward B. Pratt was killed by an acci-
dent in the woods about 1850. Laura died in
Rushford April 24, 1891. They had two chil-
dren, Grover M. Pratt and Mary L. Pratt, both
residing in Rochester. Grover married Miss
Weir and has three children: Edward, residing at
Franklinville, N. Y.; Jenieve Pratt Stillman, re-
siding at Fairhaven, Mass.; Helen Pratt Rice,
residing at Rochester.

479

Lyford Leavens, my respected father, married
Myra Gordon September 17, 1837. He died
December 20, 1875. Myra died June 15, 1906.
Their children — Eliza P., born June 29, 1840, died
August 22, 1898; Willis Hamilton, born Decem-
ber 18, 1854, married Ida Morrow at Rushford
September 12, 1876. Their children, Inez L.,
born at Rushford June 4, 1877, a teacher in
New York City schools; Edward R„ born Au-
gust 2, 1879, married Louise Pagles in 1908, re-
sides at Rochester; Donald W., born August 22,
i«95.

Lucy Loraine Leavens married Jiles H. Chapin
at Rushford. Jiles H. died in 1865. Lucy
Loraine died 1880. They had two sons, Har-
rison H. Chapin and Charles T. Chapin. The
Chapin Brothers published the Rushford News
Letter at Rushford in 1854, then removed to Ad-
rian, Mich. Harrison died in Adrian in 1905.
C. T. Chapin resides at Cadillac; has retired from
business. He has one daughter.

Daniel Woods Leavens married Mary L. Burr
at Rushford January 3, 1845. He died at Bay
City, Mich., March 14, 1893. Mary died at Pasa-
dena, Cal., July 16, 1900. Their children, Charles
A., born at Rushford, December 2nd, 1848, mar-
ried Mary Burr 1875; she died 1884. He then
married Viola Richardson June 11, 1896. They
have one daughter, Donara, born May 19, 1899.
Walter C. Leavens, born at Rushford, May 29,
1852, died in Pasadena 1893. Edward Leavens,
bdrn at Oramel, December 21, 1857, died at
Decatur, Mich., 1878. George Fox Leavens,
born at Horseheads, October 29, 1865, married
Anna S. Harris June 25, 1896; they have one
daughter, Phoebe, born May 11, 1902.

Louisa Leavens married Cenclaire Dayton at
Horseheads 1865; she died at Elmira, February,
1907. and her husband, February, 1908. They
had no children.

48o

As to the part the Leavens family took in the
settlement of Rushford, I have been unable to find
that they took any particular part, but I have no
doubt that they did their share. I never knew a
Leavens that was a quitter, I think they all had
enough and to spare. None of them have made
what some people call a success of life. I well
remember what Uncle Galusha told me once: " If
the world is better for your having lived in it, you
have made a success of life." But the standard of
to-day is, " How much have you ?"

I never saw a Leavens that did not like to hear
a good story, and I have heard some of them tell
one occasionally. I remember once when I was
a small boy, my father made butter tubs, and I
would borrow Uncle Harry Howe's two- wheeled
cart to take them down to Mr. Higgins' store,
and Mr. Hapgood would pay me for bringing them
down, in candy. One night Frank Higgins
thought he could have some fun, it being April
I St, so he took a coin that had a hole in it and tied
a thread to it and laid the coin on the steps and
put the thread under the door; then we were
ready. Ed. Brooks was the first one to come
along. He put his wooden leg on the thread,
then took the coin and bought some tobacco with
it. Of course the laugh was on the boys. Then
the men got discussing where the custom origi-
nated, and the M. E. minister was there and he
asked father. Father said he did not know with-
out it was from the Bible. The minister said he
never saw anything in the Bible about April
Fool. Father then said he supposed that the cus-
tom had originated from what was said in the
twenty-third chapter of Revelations, so the minis-
ter sent for his Bible, and when he opened it he
got the laugh, as well as the boys, and he never
spoke to father again as long as he lived in town;
but I don't think it affected him, for I heard him
tell stories after that.

HON. A. W. LITCHARD

48i

Eddie Leavens, Daniel's boy, was an artist of a
good deal of promise, but his health failed and he
had to give up his work. Aunt Louisa invited
him to come to Elmira and spend the summer, so
he went there and spent several months. Aunt
Louisa knew a girl there she was very anxious
Eddie should meet, I suppose she wanted to make
a match; everything was done by both families to
throw them in each other's company; after a few
weeks Aunt asked Eddie what he thought of the
girl. He said, " She is good company, fine looking
and sings beautifully, but she don't help her
mother," so that ended that.

Daniel Leavens, I am informed, was a leader
in the social and musical circles of Rushford for
some years; he was a fine singer and writer of no
small ability, a man who kept posted on current
events, and was of pleasing personality.

Calvin Galusha Leavens was a man beloved by
all who knew him; I think he was the most un-
selfish man I ever knew, always looking to the
welfare of others.

A- W. iCttflfarh.

A. W. Litchard was born in the town of Sparta,
Livingston County, November 12th, 1841, his fa-
ther of German descent, his mother of New Eng-
land stock. His gift of oratory came undoubtedly
from his mother's side of the family, as she had
three uncles, brothers, who in their day were the
most noted Baptist ministers in the New England
States. Mr. Litchard came to Almond, Alle-
gany County, with his parents when four years
old, attending district school and working on the
farm.

When President Lincoln made his call for men,
Mr. Litchard was one of the first to respond, en-
listing at Hornellsville, August 29th, i8$i, in

482

Company D 86th N. Y. Vols., or better known
as Steuben Rangers. He was discharged the
winter of '62; regained his health and re-enlisted
in Fifth N. Y. Heavy Artillery. This Regiment
of fourteen hundred strong was a part of the 6th
Corps that helped Sheridan out of many a tight
place. Serving in this Regiment until the close
of the war, he was honorably discharged June
28th, 1865, having served with McClellan, Pope,
Sheridan and Grant.

On April 1 2th, 1 866, Mr. Litchard came to Rush-
ford and located on what was known as the Bap-
tist lot, then a wilderness, now one of the finest
farms in the county, the B. & S. Ry. passing
through it. Mr. Litchard was one of the first to
be impressed with the spirit of progressive, scien-
tific farming; he was the prime mover in organ-
izing the Allegany County Farmers Club, which
grew into a membership of twelve hundred, to
which Allegany owes much for its splendid homes
and well tilled farms. The Allegany County Co-
operative Insurance Company grew out of this
organization. He was nine years president
of the Farmers Club; also president of this
Insurance Company at the time of his death.
He was for a number of years connected with
the State Farmers Institute work; as a lecturer
for the evening entertainments the State had
no superior. He was a noted G. A. R. orator.
Mr. Litchard served three years as Assembly-
man in the State Legislature, giving his best
effort to secure laws most beneficial to agricul-
tural interests.

Mr. Litchard was engaged by the State ot
Minnesota for two winters in agricultural work,
and one year in North Dakota; a portion of this
time he was employed by leading railroad com-
panies, traveling over the State with other
speakers, instructing the farmers so that they
might have a better knowledge of their busi-

PROFESSOR EDWARD MAGUIRE

483

ness, and know how to meet the conditions of the
new country.

Mr. Litchard was a faithful, consistent member
of Rushford's Methodist Church, taking great
interest in the children, being superintendent
of the Sunday School for a number of years.
He loved his home and home people, and was
ever ready to lend a helping hand to those sick or
in need.

It might not be amiss to mention in this article
that Mr. Litchard, like Moses of old, was denied
seeing some of the things consummated that he
longed to see, especially the celebrating of
Rushford's Centennial and Home Coming, which
he had looked forward to with the greatest
interest.

Mr. Litchard reached home from a business
trip the evening of September 15th, was about
town and feeling fine the next day, but was
taken sick that evening, and on the 19th was
taken to Hornell Sanitarium, where he died
September 25th, 1906.

Edward Maguire was born at Seward, N. Y.,
October 18, 1859. His parents were James Ma-
guire (of Scotch- Irish ancestry) and Deborah
Humphries (of English ancestry). Seward is in
Schoharie county, on the eastern border of Otsego,
and there he attended the country district school,
from seven to twelve, through the year. After
twelve he worked on the farm in the summer and
attended school a short term during the winter till
he was seventeen. Then he attended the high
school department of the Cobleskill (N. Y.) Union
School for two winter terms of four months each.
For the two years following he taught the village
school at Seward Valley (now Dorloo), and con-
tinued his studies at home.

484

His attention was called to the state scholar-
ships at Cornell University. To his own surprise
he was the successful competitor for the scholar-
ship for Schoharie county in the summer of 1 880,
and, having passed the entrance examinations
without condition, he entered Cornell in Septem-
ber of that year. The financial question was para-
mount, as he had saved only enough for one year's
expenses. But he was able to borrow enough for
the three remaining years. This was a heavy
handicap, and the last of this debt was not seen
till four or five years after graduation.

The choice of institutions was fortunate. It was
democratic and cosmopolitan. What counted most
was the ability " to make good," and one who
succeeded was eligible to all the educational and
social privileges. A wide range of studies was
offered, and Mr. Maguire made a rather wide
selection, embracing languages, literature, math-
ematics, sciences, philosophy, history and politics.
He specialized, as far as possible, in an undergrad-
uate course, in history, and was graduated in June,
1884. It was his good fortune to have as in-
structors such men as William A. Anthony in
Physics, Hiram Corson in literature, Herbert Tut-
tle in international law, Moses Coit Tyler in
American history, and Andrew D. White in Eu-
ropean history. Among his classmates was the
lamented Dean Huffcut, who, while acting as
legal adviser to Gov. Hughes, became ill from
overwork, really giving his life for the State's
service. Mr. Maguire's closest friend was Her-
bert C. Elmer, of Rushford, of the class of 1883,
and a fellow-member of the college fraternity)
Beta Theta Pi.

Though strongly inclined toward law, he took
up teaching, and has ever since followed the
schoolmaster's profession. First, for a short time,
he taught again at Seward Valley, and then went
to Laurens, Otsego county, as principal. In 1887

485

he came to Rushford, where he remained till
July, 1893. Here was an interesting problem.
Rushford was the seat of one of the old academies,
which had declined during the Civil War. Later
a union free school district had been formed, and
the school was conducted in the old academy-
building. In 1887 the building was dilapidated,
books scattered, apparatus broken, the high school
department practically absent. It was a pleasant
task and a good experience to establish order,
raise the standard and complete the organization
of the school. There was one graduate in June,
1888 — the first. Twenty-one other classes have
since sent out some fine and successful young men
and women.

In 1893, the desire to do advanced work in his-
tory and political science caused a temporary
absence from the school room. Two years of
study of constitutional history and political ideas
and institutions under Professors Moses Coit Tyler
and J. W. Jenks, together with the work of assist-
ant in the accession department of the Cornell
Library, followed. Then there was a short busi-
ness experience, and the work of principal at
Angelica, N. Y., began.

Angelica is an interesting old town, and its
school problem was interesting. Up to 1897 it
provided elementary instruction free, but second-
ary or high school education was not free. A pri-
vate institution, the Wilson Academy, given by
Col. Wilson, furnished instruction to those who
wished to go farther than the grammar school.
But in 1897 the academy became the high school
department of the public school, in a union free
school district. Coordination and articulation of
the two schools, in a community much imbued
with the private school idea, made a good five
years' work. But the end was attained, with the
cooperation of an intelligent community in which
there was much educational interest. The Angelica

486

Free Library was built and opened at this time,
and added much to the success of the schools.

As superintendent at Beaver Falls, Pennsylva-
nia, from 1902 to 1908, there was a larger work to
be done. An elementary system of nine grades
must be changed to eight, and a low-grade high
school changed to one of standard quality. The
community was also different, manufacturing tak-
ing the attention of the majority of the people,
twenty-five per cent, of whom were foreigners.
There was much work for the children outside of
school, and correspondingly less interest in school.
Some prejudice against people from " the East,"
as they say of New York, existed. Six years were
not too long for the accomplishment of the object,
but the system desired was established and was in
successful operation during the year, 1907- 1908.
Aside from the school, there was congenial occu-
pation in starting and administering, largely, the
Carnegie Free Library, of whose board of trustees
he was a member six years, and for six years
chairman of the Library Committee.

Mr. Maguire is now at Swissvale, Pa., a resi-
dence suburb of Pittsburgh. Here the work is
congenial but not so arduous as at Beaver Falls.
At Beaver Falls there were 50 teachers and 1,800
children to supervise. Here there are 40 teachers
and 1,300 children. Still it was a promotion to
come to Swissvale, as has been each of the other
changes.

Mr. Maguire was married July 24, 1889, to
Melva E. Balliett, of Lockport, N. Y. Their chil-
dren are Gertrude Elizabeth, born at Rushford,
September 24, 1891; Alice Deborah, born at An-
gelica, May II, 1898; Ruth Balliett, born at An-
gelica, June 2, 1900; and Edward Balliett, born at
Angelica, January 17, 1902.

His personal characteristics are not especially
marked. He dislikes advertisement, notoriety,
dogmatism, bigotry and sham, and is inclined to

MILTON McCALL

48;

take people for what they are really worth. He
never has striven to be popular, and as ordinarily
understood does not care for society. He has al-
ways had a few strong and lasting friendships.
Whatever of success has come to him has been
the result of hard work. In teaching he could get
the pupils to work, and as principal and superin-
tendent he has by working with them been able
to get cooperation and work from teachers and
pupils. Life in the country and companionship
with nature appeal strongly to him, and he hopes
sometime to go back to the farm.

