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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01263 3936
GENEALOGY
974.701
,C29a
HISTO:UCAL GAZETTEii
A
] > . OGKAPHIC AL MEMORIAL
CATTARAUGUS COIaTY.iN
WITH MAP AND I i .LUSTRATIONS.
Eurriii; hv vvilliam auams.
SYKACUSK, N. Y.
LYMAN, IIORTON A CO., LIMllEI),
OCTOUER, I.So^.
:ll . 123iC38
^ ■ PREFACE.
^ K yj HAS been said that " that country is happiest which furnishes fewest
"^ OO -■- materials for history." If the duty nf the historian was limited to chron-
V
icling the devastations and dramatic prowess of s;iiguinary War this
assertion would be self-evident. Hut the arts ai\d achic\ements of wliitc-
7 win'^ed Peace, hovering over our varied industries, protecting the courageous
"t^ and sturdy jjioneers in their Herculean labors of transforming the wild,
dense forests into productive farms and thrifty villages, making Cattaraugus
county the home of a prosperous, iiappy. and intelligent population of over
si.\ty thousand people, are equally and eminently worthy of record.
In this volume we have endeavored to i)rescnt a comprehensive outline
history of the county from its earliest white settlement to the present time.
I-"ollowing this are chapters devoted to the several towns, embracing their or-
ganization, development, historical incidents, and' many biographical sketches
of their representative pioneers and present citizens. It is wiih considerable
pride that we present to our readers the following gala.\>- of able specialists,
lEU whose united efforts, individual research, and personal (pialifications h.i\'e
'^ materially aided u> and our corps ..f assistants in the production of' this work :
^^ Frederick Larkin, M.D., Rev. J. W. Sanborn, Charles G. Locke, C.F.., Heals
■f\ K. Litchfield, A. VV. Ferrin, A. I). Lake, M.I)., Col. E. A. Na.sh, Charles Z. Lin-
;^j coin, i':sci., and others. In preparing the several town chapters we have been
^ "reatlv assisted bv a number of local writers who.se authoritv and reliabilit\- are
acktunvledged, and whose names appear in connection with their respecti\e
work. To all these, to our numerous patrons, and to many frieiuls we e.\.
7* tend our heartiest thanks for the valuable aid and encouragement they ha\e
^, generously rendered us, and for the zeal and enthusiasm with which they have
i^ seconded our efforts.
if'^ In endeavoring to make this an interesting and valuable book \vc have
-"^ spared neither time nor e.xpen.se. We have been more than ordinarily careful
,""^ in its contpilation, and we place the volume in the hands of our patrons, —
'^:\ without whose aid its publication would have been impossible,— hoping they
lA will find little to criticise and much to approve and interest.
W.i^
CONTENTS.
CiiArri-:
CllAI'TK
Chattk
CllAI'TK
ClIAPTK
CllAI'TK
ClIATTE
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
.CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TK
CllAI'TE
CliAPTE
Chai'te:
CHAI'TK
■ CllAI'TK
CllAI'TE
CllAI'TE
I. — Early Discoveries and Land Titles,
II.— The Mound Builders, . . . - .
III. — Discovery of the Iroquois, - - - .
IV. — Indian Occupancy, and the Indians of Today,
V. — Allegany Reservation. .Mission of the i'riends,
VI. — Topogra[5hy of Cattaraugus County,
VII. — Geology, Rock I'orniation, and Petroleum,
VIII. — Organization of the County,
IX. — Early Settlements and Internal Improvements,
X. — Civil Lists, Education. Religion, etc.,
XI. — The Lumber Industry, ....
XII. — The Agricultural Interests, . . . .
XIII. — The Press of Cattaraugus County, -
XIV. — The Medical Profession, . . . .
XV. — The Military and the Various Wars, -
XVI. — Roster of Soldiers and Sailors,
XVII. — Bench and Bar of Cattaraugus County, -
XVIII, — History of the Town of Allegany,
XIX. — History of the Town of Ashford,
XX. — History of the Town of Carrolton, -
XXI. — History of the Town of Cold Spring,
XXII. — History of the Town of Conewango, -
XXIII. — History of the Town of Dayton,
XXIV. — History of the Town of East Otto,
I
1 1
24
2Q
47
5-
55
SO
106
186
209
245
416
446
462
4.S4
501
523
545
vi Contents.
ClIAPTKR XXV.— History of the Town of Elko, ----- 564
ClIArTER XXVI.— History of the Town of Ellicottvillc. . . ^-q
Chatter XXVH. — History of the Town of Farmersviiie, - - 603
ClIAl'TER XXVni. — History of the Town of Frankh'nvillc, - - 622
Chapter XXIX. — History of the Town of Freedom, - - . .673
Chatter XXX. — History of the Town of Great \'alley, - - - 688
Chapter XXXI. — History of the Town of Hinsdale, - - . . 701
Chatter XXXII. — History of the Town of Humphrey, - - 723
Chapter XXXIII.— History of the Town of Leon, - . . . ^43
Chai'TER XXXIV.— History of the Town of Little Valley, - - 75S
Chapter XXXV.— History of the Town of Machias, - - - . 787
Chapter XXXVL— History of the Town of Mansfield, - - - 802
Chapter XXXVII. —History of the Town of Xapoli, - - - S13
Chapter XXXVIII. — History of the Town of Xew Albion, - - 823
Chatter XXXIX.— History of the Town and City of Olean. . - 854
Chatter XL. — History of the Town of Otto, . - - - ^23
Chapter XLI. — History of the Town of Perrysbiirg, . - . . . 046
Chapter XLII. — History of the Town of Persia. - . . . 562
Chapter XLIII. — History of. the Town of Portville, - - . . 1000
Chapter XLIV.— History of the Town of Randolph, - ^ . 1027
Chapter XLV.— History of the Town of Red House, - . - . 1079
Chapter XLVI. — History of the Town of Salamanca, - . . 1082
Chapter XLVII. — Hi.story of the Town of South Valley, - - 1103
Chapter XLVIIL— History of the Town of Yorkshire, . - - 11 14
Chapier XLIX.— History of the Town of Ischua, - - - .- ir.25
Chapter L. — History of the Town of Lyndon, - - . . 11 a2
Chapter LI.— Appendix, '•- . . - 1 1 54
HISTORICAL GAZETTEER
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIAL
Cattaraugus County
CHATTER I.
I■;.\R1.^■ DISCOVKKIKS AND LAND 1111, KS.
IT IS very uncertain wlio were the first to visit America. N'arious authors
of note have written on the subject, but their testimony is conflicting
and unreliable; for instance, Cahnet, a distinguished author, brings for-
ward the writings of Hornius, son of Theodosius the Great, who affirms that,
" at or about the time of the commencement of the Christian era, voyages from
Africa and Spain into the Atlantic ocean were both frequent and celebrated,"
and holds that, " there is strong probability that t'he Romans and Cartha-
ginians, as early as the year 300 B. C, were well acquainted with the existence
of this country," adding that there arc "tokens of the presence of the Greeks,
Romans, Persians, and Carthaginians in many parts of the continent." These
reports, however, only resolve themselves into mere conjecture. The first
authentic record we have of voyages of discovery to America are in the Ice-
landic accounts. From these we learn that in the year 1000 A. I)., Lief, son
of Eric the Red, embarked from Greenland on a voyage of discovery and
explored the eastern coast of North America as far south as Narragansett bay,
in Rhode Island. Other discoverers and navigators followed this expedition,
attempts at colonization were made, and the country explored, in some local-
ities, quite a distance back from the coast ; but dissensions among the colonists
and wars with the natives at length put an end to these rude attempts at
civilization. Except a few vague records, and a " ntnc-stom-" found here and
there throughout the te'rritory, marking a point of discover}-, or perhaps the
grave of some unhappy Norseman, the history of these explorations is wrapt
History of Cattaraugus County.
in oblivion. Even the colonies in Greenland, established by Eric the Red in
986 A. D., and from which the explorers came, were at length abandoned, and
the site upon which they flourished became, for many years, forgotten. Finally,
however, the fifteenth century was ushered in, marking an era of great changes
in Europe. It put an end to the darkness of the middle ages; it witnessed
the revival of learning and science and the birth of many useful arts, among
which not the ieasjILwas printing; while the invention of the mariner's compass
in the preceding century having enabled sailors to go out of sight of land
with impunity, a thirst for e.xploring unknown seas was av\'akened ; long
\oyages were undertaken and important discoveries made.
It was during this age of mental activity and growing knowledge that
Christopher Columbus undertook the most memorable enterprise that human
genius ever planned, and which renders his name undying. On August 3,
1492, a little before sunrise, he set sail from Spain for the discovery of the
western world. A little before midnight, on the 13th of October, he des-
cried a light on the island of San Salvador. From this moment properly
dates the complete history of America. From this time forward its progress
bears date from a definite period, and is not shrouded in darkness nor the mists
of tradition.
Two years after the disco\eries of Columbus became known in England,
Henry VII. engaged John Cabot, a Venetian merchant, to sail in quest of
discoveries in the west; and this navigator, in 1497, reached the coast of Lab-
rador, which he named Prima I'ista. thus making, probably, the first visit of
Europeans to the coast since the days of the Norseman. This voyage was
succeeded by others under Sebastian Cabot, son of John, in 1498, and by
Gasper Cortereal from Portugal, to whom the discovery of the St. Lawrence
some authorities claim is due. This adventurer returned to Lisbon in the
month of October of that year, laden with timber and slaves seized from among
the natives of the coast he visited. On a second voyage he perished at sea.
In 1504 the French first attempted a voyage to the new world; and in that
year some Basque and Breton fishermen began to ply their vocation on the
banks of Newfoundland and along its adjacent coasts. From these the islands
of Cape Breton derived their name. In 1524 John de Verrazzani, a Floren-
tine, in the service of Francis I. of France, sailed along the coast from Georgia
to about latitude 41° north, and entered a harbor, which from his description
is believed to have been New York bay. He remained there fifteen days and
is believed to have been the finst European that landed on the soil of New
York. He proceeded northerly as far as Labrador, and naming the territory
New France, took possession for France so far as he could by his rights of
discovery. April 20, 1534, Jacques Cartier, an able navigator of St. Malo, in
the interests of the French nation, sailed with two ships of sixty tons each, and
one hundred and twenty men, reaching New Foundland in May. After
coasting along for some time, without knowing it was an island, he at length
Early Discoveries and Land Titles.
passed the Straits of Belle Isle and traversed the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Hav-
ing spent part of the summer on these coasts, he sailed on the 25th of Julv,
highly pleased with the hospitable reception he had received from the Indians,
with whom he traded for furs and provisions. His report induced the French
king to attempt a colony in the newly discovered regions; and in May, 1535,
Cartier sailed with three small ships, with a numerous company of adventur-
ers, and arrived on the coast of New Foundland much scat;^red and weakened
by a disastrous storm of July 26th. Here they took in wood and water, and
proceeded to explore the gulf, but were overtaken, August ist, by a storm
which obliged them to seek a port, ".difficult of access, but with a safe
anchorage near the mouth of the 'Great River.'" They left this harbor on
the 7th, and on the loth caipe to a "gulf filled with numerous islands." Car-
tier gave to this gulf the name of St. Lawrence, having discovered it on that
saint's festal day. Proceeding on this voyage he explored both shores of the
St. Lawrence ri\er. He moored his vessels where a little river flowed into a
"goodly and pleasant sound," which stream he named St. Croix, near the
Indian village of Stacona, the site of the present city of Quebec. Subse-
quently,- October 2d, he ascended the river to a populous Indian village called
Hochelaga, upon the site of which the city of Montreal now stands. In May
Cartier returned to France, taking with him sexeral Indian chiefs, among
whom v\as Donnacona, who had treated the French with the greatest kind-
ness, and who died in a strange land, an exile from home and friends.
During each succeeding year, for some time after, expeditions were sent
out to the newly discovered river, but misfortune attended them all, and no
efficient attempt at colonizing the country was made until 1608, when De
Monts, a Calvinist, who had obtained from the king the freedom of religious
faith for himself and followers in America, after many difficulties dispatched
Champlain and Pontgrave, two experienced adventurers, to establish the fur
trade and begin a settlement. Samuel Chainplain reached Quebec, where
Cartier had spent the winter nearly three-quarters of a century before, on the
3d of July. On the i8th of the following April, 1609, in company with
two other Frenchmen and a number of natives, he started up the St. Lawrence,
and after a time "turned southward up a tributary," and soon entered upon
the lake which bears his name. He took possession of the territory in the
name of the king of F" ranee, and that nation assumed still greater rights in the
new territory.
In 1609 Henry Hudson, an English navigator of note, offered his services
to the Dutch East India Company of Holland (a wealthy corporation formed
for trade and colonization), which were accepted; and with a suitable outfit he
arrived on the eastern coast of this continent at or near what is now Portland,
Maine, whence he sailed southward along the coast as far as Chesapeake bay;
thence he sailed northward again, discovering Delaware bay, and on the
3d of September anchored off Sandy Hook. He entered New York bay on
History of Cattaraugus County.
the 1 2th of the same month, and sailed up the Hudson river, which still per-
petuates his name. He anchored just above where the city of Hudson now
stands, and sent a boat with a detachment of his crew still farther up the river
on a voyage of exploration. It is supposed from his description that this party
ascended above where Albany is now situated. On the 23d of September,
Hudson descended to the bay of New York, and set sail for home.
Holland now claimed the territory by the right of discovery and explo-
ration, and named it New Netherlands. The Dutch sent out trading vessels
in 161 2. These were followed by others, and Manhattan Island was made
the chief trading post. The States-General granted a charter to the mer-
chants for exclusive jurisdiction over New Netherlands, which included all the
territory between 40° and 43° north latitude.
In 162 1 James I. granted to Fernando Gorges and his mercantile associates
all lands between the 40th and 48th parallels of latitude, and from ocean to
ocean. Claim was made of the Dutch for the territory, which was refused,
and the subject of title was becoming an important question, as both had grants
of the territory from the highest authority of their respective governments.
In 1647 Peter Stuyvesant was appointed governor of New Amsterdam to
succeed William Kieft, appointed to the position in 1638. To settle the
controversy between the English and Dutch settlements arbitrators were
appointed to adjust their respective claims. This tribunal assigned the eastern
part of Long Island to the English, and a division line specified the boundary-
between the Dutch New Netherlands and the English Connecticut colonies.
In 1664 Charles II. of England, regardless of the claims of the Dutch, or
any previous agreement, granted to his brother, duke of York and Albany
(afterwards James II.), the whole country from the Connecticut to the Dela-
ware river, which included the entire Dutch possessions. The duke's claim
to the territory was to be enforced if refused, and rather than submit to the
shedding of blood and the uncertainty of war Governor Stuyvesant surrendered
the province September 3, 1664, when the possession of New Netherlands
passed into the hands of the English, and the duke changed its name to New
York, and that of Fort Orange to Albany. Peace was declared between the
rival factions in 1674, leaving the English in full possession; but the duke of
York, for his own protection, applied for and received from the crown a new
patent.
The rivalries and jealousies that had made France and England so long
enemies in the old world were transplanted to the new continent. The ■
French made allies of the savages, and waged war against the English, and
years of bloodshed followed. The first of these hostilities, which are now
known as the old French and Indian wars, began with William's accession to
the throne of England, in 1689, and was terminated in the peace of Ryswick,
in 1697. Queen Anne's war came next, commencing in 1702, and terminating
in the peace of Utrecht, in 1713. The third controversy was declared by
Early Discoveries and Land Titles. 5
George II., in 1744, and continued until the preliminaries of peace were signed
at Aix-Ia-Cliapelle, in 1748. The final great conflict was declared by Great
Britain, in 1756, and terminated in thecapture of Montreal, in 1760. when the
whole of New France or Canada was surrendered to Great Britain. The
province of New York remained an undisputed British possession, until "The
Declaration of Independence" made her an independent State of the great
confederacy of our glorious United States.
*The Indians of the State of New York number about five thousand, and
occupy lands to the estimated extent of 87,677 acres. With few exceptions
these people are the direct descendants of the native Indians who once pos-
sessed and controlled the soil of the entire State. As early as the beginning
of the seventeenth century, at a time when the first Dutch explorers visited
the new world, or at least very soon thereafter, these tribes, Senecas, Cayu-
gas, Onondagas, Oneidas and Mohawks, were united in a league called by the
whites, Iroquois, and by themselves He-do-no-saw-nee, and held sway over all
the country between the Hudson and Genesee rivers. Their own name signi-
fies "a people dwelling in a long house," of which the Mohawks held the
eastern door, and the Senecas the western. The Onondagas kept the central
fire as being the founders of the league, with the Oneidas on their eastern and
the Cayugas on their western boundaries. The origin of these tribes is
unknown to history.
In the latter part of the seventeenth century, which uas the period of its
greatest strength, the league numbered from thirteen to fifteen thousand souls.
This people now number about fifteen thousand, of whom much the larger
part reside within the Dominion of Canada. Their skill in war was only
excelled by their aptitude for civil government. They lodged the civil
authority of the league in fifty sachems, divided among the fi\'e tribes in
unequal numbers, giving the Onondagas fourteen, the Mohawks nine, the
Oneidas nine, the Cayugas ten, and the Senecas eight. Later on, another and
inferior civil office grew up among them, that of chief, which gradually grew
in importance, until it overshadowed the earlier title. No distinction appears
now to e.xist between sachem and chief. The latter title .seems to be the only
one in use now among the Indians, and they no longer use or understand
the word sachem. The sachems, as well as the chiefs, were nominated and
deposed by the people, but in all cases the action of the tribe was required to
be confirmed by the general council.
This brief and very general historical outline is deemed desirable as furnish-
ing the facts for the better understanding of this interesting people to whom
this State owes her northern boundary, and but for whose valor and steadfast
friendship for our English forefathers the entire basin of the St. Lawrence
*By the courtesy of Hon. J. S, Whipple the remainder of this article Is compiled from the interesting
Report of the Special committee, appointed by the Assembly to investiijate the Indian Problem of
the State of New York, of which Mr. Whipple was the chairman.
History of Cattaraugus County.
would now be a Canadian possession. The supremacy of the Iroquois in what
was known as the "Ohio country " had a most important bearing upon the
history of that great section. In 1684 the governor of Virginia made com-
plaint to Thomas Dongan, colonial governor of New York, relating to some
Iroquois attacks which had been instigated by the Jesuit French. The gov-
ernor called a council of the league at Albany. Before the end of the council
the sachems of the league requested the governor to affix the arms of the
duke of York to their stockades and villages. This was done, and from that
date forward England claimed the Iroquois as her subjects, and there is some
evidence to show that the Indians accepted this view. In the final contest
between France and England upon this continent for the possession of the
"Ohio country," the French based their claim upon prior discovery and occu-
pation, and from this standpoint their claim could not be successfully disputed.
The English could produce no such evidence of title, and finally based their
sole right to the disputed territory upon their Iroquois title, and stood upon
this alone, urging that it was both their duty and privilege to guard the
dominions of the Five Nations as their subjects, and saying in their memorial
to the-French Council in 1755: "What the court of Great Britain asserts and
insists upon, is this, that the five Iroquois nations acknowledged by France to
be the subjects of Great Britain, are either originally or by conquest, the lawful
proprietors of the territory of Ohio in question." We fairly owe it, then, to
the league of the Iroquois to give credit, not only for their actual efforts on
the field of battle, not only for their brave and successful defence of our north-
eastern boundary against French assaults, but as well for having conquered
and held for Anglo-Sa.xon civilization, the larger and fairer portion of our
country beyond the Alleghanies.
The Tuscaroras claim kinship with the Iroquois in language and blood.
Here again their tradition shows that before the great Onondaga leader To-to-
da-ho, led his warriors across the St. Lawrence and took possession of Central
New York, a branch of the original family migrated westward to the Missis-
sippi, and thence to North Carolina, where, according to their native historian,
Elias Johnson, before the discovery of Columbus the Tuscaroras consisted of
six towns, and they were a powerful nation, numbering over twelve hundred
warriors. They lived principally upon the head waters of the Neuse and Tar
rivers. About 1712 they became involved in quarrels with their white neigh-
bors and the adjoining Indian tribes; battles took place in which they were
defeated and many of their warriors slain, and many were sold as slaves.
They made peace with the State and received a grant of lands in Bertie
county, on the Roanoke river, to which the remnant of the tribe removed.
Their troubles with their neighbors continued here, and finally, in 171 5, the
larger portion of them removed to New York and formally united themselves
with the confederacy of the Iroquois, and were assigned to lands between
the Unadilla and Chenango rivers, and upon the territory of the Oneidas.
Eaki.v Discoveries and Land Titles. ' 7
From that time on the Iroquois became known as the Six Nations. With the
exception of the Oneidas and a portion of the Tuscaroras, the Six Nations
sided with England, during the Revolution, and were left at the close of the
war unprovided for and unmentioned in the treaty of peace, and at the mercy
of the exasperated Americans.
At the close of the conte.st with the mother country, it appeared advisable
for the new government to come to an understanding with the Indian tribes,
with respect to their rights, the e.xtent and location of their lands, and with
respect to the terms upon which they should be permitted to remain in the
country. October 15, 1783, Congress, in a series of resolutions, defined the
limit and scope of these negotiations, and appointed commissioners to conduct
the same. In pursuance of .this action a general council was held with the
Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, at which LaFayette was present.
Here the peace party under Cornplanter prevailed over Red Jacket and his
followers, who were anxious to renew the war. Commissioners from the State
of PennsyUania were present, as well as some from Virginia. The Mohawks
were not represented. A treaty was negotiated and signed, October 22, 1784,
between -commissioners plenipotentiary from the United States on the one
part and the sachems and warriors of the Si.x Nations on the other, by which
the United States gave "peace to the Senecas, Mohawks, Onondagas, and Cay-
ugas," confirmed to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras the lands upon which they
lived, limited the tribes to lands they occupied east and north of a line drawn
from a point on Lake Ontario, four miles east of Niagara, to the mouth of
Buffalo creek, on Lake Erie; thence south to the Pennsylvania line ; thence west
and south along the line of PeimsyKania to the Ohi(j river; the Indians ceding
all claims to land west of this line. The government again held a conference
with the Six Nations at Canandaigua in 1794, by Timothy Pickering, "sole
agent," at which "peace and friendship were again firmly established and
declared to be perpetual between the United States and the Si.x Nations."
It was here stipulated that the Oneidas, Cayugas and Onondagas should pos-
sess the lands reserved to them in their several treaties with the State of New
York, and that the said reservations should remain theirs until they shall
choose to sell the same to the people of the United States, who have the right
to purchase. A similar provision was inserted regarding the lands of the
Senecas.
Soon after the treaty of Fort Stanwix, in 1784, conflicting claims to a tract
of land in the western part of this State arose between Massachusetts and
New York, the former claiming title under a grant from King James I. to
the Plymouth colony, and the latter under a grant from King Charles II. to
the duke of York and Albany. The dispute was compromised by commis-
sioners on the part of each state, four from Massachusetts and si.x from New
York, namely: James Duane, Robert R. Livingston, Robert Yates, John
Harring, Melancthon Smith and Egbert Benson, commissioners for New York,
8 History of Cattaraugus County.
and John Lowell, James Sullivan, Theophilus Parsons and Rufus King for
Massachusetts, who met at Hartford, Connecticut, December i6, 1786. Mas-
sachusetts ceded to New York the "government, sovereignty and jurisdiction"
over the disputed territory, and New York ceded to Massachusetts the right
of preemption of the soil of the native Indians, and all other estate except of
sovereignty and jurisdiction to Massachusetts, its grantees and assigns forever.
It was further stipulated in the compact between these two States, that no
purchase of any of the lands in question should be made from the Indians with-
out the presence and consent of an agent of Massachusetts. These lands
comprised about 6,000,000 acres, bounded easterly by a line which ran from
the southeast corner of Steuben county north along the west shore of Seneca
lake and terminated in Sodus bay, on Lake Ontario, and embraced the pres-
ent counties of Wayne and Schuyler, e.xcept their easterly tiers of towns,
Monroe, Genesee, Yates, Ontario, Niagara, Livingston, Wyoming, Steuben,
Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua.
Oliver Phelps, of Connecticut, for himself and others, began negotiations
with Massachusttts in 1787, looking toward a purchase of a portion of the
lands contained in the grant of this "preemption right" from New York, and
about the same time Nathaniel Gorham, of Boston, made an offer to the Mas-
sachusetts Legislature of one shilling and six pence per acre for 1,000,000
acres of those lands, to be paid for in "the public paper of the commonwealth."
While this offer was not accepted, it had the effect to bring other competitors
into the field, who, as fast as they appeared, were taken into the association,
after the manner of the modern triist, until finally in April, 1788, these two
gentlemen (Phelps and Gorham), acting for their company, purchased all the
land comprised fn the cessation to Massachusetts, for S'>ooo,ooo, payable in
three years in the public paper of the State, which was then greatly depre-
ciated. Phelps at once began operations to extinguish the Indian title, and was
met at the outset by another complication. What was in common parlance
called the " Lessee Company," had been formed, and had procured two leases
from the Indians, covering a large portion of the same territory bought by
Phelps and his associates; and although Massachusetts promptly declared the
leases void, and Governor Clinton commenced active warfare against them,
holding councils in person with the Indians, warning them of the invalidity of
the leases and taking evidence which established the fact that the leases had
been procured by bribery and corrupt means, yet such was the influence of the
lessees and their agents among the Indians and elsewhere, at one time threat-
ening to form a new State from the disputed territory, at another stirring up
enmity and dissatisfaction among the Indians, that finally the purchasers of
the preemption right were obliged to compromise, and granted the lessees a
certain interest in the property. On the 4th of July, 1788, Mr. Phelps opened
negotiations at Buffa'lo creek, and the Indians sold for $5,000 and an annuity
of $500 about 2,600,000 acres lying adjacent to the Massachusetts preemption
Eari.v Discoveries and Land Titles.
line. In the meantime the scrip, with which Phelps and his associates were to
make payment to Massachusetts, had so appreciated in value, owing to the
increased prospects of the State as a member of the United States, that they
were unable to procure the same so as to meet their obligations, and suit was
entered against them by Massachusetts. They were, however, able to effect
a compromise, retaining the portion of their purchase as to which they had
extinguished the Indian title and reconveying to Massachusetts all the residue.
This arrangement was the more readily accomplished owing to the appearance
of Robert Morris as an applicant to purchase these lands. On the I2th day
of March, 1791, Massachusetts agreed to sell to Samuel Ogden, as agent for
Robert Morris, all the lands before sold to Phelps and Gorham, excepting the
portion retained by them, and on the iith day of May, 1791, this State con-
veyed to Morris, for a consideration of $225,000 the whole of this land, by five
separate deeds; the first, adjoining the Phelps purchase, comprising 500,000
acres. In this conveyance Massachusetts reserved one-sixtieth of the whole
tract to satisfy a claim of one John Butler who had entered into a contract for
the purchase of the same from Phelps and Gorham prior to their surrender of
the lands back to Massachusetts, which interest Morris afterward purchased
from Butler, thereby acquiring the entire title. The first tract of 500,000
acres was retained by Morris, and sold by him in different tracts, and was
called the Morris reserve.
The land comprised in the remaining four deeds, being 3,600,000 acres, was
conveyed by as many separate conveyances, dated in their order, December
4, 1792, February 27, 1793, July 20, 1793. and July 20, 1793, by Robert Morris
to Herman Le Roy and others, as trustees for a party of Amsterdam capitalists,
known as the Holland Land Company, of whom Wilhelm Willink was the
largest owner, and Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck bore the most conspicuous
name. These conveyances were coupled with an agreement to extinguish the
Indian titles, and Morris at once bent his energies to accomplish this result.
Upon Thomas Morris, the son and able lieutenant of his father, fell the task of
procuring the con.sent of the Indians to hold a treaty. He went into their
country, followed their trails from the wigwam of one chief to that of another,
and after much difficulty, and the use of all his persuasive arts, the Indians
agreed to hold a conference, and designated Big Tree, now Geneseo, as the
place where the same should be held. President Washington nominated Jere-
miah Wadsworth as commissioner on the part of the United States, and the
interested parties met together in August, 1797, and negotiations began,
William Shepard representing Massachusetts. The council was held under a
large tent, provided by Morris, where daily conferences took place. Red
Jacket did the talking for the Indians, assisted by Cornplanter, Farmer's
Brother and some others. The Indians resisted all ofTers; but finally con-
sented to sell one towriship. At last Red Jacket "covered up the council
fire," and declared the conference at an end. In an interview with F'armer's
lo History of Cattaraugl's Couxiv.
Brother on the following day, Morris said to him that Red Jacket had no right
to cover up the council fire, as he alone who kindled it had a right to extin-
guish it. To this Farmer's Brother assented, after some deliberation, and the
council was continued. Morris understanding the Indian maxim, that the " lands
belonged to the warriors, because they form the strength of the nation, and to
the women, as the mothers of the warriors,"" held a conference with the chief
women and the warriors, ignoring for the time the sachems and chiefs.
His address to this unusual assembly deserves a passing notice. He informed
them of the ofTers he had made the sachems, that "the money they would
receive from their lands would lighten the burdens they then endured." He
said to them, " Now you have to till the earth and provide by your labor food
for yourselves and children; when these children are without clothing and
shivering with cold, you alone are witnesses to their suffering; your sachems
will always supply their own wants ; they feed on the game they kill, and sell
the skins to buy themselves clothing ; therefore they are indifferent about selling
their lands for money, enough e^'ery year to lessen your labor and enable you
to procure for yourselves and children the food and clothing necessary for
your comfort." He then said to them that he would give the women their
share of the presents he had brought from Philadelphia to be distributed in
case he bought the lands. Morris produced a powerful impression; negotia-
tions were resumed, and on the 15th day of Septem.ber, 1797, the treaty was
signed which transferred the control of nearly all the country which now com-
prises western New York from the hands of the red men to their white neigh-
bors. This treaty was of such absorbing consequence, and was such an
excellent ilkistration of dealing between the two people, that these details
relating to it, based principally upon facts found in " Turner"s History of the
Phelps and Gorham' Purchase'" are deemed important. The Indians reserved
from the operation of this treaty ten separate tracts of land embracing three
hundred and thirty-seven square miles; the Allegany reservation in Cattarau-
gus county, something over forty-two square miles; the Chautauqua reserva-
tion, in Chautauqua and Erie counties, with forty-two square miles; the
Buffalo Creek reservation in Erie county, one hundred and thirty square miles ;
the Tonawanda reservation in Erie and Genesee counties, seventy-one square
miles; the Squawky Hill reservation near Mount Morris, with two square
miles ; the Caneadea reservation in Allegany county, with sixteen square miles ;
Canawangus reservation, two square miles, on the Genesee river near Avon ;
Little Beard's and Big Tree reservations, two miles square each, on the Gen-
esee river opposite Geneseo, and the Gardeau reservation on the Genesee
river below Mount Morris. Besides these reservations the Senecas continued
to claim and use another, one mile square, divided by the line between the
counties of Cattaraugus and Allegany and near the village of Cuba, upon
which is situated a famous oil spring which had long been prized by the
Senecas for its medicinal" qualities.
Traces of the Mound Builders.
By the conveyance executed by the Seneca nation to Robert Morris at
the treaty of the Big Tree, in August. 1787, the Holland Land Company
obtained a title in "fee simple," to all the lands conveyed to them by the four
deeds before mentioned, which were e.xecuted by Robert Morris.
This company through their efficient agent general, Mr. Theophilus Caz-
enove, who resided in Philadelphia, had anticipated the perfection of title from
the Indians, and in July, 1797, had employed Joseph Ellicott as chief surveyor
to commence at once to lay out this immense tract into townships, and to sub-
divide the townships into lots, as soon as the title was perfected. Mr. Ellicott
began his service on this tract for this company in attendance at the treaty at
Big Tree, which was continued without interruption for nearly a quarter of a
century. He had acquired a, high reputation as a surveyor and civil engineer.
In 1798 and 1799, he had completed the survey of the purchase into town-
ships and begun the subdivision into lots, and the lands were in the market
for settlement.
CHAPTER II.
'I'lii-; Mou.M) nun.DKKs. tkacks ix wkstkkx new vork.
[Ry FitEUEiiiCK Larklv, M. D., MecnbiT of tlic .VirnTican A>»ociiition for the Advancement of Science.]
A .SIM PEE heap of stones or of earth seems to have been the first mon-
ument that suggested itself to man. In the old world thousands of
such monuments are known to e.xist. The great antiquity of these
works has staggered the greatest minds of Europe. By whom and when built,
remains an impenetrable mystery. It is the opinion of modern archa;ologists,
that the earthworks scattered over most parts of the old world, were built
thousands of years before the historic period, and that to the builders of the
splendid cities of Baalbcc and Palm\-ra, they were as much of an enigma as to
the inhabitants of the nineteenth century-. But rude as these primitive memo-
rials are, they have been little impaired by time, while majestic and imposing
structures have fallen into shapeless ruins. "When covered with forests, and
their surfaces interlaced with the roots of trees, or when protected by turf, the
humble mound bids defiance to the elements which throw down the temple,
and crumble the marble into dust."
No part of the world presents to the archaeologist so many remarkable
works as the western continent. We can trace the ancient inhabitants from
the northern lakes through the Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi valleys, to
Mexico, Brazil, Peru, an'd the Pacific ocean. Every hill, mountain and valley
discloses some rude instrument used by a people whose history is enveloped
12 History of Cattaraugus County.
in darkness. So numerous was this people in the Mississippi valley, that Mr.
Breckenridge, after extensive explorations, says: "There are traces of a pop-
ulation far beyond what this extensive and fertile portion of the continent is
supposed to have possessed; greater, perhaps, than could be supported by the
present white inhabitants, "even with the careful agriculture practiced in the
most populous parts of Europe."
It was formerly supposed that there was some alliance with those people
and the Indian races of America, but that is very improbable. The skull of
the Indian bears but little resemblance to that of the Mound Builder. The
head of the Indian is low in the moral sentiments, has large firmness and
small benevolence; in fact his head indicates the cruel ■savage that he is. The
Mound Builder had a head-that will compare favorably with the most intel-
lectual people now living. His head is well developed in the moral and intel-
lectual regions, with large firmness, which cause him to move with energy,
\\hether in peace or in war.
When the copper mines of Lake Superior began to be explored, traces of
ancient works were found in almost every section. In several places shafts
had been sunk to the depth of thirty feet or more, and veins of native copper
were traced for a great distance, in many places through solid rock. In one
of the shafts was found a number of tools made of copper, which, at the time
of discovery, were reported as being hardened at one end ; if such was the case,
it was done with tin or with some other process unknown to us. From the
shores of Lake Superior we can trace this people to Wisconsin, where we find
some singular earth works, — six effigies of animals, six parallelograms, one
circle, and one efligy of the human figure. These tumuli extend for the distance
of half a mile along the trail. What the animals represent is difficult to deter-
mine. Many at the present time suppose that the mastodon is one, and that
he was a favorite animal and perhaps used as a beast of burden. That the
mastodon was contemporary with the Mound Builders is now an undisputed
fact. It is a wonder, and has been since the mounds have been discovered,
how such immense works could have been built by human hands. To me it
is not difficult to believe that those people tamed that monster of the forest
and made him a willing slave to their superior intellectual power. If such was
the case, we can imagine that tremendous teams have been driven to and fro
in the vicinity of their great works, tearing up trees by the roots, or marching
with their armies into the field of battle amidst showers of poisoned arrows.
In western New York, particularly within the borders of the great valley of
the Conewango river, evidence is abundant that ancient man and the great
American elephant trod the soil together. Large molar teeth have been found
at East Randolph, Leon, Conewango, Ellington and various places near the
tributaries of the Conewango.
From northern Wisconsin we can trace these ancient people through
Michigan and Ohio to the southern shore of Lake Erie. Near the mouth of
Traces of the Mound Builders. 13
Cattaraugus creek, in western New York, commences a series of works which
extend through the Conewango valley. In the town of Dayton are the
remains of a sepulchral mound in a circular form, one hundred and twenty feet
in circumference, with an elevation of ten feet. This tumulus when explored
was found to contain several skeletons which were, no doubt, those of some
distinguished warriors, whose acts of heroism might have been connected with
the decline and fall of that powerful race of men. On either side of the valley
a chain of fortifications can be traced for more than twenty miles, interspersed
with numerous mausoleums constructed to cover the remains of their distin-
guished dead.
In the towns of Leon and Conewango a number of burial mounds have been
explored. Among them is. one that contained eight skeletons which were
buried in a sitting posture, in such a manner as to form a circle within the
mound. In the center of this circle, surrounded by the mouldering skele-
tons, stood a pestle artistically wrought from granite. This relic was
placed in a perpendicular position and encircled with twenty-four flint
arrows of large dimensions. This mound is now .nearly obliterated, and the
ground whereon it once stood is cultivated by the white man. The fields in
either direction disclose large quantities of relics designed for warlike pur-
poses, which had been discharged, no doubt, during some terrible battle.
On the Little Conewango, about two miles from its junction with the main
stream, is located the village of Randolph. The groundoccupied by this beau-
tiful village is a level plateau of land, which forms a part of the great valley of
the Conewango. This ground, unknown centuries in the past, was densely
populated by the Mound Builders. About forty \-ears ago a mound was
thoroughly explored in about the center of the village, and in the midst of
that ancient tomb three human skeletons were disinterred, which immediately
crumbled to dust after being e.xposed to the air. In connection with them a
large block of mica was disclosed, about twelve inches square, and of sufficient
thickness to weigh several pounds. Mica was no doubt regarded a sacred
relic, for it is nearly always found buried with their dead ; and it must also
have possessed uncommon value, for it could not have been obtained in such
blocks short of the mountains of North Carolina. On the ape.x of this mound.
was a tree nearly four feet in diameter, whose roots penetrated to the midst
of the tomb and disturbed the remains of those great warriors who had
undoubtedly slumbered in the arms of death for more than a thousand years.
It was the opinion of Dr. Cheney, with whom I have spent much time in
exploring the mounds and ancient works in the vicinity of Randolph — and my'
own coincides with his — that the ground now occupied by the village was once
an ancient city; for when the white man came he was astonished to find
within its borders and adjacent to it the remains of military fortifications,
mounds, caches, hearth's, and various relics used for domestic and warlike
purposes. In the summer of 1878, a Mr. Scudder, while plowing a piece of
14 History of Cattaraugus County.
ground, about forty rods from the railroad depot, discovered a nest of arrow
heads under the remains of a large pine stump, and, by exploring, unearthed
one hundred and sixty-seven. Subsequent to that time about fifty more have
been found, together with blocks of mica, stone axes, etc. That these relics
were buried before the growth of the tree is very apparent. The tree was one
of the largest in the country. From as correct measurement as can be made,
it was about eight feet in diameter and had fallen from age long before the
axe of the white man was brought to bear upon the forest trees in Randolph.
On Elm Creek near the village of East Randolph, is an embankment and
trench of circular form two hundred 'and eighty feet in diameter. F"rom
the appearance of a successive growth of t'imber it would indicate a remote
date of construction. Wfthin and adjacent to this work numerous caches
and hearths have been discovered, some of which contained the remains of
charred corn. In the vicinity where the ground has been cultivated, hundreds
of relics used by the ancient warriors have been found.
Near the residence of J. E. Weeden, Esq., and about one mile from the
village of Randolph, is a fortification that surrounds about three acres. The
ditch was about eight feet deep, and numerous trees of great size were found
growing upon the parapet and in the midst of the entrenchment. This work
was well defined when first discovered in the wilderness, where it had lain in
solitude for more than a thousand years, undisturbed only by the hurricane as
it toyed with the monarchs of the forest.
About forty years ago Dr. Apoleon Cheney, in a sur\-ey made of the village
of Randolph, discovered the remains of a redoubt, sixty rods in length, that
extended -across the village plateau, on either end of which is a small rivulet
fed by living springs. On the north side of Jamestown street. Dr. T. A. C.
Everet, while ditching his land and removing stumps, found blocks of mica
and great quantities of relics, which had long been hidden in the ground from
one to ten feet below the surface. About six rods from a pure and singular
spring a number of hearths were disclosed, one of which contained several
loads of stone which had been subjected to fire. Within a mile surrounding
the village of Randolph, thousands of relics made for warlike and domestic
purposes have been found.
All of the towns in Cattaraugus and Erie counties are rich with relics left
by the ancient people. On the north side of Cattaraugus creek, on lands of
the Indian reservation, is standing at the present time, a group of mounds,
which have never been disturbed, save by the action of the elements, and trees
of the forest, which always attain an uncommon size when found among these
tombs.
The most extensive of these tumuli is on the terrace, which is elevated
about fifteen feet abpve the stream. It is oblong in shape, fifty four feet in
length by thirty-six in breadth and fifteen feet in height. Another tumulus,
situated about seventy rods in a southerly direction, is circular in form and
Traces of the Mound Builders. 15
about one hundred and twenty feet in circumference and sixteen feet in
height. Other works of less interest to the archaeologist are found in every
direction.
The Indians of this reservation have a superstition with regard to opening
these receptacles of the dead. They say their fathers desired them to remain
undisturbed, hence no one will be guilt}- of violating the sacred spot where
the remains of some venerated chieftain is mouldering to dust. Not only in
civilized, but in savage life, the desire to perpetuate the memory of the
departed seems a powerful element indigenous to the nature of man.
Although these mausoleums have stood since a score of great forests have
lived and perished, let them rest, for they will feast the eye of the antiquarian
thousands of years after our generation shall ha\'e passed away.
" How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
With all their country's wishes blest —
While spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck the hallow'd mould."
In Ellington, the town ne.xt west of Conewango, the relics and works con-
structed by the ancient inhabitants are very numerous. On a hill, about a
fourth of a mile from the village,' are the remains of a fortification which was
no doubt constructed for defensive purposes. It occupies an eminence of
more than a hundred feet above the waters of Clear creek, and commands a
view of the circimijacent country for many miles.
To the east, for several miles, is sjiread out the great valley of the Cone-
wango, clothed with its nati\'c forests; to the westward is a broad ravine cut
by the waters of a clear stream that rises among the hills which divide the
valley of the Conewango from that of the Cassadaga. According to a survey
made by Dr. Cheney, in 1868, this work is in the form of a parallelogram, and
is si.x hundred feet in length by two hundred and ninety in width. The
intrenchment, as it lay in the forest, was several feet deep. On the southern
side was a wide gateway with an elevation on either side to guard the entrance.
Within the intrenchment human bones have been discovered in large quanti-
ties, and in such a stage of decay that they readily mingled with the soil. The
land occupied by this fortification is noted for its great fertility, and marks the
ground where once the tide of battle raged. This work presents more than
ordinary interest to the antiquarian, on account of the great number of imple-
ments of ancient warfare found in the vicinity.
About a mile and a half up the valley of Clear creek, and near its junction
with a mountain stream, are two other works, about sixty rods apart. One of
these stands upon an eminence, seventy-five feet above the copious mountain
stream. The vallum surrounds nearly two acres. It is in the form of a paral-
lelogram, and when first examined, the parapet was three feet high. The
location of this work was well selected for defence against the near approach
of an enemv.
i6 History of Cattaraugus County.
Near the summit of a hill, about half a mile west of the narrows, in the
town of Napoli, is a tumulus about one hundred and twenty feet in circum-
ference. From its elevated position — more than six hundred feet above the
valley of the Conewango — it commands an extensive view of the surrounding
country' for several miles in either direction. This mound has never been
thoroughly explored ; but a few years ago a small amount of soil was removed
from near its base, which disclosed some relics, among which was a flint spear
head more than six inches in length and wrought with remarkable skill. This
mound, no doubt, contains the remains of some venerated dead who have
slept for unknown centuries in the wild solitude.
About eighty rods in a westerly direction from this tumulus is a rapid
stream that winds its way, to the Allegheny river. , As we cross the river and
pass up the Red House valley, on an eminence, about two hundred feet above
the level of the stream, we find an ancient fortification from which can be seen
the surrounding hills and the waters of the great river. This work is very
extensive, being one hundred and sixty feet in circumference. The parapet is
about three feet in height, and the ditch two feet in depth. Two rapid streams
which- rise in the deep ravines nearly encircle the eminence upon which this
work is located. Near the center of the enclosure is a copious spring, which
was selected to supply the ancient warriors with water during a protracted siege.
Several miles below the Red House creek, the remains of an ancient work
can be traced. This is circular in form and about three hundred feet in diam-
eter. Before it was disturbed the wall was four feet high and the ditch about
six feet deep. Near the center of this enclosure various relics have been found,
many of which point to a civilization much higher than of those located in the
Conewango valley.
In the year 1859, while exploring some tumuli in the vicinity of Red House
valley, we found numerous singular and interesting relics, among which were
spear heads, six inches in length, with double barbs composed of masses of
native copper; also several blocks of mica, which were in about the same con-
dition as when chiseled from the granite of the mountains.
It was near this valley where was found one of the most interesting relics
ever discovered among the works of the ancient inhabitants. It was a fiat
piece of native copper, si.x inches in length by four in width, artistically
wrought, with the form of an elephant represented in harness engraved upon
it, and a sort of breast collar, with tugs on either side which extended past
the hips.
The great amount of copper implements and blocks of mica that have been
found contradicts the theory of Mr. Squire, that the tumuli situated in western
New York are not the work of the Mound Builders. I am satisfied, beyond
a doubt, that the Indian races never mined for mica or copper, neither did
they bury either of these articles with the remains of their distinguished dead.
The Mound Builders, for a long period of time, made the great lakes a
Traces of the Mound Builders. 17
liighway of travel and transported the copper mined at Lake Superior to the
northern borders of Lake Erie, thence by land to the Cassadaga lake and down
the creek to which it gives rise, to its junction with the Conewango. The
circumstance of the Conewango and Red House valleys being on and near the
different routes to the southern rivers, may be the cause of the lavish distribu-
tion of copper in those sections.
Among the remarkable relics found in the vicinity of this last mentioned
work, may be included an image chiseled from gray sandstone, which, for
artistic design and elaborate workmanship, will compare favorably with mod-
ern art. It is given life-size, and, no doubt, was designed to represent the form
of head and face of the people then living. I have spent, with uncommon sat-
isfaction, many hours in examining this wonderful specimen of ancient art.
The head and features have a broad outline with high front. The brow is
encircled with a plaiting of fanciful ringlets that cluster round the intellectual
forehead. Rough and primitive as is the school of art to which this image
belongs, it carries unquestionable marks of a much higher civilization than any
of the Indian races that have been discovered. Several archaeologists who
have examined this singular specimen, are of the opinion that it was an
idol, one of the gods of their mythology, and worshipped in the mystical rites
pertaining to their religion. As this ancient people worshipped the sun, it
seems difficult to account for it on that hypothesis. But if it should prove to be
an idol, we have a key to unlock one of the mysteries connected with a people
once more numerous than the present population of America; a people, the
sun of whose empire once rose beyond the northern lakes and extended south
to uhcrc great ri\ers send down their turbid waters to meet the ocean's tides;
and further still, to a land of flowers, where the golden fruits hung in tempt-
ing clusters, unborn of human toil, and thence o'er ocean's isles, ere it is lost in
the western wave.
Notwithstanding every climate on the continent of America has once been
densely populated by a numerous people, their footprints are fast fading away.
The last vestige of these wonderful inhabitants will soon be lost in oblivion,
which has already cast its shadow across the "Acropolis of ancient Athens and
the Colosseum of imperial Rome."
"The long haired Greeks
To him upon the shores of the Hellespont,
A mound shall heap ; that those in aftertimes
Who sail along the darksome sea shall say
This is the monument of one long since
Borne to his grave, by mighty Hector slain."
One of the most extensive sepulchral mounds bordering the Allegheny river,
in the State of New York, formerly stood on the west side of the river, in the
town of Cold Spring. This tumulus was located about five hundred feet from
the river and some twenty feet above the highest flood. The location is
3
History of Cattaraugus County.
grand and interesting. To the south and west is a broad level plain, embrac-
ing nearly two thousand acres of the most fertile land to be found in Catta-
raugus county. This great interval is flanked on either side by precipitous
hills which are cut asunder in but three directions; once by the great river that
flows to the south, to the north and west by a branch of the Conewango and
the Cold Spring creek.
For a description of this tumulus, as it appeared more than a hundred years
ago, I am indebted to Gov. Blacksnake, the great chief of the Six Nations.
According to his estimate it was about two hundred feet in circumference and
twenty feet in height, and one of the largest trees he ever beheld was growing
near its base, whose roots penetrated its side for fifty feet or more. When
this mound was explored rnore than seventy years ago, it was found to contain
a vast quantity of human bones. According to the recollection of the old
chief and that of his son (then a very aged man), then living on the Indian
reservation, " cart loads" of bones were discovered, many of which were in
such a stage of decay that they crumbled to dust when exposed to the air.
Great quantities of relics, such as gorgets, flint axes, arrow heads, and a great
number of copper implements, artistically wrought from masses of native cop-
per which was brought from the mines of Lake Superior, were found with the
bones.
This great tumulus is now leveled down and the place where it stood is a
cultivated field. The earth of which it was composed is distributed over an
acre of ground. So rich was this mound with decaying skeletons and relics of
curious workmanship, that now, after more than seventy years have passed
away, fragments of human bones, arrow heads and copper relics are found in
large quantities at each successive plowing. In the spring of 1879, a 'few days
after the ground had been plowed, in company with two boys we found fifteen
arrow heads, a curious piece of copper and nearly a peck of fragments of
human bones, all of which had been distributed in the soil during about fifty
years of cultivation.
That this mound was very ancient is apparent from the condition of the
remains being found in such a stage of decay, and from the size of the trees
found upon its summit, and adjacent to it. If the great tree referred to by
the Indian chief was nearly ten feet in diameter, as he supposed it to have been,
that alone would reach back in the past nearly a thousand \-ears, and it is not
improbable that many generations of forests have grown and perished since
that ancient tomb closed over scores of the dead.
At one of my interviews with.Gov. Blacksnake, which lasted several hours,
I derived much valuable informatiom. This great chief was a man in posses-
sion of vast native talents. He was familiar with the location of every prom-
inent mound and fortification in western New York, Pennsylvania and the
valley of the Ohio. In fact he was one of the most intelligent archaeologists
with whom I have come in contact. The subject under consideration was the
Traces of the Mound Builders. 19
antiquity of the works of these ancient people, and whether they were in any
way connected with the native Indians of America. In answer to the ques-
tion, "Is there any alliance between the Indians and Mound Builders?" he
said: "We have no knowledge of these ancient people, only from the mounds
and fortifications that are very numerous in every section of country with
which I am acquainted. We have no reliable traditions in regard to them,
though we have traditions reaching back for a long period of time."
Question. " If a race of people as much developed in civilization as the
Mound Builders appear to have been, by their works which they left behind,
had lived in this country a thousand years ago, would not that fact have been
transmitted to your generation?"
Answer. " It is the custom with all Indian tribes to impart such informa-
tion to their children, when v;ery young, and if those ancient people were con-
temporary with the American Indians that fact would undoubtedly have
passed through thousands of years."
It was the opinion of this old chief that the Indian tribes originated in
America, and came in some mysterious manner long after the Mound Builders
had pa.ssed away.
About two miles from the Allegheny, up Cold Spring creek, are t^t'o mounds,
one of which has never been thoroughly explored. The other was leveled to
the ground in the fall of 1879. This tumulus is on the farm of Wm. M. Brown,
Esq., and was originally about ten feet in height, and one hundred feet in cir-
cumference. At the time this mound was leveled, with the aid of Mr. Brown,
we found a quantity of bone dust mingled with coal and ashes. This was a
very interesting discovery, as it shows that ancient people practiced cremation
to a certain extent at least.
Opposite the village of Limestone in the town of CarroUton, in the valley
of Tunaengwant creek is a circular fortification about one thousand feet in cir-
cumference. Some ten rods to the north is Limestone creek, a mountain
stream, that winds its way to the Tunaengwant. A large gateway with breast-
works opened toward this stream. In the midst of this fortification once stood
a number of pine trees of giant size whose heads towered far above the sur-
rounding forest, several of which were about twelve feet in circumference.
About forty years ago a cellar was dug within the boundaries of the fortifica-
tion, and human bones were exhumed in great quantities, in such advanced
state of decay that they offered but slight resistance to the shovel and pick.
Several years ago, the man who dug the cellar informed me that the bones
were several feet in thickness, as far at least as the cellar extended.
The ground now occupied by the village of Olean was, no doubt, once
densely populated. The line of the Genesee Valley canal at this place passed
through a sepulchral mound that disclosed human bones in the last stage of
decomposition. This tumulus was oval in form, about forty feet wide and
sixty long and nearly ten feet high.
History of Cattaraugus County.
In the town of Hinsdale near the west bank of Olean creek, about five
miles from Olean, a part situated on the lands of S. S. Peake and a part on
the lands adjoining, of .Mr. Gould, are the remains of an ancient fort that sur-
rounds about three acres. This work shows unmistakable evidence of great
antiquity; for more than sixty years ago pine trees, nearly four feet in diam-
eter, were growing within the entrenchment. In and around this fort large
quantities of relics peculiar to those lost and wonderful people have been
found.
In the town of Persia, on Cattaraugus creek near Point Peters, situated on an
elevated plateau, are the remains of an -ancient fort. When first discovered in
the forest, the embankment stood in bold relief full three feet high. The con-
tiguous country surrounding this tumulus, for several miles in exer)- direction,
contained numerous and curious relics of this ancient and distinct race. The
scenery at this point along Cattaraugus creek is rugged, bold, and grand. Mr.
John S. Ackerly informed the editor of this work, that while cultivating his
farm, he has found numerous arrow heads, stone a.xes, stone implements for
skinning game, and a curiously wrought stone rasp. On his farm there are also
several' deep pits, excavated long before the advent of the white man. In pos-
session of Mr. Ackerly's neighbor is an image of a small bird, artistically carved
in stone, which was found in the earth in the neighborhood. It is a fine spec-
imen, but unlike any of the feathered songsters found in western New York
at the present day.
Space in this work will not permit us to extend the investigation of this
lost but interesting race, to an\- great length, beyond the bounds of Cattarau-
gus county. Suffice it to say their empire extended far to the west, and
southwest across the continent.
At Martin's F"erry, Ohio, nearly opposite the city of Wheeling, West Vir-
ginia, is a more extensive work than I have before had occasion to mention.
It is located on the second terrace which is about fifty feet abo\-e high water
mark. This work is nearly square with two corners facing a hill to the westward
rounded off. It is elevated some ten or twelve feet above the surrounding plateau
and occupies about three acres. In fact it is a pile of earth artificially raised
with gentle slopes on even.- side. This embankment, on the top, is as level as
the floor of a house, and to all appearances has changed but little since its con-
struction long ages ago. Near one of its corners, so as to be almost connected,
is a mound much more extensive than any that have been discovered in the
State of New York. In 1875, while spending several days in that locality,
I made an estimate of about four handed feet for the circumference of this
mound, and for height thirty feet. Many years ago the mound was partially
opened, but from appearances the center has never been disclosed. I was
informed by several parties residing here that human bones, copper implements
and other relics were found. The Rev. J. P. Maclean is of the opinion that
works of that character were devoted to some kind of amusement. If such is
Traces of the Mound Builders.
a fact, it would seem singular that they should build such stately tombs by its
side. From its mode of construction, and its general characteristics, it is
highly probable it was devoted to a far different purpose, a purpose in some
way connected with religion. In every section of the country where the
ancient works are found man\- of them show a religious significance. The
religious element is so strong in the nature of man that it does and has always
shown itself. Up the Ohio river, for several miles above Martin's Ferry, is a
broad valley of alluvial land, which, to all appearance, was once extensively
cultivated; done very probably by the people who built these mounds and
fortifications.
Twelve miles below the city of Wheeling on the West .Virginia side of the
river, we reach the \illage oS Moundville, formerly known as Grave Creek, on
account of the sepulchral mounds which it once contained. As the traveller
arrives at this enchanting location of Nature's handiwork, his attention is at
once draw n to a singular hill, symmetrical in form, which towers to the height
of se\-enty feet. This imposing eminence is situated amidst a level plateau
that contains more than a thousand acres, and is artificial, and is one of the
largest sepulchral monuments constructed by human hands. This mammoth
mound is located about half a mile from the (Dhio river and some forty feet
above its banks. Its base is a true circle and about twenty rods in diameter.
It is conical in form, and before the top was leveled off it stood eighty feet
high. The time that has pas.sed away since this great work was built js
shrouded in mystery; but it is not improbable that since its construction,
Rome, Greece and Thebes have fallen and their go-^geous palaces, rotundas,
obelisks and colosseums have gone down in a common sepulchre.
In the year 1838, a Mr. Tomlinson, v\ho claimed a legal title over the Mound
Builders by ad\'erse possession, e.xcavated a tunnel from its base to its center.
The soil, composed in part of clay and being perfectly dry, showed no signs of
caving in, so they readily reached the center, and to the astonishment of all
concerned came to a vault or room twenty feet square, the bottom of which
was covered with a dark material made from decayed timber, which had long
been reduced to ashes by the destructive influence of time. After removing
some of the debris and making a search, they discovered two human skeletons
in almost a perfect state of preservation. One v\as that of a male and the
other that of a female. They lay side by side in a horizontal position with
their heads to the south, separated the distance of about ten or twelve inches.
When deposited in that dark and silent vault, the arms of the corpses were
laid carefully beside the bodies, where they had reposed for centuries before
Columbus dreamt of a western continent. Four bracelets .made of copper
artistically designed surrounded the wrists of the skeletons. In the spring of
1841, I visited this mound and found it open for e.xhibition, by Mr. Tomlin-
son, the owner and proprietor, a gentleman of education and very much an
antiquarian, who had been to a very large e.xpense in preparing the place for
22 HiSTuRV OF Cattaraugus County.
the reception of visitors. He had caused the bones of the two skeletons to be
wired and put in the most favorable position for exhibition. These two skel-
etons were the best preserved of any that have ever been taken from any
mound in this country and were calculated to open a new field of investigation.
By the aid of them we can arrive more closely at the size of that ancient peo-
ple, and as they were undoubtedly prominent personages we can form a ver}-
reasonable opinion of their mental abilities. The two were apparently about
the same age, perhaps about fifty years, indicating that they died in the hey-
day of life. The male, judging by the skeleton, was a man about six feet in
height, or perhaps a trifle more. The female was estimated to be five feet
seven or eight inches in height, with bones which would denote a powerful
frame. The intellectual aiid moral regions were exceedingly well developed.
Benevolence and reverence were large, which would indicate the possession of
a strong religious nature. The organ of juvenile love, was uncommonly large ;
combativeness and destructiveness were only moderately developed. Such a
head would indicate a person of strong moral feelings ; one that would love the
right and despise acts of cruelty and oppression; would love the young with
more than ordinary mother's love, and at the sight of a suffering child would be
melted to compassion. If a mother she would devote her life to herchildren. The
head of the king (if he was a king) was less developed in the moral qualities
than that of this queen of the Mound Builders. The animal organs were rather
large and the intellectual fairly developed. Such an organization would give
considerable force of character, and if devoted to politics, would be no more
likely to jump the track of honesty and virtue than many of our members of
Congress, bank directors or present day political leaders.
The skeletons and copper bracelets were not the only relics found in the
vault in the midst of this great mound. More than three thousand beads of curi-
ous and artistic workmanship, together with two hundred and fifty blocks of
mica and large quantities of flint and copper implements were disclosed. But
one of the most interesting relics ever found in any mound in this country
was a block or fiat stone containing three lines of unknown characters engraved
upon it. This stone lay near the skeletons, and it was thought by Messrs.
Tomlinson and Schoocraft that it proved a written language, designed to be
read by the inhabitants of the spirit world. So great was the interest taken
in this stone and the characters engraved upon it that it was submitted to the
learned professors of Europe, Rafu, of Copenhagen and M. Jomal, of Paris,
who came to the conclusion that the stone contained twenty-two alphabetical
characters which they were unable to interpret.
It is stated in a paper written by Dr. Cheney in_ 1859, ^^hat the skeletons
found in the mounds at Cassadaga were those of giants, and that one in par-
ticular measured seven feet and five inches. I suppose he got that information
from some who saw tliem at the time they were exhumed and who had their
organs of marvelousness greatly exalted. That the Mound Builders were a
Traces of the Mound Builders. 23
little larger than the present type, is very probable; but that they were giants
eight and ten feet high is all fabulous. I have seen many skeletons from
mounds in different states, but have seen none that will much exceed the peo-
ple now living. At the centennial, in one of the annex buildings, was a large
amount of fragments of skeletons from the ancient tombs in West Virginia,
Missouri, Ohio, and the Mississippi valley, and I saw none that would exceed
the size of the Indian tribes of America. The subject under consideration has"
quite enough of the marvelous about it to gratify almost any imagination with-
out resorting to giants.
The fact that the mastodon was contemporary with the Mound Builders is
admitted by all antiquarians. It is my opinion that in all probability they
tamed and used that powerful beast to haul heavy burdens. I am confirmed
in this opinion by the fact that in his organization he possessed a mild dispo-
sition, and that, like the African elephant, he could have been tamed when
young and brought under subjection with as little trouble as is required for the
o\ or horse. The inhabitants of Africa, who stand much lower in the scale of
development than the ancient Mound Builders, use the elephant as a beast of
burden. . This hypothesis is further strengthened by the finding of the copper
relic before mentioned, in the town of Red House, on the .Allegheny river, with
the form of the mastodon engraved upon it, represented in harness.
When we look over the continent of America and find a race of people
who once held empire over this broad domain, now slowly and surely passing
away; and then into the midnight of the past, and find such unmistakable
traces of a once numerous and powerful people now lost in oblivion ; and then
again that wc, as a people, may be standing on the brink of ruin, with religious
and political leaders lost to every principle of hoiKjr, and slowly undermining
the glorious fabric of American greatness; who knows but in the distant
future America with its colossal structures will be in ruins, when we consider
the warlike spirit of man and the strange and dreadful con\ulsions of nature,
that carry in their train vast and sudden destruction? I am aware that we, as
a people, believe that we are crowned with everlasting safety, on account of
our republican institutions, our liberty of speech, and our great range of relig-
ious and political freedom. The ruined cities of the ancient world no doubt
thought so once ; but "hearken to the voice of history."" Look at Babylon,
once the praise of the whole earth. But " Babylon has fallen."
How nations sink by darling schemes opprest.
When vengeance listens to the fool's request,
Fate wings with every wish the afflictive dart.
Each gift of nature and each grace of art ;
With fatal heat impetuous courage glows,
With fatal sweetness elocution flows.
Impeachment stops the speaker's powerful breath,
And restless fire precipitates in death..
24 HisTtjRV OF Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER III.
DISCOVERY OF THE IROQUOIS BY THE- FREN'CH. THEIR PRO\VES.S, SUBJU-
GATIOX AND THEIR RELIGIOX.
JACQUES CARTIER, a distinguished French explorer and navigator, in
the service of France, in 1535, entered the great gulf of Canada, to vhich
he gave the name of St. Lawrence, sailed through it and up the river of
the same name which he called the "River of Hochelaga," and explored the
country as far as the city of Montreal, ascended Mt. Royal, from which he was
the first white man to gaze upon the magnificent prospect which continues to
delight the tourist, and \\as the first to behold in the panorama stretched
before him, a part of the territorj- of our Empire State. In i 540 Cartier again
visited. Canada and made an aborti\'e attempt to found a colony. No further
attempt was made to establish a settlement until 1608, when Samuel Cham-
plain, a French nobleman, with others, founded a colony at Quebec. Cham-
plain, restless for adventures, and equally anxious to make further discoveries
in the new world, waited only for spring, and an opportunity, to enter upon
a long cherished plan of explorations, with the high hope of finding a way to
China.
In the last part of the autumn he was visited by an ambitious young chief
from the vicinity of Ottawa, (then unknown), who prevailed upon him to join
him in the spring in an expedition against his enemies, the Iroquois, the
Five Nations, composed of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and
Senecas, and of whom all the Indian tribes stood in mortal fear.
On the 28th day of May, 1609, the expedition setoff, Champlain in a small
shallop carr\'ing himself and ten others, armed with guns. They passed up the
St. Lawrence, and entered the mouth of the Richelieu river. Here his ease-
loving warriors encamped for two days, hunted, fished and feasted, and regaled
their French allies with fresh fish, venison and wild fowl — and quarrelled, too.
About three-fourths took to their canoes and paddled towards home. The
remaining force consisted of si.xty warriors with twenty canoes. This expedi-
tion pushed onward up the Richelieu,entered the beautiful lake which Cham-
plain gave his name, and were then in the country of the Mohawk nation, who
kept the eastern door of the Long House of the confederacy of the Five
Nations. The party then traveled only by night. June 29th, they embarked
at twilight from the west shore of the lake, near the site of Crown Point. They
discovered a flotilla of Iroquois canoes about ten o'clock in the e\'ening; each
recognized his mortal enemy, and their mingled war-whoops made " night hid-
Subjugation of the Iroquois. 25 •
eous." By common consent the battle was deferred until daylight, when the
allies, confident of their success, marched with steadiness to the conflict. They
opened their ranks, and Champlain and his two friends passed to the front
with their carbines. The astonished Iroquois stared at the unwonted sight in
amazement. The guns were leveled and discharged ; two of the chiefs fell
dead. The brave Iroquois stood firm, and filled the air with their arrows ; but
the fire-arms continued their deadly work ; their terrific reports quailed their
stout hearts; they broke and ran, and the victory was won. Thus the French
foolishly rushed into war with the mightiest and most powerful Indian con-
federacy the world ever beheld. This act engendered a hatred of the French
on the part of the Iroquois that descended to generations then unborn, and
eventually led to the annihilation of many of the Canadian tribes and to the
weakening of the Iroquois.
They were generally on the war-path. They drove out and annihilated the
powerful Neuter nation and the warlike Hurons. About 1655 they extended
their victories over the immense territory reaching to the Father of Waters on
the west; south to the Tennessee river, north to the St. Lawrence and east to
the Hudson.
In exterminating the Fries, the policy of the Iroquois seems to have been
to remove a powerful rival rather than to acquire territory. Because the
country of the Fries lay adjacent to the Senecas, it was given to that nation,
and for many years after the e.xodus of their enemies it was only occupied by
them as an occasional hunting ground and where deer, boars, and wolves held
unmolested possession.
This was the zenith of power of the Iroquois; and until the expedition of
Marquis de Nouville, who w ith his army from Canada administered a just ret-
ribution to the Senecas, in 1687, for ravages committed on French settlements
on the Illinois river, the Iroquois were invulnerable to any fo/ce that came
before them. Then a decisive battle was fought between the French and the
Indians, in Ontario county, in which the victorious French struck terror to the
hearts of the Senecas, and burned many flourishing Indian villages. The
Indians through fear abandoned these villages in dismay, and retired further
into the interior, and possibly as far as the territory of Cattaraugus county, so
long left vacant by the Fries.
The Iroquois were the allies of the Fnglish, and were instigated by them,
who offered them a bounty for Yankee scalps during the war of the Revolu-
tion, to constantly harrass the American settlements, and commit the most
cruel and barbarous atrocities, among which was the massacre at Wyoming.
During the winter of 1777-8 the Indians wintered at Niagara, and early in
May assembled under their leaders at Seneca Castle in pursuance of the order
of Col. Guy Johnson, and marched forth to do their murderous work. They
spread death and destruction in the valley of the west branch of the Susquehanna
river, at Cobleskill, at Cherry Valley, and Wyoming. They spared neither age
4
-26 History of Cattaraugus County.
nor sex, and their fiendish atrocities were seldom equalled, and ne\er surpassed.
Vigorous measures for subduing these savages, who had become fiends in
their thirst for blood, were demanded by the entire nation. Accordingly
Major General John Sullivan was entrusted with an expedition against the
Iroquois. He entered their country, met them in several battles, and defeated
them in every one, and as the most efficient means of their subjugation he
resorted to that questionable war measure of burning over forty Indian
villages, with 160,000 bushels of corn, destroyed their orchards, loaded with
ripening fruit, and devastated their country all along his line of march.
At the close of this expedition, that power was broken for ever, and the
country passed from the possession and dominion of the Indians to the white
man.
This brave simple people, except when on the war-path, busied themselves
with the vocations of peace, hunting, fishing, and in tilling the ground in their
primitive way; and in worshiping the Great Spirit as taught them by their
ancestors, for how many generations back they and we know not.
They had the vices of barbaric life and they also had its virtues. That
they were superstitious and are yet is admitted without a question; but they
were never idolaters ; neither is the Indian stupid. He recognizes Ha-wen-
ni-yu, the Great Spirit, and believes in a future life; He-no the Thunderer.
Ga-oh, the spirit of the winds, a protecting spirit of fire, of water, of medicine,
of all the trees and shrubs, and that each Indian has a protecting spirit
appointed to take care of him by the Good Ruler.
*The religious system of the Iroquois, notwithstanding it originated with
the untutored savages, has the elements of great sublimity. It sees the Great
Spirit not in a personality, but as a great and loving spirit, whose extended
arms encircle the universe. The Indian believes that his God controls the motion
of the stars, and that he watches their every interest with fatherly care ; and that
he will escort their spirits to the charming hunting grounds beyond "the river
of death," where beautiful birds make vocal the hills and valleys with their
enchanting songs. They also believe that he has supplied the invisible world
with innumerable deer, bears and all other animals useful for food; and has
endowed the good Indian with ability to climb the rugged mountains and
never tire; and to sport upon the shimmering lakes and sinuous ri\-ers that
would never fail to supply them with fish.
. For the countless blessings that the Great Spirit conferred upon them, they
met at stated intervals to do him honor. Six annual festivals were held by
the Iroquois. The New Year's feast and the White Dog dance, in the olden
time lasted nine days, and was the greatest festival of the year.
A week before the ceremony, two grotesquely dressed persons called at
every house, with corn-pounders in their hands, with which they knocked on
*For information of the religion and feasts observed by the Iroquois, the writer is indebted to
the writings o( Dr. Larkin, and •'Our Life Among the Iroquois" bv Mrs. Harriet S. Oiswell.
Religious Festivals oe the Iroquois. 27
the floor to command silence, and then said these words: "Listen! hsten I
listen I The ceremonies which Ha-wen-ni-yu commands are about to com-
mence. Prepare your houses. Clear away the rubbish. Drive out all e\il
animals. Should your friend be taken sick and die, we command you not to
mourn nor allow your friends to mourn. Lay the body aside. When the cer-
emonies are over we will mourn with you." These commands were actually
obeyed. On the first day of the feast a white dog "without spot or blemish"
was chosen and strangled, that no bones should be broken or blood shed.
The body was painted with spots of red and decorated with feathers. Around
the feet were wound strings of wampum and beads. The dog was then eleva-
ted on top of a pole twenty feet high where he remained until the fifth day.
Then they built an altar of wood upon which the body of the dog was laid
and burned. As they did this the great thanksgiving address was made, and
tobacco was constantl}- thrown upon the fire that the prayers might ascend
in the clouds of smoke: "Hail, Ha-wen-ni-}-u I hail! Listen with open
ears to the words of thy people. Continue to listen. Give us zeal and fidelity
to celebrate the sacred ceremonies which thou hast gi\'en to us. We thank
thee that we still li\'e. We thank our mother earth which sustains us. We
thank the rivers for the fish. We thank the herbs and plants of the earth.
We thank the bushes and trees for fruit. We thank the winds which have
banished disease. We thank our grandfather He-no for rain. We thank the
moon and stars which give us light when the sun has gone to rest. We thank
the sun for the warmth and light by day. Keep us from evil ways that the
sun may never hide his face from us for shame, and leave us in darkness. We
thank Thee O mighty Ha-wen-ni-yu, our creator and our good ruler. Thou
canst do no evil. Everything thou doest is for our happiness."
During this feast there were social hours, and times for games. On one
day all the people went into each others houses carrying wooden shovels, with
which the ashes upon the hearth were. stirred and scattered, while invoking a
blessing upon the household.
They amused themselves at this time in guessing dreams, and with a great
variety of games. The war-dance was also a part of this festival. They acted
war. The war-song was sung which aroused all the fire of the young warriors
and then the arrows flew thick and fast, the tomahawk was lifted, the dead and
dying were upon the battlefield, the scalps were taken; and then could be
heard the shout of victory and the dirge for the slain. This was made to be
real by various devices of paint, false scalps, etc., and was very exciting; but
a joyful time.
" Keepers of the faith" are elected by the people whose duty it is to pre-
pare and appoint the feast.
At the maple festival in the olden times the leader made this speech:
" Friends, the sun, the ruler of the day, is high in his path, and we must
hasten to our duty. We are here to observe an ancient custom handed down
History of Cattaraugus County.
by our forefathers and given to them by the good ruler, Ha-\\cr-ni-yu. He
requires us to give thanks for the blessings we recei\-e. We will be faithful to
this command."
Friends: "The maple is yielding its sweet waters. We join in thanksgiv-
ing to the maple and also to Ha-wen-ni-yu, who made this tree for the good of
the red man."
Then came the prayer by the leader. Whene\"er the Great Spirit wa.s
addressed, and then only, the\- burned incense by throwing tobacco on the fire.
The following was the prayer for this occasion. "Ha-wen-ni-yu, listen now
to our words. The smoke of our offering arises. Listen to our words as they
arise in smoke. We thank thee for the sweet water of the maple. We thank
thee for the return of the planting season. Let our corn and beans and
squashes grow\ Ha-wen-ni-yu I Continue to listen for the smoke yet arises.
Preserve us from pestilential diseases. Preserve our old men and protect our
young. Ha-wen-ni-yu! Thou dost love th}- people and hate their enemies.
Thou hast given us the panther's heart, the eagle's eye, the moose's foot, and
the cunning of the fo.x; but to our enemies thou hast given the eye of the owl
in the daylight, the foot of the turtle, the heart of woman, and the stupid brain
of the bear in winter."
The strawberry feast in ancient times consisted entirely of the wild fruit
eaten with maple sugar. Before partaking the leader returned thanks for the
people to the. Great Spirit. The green corn festival consisted of succotash,
a soup of corn and beans; and Ha-wen-ni-yu was thanked for corn, beans and
squashes.
All of their festi\'als were opened by the meeting of the tribe in order that
each one might repent of his past sins and resolve that in the future of his life
he would avoid the snares and pitfalls into which he had fallen in the past.
To make their promises binding one of their leading theologians would take
in his hand a "string of white wampum" and facing the audience would con-
fess his various infirmities and sins. The wampum was passed from one to
the other, until every person in the audience had made confession.
The belief in a presiding deity is indigenous to the soil of every clime.
All nations ha\'e a God, but some, through ignorance of the laws that govern
the universe, have converted him into a malignant spirit. The Indian idea
of God is a sublime conception. He is their tender loving father Who watches
the interests of his children with the care bestowed upon the infant reposing
in its mother's arms; and, whilst he continually holds in his hands the scales
of eternal justice, which he metes out to every son and daughter of the forest,
he inflicts upon the wicked and those who have gone astray no sanguinary
punishment, but holds out the hand of forgiveness to the worst of sinners,
after they have been scourged with the whip of justice, tempered with mercy.
Handsome Lake, a half brother of the famous chief Cornplanter, was born
in 1735. ^nd had been a very dissipated man. He reformed after a long
Early Indian Occupancv, Etc. ' 29
illness, and after spending three days in the forest, where he claimed he was
taught by the Great Spirit, he returned to his people as his prophet, with a
message. He taught them temperance, restricted them to one cup of fire-
water in the morning, one at noon and one at night. He insisted on a close
observance of the marriage relation, and that death only should separate
husband and wife. He taught them to give of their abundance to those who
lacked substance, to care for orphans and adopt one if they had no children,
and to welcome strangers to their homes, speak kind words to them, and always
mention the good ruler, Ha-wen-ni-yu. He claimed to have been taken in a
vision to the happy home: it was filled with Indians; the white people were
all shut out. He claimed also to have visited the house of torment, where he
saw many kettles of boiling, lead, into which people were plunged. He saw
there a drunken Indian, and the evil spirit was in the act of pouring a cup of
boiling lead down his throat, and he saw flames burst from his mouth as he
screamed with agony. There were many who belie\'ed in the divine mission
of Handsome Lake, and to this day many of the pagan portion of the Seneca
nation are his disciples.
CHAPTER IV.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY OF C.VTTARAUGUS COUNTY. THE INDIANS AS THEY
APPEAR ON THEIR RESERVATION T()-DAV.
[By Kev. J. W. Sanborn, Manager State Inilian Exhibit at World's Fair.]
THE GRADUAL encroachments of the whites upon Indian territory,
and the march of a too often unscrupulous civilization, led to the
defining of Indian boundaries by treaty stipulations. In 1784 a treaty
was enacted on the site of what is now Rome, N. Y., (then Fort Stanwix),
between the commissioners of the United States and the chiefs of the Six-
Nations. By the terms of that treat}- the Iroquois were to be left in undis-
turbed possession of the greater portion of what is now the State of New York,
and had the right of possession guaranteed to them by the United States, of
all territory west of a line called the "property line" running nearly parallel
with, and less than eighty miles west of the Hudson river. Thus it appears
that the early occupancy of what is now Cattaraugus county was co-equal in
time with that of the entire State of New York. Cattaraugus county was
organized March 11, 1808, and was taken from territory known as Genesee
county.* Subsequent treaties narrowed down the territory of the Iroquois
•Turner's Pioneer Period of Western New Yorlc.
30 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
until in 1845 ^^'^^ fi'''cl the Senecas removing fronn the BulTalo Creek reservation
to the Cattaraugus reservation.
As early as the year 1600 the Indians of western New York were visited
by French missionaries who discovered that an extensive strip of territory
lying between the domains of the Hurons and Iroquois (who were deadly ene-
mies) was occupied by another tribe to which the French gave the name of
the "Neuter nation," or as the Senecas called them "the Kah-kwas," or Eries.
They appear to have "held their territory against both the Senecas and Hurons,
and the remains of their forts and cemeteries are discoverable along the south
shore of Lake Erie even to the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. There is hardly a
town along the picturesque county of Cattaraugus that has not been the scene
of some interestingevent in the Indian history. Its streams, well stocked with
fish, its magnificent scenery, hardly surpassed by another county in the State
of New York, its fertile soil, its dense forests once teeming with all sorts of
game, made Cattaraugus county a veritable paradise to the red man.
Of her memorable journey from Ohio to the Genesee country, Mary Jem-
ison, the famous "white woman," whose line of march lay directly through
Cattaraugus county, says: "From Conewango \\e came to a place called by
the Indians Che-na-shun-ga-tan on the Allegheny river, at the mouth of what
is now Cold Spring creek, in the town of Napoli, (now Cold Spring, Cattarau-
gus county,) and from that to Dee-yu-no-weh, (Eddy-not-strong), i. e. Carroll-
ton. Having rested ourselves two days at that place, we came to Caneadea."
Olean was one of the favorite resorts of the Senecas and many are the tra-
ditions which they relate of the w^onderful cures effected by the magic spring
at Cuba. The liquid from the spring had marvelous curative properties and was
called Seneca oil. It was from a petroleum spring containing other elements
and its efiicacy was never called in question.
Passing over interesting historical incidents of those early days, let us
glance at the Senecas as rulers and statesmen, and of course this will bring us
to the consideration of that matchless alliance known as the Iroquois confed-
eration which has been characterized by one American statesman as " the
most consummate piece of statesmanship ever devised by the wit of man."
Weary of destructive attacks upon one another, the Iroquois established
the confederacy for the better protection of themselves and for the securement
of peace. The whole scheme is said to have originated in the brain of Hia-
watha. While it is doubtless true that the beginnings of the system origin-
ated with him, it is more than probable that the wisdom and experience of
others added to its completeness from time to time. However, before Colum-
bus discovered America, this confederation was in full operation and was
bidding fair to establish a magnificent civilization in the heart of the wilder-
ness. The conflicts between the English and French for the possession of
this territory seriously interfered with the peace-dealing confederation, and in
large measure broke it up. The best description of this league is that of Mr.
Early Indian Occupancy, Etc. 31
L. H. Morgan, who says: "The government of the Six Nations when they
were in the zenith of their prosperity and power was an oHgarchy composed
of a mixture of elective and hereditary power. The government was admin-
istered by chiefs, each tribe having two, one of whom was hereditary, the
other elective. His term of office was during good behavior. The elective
sachem was a military chieftain, whose duty it was to attend to all military
affairs of the tribe, and to lead the warriors to battle. Both were members of
the general council of the confederacy, as well as of the national council, which
met as often as necessity required, and settled all questions involving matters
in which their own nation only had an interest : but the general council of the
confederacy met once a year except in cases of emergency. In the settlement
of difficulties the chiefs must iie of one mind.
"At the institution of the league, fifty permanent sachemships were created
with appropriate names, and in the sachems who held those titles was vested
the supreme power of the confederacy. To secure order in the succession, and
to determine the individuals entitled, the sachemships were made hereditary
under limited and peculiar laws of descent. The sachems themselves were
equal in rank and authority, and instead of holding separate territorial juris-
diction, their powers were joint, and co-e.xtensive with the league. As a safe-
guard against contention and fraud, such sachem was 'raised up,' and invested
with his title by a council of all the sachems, with suitable forms and ceremo-
nies. Until this ceremony of confirmation or investiture, no one could become
a ruler. He received, when 'raised up' the name of the sachemship itself, as
in the case of the titles of nobility, and so also did his successors from genera-
tion to generation. The sachemships were distributed among the Five
Nations; nine to the Mohawk, nine to the Oneida, fourteen to the Onondaga,
ten to the Cayuga, and eight to the Seneca. The sachems united formed the
council of the league, the ruling body in whom resided the e.xecutive, legis-
lative, and judicial authority. It was an oligarchy, i. e., 'the rule of the few,'
and, while' more system is observable in this than in the oligarchies of
antiquity, it seems also better calculated in its framework to resist political
changes.
" Next to the sachems in position, stood the chiefs, an inferior class of
rulers, the very existence of whose office was an anomaly in the oligarchy of
the Iroquois. The office of chief was made elective, and the reward of merit,
and without any power of descent, the title terminating with the individual.
After their election they were 'raised up' by a council of the nation; but a
ratification by the general council of the sachems was necessary to complete
the investiture."
Although these customs and forms of government have given place to
more modern methods, it is still true that an Indian and his wife may not
properly belong to the same clan. And this, from earliest days, has been a
bar to political corruption, because all the children, being regarded as a part
History of Cattaraugus County.
of the woman's personal property, always belong to the clan of the mother,
hence no chief can be succeeded in office by his own son. A \-acancy occur-
ring, the eldest woman in the clan makes the nomination of the person to be
' raised up ' to the chieftainship.
On the 22d of October, 1868, the Seneca nation adopted a new constitu-
tion, whereby the form of government was radically changed. This govern-
ment has a legislative, executive, and judiciary department. The legislative
power is vested in a council of sixteen members, called the councillors of the
Seneca nation of Indians. Eight of these are elected annually for the Alle-
gany reservation, and eight for the Cattaraugus reservation. The executive
power is vested in a president, whose duty it is to execute faithfully all laws
applicable to the nation. To him is given power to fill vacancies that may
occur in the council either by death, resignation or impeachment of any
of the members, until such vacancy shall be filled by election. The judiciary
power is vested in a court known as the peacemakers, composed of si.x mem-
bers, three of whom are from the Cattaraugus reservation, and three from the
Allegany. They are elected annually for a term of three years. Two peace-
makers have power to hold courts, differing from courts of justices of the
peace, in that they have the further power to pro\^e wills, to settle estates of
deceased persons, and to settle questions relating to real estate, and they are
also empowered to grant divorces. But all their determinations and decisions
are subject to appeal to the council, whose decisions are final. The council
has power to make treaties subject to the approval of at least three-fourths of
the legal voters, and the consent of three-fourths of the mothers of the nation.
Besides the president there are a clerk and treasurer, and two marshals, one
from each reservation. The president is elected every year, on the first Tues-
day in May, and any male person in the tribe who is twenty-one years old or
more is eligible to this position. The choice of a chief alternates between the
Cattaraugus and Allegany reservations as the tribe is very nearly equally
divided between the two reserves. The Seneca council convenes the first
Tuesday in June, and continues its sessions until the business is transacted.
The Cattaraugus reservation is partly in the county of the same name, but
principally in Erie county north of the Cattaraugus creek. The Allegany res-
ervation is wholly within Cattaraugus county and is forty miles long, by about
one mile wide. Not far from one thousand Indians, principally Senecas, occupy
■ this reservation. There are about fifteen hundred Indians on the Cattarau-
gus reservation, and they, with the Indians of the Allegany reservation, con-
stitute one nation, hence the division of officers between the two reservations.
The population on both these reservations is increasing. The births exceeded
the deaths by thirteen in 1891. Within the bounds of the Allegany reserva-
tion there are 30,469 acres of land, not all fit for cultivation. The good tim-
ber is gone for the rriost part, and many of the Indians- are compelled either
to work for others for wages, or to till the soil, or both.
Eaklv Indian Occupancy, Etc.
Cattaraugus county is peopled by whites who are deeply interested in
education, and a strong sentiment in its favor prevails. It is doubtful if any
county in the State has better public schools, and this sentiment in favor of
education has exerted its wholesome influence on the Indians, awakening
among many of them a like interest. There are several State public schools
on the reservations in Cattaraugus county, and in addition to these there is a
prosperous industrial school at Quaker Bridge, sustained by the Society of
Friends. This school accommodates about forty children of both sexes, and
furnishes instruction to the boys in farming, and the girls in housework, in
addition to a good course of study.* Other religious bodies exert no small
influence on behalf of education throughout this county', among which should
be mentioned the Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists.
Although the ancient customs of the aboriginal occupants of Cattaraugus
county are fading away, still you may find among the older Indians a strict
adherence to the usages of old. Nearly all of the things which we are about
to describe are still in use, and a pictured reproduction of them will add inter-
est to this chapter.t
The _Saddlr. — The saddle of the aboriginal Cattaraugus county Indian
excites a white man's curiosity, and with good reason, for it is a very ingen-
iously constructed affair. It is distinctively Indian in all its characteristics.
In its construction our red brothers select a good sized tree with a crotch of
the right spread. They whittle down the wood, and fit it to the angle of the
beast's back-bone. The pommel is shaped from the solid portion from which
the spreading limbs of the tree project. Back of the pommel an opening
e.xtends the whole length of the saddle. A piece of wood, sometimes a
crotched stick, is whittled down and fitted over the sides of the saddle at the
other end. The girth, crupper and stirrup-straps were originally of horse
hair or buffalo hair, more latterly of thongs, and in modern times are of ordi-
nary rope. The stirrups are made of hickory saplings split and bent in trian-
gular shape. The sides of the saddle are eighteen inches long and si.x inches
wide. The pommel is five inches high.
T/ie Rattle. — There are two kinds of rattles made by the Cattaraugus
Indians, the squash-shell rattle, and the turtle-shell. To make the squash
rattle the Indians cut a hole in one end of a hard-shelled squash and remove
the seeds and interior. Dried beans, kernels of corn and sometimes cherry-
pits are put in, and the aperture is plugged. This rattle is too frail for violent
pounding and so is used as an accompaniment to songs of lamentation for the
dead. The turtle-shell rattle is a remarkable production. The turtle's legs,
tail and body are carefully dissected, the skin is sewed up, after a goodly num-
ber of cherry-pits have been put in, then the neck is stretched to its utmost
♦This benevolent institution was established in 1798 by the Society of Friends in Philadelphia,
and has been continually maintained —Ed.
+ For illustrations see accompanying engravings.
34 History of Cattaraugus County.
length; hickory strips are placed upon the stretched neck to retain it in that
shape for a handle. Thongs are wound tightly around the whole making a
rigid handle. The eyes are dug out and a thong is passed through the sockets
to serve as a loop by which to hang the rattle up. This rattle is used in war-
dances and medicine-dances.
The War-Club. — The Indians no longer have use for war-clubs, except as
they gratify the white man's curiosity and brandish them to show how their
fathers fought. The clubs were about two feet long, of iron-wood, with a
knot at one end which they shaped like a ball. A bunch of feathers was tied
at the end of the handle.
Tlie Toinahmvk. — The tomahawk has from earliest times been the favorite
weapon of the Indians. Before coming in contact with the French, toma-
hawks were of stone, but afterwards more often of iron, steel or brass. The
tomahawk of Red Jacket, represented in the accompanying sheet of engrav-
ings, was surmounted by a bowl which served as a pipe, the handle forming
the pipe-stem. The handle was inlaid with silver ornamentation. Chief
Brant's pipe-tomahawk is also shown.
The tomahawk and fire-brand have ever served as emblems of war. Bury-
ing the tomahawk means peace ; lighting the torch and raising the tomahawk
and throwing dust in the air, are the signals for immediate conflict. Happily,
among the Cattaraugus Indians there are now no tomahawks, because the
spirit is gone which resorts to such weapons, and peace pervades the breasts
of chiefs and people.
T/tc Head-Strap. — Basswood and slippery elm grow plentifully on the Indian
reservation in Cattaraugus county. From the earliest times bark ropes have
been made and used by the Senecas; woven or plaited into wide bands, they
serve as head-straps for the support of burdens carried on the back. Head-
straps are commonly used at the present day, but are constructed of yarn
woven into a belt about fifteen feet long. The wide part of the belt is placed
over the forehead, and the ends are tied to the burden to be carried on the
back.
T/ic Sap-tub. — One of the principal religious festivals of the Indian year is
the "Adoration of the Maple." The sweet sap, after the cold winter has
passed, is Nature's first e.Khibition of tenderness to the "Children of the
Forest." The sap-tub is of bark. The rough bark is left on e.xcept where the
ends and sides are turned up. The side of the bark next the tree forms the
inside of the tub. The picture shows how the ends are gathered up and
fastened.
The Tray. — This is of bark, and is a useful utensil of household economy,
being used as a mixing tray in the preparation of corn-bread. After the loaf is
cooked, it is placed in a platter made of braided strands of corn husks. With
the possible exception of a bark barrel, the bark tray is the most useful and
most generally used of household articles.
<A ,>4/ i> 'aL 'w ^> O
Earlv Indian Occupancy, Etc.
Gaiitcs. — The Indians are enthusiastic experts in playing certain games.
The ring and rod represented in the engraving are used in the javeHn game.
The ring is usually five or six inches in diameter. The rods are made of sap-
lings sharpened and cut four to six feet in length. The Indians choose sides.
One person steps out and rolls the ring midway between the contending
parties. The Indians who are on the opposite side from the one who rolls the
ring shoot their javelins, and if one of them hits the ring or sends his javelin
through it, all on the other side at once throw their javelins at the ring, and if
they fail, or as many of them as fail to hit the ring, or to send a javelin through
it, they give up their javelins as forfeits to the other side, and they throw these
captured javelins at the ring. As many of these last as hit the ring step out
of the play, and cannot agaiji enter for that game. And the captured javelins
which do not hit the ring are at once returned to their original owners. The
winning side must now roll the ring, and the game continues until all the
javelins on one side are forfeited. This is a summer game.
One of the finest winter games, barring the betting which usually accom-
panies it, is the game of snow-snake. I have often wondered that the whites
do not take it up. A level place is selected, generally by the roadside, and a
small log is dragged along in the snow, and thus a track is made in which to
shoot the snakes. From hickory saplings shafts are cut, made to represent a
snake. The head is elevated slightly, — as shown in the engraving, — and
" loaded " with a few ounces of lead. The snakes are from six to eight feet
long, and quite slender, but perfectly straight, and are polished with beeswa.x
to facilitate their gliding over the smooth track prepared in the snow. At the
small end of the snake is a slight notch to fit the finger. With this end resting
on one finger, and firmly grasped with the other fingers and the thumb, the
Indian steps back a few feet, makes a short, sharp run of — say twenty feet —
and sends the snake along the glassy snow-track at a fearful velocity. Every
man's snake bears his name or private mark, and sides are chosen, and a tally
kept of the snakes which make the longest run. Each snake is credited with
a certain number of points, and those which outstrip the others bring credit to
the side to which they belong. ' Snow-snakes have been thrown twelve
hundred feet in one of these slippery tracks. The game is exhilarating,
exciting, and very healthful.
In the use of bows and arrows the Indians of Cattaraugus county have
ever been famous.. Arrow-heads of hornstone — sometimes called flint — have
been found in vast quantities in all parts of the county, and they give us a hint
of the past, and prove that this mode of bringing down game, and extermina-
ting their enemies, has been employed from the earliest times by this historic
people. One gets a good idea of the strength of an Indian by attempting to
bend his bow. This is generally a very difficult thing to do. The average
length of an Indian bow is four feet. The arrows are three feet long. At the
bow-string end of the arrow a small twist of feathers is bound, causing the
36 History of Cattaraugus County.
arrow to whirl in its flight like a rifle-ball. With arrows pointed with stone
heads, or even with wood whittled to a point, an Indian could easily kill large
game.
Indian boys have their games, varying according to the season of the year,
just as the white boys have, but the standard sport among the former, take it
year in and year out, is bow and arrow shooting. Knocking pennies off a post,
and pocketing the pennies as a reward — whenever they can find anyone willing
to put up the pennies — is a favorite sport.
Corn-Pou)idcr. — The Cattaraugus Indian women still prefer to make their
corn-meal in a corn-pounder, notwithstanding the fact that the grist-mills of
the white man can be heard in the distance humming at their toil. And it is
interesting to watch, on a slimmer day, Indian women pounding corn in the
shade of their fruit trees, and sifting the poundings through queer looking
baskets. The engraving gives an excellent idea of the corn-pounder as now
used by the Cattaraugus county Indians. These pounders vary in size from
two feet to thirty inches in height, and are from eighteen to twenty inches in
diameter. The "upper," as it is called, is of hard wood, four feet long, slender
at the center for convenience in handling. The opening is made in the end of
the log of \\ood by red-hot coals, which the Indians pile up in a circle until the
charred wood can be easily broken away and gouged in the shape of a mortar
and made smooth. The dried corn is thoroughly pounded' by. dashing the
" upper" up and down. The poundings are then put in a coarse-meshed bas-
ket and shaken or sifted through, the coarser portion being made into hominy
and the finer into bread and puddings. The Indians grow three kinds of corn,
viz : sweet corn, red flint, and white flint, or " squaw " corn. The first is for
succotash, the second for charring, and the third for bread and puddings.
Indian Drum. — The drum is a favorite accompaniment to the Indian
dances, more especially the war-dance, and with it the time is beaten. The
drum is about one foot in height. A skin, tanned in smoke, is drawn over one
end of the drum body, and a tightly fitting hoop wound with strips of thong
is pressed down over the soft leather. Modern Indian drums are made by
sawing a small paint keg in two, and stretching leather over the open end.
Holes are made in the closed end " to let out the music " — as one Indian put it.
Husk Bottles. — The engravings also show an article of Indian manufac-
ture which is somewhat rare at the present day, nevertheless there are families
which make use of husk-bottles for storing away salt, parched corn, etc. These
bottles are made of woven strands of corn husks. Some of these are so tightly
braided that by smearing them with clay prepared for the purpose, they will
hold vinegar and other liquids. The wide mouths of the bottles in the
engraving w'ill be observed by the reader; these bottles are for holding not
only salt and parched corn, but also meal and a very nutritious preparation of
powdered corn and maple sugar, a favorite article of food under long marches,
or in severe physical labor. And the horse jockeys in the tribe refresh weary
INDIAN MEDICINE MAN
Early Ixdian Occupanxy, Etc. 37
trotting horses, and revive them for another spurt on the track, by giving
them water to drink in which a few handfuls of powdered corn and maple
sugar have been mixed. There is certainly virtue in this preparation for man
and beast.
Pipis. — Xhe Indian furnished to the world tobacco and corn, but the whites
taught them to chew. The Seneca Indian name for tobacco is 0-yeh-qua-a-
weh. meaning "the only tobacco." They consider Indian tobacco the best
grown, but are generally not unwilling to smoke any kind. Native tobacco is
easily grown. If started from seed-planting one year, it will thereafter propa-
gate itself. Aboriginal remains, wherever found, are accompanied with pipes.
It may not be uninteresting to the reader to study Indian types as pre-
sented in the child-group shown in the engraving. Here are twenty-seven
children, and they are from the following tribes: Cornplanter, Seneca, Onon-
daga. Cayuga, Oneida, Tuscarora, Stockbridge, and Mohawk. This group was
taken on the Cattaraugus reservation, and the group comprises the infant
department of the Thomas Orphan Asylum, and the picture was taken in the
early part of the summer of 1890.
Under ordinary circumstances it would be regarded as a mark of too great
self esteem in a writer to insert his own portrait in an historical article like
this, but hoping it may be excusable under present circumstances, I present
myself to the reader in the garb of the medicine man. (See engraving.)
Medicine Ma)i. — The false face of the medicine man is cut from a solid
block of wood, and dyed with Indian red. On top are bags of tobacco, which
is scattered in the fire as a part of the ceremony of the cure of the sick. In
one hand is a turtle-shell rattle, and when ten or more Indians enter a sick
room wearing as many masks, they certainly make an impression on the be-
holder, and why should they not also impress the bad spirit which, according
to them, locates itself in the diseased part I The theory is that by these
incantations the bad spirit is frightened away, and the patient is left to get
well. The carving of these faces is, in many instances, very skillfully done,
and must call for a remarkable exercise of patience.
In closing this chapter, I should say what must be plain to all, that I have
not attempted to give an exhaustive relation of the aboriginal occupancy of
Cattaraugus county, but have endeavored to present only a cursory glance at
this people, who are remarkable for many things, and of whom it may be said
that one of the most remarkable is the mystery of their origin. One thing we
know, and there can be no difference of opinion about it, and that is, the Indian
is a human being, created of God with susceptibilities, with capacity for
improvement, and these are good and sufficient reasons why the stronger race,
— stronger because more self-asserting — should throw no obstacles in the path-
way of a better civilization for the red brothers, but rather promote positive
progress, by demanding ?or the Indian the rights and privileges which we insist
on for ourselves. . ' -
38 History of Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER V.
the ALLEGANY RESERVATION.* THE MISSION OF THE FRIENDS.
THE Allegany reservation is in the county of Cattaraugus and lies along
the Allegheny river for a distance of about thirty-five miles, the eastern
terminus being near Vandalia, and the western at the boundary line
between New York and Pennsylvania. It varies in width from one to two and a
half miles, the reservation lines being run so as to take in, so far as practicable,
all the bottom lands along the river. There are 30,469 acres in this reserva-
tion, and according to the census taken in January-, 1892, there are residing
within its borders nine hundred Senecas, -and seventy Onondagas. It is
estimated that there are eleven thousand acres of tillable land, but not more
than one-half of this is cultivated or in pasturage by the Indians. Considerable
portions of it are covered with brush or second growth timber, the first growth
having been cut ofT and sold. All valuable timber has been thus disposed of.
The people on this reservation are not as a rule engaged extensively in
agriculture. There are only a few farms of any considerable size, but there
are quite a number of small farms with comfortable buildings. The people
have but recently begun to develop their lands, having for many years
supplied their actual necessities by selling timber, bark and ties. They have
been making fair progress in farming for two or three years past, and material
improvements can be seen in many quarters.
The Allegany reservation is traversed by several important railroads. The
Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad follows the south boundary of
the same the entire length of the reservation. The New York. Pennsylvania
& Ohio railroad runs along the north boundary for some tweh'e miles west-
ward from Salamanca. The New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad runs
along the north boundary eastward from Salamanca to the eastern boundary
of the reservation, a distance of about thirteen miles. The Buffalo, Rochester
& Pittsburg railroad runs eastward from Salamanca along the north boundary
to Carrolton, a distance of about six miles; it then crosses the reservation to
the south, running to Bradford, Pa., and the coal fields of McKean and
Crawford counties in that State. The New York, Lake Erie & Western
railroad also has a branch running southward from Carrolton into the same
regions.
When these railroads were built through the reservation, several stations
were established, and around these stations towns grew up of greater or less
* From the report of Agent A. W. Ferri.n to the United Status Indian Bureau.
The Allegany Reservation. 39
importance. The lands were leased from individual Indians, but the leases had
no legal value, and a good deal of trouble grew out of that condition of affairs.
In 1875, February 19th, Congress passed an act legalizing the leases for a
period of five years and providing for a renewal of the leases at recurring
intervals of tweh'e years, beginning in 1880. Under this act of Congress, a
commission was appointed by the president to establish the boundaries of the
several villages provided for in the act. This commission laid out and estab-
lished villages at Vandalia, Carrolton, Great Valley, Salamanca, West
Salamanca and Red House. The acres in the several villages are approxi-
mately as follows: Vandalia, two hundred and forty acres; Carrolton, twenty-
two hundred acres; Great Valley, two hundred and sixty acres; Salamanca,
two thousand acres; West Salamanca, seven hundred and fifty acres; Red
House fifteen acres. In 1890, the act of 1875 was so amended as to give
authority for renewing the leases when they should expire in February, 1892,
for a period not exceeding ninety-nine years.
When the Seneca nation council met in February-, 1892, they declined to
grant leases for so long a period, but after repeated conferences with
committees representing the white leases, it was decided to make the leases
for that time, which was done. The aggregate amount of rentals under the
new arrangement has not been ascertained, but it is estimated that it will
reach $8,000 or $'0,000, and perhaps more. These are paid to the treasurer
of the Seneca nation, and the funds coming into the national treasury are
disbursed upon orders issued by the president and clerk, authorized by vote
of the council. Some dissatisfaction is e.vpressed by members of the Seneca
nation that none of the funds coming into the national treasury from these
rentals and other sources, are distributed among the families of the nation.
It is alleged that the council is e.xtravagant in its expenditures, and that a
proper accounting is not made by the officers ha\ing the funds in charge. It
is probable that the foundation for these allegations is largely attributable to
loose ways of doing business, and a failure to collect all the rents due the
nation. A new set of books, with improved forms, has been recently
procured, and it is hoped that a better showing may be made in the future.
None of the villages established under the act of February 19, 1875,
have attained any considerable size, e.xcept Salamanca. This being an
important railroad center, there has grown up a city of about five thousand
inhabitants, with all the adjuncts of a small business town. It has rtiany fine
brick business blocks, a $35,000 brick school house, city water works, sewers,
etc. An electric light plant is being put in, and is expected to be in operation
in November of this year. Vandalia is a mere hamlet, but is the shipping
point for considerable quantities of lumber, bark, etc. Carrolton has a
population of three or four hundred. There are two or three hotels, several
places of trade, a kindling wood factory, saw-mill, etc.
At Great Valley, the village proper is off the reservation, and there are
40 History ok Cattaraugus County.
within the Hmits of the village established under the act of 1875, only a small
population, a saw-mill and planing-mill, and a few more industries. West
Salamanca has a population of about four hundred. It has the usual comple-
ment of hotels and stores, and there is located here the Salamanca stock yards,
one of the feeding points for live stock shipments from the west.
At Red House there is simply a station on the New York, Pennsylvania
& Ohio Railroad, and a hotel. When the Western New York & Pennsyl-
vania was built on the south side of the river, the business of the place was
mainly transferred to the station of that road, and a small village has grown
up at that point. There are two or three hotels there, two or three stores, a
blacksmith shop, etc. There are perhaps one hundred white people living in
the hamlet. The}- are on the reservation without authority of law, but have
leases from individual Indians. A bill was introduced by Congressman Hooker
in the winter of 1891-92 to extend the boundaries of the village established
under the act of 1S75. so as to take in this village, but it is strenuously
opposed by the Indians, and is not likely to become a law. Much complaint
is made of the sale of liquor to Indians by parties at Red House. The atten-
tion of the prosecuting officer of Cattaraugus county has been repeatedly
called to these complaints, and he has repeatedly promised to put an end to
this illegal liquor selling, but up to this time it has not been done. The State
law is ample to remove from the reservation all parties outside of the villages
authorized by the act of 1875. It is possible that the failure of the Seneca
nation council to permit the district attorney to remove the offending parties
may account for his non-action.
The descendants of the noted Seneca chief, Cornplanter, occupy a small
reservation in Warren county, Pennsylvania, just over the State line. It
lies on both sides of the Allegheny river, and is about two miles long and half
a mile wide, and includes two small islands. There is nominally se\"en hun-
dred and fifty acres in this reservation, but this includes the river bed and
some worthless shoals. The reservation was donated to Chief Cornplanter by
the State of Pennsylvania, March 16, 1796, for his valuable services to the
white people. Cornplanter's descendants own the reservation in fee, and it is
divided in severalty among them. The Cornplanter Indians are Senecas, and
are enrolled on the Allegany reservation census, and vote on that reservation.
There are ninety-eight Indians on this Cornplanter reservation.
The Senecas own a small reservation located on the eastern boundary of
Cattaraugus county, partly in this county and partly in Allegany county,
known as the Oil Spring reservation. It has si.x hundred and forty acres, and
the title is in the Seneca nation, unincumbered by any preemption right. The
land is leased to whites.
On the Allegany reser\ation there is a Presbyterian church at Jimerson-
town, three miles wdst of Salamanca, with a membership of seventy-three per-
sons. Rev. M. F. Trippe is the missionary in charge, but is unable to preach
Mission ov the Friends. 41
at this point only one Sunday in four. Rev. \Vm. Hull, of West Salamanca,
who has been a missionary among the Indians more than fifty years, fills the
pulpit the remaining Sundays. A Presbyterian church edifice is in construc-
tion at Old Town under the supervision of Mr. Trippe, which will be ready
for dedication in a few weeks. The church organization at this point has
fortv-six members. The Baptists have a missionary station at Red House,
with a church organization containing twenty members. Rev. Harvey
Blinkey, a native preacher, has the spiritual oversight of this little band of
worshipers.
On the Cattaraugus and Allegany reservations there are sixteen Indian
schools supported by the State of New York. The number of children of
school age is seven hundred. Of that number four hundred and fifty attended
school some portion of the year, with an average daily attendance .of two
hundred and ten. The schools were taught the past year by sixteen teach-
ers. The total expense for maintaining these schools was §5,096.56.
The first settlement in the county by white people was made in May, 1798,
under the auspices of the Society of. Friends, of Philadelphia. Their mission
was one of benevolence and good-will. They banished themselves from
civilized society, from friends and from home, to take up a life among the
"untutored," with the only hope that they might make the life of the Indian
like that of the white man. They were heartih' welcomed by the eminent
chief, Cornplanter, who resided a few miles further down the Allegheny on his
own reservation,. and by the other Seneca chiefs, who gave them lands to work
at Genesinguhta, now known as Old Town, a deserted Indian village, from
which most of the inhabitants had removed to Cornplanter's reservation.
Here they found about one hundred and fifty acres of bottom lands had been
partly cleared, and having negotiated with an Indian woman for her dwelling,
they began their self-imposed duties of instructing the Indians in agriculture,
in the mechanical arts, in clearing and fencing their fields, and in the enjoy-
ment of civilized life. The Friends continued at this location, improved the
farm, erected buildings, and taught the natives, u-itil i??03. They then
thought it best for themselves and the Indians, whom th'iy desired to benefit,
to own in fee simple a home of their own. Accordingly tney purchased si.x
hundred ninety-two acres on Tunesassa creek of the Holland Land Company,
who had put their large tract on the market about that time, and removed to
it. Without any remuneration, they left for the use of the Indians one set of
blacksmith tools, agricultural implements and all their improvements. In 1805
the Friends had completed both a grist-mill and a saw-mill at their new
location, where the grinding and sawing was done for the Indians without toll
or fees of any kind. The Friends have also sent to this mission from time to
time disinterested, self-denying. Christian women, who resided there for the
purpose of promoting -the welfare of the Seneca nation,, by instructing them
in the useful arts of civilized life. They taught them to spin, and a few of
6
42 History of Cattaraugus County.
them learned to weave. They also instructed thern in cleanliness and good
housekeeping. The Friends also made an early effort to assist the Indian
youth in school education, but owing to the opposition of the pagan portion of
the Indians, this enterprise met with little success, although Joseph Elkinton
labored persistently for sixteen years to keep a school for their benefit ;
sometimes with little opposition, and sometimes so violent that he was
threatened with personal injury if he did not desist. Since they adopted their
present system of taking the Indian youth into the family, the mission school
has been fairly successful, as may be seen in the accompanying article
contributed by James Henderson, the present superintendent of the mission.
All the long years since May, 1798, the policy of the Friends, a course of
disinterested friendship and open-handed benevolence, has never changed.
Although they may not have accomplished all they desired, they may con-
gratulate themselves and the Indians too, on the improved condition of the
"Red Man."
Superintendent Henderson contributes the following interesting account:
The first settlement of Friends on the Allegany reservation was made near the
Indian village called Genesinguhta, now known as Old Town, on the west bank
of the Allegheny river, about fi\'e miles abo\'e the state line, in the latter part
of May, 1798.
Three young men, Joel Swayne, Halliday Jackson and Henry Simmons,
the two former from Chester county, Pennsylvania, and the latter from Bucks
county, Pennsylvania, assisted by John Pierce and Joshua Sharpless, also from
the neighborhood of Philadelphia, selected the site and made preparations for
a home. In a few weeks John Pierce and Joshua Sharpless returned home.
The latter kept an account of this journey, which has been printed, in which
he remarks upon taking leave of Cornplanter and other Indians at Buffalo, on
the i6th of June: "We now took an affectionate farewell of the chief and of
the Indians present, who parted with us with much respect, and I can truly
say, the longer I have been among that people, the more near and united they
have felt to me, and now on parting they feel like brethren with whom I have
been intimately acquainted, and for whose welfare I feel ardent wishes."
Henry Simmons returned home in 1799, and in that year Jacob Taylor and
Jonathan Thomas, who had lived three years with the Oneida Indians, near
Stockbridge, New York, went to the Allegany reservation. Halliday Jackson
returned home in 1800. John Pennock, also from Chester county, Pennsylva-
nia, spent a few months there in 1802, returning again in 1804. At this set-
tlement the efforts of the Friends had been mainly confined to instructing
them in agriculture, and in a more sober, industrious and comfortable way of
living, and the use of mechanics' tools.
In 1803, the comrnittee of Friends in Philadelphia who were engaged in
carrying out the concern of the yearly meeting in the welfare of the Indians,
believing- that advantages would result from removing their settlement to land
Mission of the Friends. 43
of their own, adjoining the reservation, after consulting with the Indians and
obtaining their approbation, concluded upon a suitable location, a few miles
further up the river. After some examination, the four Friends who had been
appointed on this business, viz: Isaac Coates, Isaac Bonsall, Thomas Steward-
son and John Shoemaker, Jr., as stated in their report, upon returning to Phil-
adelphia: "On viewing a creek called Tunesassa, which falls into the Allegheny
river on the east side about two miles above Genesinguhta, found sufficient
water to work a saw-mill, and a convenient situation to build one, about half a
mile from the Indian reservation, and navigable for canoes to and from the
river at many seasons. The creek is bounded on the south by a mountain
which it winds round the end of. On it are some fine white pine trees, near
where the dam is proposed to.be erected ; it will require a dam fifty yards lono-
and about twelve feet high to obtain a fall of ten feet. On the north side of.
the creek is a body of good farming land, the bottoms abounding with white
pine and other timber, among which are some sugar maples ; there is a low
ridge on which there are many white oaks. Although the land is not gen-
erally of the first quality, and to secure the water of the creek we must include
a part of the mountain, yet we believe a very good farm may be made there,
and the situation for our purpose is superior to any we met with, therefore
we fi.ved on this place."
The tract contained, according to the deed, about six hundred and ninety-
two acres. Joel Swayne and Jonathan Thomas removed to it from Old Town
in the early part of 1804, and shortly afterwards took steps to erect a saw and
grist-mill on the property, which were in operation early in 1805. Jonathan
Thomas returned from Tunesassa during the year 1805, after having been
among the Indians for several years.
The following Friends have resided at Tunesassa for a longer or shorter
period, having the principal charge of the concern. A number of other F"riends
have also been at the institution as teachers and care takers of the children,
and helpers in the family during the past eighty years.
Benjamin Cope and wife, Rachel Cope, went to the institution in May,
1805; Jonathan Thomas, May 14, 1809; Jonathan Thomas and wife, Ann
Thomas, September 12, 1816; Robert Clendenon and wife, Elizabeth Clende-
non, May 30, 1812; Joseph Elkinton, September I3, 1816; Joseph Walton,
and, wife, 'Abigail Walton, May 10, 1825; Robert Scotton,* May 8, 1822;
Joseph Battey and wife, Rebecca Battey, October 26, I836; Ebenezer Worth,*
May I, 1843; Solomon Lukens and wife, Susan Lukens, in October, 1849;
John Wood and wife, Susannah L. Wood, November 23, 1852; Samuel Whit-
son and wife, Rachel Whitson, November 6, 1854; Reuben Battin and wife,
Eleanor Battin, May 21, 1858; Abel H. Blackburn and wife, Caroline Black-
burn, in December, 1859; Abner Woolman* and daughter, Abigail Woolman,
April 4, i860; George W. Mott and wife, Abigail Alott, in May, 1872; Aaron
* Keturned to the Institute subsequently for a longer or shorter time.
44 History of Cattaraugus County.
P. Dewees and wife, Eunice Dewees, in October, 1873; George W. Mott and
wife, Abigail B. Mott, in September, 1880; Aaron P. Dewees and wife, Eunice
Dewees, in September 18S2; Aaron Dewees and wife, Miranda G. Dewees,
April I, [886; James Henderson and wife, Eunice Henderson, and Rebecca
\V. Bundy, in October 1S89.
In 1S07 the committee remark: "It is supposed near one hundred new-
houses have been built within a period of about three j-ears ; most of them are
well put up of hewn logs: many of them two stories high- and covered with
shingles; some have panel doors, and a great many have glass windows — and
kept much cleaner than formerl}-. Their farms are enclosed under good fence,
from seven to ten rails high; a much greater proportion of corn is planted this
year than has been heretofore, and it generally looks well ; divers of them
have raised wheat, oats, etc., and land is now clearing in many places to sow
with wheat this fall. The\- have a number of horses and a good stock of cattle
and swine, so that we belie\'e an evident change for the better has taken place,
and may, with satisfaction on returning, note that in the course of our journey
we have not seen one Indian the least intoxicated with liquor."
In 1809 the Friends residing at Tunesassa mention that "a ver}- satisfac-
tory progress has been made among the women and girls in learning to spin,
several have purchased wheels and commenced spinning at their own houses."
In 181 1 it is stated: "Out of one hundred and ten women residing on this
reservation, upwards of fifty have come forward to learn to spin, twenty-five
of whom are capable of making good yarn."
In 1812, Joseph Harlan had a school among them, which was soon dropped,
as the chiefs informed the Friends that they could not attend to sending their
children. In 1813, the Indians are said to have raised and sold considerable
quantities of grain to white people. A school was maintained at this time,
though attended regularly by but few children.
In 18 1 5, the committee state: "The residence of our Friends among the
natives during the commotion occasioned by the war appears to have been
especially useful, as is manifested by the speech of an old chief to the visiting-
committee in the ninth month last, who expressed the great satisfaction they
had that the Friends who lived beside them had remained so steady with
them through their difficulties. That although the great guns had roared so
loud as to shake the ground whereon they stood, yet they remained qviiet,
which convinced them that our Friends must be under the protection of the
Great Spirit. We feel thankful to them, said he, for staying by us; if they go
away we shall be alarmed and fly also."
In October, 1816, Joseph Elkinton opened a school for Indians, which was
continued during the winter, fifteen to twenty young men and children gener-
ally attending daily. This was continued for some years, but owing' to the
opposition of those <\'ho adhered to their old customs, it was discontinued ii-i
1 82 1. It was reopened in 1822. In 1817 there were se\'enty families on the
Mission of the Friends.
Allegany reservation. In 1823 a school was taught by one of the Friends in
a house erected by the committee on land belonging to Friends, attended
by a dailj' a\'erage of twenty children. A workshop was also erected
near the school. In 1S31 the property at Tunesassa, including the saw and
grist-mill, was rented to Ariel Wellman, Jr., and Lewis P. Thorp and Joseph
Elkinton returned to Philadelphia. In 1835 one of the chiefs remarked "that
they were two-thirds more comfortable than they were forty-five years ago."
In the autumn of 1835 a hea\'y rainfall, continumg with but little inter-
mission for three days, caused a great flood in the Allegheny river, b}- which the
flats along it were inundated, and a number of the Indians were compelled to
leave their homes and seek an asylum on higher ground. This was considered
a greater flood than had occurred for thirty-two years. The loss of crops on
the reservation was very great, and it was evident that unless some relief was
speedily furnished, many of the Indians and a great part of the cattle must
suffer, and perhaps perish from want. Two Friends visited them at this time
and inspected their condition. These reported that there were on the reser-
vation and at Cornplanter's, three hundred and thirty-seven adults and three
hundred and fifty-three children, and the provisions saved from the flood were
estimated at less than one-third of the whole, and that of the corn which was
saved, a great part was so damaged as to be unfit fpr use. In this emergency
the committee authorized the purchase of grain, etc., for immediate support
and for seed; and eight hundred and ninety-five bushels of corn, forty tons of
hay and one hundred and fourteen bushels of potatoes were procured for their
use and distributed among them. In June, 1836, another unusual flood
occurred, and Friends again assisted in relieving man_\- of the Indians from
want.
On the 26th of October, 1836, Joseph Kattey and his wife Rebecca arrived
at Tunesassa, and w ith Robert Scotton, during the following winter, made
arrangements for erecting a more comfortable house, to take the place of the
log house, which had become much dilapidated. In the autumn of 1842
another destructive flood occurred, and Friends again supplied the Indians
with potatoes, oats and corn, which there is reason to believe were in some
instances the means of preserving both them and their cattle from perishing.
The use of intoxicating drinks by the Indians and the sorrowful effects of
it has long been a cause of much anxiety and trouble. The committee remark
in 1848 that most of the white people who trespass on the reservation
" consider it their interest to encourage the natives in the use of ardent spirits ;
and regardless of the law which prohibits it, frequently keep the article to sell
to them. Influenced by the temptation thus presented to him, and by the
example and solicitation of wicked and designing men, the feeble resolutions
of the Indian are soon overpowered, and he becomes the victim of this
degrading habit."
In 1852 it was concluded to take some children as boarders in the family.
46 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
and a school-house which had been built some years before, near the river,
was moved into the yard adjoining the dwelling arid neatly fitted up, and a
school was opened in it on the 23d of December, 1852, with fourteen children
from the neighborhood and six girls from a greater distance admitted as board-
ers. The number of day scholars soon increased to thirty-six. It was soon
found necessary to enlarge the building, which was done in 1853, and accom-
modations provided for a larger number of scholars in the family. It was soon
found desirable to discontinue the day scholars, and for a number of years
past all of the children attending the school have resided in and formed a part
of the family.
In 1863 there were fourteen girls and four boys thus receiving instruction;
in 1873, twenty-four girls and five boys; in 1885, twenty-five girls and ten
boys; in 1889, twenty-five girls and fifteen boys; in 1890, twenty-five girls and
twenty boys; in 1870 a new tenant house was built; in 1878 a new barn was
erected, twelve acres of land were cleared ; in 1882, the school-house having
become too small for the increased number of pupils, it was removed and a
two-story frame building, capable of seating forty children, erected on its site.
In i'883 the saw and grist-mill, which had become quite dilapidated, was
taken down, and some of the timber suitable for the purpose used in making
an addition to the barn. In the nine years previous to 1884 seventy-five acres
of land were cleared by Aaron P. Dewees, and put under cultivation, thus
nearly doubling the area of the farm land, and other valuable improvements
were made.
On the night of February 24, 1886, the dwelling-house and school-house
adjoining it were destroyed by fire, together with nearly all of their contents,
yet all of the inmates escaped unhurt. During the summer of that year a new
building was put up at a cost, including the necessary furniture, of about
$12,500. This house is seventy-five feet in length from north to south, and
fifty feet in width, two stories high with a basement and attic, warmed by a
heater in the basement, and was ready for occupancy in the latter part of
November, 1886, when the school was again opened with twenty-five girls and
ten boys. A one-story frame building was added to the dwelling-house in 1S90
for laundry purposes.