He is a member of various educational societies
and cissociations, and of Melrose Lodge, No. 8i8,
F. & A. M., Angelica, N. Y.

Probably no teacher in Rushford since the time
of Sayles and Buck have brought more culture to
the town as well as school. Mr. Maguire is a man
of unusual attainments and charming characteris-
tics. His eldest daughter, Gertrude, graduated
from the Brockport High School. Mrs. Maguire
has a beautiful voice and increased the interest in
music in the towns where Mr. Maguire has done
such able work as an organizer in the schools,
and he has been a potent factor in progressive
citizenship.

Mrs. Sophia E. Taylor, a Granddaughter of
James McCall.
The McCalls were originally Scotch Highland-
ers. Trouble arising during the religious agita-
tions caused them to change their residence
several times. Finally three brothers came to
America. The first records available are that one
brother, James, was settled in Mansfield, Massa-
chusetts, in 171 1. The families of other genera-
tions resided in Philadelphia, and many of the last
generation bore their sur-names.

488

James McCall, one of the early settlers of Rush-
ford, was the fourth James, of the fourth genera-
tion, who was born in Columbia County, N. Y.,
Jan. 5th, 1775. His mother died two years later
of smallpox. His father was Benajah McCall,
who came from Connecticut in 1769 and settled
at Lebanon Springs, Columbia County, where he
had a farm of one hundred acres and a boarding
house. He is spoken of several times in the history
of the American Revolution as occupying places
of trust in the army. At the close of the war he
sold out, agreeing to take Continental currency in
payment. This proving worthless, together with
unpaid bills, resulted in a loss of about five thous-
and dollars. He had a bounty land claim of one
thousand acres of timber land on the Delaware
River, in Delaware County. He made the venture
of going there through a trackless forest. History
says he left Columbia County in the early spring
of 1783. The family record says he married Feb-
ruary 3rd, 1783, Mrs. Lois Brinsmade. A unique
wedding trip, an ox sled bearing his wife and
effects, while the four children trudged along on
foot. In May they came upon a deserted Tory
clearing in Schoharie County, where he halted,
plowed and sowed and waited for the harvest,
that they might have subsistence for the rest of
the journey, which they completed during the
winter of 1 783-1 784. James was now nine years
old. They had crossed no bridges, their only
guide was blazed trees.

With the true pioneer spirit Benajah began a
clearing, built a log house and they were once
more at home. He built rafts of logs and floated
them down the river to Philadelphia until he was
able to build a sawmill of his own, then he manu-
factured lumber, cleared the farm where he lived,
and died. He was buried at Walton, New York.
When his sons, Ancel and James, came to young
manhood they bought one hundred acres of

489

their father and began lumbering for themselves.
James was conscientious, energetic, and had an
inquiring mind. He read the few books he could
borrow in the community. When he became of
age he obtained money enough on his own re-
sponsibility to take him to Connecticut, where he
entered school for the winter, mastering every
subject taught, and gained knowledge enough to
do ordinary surveying. He went back in the
spring, took a raft of lumber to Philadelphia, and
with the proceeds therefrom soon started for the
far West, Ohio ! He worked with the govern-
ment surveyors during the summer, but was
stricken with the prevailing malarial fever. As
soon as he was able he returned to his home.
He made several trips of investigation and invest-
ment in the next few years, but was finally obliged
to abandon his hopes, for malaria was still there.

In 1798 he, with his brother, removed to Seneca
County, secured a tract of land on Cayuga Lake
and established what was long known as Ridder's
Ferry across the Lake. In 1799 James married
Elizabeth Dye. He conducted a general store
and an ashery, where ashes were converted into
potash and pearlash, He represented Seneca
County in the State Legislature from 1808-18 14.
He united with the Baptist Church in Ovid in
18 1 2, from which time he lived more for God than
himself.

In March, 181 5, he came to Rushford, with
horses and wagons. There were now eight
children, Sophia, Milton, Matilda, Emily, Seneca,
Nelson, Mariah and Ancel. He purchased eight
hundred acres of land, east of the center of the
town, settling about one mile from the center,
where they made a home in the new country.
In November of the same year, he, with four
others, formed a nucleus, which resulted in an
organized Baptist Church the next spring, 18 16.
This year he built a store and went to Albany

490

with his team for merchandise. In the same
year he was appointed Judge of Allegany
County Court. This was also the cold year,
causing an entire failure of the crops. By his
forethought the young settlement was kept from
suffering. He bought and stored quantities of
grain, meal and flour, thus supplying the poorer
people, while those who had teams and could
possibly go to older settlements for supplies were
obliged to do it. They could not buy of him.
He gave employment to a large number of men
clearing land and produced ashes; so again he
built an ashery where the ashes could be stored.
A heavy rain was often a terror to those who
were depending on th^ir ashes to buy food and
clothing at the store.

James McCall was very anxious for the higher
development of the people. He believed that
prosperity accompanied the efforts of those who
reverenced God and worshipped him systemati-
cally; consequently there was always a family
altar, and every member of the family and every
workman was expected to be present. A portion
of God's word was read and prayer offered. On
one occasion, when the new gristmill was being
built, the master workman remonstrated with
him for the waste of time of so many hands.
However, there was no change, as he believed
time spent with God was well spent. Some of
you have known men who were in his employ.
Deacon Hapgood, Warren Damon and Alonzo
Lyman I have heard speak of events that occurred
in that home in an early day. Mr, Damon had
the misfortune to break a leg, and was nursed and
cared for by the family until restored.

The Thursday evening prayer meetings of our
churches were scrupulously maintained from a
very early date. The McCall team was brought
to the door, as many chairs as could be were put
in the wagon, the women each one with a candle

MRS. NELSON McCALL

(EOSINA BELL)

NELSON McCALL

491

and candlestick to supply needed light. I pre-
sume the men carried the snuffers; Rushford had
no gas in those days.

Mr. McCall was interested in the educational
opportunities, and gave much to establish schools
and foreign missions. Furness' History of the
Holland Purchase Land Company makes refer-
ence to him, and after alluding to some praise-
worthy traits says: " James McCall may be re-
garded as the patroon of the Village of Rushford.
Conspicuous in the various enterprises that have
contributed to its prosperity, his life has been an
exemplary and useful one."

He represented Steuben and Allegany Coun-
ties in the State Legislature in i8 18-19 and 1823.
In 1821 he was a member of the Constitutional
Convention; in 1824 elected Senator from the
Eighth Senatorial District, and served four years.
In 1830 he was appointed by President Jackson
as one of the three Commissioners to settle differ-
ences between the Menominees and Winnebagoes
and the New York Indians in the Green Bay
region of Wisconsin. His private journal, cover-
ing the time of service, is preserved in Vol. XII,
Wisconsin Historical Sketches. It consists of an
itemized account of all expenses, the daily trans-
actions of business, and also gives first impres-
sions of men and things, noting especially the
physical features of the country through which he
passed. The journey was made mostly by boat
from Buffalo, with an occasional stage ride, and a
few miles on foot. One thing that has impressed
the writer of this sketch is that every Sunday
found him with those who worshipped God, if he
could find them. Texts and salient points of
sermons are recorded. He was again appointed
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas by Governor
Marcy.

His wife died in 1833, leaving thirteen children,
one having died in infancy in 1820. The death of

492

the mother was a great bereavement. To her
belongs a due meed of praise for the success of the
husband. During the many and long absences,
she kept a close hand on business affairs, and was
so in the confidence of the older sons that there
was no break. The home life of the husband and
wife was beautiful and loving. I read this recorded
of the mother, and it was long before we had any
temperance law, or temperance reforms were in
evidence. I n the winter of 1 8 1 2 , while Mr. McCall
was in Albany, she noticed the insidious effects
of stimulants upon the men about her, and the
little infant hands were reaching for the wine glass
on the table, and a decision was made. She or-
dered every cask containing any kind of drink
brought out and emptied into the street. They
never sold any more. When the husband came
home he was accompanied by some men of posi-
tion. At dinner there was no wine on the table.
A question was asked. She explained the whole
event, and received complimentary congratula-
tions from the guests upon her courage in break-
ing with custom.

The sons and sons-in-law bought parts of the
land and made homes for themselves. The house
on the bluff in East Rushford was built for Milton
McCall. The one occupied by Mrs. Small was
built for Nelson. The Cory Noble place be-
longed to Ancel. Sophia Goff had thirty acres
and a house was built for Newell. Maria married
Elder Miner, and their first home was the house
opposite Grant Woods.

Mr. McCall was postmaster several years after
his more public life ceased. He married again,
and owned and occupied the house now used as
the Methodist Parsonage. Again he was left
alone, and in his last days lived with Newell.
He died March, 1856. Two of the children had
gone to Wisconsin. After the death of the father
the sons followed. Only two of his children are

493

buried in Rushford, Sophia and Elisa. The impress
of true Hves does not end with their years. A book
of remembrance is written before Him. When it is
opened we shall know the real worth of such lives.

3Fra«k MtKxtmtvi.

(From' Rushford Spectator.)
'Neath heaven's pure mantle of snow, where in
the spring the sweet forget-me-nots will blossom,
and not far from the place of his birth and where
he spent his happy childhood, rests the frail tene-
ment which the spirit of Frank McKinney made
dear to his kindred. He was born here in 1842.
At the age of about eighteen he went to Vermont
to attend school, and after coming back here, soon
went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to attend a law
school. He was never very strong and made up
his mind an out-door life in a mild climate would
be best for him. In 1865 he crossed the conti-
nent and took up ranch life in California, and
has been East but twice since. Last summer he
was here several weeks, and greatly enjoyed a
visit with his sisters, Mrs. Del Plain, of Mexico,
and Mrs. Dean, of Ulysses, Pennsylvania, and
other relatives and friends of his youth.

Mr. McKinney was a genial man. Well edu-
cated and possessed of marked abilities, he made
a success of life.

A Irtpf ?|latnrg of % Manvsan Jamtl^.

LuciLiA Morrison Durkee.
Ephiram Morrison, with his wife and five chil-
dren, Rachel, Betsy, John, James and David, came
from Cayuga County to Rushford about 18 15, in
an emigrant wagon. The three boys bought land
of the Holland Land Company. James walked
from Rushford to the land office at Ellicottville,
to get the article. The only road was a blazed

494

trail. The land, which cost twenty shillings an
acre, was paid for with black salts and potash.
It is now known as Morrison Hill.

James taught school about two years. David
was a hunter; he killed as many as five deer in one
day. The writer has sat many a time listening to
the stories told by Harriet Morrison, David's wife,
about the red men trying to push Emerson Ken-
dall into their kettle of soup, and taking the small
children and placing their heads between the rails
in such a manner that they could not escape with-
out help, and many more such tricks.

Ephiram built a log house, the fireplace of
which was formed by a large rock which is still
on the place. After a while the three brothers,
John, James and David, married three sisters,
Fanny, Laura and Harriet, the daughters of James
Kendall, and settled on their farms, which were
adjoining. Their father, Ephiram Morrison, was
a pensioned soldier of the Revolution, and died
at the age of ninety.

Up to the time of the Civil War the Morrisons
were Democrats; since then they have generally
been Republicans. As for their religion, they
were mostly Methodists in belief.

James had seven children — Sullivan, Emiline,
Jane, Henderson, Minerva, Alfred and Riley. All
are living at present except Emiline and Minerva.

David had five children — Randolph, Willard,
Willis, Louise and Rachel. All are dead but one,
Rachel, the wife of Sumner Kilmer. She is living
on the place her father cleared.

John had nine children — ^James, Sylvester, Em-
erson, Alonzo, John, Matilda, Maria, Rachel and
Betsy. John moved with his family to Indiana.

The place on which James Morrison settled is
now owned by his oldest son, Sullivan, who is
eighty- four years of age and still active.

The only grandchildren of Ephiram Morrison are
Sullivan, Henderson and Rachel (Mrs. Kilmer).

495

Altnn 2£- Marst.

Alvin K. Morse was born in Connecticut be-
tween Hartford and New Haven in 1794. He
learned the hatters' trade in Schoharie, New
York. Then he went from city to city making a
supply of beaver hats for dealers, earning sixty
dollars a week. He used to say that a person
must work on fur according to the motion of the
animal; that on mink fur one had to work like
lightning.

He was in Buffalo when the War of 18 12 broke
out. After the burning of the city he enlisted,
receiving at the close of the war a land warrant
for one hundred and sixty acres near Chippewa
Falls, Wisconsin.

He was married at Penfield, New Jersey, in
181 6, to Sally Rolph. In 1818, after traveling
four hundred miles in a covered wagon with
two children. Squire and Phineas, they reached
Perry, N. Y. Mr. Morse bought one hundred
acres of hard wood timber in the town of Coving-
ton. He cleared a part of it, and put in a piece
of winter wheat. When he came to P^rry wheat
was worth three dollars a bushel. The next
year it was worth only two shillings six-pence,
and must be drawn to York landing. Calico at
this time was worth five shillings a yard, but it was
fine, firm and glossy. Louvisa, Marcia and James
were born in Covington.

Thaddeus Elliott, of Centerville, urged Mr.
Morse to come to this region to settle; so after
his spring's work was done he visited him. The
forests were then in their springtime loveliness,
and he thought he had never seen so fine a
country. This, together with the low price of
wheat, caused him to sell his land in Covington
and move to Rushford in 1824. He first bought
a farm on the road north of Elmer's cheese factory.
Later he bought the farm now owned by William

496

Hallstead. He was then a neighbor of Asa
Benjamin.

In the early years people lived in fear of bears
and wolves. When they lived on the Thomas
farm Mrs. Morse one day, when alone, saw a bear
near the house. Elijah Freeman, an exhorter, was
passing, and she called to him to come and shoot
the bear through the window. He said he had
never fired off a gun in his life. " Then load it
and I will fire it off"." He said he had never loaded
one. " Then call John Johnson." The bear
heard the man's voice and disappeared, going
through the woods to Eneas Gary's tavern on the
Centerville road. Two men were there chopping
wood. They saw the bear struggling to get
thi;ough the hedge and threw their axes at him,
but he escaped.

Mr. Asa G. Morse says that when he was a boy
they used to come four miles with an ox-team and
sled to revival meetings in the old Methodist
Church. The meeting were full of life.

Alvin K., Jr., Lewis, Asa G., Amos, Ellen,
Cynthia and Sarah were born in Rushford. Only
three are now living, Mrs. Sarah Meade, Mrs.
Cynthia Hallstead and Asa G. Morse.

(Unsigned.)

3(. C ©abnrtu

Minnie Osborn Jagers.
J. G. Osborn was born in Groton, Tompkins
County, New York, August 28th, 1812. He was
the youngest of seven children. When but a lad
his father died, and his widowed mother " bound
him out " to a blacksmith to learn the trade. He
came to Rushford in 1834, and in company with
Harris Gilbert went to Centerville, where they
did blacksmithing for a year. Then they returned
to Rushford and bought out Colonel Board, who
owned a residence and shop on the site of Mr.

497

Osborn's late home. Later Mr. Osborn bought
out the interest of his partner, and continued the
business alone many years, until his health failed,
when he took up the business of selling carriages
■and wagons.

March nth, 1838, he married Miss Esther
Young, daughter of Joseph Young, and grand-
daughter of Eneas Gary. They lived over sixty
years together where they began housekeeping.
Of the family of six children only two are living,
Mrs. A. L. Gregory, of Lapeer, Michigan, and
Mrs. Frank A. Jagers, who lives in the old home.

Mr. Osborn used to relate very many interest-
ing reminiscences of Rushford in the early days,
when Main street was bounded by log fences.
He was vice-president of the Rushford Cemetery
Association when it was organized in 1851. May
19th, 1863, he was appointed Enrolling Officer
of the Town of Rushford. He was secretary and
treasurer of the Rushford Literary Association in
1 858-1 859, and was instrumental in securing
Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Greeley, Horace
Mann, Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony and
others of note to lecture in the interest of the As-
sociation. He was prominently connected with
the founding and building of the Academy, the
organization of the Cuba Fair, and many other
public enterprises. He was interested in the ad-
vancement and success of the town, and was a
shrewd and successful business man. During his
long and active career he was regarded as one of
Rushford's substantial citizens.

He died June 20th, 1898, at the advanced age
of eighty-six.

Brigadier-General U. S. Army, Retired.
Son of Richard Smalley and Mary Herrick
Pratt, Was born in Rushford December 6, 1840.

498

His parents moved to Logansport, Indiana, in the
summer of 1846. In 1858 he went to Delphi,
Indiana, for employment, and there enlisted for
the Civil War on the i8th of April, 1861, serving
for three months as Corporal in Company A,
Ninth Indiana Infantry, Colonel R. H. Milroy, in
the West Virginia Campaign under McClellan,
and was mustered out July 31st. He re-enlisted
in Company A, Second Indiana Cavalry, and
served as Sergeant from September, 1861, to
April, 1864, when he was promoted into a new
regiment, the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, as First
Lieutenant, and on September ist, 1864, was
again promoted to Captain. He was honorably
mustered out May 29, 1865.

While in the cavalry he was in all the campaigns
and large battles of General George H. Thomas'
command in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and
Alabama, and from September, 1864, to muster-
out was on staff duty for the Fifth Cavalry Divi-
sion under General Edward M. Hatch.

He entered the Regular Army as Second Lieu-
tenant, Tenth Cavalry, March 7, 1867; was pro-
moted to First Lieutenant July 31, 1867; to Cap-
tain, February 17th, 1883; to Major of First
Cavalry, July ist, 1898; to Lieutenant-Colonel
Fourteenth Cavalry, February 2, 1901; to Colonel
Thirteenth Cavalry, 24th of July, 1903. From this
grade he was retired February 17th, 1903, and for
Civil War service was, by Congress, made Briga-
dier-General on the retired list April 23, 1904.

From appointment in the Regular Army to
April, 1875, he served with his regiment against
the Indians in Southwestern Indian Territory and
Northwestern Texas, commanding Indian scouts
at Forts Gibson, Arbuckle and Sill in the Indian
Territory, and Fort Griffin, Texas. In April, 1875,
after the winter campaign of General Sheridan
against the hostile Kiowas, Comanches, Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes, seventy-four of their most

499

turbulent leaders were selected for punishment by
deportation from their homes and families, in
chains, to Florida. Lieutenant Pratt was sent in
charge and remained with them from April, 1875,
to April, 1878, when they were released.

Under the educational and industrial training
system he established in their prison life at old
Fort San Marco, St. Augustine, twenty two of
the younger men were led to desire further de-
velopment and training, and asked to stay in the
East three years longer and go to school. This
was permitted by the Government, and accom-
plished by Lieutenant Pratt without cost to the
Government; seventeen of them going to Hamp-
ton Institute, a colored school at Old Point Com-
fort, Virginia; the other five to New York State,
four near Utica and one to Tarrytown.

The progress of the Indian pupils at Hampton
was so gratifying that the Government was led to
increase the number and include both sexes. In
October and November, 1878, Lieutenant Pratt,
accompanied by his wife, went to Dakota, secured
and took to Hampton forty-seven boys and girls
from the Indian tribes along the Missouri River.
He was then detailed for Indian educational duty
by an Act of Congress passed that year, in the
discussion of which his name was mentioned as
the person intended. In the spring of 1879 he
urged a large increase in the number of Indian
youth to be educated and trained industrially
away from their tribes, and that special schools
be established among the whites remote from
tribal influences; and suggested the abandoned
military barracks at Carlisle, Pa., as one suitable
place. This recommendation was accepted, and
he was designated to establish and superintend
the school. He went to Dakota and brought
eighty-two Indian boys and girls from the Sioux
tribes under Red Cloud and Spotted Tail. This
party reached Carlisle October 6, 1879. He im-

Soo

mediately went West again to the Indian Terri-
tory, now Oklahoma, and brought in another
party of youth from the Kiowa, Comanche,
Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Pawnee and Wichita tribes,
and opened the school November ist with one
hundred and forty-seven pupils. Industrial train-
ing, civilized usefulness and clearing away of
the prejudices against Indians were the avowed
purposes of the school. All the substantial
trades and agriculture were taught practically, and
advancement in books to a grade half-way be-
tween the Grammar and High School grades
was made the goal for graduation. The school
grew to an average attendance of over eleven
hundred pupils yearly, coming from more than
eighty tribes, including Alaska. Its graduates
are to be found in every tribe in the United States
usefully employed in Indian School and Agency
work, as Superintendents of Indian Boarding-
schools, teachers, both schoolroom and indus-
trial, clerks, farmers, stock raisers, &c., &c. Many
of them have gone out from their tribes and suc-
cessfully engage in industrial and professional
employments in competition with our own people.
The large number who have successfully main-
tained themselves in these various experiences
fully illustrates that the Indian, when given a fair
chance, becomes entirely equal to all the demands
of a useful life in our modern civilization.

A brave soldier in War

A great philanthropist in Peace !

3ra ^auIPB. A. M.. ^if. 1.

Prof. Sayles came of the liberal, progressive
Rhode Island type, of New England blood. He
was born in Burrillsville, R. I., March 30, 1817.
In 1834 he came from Westfield, Pennsylvania,
to Whitesville, N. Y., to be an apprentice in the
cloth dressing trade. He had been an attentive

SOI

learner at the common schools, was a studious
reader. In 1839 he entered Alfred Academy, be-
ing the first pupil who applied for instruction
under William Colegrove Kenyon, who came
from Union College in the spring of 1839.

Prof. Kenyon was an educator of remarkable
influence over his pupils, one of whom described
him as "a compact, nervous, magnetic man,
whose teaching was suggestive, electric, inspir-
ing— stirring young life to the core." No won-
der Ira made great progress in his school. He
was twenty-two years old when he went to Alfred
— no longer a youth, but matured beyond his
years and zealously devoted to his studies.

He had decided characteristics; manly, self-
contained, independent in thought and act —
rather eccentric, a thinker on all subjects, with a
broad range and grasp. His special subject was
geology, in which he was proficient, and locally an
accepted authority.

From Alfred he went to Schenectady, where
he graduated from Union College, in 1844. Thus
equipped he began his career as a teacher.

Returning to Alfred, he became assistant prin-
cipal from 1845 to 1850, and from 1859 to 1862
— teaching during the former period the ancient,
and during the latter, the modern languages.
This record exhibits an unusual branch of
scholarship — linguistic as well as scientific. Still
he was never distinguished in literary work,
although while teaching he sometimes threw off
verses of local application for special occasions.
The powers of his mind and body were compact,
energetic, forceful. His pupils felt instinctively
that he possessed a fund of character and man-
hood upon which all his varied acquirements were
built. His moral tone was high, constantly aim-
ing at the "principles of decorum, propriety and
rectitude."

502

Rushford Academy under his management had
a career of steady growth and great usefulness.
"To fit themselves for the stirring duties of
active life" was the object and aim which he ever
placed before his pupils.

He married, April 13, 1848, Serena C,
daughter of Samuel S. White, of Whitesville,
who was an accomplished scholar and became a
valuable assistant in his profession — her name
appearing among the teachers in Rushford for
several years. Mr. Sayles' sister was also a
teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Sayles left Rushford in
1858, and for three years she was a teacher at
Alfred.

His record at Alfred during both his engage-
ments there, was laborious, useful and brilliant.
In 1846, accompanied by Prof. Allen, he had suc-
ceeded in obtaining a loan of ten thousand dol-
lars of the man who two years later became
his father-in-law — Samuel C. White. With that
money — a large sum in those days — a campus
was purchased and one of three projected build-
ings was erected — the Middle Hall, in which
President Allen's family lived many years.

This service to the school was great. It was in
need, and the trustees were without means.

In Mrs. Allen's Life and Sermons of her hus-
band these facts are gratefully recorded, and she
heads a list of the prominent members of the
Franklin Lyceum with "The Learned Sayles."

Many of the scientific books in the Alfred Uni-
versity library contain copious marginal notes
written by Prof Sayles. One of which, found in
Lyell's Antiquity of Man, may be of interest to
Rushford people. The author has been describ-
ing the parallel shelves or ledges of Glen Roy,
Scotland, and Prof. Sayles inserts this note. "A
similar embankment of two terraces surrounds
the little valley in which is situated the village of

503

Rushford, N. Y. It extends to the southwest and
south toward Cuba, but the outlet is through the
Chemung Shales, toward the Genesee River, at
Caneadea, where the stream runs through a gorge
about two hundred feet wide at the bottom and
nearly two hundred feet high."

In 1862 Professor Sayles became Captain
Sayles — ^he went from college to camp. The ab-
sorbing events at the opening of the great war
aroused the patriotism of his sturdy nature, and
with the rank of Captain he entered the 130th
N. Y., and served till peace followed final vic-
tory. What his record was we do not know;
that it was brave and faithful his whole character
is proof.

In 1867 Prof. Sayles once more and for the last
time became a citizen of Rushford, and an in-
structor of the youth. As he had been the first
teacher in the Academy, so when that school be-
came merged in the Union School, which was a
new departure in the educational system of this
village, he was engaged to give it the same im-
petus he had imparted to its predecessor. The
high standing and excellent training for which
this school is justly noted is in some measure the
result of his personality and wisdom. He left
Rushford in 1869.

After the war he was for a time employed at
Cornell University in classifying minerals, and
through the good offices of his old pupil at Rush-
ford, Senator Teller, he obtained a position in
Washington as assistant in the geological survey.

He died June 19, 1894, at Case City, Virgina,
where he and his wife then lived.

In the early days of the settlement of Rushford
there lived in Belcher, Massachusetts, a doctor
by the name of Scott. He seemed to be in more

504

than comfortable circumstances, as he had colored
help both indoors and out.

February 22nd, 1821, his son George, when
twenty-six years of age, was united in marriage to
Mariah Converse. Before the year ended, to them
was born George H. In January, 1823, another
child, Calvin, came to the home. While he was
yet a babe in arms Mr. Scott, thinking to better
his fortune, started for the Holland Purchase,
reaching Rushford. Somewhat later the mother
and children came on, being assisted in their long
and difficult journey by Lowell Wright, then
young and single. They settled on what was
called the " Old Injun Road," long since aban-
doned. In present day language, it extended
from the Ackerly Brothers' farm on the Cuba Road
to Nathan Gilbert's farm on the West Branch
Road. For many years there was a tract of land
of about fifteen acres surrounded by woods, known
as the " Lowell Wright Clearing," through which
once ran the " Old Injun " road.

Somewhat later Mr. Scott moved to a farm on
the Cuba Road, now owned by Walter Howard;
still later he moved to " Scott Hill," beyond the
" Six Corners." To them other children were
born: Laura (Mrs. Elisha Strait), 1824; Dwight,
1826; Martha (Mrs. William Drake), 1828; Emiline
(Mrs. Thomas Dunlap), 1830; Lyman, 1832; John,
1836; Jason, 1840, and Henry, 1842.