The crops during 1891 "included ninety-two bushels of wheat- from twelve
acres, two hundred and fifty-si.x bushels of oats from six and one-half acres,
about one hundred and fifty bushels of shelled corn, and ninety-two bushels of
buckwheat from eight acres, sixty loads of hay from thirty acres, one hundred
and ninety bushels of potatoes from two acres, and five hundred bushels tur-
nips and seventy-five bushels carrots from one and one-half acres. The work
on the farm as well as the gathering of the crops has chiefly been done by the
help of the boys, who in this way, and in the necessary care of the live stock,
obtain many useful lessons in farming, and a training in habits of industr\';
while the girls in the performance of much of the work in the family, acquire valu-
Physical Characteristics. 47
able instruction in household duties, etc. The total amount of cleared land
on the farm is about one hundred and ninety-six acres, of which sixty-five
acres may be considered as under cultivation, and the balance of one hundred
and thirty-one acres as pasture land, from about fifty acres of which the stumps
have not yet been removed. The area of the tract, including the woodland, is
about four hundred and sixty-four acres, some two hundred and twentv-five
acres having been sold at different times within the last twenty years."
CHAPTER VI.
topoc;raphv of Cattaraugus county.
[By Charles G. Locke, Civil Engineer.]
IF IT were possible to produce a truthful and authentic history of the suc-
cessive geological changes through which this country has passed, and the
interesting incidents connected therewith could be fully described, what a
volume both of interest and value it would be. No imaginary embellishments
by ingenious writers would be necessary to give it a warm welcome in ever\-
library. Yet without this complete knowledge of what has transpired in past
ages, enough is known at the present day of the structure of the earth, its
present physical conditions, its unchangeable law of cause and effect, to arri\e
at reasonably accurate conclusions as to some facts of its past e.xistence.
Although no branch of knowledge is more interesting than that which teaches
the physical constitution of the world, no branch has been more neglected.
If the reader expects that a scientific treatise on this subject is to follow, he
will be doomed to disappointment. It would not only be inconsistent
with the nature of this article, but would be another edition of geology,
which had much better occupy a separate volume. The intention of the
writer is to give a description of the physical characteristics of that part
of the great State of New York known as Cattaraugus county, and in doing so
he is fully aware that he is a follower and not a leader, as several descriptions
have already been given, and were it not owing to the fact that his life thus
far has been spent among its hills and valleys, not as one whose business
confines him to one locality, but as one who has visited nearly every portion
of the county, measuring thousands of its acres, ascertaining and examining
many of its physical characteristics either in a professional capacity or out of
personal desire to become better acquainted with its past history, he would
not undertake so difficult a task.
It is the desire of thfe writer to give facts as he understands them, and
although a follower, as before stated, he must beg leave to differ with his
History of Cattaraugu.s Countv.
predecessors u-henever he feels that justice and duty to the subject demand it,
saying, however, in honor to them, that he fuHy beheves their intentions were
honest and their endeavors earnest, and if their descriptions were in any way
misleading, they made them so only through a misunderstanding or miscon-
ception of their subject.
Cattaraugus county, lying in the southwestern part of the great State of
New York, presents to one standing on an eminence a succession of hills and
valleys. To the careless or thoughtless observer it might seem as if this
uneven surface was moulded at creation's dawn, when the mighty upheavals of
the eozoic time gradually grew less and the surface was solidified and became
as it now exists. The student of science after a careful examination finds that
this county is rich in all that goes to prove its. past life. He finds its present
topography dates only back to the post-tertiar\- period, and that its present
outline was entirely formed during that period, which is the latest in geologi-
cal time. The different epochs may be traced by a careful examination of the
contents of the sand pumps of the many oil wells which are being and have
been drilled in the southern part of the county. In iS88 a well was drilled in
the town of Little Valley, near what is locally known as Little Rock City, to
a depth of twenty-seven hundred feet. At twenty-four hundred feet the drill
encountered what had every appearance, as its fragments were drawn to the
surface, of the well-known Trenton limestone, being gray in the upper beds
and black in the lower. At different depths were found valuable specimens of
brachiopods {spirifcr arciiosiis) and one fossil which appeared to be the liiigiila
antiqua. It is needless to say these specimens are carefully preserved. This
county is similar in topography to others known as the southern tier, and lying
next to the State of Pennsylvania. Nearh- the entire surface of the county
lies upon the upper members of the New York system of sedimentary rock and
generally all the series above the Hamilton group and limestone series. It is
really a vast system of watersheds, whose drainage is at different angles with
the main streams.
The Allegheny river is the largest of the main streams which flow through
the county and drains the most territory'. It enters the county from Pennsyl-
vania, crossing the south line at a point two miles west from the southeast
corner and flows north and west to its extreme northern point, which is at
the junction of Bucktooth creek. Here it takes a southwesterly course and
leaves the county at a point five miles east from its southwest corner. The
valley of the river is mostly occupied by the Allegany Indian reservation.
The hills bordering this valley are- generally high and abrupt, and it is a ■singu-
lar fact that the valleys of the tributaries of this river present the same feature
of being bounded by hills almost as precipitous as those along the river itself,
only that nearer the head waters of these tributaries the mountainous aspect
becomes modified. This is especially noticeable in case of the Ischua creek,
where in the town of Machias the hillsides bounding the vallev are no more
Physical Characteristics.
49
than gentle slopes. The country lying along Great Valley creek retains a
remarkable similarity in appearance to the river valley for a distance of more
than seventeen miles from its junction with the river, and that of the Little
Valley creek for about nine miles. The next stream in order of size is the
Cattaraugus creek, which rises in Wyoming county, and as it flows westerly
after entering this county it forms the natural boundary between this and Erie
county. The larger tributaries of this stream pass through valleys whose
environing hills, although somewhat irregular and broken, are by no means so
high and abrupt as those bordering the Allegheny and its tributaries, if we
except that portion of the affluent called the south branch, which passes
through what is known as Skinner Hollow and on to the main stream.
In respect to Cattaraugus creek a ver\- interesting chapter might be written,
but space forbids. The pencil of the artist could best portray its various
windings through its narrow valley, its boundary sharply defined by perpen-
dicular cliffs, whose -walls were so well constructed by the artisan of nature.
Some portions of its course along the northern border of the county are marked
by alluvial flats, but these are exceptions. By far the larger portion of the
distance traversed by the creek is noted for strikingly wild and picturesque
scenery, more especially that portion bordering the creek between the towns of
Otto in Cattaraugus and Collins in Erie county, where for several miles it flows
through a gorge whose sides are from one hundred and fifty to three hundred
feet in height and in places the edge at the top overhangs the sides at the
bottom.
The next stream we will notice is the Conewango creek, which term "Con-
ewango" signifies in Indian phraseology-, " walking slowly." Where is the
white man who could have given a name more appropriate, and where is the
stream that walks more slowly for a distance of thirty miles? A part of this
stream takes its rise in Chautauqua county and is augmented by tributaries
flowing northerly from the interior of this county into Chautauqua, where
after winding about in nearly ever}- direction the stream again enters Cattar-
augus county, and after flowing in a remarkably serpentine course for about
twenty-six miles it leaves the county at a point only five miles south from
where it enters. There can be no doubt that the valley of this stream was
once the bed of an ancient lake and even at the present time the annual over-
flow of this stream gives to the valley a very lake-like appearance, as thous-
ands of acres are submerged for a time.
The valleys in the southern part of the county extend in a northerly and
southerly direction, while those in the northern part are not confined to any
particular compass points, being east and west as well as north and south, yet
the final drainage is northerly in the northern part of the county. Extending
across the county in an easterly and westerly direction is what is called the
dividing ridge, which commences in Allegany county and extends westerly far
into Chautauqua. This high table-land, lying in places at two thousand feet
7
HisToRV OF Cattaraugus C(iuxtv.
above the sea, forms the di\ide between tlie waters flowing into the Cattar-
augus creek on the north and into the Allegheny on the south. This ridge is
not a clearly defined continuous extension, but is broken by numerous valleys
through which flow spring brooks arid small creeks, and many whose waters
flow northerly take their rise at points far to the south of others whose waters
flow south from extreme northern points. There are locations along this
divide where an ordinary sized dwelling might be built with the usual double
roof, whose northern and southern slopes would shed the rain in such a manner
that the water falling horn one side would reach the sea at a point more than
four thousand miles distant from the place where the water which fell from
the other side would reach it. This table-land was originally covered with a
heavy growth of deciduous trees intermixed with hemlock and some pine, and
this same description of the 'original forest would apply to the entire northern
portion of the county, excepting that the pine was generally found along the
low-lands. The southern part of the count}- was covered with forests of the
choicest pine and hemlock, with a mixture of deciduous trees. Here we find
the home of the white and red oak and chestnut, which apparently did not
like to cross the dividing ridge, as \ery little of this timber is found in the
northern part of the county.
The soil is generally a loam and varies greatly in depth and strength in
different localities. The hills in the northern part of the county are covered
with a much darker colored soil than those in the southern part, and perhaps
for certain cereals the dark soil might be better and more lasting; yet there
are no better grazing lands in the county than some of the hills lying south of
the dividing ridge. The soil in the valle)'s is mostly a gra\'elly loam, and with
proper care is highly producti\-e, and everywhere in the county the land
sloping toward the north and east is stronger and better for either grass or
tillage than that facing the south and west, owing to the fact that the prevail-
ing wind is from west to east and southwest to northeast, carrying leaves and
fine particles of earth from the western slopes to the eastern and northern,
thus creating a deeper soil. In winter the snows are blown from the western
slopes and lodged on the eastern, thus protecting vegetation with its mantle
of warmth, yet much good land may be found toward the south and west.
One important physical feature of this county seems to have been ignored
by the early settlers, and that was its elevation above the ocean. Perhaps it
was not well understood by them. Their methods of farming would lead us to
believe that they were ignorant of the fact, as they attempted to pursue the
same system that was pursued in counties lying in the eastern and central
portions of the State and more than one thousand feet lower in altitude.
After vainly trying to make this a winter wheat country, many moved away,
still clinging to the notion that the trouble was wholly in the soil. Those
who remained soon learjied that this was a grass country, and adopted a course
of farming such as nature had so plainly pointed out.
Physical Characteristics. 51
The average height of the hills is about two thousand feet above tide, and
some of the highest points, strange to say, are not on the dividing ridge, but
south of it. The highest land the writer has ever found in the county is in
the town of Napoli, on a sub-division of that town known as lot four. The
view from this point is fine beyond description, and will repav any one the
work of climbing to the summit. The view is best looking north, west and
east, as the southern view is somewhat obstructed by a near-b\- forest. From
observations taken with a transit telescope brought to a level, there was no
land in sight but what fell below the range of level, and a sight was taken so
far that the distant highlands of Canada could be faintly discerned across the
blue expanse of Lake Erie at a point a short distance west of Buffalo. This
point must be fully twenty-six hundred feet above tide, according to deduc-
tions made from the levels taken by the Erie railway survey, as much more
reliability can be placed on this method than by barometric observations.
There are hills in Great Valley of nearly as great an altitude, and in the
northeastern part of Mansfield. The lowest point in the county is at the
northwest corner of the town of Persia, where the Cattaraugus creek, flowinf^
northerly into Erie county, ceases to become the northern boundarv of Cattar-
augus county. This point is about seven hundred and forty feet above the
sea, and in spring foliage and vegetation are two weeks in advance of that on
the high lands in the interior.
As to whether a country possessing such features as above described would
be preferable for the home of the tiller of the soil to the prairies of the far
west, taking into account the extra expense of removing the forest and fitting
the soil for the production of food supply, must be answered by those in occu-
pancy, and even they are divided on this question. Many in possession of
good farms here bewail their mistake that they tarried here when the treeless
prairies with greater inducements invited them there and gave promise of
greater rewards for less labor; but that is not a question which should take
much time for discussion in an article like this. Owing to the fact that there
are now thousands of homes built up in places where a few years ago stood
the forest trees, and these homes are filled with an intelligent people who have
by their energy and thrift built institutions of learning all over this land, it
seems that already proof enough is before us to satisfy each and all that a
country lying high above the sea and back from the seaports and lakeports of
the mother State possesses certain powers, when properly developed, to make its
people prosperous and happy by means created within its own borders and by
its own people.
History of Cattaraugus Countv.
CHAPTER Vn.
ROCK FOR.MATIOX. PETROLEUNr.
AMONG men of science it has become the common if not the prevailing
opinion, that in the beginning all the elements with which we meet
were in an ethereal or gaseous state; that they were slowly condensed, •
existing for ages as a heated fluid, by degrees becoming more consistent; that
the whole earth was once a dense ball of fiery matter; that in the course of
time it was rendered very compact, and at last became crusted over as the
process of cooling gradually advanced, and that the interior is still in a molten
condition. Thus, if the view suggested be correct, the entire planet in its
earlier phases, as well as the larger part now beneath and within its solid crust,
was a mass of molten fire, and is known to geologists as elementary or
molten. Following this came another age, in which the molten mass began
to cool, and a crust to form, called the igneous period. Contemporaneous with
the beginning of the igneous period came another epoch. The crust thus
formed would naturally become surrounded with an atmosphere heavily charged
with minerals in a gaseous or vaporous condition. As the cooling advanced
the etherealized matter would condense and seek a lower level, thus coating
the earth with another rock. This is named the vaporous period. At last,
however, another age was ushered in, one altogether different from those that
had preceded it. The moist vapor which must of necessity have pervaded the
atmosphere began to condense and settle, gathering into the hollows and crev-
ices of the rocks, until nearly the whole surface of the earth was covered with
water. This is called the aqueous period. As these waters began to recede,
and the land began to appear, the long winter that intervened, while the sun
was obscured by heavy clouds, would cover the earth with mighty ice-floes
and glaciers, forming a drift or glacial period.
A great difference also exists in the consolidation and structure of the
rocks thus formed. The very newest consists of unconsolidated gravel, sand
and clay, forming alluvium. A little farther down we come to the tertiary
strata, where are some hardened rocks and others more or less soft. Next
below the tertiary is found thick deposits, mostly consolidated, but showing a
mechanical structure along with the crystalline arrangements of the ingredi-
ents. These are called secondary and transition. Lowest of all are found
rocks having a decided crystalline structure, looking as if the different min-
erals of which they are'composed crowded hard upon one another. These rocks
are called metamorphic, hypozoic, and azoic.
Geology, Rock Formatiox and Petroleum.
J. E. Hazard, of Randolph, kindly furnishes the following from the pen of
Prof. Hall of Albany, New York State Geologist: "The rocks of Cattaraugus
county are mostly of Chemung age (Upper Devonian). This formation
constitutes the rocks of the lower portion everywhere in the county. In the
southern townships, west of the Allegheny river, the highest hills are capped
by the rocks of the sub-carboniferous age. East of the Allegheny river the
greater elevation of the hills takes in the base of the coal measures. This
base of the coal measures is the " Olean conglomerate" (zeral conglomerate)
millstone grit, the true base of the productive coal measures, below which it
is useless to look for coal. It is not probable that any coal measures are to
be found abo\-e it, as no hills rise much higher. Everywhere in the countv,
so far as I know, all of the rocks have a nearly south dip of thirty to forty
feet in a mile, and are conformable. There are no elevations high enough
west of the AUeghen)- ri\-er to catch the Olean conglomerate, but east of the
river the higher elevations of the hills reach up to and a short distance above
it, but not enough to catch the productive coal measures' shales. North of
the river, the northern rise of the rocks carries the entire coal measures above
the highest hill-tops; and they are capped by rocks of the sub-carboniferous
age. Below this the Chemung age constitutes the entire rock system.
Nowhere in the county, so far as I have examined, do the rocks show any
disturbance or tilting. All of the hills and \alleys are made by erosion of the
streams which ha\'e swept the missing materials down the main drainage
streams. The rocks of Randolph and South V^allcy townships are almost
exclusively of Chemung age; only a few of the highest hills are capped by the
sub-carboniferous age. The rocks are sand-stones, conglomerates, flags and
shales with some red bands. The red rock mined by the Elko Mining
Company is one of these red bands, but its composition here is somewhat
different from what I have observed in some other localities, where it is of
coarser texture and more sandy and consequently unfit for paint."
Kerosene oil, produced by the process of distilling petroleum, has con-
stantly decreased in cost, and is now the illuminator of the people of nearly
the whole earth. "It blazes in Polynesia and Cathay; in Burmah, Siam and
Java the bronzed denizens toil and dream, smoke opium and swallow hasheesh,
woo and win, love and hate, sicken and die under the rays of this wonderful
product of our faithful caverns." ,
This wonderful illuminator has been stored away in nature's great maga-
zine, the bowels of the earth, until the progress in our civilization required' it.
The Indians of the Seneca nation discovered its existence on Oil Spring reser-
vation before they ceded the territory of western New York to Robert Morris.
This reservation is one mile square and lies on the line dividing Cattaraugus
and Allegany counties, and near the village of Cuba. On this reservation is
their famous oil spring, which they long prized for its medicinal qualities. The
Indians gathered the petroleum by spreading a blanket over the surface of the
54 History of Cattaraugus County.
spring until it became saturated witii the oil, and then wrung it out and sold
it as an efficacious medicine, which they properly named "Seneca Oil."
Petroleum exists in- several localities in Cattaraugus county. The valley of
Tunaengwant creek, in the town of Carrolton, lies on the northern border of
the "Bradford oil belt." In 1864 Dr. James Nichols, Henry Renner and
James Smith leased one thousand acres of land in the vicinity of Limestone
and sank a well on the Baillett farm. They reached oil at a depth of five
hundred and seventy feet, but not in paying quantities, probably because they
did not bore deep enough. It only developed the fact that oil did exist, and,
strange to say, the project was abandoned. In the fall of 1865 a well was
sunk by the Hall Farm Petroleum Company, three-fourths of a mile west of
the village before mentioned. This well, ten hundred and sixty feet deep,
yielded oil part of one day at the estimated rate of two hundred barrels per
day, but was ruined by accident before its capacity was fully known. The
property of this company was purchased by Job Moses, a capitalist from New-
York, the leading stockholder in the company, who purchased nine thousand
acres in addition to the Hall tract of twelve hundred, and leased one thousand
acres besides. 'He bored other wells, but his operations were unsuccessful
financially.
The successes of oil producers farther south impressed the people that
these wells were north of the oil belt. In 1875 an oil company began opera-
tions on the farm of Hiram Beardsley, on the west side of the creek, and near
the State line, and another on the farm of William Beardsley, also near the
State line. These wells when completed proved to be remunerative. New
companies, or combinations, were formed by the impulse given by this success,
and in a few months a forest of derricks covered the upper part of the valley
in Carrolton. In the fall of 1878 there had been two hundred and fifty wells
bored in the town. The Eureka and the Irvine F"arm Companies, each pro-
ducing one hundred and fifty barrels per day, were the most prolific. These
have gradually diminished in production to but a few barrels. Many of these
wells are pumped daily, although the average yield probably does not exceed
three or four barrels each. In the town of Allegany, a large number of
producing oil wells have been drilled, which aggregated about twelve hundred
barrels daily. The production is now pretty well exhausted. Wells have
been drilled at Rock City, and on Whig street in Little Valley, where gas
and a show of oil was found. Oil has also been found on Cattaraugus creek,
at or near the little hamlet of Zoar. Several wells there produce large quan-
tities of gas. Wells bored near Salamanca have produced gas only.
Organization" of the County. 55
CHAPTER VIII.
(ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, AND CHANGES IN CIYIL JURISDICTION.
CATTARAUGUS county is situated in the southern tier of counties of
the State of New York and with the exception of Chautauqua, is the
most southwestern county of the State. It is bounded on the north
b}' Erie and \\'\-oming counties, on the east by Allegany county, on the south
by the State of Pennsylvania, and on the west b\- Chautauqua county. It
contains an area of thirteen hundred and thirty-four square miles, and is two
hundred and sixt\- miles from the State capital in nearly a western direction.
Cattaraugus county was formed b\- an act of the Legislature of the State
of New York, March 11, 1808, from territon,- taken from Genesee county, and
e.xisted on paper only until 181 7. The territory of the county, by the act of
its formation, was provisionally annexed to Niagara county, and was to remain
a part of said county until there were within the borders of Cattaraugus county
five hundred taxable inhabitants, qualified to vote for member of Assembly,
and that thereafter the said territory should be organized as a separate county.
Eor judicial purposes, and the convenience of such of the inhabitants in
the eastern part of the new count}- as were obliged to "tend court," the east-
ern half of Cattaraugus county was annexed to Allegany county, by an act fo
the Legislature passed June 12, 1812. We quote the following portion of this
act: "All of that portion of the said county of Cattaraugus lying and situated
east of the east boundary line of the seventh range of townships of the Hol-
land Company's lands in the said county of Cattaraugus, shall be annexed to,
and is hereby considered as a part of, the county of Allegany, for all purposes
whatsoever."
The act of the Legislature dated March 11. 1808, forming this county, also
erected its entire territory into a town which was named Olean. June 16,
181 2, the Legislature confirmed the resolution of the voters of the town, passed
at a special town meeting held for the purpose on May 16, preceding, dividing
the town on a line between the third and fourth townships and creating the
town of Ischua, which comprised that part on the north side of said line,
Olean to remain and embrace the part south of the line.
April 13, 1 8 14, the Legislature formed the town of Perry from the west part
of the towns of Olean and Ischua, on the line between the sixth and seventh
ranges of townships.*
The county having acquired its requisite number of taxable inhabitants,
♦This Is a part of the provisions of the same act that atinexed the eastern half of the county to Allegany.
56 History of Cattarmu^us County.
(five hundred), qualified to vote for members of the Assembly, the county was
duly organized by " an act organizing the county of Cattaraugus," passed
March 26, 18 17, which declared "That the freeholders and the inhabitants of
Cattaraugus county shall have and enjoy the rights, powers and privileges
which the freeholders and inhabitants of any other county in this State are
by law entitled to have and enjoy." Since then Cattaraugus county has
remained a separate '' body politic."
A commission composed of Jonas Williams, Isaac Sutherland and Asa
Ransom was appointed to locate a county seat, and they selected the site of
the present village of Ellicottville, which was determined upon as the most
eligible, and to mark the spot a large iron-wood post was there erected.
The territory now em'braced in the limits of Cattaraugus county prior to
its erection into a separate county, like most other uninhabited and new
countries, has been subjected to numerous civil and municipal changes. In
1683 the Colonial Assembly of New York erected the twelve original counties :
Albany, Cornwall, Dukes, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange, Queens,
Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester. Under the so\-ereigns, William
and Mary, in 169 1, these counties were reconstructed and Albany county
included "the manor of Rensselsrswyck, Schenectada, and all the villages,
neighborhoods and Christian plantations on the east side of the Hudson river
from Roeloff Jansen's creek, and on the west side from Sawyer's creek to the
outmost end of Saraghtoga." Later acts extended its boundaries so as to
include all of New York to its northern and western limits. Tryon county
was erected from Albany in 1772, and included all of the province west of the
Delaware river, and a line draA\n northwardly through Schoharie, and along
the eastern boundaries of Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton, and continuing
thence north to the line of Canada. In 1784 the name was changed to Mont-
gomery in honor of the hero of the battle of Quebec.
In 1788 White's Town was formed in the western part of Montgomery
county, and was bounded " Easterly by a line running north and south to the
north and south bounds of the State, and crossing the Mohawk river at the
ford near and on the east side of the house of William Cunningham (in Genesee
street, Utica), and which line is the western boundary of the towns of
Herkimer, German Flats and Otsego; southerly by the State of Pennsyl-
vania, and west and north by the bounds of the State."
Cattaraugus county's territory underwent another change in 1789, when
Ontario county was erected from the western part of Montgomery (and the
western part of Whitestown), and contained all of Allegany, Cattaraugus,
Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans,
Steuben, Wyoming, Yates and a part of Schuyler and Wayne.
The town of Northampton in Ontario county was formed of all the
territory of the Holland Purchase, the Morris Reserve and the Mill Seat Tract.
March 30, 1802, Genesee county was formed from the town of Northampton.
Settlements and Improvements. 57
CHAPTER IX.
early settlements and internal improvements.
ADAM HOOPS, January 30, 1803, contracted with the Holland Land
Company for about twenty thousand acres of land lying in townships
No. 4 of the second and third ranges, No. i and No. 2 in the fourth
range. No. i and No. 2 iq the fifth range, and No. 2 in the si.xth range.
Major Hoops was a bachelor and had served in the Revolutionary war, and
vyas influenced to make the purchase by his nephew, Adam Hoops, Jr., who
had been employed as a surveyor by the Holland Land Company. As will
be seen at a glance at the map of the county, that part of his purchase in the
second range of townships lies in Allegany county, and all that part in
Cattaraugus county, except township No. 4 in range three, lies mainly in the
valley of the Allegheny river and includes the flourishing village of Olean.
A settlement was commenced in 1804 at Olean Point by David Heuston,
who was associated in the land purchase with Major Hoops and Robert
Hoops, who was the agent of his brother, Adam Hoops. Mr. Heuston was
accidentally killed in 1807, while engaged in jjetting out timber for spars. In
consequence of his early death, Mr. Heuston did not become very much
identified with the new settlement. Major Hoops was attracted to the loca-
tion by reason, as he suppo.sed, that it was situated at the head of steamboat
navigation on the Allegheny river, and was an important point in transit from
the east to the undeveloped west and southwest, a supposition that was never
realized to any extent. It is true that until the completion of the Erie canal
emigrants in considerable numbers came to Olean in time of high water to
take the easier and cheaper way to Cincinnati, en route to the Western
Reserve in Ohio, by working their way as helpers on the numerous lumber
rafts that descended the Allegheny, when its banks were filled with the
melting snow and heavy spring rains. There were times, the writer is informed,
when the population of Olean was temporarily more than doubled by
emigrants who had arrived too soon for a "rise" in the river, and on one
occasion at least two thousand were there, hoping for water to float them
away. Then even the "Old Boat House" kept by mine host, Ebenezer Reed
(who had a snug little family of only twenty-four children!), was not long
enough to shelter them all. They were distributed around where they could
find entertainment, and when every house was filled shanties were built of
boards for temporary 'use. Much hardship and suffering was endured at these
times, and pork sold for $50 per barrel and flour brought $25.
8
58 History of Cattaraugus County.
In 1807 the Allegheny river was by authority of law made a public high-
way, and that year Jedediah Strong, Bibbins Follett and Dr. Bradley ran the
first raft from Olean Point dov\n the Allegheny to Pittsburg. This successful
enterprise induced other lumbermen to try the new waterway and lumbering
became for many years the leading business of the people of Cattaraugus
county. This industry increased until 300,000,000 feet annually floated upon
the face of the Allegheny to Pittsburg. Necessity compelled those engaged
in this business to purchase supplies at Pittsburg, which were brought up the
river in flat-boats. This laborious process of going against the current was so
expensive that the cost of transportation of one hundred pounds of merchan-
dize from Pittsburg to Olean was Si. 25, while from Olean down the river to
Pittsburg it was done for twelve and one-half cents.
The settlement made under the auspices of Adam Hoops and David Heus-
ton at Olean did not increase rapidly, although their lands were offered for
sale on very reasonable terms and at a moderate price, as were the lands of
the Holland Land Company. The settlements at first were made within the
belt of the pine lands with the exception of the McClure settlement, (the site
of the village of Franklinville,) and perhaps because lumbering was the lead-
ing business little attention was given to the herculean task of clearing away
the hea\-y forest. The early settlers here as in other new countries were with-
out means, and the offer of remunerative wages in the mills and lumber woods
offered quicker pa\- than could be realized by the slow and laborious process
of clearing and then waiting for a crop to grow. Besides, no bright young
man thought himself accomplished until he had mastered the intricacies of
ri\er na\-igation of rafts and was known as an e.xpert pilot. Another and seri-
ous hindrance to the growth of the pioneer settlement was occasioned by the
inability of Mr. Hoops to give titles in fee to his lands, which were encumbered
by mortgages to the Holland Land Company. It is related by a preceding
historian (Everts) that John King, of the King settlement, urged as a reason
why the fertile bottom lands lying in the valley of the Allegheny river were
so slowly settled, was the ready facilities that the river afforded for removal
and getting away from the country ; that when the discouragementsinci-
dent to a new country o\'ertook them they could step aboard of a flat-boat
or raft and glide with the current away from the scene of their hardships, and
begin again in some imaginary better country, only to be again disappointed.
Those who had energy and courage, and came to stay, and possibly a few
who were too poor to remove, had reason to congratulate themselves years
later that they stayed and prospered.
In 1814, ten years after the' settlement was made, the total population of
the county was only 537. In 1820, 4,000; 1830, 16,724; 1840,28,872; 1850,
38,950; 1860,43,886; 1870,43,909; 1 880, 53,806; and in 1890, 60,866.
The pioneers who came and cleared up their farms, built school-houses,
highways and bridges, had a hard time without a doubt. They were hampered
Settlements axu Improvements. 59
with poverty, had bad roads, or no roads at all, and no markets, nor but little
to sell. About the only commodity that sold for money was black salts,
manufactured by leaching the ashes from the burned timber and boiling the
lye until it became a solid substance. The hunters deri\'ed an income for
killing wolv-es, which were an annoyance to the settlers and a terror to domes-
tic animals. A bounty of sixty dollars per head was paid for wolf scalps, and
some of the lucky Nimrods of the early days drove a thriving business in
hunting them. The forests then abounded in game; bears, deer, and land and
water birds were here in profusion. The rivers and brooks were filled with
speckled trout and other delicious fish. All of these have disappeared before
the march of all-conquering civilization.
As food, clothing and shelter are imperative necessities in civilized life, the
first care after the settlements of the several towns of the county was the
erection of grist-mills to reduce the farmers' grain to meal, saw-mills to cut
lumber, and wool-carding and cloth-dressing mills to furnish clothing. The
wool-carding and cloth-dressing establishments took the farmers' wool,
prepared it for spinning, then received it from the hands of the busy house-
wives, after they had woven it into flannel, and fulled, dyed and pressed it
into completed " homespun."
It is true, the early settlers had the hardships of pioneer life, but they were
not without enjoyment. While they worked hard and lived plain, the
demands of society were few. All were poor alike, and no caste existed.
They. were often called together at "raisings and bees," when the entire neigh-
borhood in a circuit of several miles, including both sexes, was all there.
When the ladies of the day assembled at their quiltings they deemed it abso-
lutely necessary to partake of their " toddy " at every roll of the quilt. All
went well until after the third rolling, when their tongues were usually swifter
than their needles, and they resolved the meeting into a committee of the
whole for the good of the neighborhood. On one of these occasions a good
old lady was so much interested in the meeting that she unconsciously departed
for home with her bonnet hindside before. In those early days spirituous
liquors were considered a necessity in every family. It was then used to keep
out cold and to keep out heat. It was necessary at raisings, bees, quiltings,
parties, weddings, neighborly visits, funerals, sheep washing, butchering, and
to entertain the minister when he called to inquire of the spiritual welfare of
his parishioners.
If these early pioneers did not find their lands ready cleared, as do the
pioneers on the western prairies, the first tree they cut was generally used
towards building a snug log house, which they made warm and comfortable.
W^hen they had their house completed, they had this advantage of the man on
the prairie, that they owed no one for their humble domicile, and besides had
made a small clearing'. They went slow, but had the satisfaction of seeing the
forests disappear year by year, and their cleared land correspondingly increase.
6o HisroRV OF Cattaraugus County.
As soon as they had a few acres cleared the fertile virgin soil supplied their
wants, and by a generous plan of the Holland Land Company, who gave them
more than the current price for their surplus cattle, they were able to gain a
clear title to their farms, although it generally required years of toil to support
and raise their families and accomplish it.
The navigation of the Allegheny river by rafts down the current, and by
flat-boats both up and down, is the only use that has been made of this
beautiful waterway as a bearer of burdens ; although one small steamer, on
one occasion, ascended as far as Olean.
The completion of the Erie canal in 1825, connecting Buffalo with New-
York, opened to emigrants a new region embraced in the State of Michigan,
and in Northern Ohio and Northern Indiana, by way of the canal and Lake
Erie, and virtually closed the Allegheny river route for west-bound emigration. ,
This had the effect to shock the sensibilities and to dispel the illusion of all
such as had so long considered that the route of the Allegheny river, west-
ward, was superior to all others. The advocates of this river as a \-aluable
waterway next bent their energies to connect it by a canal with the Erie at
Rochester. The friends of the measure kept the project before the State
Legislature until finally a petition of twenty-five hundred of the inhabitants
of the city of New York, and resolutions passed by the American Institute
and the common councils of New York and Brooklyn strongly recommending
its construction, influenced the Legislature to order a survey of the route in
1834 and the commencement of the Genesee Valley canal in 1836. It was
finally completed in 1856. Again the inhabitants of Olean entertained high
expectations of soon seeing their little village swell to the size of an imposing-
inland city. The canal was completed to Olean in 1856. By the efforts and
great influence of Hon. Samuel J. Mersereau, late of Portville, the canal was
extended to the hamlet of Millgrove, and was there connected with the
Allegheny river. The canal was continued until 1878, when it was closed and
abandoned by the State. It never realized but a small fraction of what its
friends expected of it, and never returned to the State but a small part of
what it cost for repa'rs.
April 24, 1832, the Legislature of the State of New York granted a charter
to Samuel Swarthwout, Stephen Whitney and their associates, representing
the New York and Erie Railroad Company, to construct a railroad from New
York city through the southern tier of counties in this State, passing through
Ovvego, in Tioga county, to Lake Erie. The preliminary surveys were com-
menced in 1834, and finally fixed the western terminus at Dunkirk. In the
spring of 1836 the only portion of the whole line which was located without
a possible doubt was between the mouth of the Callicoon and Deposit. This
section was then put under contract for construction. Such were the
discouraging natural impediments to overcome that nearly all of the remain-
ing line was changed (some of it several times) from the original survey. The
Ui't:.\i-\G OF iiiH Ekiii Raii.ruau. 6i
company was insolvent in 1842, and obliged to suspend payment, and its
affairs went into the hands of assignees. The State, under certain conditions,
had by an act passed April 25, 1838, granted the company a loan of $3,000,000.
In 1845 the State released its lien upon the road for its three millions on
condition that the company would complete the road by May i, 1851. The
company was successful in obtaining the necessary funds, and the road was
completed to Dunkirk early in April, 1851, and the directors made their first
excursion over the division from Hornellsville to that city April 22. A
correspondent of the New York B.vcning Post, who was one of the party, thus
reported the incidents of the journey.: "At Cuba the con\'oy reached the
untried and entirely new portion of the road. The distance thence to Dunkirk,
on Lake Erie, is seventy-nine miles. As the train passed various sections of
the road, the resident and superintending engineers and contractors joined
the party. At Olean the rushing waters of the Allegheny met their view,
covered with rafts floating on the great Father of Waters, and on its banks
gathered in groups the wondering children of the forest. For several miles
the road follows its banks through the Indian reservation, and the Indians,
whose attention was arrested by the shrill whistle of the locomotive, as it
thundered through their hitherto quiet domain, gazed with a sort of melan-
choly interest. There were no expressions of surprise in their countenances
at the rude disturbers of their peace, the precursor of their fate, the extermin-
ator of their race — the genius of mechanism. Throughout the whole valley,
called ' Little Valley,' the eye and attention are deeply interested, and the
exclamation ' Look! Look!' was constant.
"At Dayton, twenty miles more beyond, we came in \iew of Lake Erie,
lying before us and extending as far as the eye can reach. As the party
caught the first glimpse of the lake three hearty cheers broke from the
directors, engineers, contractors and the entire company of guests."
The final and triumphant celebration occurred on May 15, 185 1. The
following notable guests passed over the entire line with the officers of the
company and others: Millard Fillmore, president of the United States;
Daniel Webster, secretary of state, and all the other members of the
president's cabinet; Washington Hunt, governor of New York, and other
State officers. The people turned out 01 masse along the entire length of
road and greeted the party on..the train with bands of music and the booming
of cannon, and made it a day of general rejoicing.
Up to this time Cattaraugus county had no means of reaching the markets
of the eastern cities, and what little surplus in agricultural products the
farmers produced was nearly consumed by the cost of hauling it to Buffalo
with their teams, which required four or five days to make the round trip
under favorable circumstances. This railroad has proved to be the main
artery of commerce foj the county, and has added millions to its valuation,
and has infused life, activity and energy into every branch of business.
62 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
The New York & Erie railroad was constructed under its charter name,
and soon after its completion it was changed to that of the Erie railroad, by
which cognomen it was known until it again went into the hands of a receiver
and passed to the present proprietors, with the name again changed to New
York, Lake Erie & Western railroad ; but is more generally known under its
old name, "The Erie." This road and the leading thoroughfare of this county
enters the county at the northeast corner of the town of Hinsdale and follows
down the valleys of Oil and Olean creeks to the village of Olean, thence down
the valley of Allegheny river, through the towns of Allegheny, Carrolton and
Great Valley to Salamanca. From the village of West Salamanca its line is
through the town of Little Valley, across the extreme southwest corner of
Mansfield, through New Albion, the south part of Persia, the northeast part of
Dayton, where it makes a junction with the Buffalo & Southwestern Division,
and leaves the count}- about mid-way on the west line of the town of
Perrysburg.
The successful completion of the Erie railroad seemed to inspire the people
of the western part of this county and the inhabitants of Chautauqua county
with enterprise and a spirit for improvement. A meeting was held in James-
town on June 27, 185 1, to favor the project of constructing a railroad
connecting with the Erie at the village of West Salamanca, and passing
through Randolph and Jamestown to the city of Erie, Pa. Several meetings
were held, which resulted in the organization of a company under the name
of the Erie & New York City railroad. Funds were raised by subscription
and by bonding the towns along the line, (jround was broken for its
construction at Randolph, May 19, 1853. This worth}- enterprise dragged
along for lack of funds, with the last dollar expended, until 1858, and the
road not completed, when Sir Morton Peto, the head of an English company
of capitalists, purchased the road and it became a part of the "Atlantic &
Great Western Railwa}-," and was completed in 1861. In 1S64 its junction
with the Erie road was extended from West Salamanca to Salamanca. It is
now known by the name of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio. This
railroad is leased by the New York, Lake Erie & Western, and forms a part of
the Western Division of that company's grand system, commonly known as
the " Nypano" Division of the Erie railroad. ,
The Buffalo & Pittsburg Railroad Company was organized for the purpose
of connecting the city of Buffalo with the coal fields of Pennsylvania. It
received its charter and the work of construction was commenced in 1852.
Quite an amount of grading was done, but for want of means the project was
abandoned. March 14, 1856, the Buffalo & Bradford railroad was chartered.
On the 22d of March, 1859, ^^^ ^^^''^ railroads above named were consolidated
with the name of Buffalo, Bradford & Pittsburg railroad, and were completed
from Carrolton to Bradford, Pa., about 1865."
Later this company, through the Eric managers, extended their road to
Other Railroad Lines axd Changes.
Buttsville, and the Erie continued the line to Johnsonsburgh, where it con-
nects with the Pennsylvania railroad lines. The Buffalo & Pittsburg is leased
by the Erie and the whole line from Salamanca to Johnsonsburgh, Pa., is
known as the Bradford Division of the New York, Lake Erie & Western.
The Buffalo & Southwestern railroad now forms a part of the Erie system.
It was chartered in 1872, as the Buffalo & Jamestown railroad, and com-
pleted in July, 1875. The road was sold at auction in September, 1877, on a
judgment issued by the Supreme Court, to a committee representing the
Farmers' Loan & Trust Company of Buffalo. The committee made one and
the only bid, and the road was struck off to the company at its bid of one
million dollars. The name was changed to the Buffalo & Southwestern Divis-
ion of the Erie. The road enters the county at the village of Gowanda, in the
town of Persia, crosses the extreme southeast corner of the town of Perrys-
burg and travels diagonally across the town of Dayton to near the southwest
corner, where it passes into Chautauqua county. In its course it again enters
Cattaraugus county, in Conewango, and after traversing that town over five
miles it again enters Chautauqua county and passes on to Jamestown.
Besides the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad and its branches,
which in Cattaraugus county have a center in Salamanca, another important
thoroughfare to this county is the Western New York & Pennsylvania rail-
road, which has its center in the county at Olean. This road was chartered in
1865, and completed about 1874. It connects Buffalo with Emporium, Pa.,
and connects with the Pennsylvania railroad system, and opens a way to the
coal and iron districts and the great hemlock belt. The road was built largely
with Buffalo capital, and opens a large portion of productive countr\- to the
trade in Buffalo. The coal and lumber tonnage on this road is very large.
The Rochester Division of the Western New York & Pennsylvania leaves
the main track at the village of Hinsdale, and is built along the bed of the
abandoned Genesee Valley canal, and terminates at Rochester. The Olean
and Oil City Division of this road passes from Olean down the valley of the
Allegheny river to Oil City.
The Olean, Bradford & Warren, a narrow gauge railroad, was chartered in
July, 1877, and completed February i, 1878. It gains an altitude of one
thousand feet in a distance of five miles. This project originated in the mind
of Hon. Charles S. Gary, who was its first president. The road is owned by
the Western New York & Pennsylvania.
The Rochester & State Line Railroad Company was organized in 1867, and
was intended to connect Rochester with Salamanca, passing through the towns
of Le Roy, Warsaw, Machias, and Ellicottville. In August, 1872, arrange-
ments were made with the Cattaraugus Railway Company, and the road was
completed from Machias to Salamanca, and was re-organized as the Rochester
& Pittsburg. It again changed ownership and is now the Buffalo, Rochester
& Pittsburg railroad.
64 History of Cattaraugus County.
The Buffalo Di\-ision of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg enters the
county at the north line of Ashford, and passes through that town into
Ellicottville, where it forms a junction with the Rochester Division at Ashford
Junction. The Rochester Division enters the county from Rochester near
the northeast corner of Freedom, crosses the track of the Western New York
& Pennsylvania railroad at Machias Junction and unites with the Buffalo
Division at Ashford Junction. From Ashford Junction the company runs
regular trains to Punxsutawney, Pa., passing through Ellicottville, Great
Valley, Salamanca, Carrolton, Limestone, in this county, and Bradford, Pa., to
its terminus. On the return of passenger trains to Ashford Junction, trains
are prepared simultaneously and start immediately for their respective desti-
nations, Rochester and Buffalo.
Lackawanna & Pittsburg is the present nam.e of the narrow gauge railroad
that extends from Olean to Bolivar. It was chartered under the name of
Lackawanna & Southwestern railroad.
CHAPTER X.
CIVIL LISTS. EDUCATIONAL. RLLIOIOX. CARE OE THE POOR.
MEAHSERS HE Co.vORESS. — Timothy H. Porter, [S25-27; Staley K.
Clarke, 1841-43; Asher Tyler, 1843-45 ; Frederick S. Martin, 1S51-53;
Dr. Henry \'an Aernam, 1865-69 and 1879-81 ; Nelson L Norton,
1875-77; William G. Laidlaw, 1890-92.
State Sen.\T0RS. — The Senate of the State of New York consists of thirty-
two members who are elected in November of every alternate odd numbered
year, and hold their offices for two years from the first of January next suc-
ceeding. The State is divided into thirty-two districts, each electing one sen-
ator. The senators receive the annual salary of §1,500 and also one dollar for
each ten miles traveled in going to or returning from the place of meeting
once in each session. Ten dollars per da}- in addition is allowed when the
Senate alone is convened in extraordinary session, or when acting as a court for
the trial of impeachments. The lieutenant-go\'ernor is cx-officio president of
the Senate, and has the casting vote therein.
Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties comprise the Thirty-Second District.
Those who have represented it from Cattaraugus county are: Timothy H.
Porter, one year in 1823, and 1828-31 (then the 8th District): Chauncey J.
Fox, (filled vacancy) in 1835, was elected 1836-39 (8th District); Thomas J.
Wheeler, 1846-47 (old 6th District); .Frederick S. Martin, 1848-49; Robert
State Senators and Assemblymen. 65
Owen, 1850-51; Roderick White, 1856 (died in office); John P. Darhng,
1857 (filled vacancy), and served in 1858-59; Horace C. Young, 1862-63;
Norman M. Allen, 1864-65; Allen D. Scott, 1870-71; Norman M. Allen,
1872-73; Albert G.. Dow, 1874-75; Commodore P. Vedder, 1876-77 and
1884-91 ; James T. Edwards, 1892-93.
Members of Assembly. — The Assembly consists of one hundred and
twenty-eight members, who are elected annually by districts. Each county
is entitled to at least one mem.ber. Their compensation is $1,500 per annum
and one dollar for each ten miles traveled in going to and returning from the
place of meeting, once in each session. Should they be called upon to serve
as managers of an impeachment, like the senators in such service, they are
entitled to ten dollars per day additional. The Assembly chooses its officers
at the opening of the session.
From the formation of Cattaraugus county until 1822, Cattaraugus, Chau-
tauqua and Niagara counties formed but one Assembly district, and was
represented by a single representative until 1815, when the district was allowed
two representatives. This continued until Cattaraugus county became a
separate Assembly district, with but one assemblyman, until 1836, when
under the new apportionment it was entitled to two representatives. In 1892
it was again reduced to but one representative.
In 1814-15 Joseph McClure represented the district composed of the three
counties first named. Those named in the list following represented Cattar-
augus county after it became a separate Assembly district:
Stephen Crosby, 1823; Phineas Spencer, 1824; Daniel Flodges, 1825;
James McGlashen, 1826; John A. Bryan, 1827; James McGlashen, 1S2S;
Elavil Partridge, 1829; Stephen Crosby, 1830; Ru.sscll C. Mubbard, 1831;
George A. S. Crooker, 1832, 1839-40; Chauncey J. Vox, 1833-34; Albert
G. Burke, 1835; David Day, 1836; Tilly Gilbert and Phineas Spencer,
1837; Nelson Green and Timothy H. Porter, 1838; George A. S. Crooker
and Mollis Scott, 1839; Timothy H. Porter and G. A. S. Crooker, 1840;
Alonzo Hawley and Chester Howe, 1841 ; Samuel Barrows and Lewis P.
Thorp, 1842; Alonzo Hawley and Elijah A. Rice, 1843; James Burt and
Marcus H. Johnson, 1844; Roderick White and Seth Field, 1845; Gideon
Searle and E. A. Rice, 1846; Rufus Crowley and Joseph E. Weeden, 1847;
James G. Johnson and Marcus H. Johnson, 1848; S. R. Crittenden and Horace
C.Young, 1849; f". S. Martin and Horace C. Young, 1850; A. A. Gregory
and William J. Nelson, 185 i ; S. S. Cole and Alexander Sheldon, 1852; Daniel
Hicko.x and M. H. Baker, 1853; William H.Wood and James Kirkland, 1854;
Alexander Storrs and James Kirkland, 1855; L. D. Cobb and Daniel Buck-
lin, 185b; Alanson King and Rufus Crowley, 1857; Henry Van Aernam and
William Buffington, Jr., 1858; Marsena Baker and William Buffington, Jr.,
1859; Ulysses P. Crane and James M. Smith, i860; Nelson I. Norton and
Franklin Philbrick, 1861 ; Andrew L. Allen and Addison G. Rice, 1862;
9
66 History of Cattaraugus County.
Andrew L. Allen and Albert G. Dow, 1863; Smith Parish and Albert G. Dow,
1864; William P. Angel and E. Curtiss Topliff, 1865-; William McVey and E.
Curtiss Topliff, 1866; Heman G. Button and W^illiam E. Hunt, 1S67; Jonas
K. Button and E. Curtiss Topliff, 1868; William H. Stuart and C. V. B. Barse,
1869; George N. West and Stephen C. Greene, 1870; Stephen C. Greene and
Claudius Y. B. Barse, 1871 ; Commodore P. Vedder and Enoch Holdridge,
1872; C. P. Vedder and John Manley, 1874; C. P. Vedder and Samuel Scud-
der, 1875; Harrison Cheney and Edgar Shannon, 1876; Thomas J. King and
Edgar Shannon, 1877; Thomas J. King and Simeon V. Pool, 1878: Wm. F.
Wheeler and Simeon \". Pool, 1879; Charles P. Ingersoll and James Prender-
gast, 1880; Zenas G. Bullock and J. Miller Congdon, 1881; Samuel H. Brad-
ley and J. M. Congdon, 1882; Elisha M. Johnson and Elijah R. Schoonmaker,
1883; Charles S. Gary and Elijah R. Schoonmaker, 1884; Frederick W. Kruse
and Eugene A. Nash, 1885 and 1886; Frederick W. Kruse and Erastus S.
Ingersoll, 1887 and 1S8S; Harrison Chcne\' and James S. \\"hipple, 1889;
Burton B. Lewis and James S. Whipple, 1890; Burton B. Lewis and James S.
Whipple, 1891 ; William E.Wheeler and Solon S. Laing, 1892: William E.
Wheeler, only, 1893.
County Jui;)(;ks. — L'ntil the change in the constitution of the State in
1846 the presidhig officer of the county courts was styled "First Judge," and
officiated by appointment. Since that date the office of count}- judge has
been elective by the voters of the county.
First Jjidgcs. — Elijah Miller, appointed March 13, 1817 (did not serve);
Timothy. H. Porter, March 28, 1817; James Adkins, June i. 1S20; Alson
Leavenworth, January 25, 1823; and Benjamin Chamberlain, February 15, 1833.
County Judges, and li'Iicn elected. — Rensselaer Lamb,' June, 1847: Chester
Howe, November, 1851; Nelson Cobb, November, 1855; Allen D. Scott,
November, 1859, appointed, I'iee Cobb, removed from the county: William
Woodbury, November, 1859; David H. Bofles, November, 1S63; Rensselaer
Lamb, appointed January, t866; Samuel S. Spring, November, 1S70; William
H. Henderson, appointed, vice Spring, deceased; Allen D. Scott, elected to
fill vacancy, November, 1875. He was elected for a full term in November,
1876, and succeeded by O. S. Vreeland, the present judge of the county.
District Attorneys. — John A. Bryan, 1818; Timothy H. Porter, 18 19;
Samuel S. Haight, 1822. The dates following are when the officers qualified:
Timothy H. Porter, June 16, 1824; John A. Bryan, June 19,1827; Anson
Gibbs, October 13, 1829; James Burt, October 10,1834; Daniel Reed Wheeler,
February 5, 1841 ; William Pitt Angel, February 7, 1844; William H.
Wood, December 23, 1850; Alexander Sheldon, November 29, 1853; W'illiam
Pitt Angel, January 3, 1857; Samuel S. Spring, elected November, 1859;
Merrill T. Jenkins, elected November. 1865; William G. Laidlaw, November,
1871 ; Frank W. Stevens, November, 1878; George M. Rider, 1884; and James
H. W'aring, present incumbent.
Civil Officers of the County. 67
Surrogates. — Jeremy Wooster, appointed March 28, 1817, and Febru-
ary 12, 1821; Walter Wood, June i, 1820; Moses Beecher, April 16, 1830;
Robert H. Shankland, February- 9, 1838, and 1847. The duties of this
office by the amended constitution devolved on the judge of the county
at the close of Mr. Shankland's term, until 1857, ^^hen the county had
a population of more than 40,000, when Allen D. Scott was appointed to
the office April 28, 1857, and was elected to the position in November,
1861. His successors are Arunah Ward, elected in November, 1865 ; William
Manley, November, i'869; James D. McVey, November, 1873; Hudson
Ansley, October 14, 1879, succeeded by Alfred Spring, January i, 1880;
Charles D. Davie, present incumbent.
Sheriffs. — The sheriff^ for the county were appointed until 1822. Since
then the office has been filled by election except in cases of vacancy occurring
in unexpired terms. Israel Curtis, appointed March 28, 1817; Benjamin
Chamberlain, February 17^ 1820, and February 12, 1821, and elected 1825;
Jacob Downing, June i, 1820; Ebenezer Lockwood, 1822; Henry Saxton,
1828; Henry Wooster, appointed, January 19, 1831, in place of Mr. Saxton,
resigned; John Hurlburt, appointed in place of Mr. W^ooster, deceased;
Samuel Barrows, 1831; Abram Searle, 1834-40; Richard Wright, 1837;
George W\ White, 1843 : John Palmer, appointed in place of White, deceased ;
Alonzo A. Gregory, 1846, 1852 and 1858; Addison Crowley, 1849 ^""^ '855 :
Benjamin McLean, November, 1861; Richard Welch, November, 1864; Will-
iam Cooper, Jr., November, 1867; William M. Brown, November, 1870
William W. Henry, November, 1873; George L. Winters, November, 1876
Gilbert L. Mosher, November, 1879; John Little, Jr., November, 1882
Adclbert E. Darrow, November, 18S5; M. N. Pratt. November, 1888; William
B. Hughes, November, 1891.
COUN'TV Clerks. — The dates given are the time the clerks began the
duties of the office. Sands Bbuton, May 28. 1817, and January i, 1823;
Ebenezer Lockwood, July 21, 1820; Joseph McClure, March 3, 1821 ; John
W. Staunton, January 2, 1826, January i, 1829, January i, 1832, and January
i; 1835; Francis E. Bartlett, January i, 1838, January i, 1844, and January i,
1847; George W. Gillett, January i, 1841; James G. Johnson, January i,
1850; Enos H. Southvvick, January i, 1853; Thomas Morris, January i, 1856;
Enos H. Southwick, January i, 1859; Thomas A. E. Lyman, January i, 1862;
Samuel C. Springer, January i, 1865; Enos C. Brooks, January i, 1868;
William W. Welch, January i, 1871 ; Eugene A. Nash, January i, 1874;
Arthur H. Howe, January i, 1877; Warren J. Rich, 1880; Charles W. Terry,
1883; Albert T. Fancher, 1886; Henry S. Merrill, 1889, re-elected November,
1891.
County Treasurers. — Sylvanus Russell, March 28, 1817, to 1821 ; Daniel
Hodges, 1821; Staley' N. Clarke, 1824 to 1841 ; Marcus H. Johnson, 1841 ;
Truman R. Colman, 1844; Daniel L Huntley, 1847; Charles P. Washburn,
68 - History of Cattaraugus County.
1848; John P. Darling, 1851; Stephen McCoy, 1854; J. King Skinner, 1857,
1863 and 1S66; Dr. Lambert Whitney, i860; Alonzo Hawley, 1869, and
appointed to fill vacancy February 22, 1878; Jarius Strong, 1876; Henry O.
Wait, elected in Xovember, 1878, is the present incumbent, has held the posi-
tion continuous!}.- to the present time (1893) and has just entered upon
another term of three years.
Superixtexdexts of Schooes. — By an act of the State Legislature
passed April 17, 1S43, the office of superintendent was created, and the law
then enacted made it the duty of the Boards of Supervisors to make appoint-
ments of superintendents of common schools in their respective counties
throughout the State. The office was held in the West District of this county
by Elijah A. Rice of East Otto and Samuel Ewing of Randolph, and in the East
District by Joseph H. Wright of Machias and Edward Taylor. This ofifice
was abolished March 13, 1847, ^"d the supervision of the common schools was
delegated to tow n superintendents until the office of school commissioner was
formed by act of the Legislature, and the first election was held under its pro-
visions in No\ember, 1859. Those who have fiUed the office successively in
the First District of this county are Duncan R. Campbell, Lyman Packard,
Thomas Edgarton, William G. Laidlaw, Frank A. Howell, Xcwton C.
McCoon, Sanford B. McClure, J. H. Challis, G. W. Boyce, and S. N. Wheaton.
Second District: S. N. Slosson, Norman M. Allen, George A. Gladden, John
Archer, Jerome L. Higbee, Henry M. Seymour, Reuben J. Wallace, Joel J.
Crandall, Henn,- A. Soule, and Clark D. Day.
EdL'CATIOX. — Simultaneous with a neighborhood of half a dozen pioneer
families appeared the primary school, taught in some abandoned log cabin, or
in the living room of a public spirited family, who for the education of their
children would generously open their door for that purpose. When the
settlement had increased a school district was formed, and a log school-house
was erected by calling together the entire neighborhood, which proceeded to
build the structure by placing log upon log until the desired height was
reached, and then roof it over with hand-made shingles. The seats and desks
were not the modern patent easy luxuries, but slabs from the nearest saw-
mill, pierced with holes with a two-inch auger, in which were inserted round
wooden legs cut from the adjacent forest. The writing counter was a plain
board placed against the wall of logs, at a proper height, with the inner edge
inclined from a level towards the pupils. The bench was arranged in front of
this counter, and when the youth wished to improve his "hand writing" by
plying his gray goose-quill he turned around to his table by swinging his feet
over his seat, and was generally started off by his teacher with the admonition
to "take pains and write slow." The three R's usually comprised the curric-
ulum, viz.: Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic. These primitive log structures
answered the double purpose of a school-house and a place of public worship.
They have long since become a thing of the past, and the present well painted
Education and Religion. 69
and neat school edifice, with the stars and stripes floating over it, is one of the
pleasant objects we see at intervals of two or three miles all over Cattaraugus
county.
The common school system of the State of New York was first placed
under the supervision of a State superintendent in 1812, and Gideon Hawley
was appointed to the position. . The sum of §50,000 was annually distributed
to the-counties of the State, and the Boards of Supervisors were required to
raise an equal amount. The school system has been amended and improved
from time to time, until the doors of our common schools — the people's
colleges — have been thrown wide open, and every son and daughter of school
age in this State is invited freely to enter and receive a substantial education.
The State appropriation of S50.000 in 18 12 has increased to the sum of
S3'779-395-75 i" 1891. Cattaraugus count}-, on a valuation of $17,613,593,
paid into the State treasury for the support of common schools $17,613.59 and
received back from the State for the support of schools from the tax paid by
the whole State on the basis of one mill on each dollar of valuation, or
§51,588.32, and from the Common School Fund the further amount of
83,841.37, or a total of $55,429.69. Besides this amount there was raised by
ta.xation in the districts of the county, for school purposes, the sum of
$108,382.24. The territory of the county is dix'ided into 284 school districts,
which are under the supervision of two school commissioners, each havino-
jurisdiction over a special commissioner district. Schools are maintained in
all of these districts, taught by 421 teachers during the past school year.
There are residing in the county 18,894 children between five and twenty-one
years of age. The number of school-houses in the county is 297, of which
si.xteen are fine brick edifices, 280 are framed buildings, and one is a log-house.
These with the sites on which they stand are valued at $364,281.
Relkjion. — It appears that the early pioneers of Cattaraugus county, as a
whole, had neither the ability nor inclination to do anything towards the sup-
port of Christian religion. They claimed that they had quite enough to do in
keeping "the wolf of hunger" from their humble cabins by laboring seven
days every week. It became a proverb, and was often quoted, that " the Sab-
bath day did not extend westward beyond the Genesee ri\'er." Like other
new countries the neighborhoods were so sparsely settled that for years it was
impossible to gather the settlers into congregations of any considerable num-
bers; and when Sunday came, if they did not labor, they made it a holiday.
In looking over this religious dearth several religious associations sent mis-
sionaries to preach the Word to them. Among these first to come was Rev.
Robert Hubbard, a Presbyterian missionary located at Angelica, who pene-
trated the wilderness in 18 10 as far west as the present town of Lyndon, and
held service at the house of Seth Markham. He is described as a considerate,
benevolent gentleman, who filled one side of his spacious saddle-bags with
crackers and delicacies, which he distributed to the sick whom he found when
History of Cattaraugus County.
he made his pilgrimages to the lonely settlers. Rev. John Spencer, a Congre-
gational missionary sent out in 1809 by the Co_nnecticut Missionary Society to
the Holland Purchase, found his way to Cattaraugus county in 18 13. He was
an acceptable missionary who died in Sheridan, Chautauqua county, in 1826,
aged si.xty-eight years. He was familiarly and affectionately known far and
near as " Father Spencer." About 18 14 Elder Nathan Peck, a Methodist
missionary, held meetings at Yorkshire Corners, where he established, (as is
believed) the first stated religious service in this county, excepting that of the
Mission of the Friends, established at Tunesassa in 1798. The first building
devoted exclusively to divine worship was erected in the town of Napoli
about the year 1823. It was constructed of logs, and was situated about
a mile southwest of the postoffice. In September, 1831, a new frame building
was erected by the same society (Presbyterian) in Napoli Center, which was
the first framed meeting-house in the county. The first organization of a
Protestant Episcopal church was in Ellicottville in 1827. Their earliest rectors
were Revs. Reuben H. Freeman and Alexander Frazer. Among the prom-
inent early Baptist clergymen were Elders Beckwith, Eliab Gowing, and Eben-
ezer V^ining. The Freewill Baptists were represented by Elder Judah Bab-
cock in the town of Yorkshire as early as 181 7 and by Elder Richard M. Carey
in 1820. This denomination held meetings in Perry in 18 16 and in Machias
in 1818. Rev. Joseph Bartlett was the pioneer preacher of the Christian
church in 1815. in the town of Otto. As early as 1835 there was a Universal-
ist clergyman, Rev. J. Todd, stationed in Ellicottville, Rev. C. Morton, of the
same sect, in Conewango, and Rev. S. A. Skeele in Farmersville.
The Dutch Reformed church was organized in Farmersville as early as
1835. Re\-. O. H. Gregory was then the of^ciating clergyman. The Roman
Catholic church was planted in the county by Bishop Tiinon about 1845, '^'id
as near as now ascertained the first church organization was that of St.
Phillip Neri's church in Ellicottville on September 20, 1S48.
Sketches of the graded schools and academies, and of the churches, are
given separately in the respective towns where they are situated.
The County Alms-House and Far.M.* — Those who from age, infirmity,
or otherwise become unable to support themselves, and are so unfortunate as
to be obliged to rely upon public charity for support, are cared for, in con-
formity with the laws of the State, at the county alms-house. The buildings
are ample, airy and comfortable and warmed with steam. The inmates are
comfortably clothed and kindly cared for by the present keeper, Claude C.
Trumbull, who is ably assisted by his wife. The board is good and whole-
some. The inmates are expected to be cleanly and to observe sanitary rules.
On the whole they are made welcome, and feel that the house is their home.
The Cattaraugus County Aims-House and Insane Asylum is in the town
of Machias, upon the westerly shore of Lime Lake, a clear, beautiful body of
*Cy Aruuah Ward, Esq.
Thf: Alms-House and Ixsaxe Asvlu.m. 71
water about one and a half miles in length and one-half mile in width, navi-
gable for steam and sail boats, and a great pleasure resort in summer. The
county farm proper contains two hundred acres of fine level farming land,
bordering upon the lake. The alms-house and insane asylum is located upon
a slight elevation near the shore of the lake. The farm was purchased and
the site located and established in 1833, and buildings erected and first
occupied as an institution for the poor and insane in 1834, all under one
management. The first keeper was Mr. Farley, of Conewango, and the first
superintendents of the poor, having the construction and management of the
building, were E. Harmon, Levi Peet, and Thomas J. W'heeler. The subse-
quent keepers were Mr. Hill, Howard Peck, Moses Durfee, Nathan Hadley,
L. G. Peck, Pardon T. Jewell, J. E. K. Button, William Follett, and Claude
C. Trumbull, the present incumbent. The subsequent superintendents of the
poor, ha\'ing the o\ersig]it and management of the county farm and poor
department, are W. M. Farrar, John A. Kinnicut, Calvin Con\'ersc, John
Palmer, H. G. Button, Nathan Follett, N. M. Allen, James M. Smith, C. T.
Lowden, Jerome B. Jewell, Arunah Ward, Hiram Velsey, David Lang, John
H. Groves, Mr. Merrill of Dayton, A. S. Lamper, S. C. Green, F-rank Strick-
land, Fred Truby, and H. J. Trumbull, the present incumbent. The county
physicians having had the charge of the medical department of the institution
are Drs. Isaac Shaw, J. M. Copp, J. L. Eddy, Thomas J. King, and the
present physician, Clarence King.
Since the j'ear 1857, and up to 1S85, eight insane persons who had been
adjudged lunatics, and sent from this count}' to the State Lunatic As\'Ium at
Utica, were there treated the two \"ears allowed b}- the rules of that institu-
tion for the recovery of patients, and were declared by the faculty to be
incurable, were returned as incurable to the asj-lum at Machias. And after
being properly treated there by the resident physician and humane keepers for
a seasonable time, they recovered their reason and were discharged and
returned to their homes and friends.
The principal department, a fine stone building, was erected in 1868 at an
expense of about §19,000. To this have been added other buildings, forming
a complete system of apartrhents ample for the accommodation of at least
one hundred and fifty inmates, including the insane. Attached to the
institution is a well arranged steam laundry and bath-room. About the 5th
of July, 1892, thirty-nine of the insane inmates were removed by the State
authorities to the State Insane Asylum at Buffalo, at an increased expense to
Cattaraugus county of at least three dollars per week for each of those thus
removed. At the present time there are about ninety inmates supported in
the institution.
History of Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER XI.
THE GREAT LUMBER INDUSTRY.
[By Frederick Larkin, M. D.]
WHEN the white man first began to explore the lands located in Cattar-
augus county he was astonished at the vast amount of towering
pines and hemlocks that dotted the hills with living green. Along
the great tributaries of the Allegheny river the hillsides were resplendent with
great monarchs that were ushered into life centuries before Columbus dreamed
of a New World. Such a great amount of pine timber had a powerful attrac-
tion for persons desirous of engaging in the manufacture of lumber — hence, in
the early part of the present century the lumber business commenced, and has
been continued for more than eighty years, and has added millions to the
wealth and prosperity of Cattaraugus county.
In the early days of the lumber interest there was a great drawback to a
successful business in many parts of the county on account of finding a market,
but the Allegheny river proved to be a thoroughfare that has floated upon its
crystal waters hundreds of millions of the most valuable lumber that America
has ever produced.
The first saw-mills located in the county were run by water, and located on
streams that pay tribute to the great river. The mills were mostly made to
run with a single saw, about six or seven feet long, and were able to cut from
three to four thousand feet in twenty-four hours. A great change has taken
place since the advent of steam and circular saws. Many of these mills are
capable of sawing from one to two hundred thousand feet of lumber a week.
The town of Olean, located as it was on the Allegheny ri\-er, was the first
section of Cattaraugus county that attracted the lumber interest. Here were
magnificent forests of pine, man}- of which were from three to four feet in
diameter, and reaching towards the heavens more than two hundred feet. In
1804 Major Adam Hoops purchased of the Holland Land Company a tract of
land comprising twenty thousand acres, on a portion of which the village of
Olean is now located. At that time the eastern people, mostly from Connec-
ticut, were settling on and near the banks of the Ohio ri\'er. Marietta,
the first permanent settlement, was attracting a great number of enterprising
emigrants to that new Eldorado. As the land route was over the mountain-
ous part of Pennsylvania, the pilgrims selected the Allegheny river, whose
waters would land them in safety upon any of the. fertile banks of the Ohio.
The place of embarkation was Olean, which was soon alive with a busy throng
Lumbering axd Rafting. y-^
building rude rafts to float them with speed and safety to their place of des-
tination.
Olean at that time had a wonderful boom, and demanded lumber in con-
siderable quantities to build structures to accommodate the people that were
watching the moving of the waters of the river. So great was the rush of
people that six hundred could be counted frequently at one time. To supph-
all these with facilities to float down the stream, there was a great demand for
lumber, hence Major Hoops, with every facility within his reach, erected a
saw-mill on Olean creek, which at first was designed to supply lumber for
building up the village and those that were converting portions of the great
wilderness into cultivated farms. At that time Pittsburg, located at the junc-
tion of the Alonongahela a.nd the Allegheny, had become a prominent and
growing town, and as the soil there was not adapted to the growth of pine
timber that city called loudly upon the great pine forests located upon either
side of the upper Allegheny river. During the months of winter the sound of
the woodman's axe could be heard leveling the great pines that had defied
the winds and storms of more than five hundred years.
In 1807 Willis Thrall and William Shepard erected a saw-mill on the Olean
creek, about three miles above its mouth. This mill was the first that
manufactured lumber to be floated clown the river to find a market. After
disposing of a portion to build boats to supply the numerous travelers waiting
for a passage upon this great and picturesque thoroughfare, the remainder
was formed into "rafts" and floated down to a southern market. The lumber
platforms in the upper Allegheny were rafted sixteen feet scjuare and, for
pine lumber, twenty courses deep. These platforms were coupled together
to the number of ten, which would make a length of a hundred and sixty
feet. Mad the river been straight, double that length could have been run
with safety; but on account of its deviating or crooked course they would
have been driven by the rushing waters against the winding and rocky shore.
In those early days in this wilderness country the raftsmen encountered
numerous difiiculties, the most prominent of which was the difficulty of
obtaining ropes to land and hold the raft in some place of safety ; and they
were frequently compelled to be exposed to the darkness of the night without
being able to land the raft. These ten-platform rafts were generally run to
Warren, where the Conewango tributary mingles its waters with those of the
Allegheny. When the mouth of the Conewango was reached three of these
ten platforms were coupled together, which, in raftsman language, comprises
an Allegheny fleet. The rafts were usually supplied with a comfortable
shanty, containing a good supply of provisions and apparatus for cooking the
same. An Allegheny fleet required six oars with a stout and vigorous man to
each. The pilot or captain must be a man familiar with the islands, bars and
other obstructions liable to stop the raft or dash it in pieces.
After the business of manufacturing and running lumber upon the waters
10
74 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
of the Allegheny became firmly established, Judge Benjamin Chamberlain,
James Green and others commenced operations on the Great Valley creek,
where thev constructed saw-mills, and in a few years leveled down many of the
monarchs of the prime\"al forest. This creek in the earlj- days afforded much
more water than at the present time, surrounded as it was by a magnificent
forest which obstructed to a large extent the evaporating rays of the summer
sun. The gi^eat pine forest located on either side of the Great Valley creek,
and affording millions of stately pines waiting for the saw, soon became one
of the most prominent lumber sections in Cattaraugus county. The first saw-
mill was built in the year i8i2 by James Green, and soon after was purchased
by a Captain Howe, one of the early settlers on the Allegheny river.
In t8i6 came Judge Benjamin Chamberlain, then a young man from
Maine, and whose wealth consisted of a suit of clothes worth but a few
dollars, a meager education, but indomitable energy and a native intellect
which placed him in the front rank of the leading men in Cattaraugus county.
He erected a saw-mill which manufactured a large amount of valuable pine
lumber that was floated down the majestic river to the southern towns and
cities.
From 1812 to 1837 seven saw-mills were put in operation upon the Great
Valley creek, and it was many years later before the labor of hundreds of men
was able to conquer the towering pines. At the time the lumber business
commenced on the crystal streams there was in some sections a great lack of
provisions. A large share of the county was then a wilderness, but many-
wants were supplied near at hand. The woods provided the lumbermen with
venison and the streams, whose waters turned their wheels, supplied them
with speckled trout.
Among the important tributaries of the Alleghen\- was the Tunegawant,
which was remarkable for the great amount of pine timber located in the valley
and on the hillsides. In 1828 Stephen and Jesse Morrison erected a saw-mill
near the Indian reservation line, where nothing but the best qualit\- of lumber
was manufactured for the southern market. Since that time several mills have
been built, from which more than twenty millions of feet of lumber ha\'e been
floated southward.
Following the river to the north line -of the State of Pennsyl\-ania the val-
leys and hills on either side were rich with a splendid growth of pine. The
Red House valley was about as remarkable for the great amount of pine tim-
ber as that of the Great valley. About 1840 some fourteen thousand acres of
the land was purchased by a company in the city of Boston, and has since
been known as the Bay State Tract. This tract was worked for a number of
years and many millions of their pine timber was floated upon the Allegheny
and Ohio rivers to the city of Cincinnati, and various other towns and cities
located on the Ohio. 'The first lumbering done in the Red House valley was
adjacent to the river, as that afforded the only means to a permanent market.
LUMBERIXG AND RAFTING.
but since the advent of railroads the vast amount of pine, hemlock and hard-
wood remaining on the tract has readily found a market. The valley of Creek's
run has produced a large amount of pine lumber, much of which was run to
a southern market " in the log." In South Valley much lumber has been man-
ufactured. About 1865 some six thousand acres were sold by John Fenton
for about $250,000. This valuable tract soon found its way into the hands of
Hon. Reuben E. Fenton, who, in disposing of it, made the small sum of
§20,000.
On the various streams that contribute to enhance the waters of the river
much lumber has been manufactured. In early days the valleys and hills bor-
dering the tributary streams in South Valley were dotted with magnificent
pines. As these streams formed the motive power, and as the process of man-
ufacturing was much slower than that of the present time, lumbermen ran their
mills both night and day as long as the streams provided them with water.
Notwithstanding the great amount of pine timber that the county of Cattar-
augus once contained it has nearly all been leveled and much of the land
formerly covered with tall pines is now fenced with great stumps, and the
land is divided into cultivated fields, pastures, and meadows, that give feed to
numerous grazing herds of the best breed of cows that our country can pro-
duce. Since the pine timber has become nearly obliterated lumbermen have
resorted to the manufacture of hemlock, which abounds in great quantities in
almost every town in the county. Interspersed with the great pine forests
were numerous groves of hemlock which in many places were so dense as to
obscure the sunlight. Hemlock, though not so valuable as pine, is in manv
respects a \-aluablc timber. The bark has a ready sale for its astringent
properties which make it valuable in tanning leather, and the lumber is the
best that can be obtained for the frame-work of buildings. The towns at
some distance from the river contained considerable pine lumber, but on
account of the distance to haul it to the river it failed to be profitable to
manufacture until railroads commenced to ship it to various markets.
The only town in Cattaraugus county too far removed from the Allegheny
river without a thoroughfare was Randolph, through a part of which flows the
headwaters of the Conewango, one of the prominent tributaries of the great
river. It has been said by the early lumbermen that where the villages of
East and West Randolph are located once stood one of the most magnificent
forests of pines that America could produce. The eminence where Chamber-
lain Institute now stands was literally covered with a vast pine forest. A. G.
Bush, one of the early settlers in the town of Randolph, in commenting on the
appearance of the valley where the village of Randolph is now located, said
to the writer: "In 1823, as I stood upon one of the Napoli hills which
overlooks the Little Conewango valley, the great pine forest which presented
itself to view was the most splendid scene I ever beheld."
As saw-mills at that time had not been constructed much of the pine grow-
76 History of Cattaraugus County.
ing near the Conewango creek was cut into logs and floated down to mills in
Chautauqua count}'. The land where Chamberlain Institute is located is com-
posed of glacial drift, which contains elements well adapted to an exuberant
growth of pine. Notwithstanding the great amount of pine timber once grow-
ing where the village of Randolph now stands (which would seem almost
inexhaustible) it has gone, and the site now contains one of the most beautiful
villages in western New York. After mills were established in Conewango
valley Abraham G. Bush and the Crowleys commenced the business of run-
ning lumber down the Conewango. They usually ran two-platform rafts,
which were almost invariably loaded with shaved pine shingles, the manufac-
ture of which supplied scores of men a profitable business during the winter
months. Many millions of pine lumber have been run on the waters of the
Conewango, until it reached the Alleghen\', where it \\as coupled into great
fleets destined for Pittsburg, Cincinnati, or the west.
At the present time ( 1893) the facilities are such that the hardwood, which
abounds in almost e\'ery town in Cattaraugus county, has found a market.
Millions of feet are being shipped to Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, and in
fact to nearly all of the eastern cities. Beach, maple, oak, chestnut, cucumber,
ash, and basswood are found in abundance. The lumbermen now are doing
business on a different basis than those in earl}' days. The business was form-
erly transacted with but a small amount of money. The leading men in the
trade were generally merchants who were supplied with goods on long credit
Avith the understanding that payment should be made when the lumber was
sold. These goods stood in place of money. It was always understood by
those engaged in the manufacture of lumber that their wants should be sup-
plied at the store, and but little mone\- would be paid until returns came in
after the lumber was sold. In these days of banks and railroads a great change
has taken place. Lumbermen are expected to pa}- cash for e\"ery day's work
and for all materials used in the business. If a person can show responsibility
he has but little trouble in obtaining money.
CHAPTER XII.
THE AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
[By Beals E. Litchfield.]
AGRICULTURE was instituted by the Almighty. Genesis, 2 : 8 and 15 :
" And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden ; and there he
put the man whom he had formed. And the Lord God took the man
and put him into the garden of. Eden to dress it and to keep it." Thus Adam
at once became a husbandman, and reared a famih- of farmers. Genesis, 4:2:
"And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." We
The Ac;kicl"ltural Interests. ■ -jj
also learn that Jabal, son of Cain, " was father of such as dwell in tents, and
of such as have cattle." Thus agriculture was the first calling of the human
race and divinely established. Hence it is inferior in dignity and importance
to no other, and is the basis of all pursuits. While I admit that, without
doubt, there are other callings or speculations from which, if successful, large
fortunes are more speedily accumulated, yet the different branches of agricul-
ture contain all the elements and conditions necessary to bring both pleasure
and wealth to such as pursue their labors in an intelligent and scientific
manner. In an early period it was thought that a half idiot, who could plow,
sow, mow and reap, could be a successful farmer. But opinions, as \\'ell as
agricultural implements, have changed, and in our day of progress it is
admitted by intelligent farmers that a scientific education is very desirable if
not positively necessary for the successful cultivation of the soil. The
agriculturist should know enough of chemistry, one of the most useful
sciences ever revealed to man by our kind Creator, to enable him to analyze
the constituent elements of the soil that he cultivates, so that he may properly
apply fertilizers; and he should also be able to scientifically direct and apply
labor and any and every means to unlock nature's great store-house, and thus
fill his barns with the rich fruitage of the soil, and his heart \\ith joy and
gladness.
In 1 83 1, fourteen years after the first white child was born in the town of
Ellicottville, this part of the count}- was ahnost an unbroken wilderness. The
^\•oods were well stocked \\ith deer and the streams with speckled trout, which
furnished a good supply of delicious food to grace the crude tables of the
pioneers. Bears were also quite numerous, and wolves could be heard almost
e\ery evening in the year howling upon the hills. In some parts of the county
lumbering was becoming quite an extensive business; but, as yet, agriculture
throughout the county was in its infancy, or, perhaps I might more truly say,
was at that time unborn. The pioneers were clearing the timber from their
land, and to convert the timber into black-salts was almost the only means
they had of obtaining mone\-. In my boyhood days, and when the snow was
more than a foot deep upon the ground, I have known of men cutting, piling,
and burning timber to obtain the ashes from which to make black-salts to buy
bread. Upon those patches of land thus cleared were produced some of the
cereals, such as wheat, rye, buckwheat, corn, and oats. Potatoes were also
raised in abundance for home use. Occasionally a crude grist-mill had been
erected, where farmers could get their grain ground. But the quality of flour
there obtained would not, I think, please the fastidious people of the present
generation; the millers had no machinery for separating the smut from the
wheat, and both were therefore ground together, making the flour dark and
coarse.
In some portions of Cattaraugus county the soil by nature is well adapted
to raising wheat; in other parts the soil or climate, or both, render this Indus-
History of Cattaraugus County.
try unprofitable. In Franklinville. Machias, Yorkshire, Freedom, Farmers-
\-ille, and Randolph wheat is produced in small quantities, too small, in fact,
to supply the home demand. An agricultural writer some forty-five years ago,
according to a recent publication, said: "Cattaraugus is well adapted to the
culture of cereal grain e.xcepting wheat, and nowhere else are grass, vegetables,
and roots produced in greater abundance or of better quality. The system of
wheat culture, too prevalent in this country, is a reproach to the farmer, and
wars with the laws of reproduction. I submit if the fall wheat is not more
generally sown the middle or last of October than the first of September. If
the plant is destroyed by the spring frosts and heaving of the soil, if the
farmer gathers chess and smut, if hi.- granary is empty, what wonder is it? He
has sown to the whirlwind amid frost, rain, and sleet, and reaps the certain
reward of his folly. Let the trial be made once and thoroughly of cultivating
wheat in a wise manner, and the result will forever silence the assertion that
'wheat cannot be raised in Cattaraugus.'"
The pioneer emigrants from New England to western New York held the
idea that wheat raising was the farmer's first and chief industry, and they were
attracted hither by the high encomiums bestowed by Captain Williamson and
others upon the Holland Purchase, only to find that Cattaraugus county did
not fully meet their expectations in the production of their favorite crop.
Many of them, therefore, moved to western prairies after various attempts to
raise wheat in \\-hat they rather contemptuously termed "cold Cattaraugus."
But they left behind a land of rich natural resources, whose agricultural inter-
ests have been constantly developed and increased, until to-day it stands well
among the farming districts of not only the Empire State but of the east.
Under proper culti\'ation wheat au: be grown in every tow^n in the county,
but with present prices and the fields of the great west still yielding abundant
crops there are se\-eral other industries which the Cattaraugus farmer can
pursue more profitably and certainl}-.
While Cattaraugus county is not supposed to be well adapted to the pro-
duction of Indian corn, yet good corn can be produced almost every year in
some portions of the county. According to the agricultural "statistics found
in the Cattaraugus County Director}- of 1874 there was produced in the
county 197,657 bushels of corn. For sixt\' years I have watched the develop-
ment and progress of''the different interests and industries of Cattaraugus
county, and lo ! what a change has marked the passing years I The crude
sickle and the cumbersome cradle have been consigned to the past, and the
merry click of the mower and the self-binding harvester now move in noisy
triumph where once the hardy pioneers toiled from sun to sun. Our sons no
longer swing the hea\'3' implements of their grandfathers, but instead sit eight
or ten hours a day on cushioned seats behind well-fed horses, doing the work
that it required from' five to ten men to do in early days. Inventive genius
has devised for the farmer labor-saving machinery for every part of his regular
The Agricultural Interests. 79
work. The old " bull plow " that merely stirred the ground was succeeded by
the heavy cast-iron plow, which was a decided improvement. These have
given place to the finely polished steel hand and sulky plows of to-day.
The scythe and cradle of our pioneer fathers were used, perhaps, longer
than any other farming implement of early times. The first mower made its
appearance in Ellicottville about 1857. It was the property of the late Hon.
Chauncey J. Fox, and I well remember seeing it in use on his farm. It was
very clumsy, and was soon succeeded by others of better construction. With
the aid of such machinery from manual toil, early and late, the farmer's life
has become a lite of physical ease; but to cope with the times his brain must
be educated and drilled in science and business to pursue successfully a calling
designed by the Creator to be the most independent and exalted on earth.
.A.S wheat could not be successfully grown, the early settlers generallj-
turned their attention to the production of other cereals, which could be pro-
duced profitably and in reasonable abundance. Oats and corn were the chief
crops, and these, until the construction of the Erie railroad, found a market
in the lumber camps of the southern part of the county and of Pennsylvania.
From 1850 until the dairy interests developed these products were shipped to
distant markets, but since then they have been consumed principally at home
by the large dairies. Buckwheat during recent years has formed one of the
staple products. Potatoes at first were raised solely for home use, but in
abundance, ."^ince the completion of the railroads large quantities ha\-e found
markets in Buffalo, Rochester, and eastern cities. Tlie soil seems peculiarl}-
adajjted to the growth of large crops of fine quality.
One of the earh- industries for those farmers w ho were fortunate enough
to have maple orchards on their premises was sugarmaking, and while it appar-
entl}- is as much or more of a manufacturing than a farming industry it ne\er-
theless deser\L-s a notice here, for it often proved a convenient source of rev-
enue. It was always in demand at the stores for either cash or "goods," and
was one of the few means by which the farmer could raise a little money occa-
sionally. Imlay, in his Topographical Description, says " that no cultivation is
neces.sary; that no contingency, such as hurricanes or bad seasons, can disturb
the process: that neither the heavy expense of mills, engines, machinery, or a
system of planting is necessary at all to make the maple sugar. The process
occupies si.x weeks, from the middle of February to the end of March, and the
whole of the buildings and other articles necessary for carrying it on are to be
obtained at so trifling an expense as to be within the reach of any person of
common industry-, whose conduct in life can entitle him to the most moderate
credit." Cattaraugus has produced maple sugar and syrup which in both qual-
ity and quantit}- is unexcelled by any county in western New York. From
the pioneer settlement until about 1870 the industry steadily increased in pro-
portions; since then the product has graduall}- diminished, which fact is owing
to many of the sugar orchards being converted into wood and timber. The
So History of Cattaraugus County.
following table of statistics shows concisely the growth and decrease of sugar-
making in the county of Cattaraugus:
YEAR. POUNDS SUGAR. GALS. SYRUP.
1S55 416,300 2.459
1865 5^2,193 8,121
1875 441,021 7,022
1885. No State census taken.
The early settlers, having come from a country of orchards, quickly realized
the necessity of fruit and hastened to plant fruit trees, choosing genei'ally the
bottom lands for this purpose. Their choice usually proved unsatisfactory,
for the trees were shorter-lived, less reliable and more liable to blast. Later,
howe\-er, orchards were st;t on higher ground and these established the repu-
tation of Cattaraugus as an apple producing county, making it compare quite
favorably with other counties of the southern tier. Few grapes are grown
except in the town of Perrysburg, a portion of which lies within the Chau-
tauqua Grape Belt. The land there is almost wholly given up to the culture
of the vine, and there are produced as fine a quality of grapes as are raised in
any localit}' in New York State. Excellent pears are grown in limited quan-
tities, and in early days, before the timber was cleared off, peach trees were
occasionally seen in small numbers. Plums thrive and bear well, as do also
cherries and berries of all kinds. The following shows the apple production
of the county in the years named:
YEAR. BUSH. APPLES. BARRELS CIDER. NO. OF TREES.
1855 177,173 1.257
1865 375-997 5,331 195,267
1875 492,346 9,682 361,592
1885. No State census taken.
The larger portion of Cattaraugus county is better adapted to grazing than
the growing of grain, fruit or vegetables, and it early became apparent to
farmers that stock raising would become one of the principal industries. The
climate, soil, and ele\'ation secure us against severe drouths, thus affording a
reliable pasturage. The first efforts in this line were the raising of cattle and
sheep-for market. As this cattle industry progressed some of the more enter-
prising farmers began the systematic improvement of their stock, gradually
converting their herds from the common breeds into the more favorite strains
of Devons, Durhams, Ayrshires, etc. The first blooded animal brought into
the county was a fine thoroughbred Durham bull, in 1828. Among the more
prominent stock breeders who once made Cattaraugus county their home may
be mentioned Staunton & Johnson, owners of the "Elk Farm" in Ellicott-
ville, and Hudson Wait, of West Valley. Judge Ten Broeck was the most
extensive cattle owner the county ever possessed. He had some six thousand
acres in improved farms and often wintered from six hundred to eight hun-
dred head of cattle. In' summers his stock usually numbered from twelve
hundred to fifteen hundred. He gave no attention, however, to improved
The Agricultural Interests. 8i
breeds, and in this respect his ideas have often been copied, particularly by
dairymen.
The raising of young stock for market gradually increased as the farmers
added to their improvements, and for a time became the leading branch of
agriculture. For a time the sheep husbandry was not very successful, for the
wolves made such slaughter among them that they were ne\"er safe at night,
unless yarded with a fence that the wolves could not get through or over. It
was not until the year 1843 that the wolves bade adieu to Cattaraugus count}-.
From about that time the sheep husbandry increased quite rapidlv for
twelve or fifteen years, when the dairy industrj- came to the front and has
thus far held its advanced position. At the present day few sheep are raised,
and those few are found only-in small flocks. In 1835 there were, according
to reliable statistics, 39,509 sheep in the county; in 1845,68,609; in 1855,
59,725; in 1865, 77,682; in 1875, 17,139. In 1865 there were 262,742 pounds
of wool shorn; in 1875, 73,262 pounds.
In 1830 the dairying industry was undeveloped, and for several years the
small amount of butter and cheese manufactured was mostly traded in barter
with the country merchant and used for home consumption. Even as late
as 1846 I well remember taking in a wagon to Buffalo the product of six or
eight cows and selling the cheese for 4'j cents and the butter for I2ij cents
per pound. In fact, at that time, the dairying industry of Cattaraugus county
was in embryo, waiting for light or knowledge from the east, or for the rail-
road whistle proclaiming the grand truth that Cattaraugus was within shipping
distance of the sea. And soon to supply the demand of Cattaraugus for cows
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Canada, and Pennsylvania were kind enough to
supply a portion necessary to meet the demand. Thus it was: the Erie
railroad laid its track through the southern part of the county, and the dairy-
ing industry was born. The Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad
passes through some of the northern and eastern towns, and thus adds vigor
and growth to the dairying interest. The Buffalo & Southwestern railroad
traverses some of the western towns, which not only adds vigor and strength
to the dairying industry, but also places those towns at the very door of the
Buffalo market for all agricultural products. The Buffalo, Rochester &
Pittsburg railroad traverses a central portion of the county, and it brings
Buffalo, Rochester, Bradford and Pittsburg markets almost to our door; and
under the stimulus of those markets the timber remaining upon the hills is
rapidly disappearing, but instead of its being manufactured into black-salts, as
it was sixty years ago, it is shipped to various manufacturing towns and
converted into useful articles to supply the needs of mankind. It nets the
owner many times the price it would bring if made into black-salts. In 1830
there were but few cows in the county comparatively, but I have not the
means of ascertaining the exact number. According to the agricultural
statistics in 1865 there were 30,569. In 1870 there were 44,463, an increase
II
82 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
during the five years of 13,894. During the same five years the sheep in the
county decreased from 77,682 to 26,739.
From 1870 to 1880 the dairying business increased in magnitude, and the
number of cows were increased by many farmers changing their former mode
of agriculture and stocking their farms with cows. Many new cheese factories
and a few creameries were built, and the daiiying interest has since taken the
lead of all other agricultural pursuits in Cattaraugus county. Until about
1S67 each farmer manufactured the milk from his own coa\s at home, either
into butter or cheese; but he now commenced the cheese factory system, and
though some portion of cheese is yet manufactured at home the larger portion
is the product of the factories. There are some creameries where butter is
manufactured. But I think the bulk of the butter in this county is made as
farm dairy. Although Cattaraugus county has a broken, uneven, and hilly
surface, there is probably no county in the State better adapted to the dairying
business than this. The hills and valleys are well supplied with pure soft
water, and the soil will (if judiciously managed) produce an abundance of the
choicest grasses. Hay, in connection with dairying, has become one of the
important products of the farm. Not only are vast quantities consumed at
home, but hundreds of tons are each 3-ear shipped to eastern markets.
Before the advent of the railroads prices were low owing to the difficulty
of reaching a market. The principal mode of trading for many years was by
barter. Cheese was exchanged for flour, pound for pound. In the winter of
1830-31 butter brought tweh'e and one-half cents a pound. From 1835 to
1840 cheese sold for six or eight cents, while in 1846 it dropped to four and
one-half cents. Butter was often as low as eight cents per pound, but in 1S51
the best quality brought a shilling, which \\'as deemed a high price.
The following statistics show the agricultural and dairying resources of
Cattaraugus county. The latest State census at command is 1875:
YEAR.
BUTTER, LBS.
CHEESE, LBS.
XO. OF COWS.
1855
1865
1875
1,957,183
2,308,923
1,717,484
■3.635.356
FARMS, ACRES
23.633
34,408
46.757
l'EAR. dwl'
'OS.
VALUE.
IMPRCiVED. UMMI'R'D
VALUE.
1855 7,515
1865 8,685
1875 9.713
81,937.130
2.759.904
7.558,656
266.431 432,620
323,749 386,172
360,681 363,155
810,956,344
14,247,927
23,151,866
YEAR.
STOCK.
IMI'LEMEXTS.
TOXS OF HAY.
1855
1865
1875
$1,972,598
2,683,220
3,583.882
8439,162
558,302
852,101
62.546
87,744
137.493
The farmers of Cattaraugus early recognized the necessity of annual
agricultural exhibits, which ex'entually proved unusually beneficial in fostering
The Agricultural Interests. 83
and de\-eloping the pioneer efforts of the p.griculturist and encouraged him to
greater activity and competition. On November 11, 1841, a small band of
enthusiastic farmers and others met in the court-house in Ellicottville and
organized the "Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society," with these officers:
President, Hon. Peter Ten Broeck; vice-president, Elijah A. Rice; secretary,
Daniel R. Wheeler; treasurer, Stephen S. Cole. These officers and a director
elected from each town constituted the Board of Managers. This societv
never owned its exhibition grounds. The annual fairs were first held in
Ellicottville, the public square being used for the display of stock and the
court-house for the exhibition of grain, fruit, vegetables, and articles of
domestic manufacture. In 1852 the location was changed to Otto, the
citizens of that place giving the society the free use of grounds for exhibition
purposes. Samuel Har\-ey, of Mansfield, was president. In 1853 the fair
was held in Randolph with Asahel Crowley, president. The next year it was
again changed, this time to Little Valley, with Horace Howe, president, who
tendered free of cost the ground for the exhibition of stock and farm imple-
ments. The Congregational church was used for the display of articles
contributed by the ladies, and Horace Greeley delivered an address. The old
agricultural society held its last annual fair at the village of Little Valley in
the year of 1855.
January 28, 1856, the old society was re-organized under chapter 425 of
the laws of 1855, and assumed for a time the name of "Cattaraugus Countv
Agricultural and Horticultural Society." The meeting effecting this organi-
zation was held at Howe's Hotel in Little Valley. Dr. Lyman Twomlev was
chairman and John .Manley, secretary. April 5th ten acres of land were
leased for ten years of the president, Horace Howe, for $10, with the privilege
of buying the grounds within that period for $50 an acre, and in December,
1865, the purchase was duly made. A large tent was bought and used for
several years to display and shelter exhibits, and occasionally rented for
other purposes. The premiums offered in 1856 consisted of forty diplomas,
eighty-three volumes " Transactions New York State Agricultural Society,"
seventy-two volumes "'Transactions American Institute," two life member-
ships, and S358.25 in cash. April 4, 1857, a corporate seal was adopted. This
year a number of prominent men in the State became honorary members of
the society, among them being Gov. Reuben E. Fcnton, of Chautauqua
county. August 25-26, 1858, the first annual horse show was held, but did
not prove as successful as expected. In 1859 the citizens of all the" border
counties were invited to contest for premiums and become members.
October ist of this year the corporate name was changed to the "Cattaraugus
County Agricultural Society," which style it has since retained.
In 1862 the ofificers deemed a change of location desirable and accordingly
voted to hold the fair at Olean on grounds offered by the citizens there. The
fair of 1863 was also held in that village. In 1864 the society returned to
84 History of Cattaraugus County.
Little Valley and remained two years. , The fair of 1866 was held in Olean,
and from then until 1876 the annual exhibits were displayed on the society's
grounds in Little Valley. In 1877 another change was thought desirable and
the fairs of this year and of 1878 and 1879 "^Yere taken to Randolph and held
on the Driving Park. Since 1880 they have been held in Little \'alley, on
the society's grounds known as Beechdale Park, which was secured of John
jNfanley in exchange for the old plat in 1875 under authority of a legisiati\'e
act of April 22d of that j-ear. The grounds lie within the village limits,
contain twenty acres, and possess suitable buildings, fences, etc., and a good
half-mile track for racing purposes. The annual exhibitions have generally
been successful and productive of much good to farmers throughout_ the
county. Thousands of dollars have been distributed in purses and premiums
from year to year. The s'ociety is a member of the National Trotting Asso-
ciation. The Board of Managers consists of the four executive officers, who
are elected annually, and six directors, elected for three years, two being
elected at each annual meeting. This Board has power to decide all questions
which may come before it. The acti\-e officers of the old societ}- were:
Presidents, Hon. Peter Ten Broeck, Abraham Searle, Plon. C. J. Fox, Gen.
Alexander Chambers, John S. Harvey, Samuel Harvey, and Asahel Crowley ;
secretaries, Daniel R. Wheeler and John C. Peabody. Since the re-organiza-
tion the officers have been as follows:
Prcsidoits. — Horace Howe, 1856-57; J. Galusha Stanton, 1858; Nathaniel
Walker, 1859-60; Samuel William Johnson, 1861-64; Isaac Reed, 1865-66:
Chauncey A. Snow, 1867-69; John Manley, 1870-71; Enos C. Brooks, 1872;
Halsey Safford, 1873; Horace S. Huntley, 1S74-76; Hezekiah O. Burt, 1877-
78; William Stevens, 1879-80; John B. F. Champlin, 1881 ; Frank Larabee,
1882; Ezekiel Kelley, 1883-84; Harlan D. Bryant, 1885; Myron L. Newton.
1886-87; A. D. Bonsteel, 1888-90; Fred Clark, 1891 ; Cyrus R. Rhodes.
1892-93.
Vice-presidents. — Dr. Lyman Twomley, 1856; Lorenzo Stratton, 1857
(resigned and Nathan Crosby elected) and 1859 ('^'^'''' Horace S. Huntley,
resigned), 1860-63; Horace S. Huntley, 1858. 1873; Judson Sibley, 1864-65
John Kennicott, 1866; Lorenzo D. Cobb, 1867; Isaac Reed, 1868; Halse\
Safford, 1869, 1875, 18S0; John C. Gardner, 1870-72; Hezekiah O. Burt, 1874
William Stevens, 1876; Alonzo S. Lamper, 1877-78; Porter B. Canfield, 1879
Erastus N. Lee, 1881; Ezekiel Kelley, 1882; Harlan D. Bryant, 1883-84
Charles H. Davis, 1885; Smith Clark, 1886: C. A. Rhodes, 1887; O. H
Smith, 1888; Fred Clark, 1889-90: C. R. Rhodes, 1891; M. B. Jones, 1892
F. E. Champlin, 1893.
Secretaries. — Henry Hoyt, 1856 and 1859 (resigned and John iManle}-
elected to fill vacancies) ; John Manley, 1856-60; Horace S. Huntley, 1861-
6g, 1880, 1884-85; Lambert G. Whitney, 1870; A. T. Palmer, 1871-73,
1877-78; Charles H. Davis, 1874-75; M. N. Pratt, 1876; iM. Van Benson.
The A(;ricli;ii'kal Interests. 8 =
1879; Dell Tuttle, 1881-83; Samuel B. Densmore, 18S6; Samuel Dunham,
1887-90; A. D. Bonsteel, 1891 ; Robert F. Winship, 1892-93.
Treasurers. — S. T. iVIarsh, 1856 (did not qualify and Dr. Daniel Bucklin
elected to fill vacancy") ; Dr. Daniel Bucklin, 1857-58; Eliphalet Culver, 1859
(declined, and Horace S. Huntley elected); Horace S. Huntley, i860,
1879; George M. Fitch, 1861-62; Claudius V. B. Barse, 1863-64; Fuller
Bucklin, 1865; Erastus N. Lee, 1866-69, 1880; Enos C. Brooks. 1870-71;
A. W. Ferrin, 1872; Harvey Tuthill, 1873; Stephen C. Green, 1874: B. B.
Weber, 1875-76; CM. Hopkins, 1877-78, 1881 ; Mortimer N. Pratt, 1S82-85;
Isaac Winship, 1886-87; Dr. S. Z. Fisher, 1888-92; S. L. Sweetland, 1893.
The old, or first, Conewango Valley Fair Association was organized early in
the 'sixties and a single e.xhibition held at East Randolph. Asahel Crowley,
of Randolph, was president". The association was not successful, apparently,
and it went down. It was re\i\'ed, however, in the spring of 18S0 under the
same name, and has since held fairs every fall. The association leases about
twenty acres of land midway between Randolph and East Randolph villages,
upon which is a good half-mile track and convenient buildings, fences, etc.
The officers for 1893 are C. D. Tuttle, president; Charles Merrill, vice-presi-
dent; T. L. Ostrom, treasurer; L. D. Van Rensselaer, secretary. These with
six directors constitute the Board of Managers.
The I"ranklin\ille Agricultural and Driving Park Association was organ-
ized March 18, 1882, and the first exhibit held on leased grounds from the
26th to the 29th of the following September. A half-mile track was laid out
and constructed, and earh- the next year the plat, consisting of twenty-one
acres, was purchased for the permanent use of the association. Exhibits open
to the world have been held in the fall of each year, proving very successful in
every way. From §3,000 to $4,000 in premiums and purses are offered
annually. The management is invested in si.x directors (elected for three
years each) and the four executive officers (elected annuall\-|- These latter
have been as follows :
Presidents. — James H. P'erris, 18S2-84; Peter T. B. Button, 18S5-86; L. C.
i'^iggs. 1887-90; P. T. B. Button, 1891 ; Robert Y. Woodworth, 1892-93.
Vice-presidents. — -Robert F. Woodworth, 1882-91 ; S. E. McXall, 1892-93.
Secretaries. — James H. Waring, 1882-83; George E. Spring, 1884-90;
H. R. Curtis, 1891 ; P. T. B. Button, 1892-93.
Treasurers.— VciGX T. B. Button, 1882-84; W. J. Ward, 1885-86; P. T. B.
Button, 1887-90; A. P. Adams, 1891-92; S. A. Spring, 1893.
The Gowanda Agricultural, Horticultural, and Mechanical Society was
organized August 31, 1865, being the result of an industrial organization
formed in 1855, representing adjacent towns in both Cattaraugus and Erie
counties, and holding annual fairs for several years in Gowanda. The first
officers were L. S. Jenks, president; Albert Gaensslen, vice-president; Frank
A. Newell, secretary; William H. Stuart, treasurer. The societ\- purchased
86 HisTuRV uF Cattaraugus C(jl'xtv.
and fitted up twenty-five acres of land within the village corporation, and
until 1875 held yearly exhibits. The property was disposed of about 18S5
and the affairs of the association permanently wound up.
Various attempts have been made from time to time to establish and
maintain farmers' clubs in different parts of the county, but with a few
exceptions these organizations enjoyed only a brief existence. One of the
■ most active clubs while it li\'ed was the Farmers' and Mechanics' Club of
Cattaraugus County, which was organized in January, 1874, with these
ofificers : President, Frank Keeler, Otto: vice-president, William Stevens,
Napoli ; secretary-, A. W. Ferrin, Salamanca; corresponding secretary, J. W.
Sweetland, Little \"allcy; treasurer. A. H. Bedient, Little Valley. The
object, as set forth in the B}'-Laws, was "the impro\'ement in the theory and
practice of agriculture and the ad\'ancement of agricultural interests." The
club went down afcer two or three years, but while it existed meetings were
generall}- held each month.
The Farmers' Agricultural Association of Cattaraugus County was organ-
ized as the Northern Farmers' Agricultural Association on February 13, 1889,
at West Valley, with Christian Ehman. president, and A. O. Tillinghast,
secretary. Monthh- meetings Avere held in the different towns in the county
and various modes of farming discussed. The State Department of Agricul-
ture furnishes speakers occasionally. The present offtcers are O. H. Smith,
Ellicottville, president; George W. Boyce, Elkdale, secretary and treasurer.
The Ischua Valley Agricultural Society was incorporated July 7, 1857,
with Hollis Scott, Nelson Nourse, Elihu M. Wasson, William O. Leland and
Hiram Webster, of Hinsdale; Samuel Searl, of Franklinville; and Andrew J.
Davis, of Ischua, as the first Board of Directors. The organization took in the
towns of Hinsdale, Franklinville and Ischua, and leased suitable grounds
about a half-mile north of Hinsdale \illage, where annual fairs 'were success-
fully held for ten years, when they were discontinued and the affairs of the
society wound up.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE PRESS OF CATTARAUGUS COUXTV.
[By A. W. Fkrrin.]
THE pioneer newspaper of Cattaraugus county was the Allcgaitv Mercury,
which was started in the village of Hamilton (now Olean) in 1818 by
Benjamin F. Smead. The early number of the Mercury which I have
been privileged to inspect gave evidence of enterprise and ability on the part
of this pioneer in Cattaraugus county journalism. It would now be hard to
realize the difficulties he must have encountered in starting a paper in this
The Newspapers and Their Editors. 87
remote and sparsely settled region with its meager news and mail facilities.
The same remark would apply to some extent, at least, to all the early news-
paper experiments in the county. In 1S19 Franklin Coudrey became inter-
ested in the paper and the name was changed to the Hamilton Recorder. After
experiencing for two or three years the usual vicissitudes of such pioneer enter-
prises the paper suspended publication.
From the demise of the Recorder there was no newspaper in the county
until 1826, when Richard Hill started a paper at EUicottville called the West-
ern Courier. In 1827 the name was changed to the Cattaraugus Gazette and
a year or two later it suspended publication. It was neutral in politics. Cyrus
G. McKay, for many years a prominent citizen of Allegany, and who is still
living at Port Allegany, Pa., was an employee in this office.
Lodi ("now Gowanda) gave birth to the next newspaper enterprise in the
county. The Z(?(// /^/();/i:Yr made its appearance about November, 1827. Lewis
H. Edwards was the publisher, and the paper was anti-AIasonic in politics.
Some time prior to January. 1829. G. N. Starr became the publisher and con-
tinued as such as late certainly as February 29, 1834, although the name of
the paper at that time was the Cattaraugus Freeman and Lodi Messem^er.
I. R. Leonard of Gowanda has a copy of the Freeiiian and Messenger of that
date, bearing Starr's name as publisher, which disproves the statement in
Evarts's Histor\- of Cattaraugus County that Starr died in 1833 and the paper
was then suspended. It is worthy of note that Moracc Greeley worked on
the J/essenger for about six months in 1830 as a journeyman printer, and in
his personal reminiscenscs the great editor says: '' I left Lodi no richer than I
came."
Edwin Hough became the publisher of the Freeman and Messenger on Jan-
uary 3, 1839. This language in his salutator\-, " ha\-ing assumed the proprie-
torship of the Freeman and Messenger." etc., would seem to indicate that the
paper had been continued up to that time, or had not long been extinct.
Hough made the paper Whig in politics, and continued as editor and proprie-
tor until November, 1840, when Eliakim Hough became proprietor, Edwin
Hough retaining the editorship. In January, 1844, the Houghs changed the
name to the People's Advocate and Lodi Banner diwd in the following March
curtailed the name to the Lodi Banner. In April, 1844, the paper was discon-
tinued, the office and fi.xtures being remo\'ed to Springville, where Edwin
Hough published for a time the Springville Express. He subsequently
removed to Hornellsville, N. Y., where he established the Tribune. He was
connected with that paper for many years and died there.
The EUicottville Republican was started in May, 1833, by a stock company.
The paper was neutral in politics, and Delos E. Sill was manager. In the fall
of 1834 Sill retired from the management and was succeeded by Cyrus G.
McKay, an employee in the office. In April, 1835, the establishment was
purchased by R. H. Shankland. In 1836 the paper was enlarged and the name
88 History of Cattaraugus County.
changed to the Cattaraugus Republican, under which title it was published by
Shankland until October, 1854, when he sold the office to Fred A. Saxton, who
subsequently sold an interest to B. F. Morris. The paper was continued by
Saxton & Morris until 1862. when, owing to the hard times incident to the
war period, it ceased publication. The Rcpublicaii was Democratic in politics
from its purchase by Shankland in 1835. Morris went to Warren, Pa., where
he started the Ledger, and continued as its editor and publisher for some
twenty-five years.
In 1835 two brothers by the name of Cutler, both printers, came to Olean
on their way westward via the Allegheny river. While waiting for passage
down the river they resurrected an old press and issued a few numbers of a
paper which bore the name of a former publication, the A/Iegany Mercury.
From what I can learn this was not a serious effort to establish a paper, but
merely the pastime of a couple of enterprising young men.
In 1S36 a stock company, known as the Olean Land and Flydraulic
Company, having headquarters in New York city, but owning a large tract of
land in Olean, sent a press and materials to Olean to start a paper to boom
their enterprise. They also sent as editor of the paper Rufus W. Griswold,
who afterward gained much distinction in the literary world as editor of
Graham's Magazine, editor of the International Magazine, and as the author
of several standard works, among them " Poets and Poetry of America" and
"Washington and the Generals of the Revolution." Gri.swold was a Baptist
preacher, and a man of varied talents, but of somewhat eccentric character.
The paper was called the Olean Advocate, and under Griswold's administration
was an able and spicy sheet. The first number was issued in July, 1836. The
Land and Hydraulic Company owned the paper for about a year, and then
sold it to an Olean company, among whom were F. S. Martin, j. G. Johnson,
T. H. Porter, and R. Welch. Martin and Johnson had a controlling interest
in the company. Griswold retired from the editorship about this time, but
Delos E. Sill, who had charge of the mechanical department, continued with
it as business manager until 1840, when he went to Ellicott\iIle and started
the Cattaraugus Whig. Carlos Woodcock, an Olean lawyer, was the editor
for awhile after Griswold retired, but was soon succeeded by Dudley C. Bryan,
another Olean lawyer. For a year or so, about this time, the name of
Stephen Welch, who was then a young man and an apprentice in the office,
appeared in the paper as publisher by the direction of the company owning
it. A. M. Badger, an Olean jeweler, succeeded Bryan as editor and changed
the name to the Olean Times. The Times was published until November,
1840, when it suspended. The press and materials were stored in the second
story of Martin's carriage shop, and were destroyed by fire in 1857. The
Advocate and its successor, the Times, were Whig in politics.
About 1837 a party of capitalists, among the most prominent of whom was
Samuel P. Lyman, thought to build a city at Hinsdale. The company owned
The Newspapers axd Their Editors. 89
a large tract of land covering a good part of the valley about the village,,
which they caused to bo surveyed, mapped and laid out into streets, parks,
etc. In the interest of this scheme a paper was started by Joseph T. Lyman,
which was called the Hinsdale Democrat. The paper did not continue long
under the management of Lyman, but passed into the hands of Edward
Hughes & Co., who continued its publication for about two years, when it
ceased to exist. In politics the paper was Democratic.
'Y\it People s Gazette, a Democratic paper, was started in Hinsdale in 1840
by George C. Smith, and was published by him until 1S42, when he removed
the establishment to Geneseo, Livingston county.
The Freein'an and Messenger was started at Scott's Corners, in Hinsdale, in
1843, by Edwin Fuller, in the interest of a visionary scheme known'as the
"Manual Labor Institute." Its publication was continued for about two
years. The press and materials passed into the possession of Allen C. Fuller,
who issued in 1845 the Expositor, the particular mission of which seemed to
be to expose the alleged rascalities of the first managers of the " Manual Labor
Institute." The Expositor's life covered a period of only about six months.
In the memorable presidential campaign of 1840 Delos E. Sill started the
Cattaraugus Whig at Ellicottville, to advocate the election of Gen. William
Henry Harrison and the principles of the Whig party. The ]Vhig received a
good support, and grew to be one of the ablest and most successful country
weeklies in western New York. R. L. Cary was associated with Sill in the
paper from 1848 to 1854, the firm being Cary & Sill. When the Whig party
dissolved the name of the paper was changed to the Cattaraugus Freeman,
and ii[)on the formation of the Republican party it became the recognized
exponent in the county of the principles of the new party. Mr. Sill continued
in the control of the Freeman until stricken by an incurable malady, wjien it
passed in 1864 into the hands of his son, C. D. Sill, and his brother-in-law,
C. M. Beecher. In the winter of 1866 Beecher & Sill sold the press and office
materials to J. T. Henry of the Olean Advertiser and the subscription list to
the Olean Times, and the Freeman ceased to exist.
Delos E. Sill was born in Cooperstown, N. Y. He was a printer by trade,
and prior to coming to Cattaraugus county worked in Geauga, Ohio, and
Buffalo, N. Y. He came to Ellicottville in 1833, and was manager of the
Republican for a year or more. During this time he married Miss Harriet
Beecher, a daughter of Moses Beecher, one of the leading men of the county
at that time. In October, 1835, Mr. Sill started the Democrat at Aurora,
N. Y. This was not a successful venture, and the paper was discontinued in
February, 1836. When the Advocate was started at Olean in July, 1836, he was
made its business manager. His career as founder and publisher of the
Cattaraugus IV/iig and Cattaraugus Freeman is fully given above. Mr. Sill
was an excellent business man and political manager. In the latter respect
he probably excelled any man ever connected with the press of Cattaraugus
12
90 History of Cattaraucus Couxtv.
county. He was a power in the politics of the count}- until stricken with the
disease -which retired him from active life. He died in 1870, in the 59th year
of his age. Under his management the' Freeman was the most prosperous
paper published in the county during its existeiice, and gave him a fair com-
petenc}' for the years of his retirement and for his fan-iily after he was gone.
Mr. Sill was twice nominated as presidential elector, and in 1848 was appointed
messenger of the electoral college of New- York. In 1861 he was appointed
U. S. agent for the New York Indians, which position he held until ill health
compelled his resignation. Mr. Sill was not an editorial writer, but employed
men who could satisfactoril)- phrase his sentiments and ideas. C. M. Beecher,
a brother-in-law, was with him for some years, and, as already stated, was
associated with his son in the publication of the Freema)i after Mr. Sill became
incapacitated. Mr. Beecher was a writer of much ability, and was a journalist
at Wellsville and Elmira, N. Y., after leaving Ellicott\-ille in 1866. He was
editor-in-chief of the Ehnwei Adi'er/iser when he died sonie years since.
After the sale of the Freeniaii C. D. Sill was engaged with William Beecher,
another uncle, in the publication of the Dunkirk Jpiiriieil for a year or two.
The Randolph Herald WTif. started in March, 1842, and had an existence of
about fi\-e }'ears. Its publishers were successiveh- William Mason, Lorenzo
and Julius Marsh, Fletcher Russell and J. J. Strong. The latter was
publisher for about two years, when he was con\erted to Mormonism and
remo\-ed to Nauvoo, 111., and the paper was discontinued.
About March, 1847, the Western Democrat was started at Lodi by A. A.
Ladue. It was Democratic in politics. April 26, 1848. William Van Vechten
succeeded to the management of the paper, but on the 17th of May following-
he was succeeded by John W. Mason and Charles Aldrich. They passed the
paper back to Van Vechten in June, 1848. In September. 1848, the name of
the village was changed from Lodi to Gowanda, and the name of the paper
was changed to the Gozcanda Democrat to conform to the name of the village.
The paper soon after expired. J. C. Van Duzer issued the Goivanda Persia)/
on November 21, 1848. It was independent in politics and had only a brief
existence.
In October, 1850, H. ^I. Morgan began the publication at Gowanda of the
Cattaraugns Chronicle. It was Democratic in politics. In June, 1852, the
name was changed to the Fidependent Chronicle, \\'\\.\\ Re\-. L. S. Morgan as
editor, H. M. Morgan continuing as publisher. In July, 1854, John M.
Henry took an interest in the paper, the firm becoming Morgan & Henry.
The name of the paper was changed to the Gowanda Chronicle, and it became
the exponent of the principles of the Know-Nothing party. Mr. Henry's
connection with the paper was of short duration, and upon his retirement
H. M. Morgan continued as publisher until April, 1856, when he sold out to-
John P. Grierson, of Buffalo, who made the paper Republican in politics. The
first number under Grierson was issued, and the second was in press, when the
The Newspapers and Tpieir Editors. 91
disastrous fire which swept through Gowanda, April 30, 1S56, destroyed the
entire establishment.
The GoK'iriuia Pluvnix rose from the ashes of the Chronicle. Rev. Louis
S. Morgan was the publisher, and the first number bore date August 15, 1856.
The paper was published until iS;;, when the press and materials were sold
and removed to Bradford, Pa., where they were used in the publication of the
Bradford Miner.
While publishing the Chrouiele the Morgans printed a hymn book and
three or four books of the New Testament in the Seneca language. After
leaving Gowanda H. M. Morgan published a paper for a time at Silver Creek,
N. Y., and then removed to Chicago, where he died about 1864. Rev. L. S.
Morgan, father of H. M. Morgan, died at Rutledgc a few years since, at an
advanced age.
The Neosopliie Gem was the name of a literary journal published in Ran-
dolph from 184S to 1852 by A. M. Shattuck.
In November, 1850, James T. Henry started the GoiveDida Whig. A few
months later he removed the office to EUicottville, where he issued the Wliig
and Union. He soon changed the name to \.\iQ. Anieriean ['nion,3.v\d continued
as its publisher until 1855, when the establishment was sold to R. H. Shank-
land. When first started the ['nion was "silver gray " Whig in politics, but
when the W'hig party disintegrated it became an advocate of the principles of
the American or " Know-Nothing" party. In 1856 it supported Fillmore and
Donelson, the "Know-Nothing" candidates for the presidency and vice-presi-
dency. A year or so later it became a Democratic sheet, and since that time
it has been a steadfast advocate of Democratic principles. In 1862 the name
was changed to the Cattaraugus L'nion, which title it still bears. About 1S69
P. K. Shankland became associated with his father in the publication of the
Union. In 1879 ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ paper and went to Jamestown, where he was inter-
ested with E. A. Brooks of EUicottville in the publication of a new Demo-
cratic journal. He is at present editor and publisher of t\\Q Jaincstozvn Satur-
day Times. Upon the retirement of P. K. Shankland from the Union his elder
brother, R. H. Shankland, Jr., became a member of the publishing firm. In
May, 1 88 1, the Union was removed to the rapidly growing village of Salamanca,
where it is still published by R. H. Shankland, Jr.
Robert H. Shankland was actively engaged in the newspaper business in
Cattaraugus county for more than forty years. He was born in Cooperstown,
N. Y., October i, 181 3. He was a printer, learning his trade in Cooperstown,
afterwards working in New York in the book printing establishment of the
Harper Brothers and in the newspaper offices of the city. Horace Greeley
was a compositor in some of these ofifices, and worked side by side with him.
Mr. Shankland came to Cattaraugus county in 1835, and was connected with
the newspapers of the county continuously from that date until his death,
which occurred at his home in EUicottville, November i, 1889. He possessed
92 History of Cattaraugus County.
much native ability, was a man of kindly impulses and an honorable competi-
tor. He was a prominent figure in the Democratic party of the county, and
for many years was familiarly known as the oldest Democratic editor west of
Cayuga Bridge. He was surrogate of Cattaraugus county for nine years, was
supervisor of Ellicottville for two terms, was a presidential elector in 1844,
and was U. S. agent for the New York Indians for two years under President
Polk.
The Cattaraugus SacJicni was started at Randolph in June, 185 1, by Charles
Aldrich. It was a Democratic sheet of the "Free Soil" or anti-slavery type.
The Sachem was published about one year, B. F. Morris being associated in its
publication for the last six months. Aldrich then removed the office to Olean,
where he issued the Olcatrjournal. For the first year the Joiirnal was neutral
in politics ; it then hoisted the Democratic banner, but was strongly opposed
to the extension of slavery into the territories. In 1856 Aldrich sold his inter-
est in the y^«r«rt/ to James T. Henr\-, who changed the name to the Olean
Advertiser and made it independent in politics. In 1857 Aldrich went to
Iowa and started a Republican paper at Webster City, which he published until
the autumn of 1862, when he enlisted and served in the Union army about two
years as adjutant of the 32d Iowa Infantry. From 1866 to 1869 he published
the Marsha/ltoivn Times, and since the latter date he has been connected with
various Iowa newspapers, among them the W'atcr/oo Courier, the Dubuque
Daily Times and the Council Bluffs Nonpareil. He is at the present writing
curator of the Historical Collection in the Iowa State Library at Des Moines.
During the stormy war period the Olean Advertiser favored the Demo-
cratic party, and was one of the strongest papers of that faith in the county.
In 1868 the Advertiser office was for the second time destroyed by fire, and
Henry then removed to Jamestown and began the publication of a new Dem-
ocratic paper called the Chautauqua County Press.
James T. Henry was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, February 22,
1823. In 1835 the^" family removed to Lodi, this county, and young Henry
learned the printer's trade in the office of the Freeman and Messenger. He
was a workman of more than ordinary skill and taste, and worked as journey-
man printer until he began business for himself at Gowanda in 1850. From
1850 to 1868 he was continuously connected with the press of Cattaraugus
county as editor and publisher. He was an able and vigorous writer, and took
an active part in the political controversies of the day. After leaving
Cattaraugus county in 1868 he published the Chautauqua County Press at
Jamestown for two years, and then went to Titusville, Pa., where he
established the Courier. This he published successfully for three years, and
. selling his interest he started the Titusville Sunday Nezvs, which was his last
active work in the newspaper line. After selling the N'etvs he engaged for
several years in the oil business. In addition to his regular editorial work Mr.
Henry was the author of a valuable "History- of Petroleum " and a history of
The Newspapers and Their Editors. 93
the " Pioneers and Supervisors of Cattaraugus County." During his residence
in Cattaraugus county he was for some years a member of the Board of
Supervisors, president of the village of Olean, and at one time held a State
appointment on the canals. He died at Titusville in 1878. His remains were
interred at Olean.
The Randolph Wldg was started by C. K. Judson and B. F. Morris in July,
1853. Judson sold out to Morris, who changed the name to the Randolpli
Reporter and made the paper Democratic. He continued its publication at
Randolph until July, 1858, when he removed the office to Gowanda with the
intention of trying his journalistic fortunes there. Before the first number
was issued, however, he sold the office to VV. W. Henry and Frank G. Steb-
bins, employees in the office, and under the firm name of Henry & Stebbins
they issued in August, 1858, the Gozvanda Reporter. The paper was
Democratic in politics. ' Mr. Stebbins withdrew from the firm in November,
1S59, and went to Cuba, where he established the True Patriot, which he
published for some twenty years, and nearly tip to the time of his death.
Soon after the withdrawal of Stebbins, Henry sold a half interest in the
Reporter to D. F. Moody, of Perrysburg, who soon afterward sold out to
F. J. Fuller. The paper continued under the proprietorship of Henry & Fuller
until September, i86i,-when Henry sold his interest to Charles E. Benton, an
apprentice in the office, and enlisting in the 64th Regiment, New York
Volunteers, went to the war. The paper was published by Fuller & Benton
until 1864, when Benton went to Fredonia. In 1868 he purchased the
Advertiser of that place, with which paper he was connected until his death,
February 10, 1877. The Reporter was continued by Fuller for only a short
time after Benton left it.
In May, i860, some $1,200 was raised bj- subscription for the establishment
of a Republican newspaper at Olean. Among the most prominent contribu-
tors to the subscription fund were R. O. Smith, Samuel W. Bradley, Charles
H. Thing, and John G. Mersereau. A contract was made with L. M. Gano,
by which, in consideration of the §1,200, he was to publish a Republican paper
in Olean for a term of five years. Upon the fulfillment of the contract the
type, press, etc., purchased with the §1,200 was to become the property of
Gano or his assigns. .The Olean Times was started by Gano under this
contract in July, i860. Soon after, A. E. Fay became interested in the paper
with Gano. In August, 1862, the office was destroyed by fire, but was
replaced with another purchased with the insurance money. In the fall of
1863 Gano sold his interest in the paper to Fay and went to Watkins, N. Y.,
where he engaged in the publication of the Express, with which paper he is
still connected.
In August, 1864, Fay sold out to George D. A. Bridgeman, who undertook
to move the establishment to Penn Yan, N. Y. The Olean parties who made
the contract with Gano in i860 forcibly prevented Bridgeman from removing
94 HisTOKV OF Cattaraugus Countv.
the materials, and a suit was brought by him in the Supreme Court to
reco\'er tlieir value. The Olean parties sold the materials to C. F. Dickinson
in Alarch, 1865, under a contract similar to that entered into with Gano in
i860. The suit of Bridgeman against R. O. Smith and others was tried in
the Supreme Court at Little Valley, June 15, 1868, before Justice George
Barker. A verdict was rendered in favor of Bridgeman for §1,500, subject to
the opinion of the Supreme Court at General Term. The General Term,
however, rendered a decision in favor of the defendants. Mr. Dickinson was
publisher of the Times from March, 1865, until his death, which occurred June
10, 1871. His widow continued the business with Miles A. Davis as editor
until January i, 1872, when she sold the establishment to George W. Dickin-
son, her husband's brother, who was its publisher until December, 1881. In
1879 the Times was made a daily, and the daily edition has since been
regularly issued. Dickinson sold the Times in December, 1 881, to a stock
company composed of Olean gentlemen, the company being known as The
Times Publishing Company. After leaving Olean Dickinson went to Florida,
where he published a paper at St. Augustine- for a time, and later returned to
Carthage, N. Y. For some years he has been editor of the CartJiagc Tribune.
When the Times was purchased by the stock company R. C. Hill merged
with it the Press, which he had started in the spring of 1881, and he was made
managing editor. The stock company's management was not successful or
satisfactor\', and in April, 1883, the establishment was leased to E. L. Vincent
and George N. Wood. Hill went to Buffalo, where he was successively on
the editorial staffs of the Courier and the Cominereial, and was for two years
editor of the Sunday Truth. Vincent was editor of the Times until June,
1884, when he went to Binghamton and took an editorial posi-tion on the
Daily Rcpubliean of that city. He subsequently had a similar position on the
Journal of Hartford, Conn., and later owned for a time the Advocate at
Waverly, N. Y. W^ood continued as business manager of the Times until
September, 1884, when he purchased the establishment and was owner and
publisher until September, 1887, when he died of typhoid fever. Mr. Wood
devoted his time principally to the business management of the paper, and
during the greater part of his administration Samuel H. Coon was local
editor and Hon. D. H. Bolles wrote the editorial leaders. The paper was
continued by Mrs. Wood with Coon as manager until December i, 1887, when
it was sold to S. C. Green, B. B. Weber and A. W. Ferrin, the 'firm name
being S. C. Green & Co. The establishment is still owned by these parties,
but Mr. Green having retired from the active management in February, 1891,
the firm is now Ferrin & Weber. Samuel H. Coon has been city editor of the
Times since it passed into the hands of its present owners. From its
establishment in i860 to the present time the Times has advocated the princi-
ples of the Republican party. A weekly issue has been continued since the
daily was started.
The Newspapers axu Their Editors. 95
Charles F. Dickinson, who was publisher of the Olcaii Turns from March,
1865, to June, 1871, was born in Ontario county, December 14, 1829. He
resided in Branchport, Yates county, until 1859, pursuing the vocation of a
shoemaker. He then removed to Penn Yan and held a clerical position in the
county clerk's office for three years. Leaving Penn Yan he purchased the
Reporter at Angelica, Allegany county, which he published in connection with
his brother, George W., until he purchased the Times in 1865. He then
disposed of his interest in the Reporter to his brother and gave his attention
to the Times during the remainder of his life. Mr. Dickinson was a man of
retiring disposition, but had a warm heart and kindly nature, and was highly
esteemed by those who knew him. His widow, Martha B., was a woman of
unusual mental endowment, and was prominently engaged for many years in
the temperance reform movement. While engaged in this work she married
Hon.. John O'Donnell, State senator from Lewis county, and removed to
Lowville, \\-here she has since resided.
George N. Wood, publisher of the Times from September, 1884, ^^o Septem-
ber, 1887, was born at Starkey, Yates county, November 1 1, 1859. When about
ten years old his parents removed to Burlingame, Kan., where his youth and
early manhood were spent. In 1876 he returned east and entered the employ
of his uncle, George W. Dickinson, publisher of the Oleaii Times. He was in
the office of the Times as book-keeper and business and editorial assistant most
of the time from that date until his purchase of the Times in 1884. He was an
enterprising and energetic young man and a very efificicnt business manager.
In April, 1865, J. H. Melvin, of Springville, started the Gowarida Bulletin.
It was independent in politics, but as the publisher once naively remarked to
the writer, " It came out square-toed for the Union, and the week following its
birth the southern Confederacy weakened and fell." The Bulletin lived but
one year. Meh'in subsequently established the Spri)igville Local Nezvs, and
has been and is now a contributor of humorous, poetical and narrative
sketches to several of the Buffalo papers.
The Randolph Register was founded by Southwick & Grierson in Septem-
ber, 1865. When first started it was called the Rural City Budget, but the
name did not strike the popular fancy, and it was soon changed to the Register.
It was Republican in politics. Grierson had but a brief connection with the
paper, .selling his interest to Austin L. Topliff. In i866Topliff purchased
Southwick's interest and became sole proprietor. In the fall of 1867 the paper
passed into the hands of William A. Shewman, who was in control until July,
1869, when he sold out to Topliff, who again sold to Shewman in August,
1872. Topliff went to Kansas, where he was connected with various news-
paper enterprises. In the presidential campaign of 1872 the Register
supported Horace Greeley for president, and was " Liberal Republican" in
politics until February, 1874, when Shewman sold out to F. J. Lockwood and
E. J. Smith, when it again became Republican. D. D. Lockwood purchased
96
History of Cattaraugus County.
Smith's interest inNovember, 1875, the firm then becoming F. J. &: D. D.
Lockwood. The Lockwood Brothers were publishers of the Ri-^is/cY until
April 2, 1882, when they sold to George \V. Roberts and John Mishy.
Roberts & Mishy were the publishers until November, 1882, when the interest
of Mishy was purchased by Ben S. Dean. Roberts & Dean conducted the
paper until May 30, 1885, when Dean sold his interest to Charles W. Terry
and removed to Jamestown, where he founded the. JaiJicstoivn Morning Xcius.
of which paper he is still the editor. About a year later Terry came into full
control of the paper, which he retained until December, 1885, when he sold
his entire" interest to Marc D. Johnson & Co. In May, 1890, this firm
purchased the Couraiit of W. A. Shewman, and the name of the firm was
changed to The Randolph Publishing Company. In January, 1892, Marc D.
Johnson acquired all the stock in the company, and has since been sole pro-
prietor.. The Courant was consolidated with the Register March 28, 1892.
The Register hTisheevi. Republican since 1874, and is still of that political faith.
The Weekly Pioneer was started in Franklinville in November, 1865, by
H. A. Williams. A few months later A. M. Curtiss became interested in the
paper, the firm name being Williams & Curtiss. Subsequently the name of
the paper was changed to the Franklinville Pioneer, and in the latter part of
1867 Curtiss sold out to Williams, who shortly after removed the office to
Arcade, where he published a paper for a year or two. The Pioneer was
independent in politics.
In January, 1867, A. W. F"errin brought to EUicottville the press and
materials of a defunct newspaper at Springville, and on February- 7, 1867,
issued the first number of the Cattaraugus Republiean. The Republican
supplied the need of a Republican paper at the county seat, which was
seriously felt after the discontinuance of the Cattaraugus Freeman early in
1866, and it very soon took the place of that old and popular newspaper as an
exponent of Republican principles. In May, 1868, the county seat was
removed to Little Valley and the Republiean accompanied it. January i,
1873, B. B. Weber became an equal owner in the paper, the firm being Ferrin
& Weber. In August, 1873, Ferrin & Weber opened a branch office in
Salamanca and from that time on the Republican was dated at Salamanca and
Little Valley. The business at Salamanca grew to such proportions that in
October, 1875, the press and job department was transferred to that place, and
subsequently all the work was done at the Salamanca office. In February,
1876, Ferrin & Weber, became the publishers also of the Bradford Semi-
Weekly Era. In October, 1877, the paper was made a daily. In May, 1878,
Ferrin & Weber sold their interest in the Bradford paper to C. F. Persons, who
had been local editor of the Era and had had a proprietary interest in it from
the time it was made a daily. In September, 1880, the Republican office was
destroyed in the great conflagration at Salamanca. In November following
Hon. S. C. Green, of Little Valley, purchased a third interest in the paper, the
The Newspapers and Their Editors. 97
firm name being changed to Ferrin, Weber & Green. This partnership con-
tinued to November, 1883, when Green sold his interest to Ferrin & Weber,
who have been since and are still its publishers. The Republican has been a
steadfast advocate of Republican doctrines from its first issfie. Since
December i, 1887, Messrs. Green, Ferrin & Weber have been owners and
publishers of the Olean Times.
The Portville Mirror was started in the village of Portville early in 1867
by B. D. Southwick. The paper was Republican in politics, and had an
existence of about a year. Southwick removed the ofifice to Sherman,
Chautauqua county, where he published a paper for a time, and from there he
went to Mayville. and later to Belmont, N. Y., where he soon after died. The
paper at Belmont was continued. for some years by his widow.
The Goivanda Gazette was started by John S. Fidler in June, 1867. It
was independent in politics with leanings toward Republicanism. The
Gazette was published by Fidler for about ten years, when he sold out to John
J. Horton and E. D. Deming, who issued the Gozi'anda Enterprise as an
independent paper. For some two years under Fidler, beginning in 1869,
W. B. Howland was editor of the Gazette. After leaving Gowanda in 1871
Howland was for five years editor and publisher of the Advertiser at
Kinderhook, N. V., for seven years editor and publisher of the Courier at
Chatham, N. V., and for about five years editor, and publisher of the Tribune
at Cambridge, Mass. While at Chatham he founded the Outing Magazine, of
which he was editor. He was also in editorial charge for two years after
Outing was consolidated with the Wheelman. Mr. Howland is at the present
writing the publisher and general manager of the Christian Union of New
York city. Deming retired from the Enterprise in Novembtr, 1880, and
engaged in various journalistic enterprises. He is now connected with the
Shoe and Leal her Rcviezv, published in Boston, Mass. • Horton continued as
publisher of the Enterprise until January 28, 1887, when he sold to S. Clay
Torrance and Merle D. Colby. During the years he owned the Enterprise,
and subsequently, Horton was extensively engaged in show printing and
devoted his time and energies to that part of the business. For several years
the editorial work was principally done by Hon. W^illiam H. Stuart. In the
summer of 1891 Horton moved his show printing establishment to Cleveland,
Ohio. Torrance & Colby changed the name of the paper to Our Public Inter-
ests, and made it a prohibition organ. April 5, 1888, they sold the paper to a
stock company composed of Gowanda gentlemen, who changed the name to
the Gowanda Herald and made it a Republicail paper with James Kavanaugh
as editor. In December, 1890, Horton bought the stock of The Herald
Publishing Company, and continued the publication of the paper with
Kavanaugh as editor until February 6, 1891, when he sold it to George I.
Lincoln, who in turn sold it to Charles D. Shults of the Cherry Creek Nezvs on
April 10, 1891. The Herald is published by Shults, and is Republican.
13
98 History of Cattaraugus County.
After selling out at Gowanda J. S. Fidler started a paper at Cattaraugus
under the name of the Gazette^ which was published for a time, and was then
removed to Salamanca, where it was issued in 1880 in the interests of the
Greenback* party. It had a precarious e.xistence in Salamanca for a few
months only, and was then removed to Scio, N. Y.
The Tinvii Talk, a semi-monthly independent paper, was started by A. H.
McClure at Allegany in August, 1874. In May, 1875, it was enlarged and the
name changed to the Allegany Journal. In August, 1875, it was sold to J. J.
Barker and changed to a weekly. Barker remained in control only about ten
months, when the paper reverted to McClure, who was its publisher until
January, 1S77, when a half interest was sold to A. Pfirsch. With the advent
of the latter to the firm the -^0 //;-;/(?/ became Democratic in politics, but in June
following it became an exponent of the principles of the Greenback part\-.
In 1880 Pfirsch became sole proprietor, and continued its publisher until its
suspension a few months later. After the suspension of x.\\cJoiiriiiil McClure
published the Monthly Infidel for a short time.
The Weekly Argus was established at Franklinville it September. 1875. b\-
Francis M. Perley. It was neutral in politics and has so continued up to the
present time. On April i, 1889, Perley transferred the paper to his son,
Charles A., and removed to Waverly, Tioga county, where he purchased the
Advocate, of which paper he is still the publisher. When the Argus changed
hands in 1889 the name was changed to the Chronicle, which name it still
bears. C. A. Perley is still its editor and publisher.
With the extension of the oil de\'elopment down the Tuna \alley from
Bradford the village of Limestone took on a wcw life and ambition, and
among the results was the Tujia Valley Oil Xezcs, which made its appearance
in 1876. Charles F. Topliff was the publisher, and in p(.ilitics it ta\ured the
Greenback party. In September, 1878, the office was removed to Jamestown
and used in the publication of the People's Press, a Greenback sheet that had
but a brief e.xistence.
The Limestone Times was the name of a weekly paper started in Ma}-,
1878. It was owned by a stock company composed of Limestone citizens,
and Robert Troup was the editor and manager. Troup was soon succeeded
by J. Hill Thompson, and in No\-ember, 1878, the name was changed to the
Limestone Telegraph. It had but a brief existence thereafter.
The Limestone Reporter was published by Ferrin & Weber of Salamanca
with Shep. L. Vibbard as local editor and manager, beginning in Februarj^-,
1879, ^"d closing in September, 1880. The failure of the Limestone oil field
to meet the expectations of the people and operators led to an abandonment
of all newspaper enterprises in that village.
The Boy's Argus was a small amateur paper started in East Randolph by
O. M. Jeffords and A. H. Holt in September, 1873. In March, 1874, it was
enlarged to eight pages and the name changed to the Empire Herald. In
Thk Xi:\vsr'ArKRs and Thkir EnrroRs. 99
September, 1875, Holt sold his interest to Jeffords, ^\ho afterwards discon-
tinued the paper.
The Pine I'allcy Xcus was started in 1876 by E. F. Beach. It was
independent in politics, and was published by Beach until 1878, when he sold
to Wheeler & Wilson. In 1879 W'ilson sold to Wheeler, and in 1881 Wheeler
sold to Charles J. Shults. W^heeler is now on the editorial staff of the Buffalo
Times. Shults published the Nctvs until November, 1885, \vhen he removed
the office to Cherry Creek and consolidated it with the Cherry Creek Monitor,
changing the name to the Cherry Creek Xeics. Shults is still the publisher of
the Xe'iv.'s and also of the Goii.<aneia Herald.
While the rag money fever was raging in the political field George W.
Mason started a paper at Salamanca in 1877, ^vhich he called the County
Record, devoted to the principles of the Greenback party. The Record never
got much of a foothold, and expired shortly after the presidential election of
1880. Mason went to Warsaw, N. Y., and started a monthly under the title
of the Pioneers, which had a brief existence.
The Olean Record was established by Henry J\I. McKenzie, the first issue
appearing January 5, 1877. It supported the principles of the Greenback
party. McKenzie continued as its publisher until November 22, 1879, \\hen
he sold to W. W. Henry and Charles V. Persons. Mr. McKenzie came to
Cattaraugus county from Michigan, and was in tlie employ at first of the
Chemical Extract Company at Vandalia in a clerical capacity. Later he filled
an editorial position on the Olean Times under George W. Dickinson, and
subsequently started the Olean Record as above stated. McKenzie was a
journalist of more than ordinary ability, and considering what he had to do
with he made the Record di first-class paper. But little is known of McKenzie's
antecedents. One of his intimate friends informs us that he had a brilliant
war record, having enlisted as a private in a Michigan regiment and rising to
a colonelcy. When he sold the Record at Olean he went to Leadville, Col.,
and took the editorship of a mining journal, but died within a year of a lung
trouble. Henry & Persons changed the name of the paper to the Democrat,
and the politics were made to conform to the name. In 1880 a daily was
issued from mid-summer until after the presidential election. Henry retired
from the firm in April, 1881. When the excitement attending the opening of
the Allegany oil field was at its height in 1881 Persons started a morning
paper called the Daily Herald, which was particularly devoted to oil matters.
Pat. Boyle, subsequently manager of the Standard Oil Company's Newspaper
Bureau, was interested for a time in this daily venture. When a daily paper
was started at Richburg, Allegany county, about a year later. Persons merged
the Daily Herald into a Sunday paper called the Sunday Herald. The
Herald o^CQ \wa.s destroyed by fire in August, 1883. Persons then bought
the Sunday Mirror office and consolidated the Mirror with the Herald. In
June, 1885, the Sunday issue was discontinued and the daily revived. In
loo History of Cattaraugus County.
February, 1885, H. D. Sibley purchased an interest in the concern, but
retired in July, 1886, and engaged for a time in journalistic work in Auburn,
N. Y. In January, 1889, Persons went to New York as manager for the
American Press Association, and a new firm was formed under the name of
Persons, Sibley & Spaulding, the members of the firm being C. F. Persons,
H. D. Sibley and Preston D. Spaulding. Persons retired from the firm Janu-
ary I, 1891. Spaulding died May 28, 1892. In the July following Sibley
purchased the interest of Spaulding, and is now sole proprietor. From the
purchase of the Record by Henry & Persons in 1879 ^ weekly paper has been
issued from the Herald office known as the Democrat, which has supported the
principles of the Democratic party.
Preston D. Spaulding was born in Deerfield, Warren county, Ohio,
September 10, 1867, and had lived in Olean for about fourteen years. He
learned the printer's trade in the office of the Olean Times and was with the
Times until 1887. He then took a course in the Poughkeepsie Business
College, and in February, 1889, became one of the publishers of the Herald.
His death was caused by consumption, and he died at the home of a sister in
Cleveland, Ohio, having just returned to that place from Colorado, whither
he went in the previous January with the hope that the climate would effect
a restoration of health. Mr. Spaulding v\'as a young man highly esteemed by
a large circle of friends.
The Mirror was a Sunday paper started in Olean in 1882 by C. F.
Persons. It was soon after sold to Rev. J. J. Keyes, who changed it to the
Saturday Evening Mirror. Ben S. Dean was associated with Keyes in the
publication of the paper for a time. It was a non-partisan sheet with Repub-
lican leanings, and its publication was continued until August, 1883, when the
ofifice was purchased by C. F. Persons, to take the place of the Herald office,
destroyed by fire.
The Weekly Conrant was founded by W. A. Shewman and W. W.
Canfield at Randolph in January, 1878. It was independent in politics until
1884, when it came out in support of the Democratic party. In 1886 Canfield
sold out to Shewman. He subsequently took a position on the Utiea
Observer, and is now city editor of that paper. Shewman continued its
publication until May, 1 890, when he sold to The Randolph Publishing
Company. From that time until March 28, 1892, O. M. Jeffords was editor,
and the paper was Democratic. On the latter date the paper was consoli-
dated with the Register, under the nam./p of the Randolph Register and Weekly
Courant. The consolidated paper is Republican.
The Yorkshire Press was established at Yorkshire Center by Miss Abbie
E. Hufstader in April, 1882. It was an advocate of prohibition principles and
W. C. T. U. temperance work. In May, 1887, Miss Hufstader sold to W. F.
Persons and went to Lockport, N. Y., where she started a prohibition paper.
This venture was not a success and the paper was discontinued. Miss
The Newspapers and Their Editors. ioi
Hufstader still has a job printing office in Lockport, and is engaged in
evangelistic temperance work. Upon its purchase by Persons the Press was
made independent in politics, and so continues. Persons is at present
publisher also of the Holland Review, Aj-eade Reeonl s.nd Sardinia Censor.
In 1S82 H. L. Green started in Salamanca a monthly publication under the
name of the Freethinkers' Magazine. It was dex'oted to the promulgation of
free-thought principles and ideas. Since November, 1886, the publication
office of the magazine has been in -Buffalo.
In 1882 Robert B. Carr started an independent paper at Ellicottviiie under
the name of the Xen's. It was conducted by him until December, 1885, when
it passed into the hands of Hollis W. Hill. It was published by Hill until
May, 1886, when it was leased by Brand Brothers, who made it a Democratic
sheet and continued its publication until July. 1887. At that time it passed
into the hands of Hon. C. P. Vedder, but was published by E. C. Brand as an
independent sheet until May, 1S88, when Brand retired. It was then edited
for a short time by Miss Greenman and later by W. L. Rasey. In 1889
Arthur J. Salisbury became editor and publisher, and still retains that
position. It is now Republican in politics.
The Franklinville Star was started by J. A. Orr in July, 1883, as a
prohibition organ. In July, 1885, Orr sold out to a stock company known as
the Star Publishing Company. The paper was removed to Machias and the
name changed to the Cattarangiis Star. The paper has been edited and
managed for the Star Company by John C. Smith, and is still the organ of
the prohibitionists of the county.
The J^ost was established at Ellicottviiie in 1884 by James Mofifit & Son,
the first number being dated November 24th. The paper is still issued by
Moffit & Son and is Republican in politics.
In October, 1884, an independent paper was started at Cattaraugus by
J. D. Jones under the name of the Cattaraugus Gazette. In the following
month George Straight purchased the paper and the name was changed to
the Cattaraugus Times. The paper was published by Straight, assisted by his
son Charles D., until 1885, when the latter became the sole proprietor. In
1888 the name was changed to the Cattaraugus County Times, and in 1890 it
was made a Republican paper. Charles D. Straight is still the editor and
publisher.
The Lively Times \vas the title of a monthly paper started in West Valley
in May, 1886, by A. O. Tillinghast, an enterprising merchant in that village.
It was independent in politics and was largely devoted to agricultural matters.
It was published for four years and was then merged in the Post at
Ellicottviiie.
The Cattaraugus Journal was founded at Franklinville, August 23, 1888,
by Levi T. Spring. It was Republican in politics until March, 1889, when
Ward Morton purchased a half interest. It was then made independent.
I02 History of Cattakaihius County.
Spring died August 31, 1890, and from that time Morton has been editor and
manager. He has been sole owner since April, 1891. In September, 1891,
the name was 'changed to the Fraiikliiivillc Journal. Levi T. Spring was a
son of the late Judge Samuel S. Spring. He was born in Franklinville, June
28, 1855. He was educated at Ten Broeck Free Academy, and learned the
trade of marble cutter. In 1876 he w^ent west, working at his trade in Kansas,
Nebraska and Texas. In 1880 he returned to Arcade, N. Y., and in January,
1882, married Myra Lyon, of Dalton, Livingston county. He was for "a time
in partnership with his father-in-law, Plin B. Lyon, in a country store. He
returned to Franklinville in 1884 and taught painting classes in that and
neighboring villages for a year or two. In 1886 he opened a job printing
office in Franklinville, and in 1888 he started the Journal as above noted.
Mr. Spring was a bright and talented young man, and doubtless would have
made his mark in the field of journalism had he lived.
In April, 1889, M. D. Colby started an independent paper at Little Valley
under the title of the County Scat Chronicle. In May R. K. Godding became
an equal partner in the business, and about the middle of July the paper
passed into the hands of Godding and George C. Wilson, who changed the
name to the Capital. Wilson & Godding published the Capital for a few-
weeks, when the firm dissolved and Godding became publisher. Subse-
quently he turned .the concern over to Wilson, who ran the paper until March
21, 1890, when it was discontinued.
The Educator, a monthly journal devoted to the education of the young
men and women of our country in the current events of the day, was started
in Januar}-, 1889, by Prof. \\. H. Smith, A. B., principal of the Portville
Union School. The publication of^ce was in Buffalo until December, 1892,
when the printing was begun at Little Valley by W. H. Smith, a brother of
the publisher. All the other work, including the setting of the type, is done
at Portville. The matter in the Educator is all original, and the journal has
attained a monthly circulation of 25,000 copies.
In August, 1890, W. S. Norton and D. McMillen started a paper at Olean
under the name of the Olcan Sunday Hatchet. It was independent in politics
with strong Democratic proclivities. McMillen retired from the paper in
September, 1890. Its publication was continued by Norton until March, 1891,
when he discontinued it to accept a position on the reportorial staff of the
Buffalo Courier.
The latest newspaper within the county is the East Randolph Enterprise,
which was started by W. A. Shewman, formerly connected with the Register
and later with the Courant. The first number of the Enterprise was issued
October 7, 1891. The paper is Democratic in politics.
The preceding sketch is but a brief statement of facts with reference to
the press of Cattaraugus county. If space permitted I would be glad to
present some interesting personal experiences illustrating the vicissitudes of
The Newspapers axd Their Editors.
Cattaraugus county journalism, especially in the trying pioneer and war of the
Rebellion periods. These vicissitudes are indicated in some degree by the
frequent newspaper changes and suspensions, and in the change of names,
which our brethren of the press in the early days seemed to have imagined
would in some way propitiate the Goddess of Fortune and bring them success
where there had been failure. Within the past twenty-fi\e years there has
been a remarkable increase in the circulation of local papers. In 1867, when
the writer came into the county, it had but seven newspapers. The most
prosperous and widely circulated paper in the county up to that time — the
Cattaraugus Fn-cjiiaii — reached a circulation of eleven hundred, and this was
considered to be phenomenally large. The average circulation of the other
papers was considerably less. Now there are fourteen \\'eekly newspapers and
two dailies in the county. One of the weeklies has had a circulation for over
twenty years of more than twenty-five hundred. Three or four others, at least,
have a circulation exceeding that of the Freeman, and others approach it. It
may well be said that this is a newspaper age, and it is unquestionabh- true
that the great increase in newspaper circulation has had a marked influence in
quickening and stimulating mental acti\'ity among the people.
There has also been a \-er}' marked inipro\-ement in the publishing facili-
ties in the county. The publication of a newspaper in the days before
"patent insidcs"or stcreotyi)c news plates were thought of, and when the
edition had to be pulled off on a hand-press at the rate of "a token" an hour,
required an amount of physical labor that would appal the young journalists
of the present day. Large circulations under those circumstances were not
desirable, and when ail things are considered it must be admitted that our
brethren of the press did exceedingly well in those early days. The first
cylinder press in the county was put in the ofifice of the Cattaraugus Freeman
about 1864. This press went to Olean into the Advertiser office in 1S66, and
was destroyed by fire in 1868. The next cylinder press was put in the ofiice
of the Cattaraugus Republican in 1870. For many years cylinder presses have
been almost a necessit)-, and nearly e\ery office in the count}- is now well
equipped in this respect. The jobbing departments of the offices have been
improved in a corresponding degree. T am pleased to be able to say that the
newspapers now in existence in the county compare very favorable with those
of any rural county in the State. Most of them have passed through the
experimental period and are upon a basis which warrants the conclusion that
they are here to stay.
Augustine W. Ferrin* was born in the town of Concord, ne'&r Springville,
Erie county, March 9, 1843. His father was Adna P., youngest son of Eben-
ezer Ferrin, a pioneer of Concord, who emigrated into that wilderness country
from New Hampshire about 1816. His mother was Lucinda, daughter of
■By Wm. Adams.
I04 History of Cattaraugus County.
William Sanders, a pioneer of Sardinia, N. Y., who came from Connecticut.
A. W. Ferrin was born on the farm located and cleared by his paternal grand-
father, but while he was a child his father removed to Yorkshire, this county,
where the family resided until 185 1, when they returned to the homestead.
The father died of typhoid fever in 1854, and left an invalid widow and four
small children. Augustine, aged eleven, was the oldest child and the only son.
Owing to these circumstances he had but meager opportunities for securing an
education. A few years at a country district school and three or four terms
in the Springville Academy comprised all his educational advantages. The
pressing necessities of the family compelled him to become a "bread winner"
at the age of fourteen years. When but thirteen he spent six months in the
printing of^ce of Lucius C. Sanders, a maternal uncle, who published the
American Citizen in the campaign of 1856, at Springville. The office was sold
in December, 1856, and yoUng Ferrin went back to school for a year. In
December, 1857, he entered the office of the Springville Herald diS an appren-
tice, where he remained until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. F, i i6th
N. Y. Vols., for service in the war of the Rebellion. In 1S59, during leisure
hours, he published for several months an amateur paper called the Penny
Weekly. His mother died in the winter of i860, leaving his sisters dependent
upon him for support. The 1 i6th Regiment rendezvoused in Buffalo and left
that city in September, 1862, for the front. At Baltimore it was ordered into
a camp of instruction and remained a couple of months; it then joined Gen-
eral Banks's expedition which fitted out at Fortress Monroe and proceeded-to
New Orleans for operations in the Gulf Department. Young Ferrin was with
his regiment through the Port Hudson and Donaldsonville campaigns, but
upon its return to Baton Rouge in August, 1863, he was sent to the hospital for
disability, from which he was honorably discharged in October following. He
returned to Springville in December, 1863, and in Januan,- following took
charge of the Springville Chroniele as editor and publisher. April i, 1865, he
became the city editor of the Buffalo Express, but by reason of failing health
he was obliged to resign that position in the following September. The
remainder of 1865 and the year 1866 were spent in efforts to regain his health,
which were measurably successful. In January, 1867, he purchased the
Springville Hercild establishment and removed the press and materials to Elli-
cottville, where he started the Cattaraugus Republiean, the first number
appearing February 7, 1867. The Republiean W2is received with popular favor,
and very soon had a substantial patronage and a large circulation.
When the county seat was removed to Little Valley in May, 1868, the
Republican office accompanied it. Mr. Ferrin's health broke down again
in 1870, but with the exercise of great care he was able to attend to his
editorial duties. January i, 1873, his brother-in-law, B. B. Weber, who had
been an assistant in the office since January i, 1871, became equal partner in
the business, and since then the two have been partners in this and other
a.yr. h
Augustine W. Ferrix. io;
publishing enterprises, brfef mention of which are made in this chapter.
Again, in 1879, ^^'^'^ health of Mr. Ferrin became seriously impaired, and he
spent apart of the winter and the early summer of 1880 on the Pacific coast,
with the hope of restoration, which was fortunately partially realized; but
the strain put upon him in consequence of the destruction of the Republican
office by fire in August, 1880, broke him down more effectually than ever.
During the winter of 1880-81 he was completely incapacitated for work, and it
was generally supposed he would not long survive. There came an improve-
ment in the following summer, and in October, 1881, he engaged to do
editorial work on the Buffalo Christian Advocate. This he was obliged to
give up in March, 1882, and several months were spent in outdoor occupations
to aid in a physical recovery. Health came back slowly, and in the v\-inter
following he was able to resume some of his duties in the office of the Repub-
lican. When Hon. S. C. Green retired from the firm on November i, 1883,
iVIr. Ferrin was able to take full editorial direction of the paper as in former
years, which he has continued to tiie present time. Mr. Weber has had charge
of the business department since he became a partner. February 25, 1891, Mr.
Ferrin was appointed United Stares agent for the New York Indians, which
position he still ably fills.
Mr. Ferrin began his business life hampered with poverty, and with but
little physical power; but he has an able brain machine. By his great energy
he very soon came to the front as an editor, and made the Republican the best
family newspaper in the county and the reliable political organ of the
Republican party. In fact his paper has few equals and no superiors in all
the rural districts of western New York. As a politician he has been active,
alert, and brave, but always honorable, and has generously used his great
influence to help other men to high offices, but has never sought "place and
position" for himself. Mr. Ferrin is liberal, public spirited, and enterprising,
and in the fullest and most comprehensive meaning of the term a good citizen.
His religious connections are with the Congregational church of Salamanca,
of whose Sunday-school he is the superintendent, and has been most of the
time since he came to the place in 1883. He also served as superintendent of
the Sunday-school several years during his residence in Little Valley.
September 24, 1868, he married Miss Anna E. Weber, daughter of Matthew-
Weber, of Springville, who died February 14, 1872. January i, 1874, he
married Miss Flavilla J. Van Hoesen, daughter of Matthias Van Hoesen, of
Preble, Cortland county. A. W. Ferrin, Jr., their son, was born September
1, 1875; Susie L., their daughter, was born September 18, 1878.
14
io6 History of Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
[By A. D. Lake, M. D.]
IN COMPILING a history of medicine in Cattaraugus county it is to be
noted that only from a comparatively recent period has it been possible to
obtain accurate data either as regards methods of practice and procedure
or for biographical sketches of the earlier practitioners. It has been necessary
in both instances to rely largely upon tradition. It is impossible to determine
definitely the first physician to locate in the county. All the evidence at
command points to the probability that it was John McClure, who not only
practiced medicine but taught school at McClure Settlement in the town of
Franklinville as early as 1806 or '07. Norman Smith followed his profession
in Glean in 1S14. James Trowbridge, whom many of the present generation
will remember, was an assistant surgeon in the War of 18 12, and came to
EUicottville in 1816. He later practiced also in other towns. Alson Leaven-
worth was another early practitioner who located in EUicottville in 1S18. His
business for several years extended over the entire county as well as in
adjoining counties and in Pennsylvania, covering more territory than any
physician who has ever practiced within the limits of- Cattaraugus. His
business was more largely devoted to surgery than any of his predecessors.
Sands N. Crumb came into the town of Conewango as early as 1820, and a
few years later removed to Gowanda. Andrew Mead, who added to his
qualifications as a doctor considerable legal skill, and is remembered well for
many peculiar characteristics, came to Olean in 1S20, while Charles McLouth
located in Franklinville a year later. Augustus Crary came into the county
soon after. At about the same time Levi Goldsborough settled in Otto. Dr.
Goldsborough was a typical pioneer physician ; of splendid physique, of
unsurpassed endurance, and always prepared for emergencies. Following
these men in quick succession were Thomas J. Wheeler, Thomas J. Williams,
Edwin Finn, Paul Clark, and others, all of whom have long since passed off
the stage of activity.
These pioneers in medicine found themselves in an almost unbroken
wilderness. In many instances, in the urgency of the work they were called
upon to perform, they were compelled to reach their patients, often at long
distances away, through paths in the woods with no other guide save the trees
"blazed" by the settler's axe. It is a well authenticated fact that in some
cases they carried with them axes to "browse" their horses and "spot" trees
Medicine and Surgery. 107
that they might know their way back. When detained by storms or swollen
streams they were forced to spend the night in the woods on improvised beds
of hemlock boughs. Their only means of conveyance, when not forced to go
on foot, was on horseback, with their saddlebags strapped on beside them.
Their remedies, of fiecessity, were of the crudest character, often -consisting
of indigenous roots, herbs and barks. The same condition existed as regards
surgical appliances. The instruments used in operations were often obtained
from the chest of the carpenter or manufactured for the occasion by the
nearest blacksmith.
Their distance from centers of medical knowledge, and their infrequent
opportunities for consultation, compelled them to rely almost wholly upon
their own resources. They \\ere, of necessity, self-dependent and conse-
quently self-reliant. As the county became more thickly populated, and high-
ways took the place of foot-paths and Indian trails, these in turn to be followed
by railways, thus giving better opportunity for communication with distant
points, the evolution which the rapid march of civilization ever shows was
seen in more modern methods of practice. It may be truthfully said that
the physicians of Cattaraugus county have always been in the front line of
progress, and that at the present time, both in general and special practice, all
of the more important medical and surgical work is done by physicians and
surgeons residents of the county.
During the late war the county contributed to the medical corps of the
army, as surgeons and assistant surgeons, se\eral men who did noble work in
the service, notable among them being Hon. Henry Van Aernam, surgeon of
the 154th Regiment; Corydon C. Rugg, assistant surgeon of the same regi-
ment: George \V. Barr, surgeon of the 64th Regiment; and Peter Wilson, who
went out in the employ of the Sanitary Commission.
There are now in active practice in the county ninety-si.x physicians, of
which number seventy-two are registered as regular, seventeen as eclectic, and
seven as homeopathic.
There are three active medical societies deriving their membership in whole
or in part from the practitioners of the county, viz.: The Cattaraugus County
Medical Society, composed of regular physicians residents of the county; the
Lake Erie Medical Society, which recei\es as members all legally qualified
practitioners regardless of school; and the Homeopathic Medical Society of
Western New York.
By an act of the Legislature passed April 4, 1806, five or more physicians
in a county or in adjoining counties could organize a medical society with
power to grant licenses to practice medicine in the State. The Medical
Society of the State of New York was legally organized in 1807 and possessed
the right to grant diplomas. This society has maintained its organization to
the present day. Its membership is made up of delegates from the county
societies.
loS History of Cattaraugus County.
The first attempt to form a medical society in Cattaraugus county was in
1824, but no organization was effected. It is quiteprobable that not enough
resident physicians could be got together at that time to legally organize, for
the entire population was not far from 8,000, and the practice of medicine,
especially in a newly-settled country, was not confined to' such strict lines as
it is in our generation. Hence the failure of those practitioners to launch suc-
cessfully a medical society in the then wilds of "cold" Cattaraugus.
The subject of organization, it seems, was riot revived until 1833, when
T. P. Whipple, H. Davison, Augustus Crary, Thomas J.Williams, Elijah Har-
mon, Lewis Riggs, Oliver Guernsey, Edwin Finn, and C. Ellsworth assembled
and formally organized the Cattaraugus County Medical Society, but appar-
ently left no record of officers elected that year. From what is learned through
tradition the society held regular meetings until 1844, the last one being con-
\'ened in January of that year at Daniel I. Huntley's in Ellicott\-ille. In 1842
two years before, there were on its roll as members these names: Thomas
J. Wheeler, Thomas J. Williams, Seth Field, J. P. Powers, Isaac Shaw, E\-erett
Stickney. K. V. R. Lansingh, Alson Leavenworth, Paul Clark, J. B. Staunton,
Abel Wilder, S. G. Ellis, Lambert Whitney, Andrew Mead, Charles McLouth,
Samuel Wilcox, S. D. Buzzell, Elijah Dresser, Lewis Riggs, Elijah Harmon,
J. S. Jones, Augustus Crary, and Levi Goldsborough. The officers, as far as
can be ascertained, were:
Presidents. — T. J. Wheeler, elected 1S34; Edwin Finn, 1836; Elijah Har-
mon. 1837; T. J. Williams, 1844.
I'icc-Prcsidcnts. — Lewis Riggs, elected 1834; Charles McLouth, 1837;
David Bennie, 1844.
Secretaries and Treasurers. — H. Da\'ison, elected 1834; T. J. Williams,
1836; J. B. Staunton, 1844.
Censors. — Elijah Harmon, T. P. Whipple, T. J. Williams, Lewis Riggs,
and H. Davison, 1834; J. B. Staunton, T. J. Williams, Everett Stickney, Lam-
bert Whitney, and T. J. Wheeler, 1844.
The present Cattaraugus County Medical Society was organized in Irvine
hall, EUicottviUe, on June 4, 1867, in conformity with the provisions of the
statutes regarding the practice of medicine in the State of New York. A code
of by-laws was discussed and adopted and one hundred copies ordered
printed and distributed. Thus the regular county medical society was legally
and successfully launched and has continued to the present time with
considerable regularity, but with various degrees of professional interest.
During the first few years the members evinced a good deal of enthusiasm in
the discussions and papers, which covered a wide scope of medical literature.
As the years passed interest waned until at one time (in 1886) it became a
serious question whether to continue or disband. Fortunately this state of
affairs aroused to new activity those who had come to use the name of the
society more for outside show than for mutual benefit, and in the past half
dozen years it has once more sprung into a new life and a larger sphere of use-
Cattaraugus Couxtv Medical Societv. 109
fulness. This has been caused partly by modern methods of practice and partly
by competing in enthusiasm and prominence with neighboring medical
societies.
The charter members of the Cattaraugus County Medical Society (those
who joined June 4, .1867) were Francis Findlay, Franklinville ; H. M. Gale,
Salamanca; E.S.Stewart, T. J. Williams, and Horace Arnold, EUicottville ;
■George St. John, Yorkshire Center; and H. L. Ensworth, Salamanca.
Among the papers read at the various meetings may be mentioned the
following: "Anaesthetics in Obstetrics," Dr. Woodruff; "Pathology, ^Etiology,
and Treatment of Varicocele," Henry Van Aernam ; "Acute Rheumatic
Fever," L. H. Kitchel; " Electricity in Medical Surgery " and "Scarlatina,"
H. D. Walker; "Puerperal Convulstons," Dr. Nichols; "Female Perinaeum,"
F. H. Bartlett ; "Neurasthenia," S. P. Jones; "Contagious Diseases," A. D.
Lake; "The Microscope in Medical Diagnosis," H. D. Walker and L. L. Deck;
"Some Points in Abdoment Surgery," H. D. H. Ingraham, of Buffalo; "Eye
Symptoms in Disease," A. A. Hubbell; "Uric Acid Diathesis," William B.
Johnston; "The Law and the Doctors in the State of New York," C. Z. Lin-
-coln, Esq.; "A Higher Medical Education," Dr. Crandall; "Hereditary
Chorea," Clarence King; " Puerperal Fever," William B. Johnston.
The members of the society since the organization are as follows:
1867, October 8, John L. Eddy, Zenas G. Bullock, Cornelius H. Bartlett,
James Nichols, Melville C. FoUett, Charles A. Woodruff, Ale.xis E. Willard.
C. W. Bond, Elijah Dresser. December 4, Ira J. Brownson, Thomas J,
Wheeler. 1868, October 7, Lyman Twomley, Simeon V. Pool. December
16, H. S. Smith. 1S70, June i, A. S. Bonsteel, Thomas J. King, A. B.
Parsons, H. S. Bowen, A. D. Lake. 1873, jLine4, Phipps Lake. September
JO, Hiram D. Walker, Henry Van Aernam, Edward Torrey, Luther H.
Kitchel. 1874, June 3, C. O. Day, E. A. Chapman. September 2, Nelson
.Saunders, AL C. Bissell, O. A. Tompkins, Ransom Terry, E. J. Burlingame.
1875, June 2, Wallace Sibley, George Lattin. September 2, Harmon J.
Ashley, Fred C. Beals, E. Burdick, E. IVL Cheney. 1878, June 19, A. A.
Hubbell, S. .S. Bedicnt. 1879, Ji-ine 4, James L Williams. i88[, March 2,
Frank H. Bartlett, E. J. Loughlin, S. J. Mudge, A. K. Corbin, W. H. Sage.
J 883, December 5, E. W. Dutcher, B. M. Spencer, John P. Colgrove, Lyman
L. Deck, William H. Dukeman, T. C. James, J. P. Powers. 1884, March 5,
J. H. Sackrider, Edward Torrey, S. B. McClure, Lambert Whitney. June 4,
S. P. Jones. September 3, R. F. Rowley, F. E. Tuttle, M. C. Hawley. 18S5,
June 3, S. Z. Fisher. 1886, June 2, S. J. Spencer. 1887, December 7, Will-
iam B. Johnston, C. AL Walrath, V. A. Ellsworth, F. P. Blair, H. D. Snover,
G. B. Crandall, Clarence King, Robert R. Seyse. 1888, December 5, Alfred
W. Smallman. 1889, September 4, E. M. Shaffner. 1892, December i,
J. E. K. Morris, T. B. Loughlen, W. E. McDuffee, W. H. Vincent, E. B.
Burdick, Joseph C. Clark, Ambrose E. Smith, W. Carl Dallanbaugh, J. D.
Maloy, John L. Eddy.
The officers have been as follows, being elected in June of each year:
Presidents. — Francis Findlay, 1867; Elijah Dresser, 1868; T. J.Wheeler.
1869; James Nichols, 1870; C. H. Bartlett, 1871 and 1877; no meeting, 1872;
History of Cattaraugus Countv.
Zenas G. Bullock, 1873-74; Henry Van Aernam, 1875 ; E.S.Stewart, 1876;
A. D. Lake, 1878-79; no records, 1880-83; Wallace Sibley, 1884; John P.
Colgrove, 1885-86; O. A. Tompkins, 18S7; no record, 1888; Lyman L. Deck,
1889-90; no record, 1861 ; George Lattin, 1892.
Vice-presidents. — H. M. Gale, 1867; T. J.Williams. 1868; James Nichols,
1869; T. J. King, 1870; Lyman Twomley, 1871 ; no meeting, 1872; A. D.
Lake, 1873; H. S. Smith, 1874; C. H. Bartlett, 1875 : S. V. Pool, 1876; C. O.
Day, 1877; O. A. Tompkins, 1878; E. S. Stewart, 1S79; no records, 1880-83;
George Lattin, 1884-85; Edward Torrey, 1886; S. J. Spencer, 1887 and 1889;-
no record, 1888; Clarence King, 1890; no record, 1891; F. C. Beals, 1892.
Secretaries and Treasurers. — E. S. Stewart, 1867-6S, 1873-75 ! H. S. Smith,.
1869-71 ; no meeting, 1872. (Beginning with 1876 the offices were filled sepa-
rately— S., secretary; T., treasurer.) H. S. Smith, S.. 1S76; E. S. Stewart, T.,
1876; A. D. Lake, S., 1877; Ira J. Browns'on, T., 1877-79; George Lattin, S.,
1878-79; no record, 1880-83; Edward Torrey, S., 18S4-85; B. M. Spencer, T.,
1884-85. (Since 1886 the two offices have been held by a single incumbent.)
L. L. Deck, 1886-87; no record, 1888; M. C. Hawley, 1889-92.
Censors, elected in the order named. — T.J. Williams, H. M. Gale, George
St. John, James Nichols, A. E. Willard, C. W. Bond, S. V. Pool, E. S.
Stewart, Charles A. Woodruff, Francis Findlay, H. S. Smith, Z. G. Bullock,
L. H. Kitchel, Ransom Terry, A. D. Lake, Lyman Twomley, George Lattin,
H. D. Walker, Henry Van Aernam, C. H. Bartlett. 0. A. Tompkins, H. J.
Ashley, F. C. Beals, Wallace Sibley, F. H. Bartlett. S. B. McClure, S. P.
Jones, Clarence King, C. O. Day, \V. B. Johnston, S. Z. Fisher, L. L. Deck,
A. W. Smallman.
Delegates to State Medical Society. — T. J. Wheeler and E. S. Stewart, 1867
and 1869; C. H. Bartlett and Z. G. Bullock, 1868; lames Nichols and J. L.
Eddy, 1873; J. L. Eddy and C. O. Dav, 1883; A. D.'Lake and C. H. Bartlett,
1884; S. V. Pool and V. A. Ellsworth, 1887; S. Z. Fisher and L. L. Deck,
1888; S. V. Pool, 1890; S. V. Pool and F. C. Beals, 1892.
Delegates to the National Medical Association. — T. J. Wheeler, 1868; C. H.
Bartlett, Henry Van Aernam, and A. D. Lake, 1878: C. H. Bartlett and A. D.
Lake, 1881.
The Lake Erie Medical Society, whose membership is derived from the
legally qualified practitioners of a portion of Cattaraugus, Erie, and Chautau-
qua counties, was organized at Angola, Erie county. May i, 1886. The
following physicians have been its officers:
Presidents. — J.G.Thompson, 1886; M. B. Shaw, 1887; Wm. Putnam, 1888 ;
A. D. Lake, 1889; E. E. Davis, 1890; W. M. Ward, 1891 ; R. E. Moss, 1892.
Vice-presidents.— M. B. Shaw, 1886; Wm. Putnam. 1887; A. D. Lake, 1888;
E. E. Davis, 1889; W. M. Ward, 1890; W. J. French, 1891 ; J. Cherry, 1892.
Secretaries.— \V. M. Ward, 1886-87; J. Cherr>-. 1888-89; R- E- Moss,
1890-91 ; William Teft, 1892.
The regular meetings of the society are held quarterly at Gowanda,
Forestville, Angola, and North Collins. At its various sessions th'e following
papers have been presented: "Our New Organization," W. M. W^ard ;
"Adherent Prepuce," J. G. Thompson; "Mental Influence in Medicine,"
William Putnam; "Asphyxia," M. B. Shaw; "Gleanings in the History of
Lake Erie Medical Society.
Medicine," J. Cherry; "Dislocation of the Head of the Humerus," M. B.
Shaw; "Diabetes," J. G. Thompson: "Duties of the Physician to his Patients
and to the Community," L. R. Ra\'mond ; "Cold Baths as a IMeans of
Reducing Temperature," J. Cherry; "The Diagnosis of Contracted or Granu-
lar Kidney," A. D. Lake; "Treatment of Abortion," AL B. Shaw; "Disease
of the Nasal Organs as a Contributing Cause of Consumption," R. E. Moss;
"Infantile Convulsions," E. E. Davis; "Hemorrhoids," E. E.Davis; "Septic
Infection During the Puerperal State," W. M. Ward; "Vomiting in
Pregnancy," \V. J.French; "Diagnosis of Pneumonia," William Putnam;
Annual Address by the President. A. D. Lake; "Gonorrhoea," W. J. French ;
■"The Water Cure for Consumption," Dr. Ailing; "The Microscope and
Stereopticon in Diagnosis," George Blackham ; " Reflex of the Eye and Ear,"
A. A. Hubbell; "Heredity and Contagiousness of Tuberculosis," George
Lattin; "The Bacillus Tuberculosis," R. E. Moss; "Influence of Climatic
Changes in Tuberculosis," W. M.Ward; " Symptomatology of Tuberculosis,"
A. D. Lake; "Local and General Treatment of Tuberculosis," William
Putnam; "Pelvic Inflammation in Women," "Hysteria," A. D. Lake; "Con-
cussion of the Brain and Fracture of the Skull," J. D. Zwetsch ; " Electricity
and its Application to the Healing Art ;" C. C. Johnson and W. J. F"rench ;
■" Amenorrhoea and Menorrhagia," J. G. Rugg; " Abcess of the Liver," Dr.
Tarbox; "Causes and Treatment of Diarrhoea in Children," W. J. French;
■"Tuberculous Disease and S\-pliili5 among the Indians on the Cattaraugus
Reservation," A. D. Lake; "Treatment of Typhoid F"ever," R. E. Moss,
■"Treatment of Diphtheria," W. M. Ward; "Treatment of the Breast in
Puerperal Women after Still Birth," A. D. Lake; "Antiseptic Midwifery,"
M. D. Mann; "Treatment of Scarlet Fever," J. G. Thompson; "Sciatica,"
J. Cherry; "What is Mind and When is it Sound?" William M. Potter;
"Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer," C. C. Johnson; "Difference Between
Typhlitis and Appendicles," Dr. Loop; "Dyspepsia," R. E. Moss; "Diabetes
Mellitus," W. J. French; " Relationship and /Etiology of Dyspepsia, Diabetes,
and Rheumatism," A. D. Lake; "Circumcision," N. G. Richmond; "Common
Forms of Conjunctival Inflammation," F. H. Bartlett; "Railway Surgery,"
¥. C. Beals; "Gout," C. C. Johnson; "Urethritis: Its Treatment by Hot
Water Irrigation," B. H. Dagget : "Puerperal Fever," E. E. Davis; "Asepsis
and Antisepsis as Applied to the Lying in Chamber," W. M. Potter; "Asiatic
Cholera and its Treatment," F. E. Tuttle; "Typhoid F"ever," A. D. Lake;
""Valvular Lesions of the Heart and their Therapeutics," B. C. Johnson.
The Cattaraugus county members of the Lake Erie Medical Society are
A. D. Lake, William Putnam, R. E. Moss, C. C. Johnson, J. G. Rugg, J. D.
Zwetsch, George Lattin, Horace Babcock, F. E. Tuttle, C. S. Cleland, William
Teft, L. W. Tarbox (deceased), Guy B. Crandall, S. V. Pool, W. F. Gardner, .
■S. B. McClure, F. C. Beals, Edward Torrey, F. H. Bartlett, S. J. Mudge,
W. B. Johnston, A. W. Smallman.
History of Cattaraugus County.
The Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties Homeopathic Medical Society-
was re-organized in 1866 from a similar society that had ceased to exist. This
organization itself had but a brief existence, being disbanded some twelve
years later. Most of its members resided and practiced in Chautauqua
county. The physicians formerly members of this socjety belong, many of
them, to a new organization called the Homeopathic Medical Society of
Western New York, which was organized April 10, 1885. So far as can be
ascertained the following is a list of the physicians residing in Cattaraugus
county who are members of this last named society: J. D. Zwetsch, Gowanda;
DeVere M. Hibbard, Olean ; A. H. Babcock, Randolph.
The Eclectic Medical Society of the Thirty-second Senatorial District of
the State of New York was organized at Dunkirk, September 25, 1865. It
was composed mainly of Chautauqua county physicians. Regular meetings
were held at various places each year until 1879, when the organization was
allowed to go down. Among its members were many eclectic practitioners
who possessed more than a local prominence, and chief among these may be
mentioned Dr. C. C. Johnson, of Gowanda, who was foremost in everything
looking to the advancement and well being of the society and was much of
the time one of its officers. The Cattaraugus county members were Corydon
C. Rugg, Corydon C. Johnson, N. F. Marble, Cyrus W. Babcock, Alfred
Ayres, C. D.Thompson, A. A. Hubbell, V. A. Ellsworth. The following were
the executive officers of the society:
Prcsi</i-uts.—Vi. C. Taylor, 1865; N. F. Marsh, 1866; C. C. Rugg, 1867;
James Fenner, 1868-69; C. C. Johnson, 1870; G. \V. Carpenter, 1871-72;
A. P. Parsons, 1873-74; A. S. Davis, 1875-77; ^V. L. Wilbur, 1878; N. F.
Marsh, 1879.
Secretaries.— 1^1. M. Fenner, 1865; C. C. Johnson, 1866; N. F. Marsh,
1867; A. P. Parsons, 1868-69; M. M. Fenner, 1870; A. P. Parsons, 1871-72;
W. L. Wilbur, 1873-74; A. P. Parsons, 1875-77; C. C. Johnson, 1878-79.
In the following pages something is said, it is believed, of every reputable
physician, regardless of school, that ever practiced medicine and resided
within the limits of Cattaraugus county — from the earliest settlement down
to the present day. Of the pioneer practitioners the material has been
gleaned mainly from tradition and occasionally from a lineal descendant, but
the data of recent and present doctors were collected by personal visits. The
whole represents over three hundred interviews, and is offered to the present
and coming generations, particularly to members of the medical profession, as
a w ork comparatively complete and accurate. It shows that over four hundred
and twenty physicians have practiced their profession in this county since its
first settlement.
The editor desires to state that great credit is due Mr. W. Stanley Child
for his indefatigable work in collecting and compiling the material in this
chapter. Whatever merit it may possess is largely due to his earnest and
painstaking labor.
Medical Practitioxers in Allegany.
ALLEGANY.
Dr. Cleveland was the first physician to locate in Allegany. He came in
183S. He was a good practitioner, and was interested in politics as well as
in medicine. — See Olean.
Dr. Lane came here in 1842, remained a short time, and went to Chautau-
qua county.
Hon. Henry Van Aernam. — See Franklin\'ille.
James Parker became a physician here in 1854. He practiced a few years
and removed to Cuba, Allegany county, where he died. His brother, W. B.
Parker, came the same year and died here in 185S of typhoid fever. The two
were associated in partnership and built up an excellent practice.
Francis Findlay. — See Franklinville.
Dr. Fritts came about 1856. He was here a year or so, but where he came
from or where he went to can not be ascertained.
A. P. Phillips, a brother of the celebrated singer, Philip Phillips, located in
Allegany village in 1857 and two years later removed to Fredonia, Chautau-
qua county, where he has attained a more than local reputation as a ph)-sician
and surgeon.
Adelbert McClary became a student in the office of John L. Eddy during
the war and upon his graduation in New York city the two entered into
partnershij), which continued two or three years, until 1866, when Dr. McClary
went to Pennsyhania, and died reccntl)' in Coudersport. He was from
Ando\er, Allegany county.
.Andrew Mead. — See Olean, where he did the greater part of his medical
practice.
Hon. Zenas George Bullock deserves a prominent place not only among
the leading physicians of Cattaraugus, but among her eminent citizens as well.
He was born in Almond, Allegany county, December 5, 1841, a son of
A. H. and Luva Ann (Georgej Bullock. Plis primary education was acquired
in the district schools, supplemented by a course of study in the Rogersville
Seminary in Steuben county, after which he entered the Medical Department
of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated
March 24, 1867. The following May Dr. Bullock came to Allegany and suc-
ceeded to the practice of John L. Eddy, who that year moved to Olean. He
remained, a most successful practitioner, until the fall of 1881, when he went
to New York city and took up several special courses in the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons. But in the prime of life and in the midst of this special
preparation for a higher usefulness, on March 27, 1882, Dr. Bullock died in
New York city, and was buried a few days later from the. residence of
Dr. H. E. Orcutt, at Hornellsville. In 1864 Mr. Bullock enlisted in the i88th
N. Y. Vols., was detailed commissary of the provost guard, and served until
the close of the war. In 1876 he was supervisor of Allegany and in the fall of
1879 ^^'^s elected a member of Assembly, serving honorably in each position
i^
114 History of Cattaraugi's County.
one term. He became a member of the County Medical Society on October
8, 1867, president in 1873-74, censor, and delegate to the State Medical Society
in 1868. Dr. Bullock married, in the spring of 1S69, Flora H., daughter of
Dr. H. E. Orcutt. They had an adopted daughter. As a physician Dr. Bullock-
was well read, scientific, and careful; as a citizen and neighbor he was candid,
frank, and sincere; as a husband and father he was kind, loving, sympathetic,
and devoted. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and honored that
faith by his manly piety and simple belief. Asa W. Bullock, a brother of
Zenas G., was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery
in June, 1873, but has never practiced his profession. He came to Allegany
in 1874 and has since kept a drug store.
Charles Day Thompson, born in Vernon, Ohio, January 25, 1833, was gradu-
ated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Aledical College, was licensed June 25, 1868,
by the New York State Eclectic Medical Society, and began practice in John-
son, Ohio. He moved thence to Ceres, Allegany county, thence to Oil City,
Pa., in i86i,and finally came to Allegany, where he practiced three years, and
returned to Oil City, where he died in April, 1891. Dr. Thompson was a
charter member of the National Eclectic Medical Society and president of
the State Eclectic Medical Society. His widow li\'es in Allegany village.
John P. Colgrove. — See Salamanca.
Sanford B. McClure, son of Hiram W. and Caroline (Burlingame) McClure,
was born in I'ranklinville, September 30, 1835, attended Mt. Morris Academy,
and began reading medicine with John L. Eddy at Allegany. His studies
were interrupted, however, in 1861, when he enlisted in Co. I, 64th N. Y. Vols.,
as a private, and served thirteen months. In consequence of a severe wound
received at the battle of White Oak Swamp Mr. McClure was in poor health
for a number of years, but succeeded finally in acquiring a thorough knowl-
edge of medicine and was graduated on June 2"], 1874, from the Cincinnati
College of Medicine and Surgery. He at once entered upon his career in
Allegany, which has since been his home. His first practice was in partner-
ship with Zenas G. Bullock, which continued a year and a half. Dr. McClure
has served three terms as supervisor, is the present incumbent of that office,
has been school commissioner, and is a member of the County and Lake Erie
Medical Societies, serving the former as censor. In June, 1864, he married
Alice, daughter of Samuel Morgan, of Cuba, Allegany county. The great-
grandfather of Dr. McClure was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war, and three
of his grandsons and three great-grandsons were physicians.
John L. Eddy. — See Olean.
Francis P. Blair was born in Broome county, October 10, 1839. ^^
received his literary education at Whitney's Point and was graduated on
February 2, 1877, from the Albany Medical College. He began practice in
Barton, Tioga county, and in 1886 came to Allegany, where he has since
followed a large business. Dr. Blair married. May 12, 1881, Miss Lydia C.
Medical Practitiiwers ix Allegany.
Newland. He became a member of tlie Cattaraugus County Medical Society
in 1887.
Edward Torrey has been a resident physician of Allegany since 1881. He
was born in Maine, September 10, 1847, received his education at Westbrook
Seminary in that State, graduated from the College of Physicians and
Surgeons in New York city in March, 1869, and began practice in Hinsdale,
coming thence to Allegany in 18S1. He joined the County Medical Society
in 1873 and ser\'ed as its secretar\" in 1884-85. He married, first, Addie
Sterling, of Wellsville, Allegany county, and second Mrs. Kittie (Kenyon)
Church, daughter of P"reeman Ken\-on, of Allegany.
E. W. Dutcher came from Broome county in 1879 or '80, built up a large
practice in his five or si.x years' stay, and went to California and thence to
Arizona. While here he ran for coroner, but was defeated. He graduated
from the Albany Medical College, December 22, 1S70, and became a member
of the Cattaraugus County Medical Society in 1883.
Joshua Bascom, born in Chester, Mass., November 29, 1799, read medicine
in Ohio, graduated from the Uni\'ersity of Pennsyhania, m Philadelphia, and
began the practice of medicine in Smethport, Pa. He practiced later in
Franklin, Pa., and in Ohio, and in i860 came to .Allegany. Shortly after-
ward he remo\ed to Emporium, where he died December 11, 1863.
Reuben R. Eggleston, a native of this State, studied medicine with Dr.
l^utton, of Jamestown, with whom and where he began practicing medicine.
He came to Allegany about 1853. In 1S62 he enlisted in the 154th New York
Volunteers and was detailed for hospital duty, dying while in the service at
Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Eggleston was a self-made eclectic physician, and during his
short professional career here built up quite an extensive practice. I believe
he had a license from the State Eclectic Medical Society.
Ray A. Sweet, a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo, February 25, 1880, and a nati\-e of Alfred, Allegany county, had a
short professional career here. He went to Pennsylvania.
T. C. James, a native of Wales, England, graduated March i, 1874, from
the Bellevue Medical Hospital College, New York city, was several years in
practice at Knapp's Creek, and established a good country business. Dr. James
joined the Medical Society in 1883. He went to Bradford, Pa., where he is now
located.
E. J. Laughlin was also a physician at Knapp's Creek for a few years. H,e
was born in Portage, N. Y., and was graduated February 19, 1879, f^rom the
Medical Department of the University of New York city. He became a mem-
ber of the County Medical Society in 1881.
Daniel T. Millspaugh came to Knapp's Creek from Kendall, Pa., remained
two or three years, and went to Patterson, N. J. He was "certificated" from
New York county March 13, 1884.
Lyman A. Burrows, a native of Waterford, Pa., was a graduate of the Cin-
ii6 History of Cattaraugus County.
cinnati Eclectic JNIedical Institute on June 7, 1887, and in the spring of 1889
began a brief period of practice at Knapp's Creek.
William FoUett, Jr., the present physician at Knapp's Creek, was born in
JNIachias, March 17, 1871, and was graduated from the Medical Department of
the University of Buffalo on May 3, 1892.
Albert M. Cook began his professional work at Four Mile in 1882, coming
from Jamestown, where he was born. February 21, 1882, he was graduated
from the University of Buffalo. He had previously owned a drug store here,
which was destroyed by fire. In 1884 he went to Youngstown, Ohio.
Dr. Baum, from Syracuse, is said to have done a little medical work at
Four Mile. He was principally engaged in oil speculation.
ASHFORl).
Probably the earliest medical practitioner in Ashford was William Wait,
an old style root and herb doctor who came to West Valley in 1829 and died
here, practicing more or less all his life. His old saddlebags are still in the pos-
session of a grandson in West Valley. He was a strong old school Baptist
and held several town offices.
Clark Blakely, a botanical doctor, came to Ashford Hollow about 1843,
practiced four or fi\'e years, and removed to Morton's Corners, Erie county,
where he is now. His father uas with him -while here, but did little profes-
sional work.
Augustus Andrews, son of a physician and minister, located at Ashford
village about 1848. He finally went to Missouri, came back during the war
and remained a year, and then returned to Missouri.
Alonzo Wiltse. — See Yorkshire.
Abram B. Wilson was reared in Mansfield, was graduated from the Geneva
Medical College, and came to Ashford village about 184.8, remaining until
after the war. He was of New England parentage. His practice extended
over a wide range of country, and both as a physician and a friend he was
greatly respected. His knowledge of medicine was thorough and up to the
times. He was never known to force a collection. Dr. Wilson was school
superintendent and town supervisor, and otherwise prominent in local affairs.
He lived also at East Otto and Springville, retaining, however, much of his
practice here. He went to F"ranklinville, where he bought a farm, and finally
to Michigan, where he died after his sight had partly failed.
C. Johnson. — See Otto.
Dr. Davis practiced in Ashford a few years before the war. He came from
Nunda, whither he returned. He also practiced four or five years in
Ellicottville.
Alfred Ayres, eclectic, was born in Pine Grove, Pa., came to West Val-
ley from Little Valley, and was quite a successful practitioner, especially in
chronic diseases. He was licensed September 23, 1874, by the Eclectic Medi-
Medical Practitioxers ix Ashford. 117
cal Society of the 32d Senatorial District. Having accumulated some prop-
erty he began speculating in oil, lost e\-erything, and died at his sister's in
Little \'alley. Dr. Ayres was greatly respected both as a physician and a
citizen.
Willard Jones, a native of Ashford, began practice in West Valley in 1870,
remaining about a year. He had attended lectures at Philadelphia. Young
and unmarried. Dr. Jones went to Springville and thence to California, where
he died.
Seth Pickett was born near West Valley, and here he doubtless did his
first practicing about 1844. He was an eclectic. Dr. Pickett removed to W^is-
consin, where he and his son became skillful surgeons.
C. O. Strong, a graduate of a western homeopathic college, came to West
\'alley from Yorkshire and remained about two years.
Wallace J. French graduated from the Medical Department of the Uni\-er-
sity of Buffalo on February 26, 1884, and in April following located in West
\'alley. He was born in Arcade, Wyoming county. He was here about a
year and married a IMiss Robinson. Dr. French went to Chautauqua county,
where he has developed into an eminent physician and surgeon.
Dr. Clements, a German doctor. — See Randolph.
Francis S. Comfort, another graduate (February 24, 1885) of the University
of Buffalo and a Canadian by birth, began the practice of medicine in West
\''alley in the fall of 1885, remaining only a short time.
Willard H. Rogers acquired a large practice in West X'allc)- and vicinit}-
during his five years' residence here. He was graduated from the Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, March 11, 1876, came to Sardinia, Erie county,
and thence here, and in 1879 went to New York city, where he died recently.
He was an active Republican and a genial, highly respected citizen and
physician.
Elbert L. l-'ish, since 1879 the practicing physician at West Valley, was
born in Hume, Allegany county, September 18, 1853, and when two years of
age moved with his parents to Centerville. Dr. P^ish's education, after the
district schools, consisted of one year at Olean Academy and two years at
Pike Seminary. At the age of si.xteen he began teaching school, which he
continued two winters, and in 1875 was census enumerator. In 1873 he began
the study of medicine with Dr. A. B. Stewart, of Hume, and completed a
course of lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute, commencing
practice at Centerville. In 1879 '''^ removed to West Valley, which has since
been his home. November 20, 1878, Dr. Fish married Mary Arabella, only
daughter of Dr. A. B. Stewart, his preceptor, and niece of ex-Gov. Robert
Stewart, of Missouri. They have three children — J. Blanchard, Glenn Russell,
and Mildred Stewart. Politically Dr. Fish is a strong Democrat, but has never
been an ofifice-seeker. He is a member of Springville Lodges, No. 351,
F. & A. M., and No. 588, I. O. O. F., and a member and examining physician
History of Cattaraugus County.
of West Valley Tent, No. 35, K. O. T. M. Dr. Fish is highly respected and
enjoys a large practice.
Asher C. Porter was born in Danby, Rutland county, Vt., March 12, 1836.
In 1840 his parents came to Cattaraugus county, locating in New Albion. In
1865 young Porter began studying medicine in the office of C. W. Babcock,
of Cattaraugus, and one year later entered as a medical student with Dr.
Northrup, of Otto. In the winter of 1866-67 he attended the Philadelphia
University. Returning to xA.shford he practiced medicine until 1869, when he
again entered the Philadelphia University and was graduated from the Medi-
cal Department in March, 1870. In the winter of 1873-74 Dr. Porter attended
a course of lectures at Bellevue Medical College in New York city, and has
since then steadily followed his profession at Ashford village. His wife (deceased)
was Samantha, daughter of Ephraim Smith, of New Albion, and by her he had
three children — Emma A. (Mrs. John Zeilman) and Ada (Mrs. George P. New-
kirk), of EUicottville, and Alta M., at home.
CARKOLTOX.
James Nichols was the first resident physician in the town of Carrolton,
locating in Limestone in 1856, but did not commence the regular practice of
medicine until 1S64. He was born in Arcade, Wyoming county, July 23,
1825, the eldest son of John and Sally Nichols, who came to Arcade in 1812.
The family moved to Centerville, Allegany county, in 1837, and in 1844 young
Nichols removed to Farinersville, where he taught the village school several
terms. He began studying medicine with E. S. Stewart, and February 7,
1864, was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo. Owing to ill-health Dr. Nichols did not enter immediately on the active
practice of his profession. He moved to Limestone in 1856 and engaged in
the lumber business. He started, in 1871, the first drug store in that village;
in 1876 the proprietorship was changed to Nichols & Paton, which continued
until 1882, when Dr. Nichols removed to Bradford, Pa., where he is now
located. He was twice elected supervisor from Farmersville and nine times
from Carrolton. A war Democrat he was made a member of the Senatorial
Committee and assisted in raising and organizing the 113th and 154th
Regiments. For many years he was a member and several times president of
the Board of Education of the Limestone Union Free School and was
largely instrumental in effecting the organization of that and of the Limestone
Academy. Dr. Nichols joined the County Medical Society in October, 1867,
was its president in 1870, vice-president in 1869, one of its censors, and
delegate to the State Medical Society in 1873. March i, 1852, he married
Mary Jane Wade, and they have had four children — Henry- James (deceased),
Jennie M., H. James, and John B. H. James Nichols, born September 16,
1859, graduated from the University of Buffalo on February 21, 1882, and
began the practice of his profession in the village of Limestone with his
Medical Practitioners ix Carroi.tox. 119
father, but remo\'ed with hhn to Bradford, where the two are still associated
in partnership.
Mortimer C. Bissell, son of Aaron and Delilah (PuUini Bissell, pioneers of
Lyndon, was born in Lyndon, December 13, 1S36, and was educated in the
district schools and at hard labor on the farm. He attended Rushford
Academy and taught school, and after five years was graduated from that
institution, after which he entered the University at Ann Arbor, Mich. With
his friend, H. D. Walker, he decided upon a medical career and became a
student in the Medical Department of the L'niversit}-. After a year's work
he was again obliged to resort to teaching to replenish his purse. He finally
entered the University of Buffalo and was graduated from the Medical
Department February 20, 1870, and immediately came to Limestone and
began practicing medicine in partnership with James Nichols, which continued
until the latter removed to Bradford, Pa., when Dr. Bissell succeeded to the
business of the firm and still retains it. Dr. Bissell has been president of the
village three years and during the greater part of his residence there has been
a member of the Board of Education. June 24, 186.S. he married Mary C.
Dunn, of Lyndon, and they have had two children — one deceased and
William Emerson, born May 28, 1877.
Malcolm Wayne Smith was born in Angola, X. \'., h'ebruary 27, 1856, a
son of E. P. Smith. Educated at the common schools and at the academy at
Smethport, Pa., he early chose the medical profession as his life work and
entered as a student the ofifice of Dr. S. D. Freeman, of Smethport, and later
that of Dr. J. G. Thompson, of Angola, and was graduated February 26,
1878, from the University of Buffalo. Dr. Smith entered that year upon his
professional career in Limestone, where he has since enjo\'ed a large business.
He is a member of the Lake Erie Medical Society and an honorary member of
the McKean County (Pa.) Medical Society. He is a great reader, a thorough
scholar, and a prominent citizen. He married, June 21, 1881, Maud R.,
daughter of Henrj- Renner, of Limestone. They ha\e had two daughters
and a son.
George P. Meecham. — See Randolph.
Theodore S. Quick was born in New Haven, Conn., April 27, 1833, and
graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania in March, 1873,
endorsed by the Eclectic Medical Society of Sullivan County, N. Y., July 14,
1874. He began practice in Callicorn, Sullivan county, and in June, 1889,
removed to Carrolton village, where he has since been located. Dr. Quick is
a member of the Sullivan County Medical Society (which he was instrumental
in organizing) and of the New York State Eclectic Medical Society.
COLD SPRING.
Alson Leavenworth, the first physician to locate in the town, came here
about 1836. — See New Albion.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Of the early practitioners succeeding Dr. Leavenworth scarcely anything is
known. It is only of those in the last quarter century that I am able to write.
Dr. Butterworth was in Steamburgh about two years following 1875. He
came from Kinzua, Pa., and it is believed he returned there.
O. A. Tompkins and M. C. Hawley. — See Randolph.
Dr. Crandall was located in Steamburgh about a year. He lived in Stock-
ton and Lakewood, Chautauqua county, for a time. He went east.
W. W. Daniels. — See Dayton.
Dr. Miller was here from 1876 to 1879. He was a graduate of Buffalo and
a very good physician. He went to Corydon, Pa., where he is now.
Peter W. Mosblech, a german, kept a drug store and practiced medicine at
Steamburgh in 1874, but how long he remained can not be ascertained.
David Bemus. — See Randolph.
Halsey D. Snover, born in Chemung, Chemung county, December 25,
1856, was graduated from the .Medical Department of the Uni\'ersity of
Buffalo on February 27, 1884, and in June of that year began the practice of
his profession in Steamburgh, where he has since continued. He is a Mason,
a K. O. T. M., and in 1887 became a member of the County Medical Society.
CO.\E\VAXG(.).
Sands Niles Crumb was not only the first physician in Conewango, but was
one of the earliest in this part of Cattaraugus county. He moved into
Rutledge as earl\- as 1S20 and about 1822 or '23 went to Gowanda (then
Lodi). How long he remained there can not be determined. About 1830 he
settled in Nashville, Chautauqua county, and while there did the first medical
work in Perrysburg and Dayton. He went to Lockport, N. Y., about 1834,
where he died on the street of heart disease August 9, 1839. ^^- Crumb was
born July 18, 1793, and married, in 1825, Elizabeth Gray, a sister of Dr. Henry
T. B. Gray, of Perrysburg.
Dr. Cheney is said to ha\'e come to Rutledge very early — just after Dr.
Crumb left. Plfforts to locate him definitely have proved futile.
Thomas Jefferson Wheeler acquired more than local promiiience both as a
physician and a citizen. He was born in Middlefield, Otsego county, No\'em-
ber 16, 1803, recei\"ed a common school education, was graduated from the
Cherry Valley Academ\", and studied medicine with that eminent doctor,
Delos White, of Cherry Valley. He began and for si.x months practiced his
chosen profession in Toronto, Canada, and came thence to Chautauqua
county, practicing about a year each in Mina and Ellington. About 1826 he
settled permanently in what was then Rutledge, where was ever afterward
the pivotal scene of his enviable career. In 1833 or '34 Dr. Wheeler was
appointed associate county judge, holding this position until the State consti-
tution abolished the office in 1846. He was presidential elector from this
district in 1836, was elected in 1845 State senator for the 6th District, and
MKDKAL PkACTniDNKRS 1\ Da\"I(>.\. 12 1
from its organization until liis death was president of the Randolph Bank. A
Democr-^.t of the old school he was a staunch upholder of his party's principles,
and in public and pri\ate life was alike honest, faithful, kind, and true. In his
profession he took a front rank. He was well read, skillful, talented, and
scientific. He was a member of the old County Medical Society, was elected
its president in 1834, censor in 1844, became a member of the present society
December 4, 1867, was made its president in 1869, delegate to the State
Society in 1867 and 1869, and delegate to the National Medical Association in
1868. He died in Conewango on February 8, 1875, leaving a widow and one
daughter, the last representati\'es of the Wheeler family. His father was a
physician and for a time resided u itli the son in Conewango, but did not
practice medicine there.
L. S. Morgan, a homeopathist, minister, geologist, came to Conewango,
practiced and preached several years, and died there about 1886. He was a
graduate of a Boston school. He was small in stature, but possessed a brilliant
intellect. A pioneer in the science of geology he both wrote and lectured on
this subject, acquiring an eminence of wide recognition. For one year
(1856-57) he edited and published the Goz^ajida Pkanix.
Fred C. Reals. — See Salamanca.
Edgar Rood was graduated from the Medical Department of the Univer-
sity of Buffalo on February 26, 1878, began the practice of medicine in
Conewango, remained until 1885, acquired a large ride, and went to Cherry
Creek, where he hailed from. He is now in W'estfield, Chautauqua county.
For one year he was in partnership w ith Will F. Gardner.
Will F. Gardner, son of George R. and Lurena F. (Crossfield) Gardner,
was born in Conewango on September 20, 1853, graduated from the Chamber-
lain Institute in 1877, graduated February 26, 1884, from the Medical
Department of the University of Buffalo, antl began and still continues the
practice of his profession in his native town. Dr. Gardner married, November
25, 1886, Josephine F , daughter of Robert H. Curtiss, of Conewango.
Samuel Redfield, the first physician in the town of Dayton, located on lot
39 in 1 82 1 and followed his profession here until his death in 1836. He was
an old style apothecary and did a large practice for those days.
Dr. Sill followed his profession here for a brief period before the war, but
did not obtain much business. He also practiced about three years in
Perrysburg. He came from Franklinville.
Corydon C. Johnson. — See Persia.
Harrison Canfield began his medical career here, coming from Sherman,
Chautauqua county. He went to Bradford, Pa., where he has attained a
considerable reputation. He was here about a year.
Moses P. Roberts was born in Tyre, Seneca county, August 28, 1820. He
16
History of Cattaraugus County.
graduated from the Geneva Medical College June i, 1852, and began the
practice of medicine the same year in Dayton, continuing until his death on
August 2, 1886. August 22, 1852, Dr. Roberts married' Electa A., daughter
of Avery and Lodema A. (Nash) Park, of Dayton, and had born to him two
children, Alice V. and Altheus A. His widow survives him. It will be seen
that his birth, marriage, and death occurred in August. Dr. Roberts owned
and conducted a drug store from 1870 until near his decease.
Dr. Shuey came from Sherman, Chautauqua county, and remained about
a year, going thence to Bradford, Pa. A German and well read he did not
seem to succeed \vell here. He married a sister of Harrison Canfield.
James H. Fuller was born in Dayton, June 15, 1841. was graduated in 1867
from the Medical Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
and practiced here, at Franklin, Ind., and at Indianapolis. He has given up
medicine and is now following farming in Dayton.
Chester Howard was born in Union, Broome county, June 25, 1847, ^nd
Auo-ust I, 1864, enlisted in Co. E, 50th N. Y. Vols. In 1877 he entered the
Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, graduating therefrom
February 25, 1879. ^'^^ following April he began his professional career in
Dayton village.
Luther W. Tarbox, born in Arkwright, Chautauqua county, October 19,
1849, was graduated from the University of Buffalo, February 21, 188 1, and
followed the whole of his professional career in Pine \'alley, whither he had
removed in 1879, his death occurring there on October 23, 1891. He was the
first physician to locate at that village. His widow survives him. He was an
industrious, hard-working man, acquired his education by sheer force and
perseverance, and died in the prime of life.
Dr. Kimball, for a short time a physician of the eclectic practice at
Versailles, was likewise a brief time in this town at the hamlet known as
Cottage. He was here somewhere about 1850.
Dr. Tibbetts succeeded Dr. Brazil at Howard's Corners, but where either
-came from or whither they went can not be determined.
Charles S. Cleland, a native of Sinclairville, Chautauqua county, and a
graduate (March 16, 1887) of the Baltimore University, practiced medicine a
year or so at Pine Valley and went thence to Collins Center, Erie county,
where he is now.
William A. Putnam made a very brief professional stay at Pine Valley.
He was born in Cassadaga, Chautauqua county, and received his diploma
from the University of Buffalo on February 26, 1884.
Raymond M. Evarts was at Pine Valley a year, beginning his career, and
moved to Irving, Erie county, where he has since been located. A native of
Leon he was graduated from Howard University, Washington, D. C, March
2, 1882, and endorsed by the faculty of the University of Buffalo.
Henry W. Dye, born in Madison county, secured a license August 12,
Medicai. Practitioners ix East Otto.
1874, from the Eclectic Medical Society, and practiced first at Dayton village
and latter and longer at Markham's, going finally to West Salamanca, where
he died. He was a widower while here, and left at his death a family of
smart children.
William Teft was born in South Dansville, Steuben county, March 19,
1858. He was graduated from the Medical Department of the Universitv of
Buffalo on March 25, 1890, and began practice in January-, 1891, in X'ersailles,
removing, however, the next November to Pine X'allev, where he now is. In
February, 1892, Dr. Teft was elected secretary of the Lake Erie Medical
Society.
William W. Daniels was graduated from the American Medical College,
St. Louis, January 23, 1878, and practiced at Pine Valley a few months.
EAST OTTO.
Dr. Ball, an old school doctor, is said to have been the first medical practi-
tioner in East Otto. As no data can be produced to substantiate this
statement it must be accepted as doubtful.
Dr. Mason succeeded Dr. Ball, going thence in 1834 to Michigan, where
he became a minister of the Gospel. He was well read and a good doctor.
Dr. Barnes then came in from Massachusetts, followed his profession for a
year, and removed to Lockport. He was a graduate of a Pittsfield, Mass.,
school and possessed a bright intellect.
Levi BuUis came here in 1825, or earlier, and settled three miles southwest
of the village. He was born in X'erniont in 1797, lived in Cooperstown and
Hamburg, N. Y., and was educated as a physician of the old school. His
wife Sally died February 13, 1877, aged 82 years. He lived until June 15,
1 88 1. He was well read in medicine and considered by all a good physician.
Elijah Dresser, son of Elijah, was born in Paris, Oneida county, September
15, 1 8 10. He was educated in the Geneseo Academy and the Fairfield
Medical College, graduating from the latter institution in the spring of 1834,
and the same year came to East Otto, which has since been his home and the
central field of his medical career. He was supervisor of his town in 1859,
the first commissioner of common schools for East Otto in 1855, a member of
the old County Medical Society, postmaster under President Taylor's
administration, census marshal in 1855 and [865, town clerk, and town
superintendent of schools. He became a member of the new County Medical
Society on October 8, 1867, and its president in 1868. July 31, 1841. Dr.
Dresser married Harriet M., daughter of John Prescott, of East Otto. Dr.
Dresser has practically retired from professional life and enjoys the fruits of
his labors in the quietude of a pleasant home.
¥. W. Hawkins was "a physician and surgeon" in East Otto in 1874.
Where he came from, where he went to, his length of stay, his a/j/ia mater
can not be ascertained.
124 History of Cattaraugus County.
Elmer D. Williams, son of Solomon, is a native of Mansfield, being born
there on August 23, 1859. ^e was graduated from the Chamberlain Institute,
Randolph, in 1882, taught school, was graduated from the Medical Depart-
ment of the University of Buffalo on February 22, 1886, and at once began
his practice in Arcade, Wyoming county. In 1887 he went to Wichita, Kan.,
but returned the next year, locating in East Otto, his present home. Dr.
Williams married, August 18, 1892, Milia, daughter of William Hammond, of
this town.
A. B. Wilson.— See Ashford.
V. A. Ellsworth was born in Milford, Otsego county, was graduated from
the Buffalo Medical College on February 23, 1876, and has since practiced his
profession in East Otto, whither he had come in 1869. He joined the County
Medical Society in 1887 and the same year was elected a delegate to the
State Society.
W. A. Crandall. — See Salamanca.
EI.I.ICOTTYILI.E.
James Trowbridge, the first medical practitioner in Ellicottville, came here
with his wife in the fall of 1816, remained sI.n; months, and removed to Great
Valley and finally to Hinsdale. — See Hinsdale.
Alson Leavenworth came here in September, 18 18, located on lot 57,
built a log house, and afterward erected a hotel. — See New Albion.
Dr. Ward removed to this town from Hornellsville in 1827. He became
quite popular and was regarded as a good physician, but somehow could not
get a firm foothold. He remained about two years.
Thomas J. Williams was born April 29, 1806. He was graduated from the
Geneva Medical College, began his life work in Ellicottville in 1829, and died
here December 7, 1877. He married Abigail P., daughter of Judge Israel
Day, who survived him until May 20, 1890. Dr. Williams possessed rare traits
of manly character, which won for him hosts of friends. As a physician he
was careful, skillful, and successful ; as a citizen, neighbor, friend, he evinced
those characteristics that go to make up a true gentleman. He was interested
in politics, but never sought office. A member and a liberal supporter of the
Presbyterian church he was an unassuming Christian, generous and forgiving
to all, and with his purse and time assisted in every good movement, especi-
ally in the erection of the present church edifice in the village. Dr. Williams
was a charter member of both the old and the present County Medical
Society, and of the old organization he was president in 1844, secretary and
treasurer in 1836, and censor in 1834 and 1844. Of the new society he was
vice-president in 1868 and for some time one of its censors.
James I. Williams, son of Thomas J., was born in Ellicottville, July 31,
1845, received his degree of M. D. from the College of Medicine and Surgery,
Cincinnati, February 14, 1876, became assistant to the noted specialist. Dr.
MeDICAI. PRACTITmXERS IX El.LICOTTVILLE. 1 25
Up de Graff, of Elniira, and settled in New Haven, Conn., where he acquired
considerable success in the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear. Owing
to his father's declining health he relinquished his practice and returned to
Ellicottville, where he took up and continued until his death the large
business established by the elder Williams. Dr. Williams, Jr., possessed a
well stored mind, an excellent judgment, and a frank and generous nature.
He died in the prime of life on February 25, 1884, unmarried. He joined the
County Medical Society in 1879.
E. M. Shaffner. — See Great Valley.
Jonathan Brewster Staunton, son of John W., of English ancestry, was
born in Massachusetts, November 12, 1813. He early registered as a medical
student with T. J. Williams in Ellicottville and was two years in a doctor's
office in Geneva, and received a license from the Cattaraugus County Medical
Society on December 29, 1837. Dr. Staunton followed his profession wholly
in Ellicottville. He had an almost intuitive knowledge in the diagnoses of
diseases and rose rapidly to a front rank in medical jurisprudence. He was
often called in consultation. He died February 11, 1875. He married, first,
in 1835, Sarah Wilbur, who died tv\o years afterward, and in 1839 he married
her sister, Susan, who survives him. Dr. Staunton was a member, secretary,
treasurer, and censor of the old County Medical Society.
Joseph M. Staunton, a brother of Jonathan B., grew to manhood here,
practiced awhile his profession here, and removed to West Virginia in i860.
J. Galusha Staunton, another brother of Jonathan B., also did some medi-
cal work in Ellicott\-ille.
Augustus Crary was a man of marked character and great self-reliance. A
son of William Crarj-, he was born in Wallingford, Vt., in 1788 and in 1809
moved with his parents to Tompkins county, where he studied medicine with
Dr. Hanchett, of Groton. Here he began practice. Removing in 1827 to
Yorkshire Corners he thence came in 1831 to Ellicottville, and shortly before
his death, which occurred January 28, 1868, he went to live with his daughter,
Mrs. Virgil Reed, in Humphrey, where he died. His wife was Priscilla
Hale, by whom he had six children. A daughter, first the wife and widow of
Dr. Calvin Chickering and later and now the same of Dr. Virgil Reed, both
of Humphrey, survives them all. While in Yorkshire Dr. Crary built and
operated a grist-mill and began the erection of a stone house. This latter he
never completed. In some way he became financially entangled and upon his
removal to Ellicottville was placed on the "limits of the town for debt,"
being allowed to practice outside these limits only on Sundays. He placed
but little belief in books, but said: "God Almighty made me a doctor." He
was a charter member of the old Medical Society. Tall and dignified,
possessing excellent judgment, he made many friends and covered in his
practice a wide territory. A leading feature of his success as an old school
physician was his skillful use of opium.
126 HrsTORV OF Cattaraugus Countv.
Clark Crary, son of Augustus, studied medicine with his father and
practiced in Ellicottville until his death. For one year (1S43) he was in
partnership with E. S. Stewart. He rode extensively and was very popular.
He never married.
Dr. Squires practiced medicine in Ellicott\'ille over fifty years ago, but for
how long I can not say. He died here.
Horace B. Miller came here from Genesee count}-, remained a couple of
years, and went to Buffalo, where he died. He had previously practiced in
Great Valley and Franklinville. His medical education was acquired at
Castleton, V't., where he graduated, and at Buffalo and Philadelphia, where he
took lectures.
Dr. Pruyn. — See Farmersville.
William B. Hartman moved here from Pennsylvania, whither he returned
after a brief stay. He studied medicine in Philadelphia. While here his wife
died and he married again, a Mrs. Rogers. He made considerable pretensions
to surgery.
Burton M. Spencer, brother of Stephen J., was for a few years an eminent
practitioner in Ellicottville. He was born in China, Wyoming county, was
graduated, March, 6, 1880, from the Medical Department of the University of
Maryland, and began his professional career here soon afterward. He went
finally to Hornellsville and established a sanitarium, which proved unsuccess-
ful, and he soon came to Farmersville, where he died recently of consumption.
Dr. Davis. — See Ashford.
Harlan S. Smith, a native of Mansfield, received his diploma March 2,
1867, from the Georgetown College, Washington, D. C, and from then until
1880 followed his profession in Ellicottville, going then to Kalamazoo and
later to Schoolcraft, Mich., where he now resides. He held a position in
the Treasury Department in Washington during the war. He was well read
and popular. Dr. Smith joined the County Medical Society in 1868, was
elected vice-president in 1874, secretary and treasurer in 1869, 1870, and 1871,
and secretary in 1876.
Elihu S. Stewart, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Jefferson county in
1814. His father, Elihu, was born in Coleraine, Mass., whither his father had
immigrated in early days from the north of Ireland. Capt. Leonard Proctor,
Dr. Stewart's mother's grandfather, was also the grandfather of Secretary of
War Proctor and a captain in the Revolution. Dr. Stewart's parents came to
Cattaraugus county in 1831. He attended Denmark Academy and at sixteen
or seventeen began teaching district schools winters. He took up the study
of medicine in the office of Dr. Powers, and January 30, 1837, was graduated
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield. His practice began
at Sugar Grove, Pa., but in 1842 he removed to Farmersville, where he
remained for eighteen years. In i860 he located in Ellicottville, which has
since been his home. He married, in 1839, Mary A. Blodgett, and they have
Medical PKACTiTroxKRs ix Ellicottville. 127
had four children. Dr. Stewart was a charter member of the new County
Medical Society, was elected its president in 1876, vice-president in 1879, sec-
retary and treasurer in 1867-68 and 1873-75, treasurer in 1876, its censor a
number of years, and delegate to the State Medical Society in 1867 and 1869.
He has been a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, surgeon for the
Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, and president of the Bank of Ellicott-
ville since its organization in 1878. A Republican in politics Dr. Stewart
was a delegate to the State convention in Syracuse that favored Greeley for
president, and for many years he has served on the Board of Education. He
has always been public spirited, zealous in the interests of the community,
and highly respected for his many excellent qualities. He still retains an
office practice and is called far and near in consultation.
Virgil Reed. — See Humphrey.
Horace S. Arnold, son of Samuel P., was born in 1826 and came with his
parents to Plllicott\'ille \'ery early. He studied medicine with J. B. Staunton,
was graduated as an M. D., and began and practiced here until his death
February 8, 1869. As a physician he was careful and judicious and acquired
a large business. He was a prominent figure in local enterprises. Dr. Arnold
was a charter member of the new County Medical Society.
George Lattin. — See New Albion.
William B. Johnston, born in Ellicottville, Jul\- 14, 1856, rccci\ed his
literary education in the village Union Free School and his medical education
with H. S. Smith and at the Medical Department of the Universitvof Buffalo,
graduating as M. D. therefrom on P'ebruary 21, 1881. To complete these
studies he taught several winter terms of district school. From his graduation
until June, 1881, Dr. Johnston practiced his profession in Ellicottville. He
then moved to Ishpeming, Mich., where he had a good private and htispital
practice for four years, when he went to Bessimer, Mich., and followed his
calling two years. In September, 1887, he returned to Ellicottville and took
a post-graduate course at the New York Post-Graduate School and Hospital.
Since then Dr. Johnston has continued the practice of medicine in his native
village, being interested also in a drug store in partnership with R. E. Ward.
In July, 1882, he married Katherine L., daughter of Hon. Arunah Ward, of
Ellicottville. They have had one daughter. Dr. Johnston joined the County
Medical Society in 1887 and is one of its censors. He is a member of the
Salamanca Board of Pension Examiners.
Charles M. Walrath, son of Walter and Mary A. Walrath, was born in
Humphrey, December 5, 1856, and reared in Great Valley, where his parents
settled when he was an infant. He attended the Ellicottville Union Free
School and Ten Broeck Academy at Franklinville, taught school a number of
terms, was principal of the Franklinville Union Free School one year, began
the study of medicine with Hiram D. Walker in 1881, and in September, 1882,
entered the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, graduating
128 History of Cattaraugus County.
therefrom February 22, i8S5,and immediately settling in practice in that city,
supplementing, meantime, his medical education by another course of lectures
that year. In the spring of 1886 he removed to EUicottville, which has since
been the home of his professional and private life. He has a fine library, is a
close student, and is interested specially in educational matters. He has
served on the Boards of Education and village trustees. He became a member
of the Cattaraugus County Medical Society in 1887.
Fred C. Beals. — See Salamanca.
Stephen J. Spencer, a native of Arcade, Wyoming county, was born Janu-
ary I, i860, attended Ten Broeck Academy, studied medicine with his brother,
Burton M., in EUicottville, and was graduated from the Medical Department
of the University of Buffalo on February 24, 1885. He commenced practicing
his profession in EUicottville, continuing until 1891, when he removed. June
30, 1886, he married Clara M., daughter of D. L. Wilson, of Erie county. Dr.
Spencer was made a member of the County Society in 1886 and its vice-
president in 1887 and 1889.
Alfred W. Smallman was born in New Haven, Conn., May 23, 1861, and at
the age of four years came with his parents to EUicottville. Receiving an
academic education in the village Union School and in Chamberlain Institute
he began the study of medicine with John P. Colgrove in Salamanca and was
graduated from the University of Buffalo on February 28, 1888. He at once
located in practice in EUicottville. Dr. Smallman is self-educated. He
earned his first money setting type on a local newspaper and taught thirteen
terms of school to carry him through college. He joined the County Medical
Society in 1888 and is one of its present censors.
FAK.MERSYILLE.
Dyer Coudrey was doubtless the first physician in Farmersville, locating
here about 1825. In 1835 he went to Freedom, where he practiced with his
brother James until 1840, when he returned and died here about three years
afterward.
Joel Joy, a Thompsonian doctor, followed medicine here from 1832 to
1838, becoming well known and establishing quite a business. He was a good
story teller. He went to Michigan and died there.
Spencer Crary, a nephew of Augustus Crary, began practicing medicine in
Farmersville as early as 1835. He took lectures at the Fairfield Medical
College and got a license from the Herkimer County Medical Society. His
knowledge of medicine and his natural professional ability he seemed to
inherit from his uncle, and his 'excellent qualities secured him a good practice.
He finally moved west and died there.
Hiram Bond, energetic and successful, came to Farmersville from Pike.
He retired from practice about 1S42 and eventually died in Fon du Lac, Wis.
E. S. Stewart came here in 1842. — See EUicottville.
Medical Practitioners ix Franklinville. 129
Dr. Gilmore succeeded Spencer Crary. He also took lectures at Fairfield.
Owing to the fact that he was once engaged in making calculations for
almanacs he was familiar known as the " almanac maker." He went from here
to Warsaw, N. Y.
Clinton W. Bond, son of Hiram, located in this town about 1862, practiced
three or four years, and moved to Wisconsin, and died in Illinois. In October,
1867, he joined the County Medical Society and became one of its censors.
He had good ability and was quite popular.
Dr. Pruyn practiced two years in EUicottville and in i860 moved into
Farmersville, where he likewise practiced two years, removing thence to Her-
kimer county, where he died. Before all this, howe\-er, he had practiced a
short time in Mansfield.
Dwight G. Hubbard was a medical practitioner here a few years succeeding
Clinton W. Bond's brief stay, and became popular. He was a graduate of
the University of Buffalo. He came from Wethersfield, Wyoming county,
went to Pennsylvania, and is now in Buffalo.
Robert R. Seyse graduated from the Medical Department of the Univer-
sity of Buffalo in 1886 and immediately began his professional career in
Farmersville. He joined the County Medical Society in 1887. He finally
removed to Bliss, W'yoming county, where lu: died.
W. E. McDuffie.— See Olcan. '
Dr. Dutton, a graduate of the Uni\ersity of Buffalo, followed medicine
here awhile and went finally to W'yoming county.
Brayton N. Strong was born in Machias, May 20, 1865, was graduated
from the University of Buffalo, Medical Depirtment, on March i, 1SS7, and
commenced the practice of medicine in this town, clying here in 1891.
Cassar Smith, the present physician, was born in Pike, Wyoming county,
October 3, 1867, and was graduated from the University of Buffalo, March
24, 1891. He located here in December, 1S92.
I RANK LI. \V I LI. E.
John McCkire has the distinction of having been the first medical practi-
tioner to locate in Cattaraugus county and likewise the first physician in the
town of Franklinville. He was also the first school teacher in the locality,
and while here combined the two callings. He was doubtless a relative of the
McClure family who first settled the town as early as 1804, for they all came •
from Massachusetts, the doctor, however, in i8o5 or 1807. He was elected
one of the first three assessors in the county in 1809, then the town of Olean.
Possessed of more than ordinary intellectual ability he built up an excellent
reputation. He erected the first framed house in the town, the frame of
which is still standing, and the locality was for a long time known as McClure
settlement. A brother was an officer in the War of 1812. Dr. McClure never
married. He died here in 181 1, the first death in the town.
17
130 History of Cattaraugus County.
H. Davidson was an early physician here, for he is on record as a charter
member and one of the first secretaries, treasurers, and censors of the old
County Medical Society. It is said that he also practiced a year or two in
Ellicottville after leaving this town.
James Trowbridge came here from Ellicottville in 1817. — See Hinsdale.
Charles McLouth, born March 24, 1798, in Cheshire, Mass., was reared on
a farm, attended school winters and worked summers, and read medicine with
Dr. Smith, of Clyde, N. Y. He was licensed by the Seneca County Medical
Society August 20, 1819, and began practice in Aurora, Erie county, where he
remained two years, coming thence, in 1821, to Franklinville, where he practiced
until his death July 26, 1870. He was a member of the old County Medical
Society and its vice-president in 1837. He was ever foremost in educational
matters and served both as county school commissioner and town superin-
tendent of schools. Dr. McLouth was a man wonderfully endowed by nature.
Possessing a robust constitution and a fine intellect he used both to good
advantage, and was highly respected as a physician, a citizen, and a friend.
He was brusque in manner and careless in dress, but prompt in decision and
of unquestioned ability. He married twice and reared four children.
Charles D. McLouth. son of Charles, was born here, and August 12, 1874,
was licensed by the Board of Censors of the Eclectic Medical Society of the
32d Senatorial District. His life has been spent in Franklinville.
A. B. Wilson.— See Ashford.
Isaac B. Emerson, dentist, physician, surgeon, a student of medicine in
Kentucky and a graduate of the Medical Department of Yale College,
followed his profession here from about 1835 to 1844, when he went to St.
Lawrence county.
Lewis Riggs was one of the prominent early physicians who made Cattar-
augus county their home. Born in Litchfield county, Conn., January 23,
1808, he early went to Homer, Cortland county, and began reading medicine
in the office of his uncle and namesake, Dr. Lewis Riggs. He went thence to
Yale College and was graduated from the Medical Department of that institu-
tion about 1830. He came immediately to Franklinville, where he practiced
and lived until his death December 17, 1862. He bought a farm and soon
became an extensive dealer in real estate, owning when he died over fifteen
hundred acres in this vicinity. Dr. Riggs was a charter member of the old
County Medical Society, its first vice-president, and its censor in 1834. He
is well remembered still as a splendid physician. It was as a farmer that he
enjoyed life most, and in this direction he was considered an expert. His
widow survives him on the homestead.
Horace B. Miller. — See Ellicottville.
C. H. Newton came to Franklinville about 1841, remained two or three
years, and removed to Ohio.
C. Ellsworth, later of pill fame, was the first to locate as a medical practi-
Medical Practitioners in Franklinville. 131
tioner in the village of Cadiz. He came there in 1S34, practiced a year or
two, and went to Corry, Pa., where he died, and where he manufactured large
quantities of pills and other medicines. He was a charter member of the old
County Medical Society.
Hon. Henry Van Aernam, M. D.'- — Of the many eminent men who passed
their boyhood in Cattaraugus county not one has made so marked an impress
upon its people as Dr. Henry Van Aernam. Born in Marcellus, Onondaga
county, N. Y., March 11, 1819, he came to the present town of Mansfield with
his father, Jacob B. Van Aernam, in the spring of 1822. His early life was
that of the other pioneers of the county. A log school-house education, a
close study of a very few standard books supplemented by a term or two as a
district school teacher, made the rutted road to success in that period of self-
denial and hardship. In the spring of 1834 Van Aernam, at fifteen, was a
clerk in the store of William Elliott, and the August of the succeeding year
found the youth in Virginia in the employ of William L. Perce & Co., who
were engaged in the construction of the James River & Kanawha canal.
He was the paymaster and confidential clerk of this company for two years.
Returning home he attended school in Springville Academy from 1837 to 1841,
and his academic course was barely ended when he began the study of medi-
cine with Dr. Levi Goldsborough, of Waverly (now Otto). He attended
the Geneva Medical College in the winter of 1S42-43, but received his diploma
from Willoughby College, Ohio, in 1845. After his graduation he began the
practice of his profession in the present village of Allegany, remaining there
until the spring of 1848, when he removed to Franklinville, where he has since
continuously resided. On the 30th day of November, 1845, 'ic married Amy
M. Etheridge, and their wedded life of nearly forty-eight years has been
marked by constant devotion.
Dr. Van Aernam early acquired prominence in the practice of his profes-
sion. Of excellent judgment, accurate in his diagnosis of a disease, with an
intuitive insight into the mental characteristics of his patient, sympathetic in
temperament and yet vigorous in his treatment, and with a willingness to ride
with his pillbags to the hut of the poor as well as to the residence of the rich,
were qualities that alike established his reputation as a skillful practitioner
and endeared him to the people of eastern Cattaraugus. No physician ever
retained for forty-five years the undiminished confidence of his neighbors in
his medical skill to a greater extent than has Dr. Van Aernam. His decision
on the pathology of a disease has been the dernier resort in difficult cases in
the vicinity of Franklinville for more than a generation. And to-day,
although crippled by disease and debarred on that account from active
practice, his ripe judgment is still deferred to as the ultimate authority.
Dr. Van Aernam early turned his attention to politics. He was a charter
member of the Republican party with most decided leanings toward
»By Hod. Alfred Spring.
HisT(jRY OF Cattaraugus County.
abolitionism. He had a most intense hatred of slavery and he rarely could
brook a compromise. Local politics were then dictated by a coterie of poli-
ticians residing in Ellicottville, and his first reputation as a practical organizer
was acquired in his successful endeavor to disrupt this political machine.
Many an aspirant for political honors can tearfully certify that the doctor's
ability as a convention organizer did not end in the 'fifties. In the fall of 1857
he was elected to the Legislature from the First Assembly District of the
county. When the rebels of the south sought to dismember the Union Dr.
Van Aernam was energetic and unequivocal in his fidelity to the Republic.
August 20, 1862, he was mustered into the State militia service as surgeon
of the 154th Regiment, New York State Volunteers, and on the 26th of the
following month into the L^nited States service with the rank of major. On
the 5th of October, 1862, he was assigned to duty as surgeon-in-chief of the
Second Brigade, Second Division, of the Eleventh Army Corps, and on the
28th day of December, 1863, surgeon-in-chief of the Division, and in April of
the following year surgeon-in-chief of the Second Brigade, Second Division,
of the Twentieth Army Corps, and was discharged at Atlanta, Ga., by
reason of disabilities, November 7, 1864. This military life of Dr. Van
Aernam, though compressed in a sentence, signifies much to the army with
which he ser\-ed. He came of fighting stock, for the two preceding genera-
tions of Van Aernams had shown their valor in their country's service —
the one with the Continentals of '76 and the other in the second war
with England. So the third in the descending line was not a theoretical
surgeon, but was on the operating staff and became famous among famous
experts with the knife. He gained the ardent affection of his comrades, and
the few survivors of the 154th Regiment to-day have great respect and
veneration for their old surgeon. If they are afflicted with hero-worship for
him there is much in his conduct to warrant the devotion. In the fall of 1864,
and while he was still with Sherman at Atlanta, he was elected to the Thirty-
ninth Congress from his home district and was re-elected to the succeeding
Congress. No legislative body ever surpassed in ability these two Congresses.
Stevens, Shellabarger, Bingham, Butler, Conkling, Davis, Blaine, Garfield and
Boutwell were then in the prime of their stalwart manhood. They were con-
fronted with problems the like of which were never presented for solution. Four
millions of people whose intellects had been dimmed and ambitions repressed
by continued bondage were to be exalted to citizenship. Their destiny was
to be worked out in the south by the side of their former masters. Rampant
hostility to the north and to the civil rights of the black men must be
crushed out.
These were among the stupendous issues to be crystallized into legislative
enactment. Dr. Van Aernam was soon in touch with the most eminent of
this galaxy of statesmen. He was the intimate friend and medical adviser of
the great war secretary, Stanton, a daily table companion of 'Henry Wilson
Mkdk'ai. ■ Pkac rrri(_iNF.;-;s ix Im<anklinvii.le. 133
and John A. Bingham. An ardent radical he beHeved that civil rights to the
colored people should be a reality, not a myth. That to reconstruct the south
those who had engaged in rebellion m.ust give unquestioning allegiance to the
Union, and that mal-treatment of the former slaves should be followed by
vigorous punishment. Dr. \^an Aernam earnestly believed the attempt of the
chivalrous southerners to disrupt the Union was treason, and before they were
re-instated into the full privileges of citizenship they should give ample proof
of repentance, and his whole bent during this period of his congressional life
was to render effective this policy. After the inauguration of General Grant
in 1869 Dr. Van Aernam was appointed commissioner of pensions — a posi-
tion he held for upwards of two years. The affairs of the department needed
systematizing and his previous ser\ice in Congress on the Committee of In\'alid
Pensions specially fitted him for this duty. Prior to his incumbency the
pensioners were paid semi-annually and each pensioner was obliged to pay the
expense of making and executing his vouchers and of collecting the pension.
Under the legislation originated and pushed through by the commissioner the
present mode was engrafted on the statute.
After lea\'ing the Pension Department Dr. \'an Aernam returned to Frank-
iinville and sedulously practiced his ]Tr<_ifession. The faculty of money sa\ing
was never well developed in him and he followed his calling to earn a li\-eli-
hood, although he had an abiding faith, which was almost eccentric in its
sensitiveness, in the nobility of his profession and an affectionate regard for
his fellow-workers in it. In the fall of 1878 he was again elected to Congress
and re-elected in 1880. In the latter Congress he was chairman of the Com-
mittee on Education and Labor, and the economic agitation made his position
important and arduous. The hearings to the representatives of all classes per-
taining to the labor question were frequent and Dr. Van Aernam applied him-
self closely to a study of the problems growing out of the antagonism of organ-
ized labor and corporate capital. Returning home after his public service he
again resumed the practice of his profession and continued in it until he was
stricken with paralysis in 1889, and has since been an invalid. His house is a
Mecca for the survivors of the war of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua, and especi-
ally of his old regiment, and also of the politicians of the two counties. He
is ever alert to aid the soldier in securing a pension, for he has no sympathy
with the clamor now so fashionable against pensions, and he retains a deep
interest in the welfare of the party with which he has so long been identified.
Upon the death of Jonas K. Button in 1884 Dr. Van Aernam was appointed
a trustee of Ten Broeck Free Academy in the village of Franklinville, the loca-
tion and endowment of which were accomplished largely through his influence
with its founder.
Dr. Van Aernam has always been zealously in favor of public improve-
ments, and in all local matters has e.xercised a dominating influence for the
elevation of the people of the community. He has two children: Mrs. James
134 History of Cattaraugus County.
D. jMcVey, who resides with him, and Charles D. Van Aernam, \\ho is engaged
in the practice of law in Franklinville.
William M. Smith, a native and a medical graduate of New York citv,
came here before 1840, established a splendid practice, and removed to Rush-
ford, Allegany county, where he died.
Nathan B. Reed made his advent here in about 1844, read medicine with
Charles McLouth, studied awhile at Willoughby Medical College in Ohio, and
finally graduated from the Medical College at Geneva. He located here to
follow his profession, but died in 1849 '^i young manhood. He married Emily
Ferrington, of Farmersville
Francis Findlay, son of Stephen and .Sarah (Chapman) Findlay, early
settlers of Freedom, was born there July 27, 1834, was reared on the farm, and
in 1856 was graduated from the Rushford Academy in Allegany county.
Teaching school and reading medicine was his employment until the winter of
1856-57, when he took a course of medical lectures at the University of
Buffalo and graduated therefrom February 21, i860. His practice began in
Allegany as a partner of John L. Eddy. One year later he went to Bradford
and four years afterward came to Franklinville, his present home. Dr. Find-
lay, aside from being a pension examiner, has never sought nor held office.
He was a charter member and the first president of the present County
Medical Society, and one of its censors. His only son, Morgan C, is professor
of physics in Park College, Parkville, Mo.
Hiram D. Walker was born in Farmersville on the 12th of October, 1839,
a son of Gideon D. and Sophia (Lawrence) Walker, pioneers. At seventeen
young Walker entered the Rushford Academy and in 1861 registered as a
student in a select course in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. The
following year he entered the Medical Department of that institution and in
1863 was a medical student in the University of Buffalo, from which he was
graduated February 23, 1864. The following March he located permanently
in Franklinville. Dr. Walker has been coroner three terms, many years local
health officer, and is now surgeon to the Western New York & Pennsylvania
railroad. He is a member of the Buffalo Microscopical Club and of the
County Medical Society, joining the latter in 1873 and becoming soon after
one of its censors. For several months in 1885 he was in the Bureau of Animal
Industry at Washington; in 1883 he made quite in important scientific
discovery in relation to the disease and prevention of gapes in fowls.
Gershom R. Staunton, a cousin of the Ellicottville family of this name,
and a botanical doctor, came to Cadiz in the 'forties. His wife was an aunt
of Dr. S. B. McClure, of Allegany. He had considerable ability, had a good
practice and became popular, and finally went to Iowa, where he died.
H. W. Dye.— See Dayton.
W. J. C. Crandall, the seventh son of a seventh son, came to Franklinville
from Allegany county in 1846 or '47 and remained until about 1852. At first
Medical Practitioners in Freedom. 135
he lived in Cadiz. He had taken lectures at the Eclectic College in Cincin-
nati. He was a clever, harmless fellow, strong and athletic, and quite a
wrestler. He went to Erie county.
S. W. Green, once a preacher and afterward a doctor, and a somewhat
wandering physician, was located here a short time and went thence to
Pennsylvania.
John W. Kales was born in Chemung county, October 16, 1850, was
educated at Whitney Point Union School and Cortland Academy, graduated
from the State Normal School at Cortland in 1873, was one year in the
literary department of Syracuse University, the same time in the Detroit
Medical College, and was graduated from the Long Island Medical College
Hospital on June 24, 1879. He began practice that year in Union Springs
and in 1884 removed to FranklinviUe, where he has since been located. Dr.
Kales has evinced an inclination and considerable skill as an inventor, among
his inventions being a surgical table and sofa combined and an automatic
interlocking switch for railroads.
Elihu Cruttenden is credited with being the first physician in Freedom,
coming here with Hurlbut Cruttenden and locating on Clear Creek about 1820.
The doctor built on this stream, in 1822, the first grist-mill in town.
Warren Coudrey, the records have it, was located in the town of PVeedom,
"in the Fish Lake Settlement," as early as 1821. He was the first postmaster
and in 1828 built the first brick house.
James Coudrey came in about 1835. He remained until 1840, when he
went west and joined the Mormons.
Dyer Coudrey practiced in partnership with his brother James. — See
Farmersville.
Dr. Powers was another early physician in this section. He married a
sister of C. C. Mason and finally went to Pennsylvania.
D. L. Barrows is quoted as being one of the early physicians of the county
as well as of Freedom, but aside from this I have not succeeded in establish-
ing any reliable data.
Dwight Chase located in Sandusky about 1846, coming here from Cohocton.
He became a surgeon in the army during the Rebellion. Returning here
after the war he soon removed to Iowa. He was considered a most competent
physician and surgeon and established a large country practice.
J. Warren Sawyer commenced his medical studies with Dwight Chase and
succeeded to the latter's practice. His father, Col. Earl Sawyer, was an early
settler (181 1), built the first frame house in town, was the first town clerk,
and did several other "first things." Dr. Sawyer was an able financier and
endeavored to become a politician. He went south and finally to Indianapo-
lis, Ind., where he is now living.
136
History of Cattaraugus Couxty.
C. C. Mason, a student of Dr. Colgrove, of Sardinia, attended lectures in
New York city and in Buffalo, and was located here a short time. Towards
the latter part of the war he received an appointment as surgeon in a colored
regiment. He finally went to Rushford, Allegany county, and died there in
1892. Dr. Mason was well read and an active member of the Baptist church.
E. J. Burlingame came here from Pennsylvania and removed after a num-
ber of years to Buffalo, where he still lives. He was made a member of the
County Medical Society in 1874. He was once a preacher of the Christian
denomination.
E. W. Earle, homeopathist, made his appearance in Sandusky about 1873
to begin his medical career, practiced some eight years, removed to Arcade,
Wyoming county, and thence to Rochester, where he has sprung into
prominence in his profession. He was a student of Baxter Sovereign, of
Yorkshire.
B. B. Grover came from Wyoming county, remained a year or two", and
went to Grimes, Iowa, of which place he has been postmaster.
Edward C. Barker hung out his shingle in Sandusky in 1884. He was a
graduate (June i, 1880) of the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati and a
native of Onondaga county, coming here, howe\er, from Wyoming county.
He went to Union City, Pa. He was "a regular Yankee for asking questions."
Arthur H. Wright.— See Yorkshire.
William Arthur Hubbard was born in Center\ille, Allegany county, was
graduated as an M. D. from the University of Buffalo on March 18, 1887, and
immediately located in Sandusky. His stay was short, but creditable.
H. J. Ashley.— See Machias.
William Stanton, born in Portage, Livingston county, April 5, 1867,
received his medical diploma from the University of Buffalo, and located in
Sandusky in the spring of 1891. He left in July. 1892.
W. H. Leonard will be remembered more for his money making than for
his professional career. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati Eclectic College,
came here from Onondaga county, and finally drifted around to Syracuse.
GREAT VALLEY.
James Trowbridge was the first physician to locate in this town. He was
poor and visited his patients on foot. He located at Kill Buck and went
finally to Hinsdale. — See Hinsdale.
A. S. Bonesteel was a native of this town. After practicing his profession
here a few years he went to Corry, Pa., where he died. He also practiced in
West Salamanca. He joined the County Medical Society in 1870. While
here he married.
Dr. Clements, a German doctor, died here. — See Randolph.
Nathan F. Marble first located in Chapplesburg in Humphrey, and came
to Peth in this town, where he died recently. He was licensed August 2,
Medical Practitioners in Hinsdale. 137
1874, by the censors of the State Eclectic Medical Society. Dr. Marble was
a native of Madison county.
Eugene Crary, son of Augustus Crary, of EUicottville, studied medicine
with his father and started on his career at Great Valley Center. After a few
years he removed to Ohio.
Hale Crary, also a son of Augustus, studied medicine too with his father
and did some medical work, living in Great Valley, where he died.
Horace B. Miller.— See EUicottville.
Edward M. Shaffner was born in Ashford, June 5, 1854, was educated at
Springville, and began the study of medicine with Dr. Jackson, of that place.
After one year spent in the Medical Department of the University of Michi-
gan at Ann Arbor he entered the same department in the University of
Buffalo and was graduated therefrom February 26, 1884. From then until
January, 1886, he practiced first in EUicottville and afterward in Humphrey,
and since then has been located at Great Valley. He married Ella, daughter
of Elam Chandler, of Ashford, and they have one daughter, Ethel I. Dr.
Shaffner joined the Medical Society in 1889.
HINSDALE.
James Trowbridge was the first resident physician in Hinsdale. Moving
about as he did he had the honor also of being the first practitioner in Great
Valley and EUicottville. He had been an assistant surgeon in the army and
was poor and somewhat broken down from early excesses. With his wife he
came to EUicottville in 1816, boarded with a Mr. Leonard six months, and
removed to Great Valley. Soon afterward he came to Hinsdale, where he
remained until 1844, when he went to Ohio and died. It is claimed that he
also practiced medicine for a time in Franklinville. He was considered a good
physician and generally did an extensive business.