There were three families in the Taylor Hill
school district that together would have made a
school of fair size, John Hammond's, Solomon
Chamberlain's and George Scott's. Mr. Scott
was a large man, with fair complexion and sharp
blue eyes. He was regarded as a fine-looking
man. One of his striking characteristics was
his ready wit. When some one was laughing
at him because he didn't have wood ready for
use, he said, " It's a pretty lazy man that can't get
up in the morning and split enough wood for his

SOS

wife to get breakfast." Once, in speaking of New
England rum, he said, " Why, it's hot enough to
burn green wood." After a general training he
was going to ride home behind his neighbor on
the same horse. The horse commenced to kick
up. " Go on," he said, " my end's going." Mr.
Scott had a running horse that couldn't be beaten.
Lower street was his race course, and Henry
Kirk White his rider. A party came to Rush-
ford to purchase the horse, Not wanting to pay
so much as he asked, they invited him down town
and treated him; but to their surprise he came
up ten dollars. They treated him again, and he
came up ten dollars more.

No one in all the country around could bring
the music out of a violin as he could. He was in
great demand for dances, and sometimes he played
at weddings. He furnished the music at the wed-
ding of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Frost; he played
when Mrs. Frost's daughter Thurza married
George H. Scott; he also played when Mrs.
Frost's granddaughter, Margaret Scott, was mar-
ried to Marcus Eaton, thus playing for three gen-
erations.

He died when eighty-one years of age; his
wife lived to be nearly ninety-one. They were
laid to rest in the Bellville cemetery.

Mrs. George Cooper, Mrs. Riley Lafferty, Mrs.
Frank Hoag and Milton Scott are grandchildren
who reside in town. (Unsigned.)

C. Augusta Searle Sheldon.
The Searle family of Rushford, New York, have
tradition of an ancestor who came in 1623 to
Massachusetts Bay with Robert Gorges; and was
in charge of " Something," and one of his sons
was William, i, b. 161 8 in England, who, with wife
Grace, lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where he

So6

died and was buried in 1667. Their son Samuel
b. 1660, d. 1690, and his wife Deborah, b. Ips-
wich, 1658, d. in 1703 in Rowley, Massachu-
setts. Their son Deacon William, b. 1690 in
Rowley, married Joane Nelson, b. 1704 in Row-
ley. (Her grandfather, Capt. Philip Nelson, grad-
uated at Harvard in 1654 and married Elizabeth,
granddaughter of Mr. Percival Lowell, who in
1639 came from Bristol, England, to Newbury,
Massachusetts.) Deacon William and Joane
Searle had son David Searle, b. 1736 in Row-
ley, who married Judith Sayward, b. 1733 in Glou-
cester, Massachusetts. (She was descended from
Mr, William Stephens, who came from London
before 1632. It is said he founded shipbuilding
in America.)

David Searle was in 1775, '76, and ''j'j in the
war of the Revolution. Before 1787 he with his
wife removed to Temple, N. H., where she died
in 1790, and he in 1792. They had son David
Searle, born in Rowley, Mass., in 1766, who mar-
ried Judith Cragin, b. 1767, in Acton, Mass.,
daughter of John Ford Cragin, a descendant
of Rev. Samuel Shelton, who was graduated at
Clare Hall, Cambridge, England, in i6i5,andwas
ordained. He came in 1629 in the George to
Salem, Mass., where he was again ordained, and
was for several years a member of the Governor's
council. Mr. John Cragin, in 1775, was of the
Committee of Inspection and Correspondence.
He marched from Temple, N. H., to Cambridge,
Mass., on the " Alarm," and was delegate to the
Provincial Convention of New Hampshire. In

1776 he marched to Crown Point as a member
of the Committee and was a signer of a paper
entitled " A Proper Basis of Representation." In

1777 he was one of the Committee to give in-
struction to the representative at the General
Court. As a soldier Sergeant John Cragin
marched on to Saratoga, and was undoubtedly

507

present at Burgoyne's Surrender. In 1781 he
was elected a delegate to a Provincial Conven-
tion for " laying a permanent plan or system
of Government, for ye State." Deacon John
Cragin was Town Treasurer from 1778 to 1792,
inclusive. He died in 1797 at Temple, N. H.
His wife, Sarah Barrett, b. 1731 at Chelmsford,
Mass., had died in 1771.

David Searle and Judith Cragin were married
July 20th, 1787, in Temple, N. H. Three chil-
dren were born to them there. In 1791 they
removed to Cavendish, Vt., where fourteen
more came, seventeen in all; several died, nine
became heads of families. About 18 14 David
Searle with three children, David, Dolly, and
Lucy, travelled westward across the " fertile
but sickly " Genesee Valley and reached Center-
ville, N. Y., on the same day as did Russell
Higgins and Packard Bruce, total strangers, who
had come from Hardwick, Mass. The next year,
181 5, the Searles, father and son, returned home
and brought the remainder of the family to Center-
ville, N. Y. Having lived in a mountainous
country, the top of Hamilton Hill seemed home-
like and here they made a farm, although it is
said when lightning struck the earth the bolt was
only about a yard long. It was in 1823 or later
that David Searle, though retaining his hill farm,
bought a choice level tract in Rushford, to which
he removed and where he had an establishment
for making and working up leather. He had
then four living sons of the sixth generation and
several daughters.

John deV. Searle was sickly and studious.
He walked to Buffalo and back, ninety miles, to.
obtain his Latin books. In 1831 he d. un-
married and was buried in the lot, afterwards re-
served from land in Lot 37 for a public cemetery
by his father and mother. The same year Har-
riet Nancy Searle, wife of Harry W. Bullock, also

5o8

died under the paternal roof and was laid beside
her brother John, She left an only child, Cor-
delia Bullock, who was adopted by her aunt, Lucy
Searle McCall. There was much sickness in the
community.

David Searle being called to the ministry,
prepared in Hamilton Literary and Theological
Seminary, now called Colgate University. He
was ordained in 1831 in Rushford. He labored
with weak churches or the Sabbath School Union
until appointed one of the travelling agents of the
Baptist Home Missionary Society. He was se-
verely injured in a railway accident near the end
of his life and incapacitated for further effort. In
1 86 1 he gladly passed to his reward. About 1828
his wife weis violently thrown from a carriage and
dreadfully hurt. Doctors could not diagnose the
case, and relieved her sufferings with morphine.
After her beautiful Christian death in 1874 a post
mortem revealed the unaccountable condition
which had lasted more than forty years. But one
of their children lived to continue the line, namely,
Augusta, who married D. Henry Sheldon, and
had an only child, Verna Evangeline, who gradu-
ated from Wellesley College and married Profes-
sor Frederic Charles Hicks, Ph. D.

In 1 83 1 Daniel Searle married Julia Lazelle
(a descendant of Elder William Brewster, of the
Mayflower). He joined his father in business until
the old gentleman retired; then opened a clothing
store. Later, he went back to the *' hill farm,"
where his father David Searle died in 1854 and
his most estimable mother in 1859. His very ex-
cellent wife died in 1866, and he in 1875. Their
children of the seventh generation were: Francis,
Milton McCall, James Lazelle, Harriett, who mar-
ried Haskins; David, William and John. Milton
McCall Searle was born in Rushford, April 8,
1834. There and in the vicinity he was engaged
in mercantile pursuits until the Civil War. He

509

joined a N. Y. Vol. Reg't, served through, and
was honorably discharged at the end of the year.
He entered the Federal Post Office Service; was
stationed at Petersburg, Va., where he married
Sarah Connely, January 20, 1868. He died March
II, 187 1, and was buried in the Petersburg Na-
tional Cemetery. He left three children: William
Daniel, Roscoe and JuUiette McCall. Searle.
(The McCall name was in affectionate remem-
brance of Milton McCall, who married Lucy
Searle, a grandaunt.) The family removed to
Washington, D. C, where William D. Searle
graduated from the Law Department of the
George Washington University with the degree of
LL.D., and later was admitted to the Bar of the
District of Columbia.

Rev. Steadman Barrett Searle (married ist
Olive Lazelle who, and the infant John, died). He
was ordained and appointed a Baptist Home Mis-
sionary in Indiana. He married, 2nd, Angeline
Rice. Their children were Francis Wayland,
Harriett, who married William Lentz; Edwin and
Edward, twins. Eventually Steadman and An-
geline (Rice) Searle, returned to Indiana and died.

Dolly married Packard Bruce. Their children
were Sarah Augusta, who married Jerome Hill;
Edwin Searle Bruce, Charles Malcolm, Mary A.
Lucius Harrison and Harriet Bruce, twins. Edwin
Searle Bruce was a Sheriff of Allegany County,
N. Y., nine years; then was employed in the
" Secret Service of the United States Treasury,"
also as Special Agent of the Department of the
Interior, investigating " Land Claims," and " local
Land offices."

Rev. Charles Malcolm Bruce was ordained in
Cuba, N. Y., and ministered to Baptist Churches
in Clarksville and Milo, N. Y. Was appointed
Home Missionary to St. Ignace, north of the
Straits of Mackinaw, where the climate and ex-
posure very seriously injured his voice.

5IO

Harrison Bruce, in 1861, enlisted in the 3rd
Illinois Cavalry, rendered three and a half years
active service during the Civil War, and resigned
as Lieutenant, March 12, 1865, because of failure
of health. In February, iSSt, was appointed
Clerk of the Committee on Pensions in the United
States Senate. In 1883 he was appointed Mem-
ber of the Board of Pension Appeals in the Office
of the Secretary of the Interior, and Chairman of
that Board November, 20, 1897.

. Allegany County, N. Y., justly claims Henry
Moore Teller. He was born in Granger, pre-
pared in Rushford Academy, and graduated from
Alfred University. He read law in Angelica; in
Cuba he married Harriet Bruce (his Rushford
Classmate), and Alfred University conferred on
him LL.D. In 1858 they removed to Illinois,
and in 1861 made their home in Colorado. He
took his seat in the U. S. Senate December 4,
1876, and served until April 17th, 1882, when he
entered the Cabinet of President Arthur as
Secretary of the Interior, until March, 1885.
He was re-elected to the Senate in January,
1885, and his continuous term of service ex-
pires March 3, 1909. A rare record — three years
in the Cabinet and thirty years in the U. S. Sen-
ate. In 1903 the State University of Colorado
conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. Most
people designate Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Teller
as " Pure Gold." They have three children —
Emma A., who graduated from Wellesley College
and married George E. Tyler; Harrison J., and
Henry Bruce Teller, both graduates of Yale Col-
lege and its Law Department. All reside in
Colorado.

Sophronia Searle married Rufus Adams. They
had three children: Alfred, Sophronia, who mar-
ried Fordyce Gordon; and Salome Searle, who
married Justus Dayton, had two children, Jeremy
and Sarah. Sarah Searle married Lawson Hoyt

511

and had Francis, Lawson Searle and Lucius.
This family resided in Buffalo and New York
City.

latrtli 1- mi

Coming to the county in his early boyhood, all
true sons of Allegany like to regard David B. Sill
as native born, and all consider him as a worthy
example of the self-made business man and Chris-
tian gentleman, of which this country was so pro-
lific during the middle period of the last century.
Mr. Sill was born near the village of Franklin -
ville, Cattaraugus County, New York, on the
26th of March, 1832, where his childhood and
youth were spent.

In 1844 the family, consisting of the parents,
three boys and one girl, Daniel being the eldest,
removed to a farm on Rush Creek, in the town
of Rushford, on which was a saw mill, of the old
regulation style of flutter wheel and up and down
saw variety. This new location was then in the
midst of a wealth of pine, oak, chestnut, ash and
other timber, for which it was justly noted. It
followed naturally that lumbering was the chief
employment of the people, a circumstance which
made young Sill personally familiar with all
the processes employed in the business, from
inspecting the tree, felling it and skidding the
logs, in which operation quite likely were em-
ployed old " Buck and Bright," the while using
"haw" and "gee" as words of command and
direction in hauling to the mill, sawing into
lumber, "stub-shotting" the boards, "sticking
up," caring for the mill generally, and lastly tak-
ing it to market in case buyers did not come
for it.

The care of the mill sometimes involved sea-
sons of cold, hard, disagreeable work, in cutting
away ice from the pitman for instance, or in the

512

water, waist deep at times, in repairs to flume or
dam, and when the sawing season was at its
height, working half the day and half the night
on " towers " as they called it.

Before the opening of the Genesee Valley Canal
lumber and shingles were drawn " down north " to
Batavia, Warsaw, Mt. Morris and other points,
where markets were found; and in the winter,
when good sleighing prevailed, the " Northerners "
frequently came after the lumber, bringing vari-
ous things to exchange. Mr. Sill has drawn lum-
ber to Buffalo, a distance of nearly sixty miles,
sometimes, and if the market was dull, storing it on
a vacant lot near the corner of Main and Niagara
Streets.

During his lumbering experience on Rush
Creek he made the acquaintance of Miss Melinda
L. Baker, who came to visit relatives in that neigh-
borhood, and they were married February 25th,
1856. Just fifty years later, their golden wedding
was appropriately celebrated in their beautiful
home, in the village of Cuba, New York, by a
large company of friends and neighbors.

About 1859 or i860, another change was made
and a large farm near Rushford village, on the
Cuba road, was purchased, incurring a large in-
debtedness.

During Mr. Sill's patronage of the cheese fac-
tory he hauled cheese from Rushford to Cuba and
Castile, as might be preferred by the buyers.
The haul to Castile involved an early start and
late return to make the round trip in a day. In
those first years of the cheese factory, the buyers
visited the factories and made personal inspection
of the cheese. Mr. Sill took quite naturally to
the business of cheese buying, and soon developed
excellent judgment in the matter of inspection, as
well as in market values.

During the years of Mr. Sill's lumbering and
cheese-making activities two brothers, Andrew J.

513

and Hosea B. Ackerly, also of Rushford, were
pursuing substantially the same line of business
lower down the stream. These three men, from
business intercourse and otherwise, became thor-
oughly acquainted and had great faith in each
other's judgment and integrity, respecting each
other's opinions.

Elmer M. Bond had established an extensive
commission business, buying cheese and other
commodities, which embraced a considerable part
of the Western New York dairy region, and in a
short time had these three men buying for him.
Mr. Bond's operations began in Rushford, and
then the center became Cuba, New York.

About 1 87 1 Mr. Sill and Hosea B. Ackerly re-
moved to Cuba. Not long after came Andrew J.
Ackerly, purchasing for E. M. Bond in New
York. Subsequently, they formed a part-
nership of Ackerly, Sill & Company, which
is now the oldest of all the cheese-buying firms
in Cuba.

They purchased the extensive saw, planing and
wood-working mills of the Russell Smith estate,
and enlarged and improved them. This, added to
their other industry, making an extensive busi-
ness. They were interested in some timber lands
with the late Orrin T. Higgins. This enlarged busi-
ness continued for a term of years, their operations
extending into neighboring towns, in the Hne of
dealing in timber lands in other States. All of
these men have traversed with that pioneer of
timber land men, O. T. Higgins, the pine regions
of various States. He possessed, indeed, a rare
combination of sound judgment, good business
qualifications and executive ability, and was, of
course, successful.

During these years of lumber manufacture in
Cuba Mr. Sill's right hand one day became in-
volved in some of the mill machinery, and ampu-
tation midway between the wrist and elbow was

the result. He suffered much, but endured it all
with remarkable fortitude.

Ackerly, Sill & Company erected the first of
the four cold storage plants in Cuba, and have
helped to make the town the second largest cheese
market in the State.

Mr. Sill's advice is considered valuable, and he
is counseled in many matters of importance in the
community.

A genuine Baptist ever since he was twenty-
six years of age, he had been active and energetic
in church work. Before leaving Rushford, and
when that church was in the Cattaraugus Asso-
ciation, he, with the late Ancil M. Taylor and
others, at Sandusky, about 1859 or i860, organ-
ized the Cattaraugus Baptist Sunday School Con-
vention, and was for the last five or six years of
his stay in Rushford Superintendent of the Sun-
day School. After removing to Cuba he was
fifteen years the Superintendent of the local
Sunday School, helping to organize the Allegany
Baptist Sunday School Convention, in connection
with the Association, and was for ten years its
president. Later, he helped in the organization
of a County Sunday School Convention, which
includes schools of all the churches, and was for
several years its president. Recently, when a
call for six thousand dollars at least was made for
the purpose of enlarging and improving the
church edifice, he headed the list with a pledge
of one thousand dollars, and over seven thousand
dollars was pledged in less than half an hour. It
was indeed the crowning act of long years of
church work and usefulness.

In 1882 the Cuba Temperance Camp Meeting
Association was organized, and Mr. Sill found a
new field for his activities. For six years he was
its secretary, and for fourteen years its president.
His associates in those early years of the Camp
were such men as George H. Eldedge, E. D.

SIS

Loveridge, J. M. Barnes and A. C. Fisher, all
earnest and active workers. This movement be-
came popular, and it is believed to be of great
use and benefit to the public. A large auditorium
was erected, and from its platform speakers of
national reputation have addressed the multitudes
who have attended the sessions. Mr. Sill was a
popular presiding officer, alert and resourceful,
managing to gain and retain the good will of the
people in the halcyon days of the Cuba Camp.
He left an impress which will for long years be
retained by the middle-aged and younger people
of Allegany.

Mr. Sill is exceptionally well read for a man of
such a busy life, particularly along temperance
and kindred lines. His mind is clear and active,
and he is a pleasant and instructive speaker when
the occasion demands.

Irene Smith Kimball.

Alfred Smith, a son of Elihu Smith, was born
February 4th, 1798. He married Polly Brandow
at Windham, Greene County, N. Y., February
5th, 1 82 1. On April 13th, 1824, a son, Cor-
nelius Kimber Benham Smith, wab born to them.
About two years after this happy event they de-
cided to move west, and started out with an ox-
team and cart, containing a few necessaries of life,
with their pewter dishes, the set of pink and
white dishes given them by her mother, Elizabeth
Brandow, Folly's sampler, and other treasures.

They located a few miles east of Leroy, in the
neighborhood where Alfred had two sisters living,
and stayed there until the spring of 1828, when
they again started out with the ox team and cart
and located on a hundred acres of land in the
western part of the town of Rushford. They built

5i6

a log house on the east side of the Rushford and
Farmersville road, just east of the County line.
Later he got out lumber and built a frame house
on the West Branch and Hardy's Corners road.
It is now owned and occupied by their grand-
son, Grant H. Smith.

Alfred was an industrious and thrifty farmer.
He was always proud of a good ox-team, one of
which he always owned. Some of his old neigh-
bors tell the story of his winding a long log chain
around his body, and walking three times in one
day to Rushford village to have it welded to-
gether, feeling very proud that he owned an ox-
team strong enough to break it so many times.

Alfred and Kimber, in clearing a certain piece
of land, used to get up at three o'clock in the morn-
ing and eat breakfast; then taking a luncheon,
they would go to work. Returning at twelve,
they would eat dinner; then taking another
luncheon, they would go back and work until
nine at night. Polly milked the eight cows and
did all the other chores.

Alfred died May 21st, 1873.

Polly Brandow Smith was a daughter of Henry
and Elizabeth Brandow. Henry was born Octo-
ber 17th, 1 77 1, and died February 4th, 18 13.
Elizabeth was born August ist, 1763, and died
May 9th, 1830.

Polly was born January 19th, 1803. She studied
medicine for several years before her marriage,
with their local physician, Dr. Benham, and be-
came thoroughly familiar with all medicinal herbs,
and the proper time and manner of gathering and
preserving them. She also knew what each was
used for, and how to prepare and administer
them. In later life, she used one room of her
house as an " Herb Chamber," and spent many
days at different seasons of the year walking
through the woods and pastures, with a basket on
her arm, hunting for roots, barks and herbs.

517

People came from near and far to consult " Aunt
Polly " and get her herbs. She boasted of hav-
ing cured with her herbs and good nursing after
the regular physician had given the patient up.

She loved the society of young people, and
amused herself and them by telling fortunes and
ghost stories, until even the young men of the
neighborhood dared not go home alone. She
would then escort them home, to her great delight.
She was a very strong temperance woman, but
did love her snuff. She died December 6th, 1880,
and was buried beside her husband in the Rush-
ford Cemetery.

C. Kimber B. Smith was an only child, a bright,
studious boy. He obtained his education in the
district school and the select school. He taught
successfully several terms at Cream Ridge, •' On
the Grant," as Hardy's Corners was then called,
and at Podonque in 1847, where he had fifty-two
pupils, according to a register kept by him at that
time, now in the possession of Grant H. Smith,
in which we find the names of Frank Woods,
Wilbur Woods, Clark Rice, Olive Rice, Henry
Colburn, Warren and Wesley Persons, Milton
Woods, Louisa Leavens, etc., etc.

November 6th, 1849, at the home of E. K.
Howe, on the farm now owned by Evan James
at Hardy's Corners, C. K. B. Smith was married
to E. Maria Howe, second daughter of E.
Kingsbury Howe and Matilda McCall Howe, a
granddaughter of Judge James McCall. Maria
was one of the " Belles " of the town. She was
very pretty and a tailoress by trade. She did al-
most perfect work with her needle, and be-
fore her marriage she went around from
house to house doing the annual sewing for the
family.

They started keeping house in part of the house
now occupied by Grant H., but in the spring of
1852 they built the frame house across the creek.

Si8

now known as the C. K. B. Smith house, and
lived there until their death. Kimber died De-
cember 14th, 1900. Maria was born September
30th, 1827, and died May 22nd, 1907.

They added more land as they could until the
home farm contained three hundred and sixty-
eight acres, and owned several other farms — in
all over one thousand acres of land in Allegany
and Cattaraugus Counties. It was Kimber's am-
bition to leave a farm and home to each of his
children. They had seven children: Elizabeth,
dying at five years of age in 1857; Henry A.,
Lawrence King, Eliza (Mrs. D. E. Lewis), Arlou-
ine (Mrs. Frank Kingsbury), Grant H. and Irene
(Mrs. Emerson Kendall). Each one married.

Kimber was a strong temperance man. He
voted the Republican ticket until the Prohibition
party was started, and then he was Prohibition
every time. He did not care for office, but was
Assessor for several years, elected on a Repub-
lican ticket.

We are speaking of the good old times when
T-a-r-b-e-1-1 spelled Tarble.

It was in 182 1 that James and Abel Tarbell
came into Rushford, with all their belongings on a
wood-shod sled drawn by two pairs of steers.
The journey had been long, coming from Mason,
New Hampshire, and the steers were foot-sore,
lying down whenever the boys, James and Abel,
stopped to talk with people on the way.

They had only a shilling between them when
they arrived; after spending that for refresh-
ment they went to work. Abel bought of
the Holland Land Company the farm now owned
by Miles Tarbell for a dollar and a quarter per
acre.

Abel took unto himself a wife, Julia Mills, and

OZIAL TAYLOR

REV. DR. B. O. TAYLOR

519

to them were born seven children: Nelson, Mary
(Mrs. H. B. Persons), Emeline (Mrs. William
Babbitt), Amelia (Mrs. Igel Peck), Myra (Mrs.
Quincy Chamberlain), Louis and Miles.

Abel Tarbell used to tell about lumbering on
the Gospel Lot in the Pine Woods during the
day, and then cutting three-foot wood for the
fireplace at night. He and his wife were mem-
bers of the Methodist Church. His youngest
descendant in town is Edith Marie Morrison.

James Tarbell, settled later in Farmef-sville.
Mrs. W. W. Merrill is a grandchild.'

Four sisters of James and Abel Tarbell settled
in Rushford, Mrs. Newbury Eddy, Mrs. Naham
Ames, Mrs. Asa Brooks and Mrs. Mathew P.
Cady.

Compiled From the Taylor Genealogy

The children of Silas were the first of the Tay-
lor family to go West. He Ayas the son of Jacob
Taylor. Ebenezer'' (John^), married (i) Eliza-
beth Lane, born October, 1719; was descended
from the Boston family of this name. He mar-
ried (2) Ruth White Rood, widow of Daniel
Rood, and daughter of John White, a descend-
ant of the emigrant, John White, who came from
England in the ship Lyon, arriving September 16,
1632. Mr. White settled in Cambridge, removed
to Hartford, Conn., in 1636, of which town he
was an original founder. In 1771 Jacob Taylor
was among the eight men, according to Massa-
chusetts history, who had the largest estates in
Granby. He, with many others, lost much dur-
ing the Revolutionary War.

Silas Taylor, son of Jacob^ and Ruth, married
in 1790, Lydia Towne. He died at Rushford in

520

1852, where he had Hved with his eldest son,
Ozial. Lydia died 1833, in Rushford. She be-
longed to the distinguished family of Townes.

Allen was the first of the Taylor pioneers.
Can one ever forget his erect figure and fine eyes ?
He started for the Holland Purchase before 1820,
where he acquired a tract of land from the Hol-
land Land Company, known as Lot 40 in Rush-
ford. Shortly after, he returned to Massachu-
setts, .selling his interest to Mr. Hale, who built
a house on the eastern part of the lot, occupying
it, however, but a short time. In the spring of
1820, Ozial set out upon a similar journey for
the same township. He was twenty-eight years
of age ; had but seven or eight dollars in his pock-
et. He made the journey on foot, except a few
miles when he could "catch a ride," and had only
seventy-five cents upon his arrival, which was
about enough with which to buy an axe. With
this he commenced clearing on the west half of
lot 40, built a log house, living in it alone for
several years, when one of his sisters came, who
kept house for him until her marriage.

Zebina came in 1823. He lived with Ozial
two or three years and then returned to Massa-
chusetts.

Allen married, 1824, Theresa Chapin, who be-
longed to that family of Chapins which figured
largely in the early history of Springfield, Massa-
chusetts. She died May 12th, 1881. Zebina mar-
ried, 1828, Melintha Taylor, daughter of Benoni
Taylor. Allen and Zebina both returned to Rush-
ford, with their wives in 1828, traveling with
horses and wagons. Allen took back the land
left by Mr. Hale, and Zebina located a little
farther west. Ozial, the eldest son, returned to
Massachusetts for his father and mother, Silas
and Lydia.

These plucky pioneers cleared their lands,

521

raised young cattle and paid the Holland Land
Company in installments for their homes. Ozial,
Allen, Zebina, Justus and others, all lived at
various times in one neighborhood, which came
to be and is still known as Taylor Hill.

Roxanna and her husband, Laertus Fuller,
came to Rushford about 1833. Their daughter,
Emily Fuller, married Milton Woods, who has
been mentioned elsewhere as having had a phe-
nomenal tenor voice, which he retained in its full-
ness and sweetness until the last. He taught
music in the days of the old-time singing school,
and was prominently identified with all the musi-
cal interests of the town. Mrs. Woods was a
generous and attractive woman. Their children
were D. Will, Fred F., Elbert L. and Newman N.

D. Will Woods added very much to the inter-
est of the Rushford Centennial by the important
part he took in the music at that time. He mar-
ried Ida White. His children are Fred K., Rob-
ert B., Merena and Harlan.