Edward Torrey. — See Allegany.
Paul Clark came here in 1836 from Friendship, Allegany county, and did
a large practice until his health failed, when he sold to Dr. Brownson and
returned. He shortly afterward died in Nile of consumption. He was a
careful, quiet, judicious physician and highly respected. He was pre-emi-
nently a family doctor. Dr. Clark was a member of the old County Medical
Society.
Ira J. Brownson succeeded Paul Clark in January, 1853. ^^ ^Iso came
from Friendship, with a license from the censors of the Allegany County
Medical Society, and resided here until his death December 18, 1889, practic-
ing up to two or three years previous. The Cattaraugus County Medical
Society, of which he became a member December 4, 1867, granted him a
license September 2, 1874. In 1877-79 he was its treasurer. He was a Dem-
ocrat in politics and in every position in life was greatly respected. During
his professional career here he had several partners.
18
138
History of Cattaraugus County.
John Palmer, a native of Allegany, began his career here. He was
assistant surgeon in the 85th X. Y. Regt. during the war. He went to Corry,
Pa., and died there.
George Palmer, a nephew of John Palmer, read medicine with his uncle
and with Paul Clark, and practiced here a short time.
Bradley Goodyear came to Hinsdale from Groton, Tompkins county,
remained a few years, and went to Buffalo, where his sons are prominent coal
dealers.
Alexis E. Willard, a son of the well known Dr. A. E. Willard. of P^riend-
ship, began his professional life hereabout 1868, remaining some six years.
He was a graduate of the University of Buffalo and a partner of Ira J.
Brownson. He joined the Cattaraugus County Medical Society in October,
1867, and was elected one of the censors. He returned to Friendship, where
as well as here he built up an enviable reputation.
R. A. Drake became associated with Dr. Brownson somewhere about 1865.
He was both a doctor and a minister, and while here it is stated he was pastor
of the M. E. church. In the ordinary vernacular he was a "character."
Dr. Pruyn. — See Farmersville.
John Norton practiced here awhile with Ira J. Brownson. He came from
Belmont, Allegany count}-, and returned there, dying there finally of
consumption.
Dr. Hinman emigrated here from the central part of the State. He was
for a time in partnership with Paul Clark, but afterward alone. He married a
wife here, and finally went to California.
H. D. Hillman practiced in Hinsdale for a number of years preceding 1883,
when he went into other business and is now a farmer in town. He came
from Cuba, Allegany county.
Dr. Harvey followed medicine two or three years with Paul Clark. Aside
from this nothing can be learned of him.
Dr. Kennedy was in practice here about 1855. He was in town only a
short time and died.
Dr. Dana was an old physician in Friendship, Allegany county. He went
into partnership with Ira J. Brownson, continued a brief period, returned, and
died there. His big Newfoundland dog was one of his closest friends.
Hallett Fay came here from Hornellsville, whither he returned in less than
a year.
Dr. Suydenham, whom many will remember, located and practiced in
Hinsdale about 1878. He went to Dunkirk.
Adelbert W. Truman was born in Richburg, Allegany county, was reared
at Alfred Center, where he began the study of medicine with his father,
William M.; and was graduated in 1870 from the University of Philadelphia
(eclectic). In 1871 he came to Hinsdale with his father, the two practicing in
partnership for six months, when the father returned to Allegany county.
Medical Practitioxers rx Humphrey. 139
October 22, 1872, A. W. married Augusta, daughter of A. D. Salisbury, of
Hinsdale. In 1873 Dr. Truman removed to Alfred Center and subsequently
to De Ruyter. X. Y., where he now resides.
Appleton K. Corbin, a native of Waverly, Tioga county, and a graduate
on February' 28, 1879, o^ the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
city, began his medical business in Hinsdale, married here a daughter of
Alfred C. Torrey, and was associated with Dr. Brownson for a time. He
became a member of the County Medical Society in 1S81. In the fall of 1881
he went to Clearmont, Pa., thence to Wilcox, Pa., and finally to Bradford,
where he is now.
William H. Vincent, son of Hiram and Wealthy (Blakely) Vincent, was
born in Persia, this county, April 3, 1854. His father was a soldier in the
Civil war and died in Andersonville prison. The son spent his early years in
caring for his widowed mother and her other five children, and finally
succeeded in beginning a course of study at Friendship Academy, teaching
school and studying alternately until he was graduated in June, 1877. Soon
afterward he entered the University of Buffalo and was graduated as an M. D.
February 21, 1881. Dr. Vincent began practice that year in partnership with
Ira J. Brownson, his old preceptor, whose entire business he succeeded to
upon the death of the elder doctor in December, 1889. A Republican in
politics Dr. X'incent was chosen supervisor four times — from 1883 to 1886, — was
one of the organizers of the Hinsdale Union Free School, and elected contin-
uously a member of the Board of Education. He joined the County Medical
Society in 1S92. (October 17, 1883, Dr. Vincent married Ada M., daughter of
Henry Flint, of Friendship. They have one daughter, Genevieve, born Jan-
uary 28, 1888.
HUMPHREY.
Calvin Chickering was one of the earliest if not the earliest to settle as a
physician in Humphrey. He was born in Amherst, N. H., was educated at
Dartmouth College, and received a license to practice from the Cattaraugus
County Medical Society. Beginning practice at Yorkshire Corners in 1829 he
moved in 1831 to Ohio, but in 1836 returned to Cattaraugus county and
settled for life in Humphrey, where he died in 1856. He combined the calling
of a farmer with the professional work of a doctor, and succeeded in both occu-
pations. He married Caroline, a daughter of Augustus Crary.
Virgilium Reed, a native of Connecticut, studied medicine with Dr.
Powers, of Spencerport, Monroe county, was graduated from the Geneva
Medical College in 1854, and in 1857 came toEllicottville and entered into
practice with Clark Crary. In December of that year, however, he moved to
Humphrey, where in 1858 he married the widow of Calvin Chickering, who
survives him. Dr. Reed died in 1866. He had an extensive ride and was
much respected.
i4o History of Cattaraugus County.
James M. Andrews was born in New York city, March lo, 1837. He began
studying medicine in Rochester in i860, was graduated from the Medical
Department of the University of Buffalo in February, 1867, and began his
professional life in Rochester, where he was sanitary inspector for four years.
In 1875 he came to Humphrey, practiced here until his health failed in 1888,
when he retired wholly from medical work and removed to Franklinville,
where he now resides. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 27th N. Y. Vols.,
in 1864 was appointed assistant to Surgeon Barnes, and in July, 1865, was
honorably discharged. Dr. Andrews was justice of the peace four years in
Humphrey and census enumerator in 1892 in Franklinville.
ISCHUA.
Dr. Ritchie was probably the first doctor to settle in this town, but when
he came can not be determined. He moved here from Steuben county,
whither he returned in 1842. He was not a regular practitioner.
Albert A. Simons spent the most of his life in Ischua. Born in Chaplin,
Conn., February 2, 18 19, he entered as a medical student the office of Rich-
ard Charles, of Angelica, Allegany county, read next with his uncle, Paul
Simons, of Bridgeport, Conn., studied a short time at the Medical Department
of Yale College, and began practice in 1841 in Cuba, but two months later
removed to Ischua. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 154th N. Y. Vols. Dr.
Simons received a license from the Eclectic Medical Society of the 32d Sena-
torial District on September 23, 1874. He had two sons who are physicians —
one in Chautauqua county, the other in West Virginia. Dr. Simons retired
from active practice some years ago and died March 31, 1893, his remains
being buried at Scott's Corners. He married, in April, 1842, Marilla S.,
daughter of Benjamin Townsend, of Ischua, who survives him.
Dr. Frank, a Pole, came hereabout 1850 from his native country, remained
four years or so, and went to Buffalo and thence west.
Ransom Terry, son of Elisha and Amy (Hawley) Terry, was born in
Franklinville, April 14, 1838, studied medicine with A. A. Simons, of Ischua,
and his uncle, M. Terry, of Painted Post, Steuben county, was graduated
February 24, 1874, from the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo,
and began the practice of his profession in Ischua, where he still continues.
Dr. Terry was supervisor of his town in 1878, health officer from the organiza-
tion of the board, and member of the Olean Board of Pension Examiners
since October, 1892. In 1874 he became a member of the County Medical
Society and afterward one of its censors. He married, January 25, 1877,
Ellen G., daughter of Wellington Morris, of Franklinville.
LEON.
Samuel Daniels, a Thompsonian doctor from Vermont, was the first
resident to practicemedicine in Leon, but he did not make a business of it.
He died here about 1855.
Medical Practitioners in Leon. 141
Joseph Wilson, the first regular practitioner, located here in 1834 and had
an extensive ride for several years.
Everett Stickney was born in Reading, Vt., and received a medical license
February 28, 1834, from the Herkimer County Medical Society. He settled
in Leon in 1835, coming here from Erie county, and remained until his death
on August 12, 1891. He partially relinquished his practice in 1869, when
A. A. Hubbell took up his career. Dr. Stickney married, first, Lucy Green,
of Erie county, and second, Emeline Wells, who survives him. He became a
member of the old Medical Society and was one of its Board of Censors. He
was widely known and quite popular, acquired a host of friends, and left an
indelible impression upon the whole community.
Fred C. Beals. — See Salamanca.
A. A. Hubbell was born on a farm in Conewango, May i, 1842, son of
Schuyler Philip Hubbell and Hepzibah Farnsworth. His education was
acquired at the district schools and Randolph Academy, interspersed with
school teaching as a means of support, and in the summer of 1865 he
registered as a medical student with G. J. Ackley, of Cattaraugus. Dr. Ackley
died soon afterward and young Hubbell resumed his studies with Lyman
Twomley, of Little Valley. He was obliged to practice economy, and to
better do this he decided to enter the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsyl-
vania, ini867, from which he was graduated January 4, 1869. February ist,
following. Dr. Hubbell began the practice of his chosen profession in Leon,
but in a few years became dissatisfied with the reputation of his eclectic alma
viattr. He finally entered the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo and was graduated as an M. D. on February 23, 1876. F"or his
graduation thesis he received one of the Fillmore cash prizes. He has
frequently contributed valuable scientific papers to societies and periodicals.
About 1880 Dr. Hubbell resolved to make a specialty of diseases of the eye
and ear and removed to Buffalo, where he now resides, and where he fills the
position of professor of diseases of the eye and ear in the Medical Department
of Niagara University. He was elected a member of the Cattaraugus County
Medical Society in 1878 and is a fellow of the New York State Medical
Association. June 27, 1873, Dr. Hubbell married Evangeline, daughter of
Capt. William Fancher.
Dr. Cornwell did some professional work here about the year 1830. Noth-
ing further can be learned of him.
John E. Caneen, son of Frank, was born in Leon, August 20, 1855, and
February 27, 1883, received his diploma from the University of Buffalo. He
did his first medical work here from then until 1884, when he went to Chau-
tauqua county and is now in Ripley.
A doctor named Eddy followed medicine in Leon a couple of years, but
did not accomplish much business.
Fred E. Tuttle, son of Edmond D., was born March 30, 1857. His grand-
142
History of Cattaraugus County.
father, Stephen Tuttle, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a contractor on
the Champlain canaL Fred E. Tuttle received his literary education at the
State Normal School in Fredonia, began the study of medicine in the ofifice of
Robert E. Gifford, of Cassadaga, Chautauqua county, was graduated February
25, 1880, from the Medical University of Buffalo, and commenced his
professional career in this town. He is a member of the Lake Erie and
Cattaraugus County Medical Societies, joining the latter in 1884. He married
Lillian M. Fisher, of Villenova, Chautauqua county, by whom he has had one
daughter, Bertha L.
LITTLE VALLEY.
A. B. Wilder, tradition says, was the first settled physician in town. A
native of Vermont he inherited strong New England characteristics. He was
an old style apothecary, scholarly, and successful at first. Dr. Wilder was a
member of the old County Medical Society. He was unmarried. He died at
Little Valley before the war.
Alfred Ayres is said to have kept a store here prior to 1830. It is quite
probable that he is the same Alfred Ayres who is recorded as being one of the
first doctors in Ashford. — See Ashford.
Alson Leavenworth had the first brick house in town. It was valued in
1837 at S500. — See New Albion.
Stillman Chase, an eclectic doctor from New England, settled quite early
at the Center and kept hotel as well as followed medicine. He was also a
farmer, and died here about 1856.
Dr. Irish located at an early day on what is now the Willis farm and
practiced medicine a few years. He w as considered a good doctor for those days.
Dr. French came to Little Valley Center from New England as a cotem-
porary and partner of Dr. Miner. He soon went west.
John H. Miner was from Madison, X. V., and returned there. With Dr.
French he established an excellent practice for those times — from 1835 to
1840. He was well educated.
Wellington M. Cheney was born in Yorkshire and came hither about
1873, remaining two or three years, and going thence to Washington, D. C,
then to the Pennsylvania coal regions, and finally to Dansville, N. Y., where
he is interested in the production of patent medicines. While here he was
coroner a term.
Daniel Bucklin, son of Amos, was born in Wallingford, Vt., September 16,
181 1, studied medicine in physicians' offices there and in Mansfield, Ohio, and
about 1839 came to Salamanca, where he started in life as a doctor. In 1840,
however, he moved to the town of Little Valley, where, in 1842, he married
Cynthia, daughter of Abner Chase, who survives him, his death occurring July
23, 1 88 1, at Little Valley village, whither they had come to live in 1856. He
was licensed September 2, 1874, by the allopathic .school. Dr. Bucklin for
Medical Practitioners in Little Valley. 143
a number of years owned a general store in partnership with his brother-in-
law, Charles McG. Chase. He was supervisor in 1864, assemblyman in 18^6,
and held several minor offices. He possessed a strong and robust constitution,
which carried him through a long and successful medical career, but at last his
health gave way under the incessant strain forced upon it, and he was obliged
to give up much of his business.
E. E. Davis, an eclectic, a nephew of Stillman Chase, was here from 1873
to 1876. He came from and returned to Forestville, Chautauqua county,
where his father lived. He secured a good practice during his brief stay.
J. P. Powers began a five years' practice about 1857, but soon got into
other business, owning a steam grist-mill with Daniel Biicklin at one time.
He went west. He was a member of the old County Medical Society.
Dr. Grout married a sister of the wife of Dr. Miner. He did not succeed
very well as a physician in Little Valley and finally removed to Pennsylvania.
Henry Van Aernam. — See Franklinville.
Dr. Carpenter, a Quaker and a queer old gentleman, well posted on both
medical and general topics, odd even to eccentricity, but a great favorite
withal, practiced his school of medicine here a few years and went to James-
town, where he died. He had considerable ability as a doctor and treated
successfully a number of cases of a chronic nature.
D. P. Baker had a large business here at one time as a homeopathic
physician. He came from East Greenwich, R. L, and returned there, practic-
ing there since.
F"rank C. Davie was born in Bolivar, Allegany county, in 1856, was
graduated June 22, 1876, from the Long Island Medical College Hospital, and
began practice in Little Valley. He had previously studied and graduated in
medicine at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After a brief stay
here Dr. Davie went to Le Roy, Minn., and one year later returned to this
State to Angelica, Allegany county, where he is now. He is a brother of
C. D. Davie, the present surrogate.
Dr. Satterlee followed medicine here about 1871 for a year or two, but
scarcely anyone seems to remember him.
Jacob D. Woodruff, a native of W'estfield, N. J., and a medical graduate
on February 21, 1882, of the L'niversity of Buffalo, registered as a resident
physician on February 28th of the same year. He is also one of the forgotten
ones, and probably did little business.
Seaver Z. Fisher, grandson of a captain of the War of 1812, was born in
Bradford, Pa., January 14, 1845. His father being first a lumberman and
then a farmer the son early became accustomed to hard work. His education
he obtained in the State Normal School at Edenboro, Pa. March 4, 1864, he
enlisted in Co. L 78th N. Y. Vols., and participated in the battles of Resseca,
New Hope Church, Pine Hill, and Mud Creek, receiving at the latter a severe
wound. He was discharged in July, 1865. He finally took lectures at the
144
History of Cattaraugus County.
■.^
University of Buffalo and was graduated as an M. D. from the Miami Medical
College, Cincinnati, in March, 1878. From then until 1892 he practiced his
profession in Little Valley. September 21, 1876, he married Lillie E.,
daughter of the late Ira Wood, of Little Valley, and they have had three
daughters. Dr. Fisher joined the County Medical Society in 1885, became
one of its censors, and in 1888 was elected delegate to the State Society. He
was president of the Board of Education, health officer, county coroner, and
five years treasurer of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society.
Samuel Learned. — See Salamanca.
George Albert Jameson was born in Ontario, Can., January 11, 1850, was
educated in high schools and Albert College in Canada, was graduated in
medicine from the University of Vermont, and began practice in Chateaugay,
N. Y. In the fall of 1891 he came to Little Valley. Previous to his medical
studies Dr. Jameson was for about fifteen years a Presbyterian minister.
Lyman Twomley was born in Lancaster, N. H., and came while yet a
young man to the town of Machias. August 16, 1832, he became a clerk in
the store of Holmes & Washburn at $7 a month. In 1834 he married Urania
M. Holmes, and in 1836 formed a partnership with Stephen Holmes at
Machias. He very early formed the design to study medicine, but his plans
were not easy of fulfillment. Nevertheless he began his studies and continued
them as best he could, continuing, however, his mercantile pursuits. After a
time he attended lectures at the Medical College of New York, graduating
from that institution in June, 1851. He continued lectures after his gradua-
tion. While in Machias he was a very active man. He carried on a general
country store. He was a justice of the peace, taking the oath of ofifice the
first time February 27, 1845, ^^'^ again January 10, 1849, ^"^ his papers show
that he did a large business. He also held the ofifice of postmaster a long
time, and was supervisor from Machias for four years (1841-44). He was
also school inspector during a portion of the time. His business in Machias
was continued until the spring of 1852. His books show the last entry for
goods sold on the 13th of March, and on the 17th he notes his arrival at
Little Valley. The first item for medical services was on March 19, 1852,
and from that time until within the last year of his life he had a large practice,
and ranked as one of the leading physicians of the county. He was supervisor
of Little Valley in 1859 ^"^ again in 1868. He took an active interest in the
removal of the county seat to Little Valley, devoting considerable time and
money to the project. He joined the County Medical Society in 1868,
becoming its vice-president in 1871, and was one of its censors. Dr. Twomley
possessed literary ability of a high order, and wrote many poems, plays, and
papers upon public, national, and social questions. He was to the last a
thorough student of his profession, keeping abreast of the best thought and
the latest discoveries in medical science. He was an indefatigable worker,
and he carried with him wherever he went a confidence that was truly remark-
^
Medical Practitioxers in Machias. 145
able. He was also very kind hearted and benevolent, ministering to. rich and
poor alike. His smile in the sick room was a benediction and his unfailing
humor was an invaluable aid to his medicines. He died at his summer home
at Chautauqua, N. Y., August 13, 1886, leaving a widow, since deceased, and
an adopted daughter, Minnie D. Twomley.
Seba S. Bedient, a native of Mansfield, was born August 27, 1855. His
father, Amos H., was an early settler of that town, but died in Little Valley,
March 4, 1889, aged seventy-four. Receiving an academic education he began
the study of medicine with Lyman Twomley, graduating from the Medical
Department of the Uni\'ersity of Buffalo on February 27, 1878. He at once
commenced his chosen profession in Little Valley. Dr. Bedient was the first
physician in Cattaraugus county to register his name, etc., in the county
clerk's office under the act of May 29, 1880. He registered August 4, 1880.
He was made a member of the Medical Society in 1878. He married Kate
Lamb, of Marilla, Erie county, and they have two daughters.
J. W. Mower, born in Schuyler, Herkimer county, December 9, 1824,
attended Whitestown Seminary, and was graduated from the Albany iVledical
College on January 27, 1852, and from the New York Homeopathic Medical
College on March 3, 1864. From 1852 until 1878 he was in practice in his
nati\-e town; he then removed to Buffalo and in 1886 to Little Valley.
F. Granville Barnes was born in Paris, France, September 5, 1854. He
studied medicine and was graduated February 21, 1875, from the Hahnemann
Medical College, Chicago. He followed hospital practice until 1885, when he
went to Syracuse as a physician and surgeon, and in the fall of 1892 removed
to this town, where he is establishing a good business.
LVNDOX.
Dr. Hotchkiss is given by an old writer as being "the first physician" in
the town of Lyndon. No one seems to remember him, however.
M. C. Bissell. — See Carrolton.
Hattie B. Stevenson, although registered as from Franklinville, lived and
practiced in Lyndon a short time. She was born in Farmersville, attended
Ten Broeck Academy, and was graduated I'ebruary 21, 1881, from the
Eclectic Medical College of New York city. She soon went to Buffalo.
Augustus Hayden settled in the edge of Lyndon in 1824 or '25. He died
in 1835.
IIACHIAS.
Dr. Barber was the first physician to locate in Machias. Coming here
about 1830 he remained two or three years, and was an unmarried man some
forty years of age. Whence he came or whither he went can not be
determined.
Dr. Kneeland, also unmarried, but young, succeeded Dr. Barber, after a
brief interval, in 1833, and was succeeded himself by Isaac Shaw,
19
146
History of Cattaraugus County.
Isaac Shaw located here in 1835, coming from Cayuga county. He was
some years inspector of schools and made some radical changes in the school
system, and a marked improvement in its efficiency was manifest. About
1844 he sold out to Dr. Copp. Dr. Shaw was a member of the old County
Medical Society.
John L. Eddy was in partnership with Dr. Copp a short time. — See Olean.
J. M. Copp came to Machias from New Hampshire about 1844 and prac-
ticed his profession here ten years. His first wife died here and at her
request her remains were sent back to New Hampshire for interment; his
second wife also died in Machias and was buried here. For a time he was
in partnership with John L. Eddy. In 1854 Dr. Copp removed to Waterford,
Pa., and later to Portville, and finally to the west. He was a good singer and
prominently identified with the advancement of education. It is said that he
was also a practitioner for brief periods in Franklinville and in Rushford,
Allegany county.
Thomas J. King, A. M. and M. D., was born at East Hampton, L. I.,
June 4, 1825, and died in Machias, November 5, 1889, being the only child
of Col. Samuel T. and Martha (Leek) King. Attending the public schools
and Clinton Academy at Bridge Hampton, L. I., of which he afterward
became principal, he entered in 1844 Williams College, graduating therefrom
as Master of Arts in 1848. After teaching school for a time he began the
study of medicine with Abraham Van Scoy, of East Hampton, and in 1885 was
graduated as an M. D. from the Albany Medical College. In the summer of
1856 he settled permanently in Machias and resided and practiced there until
his death. From 1875 until January, 1887, Dr. King had as a partner H. J.
Ashley, and from then until he died his son was his medical associate and
since then has assumed his practice. In i860 Dr. King married Mary Eliza-
beth, daughter of the late Wiggin M. Farrar, by whom he had two sons. Dr.
Clarence and Harold S. Mrs. King died about three years after their
marriage. In 1876 he was chosen member of Assembly and the following
year reelected. In the House he was made chairman of the Committee on
Public Health and a member of the Committee on Apportionment. Dr. King
became a member of the County Medical Society in 1870 and was the same
year elected its vice-president. He had been pension examiner for many years,
and at the time of his death was attending physician to the Cattaraugus
County Aims-House and Insane Asylum and local surgeon for the Buffalo,
Rochester & Pittsburg railroad. A neighboring physician has said: "Dr.
King was as a father to us younger physicians, and as a consultant I regarded
him a model. * * * He explained our difficult cases to us so as to make
them plain and corrected our mistakes in a way that half convinced us, as well
as the patient, that we had not committed an error." A medical journal
says: " Dr. King was regarded as a ripe scholar, was active in many philan-
thropic works, and very popular in the village where he had so long resided.
Medical Practitioners in Machias. 147
Without being a contributor to medical literature he wielded an extensive
influence among his brethren by reason of his clinical knowledge, his philo-
sophical turn of mind, and his power of diagnosis. His leanings were toward
medicine, pure and simple, although his surgical operations were numerous."
Clarence King, son of Thomas. J. and Mary E. (Farrar) King, was born in
Machias, June 6, 1861, received his education at Chamberlain Institute and
Ten Broeck Academy, for one year was a private pupil of Rev. J. L. Davis,
now a professor in the Methodist school at Lima, N. Y., and finally began the
study of medicine under his father, entering afterward and graduating
February 24, 1885, from the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo.
His thesis, entitled " Hereditary Chorea," received honorable mention by the
college faculty and was published in the Xetc York Medical Journal. Dr.
King has written and published a number of papers valuable to medical
science, and all of them are considerably quoted as authority. In 1891 he
took a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic Medical College.
The practice of his profession he began in Machias immediately upon his
graduation at Buffalo, and in January, 1887, he formed a partnership with his
father, which was only terminated by the death of the senior partner in
November, i88g, since -which time Clarence King has continued alone. He
succeeded his father as physician to the County Aims-House and Insane
Asylum and local surgeon to the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad.
With his brother-in-law he also conducts a drug and grocery store in the
village. Dr. King is a member of the National Association of Railway Sur-
geons and in 1887 joined the County Medical Society, was elected its'
vice-president in 1890, and has*been one of its censors. May 13, 1885, he
married Altie S. Jackson, eldest daughter of Rev. M. D. Jackson, a Methodist
clergyman then of Centerville, Allegany county. They have had two sons
and a daughter.
Harmon J. Ashley, a son of Dennison and Lucinda (Gillett) i^shley, was
born in Freedom on July 29, 1849, ^'^"^^ graduated as an M. D. from the
University of Buffalo in February, 1875, and that spring began his career
as a physician in partnership with Thomas J. King. This continued until
January i, 1887, since which time Dr. Ashley has practiced alone. In the
winter of 1886-87 Dr. Ashley took a special course in the treatment of
diseases of women and children in the New York Polyclinic" Medical College.
In 1875 he joined the County Medical Society and has been a censor.
Madam Le-o-net-to, an Indian doctress, bought a house in Machias in 1891
and has since made this her central headquarters, from which she makes tours
through adjoining counties.
The following persons have gone forth from Machias as legally equipped
physicians and are not mentioned in other towns in Cattaraugus county:
Fletcher FoUett, 1864, Bradford, Pa.; Jesse O. Randall, 1882, Silver Springs,
N. Y.; Edwin M. Baker, 1883, Clyde, O.
148 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
XAPOLI.
Phineas F. Noble, the first doctor to locate in this town, and a school
teacher as well, came hither from Ontario county in 1820, and afterward
moved to Iowa, but subsequently returned to Ontario county, where he died.
He was a military captain and the first militia officer in Napoli. He settled
on lot 34, and his was the first marriage to occur among the pioneer settlers,
but he went outside the town to find a proper officer to perform the ceremony.
His wife was Statira Canfield.
Elijah Harmon was the first of two noted physicians to settle in Napoli.
The second child of Rev. Elias Harmon, he was born in the town of Marcellus,
N. Y., in 1805, and studied medicine first with Dr. Hoyt, of Aurora, and
afterward with Dr. Hammond, of the city of Buffalo, from which city he
"was graduated under Dr. Hamilton about 1830." About the year 1832 he
located here and for some years was associated in practice with his brother-in-
law, Samuel S. Wilcox, who came to Napoli in 1 841. Dr. Harmon had an
e.xtensive business, often extending a distance of fifty miles. He was a man
highly respected, strictly moral in character, honest and upright in all his
dealings. For his first wife he married Mary B., only daughter of Rev. \V. J.
Wilcox, then pastor of the Napoli Presbyterian church. They had three
children — Lysander Elias, born 1834, died 1835; Mary Jane (Mrs. Austin
Harvey, of Little Valley), born May 9, 1842; and Martha L. (Mrs. C. B.
Fairchild, of New York city), born October i, 1844. His second marriage, to
Saloma Wood, of Lowell, Mass., bore no issue. Dr. Harmon was a charter
member of the old County Medical Society, its president in 1837, audits
censor in 1834, and died in West Randolph in the spring of 1859. One of the
tcnderest traits in human nature was manifest in Dr. Harmon when his first
wife died, leaving his youngest child a motherless babe two months old. To
her he gave until his death a mother's tender care and a father's fond affection.
Samuel S. Wilcox was the second of two noted medical practitioners to
make Napoli almost their life-long home. Born June 28, 1817, in Otisco,
Onondaga county, a son of Rev. William J. Wilco.x, one of the very earliest
ministers in Cattaraugus county and the leading spirit in the organization of
many of the first Presbyterian and Congregational churches in different towns,
he began his medical studies in the Geneva Medical College, from which he
received the degree of M. D., and his practice was commenced with Br.
Powers, of Spencerport, Monroe county, who for a brief period was his pre-
ceptor. January 27, 1841, he married Mary J. Bell, of Sodus, N. Y., and the
following May located in Napoli. He had been here, however, in 1826, with
his father, William J., who died in this town July 14, 1842, aged sixty years.
From 1841 to 1849 he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Elijah
Harmon. Dr. Wilcox died here May 28, 1872. A few years before his death
he retired from active practice. Richard D., his son, was a physician in
Salamanca (see Salamanca). As a doctor and a gentleman Dr. Wilcox was
Medical Practitioners in New Albion. 149
greatly respected. He acquired a wide practice and a host of friends, and
was an honored member of the old County Medical Society.
Dr. Blodgett came into town about 1827. — See Randolph.
William C. Peaslee was a physician here in 1878, but how long before or
how long after is not definitely known. It is certain he left prior to iSSo for
Colorado for his health. While here he married Lena, daughter of John
Damon.
Dr. Barnes, it is said, was first a preacher and then a doctor and combined
the two professions during a short stay in Napoli.
NEW ALBION.
Dr. Brown is given the credit by former writers of being the pioneer phy-
sician in New Albion, and as nothing definite can be learned of him at this late
day we will leave his name and record to the tender mercies of tradition.
William F. Underwood had quite a lengthy career here. He was an eclec-
tic, popular; but ostentatious, yet he built up a very good practice, and went to
Hornsllsville soon after the war.
Thcron L. Ailing was born in Canaan, Conn., in 1800, studied medicine at
Fairfield Medical College, began his profession at Harmony, Chautauqua
county, and came to New Albion in June, 1839. Remaining until 1853, he re-
turned to Chautauqua county, where he died Februar).- 20, 1875.
Gustavus J. Ackley was a physician in Cattaraugus during the closing
years of the war. He died there in the winter of 1865-66. He was a medical
student of Thomas J. Wheeler and a practitioner in Ellington, Chautauqua
county, whence he came to this town, being a graduate of the University of
Buffalo.
Dr. Devoe came to Cattaraugus village from the west and followed medi-
cine here several years — a good physician, popular, well read, and scientific.
A son practiced his profession in Buffalo and later in Seattle.
Albert D. Lake. — See Persia.
Alson Leavenworth,* although he did not follow the practice of medicine
after settling in New Albion, he nevertheless should go on record as a resident
here, for here he ended his life, in itself a remarkable career. A physician in
many towns in the county, a surgeon of recognized ability, a shrewd business
man as well as a doctor, he became widely known and left to posterity a name
that will live for generations to come. He was born in Woodbury, Conn., Oc-
tober 12, 1788, and acquired his preliminary education at the common schools
and at farm work. Upon attaining his majority he commenced the study of
medicine with local practitioners and in May, 181 1, having passed the allo-
pathic examination, was licensed to practice medicine and surgery in his na-
tive State. October 17th of that year he married Sally Canfield, of Wood-
bury. In the autumn of 1812 Dr. Leavenworth \vent to Philadelphia and
♦Condensed from a biography written by Hon. John Manley.
150 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
entered the University of Pennsylvania as a medical student. That institution '^2^
was then in charge of that famous surgeon, Benjamin Rush, also a signer of ■
the Declaration of Independence. Graduating in the spring of 1813 Dr. Leav-
enworth returned to Connecticut, resumed his practice, and soon after was ap- "M
pointed surgeon in the State militia and ordered to the service of the United ~$r
States in the War of 18 12-15. ^ dispute arose between the government offi- -i^-,
cers and the officers of the army as to which should have the power of appoint- M;,
ment, which resulted in Dr. Leavenworth not seeing active service under his '"^^
commission. In the spring of 1818 he started with his family for western ?
New York and on September 25th reached the village of EUicottville, where ' ;%^
he took up the practice of his profession as the first physician in that town. ''^^
His ride e.xtended from Corydon and Kinzua, Pa., to Collins, Erie county, iH'
among the Indians as well as the whites. Dr. Leavenworth rode horseback W?^
and carried an axe to cut browse for his horse and to "spot trees" to find his "^'
way back. Frequently he was obliged to sleep in the woods on hemlock boughs 'S|
and remain away from home several days at a time. Being often called upon 'vf
to perform difificult cases of surgery, a noteworthy event may be appropriately W
recorded here. An Indian had suffered several years with a lame knee that ^'
finally became so dangerous as to threaten his life. The Quakers residing at - -V'
the Quaker Mission on the Allegheny river applied to Dr. Leavenworth for ,£'
advice and he decided that amputation was necessan,-. Accordingly the doc- 'i^
tor made (from necessity) his surgical instruments from a carpenter's chest of "^
tools. John Green and another resident of Great Valley were selected as assist- ^a
ants, and as the doctor began his work the latter assistant fainted. Green -l^*^
made a brisk application of sole leather upon his nether person, and he |^
speedily revived and left, and the doctor, assisted by Green, successfully ac- -i^;'
complished the painful task. The Indian fully regained his health and lived .'^•
to a good old age. In 1831 Dr. Leavenworth removed to Little Valley, and ^^
about 1836 to Cold Spring, where he became largely interested in timber land. ■ ^j^
He subsequently lived for several years in Randolph, and about 1851 came to i^
Cattaraugus in New Albion, where he erected the first brick house in the town, ijg.
and where he died. January 25, 1823, he was appointed first judge of the ,|
County Court, which office he held until Februar}- 15, 1833, and in 1840 was '<1|'
appointed loan commissioner. He was commissioner to superintend the erec- -r^,^
tion of the county buildings at EUicottville, commissioner to lay out public '^
roads on the Indian reservation, and was supervisor from Cold Spring from %
1 843 to 1846 and from New Albion in 1853 and 1854. He was also instrumental 'fy
in procuring from the Holland Land Company an entire surrender of theaccu- '?
mulated interest on land contracts held by them against the early settlers, and f-"
was, besides, one of the original projectors of and a liberal contributor to the .^i.
Randolph Academy (now the Chamberlain Institute), and was a member of -^
the old County Medical Society. In all these positions he served with re- . ;
markable ability, evincing a well trained mind and a keen penetration. He
Medical Practitioners in New Albion. 151
was an eminent physician, a skillful surgeon, a shrewd business man, a public
spirited citizen, a good politician, a staunch friend, and a liberal benefactor.
Cyrus \V. Babcock, a native of Persia, this county, graduated February 21,
1866, from the Philadelphia University, of Philadelphia, Pa., an eclectic school,
and in the 'seventies located in practice in Cattaraugus village. He became
quite popular during his few years' stay, and mo\ed to Buffalo soon after 1880,
where he still resides.
George Lattin, one of the present physicians in Cattaraugus, is a son of Li-
nus and Julia (Root) Lattin, and was born in Mansfield, August 17, 1847. Li-
nus Lattin settled in that town in 1831 and died there aged eighty-two years.
The son attended Griffith Institute, Springville, and Carleton College, North-
field, Minn., taught school, and was graduated in medicine on March i, 1875,
from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city. Practicing then
a year in EUicottville he came thence to Cattaraugus. As a Republican in
politics he served as supervisor in 1886 and 1887 and became a member of the
County Medical Society in 1875. Of this he was vice-president two years
(1884 and 1885), secretary in 1878 and 1879, ^^'^^ o"^" of '^^^ censors, and in 1892
was elected its president. Li Februar\-, 1874, he married Grace, daughter of
Charles Harvey, an early settler of Mansfield. They have three children —
Alice, born in 1876, and Berton and Benton (twins 1, born August 5, 1885.
Edwin H. Millington was born in New York cit}', January 3, 1846, where
his father was for many years engaged in mercantile business. VV. F., his only
brother, is engaged as a physician in Brooklyn. Edw in H. began the study of
medicine in New York in the office of Prof. R. S. Newton, taking in the mean-
time a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical College of New York city,
from which he was graduated February 15, 1867. He was then appointed phy-
sician in one of the dispensaries and finally resigned to remove to Saratoga.
P'rom June, 1872, to April, 1881, Dr. Millington was located at Hancock, Del-
aware county, where in May, 1874, he married Miss Lou Hall. Since 1881 he
has resided and practiced his profession at Cattaraugus. In 1886 he was for
several weeks engaged in hospital practice in New York city.
Chauncey M. Jones was born near Ithaca in 1829, was graduated from the
Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, February i, 1882, located in
practice at Cattaraugus soon afterward, and died here. He married Sophia P.,
daughter of James Buffington, of Mansfield.
Sophia P. Jones, wife and widow of Chauncey M., was born in Mansfield
in 1832, and was graduated from the University of Buffalo on February 27,
1887. She began practice in Cattaraugus and established here a sanitarium,
which was continued two or three years. She then moved to West Sala-
manca, where she followed medicine with her son Wirt W. from his gradua-
tion until the fall of 1892, when both moved to Greenville, Mich. She became
a member of the County Medical Society in 1884.
O. J. Stafford was here less than a year about 1886. On P'ebruary 20, 1878,
152 History of Cattaraugus County.
he graduated from the University of Buffalo. He came from and returned to
Canajoharie, N. Y., where he was born.
Henry M. Schall was here a few months, first with E. H. Milhngton and
then alone. He graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,
April 5, 1887, and likewise went to Rochester.
Dr. Angus came into this town from the west, was in partnership a short
time with E. H. Millington, and went south. He was young, bright, and
promising.
Lyman T. Wade, a native of Wisconsin, being born there February 14, 1867,
was a graduate on March 20, 1888, of the Bennett Medical College, Chicago,
came from that city here, and practiced first with E. H. Millington and later
alone. In 1891 he removed to Rochester, where he has become a specialist.
Norman Smith was the first physician to locate in Olean, coming hence
from Pittsburg, Pa., about 1814. Born near Hartford, Conn., December 25,
1788, he married, January 7, 1808, Abigail Sanders, of Litchfield, Conn., where
he pursued his medical studies, and where he received his diploma or license
as a physician and surgeon on July i, 181 1. Soon afterward he removed to
Pittsburg, Pa., and thence to Olean, and in August, 1828, went to Elmira,
where he died March 7, 1874. While in Olean Dr. Smith was made surgeon
of a local militia regiment. He was also a dentist, and was the first and for
some time the only one in this part of the country. Dr. Smith was a devout
Presbyterian, and a man of sterling qualities, being also a noted fisherman.
His first wife died in 1839 ^""^ he married, second, Mrs. Mary Ann Tompkins,
\vho died in 1846. His two wives were sisters. His old clock, which he
cared for a long number of years, and which stood in his room, stopped at the
exact moment when he breathed his last.
Alanson C. Bennett, who located in Olean in 1816, was a good doctor and
a man of fine appearance. With three other men he was drowned in 1S20 in
the Allegheny river while on their way to Ellicottville to attend court. Their
boat upset.
Dr. Eastman, as far as tradition goes, might also be said to have been one
of the first medical practitioners in Olean, coming in 1818 or before, but aside
from this fact no definite knowledge has been gleaned of him.
Dr. Rue was doubtless the first Thompsonian doctor here, but when he
came, except that he "came early," can not be determined. It is quite
probable that he was here about 1820.
Andrew Mead was a man of considerable note. He was from Stamford,
Conn., locating in Olean as a physician in 1820. He was a graduate of a
medical college in New York city. He followed medicine steadily until about
1833. March 28, 1831, he became associate judge of the County Court and
about the year 1840 was appointed examiner and master in chancery. After
Medical Practitioners in Olean.
this date Dr. Mead did little medical business. His library and practice
finally passed into the hands of Lambert Whitney, who was at one time his
student. His health failed or partially failed him, and it was principally on
this account that he ga\'e up his extensive ride and confined his practice to the
village of Olean. Becoming a noted politician he was much of his life in
office, living in his own as well as holding one. In 1845 '^t; moved to Alle-
gany, where he was brutally murdered by Theodore Nichlas, a German, on
December 18, 1869, aged nearly eighty years. Dr. Mead was amemberof the
old County Medical Society, was many years acting magistrate in Olean, and
held many other positions of trust. He was a bachelor. Eccentric and
talented, well read, a man of deep penetration, he was widely known and
respected; he possessed a quick judgment and was decided and confident in
his opinions. James G. Johnson, in his "Pioneer History of Olean," says of
Dr. Mead: "As a physician who had received a thorough medical education,
and had \'oluntarily supplemented it by two years' attendance in the princi-
pal hospitals of New York city, he was quick, skillful, penetrating, and dis-
criminating, and in the early days of his practice was pre-eminently successful,
and enjoyed to a more than usual degree the entire confidence of this commu-
nity and a large section of country round about. Vet as time passed he alien-
ated all his early friends by his intolerance, quarrelsomeness, and vindictive-
ness. He was an unreasonably warm friend and a bitter, relentless enemy.
In contradistinction with the above I may mention that he contributed prin-
cipally if not entirely to the education of two promising young men at Ham-
ilton College for the ministry of the Baptist church, of which he was a mem-
ber, and he did many other things equally benevolent and creditable to his
goodness of heart." A further sketch of Dr. Mead may be found in Mr. Lin-
coln's chapter on the Bench and Bar.
Edwin Finn, son of Menzo White Finn, came from Cortland county to
Olean in 1829. He had attended medical lectures at Fairfield, received a
license from a medical society, and died here in April, 1843. Dr. Finn was
not a brilliant man, but he was ambitious and industrious; his practice
extended into adjacent towns. He was a charter member of the old County
Medical Society and was elected its president in 1836.
Lambert Whitney, born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., October 10, 1812, received
a common school education in his native town, removed in his youth with his
parents to New Hampshire, and there commenced the study of medicine. In
June, 1833, he came to Olean, being fourteen days making the journey by
stage and the Erie canal. Arrived in Olean he resumed his medical studies
in the office of Edwin Finn, finishing, however, with Andrew Mead, whose
business and library he eventually acquired. After a course of lectures at
Fairfield Medical College he was granted a diploma by the Medical Society
of the State of New York in January, 1837, and at once settled in active
practice in Olean. In 1837 h^ joined the old Medical Society of Cattaraugus
20
154 History of Cattaraugus County.
county and was later elected a censor. In 1884 he was made an honorary
member of the present County Medical Society. In the early years of his
practice Dr. Whitney rode horseback over a large territory. He says: "I
did everything that a doctor then had to do." In 1834, while yet a medical
student, young Whitney was appointed deputy sheriff for one term and in
1838 was elected justice of the peace, serving as a magistrate twelve years.
He was a member of the first Board of Trustees of the village of Olean, was
supervisor from this town in 1853 and 1S54, and in i860 was elected county
treasurer for three years. He has also served as coroner and village health
officer. In politics he is a Republican and in religion a Baptist, and for more
than half a century has been a worthy member of that church. Dr. Whitney
is highly respected as a physician, a public officer, and a private citizen. He
enjoys a quiet home amid life-long friends and scenes, reaping the reward of
ah industrious, well-spent life. In May. 1834, Dr. Whitney married Sally
Senter, who bore him six children. Two sons live in Olean, viz.: Lam-
bert S. and Russell M. : a third, James 0., resides in San Francisco, Cal.
Mrs. Whitney died April 15, 1891, aged seventy-five years.
Lyman Packard. — See Yorkshire.
Dr. Marshall came here in the winter of 1836-37 from Connecticut,
remained a year, and went west.
Dr. Cleveland made his appearance in Olean quite early, and was in part-
nership with Edwin Finn for a time. He was also in Allegany, where he had
a store on the river.
Dr. Bigelow is given the credit of being the first horneopathist in this town.
He married here, and professionalU- was \"ery successful. After several years
he removed to near New York cit\'.
David Bcnnie. — See Port\'ille.
William S. Babbitt, the son of a l'resb\'terian minister, a brother of the in-
ventor and manufacturer of the Babbitt steel pen, and a graduate of a New
York medical college, pursued his profession in Olean eight or ten years, dur-
ing which time his wife died. He was a student here of David Bennie. Care-
ful, steady, and well educated, he acquired the reputation of being a skillful
surgeon, and finally went to Lockport, where he died, his remains being
brought back for interment by the side of his wife.
Charles S. Hurlbut, a native of this State, was a student of Dr. Babbitt
and, after his graduation, a practitioner here some ten years, going finally to
Pennsylvania, where he lately died. He married Eveline Barker, of Olean.
Dr. Hurlbut was a good silrgeon and a good scholar.
J. L. C. Cronyn. — See Portville.
Charles Austin Woodruff, born in Farmersville, February 7, 1840, was a sol-
dier and was wounded in the Rebellion, and in 1866 entered Bellevue Hospital
Medical College, graduating March i, 1867. He also received certificates in
auscultation and percu.ssion from Dr. Austin Hint, from Dr. Alexander B. Mott,
Medical Practitioxers in Oleax. 15^
professor of surgery at Bellevue, and from Dr. R. Ogden Doremus, professor
of chemistry and toxicology in the same institution. Dr. Woodruff, on return-
ing to Olean, succeeded to the practice of his old preceptor, Charles S. Hurl-
but, and died here honored and respected. He joined the Medical Society Oc-
tober 8, 1867, and became one of its censors. His wife was Eliza M. Charles,
daughter of Joh'.i and niece of Richard Charles, M. D., of Angelica, Allegany
county.
John L. Eddy, son of Dea. John C. and Samantha P. (Frost) Eddy, born in
M't. Holly, Vt., November 27, 1829, graduated from Ludlow (Vt.) Academy,
taught common schools seven winters, and when twenty-one began the study of
medicine in the office of F". M. Bliss, of Poultney, Vt., and finished with Prof.
Middleton Goldsmith, of Castleton, Vt. In June, 1854, he was graduated from
the Castleton Medical College, having previously attended a course of lectures
at the Pittsfield (Mass.) Medical College. In August, 1854, Dr. Eddy settled
in Machias and practiced until June, 1857, when he moved to Allegany, where
he continued until July, 1867, when he located and has since continued in
Olean, having had as a partner' since August, 1878, his son-in-law and former
student, Selderi J. Mudge. While in Machias Dr. Eddy was in partnership with
J. M. Copp. He has been pension examiner since 1864. August 8, 1867, he
joined the new County Medical Society and was elected a delegate to the State
Medical Society in 1873 and 1884. Dr. Eddy has been a member of the vil-
lage Board of Trustees, president of the corporation, and a member of the
Board of Education. He became a Republican at the organization of that
party and has ever since staunchly adherred to its principles, but has never
been a politician or an office-seeker. November i, 1855, he was married to
Elvire L., daughter of William Loomis, of Machias. They have had five chil-
dren, of whom a son and daughter survive — Loren L. and Nellie S. (Mrs. Sel-
den J. Mudge). Dr. Eddy is one of the best physicians and surgeons in west-
ern New York.
Selden J. Mudge, son of Rev. W. Mudge, a Baptist clergyman, was born in
Tonawanda, N. Y., May 24, 1851, was educated at the Collegiate Institute of
Nunda, Livingston county, and in 1871 followed civil engineering. He began
his medical studies in the ofiice of John L. Eddy in Olean in 1873 and finished
at the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, receiving his degree
of Doctor of Medicine in February, 1877. In September following he located
in Bradford, Pa., and in August, 1878, removed to Olean and became and has
since remained a partner of his old preceptor, John L. Eddy. He joined the
County Medical Society in 1881. Dr. Mudge is conceded to be a skillful sur-
geon, having performed successfully many difficult operations. He married a
daughter of Dr. Eddy.
Melville C. Follett was born in Machias, September 29, 1838, a son of Na-
than and Clarissa (Potter) Follett, attended the common schools, academies,
and Oberlin College (Ohio), and commenced his medical education with
156 History of Cattaraugus County.
Thomas J. King. Six months afterward he was appointed house physician
for the Erie County Aims-House, which position he held for over two years.
In the meantime he had entered the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo, from which he was graduated in February, 1865. Prior to his gradu-
tion Dr. Follett had been for six months a medical student of Prof. Thomas F.
Rochester. He commenced practice in Rouseville, Pa., and in September,
1866, settled permanently in Olean, where he has acquired the reputation of
being an eminent practitioner. He joined the County Medical Society Octo-
ber 8, 1867. He married, May 31, 1865, Mary A. Smith, of Kenosha, Wis.
W. Carl Dallanbaugh, a native of Niagara county, was born June 18, 1849,
and was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, June 7,
1881, endorsed by the U. S. Medical College, New York city, June 11, 1881.
He came to Olean, however, in 1878, and in 1880 married Ella E. Van Slyke, of
Niagara county. He joined the County Medical Society in 1892.
Cornelius H. Bartlett is a son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Waters) Bartlett.
Born in Pine Plains, Dutchess county. May 10, 1825, he was educated in the
district schools and in Groton and Cortland Academies. After graduating at
the latter institution he taught school some five or six years, and while so
engaged began studying medicine with Ashbel Patterson, of Homer, and later
with Caleb Green, of the same place. He attended the University of Buffalo
one year as a medical student and July 3, 1849, ^^^s graduated as an M. D.
from the Geneva Medical College. The same year Dr. Bartlett commenced
his professional career at Summer Hill, Cayuga county, and in 1853 removed
to Portville as David Bennie's successor, remaining there until 1876, when he
came to Olean, going into partnership both in practice and in a drug store
with Melville C. Follett. Dr. Bartlett married, in June, 1850, Sylphia C,
daughter of Dr. Bennie, of Portville. Their children are Mary D. ; Kate E.
(Mrs. George E. Ramsey), of Olean; and Frank H., of Olean. Since 1870
Dr. Bartlett has been curator of the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo. He became a member of the County Medical Society on October 8,
1867, was elected its president in 1871 and 1877, its vice-president in 1875, a
member of its Board of Censors, delegate to the State Medical Society in
1868 and 1884, and representative to the National Medical Association in
1878 and i88i. Dr. Bartlett is eminently qualified for these numerous posi-
tions, and in one and all has evinced sound medical knowledge and excellent
judgment, and is frequently called in consultation. His once extensive
country practice he has relinquished on account of approaching old age.
Frank H. Bartlett, son of Cornelius H. and Sylphia C. (Bennie) Bartlett,
was born in Portville, April 9, 1856. On February 25, 1879, he was graduated
from the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo and soon afterward
took a special course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York
city. He immediately began the practice of medicine in Olean, continuing
until the winter of 1886, when he took a course on the eye, ear, and throat at
Medical Practitioners in Olean. ' 157
the Post-Graduate Medical School of New York. Since then he has given his
attention mainly to the treatment of these organs. In 18S1 he joined the
Cattaraugus County Medical Society and was elected to its Board of Censors.
Wilfred Havland Sage, born in Angelica, Allegany county, November 19,
1853, attended Ten Broeck Academy, began the study of medicine with
Melville C. Follett in December, 1874, and was graduated February 25, 1879,
from the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo. On the ist of
March of that year Dr. Sage formed a partnership with his old preceptor. Dr.
Follett, which continued until 1881, since which time he has been alone. He
was secretary of the Board of Health for three years and held also the
position of registrar of vital statistics. In 1886 he was appointed chemist of
the State Dairy Department for western New York, filling the office with
eminent ability until 1891, when he resigned on account of ill health. He
was then in California a year, and spent the college year in the Chemical
Department of the Leland Stanford, Jr., University. In 1886 he passed con-
siderable time in the Chemical Department of the University of Buffalo and
in New York cit}^ under Dr. Martin, of the Board of Health, taking up the
study of fats and oils. Dr. Sage has made chemistry a specialty, though he
continues to practice medicine to a considerable extent, treating principally
acute diseases and diseases of children. November 29, 1880, he married
Jennie, daughter of Peter Loughlen, of Hinsdale, and a sister of Dr. T. B.
Loughlen, of Olean. Dr. Sage was elected a member of the County Medical
Society in 1881.
De Vere M. Hibbard was born in Brookfield, Madison county, July 31,
1848. Attending Friendship Academy he entered the Cleveland Homeo-
pathic Hospital College, graduated therefrom February 12, 1878, and the
following September began his career as a physician in Olean. February 16,
1880, he married Mary E. Thomas, of Buffalo. They have one daughter,
Marie.
John C. Richards was born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 4, 1842, was gradu-
ated March 10, 1865, from the Jefferson Medical College of that city, and
in 1870 married Carrie Van Syckle, of Milford, N. J. Dr. Richards was
acting assistant surgeon in the Rebellion, began practice in 1866 in Lock
Haven, Pa., and in 1882 came to Olean, where he was a physician until his
death, which occurred in 1892. He was county coroner, secretary of the U. S.
Board of Pension Surgeons, and supreme medical examiner of the E. A. U.
James V. D. Coon, druggist and physician, was born in Nunda, Livingston
county, September 14, 1834, attended district school and Nunda Academy,
read medicine with C. L. Harding, of his native village, and graduated Feb-
ruary 5, 1856, from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati. His practice
was commenced the same year in Tuscarora, Livingston county, and the
following year he moved to Nunda and formed a partnership with his preceptor.
This was dissolved in i860 and Dr. Coon went to Nile, Allegany county, but
15^
History of Cattaraugus CountV.
two years later returned to Nunda, where he purchased a drug store.
Coming to Olean in 1877 he bought his present drug store, and has never
been in active practice here, but is often called in consultation. Dr. Coon
married, January 13, 1858, Polly A. Robinson, of West Sparta, Livingston
county, and their children are Harriet M. (Mrs. Joseph C. Clark), of Olean;
Carrie D. (Mrs. C. S. Phelps), of Gowanda; and William R. and Faith J.,
of Olean.
Charles O. Chester practiced medicine in Olean about a year, being here
in 1880. He was born in Buffalo, graduated at the Medical Department of
the university of that city February 23, 1876, came to this place from there,
and eventually returned.
J. J. Powers remained here some seven or eight years. He was a graduate
of the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons, receiving his diploma
March i, 1881, and commenced practice in Olean the same year, coming hence
from Allegany county. His health failed, causing his removal to Denver,
where he is now. He was a native of Hinsdale and a member in 1883 of the
County Medical Society.
Warren F. Series came to Olean in 1885, practiced a few years, and went
to Wichita, Kan., where he is now engaged in his profession. Graduating
from the University of the City of New York on March 3, 1883, he began
business in Hornellsville, whence he moved to this place.
W. H. Dukeman, a Pennsylvanian by birth, graduated from the University
of the City of New York, February 19, 1880, came to Olean in 1885, and
moved about five years later to California. He came here from Hornellsville
and proved a good physician. Dr. Dukeman became a member of the County
Medical Society in 1883.
Luther H. Kitchel, young, talented, finely educated, and bright, a general
favorite everywhere, came from Buffalo about 1873, remained a few years, and
returned. He was a graduate of the Medical Department of the University
of Buffalo, and soon after his advent here joined the County Medical Society
and became a member of the Board of Censors.
Francis E. Watts, born in Euclid, Ohio, July 25, 1858, graduated from
Alfred University in Allegany county as Ph. B. in 1880, was one year in the
Medical Department of the University of Ann Arbor, and graduated as M. D.
from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, February 20, 1883. He
immediately located in Olean, leaving here in 1886 for Port Allegany, Pa., but
returned in 1892. He was a member of the Chautauqua and Cattaraugus
Homeopathic Medical Society and has been health officer of Olean village.
In October, 1879, he married Aria Bickford, a niece of William H. Vanderbilt.
Alexander M. Kinkaid was born in Butler, Pa., was graduated February 26,
1880, from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, came the same year from
Kankakee, 111., remained a couple of years, and moved west and engaged in
manufacturing. He married his wife while here.
Medical Practitioners in Olean. 159
Eugene B. Burdick was born in Wirt, Allegany county, August 30, 1856,
graduated at the Friendship Academy, June 17, 1880, received his degree of
M.D. from the Medical Department of the University of the City of New A'^ork,
March 8, 1886, and began practice at Whitesville, Allegany county. In July,
1887, Dr. Burdick removed to Olean. Prior to his graduation in medicine he
was four years a teacher of common and six years principal of union graded
schools. In 1 891 he was elected coroner for three years. He is a member of
the Olean City, the Allegany County, and the Cattaraugus County Medical,
Societies, and a 33d degree Mason. Dr. Burdick makes diseases of children
and heart and lungs a specialty.
William E. McDufifie and his father Angus were both born in the town of
Otto, where Robert McDuffie, father of Angus, located in 1822. William E.
was born July 23, 1859, completed his education at Ann Arbor in 1880, and
for five years following was engaged in the drj' goods trade. F~ebruary 28, 1888,
he was graduated as a physician and surgeon from the University of Buffalo,
began practice at Earmersville, and in March, 1890, removed to Olean. Au-
gust 12, 1885, he married Dell Losee, a native of Otto and a daughter of Sul-
livan Lo.see, a soldier in the Rebellion who fell in battle at Fair Oaks. Dr.
McDuffie joined the County Medical Society in 1892, and now holds the posi-
tion of chemist of the State Dairy Department of western New York.
Ambrose E. Smith, a native of New Troy, Mich., was born August 23, 1857,
and at the age of nineteen began teaching school. In 1 881 he was graduated
as a B. S. from the Michigan State Agricultural College, spent the ne.xt two
years as a commercial traveler, and February- 17, 1885, was graduated as an
M. D. from Rush Medical College, Chicago, and endorsed July i6th by the
University of Buffalo. He commenced practice at Belmont, Allegany county",
and in 1888 came to Olean as the successor of J. J. Powers. Dr. Smith joined
the Cattaraugus County Medical Society in 1892. He married Altie Emer-
son, of Belmont, in December, 1884.
Thomas B. Loughlen, son of Peter and Mary Loughlen, was born in Hins-
dale, April 13, 1868, graduated from the Olean High School in June, 1886, and
began his medical studies with William H. Sage, receiving his diploma from
the University of Buffalo on March 25, 1890. He began practicing that spring
in Olean and became a member of the County Medical Society in 1892.
John D. Maloy, a native of Ireland, was born in 1844, was graduated
February 23, 1875, from the University of Buffalo, began practice in Olean in
1 89 1, and belongs to the County Medical Society.
Joseph C. Clark was born in Chester, Orange county, December 12, 1858,
his parents being J. G. and Mary E. (Carpenter) Clark. He graduated from
the Chester Academy, in 1877 became a medical student in the office of his
uncle. Dr. S. G. Carpenter, and shortly afterward took up telegraphing in New
York city. He was graduated March 6, 1885, from the Medical Department
of the University of the City of New York, and immediately entered the Sur-
i6o
History of Cattaraugus County.
gical Department of Bellevue Hospital, where he remained eighteen months.
After practicing as a physician and surgeon in New York city two years he
came to Olean in the spring of 1891. Dr. Clark joined the Medical Society
in 1892. He married a daughter of Dr. Coon.
John F. Steyner, son of John J., of Olean, was born here July 30, 1859,
studied medicine with De Vere M. Hibbard, graduated February 24, 1884,
from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, and began practice that year
in Olean. He was appointed a member of the Board of Pension Examiners.
In 1889 Dr. Steyner removed to Pittsburg, Pa., where he now makes a
specialty of diseases of the rectum.
Mary R. Evans was a graduate of the Electro Therapeutic Institute,
Toronto, Can., receiving her degree September 4, 1876. She is registered
from Olean, October 11, 1880, but how long she remained can not be deter-
mined. She was born in Rushford, Allegany county.
Mrs. Emma B. Steyner was born in Monroe county and was graduated
from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, February 24, 1884. She
commenced practice in 1886 in Olean and two years later located in
Rochester, where she makes a specialty of diseases of the rectum.
M. A. Sanford, who claims the double title of A. B. and M. D., says he is
a " traveling tramp." He graduated from the Albany Medical College,
December 23, 1861, was in practice a short time in Ellicottville, and came
here in 1881.
Erwin M. Cass was born in Afton, Chenango county, February 9, 1853,
was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo on
February 26, 1884, and in July, 1891, registered in the county clerk's office as
a physician in Olean.
Thomas L. Barnes was graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of
New York city March 25, 1886, and at once started to practice in Olean. He
probably got no footing, for he is scarcely remembered.
James W. Peebles, a graduate of the American Eclectic College of Cincin-
nati on October 13, 1869, came to Olean in January, 1887, but doubtless soon
removed.
G. Reve is registered as practicing in Olean in May, 1882; he was graduated
December 23, 1862, from the Albany Medical Cellege. Very little seems to
be known of him.
Francis E. Comstock was another brief resident physician in Olean. Born
in Andover, Allegany county, he graduated from the University of the City of
New York, March 13, 1883, and at once came here.
Dr. Meecham, it is said, came here before 1876. He soon removed to
Warsaw, N. Y.
James C. Earle graduated March i, 1887, from the Medical Department of
the University of Buffalo, and in 1889 located in Olean, coming here from
Allegany county, whither he returned two years later.
Medical Practitioners in Otto. i6i
John P. Boothe has recently come here to retire from active practice. He
was licensed January 5, 1875, by the 32d Senatorial District Eclectic Medical
Society, and for some time has followed his profession in Ceres, Allegany
county. He is a Canadian by birth.
Dr. Reno was with Marshall J. Lincoln for a time. He went to Pennsyl-
vania and finally to New York city, where he holds a responsible medical
position.
D. M. Hillihan was a homeopathist in Olean in 1877, but how long he
^remained, whence he came, and whither he removed is not known.
Jacob Eugenio Kincaid Morris was born in Eldred, Pa., November 23,
1856, the son of Rev. Samuel D. and Elizabeth C. Morris. He received an
academic education and in 1879 ^^^^ graduated as an M. D. from the Univer-
sity of Buffalo, commencing practice at once in Eldred, Pa., and moving
thence to Olean in i886. In 1884 and again in 1891 Dr. Morris took courses
at the Post-Graduate School of New York city; for six years he has been a
member of the Board of Education of Olean, and in December, 1892, he
joined the County Medical Society. July 2, 1881, he married Sarah Gilling-
ham, of Olean.
J. K. Tretton was a short time physician in Olean, who succeeded in
establishing a good reputation and a lucrative practice.
Edwin Putney, the first physician to come into the town of Otto, came
there in the fall of 1823, boarded that winter with one of the settlers and prac-
ticed his profession in the neighborhood, and moved to Erie county in the
spring.
Levi Goldsborough was a son of Thomas and Rebecca (States) Goldsbor-
ough and was born near Dover, Delaware county, N. Y., February 15, 1806.
His early education was acquired at the common schools in the vicinity of
his birthplace, and at home where he employed the little leisure he could
obtairi from the severe labors of the farm entirely in studying and reading the
few books his parents' limited means afforded him. This work was done
mainly at night, with no other light than that derived from the old fireplace,
before which young Goldsborough lay upon the floor with his book in his
hands. It is impossible to obtain accurate information as to the extent of his
medical education prior to the beginning of practice. Even the name of his
preceptor has passed into oblivion. It is learned, however, that he attended
lectures at and possibly graduated from Fairfield Medical College and' was a
member of the Herkimer County Medical Society. In 1830 he located in
Otto, where he began the practice of medicine, and some years afterward joined
the old Cattaraugus County Medical Society. He was married in 1829 to
Almira Prentice, who died April 25, 1846, leaving three children — Charles
Goldsborough, now of Fort Collins, Col., Mrs. James Porter, now of Marshall,
21
i62 History of Cattaraugus County.
Wis., and Mrs. John Becker, now of Collins, Erie county. September 13,
1846, he married for his second wife Maria Cheney, who with two children by
her — -Mrs. Maryette Marsh (since deceased) and Mrs. Ell G. Burger, of Cattarau-
gus— survive him. Dr. Goldsborough's death occurred in Otto, February 17,
1886. He was of marked personality. Coming into the county early, by his
pronounced skill and thorough attention to his patients he speedily acquired
the confidence and esteem of all the people over a large extent of country.
Through three generations his welcome appearance in every household was a
herald of hope in sickness and distress. His cheerful countenance and
pleasant stories were often an inspiration to the weary settler. He was a
sturdy, vigorous man, a philosopher who received his knowledge and developed
his mind more from a study of men and all natural things than from the
literary acquirements which were denied him. Still from the few books he
possessed he carefully gleaned more knowledge than many men succeed in
obtaining from large libraries. His acquaintance with current literature was
varied and extensive. His conversation was brilliant, fluent, full of eccentric
expressions, and so characteristic that his witticisms were often quoted and
helped to form a fund of anecdote that is still e.xtant. He was bluff and
brusque with his patients, but withal sympathetic and kind hearted. In
politics he was first a Whig and later an uncompromising Republican, but
never sought office, and being once elected supervisor he promptly resigned,
the duties of that position interfering with his professional work. Through
his well-trained judgment and his minute observation of symptoms and signs
he became unusually accurate in diagnosis and prognosis. Consequently his
assistance was often asked in consultation, and many of the then younger
practitioners still bear in grateful remembrance his kindness in advice and the
valuable hints in treatment which he gave them. He was preceptor of Hon.
Henry Van Aernam, whose biography appears in this chapter. During the
war, by his influence and means, he assisted largely in the local organization
of troops, and whenever called upon to treat a soldier's family no charge was
ever made.
Phipps Lake was born in Windom, Herkimer county, July 19, 1818. He
was a son of David Lake, Esq. His father moved from Windom to
Hamburg, Erie county, when Phipps was about three years of age. He
received his education in the district school of this place and learned the trade
of a shoemaker, which he followed until his marriage with Rebecca Jaques in
1 841. He then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Davis, of Eden
Center, N. Y., supporting himself and family by working at his trade. He
graduated, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine from an eclectic school
in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848, and began the practice of his chosen profession
in Gowanda the following year. In 1855 he changed his residence to Otto.
After remaining at this place for four years he removed to North Evans,
returning in i860 to Otto, which town remained his home until his death.
Medical Practitioners in Otto. 163
Although a graduate of an eclectic school he never followed any exclusive
system of practice, and in 1873 he joined the Cattaraugus County Medical
Society. In 1861 he enlisted in the 64th N. Y. Vols., of which regiment he had
previously been surgeon, having vacated the position by his removal from the
regimental district. While the regiment was in barracks at Elmira he was
appointed sergeant-major, and in a few days was commissioned as first lieuten-
ant of Co. D, being promoted captain when the regiment reached Washington.
His health became seriously impaired after about one year in the service and
he was compelled to resigii. After his return he was appointed medical
examiner of recruits, which position he filled for two years, and after the com-
pletion of his 'army service he resumed the practice of medicine, but the
affection of the heart, originating during his army life, had slowly grown
worse, and it became impossible for him to endure the labor and fatigue of a
country practice. After his retirement from the active work of his profession
he was elected justice of the peace of the town of Otto, which position he
filled for twelve years. His disease gradually increased in severity and he
died, after many months of suffering. May 23, 1887. His wife and two sons,
Dr. Albert D., of Gowanda, and Frank P., of Otto, and three daughters, Mrs.
William Cox, of Cattaraugus, Mrs. Herman Carter, of Mauston, Wis., and
Mrs. Silas Long, of Hornellsville, survived him. Mrs. Lake died at Hornells-
ville, October 23, 1 891. Dr. Lake was a popular physician, enjoying the
confidence of the community and the respect of his medical associates. He
was a man of large intellectual development. In the diagnosis of disease his
intuition and judgment were seldom at fault, and in his active professional life
he was known as a skillful and successful practitioner. He was an enthusi-
astic Mason and was a past master of Clinton F. Paige Lodge, F. & A. M.
Dr. Irish emigrated here from Hamburg, Erie county, about 1842, fol-
lowed the botanic school, was quiet and pleasant, and remained until 1850 or
thereabouts.
Elisha Johnson was born November 8, 1793, and died here July 27, 1870.
He was a merchant in Ellicottville and went thence to Ashford, where he
studied medicine and secured a license from some medical society, when he
came here and lived until his death, following his profession up to about i860.
Bradley H. Northrop came from Wyoming county in 1862. In 1870 he
removed to Gainesville, N. Y. He was thoroughly well read, popular, and
established a good practice.
B. F. Eggleston, a graduate of the Medical University of Buffalo, receiving
his diploma therefrom February 21, 1882, came to Otto the following April,
but left within a year. He was born in Kendall, Orleans county.
Hon. Simeon V. Pool was born in Springville, Erie county, March 14, 1837.
He is the eldest son of Dr. E. C. Pool, for forty years a successful medical
practitioner, and who while yet a lad came with his own father at an early day
to western New York. Simeon V. Pool received his literary education in
164
les in
and i
he ei
i: -f !
History of; Cattaraugus ;County.
Springville Academy an
the U;iivefsity of
,d at about the age of twenty began his medical stud-
Buffalo', takjhg fwo-preHminary and one fiill .course,
Ucrspcrsing; thcge by teach'^ing school, prior to 1862. September 26, .1862, .
isted at Jamestown and becaijie 'first lieutenant of Co.B, 154th N.Y.';
Vol. inf., participating at Chancellor^ville-, previous, to which he had been, pro--
motea captain, -At the pext engage!|Tient'(Gettysburg), on July 1, 1^63, he was
captured and :Confined ijiine months in Libby prison, three months at. Macon,
Gn., six weeks at Charleliton, S. C, fi'Ve months at Columbus, S. C.-, and finally
at C larlottc, -N. C, jXvht re,; after twenty months in all, 'he; escaped on -Febru-
:\ry i\j, 1865, ehteringtht: Federallines one month. jlater at French Broad River.
A cqncise account of D •. .Pool's army career appears in the. IVIilitary Roster.
Retiirning home after l:is discharge^ pom the service he resumed tljc study of
medicine and i\vas| graduated Februairjy 23, 1866, from, the Medical Department
of tl,ie Uniyei'sity of Bi ffalo.' JHeidonjimenced his practice in Colden, Erie
couAtv, and in 1867 settled <\permand:'ntlv in Otto. In 1 872 he took a course
of Ibctu'res at the Jefferson Medidal College, Philadelphia. Dr. Pool' ranks
high in the medical profession. IniJ-i civil capacity he is aJso highly esteemed.
Hc;was for threC {years town .superyiisoi' and ,in 1878 and 1879 represented the
Second Assembly Distrjct of Cattahiugits in- the State Legislature. He joined
the! County} Medical
been a mcm'bcr ofj its
Mcdicar Society 'in 1
M.,
Pe
Society _in 1868,. becarne its vice-president in 1876, has
Board of CehsQrs,;und was elected a delegate to the State [
SSJ/, 1S90, and 1892. ; Dr. Pool ntarried, im 1865, Esther
daughter of 'Constant B. AllehJ.of'C3tto, by wliorh he has two children:
Anna It. (Mrs. Mark F. pensley), of Buffalo, and C. Bret, a graduate of the Bal-
timore jCollege of'Physijcians and Suirgeons; and of the Medic:«l Department of
the| University of Buffalo. ; ■ i ■ ,| i ' ' ,■-.';
' I ; j ' 1 : ' PERjRVSBijRG. '-. '-■... ' , , ■ :
Henrv Ti Rj Gray, ilic first resident physician in the town and village of '
rysburg, was :born in Lansingburg, N-, Y., in December, iBoi, and died in
Pe|"rysburg, :Decembcr 23,! 1874. | His p:|rents were Sturges Gray and Eliza-
beth Wood,|:natives of Boston and JNew York city, respectively. He married ,:
Mary, daughter jof Sajnuel and Hannah .Parkman, of Perrysburg, who .died '
he "e in i S90,laged seventy-eight years'.- Dr/Gray was graduated^ from the New . '
York Medical institute in 1S28 and came to Perrysburg in 1S30, living apd ;
practicing h(ire until hi,s death, -i^son, Henry B.', has b'eenstation agent here ';
for thirtv-{iv<s years. I .i. ■ : : " ■ . ' " .... '• ' |.
Albert p. Lake.— ^See Persia, .j .j
Dr. Mi'x i practiced at this, place [some two lyears and finally.moved to the '
oil regions; | I > , I j : ; « : , ■ |
John David Davis Kvas; born in'-Cassadaga, Chautauqua, countv, was sfradu- ,:
atjed February 23, 1886, from the jMedical D.epartment of the. University of !,
Buffalo, and came to Versailles as a physician inthe fall of 1887. ■ When'the' ■
Medical Pracxitioners in PerSiA:-'. 165
smalUpbx ;brokeout|among- the Indiaiis onithe reservation. Dr. Davis volun-
teered and was auth6rized by the State Board of Healthas official vaccinator
arid physiciian to the; Indians, and- in this work he ?pent three months among
them. jHe finally removed to. VVestfield, Ghautaiiqua county, where' he still
resides. ... '■ ' . , \y'':''\' ■ ^ "
, ■ E00J3 T. Lazell, wiio was born in Stocktoh, Chau'tauquacounty, was gradu-
ated from thcj-Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, February 12,
1866, jlocated in Versailles for the practice of his profession' somejwhere about
1875, :kn4 died'therc ^ome-five years later. . ' . ,1 -
Dr. Sill. — See Dayton..' ^ 1 '' •'.■•'■ .
Dr. Hazeltirie practiced medicine at! Versailles a short, time, an(!l moved
thenCe tio Jamestown. ^ ■!,,.■
Dr. Beals foUdwep his profession several years in the| village of Versailles
and filially became ajmanufacturer of botanic medK^ines there.
Guy J^. CrandalL-L-See Randolph. , i =: ; ' '
Pe'tcil iVVilson was| a full blooded Cayuga Indian who received an e.xcellcnti
preliminary education, was graduated from Bellcvuc Hospital Medical College,'
New York city, and 'began practice in. Versailles in this town about 1850. ;H:e
was a man of large intellectual development, a ftrst-classi^ physician, and his
reputation as a surgeon extended over a wide' terr tory. J In fact he performed
all of thje'i more: important surgical operations which were -required in hi's-
vicinity. [ puring the war he was sent south by tne Sanitary Commission, and
rendered jvjery efficient service, having a record both on the fiel^d and.in thie
liospital of! being one of the best operators in the army corps to which he was
attached.', [ On his' return he resumed the practice ofl his , profession at
Versailles, i still maintaining the excellent reputation wh'ich he had 'gained.
There he i suffered the great misfortune of the loss of; his wife, who was an
estimable' white woman. He married for his second wife an Indian womah.
and spent tJhe rest of this life on the adjoining reservation!,' where he diied in
1872. 'To his splendid qualificfations as a physician and surgeon Dr. Wilson
added ' a lai-ge amount 'of Indian eloquence. His reputation as an orator
extended tliroughout the State. " At the opening of the EJrie railway he was
appointed! tb respond to an address JDy Daniel Webster-atlDunkirk, in- which
the doctor used this^ expression: " When the white man fcornes .through-, the
woods .with 'his iron- horse, drawing: his train loaded iiown-with people, the
very trees; bend in obeisance to his pow^n" •■ , . !■. -.■.,/ .° ' ' ". ■'
■, i :i ■'[!''! ' • PERSIA. ■ . • ! :'•':- "-,: '' ' ' '
■ Sands Niles''Crurrib ;is given the. honor of-be.ing the ^fii-stl resident physician',
in thisjtownl cbmihg; here about, 1822 and living in iLbdi (now' Gowanda).— ;,
SeeCdnewahgo. r ' ■ '.:■■■■: {-■'.' ''■■■:;' : ' I
T. P. Whipple was a student 'o'f Dr. Crumb and followed him in jiractice.'.
He was a'n- interesting man, kind, hearted, and, during; his stay became highly
i66 History of Cattaraugus County. ' ^
respected. Selling his practice to his partner, Seth Field, Dr. Whipple moved "^
in 1834 to hear Buffalo and thence to Elgin, 111., where he died. He was a
charter member and one of the first censors of the old County Medical JT
Society. "^
Dr. Benjamin came here soon after Sands N. Crumb removed, but how ^
long he remained, where he -came from, or whence and when he left can not j^
be determined.
Dr. jVIerrick was a medical practitioner in what is now Gowanda prior to si'
1833. His first wife died here, and he finally moved to Canada, where he ■%
married a wealthy widow. t^
Seth Field was born in Leverett, Mass., March 20, 1797. He was educated f''
at Amherst Academy and Dartmouth College, graduating from the Medical ^
Department of the latter institution the first in his. class. Beginning practice ^
in Barre, Vt., Dr. Field came in 1833 to Gowanda, where he followed his "^
profession until his death August 11, 1855. Upon his arrival he became a ^1
partner of T. P. Whipple, which was terminated at the end of a year by the S
latter removing. Dr. Field was elected a member of Assembly in 1845 ^^id ^
served his constituents faithfully and well. He was chosen supervisor in '^
1843, 3-nd was a member of the old County Medical Society. In politics he ■0
was an old line Whig. May 14, 1833, he married Eliza R., daughter of Joab -^
Kimball, of Peacham, Vt., who survives him at the age of over ninety years. M"
She is remarkably bright and active. Dr. Field was eccentric, but a good
practitioner, and possessed a fund of general information. During the latter
part of his life he owned and ran a drug store in Gowanda.
Dr. Merritt made his appearance in what was then Lodi soon after Dr.
Field arrived. He was also a Methodist minister, was poorly read, and soon
moved away.
Dr. Fritts came here quite early, practiced a few years, went west and
contracted the ague, returned to Gowanda, and went thence to Versailles,
removing finally to Collins, Erie county, where he died.
Stephen B. Green was another early old-school physician in Gowanda,
coming before Dr. Field, practicing a few years, and removing about 1835 to
near Buffalo, where he died.
Dr. Davison followed here the Thompsonian method of prescribing before
and after 1833, but was more of a business man than a doctor. He went to
New York city and died there.
Samuel G. Ellis, son of Barzilla Ellis, was born in old Plymouth, Mass.,
July 17, 181 1. At the age of four years he came with his parents to Chau-
tauqua county, locating near Forestville, where he was reared on a farm and
educated at Fredonia Academy. He read medicine and surgery with Amos
R. Avery, of Forestville, and was graduated from the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York. Locating in practice in Fairfield, Herkimer
county, he removed thence in 1838 to Gowanda (then Lodij, where he resided
Medical Practitioners ix Persia. 167
until 1856, when he went to Lima, Livingston county. There he Hved and
practiced until February, 1881, when his wife died and he removed to
Syracuse to educate his grandchildren, and still resides there. Dr. Ellis
married Natalia H. Waterman, of Forestville. He was appointed by the
Legislature to superintend the erection of the Thomas Orphan Asylum on
the Cattaraugus reservation and remained the president, of its Board of
Trustees until he resigned to remove to Lima. He was elected a trustee of
Genesee College and served eleven years as Regents examiner. He was a
member of the old Cattaraugus County Medical Society, is a member of the
State, the Central New York, the Onondaga County, and the Syracuse City
Medical Societies, and has been a member and a delegate to the National
Medical Association. Dr. Ellis has done an immense amount of hard work
in the medical profession and holds a, high place in the science of its practice.
Horace Babcock is a son of John C. Babcock, one of the early settlers of
the town of Persia. He was born here in a log cabin April 12, 1825, was edu-
cated in the common and select schools of the day, studied medicme with Dr.
S. G. Ellis, was graduated in February, 185 1, from the Medical Department of
the University of Buffalo, and at once began the practice of his profession in
Gowanda. In 1856 he removed to Weyauwega, Wis., where he remained until
1867, when he returned to Gowanda and has since resided and practiced here.
In 1863 Dr. Babcock became a surgeon in the Union army, but was obliged to
resign about a year later on account of ill health. He was medical examiner
of drafted men for Waupacca county. Wis., during the first of the war and
later served there as pension examiner. While in Wisconsin he bought and
for twenty-seven years continuously rode a black horse, which he brought
around the lakes when he returned to Gowanda. May 14, 1856, Dr. Babcock
married Mary, daughter of James and Lucinda (Wheeler) Locke, of Persia.
They have had three children — Blanche (Mrs. W. R. Smallwood) and (Katha-
rine (Mrs. W. W^. Chaffe), of Gowanda, and Louis L., managing clerk for Rog-
ers, Locke & Milburn, of Buffalo.
Corydon C. Rugg was descended from Revolutionary stock. His grand-
father was a soldier in that war and his father, Jonathan G., was a soldier in
the War of 18 12, where he distinguished himself at Sackett's Harbor. Jona-
than G. Rugg was born near Lake George in 1795 and died May 12, 1877.
Corydon C. Rugg, born in Perrysburg, May 13, 1822, passed his youth on the
farm and in attending the district school, supplementing his rudimentary edu-
cation by nearly two years' work at Fredonia Academy and teaching school
three winter terms. At the age of twenty he commenced the study of medi-
cine in the office of Cyrus Thompson, of Syracuse, a son of Samuel Thomp-
son, founder of the Thompsonian system of medicine. In 1844 he was ap-
pointed colonel of the i68th Regiment Infantrv*, 54th Brigade, 26th Division,
of New York State militia. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was cap-
tain of Co. A, 64th N. Y. Regiment, which was organized in 1853 as the New
History of Cattaraugus County.
York militia. In 1847 he married Fidelia Goodell, by whom he had six chil-
dren: Adella D., Loella V., Corydon A., Estella F., Clayton A., and Minnie M.
In 1848 he was graduated from a medical college in Cincinnati and located in
practice in Meadville, Pa., removing one year later to Gowanda, where he fol-
lowed his profession until the war of the Rebellion, when, on the organization
of the 154th Regiment, he volunteered as a private and on November 3, 1862,
was appointefl by Governor Morgan its assistant surgeon. In this position Dr.
Rugg was exposed to great danger, but always performed his duties bravely
and faithfully, and acquired the unqualified esteem and respect of all — soldier
and superior officer alike. Failing health compelled him to resign on January
3, 1864, and return to Gowanda, where he resumed his practice, which he con-
tinued till February, 1874, when he removed to Rutland, Vt. Four years later
Dr. Rugg removed to Jamestown, where he continued practice until a short
time previous to his death, which occurred there January 14, 1891. Dr. Rugg
was endowed by nature with a splendid physique. He was charitable and gen-
erous to a fault, and his industry and self-sacrifice were remarkable.
Corydon C. Johnson was born in Dayton on July 7, 1833. His parents,
Gile and Philena (Salisbury) Johnson, were pioneer settlers of that town,
coming hence from Fairfield, Herkimer county. After attending Fairfield
Academy and Chamberlain Institute he entered the Eclectic Medical
Institute, Cincinnati, and was graduated from the Eclectic Medical College,
Philadelphia, January 28, 1864. He began his professional career the same
year in Gowanda, continuing it uninterruptedly to the present time. Septem-
ber 20, i860, he married Grace M. Randall, a native of Brookfield, Madison
county, and to them have been born four children: Burnell R., January 11,
1862, a medical graduate of the University of Buffalo and now a practitioner
in Gowanda; Fred E., April 18, 1865, since 1886 cashier of the Bank of
Cattaraugus; Grace P., a graduate of the Gowanda Academy, now preceptress
of the Cattaraugus High School; and Burt C, a graduate in 1890 of the
Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, for one year house physi-
cian and surgeon of the General Hospital, and now .a' practicing physician
in Buffalo. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Lake Erie Medical Society, the
Northwestern Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York, and the
New York State Eclectic Medical Society. He has been for fifteen years
president of the Board of Education, and in other capacities has interested
himself in the betterment of "his town and county. He is a representative
citizen, a firm friend, and an excellent physician.
Phipps Lake. — See Otto.
George \V. Barr came from Evans, Erie county, with his father some time
before the war. He was a graduate of the Medical Department of the Uni-
versity of Buffalo. Upon the organization of the 64th Regiment as State
militia in 1853 Dr. Barr was made its regimental surgeon; in this same regi-
ment he enlisted as surgeon November 20, 1861, and did honorable service in
Medical Practitioners in Persia.
the late Rebellion. He was a staunch Republican, a cultured gentleman,
and a bright physician, and finally removed to Titusville, Pa., where he is now
located.
George C. De Lameter came here from Fredonia, Chautauqua county, iii
1845. He evinced about as vacillating a character as can be found among
humanity. A tailor by trade, a doctor from choice, he lived a life of constant
activity, acquiring one of those reputations for oddity that are almost
imperishable Dr. De Lameter was not a graduate. Nevertheless he was
thoroughly versed in the genuine botanic school of medicine, and in its
practice acquired a large ride and a good reputation. In religion he was first
a Methodist, then a spiritualist, and subsequently a Methodist again, and died
in this belief in Gowanda, August 6, 1876. During the war, when excitement
ran high in the village and enlistments were going on, he played a snare-drum
to arouse patriotism. Taken all in all Dr. De Lameter was a curious man,
but possessed many noble qualities which endeared him to a wide circle of
friends.
J. G. Rugg, son of Jonathan G. and Ann M. (Tousey) Rugg and brother
of Corydon C. Rugg, was born in Perrysburg in 1838. Receiving an academic
education he began to read medicine with his brother, and on May 11, 1875,
was graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College. He began
practice in Gowanda that year. March 18, 1863, he married Mandane Muzzy,
of Dayton, who died August 28, 1891.
Ransom E. Moss is a son of Ransom W. and Eliza J. Moss, and was born
in Collins, Erie county, October 14, 1854. In 1875 he began his medical
studies with Dr. J. H. Shugert, of Gowanda (Erie side), and in 1877 entered
the Medical Department of the University of BulTalo, graduating therefrom
February 28, 1880, and locating in Gowanda the following month for the
practice of his chosen calling. June 2, 1880, he married De Etta, daughter of
James Cole, of Gowanda. Dr. Moss was for two years secretary and treasurer
of the Lake Erie Medical Society and since March, 1892, has been its
president. He has served four years as health officer of the village of
Gowanda and in December, 1890, being a K. O. T. M., was elected great
commander for the State of New York, which ofifice he held about two years,
when he resigned.
John D. Zwetsch, a native of Sheldon, Wyoming county, was born April
30, 1858, moved with his parents in 1867 to Corning, and one year afterward
to Buffalo, where he attended private school. The family finally removed to
Akron, Erie county, and when nineteen years of age John D. began teaching
school. In August, 1878, he took up the study of medicine with the late F. S.
Bosworth, of Akron, and a year later with H. C. Frost, of Buffalo, remaining
with the latter until he completed his course in the Cleveland Homeopathic
Medical College, from which he received his diploma March 8, 1882. He
then came to Gowanda, where he has since followed his profession. Dr.
22
I70 History of Cattaraugus County.
Zwetsch has been surgeon to the Buffalo & Southwestern railroad several
years, is a member of the New York State and the Western New York Home-
opathic Societies, the National Association of Railway Surgeons, the New
York State Association of Railway Surgeons, and the. Association of Erie
Railway Surgeons, and in May, 1893, was appointed attending physician to the
Thomas Orphan Asylum. November 19, 1885, he married Kate Schwink, of
Gowanda.
Albert D. Lake was born in North Collins, Erie county, February 22, 1846.
His father was Dr. Phipps Lake, a long-time physician in the northwestern
part of Cattaraugus county, and a sketch of whom appears in this chapter in
the town of Otto. Receiving a good English education at Springville
Academy Albert D. entered the Medical Department of the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he pursued the study of medicine for two
years (1866-67). He then registered as a student at the Cleveland Medical
College and received from that institution his degree of M. D. March 4, 1868.
For a period of two and a half years succeeding his graduation Dr. Lake
practiced his profession in the village and town of New Albion, and in 1871
located in Perrysburg, where he remained as a physician until 1891, when he
removed to Gowanda, where he has since followed his chosen calling. Dr.
Lake served as supervisor of Perrysburg for three terms (1885, '86, and '87) was
for fifteen years physician to the New York State Indian Agency and
Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children on the Cattaraugus
reservation. Fellow of the New York State Medical Association since August
28 1888, and in June, 1891, was appointed chairman of the Board of Pension
Examiners at Salamanca, a position he still holds. He joined the Cattarau-
gus County Medical Society in 1870, was for some time amember'of its Board
of Censors, was chosen its secretary in 1877, was elected president in 187S and
1879, delegate to the State Medical Society in 1884, and representative to the
National Medical Association in 1878 and 1881. He was also a charter mem-
ber and for one year president of the Lake Erie Medical Society and is one of
the present Board of Examiners for the Medical Department of Niagara
University, Buffalo. May 15, 1867, he married Eliza M., daughter of Ralph
Dewey, of Otto. They have one daughter, Nellie J.
PORTVILLE.
Dr. Willard, it is quite safe to say, was the first resident physician in this
town. He came from Friendship, Allegany county, not far from 1840, and
established a successful practice ; how long he remained or whither he removed
it has been impossible to ascertain.
David Bennie, a Scotchman by birth and parentage, was born June 13,
1794, came while yet a boy to America with his father, studied medicine in Au-
burn, and began his professional career in Cayuga county. He also practiced
in Tompkins and Cortland counties, and removed to Olean in 1840, where he
Medical Practitioners in Portvii.le. 171
followed medicine until 1848; when he moved to Portville. Here he practiced
till his death September ii, 1873. Possessing many sterling qualities he was
widely known and highly respected. His daughter married Dr. Cornelius H.
Bartlett. Dr. Bennie was a member and in 1844 vice-president of the old
County Medical Society.
Dr. Rouse was an early physician in Portville. Aside from this fact his ca-
reer seems to have been quietly consigned to oblivion.
Cornelius H. Bartlett. — See Olean.
Thomas S. Jackson was born in Oneida county, September 14, 1820, re-
ceived his medical education'at Castleton, Vt., and located in Portville in 1850,
being licensed July 8, 1874, by the censors of the Steuben County Medical So-
ciety. He died here October 29, 1882.
Charles P. Jackson, son of Dr. Thomas S., was born in this town December
21, 1854, was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (Medical Depart-
ment), March 14, 1879, and began practicing medicine in Portville. He is now
a physician in Hampton, N. H., going there after his father's death.
Wallace Sibley was reared in Cuba, Allegany county, began his career as
a doctor in Ischua, wefit thence to Eldred, Pa., and came from there to this
place, removing finally to Rochester. He graduated from the University of
Buffalo on February- 27, 1875, and became a member of the Cattaraugus County
Medical Society the same year.
E. Burdick came to Portville in 1876 as C. H. Bartlett's successor. He was
born in Little Genesee, Allegany county, was educated at Alfred, studied med-
icine with Dr. Crandall, of Andover, graduated, and began practice in Mich-
igan, whither he came from and returned after a year or two. He was an adept
in athletic sports. Dr. Burdick became a member of the County Medical
Society in 1875.
R. H. Goodrich came into town in 1882 from Rhode Island. He was grad-
uated from the University of Vermont on June 27, 1876, and went first, after a
brief stay, to Turtle Point, Pa., and finally west.
J. L. C. Cronyn, a native of Fort Erie, Can., and a son of Dr. Cronyn, of
Buffalo, received his medical diploma February 23, 1876, from the University
of Buffalo, and came first to Olean and then to Portville, but remained in
neither place long. He married here and finally returned to Buffalo.
John C. Young came here from Little Genesee, Allegany county, where he
was born, and began his medical studies in the office of C. H. Bartlett in 1867.
In 1871 he was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo, and then became a partner with his old preceptor for two years, re-
moving at the end of that time to Cuba, Allegany county, where he still resides.
In 1892 he was graduated from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons,
London, England. Dr. Young is emphatically a self-made man.
R. F. Rowley, born in Freetown, Cortland county, April 24, 1858, removed
to Cuba, Allegany county, in 1865, studied medicine with John C. Young, was
172 History of Cattaraugus Coui^jty.
graduated February 26, 1884, from the University of Buffalo, and began his
career in Salamanca in May, but removed to Portville in September, both in
the same year, and has practiced here since. In 1884 Dr. Rowley joined the
County Medical Society.
George W. Winterstine, son of Henry and Lydia(Ebner) Winterstine, was
born in Montour county, Pa., March 22, 1852. At the age of fourteen his
father died and at the age of twenty-two he entered a dry goods store. One
year later he began his medical studies with Dr. C. M. Martin, of Sunbury, Pa.,
and March 12, 1878, was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Phil-
adelphia. He practiced first at Paxinos and afterward at Hickorj- Corners, Pa.,
and in April, 1884, came to Portville. In March, 1875, he married Hannah E.
Root, of Danville, Pa. They have three daughters.
M. J. McCarey was born in McKean county, Pa., May 25, 1861, was
educated and graduated in 1885 from the State Normal School in Tioga
county, Pa., was graduated in 1886 from the Northern Indiana Normal School,
and received his diploma of M. D. from the medical college at Columbus,
Ohio, March 4, 1890. Soon afterward he settled in Portville.
RANDOLPH.
Benjamin Blodgett, as near as can be ascertained, was the first physician
to take up his residence and business in Randolph. He came to Napoli in
1827 and to East Randolph village in 1829, dying in the latter place in 1832-*
his widow -married John Converse. Dr. Blodgett was a good practitioner for
those days and covered a wide territory in his ride.
Oliver Guernsey was the first disciple of medicine in Randolph village.
His father, Oliver, Sr., was an eminent physician and surgeon in Mt. Holly,
Rutland county, Vt., where the son was born January 6, 1804. Oliver, Jr.,
studied medicine with his father and an elder brother, was graduated from the
Castleton (Vt.) Medical College, and began the practice of his profession in
Pierrepont, St. Lawrence county, where he remained until the spring of 1831,
when he settled permanently in Randolph and died here July 3, 1864.
October 26, 1827, he married Sally Crowley, who was born in Mt. Holly, Vt.,
May 23, 1806, and who still survives. They had twelve children, of whom
five are living. Dr. Guernsey practiced over several towns, among both
Indians and whites, and was highly respected everywhere. He was. very
public spirited in religious and educational affairs, was one of the original
incorporators of Raridolph Academy, and was a charter member of the old
Cattaraugus County Medical Society. His father came here in 1836 and died
the following year.
Alson Leavenworth. — See New Albion.
K. V. R. Lansingh was born at Albany in 1794, attended medical lectures
and was graduated at Philadelphia, and began the practice of medicine in
Amber, Onondaga county. Moving thence to Dansville and afterward to
I
Medical Practitioners in Randolph. 173
Penn Yan he came to Randolph in 1834 and followed his profession here until
near 1850, when he returned to Albany, where he died about 1877. Dr. Lan-
singh was a partner for a few years of William Giles. He was a distinguished
physician and a popular citizen, and was a member of the. old County Medical
Society.
Luther P. Cowles, a physician of the homeopathic school, came to
Randolph in 1835, but a few years later removed to Chautauqua county. His
brother, Rev. Sylvester Cowles, formed the first Congregational church of
Randolph, the meeting effecting the organization being held in the doctor's
house.
William Giles located in Randolph village in 1841, and for many years
followed the medical profession, first with K. V. R. Lansingh and afterward
alone, combining it also with business enterprises. With two brothers, Lyman
and Benjamin, he conducted a dry goods store at East Randolph. He was
born in Oneida county and died in this town about 1870, marrying late in
life a daughter of Mr. Eggert, of Randolph, who still survi/es him at Lake-
wood, Chautauqua county. Dr. Giles had considerable swamp land near the
west village and with two brothers owned a lumber interest in Napoli. He
was an honest man and a skeptic in religion.
A. H. Davis made quite a stir here for four or five years. He came in
1845 ^"d moved to Madison, Wis., where he has accumulated a competency.
-He was an eclectic, and was interested in a saw-mill near Falconer, Chautau-
qua county. On the organization of the Eclectic Medical College of
Randolph Dr. Davis was elected to the chair of materia medica and pharmacy.
Isaac Hill made his appearance here about the same year and continued
until his death in i860. A physician of the old school, energetic, and some-
what popular, though inclined to jealousy, Dr. Hill built up a large and
successful practice, and was something of a politician as well. His widow
married a Mr. York and went to Corry, Pa., and finally to Jamestown.
E. G. Cook settled in Randolph as a physician a little prior to 1850.
After a two years' stay he went to Fredonia, thence to Buffalo, and is now in
New York. He was a homeopathist and was well liked.
Amos Paul Jones, son of Judge Alfred Jones, of Monroe county, was born
in Rush, N. Y., April 22, 18 16, and was graduated from the Albany Medical
College in January, 1840. After practicing a few years in his native county
Dr. Jones returned to Albany and took a post-graduate course, and in 1847
settled as a permanent resident of Randolph, where he died April 3, 1880. In
1841 he married Emeline S. Hurlbut, of Avon, Livingston county, who died
four years later, and on January i, 185 1, he married, second, Mary A.,
daughter of Jonathan and Eunice (Wood) Hunstead, of Fredonia, N. Y., who
survives him. Dr. Jones was a well read, scientific physician, a skillful surgeon,
a specialist in diseases of the eye, and a good counselor. He was an e.xcellent
citizen, a close friend, and a kind neighbor.
174
History of Cattaraugus County.
D. S. Van Rensselaer was born near Albany in 1797 and at an early age
entered the mercantile trade in the employ of a relative in Amber, Onondaga
county. He married and followed that business in Amber some years and in
1833 removed to Penn Yan, Yates county. In October, 1835, he settled in
Randolph, where he was engaged for a short time in mercantile business,
which he finally sold to Swan & Scudder. He then followed farming and mer-
chandizing until about 1853. In the early part of his life Dr. Van Rensselaer
was associated much with his brother-in-law, K. V. R. Lansingh, and had
imbibed a taste and some useful knowledge of the medical profession. He pre-
pared himself for college lectures and in 1852 was graduated from the Cleve-
land Homeopathic Medical College, beginning his professional labors that
year in Randolph, where he continued them until old age warned him to cease.
He died here in December, 1880. Dr. Van Rensselaer was for many years an
active member of the M. E. church, organized the first Sabbath school in Ran-
dolph, and was its superintendent for some time. In politics he was an old
school Democrat, but on the agitation of the slavery question promptly sided
with the Free Soil party, and later became a pronounced Republican. He
early became a Mason, was a Knight Templar at the time of the Morgan
e.xcitement, and in 1862 received the 33d degree. His father was a charter
member of the first Masonic lodge established in Albany, while his brother
William H. attained to the highest position and honors known to the craft in
this country. His mother died in Randolph village at the great age of nearly
one hundred and two years. Dr. Van Rensselaer was descended from the Van
Rensselaers who settled in and about Albany in 165 1. He was the fifth in de-
scent from Jeremias, who was the first of the name to permanently locate in
America, and from whom all of the name in this country descended. His
father, Henry K., was before the Revolution a soldier in the Colonial service,
holding a major's commission under King George III. At the outbreak of
hostilities he sided with the patriots and was severely wounded early in the
war, carrying the bullet in his body until his death. The family in some of
its branches has been represented in civil affairs and in every war in the coun-
try since 1660.
Nelson Saunders is the son of Harvey and Sarah (Hanford) Saunders, who
settled in Farmersville in 1831. Harvey Saunders died about 1871 ; his widow
survives and lives in Randolph. Three of their sons became physicians — John,
who graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, set-
tled and for over forty years practiced in Belfast, Allegany county, and died
there; Charles VV., who was graduated at the Medical University of New
York city in i860, became a partner with his brother and afterward practiced
alone in Belfast, and died there recently; and Nelson. Nelson Saunders was
born in Norwalk, Conn., December 2, 1823, received an academic education,
and was graduated in medicine from the University of Buffalo in February,
1849. ^^ took up his profession and has since continued in Randolph, hav-
Medical Practitioners in Randolph. 175
ing enjoyed a large ride and a high reputation both as a practitioner and a
consultant. For over twenty years he has been local surgeon to the New
York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad, and for some time one of the directors
of the Randolph Bank. He joined the County Medical Society in 1874.
Elijah Harmon.— See Napoli.
Samuel Foote became a resident about 1842 as a physician of the old
school. He rem.oved some three years later to Waterboro, N. Y., and finally
to Cincinnati, where he became a homeopathist. He eventually came to
Jamestown, where he died suddenly while sitting in his chair in his office. Dr.
Foote was particularly and specially a surgeon, in which science he became
considerably celebrated. He was a rough, blunt man, but made many friends.
Charles J. Kenworthy, a native of Philadelphia, was a graduate of the Jeffer-
son Medical College of that city, and upon his settlement in Randolph about
1847 he became a partner of A. H. Davis, which relationship was soon dis-
solved. Before coming here Dr. Kenworthy had become an eclectic, and
upon the formation of the Randolph Eclectic Medical College he was ap-
pointed to the professorship of surgery. He had also delivered lectures at a
medical college in Petersburg, Va., and after leaving here he became professor
of surgerj- in an eclectic college in Syracuse. He went to New York city and
finally to Australia, but returned to America and married. He was well read
and quite a writer, and it is said of him that he was more of a medical scientist
than a practitioner.
Frederick Larkin came to Randolph in 1841. The son of Edmund Larkin,
an early and a prominent physician of Thompson, Conn., he was born there
February 12, 1814, and studied medicine with his father. When the Ran-
dolph Eclectic Medical College was organized Dr. Larkin was given the chair
of physiology, and when this institution was merged into the Central New
York Eclectic Medical College at Syracuse he had conferred upon him the
honorary degree of M. D. A more extended sketch of Dr. Larkin will be
found in the history of Randolph. He has never practiced medicine.
A. B. Parsons was born in Fairfield, Vt., took lectures in New York city,
and came to East Randolph in 1851. His wife was Marietta, daughter of
William Hurd, of Bridport, Vt., and sister of J. C. Hurd, a druggist of East
Randolph. Dr. Parsons went to Springfield, Mass., after more than twenty
years' practice here, and shortly afterward removed to Jamestown. He died
in 1874 in Atlanta, Ga., while on a trip for his health, leaving a widow and two
daughters. He was a strong Democrat, a true Episcopalian, and a generous
hearted citizen. For some time he was local surgeon for the New York,
Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad, and in all his professional life he distinguished
himself by a thorough and scientific knowledge, close application, and sound
judgment. In fact he ranked as one of the best physicians and surgeons in
Cattaraugus county. Dr. Parsons in 1870 joined the County Medical Society.
Henry Neville and his wife, Mrs. A. S. J. Neville, net' Ahhie S. Jones, daugh-
176
History of Cattaraugus County.
ter of Perry Jones, of Randolph, commenced a homeopathic practice here in
1872 and three or fouf years afterward went west and finally to Jamestown,
where Mrs. Neville died. She was bright, well educated, and after leaving
here acquired a large practice. He still lives in Jamestown, where he has
married again.
Arthur H. Southwick was a physician in East Randolph a number of years
ago. His father was a druggist. He was a graduate of Ann Arbor. After a
two years' stay he went to Pennsylvania and practiced in Corydon, Warren,
and Bradford, and finally removed to Syracuse.
O. S. Martin. — See Salamanca.
A. A. Whipple was in Randolph for two years from about 1877, secured a
large practice and a good reputation in the homeopathic school, which he fol-
lowed, and removed thence to Cuba, Allegany county, where he went into
partnership with his father-in-law. He finally located in Quincy, 111., where
he devotes much of his time to the practice of surgery.
David Ward, author, druggist, and physician, located at East Randolph
not far from 1850. Here he conducted a drug store and practiced medicine
some si.x or eight years, devoting most of his time, however, to his mercantile
business. He wrote several works on medicine.
George W. Whittaker was born in Windsor, Vt., came to East Randolph
about 1849, and followed the botanical system of medicine in connection with
mercantile trade for several years. He removed finally to New Rochelle and
thence to Andover, N. Y., where he practiced and had a drug store. Late in
life he returned to East Randolph and opened a small office and drug store,
and here he died in 1883. Dr. Whittaker was somewhat of a medical writer
and published a volume entitled "The Sick Man's Friend."
David Bemus, related to the Bemuses of Jamestown, followed his profes-
sion here a couple of years and moved to Steamburgh. After residing there a
year he left on account of ill health and finally died in Bradford, Pa.
Hector S. Bowen, a native of Conewango, a student of A. B. Parsons, and
a graduate of one of the medical schools in New York city, formed a partner-
ship with his preceptor, but was only permitted to follow his chosen calling
for'a brief period. The germs of consumption developed in his young body
so thoroughly that a trip south produced no benefit, and he died here in the
flower of youth. Dr. Bowen, in 1870, joined the County Medical Society.
He had a bright and promising future.
Dr. Clements, a German, practiced his root and herb system first in Ash-
ford a year, whence he came to Randolph, and finally removed several years
later to Great Valley, where he died. He never mastered the English lan-
guage enough to make himself understood. He was termed a "good doctor"
and had many followers.
Parthenia Williams, familiarly known as " Dr. Parthenia," began her pro-
fession in East Randolph at a time when women were just entering the field of
Medical Practitioners ix Randolph. 177
medicine and people were prejudiced because of her sex. She acquitted her-
self quite creditably, but did not succeed in establishing a large practice.
Mrs. M. L. Maxon, a hydropathic doctor, practiced her calling here
for a short time about 1874, but did not seem to gather many supporters
of that mode of treatment into her "professional" net.
Dr. Kahle practiced medicine in Randolph a few months, and leaving here
went to Kennedy, where he was both successful and popular. He finally
removed to Lima, O.
Orrin A. Tompkins, son of Amos D. and Emily (Hale) Tompkins, was
born in Ellery, Chautauqua county, February 2, 1841. After teaching school
a few terms he entered the office of George S. Harrison, of Sinclairville, as a
medical student and on February 27, 1865, was graduated as an M. D. from
the University of Buffalo. He settled the same spring in Randolph, where
he has since practiced his profession with the exception of a three years'
residence in Steamburgh. From 1872 to 1884 he lived in East Randolph;
since then he has resided in the west village. Dr. Tompkins is a member of
the New York State Medical Association and the Cattaraugus County Medical
Society, joining the latter in 1874, and being elected president in 1887, vice-
president in 1878, and one of its censors. In 1865 he was appointed pension
examiner, which position he held ten years. He married, in 1868, Frances P.
Marsh, by whom he has one son.
Emory M. Cheney was a graduate of the University of Buffalo, receiving
his diploma of M. D. February 25, 1873. He was born in Poland Center,
Chautauqua county, coming hence to this town about 1880. Seven or eight
years later he went to Kennedy, where he had become interested in farming
and lumbering to the abandonment of his profession. Dr. Cheney became a
member of the County Medical Society in 1875.
Archibald H. Babcock is a son of Erastus and Doroleski (Perkins)
Babcock, and was born in Scio, Allegany county, November 3, 1853. Receiv-
ing a common school education, supplemented by three years at the Union
School in Jamestown, where he began the study of medicine in the olifice of
C. Orms & Son, young Babcock finally entered the Homeopathic Medical
Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which
institution he received his degree of M. D. in March, 1879, ^""^ ''^ June of
that year located permanently in Randolph. October 7, 1882, he married
Emma L. Parmenter, of Cambridgeport, Mass., a niece of Mrs. J. T. Edwards.
John H. Sackrider, son of David and Julia (Maybee) Sackrider, was born in
Geauga, Ohio, in 1847, ^"<^ 's descended from a prominent Dutch family of
the name who settled early in the Mohawk valley in this State. His paternal
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution and his maternal grandfather
was in the War of 1812. In 1852 his parents settled on a farm in Napoli, in
whose common schools he was educated, finishing, however, his literary
studies in Randolph Academy. He also taught twenty-nine terms of district
23
178 . History of Cattaraugus County.
and graded schools. February 26, 1878, he was graduated as a physician and
surgeon from the University of Buffalo and immediately began his profes-
sional career in East Randolph in partnership with Orrin A. Tompkins. Six
years later the firm was dissolved and Dr. Sackrider assumed the entire
practice, and since then he has continued alone. In 1878 he married Hattie
F., daughter of James Senter, of Olean, who has borne him one son. Dr.
Sackrider joined the County Medical Society in 1884.
Myron C. Hawley was born in Brant, Erie county, November 7, 1856; his
parents were Alonzo ]\I. and Lucy W. (Clough) Hawley, farmers. He was
educated at Angola Academy, was graduated from the Medical Department
of the University of Buffalo on February 21, 1881, and began practice at once
in Steamburgh. In the spring of 1884 he removed to East Randolph. In July,
1878, Dr. Hawley married Kittie A. Beals, of East Randolph, by whom he has
two sons. He was made a member of the County Medical Society in 1884
and since 1889 has served as its secretary.
Guy B. Crandall is a graduate of the University of Buffalo, receiving his
medical diploma from there March i, 1887. He is a son of Etsel and-Mariette
(Conklin) Crandall and was born in Little Valley, July 24, 1858. He attended
Ten Broeck Academy, was graduated in 1882 at the Chamberlain Institute,
and afterward took a course of both Greek and Latin at Chautauqua. Dr.
Crandall began the practice of his profession in Perrysburg in copartnership
with Dr. Lake, but a few months later removed to Randolph, where he
became the attending physician of the Western New York Home for Home-
less and Dependent Children. In September, 1883, he married Addie Thorp,
of East Randolph. They have one son. Dr. Crandall became a member of
the County Medical Society in 1887. He has recently relinquished -his
practice and become a commercial traveler, but still resides in Randolph.
Elton S. Rich was located at East Randolph about a year. He was born
in New Albion, received his diploma from the University of the City of New
York on March 6, 1886, and the ne.xt July began practice here. He removed
to Kennedy, Chautauqua county, where he now is.
Robert A. Carson, a native of Sacramento, Cal., was graduated March 20,
1877, from the Chicago Medical College, and commenced his profession in
Randolph. His brief practice here marked a brilliant man and a thorough
scholar.
Andre L. Cowles received his diploma from the Columbus (Ohio) Medical
College on February 27, 1878, located ' at once in Randolph village, and
followed his profession until about 1882, when he removed to Pennsylvania.
He was born in Harmony, Chautauqua county, and was a well read physician.
Edward Wallace Lee was born in Perrysburg, O., July 21, 1859, came to
Randolph with his parents in 1866, was graduated in medicine from the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the College of Physicians and
Surgeons in New York city, and began practice here in 1882, removing two
Medical Practit[(3xkrs in SAI,A^rA^■CA.
years afterward to Omaha, Neb., where he has acquired a reputation and a
business not often accorded so young a man. Indeed his success there has
been ahnost phenomenal. Prior to these studies Dr. Lee was a cadet at the
West Granville ( X. Y.) Military Institute, from which he was graduated in
1.S78. He married a daughter of A. Wentworth, of Randolph.
George P. Meecham was born in Kingston, Ontario, Can., May i, i860,
was graduated from Queens Uni\"ersit}', April 28, 1891, and commenced as a
physician in Limestone the following June. He came to Randolph a year
later as Guy B. Crandall's successor.
Edward C. Lyman, born in New York city December 24, 1869, came to
Randolph with his parents in 1875, was for three years a cadet at the military
school at Sing Sing, was graduated in medicine from the University of Michi-
gan in June, 1892, took a post-graduate course and received a diploma
November 29, 1892, from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New
York cit\-, and has commenced his profession in Randolph village.
SAI.AMAN'CA.
Daniel Pucklin was doubtless the first resident medical practitioner in
Salamanca. He came in 1839 '^'^'-1 i'emo\'ed to Little Yalley in 1840. — See
Little \'alle\-.
H. M. Gale, it is learned from good authorit}-, was the first i.ii;rmanent
resident physician in Salamanca. He located at the west village, where he
practiced his profession many years with e.Kcellent success, leaving about 1870.
Dr. Gale was a charter member, the first vice-president, and one of the first
censors of the County Medical Society, and in both civil and professional life
was highly respected.
E. A. Chapman, a regular graduate, came to Salamanca as a clerk for the
Erie railroiid. His wile died and he took up the practice of his profession,
but sh(jrt[\' afterward removed. He was here in all some four or five years,
and joined the Count}- .Medical Society in 1874.
M. M. McDonell followed medicine at West Salamanca for a few years
prior to 1870. Little is known about him, howe\-er.
A. S. Bonesteel. — See Great Valley.
James Wright, an eclectic, came to West Salamanca from Missouri,
whither he finally returned. He did little professional business, but confined
his attention mainly to a drug store. He removed about 1876.
Henry W. Dye. — See Dayton.
W. W. Drake, another eclectic physician in West Salamanca, was reared at
what is called Drake run in that town, his father being Warren Drake, from
whom the locality was named. Dr. Drake, I think, began his practice here,
but removed shortly to the west.
Dr. Fisher practiced the eclectic system of medicine at West Salamanca a
brief period.
i8o History of Cattaraugus County.
Dr. Westbrook was at one time located in practice liere, but aside from
this little is known of him.
Dr. Kimberley also followed medicine at the village of West Salamanca a
short time.
Henry Learned did some medical business and ran a saw-mill for a time.
He finally went to Florida, where he is growing oranges,
Julian G. Smith, son of T. L. and Catherine ( Nelmes) Smith, was born on
the island of Bermuda, January 17, 1845. When eleven years of age his
parents sent him to Clinton, N. Y., to attend Dwight's High School ; he
afterward completed a scientific course at Bisbee's school in Poughkeepsie,
and returning to Bermuda remained there until 1867, when he began a
medical course in the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated March
I, 1870. Dr. Smith commenced the practice of his profession in Plainfield,
N. Y., but one month later, on August i, 1870, came to Salamanca, where
he has since pursued his chosen calling, being now the longest resident ph}-si-
cian in the village, of \\hich he has served as trustee. In 1873 he married
Sarah C, daughter of De Lancy King, and they ha\'e had seven children, si.\
of whom are living.
John P. Colgrove is a son of Francis and Amanda (Pitts) Colgro\'e, of
Hornells\'ille, where he was born April 19, 1833. Reared a farmer and edu-
cated in the common schools and Alfred Uni\'ersity he early chose the
medical profession as his life-long \'Ocation, and combined his primary studies
in medicine with teaching school. He was a medical student under his uncle.
Dr. James Pitts, and for one year ( 1860-61 ) pursued his studies at the College
of Medicine and Surgery, Cincinnati, immediately afterward passing the State
e.xamination which entitled him to practice in Ohio. F"ron.i then until
November, 1862, he followed his profession with another uncle, Dr. John C.
Pitts, of Rushford, Allegany county, and at the solicitation of John L. Eddy
assumed the latter's practice in Allegany. There he remained until 1S66,
when he removed to Clearwater, Minn., where he practiced until 1870, and
where he married his wife, Salina Parker, a native of Allegany. Returning to
Allegany Dr. Colgrove resumed his practice there and continued until the fall
of 1874, when he took lectures at the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo, graduating therefrom February 23, 1875. He then located in Sala-
manca. Dr. Colgrove is a member of the Salamanca Board of Pension Exam-
iners, was for several years local surgeon to the New York, Pennsylvania &
Ohio railroad, -and was one of the founders and continuously a director of the
First National Bank of Salamanca. He joined the Medical Society in 18S3
and in 1885 and 1S86 was its president. He also has a drug store.
Salina Parker Colgrove, born in Allegany, May 27, 1850, is a daughter of
J. W. Parker, Esq. Receiving her education in the local district schools and
in Olean Academy, from which she was graduated in 1866, she followed
teaching for two years and for the same period pursued a course of normal
Medical Practitioners in Salamanca. i8i
studies at the University of Michigan. In 1870 she was married to John P.
CoIgro\^e, then practicing medicine in Clearwater, Minn., but who returned to
Allegany with his bride that year, following his profession there until 187^,
when the couple moved to Salamanca, where they settled permanently. Mrs.
Colgrove was graduated as an M. D. from the University of Buffalo on Feb-
ruary 28, 1888, and the following year from the Department of Pharmacv of
the same institution. She is a charter member and was elected the first
president of the Buffalo Medical Club, is a member of the Educational and
Industrial Union of the City of Buffalo, and an honorary member of the
Buffalo Medical Society.
Charles Oliver Day, son of Chauncey and Almedia (Oliver) Day, was born
in South Dansville, N. Y., April 13, 1846, was graduated in June, 1867, from
the Rogersville Union Seminary and Collegiate Institute, received his degree
of M. D. from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, March i. 1870.
and began practice in Cohocton, Steuben county, in partnership with Dr.
L. B. Healy and continued it with Dr. J. L. Acomb in Tidionte, Pa., two
years in each place. In 1874 he came to Salamanca, becoming a member of
its first Board of Village Trustees, and remained until his death November 18,
i8gi. Dr. Day was an excellent surgeon, and for many years bore that offi-
cial relation to the Erie and the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroads.
He became a member of the County Medical Society in 1874, was its \ice-
prcsident in 1877, ^^''^■'^ o'^c of the censors, and in 1883 ^^''^^ ^ delegate to the
State Medical Society. November 12, 1873, he married Lucy S. Healv. who
bore him three children, and who survives him.
Fred C. Beals was born in Gowanda, April 18, 1852. His parents were Sam-
uel P. and Sarah E. (Holcomb) Beals. He attended Chamberlain Institute,
was graduated as a physician and surgeon on February 23, 1875, from the Uni-
versity of Buffalo, and that spring hung out his shingle as a practitioner in
Conewango. In December, 1S78, he removed to EUicottville, and in April,
1880, came to Salamanca. He is local surgeon for the Western New York &
Pennsylvania, Erie, and Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroads. In 1875
he was made a member of the County Medical Society, has been one of its
censors, and became its vice-president in 1892. Dr. Beals married, in 1875,
Lucy I. Bcardsley, of East Randolph. They have one son.
W. A. Crandall, a nati\e of Mansfield and on F"ebruary 17, 1883, ^ gradu-
ate of the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, began his chosen calling in
East Otto that year, moved thence to Michigan, returned and 'practiced two
years in Salamanca, and finally located again in Michigan, where he now re-
sides. He is the inventor and patentee of a rubber obstetrical pan.
Samuel Learned, father of Henry, died in this town, yet he performed most
of his professional work while living in Elkdale in the town of Little \'alley,
where he practiced four or five years.
Charles S. Boyce, son of Charles S., was born in Westfield, Chautauqua
i82 History of Cattaraugus County.
county, December 24, 1855, was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, March 11, 1877, and began his practice in Fredonia, N. Y. He
removed thence to East Aurora, Erie county, and in 1881 came to Salamanca.
October t^o, 1878, he married Elba Ralyea, of Pennsylvania.
Two doctors by the name of Baker, one a regular, the other an eclectic,
but not related, followed their professions here a year each in i876or 'jy.
H. L. Ellsworth, a nati\e of Independence, Allegany county, was licensed
by the Cattaraugus County Medical Society, June 4, 1S67, thus becoming its
first licentiate and a charter member, and is said to have been one of the first
practitioners in West Salamanca. He still resides in town incapacitated for
practice.
Richard Dewees Wilcox, son of Dr. Samuel S. Wilcox, of Napoli, was born
there February 6, 1842. He studied medicine under his father and in 1863
enlisted in the army, being detailed as hospital steward. Returning home he
engaged in mercantile business in Jamestown, and June 11, 1867, he married
Fannie D. McCoy, of EUicottville, who survives him. He was theii one year
a medical student in the University of Buffalo, and was graduated in March,
1871, from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. From
then until 1880 he practiced his profession in Corry, Pa., but in that year came
to Salamanca, where he resided until his death January 5, 1892. I*"or two
years he served as county coroner and for some time was a prominent Odd
Fellow. He was also a trustee of the Congregational church; his brother S.
Darwin was a professor in Hamilton College and died March 31, 1874.
Charles M. Hamilton, born in Harpersfield, N. Y., August 30, 1856, began
his medical studies in the Albany Medical College, and was graduated from
the Medical Department of the University of Vermont on June 26, 1877. He
practiced in Gladwin, Mich., and Seapo. Kan., and in 1881 came to West Sal-
amanca, moving thence in 1883 to Salamanca village. Since coming to this
town Dr. Hamilton has been wholly engaged in the drug business.
Mrs. E. H. Stevenson, a graduate in 1878 of the Hahnemann Medical
College, Chicago, came to Salamanca in iSS2,and remained only a short time.
W. R. Sitler came here also in 1S82. and was a graduate of the Medical
Department of the University of Pennsyh'ania, receiving his diploma March
12, 1875. He v\-as local surgeon for the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio rail-
road and removed after about eight \-ears" practice to Binghamton.