Elbert L. married Lizzie Myers. Newman N.
married Minnie Sarsfield.

Ozial Taylor, an interesting man, m., June
26th, 1836, Laura Cowdery of Woodstock, Ver-
mont. She died in Rushford, June 30th, 1873.
The poem by Rev. E. O. Taylor, in his Centennial
sermon, best describes her character.

Children: Ansel Miner Taylor was the eldest
son. He married, October ist, 1861, Sophia E.
Benjamin, of Rushford, granddaughter of Levi
Benjamin, and of Judge James McCall, both of
whom were pioneers and leading men in western
New York. She was in school at Rushford
Academy and Alfred University, and has been
prominent in church, Sunday-school and temper-
ance work for many years. She made an inter-
esting address on the McCall family, which was
delivered during the Centennial Week. A. M.

522

Taylor was at the Rushford Academy. His con-
servatism and consistent Christian life have left
a strong impress on the business and church af-
fairs of the community. He was president of the
Board of Trade, member of the School Board,
and superintendent of the Baptist Sunday-school
for nearly thirty-two years. Frank Lyman Tay-
lor, their son, married (i), 1892, Florence H,
Doty at Olean, New York, who died, 1900; mar-
ried (2), 1901, Alice V. Smith, of Geneva. He
graduated from Cook Academy, N. Y., and was
with O. T. Higgins until his death in Olean. He
engaged in business in Geneva for several years,
and now is a merchant at Rushford. Children:
Helen M., born March, 1894; Miner McCall, born
February, 1896.

Elbert Ozial Taylor, D. D., of Boston, Mass.,
has become well known throughout the country
as a lecturer and man of science. He was born
in Rushford, and was in school there and at Bel-
fast Academy ; graduated from the University of
Chicago in 1868, and from the Union Theological
Seminary in Chicago in 1871. He became Student
Pastor of the Church in Richmond, Illinois, in
1863, 3^t twenty years of age, and was ordained in
1866. He has served as Pastor in Kenosha, Wis.,
at two different periods, the Church of Topeka,
Kansas, First Church of Ionia, Mich., and the
Belden Avenue Church of Chicago, 111., the latter
being founded by him. His pastorate continued
through a period of nine years in the heart of the
residence portion of the Lincoln Park district.
While in Topeka he was Chaplain of the House
during three successive terms. He founded and
edited the Kansas Evangel, and was president of
the interdenominational Sunday-School Conven-
tion. He received the degree of A. M. from the
University of Chicago, and D. D. from Ewing
College, Illinois. He is the author of a text book

SOPHIA E. BENJAMIN

(MES. A. M. TATI.OE)

ANSEL. MINER TAYLOR

523

entitled "Short Studies in Scientific Temperance,"
which has passed through its third edition. He
has written much on various subjects, and lec-
tured in this country and in England and
Scotland, with marked success. His charming
wife, a woman of great energy, and exceptionally
efficient, not only as Pastor's wife, but in other
positions, was Elizabeth A. Winegar, of Kenosha,
Wisconsin, whom he married May 17th, 1871,
after she had graduated from the High School
and spent some years in teaching in the Chicago
Schools. Elvira S. Taylor was the daughter of
Ozial and Laura Taylor.

To Elvira Sarepta Taylor.

(Extract from poem written by Rev. Dr. E. O. Tay-
lor presented to his sister on the birthday before her
death.)

* * * For she,
The sole survivor of the sisterhood,
In whose blest honor is this tribute paid,
Had other mission, exceptional indeed,
Nor less divine than that of motherhood;
Called of God as truly as a priest,
To live in noble self-abnegation,
Not by compulsion of so-called "iron fate,"
But of holy choice in light of providence;
To spend, be spent, to cheer, to love and serve,
To soothe and comfort, guide with gentle hand
Adown the steeps of closing years, at last.
To close the eyes, and lay to final rest
Those who gave her birth. Such was her calling.
Such her devotion — ^born out of heaven.

Nor of all her good is this the end.
Brotherhood must yet be touched and thrilled.
Yea, held and moulded, as the ready clay
In potter's hand, by that unpretentious,
Gentle, all-prevailing, yet patient way.
Which comes to one at first, not second-hand.
Not foreign, but "indigenous to the soil;"
A plant — cultured and made most beautiful,
Roseate, indeed, with tints of grace, perfumed
With incense sweet as all-prevailing prayer.

524

Such a sister have we — we two brothers;
Proud ? Aye, blessed indeed, above most mortals,
For such the record is if read aright.

*******

In body weak, but strong in mind and faith;

Hopeful, self-forgetting, unoffending.

Dropping sweetness all along life's way,

Beautiful example of "wayside service."

In extremity, seeing opportunity;

In sickness time to cheer and pray and soothe;

In battle, with odds against the brotherhood,

A prayer of faith, and messages to thrill;

In defeat, not cast down nor destroyed ;

In victory, as proud as though 'twere hers.

Unconscious of her worth in either field.

Suspecting rather, in her want of strength,

A burden she must be, instead of help,

She binds our wounds, fills up our cup with joy.

And makes her very self a grand necessity.

*******

Enough for us that each the other knows
And enters in, with heart and soul sincere
To what the other does or feels, or hears.
While in the race of life we speed along;
And then content to hear Him say at last.
Well done, my friends, ye did whate'er ye could.

Plin Allen Taylor, son of Allen Taylor' (Silas*,
Jacob'), married, January 26th, 1870, Agnes
George, in Rushford. Their children are Roy A.,
Grace C., and Earl G. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have
always lived in the original homestead, located in
Rushford in 18 18, known as Hill Crest Farm. He
served as a soldier in the Civil War, in the Army
of the Shenandoah, under General Phil Sheridan,
enlisting September, 1864, in Captain Wheeler
Hakes' Company E, ist N. Y. Dragoons. He
was mustered out June 30th, 1865. His son, Roy,
married, 1896, Grace Claus. Their children are
Zella T. and Allen C. Grace C, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Plin Taylor, graduated from the State
Normal School at Geneseo, N. Y., with high
honors. She married, 1900, Tracey White Brooks,
of Berlin, N. Y.

525

Roland L. Taylor, son of Allen Taylor^ mar-
ried, January 25th, 1866, Marian Jackson. He
passed away in Rushford in 1901, leaving a
widow and two children, Edwin R. and Carl P.
Taylor.

®ifp SIftrha Jffamtlg.

N. E. De Kay.

Our father, James Thirds, was born in New
Bedford, Massachusetts, December 27th, 1806, of
English and American parents. His ancestors
on his father's side lived in London, England; on
his mother's side, Boston, Massachusetts. Owing
to the death of his father, which occurred when
he was six years old, his mother with her two
children, James, and a younger son, William,
went to Rushford, traveling all the way by stage,
the only mode of conveyance in those days. She
made her home with her brother, the Rev. Thomas
Pratt.

Father was a tailor by trade, but followed that
business only the first few years of his life.

Our mother, Parthenia G. Thirds, nee Oilman,
was born in Cambridge, New York, August i6th,
1807, of Scotch and American parents. She was
a descendant of an old and distinguished Virginia
family by the name of Randolph, descendants of
John Randolph of Roanoke. She went to Rush-
ford as a guest of Dr. and Mrs. Horatio Smith, who
persuaded her to remain. She there followed her
occupation which was millinery and dressmaking.
As the days passed by, she and the young tailor
" met by chance the usual way." Their acquaint-
ance ripened and resulted in a happy marriage,
which occurred on the 28th of May, 1828, the cere-
mony being performed by Samuel White, Esq.,
at that time Justice of the Peace.

They immediately went to housekeeping in a
very modest way on the Upper street, in the

526

house now occupied by Will Van Dusen. We
have heard our mother relate with some little sense
of pride and merriment that they moved, settled
and had company to tea, all in one day.

There were born to them four children, two of
them dying in infancy. The two living are Nancy
Electa Thirds De Kay, born August 28th, 1832,
and Zeruah Isabel Thirds, born February nth,
1835, remaining to hear the interesting and thrill-
ing events of their parents' life in a new country.
The following is one of many: When a boy, father
was often sent to the mill with grist. One day
he was detained there unusually long, and it was
dark before he left for home. After going some
distance, he was chased by a panther. Whipping
up his horse, he ran into Uncle Luther Wood-
worth's barn. At his house he was kindly pro-
tected and sheltered until the next morning.

In looking backward over the cherished lives of
our beloved parents, it gives us great joy and com-
fort in remembering their earnest Christian faith —
a rich legacy left to us. They were faithful mem-
bers of the Baptist Church, and took great interest
in all the events pertaining to the welfare of the
town.

Our father was very quiet, and a man of few
words. The following incident will give an illus-
tration. In our early childhood we used to sleep
in a trundle bed, a bed much used for children in
those days. My sister and I fell into the habit of
contending about which of us had the " most
room," our mother often bidding us be quiet. One
winter evening after being put to bed, she and
father sitting by the table reading, we began our
song of contention for the " most room," as usual.
After a time, father came to our bedside, gently
removed the covering and left the room. He
presently returned with a four foot log, well deco-
rated with snow, ice and moss, which he carefully
laid between us. He then replaced the bedding.

527

and resumed his reading. Of course, quiet pre-
vailed in that little bed immediately. After a time
father asked us if we thought we could cease from
further contention. We quickly and meekly re-
plied, " Yes, sir." He then removed the log, and
our dear mother appeared on the scene and ten-
derly removed the wet night-dresses, replacing
them with dry ones, placing us in her own bed
until she could make ours dry and comfortable
again. No words were exchanged during the
episode, or any allusion made to it afterward. In
later years sister and I have referred to it with
considerable amusement. Perhaps it is needless to
say that the punishment had a lasting effect. It was
the only one our father ever administered to us.

We are still holding the fragrant memories of
our happy childhood days in the beautiful village
of dear old Rushford.

John J. Thomas.

William G. Thomas was born in Pembrokeshire
South Wales, in 1790. When eighteen years old
he began to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1820
he married Miss Phoebe Reese, who was born in
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in 1806. He was a
member of the Baptist Church at Fishguard, and
led the choir there for fifteen years.

In 1849 he came to America, having been
thirty- eight days coming in a sailing vessel from
Liverpool to New York. He arrived at Utica
July 4th, 1849, where he worked at his trade. He
loved America, because here he received two dol-
lars a day, while in Wales he could get only two
shillings for the same time. He worked for a rail-
road contractor two years, and helped build the
first depot and freiefht house at Watertown, New
York. ^

In 1850 he sent to Wales for his wife and chil-

528

dren. They lived at Rome until December, 1852,
when he rented the Oramel Osborn farm in Cen-
terville, Allegany County, New York. When they
left Rome the people there said they were going
" out west." The nearest railroad station was at
Attica, a distance of thirty miles, so a team and
wagon were hired to carry the goods to Center-
ville. The mother and youngest child rode, while
the father and two oldest children walked.

When the first snow came in October his wife
said, " If this is America, I want to go back to my
native land." He said, " Don't be discouraged,
Phoebe; we'll have summer by and by." The
ground was not seen again until the next April.

In 1854 he bought and moved on to the War-
ren McKinney farm, in the town of Rushford,
where he lived until the time of his death in July,
1878. Phoebe, his wife, died in August, 1882. The
old homestead is now owned by his son, John J.,
the only surviving member of his father's family.

He was proud of his citizenship in " The Land
of the Free and the Home of the Brave." He
was a staunch Republican, casting his first vote
for Millard Fillmore.

He was a man of few words and direct to the
point. If he had any grievance or praise he went
straight to the person with it.

Seven children were born to them. Mary P.,
born in 1825, married George P. Thomas in
1852; lived in Rushford; died in 1897. Their
children were William W., John, David G., Ben-
jamin F., George H., Luther J. and Edward R.

David W. married Elizabeth Lumley, and
lived at Shelby, Orleans Co., New York.

Benjamin married Eliza Hancock; lived in
New York City. Their children were George,
William H., Clarence B. and Grace E.

Elizabeth,

Ann,

John J., born December 2nd, 1842, married

529

Margaret Roberts, who was born in Freedom,
Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1849. Their
children were William G., Carrie M., Mary R.,
John R., Minnie E. and Homer H.

Margaret, born in 1844, married John D.
Charles in 1870, and lived at Woodstock,
Illinois.

W. W. Thomas.

George P. Thomas was born in Wales, in the
year 1819, and came to America in 185 1. He
first located in Rome, N. Y., from this place went
to Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent about two
years.

He married Mary P. Thomas, a daughter of
Wm. G. Thomas, in the year 1854. They rented
a small farm in the town of Cuba, N. Y., where
they lived six and one-half years, from which
they moved to what is now known as the Squire
White farm, located on Taylor Hill, in the town
of Rushford, where they lived one year, mov-
ing from there to the John Lamberson farm,
three miles north of Rushford village, on the
Centerville road. On this place they lived five
years, during which time he purchased the old
Eneas Gearey farm of his father-in-law, Wm.
G. Thomas, the most historic farm in the town.
The place is now owned and occupied by Benja-
min F. Thomas, their fourth son. Here they
lived for many years, afterward going to the
village of Rushford, where he died in June, 1891.
His widow went to live with their eldest son,
Wm. W. Thomas, where she died in the year
1896, aged 72 years. There are seven sons : Wil-
liam W., John P., David J., Benjamin F., George
H., Luther J. and Edward R. Thomas.

George P. Thomas and his wife were people of
integrity ; this they thoroughly instilled into their

S30

.children, teaching them that square dealing was
the true policy and that a verbal agreement
should be as binding as a signed contract. Their
motto, "Pay as you go," was adhered to all
through life.

Wm. W. Thomas, the oldest son, was born in
the town of Centerville, N. Y., April 27, 1853; on
November 15, 1876, married Luella C. Hovey, of
Holland, Ohio. Mr. Thomas wa;s raised a farmer,
but early in life entered into the mercantile busi-
ness, first at Farmersville Station, Cattaraugus
County, N. Y., afterward opened a clothing and
gents' furnishing store in Rushford. In this he
continued for about sixteen years; a portion of
this time he and his brother, Luther, were part-
ners. He was Manager of the Western Union
Telegraph Company's office at the same time for
a period of about sixteen years. Mr. Thomas was
the founder of the Rushford Telephone Com-
pany, of which he is still Manager, bringing in
the first telephone used in the town. In the
spring of 1907 he built a warehouse at Rushford
Station, on the line of the B. & S. Railway, and
engaged in the sale of cement, stone and
brick. Dr. C. H. Thomas, his son, was born in
Rushford, July 8, 1878, graduating at the Rush-
ford High School in 1897, afterwards entering
the University of Buffalo, from which institu-
tion he graduated in 1903. As a dentist he began
his practice at Rushford, for a short time, after
which he permanently located at Silver Springs,
N. Y., where he enjoys a large and growing prac-
tice. In 1903 he married J. Ednah Merrill, the
second daughter of W. W. Merrill, of Rushford,
N. Y. She was a graduate of Geneseo Normal
School, and taught school until her marriage.
They have one son, Merrill L,. Thomas, b. De-
cember 27, 1904. Bessie E. Thomas, the daugh-
ter, was born at Rushford, August 5, 1881, grad-

531

uating at the Rushford High School in 1897.
The following year she was graduated from
the Training Class of the same school; after
teaching one year, entered the office of her father,
learned telegraphy, afterwards became Exchange
Bookkeeper for the Rushford Telephone Com-
pany, also studying and teaching china decora-
tion.

John P. Thomas, the second son of George P.
Thomas, was born Oct. 17th, 1854; died Feb.
19th, 1888.

David G. Thomas, third son, was born May
23rd, 1856 at Cuba, N. Y. ; married Lettie Post,
of Batavia, N. Y., Nov. 21st, 1883. Mr. Thomas
lived on the farm and before attaining his
majority engaged in the manufacture of cheese,
beginning at the cheese factory of C. J. Elmer at
Rushford, N. Y. From there he went to Varys-
burg, Wyoming Co., where he made cheese for
years. In 1886 he began the manufacture of
cheese at Alexander, N. Y. This he continued
for a short time, after which he engaged in the
oroduce business, conducting a large, successful
business for nearly twenty years. He was in-
stantly killed on Oct. 15th, 1908, by a passenger
train on the D., L. & W. Ry. while returning to
his home from Batavia, N. Y. Oel Thomas,
his son, was born at Alexander in 1886, re-
ceived his education at the village High School
and was associated with his father in the
care of the produce business continually until his
father's death. Bertha Thomas, the daughter,
was also born at Alexander in 1888. She was
graduated from the High School at Alexander
and later from the Normal School at Geneseo,
N., Y. At the time of her father's death she was
teaching at Tarrytown, N. Y.

Benjamin F. Thomas, the fourth son, was
born in the town of Cuba, N. Y., Dec. 26th,

532

i857- He also started out in life for himself as
a cheesemaker at what was known as the North
Star factory in the town of Alexander, Genesee
Co., N. Y. It was here he married Mary Adell
Hawley, of Batavia, N. Y., on Nov. ist, 1883.
Mr. Thomas moved to Batavia, purchased a
home there and became an expert wood-
maker, employed by the Batavia Wood Works
Co. for seven years. In 1895 he moved
to Rushford, purchased the furniture and un-
dertaking business of W. S. MuUiken. In this
he continued but a short time, selling out to W.
F. Benjamin, the present owner. He then pur-
chased the old homestead farm, taking his
brothers' interests, moved there and is still the
occupant and owner. Georgianna, his oldest
daughter, was born in Batavia, in 1884; was
educated at the Rushford High School, grad-
uating from the Training Class in 1904, and
afterwards became a school teacher. Mabel, the
second daughter, was born in Batavia in the year
1887; completed her education at the Rushford
High School, followed by instrumental and vocal
musical training at L,ima, N. Y. Howard H.
Thomas, the son, was born at Rushford, in 1896,
and at the present time is a student in Rushford
High School.

George H. Thomas, the fifth son, was born at
Cuba, N. Y., May nth, 1859. He, too, became
a cheesemaker when only a boy, following the
business for a few years only, after which he
went to the Pennsylvania oil fields, where he was
a rig builder for several years. When the oil
business developed in the Ohio fields, he was
early on the ground and became a contractor,
locating at Bowling Green, Ohio, where he still
resides. He was married in 1896 to Miss Mertha
Brown, to whom one daughter was born in 1897,
named Mildred.

MRS. ISRAEL THOMPSON

533

Luther J. Thomas, the sixth son, was born in
Cuba, N. Y., Dec. ;28th, i860, and came to Rush-
ford with his parents when less than two years
of age. His whole life since that time has been
spent in Rushford, completing his education in
the Rushford School. He was married Feb-
ruary 6th, 1884, to Flora, the only daughter of
Elijah Metcalf. In the year 1893 he and his
brother William established the firm of Thomas
Brothers, clothiers and furnishers, from which
he retired in the year 1897. Mr. Thomas was a
valuable member of the Centennial Executive
Committee.

Edward R. Thomas, the youngest and seventh
son, was born in the town of Rushford, Sept.
19th, 1862. He was educated at the Rushford
Union School, and later taught school. He was
married in 1884 to Nora, only daughter of Oliver
E. Woods. Mr. Thomas moved to Batavia, where
he was employed as a foreman in the Baker Gun
Works for ten years, after which he moved to
Syracuse, N. Y., where he was employed by the
Syracuse Arms Co. until their dissolution, when
he accepted a responsible position with the Smith
Premier Typewriter Company, with whom he
is at present. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were
born three children, one son and two daughters,
named Earl, Irene and Lois.

JuwA A. Thompson.

Israel Thompson was born in the town of
Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1802. He was
married in 1828 to Calista Holton Silsby, at the
home of her uncle. Dr. Holton, in Brighton, N.
Y. She was born in Chester, Vt., in 1803. After
their marriage they lived a few years in Groton,

534

N. Y. About 1 83 1 he started for Jamestown,
N. Y., attracted by its unusual water power
privileges, with the intention of putting up a
triphammer shop for making edge tools. Owing
to the long rough journey, when he got to New
Hudson his horse was lame and to proceed did
not seem practicable. A friend, Mr. Asaph Al-
len, formerly of Groton, living there, suggested
he go to Rushford, a thriving village. He did so,
liked the place and bought land. He returned to
Groton, settled up his business and with his fam-
ily moved to Rushford, where he identified him-
self with the religious and educational interests
of the town, doing all he could to promote its best
welfare. He had seven children. Three are now
living — Mrs. Horace Greene, of New York, Ed-
win F. Thompson, of St. Louis, Mo., and Julia
A. Thompson, who lives in the old home.

Mr. Thompson died at the age of eighty-nine
years. Nearly sixty years of his life was spent
in Rushford.

(Str? ItUtttgB ITalkfr IFamtl^.

Julia Tarbell Merrill.

Billings Walker, son of Gideon Walker and
Hannah Billings, was born August 31st, 1767, at
Brookfield, Mass. He married Hannah Proctor,
daughter of Leonard Proctor and Mary Keep.
Hannah Proctor was born at Westford, Mass.,
July 3rd, 1778, and moved to Proctors ville, Vt.,
with her parents. Billings Walker and wife
moved to Rushford in 1828, but this was not his or
her first visit. In December, 1 820, James and Abel
Tarbell came to Rushford from Vermont, each
driving a yoke of cattle. September, 1 82 1 , Billings
Walker drove through from Proctorsville, Vt.,
bringing his daughter, Hannah Billings Tarbell,
wife of James Tarbell, and her two little boys; he

BILLINGS WALKER

535

then returned to his eastern home. Two or three
years later Mrs. Hannah Tarbell, hearing some
one in front of her cabin, went to the door, and
there on horseback sat a woman, an old neighbor
from Vermont. Mrs. Tarbell was delighted to
see her, and said: " I do not believe I could ever
be more surprised and glad to see any one." The
lady replied: "Oh, yes, I think you could; there
cire those you would rather see," and, turning in
her saddle, made a slight sign, when, to Mrs. Tar-
bell's surprise, her own mother, Hannah Proctor
Walker, rode up also. In company with others
she had made the long journey from Vermont on
horseback to visit her daughter.

Billings and Hannah Walker had ten children,
nine of whom came to Rushford to live. The
children were: Hannah Billings Walker, married
James Tarbell; Thomas B. Walker, John Wither-
spoon Walker, Leonard Proctor Walker, Mary
Keep Walker, married John Adams; Gideon
Dana Walker, Experience Paulina Walker, mar-
ried Wilson Gordon; Artemas Barnard Walker,
Jabez Proctor Walker, Solomon Cutler Walker.

After residing in Rushford for a time, Billings
Walker moved to Farmersville, N. Y., where he
died in 1852. In Vermont he was justice of the
peace for many years, and always gave the wed-
ding fee to the bride, which made him very pop-
ular in that capacity. He was a prominent mem-
ber of the Masonic Order, being a Royal Arch
Mason, a distinction enjoyed by a very few in
this country at that early date. After the death
of her husband Hannah Proctor Walker moved
back to Rushford, N. Y., where she died in
1863, aged 85. Grandmother Walker, as she was
always called, was a kind hearted, generous woman
beloved by all who knew her; the esteem and re-
spect which all had for her is indicated by the
fact that for many years upon her birthday the
Rushford Cornet Band serenaded her; she antici-

536

pated their coming and always invited them in to
have refreshments and a piece of birthday cake.
It was a common saying that no one could go
into her home and get away without having some-
thing to eat. She was a very capable woman,
full of fun and extremely witty. She was an aunt
of the late Senator Redfield Proctor of Vermont,
whose son, Fletcher Proctor, is the present Gov-
ernor of that State. She was a lineal descendant
of Mary Townley Lawrence, of England, who
died at Townsend, Massachusetts.

Ellen White Hubbell, of Oklahoma, says of the
family :

" In Vermont they were neighbors of my
father and mother. Mr. Walker being a Jus-
tice of the Peace, united them in marriage.
After they all came to York State they re-
mained fast friends and exchanged visits
often. We were always delighted to see
Grandmother Walker come as tho she had
been one of our family — I have a card picture
of her and always enjoy looking at it with
the thought, ' You good woman! ' No better
people ever lived in Rushford. Pauline and
her mother lived in the house just north of
Mrs. Ives ; everybody enjoyed calling upon
them, I went often; she was like my father,
seemingly afraid someone was hungry. I
never remember of calling when she did
not get something to eat and urge me to stay
longer. Mr. Hubbell, living near her, thought
just as much of her as the rest of the young
people. The only time I remember of the
Masons having a public meeting and inviting
the ladies, Mr. Hubbell procured a horse and
carriage and took her to the hall for supper
and social time which she so much enjoyed,
referring to it so often afterward. She loved
everybody and they all loved her. The
family were the cream of the country, able

HANNAH PROCTOR WALKER

537

to meet any demand upon them in a busi-
ness point of view. Barnard was best fitted
to entertain the public and did it nobly. Jabez
married a Friendship girl from one of the
best families. The rest revered and respected
the teachings of their parents and were good
citizens. For intelligence and uprightness
the Walkers were beyond the ordinary."
Billings and Hannah Walker have ten grand-
children now living (1908); one of them, Dr.
Hiram D. Walker of Buffalo, N. Y., has recently
astonished the medical profession by disclosing
his theory as to the origin of the cancer germ,
based upon several years of research and experi-
ment. The descendants of Billings Walker are
numerous, there being fourteen of the sixth
generation at the present time, Mrs. Hannah
Tarbell Lines having ten great-grandchildren,
Andrew J. Walker, one great-granddaughter,
Dana O. Tarbell two great-grandsons, and
Leonard P. Tarbell one great-granddaughter; the
eldest of the fourteen is Norman L. Klas, of
Spring Brook, N. Y., a great-grandson of Hannah
Tarbell Lines, and the youngest, Merrill W.
Grove, of Olean, N. Y., great-grandson of Dana
O. Tarbell.

The only descendants of Billings Walker, now
residing in Rushford or who have lived here
recently are: Mrs. Julia Tarbell Merrill, wife of
W. W. Merrill, and her daughters, Florine Mer-
rill Grove, now of Olean, N. Y.; Ednah Merrill
Thomas, now of Silver Springs, N. Y.; Frances
M. Merrill, Anna M. Merrill, Winifred W. Merrill.

IMttlfafl Harrwu

A. L. Warren.

Michael Warren, with a wife and four children,
Frank, Betsy, Michael and Nathan, came to Pike,

538

Wyoming County, from Ashfield, Massachusetts,
about 1837. After remaining in Pike a year,
where Elmira was born, he came to Rushford, and
settled near Hardys Corners, on a farm bought of
Oramel Griffin. A small frame house and a small
barn had been built, and some chopping had been
done, but not much clearing. There was not room
enough between the stumps in the dooryard to
turn a one-horse wagon around. The neighbors
told him he would starve to death on that farm.
He told them he guessed not; and, being a man
of a strong constitution and an iron will, he took
for his stunt to dig out one stump before break-
fast. He must have gotten up early, or eaten his
breakfast late, for some of the stumps were very
large. So the work went on.