R. F. Rowley. — See Portville.
Lyman Lewis Deck, son of Abram and Helen (Moore) Deck, was born in
Stark, N. Y., June 10, 1850. He was.graduated from the Medical Department
of the University of Michigan, March 27, 1878, began the practice of medicine
in Ripley, Chautauqua county, continued it in Duke's Center, Pa., and in 1882
came to Salamanca, where he has given his attention quite largely to the use
of the microscope in diagnosis and has also made a specialty of .diseases of
the eye. He is a member of the Chautauqua and the Cattaraugus Counties
Medical Practitioners in Salamanca. 183
Medical Societies; of the latter he was president in 1889 and '90, secretary
and treasurer in 1886 and 'Sj. and one of its present censors.
Weldon Dickson is a son of Re\-. Alfred and Eveline B. Dickson, and was
born in Harmony, Chautauqua count}-, February 7, 1857. He was graduated
from Allegany College, Meadvillc, Pa., in 1882, began the study of medicine
with Laban Hazeltine, of Jamestown, recei\'ed his degree of IM. D. from the
Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1886, and began practice the
same year in Jamestown. In 1889 he removed to Cuba, Allegany county, and
in August, 1891, located in Salamanca. On January 2, 1889, Dr. Dickson mar-
ried Anna, daughter of Charles Hevenor, by whom he has one son.
\V. C. Peaslee. — See Xapoli.
Abner P. Reehcr was born in Mercer county. Pa., in 1855, was educated in
the High School in Clarks\'i!le in his native county, became a medical student
in the office of Dr. G. T. Monroe, of Mercer, Pa., and was graduated P'ebruary
28, 1883, from the Homeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, O. After prac-
ticing one year in Massilon. ()., and three years in Johnstown, Pa., Dr. Reeher
came to Salamanca in 1S87. wlierc he has since followed his profession.
Frank C. Davie. — See Little \'alley.
Garret V. W. Co.x, a nati\-e of Sparta, Li\-ingston count}-, was born in 1852,
was graduated in 1875 from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, and be-
■gan practice as a physician in Portage, N. Y. In 1877 he removed to Bradford,
Pa., where he was in copartnership with C. E. Sa}des until 1882, when he took
a post-gradLiate course at Belle\-ue Hospital Medical College, New York city,
and states that he was graduated therefrom in the fall of that }-ear. He set-
tled in [jractice in Red Huuseand in iSgoremoxed to West Salamanca, where
he is still in acti\'e business.
T. L. De Xike was born in Chautauqua county and rccei\-ed his medical
diploma from the Uni\-ersit}- of Buffalo on Fcbruar\- 26, 1865. He located in
Salamanca in 1885 and has since devoted his attention almost wholly to a
drug store.
VV. F. Seaman was graduated from the New York City Eclectic Medical
College on March 4, 1882, and registered as from Salamanca on May 25, 1886.
La Rue R. Colgro\'e, a graduate of the Medical Department of the L^ni-
\-ersity of Buffalo on April 30. 1887, began his practice with his uncle, John P.
Colgrove, but soon removed.
Jeremiah K. Bowers was born in Reading, Pa., March 17, 1840. He was
graduated from the " Philadelphia American Uni\-ersity " on December 22,
1873, and located in Salamanca in the summer of 1889.
Mrs. Sophia P. Jones. — See New Albion.
Philip H. Bourne is a native of Leavenworth, Kan., being born 'there April
5, 1869. He was graduated from the Medical Department of the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor. June 26, 1891, and came to Salamanca in 1892.
Wirt W. Jones, son of Dr. Chauncey M. and Dr. Sophia P. Jones, of Cat-
1 84 History of Cattaraugus County.
taraugus, was born there in May, 1867, was graduated- May 3, 1892, from the
Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, and commenced the prac-
tice of medicine in West Salamanca, but removed within a few months with
his widowed mother to Greenville, Mich. For sketches of his father and
mother see New Albion.
Theodore L. Hazard was born in Napoli, was graduated June 28, 1883,
from the Homeopathic College of the University of Michigan, and began prac-
tice as a physician in partnership with Dr. O. S. Martin in Salamanca. He
moved after a brief stay to Iowa.
O. S. Martin, homeopathist, practiced in Randolph a few years and moved
to Jamestown, where he came from. For a time he itinerated between there ,"
and Salamanca.
YORKSHIRE.
Dr. Patterson has the distinction of being the first resident physician in
Yorkshire. The early settlers here were attended by Dr. Colgrove, of Sar-
dinia, Erie county. Where Dr. Patterson hailed from or what became of him , .j
can not be ascertained.
Augustus Crary erected in 1884 a grist-mill and a storehouse at Yorkshire
Corners, but it is not probable that he resided here and engaged in practicing
medicine. — See EUicottville.
Ambrose Thomas came to the Center from Niagara Falls about 1832. He
was an old school physician of e.xcellent attainments and became very popular.
.After a four years' stay he returned to Niagara Falls.
John Thomas, a brother of Ambrose, moved into town about 1835 and
also remained some four years. He did not acquire an e.xtended practice.
Calvin Chickering. — See Humphrey.
William Langmaid used roots and herbs in his quite general practice at an
early day and did for those times a good business. He died here.
Dr. Powers was another early physician in Yorkshire who located at the «
Corners and moved thence to Wyoming county.
Dr. Ives, a student and a brother-in-law of Dr. Colgrove, of Sardinia,
settled at Yorkshire Corners quite earl}-, and practiced only a few years.
Henry Sheppard, another student of Dr. Colgrove, had a large and success-
ful business here as a physician at one time. He was popular and greatly
esteemed, and finally went west. f
John Cheeseman did some professional work in town prior to 1875. A
son of his is also a physician. Dr. Cheeseman finally died in Eldred, Pa.
Dr. McCarthy practiced at the Corners a short time and died there. His
widow has married again.
L. A. Cornvvell succeeded Dr. Sheppard at Yorkshire Corners and followed
his profession there during the war. He was skillful, shrewd, and successful, 1
and moved to Alden, Erie county, of which county he was a native. >
Medical Practitioners in Yorkshire. 185
Benjamin Hunt, a homeopathic doctor and a Universalist preacher,
followed medicine some at the Center prior to 1870. He removed to Erie
county, where he died ; he is said to have been a sound reasoner, and was
decisive, stubborn, and skillful.
Lyman Packard, a native of Yorkshire, began his professional career in
Olean and thence came here, remaining some ten or twelve years — probably
through the seventies. He was a regular graduate, a scholar, well read, even
scientific, but was not successful, and finally went to Michigan.
George St. John was engaged in practicing medicine at the Center a few
years before 1865. He was a charter member and one of the first censors of
the present County Medical Society. Aside from this little is known of him.
Isaac K. Richardson, a native of Windham county, Vt., a Universalist
preacher too, came here in 1S84. He received a diploma from the Eclectic
Medical Society of the Southern Tier dated May 5, 1875. He had a drug
store at the Center, and left in 1892 for Corfu, Genesee county, where he has
discontinued the practice of medicine.
Alonzo Wiltse was born in Saratoga county, February 22, 1814, began
stud}'ing medicine with John Allen, an old school doctor, and finally took up
the botanical system of practice. He removed to East Ashford in 1847 ^"d
commenced his profession there as the first physician in the village. He also
had a farm there which he carried on. In February, 1 871, he came to York-
shire Center, where he still resides. Dr. Wiltse was licensed August 12, 1874,
by the Eclectic Medical Society of the 32d Senatorial District, and has held
a number of town offices and has been coroner two terms.
Frederick Krehbiel, born in Clarence, Erie county, October 4, 1843,
attended Williamsville Academy, and was graduated in medicine from the
University of Buffalo on February 23, 1875. He had previously read medicine
with his brother in New Haven, O., and with J. F. Miner, of Buffalo. Dr.
Krehbiel began his career at Yorkshire Center in 1875. His brother, a gradu-
ate also of Buffalo, was formerly a prominent practitioner in Cleveland, O.
Baxter Sovereign, son of Maurice and Hannah Sovereign, was born in
Aimer, Middlesex county, Ontario, Can., attended Ann Arbor University one
year (1867), and in 1869 was graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic
Hospital College. He practiced one year each in Canada, in Washington,
D. C, and in Pasadena, Cal., and then located in Yorkshire. Dr. Sovereign
married, in 1877, Lula Thomas.
Arthur H. Wright, a native of Canton, St. Lawrence county, was born
December 30, 1836. He was educated at Newbury (Vt.) Seminary and at
Castleton, Vt., and in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. I, 3d Vt. Vols., being
detailed as hospital steward. After practicing in Vermont and in Livingston
county, N. Y., he came to Sandusky in 1886 and thence in 1891 to Yorkshire
Corners. He is a member of the Erie County Medical Society and of the
Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York.
24
1 86 History of Cattakaucus Ctjuxi'v.
CHAPTER XV.
THE MILITARY: THE OLD STATE MILITIA. THE COUNTY IN THE VARIOUS
WARS. THE DUTCH HILL EXCITEMENT.
[By Col. E. A. Xash.]
TO COLLATE material for a complete military history of any county is
a herculean if not an impossible task. Accurate data covering the
principal wars can be obtained from documentary sources, but much
information of individuals and a full account of the old State militia prior to
1853 '^re almost wholly buried in oblivion or storied in the uncertain realms of
tradition. In fact, what appears in the following pages down to the war of
the Rebellion has been gleaned mainly from personal interviews, supplemented
now and then by a reference to an old paper or commission to substantiate a
statement. The account of the State militia, incomplete as it necessarily is,
will be interesting and valuable from the fact that comparati\-ely few are
living who were once active in its general trainings or musters; that scarcely
any one of the present generation has the least idea of how our fathers
annually trained in the manuel of arms and in the arts of mimic war; and,
finally, that it is the first attempt in Cattaraugus county to collect and pre-
serve a record of the events of those times and occasions when youth and
age assembled regularly for fun and drill.
It is eminently desirable at this period of our county's history to system-
atically arrange and record its whole military data in a manner to which it is
properly entitled, and in this article space is devoted to the various subjects
as nearly as possible in chronological order. The plan was arranged by
W. Stanley Child and myself. Mr. Child has faithfully and ably assisted in
gathering the material and in preparing it for the press.
An earnest effort was made to secure the names and brief data of the Rev-
olutionary veterans and soldiers of the War of 1812-15 who settled atone
time or another in this county, but how futile has been this task is glaringly
shown by the appended lists. In the absence of records it has been necessary
to rely largely upon tradition. The veterans credited to Leon, however,
were obtained by the assistance of E. C. Durfee, Esq., whose knowledge is
derived from the fact of his having procured bounty lands or a pension for
almost every soldier or his widow who ever lived much time in the town. In
1840 there were "sixty-two persons residents of the county who were pension-
ers for Revolutionary or other military services."
Nearly all of these brave veterans were pioneer settlers in the various
Resident Veterans of Two Wars.
187
towns; a few subsequently moved westward or to other portions of the State.
The majority of those who immigrated to Cattaraugus county died within its
borders and sweetly sleep on its sunny hillsides or in its green valleys, revered
in memory and sacredly remembered each glorious Memorial Day. Their
heroic deeds are immortalized on the pages of national history, but much of
their individual action is buried in the misty past. I-n the following lists,
incomplete as they are, appear the names of all whom it has been possible to
secure :
SOLDIERS' OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
A(l3e, Ciileb, difd in Napoli in .lanuai-y, 18-1!>: Napoli.
Beekiiian, KveUcrick, died in Freedoiu a^ed 109 ; his
witV iil^o died tliore ajfcd IDS ; Kieedoin.
Biyliii', NiciroUiJ, SL-rvcd undui- Oi-nenil Hcrliimer at
Oii'-liany. iiension penUinsf at lime of death,
dic-d ls4iiund buried in Napoli; Leon.
niaelyiuaii, Zaehariah, settler ISij, died here; Farm-
ersville.
Houtwell, John, early settler, died September 12,
1S<47, aL'ed eishty-tivp; Otto.
Brooks, Cornelius, taken prisoner at battle of Lonji
Island, died in Glean in IS.'.t; Glean.
Burt, Edward, pensioner; Machias.
Cliaiuberlain, Benjamin, father of Judjje and Gen.
C. T. Chamberlain, enlisted as " Benjamin Cham-
bers"; was at Lexinjjton, Yorktown, Bunker
Hill, Stillwater, Valley Korije, and others; was
also at Quebec, where he was eaptured and con-
fined in irons; died in Great Valley, February 4,
IN47, ased nearly ninety-two; Randolph and
Great Valley.
Champlin, , widow pensioner; Freedom.
Coleman, Bennett, born in Ireland, August 1, 175f,
came to this country in Lord Howe's army, but
deserted at the battle of White Plainsand imme-
diately enlisted in the Anjericau army as " Ben-
jamin Cole," serving' until the close of the war;
He died in llumplnev, Jan. 2, fSW; Humphrey.
Coston, Bishop, pensioner ; Y'orkshire.
Crook, Charles; Cold Spring'.
Davis, Joseph, died in .New Albion in the 'forties,
ujied over eiy:hty ; New .Albion.
Day, Anthony, enlisted at Danbury, M;i£3., pension-
er, died 1S12; Leon.
Farrar, John, member of Boston tea party, pen-
sioner; Machias.
Fay, .Moses, Sr., pensioner; Hinsdale.
Frank, Henry, Sr., scout, died in Ashford; A.'ihford.
Franklin, .lames, enlisted from (,'helsea, N. H., under
(.'olonel Warner, wasat the battle of Benriinatnn,
jiensioner, built the tirst house in Leon, died in
Leon l.'<:i4; I.eou.
Freeman, Elisha, enlisted from Parato;,'a county,
N. v., was in campaign a^rainst Bur^oyne arid
afterward in Wasliiiifrton's army, pensioner, died
before lB:illancl buiieil in ^apoli; Leon.
Fuller, — , widow pensioner; Freedom.
Gould, William, peiisiuner; Yorkshire.
Gowin^, Jonathan, pensioner; Hinsdale.
Grant, Thomas; East (Jtto.
Hitchcock, (Kis; Uandolph.
Hoaitl, Samuel, removed to Chautauqua county;
Conewango.
HoUister, Josiah K., pensioner, died in Mansfield;
.Mam-field.
Hoops, .idam. major on Washiuffton's staff, pen-
sioner, died in Pennsylvania in 1S45; Glean.
Howe, Zaazaniah, died in Gowanda in 1838; Pei'sia.
Hufstrader, Jolin H. ; Ashford.
Lane, Matthias, early settler, pensioner, died 185U ;
Farmersville.
Larabee, Eleazer, died January, 1^:37, aged eighty-
seven ; East otto.
Lndden. Euos, pensioner; Hin.sdale.
Morev, Samuel, died 187i; Otto.
Mosher, John,
Murrav, Elihu, captain, see also War of 1812-15;
Hinsdale.
Xichols, .John, pensioner; Freedom.
Norton, Zera, pensioner; Freedom.
Noyes, Dudley, enlisted from Dedham, Mass., was at
b.attle of Bunker Hill, pensioner, came to Leon
in le2.8, died in Leon 18:5:3 ; Leon.
Odell, lUehard, pensioner; iMachias.
Parish, Jeremiah, early settler, pensioner; Farmers-
ville.
Parish. Nehemiah; Farmersville.
Parish, Sliubael, early settler, pensioner; Farmers-
ville.
Parkeoson, Sylvanus, early settler, removed to
Collins, Erie county, whore he died ; Otto.
Plumb. Elisha, pensioner; Yorkshire.
Piatt. .Jonathan, died here; Napoli.
Quackenbush, John H., captured by the Indians,
taken to Niauara, and ran the irauntlet; Ash-
ford.
Randall, Elisha, pensioner; Yorkshire.
Redfield, Samuel, Dr., enlisted from Old Guilford,
Conn., came here 1821, died 18:jO; Dayton.
Uickard, Abner, pensioner; Yorkshire.
.<eudder, Ezekiel, died in Randolph; Randolph.
Smith, Oliver, pensioner, buried at Eddyville
Manstield.
Squires, -\mbrose, pensioner, died in Leon; Leon.
Taylor, Gad, pensioner ; Machias.
Warner, Moses, Sr., born in Vt., came here 180C;
Franklinville.
Whitcomb, Samuel, served at New London, Conn.,
was there when that city was burned by the
British under Arnold, died in Leon 184U; Leon.
Wintei-s, Jacob, pensioner; Yorkshire.
Woodworth, Jos., died in Conewango in 1844 ; Napoli.
SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812-15.
Ames, David, served a short time ; Little Valley.
Austin, Benjamin, came from Washington county
1821), died April 14, 18.52, aged 87 ; Otto.
Austin, William, settler 1827, died here 18.«, aged 89;
Farmersville.
Badger, Frederick L,, pensioner, died in Allegany;
Allegany.
Bargy, Jacob P., was at Sackett's Harbor; Ashford.
Bargy, Joseph H.; Ashford.
Barton, Grosvenor, received bounty land ; Coue-
wango.
Be-aeh, Henry, died 1847, aged nS ; East Otto. ■
Beardsley, Wheeler, li\ed manj- years in Napoli,
died in Little Valley, December 25, 1872, buried
in Napoli; Napoli and Little Valley.
Bennett, Daniel, sergt. in Capt. Elias Streeter's com-
pany from Monroe Co., wasat burning of Buffalo,
given bounty land, died in Leon ; Leon.
Berry, Alonzo, served tour months ; Humphrey.
Beverly, James, settled about 1821), died here; Otto.
Bigler, John, enlLsted in Capt. Elias Streeter's com-
pany from Monroe Co., was at burning of Buf-
falo, removed to Ohio; Leon.
Bigler, Philip, enlisted in Capt, Elias Streeter's com-
pany from Monroe Co., was at burning of Buffalo,
widow given bounty land, removed to Pa.; Leon.
Blodzett, Xury, enlisted from Tompkins Co., ser-
geant in Capts. John Ellis's and Samuel Jones's
companies in 18i:5, served in Canada si.\ mouths,
given bounty land; Leon.
i88
History of Cattaraugus County.
Boon, Jonathan, died 1S37, aged 70 ; Otto.
Botsford, Daniel, born 1782, came from Conn. 1825,
died in 1376, a»ed 91 ; Otto.
Brace, Calvin, died in Iowa; Maohias.
Brace, Norman, died in Erie county ; Machias.
Brokaw, Isaac, officer, widow pensioner; South Val-
ley.
Brown, Hosea, pensioner, moved to Oregon; Mans-
field.
Brown, John, early settler ; Yorkshire.
Bull, William, born 1771, died Nov. 12, 1863, aged 82 ;
Otto.
Burchard, Joseph, six weeks in service, participated
in capture of St John's; East Otto.
Burling-ham, Palmer, died here ; Machias.
Bush, Samuel, died here; Machias.
Butler, Harvey, given bounty land; Leon.
Butler, Hervev, born 1791, came from Otsego Co.
1820, died 18S1 ; Otto.
Button, Charles, was at Plattsburgh, died here ; Ma-
chias.
Carpenter, Eiias. received bounty land ; Conewango.
Carpenter, Stephen, enlisted in Capt. Atwell's com-
pany from Onondaga Co., served at Sackett's
Harbor, given bounty land, removed to Ohio ;
Leon.
Carver, Sylvester, died here ; Machias.
Chase. Robert, died in Humphrey ; Humphrey.
Cheney, William, removed ; Cold Spring.
Comter, Jonathan, enlisted from Otsego Co.; Mans-
field.
Corwin, Jesse, born in N. J. in 1780 ; East Otto.
Crosby, Stephen, died in Mansfield, Aug. 30, 1869;
Little Valley and Mansfield.
Crowell, Seth, early settler; Otto.
Culver, Noah ; Little Valley.
Dako, Edmund, served through the war, was at
Lundy's Lane, Queenstown, and Fort Eric, came
from Monroe Co. 18:i2 ; Little Valley and Otto.
Darling, John, received bounty land ; Conewango.
Darling, Thom.is, received bounty land ; Conewango.
Davison, Abial, given bounty land ; Leon.
Day, Ebenezer, enlisted in Capt. Amasa Wilco.x's
company in 1813, was at Sackett's Harbor three
months, given bounty land ; Leon.
Dean, Lyman, sergeant in Capts. Davis's and Hard-
ing's company under Colonel Van Rensselaer,
served six mouths in Canada, given bounty land ;
Leon.
Delap, George, at Sackett's Harbor, died in Wiscon-
sin ; Mansfield.
Durfee, Abner, enlisted in Capt. Isaac Brown's com-
pany at Albany, served at Sackett's Harbor four
months, given bounty land ; Leon.
Durfee, Robert, enlisted in Porter's volunteers at
Buttalo, crossed into Canada, was a sliort time in
service; Leon.
Durfee, Zephaniah C, enlisted in Capt. MoMahon's
company from Chaiitau(iua Co., served three
months, was at burning of Buffalo, given bounty
land ; Leon.
Earl, Silas, died here June 26, 1803 ; Napoli.
Everts, John, enlisted in Capt. Ellas Streeter's com-
pany from Monroe Co., was at burning of Buf-
falo, given bounty land, died in Leon ; Leon.
Ewens, Asa, served three months in Capt. Smith's
company from Onondaga Co., widow given
bounty; Leon.
Fairbank, Joshua, service could not be proven ;
Leon.
Farrar, Wiggin M., pensioner; Machias.
Francis, Edwin, given bounty land ; Leon.
Frank, Andrew ; Ashford.
Franklin, Andrus, enlisted in Capt. Richard Han-
som's company, served at Buffalo ; Leon.
Franklin, Asa, enlisted at Rochester in Capt. Peter's
and Stone's cavalry in 1811, served nine months,
given bounty land ; Leon.
Franklin, Eber, served in Capt. Kelsey's and Capt.
Ellas Streeter's companies four months, from
Monroe Co., given bounty land ; Leon.
Franklin, Henry, enlisted in Capt. Elias Streeter's
company from Monroe Co., was at burning of
Buffalo, died in 1852 : Leon.
Franklin, James, J r., enlisted in Capt. Elias Streeter's
company from Monroe Co., was at burning of
Buffalo, widow given bounty land, died in Leon ;
Leon.
Trantz, Peter ; Hinsdale.
Frisbee, George, received bounty land ; Conewango
Fuller, , moved west; Otto.
Harmon, Simeon, enlisted in Capt. Elias Streeter's
company from Monroe Co., was at burning of
Buttalo, widow given bounty land, died in Leon •
Leon. '
Hibbard. Arunah, colonel, wounded in arm at Lun-
dy's Lane ; Yorkshire.
Hill, John ; Conewango.
Hill, Valpntine ; Conewango.
Hitchcock. Manna, musician, removed ; Otto.
Hizur, John, enlisted in Capt. John R. Cherrytree's
company, served three months at Brooklyn,
given bouniy land ; Leon.
Holbrook, Sheldon, wounded at Bridgewater, died
here; Machias.
Hollister, Josiah R., Jr., died in Mansfield ; Mansfield.
Holmes, Eber; Freedom.
Hubbart, Levi B,. enlisted Sept., 1811, at Remsen,
N. Y., in Capt. Sheldon's company, served 10 days
at SacKett's Harbor, given bounty land ; Leon.
Hall, William, served a few days in Capt. John Moss's
N. Y. company ; Dayton.
Huntington, John, died m Conewango, March 23,
1800; Conewango.
Hurlburt, Caleb, died here aged 95 ; Great Valley.
Ingraham, Humphrey W.,died Sept. 1.3, 1870, aged 72 ;
Otto.
Johnson, Daniel, enlisted in Capt. Elias Streeter's
com|)any from Monroe Co., was at burning of
Buffalo, died in Leon ; Leon.
Johnson, John, given bounty land ; Leon.
Kiearstead, John N. C, enlisted in Capt. Conrad Van
Gosbeck's company in 1813, served three months
near Brooklj'n, given bounty land ; Leon.
Knight, Gorton, served to close, settler 1827; Free-
dom.
Lamb, .Tames, early settler in Otto, died in Mans-
field ; Otto and Mansfield.
Larkins, Nathan, served under General Wool, died
1860, aged 67 ; East Otto.
Lewis. Laban, settler 18.32, died 1861 ; Freedom.
Lingenfelter, Baltus, died here : Machias.
Low, Abraham, ensign in Capt. Elias Streeter's com-
pany from Monroe Co., was at burning of Buttalo,
given bounty land ; Leon.
Low, Ten Eyck, was at Queenstown Heights, died
hero; Franklinville.
Luce, Robert, received bounty land ; Conewango.
McKay, Silas, died in Mansfield in 1813 ; Mansfield.
Miller, William, musician, removed ; Otto.
Moon, Jonathan, early settler ; Otto.
Moran, John ; Conewango.
Morris, John, died Oct. 1, 1&)2, aged nearly 79 ; Otto.
Murray, Elihu, captain, see also Revolutionary war,
died in Chenango Co., N. Y.; Hinsdale.
Newcorab, Thomas, early settler ; Dayton.
Nichols, Caleb, service could not be proven ; Leon.
Nichols, Stephen, service could not be proven ;
Leon.
Older, Jerry, stationed at New York city, died in
Iowa 1871 ; Farmersville.
Orno, Stephen, was at Bridgewater, died here ; Ma-
chias.
Orr. Phineas, sergeant under Colonel Riddle, in one
or more battles in Canada, present at the burn-
ing of Buffalo, died 1870, aged 81; East Otto.
Osterstuck, John ; Hinsdale.
Owen, Robert, received bountj- land ; Conewango.
Paddock, Benjamin H., served in 1811 and 1815 in the
navy on Lake Ontario under Commodore Chauu-
cey, given bounty land ; Leon.
Pennock, Joseph ; Conewango.
Pope, Elnathan ; Conewango.
Post, Grove, served from Trenton, N. Y., on north-
ern frontier, pensioner, died at Washington in
1868; Farmersville.
Reynolds, John ; Franklinville.
Rivenburgh, Peter, early settler, removed to Oramel,
N. Y., and died there 187.5, pensioner; Farmei-s-
ville.
Roberts, Ebenezer, under Captains Lilly and Camp-
bell, received bounty land ; Dayton.
Root, Ira, came from Otsego county 1832, died in
Otto in 1876, aged eighty-five; Otto.
Ross, David, service could not be proven ; Leon.
Ross, Reuben, given bounty land ; Leon.
Veterans of Other Struggles.
Koss. Jesse, enlisted in I8U from Pennsylvania in
Captain Frederick Bailey's company, served one
month, Bi%-en bounty land ; Leon.
Russell, Benedict, enlisted in L'apt. Willium Pen-
nock's company from Monroe county, was at
burning of Buffalo, jriven bounty land ; Leon.
Satterlee, Joseph, died December 1.5, 1863, aged
seventy-four, buried in Otto; East Otto.
Scott, Edward ; Franklinville.
Searl, Isaac; Franklinville.
Searl, Jeriah ; Franklinville.
Bherman, John, served in Mass. Heavy Artillery,
given bounty land ; Leon.
Sickles, John, enlisted in Capt. Ellas Streeter's com-
rany from Monroe Co., was at burnini? of
Ruttalo, given bounty land, died in Leon; Leon.
Smith, Alvah ; Leon.
Smith, Amasa ; Mansfield.
Smith, Gideon, service could not be proven ; Leon.
Snow, Nathan, captain; Conewango.
Spaulding, Jeremiah, died 18.36, aged G.t ; East Otto.
Streeter, Hazeltine, enlisted in Captain Elias Street-
er's company from Monroe county, was at burn-
ing of Buffalo; Leon.
Stryker, John I., died here 1873; South Valley.
Sweet, Ephraira, served three years, enlisted in
( 'apt. .McChesnej 's Co., given bounty land ; Leon.
Sykes, Levi, enlisted in Capt. Elitis Stieeter's com-
pany from .Monroe county, was at burning of
Buffalo, died 18:311; Leon.
Tarbell. James, volunteered from Vermont, came
here 18-'."), pensioner, died 1871); Farmersvillc.
Trowbridge, [jr. .lames, assistant surgeon, see Med.
Valentine, Stephen, settler 1839, died about 1858;
Farmei'sville.
Van Aernam, Jacob B. ; Mansfield.
Ward, Elisha, enlisted in Berkshire Co.. Mass., sta-
tioned at Boston and Cambridge, died in 1861,
aged seventy-seven ; East Otto.
Waring. William, was present at the surrender of
Hull at Detroit, died in Lima, N. Y., 1835; Far-
raersville.
Warner, Moses, Jr. ; Franklinville.
Washburn, Howland, Jr.; Franklinville.
Wasson, Thornton, captain ; Hinsdale.
Wheeler, David, born in Conway, Mass., served si.t
months, died here; Humphrey.
Wilco.x, Alanson ; Dayton.
Willoughby. Ebenezer, musician, settled here about
1819, came from Washington Co. ; Great Valley.
Willoughby, Reuben, musician (?), came from Wash-
ington Co. 1819; Great Valley.
Winchester, Elhanan, enlisted from Marcellus, N. Y.,
musician, was at Sackett's Harbor and others;
East Otto.
Winship, Benjamin, given bounty land ; Little
Valley.
Wi.von, Seth ; Carrolton.
Wood, Emery, prisoner twice; Hinsdale.
Wood, Wheelock; Hinsdale.
Woodford. Samuel, captain at Lundy's Lane and
Kingston, served under Gen. \V. H. Harrison,
died in East Randolph January ID, 18.57 ; EUicott-
ville, Napoli, and Randolph.
Woodward, Ayres, enlisted from Vermont in Capt.
Briggs's company. ser\ ed three months at Bur-
lington, given bounty land; Leon.
Wright, .Miniluiiii, nnisii-ian, came from Washington
l.'o. IsHi; Giviit \'iilley.
Yates, Emery; llin.sdale.
Nearly all the agents who procured boimt}- lands for veteran soldiers or
their widows under the congressional acts of 1850 and 1855 are now dead,
and it is to be regretted that their descendants ha\'e forgotten the material
facts in connection with their heroic service. In the War of 1812-15 l^lic
count}' evidently contributed generously, considering the population (about
five huiidredj, but no organizations were recruited here, the volunteers join-
ing companies and regiments in counties north and northeast.
The participants in the~ Mexican war (1846) who either enlisted from
Cattaraugus county or became residents afterward were few, and efforts to
secure the names of all such soldiers ha\'e resulted in the following list:
SCH.lilERS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
Ames, Milo, wounded in hip. enlisted from and
returned to Little Valley ; Little Valley.
Bush, Jacob; Machiius.
Bush, Peter; Machias.
Fancher, William, enlisted in regular array at
Albany, July 1.3, 1841, honorably discharged in
July, 1846, lis 1st sergeant Co. F, 'Zd U. S. Inf., was
at the capitulation of the City of Me.tico ; was
also~iQ Florida war; was recruiting officer for
I.'. S. army after Mexican war; re-enlisted in
naval service, served four years, promoted 1st
lieut., discharged 1850; died in Leon on May 24,
186«, from fever contracted in the Civil war, in
which he served as captain ; Leon.
Farley. Peter, lost an arm in service, given bounty
land ; Leon.
Howard, George M., enlisted in 10th N. Y. Vols.,
served si.x months; was also in the Rebellion;
Persia.
Kelly, Bradford ; E:ist Otto.
Long, Samuel, also in 1.54th Rcgt. in Rebellion, died
in Soldiers' Home in Bath; Otto.
Rowley, Emmett; Machias.
Walker, Chauncey; Mansfield.
Winship, Oscar F., first cad t to IT. S. Military
Academy from Cattaraugus county, entering in
18;j6; 1st lieut. in regular army; brevetted capt.
for meritorious conduct at Palo Alto and Res-
aca, made asst. adjt.-gen. July, 1846, promoted
major December, 1847, served much on the Gen-
eral Staff of the army, died December 13, 1855 ;
Persia.
In the first Seminole Indian war (1817-18) a Mr. Day enlisted under Gen-
eral Jackson as a musician, and after the war accompanied the latter to his
home in Tennessee, where he resided until Jackson became president, when
he was appointed collector of customs at Dunkirk. Mr. Day finally settled in
New Albion and died there. In the last Seminole war (1856-58) Jeremiah S.
Harrington, of Leon, participated and was severely wounded. Whether or
igo History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
not any other citizens of Cattaraugus county saw service in these or similar
struggles can not be determined.
It is a recognized fact that all who fought in these several wars, and either
volunteered from or afterward resided in this county, served nobly, faithfully,
and creditably, and deserve a prominent place in all history. Their descend-
ants and the present inhabitants may well feel proud of the honorable record
so justly accredited to those brave men. In the more recent events of the
great Rebellion let us not forget their heroic deeds and individual worth.
Time often obliterates unrecorded conditions and incidents. A generation
passes away and they become amusing anecdotes of a former period. An-
other generation steps upon the stage of activity and finds them buried in
tradition or oblivion, from which it becomes the arduous task of the historian
to resurrect and preserve. An excellent example of this human characteristic
is the old State militia, of which scarcely a remnant of history has hitherto
been recorded. Its organization and variegated equipment, its annual train-
ings or drills, its crude maneuvres, its power and decline — all are little more
than historied in vague remembrance by a few old men still living who thus
prepared themselves in peace to defend their country should occasion
demand.
The long struggle for American Independence; the close proximity of the
sparsely settled districts to the Indian country; the absence of a national
navy and regular army; and the impending disputes between the colonies and
other nations \'ery early created a general desire for armed security. In fact
it was not onh- a desire but a necessity. To effectually and inexpensivt^ly
protect and maintain the dignity of the young republic soon became a sub-
ject of legislation, and on May 8, 1792, Congress passed an act authorizing
the systematic and uniform organization of local military companies, regi-
ments, and brigades throughout the United States. On April 23, 1823, the
New York State Legislature for the first time availed itself of the authority
reserved to the several States by enacting a law to organize, officer, and drill
all persons liable to military duty in conformity with the -old congressional
act. This law was practically a re-enactment of the act of Congress of 1792,
adding, howe\'er, a few minor provisions in detail.
The popularity and effectiveness of the militia was attested by the speedi-
ness with which a good sized army was raised and marched to the front at the
outbreak of the War of 1812-15. After that struggle ended the necessity of
armed organizations, properly drilled and accoutred, was more evident than
ever, and public interest in their maintenance increased proportionately.
Hence the enactment of the law in 1823 by the State Legislature as
previously mentioned. Punctual attendance at the annual trainings was
considered a privilege and a duty; an election to any official position, even to
a non-commissioned rank, was given and received as an honor. Indeed all
military offices were generally sought after — not for the remuneration they
Militia Organizations and Trainings. 191
gave, for only the brigade inspector received pay for his services, but rather
for -the respect and fame they brought the incumbent.
The mihtia laws down to about 1850 required the enrollment of every able-
bodied white male citizen between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, except
national and State officers, preachers, teachers, students, and Quakers. The
latter, however, were required to pay each year a commutation of §4. Each
man was obliged to arm and equip himself at his own expense with a musket,
bayonet, belt, two spare flints, knapsack, cartridge box, and ammunition, all of
which were exempt from seizure for debt or taxes. Commissioned officers
were uniformed and accoutred consistent with their rank. Officers' drills
were held once a year, in August, at convenient points, and lasted three days,
on at least the first of which the brigade inspector superintended the ma-
neuvres. On the first Monday in September the company trainings took
place in their respective beats, and on an appointed day between then and
October 15th occurred the annual regimental muster or " general trainin'."
This was for many years the day of days; it was anticipated by young and
old as an occasion for fun and frolic; even the Glorious Fourth scarcely sur-
passed it. E\'erybody was there — men, women, and children. Every boy who
could raise ten cents was on the ground soon after sunrise, even if he had to
walk a distance of fifteen miles. He wai considered "rich" if he possessed
twenty-five cents with which to buy refreshments; occasionally one of them
"had n't a red penny." Some carried their dinners in their spacious pockets,
but generally their pennies were exchanged for great chunks of old-fashioned
gingerbread, new cider, and apple pie, and sometimes a piece of watermellon.
The tavern near by dispensed hard drinks to those who indulged in the cup,
and also furnished the customary officers' dinner, never complete without a
roast-pig and rice-pudding.
The parade ground was carefully reser\'ed for military maneuvres. Tress-
passers were liable to arrest. Fines and penalties were imposed by court-
martial according to the nature of the offense and the rank of the offender.
Non-appearance at the general musters and lack of personal equipment were
punishable by money fines ; disobedience and insubordination by both money
fines and penalties. Cooper's & Macomb's, Steuben's, and Hardy's tactics
were used.
Until the new code went into effect the militia was composed of two ele-
ments,— uniformed and ununiformed, the latter being the "militia" proper, —
formed into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies. A
town, known as a "beat," produced a single company of ununiformed soldiery,
which was somewhat derisively dubbed "floodwood," "flood-trash," or drift-
wood" because of their motley appearance. Besides these there were an in-
definite number of "independent" uniformed companies, but each brigade
was obliged to have at least one artillery- and one cavalry company and e\-ery
battalion one company of grenadiers, light infantry, or riflemen, — all in uni-
192 History of Cattaraugus County.
forms which varied in color, material, etc, according to the prevailing fancy
and wealth of the organization. These independent companies were com-
posed of volunteers, principally from the ranks of the militia, and furnished
at their own expense their uniforms, accoutrements, horses (cavalry"), etc.
The first tangible evidence of a movement in Cattaraugus county to form
her pioneer settlers into armed and drilled soldiery, under the statutes, was in
the summer of 1818, when the 173d Regiment was regularly organized, and
the first militia officer to subscribe to the constitutional oath was Isaac Law-
ton, ensign, on June 19th. Just how much territory this regiment covered
can not be ascertained, but in all probability it comprised at least the eastern
half and perhaps the whole of the county of Cattaraugus.
The 198th Regiment, 25th Division, was evidently organized in 1821, and
during that summer this and the 173d had each an active existence here, the
former taking in the west half and the latter the east half of the county. In
1822, however, it would appear from the registry book in the county clerk's
office that the 173d Regiment was either disbanded or its numerical designa-
tion changed. From that year until 1S40 it is impossible to obtain much doc-
umentary- data of the State militia in this county. Under the amended
constitution of 1822 military officers were not compelled to subscribe to the
constitutional oath as they had theretofore. In 1840 the law was re-enacted,
but the militia had fallen into such disrepute as a body of armed resistance
that few names appear upon the book.
Following is a list of the officers of the 173d, the 12th, and the 198th Mili-
tia Regiments, from 1818 to 1822, with the dates of the subscription to the
oath as they appear in the previously mentioned book kept in the county
clerk's office :
The 173d Reaimcnt J)i/an(ry.— Lieutenant-Colonel.s September i, 1821 ; Henry T. Lighten, Sept. i. 1821.
(commandantsi: Solomon Curtis, Aug. 1, 1818; Peter Qiiartermiistei-s: Griswold E. Warren, Aug. 24,
Ten liroeck. July 12, 1821. I8I9; James McGlashan, Sept. 19, 1820 (battalion):
Majors: Timothy Butler, Aug-. 13, 1818; Royal TeBft, Kobfert Hinds, Sept. 4, 1821.
Au^^ 1, 18211; Peter Ten Broeck, Aug. .5, 1820; Samuel Surgeon : Dr. James Trowbridg-e, July .31, 1818.
McClure, Julvl2, 1831. Paymasters: Samuel G. Sutton, July 10, 1818 ; Levi
Adjutants:" Peter Ten Broeck, Aup:. 28, 1818 ; Daniel Peet, Aug. 24, 1819; Richard Tozer, July 14, 1831.
"!^^??'in^-"=Kov7TVfft'TXf8^lHf8*''Ho!r^^ ^'"^ ''-"' R<^aiment C«rarry.-Captain, James Ad-
/R-«l?iiS?" V,^l in^«io. «„^;;„i w;.riMl» A,;,^ 2? kins, Julyir, 1819; first lieutenant, Wyllys Thrall,
Sq n2n-;i^-n"Vh;^i^i .if?n IL^ y iIIq-^ f;,i' J"'? l'- •«!« = comet, Benjamin Seeiy, July 17, 1819;
1819; Benjamin Chamberlain, Aug-. 24, 1819; Jere- opfnnd Hpiiton-mf \i\ohirc\ Tnvpr An.V -'4 isiq
miah Pratt. Sept. 14, 1819; Jonathan Dodge, July 21, second lieutenant, Kichard io/.ei, Aug. .4, I8I.1.
1820; Moses Chamberlain, Aug. 12, 1820; Isaac Law- The lOSth Regiment /»/o»fn/.— Colonel: Benjamin
ton, June .30. 18^1; Solomon Curtis. Jr., July 12, Waterman, ,luly 5, 1822.
1821; Levi Peet, July 12. 1821 ; Harvey Parker, Aug. Lieutenant-Colonels: Benjamin Waterman, July 6,
25, 1821 ; Gris-svold E. Warren, Sept. 4, 1821. 1821 ; James McGlashan, July 5, 1822.
Lieutenants: Moses Chamberlain, July 18, 1818; Majors: James McGlashan, July 13, 1831; John T.
Samuel McClure, Aug. 1, 1818; Jeremiah Pratt, Jr., King, Aug. 24, 1833.
Aug. 14. 1818; John T. King, Sept. 1.5, 1818; Walter Captains: Dr. Phineas F. Noble, June 10, 1821;
Wood (Riflemen), Aug 10,1819; Isaac Lawton, Aug. Euoch Close, Jr., June 30, 1831; Bela H. Kedfleld,
24. 1819 ; Harvey Woodworth, Aug. 24, 1819 ; Harvey July 5, 1831 ; Simon Waterman, July 6, 1821 ; John T.
Parker, Aug. 21. 1820; Amos Ingalls, Sept. 11, 1830; King, Aug. 30, 1831 ; John Fairbank, Aug. 31, 1831;
David Farnum, June 36, 1831; Manly McClure, July William Blasdell, April 3;j, 1830.
13. 1831; Robert P. Blackmer, July 13, 1821. Lieutenants: Heman Waterman, June 9, 1831;
Ensigns: Isaac Lawton, June 39, 1818; Nathan Bum- John Frarv, Jr., June 13, 1831; William Blasdell,
pus, Aug. 14. 1818; Harvey Woodworth, Aug. 29, 1818; June 16, 1831 ; Ebenezer Edwards (?), July 18, 1821;
W. I. Wood (Riflemen), Aug. 10, 1819; Amos Ingalls, Abner W. Wise, Aug. 31, 1831; Guilson Morgan,
Aug 24, 1819; David Farnum, Aug. 34, 1819; William Sept. 1,1821.
Blasdell, Aug. 27, 1819; Simon Waterman, Sept. 15, Ensigns: Harvey Parmelee, June 13, 1821; Edwin
1819; Spencer Pitcher, Aug. 18,1830; Robert Hinds, Farnsworth, July 6, 1831; Rowland Thurston, July
Aug. 29, 1821); Robert P. Blackmer,. Sept. 9, 1820; 18,1821; Peter Cook, July 6, 1822.
Henry Gross, June 18, 1821; James Greene, June 26, Paymiister: Simeon Seward, June 30, 1821.
1821 ; Samuel Barrows, Sept. 4, 1821 ; Wheelock Wood, Quartermaster : Robert P. McGlashan, Aug. 1, 1821.
Militia Organizations and Officers. 193
The first general muster of the 198th took place at Fish hill, two miles
west of Ellicottville, in Mansfield, near Nathaniel Fish's tavern, where the
annual re\-iews were held until 1827, when James McGlashan was promoted
colonel in place of Benjamin Waterman, resigned, and the militia trained that
year at Rutledge, Colonel McGlashan's home, but in 1828 drilled again on its
old grounds. The 198th was then divided and a regiment formed in the terri-
tory comprising what is now the towns of New Albion, Napoli, Cold Spring,
Elko, South Valley, Randolph, Conewango, and Leon, with James McGJashan
colonel, and for many years the general trainings occurred at Rutledge. Col-
onel McGlashan was made brigadier-general of the 54th Brigade, 26th Division,
about 1830 and at his death, about 1840, was a major-general. His brother
Charles succeeded him as colonel ; subsequently Solomon G. Wright, Eben-
ezer Seely, Williams, Lyman Town, George Shannon, and perhaps one
or two others, it is said, held the position. Colonel Shannon is now living in
Napoli.
In the year 1830 Cattaraugus county was included in the new or re-organ-
ized militia district comprising the 54th Brigade, 26th Division, which also
took in China, Java, and Wethersfield in Wyoming county and Collins and
Concord in Erie county. The brigade was composed of seven regiments,
whose annual rendezvous were as follows: (i)The 198th at Gowanda, Col.
Jehicl Hill; (2) at Rutledge; (3) at Ellicottville, Col. Daniel I. Huntley;
(4) at Olean or Hinsdale, Colonel Layton (?) ; (5) at PVanklinvillc; (6) at
Yorkshire, Colonel Pingrey {}); and (7) at Springvillc, Colonel Cook. James
McGLishan was brigadier-geneial ; his brother Peter was inspector and the
only paid officer in the organization. Peter McGlashan received §5 per day
and his salary aggregated about $75 annually. Col. Jehiel Hill, of Zoar,
upon General McGlashan's promotion to the position of major-general in
1838, was made brigadier-general, and in 1840 became major-general, being
succeeded as brigadier-general by Col. Daniel L Huntley. General Hill's
staff consisted of Byron Cochran, of SpringviUe, and Thomas J. Parker, of
Gowanda, aids; Dr. Levi Goldsborough, surgeon; and John P. Darling, of
New Albion, and Enos Austin, of Otto. Thomas J. Parker enlisted Septem-
ber 12, 1833, in a uniformed company of riflemen, under Howel W. Parker,
captain, attached to the 198th Regiment. Colonel Hill's successors in
command of the 198th were Col. Sylvenus Cook, Col. Joseph H. Plumb,
Col. George S. Hickox, and Col Titus Roberts. Among the independent
uniformed companies attached to this regiment were the East Otto Rifles,
Captains Charles F. Mallory, William Bonesteel, Hammond, Eli D. Cox, and
Hugh Orr; the Otto Riflemen; and the Collins Rifle Company. Capt. Jasper
Waterman also had a company of artillery and Capt. Amasa L. Chaffee a
company of riflemen.
It would seem that a general re-organization of militia districts was made
about 1830, particularly in Cattaraugus county. Apparently there were six, viz,;
25
194 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
Rutledge District. — All the towns south of the north boundary lines of
Leon and New Albion, as previously mentioned.
Goivaiida or Zoar District. — Perrysburg, Dayton, Persia, Otto, and East
Otto, and Collins and Concord in Erie county.
Olean District. — Ischua, Hinsdale, Portville, Olean, and Allegany.
Ellicottvil/c District. — Ellicottville, Great Valley, Humphrey, Carrolton,
Red House, Salamanca, Little Valley, and Mansfield.
Franklinville District. — Franklinville, Lyndon, Farmersville, and Machias.
Yorkshire District. — Ashford, Yorkshire, and Freedom.
Springville District. — Attached to the 54th Brigade. Some of the towns in
Wyoming county.
Prior to this re-organization the eastern half of the county was embraced
within the 226th Regimental District of New York State Militia, the general
trainings being held at Franklinville as early as 1822, with Joseph McClure
colonel. Emory Wood was lieutenant-colonel and Solomon Curtis, major.
Wood succeeded Colonel McClure about 1825. The opposition element mani-
fested itself strongly and arrogantly. Julius C. Underwood placed himself at
the head of what was facetiously dubbed a "barefoot" company of " opposi-
tionists " and industriously ridiculed and mocked the mi'.itia and defied the
courts-martial.
In the new Olean district general musters were held first at Hinsdale and
then at Olean, and at first were in command of Col. PVedcrick L. Martin, whose
successor was Colonel Gross. It was under the latter that the last review in the
district took place, in 1846, in Olean. The spectators became so bold in mock-
ing and deriding the militia, especially the ununiformed companies, and in
guying Colonel Gross, who had made himself somewhat unpopular, that a
clash occurred and the review broke up into a small sized mob.
Among the uniformed companies attached to the regiment in the Olean
district were the Hinsdale Rifles of about 100 men, organized in 1833, under
Capt. Neri Wilson, whose successors were Captains Daniel Hickox and Abra-
ham Miller, the latter holding the position from 1837 to 1845, when it dis-
banded; the Five Mile Rifles from the town of Allegany, organized in 1834
or 1835, under Captain Clark and commanded subsequently by Captain Ken-
yon; and an artillery company organized and commanded by Captain Gross,
but disbanded upon his promotion to colonel. William G. Todd, of Hinsdale,
was also a local militia captain. George P. Bascom, of Allegany, was at one
time lieutenant-colonel.
Of the Ellicottville and Yorkshire districts nothing definite can be given.
In the former Daniel I. Huntley was an early and a prominent officer, and
finally became brigadier-general.
The Franklinville district is almost equally destitute of reliable data.
Marvin Older, a local captain, still living, states that the last general muster
was held there about 1837. Solomon Curtis, Jr., was colonel and Pardon T-
Decline of the Old Militl\. 195
Jewell was lieutenant-colonel. As near as can be ascertained the district had
two independent companies commanded respectively by Captains Jerome B.
Jewell and Marvin Older.
Perhaps some further light may be thrown upon the early militia organi-
zations in Cattaraugus counties by the appended list of officers who, accord-
ing to law, subscribed to the constitutional oath at the county clerk's office
between 1840 and 1845. At any rate it shows the existence (probably in the
EUicottville district) of a regiment designated the 238th, officered during that
period as follows :
The -iSSth Reaimcnt Tnfanlni. -Colonels: W. W. Lieutenants : Dwiybt CoreU, August 4, 18-10; Les-
Willnughby, 5[!iy26, 1S43; Geo. W. Moore, June 24. '44. ter Granser, September iH. 1S4*); H. Hale Crary, April
IJcuriMiant-colonels: Alonzo A. Greg-ory. August IT, 1841; T. Mattocks, August -'15.1841 ; W. E. Fellows,
2(1. 1.S41; George W. Moore, May 24, 1843; William August 26, 1841; Chauneey Butterfii-ld, August 24,
Cniss, .July 3, 1844. 1842; Draper Jackson, August 24, 1S42; W. H. Niles,
Captains: Nathan f'rosbv. May 26, 1840; George Julv 25,'1845.
W. .\loorc, .luly 28, 184(); U. K. Willoughbv, AprilSi), Ensigns: Seth Wheeler, Mav 26, 1840; Edward
1841; Edwiu u. Locke, August 26, 1841; William Low, July 28, 1840; Dexter G. Williams (artillery).
Cross, August 26, 1841; .lame's L. Smith. August 24, June 12, 1841; HomerChase, August24, 1842; Stephen
1842; Archibald S. Clarke, August 26, 184:!; Luke B. Smith, .\ugust 24, 1842: Archibald C. Crary, October
Lattin. September 11, 1844. 18, 1843.
From the same source is obtained the following names of the 54th Brigade
officers with their respecti\-e dates of muster: •Brigadier-general, Daniel I.
Huntley, July 16, 1840; aid-de-camp, Addison G. Rice, September 27, 1843.
Brigade in.spector, Solomon Cummings, August 24, 1844. Adjutants, Nelson
P. Willson, August 27, 1841, and P. R. Skinner, June 27. 1844. Paymaster, N.
Searle, July 13, 1844. Major, M. L. Brewster, June 24, 1844. Quartermaster,
J. H. Mudgett, August 24, 1842.
According to the report of Adjutant-General Le\i Hubbell in 1835 there
were in the State 39 divisions, 80 brigades, 361 regiments, 2,687 companies,
and a total of 192,083 persons enrolled for military duty. Of these, Cattarau-
gus county had a total rank and file of 2,423; in 1845 the census gives 2,650.
Like many another compulsory duty to which man is forced by law to bow
the annual muster finally became an onerous burden. The peaceful condition
of the country diverted men's minds into channels of industry, and these
mimic preparations for national defease appeared unnecessary if not ridicu-
lous. The "spirit of '76" had bowed in obedience to peace and prosperity.
The almost utter uselessness of these crude military organizations on a real
battlefield caused considerable discussion. From bodies of proud soldiers
they deteriorated to scarcely more than crowds of ungovernable humanity.
Their fall into disrepute was gradual; their decline and ultimate demise was
rapid and final. From the close of the Revolutionary war to 1830 or '35 the
old militia system fulfiUeci its purpose with comparative dignity and generally
commanded universal respect. With the beginning of that decade appeared
the first signs of a feeling of popular revolt, which steadily intensified until it
developed into open defiance. Between 1837 and 1846 the various regimental
districts and organizations were not disbanded, but one by one abandoned.
The latter year saw the last general training in this county under the old
compulsory law.
196 • History of Cattaraugus County.
Various acts were promulgated from time to time, but in vain. In 1846
the laws empowering civil officers to arrest and imprison military delinquents
were repealed. In 1S49 ^^^ former acts were annulled and a new one enacted
authorizing a commutation of seventy-five cents in lieu of active service, and
some of the commissioned officers were entitled to pay out of the fund thus
created. Notwithstanding the several concessions and the numerous induce-
ments thus granted by the Legislature the old State militia in Cattaraugus
county could not be re\'i\'ed. Its maneuvres and evolutions', its days of
festivity and drill, its popularity, decline, and fall — all are storied in remem-
brance and tradition.
In closing a histor\- of the old militia it is pertinent to add a brief sketch
of that bloodless victory — the Dutch Hill war: the first and last agrarian
collision occurring within the limits of Cattaraugus county. To intelligently
recount the incidents of the memorable Sabbath of January 26, 1845, ^"d of
the few days just before and after, it is necessary to revert briefly to a previous
chapter, for on that hang th^ links in the chain of connecting events.
The extreme liberal treatment accorded the early settlers by the Holland
Land Company produced improvidence and carelessness in those who, under
more exacting creditors, would have been compelled to become thrifty and
independent. The Dexereux Land Company, successor to the Holland
Compan\', was almost equally as lenient and thus unwittingly fanned the
embers of agrarianism. which flamed into manifest disaffection in a few of the
eastern towns of the county in the period immediately preceding and includ-
ing the year 1844. Hinsdale seemed to be foremost in the open manifestation
of this unreasoning agrarian spirit, and the historic eminence between that
town and Ischua, known as Dutch hill, shortly became the theater of a
disturbance which took its name from the locality.
Jacob and George Learn, brothers, settled on Dutch hill in 1823, upon a
tract of over three hundred acres of land, which they had bought of the Hol-
land Land Company for $2 per acre, and for which they took a single contract.
They paid a nominal sum down and obtained credit for the balance for ten
years, but in this agreement they defaulted, and July 29, 1837, secured from
the Devereux Land Company (the new owners) two new contracts, running
six years, for which the\- paid $50 each. A few years later the lands of the
Devereu.x Company were divided among the several proprietors, and the
contract of Jacob Learn fell to Gould Hoyt and that of George Learn to
Russell H. Xevins. Shortly after the expiration of the contracts the brothers
were called upon by the agents of Hoyt and Nevins and asked for a settle-
ment, or at least partial payments on their lands, but were "met by pretended
doubts of the company's title, refusal to pay, and open defiance." In the
hope that the Learns would reconsider their decision and fulfill their agree-
inents the proprietors refrained from further action until March, 1844, when
the}' reluctantly commenced suits of ejectment.
The Dutch Hill War.
197
The writs were placed in the hands of Sheriff George W. White for exe-
cution and on June 12th he proceeded to Dutch hill to serve them. He was
directed, however, to give the Learns the privilege' of coming to the land office
and enter into new contracts, but this alternative he found unavailing and
immediatel}- begun the fulfillment of his duty. The Cattaraugus Republican
of that time says: "The sheriff, who had only six or seven unarmed persons
as assistants in removing the furniture from the house, was surrounded by a
mob, numbering from 100 to 150 men, many of them armed and disguised as
Indians. The rioters commanded the sheriff to leave the premises, but he
resolutely perse\ered in the performance of his duty until his person was vio-
lenth" assaulted and seriously injured. Poinding the contest hopeless against
such overpowering force he was compelled to lea\-e the premises in the pos-
session of the mob."
This collision caused great excitement, particularly in the eastern part of
the county, and a few days afterward a public meeting of the malcontents was
held in Hinsdale, at which the landowners were bitterly denounced, their titles
discredited, and resistance to their claims recommended. This was followed
by similar gatherings and proceedings in adjoining towns. "Associations
were formed for the avowed purpose of resisting the execution of the laws,"
particularly " in certain cases." Threats were made that in case the officers
should arrest and imprison any one caught taking timber from the company's
lands the jail and land offices would be destroyed. The feeling prevailed,
though seemingly without just cause, that the Holland Land Company and
its successors could give no valid title to the lands in that section and was
therefore simply robbing the settlers of their hard earnings. Events were
rapidly developing, however, which brought the insurgents to their senses.
Soon after the collision between the sheriff and the mob at Dutch hill
eleven of the rioters were indicted and bench-warrants issued for their arrest,
but their execution was postponed, which ultimately created a suspicion of
timidity on the part of the authorities and a feeling of boldness and defiance
on the part of the malcontents. On January 20, 1845, Sheriff White and First
Judge Benjamin Chamberlain went to Hinsdale and endeavored to persuade
the indicted persons to submit quietly to arrest, but they refused, and the
sheriff commanded Uiem to follow him to the village, where the judge was
prepared to accept bail. This they also refused to do, and the officers finally
returned to Ellicottville. The following Friday night, January 24th, William
Gallagher, Henry Sikjth, and Alexander Chambers were deputed to make the
desired arrests, and their work can best be told in a quotation from a news-
paper printed at the time:
"The next morning they found the rebels ready on Dutch hill to receive
them, but in separate squads, as guards to the several indicted persons. They
attacked one squad of eight men, and had a parley, struggle, and fight of
about half an hour, when, finding themselves likely to be overpowered, they
History of Cattaraugus County.
drew their pistols, scattered the enemy, and secured their prisoners. The
'Indian' alarm signal was soon given, and the arresting party had not
proceeded far before they found their road filled with men to oppose their
progress and rescue the prisoners; but the speed of their horses and the
determination of the party, seconded by their display of arms, broke the
ranks of the enemy."
The party returned to EUicottville about one o'clock Sunday morning
with Thomas McWilliams in custody. Meanwhile Sheriff White had been
active in preparing for the security of the prisoners and the safety of the
village (the county seat). He promptly ordered out the militia from all parts
of the county and even called on Colonel Cook, of Springville, Erie county,
who responded with a body of over fifty armed men. On Saturday and Sun-
day a formidable force collected in EUicottville, "armed and panoplied with
the majesty of the law, standing guard to the temple of justice and in its very
shadow, and the ermine itself, in the person of Judge Benjamin Chamberlain,
was present in the midst of the embattled host." The Republican a few days
later said: "Sentinels were stationed on the various roads leading to the
village, three pieces of cannon were ranged in front of the court house, and
every necessary preparation for the warm reception of the threatening invaders
was duly attended to by the sheriff."
By Sunday evening the forces at EUicottville numbered about eleven
hundred men. The situation presented all the appearances of a coming
battle. Gen. Daniel I. Huntley was in charge as the commanding officer.
Rumors of all kinds were freely circulated, one being that the Allegany
Indians had joined the Dutch hill people as allies. All day Sunday, cold and
bleak, the expected attack was eagerly watched for, but not even a scout nor
a skirmisher made his appearance. Visitors were plentiful. " Many of the
insurgents and their sympathizers visited the village for the purpose of obser-
vation, to a\'ail themselves of the first opportunity to make demonstrations of
hostility." Fortunately a large number of smoked mutton-hams had been
stored in EUicottville awaiting shipment, and these were appropriated for
the use of the soldiers. Without them there would have been a famine.
On Sunday evening it was decided to take the aggressive, and an expe-
ditionary corps of some three hundred men was detailed for active service.
These were loaded into about fifty sleighs and at lo P. M. began the
transportation to their destination, twenty miles away, where they arrived
about daylight on Monday morning. Chambers, Gallagher, and Smith led
the column; the sheriff accompanied the main body, behind which came the
reserves. Chambers's party, anxious for distinction, pushed ahead, and
" arrested three of the men, but while securing his prisoners, one of whom
made a hard fight, the sheriff came up with his guard, one of whom fired a
gun by accident or design. This alarmed the country, and the rest of the
• men sought for ran away and could not be found."
The Dutch Hill War.
199
Notwithstanding the differing accounts given of the occurrences at Dutch
hill it is certain the troops encountered no armed resistance. The premises
of the Learns were quietly surrendered to the land agents, who generously
permitted the occupants to remain; both Jacob and George Learn signed an
agreement to take new contracts from the proprietors within ten days. The
return movement was then begun, and after a weary march the victorious
corps re-entered Ellicottville. But a new calamity was in store for them.
They were tired, cold, and hungry. First of all they wanted something to
eat, but to their dismay and disgust it was learned that the last mutton-ham
had been devoured by the garrison left in charge of the village. A few hours
later the forces were relieved and quietly dispersed to their several homes.
On Tuesday all the remaining indicted men surrendered themselves and gave
bail for their appearance at the June term of court. Thus ended the Dutch
Hill war, one of the most memorable incidents that ever occurred in Cattar-
augus county.
The excitement caused by these events had scarcely subsided when bitter
recriminations were heard from the fallen forces of the foe. Dutch hill sym-
pathizers accused the authorities of upholding the land agents and compell-
ing tenants to sign contracts at the point of the ba}-onct. They criticised the
necessity of calling out the militia, mainly because of the paltry expense (some
S700) it incurred. An effort was made to have the Legislature authorize the
NOTK.— Like other events of some renown tlie story of tlie Dutch Hill win- was ciuicUly imnioit:il-
i/cil in poetic verse. The following clever narrative was written by the Hon. Geor^'e A. S. Crocker, iil
Couewungo, and published in the VaUaraiuju^ II }iitj of Juniiaiy 1, \SW :
I.o ; in the morn, departed year.
The signs of woe and war appear.
Fair freedom's Hag to shield us uU
Hangs floating from the court-house wall,
And ioud on cchoini; breezes borne
Comes clarion shrill of bugle horn.
Tall soldiei-s arm'd with cannon come.
And musket, fife, and kettle-drum.
Dan Huntley's bled and brave brigade.
On village green, in arms parade.
Brave Cook leads on the Springviile choir.
With steady step and eye of tire;
Ueady to wield a battering ram.
Or to devour a mutton-ham;
He seeks fur glory's brightest wreath,
Or honor's bed— a soldier's death.
And yonder comes a noble wight-
New Albion's gallant Colonel Wright.
His visage, pale, no dangers swerve.
His sword is grasped with iron nerve;
His plumes pend gaily to the breeze;
He calmly looks on scenes like these.
Undaunted he; his veteran skill
Has faced the fires of Bunker Hill ' •
The Persian troops young Hlckox leads;
His bosom friend by martial deeds.
The soldier's glorious wreath he '11 win
If war and carnage once begin.
But why, ah ! why, this fierce array'/
Why float aloft war's pennons gay?
The sheriff has a writ to serve
On one George Learn— a man of nerve-
Besides, the Indians on Dutch hill
'T is said each nook and corner fill ;
And armed with war club and with knife.
They threaten each white man's life;
To steep our streets with humau blood.
And burn the house of man and Clod.
O wonder not that threats like these
JIade White's warm blood to icebergs freeze.
Ben Chamberlain, the daring soul.
Before whose vision sijectres roll
Of .slaughtered hosts and burning fiamc.
To White's relief that insrant came.
His " honest face," so deeply red.
Had lost its crimson hue 't is said;
Others maintain 't was but the light
Kctiected from the face of " White."
Ben's order called these braves
To save the town and find their gra\ ''S.
Alas 1 why was it ever said
The soldier's grave was honor's bed !
To me, this seems a butcher's trade—
Their brightest glory but a shade.
Rest, soldier, rest 1 tomorrow's morn
The fife and drum and bugle horn.
At early dawn, alarm shiill sound.
To call thee on to glory's ground.
The mutton-ham and bread are shared;
The soldiers' bed on floors prepared;
The guards are set at daylight's close;
The wearied troops in sleep repose.
But daring Ben, his bosom fired
With love of glory, last retired.
'T is strange we ne'er before could find
The glories of his mighty mind;
But they burst at once to light;
And here we found thy genius. White.
How strange that slander seeks its food
By railing at t he great and good I
And that the mean, ignoble, vile.
Escape its lashes all the while 1
History of Cattaraugus County.
payment out of the State treasury, but this could not be done. Instead an
act was passed empowering the comptroller to loan the necessary sum on the
credit of the county. Had there been bloodshed not a dissenting voice would
have been raised against Sheriff White and other officers. In some respects
the "war" appeared ludicrous and ever since its occurrence it has received
unrelenting ridicule. Those now living who participated in its unopposed
victory express the belief that the magnitude of the power invoked was greatly
disproportionate to the danger which threatened. In the Cattaraugus Rcpub-
lican of April 28, 1845, "^^"^^ published an editorial on the subject which doubt-
less accurately reflects the better element of public opinion of that period.
Part of it reads as follows:
" Sheriff White from the first outbreak acted with judgment and discretion.
True, he was unwilling to push headlong into a strife with men who were
determined to resist the law without proper time for reflection on their part
and sufficient means in his hands to enable him to carry out what he under-
took. It is well known, in this community at least, that the course he pursued
after the disturbance of last June was at the instance and advice of the cir-
cuit judge: all of our leading men, and even the land agents themselves, fell
in with the proposition that the matter should be delayed in order that the
misguided should ha\'e time for reflection and with the hope that the excite-
ment would subside. The ordering out of a strong force was sanctioned and
'T is said, by some, tliat ni^ht iu sleep
The judjje w;is walied from slumher deep;
A stnintre click, click, struck his eai-;
Api'iilled, lie deemed an Indiaii near.
He listened, thoufjlit the devil in 't—
The Indian seemed to peck his Hint.
He sei ed the tongs, and struck -tlie shock
To atoms broke— a wooden clock 1
lint his great soul herself once more.
Ho soon snored calmly as before.
Kest, soldiers, rest! on villag-c square
The deep-mouthed cannon planted there.
In rows along, each sulphury mouth
Is planted from the court-house, south.
See near a gun bold Travis stand;
He holds a lighted match iu hand.
Now towards the captain of the gun
Judge rhamberlaiii walks boldly on;
(Though here and there a rascal sees
A sortof trembling in his knees:'
The judge to Travis gives coaiiiiand:
'■ Captain, the Dutch Hill Indian baud.
With Scalping knives, will soon be here;
We tight for all to freemen dear.
From yonder south the rogues must come;
Let uot your caunou's mouth be dumb.
If they approach— their errand dire—
As ■ First Judge ' I command you Fire !"
'T is morn; the troops in sleighs are stowed,
To start upon the Dutch hill road.
Bold White the chief command assumes;
Xo sword he wore or waving plumes,
liy which the Indians of Dutch hill
Could tell who was the chief to kill.
Aioug, the war-worn troops advance;
Pass safe the house of Peter Frantz;
An old log barn next met their view.
That trembling passed in safety, too.
And clearing, ne.\t, the ruad's last turn.
They reach the house of Mister Learn.
High on the breeze their pennon streamed;
Their muskets in the sunlight gleamed.
'J hey formed 'n front a hollow square.
White safely siands ui center there.
When, lo 1 Learn's door is open thrown,
A youthful maiden stands alonel
Of laughing eye and manner bland.
She bore a flag of truce in band.
She waved lier Hag; " her. sire," she said,
" Was sick and could not leave his bed.
If the.v would to their homes lepair
The old man soon would meet them there.'
She turned her eye on Archy Clark,
A dashing, gay, and youthful spark.
And said, "I 'd like, my gallant soul.
Your bearskin cap for yonder pole."
The maiden, blushing, bowed, retired.
But Sheriff White did as desired.
Like King of France in days of yore.
Shed not a drop of human gore;
But he and his two thousand men
Marched up Dutch hill and down again.
The war is o'er. Xo more each morn
Is beard the blast of bugle horn.
Our dwellings safe from sack and fire.
The Lord's to boot— what more desire?—
Kejoice in safety; now our wives
And babes may pass their tranquil lives.
To give due praise let us begin.
Let us avoid that damning sin
Of all the sins republics know:
Ingratitude-the worst below.
Lord bless, with slumbers sweet and light,
Judge Chamberlain and Sheriff White.
'T was their wise counsel saved us all
From sack and Hame and murderer's pall.
Long in the hollow of the hand
Preserve them. Lord, to bless the land.
And when thej- die (e'en great men must,
By nature's laws, return to dust)
We '11 sacrifice two fatted rams
To deck their graves with muttoa-ham^ !
The Re-orc;axized Militia.
approved by all reflecting minds, and, as the result has proved, was not with-
out its good. Human life has been preserved and the law enforced. '" * *
All have acted nobly and manfully, and we rejoice in the assurance afforded
by this demonstration of security under protection of law. We have no
doubts that process can not now be executed in any portion of the county."
In outlining a sketch of the re-organized militia it must be remembered that
for a period of seven years succeeding 1845 ^^nly a few feeble attempts were
made in Cattaraugus county to revive the worn-out system. About 1852 all
strictly compulsory militarj-- laws of the State were repealed and a new act
promulgated, which authorized the enrollment of all able-bodied white male
citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, with the customary ex-
emptions. A commutation fee of fifty cents, however, was provided in lieu of
enlistment, which made the duty practically voluntary. None but uniformed
companies were mustered, and all arms and equipments were furnished by the
State. Annual regimental parades or brigade encampments were required,
at which non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates received §1.25
and commissioned officers from Si. 25 to §5. 00 per day. Cavalrymen and
mounted officers also recei\'ed S'-OO a day for horses, which they furnished.
The fund deri\'ed from the commutations was applied to these salaries.
When the subject of forcing the commutation fees came before the Board
of Supervisors in 1854 that body promptly rejected it. They staunchly re-
fused to carry out the provisions of the law, which plainly set forth their duties
and obligations. A suit was finally brought against them in the Supreme
Court, and on September i, 1855, at Lockport, Justice Bowen handed down a
decision which con\-ened an extra session of the board and ordered them to
le\y the collection, which was promptly and satisfactorily done.
The first and only militia organization in Cattaraugus county prior to the
Rebellion and under the re-organized system was the 64th Regiment of the
30th Brigade, 8th Division, Col. Thomas J. Parker. Colonel Parker was com-
missioned December 16, 1852, and recruited and mustered the regiment at
Gowanda m August, 1853. The lieutenant-colonel, Daniel G. Bingham, and
the major, Enos C. Brooks, were commissioned in July preceding. The adju-
tant-general's report says that the 64th was composed in 1857 as follows:
Co. A, thirty-eisfht men. infantry, t'apl. Levi W. cruited in Otto, East Otto, and Mansfield.
Strope, succeeded by Capt. Corydon C. lUjisit, who Co. D, thirty-five men, Capt. William B. Battin,
wiis commissioned September 12. 1857; lieutenants, commissioned September 22, 1857; lieutenants, John
Marvin F. Crandall and Henry W. Johnson; re- N. Semen and F. Phillips,
cruited in Persia. Co. E, thirty -seven men, infantry, Capt. Joseph
Co. B. thirty-seven men, infantry, Capt. Timothy. L. Savaffe, commissioned April 22, 18.54 (succeeded
A. C. Everett, commissioned November 21. 18.56; lieu- August 24, 1&58, by Capt. Belknap); lieutenants, John
tenants, Henry L. Jones and David F. M'ijfgins; re- K. Comstock and Samuel R. Homer,
iruitedin Kandolph. Co. K, thirty-seven men, artillery, Capt. Samuel
Co. C. forty-three men, infantrj-, Capt. Julius B. W. Johnson, commissioned February 19, 18.55; lieu-
, Maltbie, commissioned September 10, 1853; lieuten- tenants, George W. Baillet, Stephen B. Seward, and
ants, Alanson L. Dudley and Jacob Slingerland; re-- Constant S. Trevitt ; recruited in Eliicottville.
The 64th Regimental District at its organization comprised Cattaraugus
county and the towns of China, Java, and Wethersfield in Wyoming county.
The 63d covered the territory of Allegany county and the towns of Eagle, Pike,
26
History of Cattaraugus County.
and Genesee Falls also in Wyoming county. On August 15, 1857, these two
districts were consolidated and re-organized, leaving the 64th Regiment com-
posed of the counties of Cattaraugus and Allegany and attaching the towns
in Wyoming county to the 6ist. The 30th Brigade was composed solely of
the 64th Regiment and likewise comprised the counties of Allegany and Cat-
taraugus. The following Allegany county companies were attached to the
64th upon the consolidation, and in 1 861 were composed as follows:
Co. F, flfty-two men, infantry, Capt. James R. Co. H, thirty-eight men, infantry, Capt. Daniel n.
Weston, commissioned August 2.5, 18.i8 ; lieutenants, Gardiner, commissioned November 1, 1858; lieuten-
Samuel F. Blood and Samuel S. Stiles. ant, .James S. Green.
Co. G, thirty-six men, infantry, Capt. Jared H. Co. L, forty si.x men, riflemen, Capt. Luke G.
Parmelee, commissioned September 4, 1660; lieuten- Harmon, commissioned August 30, 1860; lieutenants,
ants, Joshua S. Pettinger and Charles G. Andrews. Robert H. Kenwick and John K. McConnell.
Encampments and parades were held as far as can be ascertained at these
places: Little Valley, June 4-6, and Gowanda, August 23-25, 1855; Olean,
June 16-18, and Ellicottville, September 14-17, 1856; Cuba, September 28-
30, 1857; Gowanda, June 22-24, 1858; and Angelica, August 22-27, '859.
Other parades were held at Randolph, Otto, and Allegany. Calvin T. Cham-
berlain was brigadier-general with rank from July 15, 185 1. At the breaking
out of the Civil war the regiment had a total of four hundred and forty-seven
officers and men. Many of those whose terms of service had e.xpired
re-enlisted in the re-organized 64th or volunteered elsewhere. It was not
until February 18, 1867, that the 64th Militia Regimental organization was
officially disbanded.
All through the great Rebellion the fires of patriotism burned brilliantly
in every town in Cattaraugus county. From the startling gun of Sumter
to the final surrender of Lee her noble sons went gallantly forward in large
numbers to fight the Nation's cause. Bearded sire and zealous youth
marched side by side from our woody hills and fertile valleys to the fierce
battlefields of the slave-cursed south. Their deeds are deeds of heroism and
renown, treasured in memory and in history, storied in poetry and in prose,
and recorded in imperishable characters in the archives of freedom. With
them went the hearts and hopes of fathers, mothers, sisters, sweethearts, who,
left behind to guard homes and property, generously contributed both time
and money in providing comforts for the brave soldiers and sailors at the
front and in the hospital.
But still another and a sadder tribute remains to be written of those whose
memories gently linger as sweet fragrance on the annals of time. I refer to
the dead — to many true sons of Cattaraugus whose lives e.xpired on their
country's altar. In the terrific battles of the Rebellion, in the awful prison-
pens of the south, in the hospitals of the Nation, they suffered and died. They
unflinchingly faced the cannon and the bayonet and were mowed down in the
fierce carnage of conflict. Some of their remains were returned to their
loved ones and rest in peace in the green cemeteries near their homes. Others
were buried where they fell and slumber in unmarked graves in the soil ■ dyed
The War of the Rebellion.
with their Hfe's blood. Over all alike waves the stars and stripes in the
breezes of a free nation. On Memorial Day of each year their graves are
strewn with flowers b}' loving, living friends, who are touchingly reminded of
their heroic valor in patriotic speeches and martial music. All glor}- to the
dead! All honor to the survivors! May generous tribute ever be accorded
the country's heroes.
Altogether, Cattaraugus county contributed not far from 3,500 men to the
Union armies, who served in no less than one hundred and eighty different
organizations. This may seem incredible, but it is a fact nevertheless. Be-
sides these, nearly one hundred men were in the navy, several of whom were
on board the Kearsargc, which sunk the privateer Alabama, and all of whom
served with credit to themselves and to the county.
The 37TH N. Y. Vol. Inf. — The 37th Regiment was organized in New
York city in May, 1861, to ser\e for two years; colonel, John H. McCunn,
resigned September 25, 1861, and succeeded on September 28th b\- Samuel
B. Hayman, who was mustered out with the regiment June 22, 1863. It con-
tained two Cattaraugus companies, viz.: Co. H, "Chamberlain Guards," Capt.
Luke G. Harmon, and Co. I, "Cattaraugus Guards," Capt. William T. Clarke.
Both of these companies were largely composed of former members of the
64th N. Y. Militia, and were recruited simultaneously at Ellicottville and Al-
legany. They left for Elmira May 20th and on the 25th were transported to
New York city, where they were mustered into the United States service with
the 37th Regiment for two years on June 7, 1861. On the 23d the regiment
was moved to Washington, where it went into camp. Soon afterward the two
Cattaraugus county companies were detailed for special service, and April 15,
1862, rejoined their regiment. The 37th participated in the engagements of
Bull Run, Bailey's Cross Roads, Peninsula Campaign, Williamsburg, Seven
Pines (or F"air Oaks), Charles City Cross Roads, Seven Days' Fight, White
Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Chan-
cellorsville, and second P'redericksburg. It was mustered out at New York
city by reason of expiration of term of service June 22, 1863. Veterans re-
enlisted in the 40th N. Y. Inf. The two Cattaraugus count}- companies
returned home. The 37th lost in killed and died from wounds and disease a
total of 1 12 men.
The 64TH N. Y. Vol. Inf. — This regiment was organized as the 64th New
York State Militia in 1853 and re-organized as a volunteer command at Elmira
in the autumn of 1861. At the breaking out of the Rebellion it was composed
as follows: Colonel, Thomas J. Parker, Gowanda ; lieutenant-colonel, Daniel G.
Bingham, Ellicottville ; major, Enos C. Brooks, Olean ; Co. A, twenty-eight
men, Capt. Coiydon C. Rugg; Co. B, forty men, Capt. T. A. C. Everett; Co.
C, forty-two men, Capt. Julius B. Maltbie; Co. D, forty-four men, Capt. Will-
iam B. Battin ; Co. E, forty men, Capt. John S. Belknap; Co. F, fifty-two
men, Capt. James R. Weston; Co. G, thirty-six men, Capt. Jared A. Parmelee;
204 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
Co. H, thirty-eight men, Capt. Daniel D. Gardiner; Co. K, fifty men (artillery),
Capt. Samuel \V. Johnson; Co. L, forty-six men (rifles), Capt. Luke G. Har-
mon; band staff, etc., twenty-eight men; total of regiment, 447 men.
Companies F, G, H, and L were Allegany county commands. In the re-
organized 64th Regiment Cattaraugus county was represented by six compa-
nies, viz.: Co. A, Capt. Rufus W'ashburne, eighty-two officers and men; Co. B,
Capt. Timothy A. C. Everett, eighty-three; Co. C, Capt. Julius B. Maltbie,
eighty-four; Co. F, Capt. William B. Battin, eighty-three; Co. I, Capt. Robert
H. Renwick, eighty-two ; and Co. K, Capt. William Fancher, eighty-three. The
other companies were Co. D. Capt. Phipps Lake, and Co. G, Capt. Joshua
S. Pettinger, eighty-three men each, from Allegany county; Co. H, Capt. Sam-
uel Barstow, seventy-five men. from Tioga county ; and Co. E, Capt. William
Glenny, eighty-four men, from Tompkins county. The regiment contained a
total of 848 men. It was mustered into service from September 7 to Decem-
ber 10, 1861, for three years, with the same field officers as previously given,
and arrived in Washington on December 1 1, 1861, going into camp near the cap-
itol. It was one of the fighting regiments of the war. " It commenced active
service in Virginia, January 2, 1862, performing picket duty, with an occasional
reconnaissance, until April 5th. when it sailed for the Peninsula with General
McClellan's army. It served there in Richardson's Division — afterwards Han-
cock's— remaining in that di\"ision ( 1st Division A. C.) until the end of the war.
The 64th, under Colonel Bingham, distinguished itself at Chancellorsville,
where, in company with four other regiments, it held successfully an advanced
skirmish line against the persistent attack of a large force of the enemy." *
The colonels in command of the 64th, with the date of rank, were Thomas J.
Parker, November 13, 1861 ; Daniel G. Bingham, July 12, 1862; Leman W.
Bradley, July 4, 1864; William Glenny, October 4, 1864.
The regiment participated in the following engagements, the figures after
each indicating the numberd 1 killed and (2) wounded and missing: Fair Oaks,
30, 143; Seven Days' Fight, 2. 36; Antietam, 8,42; Fredericksburg, 4,68;
Chancellorsville, 15, 29; Gettysburg. 15, 83; Auburn, Va., 5, 12; Bristoe Sta-
tion, \^a., I, 24; Mine Run, 1. 2: Wilderness, o, 8; Po River, 2, 14; Spotsyl-
vania, 10,49; North Anna, O. 2: Tolopotomoy,o, 2 ; Cold Harbor, 2, 10; siege
of Petersburg, 7, 28 ; Weldon Railroad, o, 30; Deep Bottom, 1,3; Ream's Sta-
tion, o, 12; Hatcher's Run, 4, 13; White Oak Road, 3, 14; Sutherland Sta-
tion, 2, 5 : Farmville, 5,11. The 64th was present also at Yorktown, Gaines's
Mill, Snicker's Cap, Savage Station, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp, Glen-
dale, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Strawberry Plains, Sailor's Creek, and
Appomatto.v. The total loss in killed, wounded, captured, and missing aggre-
gated 757 men, of whom 18 officers anc^,274 volunteers died on the field of
battle, of disease and accidents, or in Confederate prisons. The original mem-
bers were mustered out at the expiration of their term of service, and veterans
* WilliiiiQ A. Fo.x's " llegimeotiil Losses in tin." .Vmcfioiiii Civil War," 18S8.
The War of the Rehhlliox. 205
and recruits continued the regimental organization until the close of the war,
being themselves mustered out July 14, 1865.
The 154TH X. V. \'o\.. Ixf. — This was almost distinctively a Cattaraugus
county organization. It was recruited in 1862 and mustered into the United
States service at Jamestown, for three years, September 24-26, 1862, with the
following field, staff, and company officers: Colonel, Patrick H. Jones; lieu-
tenant-colonel, Henry C. Loomis; major, Samuel G. Love; surgeon, Henry
Van Aernam ; chaplain, Henry D. l.owring; adjutant, Samuel C. Noyes, Jr.;
quartermaster, Edward Porter; Co. A, Capt. B. Leonard Saxton ; Co. B,
Capt. Daniel B.Allen; Co. C, Capt. Lewis D. Warner; Co. D, Capt. Harrison
Cheney; Co. E, Capt. Joseph B. Fay; Co. F, Capt. Thomas Donnelly; Co. G,
Capt. M. B. Cheney; Co. H, Capt. John F. Nelson; Co. I, Capt. Edward S.
Mills; Co. K, Capt. Henry Hugaboom. Co. E was recruited. wholly in Chau-
tauqua county, as was also a portion of Co. F. The remainder were composed
entirely of Cattaraugus county men.
Col. Addison G. Rice had command, however, during its organization and
until the regiment reached the front, when Col. Patrick H. Jones relieved him.
Colonel Jones had been major in the 37th a'nd received his commission Octo-
ber 8, 1862. The 154th left Jamestown on S_'ptembjr 2S, 1862, received their
arms and equipments at Elmira, and reached Washington on the 1st of
C~)ctober. The regiment was immediateh- assigned to the P'irst Brigade,
Second Division. Eleventh Army Corps, under General Sigel, and participated
in the following battles and skirmishes: Haymarket, Chancellorsville, Gettvs-
burg, Wauhatchie, Lookout Valley, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost,
Rocky Face Ridge or Resaca, New Hope Church, Pine Knob, Peach Tree
Creek, capture of Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea. The 154th Reg-
iment was mustered out of service June 11, 1S65, at Bladensburg, and
reached home the latter part of the month. The greatest loss the 154th
sustained in a single battle was at -Rocky I-"ace Ridge, May 8, 1864, when
fourteen were killed and forty-two wounded. The total number of deaths on
the battlefield, in prison, and of disease was 278, of which ninety occurred in
Confederate prisons.
The 44Tit X. Y. Vol. Ixf. c'The People's Ellsworth Reih-
>[EXT"). — This command was organized at Albany and mustered into the
service of the United States on September 24, 1861, for three years or during
the war. It was named in honor of Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, one of the first
heroes to fall in the war of the Rebellion. It was composed of volunteers
from nearly every town and ward in the State, and contained a superior class of
young men, all being under thirty years of age. The regiment left Albany on
October 21st by boat, and from New York proceeded by rail, reaching Wash-
ington on the 22th. The principal engagements in which it participated were
Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Gaines's Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern
Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Shepherdstown Ford, Fredericksburg, Chan-
2o6 History of Cattaraugus County.
cellorsville, Aldie, Gettysburg, Jones's Cross Roads, Rappahannock Station,
Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Bethesda
Church, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, and Petersburg. Its colonels were
Stephen W. Stryker, September 24, 1861, resigned July 4, 1862; James C.
Rice, July 4, 1862, promoted brigadier-general August 17, 1863; Freeman
Conner, August 27, 1863 (not mustered as colonel). The 44th was mustered
out of service October 11, 1864. The veterans and recruits were transferred
to the 140th and 146th N. Y. Vols. The regiment went into, service with
(rank and file) 1,061 men. It received 304 recruits, had 182 killed, lost loi
by disease, lost 603 by wounds, and had 141 promoted from its ranks.
The 85TH N. Y. Vol. Inf. — The 85th Regiment, like the 37th,
contained two Cattaraugus companies, the others being from Allegany and
Ontario counties. It was organized at Elmira and mustered into the service
December 3-13, 1861, with Col. Uriah Davis, Lieut.-Col. Jonathan S. Belknap,
and Maj. J. A. Williams. It participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, Savage
Station, Franklin (Va.), Kingston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro. Its total loss
aggregated three hundred and sixty-one men, of whom thirty-five were killed
and died of wounds and two hundred and twenty-two met death in Confed-
erate prisons, the regiment having been captured at Plymouth, N. C, April
20, 1864. The original members, not veterans, were mustered out at the
expiration of their three years' term of service, and the veterans and recruits
themselves mustered out July 27, 1865.
The 105TH N. Y. Vol. Inf. — The 105th Regiment contained parts of
two companies (C and D) from Cattaraugus county, and was mustered into
the service of the United States for three years in March, 1862, at Le Roy,
Lyons, and Rochester. It was mustered out at the close of the war.
THE9TH N. Y. Cavalry. — This regiment was organized at Albany and
mustered into the service of the United States from September 9 to Novem-
ber 19, 1861, for three years, under field officers: Colonel, John Beardsley;
lieutenant-colonel, William B. Hyde; and majors, William Sackett, Charles
McL. Kno.x, and George S. Nichols. It contained two companies from
Cattaraugus county — under Capt. Benjamin F. Chamberlain and Capt. Emery
A. Anderson (afterward major). The regiment left for Washington on No-
vember 26th and is credited with participating in the following engagements :
Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station (where it lost four killed and twenty-five
wounded and missing), Aldie, Upperville, Gainesville, Second Bull Run,
Chantilly, Antietam, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, Rappahannock Station, Sul-
phur Springs, Opequon, Trevilian Station (where four were killed and forty-six
wounded and missing), the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Mechanicsville, Deep
Bottom, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Germantqwn, Haymarket, Berryville,
Middleburg, Spotted Tavern, Goose Creek, Boonesboro, Funkstown, Falling
Waters, Stevensburg, Culpepper, Bealton, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, and Rich-
mond. The total deaths numbered two hundred and twenty-three, of whom
The War of the Rebellion. 207
ninety were killed and died of wounds. On the expiration of their term of
service the original members, not veterans, were mustered out. The 4th
N. Y. Cavalry was transferred to the 9th as Companies B, E, and L, and the
whole, veterans and recruits, mustered out of service Jul_\- 17, 1865.
The 5TH N. Y. Cavalry ("Fn<ST Ira Harris Guard"). — This organ
ization was mustered into the United States service for three years in New
York city from August 15 to October 31, 1861. It contained two Cattarau-
gus companies, the others being recruited from New York, Kings, Allegany,
Wyoming, Tioga, Essex, and Greene counties. It was in the engagements of
Big Bethel, Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill,
Peach Orchard, Savage Station, \\4iite Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill,
Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and
the Wilderness. The total death losses of the regiment numbered three hun-
dred and twenty-six, of whom ninety-nine died in southern prisons.
The 1 5111 N. Y. Canalrv. — This regiment was organized for three years,
at Syracuse, and was composed of companies raised in the counties of Cattar-
augus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, and
Tompkins. It was mustered into service August 8, 1863, to January 14, 1864,
and on June 17. 1865, consolidated with the 6th N. Y. Cavalry under the des-
ignation 2d N. Y. Provisional Cavalry. It lost altogether one hundred and
sixty-eight men.
The I3'1'H N. Y. Heavy Artillery. — This was organized at New York
and contained a number of recruits from this county. It was mustered in
October 15, 1861, for three years. Original members, not veterans, mustered
out at expiration of service, and veterans and recruits retained until July 28,
1865. It participated in the battles of Cross Keys, Waterloo Bridge, Second
Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge, Chattanooga, Atlanta,
and Cedar Creek. The regiment lost in killed, disease, and prison one hun-
dred and twenty-nine men.
The 14TI1 N. Y. Heavy Artillery. — The 14th H. A. was formed at
Rochester and mustered into the service of the United States from August
29 to December 17, 1863, for three years. The companies of which it was
composed were raised in the counties of Cattaraugus, Jefferson, Lewis, Liv-
ingston, Monroe, Oneida, St. Lawrence, and Steuben. It was engaged in the
battles of Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church,
Cold Harbor, and Hatcher's Run. The regiment was mustered out of service
August 26, 1865. Its total loss was nine men.
In a work of this. character — confined strictly as it is to a history of Cattar-
augus county — it is impossible in the limited space to present a detailed nar-
rative of each organization or of individuals. The prompt and patriotic action
of our people in the various wars, the veterans we have been proud to claim
as citizens from time to time, and the energetic part the inhabitants of the
county have always taken in complying with the military requirements of the
2oS History of Cattaraugus County.
State and Nation have been fairly well outlined. For various reasons it has
been deemed advisable to limit the sketches of the several Cattaraugus count}-
regiments in the Rebellion to brief facts. In the roster comprising the fol-
lowing chapter appears a more detailed account of the soldiers and sailors
who served from this county in that sanguinary struggle.
Nearly a score of years and ten have glided by since the closing days of
that fierce conflict. Age is steadily creeping upon the surviving veter-
ans, who one by one are rapidly joining their comrades on the -other shore.
Ever since the close of the Rebellion it has been customary for the soldiers
and sailors to hold occasional or periodical reunions, and those occurring
in this county have been well attended and profitable. From time to time
grand army posts have been organized in the various villages, but a number
have gone down in recent years mainly because of the death-depleted ranks
of their members. The posts existing at the present day are noticed in their
respective towns.
Cattaraugus county has sent ten cadets in all to the United States Military-
Academy at West Point, the first one entering in 1836. Of this number
four have graduated. Allegany county has given seven and Chautauqua
nine. The cadets entering from this county, with the dates of their admission,
are as follows: Oscar F. Winship, Persia, 1836; Staley N. Clarke, Jr., Ellicott-
ville, 1846; Alexander Chambers, Ellicottville, 1849; Henry Martin, Olean,
1853; Luke G. Harmon, Ellicottville, 1854; William S. Stanton, Randolph,
1861; Hiram M. Chittenden, Yorkshire, 1880; Wm. S. Card, East Randolph,
1884; Norman S. Thrasher, Dayton, 1889; Edward P. O'Hern, Olean, 1890.
The 43d Separate Company. N. G. S. N. Y., Olean, is the only military
organization in the county at the present time. It was recruited and mus-
tered into the service of the State of New York at Olean on March 17, 1887,
by Adjutant-General Josiah Porter and Assistant Inspector-General Thomas
H. McGrath, with fifty-two enlisted men and four officers, the latter being
Capt. C. G. Thyng, First Lieut. H. F. Lee, Second Lieut. W^ H. Corringer,
and Assistant Surgeon Selden J. Mudge (ranking as first lieutenant). Lieu-
tenants Lee and Corringer have since resigned and R. M. Whitney and R. H.
Franchot were elected to their respective places. The present strength of .
the company is ninety-three. The company has quarters in the State armon,-,
which was completed in 1890 and occupied in January, 1891. For the
construction of thi armory an appropriation of $25,000 was received from the
State and $8,700 from the county, the latter being appropriated for the site,
which, when purchased, included a neatly constructed brick building. This
was fitted up as the administration department and a spacious drill room
subsequently attached. The total amount received from appropriations,
active and honorary members, and subscriptions, and expended on the prem-
ises, aggregates $46,700.
ROSTKK OF SOLMIERS AXlJ SaILoRS.
209
CHAPTER XVI.
ROSTER OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE WAR
OF THE REBELLION.
ALLEGANY.
Allen, Elmore, Co. K, STth Inf.; enl. June 3, 1864.
Allen, '. ieorffe, ISth Wisconsin Inf.
Allen. Henry. Co. A, tetli Inf.; enl. Ausr. 2.S. 1S61.
Altenburjr, Henrj", corp. Co. H., Wth luf.; enl. Sept.,
1861.
Altenhurjf, Jlorris. Co. H. 64th Inf.: enl. Sept., ISBl:
killed at Chaneellursville, May 2, l^tti.
Anderson, John, Co. A, 18»th Inf.: enl. Sept. 11, 1864.
Andoi-son, \Vm., Co .\, ISSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1S64.
Ascha, William, Co. F, I'.Uth Inf.; enl. March :??, 1S6.5;
disch. May 3, Isij.
Austin, George, Co. H, .37tli Inf.; enl. Oct. 10, ISiJl;
di'^ch. March 7, iNi-', for disability.
Bacon, James, Co. I, l.>ith Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1862.
nad'Tcr. William. Oi. I, B4th Inf.; enl. Au^-. -'6, 1862;
disch. July IT, 186:!, tor disability,
liarber, Eliab, Co. F, «th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861.
Barnes, Albert H., Co. I, Wth Inf.; enl. AUi,'. 24, 1861;
dftailed on jjunhoat S7. Luiii.-; died at Fort
Pillow, May i),'l.^i-'.
Barnes, Orrin, Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. i, 1861.
Barry, .lohn. Jr., Ijih Cay.; enl. Auf.'. l.i, IsiU: disch.
June 24, 180.0.
Barry, Bobsrt, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Ail's. 6, 1862.
Bascora, Charles, .5th illiio llet.'t.
Bascom, George II., corp. Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
!l, 1801.
Ba.\ter, James, Co. I, 15lth Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1802;
prisoner; di^i'h. June 2n, 18(ri.
Beals, Daniel. Co. C, l.>lth Inf.; em. Aujr. 6, 1862.
lichan, IMward, Co. G, l.ilth Inf.; enl. Seiit. 25, 1862.
BicUniire, August, Co. F, lUth Cay.; enl. Sept. 10,
■ l-^oi; disch. June 7. 1805.
Bishop, Charles, Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. .-VU!,'. 28, 1861;
wasconllned fmir and one-half months in Itich-
mimd and thirteen months in Andursonvillo
prisons; disch.
Bishop, George, Co. C, I.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 0, 1802;
killed at Uocky Face lUdge, .May >. 1S64.
Bishop, Lewis, Co. H. aTth Inf.; enl. May 17,1861;
prisoner at Fair Oaks; disch.
Bishop, Lewis. Co. C, 1.54th Inf.: enl. .iug. 6, 1862;
killed at Gettysburg.
Blackmore, Albin, Co. I. 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5, 1861.
Blackraore, Nelson. Co. H, 71st Inf.: enl. May 29, 1861;
three years.
Blaiscr, John, Co. H.:i7th Inf.; enl. May 16. 1.861.
Blaiser, John, Co. C, 15Uh inf.; enl. July 26, 1862;
disch. June 2.5. 1865.
Bockoyen. William C, enl. Aug. In. 1861; pro. 1st
lieut. Sept 20, 1.^2; disi-h. Sept. '.'. 1564.
Borden, John H., napt., 83d Pa. Regt.
Bouchmire, Conrad. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 11,
1861.
Bryant, R. O., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861;
killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 18*3.
Burdick, Albertus. Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5, 1861;
died July 22, 1862.
Burns, Joseph. Co. A. 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
re-enl. Jan. 1, 16tU; disch. July 15. 186.5.
Cain, Patrick, Co. I. 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1.861.
Canfleld, Charles, 13th Cav.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1864; disch.
June 24, 186.5.
Carrington, Edwin L., Co. K. 37th Inf.; enl. June 3,
1861; -wounded at Fair Oaks.
Carrington, Leroy, Co. I, tJ4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
detailed on gunbyat Dc Kalh.
Carrington, Nathaniel, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Au^'. 25,
18B1; leg broken at Antietam.
Clark, Charles, Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1861.
Clark, Henry, Co. A, 85th Int.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Coleman, Emmet, Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Corcuran, Richard, Co. C, lo4th Int.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862.
Cortliell, Lewis S., Co. C, 1.54th Inf ; enl. July 26, 1862;
disch. March 3, 1863, for disability.
Crocker, Abel B., Co. I, 64th Inf.; eul. Aug. 25, 1861;
wounded at Antietam; left leg amputated;
disch. Dec. 6, 1862.
Densinger, Frederick, Co. B, 100th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22,
1863.
Dillon, .Michael, (.'0. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, P62.
Dolan, Chjs. H., Co. C, 117th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22, 1862.
Donough, -Michael, Co. I, H4th Inf.; enl. March, 1862;
wounded at Fair Oaks.
Drayton, Washington, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1,
1862.
Drayton, Wm., Jr., Co. [, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1862.
Dye, Elam S., Co. E, 5th Cav ; eul. Aug. 28, 1861; mor-
tally \youiidcd at llauovcr. Pa.
Dye, William P., 1st. sergt. Co. E, .5th Cav.; enl.
Aug. 2.S, 1801; pro. capt. Feb. 7, 1863.
Earl, William, enl. Co. K, 85th Inf.
Eggleston, Charles, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17,
IHiJl; disch. .Iunc2.5. Isiy.
Eggleston, Reuben H., (.'o. C, 1.54th luf.; enl. July20,
1862; died in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 2!), 1864.
Emhiser, Edward, Co. I, 64th Inf.; eul. Aug. 2.5, 1861.
Enman, Philip, eul. Co. K, 85tli Inf.
Fee, 0"en, corp. Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
killed in battle of Fair Oaks.
Fitzpatrick, John, Co. I, 64th Inf.; onl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Forness, Joseph, Jr., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5,
1861; ilisch. May 31, 1.86.5.
Fin-uess, .Michael, enl. Co. A, 105th Inf.
Fo.^t.-r. Byron, (.'0. Il,:)Ttli Inf.; enl. Oct. 10, 1861.
Frank, Daniel, Co. 1, 64[h Inf.; enl. Aug. 25, 1801.
Frank, Syhestcr, (,'0. I, 04th Inf.; eul. Aug. 2.5, 1861.
Freelaud, James A., Co. E, lOUtli Inf.; enl. Aug. 22,
1803; wounded at Drury Bluffs, May 1.5, 1864; disch.
July 16, 1865.
Fiey, John, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1864; disch.
June 1, 180.5.
FuUei-, Allen, Co. I, 64tli luf.; enl. Aug. 28,1801; disch.
for disability; died .Nov. 21, 1803.
Fuller, Charles, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enh Sept. 6, 1864;
disch. June 16, 1865.
Fuller, Evi, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5, 1861.
Fuller, Lataj'ette, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5, 1861.
Fuller, Perry \V.. enl. July 1, 1864.
Furnace, John, 26th Pa. (.Mills' Bat.); enl. Aug. 8, 1861;
disch Oct. 18<J3.
Geiger, Jacob, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1864;
disch. June 16, 186.5.
Gibbs, William K , Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5,
1864; disch. June 16, 1805.
Gillett, Charles M., Co. B,97th Inf.; enl. 1864.
Gillett, Melviu, 18;3d Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1864; detailed
lor duty in hospital.
Gooden, Joseph, Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Gooden, Nelson, Co. B, 97th Inf.; enl. June 14, 1884;
disch. July 18. 186.5.
Green, William C, Co. I. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1861;
disch. Sept. 9, 1864.
Grinard, Robert, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5, 1862.
Grossman, Godfrey, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Guschusky, August, Co. H, 37th Inf.; eid. Oct. 10, 1861.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Hag-gerty, Milton M., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1861.
Hall, Benjamin, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1861.
Hall, Danforth, Co. I, liWth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Hall, Martin, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 2.5, 1862.
Hallei- .John, Co. H, 3Tth Inf.; enl. Oct. 10, 1861.
Hand, George, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1861;
wounded by accident and disch.
Hanglister, Frederick, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1861.
Harmon, Luke G., capt. Co. H, .3Tth Inf.; enl. May
17, 1861.
Harting, Joseph, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 11. 1801;
wounded at Antietam and Gettysburg ; disch.
Nov. 18, 1864.
Hitchcock, Jos., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 20, 1862.
Howard, Philo A., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 24, 1861.
Howard, Schuyler, Co. 1. 64th Inf.; enl. A\ig. 2.5, 1861.
Huganir, D. M., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug, 28, 1861.
Huganir, Nicholas, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862.
Hughes, George, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, ISIU ;
disch. June 16, 1865.
Hull, Andrew, Sickles's Brigade.
Hyde, Henry, enl. Aug. 22. 186.3.
Jennings, William, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861 ;
wounded at Fair Oaks and Gettysburg; died Feb.
3, 1863.
Jewell, C. C, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Johnson, Gardner, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Johnson, George ^y., Co. I, 6-lrh Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1861; died in Allegany, of fever, July 2, 1862.
Johnson, Henry, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1864;
died in Campbell hosp., Washington, May 21, 186.5.
Johnson, JamesG., 2d lieut. Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
17, 1861, three years.
Johnson, William, Co. I, tilth Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Johnson, Wra. H. , Co. H. 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Jones, Alanson, Co. A, 188th Int.; enl. Sept. 5, 1864.
Kane, Pattick, Co. I, 64th Int.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Keim, Morris, Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1862.
Kinyon, Sanford, Co. I, 154th Int.; killed at Kocky
Face Kidge, May 8, 1864.
Kline, Joseph, Co. A. 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 8, 1864.
Lahr, George. Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Oi;t. 10, 1861; disch.
Oct. 29, 1862, for disability.
Lamb, George W., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Langer, Joseph, Co. E, I94thlnf.; enl. March 27, 18G5;
disch. May 3, 186.5.
Lawrence, Horace, 194th Inf.; enl. March 27, 1865 ;
disch. May 3, 1865.
Layton, George, 13th Cav.; en!. Aug. 14, 1864; disch.
June 24, 1865.
Layton, George, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861;
disch. June 22, 186:1
Low, George W., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. May. 17, 1861;
pris. Aug. 25, 1864; died at Salisbury Oct 2.5, 1864.
Low, John, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Lyon, John, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Lyon, Peter. 13th Cav.; enl. Aug. 15, 1864; disch. June
24, 1865.
Lyon, Kowlaud. Co. L 6Uh Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Manning, Thomas, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Marks, Milton W., 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862.
Marks, Thomas, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug, 28, 1861.
Marsh, Daniel, Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Marsh, William, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl, Aug. 28, 1861.
Mason, Charles H., Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
May, Francis, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
May, Lyman, Co. H. 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Mayer, Solomon, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1864.
McClure, Sanford B., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1861; disch. Sept. 27, 1862, for disability.
McConnell, John R., capt. Co. H, •37th Inf.; enl. May
17, 1861.
McCoy, Richard, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
wounded in left leg; disch. Nov. 27, 1862.
Mclvar. Patrick, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861;
disch. June 22, 1863.
McKay, Charles W.. sergt. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July
26, 1862; disch. July, 1865.
Mehan, Patrick, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug 28, 1861.'
Merryman, F. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Miller, Lewis, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861;
disch. June 2.5, 1863.
Mills, E. S., Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862.
Mills, Robert B., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Morgan, Menzo S., Co. H, 37th Int.; enl. .May 17, 1861;
disch. June 23, 1863.
Moriarity, Michael, Co. G. 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
.Morris, Christopher, Co. ,G, 52d Inf.; enl. Aug. 29,
1864; discharged.
Mor.is, John T., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
disch. .June 5, 1863.
iloscripr, John, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Mullison, John, Co. I, 64th Int.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Nolta, Joseph, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
wounded; re-enl. Feb. 28, 1864.
Noonan, Edward, Co. A, 183th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,1864;
disch. June 16, 1865.
Nooning, Martin, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 25, 1861.
Norwood, Deloss M., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, '61.
Norwood, Eugene F.,Co. D, 85th Inf.; enl. July 19, '62.
Norwoo.l, George, Co. F, 147th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2'2,
1863; wounded at Weldon Railroad; disch. June
9, 1865.
O'Brien, Michael, 149th Inf.
O'Brien, Patrick, Sickels's Brigade; enl. Aug., 1861.
O'Hara, Michael, Co. I, 64th Int.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
O'Hern, Jerry, Co. G, 154th Inf.: enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Onan, Warren, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 19, 1862;
pro. 1st lieut. Feb. 20, 186.5.
osterstook, John, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
i'alen, Theodore, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,1861;
pro. capt. Sept. 16, 1863; resigntd Dec. 21, 1863.
Parks, Elisaph, enl. Aug. 5, 1862.
Partridge, James, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Perry, Luther 0., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Phelps, Dudley, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862.
Platner, Henry, Co. I, 15tth Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1862.
I'latner, Thomas, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 21,1861.
Polau'l. James, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Pratt, Eldridge, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug 28, 1861.
Pratt, Newton, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Prentiss, Myron, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Reed, William, Co. I, 64th Int.; enl. Aug. 25, 1861.
Rcgen, Thomas, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 16, 1862,
three years.
Reitz, Conrad, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862;
wounded and prisoner May 2, 1863; disch. July 7,
1865.
Renwick, Ale.v., U Indiana Regiment.
Renwick, James H., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1801; died at home July 30, 1863.
Renwick, Kobert H., capt. Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
28, 1861.
Renwick, Victor D., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1801.
Reynolds, Harmon W., Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861.
Rice, A. L., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Roberts, Zenas, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862.
Roe, Samuel E., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 11, 1862.
Rogers, William (no record).
Rotchky, Godfrey, Co. D,61st Inf.; enl. July 14, 1864;
disch. JulvU, 1865.
Rounds, F. M., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Rounds, Orton, Co. C, l.>tth Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Rowe, Samuel E., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Rowell, Daniel, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Rowen, Malachi, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1861.
Rowen, Patrick, Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Rvan, Christian, Co. B, 49th Inf.; enl. June 4, 1864;
killed in battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.
Ryant, Abram, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Shehan, Jerry, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Sheldon, George L., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Ausr. 28,
1861; wounded at Fair Oaks June 1, 1862; disch.
Sept. y, 1864.
Shuler, Nicholas, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, 1864;
disch. June 16, 1865.
Shuster, Stephen, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1862;
disch. Dec. 29, 1862, for disability.
Smith, George S., Co. 1, 64th Int.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
died July 27, 1863, from wounds received at Get-
tysburg.
Smith, Henry, Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Smith, James, sergt. Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 21,
1861; died in the service Nov. 20, isfj.3, of fever.
Smith, John, Co. I. 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1861.
Smith, John, enl. Aug. 28, 1863.
Smith, John, Jr., Co, I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1861.
Snyder, Conrad, Co. H,37th. Inf.; enl. May 17. 1801.
Soule, Charles, lieut. Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1861.
Spicer, Horan O., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Oct. 10, 1861;
disch. June 28, 1862.
Spraker, William, Jr.,sergt. Co. 1, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
21, 1861; lost leg at Gettysburg, disch. May 3, 1664
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
Stafford, Joseph, Co. H. 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 186L
Starks, Saul, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 18B2.
Stiles. Giorge, Co. K, 64th Inf.: enl. Oct. 10, 1801.;
disch. Out. -'9, 1803.
Stiles, Georire, Co. .V, lS8th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5,1804.
Stratton, George, Co. A, ISSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1804;
disch, June 3, 1865.
Strohuber, Georjfe, Co. A, lS8th Inf.; enl. .Sept. 6,
1804; wounded in both legs at Hatcher's Kuu,
Oct. 27, 1864, left leg amput.; disch. May 20, 1S05.
Sweeten, Marshall, Co. H, 04th Inf.; enl. July 14, 1804;
prisoner at Ueam's Station; disch. June 3, 1865
Sweeten, Wallace, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1801.
Thompson, Albeit, 147th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863.
Thurbur, Hiram, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1862;
disch. April 16, 1864, for disability.
Thurbur, Ira S., Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Tide, Thoma-s, enl. 1864.
Tirney, Christian (no record).
Towsey, Charles, Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 25, 1801;
detailed on gunboat Sf. Limis: disch. Sept. 3, 1862.
Towsey, (leorge, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 17, 1801;
killeil at Chancelloi'svillu.
Trowbridge, Wm., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Oct. 10, 1861.
Truesdell, Joel, Mth Cav.; enl. Aug. 29, 1802; wounded
at ChariceUorsville; disch. Jan. 23, 18t>4.
Van Antwerp, I., Co. I, Otth Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1801.
Ward, Hibbard, Co. H.Oth Cav.; enl. July, 1801; killed
at Murfrecsboro, Tenn., Aug. 3, 1802.
Ward, John D., Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1801;
disch. Sept. 9, 1864.
Waters, David. Co. I, l.Mth Inf.; enl. Sept. .3, 1862.
Waters, Frank, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. .May 17,1801,
Waters, George, Co. A, 8.5th Inf.; enlisted Aug. 28,
1801; wounded Dec. 14, 1803; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1804;
disch. July 15, 1865.
Way, Robert, enl. July 8, 1804.
Welch, Delancy, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862;
prisoner; died in Richmond, \'a., in Feb., 1864.
Welch, Stephen, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. .-Vug. H, 1802;
pro. 1st lieut. June 8, 1804; taken prisoner.
Weptner, John, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861.
Wheeler, Devilo, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 11, 1802;
pi-JsiHier; died in or near Itichinoud.
Wlicclcr. Silas, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 25, 1801.
Wheeler, Wm. W., Co. A, lS8th Inf.; enl. Sept. 11,1864;
wounded at Hatcher's Run; disch. May 31, 1865.
Whitlock, Wm., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, lS)i4;
killed in battle of Hatcher's Run, Feb. 0, 186.5.
Wilbur, Charles R.. Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1802;
died in rebel prison.
Wilbur, Oscar, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862;
died from wounds received at Chaucellorsville.
Wilbur, Wallace (no record).
Williams. Nathan, Sickles's Brigade.
Wilson, John E., Co. 1.04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 25, 1801;
died in hosp. at Washington, D. C, April Id, 1802.
Winsor, Ezer. Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5, 18<J1.
Winton, William, Co. I, 04th Int.; enl. Aug. 20, 1801.
Wolil, Joseph, Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1802.
Worden, George I!., Co. I, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 25,
1801; disch. Jan. 12, 180;j.
Worden, James, Co. C, lli5th Inf.; enl. March 4, 1802.
disch. for disability June 2.), 1862.
Wright, Horatio D., ( o. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1801; prisoner; discharged.
Wright, Robert, Co. A, 18Sth Inf.; enl. Sept 6, 1804;
disch. July 5, 1803.
ASHFORD.
Achenbach, M., Co. A, 187th Inf.; enl. Sept. 28, I8(K.
IJabcock, Maynard, Co. K, 65th Inf.; must. March 17,
1865, one year.
Backtalf, Francis, Co. H, 0.5th Inf.; must. March 17,
1865, one year.
Ballou, Charles F., Co. I, 44th Inf.; must. Sept. 17,
LStil, three years; pro. Corp.; wounded at Gettys-
burg July 2, 1.8ra.
Ballou, Heriiert E., corp. Co. A, lOOth Inf.; must.
Oct. 10, 1801, three years.
Bargy, Michael, Co. G, 154tl> Inf.; must. Sept. 15,
1865, one year.
Beardsley, Salmon W., 1st sergt. Co. G, 154th Inf.;
enl. Aug. 11. 1862, three years.
Beebe, Charles H., Co. A, :i6th Inf.; must. Sept. .5,
1861, two years; re-enl. as corp. Aug. 28, 1863; pro.
to sergt.
Bemus, Charles B., Co. B, 140th Inf.; must. Aug. 22,
1863, three years; died in Lincoln hospital Nov. 26,
18a3.
Bernhoft, Fred C, Co. K, ICath Inf.; must. Feb. 3,
1802, three years.
Bernhoft, H., Co. K, 9th Cav.; died in Arhngton.
Bigelow, Arnold M., 93d Int.; mustered Maix-h 17,
1665, one year.
Bihl, Caspar, Co. A, 187th Inf.; enl. Sept. :i'i. W4 ,,
Bishop, Cieorge, Co. A, lOOth Inf.; must. Oct. in, 1801,
three years.
Block, Charles, Co. K, e5i;h Inf.; must. March 17,180,5,
one year.
Block, John, Co. E, 10th Inf.; must. April, ItO-j. three
years.
Block, William, Co. I, 44th Inf.; must. Oct. 2, 1861,
three years.
Bond, Daniel, Co. F, 116th Int.; must. Sept. .3, 1802,
three years; pro. Corp.; wounded in thish June
25, 1805.
Bowles, Hammond E., Co. H,98th Inf.; must. April 0,
1865, one year.
Brooks, Michael, Co. C, lOlJth Inf.; must. March 9,
1804, three years; wounded in battle of .Tames
River.
Cheeseman, , Co. A, 44th Inf.
Clark, George (no record).
Clark, George W., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 1,
181)5, one year.
Clark, Salmon J., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14. 1861,
three years.
Clark, Warner F., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Auir. 13, 1862,
three years.
Comstock, Lewis H., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; must. Jan. 12,
1802, three years.
Cook, NichoUis, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 13. 1862,
three years ; wounded in jaw at Pine RiJse.
Cradden, Augustus, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. July 16,
1864, three years.
Crosby, Willard, Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 22, 1805,
one year; died at Beaufort, S. C.
Day, Henry, Co. A, 100th Int.; must. April 1, 1802,
three years.
Day, Job, Co. K, 105th Inf.; must. Dec. 21, hoi. three
years; died in service .Jan. 10, 1862.
Day, Marcus D., Co. K, 105th Inf.; must. Dec. 21, 1801,
three years.
Deilz, Frederick (no record).
Deitz, John (no record).
Derby, Solomon, Co. A, 100th Inf.; must. Julv 12, 1802,
three years.
Dutcher, H. (no record).
Dutcher, John, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug. 17, 1^*62,
three years.
Ehman, C, 9th Cav.
Ehman, Jerry, 9th Cav.
Eno, K. Conrad, Co. G., lK7th Int.; enl. Sept 29, 1804.
Entridge, George, Co. K, 193d Inf.; must. April 1,
1803, two years.
Fisk, Nelson H., Co G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 19, 1W2,
three years.
Fo.x, Ambrose H., Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 2:i,
1801, three years.
Frank, David A., corp. Co. G, 1.54th Inf.: enl. Aug. 11,
1862, three years.
Frank, Franklin (no record).
Frank, Hiram P., Co. B, 64th Inf.; must. Aug. 12,
1865, three years.
Frank, Robert, Co. H, 64th Inf.; must. March 30,
1.865, one year.
Fuller, C, 9th Cav.
Gamp, Jacob, Co. F, 116th Inf.; must. Aug. 9, 1862,
three years.
Garwick, Gerhard, Co. H, 6.5th Inf.; must. March 31,
1865, one year.
Gerrecke, Robt., Co. A, 187th Inf.; enl. Sept 29, 1804.
Goodbread, Jacob, Co. B, 197th Inf.; must. Sept. 29,
1863, three years; taken prisoner at Wilderness,
May .5, 1863; died at Andersonville. Oct.. l.'*4.
Goodemote, Abraham. Co. D, 154th Inf.: must. Sept.
8, 1862, three years.
Goodemote, Wilham, Co. A, 188th Int.; must. Sept. 6,
186.5, one year,
Gould, John, Co. B, 10.5th Inf.; enl. after muster of
regt.
Groat, Esley, corp. Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 25,
1802, three years.
Groat, Jeremiah, navy.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Groat, John, Co. G, 154tli Inf.; must. Sept. 16. l>6i.
one year.
Groat, Uriah D., Co. L, 13th K. A.; must, riept.ll. I'*!.
one j'ear.
Hadley, Warner J., Co. D, 15-lth Inf.; must. Sept. M.
l;?62, three yeai-s; taken prisoner at Gettysburg:
died at Kichmond, Jan. lU, lSti4.
Haller, Charles, Co. A, lS7th Inf.; enl. Sept. X. 1~<>1.
Hammond, Franklin G., Co. H, 37th Inf.; must. .May
IT. 1861, three years; wounded at Malvern Hill.
Hammond, Orange, Co. H, 3Ttti Inf.; must. June.
isui. two yeai-s; re-enl. Co. D, l.Wtli Inf.
Hattan, Lewis, Co. D, l.>!th Inf.; must. Oet. 1, iHi-i.
one year.
Haynes, Jiimes, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9. Ist'.
three ycai-s.
Hess, Elias H., Co. H, 6.5th Inf.; must. April -5. l-«.
cue 5-ear.
Hess, George W., corp. Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Aui.'.
15, 1861, three years.
Hess, Horace H. (no record).
Hinkley, Bradley, Co. B. 9tli Cav.: must. Oct. L\i. 1-*1.
three j'ears; died at Audei-sonville prison .March
9. 1864.
Hitcticocli, Lucius, Co. D, 1.54tb Inf.
Howard, L. M., Co. C, 1.87th Inf.; enl. Sept. ;ii. InU.
Hufstater, Harrison (no record).
Hufstater. Henry H., Co. H, lOUth Inf.; must. May !.
1861, three years.
Hunt, James B., Co. C, ISTth Inf.; enl. Sept. 30. 1SJ4.
Johnson, John. H., Co . H, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 1-'.
186:3, one year.
Johnson, Lorenzo, Co. F, 116th Inf.; must, Sep:. 3.
1862, three years.
Johnson, Marion, Co. F, 116th Inf.: must. Sept. 3. lyC.
three years; wounded in battle of Wmchester.
Sept. 19, 1864.
King, Edgar O., Co. B, 9th lav.; must. Oct. 11. ISJl.
three yeai-s.
King, Edward, 146th Inf.
Kost, George H., Co. A, 188th Int.; must. Sept. If..
186.5, one year.
Lansmade, Watlau F., Co. D, 154th Int.; must. Sept.
15, 1865, one year.
Lawton, Addison, Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Oct. 1.
1865, one year.
Lawton, Joseph, Co. K, lOStli Inf.
McClure, George W., Co. K, 65th Inf.; must. March
16, 1865, one year.
Milholland, William, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Aujf. -'.
186:i, three yeaiTS.
Moore, Jacob, Co. K, 65th Inf.; must. March 17. 1M».
one year.
Murphy, L. P., Co. A, lS7th Inf.; enl. Sept. '-T. Is54.
Myers, Edmund, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Au;;. 9. l-«;.
three yeais; died in Andei-sonviUe prison July
1, 1864.
Myers, Eli C, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. SIX 1>65.
one year.
Nye, Cornelius, Co. G, l.'>ith Inf.; eul. Aug. 7. IHI.'.
three years.
Ostrander, A. J., must. Sept. 22, 186:3, tbree years.
Peabody, George W., Co. U, 1.54tli Inf.; must. Sept.
9. 1865, one j'ear.
Peer, Stephen, Co. D, ISTth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2-. 1-<V4.
Proper, George W., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. sept. 9.
1865, one jear.
Quackenbusn, Daniel, corp. Co. A. 9th Cav.; must.
Jan. 9, 1864, three years.
Quackenbush, John, Jr.. Co. H, 9Sth Inf.; must. April
6, 1865, oue i ear.
Uamsdell, oli\cr, Co. A, l:<7th Inf.; enl. Sept. ou, 18i;4.
Kice, Abel, navy; died In Philadelphia.
Kowlaud, Bradford, Co. G, 154 Inf.; must. Sept. 2.5.
1862, three years.
Schroeder, Chas., Co. C, 187th Int.; enl. Se!)t. 26, 18i;4.
Shall ren, Uavid, Co. A, 44th iiit.; muse. Oct. 12. 18ij2.
three years; killed at Malvern Hill, July, ISii.
Shattuer, Frederick, Co. G, 72d Inf.; must. July 17.
1862, three years; wounded at North Anna Kiver.
Shattner, Frederick, Co. H, 1.3LU H. A.; must. sept. 2.
1864, one year.
Shattner, James K., Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. -"l.
1862; pro. 2d Sergt. Co. H, 94th Uegt.; must.
Mch. 1, 186:3, three years; wounded at Gettysbnrir.
Shattner, Philip L., Co. G, 72d Int.; must. July IT,
1862, three years.
Sherman, Charles W., Co. F, 116th Inf.; must. Aug.
9, 1S61, three years; wounded in arm and hip in
May, 1862.
Sherman, Ebenezer C, Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.
9, 1865, one year.
Shields, George, Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Aug. ij.
1862, three years; died at Belle Isle, Jan., L8t).3.
Shoemaker, Henry, corp. Co. F, 116th Inf.; must.
Aug. 9, 1862, three years.
Simons, William, Co. I, 37th Inf.; must. May 10. 1861.
two years.
Smith. Andrew M.. corp. Co. F. 116th Inf.; must.
Sept. 3, 1862, three yeai-s; Killed at Donald.sonville
July 1:3, 186:3.
Smith, Elsbra I., corp. Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Feb. -1,
1862, three years.
Smith, Francis M., Co. F, 116 Inf.; must. Sept. 3, lStj2,
three years; died of fever in New Orleans, April
1, 186:3.
Smith, John L., Co. A, 13th H. A.; must. Sept. 12,
1864, one year.
Smith, Peter W., Co. F, 5th Inf.; must. Sept. 20, 1S61.
three years.
Snyder, John, Co. D, 154th Int.; died in Savannah, Ga.
Stocking, Spencer, Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 9,
ISiw, one year.
Thomas, Hiram B., Co. I, :37th Inf.; must. Oct. 5.
1861, two years.
Turner, Jerome J., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14,
18(i2, three yfars; wounded In right shoulder.
Yedder, Jacob M., Co. G, 154th Int.; must. Sept. 12.
1865, one year.
Wait, A. J., Co. E, 175rh Inf.
Wait, Lovinas B., Co. E, 157th Inf.; must. Oct. 1, I86.3,
three years; died of fever while in the service.
Walters, John W., Co. K, 6th Inf.; must. Sept. 11.
186-3, three yeai-s.
Walters, Luman B., Co. A, 36th luf.; must. March 1,
three years; pro. corp.
Wasson, Nathan, Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 4, 1862.
three } ears.
Weast. Amos B.. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 25,
1862, three years; pro. corp. Jlay 8, lmH; serst.
.\pril 1, 186.5.
Weast, Clark E., Co. D. 151th Inf.; must. Feb. 24, 1.8<!5,
one year.
Weast. Frederick, sergt. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
8, 18(j2, three years; re-enl. Sept. 1.5, 1865. one year.
Weber, James B., Co. F, 116th Inf.; must. Sept. 3,
1.8<i2, three yeai's.
Weber, Jacob J., Co. F, 21st Inf.; must. May 2i_), 1861,
two yeai-s.
Wedderman, Fred, Co. F, 96th Inf.; must. April 1.
18ii5, one year.
Willis, Thomas, corp. Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10,
18ti2, three years.
Wilson, Orrin, i:i7th Inf.; killed while in the service.
Wiltse, Emerson M., corp. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must.
Aug. 8, 1.862, three years.
CAKROLTON.
.\very, Isaac N., Co. I, 56th Inf.; enl. Sept. 8. 1864;
disch. Aug. 2, 1865.
Bailey, David L., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862;
disch. Jan. 27, 186:3.
Baillett, Eugene, sergt. Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July
24, 1862; taken prisoner Julv 1, 1^>1; died in hospi-
tal at Kichmond, Feb. 15, 1864.
Baker, George W., corp. Co. A, l.>tth Inf.; enl. Aug.
12, 1862; disch. June 2:3, 1865.
Barton, Horace C, Co. E, 146th Int.; enl. 1.86:3; died
Dec. 24, 1863.
Bates, Charles W., Co. K, 65th Inf.; enl. April 5, 186:3;
disch. July 29, 1865.
Beers, John B., Co. E, 72d Inf.; enl. May 17. 1S61;
disch. Dec. 1:3, 1862; re-enlisted Aug. 22, 186:3, Co.
E, 146th Inf.; wounded at Weldon Kailroad, Sept.
16, 1864; pro. corp. Sept. 20, 1864; disch. March 23,
186-5.
Brown, George W., Co. A, 100th Inf.; enL Aug. 12,
1863; wounded at Drury's Blutts, Va.; disch. June
19, 18<>5.
Brown, Spaulding K., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11,
1862; disch. June 2:3, 1865.
Cowen, Daviil A., Co. C,96th Inf.; enl. March IS, IS65;
disch. April 4, 1866.
Fleck, Joseph, Co. E, 72d Inf.; enl. May 28, 1861; disch.
June 28, 1864.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
213
Hunt, James B., Co. E, T-M Inf.; enl. May 21, 1*1; died
Juue M, l.-i«>4.
Hutchinson, Daniel A., nnvv; on board the BriU-
iaiil; enl. Sept. B, 1J''4; disch. Aus. 1. 18B,5.
Kellogg-, Edgar, Co. D,5-th Pa.Inf.: enl. Oct. Sri.lSSl;
pro. Corp.; re-eul. Jiin. 1, ia8, in Co. D, ItU U. S.
Lt. Art.
KellOH:^, Georjje \V., Co. K, S2d 111. Inf.: enl. Aut'. 29,
Ifriii.
Leonard. Joseph, serjrt. Co. A, 154th inf.; enl. Auy.
1-', lsii2: disch. Deo. 24. 1^^.
Leonard, Samuel J., navv; on hoard the DiiUiaiit;
enl. Sept. li, lsiJ4; dtR-li. Aug-. 1. 1SU5.
McKinnev, John J., navv; on l.oiird the Diilliant;
enl. Sept. 6, 18i>l; disch. Au]f. 1, I'-'ii'i.
Pinkerton, Samuel, Co. A, l.S'^th Inf.; enl. Sept. 0,
1W4: disch. June 1. l-^'w").
Pinkei-tun, Ziba, Co. A. VAi\\ Inf.; enl. July2S, 1,S12;
disch. June 24, isiij.
Schotlner, Sebastian. Co. I. 71st Cav.; enl. May 2ti,
li-til; disch. Nov. 21. I~ij2.
Scott. Bradner, navy: on board the BiilUa}it: enl.
Sept. H, isui; disch. Aul'. 1, 18U3.
Spotlor.t, John. Co. (i. .52d Inf.: enl. Aug-. 23, li^i.
Sweet. James K., Co. A. I.">4th Inf.; enl. July 2i), 1SB2;
disch. JIai-cli 4, 1h3.
Whipiilc. (ieortre D.. navy; on board the Biilliaut;
enl. Sept. ti, l.s-i4.
Windon. (icorfre W.. ( u. A, With Inf.; eul. March 13,
IWio; disch. Oct. 24. IvVi.
Wolcott. Otis C.. Co A. l.">4th Inf.; enl. July 2S, lsi£3;
pro. Corp. May, iNii; disch. June 23, IflK.
Woodworth, Joseph .M.. Co, A, 1.34th Inf.; enl. July
211, \xiS; disch. June2:i. ISio.
Woodworth, Wra.. re;-''tl wa^'on mas. Co. A, 154th;
Inf.; enl. An^'. 12, I-^Ii: disch. June 23, 1SU5.
Zcluir. .\lon7.0, Co. A. 154th Inf.: unl. Sept. 1, lWi2:
disch. June 23. ls<j.5.
Zehiir. Willard, Co. I. .3Bih Inf.; enl. Sept. 7. lS)i4;
disch. Oct. 17, lNi5.
COLD SPlUN(i.
Arancc, Daniel, nth Cav.
Backus, Wm. A., musician Co. C, i:jth IL A.; eul.
Au;;. 24, !«■:). three vears.
Berry. Frank, Mth Inf.
Bi.vby, W. (no record'; was IS months in service.
Blood, .Vndrew D. Co. A. 1.34th Inf.; enl. July 25, lsii2,
three yeais; pro. 1st serirt.
Brown, (.'harles \V., corp. Co. D, lU'Jtli Inf.; enl. July
2», 1S(K, three years: wounded Dec. 28, ]H(i4.
Brown, (ieo. 1'., Co. A. l">4th Inf.; enl. J uly 24, 18ii2,
three years; woun'k-'l and p.-isoner; pro. Corp.
Brown. Hiram L., I'o. <:. IM\ H. A.; enl. Au;?. 24, 18ii;),
three vears.
Bryant, Howard L.,Co. F. 194th Inf.; enl. Apr. 8, 18U5,
one year.
Buck, Alfred, Co. B. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.3, 1801, three
years; died in service.
Buck, Araasa. Co. B. 'Uzh Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, IStil;
trans, to Vet. Ues. Corps.
Buck, Eugene, Co. F.. IWth Inf.; enl. April 10, 18IJ.3.
Buck, William H., Co. A. I.34th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, W12,
thi-ee years; in-isoner.
easier, Alonzo A., .3d sergt. Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl.
July 25, IS*;:.'; pro. lieut.; nrisoner.
easier, Benjamiu (;.. 1st. lieiit. Co. A, 154th Inf.: enl.
Aug. 8, 18ii2, tlirce years; pro. cupt.; wounded;
prisoner.
Campbell, John D.. Co. A, 1.34th Inf.; enl. July 28,
18ci2, three years.
Campbell, Wm. H. H.. corp. Co. A, 134th Inf.; enl. July
25, lst)2; prisoner; pro. 1st. sergt.
Chase, Wallace W., Co. A. 1.34th Inf.; eul. July 29,1802;
died in service.
Clancy, David, Co. F. tuth Inf.; enl. Aug, 27, 1861,
three years; wounded.
Cowles, A.sa, served in 12th X. Y. Vols.
Crook, Albert, served in 13th H. A.
Crook, Byron. Co A. 1.34th Inf.; enl. July 24, 1802,
three years.
Curtis, Andrew, Co. B. 1.34th Inf.; enl. July 20, 1802,
three years.
Curtis, George, Co. G. 14th H. A.; enl. Nov. 11, 1^(3,
three years.
Curtis, Lorenzo, Co. G. 14th H. A.; enl. Nov. 11, 18(>3,
three years.
. Sept. 0, 18G4;
Curtis, Stephen H., Co. B, e4th Inf.; enl. Sept 10,
1801, three years.
Davenport, Cyrus G., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1801,
three years; pro. sergt.
Dean, Lyman, corp. Co. B, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1801; orderly sergt.; wounded.
Dow, Lyman, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 18<jl, three
years; died in service.
Dow, Orville, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 21, 1801. three
yeai-s
Dui-phy, Feli.v, Co. F, fi4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 24, 1804,
three years: killed .it battle of Fair Oaks.
Eanon, John. 125th Inf.
Egglcston, William L., corp. Co. F, 04th luf.; enl.
Aug. 28, 1801; wounded, taken prisoner, disch.;
re-enl. as private in 9th Cav., Aug. 2.3, 1804, one
year.
Fay, A»y, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept., I,8il2; wounded and
taken prisoner.
Fenton, Charles, 64th Inf.
F'urraan, Charles M., musician Co. F, 04th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 9), isiil, three years.
Galbraith, William, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1,
1802; pro. Corp.; disch.
Gates. (Jcorge W., 11th Mich. Cav.; pro. 1st lieut. and
trans, to command of I". S. C. T.
riear, Webster (no record*.
Hacket, John, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. s, 186;i,
three years.
Hacket, Perry, Cj. A, Tilth Inf.; enl. July 2S, 1802;
three years.
Hall, Erastus. music an Co. F, lUth Inf.; enl. Dee.,
I'Ol: disch. at e.vpiration of term.
Ilai-kncss, Tiuman, 04th Inf.; died in Belle Isle
itrison.
Ilcy wood,. lames. 13th H.A.; enl. Sept. 1,1864, oneyear.
Hcywouil, Phmcas, sergt. 04tli Inf.; en . May 25,
l':iil:dicd .Match 20. l>-'04.
Heyvvodd. Sanuiel S., 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10, 1802;
killed in battle .May 0, l.'^Ol.
Hopkins, William, Co. K, 1st N. Y. Mtd. Kitles; enl.
Aug. :)(), 1^02, thi-ee years: reported missing.
Hotclikiss, Hai niou, 9th N. Y. (.'av. ; eul. Sept. 0,
disch. with company.
.Tellorils, Lyman, sergt. ii4th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9. 1861;
prisoner; escaped from Belle Isle.
Kennnn, Lucius J., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 30,
1H04, thrc'e years.
Kilhurn, Alviti, Co. 1), 179;h Inf.; enl. March 31, 1804,
three years.
Kilbuin, Cicero, Co. B, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1.861;
died in ser\'ice.
Langhorn, Hichaid, 12th Inf.; wounded.
Langliorn, William, 12th luf.; enl. Dec. 1, 1861.
Lyon, .ManleyS., 9th Cav.; eul. Sept., 1864; disch. at
e.vpiraticjn of term.
Marsh, Cassius M., Co. F, 19itli Inf.; enl. April 8, 1805,
one year.
Marsh, Duane, Co. A, 1.34fh Inf.; onl. July 24, 1862;
prisoner; died at Annapolis, .Md., Aug. 2:3, 1863.
May, Johnson, 9th Cav.: eul Sept., 1X04, one year.
May, Sylvester, sergt. 18,'<th Inf.; enl. Sept. :3. 1864;
disch. with compauy.
McDonald, Martin, Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April 14,
l.xio, one year.
Morrison, Miles, 37th Inf.; enl. 1801.
Morton, (.'harles, 9th Cav.
Morton, Orville, 72d Inf. (Ud Excelsior, Sickles's Bri-
gade); wounded.
Myers, Albert, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 23, 1801, three
years.
Niles, Lucius J., Co. G, 14th H. A.; eul. Oct. 24, 1863;
died xi-pril lu, 1804.
Preston, John (no record).
Preston, Samuel E., Co. F, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 20,
1801; wounded.
Price, Dorr, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, l.s02. three
years; pro. corp: disch. at expiration of term; re-
enl. Co. F, 194th Inf., April 4, Wi5.
Price, Joseph, Co. A, I.34tli Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, 1802;
wounded and taken prisoner at Chaneellorsville.
Riindolph, James A., corp. Co. A, 1.34th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 5, 1802; wounded, and died at NasuvUle,
Sept. 19, 1804.
Randolph, John H., Co. B, 04th Inf.; wounded; pro.
1st sergt.; disch. at e.xpiratiou of term.
Kay, Stephen, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 4, 1863,
three years.
214
History of Cattaraugus County.
Bhodhouse, Alva, Co. D. ITflth Inf.; enl. March 28,
ISJi-J; wouaded.
Rogers, Lemuel A., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 1, 1861;
i-e-enl.; wounded; pro. sergt.; must, out with
regt.
Ross, Zenas, 0th Cav.
Stephens, William C, oOth Eag,; enl. Sept. 5, 1864,
one year.
Terry, Alauson T., 9th Cav.; enl. Sept., 1864; disch.
tor disability.
Terry, Charles W.,9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 10, 1864.
Updike, Lewis S., Co. C, ITOth Inf.; enl. March 29,
1SB4, three years.
Van Scouter, Cornelius, 72d Inf. (E.^ccelsior Brigade).
Van Scouter, Thaddeus, 9th Cav.; died in service.
Walker, Francis, Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. March 4, 186-5,
Washburn, Giles, 1st sergt. 72d Inf.; enl. June 6.
IHOI; disch. June 6, 1864.
Welmon, George, 1st sergt. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16.
1861; wounded and disch.
Wetmore, Eugene, 64th Inf.; wounded.
Whitmore, Allison, Co. G, 14th H. A.; enl. Oct. 22,
1863; pro. Corp.
Wood, John, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 24, 1862; died
of wounds.
Wuodruff, Henry, sergt. Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept.
25, 1861; prisoner Ave months; disch. Sept. 25, 1864.
CONEWANGO.
Abbey, Orange J., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862,
three years.
Abbott, Samuel D.; regt. not given.
AcUley, Gustavus J., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 24.
1862; disch. Dec. 7, 1864.
Battles, Commodore, corp. Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 10, 1S61; disch. Sept., 1864.
Benson, Charles A., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 23,
1S61, three years.
Benson, James Garrett, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug.
26, 1862; disch. June 30, 18«J5.
Bentley, Emory, Co. B, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11,
1862; disch. Juno 13, 1865.
Bentley, Henry, Co. C, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 2.5, 1861;
disuh. Dec. 19, 1863; re-enl. Dec. 19, 186:5; pro.
corp. June 1, 186.5; disch. July 17, 18<J5.
Bentley, Jerome, Co. B, ll2th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 18<)2,
three years.
Bigelow, Henry, Co. B, Wth Inf.; enl. Aug. li, 1861;
disch. Sept. 7, 1864.
Boon. Cyrenus, Co. G, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 31, 1864.
one year; disch. June 21, 1865.
Booth. Daniel, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 6, 1864, one year.
Brown, H. C, enl. spring of 1865; regiment not
given.
Booth, Howard, Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Sept. 2, 18W;
disch. June 31, 1863.
Booth, Orlando, Co. F, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 6, 1864,
one year. . .
Brennen, Edwin William, Co. E, 13th Art.; enl. Aug.
7 1862; pro. Corp. June 1, 18(3; sergt. Dec. 6, 186:3:
2d lieut. JIarch 18, 1865; disch. J uly 10, 1865.
Buffington, Kred'ck E., 112th Inf.; enl. March 25, 1864.
Burgess, Edmond, lt5th Regt.; enl. 186:); taken pris-
oner at battle of Wilderness, and died at Ander-
sonville.
Bush, Milton H., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862,
three years; died at Nashville, Teun., from
Carpenter,' James M., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
1862, three years; died at Chattanooga, Tenn.,
July 21, 1864, of disease.
Coats, Richard, Co. I, 49th Inf.; enl. Aug. 20, 1861,
threes-ears; disuh. Jan. 6, 1863, for disability.
Coats, Thomas, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. 1862; died in
Virginia.
Cockran, Samuel W., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl, Sept. 20,
1861; re-enl. March 24, 1864.
Congdon, George W., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 22,
1862, three years; disch. Jan. 16, 186:3, on account
of disease.
Conroe, James M., Co. I, 49th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 18G1,
three years.
Cook, Elliott L., Co. H, 179th Inf.; enl. June 16, 1864.
Cook, Hiram, Co. K, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 11, 1861, three
years.
Cooper, Ellas, 64th Inf.; enl Aug., 18<j2.
Cunningham, Benjamin, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept
10, 1861; disch. June 8, 1864.
Cunningham, Henry, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1,
1862, three years; disch. J une 23, 1865.
Darling, Charles, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 4, ise2
Darling, Deloss, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1862,
three years; died in hospital at Annapolis, Md.|
Jan. 16, 186.5, of disease contracted in service.
Day, Harland Blake, C". K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862; disch. June 23, 186.5.
Ellsworth, Stiles B., Co. K, 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
1862, three years; pro. 1st sergt. Sept. 16, 1862; 1st
lieut. May 2:3. 1864; lesigned and disch. on account
of wounds received in battle Aug. 12, 1864i
Everhard, John, Co. I, 49th Inf.; enl. Aug. 20, 1861.
Fairbanks, Dantoith, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. ,5,
1862, three years; taken prisoner July 1, 1863; in-
carcerated in Libby and Andersonville; disch.
June 20, 186.5.
Ferman, Amos, enl. April 4, 18134; regt. not known.
Ferman, Elisha, Co. C, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862,
three years.
Francis, Frederick, corp. Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. July
28, 1863, three years.
Franklin, Audrus, Co. M, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 31,
1864; disch. July 7, 186.5.
French, Horace, sergt. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20,
1861, three years; wounded at Gettysburg, July
2, 186:3; disch. Jan 28, 1864.
Frisbie, Geo. Morrell. Co. C, 1.3th Art.; enl. Sept. 6,
1864; disch. June 20, 1865.
Furman, Charles M., musician Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl.
Au!i. 30, 1861, three years.
Furman, Gale, musician Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July
29, 18(!2, three years.
GalBn, Richard, enl. 1865; regt. not known.
Gardner, Charles, Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. June 21, 1865.
Gardner, Daniel H., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6,
1862, three years; died May 5, 186:3, at Guinea Sta-
tion, Va., of wounds received at Chancellors-
ville. May 2, 186:3.
Gardner, Edwin L. (no record found).
Grover, Deles. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861, three
vears; disch. after one year's service; re-enl. in
Co. A, 13th Art., Aug. 31, 1864; disch. June, 186.5.
Grover, Gustavus, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct., 1861,
three years; wounded in battle of Fair Oaks;
disch. Alav, 186.3.
Grover, William, Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 29, 1864;
disch. June 21, 1865.
Halker, Frederic C, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861. three years; disch. Dec-. 1, 1862, for disability.
Hall, Horace, 9th Cav.; enl. 1862.
Hall, Leonard Franklin, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1,
1861; disch. Oct. 27, 1864.
Hall, Philander, Co. I, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 7, 1864;
disch. July, 1865.
Hamilton, Henry, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861,
three years; wounded in right arm at the battle
of Chancellorsville; disch. Aug. 28. 1863.
Hammond, William R., Co. K, 49th Inf.; enl. Aug. 18,
1862; disch. Oct. 15, 18(j4.
Helms, Gaylord, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 31, 1864;
disch. June 7. 1865.
Hillegon, Rudolph, 64th Inf.; enl. 1862; killed at the
battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
Hills, William G., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept., 1S61;
disch. Nov. 27, 1864.
Hopkins, Daniel, enl. June 23, IStU. ■
Huntington, Charles D., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1,
1861; disch. Nov. 2, 1864.
Huntington, Monroe H., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1,
18(31, three years.
Johnson, Leander D., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
1862; disch. June 23, 18(j,5.
Reach, Charles, .57th Inf.
Reach, Ira L., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 28, 1862,
three years.
Reach, Nathan, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862,
three years.
Rilburn, Alvin, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 31, 1864,
three years.
Rilburn, Cicero, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861,
three years.
Rlock, Charles L., 64th Inf.; enl. 1861.
Loop, Moses W., Co. A, 13th Art.; enl. .\ug. 2(3, 1864;
disch. June 20, 1865.
Roster of Soldiers axd Sailors.
^'5
Jfarsh, Hollis, Co. E, flth Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861, three
years.
Mason, George J., Co. K, 15-tth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
lS<i2; pro. 1st sergt. Aug. 20, 18&4; disch. Juae2;?,
18ti5.
Mason. William T., Co. B, Wth Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861; disch. June d, 18IJ3, for wounds received at
Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; re-enl. Aug. 30,
1864; disch. June 11, 186.5.
McCann, J. D. mo record).
Menker. Henry A., Co. B, 6+thInf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861.
Metcaif, Labrun, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 8, 1861;
disch. Oct. 27, 1804.
Miller, Henry, Co. G, 179th Inf.; enl. March 26, 1864,
three years.
Millman, James, Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 29, 1864;
disch. June 21, 186.5.
Monroe, W. H., enl. spring of 186.5.
Morgan, Wicklitf, (Hth Inf.
Myers. Adi, Co. A, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 31, 18W; disch.
June 21, 1865.
Jlyers, Eugene, Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5, 1862,
three years; wounded in battle of Chancellors-
ville. May 2, IstB; died in consequence of wound
and amputation of leg at Brooks Station, Va.
Myers, George W., Co. B, B4th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861,
three years; killed in battle of Fair Oaks, .June 1,
18IJ2.
Myers, Gerret S., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861,
three years; disch. May 14, 1862.
Myers, John M., Co. C, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 1862,
three years.
Newcomb, Daniel, enl. Aug. 30, 1864.
O'Neil, John, 64th Inf.; enl. Feb. 5, 1864.
Ostrum, Bush, enl. l.'<61; regt. not given.
Otis, Harrison G., Co. D, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862;
disch. June 5, 18ti.5.
Owen, Lemuel, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 19, 1861;
disch. Aug. 17, 1864.
Patterson, llobert M., 9th Cav.; enl. Aug., 1862.
I'enhallow, Dorua D., Co. U, 112th Inf.; enl. July 29,
1n;2, three years.
Penhallow, Henry, Co. B, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11,
1862, three years.
Perry, Albert, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 31, 1864,
three years.
Phillips, Sylvanus L., Co. D., 179th Inf.; enl. April 13,
lHi4.
Pinner, Samuel, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
wounded at Fair Oaks; died at Frederick City,
Md., in Dec, 18ii2.
Price, Merrick, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862,
three years; disch. Dec. 7, 1862.
Ilisley (or Kulcy), Henry, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
7, 1>«>1. three years.
Koberts, Wallace, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. Feb. 27, 1864.
Kobinson, Remington, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
3, I8tU, three years; disch. June 29, 1865.
Boss, Edwin, Corp. Co. K, IMth Inf.; enl. Aug. 29,
l.«62, three years; wounded at Chuncellorsville,
Jlay 2, IHki; died at Beaufort, N. C, in Feb., 186.5,
of disease.
Saunders, He/.ekiah, Co. A, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 30,
18W4, one year.
Saundeis, Philo W., Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861, 3 years; died Jan. 22, 186.5, at Salisbury, N. C.
Seager, Edward L., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5,
1862; disch. June 11, 186.5.
Seager, George, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 6, 1861;
disch. April 14, 1862.
Snow, Orre, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 8, 1861, three
years; pro. Corp.; disch. in May, 1862.
Spaulding, Albert M., 64th Inf.
Spencer, Jas. O., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 24, 1804.
Starks, Charles, enl. in spring of 1865.
Stephens, David H., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5,
1862, three years; disoh. Dec. 13, 1862.
Stone, Edwin, Co. E, 13th Art.; enl. Sept, 2, 1864;
disch. June 21, 1805.
Stone, Martin, 112th Inf.; enl. 1864.
Sweet, Langford, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861,
three years; served 16 months; disch. for disa-
bility; re-enl. Co. C, 13th Art., Aug. 13, 1864, one
year; diseh.
Truk, William, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. Feb. 20, 1864.
Van Namee, Charles, 37th Inf.; enl. 1861.
Ward, Osman, Co. A, Ibth Art.; enl. Aug. 31, 1804;
disch. June 21, 1865.
Washburn, Jackson A., 37th Inf.; enl. 1861.
Wescott, Anthony, enl. Dec. 22, 1864. three vears;
died at Conewango Jan. 21, 18(o, of disease con-
tracted in service.
West, Charles, 112th Inf.; enl. 1864.
White, James M., 112th Inf.; enl. 1,'*62.
Wilco.v, D. (no record found).
Wilkins, Franklin. Co. D. 179th Inf.; enl. Feb. 13. 1864.
Williams. Jackson, corp. Co. K, 9th Cav.: enl. Sept.
11, 1861, three years.
Woodford, Solomon, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 26,
1862, three years; pro. Corp.; disch. Mav 28, 1S6.5.
Worden, Edward Clinton, Co. B, 1.54tb'lnf.; enl.
Aug. 4, 1864, three years; wounded at Gettvsburg
July 1, 1863; died at Cuyier hospital Feb. 27, 1865.
Yarrington, Aury, Co. L, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 28,
1864, one year; trans, to navy; died in hospital
near Point of Rocks.
DAVTON.
Bacon, Eseck P., Co. B. 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 21. lwi2;
died in Andersonville prison May 5. l-ii4.
Badger, John W., 1st sergt. Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. m, 1802; pro. 2d lieut.; died in service June
4, 186:1.
Bailey, George, Co. K, l.Mth Inf.; enl. Aua-. 30, 1S)2;
disch. July, 1865.
Blair, Charles H., Co. H. 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.5. ls6l:
pro. Corp.; disch. at expiration of term.
Blair, William W., Co. K, 154th Int.; enl.8ept. li. 1S62;
pro. Corp.; disch. for disability.
■Brown, Charles F., Co. H, t-tth Inf., three years.
Coon, Sylvester, 111th Inf.; enl. Sept.. 1n>4; disch.
Sept., 1865.
Darbey, Albert, 1st lieut. Co. A, 64th Inf.: enl. Sept.
7, 1861, three years: disch. Oct., ls(v4.
Darbey, Henry H., (;o. A, 64th Inf.: enl. Sept. 20,
1861; killed at .Malvern Hill.
Darbey, Horace X., Co. K, IMtli Inf.; enl. .\iig. .30,
1862; disch. Aug., 1^65.
Darbey, John H., Co. H, 44th Inf.
Gregg, Adgate F., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Oct. 2, Isol;
pro. corn.; disch. in 1M)5.
Hagaden, Henry, Co. R. ir>4th Inf.; enl. July 2s. ls(i2.
three years.
Hall, Charles W., corp. Co. B, ir^tth Inf.: enl. Aug.
24, IstE; disch. Sept., 1.S6.5.
Hammond, David, Co. I, 187th Inf.: enl. Sept. 22,
1864. one year.
Haupt, Charles, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.: enl. Sept. 1. I'<ii2,
three years.
Hooker, Hull, Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. .■v.-pt. 15. |S6|-
killed in Seven Days' battle.
Hooker, Leroy J., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. net. 2. l.-iiil;
disch. in 1H62 for disability.
Howlett, Horace H., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.: enl. .Vu--. :J0,
1862; disch. Aug., lSi.5.
Hubbard, (ieorge. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.: enl. .\ug. :iO,
18*2, three years.
Hubbard, Philander W.,2d lieut. Co. K. 1.54tli Inf.;
enl. Sept. 16, 1862; disch. June, INJJ. for disability.
Hulett, Marcus, Co. K, ir>4th Inf.; enl. .Vug. 27. 1N62;
disch. in 186.5.
Hull, Samuel, Co. H, 112th Inf.: enl. Aug. 27, 1862;
killed at Petersburg. March :ii, l.'^U.
Hunt, Leonard L., (.'o. B, l.54th Inf.: enl. July 28,
1862; disch. Sept., Istti.
Inmanu, Burt, Co. H,44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1-5, 1861;
pro. Corp.; disch. in 1864.
Inmann, Harvey, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. :jO, 1862,
three years.
Johnson, Calvin S., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862; disch. June 27, 18(J4, of disease.
Johnson, Erwin E., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.5, 1861;
pro. Corp.; disch. at expiration of term.
Johnson, Gile N., sergt. Co, B, 154th Inf.; enl, July
28, 1862; disch. in May, 1864, for wounds.
Jolls, Jerome, Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9, 1861;
served 14 months.
Lafferty, Wiley, 64th Inf.; enl. Dec. 11, 1861; disch.
Feb., 1863.
Luce, Israel, Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15. 1861; disch.
at expiration of term.
2l6
History of Cattaral'gus County.
Markham, Aaron, 44th Inf.; enl. Jan., 1S62: killed at
Petersburg, June 19, IStU.
Markham, James, Co. H, 4ithlnf.; three .vears.
Markham, Sylvanus A., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15,
IStil; disch ; re-enl. in Sharpshooters.
Markham, Philo, corp. Co. U, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 3S,
1862; disch. Oct., l.'-'Uo.
Mathewson, David, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.: enl. July -S,
1862; disch. in Feb., 18ti5.
Mayer, John, Co. H. 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 18til;
killed at Fredericksbursj.
Merrill, Alva C, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 27, 1.502;
killed at Chancelloi-sville, Jlay 2, 1-*!.
Merrill, Oarzilla, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30. 1SI32;
killed in battle of Cbaucellorsville. May 3,186:3.
Merrill, Wilbur H., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1861;
pro. sergt.; disch. ate.xpiration of term.
Nash, Clayton S., i:3th Wis. Vols.; enl. May, 1802; ten
months in Cawhawber, Ala , prison.
Nash, Clinton D., Co. K, yth Cav.; enl. Sept. 11, 1861;
died at Yorktown, April, 1862.
Nash, E. Hart, Co. A, 64th Vols.; enl. Oct.. 1862.
Nash, Eugene A, Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1861;
2dlieut. Co. H; adiutant; capt. Co. I), July 11, 1862;
lieut-col. IT. S. C. T.; must, out Oct. 11, 1864.
Newcomb, George W., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.: enl. Aug. :30,
1862; starved to death in Libby prison.
Oaks, John, Co. K, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2S, VM2:
wounded at Cold Harbor and Fort Fisher; disch.
June, 1865.
Oaks, William K., 90th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1864; disch. in
i\lay, 1865.
Parks, Anson N., Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1862;
died at Chattanooga.
Prosser, Emmctt .M., Co. A. U4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20,
1861: disch. in 18ti4.
Randall, Harvey, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 130, 1862;
died ill service.
Randall, Henry, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26, 186;;
disch. Aug., 186.5.
Real, George, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. .\ug. 2, 1,862; disch.
in 186:5 tor wounds.
Robinson, Horace, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862;
disch. at e.icoiration of term.
Rice, Henry T., Co. H,'44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1861;
disch. in 1862 for wounds.
Schneider, George, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. :!0,
1862; disch. in March, 1864.
Seeker, William H., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. :50,
1.862; died in service Oct. 14, 1S6;5.
Shults, EdwHrd, Co. K. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. :30, 1SB2,
three years.
Shults, Julius C, sergt. :37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861;
wounded three times; disch. June 22, 186:5.
Stone, John S., Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 21. 1862;
killed in battle of Chancelloisville. May :3, 1.86:5.
Strickland, Chester, corp. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.,
18li2; disch. in Sept., 186:5,
Stewart, Ira B., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1861;
disch. in 1.804.
Ulmer, Jacob, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862;
disch. Oct., Wa.
Vosburgh, Emory K., corp. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; eul.
July 28, 1862; died Jan. 26, 180:5, of disease.
Wells, John L., Co. A, B4th Inf.; enl. Oct. 5, 1861; died
June 22, 1802, of wounds.
Wheelock, Theodore, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862; disch. in 186.5.
Wickham. Cullen, 112lhlnf.; enl. Aug.. 1862; disch. in
1865.
Wiaand, Frederick, Co. K, 154th Inf.; eul. Aug. 30,
1862; discli. in 186:5.
Wilson, Thomas, 115th Inf.; enl. Jan. 4,1804; disch. in
July, 1805.
Wolf, William, Co. K, 154th Inf.; eul. Aug. 30, 1862;
disch. in 1.865.
EAST OTTO.
Andrews, Edson A., must. 1804, one year; died at
Danville prison Jan. 11, 1805.
Andrews, George W., bugler Co. F, 9th Cav.; must.
Oct. 3, 1801, three years.
Andrews, Jerome A.. 1st sergt. Co. I. 37th Inf.: must.
May 20, 1861, two years; wounded at Chancellors-
ville; re-enl. in lH4lh Inf. in 1805; pro. Istlieuf.
Bacon, William S., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. May 25.
1801, three years.
Ballon. James M., Co. L, 2d Mtd. Rifles; enl. Jan. 23,
18(U, three vears.
Barlow. Frederick, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. .5, 1862,
three veai-s.
Barnhart, Henry, Co. B, 9th N. Y. Regt.; died on
board vessel on the way to Annapolis.
Bartholomew-, Almon, Co. B, 9ch Cav.; must. Oct. 3,
ISil, three years.
Bartholomew, Leman, sergt. Co. A, ;50th 111.; must.
Aug. 5, 1861, three years; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1864, same
regt. and company; pro. sergt.
Bates, Frank, Co. D, 9th Cav.; must. Sept.2, 1864, one
vear.
Beach, Robert C, Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 2:3, IS.'Jl,
ihree years.
Beach. William A., 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 9, 18f4, one
year.
Beetle. Edwin F., sergt. Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 2,
1862. three years; re-enl. as sergt. Co. D, same
regt., Sept. 2, 1864.
Blowei-s. Truman D., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 2,
18<i2. three years.
Bowen. Ellas, Jr., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24.
1.802. three years.
Bradley, Charles, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862.
three years; died at Annapolis, Sept. 28, 180:3.
Bradley. Warren. Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1802.
three vears; died at Fredericksburg, Va., Jan. 1.
l.'^y.
Buchanan. James, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1804.
one year.
Cadv. John, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 9. 1.864. one jear;
died at Evansville, Ind., Feb. 21, 186.5.
Cady. Levi. Co. C, 04th .Inf.; must. Oct. 1.5, 1.861, three
veai s; died of fever at Shipping Point, Va., April
20. 1<02.
Colvin. Mark, Co. D, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 2, 1864, one
year.
Co.<. .Nelson, corp. Co. C, G4th Inf.; must. Sept. 24.
1>'61. three years.
Co.v, Sylvester E., Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Oct. 14, 1861,
three years.
Ditcher. John, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 25, 1862,
thrte years.
Dresser. Harlan C, Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 2:3.
I'^il. thn e j'eais.
Dunbar. William H., Co. D. 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 9.
IN>4. one year.
Dutcher, Fayette, Co. B. 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 20,
l'^i2. three years; killed at Fairfa.v Court House.
Edmonds. Austin, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Sept.. 1861,
three years; died in Salistiury prison.
Gallagher. Andrew, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Sept. 16.
1861, three years; wounded in head at Freder-
icksburg.
Cioodricb, Alonzo, Co. I, :57th Inf.; must. May 20.
ISU. two years; wounded at Chancelloi-sville,
.Mav 4. 18li:5; re-enl. as sergt. Co. F, 194th Regt.. in
Felj.. 18»i5.
Goodrich. Franklin L., Co. B, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.
25. 1Sj2, three years; taken prisoner at Gettys-
burg in July, 180:5, and died of starvation in An-
dersonville, July 8, 18M.
Goodrich, Orestes H., Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 23,
1801. three years.
Goss. Warren, Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 3, 1801,
three years; pro. ord. sergt.; re-enl. Jan., 1864,
same regt. and co.; killed at Chantilly, 1804.
firinols. Harvey, Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 3, 1801,
three years.
Hammond, Samuel F. (no record found).
Harman, SetU M., Co. C, 04th Inf.; must. Oct. 1.5,
1-801, three years; pro. sergt. Sept. 15, 1802; re-enl.
18i>5. three years; wounded in battle of Wilder-
ness. May 10, 1804.
Harrison, Jesse S., Co. D, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 9.
1804, one year.
Hauck. Jeremiah, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 26,
1802. ihree years.
Hawkins, John, Jr., Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 2,
1862, three years; re-enl. Co. D, same regt., Sept.
2, 1804.
Hawkins. William, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862. three years; taken prisoner at Gettysburg,
July 2. 1.80:5; contlned at Belle Isle and Savannah
seven months, at Andersonville nine months,
CampMillen one month; e.Ychanged Nov. 19, 1864.
Hicks, Clark, Co. D, 0th Cav.; must. Sept. 2, 1804.
Roster ov Soldiers and Sailors.
217
Hinman, Truman, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 9.
I81U, three years.
Huffstater, Francis, Co. B, l.>tthlnf.; must. Sept. ii,
IsiG, three years.
Hull, Francis H., Co. B, 9th Cav.; mu.st. Oct. 23, IStil.
three years.
Jackson, John, drum-major Co. I, 37th Inf.; must.
Jlay 20, l.S(jl, two years.
Kelly, Poltus, Co. B, l">lth Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1*2.
three years.
Klump, Georife, Co. I, 37th Inf.; must. May 20. Isil.
two yen rs.
Langhaus, John, corp. Co. H, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.
9, ISW, three years.
Larabee, Cyrus, 4!)th Inf.; enl. Sept. G, IStil, three
years; died at Philadelphia, Julv I'.l, 1802.
Larkin, Orville L., Co. G, 154tli Inf.; must. Sept. 2.
18t>4, one year.
Lincoln, William H., 2d lieut. Co. B, 1.54th luf.; enl.
Aug. .s, 18*12, three years; re-eul. as private in lOth
Cav., Oct., urn.
Lines, Stephen H., Co. D, 72d Inf.; must. June 20.
l."*)!!, three yeai-s.
Morcy, U'illiam, corp. Co. I, 37th Inf.; must. May '!».
1»U1, two yeai's; died at .\nnapolis. May 16, liM2.
Morrow, Lafayette, Co. I, 37tli Inf.; must. May 20.
18B1, two yeai's; killed at Williamsburg-, Va., -May
5, lK(i2.
Myei's, William E., Co. A, ilth Cav.; must. Sept. '.1.
imn, one year.
Orr, Amherst L., corp. Co. B, !)th Cav.; must. iict.
—J, 18111, three years.
Orr, CJeorge F., Co. .V, !<th Cav.; must. Sept. !i, InU.
one year.
Orr, John W., Co. C, Mth Inf.; must. Oct. 1.5, ISJl.
three years; killed whil<! on picket dutj' at An-
tietam, Sept. 18, 1S(,2.
Oyer, Major A., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 2H.
ls(;2, three years.
Perkins, JIarsball A., Co. B, 1.54tli Inf.; must. Auif.
x, 181)2, three years; pro. 2d ser^t.; died at Jetfer-
sonville, Ind.
Perkins, William H., Co. I!, 1.54tli Inf.; must. Sept. '■>.
18iH, one year.
Pratt, Charles E., Co. A, nth Cav.; must. Oct. 2, ISH.
one .year.
Pratt, Jackson M., Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 3, 1861,
three years; died of fever at Yorktown, Va., .Mav
1, 1862.
Pratt, .Martin M, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24.
1862, three years.
Satterlee, Oel U., Co. K,9th Cav.; must. Sept. 2, ISjjt.
one year; appointed co. blacksmith Jan. 1, 186.5.
Satterlee, Zena, Co. A, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 2. ls<u,
one y(!ur; died at Harper's Ferry, Feb. 26, 186.5.
Schiippenhauer, John. Co. C, 13th H. A.; eul. Aujj.
24, 186:J, three years.
Scott, .Marshall E., Co. B, 9tli Cav.; must. Oct. 23,
1861, three years.
Secoiiib, Henry, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Slocum, J. Newton, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Sept. 23,
1861, three years.
Slocum, Nathan J., Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Sept. 2:1,
1861, three years.
Smith, Francis, Co. A. 9th Cuv.; must. Sept. 9, 1864,
one year.
Spaulding, Henry M., Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Oct. 14,
18»jl, three years.
Tardea, John, Co. I, 64th Inf.; killed al Spotsylva-
nia Court House.
Thurber, Joel, Co. B, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 9, 1864,
one year.
Tracy, Hiram, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Oct. 15, 1861,
three years; wounded at Spotsylvania Court
House, May 12, 1864.
Tracy, Sylvester, Co. E, 72d Int.; must. June 20, 1S61,
three years; wounded May 5, 1864, at Spotsylva-
nia Court House.
Urelff. Henry, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years; pro. Corp.; died of disease contracted
in service.
Vannatta, Elias, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Oct. 15, 1861,
three years; died of wounds at Fair Oaks, June 1,
1862.
Vannatta, William, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Oct. 15,
1861, three yeai^s; prisoner June, 1864, to April,
186.5.
28
Wickham, Levant, Co H, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 9,
1884, one year.
Wickham, Thomas, Co. D, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 9,
1864, one year.
Wickham, William T., Co. I, 37th Inf.; must. May 20,
1861, three years; pro. corp.; killed at Chancel-
lorsville.
Wilson, Garrett, corp. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept.
21), 1862, three years.
Wilson, Perry, Co. L, 2d N. Y. Mtd. Kitles; enl. Nov.,
ISa. three years; shot throujrh the head in front
of Petersbui-H-. July 31, 1864.
Win;:, .Vsa S., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862,
three years.
Woodruff, Albert, Co. B, 9th Cav.; must. Oct. 3, 1861,
three years; severely wounded in left let; in bat-
tle of Wilderness.
Woodruff, Joel W., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 9,
1864, one year; died at Goldsborouyh, March, 186.5.
Worden, Asa, Co. C, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 0, 1864, one
year.
ELLICOTTVILLE.
Abers, Garret, Co. I, 37th Inf.
Aeman, Fred, Co. E, 5th <_'av.
Aeman, John, Co. E, 5th Cav.
.\llen, Uaniel B., capt. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug-. 16,
1862, three ycais; pro. major; lieut. -col.
Andrews, Jerome A., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861,
two \ears.
Baillet, Geor;re W., 1st lieut. Co. I, 37ili Inf.; enl.
-5Iay 9, 1861, two years.
Bailey, Harry L., musician Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May
9, 1861, two yeai-s.
Batt, William, Co. I, 37th Inf.; wounded at Williams-
bui-^'.
Bentley, Byron H., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. .May 9, 1861,
two years; taken prisoner at Richmond.
Bing-hum, Daniel (1., lieut.-col. 64th Inf.; pro. to
col.; must, in Nov. 1.5, 1861, for three years or
during' war.
Bird, .VIe.vander, corp. Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; pro. 1st
lieut; must. Sept. 24, 1862, three years.
Bird, James W., seijft. Co. d, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept.
24, 1S<J2, three years.
Bird, William, Jr., ord.-scryt. Co. 1, 37th Inf.: enl.
Jlay 9, 1861, two years; pro. lieut.; rc-enl. 179th
Int.; pro. capt.
Bishop, Georac, Co. I, 37tli Inf.; killed.
Bli^'htuu, Henry, Co. G, 1.54th inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Bolies, H. E., Pa. re;,^.
Bryant, Hamilton T., corp. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May
9, 1861, two years.
Bryant, Levi D., Co. G, l.>tth Inf.; must. Oct., 1804.
Burlin^'ame, Victor U., Co. A, 154tli Inf.; must. Sept.
24, i»62, three years.
Calkins, James, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Any. 8, 1862,
three years.
Clark, William T., capt. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1801, two years.
Cochrane, Au^'ustus, Co. G, 154th Inf.
Coit. Gordon, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
years; re-enl. in 2d Mtd. Kitles.
Conklin, Benjamin H., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Cooley, Charles H., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Cooley, Ebenezer M., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept.
34, 1862, three years.
Cotter, Andrew, 37th Inf.; killed in action.
Crosby, Alauson, 2d lieut. Co. A, 154th Int.; must.
Sept. 26, 1862, three years; pro. 1st lieut.; capt.;
died between Atlanta and Chickamauga of
wounds.
Devine, Owen, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
years.
Dolph D. W., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years.
Earle, William H., corp. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Ehman, Christian, Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1861,
three years.
Ehman, Fred J., Jr., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1861,
three years.
Fedi.ic, George (no record).
Firman, , 100th Kegt.
!l8
History of Cattaraugus County.
Fish, Nelson H., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1S62,
three yeare.
Fisk, Nelson H., Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 19, 1S62,
three years.
Goodspeed, George, corp. Co. G, 154th Inf.; must.
Sept. 24, 1862, three years.
Gregory, George M., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, IStil,
two years; killed,
Groat, Esley, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must Sept. 24, 1S02,
three veara.
Groat, John, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1S62,
three years.
Hall, Walter, 37th Inf.; pro. to lieut.; re-enl. in 5tb
Cav.; pro. to col.
Hames, Theodore C, wagoner Co. A, 154th Int.;
must. Sept. 24, IStti, three yeai-s.
Harmon, Clarence, 1st. lieut. Co. H, 37th Inf.
Harmon, Luke G., capt. Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May
IB, 1861, two years.
Harrington. Edwin T„ Co. F, 154th Inf.
Harrington, H. B., Co. F, 151th Inf.; must. July, 1862.
Harvey, George \V., Co. G, 14th Art.: enl. Oct. 28,
1863.
Hicks, Frankhn, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Hopkins, Alonzo, Co. I, 37th Inf.
Hopkins, George G., Co. Cr, 154th Inf.; must.. Sept.
24, 1862, three yeiirs.
Huntley, Henry, 37th Inf.; killed at Williamsburg.
Huntley, Silas S., sergt. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two j'ears; pro. 1st lieut.
Jackson, John, musician Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May
9, 1861, two yeai-s; re-enl. Co. D, 179th Int., Marcn
11, 18tit.
Johnson, Bvrou, ord.-sergt. Co. I, 37th Inf.; pro.
1st sergt. Co. A, l.Mth Inf., July 21, 1862; pro.
2d lieut., assigned to Co. B; trans, to Co. I, July,
1863; pro. capt. Co. F, Oct., 1864.
Johnson, William H., musician Co. A, 154th Inf.;
must. Sept. 24, 18tj2, three years.
Jones, Patrick H., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 16, 1861;
pro. 2d lieut.; adjt.; major; col. 154th Inf.; brig.-
general.
Kingsley, N. A., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years.
Kingsiey, T. N., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years.
Kingsiey, Warren, corp. Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.
24, 18(;2, three yeai-s; killed at Chancellorsville.
Klumpp, W. W., Co. 1,37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
years.
Lamb, Moses B., Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
ls<i2, three years.
Lewis, Sidney M., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 7, 1863,
three years.
Longhaus, John, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.
Low, Henry A., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861; re-
enl. Co. F, 9th Cav.
Matteson, Charles H., hospital steward, 154th Inf.;
must. Sept. 26, 18<i2, three years.
Maybe, A. (colored), 20th Conn. Inf.
McCadden, Kichard J., sergt. Co. G, 154th Inf.; must.
Sept. 24, l.*2, three years.
Mclnery, John, 179th Inf.; (not on original muster-
in-rolls).
Miekle, Benjamin, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Morris, Ebenezer H., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861.
Morris, James, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 18U1, two
years.
Mulholland, WiUiam, Co. G, 154th Inf.: must. Sept.
24, 1862, three years.
Nelson, John, Co. 1, 13th H. A.
Noyes, Samuel C, Jr., adj. 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 26,
18«J2, three years; killed at Chancellorsville, May
3, 186:j.
Nye, Cornelias, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years.
Oakes, Hiram. Co. I, .37th Inf.
Oyer, Clark, sergt. Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Pettit, Amos, sutler Co. G, 1.54th Inf.
Pettit, George W., Co. G, 154th Inf.
Pettit, Joshua K., corp. Co. A, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.
24, 1862, three years.
Potter, Charles B., sergt. Co. I, 37th Inf.; re-enl. as
1st. Ueut. Co. F, 194ih Int.; pro, to capt. same co.
and regt.
Prine, Israel D., Co. 1, 37th Inf.; enl. May H, 1861, two
years; (missing).
Pryor, Peter (no record).
Kazey, Lorenzo L., corp. Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 26,
1861, three years.
Keed, I)e Forest, Co. G, 154th Inf.; must. Oct., 1864,
three j-ears.
Rice, Addison G., col. 154th Inf.; must, in Sept. 26,
1862, resigned as soon as regt. reached Washing-
ton.
Kider, G. M., 179th Inf. (not on original muster-in-
roUs).
Boot, Marvin J., Co. G, lo4th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years.
Rowland, Bradley, Co. G, 1,54th Inf.; enl. July 28, 1862,
three years.
Rowland, Hiram (no record).
Sa.\ton, B. Leonard, capt. Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; must.
Sept. 26, 1862, three years; re-enl. in 179th Regt. as
1st. lie\it.; killed in front of Petersburg.
Shankland, Uobert H., Jr., qrm., 5th. Cav.
Sheffield, Henry (colored).
Sheffield, J. M. (colored), Co. F, 4.3d Pa. Inf.
Sheffield, Wesley (colored).
Shelnor, Sanford, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.
Shultz. Charles. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861.
Shultz, Julius C, sergt. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Snow, Freeman, Co. I, 37th Inf.: enl. May 9, 1861, two
years; wounded and taken prisoner.
Stevens, Perry, Co. 1, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
years.
Stuart, J. Hadley, hospital steward Co. 1, 37th Inf.;
enl. May 9, 1861, two years; died of fever at For-
tress Monroe.
Towsley, George H.. Co. H, 37th Inf.; killed at Chan-
cellorsville, May 3, 1863.
Trivett, ComtantS., 2d lieut. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May
9, 1861, two years.
Turner, Jerome, Co. G, 154th Inf.
Turner, Philo C, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861;
killed in action.
Vallelly, James L., sergt. Co. C, 164th Inf.; enl. Aug.
28, 1862, three years.
Vaughan, Abraham, Co. A, 188th Regt.; died in hos-
pital at Washington, of a lever, Aug. 19, 1864.
Vedder, Commodore P., 1st lieut. Co. G, 154th Inf.;
must. Sept. 26, 1862, three years.
Vinton, Wm. F., Co. A, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Wickham, Wm., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
years.
Williams, George P., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Wilson, Wm., Co. G, 154th Inf.: must. Sept. 24, 1862.
Wood, David H., Jr., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Woodard, Samuel, corp. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Wort, De Witt C, 179th Inf. (not on original rauster-
in-rolls).
FARMERSVILLE.
Adams, Albert, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861.; disch. at
expiration of term.
Adams, David, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861: died of
disease in 1862.
Adams, Edward, Co. D, 81st Inf.; enl. 1865.
Alexander, Bradley, Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. 1861;
wounded; re-enl.; taken prisoner.
Alexander, Nelson, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1862; wound-
ed at Fredericksburg; disch.
Austin, Daniel, sergt. Co. K, 94th Inf.; enl. 1862;
wounded; disch.
Austin, Xina, navy; landsman. Undine; enl. 1864;
died in Mound City, 111., Jan. 11, 186.5.
Bannister, Adam C, navy; seaman. Flambeau; enl.
1861; disch. June, 1862.
Bard, Samuel, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. 1863,
for disability.
Blackman, James A., Co. D, 13th H. A.; enL 1863;
disch at close of war.
Brown, A. A., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. at
close of war.
Brown, George R., Co. D, 81st Inf.: enl. 1865; disch.
at close of war.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
219
Bullock, Horace W., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. 18G3;
disch. at close of war.
Bush. .John, sergt. Co. D, L^ith Int.; enl. l.%2;
wounded at Gettysburg: disch. at close of war.
Bush, l{oht., Co. 1, 71st Inf.; enl. 1801; taken prisoner;
exchanged; disch. at expiration of term.
Byiugton, Norton, Co. E, .5th Cav.; enl. 1861; re-enl.;
wounded; disch at close of war.
Cady, George, Co. D, 8l3t Inf.; enl. 1S0.J; disch. at
close of war.
Caprwin, George H., sergt. Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. 1862;
disch. after ten months' service.
Carpenter, Adelbert, sergt. Co. D, 0-tth Inf.; enl. 1S61;
wounded May, 1861; disch. Nov., 1864.
Carpenter, Leonard, navy; landsman. Undine; onl.
mU; disch. June, 1865.
Carpenter, Levi, Co. D, 61th Inf.; enl. 1861; killed at
Gettysliurg.
Cleveland, Freeman, Co. D, 61th Inf.; enl. 1862; diseh.
at closi! of war.
Coly. David, Co. D, 61tb Inf.; enl. 1862; wounded at
Fredericksburg; died.
Conrad, Henry A , Co. D, 16l.st Inf.; enl. 1864; wound-
ed; Misch. at close of war.
Conrad, Henry C, Co. D, 161st Inf.; enl. 1864; wound-
ed; died Sept. 5, 1864.
Conrad, Justin M., Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1862; disch.
at close of war.
Day, Daniel, Co. D, 64th InL; enl. 1861; wounded
Ave times in battle of Fair Oak.«.
Day. \Vm., Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1863; disch. Jan., 1864.
Dennison, W'm. A., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1862.
Durkee, Alson, Co. B, 2:jd Inf.; enl. 186U disch. at
exuiration of term.
Eckert, Jerman A., Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1863; disch.
after six months' service.
Evans, William, Co. I, 71st Inf.; enl. 1.861; disch. at
expiration of term.
Frasier, Spencer M., Co. D, 64th Int.; enl. 1863;
wounded at Chancellorsville; died of disease
Feb. 28, 1864.
Frasier, Wallace, sergt. Co. D, 64th Inf.; disch. at
close of war.
Giles, James T., Co. B, 2d Mtd. RiHcs; enl. 186:!; disch.
at close of war.
Hayford, .Mortimer D., Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861;
killed in battle of Fair Oaks.
Hayford, Wallace \V.. sergt. Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl.
1S62; disch. at close of war.
Henry, William, navy; landsman, I'aic Paiv; enl.
18<)4; disch. June, 1865.
Herrick, Edward, Co. U, 2d Mtd. Rilles; eul. 186.3;
disch. at close of war.
Holmes, C. VV., navy; landsman, Hiuilnta; enl. 1864;
disch. June, 186.5.
Hoopi.r, Jolin, corp. Co. F, 5th Cav.; enl. 1861; disch.
at expiration of term.
Howard, Francis, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1862; killed at
Gettysburg.
Howard, Thomas, navy; landsman, Uinliiic; enl. 1864;
disch. at close of war.
Hudson, Charles, Co. D, 64th Inf.; eul. 1861; died of
disease April 4, 1862.
Hudson, Geo., Co D, 64th Int.; enl. 1861; disch. 1863.
Hunt, Nathaniel T., Co. D. 64th Int.; enl. 1861;
wounded June 17. 1864; disch. Dec, 1864.
Kingsbury, James H., sergt. Co. D, U4th Inf.; enl.
1861; disch. June, 1864.
Kingsbury, Otis, Co. B, 2:id Int.; enl. May 16, 1861,
two years; re-enl. 1st sergt. Co. L), 13th H. A.,
June 11, 186:J, three years; pro. 2d lieut.;. must.
out at close of war.
Kin.'sbury, Percival, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861; disch.
1862; re-enl. in 13th H. A.; disch. at close of war.
Knight, Alfred E., Co. K, 105th Int.; enl. 1862; in An-
dcrsonville prison; died at Annapolis, Md., April
6, 1865.
Leon, Patrick, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861; wounded at
Fiiir Oaks; died of wounds at Philadelphia.
Lewis, Guy C, sergt. Co. D, 64th Inf.; eul. 1861; trans.
to V. K. C; disch.; re-enl.
Lewis, Kalph, Co. D, U4tli Inf.; eul. 1861: disch; re-enl.
Lewis, Stillman E., Co. M,13th H. A.; enl. 1864; disch.
at e.xpliJition of terra.
Little, Adelbert W., Co. K, 94th Inf.; enl. 1864;
wounded at Hatcher's Hun.
Little, Frederick M., sergt. Co. I, 71st Inf.; enl. 1861;
disch. at close of term.
Little, Henry, Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. 1SG2; disch at
close of war.
Little, Waller N., wagoner Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. 1862;
disch. at close of war.
Manwaring, Civilian, corp. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1862;
disch. for disability 186:3.
Martin, Hiram A., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. 1862; disch.
at close of war.
Meade. Joe, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861; disch. at expi-
ration of term.
Merrill, Emmet W., Co. B, 23d Inf.; enl. 1861; disch.
at e-vpiration of term.
Merrill, Henry S., Co. B, 23d Inf.; enl. 1861; disch at
e.xpiration of term.
Merrill, John B., Co. D, 64th Inf.; eni. 1861; killed at
Fair Oaks.
Nichols, John, sergt. Co. D, 64th lut.; enl. 1861; disch.
at e.xpiration ot term.
Nicholus, Ormus, Co. B, 2d Mtd. Rifles; enl. 1.863;
killed while on picket duty June 2, 1864.
Osborn, Franklin, sergt. Co. D, 64th Int.; enl. 1861;
wounded at Chancellorsville; disch. at e.xpira-
tion of term.
Parrish, Zabad, Co. D, 64th Int.; enl. 1862; disch. after
six months' service.
Patterson, Henry L., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1862; died
of disease Jan. 9, 1803.
Patterson, Nathaniel, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; eul. 1862;
disch. at close of war.
Peet, Abram A., 2d lieut. Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1862;
pro. Nov., 1864; disch at close of war.
Peet, Silas (no record).
Persons, Daniel D., navy; landsman, Pcxii' Pair; enl.
1.8(>4; disch. June, 186.5.
Potter, Augustus, enl. 1865; disch. at close of war.
Potter, Stanley N., sergt. Co. K, 1st Mtd. Rifles; eul.
18*52; re-enl. 1864; disch. atcloseof war.
Pratt, Adelbert A., Co. H, 93d Int.; enl. 1865; disch.
at close ot war.
Pratt, Truman C. (no record).
Ray. James, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1862; wounJed at
Gettysburg; died Aug. 6, 1863.
Rhodes, William M , Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1.861; died
ot disease at Vorktowu, Va.
Robbins, Albert W., corp. Co. A, .85th Inf.; enl. 1861;
re-enl.; disch. at close, of war.
Robbins, Egbert W., Co. B, 2d Mtd. Rifles; enl. 186.3;
killed while on picket duty Aug. i:!, 1864.
Robbins, Milton H., sergt. Co. D, 64th Int.; enl. 1862;
wounded at Fredericksburg; killed before
Petersburg, Va., 1864.
Sessions. Albert, navy; landsman. Undine; enl. 1864;
died in Clarksville, Tenn.
Sessions, Luther M., Co. D, 2d H. A.; enl. 1864; died ot
disease at Elmira, 1864.
Stevenson, Loreii W., (lo. D,64th Inf.; enl. 1.861; died
of disease Aug. 8, 1863.
Tyler, Franklin, Co. B, 2d Mtd. RiUes; enl. 186:3;
disch. at close of war.
Valentine, Foster, navy; landsman. Undine; enl. 1864;
disch. July, 1865.
Wade, Henry, 1st. sergt. Co. D, 9th Cav.: enl. 1863;
wounded at Winchester; disch. April, 186.5.
Watkius, Loroy C, Co. D, 64th Int.; enl. 1.^61;
wounded; disch.
Watkins, Romanzo, Co. B, 2d Mtd. Ritles; enl. 1804;
disch. at close of war.
Wheeler, Thaddeus, navy; landsman, Paw Paw; enl.
1.8(M; disch. June, 186.1
Wickwire, Hiram L., 13th H. A ; died of disease Feb.
10, 1865.
Woithington, Giles M., sergt. Co. B, 2a Mtd. Ritles;
enl. 186:!; disch. at close of war.
Worthington, Henry, Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. 1861;
wounded at Fair Oaks; disch.
Worthington, Jacob, navy; landsman, Paio Paw; enl.
1S64; disch. June, 180.5.
Worthington, Sylvester, navy; landsman, Undine;
eul. 1864; shipwrecked: wounded; taken prisoner;
rescued by Union soldiers.
Wright, Orrin, Co. H, Wid Int.; enl. 1865; disch.
FRAN KLIN VILLE.
Adams, David, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years; died ot disea.se contracted in service.
Adams, George W.; navy; must. Sept., 1864, one year;
died of disease contracted in service.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Bard, Robert, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov., 1S61, three
years.
Bard, Samuel P., musician Co. D, 154th Inf.; must.
1862, three years.
Benedict, Wm. H., l.ith Cav.; must. Feb., 1864, three
years; died of disease March, 1864.
Bond, .Marshall O., 1st lieut. Co. D, 154th Inf.; must.
1863, three years; resigned in >larch, 1863.
Bowen, Azine F., 105th Inf.; must. 1S61, three years.
Bowen, Judson, loth Cav.; must. Feb., 1864, three
years.
Brigg-s. Gilbert, 2d Inf.; must. June, 1861, two j'enrs.
Rurlingarae, Addison G., 64th Inf.; must. June, 1861,
three years; pro. sergt.; wounded at Williams-
burg, Va
Burrows, Jasper, loth Cav.; must. Feb., 1864, three
years.
Carey, Howard, 15th Cav.; must. Feb., 1864, three
years; wounded near New Creek, Va.
Chirk, Henry, Co. D, lo4th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863,
tnree years; trans, to Invalid Corps.
Cline, Elisha, Jr., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. June, 1861,
three years.
Copeland, James,' Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. Au^-., 1862,
three years.
Corthill, Barzilla, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1883, three
years.
Currie, John, 71st Inf.; must. June, 1861, three years.
Curtiss, Azor, 89th Inf.; must. June, 1861. three
years; wounded and taken prisoner at Sharps-
burg. Sept., 1863; paroled on the field; disch. on
account of wounds; re-enl. Sept., 1864, in 188th
Inf.; pro. to lieut.
Curtis, James, Co. I, 7th Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
yeai-s; re-enl. in 188th Inf.; pro. to capt.; wound-
ed at Dutch Gap, and was present at surrender of
Gen. Lee.
Day, JIarvin G., Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1862,
three years.
Day, Orlando F., 21st Inf.; mu^t. June, 1861, two
years; died at Alexandria, Aug., 1864, from
wounds.
Dickinson, Solomon, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1.
1861, three years; served two years; re-enl. as
veteran.
Diltz, Gilbert, Co. D, 15Uh Inf.; must. Aug., 1862,
three yeai-s; pro. to sergt.; killed in battle of
Rocky Face Ridge, Ga.
Dolph, Wesley, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863, three
years; died at Annapolis from disease contracted
in Libby prison.
Drewry, Ebenezer, 105th Inf.; must. Oct., 1861, three
years. ^
Dwyer, Joseph, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863, three*
years.
Elmer, .Vustin W., navy; must. Sept.. 1864, one year;
died of disease contracted in service.
Farrall, Michael, 64th Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
years.
Fay, Warren R., Co. L. 15th Cav.; must. Feb., 1864,
three years; trans, to Invalid Corps and died in
Washington, Sept., 1865.
F'ish, William, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years; served two yeai-s; re-enl. as veteran.
Fitch, Charles, 64th Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
years; served one jear and died of disease con-
tracted in service.
Fitch, John O., 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863, three
years.
Frazer, James, Jr., navy; must. Aug., 1864, one year.
I[a!e, Hinun, Co. K, 85tli Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
yeur.s.
Hall, William, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863,
three years; trans, to Invalid Corps.
Harvey, Lyman, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. No%'. 1, 1861,
thrieyeai-s; died at Ale.\andria, Va., Aug., 1863,
of disease.
Hatfield, Wm., 188th Inf.; must. .\ug., 1864, one year.
Hayden, Augustin F., Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. I,
1861, three years; pro. to capt., and trans, to Gen.
Pleasiinton's staff as A. A. A. G.; thence to Gen.
Sheridan's staff with rank of major.
Hill, Henry, 154th Int.; must. Aug., 1863, three years;
pro. to color-sergt.
Hill, HoUis W., Co. Iv, 85th Inf.; must. June, 1861,
three years; wounded at Fair t)aks. Va.
Hogg, Wm., navy; gunboat, I\iw I'aw: must. Sept.,
1864, one j'car.
Hotchkiss, Orange, 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug., 1862,
thr- e years.
Hotchkiss, Stepheu, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1862,
three years.
Howard, Wallace, Co. H, 14th Cav.; must. Nov., 1863,
three years.
Howard, Webster, Co. D, 15th Cav.; must. Feb., 1864,
three years.
Jones, Henry, 154th Inf. (not on original muster-in
rolls of regt.)
Jones, Oliver, 154th Inf. (not on original muster-in
rolls of regt.).
Jones, Thomas, 1.54th Inf. (not on original muster-in '
rolls of regt ).
Kerr, Richard W., ISSth Inf.; must. Aug., 1864, one
year.
Laidlaw, Wm. G., navy; gunboat Tawa: must. Sept.,
1861, one year.
Latham. Russel, navy: gunboat Taiva; must. Sept.
1864, one year; died in hospital at Clarksvitle
Tenn., Dec. 33, 1864.
Lawrence, Dalliis, &4th Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
years; re-eul. Jan.. 1864. in 15th N. Y. Cav.
Lawrence, Joseph, Jr., 64th Inf.; must. June, 1861,
three years.
Lawrence, William, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1.
1861, three years; died in service at York, Pa ,
Dec. 26, 1861.
Lean, Timothy, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years; re-enl. as veteran.
Little, James, Co. I. 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years; served two years; re.enl. as veteran;
pro. to com. -sergt.
Lowe, Judson, sergt. Co. B, 0th Cav.; must. Oct. 1,
1861, three years: pro. to 3d lieut. Dec, 1863; died
in Seminary Hospital, Washington, I>. C, Nov.
19, 186;3, from wounds received at Brandy Station.
Marsh, Staley, Co. I. 71st Inf.; must. June, 1861. three
years.
McAtleo, John, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years; killed in battle and buried on the
field.
McClure, Fayette, lieut. Sign.il Corps; must. 1861.
McClure, Freeman, corp. Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov.
1, 1S91, three years; disch. after one year by icason
of injuries received.
McClure, .lohn, Co. 1, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years; transferred to the command of Gen.
Sheridan and mortally wounded at Winchester.
McClure, John H., 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863, three
years; pro. to sergt.
McClure, Leonard 1).. 2l3t Inf.; must. June, 1861, two
years; re-enl. in 15th N'. Y. Cav.
McMahon, Patrick, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1,
1861, three years: died in Aug., 1863, of disease
contracted in service.
McNall, Thomas E., Co. L6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1661,
three years; pro. to sergt.; killed at Brandy Sta-
tion in Oct., 186:1.
McStay, James, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1862. three
years.
Miller, John, 1.54th Inf.: must. Aug., 1862, three years.
Morgan, James, Co. K, ivith Inf.; must. June, 1861,
three yea r^.
JIorrisoM, Alfred. 64th Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
years.
Nichols, James, navy: must. Sept., 1864, one jear.
Noyes, Emory, 154th Inf.; must. Aug., 1863, three
years; killed at Chaiicellorsville, May 3, 186;J.
Oakes, Eli L. mo record).
Oakes, Elijah, 188th Inf.; must. A.ug., 1864, one year.
Older, James M., 3d Inf.; must. June, 1861, two years.
Older, JIarvin, sergt. Co. I, 6th N. Y. Cav.; must.
Nov. 1, 18til, three years; com. -sergt. .Jan., 1863;
wounded at Chancellorsville; taken prisoner and
sent to Libby prison; e.xchanged and rejoined
regt. June, 1863; detacntni from regt. Aug. i, 1863,
by order of Secretary of War, and detailed as
clerk in Ord. Dept.. Cav. Bureau.
Older, Robert !•;., 71st Inf., Sickels' Brigade; must.
Jan., 1861, three years; killed in battle June 18,
1864.
Older, William M., Co. L, 15ch Cav.; must. Feb. 9,
1864, three years; wounded and captured by Mos-
by at Front Ko.val, .\Iay2K, 1864; sent tn Ander-
sonville, Ga., and died of starvation Aug. 8, 18<W.
Patterson, William, 15th Cav.; must. Feb., 1864, ihiee
years.
Roster of Soldiers axd Sailors.
Perry, James. Tlst Inf.; must. .Tune, 18G], three years.
Phillips, David. Co. I. 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1)<U1,
three vears: killed near White House iu Va.,
June, 1WW.
Phillips. William W., sergt. Co. I, 6th Cav.; must.
Nov., ISU. three years; pro. lieut. Dec., 18C3; mor-
tally -svounded at Beverly's Ford in June, 1S6;3,
and died at Seminary Hospital.
Plumb, .M., 1.54th Inf.; must. Auy.. 15G2, three years;
died of disease contracted in service.
Poll man, Harrison, 1.5th Cav.; must. Feb., 1SC4, three
years.
Preston, Edward, 5th Cav.; must. Nov., l.''6I, three
vears.
Prin;,'Ie, William, Co. C, 104th Inf.; must. Oct., 1,-^ni,
three years: wounded at Co'.d Harbor and left on
tlie Held.
Putnam. Joseph M. C, ISSth Inf.; must. Ausr., l'«4,
one year.
Keyiiolds, liiiel, navy; must. Sept., ISiU, one year;
died of disease contracted in service.
Ko;;ers, Mai-shall, Co. D. KHtli Inf.; nuist. Oct. 9, isiil,
three years: p'O. to 1st lieut. Nov. s, if^iB. and to
capt. Co. D. -May 2.5, Ifiti; wounded at South
Mountain, Sept. 14, lsi>2: captured at Wcldon
Uailroad and sent to Libby prison; e.xchd. and
joined rc-'t. Feb.. Wii-'>.
SaiMiders, Iien.iamin F., sergt. Co. I, Gth Cav.; must.
Nov. 1, ixsi, three yeai-s: pro. lieut.; died from
wounds received near Staunton while in pursuit
of (;en. Early.
Saundei-s. James. Co. I, lith Cav.; must. Nov. 1, ISUI,
three years: re-cril. as veteran.
Scott, John, Co. 1, lith Cav.; must. Sept., 18(14, one
year.
Searl. Coville, ir>4th Inf.; must. Aujj., IsiC, three
years; trans, to L'. S. Battery.
Searl, Dalston.64th Inf.; must. Jiuic.lsill. three years.
Seaii, Hantord, serjft. Co. (.', Hi5th Int.; must. June,
iNi'd, two years: died in hospital from wounds,
.■^earl, Walter, navy; must. Sept., I8ij4, one year;
served on jruoboat Tain! an<l the I'iiichnniti.
SInunan, Ernest, Co. I, tith Cav.; must. Sept., l.-<i;4;
pro. to com. serift.
Simonds, Justin, j three years; died in the
service.
Smith, Ephraim, Co. I, ijth Cav.; must. Nov. 1, isfll,
three years; killed at Brandy Station in Oct., l.~«i:i.
Smith, Horace, Co. D, !-54th Inf.; must. Autr., isti-*,
tlu-ce years; prisoner in Libby prison: rejoined
rejjt. Feb.. 1^14; pro. to lieut.
S(iuircs, Franklin, 15th Cav.; must. Feb., 18ii4, three
years.
Stiles, Darius. Co. I, 0th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, ISGI,
three years (rcfe't'l blacksmith); re-enl. as veteran.
Stimson, Franklin, loth Cav.: must. Feb., 1SG4, three
years.
Stimson, George. Co. K, Soth Inf.; must. June, 1801,
three years; died at home while on a furlough
Aug., l^<^;i.
Stimson, Hiram. 1.54th Int.; must. Aug., l.'iO^, three
years.
Stow, William, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 18C1,
three years; re-eni. as veteran.
Thompson, Frank, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861,
three years.
Van Aernam, Henry, surg. 1.54th Inf. Sept. 2.5, 1862;
pro. brigade surg.; med. director 2d Div. ,11th
A. C, ISo:), afterwai'd the 2ijth A. C, on operating
statf; resigned Nov., 1.8G4.
Vosburg, William, Co. D, 15th Cav.; must. Feb., 18G4,
three years.
Weeks, Barzilla, navy; must. Sept., 1.8('i4, one year.
Wheeler, John, 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug., 1862, three
years.
White, James, 15th Cav.: must, Feb., 18G4, three
years; died of starvation in Andei-sonville prison
in Aug.. IWU.
Whitney, John, Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 18til,
three years; pro. to sergt.; disch. for injuries re-
ceived in .service.
Williams, Charles P., navy; must. Aug'., 1.8G4, one
year.
Williams, Clinton, 188th Inf.; must. Aug., 1864, one
year.
Wing, Charles, navy; must. Sept., 1804, one year.
Wing, William. 1.5tli Cav.; must. Feb., 18C4, three
years.
Winrich, Benjamin, 64th Inf.; must. June, 1861, three
yea rs.
Winton, William, Jr., 64th Inf.; must. June, ISUl,
three years; wounded at Fair Oaks and died in
hospital.
FREEDOM.
Althof, Albert, Co. K, Kloth Inf.; enl. Jan. 7, 1S02,
three years; disch. at close of war.
Arnold, Ambrose F., sergt. Co. D, l-54th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 4, 1862, three years; killed at Buzzard's Hoost,
Cia., .May 8, 1864.
Austin, William, Co. G, 13th Art.; disch. at close of
war.
Baldwin, Adelbert A., Co. C, 13th Art.; disch. at close
of war.
Baldwin, Lysander W., Co. C, 13th Art.; disch. at
close of war.
Brown, Merrit, Co. B, 2d Mtd. Rifies; disch. at close
of war.
Brown, Seymour S., corp. Co, E, i)th Cav.: disch. at
close of war.
Burden, Alauson (no record).
Burgess, Eugene (no record).
Charles, William, Co. F, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug 26, 18G2,
three years.
Cheesraau. Morris, Co. C, OOth Inf.; disch. at close of
wa r.
Cheney, George, Co. C, 96th Inf.; disch. at close of
war.
Cheney, Harrison, capt. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept.
:i, 1862; pro. raaj.; lieut.-col.: disch. at close of
war.
Chittenden, Wm., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5, 1862,
three years.
Coleman, Richard (no record).
Cook, Joseph, Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 22,1863,
three yiai-s: disch. iit close of war.
Crandall, Charles M., Co. C, 13th Art.; disch. at close
of war.
Crandall, Oscar .M.. Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 24,
186:!, three years; disch. at close of war.
CrandMll, William P., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 25,
1802, three years; disch. at close of war.
Cnine, Ovid N. (no record).
Crawford, Joseph R., (.'o. K, 1.54th Inf.; twice severely
wounded.
Crawford, Robert O., 1st sergt. Co. D, ITOth Inf.; enl.
Jan. 2, 181)4, three years; disch. at close of war.
Crawford, William O., corp. Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl.
Jan. 2, 1864, three years; disch. at close of war.
Crowell, Joseph R., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8,
1.862, three years.
Dailey, John (no record).
Daley, Almond, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1862,
three years.
Davis, John J., Co. D, 9th Cav.; disch. at close of war.
Davis, William M., Co. F, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
1862, three years; disch. at close of war.
Day, Ellis W., corp. Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4,
1862, three years; disch. in 1804 for disability.
Deyoe, Henry, Co. C, 90th Inf.; disch. at close of war.
Emth, Robert (no record).
Felcb, John, Co. F, 154th Inf.
Felch, John, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug, 4, 1802, three
years.
Fo.x, De Witt C. (no record).
Fo.\, William H., Co. E, 1st Dragoons.
Froth, John (no record).
George, John (no record).
Gorman, Jeremiah (no reco/d).
Gould, Lyman (no record).
Guild, Eugene B., Co. I, 18th Cav.; enl. Sept. 1.5, 180:3,
three years: disch in 1804.
Haskell, George W., Co. C, 13th Art.; disch. at close
of war.
Hassett, Patrick (no record).
Himmengarden, Philip, Co. 1, 110th Inf.; wounded at
Port Hudson; disch. at close of war.
Holmes, Eber B., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862,
three years; disch. at close of war.
Hudson, Miner, Co. F,90th Inf.; disch. at close of war.
Humphrey, Harrison D., Co. F, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug.
20, 1861; pro. corp.; disch. 1864; re-enl.; captured;
died of starvation in rebel prison.
Hyde, Heman T., Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1861,
three years; killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1SC3,
't22
History of Cattaraugus County.
James, 'William P., Co. F, l.>ith Tnf.; disch. at close of
war.
Johnson, James (no record).
Johnsou, Julm A. (no record).
Jones, John B., Co. F, .ith Cav.: enl. Sept. 2, ISfil; pro.
1st sergt.; re-enl.; disch. at close of war.
Jones, Lewis L., Co. F, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2G, 1SC2,
three years.
Jones, Thomas, Co. A, 9th CaF.; disch. at close of war.
Jones, Thomas T., Co. F, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2U,
1SU2, three years; wounded at Chancellnrsvillo;
disch. at close of war.
Jones, William E., Co. F, l.>ith Inf.: enl. Aug. 2t!,
18ti'; captured at Gettysburg and confined in An-
dersonville; exchanged; pro. Corp.; disch at close
of war.
Lewis, Alfred H., 4th sergt. Co. D, 64th Inf.; enl.
Dec. 5. 1«1, three years; pro. sergt.; 2d lieut.; 1st
liput.; capt.; killed at Gettysburg.
Lewis, Richard, Co. F, 15tth Inf.; disch. at close of
war.
McGovern, Patrick (no record).
McKerow, Tliomas (no record).
Mcarns, Andrew, Jr., Co. F, 1.54th Inf.; disch. at close
of war.
Mearns, John, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1SC2,
three years; died June 0, lSt>J, of wounds rec'd
Mav 2, \f*ii.
Moore, Sidney. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 2.5, 1SC2,
three years; prisoner at Dug Gap, Ga.; escaped
from Andersonville, and rejoined army near
Atlanta.
Morey, Charles, Co. D, 64th Inf.
Morey, Henry (no record)
Morey, William, Co. E, 5th Cav.
Morgan, Benjamin D., Co. F, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
l.Si2, three ycius.
Morris, John, Co. D, 151th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, lS(i2,
three yeni's.
Northrup, Hiram, musician Co. D, 1.54th Int.; enl.
Julv s, isii2, three years.
Norton, A. M., (Jo. G, Hist Inf.: disch, at close of war.
Norton. Samuel S., Co. F, 5th Cav.; enl. Sept. 20, istil,
three years; pro. 1st sergt.; di=cii.atclo3eo( term;
Osborn, Calvin W., Co. F, 5th Cav.; enl Sept. 7, 1661;
pro. Corp.: wounded twice; disch. IStM.
Pinney, Chauncey, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, ISK,
three yeai's.
Pinney, Curtis, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 25, 1SU2,
three years.
Pinney, Henry A., Co. F, 5tli Cav.; enl. Sept. 12, 1861,
three years.
Plucher, John E. (no record).
Kich, Lafayette, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4^1862,
three yeai-s; killed at ChancellorsviUe, May 2,
1»B.
Roberts, Robert, Co. A, nth Cav.; disch at close of
war.
Robinson, John (no record).
Ryan, Andrew I. (no record).
Ryerson, Smith (no record).
Seaman, Eiul (no record).
Shellis, E. M., Co. G, 13th Art.; disch at close nf war.
Shcllis, Elbert, Co. I), 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1862,
three years; disch. 186:!; re-enl. in i:!th H. A; disch.
at close u£ war.
Singale, Frank, disch. at close of war.
Bkeels, Herbert, Co. G, 13th Art.; disch. at close of
war.
Sparks, Thomas S., Co. D, 2d Mtd. Rifles; wounded;
disch. at close of war.
Sumner, Monroe (no record).
Van Duzer, George, 2d Mtd. Rifles; disch. at close
of war.
Walker, Jefferson (no record).
Waterman, George A., Co. G, 13th Art.; disch. at close
of war.
Williams, Charles, ord.-sergt. Co. F, lD4th Int.; disch.
at close of war.
Williams, David, Co. E, 2d Art.; disch.
Williams, David J., Co. F, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
1862, three years; wounded at Fredericksburg;
disch. at close of war.
Williams. George P., Co. A, 0th Cav.; disch. at close
of war.
Williams, Isaac T., Co. G, i:!6th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862,
three yeais; prisoner at Gettysburg; paroled;
died at Annapoiis.
Williams, Robert G. (no record*.
Williams, Samuel, Co. F, 154th Inf.; prisoner at Get-
tj'sburg; p.iroled; died at home on a furlough.
Williams, Simeon, Co. G, T8th Inf.; enl. Nov. 25, 1862,
three years; disch. 1S63, for disability.
Williams, Wm., Co. F, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862,
three years.
Wood, David H., Jr., Co. I, 3Tth Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861,
two year^; killed at Fair Oaks, June 3, 186.3.
Wood, Lawrence M., Co. I, 96th Inf.; disch. at close of
war.
Wood, Monroe, Co. C, 13th Art.: disch. at close of war.
Wood, Thoraits J., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861,
two years; disch. for disability 1862.
Wyman, Watson, musician Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. Nov.
25, 1862, three years; disch. 1864.
GREAT VALLEY.
Akers, George W., Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862;
disch. at close of war.
Akers, Isaac D., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 3, 1862;
died in Libby prison Sept., 186:3.
Akers, John D., Co. A, IS'.lth Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 18(U;
died of disease at Park Station, Va., Nov., 1864.
Akers, William A., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 21,
1862; disch. at close of war.
Ale.\ander, Franklin W., 96th Inf.; enl. April 6, 1865.
Alexander, William, enl. Aug. 21. 1.8ts3.
Railey, Stewart, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 23, 1862;
served till close of war.
Battles, John; enl. Sept. 21, 1S64._
Benton, James A., enl. Sept. 28, 1864.
Bogenschuetz, Anthony, Co. D, 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1,
1.864.
Booth, Dan. F., enl. Aug. 21, 1863.
Booth, Edward, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. 2, 1862.
Booth, Thomas, 6.5th Inf.; enl. Oct. 4, 1864.
Booth, Thomas, Co. E, 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 4, 1864;
disch. at close of war.
Booth, Wm., Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. 7, 1862, three
Bosz, Jacob, Co. D, lS7th Inf.; enl. Sept. 29, mn.
Bryant, Colby M., Co. A, l-54th Inf.; enl. July 21, 1862.
Bryant, Edward P., 37th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861; wound-
ed; disch. at close of war.
Bryant, Orris W.. 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 26, 1864; disch.
at close of war.
BuUard, Elijah H., 76th Inf.; enl. Aug. 21, 186:$;
wounded.
Burlingame, Victor R., Co. A, l-54th Inf.; enl. July
21, 1862.
Chamberlain, Calvin T., Co. H. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
2'.l, 1862; died in Andei-sonville prison Aug., 1864.
Chamberlain, John T., Co. C, lUoth Inf.; enl. March
4, 1862, three years.
Chamberlain, Philip S., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July
21, 1862; died in Libby prison Oct., 186.3.
Chamberlain, Simon, enl. Sept. 20, 1864.
Church, Charles W., 2d sergt. Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
July 21, 1862.
Clark, Henry S.. Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1862;
disch. at close of war.
Clemmons, John, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 7, 1861;
disch. Aug., 1862, on account of sickness.
Clemmons, Louis A., Co. 1, o7th Inf.; enl. May 7,
1861; served full term.
Cochran, Augustus G. E., 65th Int.; enl. Oct. 6, 1864.
Collins, Richard, enl. Sept. 7, 1864.
Conklin, Taylor, Co. G, 14th H. A.: enl. Nov. 4, 1863;
prisoner; died in Union hospital Dec, 1864.
Cook, Roswell, Co. H, 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1862;
served till close of war.
Corbet, John, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 29, 1861; died
in rebel prison.
CuUen, John, enl. Sept. 29, 1864. ,
Cummings, John P.: enl. Aug. 21, 1863.
Davis, Abram, Co. C, lft5th Inf.; enl. Jan., 1862; died
in hospital at Le Roy, N. Y., Jlarch, 1862, of
measles.
Davis. Peter, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan., 1862; died
in Salisbury prison Jan.. 186.5.
Davis, Wm. H., Co. C, lUoth Inf.; enl. March 6, 1862;
wounded; re-enl. 1864; served till close of war.
Day, Willard E., Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 7. 1862;
killed near Atlanta. Ga., June, 1864.
Dolph, Joseph, Jr., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30,
1861, three years.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
Dunn. Daniel, enl. Auij. 21, ISliS.
Duttweiler, FreJerick, Co. A, ISTth Inf.; enl. Sept.
3), l-<iU.
Eder, Joseph, 1-iith Inf.; enl. Sept., IStiS; trans, to
iron-clad, Dc Kalb; wounded; disch. on ac^couut
of wounds.
Elder, John, Co. A, WTth Inf.; enl. Sept. 30, 18B4.
English, John, navy; enl. Oct. 7, ISW.
Fay, Adrian, Co. C, lU.5th Inf.; enl. Jan. 3, 1S63; re-enl.
Jan., l^<«i.
Fay, Alcander, Co. C, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Jan. 9, 1862;
disch. soon after enlistment.
Fay, Montrose M., "Jth Cav.; enl. Jan. 15, LSBi; disch.
at close of war.
Fellows, Stephen F., enl. Au^'. 21, lsi>3; disch. for
disability.
Flint, Orville, UTth Inf.; enl. Aus. 21, IJ^iS; disch.
Dec, 1803.
Folts, Daniel H., 37th Inf.; enl. June, isijl; disch. at
close of war.
Foster. Clark C, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, IsOl;
wounded.
Foster, Edward W., 37th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1801; disch.
March, 1803, on account of sickness.
Foster, Joseph N., sergt. 9th Cav.; unl. Nov. 19, 1801;
disch. at close of war.
French, Erastus D., Jr., Co. I, 6th Cav.; enl. Oct. 22,
I'Jil; disch. on account of sickness.
French, Henry, enl. Auj,'. 22, lS(i;j; served till close of
war.
Gardner, Granville D., Co. A, l.Mth Inf.; enl. Aug.
11, 1862: prisoner at Gettjsburg; died in Libby
prison Jan., 18tU.
Gordon, Kansom, :Jd Art.; enl. May, 1801.
Hall. W'm. W'.. Co. E, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. Li, 1804.
Halleck, Eilward G., Co. I, 71st Inf. (2d Kegt.Sickels's
lirigadei; enl. June 1, isiil, three years.
Halladay, Solomon, Co. K, 8.")tti Int.; enl. Sept 17,
IMil; died in Andcrsonvillc prisou Aug., 1801.
Hanson, Kichard U., 37tli Inf.; enl. Dec, 1801.
Harris, Thomas, enl. Aug. 21, IsiB.
Harvey, George W., Jr., :j7th Inf.; enl. May, 18i;i;
re-enl.; prisoner at Petersburg; exchanged near
clo.se of war.
Hehrlcin, John, Co. E, 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7,I.8tH.
Heinold, John G., Co. G, 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, 1804.
Henry, Alexander (no record).
Ho-.', Samuel, C'o. H,l.i4th Inf.; enl. Aug. in, 1802.
Howard, O. C, capt. '.Ith Kegt. Sickles's Brigade; enl.
June, 181)1; died in service Oct., istil.
Hull. Hiram, Co. I, 37tli Inf.; enl. Sept. 11, 1801; served
till close of war.
Hurlburt, George, 37th Inf.; enl. Jan., 180:3; re-ejil.;
.■■erved till close of war.
Hurlburt, Wm., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. .May !l, 1801;
re-enl. in navy 1804.
Hyatt, Charles, I'a. liucktail Uegt.; enl. March, is<i4;
served till close of war.
Hyatt, James, Co. G, 14th H. A.; enl. Nov. 10, 180:3;
served till close of war.
Jackson, Andrew, Co. E, .5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802,
three years.
JohiLson, Henry, enl. July 15, 1804.
Johnson, James I!., Co. E, :3d Kegt. E.vcelsior Bri-
gade (72d Inf.); enl. May, 1801; re-enl.
Kelly, fleo. H., Co. I, Otli Cav.; enl. Oct. 22, 1801;
served till close of war.
Kelsey, Stephen It., .5th U. S. Art.; enl. May 30, 1862;
disch. at close of war.
Killinger, John, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802;
disch. at close of war.
Kingsley, Nelson A., Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. it,
1^02.; re-enl.; served lill close of war.
Koch. Philip, Co. E, 187th Int.; enl. Oct. 7, 1804.
Lamb, .Moses 13., Co. G, 154th Inf.; eul. Aug. 9, 18ii2;
.served till close of war.
Landis, Wm., enl. Sept. 22, 1804.
Lang, Frederick, enl. Aug. 21, 1803.
Lemon, Jerry; 37th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861; died at Har-
rison Landing, Va., in 1802.
Lemon, Oscar, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1802;
disch. at close of war.
Lininger, Charles, 05th Inf.: enL Oct. 4, 1804.
MaloDcy, Michael, Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1801,
three years.
Maloney, Thomas, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802; re-enl.;
served till close of war.
Maloy, James, navy; enl. Oct. 3, 1804.
Markham, Isaac P., Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Doc, 1861;
disch. for sickness.
MarKham, John, Co. C, lUSih Inf.; enl. Feb., 1802;
accidentally wounded; disch. in consequence.
Markham, Wm. H., 12th Iowa Vols.; re-enl.
Mainey, Jliehael, Co. D, 187th Inf.; enl. Sept. 30, 1804.
Mai-sh, Daniel W., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1801,
three years.
Marvin, Abner C, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 10, 1S02.
Marvin, Ferdino A., Co. C, lOStli Inf.; enl. Jan. 10, lt02.
McCarty, Frank, Co. E, 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, ltB4.
McClure, Sydney, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb., 1802.
McClure, Wm., Co. I, 71st Inf.; eul. June 2, 1801; died
at Fair Oaks, July, 1803, ot disease.
McDave, John, enl. July 1, 1804.
Mclntyre, Sheldon P., :;d N. Y. Kities; enl. Jan., 1803;
disch. at close of war.
McMahon, Patrick, enl.xVug. 21, 1803.
Merkt, Charles, Co^ G, 14th H. A.; enl. Oct. 12, 180:3;
disch. at close of war.
Merkt, Joseph, Co. A. 1.54th Inf.; enl. July, 1802;
disch. at close of war.
Jfessenger, Peter, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1802;
pro. 2dsergt.; prisoner at Gettysburg.
Miles, Itichard, enl. July 6, 1S04.
.Moo.i-, Komanzo, Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; eul. Aug. 11,
l.sti2; died in Itingfield, Teun., May, 1804, ot
\vounds.
.Moure, Thomas J., Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 23,
1802; prisimer; served till close of war.
Mudgett, Alc.v. F., I47th Inf.; eul. Aug. 21, 1803; disch.
at clo^e of war.
Nelson, James, .Jr., siith 111. Kegt.; enl. Aug., 1802.
Nelson, John I'., ciii.t. Co. H, 154lh Inf.; eul. July 20,
1802; re.-igiied .Niaich 10. ISKl.
O'lSrien, Jolm, enl. June 2:!, 1804.
Peck, Harvey S., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. , July 23, 1802;
served tiil close of war.
Peck, Solomon, Ccj. H, :37tli Inf.; eul. May 10, IsOl;
served till close of wai .
Pellott, John B., Co. D, 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 6, 18m.
Pembertou, Boyd II., 140tli Inf.; enl. Oct., 1801; served
till close of war.
Pembertou, Henry V., 1st lieut. Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 14, 1801; pro. major; prisoner at Petersburg;
di?ch. 180.5.
Pembertou, William W., regt. cora.-sergt. 1.54tl) Inf.;
enl. Sept. 20, 1802; disch. at close of war.
Perry, Charles H., navy; enl. Sept. 30, 1804.
Pierce, Sidney D., Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802;
served till close of war.
Potter, Charles, scrgt. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. June?,
1801; disch. at close ot war.
Powers, Edwin, 37th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1801; served full
time.
Ueed, Daniel K., Co. G, 154th Int.; enl. Aug. 10, 1802;
trans, to 9th V. K. C.
Keed, John \V., corp. Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 6,
1802, three yeais.
Rice, A. L., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, 1803
Koberts, Daniel B., 05th Int.; eul. April ,5, 180.5.
Human, Peter T., enl. Aug. 21, 1803.
Kust, Louis S., Co. 0, lUoth Inf.; enl. Jan., 1.-02;
wounded at Bull Hun, Aug., 1802; died next day.
Schlehr, John W., 05th Inf.; enl. Oct. 0, 1804.
Shea, Michael, lOOth Inf.; enl. Oct. 29, 1802; lost a leg
in service.
Shurley, Samuel, :37th Int.; enl. May 7, 1801.
Sickers, Charles, enl. Sept. 20, 1801.
Simmons, Samuel, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5,
1802; prisoner at Gettysburg; died in Libby prison
Jan., 1804.
Sisson, Henry, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 23, 1802.
Smith, Charles, Co. A, 187th Int.; enl. Sept 30, 18(j4.
Starks, Saul, Co. I, 151th Int.; enl. Aug. 28, 1802;
disch. Jan., 1803, tor sickness.
Sullivan, Lawrence, eul. 180:3.
Tonseau, Peter, enl. Aug. 21, 1803.
Travis, D. \V., Co. C, 1.54th Int.; enl. Aug. 13, 1863.
Vreeland, Frederick, co. I, 154th Int.; eul. Sept. 6,
1802.
Walrath, Walter, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1802;
disch. at close of war.
Ward, Namaan, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861;
served full time.
Warner, John, navy; enl. Oct. 7, 1804.
Whitney, Chas. E., Co. I, 154th lut.; eul. Aug. 2:3, 1802.
Wilson, James, eul. Aug. 31, 1803.
224
History of Cattaraugus County.
Wooiruff, John H., Co. E, 5th Cnv.; col. Aug-. 28, 1E61,
three years; re-enl.
HINSDALE.
Allen, Edward D., Co. K, 8.5th Inf.: enl. 18(11; taken
prisoner at Plj'mouth, N. C; disch. at close of
war.
Allen, Timothy A., q.-m. Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 18«2,
three years.
Austin, Charles, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. 1863; disch. at
close of war,
Banfleld, George H., navy; marine, Brrirjhhjn; enl.
lS<i4, four years; disch. June, lSfi.5.
Bennett, AVallace M., sergt. Co. A, 13«th Inf.; enl.
1863; disch. at close of war.
Bessecker, Zeno, Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, lSli3,
three yenrs.
Bidwell, Jonathan, Co. K, 65th Inf.; enl. 18U5; disch.
at close of war.
Brown, C. Jerome, Co. K, Oath Tuf.; enl. ISto, one
year; died July 26, 1865.
Brown, Edmund O., 1st Ind. Bat.; eul. 1864, three
years; disch. at close of war.
Brown, Francis B., Co. A, 136th Inf.; enl. 1863, three
years; disch. at close of war.
Brown. Franklin, Co. A, 13i>th Inf.; enl. 1863; disch.
at close of war.
Brown, Myron N., Co. K, 65th Inf.; enl. 1865, one
year; disch. at close of war.
Bullard, Edwin G., Co. G, 1st Vet. Cav.; enl. 1^(6:1;
disch. at close of war.
Burlingame, Julius, 65th Inf.; disch. at close of war.
Burton, Franklin M., 1st. Ind. But.
Burton, George, Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. ISil, three
years; prisoner; died in Andersonville, Aug. 36,
18i>4.
Burton, Wra. W., corp. Co. T>, 15th H. A.; enl. ls(«,
three years; disch. at close of war.
Bush, Lorenzo F., Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. 1863, three
years: disch. at close of war.
Cartw light, Peter, Co. K,s5th Inf.
Chapin, Herbert F., navy; maiine, Ciimiv; enl. 186.',
four years; captured liy the Alahanut.
Chapin, Nelson, eapt. Co. K, 85th Inf.; must, in Dec.
;i, 1861, three years; killed while in command of
Fort Wesscis, N. C, April' 18, IMU.
Clark, Horace T., scrgt. Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. 1863;
wounded; disch. at close of war.
Cole, Charle.s \V., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. 1863, three
yeara; prisoner at Gettysburg; disch. at close of
war.
Collins, Michael, Co. F, 85th Inf.; enl. 1861; prisoner;
disch. at close of war.
Corttrell William H., Co. I, 6th Cav.; enl. Oct. 36,
1861, three j'ears.
Degeir, James, corp. Co. I, 1.54th Inf ; eul. Sept. 5,
1863, three years.
Dodge, Almon B., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1863,
three years.
Drake, Osaph, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1862, three years;
disch. at close of war.
Eberlyne, George, Co. I, 6th Cav.; enl. Oct. 22, 1861,
three years.
Evans, Aaron H., 1st Ind. Bat.; enl. 18t)4. three years;
disch. at close of war.
Evans. Lorenzo D., Co. K, 85th Inf ; enl. ISiil, three
yeai-s; prisoner; disch. in IXKi.
Evans, Orange, Co. K, 8.5th Inf.: enl. 1861, three
years; disch. for disability 1863.
Evans, Samuel C, 1st Ind. Bat.
Fay, Alonzo, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. lN6i, three years.
Fay, Walter M., Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. 1861, three
years; died at Portsmouth Grove, K. I.
Gardner, John (no record).
Gates, Theodore H., Co. K, 27th Inf.; enl. 1861, two
years; wounded and prisoner at 1st Bull Hun;
e.Ychanged 1863; disch. ]8(a.
Gates, Warren, Co. H, 71st Int.; enl. 1861, two years;
died in Andereonville prison.
Gile, Merrit A., navy.
Goodell, Horace, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1861
Gould, Wm. W., corp. Co. I, l.>ith Inf.; enl. Sept. 1,
18t;3, three years; died of disease Jan. 23, 1864.
Graham, Jason, enl. 186:3; disch. at close of war.
Green, Henry F., navy.
Green, Jesse K., serge. Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1863;
disch. at close of war.
Green. Martin, navy.
Giimes, Franklin, Co. H. 1.5th Eng.; enl. 1864; disch.
at close of war.
Grimes, Wm. H., Co. 1. 154th Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. at
close of war.
Guild, .\lmon L., sergt. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1863, three years.
Hamilton, E. H., Co. A, ISiith Inf.
Haney, Wm. J., corp. Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. 1861,
three years; prisoner; disch. at close of war.
Hartican, John (no record'.
Harwell. Henry. Co. K,S5th Inf.
Hewitt, Henry, Co. K, S5th Inf.; enl. 1861, three years;
prisoner.
Huganer, Alfred, sergt. Co. K, 85th Int.; enl. 1861;
died in Andersonville prison Sept. 5, 1864.
Ingorsoll. Hirara M., navy: 'andsman, tT/iifiiif; enl.
1^64; died in hospital in Xew York, Sept., 1865.
Iseraan, George, Co. I, IMth Inf.; enl. lS(i3, three
years; disch. 1863; drafted; diseh. 1865.
Johnson. Francis E., navy.
Jones, Allen, navy.
Kamerv. Kuf us, (iSth Inf.: disch. at close of war.
Kemary, John N., Co. F, 2:th Inf.; enl. May 31, 1861,
Knapp, John C, corp. Co. K, S5th Inf.; enl. 18()1, three
year.<; re-enl.; disch. at close of war.
Lacey, Wallace L.. Co. K. S5th Inf.; enl. 1861, three
yeai-s; piison^r; died in.Xndersonville.
Lafevre. John H., Co. K. 6th Cav.; onl. 1861, three
years; re-enl.; disch. at close of war.
Lewis, Hiram, navy; landsman, iliiuiid Citu; enl. 1864;
disch. at close of war.
Lewis, William, Co. I, 1.5*th Inf.; enl. 1863, three
yeai-s; disch. at close of war.
Liiipet, .Matthew, corp. Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. 1863;
disch. at close of war.
Lockwood, James M., navy.
Longciire, Hamilton, Co. 1. 15tth Inf.; enl. 1863, three
years; prisoner at Gettvsburg; died in Kichmond,
Va., 1863.
Ludington, Harvey, Co. D. IT'.ilhlnf.; enl. 1863, three
years; disch. at close of war.
Ludington, Sylvester M., Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. 1861,
three years; died at home Aug.,18<)3.
Lupper, Milo, Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 186.3; wounded
and prisoner at Chancclloi'sville; diseh. at close
of war.
MeHill, William, 50th Inf.
Mclvee, Edwin, navy; marine, BiixMyn; enl. 1862,
four years; disch. Au--.. lNi4.
McManemay, Hugh, Co. E:,'.i3d luf,; enl. Nov.29, 1S61,
three years.
MeVey, Archibald, navv: landsman, MniiUjnmcni.
Miller. Frederick H.. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1863. three years.
Miller, Lemartine, navy.
Morris, Ararai, Co. K. s.5th Inf.; enl. 1861, three years;
disch. for disability Ixii.
Morris, Wellington, Co. K. 85th Int.; enl. 1861, three
years; disch. for disability l.'<63.
Morton, Daniel, Co. G, l-Mth Inf.; enl. 1863, three
years; died in hospital Ifi'ii.
Moyer, Solomon H., corp. Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. 1864,
one year; disch. at clos«? of war.
Murray, Thomas, navy; marine, ByoitliJifn.
Newlahd, Andrew, 15th Eng.: enl. 1864, one year;
disch. at close of wa.-.
Newland, James, 15th Eng.; enl. 1864, one year; disch.
at close of war.
Newland, Thomas, navy; landsman. Paw Paw; enl.
1864; disch. Sept., 18(i5.
Norris, Joseph P. (eoloredi. Co. K, 33d Cav.; enl. Jan.
13, 1864, tnree years.
O'Hurlin, John (no record'.
Osterstock, Emory, Co. G. LSith Inf.; enl. 1863; disch.
at close of war.
Osterstock, William, Co. 1. 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1863, three
years; taken prisoner at Gettysburg and died in
Andersonville in May. ISU.
Packard, Loren F., Co. E, 5th Cav.; eul. 1861, three
years; re-enl.; disch. at close of war.
Pardey, Erastus W., ser^. Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl.
1861, three years: died in Andersonville prison.
Parker, Chauncey, Co. K. 8.5th Inf.; enl. 18(jl, three
years: died in Andersonville prison Sept. 18, IStU.
Parker, Leroy, sergt. Co. K. S.5thlnf.; enl. 1861; disch.
1863, re-enl. same regt. 1864; disch. for wounds
June 5, 1865.
Roster of Soldiers axd Sailors.
Paug-h, John, Co. I, lolth Inf.; enl. 1S62, three years;
killed at Gettysburg, July, 18i>".
Peake, Spencer, :i<i lieut. Co. K, »5th Inf.; enl. ISiil,
three vears; prisoner; exchanged; disch. Jlarch
2, l.SU-j.
Peck, Mahlou C, Co. E, 8oth Inf.; enl. 1801, three
year.-; disch. April, U62.
Pettitt, Stephen D., navy; enl. IStii, one year; re-
jected.
Plielps, Harlan, Co. A, Ulst Inf.; enl. Aug. ;.'•.', iwa,
three years.
Piphei-, Chauncey, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. 1^02; disch.
at close of war.
Pipher, Francis, corp. Co. (}, l.jith Inf.; enl. 18ti3,
three j'eais; disch. for disaliility lbU3.
Pipher, Peter, Co. K, 8.5th Inf.; enl. Itiil, three years;
disch. for wounds rec'U at Antietam; re-enl. same
regt. and killed in battle near Kingston, X. C.
Popple, Orville, 1st Ind. Bat.; enl. 18iH, one year; died
of disease 18U4.
Preston, Koswell, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. WG, three
years; died in prison at Kiehmond, ^'a.
|,luack^•nhu^h, Delevan. Corp. Co. K, 85tti Inf.; enl.
IsiU, three years; prisoner; disch. at close of war.
Heynolds, Cedrick. navy; landsman, Pan- I'mr; enl.
ISW; disch. Sept., l.sii.5.
Reynolds, Harmon D., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1863,
three yi'urs; disch.; re-eul.
Ki'yn(ilds. James (no record).
Reynolds, Sardis, Co. K, Ij5th Inf.; enl. lSii.5, one year;
disch. at close of war.
Kickert. (leorge VV. (no record).
Roen, -Martin, 8.5th Inf.
Ryan. Jnhn, Co. F. 8.5th Inf.; enl. isill; prisoner;
disch. at close of war.
Salisburv. (lalius .M., M Pa. Cav.
.<ci)tt. Mollis, Co. I, 1:54th Inf.; enl. 18li'.', three years;
disch. at close of war.
Searle, Gideon, Jr., Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 17, l.'ilil,
three years.
Shafer, Jerome C, Co. C, 1.54tli Inf.; enl. Aug. li, 18ii3,
three years.
Sherlock, Uily, Co. K, .s5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 38, 18(13,
three years.
Sherman. .\. H., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. li, Wa,
three years.
Sherman, Whitman, Co. I, ].54tli inf.
Sherwin, Joseph B., navy; landsman, i'lulinc; enl.
I.s()4; kill.-d in battle Oct. :«!. 1804.
Sherlock, Henry, Co. (!, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, ls(i3,
three years.
Snyder, Lugenc G., Co. B, 3:kl Inf.; enl. May HI, 18ijl,
two years.
Streeter, Daniel, Co. B, 3:jd Inf.-; enl. .May Hi, IWil,
two years.
Thomp~im, .Uhertino record).
ThMmpsim, Charles, Co. K, s.5th Inf.; enl. Sept. IT,
l.'^i;3. tlirce years; killed in battle.
Thuuipsuti, Samuel, corp. Co. H, 71st Inf.; enl. 1801,
three years; killed at Gettysburg, Jidy '.i, P^O:!.
Tracj-. lOdwin R., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. i), 1803,
three veai-3.
Updike, Abram S., Co. K, .^5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 17, 1801,
three years; disph. Sept., 1803.
Venus, Martin U. B., Co. A, llHithlnt.; enl. Aug. 7,
1803, three years.
Waite, Stephen, Co. B, 3:sd Inf.; enl. 1801, two years;
disch. in 1801 for disability.
Walker, Lyman H., Co. K, lyoth Inf.; enl. 1803, three
years; disch. at close of war.
Warren, Isaac, navy; landsman, Undine; enl. 1804;
disch. at close of war.
Washburn, George, Co. A, 130th Inf.; enl. 1803; disch.
at close of war.
Washburn, Isaiah S., Co. C, 1.54th Int.; enl. 1*3, three
years; died of disease Dec. 11, 180;i.
Washburn, James W., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1803,
three years; died at lielle Isle prison Dec., I.sti3.
Whitacre, Lyman, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.
White, George L. (no record).
Wilbur, Darius, Co. I, lo4th Inf.; enl. 1803, three
years; disch. lor disability 1863. -
Wilbur, Milo L., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1863.
Wilbur, Oscar F., Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1803.
Wiley, Charles V., 48th Mass. Inf.
Willover, John A., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1862, three
years; prisoner at Gettysburg; exchanged after
nine months; disch. at close of war.
Willover, Martin V. B.. Co. K, Soth Inf.; enl. Sept.
17, 1861, three j'ears; taken prisoner in 1864; died
of starvation at Florence, S. C, Oct. a, 1864.
Willover, Wm. A.. C .. I. 1.54th Inf.; enl. 1803, three
years; wounded: disch. at close of war.
Wilter, Geo. H., Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. 1861, three
years; prisoner: died in .iudersonville.
Wilter, James F., Co. K. N5tU Inf.; enl. 1861, three
years; prisoner; died at Florence, S. C.
Wood, Edward, sergt. Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. 1803;
disch. at close of wai .
Woodard, Jacob J.. Co. E, .5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 19,
1801, three vears.
Woodard, Uobt. J., Co. C. l->tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 6. 1863,
three years.
HCMPHREV.
Bacon, James, Co. I. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862,
three years.
Barber, Eliab, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Mtiy 16, 1861, two
years.
Ba.\ter, Henry. Co. I. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1803.
three jears.
Ba.\ter, Perry, Co. I. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1863,
three years.
Benjamin. George W., Co. I, l-54lh Inf.; enl. Sept. 5,
1863, three years.
Bowen, Ellas, Jr., Co. G, l.>4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802,
three yeiu-s.
Bozard, Ashljel L-, Co. C, l-54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 0, 1803,
three veal's.
Canadv. .Mvron. inth N. V. Bat.
Chapman. Wm. A.. Co. C, luith Inf.; enl. Jan. 14,
1803, three years.
Childs, Cephas, Co. C, lik5th Inf.: enl. Jan. 15, 1862,
three vears.
Cole, Marvin S.. sergt. Co. H, ;J7th Inf.; enl. May 10,
1861: two years-
Colvin. tliarles, Co. A. l>8th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1864,
one vear.
Colvin, Mark, 9th Cav.
Colvin, Seth, Co. C, IsTth Inf.: enl. Oct. 3, l.sot, one
year.
Colvin. Royal, l:)th Ca\-.
Crary, Lerai H..S5th Inf.
Dick, Philip, Cu. A. 1^7ch Int.; enl. Oct. 4, l.soi, one
year.
Drake, Daniel, died in service 1804.
Foster. Edwin. Co. H.oTth Int.
French, Henry ino rccordi.
Gardner. Horatio. (;'o. H, 1.54tli Inf.; enl. .-Vug. 29,
1803. three veai-s.
Hill, Edward, Co. H,:r7th Inf.; enl. May 10, 1861, two
years.
King Edward, tiler Co. I. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. :>,
1803, three years.
Lockie. James H., Co. G, 154th Inf.; eid. Aug. 11,
1>^03. three vears.
Marsh. Staley .V.. Co. 1. 71st Inf. (3d Uegt. E.'ccelsior
Brigade): enl. .Mav3^. ISOl. three years.
Miller. Wilkes J., Co. A. 154th Int.; enl. July 36, 1802,
three years.
Moilit, Aaron, Co. C. l-5tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1803,
three years.
Mofflt, James. Co. I. l-:th Int.; enl. Sept. 23, 1864,
one year.
Mossman, Matthias. Co. .V, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 8,
1804, one year.
Newell, Harrison H.. Co. A, IsSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 19,
1804, three vears.
O'Brien, Matthew. Co C. lU.5th Inf.; enl. Feb. 2.5, 1862,
three years.
Pierce, Jasper, 1.54th Inf.
Putnam, Joseph (no record).
Keed, Daniel. liMth Inf.
Reed. John W., Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 6, 1802,
three years.
Reed, Wm., Co. I, (Mth Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861, three
years.
Rieley, Michael, Co. C. 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. 15, 1802,
three years.
Reynolds, Wm. H.. corp. Co. A, l.Wth Inf.; enl. July
31, 1863, three years.
Schair, George, Co. A. 187th Inf.; enl. Oct. 4, 1804, one
year.
Shepard, Thomas \., corp. Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July
36, 1803, three years.
History of Cattaraugus County,
Sill, Alonzo D., Co. C, IMth Inf.; enl. July 31, 1S62,
three years.
Skeels, Hiram, Co. C, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Jan. U, 1S62,
three years.
Slocum, AlviQ M., Co. F, 1st Cav.
Southern, Geo. P., Co. A, 154th Inf.: enl. July 2t.,
1863, three years.
Southwick, Barnet, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. U,
1862, three years.
Southwick, Da%-id J., Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 1.5,
1862, three years.
Southwick, Nelson. Co. C, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Jan. 4, 1862,
three years.
Stone, Benj. F., Co. I, 14Tth Inf.
Thomas, Shepperd N., corp. Co. A. 154th Inf.; enl.
July 26, 1862, three years.
Tracy, Edward F., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862,
three years.
Walch, Michael, Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 39, 1862,
three years.
Washburn, William, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. j,
1862, three years.
Wheeler, Erastus, Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 14, 1862,
three years.
Wheeler, Seth, corp. Co. C, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 3,
1862, three years.
Wheeler, Silas, Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1861,
three years.
Wicks, Geo. C, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862,
three yea'S.
Wilber, Charles R., Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
1862, three years.
Wilber, Oscar F., Co. G, 154th Inf.;. enl. Aug. 11, 1862,
three years.
Winters, Alphonzo, 1.54th Inf.
Winters, Gei. L., sergr. Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
6, 1862, three years.
Woodard, Kobt. J., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1862, three years.
Woodruff, Frank (no record).
Woodruff, John B., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861,
three years.
Worden, Geo. B., Co. I. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1861,
three years.
Wright. James, Co. I, 6th Cav.; enl. Oct. 22, 1861,
three years.
Ziegler, Adam, Co. E, 18Tth Inf.; enl. Oct. 5, 1864, one
year.
ISCHCA.
Barber, Eliab, Co. K, 37th Inf.; must. March 17, 1861,
two years.
Earned, Wm. W., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Oct. 4, 1861,
three years; pro. corp.; re-enl. V. S. C; died in
Andersonyille prison July 2:i, 1864.
Beebe, Lyman H, Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. Sept. 9,
1864, one year.
Bristol, Richard T., Co. K, 8.5th Inf.; must. Oct. 24,
1861, three years; detached to N. Y. L. A.; died in
October, 1864.
Brown, James, Co. E, 90th Bat. N. Y. Y.; must. Sept.
13, 18&4, one year.
Burlingame, Eugene, Co. B, 147th Inf.; must. Sept.
10, 1863, three years: died July 2, 1864, of wounds
received in battle of U ilderness.
earner, Martin, Co. D, 15th Art.; must. Sept. 5, 1864,
one year.
Caswell, Charles J., Co. D, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1,
1861, three years.
Chadwick, Hosea N., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 27,
1861, three years; pro. corp.; trans, to navy Feb.
22,1862.
Chadwick, Ransom A., musician; must. Sept. 27,
1861, three years; re-enl. Y. 1. C. Jan. 1, 1864; pris-
oner at Plymouth, N. C.
Cline, Bela C, Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Sept- 27, 1861,
three years; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1864; died in Anderson-
ville prison Aug. 21, 1864.
Densmore, Eleazer, Co. H, 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 27,
1861, three years; corp.; sergt. Jan. 24. 1863; died
in Andersonville prison Aug. 3t), 1864.
Drake, Charles, Co. B, 146th Inf.; must. Sept. 28, 1863,
three years; taken prisoner at battle of Wilder-
ness and escaped.
Ellithorp, Lyman, Co. D, 10.5th Inf.; three years;
wounded.
Gere, Aaron, Co. G, 13th H. A.; must. Sept. 10, 1864.
Gort, Daniel W., Co. A. 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 5, 1864,
one year.
Guild, Charles L.. sergt. Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.
24, 1862, three years; taken prisoner at Gettys-
burg, July 1, 1863; sent to Belle Isle, and removed
to Andersonville: died .Aug. 4, ls64.
Guild, Edmund C, Co. H, 2d Inf.; must. June, 1864,
three years.
Guild. Willis M., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years; killed at Chancellorsville, May 1,1863.
Harvey, Russell, 9th Cav.; must. Sept. 21, 1864, one
year.
Ingrahara, Geo. S., Co. A, 136th Inf.; enl. Aug. 13,
1862, three years; pro. corp.
Jones, Thomas J., Co. G, 2d Cav.; must. Jan. 4, 1864,
three years.
Kno.v, Wm., Co. C, 2d Cav.; must. Jan. 4, 1864, thiee
years.
Lafton, James H., Co. G, 2d Cav. (V); must. Jan. 4,
1864, three years.
Learn, John C, Co. A, lS8th Inf.; must. Sept. 19, 1864,
one year.
Learn. Joseph L., Co. G, 1st Cav.; must. Aug. 28, 1863.
three years.
Learn. Morris, Co. A, 18Sth Inf.; must. Sept. 19, 1864,
one year.
Learn, Thomas, Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 27, 1861,
three years; lost an arm in the battle of Fair
Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Leonard. James W., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 27,
1S61, three years; pro. Corp.; prisonerat Plymouth,
A pril 20, 1864, and supposed to have died in An-
dersonville.
Linderman, Alonzo, Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept.24,
1862, three years.
Lockwood, David, Co. K, 22d Cav.; must. Feb. 6, 1864,
three years.
Lockwood, Henry, Co. H, 21st Inf.; must. March 18,
1862, three years; killed at Gaines"s Mills.
Mallorv, Edwin W., Co. K, 8.5th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1861, three years; died in hospital at Washington,
May 26, 1862.
Mallory. Ferris J., Co. H, 13th H. A.; must. Jan. 19,
1864, three years.
McCormick, George (no record).
Miller, Frederick, Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24.
1862, three years.
Morgan, Geo. T., Co. C. 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years; wounded near Dalton Hill, May
20,1864.
Moyer, Joseph, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 26, 1864,
one year; died in service March 4. 1865.
Newton, Cyrus W., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Oct. 25,
1861, three years; pro. corp.; died in Anders ju-
ville prison Aug. 9, 1864.
Osgood, Edwin R., Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1864, three years; pro. corp.; prisoner July 1, 1863;
died in hospital at Richmond, Dec. 9, 1883.
Osgood, Stephen, Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years; wounded at ChancellorsviUe;
trans, to V. R. C, Sept. 1, 1863.
Osgood, William W., Co. C, 1.54th Int.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years; pro. corp.
Parker, Leroy, Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 17, 1861;
wounded -March 8, 1865.
Pearl, Levi L., Co. D, 6th Cav.; must. Nov. 1, 1861;
served three years; re-enl. for three years; killed
at Kockv Point.
Presho. James H., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Oct. 25,
1861, three years; died in front of Yorktown,
April ;30, 1862.
Robinson, Mortimer H., Co. H, 90th Inf.; must. Sept.
17, 1864, one year.