In 1843 h^ built a saw mill, which did good
service twenty-one years. In 1864 the high water
took out the dam. It was never rebuilt.

He had a family of seven children, three of
whom are still living — Betsy (Mrs. Samuel Corn)
in Oklahoma, Nathan in Texas, and Albert L. in
Rushford, on the old homestead.

Elmira (Mrs. J, Chamberlain, Mrs. W. Griffith)
passed her life in Rushford.

J. Frank Warren died in Portage City, Wiscon-
sin, in 1907.

Michael Warren, the father, died in 1873, and
was buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, near Har-
dys Corners.

James Thompson Wier was born in Goshen,
Orange County, New York, in 181 2, of Scotch-
Irish parentage. He learned the wagon-makers'
trade in Seneca Falls; afterward went to Franklin-
ville, where he married Calista L. McCIuer in
1836, daughter of the famous General McCluer of
the American Revolution. They moved to Rush-

REV. ARTHUR L. WARREN

539

ford in 1842, and he was with Israel Thompson for
a time. Afterward he went into business with Mr.
Gage and later was in partnership with Mr. Bixby.

He was an ardent Republican, well read in
political history. He had a remarkable memory
for dates, so that he was often called upon to decide
discussions as to time and place of certain events.

He moved to Iowa in 1865 to live with his most
hospitable daughter, Mrs. J. W. Thomas, and died
in 1874. He never accumulated of this world's
goods, but was of a generous nature, who divided
with his less fortunate neighbors, his home always
the refuge for the homeless. A neighbor died, leav-
ing a helpless family. The widow and a little blind
daughter were invited to spend the winter with
them and share the comforts of their small home.

Many other deeds of kindness might be re-
corded here that are doubtless written down in
that larger account book of good deeds.

Roswell Wilmarth, son of Gresham Wilmarth,
a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Victor, N.
Y., in 1 80 1. He married Catherine Lane, and to
them were born seven children: Adoram Chris-
tiann, Lester, Sarah, Jennette, Orson, Roswell S.
and Thomas R., twins. He moved to Rushford
in 1838, bought a farm in Podonque of Eli Bab-
cock, Remained there two years, sold out to Alonzo
and Lemuel Farewell and then bought the farm
Mount Monroe, where his grandson, Russell Wil-
marth, now lives. He was a shoemaker by trade,
used to go from house to house and make boots
and shoes for the family.

In politics he was a Whig until the formation
of the Republican party, then he united with that
party and ever remained loyal to the same.

He was a man with a good education for those
days and a reader of history and current events.

540

He became blind in his last years and his wife
used to read to him. In that way he retained
a knowledge of current events and kept his
faculties until his death, which occurred May 23,
1886.

Of his children two are living, Christiann Bel-
knap and Orson, of Nebraska.

When the call for men was made in our Civil
War Roswell and Thomas enlisted. Thomas was
killed in the Battle of Chancellorsville and Ros-
well lost his right arm in the Battle of Fredericks-
burg. He was promoted and served through the
war.

mth 01. Hiluut.

A Tribute by a Lifelong Friend.
The subject of this sketch was born on the sum-
mit of Fairview Hills January 8th, 1859. He was
one of two sons born at the same time. The
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wilmot, came from
England a few years before and settled on the
farm, where they spent the remainder of their
days, with the exception of three years spent in
their native land. They wereof sterHng Christian
character; the word and worship of God held first
place in their family life; in such a home the boys
were raised. Their opportunities for education
were rather limited. A loving comradeship and
tender sympathy always existed between the
brothers; they shared each other's joys and sorrows,
achievements and disappointments. Those who
knew Obed best, thought him a Christian years
before he judged himself worthy the name. He
wanted a Pauline experience, a privilege accorded
to but few believers. He united with the Baptist
Church in May, 1897, and soon became a pillarin
the Church. He was elected Deacon in 1902 and
Sunday School Superintendent in 1904, which
position he honorably filled until his death. He

S4I

taught school eleven successive winters, beginning
when he was eighteen. September 28th, 1887, he
married Miss Frona Gilbert, daughter of Hiram and
Sophia Eddy Gilbert, making for themselves a
home in part of their house. H is neighbors trusted
him; he sold the cheese and handled the money
for the patrons of the Fairview cheese factory for
nearly eighteen years. When Mr. Litchard died
he was chosen to fill his place as director of the
Farmers Co- Operative Insurance Co. When the
observance of the One Hundredth Anniversary of
the setdement of the town of Rushford was decided
upon, he was chosen as one of the five members of
the Executive Committee, which place he accepted
though at great sacrifice on account of the distance
from town; here he proved himself a very efficient
and congenial helper, having the oversight of Farm-
ers' Day parade, which was pronounced by those
who were eye-witnesses as a great and grand suc-
cess. He also presided over the meeting in the hall
in the afternoon, with the ease and grace of a college-
bred gentleman, greatly endearing himself to the
members of the committee and the community at
large. A few days after the Anniversary and
Home Coming Week had passed he became
seriously ill, occasioned by blood poisoning from
an abscess. Many prayers were offered for his
recovery, if it could be the Father's will, but it was
otherwise determined: his work was done on
earth, and on September 9th he was called to higher
service, leaving a desolate home, a grief-stricken
companion, an almost broken-hearted brother, a
church in mourning, in fact the whole community
in sadness. In silence we submit, rejoicing that
our loss was his gain.

Joshua Wilson was a son of John and Mary
Wilson, who emigrated from the County of An-

542

trim, Ireland, to America in 1754, and settled at
Goffstown, New Hampshire. He was born in
1 760. At the age of sixteen years he was in
Captain Samuel Richards' Company, of Colonel
Stark's regiment of New Hampshire Militia, to
repel Baum's advance on Bennington, and fought
in that battle August i6th, 1777. Afterwards he
served as a part of the garrison of Fort Ann, and
in the operations designed to cut off the retreat of
Burgoyne's army to Canada. After the close of
the war of the American Revolution the family
removed to Windsor, Vermont. At the age of
twenty-seven years he married Rebecca Spencer,
of Windsor, Vermont, on the twenty-second day
of March, 1787. In 18 10, having sold several
tracts of land at Windsor, he came to Rushford,
where he continued to live during the remainder
of his life.

Mr. Wilson was a quiet, conscientious man.
When provisions were scarce he bought half-
grown potatoes of Eneas Gary. His home
was near the entrance of the Podonque Cem-
etery. In appearance he was a tall man,
with a prominent Roman nose, blue eyes and
a fair complexion. He was converted early
in life, and united with the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. Upon coming to Rushford, he
was active with others in forming the Metho-
dist Society at that place. His death occurred
on the twenty-sixth day of February, 1848, and
he was buried in the Podonque Cemetery at
Rushford.

His children, Simeon, born December 15th,
1787; Freeman S., born November 15th, 1789;
Laura, born October i8th, 1792, and Lewis, born
March 9th, 1795, all came to Allegany County,
where many of their descendants still reside. His
only daughter, Laura, was engaged to be married
to Daniel Woods, of Rushford, at the time of his
removal to that place.

543

Rev. F. E. G. Woods.

These formed a numerous constituency of the
township, furnishing for a long time the most
voters at the polls of any one name, succeeding
the Gordons in this respect, who, before migrat-
ing to Kansas, held the record of numerous
voters.

The Woods people were children of Daniel and
Ruhama Ely Woods, of Windsor, Vt. All of their
ten children were for a while residents of Rush-
ford. Eight of them, with one granddaughter, Mrs.
O. D. Benjamin, occupied one continuous tract of
six hundred acres in District No. 6, in the eastern
part of the town. Edwin, a son by a second wife,
remained in the ancestral home in Vermont. The
father was a trooper, cavalryman, in the Union
forces in the war of 1812. A carefully preserved
pedigree of the ancestry is kept by most of these
people, who date their lineage back for six gener-
ations to Nathaniel Woods, who came from Great
Britain, and was one of the first settlers in Groton,
Mass. The ten children who came from Vermont,
some stopping temporarily at other places, were
Daniel, who married Laura Wilson; Ely, who
married Nancy Gary; Riley, who married Abigail
Heald; William, who married Rose Farwell;
Albert, who married Emily Lyman; Clarissa, wife
of Thomas Richards ; Lucy, wife of Calvin Leav-
ens; Laura, who married David Board; Maila,
single, school teacher, moved to Kalamazoo,
Michigan; Eliza, single, who made her home with
her sister, Mrs. Board.

The Woods and Bannister families of Rushford
were cousins, their ancestral mothers in Vermont,
Ruhama Ely Woods above mentioned and Thank-
ful Ely Bannister being sisters. The Ely relatives
moved to Ohio, and the city of Elyria, Ohio, was
named for them.

544

Mr. and Mrs. Ely Woods had eight children,
only two of whom survive, Mrs. Kate B. Shaw, of
Roscoe, Illinois, and Rev. F. E. G. Woods, of
Buffalo, New York.

IKro. 3. IE. (g. Mrxfxh&.

Rev. Franklin Enos Gary Woods, grandson of
the first settler of Rushford and namesake of the
same, was a graduate of Rushford Academy in
i860. Teacher in Springville Academy 186 1-2.

In attendance at Genesee College, now Syra-
cuse University, 1862-6. He graduated from
this college June, 1866, as A. B. and received
degree of A. M. in 1869.

He was pastor M. E. Church at Wiscoy, N. Y.,
1866-7; at Attica, N. Y., 1867-8-

Failing health requiring out-of-door life he has
been agent of American Auxiliaries for thirty-
seven years.

Mr. Woods resides in Buffalo, N. Y., and is
active and alert in mind and body.

His cultured manners remind one of the real
old-time gentlemen in America, and his gracious
mien is at once an inspiration and a blessing.

He made one of the interesting addresses on
Centennial day at the Rushford Home Coming,
and has been indefatigable in his work to help
on the preservation of old records and the rela-
tion of experiences which have added so much
to the interest of this book.

?Extrarta from % "^wfitt on % Moo&a JFamilg.

Written for the Centennial, by Mrs.

I. F. Calkins.

DanieP Woods was a host spiritually. He

married Laura Wilson. Children : Lucia, Myra,

Leverett, Rebecca, Sarah, Lucy, Clark, Cordelia,

Milton and Jane. Lucia married (ist) Oliver

REV. FRANKLIN E. GARY WOODS

545

Benjamin. Children: Sylvia and Rhoda, de-
ceased. Married (2nd) Galusha Leavens. Myra
married Rev. Thomas Eaton. Leverett married
Ann Hill. Children: Oliver, Myra and Daniel.
Rebecca married Randolph Heald. Children:
(Rev.) Nathan, Laura and John. Sarah mar-
ried John Knaggs; settled in Michigan. Lucy
married E. Hill. Children : Mary, Daniel, Will-
iam and Cornelia. Clark married (ist) Try-
phena Peck. Children: Ella, Charles, Jennie,
Jason, Grant, Laura and Wilson. Clark later
married Augusta Ames. Cornelia married Ed-
win Weaver. Children: Mary, Charles and
Florence. Milton married Emily Fuller. Chil-
dren: D. W., Frederick, Elbert and Newman.
Jane married Rev. Frank Warren. Children:
Eva, Nathan and Jacob.

Ely married Nancy Gary, with whom he lived
in peace and harmony for over fifty years. He
was class leader, and held prayer meeting in the
schoolhouse Sunday evenings for many years.
He was eloquent in prayer, and sang the good
old-time hymns with earnestness. His wife was
always present, singing high soprano. Chil-
dren: W. Watson, Caroline, Maila, Percy, Es-
ther, Catherine, Wilbur and Franklin Enos Gary.
William Watson married (ist) Harriet Drury.
Children: Rev. Henry C. and Clarissa. After
his wife's death he married Eleanor Blanchard,
by whom he had a daughter, Harriet. Caroline
married John Persons. Child : C. Wesley. Percy
married Asa Worden. Children : Alton, Nancy,
Ida, William, Lillian, Grace and Katherine.
Esther married Gilbert Richardson; after his
death she married John Eldridge. Maila mar-
ried John DuBell. Katherine married Rev.
William Shaw. Children: Caroline and Clar-
ence. Wilbur married (ist) Elizabeth Claus.
Children: Rose, Byron, Carleton, Grover and
Edna. He afterwards married Emma Claus.

546

Rev. Franklin E. Gary married Mary Huff.
Children: Ely Marshall, mechanical draftsman;
Esther Leonora, a teacher in the public schools
of Buffalo.

Lucy married Calvin Leavens.

Laura married David Board.

Riley married Abigail Heald. Children : Dan-
iel, Albert, William, Mary, Edwin, Ann and
George. Daniel married Alvira Lamberson.
Albert married Polly Lamberson. Child : Frank.
William married Mary Champlin.

William married Rose Farwell. Children:
Marcia, Marian, Richard, William and Maria.
He married (2nd) Phyla Peck, of Rushford.

Albert married Emily Lyman, sister of the
late Alonzo Lyman, of Rushford. Child: Al-
bert.

Clarissa, the oldest child, was the last to settle
in Rushford. She married Thomas Richards,
and reared a family of seven children in Lisle,
Broome County, N. Y. After her husband's
death they all came to Rushford.

BUSINESS BLOCK RUSHFORD 1908

THE RUSHFORD GORGE

Now God bless you with the One Light
That goes shining night and day;

May the flowers that grow in sunlight
Shed their fragrance on your way.

— Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

[siseF]

•\53 3 8

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Full text of "The Rushford centennial, August 16-21, 1908 : with other data and reminiscences"

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