Rockwell, Eli, Co. L, 6th Art.; must. Feb. 19, 1864,
one year.
Rowen, Martin W., Co. E, 90th Inf.; must. Sept. 17
1864, one year.
Shafer, Addison, Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years.
Shafer, Jacob, Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years; wounded at Gettysburg and Look-
out Mountain.
Shafer, Jerome, Co. C, 154th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1862,
three years; taken prisoner and died in Rich-
mond, Dec. 8, 1863.
Sheldon, James L., Co. K, 85th Inf.; must. Oct. 25,
1861, three years; pro. sergt.; killed at Plymouth,
N. C, April 18, 1864..
Roster of Soldiers axd Sailors.
237
Shipman. Joseph, l:3th H. A.; must. Feb. 15, 1864,
three vears.
Simons. Albert A., Co. C, 15tth Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1S6:.', three roars.
Terr}-, liansom. Co. (% l.>lth Inf.; must. Sept. 4, 18(K,
three years; wounded at Gettysburg-, Jul}- 1, If^iB.
Thornton, Lyman, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
IsiK. three veai-s.
Utter, Georye; Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. Sept. 5, lStt4,
one vear.
Wagner. Chas. H.. Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. Jan. 4,
IStH, three years.
Wells. James, Co. H. 85th Inf.; must. Sept. 25, 1801,
three years; pro. 2d serg-t.; re-eal. Jan., 1864; died
a prisoner in Florence, Nov. 14, lb64.
Wilber. Chauncey B , Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. Aug.
4, 18*>?. three years.
Wilber, Ttiomas C, Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. Sept. 9,
18W. one year.
Wood, Conly .M.. Corp. Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. July
2i). INIJ. three vears.
Wood. William H., Co. D, 13th H. A.; must. Jan. 28,
IMU, three years; died in hospital at Elmira,
-March 15. ISH.
LEO.V.
Alverson, Xathan F.. Co. I, 4nth Inf.; inl. Sept. 8,
Istil; pro. eorp. Dec, ISCl; died in hospital at Da-
vid's Islands, June 1, 18<i2.
Babuock, Alfred D., Co. U, l.Mth Inf.; enl. Aug. 1,
istli; disch. Sept. 25, lH«:i.
Barloir, KusseU L., Co. K,l.Mth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1802;
trans, to Invalid Kes. Corps; disch. Sept. 6, 18li.5.
Battles. Benjamin C, Co. C, 13th Inf.; enl. Sept. 22,
I'^M; disch. .lunc 2ii. |S(m.
Bennett. William D.. Co. K, l.Vtth Inf.; enl. Aug. 1,
iNil: disch. June V.\ lsil."i.
Bowci>. Joseph. Co. K, Wth Inf.; enl. Oct. 2, lS»il;
died in hospital from wounds received at Fair
Oaks. June 1, l-«2.
Bullock. Harlan L.. Co. F, lil4tli Inf.; enl. April U,
Wk'i; stationed at Elmira, and disch. at close ot
liuUock. William J.. Co. H, 3rth Inf.; enl. May 2il,
1-^il: died in hospital at Newport, Va., Sept. 2, 1802.
Butcher, Andrew K., Co. C, 13th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
IMU; Served till close of war.
Butler. Ezekiel, Co. K, I.>Ith Inf.; enl. Sept. .->, 18t;4;
disch. July 12. Lstt").
<amp. .\sa E., scrgt. Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 2i),
iNil; disch. .May 1.'), isisi; re-enl. in Uattery C, Wth
H. A.: served till close of the war.
Camp, Joel. Co. K, Mth Inf.; enl. Oct. 22, 18<J1; disch.
March 22. Isii2. for disability.
Camp, William. Co. F, W4tli Inf.; enl. April 11, Wii;
stationed at Elmira; disch. at close of war.
Campbell. Abel C , Co. F, l!l4th Inf.; enl. April 11,
ls<i"); disch. Ma\ following.
Carle. Jerome, Co. K, Wth Int.; enl. Oct. 2, 1861; disch.
Nov. :>. l!V±
Casten. William M., 1st sergt. Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl.
.Vug. 15, lsii2; pro. 1st lieut.; disch. at close ot war.
(liild-. John M.,Co. B, I.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2, 1862;
wounded at Chancelloisville; disch. June 22, Win.
Clark. Edward W., drum-major Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl.
Oct. 2. Istjl; disch. Sept., l.'<64; regimental drum-
major.
Cooper. Nathaniel F., 2d lieut. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl.
Sept.2i), isiil; pro. 1st. lieut. May 14, 1862; wounded
at Fair Oaks; disch. Nov. 1.5, 18(32.
Crowfoot. Warren, Co. L, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864.
Darling. .Marcellus W., Co. K, iri4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6,
Wii: pro. sergt. May 21, 18iJ2; disch. June 23, 1865.
Davidson, Abiel, Jr., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 28,
1.:<)1; nurse in hospital; disch. Feb. 14, 18lv3.
Dean, James, Co. F, ia4th Int.; enl. April 11, 186.5, one
year.
Dean, Mervin, Batfry C, Wth H. A.; enl. Sept. 2,
1864: disch. June 2.5, 186.5.
Dye, Alfred VV., Co. K, tuth Inf.; enl. Oct. 2, 1861; died
July 17, IHi;!, from wounds rec'd at Gettysburg.
Dye. Charles H., I'o. H, KJUth Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1861;
prisoner; died from wounds and exposure Jan.
17, 18S3.
Dye, George W., Co. K, flth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1.864;
disch. June 1, 186.5.
Earl, Charles L., Co. A, 11th Conn. Inf.; enl. Aug. S,
1861; re-enl. July 10, 1864, in Co. L, 10th N. Y. Cav.;
disch. at close of war.
Eldridge. Andrew J., sergt. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
14, 1861; disch. Feb. 11. 1.86:3.
Fancher, William, capt. Co. K. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; died May 24, lS(i2.
Francis, George, sergt. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; wounded at Fair Oaks; disch. Nov. 15, 1862.
Franklin, Andrew J., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; disch. June, 1.862, for disability.
Franklin. James, Battery C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17,
18i>4; disch. June 27, IStK.
Franklin, William S., Co. K 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 25,
isul; wounded at Fair Oaks, right leg amputated;
died soon after.
Gould, James W., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1S61;
died in hospital at Newport News, Oct. 26, 1862.
Green, Benjamin F., Co. F, IWth Inf.; enl. April 11,
1S64; disch. June following.
Green, John C, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1864;
disch. July 12, 186.5.
Halker, Frederick C, Co. B, 6tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
l.><61; disch. Dec. 1, 1862.
Hallenbeck, Lemuel H., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug.
17, 1864; disch. June 27, l.s».
Hallenbeck, Matthias, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 5,
1864; disch. June 26, 1865.
Harmon. George W., Co. D. 76th Inf.; enl. Oct. 2, 1863;
taken prisoner Oct. 1, IStVl, and confined in Salis-
bury until March 1, 18a5.
Herrick, Daniel C, Co. C. 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 2,
1.H64; disch. June 26, ISa5.
Herrick, John D., Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April 11,
1865; disch. June 27, 186.5.
Hodges, John K., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1.5, 1861;
prisoner; disch. Oct. 9, 1862.
Hogan. Koger, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 4, 1861;
killed at Antietam.
Holmes, Harvey H.. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 28,
1861; disch. Oct. 2!!, ISW.
Hubbard, Levi B., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 15, 1861;
died at Harper's Ferry of disease.
H ubbard, Solon E., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1861,
disch. in June, 1862.
Hunt, Horatio N., lieut. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
1.5, 1861; pro. capt. May 24, 1862; disch. Oct. 4, 1864.
Hurd, David H., corp. Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 20,
18»)1; disch. Oct. 26, 1862; re-enl. in Bat. C, 13tli
H. A.; disch. Sept. .'J, 1865.
Ingersoll, Francis D., corp. Co. K, 04th Inf.; enl. Oct.
2, 1861; wounded at Fair Oaks; died at Crany Is-
land, Sept. 9, 1863.
Ingrahara, Charles M., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 15,
1861; wounded at Gettysburg; disch. Dec. 16, 18ti4.
Ingraham, Gilbert C., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 13,
1861; disch. Jan. 16, 1865; re-enl. in Co. G, 6th Inf.;
served one year.
Ingraham, Henry A., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 13,
1861; died in hospital at Alexandria, Feb. 11, 1662.
Ingraham, Simeon M., Co. K, 6ith Inf.; enl. Sept. 17,
1861; pro. 1st sergt. Jan. 21, 186:3; wounded at Get-
tysburg and Spotsylvania; disch. Oct., 1864.
Jackson, KusseU C, Co. K, tHth Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; disch. in Feb., 186:3.
Jones, David S., Co. K., 154th Int.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862;
pro. corp. 1864; wounded at Gettysburg and in
Sherman's campaign; disch. June 28, 1865.
Kelly, De Witt C, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2.5, 1.H61;
disch. Sept. 28, 1864
Kelly, Eber, Co. A, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864; disch.
June 1, 1865.
Kelsey, Orsemus, Co. K, 61th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, 1801;
trans, to Invalid Corps: served to close of war.
Kierstead, Wm. K., sergt, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct;
2, 1801; conttned in Libby and Salisbury prisons,
died April 15, 186.5, of disease.
Killburn, Benjamin, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12,
1802; disch. Jan. 3, 180.5.
Killburn, Cicero C, Co. B, 64th Int.; enl. Sept. 25,
1861; died in hospital at Elmira, Nov. 8, 1801.
Kyser, Amos S., corp. Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2.5,
1862; disch. June 16, 1865.
Kyser, Nicholas S., Co. V. Ifl4th Inf.; enl. April 11,
1805; disch. May 6, following.
Low, Manfred, Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April 11, 1865.
.McCoon, Chauncey, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 13,
1861; disch. June 1, 1864.
228
History of Cattaraugus County.
Meloph, Hermon, Co. K. 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, 1S61:
died in Baltiraore, Oct. U, 1802.
Millman. Jolin H., Co. K, B4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.5, ISiJl;
wounded at Gaine.s'3 Mills; discb. July 25, 1SH2.
Moore, Harlow E., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, ISil;
wounded at Fredericksburg; killed at Chanccl-
loi-sville. Mar 3, 18G.S.
Morgan, Newell C, Co. B, 64tli Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; trans, to V. R. C; disch. July 4, 1S64.
Mosher, Baronet B., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 26,
1861; disch. Sept. 28, 1864.
Mosher, Francis M., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, 1.861;
pro. Corp. Au^'. 1, 1862, and sergt. Dec. 15, 1862;
disch. Oct. 15, 1864.
Myei-s, Garret S., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 13, 1861;
disch. June 20, 1862.
Nickerson, Harris, Co. H,37th Inf.; enl. May 20, 1861;
wounded at Charles City; disch. June 24, 1863.
Nortbrup, Charles, Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 21,
1861; died in Elmira.
Parks. Andrew G., Co. B, l.S4th Inf.; enl, Aug. 11,
1862; pro. 1st sergt. Dec. 1, 1864: prisoner at Golds-
borough, N. C, March 2.5. 1865; disch. June 17, 1865.
Pember, Deloss E., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1861;
wounded at Fair Oaks and disch. soon after.
Plopper, John C, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861;
wounded and prisoner; disch. Feb. 27, 186:3.
Plunkett, Thomas. Co. K. l-54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862;
disch. March 24, 186:3, for disability.
Eichmier, John, Co. H, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 4, 1864;
served on gunboat Bxan.tklc: disch. June 13, l.«6.5.
Kobinson, Horace, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862;
pro. Corp.; disch. June 23. 1865.
Kobinson, Wra. R., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1861; disch. Sept., 18t;4.
Ross, Reuben, Co. B. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 25, 1861;
died at Fortress Monroe, April 17, 1862.
Sattord, James M., corp. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
14, 1861; died at Fortress .Monroe, April 16, 1862.
Sanders, Nelson T., Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1801; served three yeai'S as regimental commis-
sary, and was discharged at the close of his term
of service.
Shannon, Edgar, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1, 1802;
pro. 1st serg. March, 18t>4; 1st. lieut. April 5, 1864;
quartermaster; discli. June 23, 186.5.
Shannon, .Marshall H., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6.
1862; pro. 1st. sergt. .Tan. 18, 181V4; wounded Jan. 16,
1864; trans, to V^ K. C. Dec. 20, 1804; disuh. July 5,
18ti5.
Shannon, Truman S., Co. K, ].54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 0,
1862; pro. corp. in tiret buttle of Fredericksburg;
killed at Chancellorsville.
Shelmadine, Barut D., Co. K. 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6,
1862; killed at Chancellorsville.
Sherman, Joseph B., Co. A. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 17,
1801; wounded at Fredericksburg; disch. Oct., 1804.
Smith, Amos S., Co. B, 04th. Inf.; enl. Aug. 16, 1861;
disch. Feb. 2.5, 186.3; re-enl. April 11, 1805; stationed
in Elmira.
Smith, Henry, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 25, 1861;
disch. Feb. 14, 186:5.
Smith, Isaac W., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1802;
pro. corp. Oct. 2:5, 180:3; disch. June 14, 186.5.
Smith, Wiliard D., Co. H, :37th Inf.; enl. May 20, 1861;
disch. Sept. 13, 1861.
Stickney, Theodore E., Co. K, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1801; disch. Aug. 22, 1862.
Sutton, Patrick, Co. H, :37th Inf.; enl. June 15, 1861;
disch. Aug. 15. 18&'; re-enl. Co. F, 194th Inf.. and
stationed in Elniini until the close of the war.
Town, Rufus P., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 186:!;
disch. June 16, 1805.
Trumbull, Henry, Co. K,64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1801;
disch. Jan. 1.5, 180:3.
Wait, John C, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2.5, 1861;
disch. Sept. 28, 1804.
■\Vellman, George W., sergt. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 16, 1861; severely wounded at Fair Oaks;
disch. in Sept.. 1862.
Wells, Albert N.. corp. Co. K. 04th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; died at Fairfa.x Station, April 22, 1862.
Wells, Mandeville, Co. H, 3nh Inf.; enl. May 14, 1801.
Wilcox, Martin V. B., Co. K, &4th Inf.; enl. bept. 2!),
1861; disch. Oct. 15, 1864.
Willson, Lester (no record).
Willson, Myron L., Co. H, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. June 27, 186.5.
Wood, Bradford H., Co. K, 64th Inf.: enl. Dec. 9, 1861-
disch. March, 1862; re-enl. Co. K. 1.54th Inf., Aug!
1, 1802; severely wounded at Chancellorsville;
remained in service until Juno 1. 1865.
Wood, Daniel T., sergt. Co. K, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 14,
1861; ri<rht arm shattered at Gettvsburg; disch
Dec. 2i; ISia.
Wood, Joseph F., corp. Co. K, 64th Inf.: enl. Sept. 14,
1861; served three years.
Zibbells, Jefferson, Co. F, 64th Inf.: enl. Sept. 1.5, 1861;
severely woiuided at Gett.\sburg and trans, to
Invalid Res. Corps; served three yeai'S.
LITTLE VALLEY.
Anderson. Emory A., capt. Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept.
23, 1861; pro. major.
Austin, Horace, Co. F, 64th Inf.: enl. Aug., 1801;
died at Mount Pleasant ho.spital.
Beckwith. James M.. Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1. 1801.
Bisbee, Alvan, Co. A. 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 2.5. 1862.
Borden, Herman D.. :3d Iowa Cav.
Borden, Peter J.. 111th Inf.; enl. Sept. 4.1864.
Brainard. Cyrus W.,64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, iwi.
Button. John, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 29, 1S61.
Calkins, Patrick. Co. D, 67th Ohio Inf.: enl. Dee. 9,
1861; re-enl. at the end of three years.
Cna,«e, Abner W., Co. D. 2lst Inf.: enl. April., 1861:
died at Ale.vandria, -\pril 21. l.'^)2.
Chase, Hiram, corp. Co. B, 9th Cav.: enl. Sept. 23,
l.~<01; died at Springfield. Aug.. 1862.
Childs, Joel L., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 27, 1861.
Conklin, Benjamin. Co. I. 37th Inf.: enl. May 9, 1861;
wounded in both thighs.
Cory, Hiram, Co. L, 1.5th Cav.; enl. Nov. 18, 1862.
Crundall, William, Co. B, 9th Cav.: enl. Sept. 23,1861.
Crosby, Nathan C, 1st lieut. Co. B. 9th Cav.; enl.
Sept. 2:5, 1801.
Cullen, John, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Julv. 1862; died
Nov. 20. 186:3.
Cullen, Joseph, Co. B. 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Culleii, Samuel, Co. B. 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 19, 1863.
Davis, F. Lei-oy, Co. E, 5th Cav.: enl. Aug. 26, 1801.
Ellis, Albert. Co. B. 9th Cav.: enl. Sept.2;j, 1801.
Ellis. Henry, Co. H. 1.54th Inf.: enl. Aug. 1.5, 1862; died
at Chancellorsville. Mav :3, 18o:3.
Farnace, .\sa H.. <;'o. B. 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 2:3, 1861.
Fields, Charles, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862;
pro. Corp.
Foster, Mclvin, Co. B, 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Sept. 19. 1864.
Fuller, Benjamin C, Co. I, :37th Inf.: enl. May 9, 1864.
Fuller, Henry V., Co. F, 64th Inf.: enl. Aug., 1861;
pro. sergt.; 1st lieut.; capt.; killed at Gettysburg.
Gallagher. James, Co. E, 1.54tn Inf.: enl. Sept. 29, 1862;
pro. 1st. sergt. Dec. 1862; 1st lieut. Sept., 1864:
capt. Nov., 1804.
Gates, Levi, (.'0. 1, 187th Int.: enl. Sept. 16, 1804; died
May 2:5, 1805.
Godding, Carlos, Co. C. 64th Inf.: enl. Sept., 1861; pro.
Corp.
Godding, William W.. Co. B, 9th Cav.: enl. Octl, 1861.
Hale, .Tames, Co. H, 1.51th Inf.; enl. Aug.. 1802.
Hale, William D., Co. H. 1.54th Inf.; enf. Aug. 11, 1863;
died in .Tamestown, N. Y., .\ug. 29, 1SJ2. '
Hildroth, Edward A., Co. B. 1.54th Inf.: enl. Aug. 14,
1802: trans, to ISth Pa. Cav.
Hildreth, Oliver B., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 23,
1.861; pro. Corp.; sergt.; re-enl. Jan.. 1861, as sergt. -
major: pro. 2d lieut.; 1st lieut.; quartermaster;
capt.; brevet major.
Houghton, Nelson, 9th Cav.; enl. Jan. 22, 186:3; died in
Philadelphia.
Ingalls, Orlin, 2d Cav.; enl. March Sn. 186.5.
Keith, Albert, Co. F, 64th Inf.; enL Nov. 27, 1861.
Keith. Horace, Co. F, 64tb Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861; re-
enl.; died in the service.
Kenyon, Ellas W., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.: enl. .\ug. , 1862;
lost an eye in battle.
Kenyon, Hiram L., Co. E, 10th Cav.: enl. Oct., 1861.
Kenyon, Lorenzo A., 13th H. A.: enl. Aug. 22, 1864;
died in Norfolk, Va., Nov. 3, 1864.
Kilbourn, George. 166th Inf.; enl. March, 1S&5.
King, Joshua, farrier Co. E, 5th Cav.: enl. Aug. 23,
1861.
Lewis, Harmon, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 5. 1861.
Lewis, Thomas J., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 30. 1861.
Loomis, Clark, Co. A, 18Sth Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1864.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
229
Loop, David P., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 3, 1861;
killed at Shepardstown, 1B64.
Loop, Georjre U., Co. B, 9tb Ciiv.; enl. Oct. .S, ISBl;
killed at Stevensbiirt'-, Va., Oct. 11. \xia.
L'lce, Augustus, 13th H. A.: enl. Autr. 24. l.*i.
Mark ham, Isaac P., Co. B. 9th C;\y.\ enl. Sept. ^':3, ISU.
Markham, William J., Co. B, 9tli Cav.; enl. Sept. S5,
ISil: pro.' Corp.; 1st ser^-t.; 2(1 lieiit.
Martindale, Warren B., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 30,
IStil; died in service April S. l.'^iC
Mattindale, William S., 3Tth Inf.; enl. Ort. 8, 1861:
killed at Williamsburg, Va.. April il. isii:;.
McGowan, .Tohn W., Co. B,9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 27, 1H61;
died Feb. 2.S, 1S62.
McGuire, Michael, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 30. 1861:
pro. Corp.; serg:t.
McVa.v, William H., 1st lieut. 6th Kegt. U. S. A.; enl.
.\Uif., l-«62; died at Fortress Monroe, Nov. 9. 1S61.
Meakcr. Nelson, Co. F, 89th Inf.; enl. Nov. 8, 1861;
disch. for disability.
Jfetsker, Fred'ck, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1S61.
Monroe, Henry W., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862;
re-enl. in 186.i.
Jinnroe, Samuel, Co. A. l.ilth Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1864.
Mosher, Henry W., (i4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, ].'<64.
Newton. Truman, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 8, 18111.
Orr, C. P., Corp. Co. H, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 2:3, 1801.
Parker. Chauney A., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. ai.
1H61: pro. adjut.
Peabody, Martin L., corp. 8:!d Ohio Inf.; enl. Aug. 22,
1862; dit'd in the ser\'ice. •
Perry. (;harles K. A., l.ilth Inf.; enl. July 21. l.sti:;
died at Chancelli.rsvillc, Mav2, lS(i:i.
Price, T.. Co. [,44th Inf.
Ru>sell, Almiin P., Crj. H, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 30. isiil.
Snider. Francis K., .>8th [II. inf.: enl. Aug. 12, lsii3.
Spraiige, L\itber A., lient. 1:0. B. 9th Cav.; enl. Oct.
27, 1861; pro. to 1st lieuf. Mav, WW.
Starks, ,lohn W.. :i7th Inf.: eid. Oct. 1, 1861.
Stevens, .ludson, lUth Inf.; enl. Aug. 2ii, IS64.
Stevens. Silas, Co. K, 64th Inf.; eid. Aug. 26, 1861;
wounded at Fair Oaks.
Sweatland,, Emery, hospital steward Co. B, l.ilth
Inf.; enl. .\ug. 11, 1,SB2.
Sweatland, Wesley J., Co. B. l.'uth Inf.; enl. Se|)t.
21, l.s<i2.
Thompson, Hiram S., (irm.-sergt. Co. II, 9th Cav.;
enl. Oct. .3, 18*11.
Thompson, Joseph F., Co. B, 9th Ca\ .; eid. Sept. 28.
Ti.sdale, Edward A.. Co. B, 9th <^av.; enl. Oct. 8, isill.
Town, George, scrgt. (jo. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 2:i,
1861; disch. for disatnlity.
Walker, K. .\f.. Co. It, Kith II. A.; enl. Aug. ], 1SI13.
Wheat. Jonathan. lUth Inf.; eid. Feb. 27, [S(14.
Willis Thomas, sergt. Co. H, l-Mth Inf.; enl. Aug.,
1S12; died at Atlanta. Ga.
Wirnie. Thomas. I'.ith II. Art.; enl. Sept., iwa
Wocidworth, Charles, corp. Co. C, 13th H. Art.; enl.
July 27, 18ia
Woodworth, Thomas, corp. Co. C, Kith H. A; enl.
Auif. 17, 1863; died Feb. 5, 18U.x
LYNDON.
Adams, Ozias F., Co. D. l.>4th Inf.; must. Oct. :J0, lsi_i2,
three years.
Beebe, Jeptha, Co. D. liUtli Inf.; must. Sept. :iO. l>i<;2.
three years; killed at Chancel lorsviUe, .May 3, l.Hiii.
Bertels, Henry S., Co. C, ir>4th Inf.; must. 'Oct. ;ilj.
ISU, three years.
Campbell, Jes.se D., Co. D, 154th Inf.: must. Oct. 30,
1864. three years; accidentally killed Dec. 7, 1.S61.
Chase, James F., Co. D, l.i4th Inf.; must. Oct. .30, 1862;
died July 30, 1863, from wounds received at Get-
tysburg.
Clement, Ouane, Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Sept., 1.S62,
three year-s.
Emory, Burdett, Co. G, 13th H. A.; must. Sept. 10,
1863, one year.
Emory, Isaa(^ Co. D, 154th Inf.; must. Aug. 12, [1-62,
three years.
Gere, Osman B., Co. D, 64th Inf.; must. Sept. 24, 1861,
three years; died in service May 2, 186;J.
Goss, John, Co. I, Bth Cav.,- must. Nov. 1, 1861, three
years; re-enl. Dec. 16, 18fl3.
Hayden, Edward L., Co. I, 6th Cav.; must. Oct. 30,
1861, three years.
Herrick, Matthew, Co. E, .5th Cav.; must. Aug. 30,
1861, three years: pro. corp.: 2d lieut. Dec. 15, 18t>4.
Hogg, Adam. must. Sept. 3. 1864, one year.
Hogg, Ben.1. F., corp. Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9,
1862, three vears; wounded at Gettysburg.
Hogg, Geo. W., Co. C. 104th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9, 18C2.
Hogg. John R., Co. D. l.>4th Inf.; must. Aug. 12, 18G2,
three years: prisoner at Gettysburg; sent to
Belle Isle. Andersonville, and McMillen.
Hogg. Thomas P.. eul. Jime 5. 1864, one year,
Johnson, Wm.. served on board Tara, Sineaiite, ("n-
rondelct. and Bhul- Hau-k.
Johnston, Jamos, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. Aug. 12,
1862, three years; wounded; died of smallpo.v Dec.
.30, 1864.
Laten, Samuel, Co. 1, 2dRegt.; must. Jan., 1861, three
years.
Laten, Wm., Co. I, 2d Regt.; must. Jan., 1861, three
years.
Lockwood, Geo.. Co. K. 22d Cav.; must. Nov., 1863.
McFarland, James, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; must. Sept. 24,
1862, three years; prisoner; wounded at Kenesaw
Mountain.
MellvillP, Daniel C. 64th Inf.; must. Sept. 10, 1,864,
one year.
Melrose, James, must. Sept. 3, 1864, one yeai-.
Mervale. Halliday. Co. K, 22d Ca\-.; must. Nov., 18il3;
captured by guerrillas and never heard from.
Mitchell. John. 1st lieut. Co. I), 154th Int.; must Aug.
12, 1S6J, three years; taken prisoner at Gettys-
burg anil escaped.
Otto, Howard. Co. K, 22d Cav.; must. Nov., 1S(J3, tsvo
Patterson. Darius, Co. I, 85th Inf.; must. Nov. 26.
isill. three viai-s.
Portt-r. .Inhn C. Co. E, 6th Cav.; must. Sept. 10, 1S64,
one \ ear.
Pratt, IMwar.I F.. Co. I, fith Cav.; must. Nov. 15, 1861,
three years: killed in battle Sejit. 4, 1S64.
Rider, Henry D.. Co. [, 27th luf.; must. June, 1861,
two years: died July 22, 1861.
Rider. Wm. B.. Co. I. 27th Inf.; must. July :!, IMll,
two yea'S.
Scott, James, served onboard Umli m- and Hiiiitiiss;
eul. Sept. 3, 1864. on"- jear.
Stone, Edmund. Jr., Co. D. 64th Inf.; must. Oct. 18,
l.'^62. three years: pro. ciu-p.; killed July 2, l.-<ii:i.
Stone, .lames .M., (o. (', 67ih Inf.; must. May 14, 1861,
three \ ears: re-enl. Dec. 2.S, 186:!.
Taylor, lieiijamm F.. Co. [, 6th Cav.; must. Nov.,
1861. three yeai>: killed in battle Oct. 11, In;:..
Taylor, Henry H.. Co. 1,0th Cav.; must. Nov., 1861,
three years; died of disease Sept. :30, 1862.
Thompson. Addison S., Co. E, .5th Cav.; must. Aug.
29, Isiii, throe years: prisoner; paroled; re-enl.
Dee. 26. iwuj: pro. 2il lieut.
Vaughan. .iii;;u-tus W., Co. D, 64th Inf.; must. May,
l>61. tliic-e yeai-s: died in service.
Vaiighuii. Wallace. CO. F, 90th Inf.: must. Oct. 18,
l.-^.U, one vear.
Winehell. David. Co. G, 13tli [I. .\.; must. Sept. 10,
l^iJi, one year.
MACHIAS.
Abers, Gerrett. 37th Inf.; enl. Nov. 2.5, 1.H61: disch.
Sept., isfil.
-■\dams, James, musician 21st Ohio Inf.; enl. Sept.,
1861: disch. Sept., 1862.
Allen, Edward A., Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec, 1K61;
disch. June. 18<>5.
Allen, Edwin A., Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec. 6, 1861;
re-enl. as sergt. 94th Inf., Feb.. l.'<64.
Allen, George, lo. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec., 1861; died
of wounds I let. 7. 1862.
Ames, Nelson, 21th Inf.; served nineteen months.
Andrews, B. F. H., Co. D, 1.54th Int.; enl. July II,
1862, three years; died in Libhy prison.
Andrews, H. E., Co. D, 15tth Inf.; enl. July 11, l,so2,
three ynars.
Baker. F. .Marion, Co. G, 14th H. A.; enl. Nov. 10,
186:1, three years.
Barns, Alanson, corp. Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9,
1.S61; re-enl. Feb., 1804.
Bliton, Nelson F., 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862, three
years.
230
History of Cattaraugus County.
Bliton, Thomas N., Co. D, 15ith Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862,
three years.
Brandart. Frederick, Co. D, 105th Inf.: enl. Dec. 6,
1H61, three years.
Brown, Albert, Co. G, Uth H. A.; en). Nov. 12, 1863,
three years.
Brown, C. R., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1862,
three years.
Brown, Charles, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862, three
years.
Brown, Frederick, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
lSt>4, one year.
Bush. John, corp. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862,
three rea'S.
Butler, Alvin G., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Button, Kingsley, 72d Inf.; enl. June, 1861, three
years.
Button, Milford F., Co. G, Uth H. A ; enl. Nov. 10,
1863, three years.
Carver, Carthalo, 4th Mich. Cav.; enl. 1863, three
years.
Chase, Chas. M., Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1SG2,
three years.
Cheney, David H., Co. G, 104th Inf.; enl. Nov. 18,
1861; disch. for disability Aug., 1862.
Cheney, Galen, Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Oct. 21. 1861;
re-enl. as musician in 2d N. Y. Regt. Jlaj' IB, 1864.
Corwin, James H., Co. D, lOoth Inf.; enl. Feb. 4, 1862,
three years.
Curtis, Wra. L., Co. A, 188ch Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, 1864,
one year.
Dean, C. P., enl. April 14. 1864, two years.
Dillingham, Abijah S., Co. D. Ili5th Inf.; enl. Feb. 1,
1862; died at Annapolis, Feb. 2, 1864.
Dillingham, Ale.xander K.,Co.D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
6, 1862, three years.
Dillingham, Benj., Co. F, 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1802,
three years.
Eder, Michael, Co. A.lSSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864, one
year.
Ellithorp. Lyman, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. March 26,
1862, three years.
Evans, Daniel, Co. A, 18Sth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Farran, Martin V., Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Nov. 19,
1861, three years.
Farran, Melville. 72d Inf.; enl. Juno, 1861, three years.
Fish, Harry, Co. D, 105th Int.; enl. Jan. 20, 1861, three
years; died of \Bounds in Maryland, Oct. 1, 1862.
Freeman, Easterly, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1862,
three years.
Gould, Amos W., Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 15, 1862,
three years.
Gould, Elias, Co. K, 10.5th Inf.: enl. March 1.5, 1862,
three years; re-enl. Co. A, 188th Inf., Sept. 3, 1864.
Gould, John, Co. A, 188th Int.; enl. Sept. 3, IStU, one
ytar.
Gould, Lyman (no record).
Gould, Wm., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, 1864, one
year.
Hall, Harvey H., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1861;
disch. Sept. 24, IMH.
Hall, Wyman, Co. H, 44th Inf.
Hamilton, Alson, Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Oct. 14, 1861,
three years; re-enl. March, ISW.
Hamilton, John, corp. Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Nov.
29, 1861, three years.
Hawkins, Duty, corp. Co. D, 105th Int.; enl. Oct. 30,
18U1, three years.
Hawkins. Oscar F., 1st sergt. Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl.
Oct. 311, 1861, three years.
Hilsen, Andrew, Co. A. 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Hitchcock, Lucius, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1864, one
year.
Hyatt, James, Co. G, Uth Art.; enl. Nov. 16, 186:!,
three years,
.lohnson, Andrew L., sergt. Co. D, 10.5th Inf.; enl.
Dec. 9, 1861, three years: disch. at e.\p. of term.
Johnson, John B., Co. M, 2d .Mtd. Kitles; enl. Jan. 15,
1864; died at Petersburg, July 7, 1864.
Johnson, Wallace H., Co. A, 136th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5,
1862, three years.
Jones, Morgan, 2d Art.; enl. Feb., 1864.
Joslin, Alanson, wagoner Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Oct.
21, 1861; transferred.
Joslin, Francis S., Co. D, 105ih Inf.; enl. Nov. 20,1861.
Joslin, Geo., 44th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1862; killed at Spot-
sylvania, May 8, 1804.
Keller, A. Martin, corp. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1862, three years; pro. sergt.
Kennedy, John, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864
one year. "
Lamb, Moses B.. Co. O, l.>4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862
three years.
Lind, James, 2d N. T. Mtd. Rifles: enl. Jan., 1864.
Lingenfelter, James, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
1862, three years.
Little, Henry, 105th Inf.; enl. March, 1862.
Locke, H. E., musician Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. July 30,
1862, three .yea'S.
Lowell, Merritt, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864;
disch. June. 186.5.
Lynde, Chas. S., Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec. .5, 1861,
three years; re enl. 2d Mtd. Kities, Jan. 30, 1864.
Lynde, Spencer, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Jfartin, Hiram, Co. D, 1.54ih Inf.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1862,.
three years.
McCracken John, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 15, 1862;
disch. Oct., 1864.
Mosman, Matthias, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Munson, Willis, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. 1, 1862,
three years.
Myers, John L., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862,
three years.
Newton, Geo. H., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Nov. 15,18(31;
died of wounds Oct. 15, 1862.
Newton, Henry, corp. Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Nov. 17,
1861; died in hospital Nov. 9. 1862.
Owen, David J., corp. Co. E, lS7tli Inf.; enl. Sept. 26,
1864, one year.
Patterson, Chas.. Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Patterson, H. L., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1862,
three years.
Patterson, Nathaniel, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 7,
1862, three years.
Peck, John, corp. Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Oct. 3, 1861;
disch. Jan., 186-5.
Phillips, Delos, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5, 1865;
disch. May, 1864.
Phillips, Dudley, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1862,
three years.
Phillips. George, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 1862,
three years.
Phillips, Norris, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept.'S, 1864.
Kay, .loseph, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864, one
year.
Hfied. Alpheus N., Co. G, Uth H. A.; enl. Nov. 9. 1863,
three years,
Hosenburger, Frederick, Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Nov.
19, 1862; killed at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1863.
Shaw, Daniel, Co. D, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Oct. 30, 1861;
wounded; disch. Oct., 186.3.
Shultz, John, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec. 3, 1861; died
of wounds Oct. 26, 1863.
Snyder, Edgar, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. 22, 1862,
three years.
Starks, John D.. corp. Co. A, 100th Inf.: enl. Oct. 29,
1861; died in Anderson ville prison Sept. 18, 1864.
Starks, Nathaniel, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec. 10, 1861;
died at Annapolis, Md., April 2, 186.5.
Stephens, Cora L., 1st sergt. Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 6. 1862; pro. 1st lieut.
Slevens, Andrew, Co. A, 18Sth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864,
one year.
Stoneman, George A., Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec. 20,
1861; transferred.
Sutton, Charles G., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1862, three years.
Thompson, Osro, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, 1864,
one year; disch. with company.
Travis, Byron, Co. D, 105th Int.; enl. Jan. 22, 1862,
thrpe years.
Van Slike, James E., Co. I. 116th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9,
1862; died of disease at New Orleans, April 8. 1S(>3.
Vanderwater, Jacob, Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. 1,
1862,; killed at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 186:3.
Velzey, George, Co. D, 105th Int.; enl. Dec. 20, 1861,
three years; wounded at Gettysliurg; re-enl. Co.
A, ISSth Inf., Sept. 3, 1864.
Velzey, Milton, Co. C, 104th Inf.; enl. Oct. 31, 1861,
three years.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
Velzey, Oliver, Co. A, ISiith Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864, one
year.
'.Varreo, Delano, Co. A, ISSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1364;
discli. June. lSt;.5.
Weed. Martin E., 1st corp. Co. D, 105th Inf.; enl. Nov.
1, ISOI, three years.
Whitcorab. Newell, Co. A, lS*th Inf.: enl. Sept. 6,
IBiU; killed at Petersburg, April 5, ISffi.
MANSFIELD.
Ames, Jonathan M., enl. April. lfJ>5.
liabcock, Enoch H. (no record); enl. in Steuben Co.
Uailey, Georjre \V., Co. G, l.Mth Inf.; enl. Aujr.. 1802;
died in Andei'sonville prison Aug., 18G4.
Hall, Ezra D., Co. B, 151th Inf.: enl. Aug., 1S62, three
years.
Ball, Georg-e M.. sergt. Co. B, 1.51th Inf.; enl. Aug.,
1862; prisoner at Gettysburg, and confined in
Belle Isle 40 days.
Ball, Lucius D., musician Co. B. 151th Inf.; enl. Aug.,
liallard'. Willard, Co. I, 3:th Inf.: enl. May, isijl.
Barnes, George W., enl. Sept., 1>»>4.
Bartlett, De.xter, Co. 1, 37th Inf.; enl. May, 1.SU1; died
in hospital in 18t)2.
Bartlett, Nelson M., Co. B, 1.51th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862;
re-enl.
Barto, Jesse, Co. B, 8th Cav.; enl. Oct., l.'^l: disch.
Beckworth, James M., Co. B. nth Cav.; enl. Nov., 1861;
disch.
Black, Charles S , Ind. Co.'Fa. Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862.
Bornhoff, Henry H., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Nov., 18B1.
iiowen, Francis M., Co. I, 151th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1802;
wounded; disch. .lune 11, IStfi.
Bowen, Moses, Jr., Co. B. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802.
Boyington, Fred H., enl. March. 1804.
Brown, Heman G.. Co. I, .37th Inf.; enl. May, 1801.
Buckley, H., enl. March, liM'A.
Bullinger, Frederick, enl. April. 180.5.
Burroughs, William K., lieut. Co. C. 04th Inf.; enl.
Sept., IWl: disch. July, l.si2.
Butcher, Frederick, enl. March. I8M.
Butler, Oscar, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.: enl. Aug., 1802; pris-
oner; died in Belle Isle in I'^'S.
Calkins, James, Co. B, 1.51th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1S02,
throe years.
Callahan, Thomas, enl. Sept., Is^.
Charlesworth, Aaron, Co. I, ;J7th Inf.; enl. Jlay, 1801;
prisoner.
Chase, Jame.=, Co. F, UHth Inf.; enl. April, 180.5.
Chase, John J., enl. Oct.. 18(H.
Cochrane, Wilbur, is'^tli Inf.; enl. Sept., 18<U.
Conklin, Morrill J., Co. A. IS^th Int.; enl. Sept. .5, 1804.
Co."C, Mervin, Otii Cav.; enl. Sept., 1804.
Curtis.s, .M. F.. enl, March, IsH.
Davis, George, Co. C. fUih Inf.: enl. Sept., 18);i; died
in Elmira, P^H.
Davis, Kobert. Co. B, nth Cav.: enl. Oct., 1,'«1; disch.:
ri--enl. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.. Julv, 1.<B2; disch. Jan. .180:5.
De Costa, Alfred, Co. F, With Inf.: enl. April, 186.5.
Demming, Chester, sergt. Co. B. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.,
180:J; wounded; prisoner.
Edmonds, Austin, Co. C, 04th Int.; enl. Sept., 1801.
Fay, James S., musician Co. K, ploth Inf.; enl. Feb. 1,
1802.
Finch, Hugh. 188th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1801.
Gardner, A. S., enl. March, 1864.
Gardner, S. F., enl. March, H^A.
Godding, William, Co. B, nth Cav.; enl. Nov., 1861;
disch.
Gogal, Christian (no record i.
Green, Otheniel, Jr., < 'o. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802;
died in Andersonville prison Aug., 1804.
Greene, Henry, enl. Oct., 18<>4.
Hardy, Ale.\ander, Co. C, Wth Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861.
Harvey, Isaac, (2d), sergt. Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.,
1801; disch. July, 18)C
Hamilton, Benjamin, enl. Sept., \(M.
Heath, Bart, Co. F, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861.
Huntley, Henry S.. Co. I. 37th Inf.; enl. May, 1801:
wounded at Williamsburg, and died in hospital
after having leg amputated.
Huntley, SilasS., lieut. Co. 1. 37th Inf.; enl. May, 1801.
James, Martin A., O. F, inith Inf.; enl. April, 180.5.
Johnson, Albion T., Co. B, 15tthlnf.; enl. Aug., 1862,
three years.
Johnson, Alexander, enl. Sept., 1864.
Johnson, Fred, enl. Sept., 1864.
Johnson, John, enl. Sept., 1864.
Johnson, Stephen T., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5,
1864.
Johnston, Edward, Co. F, nth Cav.; enl. Sept., 1861;
wounded: disch.
Johnston, Newell, Co. F, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept., 1861;
disch.
Jones, Hiram, enl. Oct., 1801.
Keen, Henry, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct., 1861.
Kelly, Warren J., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862,
three years.
Lang. William, Jr., 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Sept., 1864.
Lathrop. John S., enl. March, 1801.
Lattin. Alvin, Co. F, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 10, 1861; re-
enl. Feb. 16, 1801: pro. 1st. lieut. Dec. 28, 1864.
Lattin, Charles, (^o. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May, 1861; re-
enl. as sergt. Feb. 16, 1804.
Lattin, Edgar, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug., 18i>!; re-
enl. Feb., 1864, in 179th Inf.; lost right arm at mine
explosion, Petersburg.
Lewis, Herman, Co. B. 9th Cav.; enl. Oct., 1861.
Lewis, Jefferson, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct., 1861.
Lvon, Urban, enl. March, 1864.
Manley, John A., capt. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1801.
Mason, Albert W., Co. A, 18Hth Inf.; enl. Sei>t. 5, 1804.
McDonald, Duncan, enl. Sept., 1804.
McDonald, Martin, Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April, 1805.
McFarland, Robert (no record).
McKay, Oscar, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861; disch.
Feb., 1,803.
McKay. Thomas H., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862,
three years.
Milks, Jonathan B., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5. 1864.
Morris, John, enl. Oct.. 1864.
Murray, Francis P. (no record).
Myers, Henry, enl. April. 186.5.
Newton, Freeman, C^o. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct., 1861;
disch.
Olsen, John (no record).
I istrander, Henry, enl. Oct., 1864.
Perry, Abner, Co. B, 9th Cav.: enl. Sept., 1861; disch.
Perry, Charles R., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1862;
wounded at Chancellorsville and died on the field.
Perry, Leander, Co. I, :!7th Inf.; enl. May, 1861.
Prince, Henry (no record).
Rogei-s, Jason, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861; disch.
July, 1802.
Ryan, John, Co. F, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861; re-enl.
Jan. 1, 1804.
Scott, John, enl. Sept., 1804.
Smith, Addison M., Co. K, 14th H. A.; enl. Aug. 21,
186:1; trans, to steamer Rcnn, Feb., 1864.
Smith, D. C, enl. March, 1864.
Smith, Francis A., 18Sth Inf.; enl. Sept., 1864.
Smith, Sylvester C, ser^t. Co. H, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct.,
1.801,
Snowdon, John, enl. Oct., 1804.
Sprague, Luther, Jr., lieut. Co. B, 9th Cav.: enl. Nov.,
1861.
Stafford, Frank, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861; died
in hospital of disease.
Stewbach, August, enl. Sept., 1804.
Stoorcs, George H.. enl. Oct., 18(U.
Sykes, Charles H.,9ihCav.: enl. Sept., 1804; wounded
in foot.
Van Aernam, Francis, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept., 1864.
Washington, William, enl. Sept., 1864.
Watkins, Henry (no record).
Wheeler, David A. (no record).
Whitcomb, Newell, Co. A, l«8th Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1864.
Wilber, Joshua, Co. C, 13Lh Cav.; enl. 1864.
Wood, Ira, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1862; disch.
Feb., 186:j, for disability.
Yetter, John, Co. H, lo4th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802, thiee
years.
NAPOLI.
Adams, Otis, 1st sergt. Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10,
1862; disch. Feb., 180:i.
Allen, Thomas W., 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 15, 1864, one
year.
Arms, Nelson E., Co. B, 64th Int.; enl. Sept. 20, 1801,
three years; disch. April, 1803, for wounds.
Arnold, Joseph, 9th Cav.; enl. Feb. 9, 1804; wounded.
Ballard, Frank R., 9th Cav.; enl. Nov. T, 1802; disch.
Aug., 1803.
-0-
HisTORv OF Cattaraugus County.
Barber, Solomon, Oth Cav.; enl. Aug-. 26, 1862; disch.
Nov., 18«2.
Boardman, Alphonzo J., Co. B, 04tli Inf.; enl. .\ug.
IT, 1861; disch. Oct., ISO-'.
Boardman, Henry, 1st serjft. Co. B. liith Inf.; enl.
Sept. 1."), 1861; re-enl. in 1864, 14th Mass. Vets.
Boardman, James M., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug-. 17,
1861; disch. Dec, 186:2; re-enl. Aug-., 1863, in 14Tth
Inf.; disch. May, 1865; prisoner ten mouths.
Boardman, Timothy S., ord.-sergt. Co. F, 64th Inf.;
enl. AuK. oil, 1861; died at Annapolis, Md., March
28, 1865, of wounds.
Boorn, Charles X., corp. Co. I, 49th Inf.; enl. Aug.
18, 1861; died Nov. 1.5, 18iJ4, of wounds.
Booth, Daniel, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year.
Booth, Ho-ward A., Kith H. A.; enl. Sept. 2. \SH. one
year.
Booth, (Jrlan S.. 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year.
Brooks, \Vm., l:ith Art.; enl. Sept. 5, 1864, one year;
trans, to steamer Foato .
Brown, Chas. D., corp. Co. B, Wth Inf.; enl. Sept. l.i.
1861, three yeai-s.
Brown, J. Quincv, sergt. Co. E. 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 9,
1861; pro. cap't.; died July 17, 1864, of wounds.
Bumlage, Rowland, 91 h Cav.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862; disch.
May, 1864. for wounds."
Burroughs, Geo. Washington. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 8. 1.862; ue\-er returned.
Burt, Lyman S., Co. F, 6ith Inf.; enl. Oct. 1. L-61;
died May 17. 1.8ii2, of disease.
Bushnell, Martin D., corp. Co. H. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept.
26, 1862, three years; wounded in foot.
Cafej-, Geo. W., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. IT, Ha,
three years.
( ary, Sewell H., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 27, 18<il;
died Feb. 11, 1862, of disease.
Chafer, Edward E., sergt. 9lh Cav.; enl. 1S61;-\vouik1-
ed; served to end of term.
Champlin, Delos M.,2d lieut. Co. H, 154th luf.; enl.
Sept. 12, 1862.
Crawford, Franklin, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept., 1864, one
jear.
Damon, Lyman E., 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 29, 18i)2: disch.
Dec. 186;j for disability.
Davis, Jefferson \V., corp. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
22, 1861.
Disbro, Alonzo, 64th Inf.
Earl, Harvey, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11. 1862.
Earl, Norman, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1^62; disch.
May, 1863, for disability.
Earl, Spencer V., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17. 1861;
died Oct. 21, 1S62, of disease.
Elwell, Michael T., corp. Co. K, yth Cav.; enl. Oct. 7,
1861; died Nov. 26, 1864, of disease.
Fay, Ary, 9tli Cav.; enl. Aug., 1862, three years;
wounded.
Finnin, Thomas H., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 19,
18Ki, three vears.
Fisher, Harmon I., Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1.5,
1862; disch. Aug.. I,'i6:5, for wounds.
Geary, William H. II., Co. B, Wth Inf.; enl. Sept. lU,
1861; re-enl. Feb., 186:J.
Gere, Webster, corp. Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. Feb. 29,
1.864; disch. June, 186.5, for wounds.
Gowin, Leroy, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 13, 1862, three
years; prisoner eight months.
Gray, Geo. K., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 21, 1862,
three years.
Gray, Nathan, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug., 1864, one year.
Hall, Marcus, corp. 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 31. lMi2;
disch. July, 1864, for disability.
Hazard, Daniel, 1st sergt. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
disch. April, 1864.
Hickey, John, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1861.
Hoard, Nathaniel, corp. Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 9,
1861; died Sept., It62, of wounds.
Hopkins, Daniel, 9th Cav.; enl. -Sept. 3, 1864; disch.
June, 1865.
Kelsey, Elon E., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1.861;
disch. March 18, 1864, for wounds.
Kelsey, Enos M.. Jr., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 21,
1861; re-enl. Feb., 1864; twice wouadel.
Kelsey, Wm. H., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
re-enl. Kith H. A., Aug. lU, 186:J.
Kenyon, Ellas U., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862.
Kirsch, Michael B., Co.B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861; died at Fair Oaks.
Lowing, H. D. Kev., chaplain 1.54th Inf.
Merchant, Joseph M., Co. I, 49th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6,
IS61; died Nov. IS, 186.3, of disease.
Morrell Bvron, sergt. Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1^61; disch. Oct., 1862, for dii-ability.
Myers. BoTd D., corp. Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Julv 2<.i,
1S62.
Monroe, Samuel. Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1.861.
Newcomb. Daniel, 24th Cav.; enl. Aug. 29. 1864, one
year; in Salisbury prison nine months.
Newcomb, Truman L., Co. —,9th Cav.; enl. Jan. 2(1.
1864, three years.
Palmer, Russell W., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1.5,
1862; disch. March, 1863.
Peaslee, Willian T., corp. Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1.5,
1861; pro. sergt.; diseh. at ex p. of term.
Periy. Abner L., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.: enl. Sept. 26, 1862.
three veais.
Porter. T. Jeffci-son, Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1862.
Pratt, Calvin B., corp.64th Int.; enl. Sept. 23, 1S62,
three years.
Pratt. Thomas, corp. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 20,
1861: died Jan. 3, 1863, of wounds.
Prescott. Harrison. Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 16,
1861; disch. Mav, 1863.
Preston. Samuel E.. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 20,
1861.
Price, Merrick, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. ;S0, 1862;
disch. Dec., 1.^62.
Rhodes, Otis D., Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862,
three vears.
Ross, Welcome F., Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1862;
disch. June, 1^6:5.
Russell, Pai-sun C. 9th Cav.; enl. Nov. 2, 1862; disch.
Aug., l.-<:!.
Rycroft, Wm.. 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 28, 1864; disch.
.Mav. is.ri.
Salmon. Wm., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24, 186:5; died
Jan. 5. lNi5, of disease.
Shannon. Frank (1., buglerCo. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
17. I.8<il: died .\pril 17, 1862, of disease.
Sliaiinon. Wm. H., chief bugler .52d Inf.; enl. July 9,
l.'-'iil; disch. Jan., 18|-;i, fen- disability.
Smalley. Is.iac. 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862; killed
at Bi-anlv Station. .\ug. 1, 186:!.
Smalley. Lcunaid C, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 29, 1861;
rc-en!. in navv, on the .7o/ni Ailains, April, 1864.
Smith, David P., corp. Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 7,
1861: dijch. Nov., 1864, for wounds.
Smith, Zalmon, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 26, 1.862; disch.
.May, Hio.
Stevens, William, 9th Cav.; never returned.
Stoddard, (iilcs, Co. C, Kith H. A.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863,
three veais.
Stone, Welcome G., Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April 3, 1865;
disch. .Mav, l,-<«5.
Underw(io<l. Daniel P., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 7,
1861: disch. Nov., 1.865.
Underwood. William G.. sergt. 9th Cav.; enl. Aug.
29. l,^.': disch. Aug., 186:5.
Vincent. Flovd R.. Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April 8,
K^iw; dL-ch. May 6, 1.SJ3.
Wadkins, John, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 1862, three
years; twice prisoner and not since heard from.
Wait. Alexander, 9th Cav.; enl. Nov. 3, 186:3; disch.
Ma^•, 1.-64.
Wait, George H., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl; Oct. 14, 1861;
disch. at e.xp. of term.
Wait, James. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 19. IWl.
Wait, Noah, 9th Cav.
Wait, (Ji-rin B., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9, 1861;
disch. Nov.. 1864, for wounds.
Wait, Thomas, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 23, 1862; disch.
A ug.. l.'-tj3, for wounds.
Wait, Warden B., sergt. Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
17, 1861.
Wair, Warren. Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1.5, 1861; pro.
capt.; wounded; disch. at e.\p. of term.
Waterman. George C, sergt. Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 1.5. 1.S6.'.
Weedei), Willia:n P., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 19.
18';i; died Feb. 4, 1862, of disease.
Whitinore, Fi-nax. H.. Co. F. 191th Inf.; enl. April :3,
1.8<i5; disch. May, l.'<65.
Wilco.v, Hi ron W., Co. F, 64rh Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861,
three years.
Wilco.v, D. R., hospital steward regular army; enl.
Sept. 1, lSt)4, three years.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
Wood worth, Matthew, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
15, 1S(J2.
Wyman, Francis M., Co. H, l.T4th Inf.; enl. AllL^ 1.5,
ISiK; died May IS, ISSi, of disease.
NEW ALBION.
Allen, Charles ¥., Co. B, l.i-lth Inf.; enl. Julv :."■.',
lgB2; died in prison Oct. 5, IStU.
Alverson. Anson E., corp. Co. A, t)4th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 7, 1S61; pro. 3d sergt.; served 17 months.
Andrews, Adsnn A., serg-t. Co. D, 17(lth Int.; enl.
March 9, 1SB4; died in prison Jan. 10, l.sui.
Andrews, Jerome A., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. April,
1861; pro. sergt; discharged; re-enl. in Co. F,
194th Inf., as 1st lieut.
Austin. Monroe, l.S4th Inf.; enl, March II, 186.5, three
years; re-enl.
Babb, Horatio, qrm. 64th Inf.; enl. Dec. 10, 1S61; re-
signed April 10, is(i2.
Babcock, Myron, 10th Cav.; enl. Sept. 18, 1861.
Baldwin, Joseph H., 17Uth Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 11*2; pro.
lieut.
Beardsley, Salmon W., Istsergt. Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 11, 1S62; pro. -'d lieut.; served 19 months.
Boardman, Francis D., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept.
23, 18B1; disuh. in seven months on account of
illness.
Boardman, Isaac H., 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 2, 1S64,
one year.
Briggs, Arland, 100th Inf.; enl. Sept. a6, 186:3, three
} ears.
Brooks, James A., Co. F, Utth Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1861;
killed in bnttle June 1, 1862.
Buftington, Fred, 112tli Inf.; enl. March 25, 1864:
disch. May, 1865; lost use of one leg.
Butler, Newell, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 31, 1662,
three jears.
Carter, Bryan M., Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 25,
1H62, three years; pro. sergt.
Carter, Herman, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Nov. 25, 1861,
three years.
Charlesworth. Joseph, sergt. Co. C, Wth Inf.; enl.
Seiit. 24, l-iOl, three years.
Clark, Edward J.. Co II, :!7th Int.; enl. Oct. 10, 1861;
re-enl. Sept. 9, 1864; wounded.
Clark, Wm. C, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Jfav 16, 1S61;
re-enl. July 20, 1862, in 154th Inf.; pro. 1st lieut.
June 9, 1864; capt. April 20, 1865.
Clock. Charles G., Co. F. 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2!),
1861, three years; pro. sergt.; re-enl.
Cole, Asa, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 1.5. 18<j4, one year.
Cross, Hawley, navj ; enl. Sept. 3, 1H64, two ycai-s.
Cummings, Charles F., Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1861; killed in battle May, 1864.
Cummings, Judson, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 17, 1864;
served nine mouths.
Darby, Albert, 1st lieut. Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7,
Itol; wounded twice; pro. capt.; served twenty-
two and one-half months.
Davis, Charles G., Co. F. 194th Int.; enl. March 17,
186.5, three years; disch. in two months.
Dawbon, Ale.\., UthCav.;enl. Sept. 9, 1K64, one year;
pro. Corp.
Dimling, John P., l:Jth H. A.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864, one
year.
Drew, Francis, 179th Inf.; enl. March 24, 18ij4, three
years.
Ford, John W., Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 29, 18*11;
disch. Sept. 7, 1864; re-enl.
Fuller, Wm., Co. C, 64th Int.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861;
killed in battle .-^ept. 18, 1862.
Gibbs, JohnH., 149th Inf.; enl. Apiil, 1865; disch. in
one month.
Green, Heman (no record).
Hall, Adelbert, Co.D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 15, 1864,
three years.
Hickey, John, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 14, 1861;
wounded twice.
Higbee, Franklin, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. I", 1861,-
three years.
Higbee, Jefferson, Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. March 27,
1865; disch. in one month.
Higbee, Justus, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861; re-enl. Co.
F, 194th Inf., April 27. 186.5.
Higbee, Lorenzo, Co. C, Wth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1861;
died in service April 9, 1861.
Hill, Jerome, Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 14, 1861.
30
Horth, Hadley S., Co. H, 72d Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1861,
three years; re-enl. Dec. IS, 1863.
Horth. Millard F., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 21,
1.-^; died Sept. 4, 1864, of wounds.
Howe, Halph, 72 Inf. (3d Eegt. Sickles' Brigade);
enl. Sept., 1S62; pro. Corp.; lost right leg by
wound; served 2 yrs. 6 months.
Hunton, John,Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl.Aug. 18, 186:3; died
Nov. 12, 1864, of disease contracted in service.
Ingals, Charles, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 29, 1864,
three vears.
Ingals, David, Co. C,B4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,1861; died
June 31.1. 18IJ2, of wounds.
Ingals. James, 90th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1864, one year.
Ingraham, Adelbert, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 14, 1861; died
Feb. 1. 1S62, of disease contracted in service.
Ingraham, Charles M., Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 29,
1S61, three years.
Ingraham, GUbert C, Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 14,
IS61. three years; re-enl.
Kelley. Nelson, wagoner Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1,
1861; died in prison April, 1862.
Kelley, Warren I., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862,
ttiree yeai"s; pro. corp.
Kenyon, .Monroe, 52d Inf.; enl. Aug. 21, 1864; served
ten months.
Kenyon. Wm. H., (?o. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 8, 1861,
three years; re-enl. Feb. IB, 1864.
Kenyon. Winfleld Scott, corp. Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl.
July 26, 1>62; wounded; served three years.
Lackeritine, John, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1864, one
year.
Lane. Alfred, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2.5, 1861;
killed in battle July 2, 18tj;i.
Lane, D. Webster, 25th Ills. Inf.; enl. June 4,1861;
served three years three months.
Lane. Henry C. (no record).
Lane. Quincy, .52d Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1864; disch. in
nine months.
Langley, John, Co. B, llth H. A.: enl. July 27, 1863,
three vears; pro. corp.
Little, Eugene, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 9, 1861; pro.
orderlv-sergt.
Locke, John M., Co. C, 21st Inf.; enl. May 12, 1861;
pro. military tel. corps.; served IS months.
Luce, Henry, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862, three
years.
Luce. Hiram, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 18, 1861; died
April 2i). 1862, of disease contracted in service.
Mackcy, Oscar, 37th Inf.; enl. May 20, 1861; served
live months.
McClear. John, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 15, 1862;
died June 18, 1864, of disease contracted in service.
McCoon, Chauncey, Co. B, B4th Inf.; eol. Sept. 7, 1861,
three vears; pro. lieut.; re-enl.
Jlclntyre, Amos, 154th Int.; enl. Sept. 19, 1864, one
year.
Mclntyre. Orson, Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 5, 1801,
three >ears.
-Mosher. Dewitt C, Co. F, tUth Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
died after leaving service Oct. :30, 1862.
Nichols. John B., 17th Inf.; enl. Dec. 18, 1863; five
years in regular army.
Nye. Samuel, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 15, 1862; died Sept.
19, liHH. of disease contracted in service.
Payne. Lorenzo H., corp. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
10. ISta; disch. at expiration of term; kept in
rebel prison six months after expiration of term;
wounded in leg.
Payne. Nelson F., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 15,
1864; wounded; served ten months.
Pflueger. Wm.. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; wounded; enl. July
8, 1862. three years.
PhilUps, Andrew J., Co. K, 44th Inf.
Phillips, Sylvanus L., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enL April 12,
1864; died in prison Aug. 24, 1864.
Powell. De Lafayette, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
died Sept. 28, 1864, of disease contracted in service.
Prime, Abram C, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 5, 1863,
three years.
Kith. Bela. Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 30, 1861; died
Sept. 22, 1862, of disease.
Rich. Frank, lB5th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1864; disch. March,
l!^i5.
Rich, Justus. Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1862,
three vears.
Ross, Wm.,Jr., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 4,1862, three
years; wounded.
234
History of Cattaraugus County,
KusseU, Ephraim, Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1861;
pro. Corp.; wounded twice.
Ryder, Darwin, nav}-; enl. Sept, 2, 1S64, two jears.
Ryder, James H.. Co. B, l»4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1S62.
three years; pro. -tth sergt.
Sabine, Darid S.. Co. H. ISdth Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, 1SB2;
died Sept. ■-+. 1S62, of disease.
Sackett, Anson, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 7, 1864; served 9
months.
Salmon, John. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,' 1S63;
wounded; served two years nine months.
Sherman, Albert L., 6.ith Inf.; enl. Oct. 13, 1864, one
year.
Sigman, .Martin P., Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 29, 1861;
pro. sergt.
Smith, Doras. Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 24, 1864,
three years.
Smith, Willard D., corp. Co. E, 100th Inf.; enl. Dec.
9, 1861; pro. sergt.; wounded.
Spink, Joseph F., Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 21, 1861;
pro. Corp.; wounded; disch. in two and a half
years.
Squire, Edgar A., 83d Pa. Regt.; enl. May 1, 1862.
Stone, Adam, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
vears; wounded.
Tanner, Silas J., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 2.5, 1864;
served 14 months.
Tingue, Albert H., Co. H, 179th Inf.; enl. March 21,
1864, three vears; pro. sergt.
Tingue, Geo. B., Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 18t52
Vickery, Edgar R., Co. I, 49th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1861;
served one vear si.t months; disch. for disability.
Wade, Wm. Dudley, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1861; served 17 months.
Wallace, Geo. W.. ord.-sergt. 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 2,
1864, one year.
Wells, Anson, 6.5ih Inf.; enl. Oct. 12, 1864, one year.
Wheeler, David. 47th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1863; died in
service.
Whitcomb, Burt, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861; wounded;
served 18 months.
Whitcomb, Florentine, 179th Int.; enl. March 1, 1865;
disch. in three months.
Whitcomb, Francis J., Co. F, 37th Inf.; enl. May 16,
1861, two vears: re-enl. Oct. lu, 1864, in 14th H. A.
Whitcomb, Wesley E., Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10,
1861. three years.
Wiley, John, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 27, 1863; died June
21, 1865, of disease contracted iu service.
Williams, Geo. P., Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861,
two years.
Wood, J. Franklin, sergt. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
10, 1861.
OLEAN.
Abbott, Delos, 9th Mich. Cav.; enl. Aug. 17, 1864, one
year.
Barnes, Spencer M., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10,
1861, three yeai-s; re-enl. Sept., 1864.
Barnes, Wallace inn record).
Barron, Geo. W., corp. Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862, three years; must, out at e.\p. of term.
Belknap, Jonathan S., lieut.-col. 85th Inf.; enl. Aug.,
1861; pro. col.; disch. July, 186:j.
Blossom, Benj. W., farrier Co. G, 1st Vet. Cav.; enl.
Julv 10, 186.3, three years.
Boots, John A., Co. A, 85th Inf.: enl. Oct. 10, 1861;
disch. July, 1S*J5. for wounds.
Borst, Julius R., corp. 54th Int.; enl. Dec, 1863, three
years.
Boughton, Joel M., corp. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
6, 1863, three years; died in the service.
Bradley, S. Henry, 9th N. Y. Cav.; enl. Feb.,1864; pro.
1st lieut.
Brooks, Enos C, major 64th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1861;
pro. colonel.; disch. May, 1864; shot through left
shoulder.
Brown, Edw., 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1862, three
years.
Brown, Frank C, corp. Co. D, 9th Cav.; enf. Sept.,
1861, three years; pro. capt.; re-enl. 9th N. Y. \ et.
Cav.
Brown, Patsy, in navy; enl. Aug. 10, 1864; killed Deo.
12, 1864, at Bndgeport, Ala.
Brown, Samuel A., sergt. Co. A, 8oth Inf.; enl. Oct.
18,1861; pro. 2d lieut.; disch. Oct., 1862, for disa-
biUty.
Butler, Alfred W., .5th Mass. Cav.; enl. Dec, 1863;
disch. Oct., 1864, for disability.
Cameron, Wm. S., ord.-sergt. Co. H, L54th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 4, 1862, three years; pro. 2d lieut.
Chadwick, Ransom A., drummer Co. K, 8.5th Inf.;
enl. Sept. 28, 1861; disch. June, 186.5, for disability.
Chase, Augustus, 81st Int.; enl. April 18, 1865, one year.
Cole, Ebenezer, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 4, 1861; re-
enl. Aug., 1864.
Cole, Elias, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1864, one year.
Cooper, Andrew, Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 18, 1862,
three years.
Cooper, Harvey A., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 4,
18<>1, three years; pro. corp.; re-enl. 4th U. S.
Lt. Art.
Cross, Charles G., 81st Inf.; enl. April, 1865, one year.
Creamer, Alfred W., 2d lieut. Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl.
Aug. 27, 1861, three years.
Cronk, Luther, sergt. Co. G, 1st Vet. Cav.; enl. July
26, 1803; died of disease March 28, 1865.
Davis, Eugene M., ord.-sergt. Co. C, 27th Inf.; enl.
April 19. 1861; pro. sergt.; major; re-enl. 1st M. Y.
Vet. Cav.
Davis, Henry V., Co. D, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 30, 1861,
three years; pro. capt.: disch. 1864.
Donegan, James, Co. I, 1.54th Int.; enl; Aug. 31, 1862;
died a prisoner at Richmond, Va., Sept. 1, 1863.
Earl, C. A., corp. "Minn. Mounted Rangers"; enl.
Oct., 1862, one year; re-enl. in 2d Minn. Cav. as
2d sergt.
Fay, Alonzo, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862: disch.
June, 1863.
Franklin, Benjamin, capt. (no record.)
Freeman, William A., 1st sergt. Co. I, 1.54th Inf.;
enl. Aug. 30, 1862, three years; trans, to Invalid
Corps.
Gifford, W. L., "Kane Rides"; enl. June, 1861: pro.
capt.; disch. March, 1862, for disability.
Godfrey, Eiisaph D., Co. C, 154th Inf.: enl. July 26,
1862, three years; trans, to War Department.
Goodrich, Edwin, Co. D, 9th Cav.; enl. Nov. 9, 1861,
three years; pro. capt.
Greek, George W., Co. C, 15tth Inf.; enl. July 26,
1862, three years.
Hannegan, James, Co. I, 1.54th- Int.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862, three years.
Hannegan, Lewis, 6th Cav.; enl. Aug., 1861, three
years; re-enl. 1864.
Hicks, Stephen A., Co. A, 136th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11,
1862, three years.
Hill, George, 20th LT. S. Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1864; pro.
drum-major.
Hooper, Hollis, 8oth Inf.;enl. Nov., 1861; died July 9,
1862, of disease.
Hotchkiss, Arthur, Ist lieut. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 19, 1862: pro. capt.; trans, to 97th Inf.
Hotchkiss, Ephraim H., corp. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 6, 1862; died as prisoner of war.
Hough, Samuel, 102d D. S. Inf.; enl. Dec, 1863, three
years.
Huffman, Henry W., Co. A, 18Sth Inf.; enl. Aug. 15,
1864, one year.
Johnson, Henry, 5th Mass. Regt.; enl. Dec. 24, 1863,
three years.
Jones, Daniel, 81st Inf.; eul. April 18, 1865, one year.
Jourdan, George W., Co. A, 8oth Inf.; enl. Nov. 3,
18<jl; in service seventeen months; disch. for dis-
ability.
Keith, Horace, Co. G, 1st Vet. Cav.; enl. July 22, 1863,
three years.
King, Charles, 1st lieut. Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. July,
1861, three years; pro. capt.; re-enl.
King, James, Co. A, 2ith Inf.; enl. May 21, 1861; pro.
2d lieut.; disch. May, 186.5.
King, Reuben V., capt. Co. A, 85th Inf.; must, in Dec.
2, 1861, three years.
Kirkmire, Frank, 85th N. T. Inf.; enl. Oct. 16, 1861,
one year.
Lawrence, George, 142d Inf.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863, three
years.
Lawrence, Russell, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 23, 1863,
three years.
iMagee, Lafayette, 147th Inf.; enl. Oct. 6, 1863; disch.
June, 1864, for disability.
Mahar, James, &5th Inf.; enl. Jan. 1, l&H, three years.
JIandeville, J. Bradley, 141st Inf.; enl. Oct. IS, 1864.
Marcin, Henry, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862;
pro. capt.; disch. Aug., 1864.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
Mason, Thomas, corp. Co. 1, 15tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 27,
1862; disch. March, 186-5, for wounds.
McAroy, B. F., lieut. (no record).
i[cAv"oy, Joe (no record).
McDonoush, Richard, enl. Au"., 1S61, three yeare.
Melvor, Thomas, lUth Inf.; enl. Feb., 1S6.5, one year.
McMahon, John, (regt. not given); enl. Oct., 1S64.
McMillen, Marcus, musician 5»th Pa. Vols.; enl. Oct.
15, 1862; disch. Sept., 1863.
Miller, Charles, 41st N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct., 1861; disch.
Dec, 1861, for wounds.
Miller, Hiram C, capt. Co. C, 8.5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
1861; disch. Jan., 186:3, for disability,
^roore, John W., Co. A, 8oth Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1861;
died in prison May, 1862.
Morton, Alexander, Jr., Co. C, 15ith Inf.; enl. July
26, 1862, three years.
Morton, Andrew, 2d lieut. 17th Wis. Regt.; enl. 1864,
one year.
Morton, James, 85th Inf.; enl. Feb., 1863, three years;
captured at Plymouth, N. C, and prisoner at
Andersonville.
Mosher. George, corp. Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. .30,
1862, three years.
Munger, Jerome, enl. Aug. 2, 1862; disch. Feb., 1863.
Murray, Thomas, Co. F, 164th Inf.; enl. Aug. IS, 1862;
disch. June, 1865.
Noonan, Martin, Co. H. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1861; pro.
Corp.; killed at battle of Fredericksburg, May 13,
1864.
Xorris, Andrew L., Cav.; enl. Sept., 1864, one year.
Norris, George W., Cav.; enl. Sept., 1864; disch. for
disability.
Peterson, Americus, 31st Inf.; enl. Dec. 24, 1863, three
years.
Peterson, Solomon, .5th. Mass. Eegt.; enl. Dec. 24, 1863,
three years.
Pierce, A. Lacey, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862;
disch. April, 186.5.
Porter, Edward, quartermaster 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept.,
1862; disch. March, 18G5; captured at Gettysburg;
prisoner 20 months.
Kamsey, Sylvester. 9th Cav.; enl. 1861; disch. 1864.
Ramsey, W. H.. 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 16. 1862; pro. 2d
lieut.
Randall, Addison, navy; on ISriinldun: enl. March,
1864. two years; must, out at e.vpiration of term.
Randall, George H., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Oct. 12, 1861;
disch. Nov., 18tW.
Randall, Simon, 61st Inf.; enl. March, 1865; must, out
at e.xpiration of term.
Renwick, Robert H., capt. Co. I, 64th N. Y. Inf.; enl.
Aug. 21, 1K61; disch. June, 1862, for disability
and wounds.
Renwick, Victor D., corp. Co. I, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
27, 1861; pro. capt.; disch. Feb., 186.5, for disability.
Reynolds. Thaddeus, ord.-sergt. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
:iU, 18»J2; died July 12, 1863, of wounds received at
Gettysburg.
Rounds, Orton, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1802,
three years.
Schermerhorn, Charles A., enl. Feb., 186.5, three years.
Schneider, Conrad, 32d Inf.; enl. for two years, and
rc-enl. March, 18IJ.5.
Setchell, Leroy D., sergt. Co. G. 1st Vet. Cav.; enl.
July 17, 1863, three years.
Shater, Addison, Co. C, IMth Inf.; enl. July 26, 18fc',
three years.
Sherwood, Myron B., 12th Cav.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1864;
disch. May, 18<J5.
Smith, Charles, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Aug. 15, 1864,
one year.
Smith, John C, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1801,
three years.
Smith, Myron, Jr., 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,1801; killed
April 20, 1864, at Plymouth, N. C.
Smith, Stephen, Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 28, 1861;
disch. Oct., 1862 for disability.
Spink, Benjamin, Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. .30, 1802;
killed at Chancellorsville.
Spothalt, Fred \Vm., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 11,
IMil, three years; re-enl.
Stark, Saul, 85th Inf.; enl. 1864, one year.
Stark, Stephen, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1861,
Swartz, John, drum-major .5th Mass. Cav.; enl. Jan.,
1804, three years.
Swartz, V7m., Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 15, 1862; died
in hospital at Washington, D. C, Dec. 15, 1862.
Sweitzer, F., musician 9th Cav.; enl. April 1, 1864'
three years.
Tallman, Benj. H., Co. M, 24th Cav.; enl. Jan. 22, 1864;
died in service.
Tenter, A., 85th Inf.; enl. June, 1861; re-enl. June,
1864.
Tenter, William. 85th Inf.; enl. Aug.. 1864, one vear.
Thurber, Chas. F., 93d Pa. Inf.; enl. Dec. 1, 1864, one
year.
Town, Oscar, 100th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802: died in prison
at Charleston, S. C, Aug. 9, 1863.
Townsend, Henry M., sergt. Co. A, a5th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 8, 1801; died Feb. 11, 186.5, at Rorence, S. C,
while a prisoner of war.
Wands, Alfred L., 8oth Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1804, one
year; must, out at exp, of term.
Wands, James B. W., on U. S. gunboat Montgnmenj:
enl. Aug. i:3, 1802; disch. June, 1863.
Way, Robert (no record).
Whitney, Russell M., 2d lieut. Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 18, 1861; pro. 1st lieut.; resigned.
Wight, Samuel J., Co. C, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1861;
re-enl. as sergt. Jan. 14, 1864; disch. Oct., 1805.
Wight, Wm. H., &5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1861; disch.
for disability June, 186:i.
Wood, Geo., Co. G, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1S62, three
yeai-s; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps.
Woodward, Lansing, enl. Sept., 1804; disch. June, 1865.
Wright, Erastus, Co. C, 154tfa Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862;
disch. April, 1805, for wounds.
Wright. Luther, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862;
died in service.
Zimmer, Carl, Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862, three
yeais.
Zimmerman, Jacob, 81st Inf.; enl. March, 1865, one
year.
OTTO.
Allen, Dan B., capt. Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10,
1802, three years; pro. to lieut.-col.
Austin, Phineas, Co. H, 04th Inf.; must. Sept. 16, 1801,
three years; died from wound received at Spot-
sylvania, May 12, 1.S04.
Rabcock, Myron, Co. C, 04th Inf.
liartlett, Judson C, Co. C, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10,
1801, three years.
Blotman (or Blotner), Michael, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must.
Sept. 19, 1801, three years; re-enl. in navy on gun-
boat S(. Lnnlv. died of fever.
Brooks, (Jrrin, 9th Cav.
Brown, Ephraim E., Co. C, Mth Inf.; enl. Dec. 6,1861,
three years.
Charlesworth, Aaron. Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9,
1861, two years.
Charlesworth, Joseph, sergt. Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 16, \x&, three years.
Clark, James M., Co. C, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1801,
three years; died of fever at Fortress Monroe.
Cox, Horatio Nelson, corp. Co. C, t>4th Inf.; enl. Sept
16, iwi, three years.
Crane, Geo. O., musician Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct.
13, \m\; died in Elmira.
Crane, J. Collins, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861,
three years.
Cross, Silas B., 9th Cav.
Elder, Joseph, Co. C, 64th Int.; enL Sept. 10, 1861,
three years; re-enl. in navy on gunboat St. Louis;
wounded in leg by a shell.
Fenton, Daniel. 72d Inf.
Foster, Norman O., Co. C, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept, 16, 1861,
three years; shot in the head at Antietam.
French, Eugene, 194th Inf.; enl. April 13, 1804, one
year.
Fuller, William, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1S61,
three years; killed at the battle of Antietam.
Green, Ephraim C, sergt. Co. C, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept.
16, 1861; three years; killed at Antietam.
Hatfield, Nicholas, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1861, three years.
IngersoU (or Ingols), David, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 16, 1861, three years; died from wounds re-
ceived at Fair Oaks.
Xngraham, Simon M., Co. H, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7,
1861, three years.
Kelly, Battus R., Co. B, 151th Inf.; enl. Aug. 3, 1862.
Ladd, Auldin, Co. F, 194th Inf; enl. April 1, 1864, one
year,
236
History of Cattaraugus County.
Loomis, Henry C, Ist lieut. Co. C, 6-tth Inf; enl. Sept.
IB, 1861, three years; re-enl. 154th Inf. as lieut.-
col.; disch. May 19, 1805, to receive promotion
as brig-.-gen.; wounded.
Loomis, Nelson, Co. I, 37th Inf.; enl. May 9, 1861, two
years; pro. corp.
Losee, Sullivan B., color-sergt. Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 16, 1S61, three years; killed in battle.
Losee, Abraham, wagoner Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Oct.
1, 1861, three years; died on tioating hospital
UtateoT Maine, after the Seven Days' lisht.
Maltby, Julius B., capt. Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept.
16, 1861, three years.
Mason, Arnold P., musician Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 16, 1861, three years.
McMann, John, Co. H, 3Tth Inf.; must. June 7, 1861,
two years; killed in Seven Days' flght June29, 1862.
Morris, Edgar F., 1st lieut. Co. I, 181th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 5, 1861, one year.
Morris, Emory, corp. Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1861, three years.
Morse Charles O., Co. B, 151th Inf.; enl. July 25, 1862,
three years.
Muhlfelt, Joseph, Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept 16, 1861,
three years; killed at Fair Oaks, June 2, 1862.
Newman, John T., Corp. Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept.
16, 1861, three yeai-s.
O'Brien, Charles A., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 16,
1861, two years; wounded; prisoner; re-enl. in
Co. G, nth H. A., Oct. 17, lS63;must. assergt.; pro.
2d lieut.; brevet 1st lieut.; 1st lieut.
Palmer, Thomas B., Co. C, 61th Inf.; died June 2,
1862, of wound in hip received at battle of Fair
Pattison,' Washington J., Co. F, 191th Inf.; enl. April
1, 1861; one year.
Philip, Herman, 181th Inf.
Place, Thomas S., Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861.
Pool, Simeon V., 1st lieut. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
Aug-. 16, 1802; must. Sept. 26, 1862, at Jamestown;
pro. capt.; taken prisoner at Gettysburg, July 1,
186.3; was in Libby prison 9 months, Macon, Ga.,
3 months, Cliarleston, S. C, 6 weeks, Columbus,
S. C, 5 months, and at Charlotte, N. C, whence,
after beins conttned in all 2U month.s, he escaped
Feb. 17, 1865, and a few months later was honor-
ably disch.
Rogers, Stephen H., corp. Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
16, 1861, three years; pro. sergt.; wounded at first
battle of Petersburg.
Sanders, John, Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861,
three years; wounded in thigh at battle of An-
tietam.
Sent, Daniel, Co. G, 13th H. A.; enl. 1804, one year.
Sherman, David, Jr., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2,
1862, three years.
Sherman, Edson, Co. C, 61th Inf.
Sherman, George, Co. C, 64th Inf.: enl. Sept. 16, 1801,
three years; re-enl. in navy on gunboat St. Lenin.
Shippey, Aaron P., Co. G, 13th H. A.; enl. 1864, one
year.
Shippey, Augustus A., sergt. Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
July 30, 1862, three years; pro. to col. -sergt.; shot
through the head at Kocky Face Kidge, Ga.
Shippey, Eugene, Co. D, 85th Inf.; must, in Sept. 25,
1861, three years.
Shippey, Leroy, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept 16, 1861,
three years; twice wounded.
Shippey, Stanley, Co. H, 14th H. A.; enl. Oct. 17,
1803, three years.
Smead, George, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must Sept. 16, 1801,
three years; pro. corp.; lost right arm in the
battle of Fair Oaks.
Smith, Powel, Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1861,
three years; died from wounds received at lair
Oaks.
Soule, Stephen P., Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861,
three years; died of fever at Fortress Monroe.
Welman, Arial H., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. July 19,
1862, three years; pro. 2d lieut. colored regt.
Welman, John F., segt. Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. July
18, 1802, three yeai-s; pro. 1st lieut.
"VVemple, Nelson, Co. C, 04th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861,
three years; pro. sergt.; died at Philadelphia,
July 30, 1802, from wounds received in the buttle
of l<'air Oaks.
Wemple, William H., Co. C, 04th Int.; enl. Sept 16,
1861, three years; pro. sergt.
Wenzel, John P., Co. B. l->4th Inf.; enl. July 30, 1862
three years.
Whitmire, John N.. Co. C, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20,
1801, three years; did at Elmira.
Whitmire, Nicholas J.. Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1861, three years.
Wickham, Thomas, Co. C, 64th Inf.; must. Sept. 16,
1861, three years.
Wilbur, Joshua, 10th Cav.
Wilson, L. Arthur, Co. C, 61th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861,
three j'ears; killed at battle of Fair Oaks, June
3, 1862.
Wood, Alonzo, 9th Cav.
Wyant, Alanson, musician Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. July
19, 1862, three years: taken prisoner at Gettys-
burg and not since heard from.
Wyant, Stephen, Co. B, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1802,
three years.
PERRTSBURG.
Anthony, John, Co. K, 151th Inf.; enl. Sept., 1862,
three years.
Beals, Bishop A., Co. A. 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9, 1861;
disch. Sept., 1862, tor wounds.
Belts, Dudley, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22, 1862,
three years.
Blaisdel, Heman, Co. H, 44th Inf.; pro. corp.
Briggs, Warrtn, musician lUth Pa. Inf.; enl. Nov.,
1861; disch. Aug., lt*C for disability,
ints, Silas W., musicii
21, 18<)2, three years.
Bunts, Silas W., musician Co. B, 1.54th
inf.;
enl. July
Campbell, Frank, Jst sergt. Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Aug.
8, 1861; disch. Nov.. 1864.
Campbell, Wm., Co. H. 44th Inf.
Case, Wm. A., Co. C, 112ch Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862,
three years.
Chapman, Eugene, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
1862, three years.
Chapman, Wm. F., lit lieut. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
Sept. 16, 1862, three vears.
Clark, Augustus B., Co. H. 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 24,
1801; oisch. Oct., IfttJ. for disability.
Darling, Leonard, corp. Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept.
1.5, L'iOl; pro. sergt.; killed at 2d Bull Run.
Dawley, Job B., Co. K. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862;
killed in action March 26. 1805.
Dawley, John M., corp. Co. K, 151th Inf.; enl. Aug.
17, 1862, three years.
Dawley, Russell B., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1802, three years.
Eells, Edwin R., corp. Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 17,
1861; disch. Oct., 1804.
Farnsworth, Henry, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 20,
1803, three years.
Farnsworth, Herbert E.. musician Co. D, 10th Cav.;
enl. Sept., 1801; re-enl. Jan., 1804.
Gould, Henry C, Co. K. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802,
three years.
Gregg, Henry B., sergt. 72d Inf.: enl. June 20, 1861;
disch. Aug., 1864.
Grow, John, Jr., Co. K. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1863,
three years.
Hall, Samuel R., Co. A. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
disch. April, 1.86.'), for disability.
Hart, James L., 2d N. Y. Mtd. Rifles; enl. Jan. 26,
1864, three years.
Herberuer, Adam, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5,
1862; killed at ChancoilorsvlUe, May 2, 186:3.
Hines, Gideon, Co. E, 16th Cav.; enl. July 4, 1863, three
years.
Hoogaboom, Edwin, sergt. 10th Cav.; enl. Oct. 14,
1801; re-enl. Feb., 1863: wounded at Richmond.
Hoogaboom, Wellington C, Co. A, 64th Int.; enl. Oct.
5, 1801; pro. com. -sergt.; disch. at exp. of term.
Hooker, Corydon, 72d Inf.; enL June 20, 1861; disch.
May, 1862.
Hooker, Hull, Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1801;
killed at Malvern Hill. June 27, 1862.
Hooker, Leroy J., Co. H. 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 27, 1801;
disch. May, 1802, for disability.
Hugaboom, Henry, capt. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept.
16, 1862; disch. March, IsWJ, for disability.
Hugaboom, John B., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
1862, three years.
Hugaboom, Norman H., corp. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.: enl.
Aug. 9, 1862, three years.
Hull, Wm. J., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802.
Roster of Soldiers axd Sailors.
237
Huj-a, Lestur N., Co. H, 4-Hh Inf.
Johnson, W. W., Co. H, ■Wth Inf.; pro. 2d sergt.
Kirkland. Myron, Co. K, l.>tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862,
three years.
Losee, Albert, Co. K, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 25, 1862;
died Oct. 25, 1S62, of disease.
Manhart, Truman, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 0,
1862. three years.
Mattoon, Charles H., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7,
1801; re-enl.in Co. B. Minn. Cav., Feb-, 1SU3.
Mattoon,, lohn W., Co. A, Mth Inf.; enl. Oct. 30, 1861;
disch. April, 1863, for wounds.
Meganda, Wm. M., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
disch. at e.xp. of term.
Merrill, Wilber H., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 19,
1861; pro. sergt.; disch. Oct., 1864.
Moody, David F.,corp. Co. H,44th Inf.: enl. Sept. 15.
1861; disch. Feb., 1862, for wounds.
Morrison, Thomas H., Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862, three years.
Morrison, Wm., 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1, 1862, three
years.
North, James, Co. K, 154th Inf.: enl. Aug. 28, 1862,
three years.
Parker, Ezra A., 1st lieut. 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10,
lSti2; died at Harper's Ferry, Nov. 23, 1862, of
disease.
Parker, George F., Co. D, 72d Inf.; enl. May 3, 1861;
pro. 1st sergt.; re-enl. Oct. 7, 186:i, in lS7th Inf.
Parker, George F., 64th Inf.: enl. Dec. 17, 1861; died
at Philadelphia, Feb. 18, 1862, of disease.
Parsons, George \V., 8th U. S. Inf.; enl. Feb. 5, 1862;
disch. Feb., 186-5, for wounds.
Perkins, Pizarro, Co. E, 72d Inf.; enl. May 28, 1861;
trans, to 120th Inf., Dec. 25. l.><<>i.
Ranney, Franklin E., corp. 10th Iowa Inf.; enl. Sept.
1, 1862; disch. Sept., 18(>.5.
Bobbins, Allen L., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
18<i2, three years.
Rolf, Adelbert, Co. K, l.'i4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 24. 1862,
three years.
Rugg, Charles A., Co. K, !)th Cav.; enl. Sept. 11, 1861;
disch. March, 1862, for disability.
Sandei-s, George \V., Co. H, 44th Inf.
Sheldon, Lewis C, Co. A, (Hth Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
died Feb. 13, 1862, of disease.
Sickler, Philander B., Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
1862, three years.
Smith, John Adam, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1862; disch. May, 1865; pro. Corp.; pris. more than
20 months.
Smith, Willis, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1861;
died at Chattanooga, June 11, I81U, of disease.
Stafford, Jnsiah, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug., 18(J2; disch.
Aug., 18ISJ, for wounds.
Stanton, Charles A„ Co. A, 116th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12,
18<i2; died in 1864 of disease.
Taylor, Lorenzo, drum-major 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
18, 18(>4: disch. June, 186.5, tor wounds.
Vandenburgh, Taylor, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
2!), l.'«;2, three years.
Van Vlack, George W., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 5,
18<il; pro. ord.-sergt.; disch. Dec, 1864, for wounds.
Van Vlack, Henry G., corp. Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl.
Oct. 7, Iwjl; killed in battle of Antietara while
carrying the "colors."
Van Vleet, Theodore, 81st Inf.; enl. April, 1865, one
year.
Watera, Charles B., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7,
1861; died at Ale.xandria, Va., Feb. 11, 1862, of
disease.
Waters, John W., sergt. Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
26, 18*32, three years.
White, Franklin, 90th Bat.; enl. Sept. 10, 1864; disch.
May, 18t».
"Whitney, Frank, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enL Aug. 23,
18tj2, three years.
Wilber, Charles C, Co. E,72dInL; enl. May 28,1861,
three years.
Wilber, Samuel K., 154th Inf. ; enl. Sept., 1862, three
years.
Wilkinson, Benjamin G., sergt. Co. K, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
Aug. :jO, 1862, three years.
Williams, Joll, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 18<i2,
three years.
Winney, Jacob, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862,
three years.
Wood, David K., Co. H, 44th InL
PERSIA.
Austin. Irwin E., Co. B, lOOth Inf.; enl. Jan. 1, 1862,
three years.
Averill, Jerome, corp. Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12,
lS<t->: disch. March, 1863.
Bacon. Esack P., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. July 21, 1862,
three vears.
Barr. George W., surg. 64th InL; enl. Nov. 20, 1861.
Brown. Edwin, corp. 100th Inf.; enl. Oct. 11, 1861;
died of wounds Jlay 2!), 1862.
Chaffee, Adelbert, sergt. 154th InL; enl. Sept., 1862,
three years.
Congdon. George B., Co. B, 154th InL; enl. Ausr. 14,
1^J2. three years.
Darby. Henry A., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enL Sept. 7, 1861;
pro. eapt.; killed in battle April 8, 1865.
Foley. Patrick, Co. A, 64th InL; enl. Sept. 20, 1861;
disch. for disability; re-enl. sergt. 154lh Inf. in
Sept.. IS)2.
Gardner. Clayton A., 64th InL; enl. Sept. 2:3, 1862;
killed at Gettysburg.
Giering. Matthias, 97th InL; enl. Aug., 1863, three
years.
Hall. Charles C, Co. A, 6tth InL; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
discharged Nov., 1862, for disability.
Hall. Willis G. C, corp. Co. A, 64th InL; enL SepL 7,
1^1: died of wounds Dec. 28, 1862.
Henry. James E., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
died at Vorktowii, May 4, 1862.
Henry, Wilbur W., corp. Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Oct. 7,
1~61: pro. 1st lieut.( discharged Jlay, 1863.
Howani. George M., 18th Iowa Inf.; enl. April 13,
IxC; disch. Aug., 1862, for wounds; served also 6
months in Mexican war in 10th N. Y. Vols.
Locke. James E., Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. July 31, 1862,
three years.
Matthews, Henry, 90th InL; enl. Sept 13, 1864, one
year.
Matthewson, James M., sergt. Co. K, 154th Int.; enl.
Aug. 31, 18U2, three years.
Parker. Thomas J., col. 64th InL; enL Sept. 16, 1801;
disch. Oct., 1862.
Place, Thomas S., Co. C,64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16, 1861,
three years.
Hector. Franklin, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 15,
1-HJ2. three years.
Rich. Joshua, Co. B, 154th InL; enl, Sept. 6, 1863,
three years.
Roller. William W., sergt. Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept.
16. If61; pro. capt.; disch. Jan., 186.5, lor wounds.
Rugg. Corydon C, enl. 1.54th Inf.; pro. usst. surg.
Nov. 3, lH«i2; resigned Jan. 3, 1804.
Russell, Ransom, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862;
thrte vears.
Shelmadine, Bornt B., Co. K, 151th InL; enl. Sept.
6, iMi.'; killed at CliancellorsviUe.
Staats, Thomas, Jr., Co. A, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 18,
1-61: pro. Corp.; died in .Salisbury prison Jan. IS,
Ix'A.
Staats. William H., corp. Co. C, 79th InL; enl. May
23. lSt;i; disch. June, 1864.
Stone, John S., Co. B, 154th InL; enl. July 21, 1862,
three years.
Stone, Peter, Co. K, 151th InL; enl. Aug. 30, 1862,
three years.
Torrance, Stiles C, 10.3d Ohio InL; enl. Aug., 1862,
three years.
Torrence, George S., Co. E, 72d Inf.; enl. Mav 28,
1861; disch. July, 186:), for wounds.
Vincent, Hiram, Co. K, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. .31, 1862;
pro. sergt.; died in prison at Richmond, Va. , Feb.
5. L-W.
Waller. Daniel, 1st N. Y. D. G.; enl. Feb. 24, 1864:
died of disease March 17, 1865.
White. Orlando, Co. K, 15tth InL; enl. Aug. 11, 1862,
three years.
Wdber, Charles C, Co. E, 72d InL; enl. May 28, 1861,
three years; disch. June, 1864.
Wilkins. Franklin, Co. B, 154th InL; enl. Aug. 14,
1862, three years.
Wilkinson, Benjamin G., sergt. Co. K, 15tth InL;
enl. Aug. :aO, 18t)2; trans, to 6th Vet. Res. band.
Wright, Abraham, Co. B, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug 18,
1S62, three years.
238
History of Cattaraugus County.
POBTVILLE.
Adams, Fraocis C, Co. K, 85th Inf.; enl. April 7, 1862;
died iu Andersonville prison Aug. 23, 1864.
Ames, AlviQ .M.. Co. I, lS9th Inf.; enl. Feb. 2, 1864;
disch. from .51st Inf. July 25, 1865.
Baker, Edjrar. Co. E, 85th Inf.; enl. Feb. 12, 1864; died
in Andersonville prison Aug. 22, 1864.
Baker, Lyman. Co. I, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1864;
disch. Julv 1.5. 186.5.
Barber, B. A.. Co. I, 81st Inf.; enl. March 22, 1865.
Barnes, Artemus R., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 26,
1862; pro. sergt. Co. D, June 21, 18613.
Barnes, George W., Co. A,o2d Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, 1864;
disch. Aug. 16, 1865.
Barnes, Spencer M., Co. A. 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12,
1861; disch. April 16, 186:3; re-enl. same company
and regiment Sept. 19, 1864; discharged July 14,
18a5. -
Barnes, Wm. W., Co. D, 94th Inf.; disch. Mav 14, 186.5.
Barse, William. Co. I, 81st Inf.; enl. March 22, 1865;
disch. Aug. 31, 1865; died Sept. 15, 180.5, of disease
contracted in service.
Bennie, Marcus B.. Co. C, 76th Inf.; enl. Dec. 3, 1861;
pro. sergt. June, 1862.
Blakeslee, Aaron. Co. B, 14S'th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863;
disch. Aug. 3, 4%5, from 3d Vet. Res. Corps.
Bostwick, C. H.. Co. I, 136th Inf.; enl. Aug. 18, 1S62;
disch. Dec. 1862.
Burch, Anson W., navy; enl. Aug., 1864; disch. March
4,1865.
Burdick, Addison O., Co. A, 85th Inf.; disch. June
27, 18&).
Burdick, Daniel C, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14,
1862; pro. corp.; disch. Dec. 31, 186;3.
Burdick, Joel A., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 7, 1861;
pro. Corp.: disch. Dec. 31, 1863; re-enl. Jan. i, 1864;
taken prisoner at Plymouth, N. C, April 20, 1864;
paroled Dee. 10, 1864; disch. Jan. 7, 1865.
Burdick, .Matthew K., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. July,
1861; diseh. Dec. 31, 1863; re-enl. same regiment
and company Jan. 1, 1864; disch. June 27, 1865.
Button, Commodore P., Co. I, 15th N. Y. Eng.; enl.
Sept. 1, 1864: disch. Sept. 17, 1865.
Carr, Lyman E.. Co. C, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1864;
disch. Julv 31, 186.5.
Carter, Charles L., Co. B, 189th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. Mav :30, 1865.
Cleveland, Wilson, Ist N. Y. Ind. Bat.; enL Aug. 20,
1864; disoh. June 27, 1865.
Cole, Jay, Co. C. 179th Inf.; enl. Aug. 3, 1864; disch.
June 30, 186.5.
Crandall, WiUiam L., Co. A, 8oth Inf.; enl. Sept. 2,
1864; disch. June 27, 1865.
Crowley, Timothy, Co. 1, 15th N. Y. Eng.; enl. Aug.
29, 18M; disch. June 13, 1865.
Dennis, George T., Co. I, 85Ch Inf.; enl. Sept. 25, 1861;
disch. July 18, 1865.
Dickenson, Deuison R., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 20,
1861; died at Annapolis, Md., of disease Jan. 1,
1863.
Dickenson, Foster, Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 28,
1861; pro. sergt. July 1, 1863; 2d lieut. May 21, 1864;
Ist lieut. Nov. 14, 1864; capt. June 12, 1865; disch.
June 19, 1><>5.
Dickenson, Hebron E., musician 28th Inf.; enl. Sept.
12, 1861; disch. Sept. 2, 1862.
Dominy, Lyman. Co. D, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1861;
disch. liec. 31, 1863; re-enl. same company and
regiment Jan. 1, 1864; died In Andersonville
prison Sept. 7, 1864.
Durfy, George J., Co. E, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2il, 18tU;
disch. Aug. 15, 1865.
Evans, Evander, Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862;
died in hospital at Alexandria, of disease, Oct. 17,
1862.
Evans, John A., Co. A, 81st Inf.; enl. March 22, 1865;
pro. Corp.; disch. Sept. 17, 1885.
Evans, Mosby O., 1st JM. Y. Ind. Bat.; enl. Sept. 2,
1804; disch. June 26, 1865.
Fairbanks, Alanson, Co. A, 8.5th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1,
18(J1; disch. Dec. 31, 186:3; re-enl. same company
and regiment Jan. 1, 1864; pro, sergt. March 1,
1865; 2d lieut. April 22, 1865; disch. June 27, 1865.
Fales, Newman P., Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26,
1802; died in prison at Kichmond, March 22, 1804.
Fales, Zodac H.. Co. I, I54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862;
pro. Corp. May, 1864; disch. June 17, 1805.
Godfrey, 'William B., 1st sergt. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl
July 26, 1862; pro. 1st lieut, March 16, 1863; disch.
Aug. 11, 1863, for sickness.
Grierson, John, Co. D, 8.5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1861-
re-enl. iu Co. H, 14th Art., Dec. 8, 1863; pro. sergt!
June 24, 1864; 2d lieut. July 13, 1864; prisoner at
Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864; diseh. March 2.5, 1865.
Griffin, Henrv, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Nov. 20, 1861:
disch. Dec. 3, 1864.
Griffin, Patrick, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl Aug. 28, 1862;
killed near Nashville, Tenn.
Hadley. Adolphus, Co. D, 111th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28,
18ii4; disch. J une 4, 186.5.
Halbert. Albert B., Co. D, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5,
1801; disch. Dec. 31, 1863; re-enl. in same company
and regiment Jan. 1, 1864; died in Andersonville
prison Oct. 16, 1864.
Hamilton, Adolphus D., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 15,
1862; disch. for disability.
Hamilton, Oscar W., Co. A, 8.5th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29,
1802; disch. July 14, 1865.
Harrison, James, Co. M, 111th Art.; enl. Jan. 17, 1864;
disch. May 15, 18ti5.
Hornbeck, Thomas, Co. M, llth Art.; enl. Dec. 25,
1804; died in service.
Irish, George H., Co. C, S5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1861;
disch. Dee. :j1, 1803; re-enl. in same company and
regiment Jan. 1, 1864; died in Andersonville pris-
on Aug. 2, 1864.
Johnson, Timothy B., Co. D. 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 7,
1861; disch. on account ot sickness March 3, 1862;
re-enl. in Co. A, same regiment, Aug. 31, 1864;
disch. from hospital June 21, 186.5.
Jones, H. W., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1802; pro.
corp.
King, Reuben V., capt. Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 24,
1861; pro. major March 14, 1862; res'n'd Maj' 2, 1863.
Lackey, Isaac M., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862;
disch. June 27, 1865.
Lackey, Walter H., Co. C, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 20, 1862;
dish. June 10, 1865.
Langdon, Albert M., Co. D, 85th Int.; enl. Nov. 1,
1861; disch. Dec. 31, 1803; re-enl. in same company
and regiment Jan. 1, 1804; taken prisoner April
20, 1864; died in Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 7, 1805.
Langworthy. John, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. J une 27, 186.5.
Larrabee, Nelson B., Co. C, 76th Inf.; enl. Dec. 3, 1861,
three years.
Lewis, Israel T., Co. D, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1864;
disch. July 15, 180.5.
Love, Charles, 1st N. Y. Ind. Bat.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. June 26, 1865.
Maine, Dewey S., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 14, 1862;
disch. Aug. 31, 180.5.
Maine, James S., Co. I, 81st Inf.; enl. March 22, 186.5.
Maine, William O., Co. A, &5th Inf.; enl. Aug, 14, 1864;
taken prisoner at Plymouth, N. C, April 20, 1864;
died in Andersonville, Ga., Oct. 31, 1804.
Mason, Philip, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862;
disch. June 11, 1865.
Ma.fon, Phineas V., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. June 27, 1865.
Maxou, Sanford L., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 16,
1864.
Mcintosh, Charles A., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22,
1802; pro. sergt. July 1, 1803; taken prisoner; aisoh.
June 17, 1865.
Middaugh, Randall, Co. E, 81st Inf.; enl. March 22,
1.805; disch. Sept. 17, 1865.
Miller, Albert, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1801;
disch. Sept. 20, 1864.
Oakley, George W., Co. F, 90th Inf. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. May 30, 1865.
Oakley, Zachariah D., Co. A, 90th Inf.; enl. Sept. 9,
18(34; disch. June 3, 1865.
Parish, Horace, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 12, 1861;
disch. Dec. 31, 186:3; re-enl. same company and
regiment Jan. 1, 1864; pro. sergt. Jan. 5, 1864; disch.
June 27, 1805.
Parish, Marvin, 1st N. Y. Ind. Bat.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
wounded at Cedar Creek, put in ambulance, and
has not been heard from since.
Parish, Melvin, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1864;
disch. July 8, 1865.
Pelton, A. N., Co. C, irAtix Inf.; enl. Aug. 22, 1802;
taken prisoner at Gettysburg: died at Ander-
sonville, July 1, 1804.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
239
Percival, Joshua G., Co. A, 81st Inf.; enl. Mch. 22, 18B.5.
Popple, Jason, Co. A, ISoth Inf.: enl. Aug. 1, 1861;
discb. Dec. 31, IStiS; re-enl. same company and
regiment Jan. 1, 18«>i: disch. Jan. 27, ISO.").
Potter. William H., Co. A, Soth Inf.; enl. Aug. 1,
1S6]; disch. Dec. 31, 1863: re-enl. in same company
and regiment Jan. 1, 18<>1: taken prisoner April
20, 18M; died in Andersonville, Ga.
Prince, Lorenzo, Co. H, ICOth Inf.; enl. Feb. B, 1864;
disch. Sept. l.i. 1665.
Keynolds, Benjamin. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9,
1862; disch. Aug. 20, 1865.
Reynolds, Charles. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862;
disch. May 1, 186:3.
Reynolds, John L., Co. C. 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862;
disch. from hospital Dec. 11, 186:3.
Richardson, Rodney. Co. B, 15th Cav. ;enl. Sept. 5,
1864; disch. June 12, 1865.
Roberts, Lyman A., Co. D, 85th Inf.; enl. Oct. 2.5,
1861; disch. Dec. 17, 1862, for disability.
Robinson, Peter, Co. H, Slst Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1864;
disch. Sept. 17, 1865.
Sawtell, Henry P., Co. D, S.5th Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1S64;
disch. July 15. 1.86.5.
Sawyer, John, Co. D, 85th -Inf.; enl. Sept. 7, 1861;
disch.; re-enl. same company and regiment;
disch. July 15, 1865.
Scott, Jason L., Co. H, 37th Inf.; eni. May 17, 1861;
pro. sergt. Jan. 7, 1862; disch. 18<i2; re-enl. private
Co. K, 85th Inf.. April 15. 1862; pro. to 1st sergt.
May 1,1862; taken prisoner at Plymouth, N.C.,
-Vpnl 211, 18<U; died in Andersonville, Aug. 5, I8IU.
Scott, Martin V. IJ., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20,
1861; disch. Dec. 31, l.^S: re-enl. in same company
and regiment Jan. 1, 1864; pro. corp.; disch. June
27, 1865.
Scott, Truman A., 1st X. Y. Ind. Bat.; enl. Sept. 1,
1864; disch. June 23. 1n;5.
Scott, Warren, Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 21, 1861;
disch. Dec. 31. 18iw; rc-eiil same company and reg-
iment June 1, 1^64: pro. sergt. March 1,1865; disch.
June 17, l.'^M.
Scutt, Addison L.. 1st sergt. Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 30, 1862; disch. June 22, 186.5.
Seaver, Charles, Co. A. :>4th Inf.; enl. June 15,1861;
disch. July 2. 1>6:5; re-enl. Co. .\, 85th Inf., Sept.
10, 1864; pro. corp.; disch. May 22, 1865.
Simmons, William H., Co. F, 81st Inf.; enl. March 22,
18<i5; disch. .Vug. 31. IsiV
Smith, .Martin A., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1804;
disch. June 27, I8<i5.
Smith, Myron, Co. A, .Mith X.Y. Eng.; enl. Aug. 29, WA\
trans, to Co. IS, 1.5th X. V. Eng.; disch. .lune 13,
1865.
Smith, Stephen, Co. K. X5th Inf.; enl. Sept. 27, 1861;
disch. Oct. 14. 1862, for disability.
Smith, Willard .M., navy: enl. Aug. 17, 1864, on Van-
ilerhiLt: trans, to the Bniithlun in l.><65.
Southworth, AuL'Ustus H., 1st lieut. Co. D, 85th Inf.;
enl. Sept. 17, 1-<J1: resigned March 25, 1862; re-enl.
in Co. A, same regiment, .\ug. 31, 1864; disch. .July
15, 1HI».
Southworth, Byron De F., 50th N. Y. Eng.; enl.
Sept. 3, I81U; disch. June 11, 1865.
Southworth, Charles, Co. C, 27th Inf.; enl. July .5,
ISBl; disch. May 31, 1>6:J; re-enl. sergt. Co. F, 1st
Vet.Cav., July 14, 186:3.
Speese, Andrew J., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1864;
disch. July 16, 1865.
Stone, Addison, Co. I, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862;
pro. corp. at Gettjsburg, July, 1863; disch. May
22, 186.5.
Swartz, George E., Co. L, 1st. Vet. Cav.; enl. Aug. 17,
1863; disch. J uly 20, 1865.
Swartz, Nelson L., Co. F, IJOth Cav.; enl. Sept. 9,1864;
disch. July 20. l^«.).
Traver, William, Co. A, 34th Inf.; enl. June 1.5, 1801;
wounded at Antietam; disch. July 2, 1863; re-enl.
Co. A, 85th Inf., Feb., 1864; disch. July 15, mio.
Vanvalkenburg. Francis H., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 31, 1864; disch. July 15, 1865.
Wakefield, .Marion, Co. K, 100th Inf.; enl. Aug. 22,
1863; died Nov. 6, 1864, of disease contracted in
service.
Wales, Jared, 1st sergt. Co. D, 85th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15,
1861; disch. Dec. 31, 186:3; re-enl. as sergt. same
regt. Jan. 1, 18*>4; taken prisouer at Plymouth,
N. C; died in Andei-sonville, June 24, 1864.
Warner, Lewis D., capt. Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
19,1862; pro. major July 1, 186:5; lieut.-col. Jan.
19, 1864; col. Feb. 20, 1865; disch. June 11, 1865.
Way, Robt. B., Co. C, 27th Cav.; enl. July 5, 1861;
wounded at Gaines's Mills; pro. sergi.; disch.
.May :31, 1863; r.--enl. as private Co. F, 1st Vet. Cav.,
July 8, 1864; disch. July 31, 1865.
Wheeler, Samuel J., Co. C, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26.
1862; disch.
Wicker, Edmund A., Co. A, 85th Inf.; enl. Nov. 20,
1861; died Dec. 17, 186:3, of wounds.
Witherel, Daniel W., Co. F, 27th Cav.; enl. July 5,
1861; wounded at Gaines's Mills; disch. May 31,
1863.
Witherel, Wm. E., Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862;
disch. June 11, 1865.
Wright, Daniel M., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 26,
1862; pro. Corp. May 1, 1804; disch. July 1.5, 18B5.
RANDOLPH.
Arnold, Joseph, 9th Cav.; enl. Jan. 12, 1864, three
years.
Arnold, Wm., 13th H. A.; enl, Aug. 27, 1864.
Barber, Lewis, 14th H. A.; enl. Dec. 24, 1863.
Beardsley, Charles A., Co. E, 5th Cav.; enl. Aug. 27,
1«1.
Beckwith, Stephen H., sergt. Co. H, 37th Cav.; enl.
May 1, 1861; must, out June 23, 1863.
Bement, Philetus S., musician Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 17, 1861; must, out Sept. 6, 1864.
Benson, Charles A., corp. Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl Oct. 11,
1861.
Berry, Joel S., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861,
three years; trans, to Co. G, 1st N. Y. Art., Oct.
14, 1863: re-enl. Dec. 31, 186:3; wounded at Spotsyl-
vania, -May 12, 1864; pro. corp. Nov., 1864; must.
out June 20, 1865.
Boyington. Uenj., Co. E, 7th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1, 1861;
re-enl. Feb. 19, 1804, in 13th H. A.; must, out Aug.,
1865.
Bnidshaw, Clinton, Co. H, 71st Inf.; enl. July 8, 1861,
three years.
Bradshaw, Wm., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
pro. to sergt. Oct. 7. 1.861; 1st sergt. June 21, 186:5.
Brown, Charles F., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. IS, I8i;4.
Brown, Isaac, Co. G, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 23, 1864.
Brown, Lineas J., Co. H. 194th Inf.; enl. JIarch 2'2,
186.5; disch. May, 186.5.
Bruce, Myron, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
must, out Sept. 10, 1864.
Bryant, Samuel, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862.
Bump, Orwin W., Co. E, 13tli H. A.; enl. Aug. 25, 18(>4.
Busch, Walter, 5th N. Y. Cav.
Carr, Daniel L., Co. I, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 3, 1804;
disch. June 8, 18t>5.
Carr, Levi L., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1801;
prisoner at Petersburg; re-enl.; disch. June, 1865.
Chamberlain, Benj. F., capt. Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct.
1, 1861: resigned June 2:3, 1802.
Cheney, Matthew B.,lst sergt. Co. D, 112th Inf.; enl.
July 2!), 1862; pro. capt.
Cochran, .Samuel W., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10,
18131; disch. for disability Jan. 26, 1802.
Congleton, Luther, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 19,
1864.
Crooks, Albert, Co. A, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22, 1864.
Crosby, Alanson, 2d lieut. Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
8, 1862; pro. adjt.; killed before Atlania.
Cross, Wm., Co. G, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 0, 1864.
Crowley, M. J., Co. B, 64th Int.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
disch. for disability July 17, 1802.
Crowley, Rodney K., C). B, B4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
18B1; pro. qrra.-sergt. Nov. 13, 1801; 2a lieut. Jan.
10, 1862; 1st lieut. and qrm. Feb. 28, 1862; capt.
July 12, 186:5; resigned Nov. 6, 1863, on account of
wounds received at Gettysburg.
Daniels, James, Co. £, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 27, 1864.
Dean, Lyman, Co. B, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 7, 1861; pro.
Corp.; served three years.
Decker, Prentice, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862;
trans, to navy April 26, 1864.
Dejanes, Francis, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862.
Deland, Kuf us, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861; pro.
Corp. Oct. 7, 1861; sergt. June, 1862; must, out
Oct. 28, 1864.
Devine, Franklin J., 49th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1, 1861;
trans, to 21st Inf.; wounded at Wilderness.
240
History of Cattaraugus County,
Dewej-, Jairus B., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 26, 1S64.
Dixson, Henry L., Co. E, 9th Cav.: enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
killed by accideni while on picket duty July 29,
1863.
Dow, Albert G., Jr., Co. B, 6ith Inf.; enl. Feb. 15,
1865.
Dow, Franklin, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861; pro.
qrm.-sergt.; disch. in March, 1862.
Draper, Elmore, Co. B. 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
appointed regular wagon master; disch. for dis-
ability Oct. 11, 1862.
Draper, John W., Co. H, Hst Inf.: enl. July 8, 1861;
died at Washington, Sept. 10, 1S64.
Duffie, I'atrick, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1861.
Everett, Timothy A. C, capt. Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 17, 1861; resigned Jan. 16. 1862.
Fay, Dallas, Co. G, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 26, 1864.
Finley, Edmund J., 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862.
Fosket, Hezekiah, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
must, out Oct. 28, 1.864.
Franklin, Andrew, Co. B, Wth Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1,861;
wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; disch. for
disability April 30, 1864.
Frederick, Horace S., Co. D, 13th H. A.; enl. Feb. 10,
1864.
French, Geo. W., 1st lieut. Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
15, 1861. three years.
French, Horace H., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20,
1861; pro. 1st sergt.; wounded at Gettysburg;
right arm amputated.
Furman, Charles M., musician Co. F, 64th Int.; enl.
Aug. 30, 1861, three years.
Galbraith, Thomas H., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861; disch. fordisability.
Gates, Adelbert, Co. E, 13th H. A.; enl. Feb. 23, 1864,
three years.
Geary, William H., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. Hi,
1861, three years,
Goldwaith, Jesse, enl. Aug. 22, 1863; regt. not known.
Goodrich, Aaron, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
disch. March, 1862.
Goodrich, Isaac, Co. E, 9th Cav.;enl. Oct. 1. 1861; disch .;
re-enl. Aug. 11, 186.3, in 13tli H. A.
Goodrich, Sanford J., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 2.5,
1862; wounded in right leg; taken prisoner;
paroled; e.Kchanged; must, out 186.5.
Gorsline, Gilbert O., corp. Co. D, 35th Inf.; enl. Aug.
1, 1861; trans, to 13th H. A.; bugler; must. out.
Gould, Daniel M., 102d Inf.; enl. Oct. 15, 1861.
Gould. G. F., Co. G, 13th H. A.; enl. March 20, 1.864.
Grannis, Lewis H., Co. A, 112th Inf.; enl. Feb. 1, 1864.
Grant, Kufus, enl. Aug. 22, 1863; regt. not known.
Gray, Orange, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862,
three years.
Green, William P., Co. F, 61th Inf.: enl. Dec. 7, 1861,
three years.
Gurnsey, Delos W., Co. H, 44th Inf.
Hanius, M. G., Co. B, 6ith Inf.: enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
disch. for disa.iility Jan. 26, 1862.
Harris, Charles, 37th Inf.
Hedman, Charles F., Co. B. 64th Int.; enl. Sept, 1.5.
1861; pro. to corp. Oct. 1.5, 1861: ord.-sergt. of l«t
Div. 2d Corps, of Army of Potomac, June 2, 186:1.
Helms, A. H.. Co. G, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 23. 1,864.
Helms, Charles H., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
wounded June 21. 1864.
Henly, Eleazer C, Co. G, 9th Cav., enl. Aug. 2:j, 1864.
Hibbard, Frederick M., Co. H, 71st Inf.; enl. July 18,
1861; disch. for disability.
Hibbard, Oliver D., chaplain 64th Inf.; enl. Dec. 10,
1861; must, out Dec. 10, 1864.
Hollenbock, C. H., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
must, out Sept. 6, 1861.
Jeffords, Lyman P., Co. F, B4th Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1,861,
three years.
Johnson, James G., 2d lieut. Co. B. 6tth Inf.; enl. Aug.
17, 1861; pro. Ist lieut. Jan. 26, 1862 ; resigned Oct.
3, 1862.
Jones, Frank C, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
pro. regt. color-bearer Sept. 10, 1861; 1st sergt.
June 18, 1863; re-enl. Frb. 25, 1864; 2d lieut. April
12, 1864; capt. Nov. 26, 1864; wounded at Spotsyl-
vania; resigned May 8, 1865.
Jones, Harvey L., 1st lieut. Co. B, 64th Int.; enl. Aug.
17, 1861; pro. capt. Jan. 16, 1862; resigned and disch.
Jan. 10, 186:1.
Keach, Charles. Co. B, 37th Inf.; enl. May 16, 1861;
disch. July, 1863.
Keach, Ira L., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 28, l.'<62.
Keach, Nathan, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862-
disch. for disability Feb., 1.86.3.
Klock, Charles G., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29,
1861, three years.
Knight, Edgar Olin, 97th Inf.; enl. Aug. 21. 186:3;
wounded in battle of Wilderness; right leg am-
putated; disch. July 2, 186.5.
Law, Patrick, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861; disch
March, 1862.
Litchfield, Harvey D., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug.
17, 1861; in Andersonville prison eleven months;
must, out June 21, 18t>5.
Litchfield, Hiram, Co. B, 72d Inf.; enl. May 28, 1,861,
three years.
Litchfield, Leroy, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1862,
three year^.
Lyman, Joel H., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 9, 1861;
pro. qrm.-sergt. March, 1862; trans, to Co. B,
March, 186:3.
Marsh, Albert, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
pro. corp. Oct. 1.5, 1,861; sergt. April 15, 1864;
wounded at Spotsylvania, right leg amputated;
must, out as 2d lieut.
Marsh, Hollis, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 7, 1861; disch.
March, 1862.
McClease, D., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 4, 1861; must.
out Oct. 1, 1864.
McLaughlin, Johu, Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Dec. 6, 1861,
three years.
Mighells, Florentine C, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
I'61; wounded at Antietam, Sept. 9, 1862; disch.
April 1, 186:3.
Miller, Jeflei-sou. Co. E, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22,1864.
Miller, Morton W,, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
pro. to Corp. March, 1864; must, out Oct. 15, 1864.
Morey, Benjamin, 1.54th Int.; enl. Sept. 13, 1864.
Morey, Philip, Co. H, 1.54th Int.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862,
three years.
Morgan, Henry A., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1.861; sent to hospital at Philadelphia; re-enl. Feb.
12, 186:3, in 14th N. Y. Cav.
Nichols, Sylvester S., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861; discharged tor disability March 3, 1S62; re-
enl. Aug., 1862, 13th H. A.; died at Norfolk, Va.,
Nov. 26, 186t.
Nutting, Hulbert, Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861;
must, out Oct. 1, 18<i4.
Parks, Clifton M., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 25, 1864.
Parks, Edmunds R., Co. G, 13th H. A.; enl. Feb. 29,
1864.
Phelps, Timothy E., Co. E, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 27,
1864.
Piorce, Addison, Co. B, 64th Regt.; enl. Aug. 17;
1861; pro. sergt. Sept. 11, 1862; 2d lieut. ISO v. 6,
1863; 1st lieut. and qrm. June 23, 1864.
Pitcher, George E., Co. B, 64th Kegt.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861; died of typhoid fever, at Fortress Monroe,
April 29. 1862.
Plopper, Leroy, Co. E, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 25, 1864.
Price, Alfred B., 1.54th Inf.: enl. Sept. 26, 1862.
Price, Anson D., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862,
three years.
Heed, Alfred, Co. B, 164th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861,
three years.
Reed, Asa J., 64th luf.; enl. Feb. 6. 18»>5.
Reed, Austin T., Co. M, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24, 1864.
Reeves, Daniel F., Co. I, 9th Cav.; enl. S-pt. :3, 1864.
Riesd ilph, Charles W., Co. B, 64th Kegt.; enl. Aug.
17, 1861; pro. corp. Sept. 1, 186:3; wounded at Fred-
ericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, and at the Wilderuess,
May 7, 1864.
Rogers, Gilbert, Co. H, 1.54th Kegt.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Rogers, Jerome, 71st Inf.
Sabins, Johnson, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. May 1, 1861;
must, out June 2:5, 1863.
Sadler, Benjamin, Co. H. 71st Int.; enl. July 8, 1861.
Sample, Eugene, Co. H, 1.54th Int.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862;
taken prisoner at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, not
since heard from.
Scudder, Ambroses., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Dec. 8,
1861, three years.
Seekins, Cyrel, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1863;
re-enl. Co. A, 188th Inf.; disch. AprU, 1865.
Sheldon, Clark E., Co. F, 64th Int.; enl. Sept. 15, 1861;
re-enl. Co. E. 13th H. A., Aug. 25. 1864.
Sheldon, Oscar W., enl. Feb. 2.5, 1865; regt. not given
Sheldon, Osman, Co. E, 13th H. A.: enl. Aug. 25, 1864|
Roster of Soldiers axu Sau.ors.
241
Siples, Nelson. Co. H, STtli luf.; enl. May 1, 1S61; musr.
out June 23. 1S>J.
Spencer. James C, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Mayl.lsGl;
must, out JuneSi, 1-Uo.
Stanley, Lutlitr, eorp. Co. A, l.Mth Inf.: enl. Aug-.,
isai; disi-li. for disability Nov., l.'iKi.
Stilhvell, Joliu H., Co. B. Wth Inf.; enl. Nov. 2.5, l.Wl.
Stillwell, Oua.V.. Co. li. B4th luf.; enl. Aug-. 17, IStil;
wounded; re. enl. Keb. 25, 1.SB4; pro. to 1st iieut.
July 1, ISW: wounded at Mills' Farm, April 1, It^Hi;
died .ipril 4. ISim, and buried on the field.
Stone. WilliHm. Co. C, loth H. A.; enl. Aufr. 23, 1804.
'J'aylor, Friinaii. Co. E, ath Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861; died
in hospital at Washington, .June, 1802.
Thurston, Columbus. Co. B. «4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.5,
1861; trans, to Invalid Corp*, July 2:i, 1S6;J.
Tliui ston, Geo. W., Co. A, lS8th Inf.; enl Sept. 3, 1804.
Thurston, Samuel, Co. K, 112th Inf.; enl. April :3U,
1862.
Tor.ance. Joel B.. Co. H, l.>4th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1802.
Torrance, Michael, !4th H. A.; enl. Dec. 11, 1863.
Vanama, Charles, Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Jlay 1, 1801;
diseh. Sept. 8. 1801: re-enl. Co. G, 9th Cav., Aug.
2:3, 1804; must, out June 5, 186.5.
Vansuoter, Sheldon, Co. K. 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 1, ISOl;
died in hospital at Washington of disease.
Wait, llorai e (J.. Co. C. 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 2.5, 1804.
Walsh, T. I,., Co. U. 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1801;
wounded at Gettvsburg, July2, 18<i3; pro. corp.
July 1, InU: must, out Sept. 0, 1804.
Washburn, (iilts. Wth Inf.
Watkius, V,i;,. w .. Co. U. 04ih Inf.; enl. Aut'. 17, 1801;
pro. 1st sert't.; 2d Iieut.; 1st liout. in 1862.
Wentworth, Harmon E., Co. II. 37th Inf.; enl. May
1, 1»)1; pro. 1st Iieut. .M:iy 15, 18I..5; brevet capt.
May 15, l.«65; nine months in Libby. Macon, and
other prisons; fii-st must, out June 2:3, 1803; re-
enl. Oct. l:j, KN3, Co. H, 14th II. A ; disch. Sept.
12, 1,865.
Whitman, Allison. Co. G, 14th H. A.; enl. Oct. 22, 18lVi.
Wiggins, David T., Co. U, 64tli Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1801; pro. Isr sergt. Oct. 3. ISKi; 1st Iieut.; killed
at Spotsylvania. .May 12, 1804, and buried on the
Held.
WiUard, F.ben. Co. B. Olth Inf.; enl. Sept. 10, 1801;
wounded at Gettysburg; must, out Sept. 2U, 18114.
WiUard, (I. H.. Co. B, lUth Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1801;
pro. to 2d sergt. (K-t. 15.1801; 1st sergt. Feb. 10,
1862; 2d Iieut. Oct. 3, 1802; 1st Iieut. June 18, 1863;
capt. Nov. 0, wa.
Willes, Kufus T., Co. E, 13th H. \.: enl. Aug. 2.5, 1801.
Williams, Favette H., Co. G, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 25,
I8(U.
Williams, Geo., Co. H. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 1862.
Williams, James, 112th Inf.; enl. Dec, 18ij3.
Wiiisor, Warner .1., Co. IS, 01th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1801; died July 2. Isi2. of wounds received at Mal-
vern Hill, auu buried 011 the field.
W(jo.lin, David, Co. G. 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 2:!, 1804.
Woolcot, Charles H., Co. H,37th Inf.; enl. May 1, 1861.
Wright, Lyman J.. Co. li, 04th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1801;
pro. Corp. Feb. 0, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg,
Dec. 13. INU!.
Zibblo, Thomas J., Co. F, 04th Inf.; enl. Oct. 9, 1861,
three years.
SALAMANCA.
Those marked with a star {*) were Indians.
Allen, Ellas, 2d C. S. Col. Eegt.; enl. April 7, 1805.
Allen, Thos. W., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1804.
Ames, Henry W., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 15, 1804.
Atwatcr, Kobt., 1st Army Corps; enl. Marcn 21, 1805.
Backus, William. Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24, 1863,
I hree years.
Barber, Benjamin, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862.
Barbei, Henry, Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862;
pro. 1st Iieut.
Barber, Levant F., Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802;
died in service.
Barry, John, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1864.
Bigkettle, James*, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1.5,
186;3, three years; died in service or was killed in
battle.
Bigler, Wm. J., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 24, 1862.
Blackchief, Simon*, 188th Pa. Vols.; enl. 180L
Bliss, Asher, Jr., Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862.
Bottum, Jacob, Wlh Cav.; enl. Sept. 17, 1804.
31
Boughton, George H., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug.
17, 1803, three years.
Breen, Patrick, enl. Feb. 22, 186.5.
Brown, Hiram L., Co. C, 13th H. A.: enl. Aug. 24,
1863, threi- years.
Brown, William, Jr., sergt. Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl.
Aug. i;3, 1862.
Bucktooth, Ira*, 51st Pa. Inf ; enl. 1801; killed in
service.
Bullock, Horace, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24, 1803,
three years.
Burk, William C, wagoner Co. G, 154th Inf.; enl.
Aug. 27, 1862.
Burns, Andrew, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Julv 27, 1863,
three years.
Cables, Samuel B., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 3, 1863,
three years; disch. from hospital before term of
service e.xpired.
Camp, Asa E., 37th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2.5, ISOl; re-enl. as
sergt. Co. C, 13th H. A., Aug. 2.5, 1803, three years.
Canfield, Charles, Co.-C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. la, 1804.
Clark, George, enl. Feb. 21, 1*5.
Clark, Kiley. Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24, 180:3,
three yeai-s.
demons, John, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 17, 1804.
Cone, William, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802.
Comstock. Lewis H., Co. C, 13th H. A.; eul. Aug. 24,
18<i3, three years.
Counery, William, Co. C, 13th H. A.; eul. Aug. 21,
186:3, three years.
Cook, Arthur, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 15, 1864.
CuUeu, Samuel, Co. Li, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17, 186:3,
three years.
Dauforth, George, enl. Aug. 22,1803.
De Puy, Charles V., Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 24,
1802.
Didcock, Henry D., Co. I, 187th Inf.; enl. Sept. 20,
1804, one year.
Dingraan, Robert, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 15, 1864.
Dollard, John, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. .\ug. 10, 1803,
three years.
Dunbar, Sylvester, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1802.
Eastman, Albert, enl. Oct. 7, 180:3.
Eastman, Hiram, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 10, 1804.
Ellis, Cassius M., Co. K, 04th Inf.; enl. 1861; taken
prisoner and escaped; was thirty days iu swamps.
Everett, Henry, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24, 1803,
three years.
Tatley, Cornelius B., bugler Co. B, 13th H. A.; eul.
Aug. 3, 186:3, three yeai's.
Fellows, Alonzo, Co. (.', 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 21, 180:1,
three years; pro. Corp.; sergt.
Fellows, John, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1, 1863,
three years; pro. corp.; sergt.
Fellows, Willard E., corp. (;o. I, 71st Inf.; enl. 1801;
disch. before terra expired.
Firman, Thomas, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug :3, 1803,
three years.
France, Cyrus, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 10, 1864.
French, Eugene. Co. I-", 194th Int.; enl. April II, 1865.
Frink, James D., Co. 1, 154th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1863.
Gilbert, John, eul. Dec. 8, 1804.
Goodman, Jefferson, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 24,
1862; died in service.
Gordon, Bennett,* Co. 1, 104th Inf.; enl. 1861.
Goring, William, 1st Army Corps; eul. March 27, 1865.
Gray, Nathan W., Co. C, 13tli H. A.; enl. Aug. 16, 1804.
Gray, Norman H., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 22, 1802;
wounded at Chancellorsville; pro. sergt.
Gray, Walter, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 23, 1802;
died In service.
Hagar, Legrand D., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1,
1803, three yeai-s.
Hall, William H., Co. C,13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 16, 1804.
Ham. Charles, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 3(1, 1804.
Hamner, Edgar E., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1,
186.3, three years.
Harkness, Truman, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1802; died or was killed in service.
Hart, Matthew, Co. 1, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862;
afterwards represented by Benjamin Lee.
Helmick, Darwin, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 19,
186:3, three years; died in hospital at Norfolk, Va.
Helmick, Jasper, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 19, 1863,
three years.
Henderson, John, enl. 1861; died in hospital.
Hoag, William C, Co. B, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. .5, 1861;
disch. before term expired,
242
History of Cattaraugus County.
Hoyt, Bdwin, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 9, 1861.
Hunington, M. H., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 3,
l)<a3; pro. ord.-sergt.; 2d lieut.; capt.
Hunton, John, Co.C,13th H. A.; enl.Aug.18, 186.3, three
years; died while home on a fui lough of disease
contracted in the service.
Hurd, David H., 37th Int.; enl. Sept., 1861; re-enl.
Co. C, 13th H. A., Aug. \io, 1S63, three years; pro.
Corp.
Hyde, Franklin A., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22,
ISKS, three years.
Jimeson, Chauncey, enl. 1861; killed while acting as
scout.
Jimeson, Cyrus,* navy; enl. 1861.
Jimeson, Jacob T.,* Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 3,
186:3, three years; died in hospital at Portsmouth,
Va.
Jimeson, Moses,* 157th Inf.; enl. 1862.
Jimeson, Kobert,*enl. 18U1; killed at Petersburg.
Jimeson, Thompson,* enl. 1861; disch.
Johnson, William, 1st. D. S. Art.; enl. April 1, 1865.
Jones, Bela, Ifttth Inf.; enl. 1861; disch. before expira-'
tion of term.
Jones, Charles, enl. Aug. 22, 18K5.
Kelley, Thomas, 1st Army Corps; enl. March 22, 1865.
Kelsey, William H., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 6,
18fe, three years.
Kennedy, Robert, 1st Army Corps; enl. March 25, 1865.
King, Wooster,* Co. K, 57th Pa. Inf.; enl.Xov.7,1861;
wounded and disch. for disability; re-enl. Co. B,
I3th H. A., July 31, 1863; disch. before e.xpiration
of term.
Langley, John, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 6, 1863,
three years; pro. Corp.; sergt.
Lavton, George, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 15, 1864.
Lent, David, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 23, 1863,
three years.
Lewis, John, enl. Jan. 21, 1865.
Lindguest, James, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17, 1863,
three years.
Lindgue-t, John F., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17,
1863, three years.
Long, Samuel, Co. H, lolth Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862.
Lyons, Peter, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1864.
Mack. John, 1st I'. S. Art.; enl. March 25, 1865.
Maloney, James, enl. Aug. 22, 186.3.
Mathews, Bernard, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. IS,
1863, three years.
McEvoy, William, corp. Co. B, 13th II. A.; enl. Aug.
:30, 1863, three years.
McMahon, Patrick, 37th or 64th Inf.; enl. 1861.; (not
on muster-in rolls).
Meade, Horace W., Co. H, 37th Inf.; enl. Sept,1861; re-
enl. Co. I, 13th H. A., Aug. 24, 186:3.
Messenger, Peter, Co. A, lo4th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862.
Miller, Wilkes J., Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1862.
Moore, John, enl. Jan. 12, 1865.
Moore, Levi, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. July 31, 1863, three
years; pro. Corp.; sorgt.
Morgan, Charles P., enl. Aug. 22, 1863.
Morris, Stephen, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 4, 1862.
Murphy, George, enl. Jan. 27, 1865.
Murphy, James, Co. C, i:3th H. A.; enl. Aug. 29, 1864.
Myer, Anthony, Co. H, 194th Inf.; enl. April 7, 1865,
one year.
Nelson, John, Jr., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 25, 1863,
three years.
Nelson, Kichard, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 11, 1863.
Nelson, William J., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24,
1863, three years.
Nichols, Richmond, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24,
1863, three years.
Nichols, Sylvester, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 8,
1863, three years; died in service.
Norton, Alonzo, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 28, 1862;
died in service.
Nyhart, Peter, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 21, 1863,
three years.
O'Day, Patrick, Co. 1, 37th Inf.; enl. 1861; killed in
the service.
Padgett, Anson, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17, 1863,
three years.
Patterson, Samuel *, navy; enl. 1861; starved to death
in Belle Isle.
Pattyson, Minard, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 13, 1864; died
at home from disease contracted in serrice.
Payne, Squires., Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Sepc. 28, 1861,
three years.
Payne, William H., mustered and afterward rejected.
Pease, Franklin S., corp. Co. F, 64ih Inf.; enl. Sept.
10, 1861, three years; wounded; pro. lieut.
Pierce, Lewis, Co. I, 104th Inf.; enl. 1861.
Pierce. Wilson *, enl. 1861; disch.
Plummer, Cornelius,* Co. I, 104th Int.; enl. 1861;
killed in battle.
Potter, G. Fred, . apt. Co. C, 13th H. \.; must. Sept.
11, 1863, three years; pro. brevet mijor.
Powers, Edward, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. U, 1863.
Prime, Abram C, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Sept. 1.5,
1863, three years.
Putnam, Orville, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 9, 1S64;
died in service.
Redeye, Martin*, Co. C, 13th H. A.; eul. July 31, 1863,
three years.
Riley, Fariell, 1st Army Corps; enl. March 28, 1865.
Robinson, George W., Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
1862.
Robinson, Josiah, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24,
1863, three years; died while home on a furlough.
Root, Elias, Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. March 22, 1865,
one year.
Ross, Thomas, 21st Ind. Co. N. Y. Vols.; enl. April
7, 1865.
Salmon, William, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 24,
18(3, three years; died at home before e.vpiration
of term, from disease contracted in service.
Sample, Emmett, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 11, 1863,
three yeai-s.
Scroggs, Thomas*, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 16,
1863, three years; disch. before expiration of
term.
Sears, Alfred, Co. C, 13lh H. A.; enl. Aug. 21, 1863,
three years; died in hospital at Portsmouth, Va.
Sedgwick, Theodore, 1st Army Corps.; enl. March
24, 1865.
Selen, William H., Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 29, 1862.
Shea, Michael, :37th or 6tth Inf.; enl. 1861; lost leg in
service: (not on muster-in lOlls).
Sheffield, Albert, Co. I, 44th Inf.
Sherman. David, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863,
three vears.
Shirley, Samuel C, Co. H, :37th Inf.; enl. 1861; disch.
at expiration of term; re-enl. 9th Cav. Sept.
17, 1864.
Shongo, Thomas *, enl. 1861; disch.
Slater, James, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 9, 1864.
Smith, George, 1st Army Con s; enl. March 28, 186.5.
Smith, George H., Co. H, 37tii Int.; enl. 1861; pro.
Corp.; disch. at expiracion of term; re.-enl. pri-
vate Co. C, 13th H. A., Aug. 16, 1864; pro. corp.
Smith, John, enl. 1861.
Smith, Orrin, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 21, 1863;
pro. Corp.; sergt.
Smith, Spencer, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 16, 1864.
Stebbins, Francis B., 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 20, 1864.
Stebbins, John W., 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 20, 1864.
Stevens, Silas, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 16, 1864.
Stimpson, Orrin, Co. C, i:3th H. A.; enl. Aug. 27, 1864.
Stoddard, Giles, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863,
, three years.
Stoddard, Riley, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22, 1863,
three years; pro. corp.
Strickland, Francis, sergt. Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept.
3, 1862; lost an arm in the battle of Gettysburg
and was discharged.
Sweet, Langtord, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17, 186:3.
three j'ears.
Thomas, Abner, Co. 1, 1.54th Int.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Thompson, Joseph, 21st Ind. Co. N. Y. Vols.; enl.
April 7, 186.5.
Titus, Dennis C* Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 5, 1.863,
three years; disch. before exp. of term.
Traver, Cyrus, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 16, 1864.
Trousdale, Calvin, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 9, 1864.
Uncles, Frederick,* Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 22,
1863, three years.
Vincent, Freeman W., Co. F, 194th Inf.; enl. April
11, 1865, three years.
Walker, Richard N., Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 11,
1863, three years.
Waters, John W., Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 19, 1863,
three years.
Webster, Edwin, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 16, 1864;
died m hospital at Portsmouth, Va.
Wells, Wm. H., 1st Army Corps.; enl. March 27, 1865.
West, George, 10th H. A.; eul. April 10, 1865.
Roster of Soldiers and Sailors.
Whaley, Charles, Co. C, 13th H. A.: enl. Aug. 25, 18C3.
Whallen, Patrick, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Au^'. 15, 186i.
Whip'le, Hrnry F., Co. H, ISith Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
ltU2; (lifd wliile a prisoner at Belle Isle, Va.
Whitney, .Si;ott D., cr.l. Oct. 28, 1803.
Wiley, .loliii, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17, 1S(>3,
three years: disc", before exp. of term.
WilUa-ns, .lames H., Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.,1.^62.
Williams, Li-vi'l"., enl. 1S61; killed in battle.
Willson, .Inhn. Isf Army Corps; enl. March 23, 1S65.
Wiser. .Marcus i... atli Cav.; enl. Sept. 9, 1864.
Woodford, Samuel D., Co. 1,1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
l.'-'62; prisoner at Salisbury, N. C; escaped and
was thirty day.« in swamps; was assisted and got
home bv help of negroes.
Woodworth, Charles, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. July 17,
IStSi, three vears; pro. corp.; sergt.
Woodworth, Thomas, Co. C, 13th H. A.; enl. Aug. 17,
ly(>J, three years; pro. sergt.: reduced to the
ranks; died in hospital at Portsmouth, Va.
SOUTH VALLEY.
.Vkin, riijiih, 1st Pa. Ritle Corps; enl. Sept. 28, ISfil;
disch. for wounds Aug. 22, 1862; re-enl. Co. A,
188th Inf., .\ug. 12, 18ti4; disch. June 1, 186.5.
-Vldiich, Leroy, Co. A, li-Sth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864;
killed at Hatcher's Kun, Oct. 27, 1864.
Armstron„^ Nathaniel (Indian), Co. B, 13th H. A.;
enl. Aug.. 18t;2.
.\rnol i, Andrew T., Co. A. 112th Inf.; enl. July 2n,
1W2; disch. June III, 186.5.
Atkins, William P.. Co. A, ISlSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 4,
liliss, Asher, Co. 1, 154th Inf ; enl. Sept. 3, 1862.
Bliss, David, G., Co. F, IstH. A.; enl.Sept. 7, 18(U.
liliss, Samuel .M., Co. M, 1st H. A.; enl. Sept. 7, 1864.
Brown, Tnomas, 112th Inf.; enl. Feb. 22, 1864.
Bucktooth. Ira (Indian), 51st Pa. Inf.; enl. Nov.,
1861; killed in service.
Burch, Edward C, 112th Inf.; enl. March, 186:!.
Cooper, David, Co. B, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1861;
wounded at Fair Oaks; died in hospital in New
York city.
Covell. Charles M., Co. I, ftth Cav.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864.
Covell. Eilmuiid K., Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. :i,
18(H; pni.sergt. Sept. 20, 1SC4; disch. June, 18i».
Covell, Harrison, corp. Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
1(). 1862, three years.
Covell, .''eth, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, 18132.
Covell. Sylvester, enl. July 1, 1864.
Crick, Franklin J., Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1862, three years.
Crofort, Hiram P., Co. F, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 3, ISiVt.
Eyman, John, Co. U, 179th Int.; enl. Feb. 27, 1864.
Fargo, Daniel C., Co. E, 9th Cav.; enl. Oct. 7, 1861;
disch. May 20, 1862.
Fargo, Samuel P., Co. F. 64th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.5. 1861;
confined in Libhy and Andersonville prisons;
paioledat Vicksburg, April 1, 1865; disch. June,
lMi5.
Ford. William, enl. March 20, 1.865.
Freeman, Isaac, U. S. Navy; enl. Sept. 3, 1864.
Frew, Josiah, Co. A, 18«th Inf.; eul. Sept. 3, 1864;
disch. June 1, 1865.
Hall, Albert E., Co. C, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 26, 1,862.
Harkins, Henry W., enl. Sept. .5, 1864.
Hill, George B., Co. A, 76th Inf.; enl. Oct. 15, 1861.
three years.
Hotchkiss, George W., Co. A, 1.5th Inf.; enl. July 20,
1862.
Hotchkiss, Harmon. 9th Cav.
Jaquay, Fernando C, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 8,
1862, three years.
Keith, Hiram, Co. H, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862;
disch. June 30, 1865.
Kinniston, Samuel, Co. H, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1864; killed at Fort Fisher.
Kinniston, William, Co. H, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 30,
1864.
Lake, Alexander, Co. A, 154th Inf.; enl. July 30, 1863,
three years.
Lyon, Franklin, 188th Inf.; enl. Oct 12, 1864.
Martin, Chapin, 112th Inf.; em. Feb. 17, 1864.
Mason, Lorenzo, Co. C, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 10, 1862.
McDonald, Alexander, Co. A, i.54th Inf.; enl. July
29, 1862; in Libby prison; removed to hospital,
where he died.
McLaughlin, John, Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Dec. 6, 1861.
Mendell, Asa, Co. I, 9th Cav.: enl. Sept. 5, 1861; killed
at Dinwiddle Court House.
Moore. David, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1862;
killed at Chancellorsville.
Moore, Dwight, Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12. 1862;
prisoner at Gettysburg, was in hospital at Rich-
mond, and since not heard from.
Moore, Wilbur V., Co. H, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862;
died in service of disea.^e.
Moore, William W., Co. F, 64th Inf.; enl. Aug. 17,
1861; wounded at Gettysburir: disch. Sept. 10, 1864.
Morrill, Franklin S., Co. A. 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 30,
1862; wounded at Chancellorsville and died in
hospital Mav 21, 18^3.
Morrison, Henry W., Co. A, l>Sth Inf.: enl. Sept. 3,
1864; pro. sergt. Sept. 20, 1>64: disch. June 1, 186.5.
Morro«-, John, Co. A, 188th Int.: enl. Sept., 1864; killed
at Hatcher's Kun, Oct. 27. IsiU.
Norman, George, Co. E, Ifflth Inf.: enl. Oct. 10, 1863;
died in Jarvis hospital Julv 14, 1864.
Norton, Lyman, Co. B, 13th H. A.; enl. Dec., 18113;
died in V. S. hospital Julv 4. 186.5.
Norton, Zacheus, Co. E, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug., 1862.
Owens, William J., Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. Feb. 26,
1864, three years.
Pierce, Willet (Indian), .57th Pa. Inf.; enl. Nov., 1861.
Reeves, Daniel F., Co. I, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 7, 18(4.
Reeves, George W., Co. 1, 9th Cav.; enl. Sept. 7, 1864.
Rice, Kdmund R., Co. A, 154th Inf.: enl. July :30, 1862;
died in hospital Dec. 24, l"»i.'.
Robbins, Deloss, Co. A, 112th Inf.: enl. Aug. 10, 1864;
wounded; disch. June 19. 1-A5.
Smith, John. enl. Aug. 22, IsiS.
Spencer, B. (Indian), 104th Inf.; enl. March, 1865.
Stone, Martin V., Co. A, 112th Inf.; enl. Aug. 2:!,
1864; disch. June 13, 186.5.
Terney, Levi E., Inf.; enl. Feb. 17, 1864.
Thompson, Ebenezer (Indiani, 88th Pa. Inf.; enl.
Sept., IStU.
Vanderwerk, John W., 112th Inf.; enl. Feb. 20, 1864.
Whelpley, Hiram, Co. I, flth Cav.; enl. Sept. 1, 1864.
Whittord, George H., 112th Inf.: enl. Jan. 20, istil.
Wilco.x, Rodney H., Co. C, 9th Cav.; enl. Aug. 11,
1864; disch. 186.5.
Wilco.v, Stephen P., Co. A, l^~th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
1864; killed at Hatcher's Run, Oct. 27, 1864.
Wooden, Merritt, 112th Inf.: enl. Feb. 2:i, 1864.
Wri^'ht, Alonzo, Co. D, 179th Inf.; enl. March 8, 1864;
disch. June 22, 186.5.
Wright, Calvin, Co. A, 1.54th Inf.; eni. July 29, 1862;
served three years.
Wright, Landers, Co. A, 1.54th Inf.: enl. July 24, 1862;
killed at Chancellorsville.
Wyraan, William (no record*.
YORKSHIRE.
Adam.s, Henry, Co. K, 1.54th Inf.: enl. Dec. 10, 1861,
three years; wounded and prisoner at CJettys-
burg: disch. at close of war.
Bailey, George W., Co. D, l-Mth Inf.; enl. Aug. 5,
1862; disch. Jan. 7, 186:1, for disability.
Bassett, George, corp. Co. D, 1.54th Inf : enl. Aug. 5,
1862, three years; prisoner at Gettysburg; disch.
at close of war.
Beach, William F., Co. D, 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 6,
1862, three years; disch. at close of war.
Bentley, Benjamin F., Co. D, I.54th Inf.; enl. July 31,
1862. three years; wounded June, 1864; disch. at
close of war.
Bookman, Charles, Co. D, 1.5tth Inf.; enl. Aug. 10,
1862, three years; wounded and prisoner at Get-
tysburg; escaped.
Bowen, Squire D., Co. C, 1st Dragoons; disch. at
close of war.
Brand, Dennis E., Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. July 1.5, 1862,
three years: prisoner in ISB; killed in Georgia,
June 16, 1864.
Brown, Jeff. O. N., Co. K,2d Mtd. Rifles; enl. Jan. 5,
1864, three years; died Oct. 22, 18ti4.
Brown, Nathaniel S., Co. D. 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 5,
1862, three years; woundeJ at Chancellorsville.
Bull. Eason, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. July 31, 1862,
three years; died at Brooks's Station, Va., Feb. 9,
1863.
Bull, Ezra, Co. A, 188th Inf.: enl. Sept. 3, 1864, one
year; disch. at close of war.
244
History of Cattarauous County.
Bump, George R., Co. H, iith Inf.; enl. S<"pr. 15, 1S61,
three years; wounded at Malveru Hill.
Burdick, Milion 1'., waironer Co. D, l>Hli Inf.; enl.
July 5, 18U2, three year.s.
Champlin, James, Co. A, 44th Inf.
Chandler, Ale.x. B., Co. D, ITllth Inf.: enl. Jan. ±2,
1864, three years.
Chittenden. Hiram M., Co. G, 7Sth Inf.: enl. Dec. 3,
1801, three years.
Chittenden, William F., Co. D, l.")4th Inf.: enl. Au^f.
5, 1862, three years; disch. May, 186:3. for disability.
Churchill, Eugene, Co. C, 9th Cav.: disch. at close
of war.
Cleveland. George, Co. A. ISSth Inf.; oul. Sept. 6,
1864, one year; died at home in 186-5 oi ilisease.
Comstock, Lewis H., Co. K, KISth Inf.: enl. Jan. 1.5,
1802, three years.
Cook, Alonzo H., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Dec. 31. 1862;
wounded and prisoner.
Crook, Warren W., Co. H, 44th Inf.: onl. Sept. 15,
1861, three years; killed at Hanover Court
House.
Curtis, William L., Co. A, 18«th Inf.: enl. Sept. 3,
1804, one year; died In Ale.xandria, Va.. in 180.5, of
disease.
Day, Marcus D., Co. K, llioth Inf.; enl. Jan. 2.5, 1S62,
three years.
Dimix, James, Co. C, 9th Cav.
Doty, lia A., Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Jan. IS, 1802,
three years.
Dowd, James C, Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Jan. 11, 1802;
wounded at Gettysburg- in 181*!; prisoner in 1804;
died in Virginia, 1804.
Feigles, Clark, corp. Co. K, 10.5th Inf.: enl. Dec. 10,
1861, three years.
Ferrin, Nathan H., Co. K, 105th Inf.: enl. Dec. 0,
1801; disch. July, 1862, for disability.
Freeman, Franklui E., Co. I, 71st Inf.: enl. .May 13,
1861, three years; prisoner at Mah ern Hill; disch.
for disability.
Freeman, Loyal C, Co. D, 154th Inf.: enl. Aujr. 0,
1863, thre- years; Qisi h. Jan., 180:3, for disability.
Fuller, Orlando P., coip. Co. K, lUoth Inf.; enl. Dec.
15, 1801: taken prisoner twice; disch. at close of
war.
Gale. Henry, sergt. Co. G, 78th Inf.: enl. Nov. 27,
1801, three years; disch. at e.\p. of term.
Gibson, Edward G., Co. A, 100th Inf.: enl. Sept. 2:i,
1801, three years; disch. ate.\ti. of term.
Gill, Carlton L., Co. H, ilOth Inf.; kil'.eti at Cedar
Cicek, Oct. 18. 1804.
Goodemote, William, Co. A, ISSth Inf.: enl. Sept. 6,
1804, one year.
Gould, David, Jr., 1st. lieut. Co. K, l(6th Inf.; enl.
Dec. 12, 1861; disch. for disability July 11, 18ti.'.
Gould, Nathan E., Co. B,2d Mtd. Uitles: wounded at
Petersburg.
Hakes, Ira J., Co. A, 188th inf.; enl. Sept. 1. l-tU, one
year; disch. at close of war.
Hall. Abel W'., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1861,
three years; disch. 1802 tor disability.
Hall, Alfred O., Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. Nov. 27, 1861,
three years.
Hall, Harvey C, Co. H, ■14th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1.5. 1801,
three years; wounded at Wilderness: hon. disch.
Hall, Lucius, corp. Co. G, 78lh Inf.; enl. Nov. 27, 1861,
three years; disch. 18IJ2 for disability.
Hancock, Koyal F. (no record).
Hawkins, Rodney E., Co. A, 1.88th Inf.: enl. Sept. 9,
1864, one year; wounded at Chancellursville.
Hayo-, James M., Co. A, 76th Inf.; wounded in battle
of Wilderness.
Hayes. Hoberi !(., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; wounded and
piisoner at Gettysburg.
Hayes. Wm. E., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Feb. 17, 1862;
disch. 1863 tor disability.
Hermance, John L., Co. A, 188th Inf.: enl. Sept. 9,
1864, one year.
Herrick, Harden P., Co. A, 1.88th Inf.; enl. Sept. 6,
1864, one year.
Hover, Jonathan. Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1804,
one year.
Howell, Lafayette, Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. Nov. 26, 1861,
three years.
Howell, Uriah F., Co. K, 105th Inf.: enl. Dec. 10, 1801,
three years.
Jasseph, bimeon, Co. K, 10.5th Inf.: enl. Feb. 21, 1862,
three years.
Kast, Geo. H., Co. A, ISStb Inf.; enl. Sept. .5, 1864, one
year; wounded at Hatcher's Kun.
Keller, Martin A., corp. Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug.
6, 1862, three years; pro. 2d lieut.; wounded and
prisoner ai Gettysburg.
Kelly, Daniel, Co. G, 7»th Inf.; enl. Nov. 28, 1861.
three years
King, Chas. E., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Julv 31, 1862,
three years; wounded at Rocky Face Ridge and
Dalton, Ga.
King, Reuben, Co. A, ISSth Inf.; on]. Sept. 6, 1864. one
year; Killed in batili; near City I'oint, 1864.
King, Van Rensselaer, Co. D, 120th Int.; wounded at
Hatcher's Run, Oct.-27, 1804.
Langmade, Andrew J., sergt. Co. K. 10.5th Inf.; enl.
Dec. 12, 1861; prisoner at Gettysburg; disch. at
close of war.
Langmaid, Alonzo, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 26, 1862,
three years.
Liiidsley, HMlsey, Co. G. 78th Inf.; enl. Nov. 27, 1861,
three years.
Lowe, Allen, Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. July 31, 1862.
three years
McCutcheon, James, Co. A, 44th Inf.
McKnight, Wm., Co. K, I05ih Inf.; enl. Feb. 12, 1862;
disch. 1863 for disability.
Montgomery, John, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5,
1864, 'ne year; disch. at close of term.
Jtorrow, John, Co. A, 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1864,
one year.
Jlorse, Leander, corp. Co. K, 105th Inf. ; enl. Dec. 6,
1861; wounded at Gettysburg; discb. at close of
war.
Myers, Albert E , Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. Nov. 27, 1861,
three 3eai-s.
Newton, William M., sergt. Co. K, 105th Int.; enl.
Dec. 10, 1801; disch. 180;j for disaoiliiv.
O'Neil, John W., Co. K, 10.5th Int.; enl. Feb. 13, 1862,
three years.
Ferryman, jVsaph, Co. K, 97th Inf.
Perryman, Collins, 4tli Art.; disch. at close of war.
Ferryman, Dennison, corp. Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. L)ec.,
1801, three years; disch. for disability.
Perryman, Gideon, Co. K, 105th Inf.; died of disease
Aug., 1863.
Perrymun, Greene, Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Feb. 22,
1862; prisoner in 1802; wounded in 1864; disch. at
e.vpiration of term.
Persons, Frank, Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15, 1861,
three years; irisoner at Gaines's Mills.
Phelps, James H., musician Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl.
Jan. 14, 1802, three years.
Phillips, Henjamin F., Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; disch. at close
of war.
Phillips, Deloss, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. .5, 1862,
three year.<; disch. Feb., 18<i:j, for disability.
Phillips, Loren, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. July 31, 1862,
thiee years; prisoner; disch. at close of war.
Phinney, Henry P., Co. A. 188th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
1864, one jear.
Pomeroy, Moses H., Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Dee. 12,
1.861; disch. for disability in 1862.
Pomeroy, William C, Co. C, 13th Art.; enl. Aug. 22,
1803, three years; disch. at close of war.
Poor, Stephen B., Co. A, 188th Iiif ; enl. Sept. 6, 1.^64,
one year; disch. at close of war.
Quint, William, Co. D. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 10, 1862,
three years; disch. Feb., 1803, for disability.
Reed, Wample H., Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. Feb. 9, 1862,
three years.
Reed, Wesley, Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Feb. 25, 1862,
three years.
Reynolds, Ross, Co. H, 44th Inf.
Rickards, Israel, Co. D, 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 1.5, 1862,
three years; wounded at Rocky Face Ridge, Ga.
Robinson, Thaddeus, Co. A, lS8th Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
1804, one year.
Rose, John H., Co. I, 71st Inf.; enl. May 13, 1861, three
years; prisoner; disch. at e.vpiration of term.
Sample, Nelson, 2d lieu'. Co. A, ISSth Inf.; enl. Aug.
30, 1864, one year.
Serline, Charles, Co. A, ISSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1864,
one year; disch. at close of war.
Shaw, Lysander, Co. A, ISSth Int.; enl. Sept. 14, 1864,
one year.
Shepard, William M., Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl. Dec. 16.
1861, three years; wounded.
Sherman, Geo. H., Co. G, 78th Inf.; enl. Feb. 4, 1.86::.
The Bench and Bar.
H5
Shultz, Stephen T)., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Jan. 4 iNji.
Silliman, Frederick, Co. H, 4ith Inf.
Sippi, Joseph, Co. K, ia>th Inf.: 6nl. Dec. 10, 1-^1:
killed in battle.
Smith, Tyler, Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Feb. 25, 1-~(H:
disch. for disabilitv.
Smith, Webster, Co. K, 10.)th Inf.; enl. Feb. 25, lj<t\
three years.
Smith, William, Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Deo. 16, iMil.
three years.
Snyder, Dennis, Co. D. 154th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5, 1^:,
three years; killed at Gettj-sburg, July 1. |n>5.
Spring-, Vernou L., Co. H, 44th Inf.; enl. Sept. 15. l?ol.
three years; disch. for disability; died iit home.
Stacy, William H., corp. Co. K. lOOth Inf.; enl. Oct. :;.
ltB2, three years; wounde<i at Fort Wagner.
Stoddard, Thomas, Co. K, lOStU Inf.; enl. Jan. 1-.
ISti-, three years.
Straiirht, Stephen J., Co. G. TSth Inf.; enl XoA-. 27.
1><;1. three years.
StriDifham, Oliver E.. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug. 5.
1j62, three years; priiOner2u months.
Sutton, Charles G..sergt. Co. D, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Aug.
6, 18t'>2, three years: disch. at close of war.
Thornton, >[arion F., Co: K, 105th Inf.; wounded at
White Oak Swump; prisoner at Gettysburg:
disch. at exp. of terra.
Tuhn, Martin, Co. E, 2d Cav.: wounded at second
Bull Kun; disch. at close of war.
Turner, Josephus M., Co. H, 2d Mtd. Rifles; enl. Dec.
10, ISCo, three years; disch. at close of war.
Turner. Orlando, 1st A. C; discharged at e.xpiration
of term.
Turner, Ozro, Co. I, 1.54th Inf.; enl. Sept. fi, 1862,
three years; disch. for disability.
Wheeler, Edgar W., Co. K, 10.5th Inf.; enl. Feb. 25,
1S«52; wounded at second Bull Run; disch. for dis-
ability.
■Wheeler, John H., Co. H, 44th Inf.: enl. Sept. 1.5,lS*il,
three yeai-s; disch. at exp. of term.
Wheeler, Joseph A., Co. A, ISSth Inf.; enl. Sept. 3,
1S64, one year; disch. at close of war.
Whiting, Walter H., Co. K, U6th Inf.; enl. Jan. 2,
1S(52, three vears: disch. at close of term.
Wilber, Salah J., capt. Co. K, lOoth Inf.; enl. Dec. 10,
1S6I; must, out ISSi for disability.
Wilder, Job T., Co. G, TSth Inf.; enl. Dec. 7, ISUl,
three years.
Woodworth, Charles A., Ut lieut. Co. H, 44th Inf.;
enl. Aug. S, 1S61, three years; pro. capt. Co. K;
lost an eye at Malvern Hill, I8t!2; disch. July,
1S63; re-enl.l3t lieut. V. R. C; disch. at close of
war.
Woodworth, Eli D., 2d lieut. Co. K, 105th Inf.; enl.
Dec. 2, 1*31, three years.
Woodworth, Judson N'., 2d lieut. Co. H, 44th Inf.;
disch. at exp. of term.
Worden, Benjamin, Co. H, 44th Inf.
CHAPTER XVII.
BEXCH AND BAR Cip CATTARAUGUS COUNTV.
[By Cbables Z. Lincoln, Esq.]
CIVILIZATION has not yet accomplished the achievement of lifting
mankind to a plane of intelligence and morals where the aid of the
Bench and Bar is no longer necessary in protecting the citizen in the
enjoyment of his rights and privileges under our complicated social system.
"Man," says Aristotle, " is a social being"; and the Scriptures declare that
" God setteth the solitary in families." Some form of organized society is a
necessary condition of mankind, but this social arrangement demands the
surrender of certain rights which a person might enjoy alone, and imposes
new duties and responsibilities in his relations with his fellows. The proper
adjustment of these relations, with the aim of producing the greatest good to
the greatest number, is the great work of the philosopher, the statesman, and
the patriot. Life has been defined to be the sum of the forces which resist
death. We may paraphrase this definition and define civilization as the sum
of the forces which resist barbarism. Withdraw or cut off the resisting forces
in the human mechanism and death ensues. So nations relapse into barbar-
ism when the benign influences of a resisting and progressive culture are
turned aside or destroyed.
Society is not maintained without an effort. "The bond which holds it
together would be weak indeed, and forever in jeopardy, if a protective power
246 History of Cattaraugus County.
were not established superior to individual wills, to keep them within bounds,
and defend the persons and the rights of each against the attacks of violence."
"As soon as a people emerge from barbarism a body of men who make it
their business to expound the law, and assist those who may need assistance
in legal matters, is always observed to make its appearance as one of the
requisites of civilization and legal order, and the State confers upon its mem-
bers special and peculiar privileges, and at the same time places them under
regulations more or less strict for the protection of the public and of those
who may place their interests in their care." "
The proper administration of justice has been an indispensable factor in the
development of civilization ; and this has been due to the intelligence and pat-
riotism of the legal profession. Every civilize'd nation has felt this influence.
De Tocqueville remarks that "the m.embers of the legal profession have taken
a part in all the movements of political society in Europe for the last five
hundred years," and he observes that the authority which the American peo-
ple have intrusted to this profession, and the influence which they exercise in
the government, is the most powerful existing security against the excesses of
democracy. " Wen who have made a special study of the laws derive from
this occupation certain habits of order, a taste for formalities, and a kind of
instinctive regard for the regular connection of ideas, which naturally render
them very hostile to the revolutionary- spirit and the unreflecting passions of
the multitude." "Lawyers are attached to public order beyond every other
consideration, and the best security of public order is authority. The courts
of justice are the visible organs by which the profession is enabled to make
itself felt in its love of order and stability. The judge is a lawyer who, inde-
pendently of the taste for regularity and order which he has co'ntracted in the
study of law, derives an additional love of stability from the inalienability of
his own functions." " The lawyers of the United States form a party which
is little feared and scarcely perceived; which has no badge peculiar. to itself;
which adapts itself with great flexibility to the exigencies of the time and
accommodates itself without resistance to all the movements of the social
body."
The celebrated French philosopher and statesman, from whose great work,
" Democracy in America," I have quoted somewhat freely, visited this country
in 183 1 and remained two years examining our institutions with a critical but
not unfriendly eye. Later, another acute observer, Prof. James Bryce, of
England, visited this country and made a careful study of American institu-
tions and gave expression to his views in " The American Commonwealth,"
published in 1888. Upon the subject now under consideration he says: "As
the respect of the judges for the bar tends to keep the judges in the straight
path, so the respect and regard of the bar for the bench, a regard founded on
the sense of professional brotherhood, insures the rrioral influence of the court
» Cooley.
The Bench and Bar. 247
in the country. The bar has usually been very powerful in America, not only
as being the only class of educated men who are at once men of affairs and
skilled speakers, but also because there has been no nobility nor territorial
aristocracy to overshadow it. Politics have been largely in its hands, and
must remain so as long as political questions continue to be involved in the
interpretation of constitutions. For the first sixty or seventy years of the
Republic the leading statesmen were lawyers, and the lawyers as a whole
moulded and led the public opinion of the country."
The legal profession has always and necessarily been a learned profession.
The laws of any civilized community are sufficiently complicated to require
special study. Besides, every aspect and interest of our social system re-
ceives, at some time, the attention of the bar. Public, political, and economic
questions, as well as those relating to the more private rights of the individ-
ual, are presented to the lawyer for solution. All learning is laid under trib-
ute to assist in their elucidation. The limits of civilization are onlv measured
by man's wants and his ability to accomplish his desires. The constant strug-
gle for advancement requires a constant change in the mutual relations of man-
kind and a new and shifting application of the fundamental principles by
which human society is governed. This necessitates a class of men trained
in the science of law, skillful in the art of applying known principles of law to
the varying circumstances of everyday life, and devoted to the good order and
well-being of the community.
Every civilized community has made provision for the training of this
class of men. In the consummate jurisprudence of Rome great care was taken
in the instruction of those who were to take a part in the administration of
justice. In the early period legal instruction was imparted principally by
private teaching, though lectures and practical demonstration were used as
methods of tuition. At a later period public schools were established. Mr.
Hunter, in his work on Roman law, says that one probably existed in the end
of the fourth century. " In A. D. 425 Theodosius II. established one for the
study of rhetoric, philosophy, and jurisprudence at Constantinople, prohibit-
ing the professors from giving private instruction and all others from giving
public instruction. In the time of Justinian we hear of another recognized
public school of law at Berytus. On the promulgation of the Digest (A. D.
533) Justinian addressed a constitution to the eight professors of law, re-
marking on the ineffective practice of the schools in the past, and prescribing
a reformed course to be followed in the future." Hitheito the law course had
occupied four years, with a "miserably deficient" system, which Justinian
superseded by a course of five years, beginning with the institutes of Justin-
ian and ending with the constitutions in the Code.
Sir William Blackstone, in his lecture at Oxford on the opening of the
Vinerian course, deplores the fact that in the knowledge of the laws and con-
stitution of their country the gentlemen of England were more remarkably
248 History of Cattaraugus County.
deficient than those of all Europe besides. He refers to the excellent law
schools on the Continent, where the civil law was studied, and to which En-
glish youth were sent to complete their education ; and he urges them to be-
gin at home a systematic study of law drawn from English sources. Since his
day no student has been without a guide in the study of English jurispru-
dence. His commentaries have been the basis of legal study for more than a
century, and they have been fitly supplemented to the American student by
the great work of our own unrivalled Kent. With these great commentaries
on English and American law every lawyer who aims at a complete survey of
our jurisprudence must become acquainted, and the deeper he drinks at these
fountains of law the more thoroughly will he become equipped for the proper
discharge of the duties of his profession.
By the first constitution of the State, which went into effect in 1777, it
was provided (Art. 27) that "all attorneys, solicitors, and counselors at law,
hereafter to be appointed, be appointed by the court, and licensed by the
first judge of the court in which they shall respectively plead or practice, and
be regulated by the rules and orders of said courts." On the 9th of October,
1779, the Legislature passed an act (Chap. 12) providing that attorneys who
had been practicing in the colony before the independence of the State was
declared should prove their loyalty, and means were prescribed for making
the necessary proof; and attorneys were prohibited from practicing until they
were able to .satisfy the Supreme Court of their loyalty. A general act for the
admission of attorneys was passed Februar)- 20. 1 787 ( Chap. 35), and it was en-
acted "that no person shall henceforth be admitted a counselor, attorney,
solicitor, advocate, or proctor, in any court, but such as shall have been
brought up in the same court, or are otherwise well-practiced in soliciting causes,
and have been found by their dealings to be skillful and of honest disposition ;
and that every person hereafter to be admitted a counselor, attorney, solicitor,
advocate, or proctor of any court shall, before such admission, be examined
by the judges or justices of the same court, and such only as shall be found
virtuous and of good fame, and of sufficient learning and ability, .shall be ad-
mitted." Their names were required to be put on a roll or book, and they
were required to take an oath " to truly and honestly demean " themselves in
their business. They were required to render a bill for fees eight days be-
fore bringing suit for the same. Another general act similar to this was
passed in 1801 (Chap. 32); no other general statutes relating to the admission
of attorneys were passed until the general revision of 1828.
It seems that lawyers in the earlier days sometimes engaged in duels, and
an act to suppress this practice was passed November 5, 1816, which, among
other things, provided that any person who should be admitted to practice in
any of the courts of the State should, in addition to the ordinary oath upon
admission, take an oath that he had not been engaged in duelling, either by
sending or accepting a challenge or by fighting a duel. By the revised
OUAIJKKATInXS OV AtT( )kXl-:VS. 249
statutes of 1830 it was provided that attorneys should be licensed and
appointed by the several courts in which they intended to practice, and should
hold their offices during life, subject to removal orsuspension for cause. The
Supreme Court adopted rules regulating the admission of attorneys. An
applicant must be a citizen of the United States, and must be examined under
the direction of the court and appro\'ed for his good character and learning.
He must also have served a regular clerkship of seven years in the office of a
practicing attorney of the court, but if he had regularly pursued classical
studies for four years, or for an\" sliorter period after the age of fourteen
years, it' might be allowed in lieu of an equal term of clerkship.
The constitution of 1846 removed many of the restrictions which had been
placed upon admission to the legal profession, and substantially opened the
profession to all by providing that "any male citizen of the age of twenty-one
years, of good moral character, and who possesses the requisite qualifications
of learning and ability, shall be entitled to admission to practice in all the
courts of this State." This constitution re-organized the judiciary of the
State and was followed by the judiciary act of 1847, intended to provide in
detail for the re-organization of the courts in conformity to the constitutional
changes. ]^y this act attorneys were to be admitted by the general term of
the Supreme Court after examination by the justices thereof. The court
was required, by general rules, to prescribe what should be deemed sufficient
proof of good moral character, ■"and no term of clerkship or period of study
shall be required." A new judiciary article of the constitution was adopted
in 1869, which contained no pro\isions relating to the admission of attorneys.
In 187 1 an act was passed on this subject (Chap. 486) which made it the
duty of the judges of the Court of Appeals to prescribe such rules and regu-
lations as they might deem proper in relation to the admission of attorneys,
solicitors, and counselors in all the courts of this State. Rules were accord-
ingly adopted which, with some modifications, are still in force. These rules
require a three years' course of study unless the applicant is a gra:duate of a
college or university, in which case an allowance of one year is to be made.
"Any portion of time, not exceeding one year for graduates receiving the
foregoing allowance and two years for other applicants actually spent in
regular attendance upon the law lectures, or law school connected with any
college or university having a department organized with competent
professors and teachers in which instruction is regularly given, shall be
allowed in lieu of an equal period of clerkship in the office of a practicing
attorney of the Supreme Court, but in no case shall an applicant be entitled
to admission as an attorney and counselor without having served a clerkship
in the office of a practicing attorney of the Supreme Court for the period of at
least one year." The applicant must either be a college graduate or he must
have passed the examination prescribed by the Regents of the University of
the State of New York, and he must pass a satisfactory examination upon the
32 .
HisTuKV OF Cattaraugus Cuuntv.
law of pleadings, practice as regulated by the code of civil procedure, and by ■
the Supreme Court rules, and generally upon the laws of real and personal
property, contracts, partnership, negotiable paper, principal and agent, prin-
cipal and surety, insurance, executors and administrators, bailments, corpora-
tions, personal rights, domestic relations, wills, equity jurisprudence,
criminal law and the law of evidence, and such additional subjects as to the
court or committee shall seem advisable. Such examination shall be
conducted both orally and in writing, and when in writing the answers to the
questions presented shall be written by the applicant in the presence of the
court or of the committee.
Thus, after the loose system under the constitution of 1846, we have
again a system which aims to make the legal profession what it has always
claimed to be — a learned profession. By Chap. 425 of the Laws of 1886 it was
provided that the race or sex of the applicant shall constitute no reason for
refusing admission to practice in the courts of this State as an attorney and
counselor.
In 1883 an act was passed which provided that "any male citizen of this
State of good moral character, who shall have served a full term as surrogate
of any county of this State, shall, on passing a satisfactory examination, be
entitled to admission to the bar of this State." The examination was to be
conducted in the same manner as in cases of ordinary applicants.
It has been said that the judicial system of the State of New York is a
growth of the soil. It has been developed from small beginnings, and has a
mixed Dutch and English origin. The system, which is the pride of the Flm-
pire State today is the result of many struggles, much halting and uncertainty,
and numerous compromises. The judicial system of any commonwealth is an
index of its character, customs, and civilization. The rude judicial tribunals
of the early colonial periods were copied from those of European countries,
with the modifications required by pioneer conditions and the necessary sim-
plicity of provincial life. The development of those tribunals during two
centuries and a half is an interesting study; and it will be profitable to trace
briefly the development of our judicial system from the earliest Dutch occu-
pation of Manhattan Island. In doing this the writer has freely gleaned from
various sources, including the work of Hon. Charles P. Daly, of the New York
Court of Common Pleas, who wrote a history of that court which is found in
the first volume of E. D. Smith's Reports; and also from a series of articles
written by Robert Ludlow Fowler, of New York, and published in volume
nineteen of the Albany Lazu Journal. The documents relating to the colonial
history of New York and the early statutes and constitutions have also been
consulted.
The colony of New Netherland was planted by the great West India Com-
pany, a commercial corporation of Holland. This gigantic corporation was
invested not only with vast commercial privileges, but also with the
Early Judicial Tribunals. 251
most comprehensive judicial powers. " It was exclusively entrusted with the
admjiistration of justice in the colonies it should establish, having the right
to appoint governors, officers of justice, and all other public officers; to main-
tain order and police ; and generally, in the language of the charter, to do all
that the sei'vice of those countries might require." From the discovery of
Manhattan Island by Capt. Henry Hudson, in 1609, to 1623 no regular attempt
had been made to establish a colony ; but in the latter year the colony of New
Netherland was formally organized by May, the first director or governor ap-
pointed by the Amsterdam Chamber, and a settlement was established at
Manhattan, the present site of the city of New York. Whether during May's
• administration or that of his successor, Verhulst, any provision was made for
judicial tribunals can not no\\- be determined. The number of the colonists
was so small, and they were so fully occupied in providing for their immediate
wants, that there could be little, if any, occasion for organizing courts.
Minuit came out as go\-ernor in 1626, and "he had, to assist him, a council
of five, who, with himself, were invested with all legislative and judicial
powers, subject to the supervision and appellate jurisdiction of the Chamber
at Amsterdam." There was also attached to the body an officer well known
in Holland by the name of the "schout fiscal." " He was a kind of an attorney-
general, uniting with the power of a prosecuting officer the executive duties
of a sheriff." The administration of justice was left to this body — the gover-
nor, the council, and the schout fiscal — during the six years of Minuit's
incumbency and the four of his successor. Van Twillcr; that is, from 1626 to
1637. In what manner judicial proceedings were conducted is unknown.
Records were kept under Van Twiller, but they are utterly lost. Governor
Clinton, in 1816, suggested to the Legislature that an effort be made to col-
lect information respecting our early colonial history. At that time the volum-
inous records of the Dutch West India Company were in existence and would
have been willingly presented to the State by the Dutch government, but
when, in 1841, the State undertook to collect this information it was found
that the records had been sold but a few years before as waste paper. We ma}-
conjecture how the keen historical instinct of a Macaulay, a Motley, or an
Irving would have revelled in this mass of material, bringing from it a clear
statement of the affairs of this great corporation and incidentally the story of
the early development of our commonwealth.
William Kieft came out as governor in 1638, and he misgoverned the col-
ony for nine years, ruling with a high hand, and retaining in his own hands
the sole administration of justice. He was obliged to have a council, but he
reduced it to one member, reserving two votes to himself. The administra-
tion of Kieft was so oppressive and tyrannical that he was constantly in trouble
with his people, who demanded the establishment of the courts to which they
had been accustomed in Holland. This agitation finally resulted in Kieft's
recall. He was succeeded in 1647 by Peter Stuyvesant, who immediately es-
>52 History of Cattaraugus County.
tablished a court of justice with power to decide "all cases whatsoever," sub-
ject to appeal to the governor in certain cases.
The desire for popular government had manifested itself very strongly
during Kieft's administration; and soon after Stuyvesant's arrival he found
the sentiment so vigorous that he was obliged to make some concessions. He
ordered an election of eighteen men from different parts of the colony, and
from these he selected nine "as interlocutors or trustees of the common-
wealth" or "tribunes" of the people. "Tiiese nine men were to hold courts
of arbitration weekly, and were to give advice to the director and council in
all matters submitted to them. They received their appointments September
25, 1647. Three were taken from the merchants, three from the burghers, and
three from the farmers. Thus was preserved and continued the system of
giving representation to the various vocations which formed the groundwork
of municipal organization in the Netherlands." Three of their number at-
tended in rotation upon every court day, to whom civil causes were referred
as arbitrators. This tribunal of the nine men continued for seven years. But
there was constant collision between the governor and the people. His gov-
ernment became insufferably oppressive. The colonists appealed to the home
company, and after five years of struggle succeeded in procuring an order for
the establishment in the colony of a municipal court of justice, to be com-
posed of one schouc, two burgomasters, and five schepens. A burgomaster was
a kind of mayor; a schepen was an officer resembling an alderman; and a
schout combined the functions of a sheriff and a district attorney. "On the
2d of February, 1653, Governor Stuyvesant issued a proclamation apppoint-
ing as burgomasters Arent Van Hatten and Martin Krieger, and as schepens
Paulus L. Vander Grist, Maximilian Van Gheel, AUard Anthony, Peter W.
Cowenhoven, and William Beekman ; Cornelius Van Tienhoven was schout
and Jacob Kip was clerk." The magistrates met on the jth and gave notice
that the court would meet at the city hall "every Monday morning at 9
o'clock" for hearing and determining all disputes between parties as far as
practicable. The city hall not being in readiness on the following Monday
the next meeting took place four days afterwards at the fort, when the court
was organized for the despatch of business and the proceedings were opened
with prayer. This court was called the " Worshipful Court of the Schout,
Burgomasters, and Schepens." Stuyvesant did not like the court. He and the
members of it were frequently in collision, and he sometimes contemptuously
referred to it as "the little bench of justice"; but it seems to be well estab-
lished that " the court was composed, in the main, of magistrates who were
men of intelligence, independence, and high moral character, evincing an un-
swerving adherence to established rules and customs, sterling good sense, and
a strong love of justice." The procedure in this court was simple and sum-
mary, and strongly resembles, in many respects, the procedure established for
the Roman people by the law of the TweKx- Tables. The court exercised
Early Judicial Tribunals. 253
unlimited civil and criminal jurisdiction, except the infliction of punishment
in capital cases. When judgment was given against a defendant for a sum
of money time was given for payment, usually fourteen days for the discharge
of one-half and the remainder in a month. If he did not pay within the time
fixed poceedings were taken to le\-y on his goods, which were taken by the
officer and detained six days subject to redemption; at the end of that time,
if not redeemed, the property was sold at auction in a very peculiar manner.
"The officer lighted a candle and the bidding went on while it was burning,
and he who had offered the most at the extinction of the candle was declared
the purchaser."
The court did a general business, and was also a court of admiralty and a
court of probate in taking proof of last wills and testaments and in appoint-
ing curators to take charge of the estates of widows and orphans. Some of
its proceedings in the exercise of this branch of its jurisdiction will serve to
illustrate how tenaciously the Dutch clung to old forms or legal ceremonies:
as when a widow, to relie\'e herself from certain obligations, desired to
renounce her husband's estate it is, in all such cases, recorded that the
intestate's estate "has been kicked away by his wife with the foot" and that
she has duly "laid the key on the coffin."
It is worthy of note that the origin of a fee bill for regulating, by a fixed
and positive provision of law, the costs of attorneys and other public officers
is to be traced to Stuyvesant. On the 25th of January, 1658, he issued a proc-
lamation with a preamble reciting the abuses that had arisen, by reason of
the conduct of certain officers, in demanding excessive fees, and fixing, with
detail, the fees thereafter to be charged. " It is then provided that the officers
enumerated shall serve the poor gratis for God's sake, but may take from the
wealtliy the fees specified."
Courts of a similar character were established in other parts of the prov-
ince. From all these local courts an appeal lay to the appellate court, com-
posed of the Governor and Council at New Amsterdam. These constituted
the judicial tribunals of New Netherland until the colony passed into the
hands of the English, which event occurred on the 6th of September, 1664.
Col. Richard NicoUs, the first English governor, immediately changed the
name of the colony and city to New York, but no change was made in the
courts until a later period. Early in the year 1665 a code prepared by Lord
Chancellor Clarendon, called the " Duke's Laws," was promulgated and went
into operation at Long Island and Westchester ; afterwards its provisions
slowly made their way in New York and the remainder of the province.
Under the " Duke's Laws" justices of the peace were commissioned for
the various towns who were clothed with all the powers exercised by such of-
ficers in England. A local court was created in each town for the trial of
actions of debt or trespass, under five pounds. Si.x overseers, elected by the
people, with a constable, or seven without him, constituted a quorum for the
254 History of Cattaraugus County.
transaction of business ; all questions were determined by a vote of the ma-
jority, and if the overseers were evenly divided the constable had the casting
vote. In 1666 the number of overseers was reduced to four, and any two of
them, with the constable, held the court ; the town clerk was clerk of the
court.
The pro\ince was di\'ided into three ridings, known as the east, west, and
north riding, and in each a Court of Sessions was established, which was held
twice a year; that is, on the first, second, and third Wednesdays in March and
the corresponding Wednesdays in June. The Court of Sessions was held by
all the justices living in the riding. All actions at law and all criminal cases
were tried before a jury. The jurors were drawn from the overseers, each
town electing eight. " Seven jurors were empanelled for the trial of a cause
and the verdict of a majority was sufficient, except in capital cases, when the
court might empanel twelve, which was uniformly done, and the twelve were
required to be unanimous." This court had both civil and criminal jurisdic-
tion. It was also a court of probate and exercised the jurisdiction now in-
trusted to surrogates.
The highest tribunal in the province was the Court of Assize, or, as it was
sometimes called, the General Assizes. It was held once a year in the city of
New York by the Governor and Council and such, of the justices of the peace
as saw fit to attend it. This court had original jurisdiction, civil, criminal,
and equitable, and was the appellate court from the inferior tribunals.
In June, 1665, the Court of Burgomasters and Schepens was abolished in the
city of New York and a new court organized called the Mayor's Court, a title
by which it was known for 146 years afterwards. The members of the court
were the mayor, aldermen, and sheriff. The change was more formal than
real; "it was merely altering the burgomaster into a mayor, the schepen into
an alderman, and the schout into a sheriff." The records were directed to
be kept in English and Dutch, and a jury of twelve was required to be
empanelled for the trial of civil causes.
There was no Court of Chancery, but matters in equity were heard in any
of the courts organized in conformity to the Duke's Laws. On the gth of
August, 1673, the city was retaken by the Dutch, who immediately under-
took to re-establish the former judicial tribunals; but they held the city only a
little more than a year when the English reconquered it and terminated the
Dutch dynasty. The English courts were re-organized in 1674, and continued
from that time, with various modifications, until 1685, when a momentous
change occurred in the system of government. Dongan was appointed gov-
ernor in 1682. For sixteen years the people of the colony had felt and often
expressed the need of a representative assembly, by which they might exercise
more power in the administration of the government. " Taxation only by
consent " was one of the principles of government strenuously maintained by
the Dutch, and they would not consent to any form of government where
The First Assemulv of New York. 255
they were denied a voice upon questions of taxation. Hence the constant
agitation upon this subject, which was but a prelude to a remarkable change
in the judicial history of New York, "the establishment of constitutional gov-
ernment, the foundation of a provincial legislature." Upon the advice of
William Penn King James yielded to numerous requests made by men of
ever\' rank in the province and ordered Governor Dongan to call an assem-
bly. Writs were issued by the governor for the election by the freeholders
of deputies to a general assembly, to be held in the city of New York on the
17th day of October, 1683. " On this day met the first General Assembly of
New York — the reign of constitutional government had at last begun. Its
first acts will never cease to be of interest in New York history. The Assem-
bly of today is its successor. Changes of dynasty and government have
passed by this institution, but it is almost the same now as at its origin." In
tracing the institutions of our State Mr. Fowler remarks: "Our present law is
the result, modified by certain accidents, of all that which has been happening
among the European residents of this territory since their sojourn here. It is
the result of natural development and not the result of political miracles, and
if it is looked on in any other light it can not be understood." "The acts of
the first Assembly are still discernible in the law of today, and some of the
courts created then are still tribunals in the same jurisdiction, and precedents
then are recognized still."
Not only was the first Assembly an important element in the develop-
ment of our jurisprudence, but its work makes an interesting chapter in the
" story of liberty." Its first act was called " The charter of liberties and privi-
leges granted by his Royal Highness to the inhabitants of New York and its
dependencies," passed October 13, 1683. By this act the supreme legislative
authority under his Majesty and Royal Highness the Duke of York was
declared " to be and reside in a governour, councill, and the people mett in
general assembly." It was afterwards objected by the Crown that these
words, "the people," were not in any other of the constitutions in America.
It is worthy of remembrance by every citizen of the Empire State that these
great words — "the people," — the keystone of our political system, were first
used in New York. The principal features of Magna Charta are contained in
this act. It is said that eighteen nationalities were represented in the prov-
ince under Stuyvesant, yet they all united in framing the " charter of liberties."
The Duke of York signed this charter October 4, 1684, but kept it in his pos-
session. While deliberating upon the matter Charles II. died and the duke,
in February, 1685, became King James. As king he objected to certain pro-
visions in the charter and withheld his royal assent ; nevertheless Dongan's
Assembly stands as the pioneer in the struggle for a broader freedom for the
people.
This Assembly passed an act dividing the province into twelve counties.
Its third act was entitled "An act to settle courts of justice." By this act four
2^6 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
distinct tribunals were created — "a petty court for the trial of small causes for
every town ; a Court of Sessions for each county ; a Court of Oyer and Ter-
miner and general gaol delivery ; and a Court of Chancery for the entire
province." The Court of Assize was abolished. The fluctuation of the juris-
diction of courts in matters of equity cognizance will be observed when we
recall the fact that the Court of Assize, which was the first English court of
the province, possessed both law and equity jurisdiction like the present Su-
preme Court of the State. The Court of Oyer and Terminer had both civil
and criminal jurisdiction, and a term was required to be held in each county
once every year.
In October, 1688, William of Orange landed in England and James II. fled
from his kingdom. " For the third time a Dutchman reigned in New York."
Henry Sloughter was the first governor of New York appointed by William
and Mary, and he came out in 1691. By his commission he was authorized
to call an assembly to be elected from the freeholders. The first provincial
assembly in this reign met at New York on the 9th of April, 1691. The gov-
ernor advised them to establish new courts of justice by act of Assembly. It
passed in all fourteen laws, among them an act substantially re-enacting the
" charter of liberties" of 1683. But the most important act of this Assembly,
for our present purpose, was the act re-organizing the judicial system of the
colony. This was prepared by James Graham, the speaker of the Assembly,
and was introduced and passed on the 17th of April, 1691. Upon this statute
Mr. Fowler, in his " Observations," comments as follows : "This act founded
the Supreme Court. It seems strange that an act of so much importance,
not only in the judicial history of the province, but in that of the State,
should be so obscure and so difficult of access as it now is. Not only did this
act erect the tribunal which still continues the great law court of the State,
but it vested in it a jurisdiction which change of government and constant
reforms and revolutions in procedure have been powerless to abridge in any
material respect, for while its jurisdiction has been enlarged by its union with
the Court of Chancery its ancient jurisdiction still remains unimpaired. The
Supreme Court of the province was the instrument by which the great bod\-
of the jurisprudence of the English common law was applied to New York.
This court was the King's Bench of the province, where the King himself
{coram ipso rcgc) theoretically sat in person to administer justice to his sub-
jects in this part of his dominion. It was from the act of 1691 that the Su-
preme Court of this State inherited not only the traditions of the Sa.xon Aula
Regis, but the best fruits of centuries of English'*law. So wise were the pro-
visions of that early act of 1691 that the patriotic framers of the first State
government recognized its creation, the supreme court of the province, as an
appropriate tribunal for a free people and a new order of things. And yet
this act which founded the Supreme Court and invested it with a jurisdiction,
the result of centuries, is now to be found onlv in the back of an obsolete
Act Establishing the Supreme Court. 257
Dookon Practice and in several rare volumes preserved as unique specimens of
:he printer's art. But so important is this act in its every aspect that always
n the history of the State it will be still the link which connected the judi-
cial system of New York and the very dawn of English law."
This act was regularly approved by the Governor and Council and became
I law on the 6th of May, 1691. It is not generally accessible, and the editor
of this chapter deems it of sufficient importance in our judicial history to war-
rant its publication here in full :
" An Act for Establishing Courts of Judicature, for the Ease and Benefit of each respective City, Town
and County, within this Province.
" Whereas, the orderly Regulation, and the establishment of Courts of Justice throughout this Prov-
ince, as well in the respect of Time as Place, doth tend very much to the Honour and Diirnity of the
Crown, as well as to the Ease and Benefit of the Subject, Be it Enacted by the Governour and Council and
Representatives convened in General Assembly, and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained by the Authority
of the same. That ever}- Justice of the Peace that resides within any Town or County within this Province,
are hereby fully impowered and authorized to have Cognizance of all Causes. Cases of Debt, and Trespass
to the value of Forty Shillings or under ; which Causes and Cases shall be heard, tried, and finally deter-
mined without a jury, by every Justice of the Peace that resides within any Town or County, within this
Province; he taking to his Assistance, at the time of his hearing and determining such Cause or Cases of debt
and Trespass to the value of Forty Shillings and under, one of the Freeholders of the Town and place where
the cause of Action doth arise. The Process of warning shall be a summons under the band of the Justice,
directed to the Constable of the Town or Precinct, or any deputed by him, where the Party complained
against doth live. Winch Summons being Personally served, or left at the Defendant's House two days
before the Day of Hearing ot the Plaint, shall be sufficient .\uthority to and for the said Justice, assisted
with one ot the Freeholders, as aforesaid, to proceed on such Cause and Causes, and determine the same in
the Defendant's absence; and to grant execution thereon against the Defendant's Person, or tor want
thereof, his Estate, which the Constable of the Town or Precinct, or his Deputy, shall or may serve.
"Always provided, and bo it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That if the Plaintiff or
Defendant shall desire a Jury, it shall be allowed, but at the proper cost and charges of the Person desiring
the same.
" And for the Increase of Virtue, and Discouraging of Evil-doers throughout this Province, Be it
further Enacted, by the Authority aforosail, that there shall be held and kept in every respective City
and County within this Province, lat the Times and Places hereafter named and expressed.) a Court of
Sessions of the Peace, that is to say,
" For the City and County of New York, at the City Hall ot the said City, four times every year, viz.
The fust Tuesday in May, the Hrst Tuesday in August, the flrst Tuesday in Xovember, and the first Tuesday
ill February.
" For the City and County of Albany, at the City Hall of the said City, the first Tuesday in June, the
first Tuesday in October, and the first Tuesday in February.
" For Westchester, at Westchester, the first Tuesday in June, and the first Tuesday in December.
" For Ulster, at Kingston, the Hrst Tuesday in September, and the first Tuesday in March.
" For the County of Richmond, at the Court House, the flrst Tuesday in September, and the first Tues-
day in March.
"For Kings County, at Flatbush (fdiVj.s Midwout), the second Tuesday in May, and the second Tuesday
in November.
" For Queens County, at Jamaica, the third Tuesday in May, and the third Tuesday in September.
" For Suffolk County, at Southold, the last Tuesday in September.
"And the last Tuesday in March at Southampton. Orange County to be annexed to the County of
New York, and Dutchess County to the County of Ulster.
" Which Sessions of the Peace shall onl.v hold and continue for the space and time of two Dayes, and
no longer.
" And tor the more regular and beneficial Distribution of Justice to the Inhabitants of each respective
City and County within this Province, Be it further Enacted by the .Authority aforesaid. That there be kept
and held a Court ot Common Pleas in each respective City and County within this Province, at the Times
and Places hereafter named and Expressed : That is to say. At such Places in each respective County as the
said Court of Sessions are to be kept ; and to begin the next day after the Sessions terminates, and only to
hold and continue for the Space and time of two days, and no longer; And that there be one Judge, with
three .Justices, in each County, Appointed and Commissionated to hold the same Court of Pleas; Three
whereof to be a Quorum. And that the several and respective Courts, hereby established, shall have Juris-
diction to Hear, Try, and finally to Determine all Actions or Cause of Actions, and all Matters, and Things,
and Causes Tryable at the Common Law of what Nature or Kind soever.
33
258 History of Cattaraugus County.
"Provided alwayes. and it is hereby Enacted, that there shall not be any" Appeal or Removal by Habeas
Corpus, of any pei-son, or of any Action or Suit, or of any Judgment or Execution, that shall be determined
in this Court to the value of Twenty Pounds or under, anything contained herein to the contrary in any
ways notwithstanding.
" Provided alwayes, and it is hereby Enacted, That the Courts of Mayor and Aldermen of the respective
Cities of New York and Albany, shall have in each of their respective Cities the Power and Authority to
Hear, Try, and finally to Determine all such Actions and Suits as is commonly cognizahle before them,
from which final Determination, there shall not be any Appeal or Removal by Habeas Corpus, of any
Person, or of any Action or Suit, or of any Judgment or Execution, to the value of Twenty Pounds, or
under, any thing contained herein to the contrary in any ways notwithstanding.
"To which respective Courts of Common Pleas there shall belong, and be appointed, and Commission-
ated for that purpose, one Clark of the Court, lo draw, enter, and keep the Records, Declarations, Pleas,
and Judgments, then to be had and made— And one Marshal or Cryer of the Court, to call the Jurors, and
proclaim the Commands and Orders of the Court.
" And for the more regular Proceedings in the said Court, all Processes and Writs, of what nature
soever, for the command of Persons to appear, and to execute the Judgments and Executions of the re-
spective Courts aforesai'l, shall be directed to the respective Sheriffs of each City and County within this
Province, and executed by them, their Under-Sheritts, or Deputy or Deputies. And all Processes and Writs
for Actions betwixt Party and Party in the said Court shall issue out of the Office of the Clark of the Court
in each City and County respectively, signe I Per Curiam.
"And that their Majesties Subjects inhabiting within this Province, may have all the good, proper, and
just wayes and means, for the securing and recovering their just Rights, and Demands,within the same. Be
it further Enacted, and it is hereby Enacted and Ordiiined, by Authority aforesaid. That there shall be held
and kept, a Supream Court of Judicature, which shall be duly and constantly kept, at the city of New
York, and not elsewhere, at the several and respective times hereafter mentioned. And that there be five
Justices at least, appointed and commissionated to hold the same Court. Two whereof, together with one
Chief Justice, to be a Quorum. Which Supream Court is hereby fully Impowered and Authorized to have
Cognizance of all Pleas, Civil, Criminal, and Mixt, as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatso-
ever, as the Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas and Exchequer, within their Majesties Kingdom of
England, have or ought to have. In and to which Supream Court all and every Person and Persons what-
soever, shall or may, if they shall so see meet, commence or remove any Action or Suit, the Debt or Dama-
ges laid in such Action or Suit being upwards of Twenty Pounds, and not otherwise ; or shall or may by
warrant. Writ of Error, or Certiorari, remove out of any of the respective Courts of Mayor and Alder-
men, Sessions and Common Pleas, any Judgment, Information, or indictment there hud or depending ;
and may correct Errors in Judgment, or Revise the same, if there be just cause. Provided alwayes, that
the Judgment removed, shall be upwards the value of Twen y Pounds.
"Always provided, and be further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That this Supream Court shall
be duely and constaiftly Kept once every six Moneths, and no of tener ; That is to say. On the first Tuesday
of October and on the first Tuesday of April annually, and every Year, at the City Hall of the said City of
New York ; provided they shall not sit longer than eight dayes.
"And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That it shall not be lawful for any Person or
Persons whatsoever, appointed, or elected, or commissionated to be a Justice or Judge of the aforesaid
to ctecute or officiate his or their said place or Otliee until such Time, as he or they shall respectively
take the Oathes appointed by Act of Parliament, to be taken instead of the Oathes of Allegiance and
Supremacy, and Subscribe the Test in open Court.
"And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That all and every of the Justices or Judges of
the several Courts before mentioned, be and are hereby sulliciently impowed to make, order, and establish
all such Rules and Orders, for the more orderly practicing and proceeding in their said Courts, as fully and
amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as all or any of the said Judges of the several Courts of the
Kings Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer in England legally do.
" Provided alwayes, and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That no Person's Riorht or
Property shall be by any of the aforesaid Courts determined, except where matters of Fact are either
acknowledged, or passeth by the Defendants Fault for want of Plea or Answer, Unless the Fact be found
by the Verdict of Twelve Men of the Neighborhood, as it ought of Right to be done by the Law.
" Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That there shall be a Court of Chancery within
this Province, which said Court shall have power to Hear and Determine all Matters of Equity, and shall
be esteemed and accounted The High Court of Chancery of this Province.
"And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That the Govemour and Council be the said
High Court of Chancery, and hold and keep the said Court ; and that the Governour may depute, nominate,
and appoint in his stead, a Chancellor, and be assisted with such other Persons of the Council as shall by
him be thought fit and convenient, together with all necessary Officers, Clerks, and Registers, as to the said
High Court of Chancery are needful.
" Provided alwayes, and it is hereby further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That any Free-holder,
Planter, Inhabitant, or Sojourner within this Province, may have Liberty, if he or they see meet, to make
his or their Appeal or Appeals, from any Judgment obtained against him or them, in case of Error, in the
several Courts aforesaid, in such manner and form as is hereafter expressed, that is to say. From the Court
The Courts and Their Officers. 259
of Mayor and Aldermen, and Courts of Common Pleas, To the Supream Court, for any Judgment above the
value of Twenty Pounds : And from the Supream Court at New York, to the Goveruour and Council, for
any JuJ.iment above the value of One Hundred Pounds ; And from the Governour and Council, To Their
Majesties Council, for any Decree or Judgment above the value of Three Hundred Pounds, as in their
Majesties Letters Patent to his Excyllency doth and may more fully appear. Alwayes provided. That the
Party or Parties so -Appealing shall first pay all Costs of such Judcrment or Decree from which the Appeal
ariseth, and enter into Recognlzeance, with two sulBcieutsurities. for double the value of the Debt, Matter,
or Thing recovered, or obtained by Judgment or Decree against him or them, to the said Court from which
they Appeal, That they will prosecute the said Appeal or Appeals with effect and make Return thereof
within twelve months after the said Appeal or Appeals here made. And if default happen thereon then
Execution to issue out upon the Judgment, against the Party, or their Sureties, in course, without any
Scire facias. Provided alwayes. That the Establishing of these Courts shall not be or remain longer in
force, than for the time and space of two Years, and until the End of the sitting of the next As.sembly,
after the expiration of the said two Years."
Immediately upon the passage of this act the Supreme Court was or-
ganized and Joseph Dudley appointed chief justice ; Thomas Johnson, second
judge; and William Smith, Stephen Van Cortland, and William Pinthorne,
associate judges. The act took effect but for ten years, but it was re-enacted
from time to time and continued by proclamations, and was in force, with
some modifications, at the time of the Re\olution and organization of the
State government in 1777.
By the first constitution of 1777 the existing courts were recognized and
continued, and a new court for the trial of impeachments and the correction
of errors was established, familiarlj- known as the " Court of Errors," which
continued down to the adoption of the constitution of 1846. Sheriffs and
coroners were to be annually appointed and no person could hold either of
said offices more than four years successively, and the sheriff could not hold
any other ofifice at the same time. It was also provided that registers and
clerks in chancery be appointed by the chancellor, the clerks of the Supreme
Court by the judges of said court, the clerk of the Court of Probates by the
judge of said court, and the register and marshal of the Court of Admiralty
by the judges of the Admiralty. It was also provided that new commissions
should be issued to judges of the County Courts (other than the first judge)
and to justices of the peace once at least in ever\- three years. The Legisla-
ture was prohibited from instituting any new courts but such as should proceed
according to the course of the common law.
As already stated, the Supreme Court was at first composed of five judges.
From 1701 to 1758 the number was three — a chief justice and two associate
justices. In the latter year a fourth was added. It may perhaps indicate
somewhat the growth of the State to note that there are now forty-five jus-
tices of the Supreme Court, besides the Court of Appeals, the various city
and county courts, and the inferior local tribunals in towns and villages. The
judicial machinery of the State has assumed vast proportions. In 177S the
Supreme Court was re-organized. The judges were empowered to devise a
seal and the proceedings were directed to be in the name of the people of the
State instead of that of the king. The judges were appointed by the Council
of Appointment and their terms of office limited to the age of sixty years. It
26o History of Cattaraugus County.
is said that in 1741 the duty of revising the laws in force, with notes and ref-
erences, was assigned to Daniel Horsmanden, a justice of the Supreme Court,
but this, from his advanced age, was not performed. This is said to have
caused the adoption of the principle of limiting the office of the judges to
sixty years of age to avoid the inconvenience that might result from the in-
firmities of advanced age. This limitation has since been extended to the
last day of December next after a judge shall be seventy years of age.
Of the early courts it is said that the judges and those practicing before
them wore no particular costume, nor was there any distinction or difference of
degrees among the lawyers. Persons who had served seven years under an
attorney, or had taken a collegiate course and ser\-ed a three years' appren-
ticeship, were granted license to practice in the Supreme Court by the gov-
ernor under his seal, on the recommendation of the chief justice, and on
subscribing the usual oaths. The first rules of the Supreme Court were drawn
by Judge Egbert Benson, and were adopted at the April term of 1796. The
decisions of the Supreme Court have been reported since the January term of
1799. In 1804 an act was passed providing for an official reporter of the
court, and William Johnson was first appointed to this office. He also be-
came the first reporter of the Court of Chancery and began reporting for that
court in 1814.
Important and organic changes were made in the Supreme Court by the
constitution of 1821. The court was to consist of a chief justice and two jus-
tices, any of whom might hold the court. The State was to be divided into
not less than four nor more than eight circuits, for each of which a circuit
judge was to be appointed, who had the powers of a justice of the Supreme
Court at chambers and in the trial of issue and in Courts of Oyer and Termi-
ner. The judges were appointed by the governor with the advice and con-
sent of the senate, and held office during good behavior, or until they arrived
at the age of sixty years. Clerk's offices were continued at New York, Al-
bany, and Utica. In 1829 an additional clerk's office was established at Can-
andaigua, which was removed in 1831 to Geneva and in 1841 to Rochester.
The clerks were appointed for three years, unless sooner removed.
A radical re-organization of our judicial system was effected by the consti-
tution of 1846. The old Supreme Court and the Court of Chancery were
abolished, and our Supreme Court created with full legal and equitable juris-
diction. Intermediate general terms were provided, to which appeals from
the lower branches of the Supreme Court were carried. A Court of Appeals
was also created, taking the place of the old "Court of Errors," which was
abolished. A further re-organization of these courts was accomplished by an
amendment to the constitution, which was adopted in 1869; and the system
then established is still in e.xistence. The Court of Appeals is composed of a
chief judge and six associate judges, and it has a clerk and a reporter. The
State is divided into eight judicial districts, each with the following number
Civil Organizations of the State. 261
of justices of the Supreme Court : First district, six ; second, six ; third, five ;
fourth, five ; fifth, six ; sixth, five ; seventh, six ; and eighth, six ; making
forty-five in all. The State is also divided into five judicial departments, each
with a General term, composed of justices of the Supreme Court. Each justice
may hold Special terms. Circuit Courts, and Courts of Oyer and Terminer in
any county in the State.
The State of New York formerly had a Court of E.xchequer, originally cre-
ated by Governor Dongan in 1685, discontinued in 1691, and re-organized as a
branch of the Supreme Court in 1786 " for the better levying and accounting
for fines, forfeitures, issues, amercements, and debts due to the people of the
State." The court ceased to e.xist January i, 1830. There was also a Court
of Admiralty, which was discontinued upon the adoption of the federal con-
stitution in 1789.
The first Assembly of the colony of New York met on the 17th of Octo-
ber, 16S3. The second act of the Assembly, passed November ist, divided
the pro\ince into shires and counties. The counties were twelve in number,
viz.: Albany, Cornwall, Dukes, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange, Queens,
Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. The second Assembly, which
met in 1691 under authority of the new sovereigns, William and Mary, passed
a resolution declaring the legislation of the previous Assembly null and void.
This resolution was never presented to the Governor and Council for their
concurrence as was required by law, and therefore is said not to have had any
effect. By an act passed October i, 1691, re-organizing the counties, the
county of Albany was " to contain the manor of Rensselaervvyck, Schenec-
tada, and all the Villages, Neighborhoods, and Christian Plantations on the -
east side of Hudson's River from Roeloff Jansen's Creek, and on the west
side from Sawyer's Creek to the outmost end of Saraghtoga." Subsequent
legislation extended the boundaries of Albany county so as to embrace all of
New York to its northern and western limits. An act was passed March 12,
1772, erecting Tryon county from a portion of Albany county. The new
county included all of the province west of the Delaware river and a line
extending northwardly through Schoharie county and along the eastern
boundaries of the present counties of Montgomery, Fulton, and Hamilton,
and thence continuing north to the Canada line. "The county was named in
honor of William Tryon, the last royal governor of the province whose
authority was recognized by the people of New York. This name was dis-
continued September 2, 1784, and that of Montgomery was substituted in
honor of the hero who-fell in the assault on Quebec."
March 7, 1788, the Legislature passed an act dividing the State into coun-
ties. By this act all that part of the State bounded easterly by the counties
of Ulster, Albany, Washington, and Clinton, southerly by the State of Penn-
sylvania, and westerly and northerly by the west and north bounds of the
State was erected into a county called Montgomery. This embraces the
262 History of Cattaraugus County.
present territory of Cattaraugus county. By Chap. 64, passed the same day,
the Leo-islature divided the counties into towns. By this act that part of
Montgomery county embracing the present county of Cattaraugus and con-
siderable other territory was erected into a town called White's Town. In
1789 Montgomery was divided, and the western part, embracing Cattaraugus
and other counties, was erected into a separate county called Ontario. April
3, 1801, another general act was passed dividing the State into counties, by
which Ontario county was continued substantially as originally erected.
April 7th of the same year an act was passed dividing the State into towns,
by which it was provided that "All that part of the county of Ontario which
lies westerly of the following described line, viz. : Beginning at the mouth of
the Genesee river on Lake Ontario, thence running southerly up 'the middle
of said river, following the courses thereof, to the confluence of the said river
with the Canaseraga creek, and thence south on the Indian line (so called),
beino- a meridian line, to the north line of the State of Pennsylvania, shall be
and continue a town by the name of Northampton." March 30, 1802, the
county of Genesee was erected, to embrace all that part of Ontario which had
been included in the town of Northampton. By the same act the town of
Batavia was erected, forming a part of Genesee county and embracing the
present county of Cattaraugus and other territory.
April II, 1804, Batavia was divided into four towns: Wiilink, Erie, Chau-
tauqua, and Batavia. By this division the town of Batavia as then estab-
lished would include the present town of Portville, the eastern half of Hins-
dale, Ischua, Farmersville, and Freedom, and the greater part of Lyndon.
The remainder of Freedom, Farmersville, Lyndon, Ischua, and Hinsdale, all
of the towns of Olean, Allegany, Humphrey, Franklinville, Machias, York-
shire, Carrolton, Great Valley, and Ellicottville, with the southeast part of
East Otto and all of Ashford except the northwest corner between the Cat-
tarauCTus and Connoirtoirauley creeks, were then included in Wiilink. All
the remainder of Cattaraugus (that is, the western half of the county), with
the eastern range of townships in Chautauqua county, were covered by the
town of Erie. The town of Chautauqua included all the territory within the
present county of the same name except the tenth range of townships. April
7, 1806, Allegany county was erected from Genesee, and its boundaries in-
cluded Olean, Portville, Allegany, Hinsdale, Ischua, Humphrey, Franklin-
ville, Lyndon, Farmersville, Machias, Yorkshire, and Freedom in Cattaraugus
county.
On the iith of March, 180S, an act was passed which provided that that
part of Cattaraugus county embraced in the towns above named be annexed
to the county of Genesee. This restored to Genesee county all the territory
now within the county of Cattaraugus which had previously been held by
Alleo-anv. This act also provided for the erection of the county of Cattarau-
gus, as follows: "That that part of the county of Genesee bounded north by
Civil and Juhicial Organizations. 263
the division line, being part of the south bounds of the county of Niagara,
west by the east bounds of the county of Chautauqua aforesaid, south by the
north bounds of Pennsylvania, and east by the west bounds of the county of
Allegany aforesaid, be erected into a county by the name of Cattaraugus."
Another act dividing the State into counties was passed March 6, 1813,
by which the boundaries of Cattaraugus were continued substantially as given
in the act of 1808. The present boundaries of the county are defined in that
part of the revised statutes of 1828 providing for the division of the State
into counties, and are as follows: " Easterly by the county of Allegany; north-
erly by the counties of Genesee and Erie ; westerly by a meridian line between
the ninth and tenth ranges of townships of the Holland Company's purchase ;
and southerly by the south bounds of the State." May 19, 1841, the
southern part of Genesee county was erected into a county called Wyoming,
which is its present name, and which is a part of the northern boundary of
Cattaraugus.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURTS.
The act of March 11, 1808, already referred to, which erected the county,
provided that Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties should be organized and
for all county purposes should act in conjunction with the county of Niagara
as a part thereof, and should respectively remain so organized until they re-
spectively should contain five hundred taxable inhabitants qualified to vote
for member of Assembly; the number to be ascertained by the supervisors
from the assessment rolls and certified to the governor, and after filing such
certificate such counties were to be organized as separate counties. This act
required the first Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace
(including for this purpose Chautauqua and Cattaraugus) to be held at the
house of Joseph Langdon in the village of New Amsterdam. This act also
provided that the governor should in his discretion appoint three persons
commissioners to "explore the counties of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus and
designate and fix a site for a court house and jail in and for the said counties
respectively, and file a certificate in the clerk's office of the county of Niagara."
The act also provided that the supervisors of the counties of Chautauqua and
Cattaraugus, at their first annual meeting after their organization, should raise
a sum not exceeding $1,500 for building a court house and jail. The act further
provided that after the organization of the county "there shall be held a Court
of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, and that there shall be
three terms of said Court of Common Pleas and two terms of the General
Sessions of the Peace in each year. The terms of the Common Pleas to begin
the third Tuesday of February and the fourth Tuesdays of June and Novem-
ber, and the General Sessions of the Peace to begin also the fourth Tuesdays
of June and November, and may continue to be held until the several Satur-
days next following, inclusive." The courts were to possess the same power
264 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
and jurisdiction as like courts in other counties. The courts were directed to
be held at the court house when it should be in readiness, and until then to be
held at such place as the supervisors may appoint. The act further provided
that no Circuit Courts or Courts of Oyer and Terminer and general jail de-
livery should be held in either of said counties until the same in the opinion of
the justices of the Supreme Court should be necessary.
This act also provided that "the county of Cattaraugus be erected into a
town by the name of Olean, and that the first town meeting in the town of
Olean be held at the dwelling house of Joseph McClure in said town." By
Chap. 173, Laws of 1812, passed June i6th, the town of Olean was divided into
two towns, the new town to be called Ischua. By this act the county of Cat-
taraugus was annexed to the county of Allegany for county purposes, and the
inhabitants of the county were exempted from serving as jurors or constables
in courts of record for the term of three years, or until the county should con-
tain five hundred ta.xable inhabitants and should be separately organized. By
an act passed April 13, 1814, it was provided that "All that part of the
county of Cattaraugus lyingand situated east of the east boundary line of
the 7th range of townships of the Holland Land Company's lands in the
county of Cattaraugus shall be annexed to and is hereby considered as a
part of the county of Allegany for all purposes whatsoever." This part of
the county \\'as to remain in two towns, Olean and Ischua. The remainder of
the county was annexed to the county of Niagara, and was erected into a
town called Perry.
The organization of the county was completed in 1817 by an act entitled
"An Act Organizing the County of Cattaraugus," passed March 28th, which
provided "that the freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Cattaraugus
shall have and enjoy the rights, powers, and privileges which the freeholders
and inhabitants of any other county in this State are by law entitled to have
and enjoy." The act also provided for a new Court of Common Pleas and
General Sessions of the Peace to be held on the first Tuesdays in February,
July, and November, and which might continue to be held until the Saturdays
following, inclusive. No Circuit Courts and Courts of Oyer and Terminer
and general jail delivery were to be held until the justices of the Supreme
Court should deem it necessary. It was also provided that courts should be
held at some convenient place from time to time, to be appointed for that
purpose by the judges for the time being, and that the prisoners of the county
be confined in the jail of Allegany county until provision was otherwise made
for them. It was also provided that after holding the first term of the Court
of Common Pleas deeds, mortgages, etc., should be recorded in the clerk's
office of the county.
Timothy H. Porter was appointed first judge and James Brooks, Ashbel
Freeman, Francis Green, and William Price were appointed associate judges
of the first Court of Common Pleas. Judge Brooks took the oath of office
The Coluxtv Seat.
May 27, 1S17, Judges Freeman and Green June 5th and Judge Price June
1 8th of the same year. Judge Porter did not take the oath of office until
July 1st, the day on which the first court was opened. The associate judges
made the following order fixing the place for holding the first term of the
court :
'• Whereas, Ah act (if the Legislature of the State of New York, for organizinsr the county of Cattarau-
gus, passed March 28, 1817, has made it a duty of the judges for the time being to appoint a place for holding
the Courts of Common Plo;is and General Sessions of the Peace, in and for said county :
"Therefore, we, Francis Green, Ashbel Freeman, and James Brooks, judges of the Court of Common
Pleas, in and for the county aforesaid, convened at the house of William Baker, in the town of Glean, in
the county aforesaid, have (conformably to the act above mentioned) appointed, aul by these presents do
appoint and declare, the house of William Baker, in the said town of Glean, in the county afoiesaid, to be
the place for holding the first Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, in and for the
county of Cattaraugus.
'■ In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this .5th day of June, 1817.
(Signed) "Francis Gkeen,
" ASHBEL FKEEMA^f,
"James Brooks."
THE COUNTY SE.VT.
As already .stated, the act erecting the county of Cattaraugus authorized
the governor to appoint three commissioners to "explore" the county and
locate a suitable site for the court house and jail. Jonas Williams and Asa
Ransom, of Chautauqua county, and Isaac Sutherland, of Cattaraugus, were
selected to perform this duty. "At that time the entire county was nearly an
unbroken wildcrnc.-is, without towns or roads. They started on their mission
with the \-cry huulabie idea of fixing the site of the future capital as nearly as
possible in the exact center of the county. After a tedious journey, and evi-
dently much careful calculation, they fixed on the present site of Ellicottville,
and a large ironwood post was set up in the wilderness on the bank of Great
Valley creek to mark the chosen spot from which the edicts and manifestoes
of the new county magnates were thereafter to be issued." It was further
provided that the bills of the commissioners for such services be presented to
the Board of Super\isors at the first annual meeting after the organization of
the county. At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors held October 7,
1818, Mr. Sutherland presented a bill for services as commissioner in October,
1808, in which he charged for ten days at §2 a day and $10 for expenses, in
all $30, upon which he charged $12.90 interest. The whole account, amount-
ing to S42.90, was ordered paid by the board.
April 21, 1818, an act was passed directing the Board of Supervisors to raise
$1,500 for building a court house in Ellicottville, and the board was authorized
at its next annual meeting to cause to be levied on the freeholders and inhab-
itants of the county said sum with the addition of five per cent, on a dollar for
collecting the same. This act also provided that until the court house should
be erected courts were to be held at the house of Baker Leonard, in the vil-
lage of Ellicottville, in the town of Ischua. By Chap. 38, of the Laws of 1819,
provision was made for building a jail in Ellicottville, and David Goodwin,
34
266 History of Cattaraugus County.
Baker Leonard, and Benjamin Waterman were appointed commissioners to
superintend its erection. Tlie site for the jail had already been designated
and Seymour Bouton, Thomas Morris, and Silas Nash had been. paid $5 each
for services in fixing the site. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors held
at the house of Baker Leonard, October 5, 1819, a resolution was adopted
reciting that the supervisors had designated lots 38 and 39 in the village of
Ellicottville whereon to build a court house and jail for the county, and had
requested a deed of the premises from the Holland Land Company, and ap-
pointing Ebenezer Lockwood, supervisor of Olean, a committee to call on the
Holland Company's agent at Batavia and ask for and receive a good and suffi-
cient deed to the supervisors of the county and their successors in office. The
records of the board also show that a deed of the premises was presented to
the board at their adjourned meeting on the 2d of November, 18 19, and had
been duly considered, but the deed not meeting with their approval "it was
unanimously resolved that the deed or instrument contains provision that
may at some future period be injurious to the interests of the inhabitants of
the county and inconsistent with the rights and privileges of its citizens, and
that a conveyance vesting the fee of the lands described in the aforesaid in-
strument fully and unconditionally in the supervisors of Cattaraugus county
and their successors in office forever ought to be obtained " ; and the clerk was
directed to return the deed to the Holland Land Company. In due time an-
other deed was received from the company, dated January 17, 1820, which
was accepted by the Board of Supervisors at their annual meeting October 3,
1820, and was recorded in the county clerk's office October 4, 1820.
A building to be used as a court house and jail was erected in 1820 on the
public square in Ellicottville. The lower story was used as a jail and the sec-
ond story as the court room or court house. The jail is described as being
formed of an inner and outer structure of scored logs, there being left between
these a considerable space which was solidly filled with stones as a means
of greater security against the escape of prisoners; the building stood upon a
stone foundation, which was filled in the same manner over the entire surface
beneath the floors. The jail was divided by a hall through the center. On
one side were the cells and on the other two large debtors' rooms, each twenty
feet square. At the November term of the Court of Common Pleas, 1S20, it
was ordered "that all process hereafter to be made returnable in this court be
made returnable at the court house in the town of Ischua, and that the build-
ing now erected in said town for a prison and court house shall in all pro-
cess and pleadings be denominated the court house in and for the county of
Cattaraugus." This building was destroyed by fire in the winter of 1829. By
Chap. 149 of the Laws of 1829 the sum of $6,000 was appropriated to build a
court house and jail, separately, in Ellicottville, and the Board of Supervisors
were directed to raise the money for that purpose. Alson Leavenworth, Ben-
jamin Chamberlain, and Benjamin Searl were appointed commissioners to
The County Seat. 267
superintend the building, and the act provided that the next term of court
should be held at the house of Lothrop Vinton in Ellicottville. The court
house was built during the same year and so nearly completed that the Janu-
ary term of court for 1830 was held in it. By an act passed April 5, 1830, the
comptroller was authorized to loan Cattaraugus county $3,300 belonging to
the capital of the common school fund at six per cent, interest, to enable the
county to pay for the court house and jail built in accordance with the act of
1829. By an act passed March 25, 1831, a further sum of $1,200 was appropri-
ated to complete the court house and jail, and William Stilwell, Andrew Mead,
and Abner Chase were appointed commissioners to superintend the comple-
tion of the buildings.
A special session of the Board of Supervisors was held at the court house
in Ellicottville on January 6, 1865. At this meeting James Freeland, super-
visor from the town of Allegany, offered the following resolution, which was
adopted by a vote of fourteen to twelve:
" Reanlrcd, That we, as a Board of Supervisors of Cattarauff us county, respeetf ully petition the Legisla-
ture of this State to locate the county site of the said county at some place on the line of the Erie railway
in said county, between Clean an I Dayton. Said site to be located by three commissioners appointed by
the governor of this State, and that proper action be taken bj' the Legislature to carry into effect the
removal of said site as soon as it can properly be done."
April 17, 1865, the Legislature passed an act entitled "An Act to Remove
the County Site of Cattaraugus County to the Erie Railway and Locate and
Procure a new Site and to Build County Buildings thereon, and to Sell the
Old County Buildings." The act required the governor immediately upon its
passage to appoint three persons, not residents of Cattaraugus county, to
designate some central and convenient point on the line of the Erie railway
at which to locate the county buildings and site of the count}-. The commis-
sioners were required to e.xamine the premises and file in the office of the
clerk of Cattaraugus county a certificate under their hands, or a majority of
them, designating such point by the name of the town in which the same is
located, which point so designated should be at or near some of the villages
on the line of said railroad between the villages of Dayton and Olean. The
certificate was to be filed on or before the annual meeting of the Board of
Supervisors in November, 1865. The act also authorized the Board of Super-
visors to appoint three building commissioners "to select and determine upon
a suitable site whereon to build a court house, jail, and clerk's office at such
point as shall be designated in such certificate." The building commissioners
were required to be appointed at the annual meeting of the board either in
1865 or 1866. Such building commissioners were required within sixty days
after appointment to file in the county clerk's office a survey and description
of the site so selected by them, with a certificate that they had selected the
same for the purposes above stated ; and they were also required to procure
by purchase or otherwise a good and sufficient conveyance in fee of the title
to the lands so selected as a site to the supervisors for the county. By the
268 History of Cattarauous County.
act the building commissioners were given charge of the work of erecting the
buildings. The Board of Superx'isors were authorized to borrow of the comp-
troller of the State not e.xceeding S40,ooo, to be used in erecting the buildings ;
or the county might loan it elsewhere, to be paid by a tax on the property of
the county. The act also provided that when the new buildings were com-
pleted and accepted by the building commissioners the records and offices
were to be removed thither from Ellicottville, and such court house, jail, and
clerk's office "shall be and remain the court house, jail, and clerk's of^ce of
said county, and thereafter the said place shall be the county seat of said
county, and all public ofificers required by law to reside thereat shall there
reside, and all public offices and records required to be there kept shall be
removed to and kept at said county seat." It was further provided b\' section
13 of the act that the commissioners appointed to designate the town for a
site might consider any donations of land for a site or money to defray the
expense of building in designating the town. Such designation was to be
void unless ratified by the supervisors in 1865 or 1866. By virtue of the
authority conferred in the act the governor appointed Orsell Cook, of Chau-
tauqua, Robert B. Van Valkenburgh, of Steuben, and Seth Wakeman, of Gen-
esee county, commissioners to designate the point for the new county seat.
A special town meeting was held in Little Valley on May 26, 1865, and the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
" Reaalved, That the town of Little Valley raise by tax on the taxable propei-ty of said town the sura of
ten thousand doll.nrs for the purposeot exi'cnding in the bnildinsf of the court house, jail, county clerk's
olKcc, and such other buildings as shall be deemed nectssury for county purposes in the village of Little
Valley, county of Catcarausrus, to be raL^.-'i by said town, and paid to the treasurer of said county in
such proportions and at such times as tlie Board of Supervisorsof said county shall by resolution determine."
A special town meeting was held in the "town of Napoli on June 24, 1865,
at which a resolution was adopted similar in form to that adopted in Little
Valley and appropriating §3,000 for the same purpose. The commissioners
appointed by the governor examined the various locations and on July 25,
1865, filed the following certificate in the county clerk's office designating
Little Valley as the point for the new county seat:
"The UQdersi!?ned, comraissionei-s appointed by the governor of the State of New York, under and in
pursuance of an act enticled 'An Act to Remove the County Site of Cattaraugus County to the Line of
the Erie Railway and Locate and Procure a new Site and Build County Buildings and Sell the Old County
Buildings,' passed April 17, \^i.'>, having met pursuant to notice at Salamanca, in said county of Cattaraugus,
on the 18th da.v of July, ISB."), and having examined the localities between the villages of Dayton and Olean
in said county, and having taken into consideration the several donations of land and money to defray the
expenses of building saiil county building?, after consultation and delibenition have determined that the
village of Little Valley in said county is the most central and convenient point on the line of said Erie,
railway, between the points designated in said act, to locate the said county buildings and site for said
county of Cattaraugus, and we, the said commissioners, appointed as aforesaid, and by virtue of the power
conferred upon us by the act aforesaid, and in consideration of the facts aforesaid, and in furl her consider-
ation that the citizens of Little Valley will donate the necessary lands on which to locate said buildings,
not exceeding live acres, and S2.5,UUO in money towards building said necessary buildings, do certify that
we locate said county buildings and site for the said county of Cattaraugus at the said village of Little
Valley.
"Jamestown. July 21, 1865. " O. Cook,
" Seth Wakeman,
" R. B. Van Valkenburgh.
" 0<i»mi*(ioners."
Removal of the County Seat. 269
At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors in November, 1865, an
attempt was made to ratify the designation made by the commissioners and
provide for the erection of the county buildings at Little Valley. The reso-
lutions offered for this purpose were rejected by the board by a vote of thir-
teen to sixteen. At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors in
November, 1866. the designation of Little Valley as the county seat was rati-
fied by the adoption of the following preambles and resolutions, presented
by Erastus N. Lee, supervisor from the town of Little Valley:
"Whereas, The Letriilature of tbo State of New York, on the 17th day of April, 1S65, passed an act.
Chapter 479, entitled "An Act to Kemove the County Site of Cattaraugus County to the Erie Railway, and
Locate and Procure a New Site and Build County Buildings thereon, and Sell the old County Buildings.'
And
" Whereas, By rirtue of the authority conferred in the first section of said act, the governor of the
State of New York appointed Hon's. Orsell Cook, of Chautauqua county, Robert B. Van Valkenburg, of
Steuben county, and Seth Wakeraan, of Genesee county, commissioners to designate some central and
convenient point on the line of the Erie railway at wliich to locate the county buildings and site of the
said county of Catlaraus:us, and the said commissioners having e.xamined the various locations designated
the town of Little Valley for the location of such new county site, and duly filed a certificate of such loca-
tion in the oltice of the clerk of Cattaraugus county on the i'lth day of July, 18(m. Tlierefore, be it
" BcsDlfi-Ll, 1 hut in conformity with the provisions of section two, of said act, Frank L. Stowell of tlic
town of Clean, Lemuel S. Jenks of the town of Persia, and John Manley of the town of Little Valley be
and they are hereby appointed building commissionei'S, and tl\at upon the execution of the oath of office
and giving tlie bond rfcijuired by section seven of Slid act the said building commissioners be and they
hereby are instruote>l and required to select and determine upon a suitable site in the villa:.;e of Little
Valley, of not less than five acres, whereon to erect a court house, with county clerk's, comity treasurer's,
county judge's, and surrogate's olHces, court room and Jury rooms therein, and a jail, and that they pro-
cure a title thereto, free from all incumbrance, at a cost to the county of not exceeding one dollar, and
that tliey immediately proceed in conformity with section three of said act to cause to be erected and
built on the siie aforisaid Ht and convenient buildings for a court house, with the otiices above designated
therein, and a jail, but without cost to the county for such buildings, and the s;iid building commissioners,
or a majority of tliem. are hereby empowered to do all acts authorized by law, or by the Board of Super-
\'isors. And
"WirEREAS, In conformity with the provisions of section thirteen of the said act. Chapter 479, Laws
of lSfi«, the towns of Little Valley and Napnli at special town meetings, called for that purpose, voted the
sum of ten thousand dollars and three thousand dollars respectively, and the proceedings of such town
meetings having bc-en legalized by the act in Chapter (iK3, Laws of New York, l.'!*ii. And
•■ Whereas, Jn conformity with the provisions of section thirteen. Chapter 479, Laws of 18G.5, bonds of
individuals formoncy and material have been given for tlie purposeof erecting said new county buildings;
tlierefore, be it
'■/li'.soireJ, That the said building commissioners be and they are hereby instructed to accept bonds of the
town of Little Valley for the sum of ten thousand dollars, and of Nanoli for the sum of three thousand
dollars, bearing interest at seven per centum, and payable at stated periods, and they are also instructed to
accept bonds of individuals, payable in money or materials, and payable at stated periods, which may bo
guaranteed by responsible parties satisfactory to the building commissioners, or which may be accepted by
contractors ; or to accept sums of money ; and that such bonds, materials, and money shall be used for the
purposeof erecting said new county buildings in the village of Little Valley, and for no other purpose.
"Rcmih-ed, That it shall be the duty of the building commi.ssiouers hereby appointed, before taking any
title to tlie proposed site for the new county buildings, or doing any other act or thing that shall commit
the county to the removal of the county site, to receive from the towns of Little Valley and Napoli valid
bonds of those towns, and individual bonds, money, and materials, of sufficient amount, not less than thirty
thousand dollars in amount and value, to guarantee the erection and completion of all the buildings herein
provided for, and to insure the county against any and all ta.xation for the erection and completion of
said buildings, or the site therefor, and that the said building commissioners be and they hereby are
instructed in building such buildings to conform lo the plans in style and material as furnished by H. N.
White, architect, which plans are now in the county clerk's office."
Later in the same session of the board James T. Henry, supervisor from
the town of Olean, offered resolutions, which were adopted, providing that the
bonds to be issued by the towns of Little Valley and Napoli in accordance
with resolutions adopted by special town meetings for the purpose of raising
270 History of Cattaraugus County.
moneys to aid in the erection of county buildings in the village of Little Val-
ley, and also the individual bonds, money, and material of divers persons
pledged for the erection of county buildings in case the same should be located
in the village or Little Valley, should be " and are hereby accepted on the
part of the countv, and the commissioners appointed by this board are hereby
directed to apply the same or the proceeds thereof to the erection of such
county buildings as are required to be erected for the county seat at the vil-
lage of Little Valley." Another special town meeting was held in Little
Valley, November 30, 1866, and a resolution adopted appropriating an addi-
tional sum of $5,000 to aid in the erection of the county buildings.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors in November, 1867,
the building commissioners submitted a report in which they stated that the
contract for erecting the buildings had been let to Porter Welch, of Gowanda,
for the sum of $29,500; that the court house and jail were built of brick with
stone foundations (cut stone above ground), cut stone steps, window sills,
window caps, belting, with slate roofs; and that the buildings were nearly com-
pleted. The commissioners further reported that they had received bonds of
the town of Little Valley amounting to $15,000 and of Napoli amounting to
$3,000, and personal bonds for an amount sufficient to guarantee the sum of
$30,000 as required by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. They further
reported that they had received title to the Board of Supervisors of five
acres of land at a cost of one dollar. At the annual meeting of the board in
November, 1868, the building commissioners submitted a report in which they
stated that the buildings were substantially completed and that the commis-
sioners had accepted the same; that the county clerk removed the records of
his office from Ellicottville and occupied his office in the new court house on
the 2 1st of May, 1868; that the sheriff removed the prisoners to the jail on
the 28th of the same month, and the first session of the Supreme Court, Hon.
George Barker presiding, was held in the court house on the 8th of June,
1868. They further say that "the towns of Little Valley and Napoli have
complied with the stipulations made by them regarding the construction of
the buildings and gift of the land."
November 25, 1868, the building commissioners made a final report, stating
that they had settled with Porter Welch, the contractor, for building the court
house and jail. The report was accepted, the commissioners were discharged,
and their bonds ordered cancelled. The old county buildings at Ellicottville
were sold to that town for $i,ooo.
A proposition to remove the county seat from Little Valley to Salamanca
was presented to the Board of Supervisors in 1879, ^^^ ^^'^^ rejected. A like
proposition with the same result was presented to the board in 1884 and again
in 1891. During the time that these several propositions were under consid-
eration by the board the general law of the State required a vote of two-thirds
of the supervisors elected to the board to authorize a removal. By a general
The Court of Co>[mox Pleas. 271
revision of the laws relating to boards of supervisors and county affairs in 1892
this rule was altered so as to permit a change of a county seat b\" a \ote of a
■majority of the supervisors to be ratified by a vote of a majority of the voters
at the succeeding genera! election. A petition for the removal of the county .
seat to Olean and also one for its removal to Salamanca were presented to the
Board of Supervisors at their annual meeting in November, 1893. The Olean
petition was rejected. A resolution based upon the petition for the removal
of the county seat to Salamanca was adopted by a vote of eighteen to fifteen,
as follows :
'^Resolved, That the site of the court house, the county clerk's office, the sheriff's office, and the
county jail, so described in said petition, be removed from their present location in the village of Little
Valley in said county to the village of Salamanca in Siiid county, as the boundaries of said village are now
by law fixed, located, and determined, asshown by the proceedings to incorporate said village, and that the
location of all said county offices so described be changed from the village of Little Valley to the village
of Salamanca aforesaid. "
To be effectual this resolution must be ratified by a majority of the votes
cast upon the question at the general election in November, 1893.
COURTS OF COMMON I'LEAS AND GENERAL SESSIONS.
It has already been stated that a Court of Common Pleas and General
Sessions of the Peace was provided in each county during the colonial period.
These courts were continued, with some modifications, after the organization
of the State government. In the early years the number of judges composing
the court varied in different counties, in some counties the number being as
high as twelve. By an act passed March 27, 1818, the office of assistant justice
was abolished and the number of judges was limited to five, including the
first judge. This system was continued by the revised statutes and remained
in force until the adoption of the constitution of 1846, when the Court of Com-
mon Pleas was superseded by the present County Courts.
The Common Pleas in this county was evidently a popular court. This is
manifest from the amount of business done, which, during the entire period of
its history, was very largely in excess of that transacted in the Circuit. It was
the people's court; it possessed original and appellate jurisdiction ample for
the litigation of the period. More than 400 causes were disposed of in this
court from its organization in July, 1817, until the first Circuit was held in 1
August, 1823; and from that time to the close of its existence, in 1847, 1,600
causes were tried in this court, while only 200 were disposed of in the Circuit
during the same period. The Court of Common Pleas was in existence thirty
years — from 1817 to 1847 — and during that period it disposed of over 2,000
civil causes in some form or other, besides doing a large amount of criminal
business and other incidental business which was within its jurisdiction. It
was a hard working court. The terms were usually limited by statute to five
days, and the records show that its sessions almost invariably began as early
as 8 o'clock in the morning, and during the summer terms court was frequently
opened at 7 o'clock. Under the practice then in force judgments could not
272 History of Cattaraugus County.
be entered in vacation ; all business was done at the term. This required all
parties, witnesses, and attorneys to attend court and remain until their busi-
ness was done. Before the advent of the railroad and the telegraph business
at court could not be watched from a distance as now. Hence, "going to
court" was an event as well as a business. The Circuits were not held very
frequently nor very regularly. The judge came from a distance and was a
stranger. The Common Pleas was held by men selected from the body of
the county, acquainted with the people, their wants, their relations to each
other and to the community, and it is not strange that the court should have
been selected as the tribunal in which to settle the common differences and
disputes which arose under pioneer conditions. Besides, the judges were men
from the ranks of everyday business. Judge Porter, the first presiding judge
of this court, was a lawyer. The others were business men and not trained .
lawyers, yet it is the universal testimony of the older members of the bar and
others who remember this court that the Common Pleas judges were men of
good sense and judgment, able to deal fairly with the questions which came
before the court, and familiar with the principles upon which justice should be
administered. The large amount of business done testifies to the confidence
and respect in which the court was held by the people of the county.
James Brooks took the oath of office as judge May 27, 1817 ; Ashbel Free-
man and Francis Green took the oath June 5th and William Price June iSth
of the same year. July 1, 1S17, Timothy H. Porter took the oath as first judge
and again July 7, 1818. James Brooks was re-appointed judge in i8i8and
again in 1820. James Adkins, Israel Curtis, Dan Allen, Ira Norton, William
Kimball, and Royal Tefft were appointed judges during 1820, and James Ad-
kins took the oath as first judge July 21st of that year. In 1821 Israel Curtis
was re-appointed judge and Thomas Morris, Alson Leavenworth, and James
Green were appointed judges. Judge Leavenworth was re-appointed in
1823, and was appointed first judge in 1828 and held the office until 1833.
Griswold. E. Warner, Benjamin Chamberlain, Phineas Spencer, and Peter Ten
Broeck were appointed judges in 1823. James Parmelee was appointed judge
in 1826. Dan Allen and Henrj- Day were appointed in 1828. Israel Day
was appointed judge in 1829 and Andrew Mead in 1831. Benjamin Cham-
berlain took the oath of office as first judge March I, 1833; he was re-appointed
in 1838 and again in 1843. ^^^ Allen and Thomas J. Wheeler were ap-
pointed judges in 1833. Israel Day was re-appointed in 1834 and Richard
Wright was appointed in 1836. Isaac Hall was appointed in 183S and Fred-
erick S. Martin in 1840. Ashbel H. Hurd was appointed judge in 1843, and
Thomas J. Wheeler and Peter Ten Broeck were again appointed the same
year. Rensselaer Lamb took the oath of office as judge January 18, 1845,
and as county judge June 26, 1847, under the new constitution, succeeding
Judge Chamberlain as first judge. Lewis P. Thorp was the last judge appointed
to the old Court of Common Pleas, taking the oath of office January 29, 1846.
Judges of thk Court (jf COiMMON Pleas.
James Brooks, who was the first member of the old Court of Common Pleas
to take the oath of office, was a son of Cornelius Brooks, a Revolutionary
soldier who was taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island, and who came to
this county in 1806. He permanently settled here in 1808. It is said in
Everts's History of the county that "Judge Brooks was noted for his profuse
hospitality, and it is said by one who knew him well that for several years
prior to his death the family scarcely ever sat down to a meal without some
visitor. The judge's residence was familiarly known as the 'Methodist Tav-
ern ' and ' House of Refuge' from the fact that the itinerancy of the Meth-
odist church always found a cordial welcome there. Judge Brooks was rev-
erently recognized as the father of Methodism in this part of the country.
He was also a firm supporter of the temperance cause." He was an ardent
abolitionist and his house was frequently made a station on the "underground
railroad" by fugitive slaves escaping to Canada. Judge Brooks died at the
old homestead April 17, 1854.
Ashbel Freeman, who was also a member of the first Court of Common
Pleas, was one of the early settlers of Farmersville, where he lived several years
until his death in 1823. A daughter of Judge Freeman married Peter Ten
Brocck, who was afterwards a member of the same court.
Francis Green, another member of the first court, came to Great Valley
from New Hampshire about 1812 and settled with his brother Richard near
the mouth of Wright's creek. Judge Green represented the town of Great
Valley on the Board of Supervisors in 1828, 1838, 1840, and 1842.
William Price, who took the oath of office as a member of the court June
18, 1817, was a resident of the town of Freedom. At the first town meeting
held in that town, in 1821, he was elected supervisor and was again elected in
1828, 1829, and 1830.
A sketch of Timothy H. Porter, first judge of the court, will be found in
this chapter on a subsequent page.
James Adkins, who became a member of the court February 28, 1820,
seems to have been a resident of Ellicottville.
Israel Curtis, who took the oath of office February 28, 1820, came into
that part of the county which is now Hinsdale in i8i2,and settled upon lot 3,
section 4, township 2, range 4. "A few years later Mr. Curtis purchased
other lots situated in the central part of the town, and in 1820 was the owner
of about one thousand acres. He was the first justice of the peace within the
present limits of Hinsdale, the first supervisor, and in 1817 was appointed the
first sheriff of Cattaraugus county. He was also an early innkeeper at the
stand first opened by Elihu Murray, Jr. He is described as having been a
gentleman of large proportions, commanding presence, educated, and the pos-
sessor of ability of a high order. He removed to the far west in 1826. Judge
Curtis represented the town of Olean on the Board of Supervisors in 1820 and
the town of Hinsdale in 1821-23, and was chairman of the board in 1820 and
35
2/4 History of Cattaraugus County.
1823. He also had the honor of being defendant in the first case in the Court
of Common Pleas.
Dan Allen, who also became a member of the court in 1820, was one of
the early settlers of the town of Perrysburg, from which the town of Persia
was afteirwards formed. The first settlement in that part of the county which
is now the town of Persia was made by Ahaz Allen, a brother of Judge Allen,
who came to the county from Vermo.it. Judge Allen came from Cayuga
county in 1813 and engaged with his brother Ahaz in carrying on some of the
most important pioneer enterprises. He represented the town of Perrysburg
on the Board of Supervisors in 1819.
Ira Norton, who took the oath of office July 25, 1820, was one of the early
settlers of the town of Great Valley. He came to Franklinville in 1807, and
in 1816 located on a farm near Peth. He was the father of the late Nelson I.
Norton, of Hinsdale (q. v.).
William Kimball, who also became a member of the court July 25, 1820,
lived in Hinsdale.
Royal Tefft, who took the oath of office August i, 1820, was a resident of
Little Valley. He was supervisor of the town in 18 19 and 1820.
Thomas Morris became a member of the court in 1821, and was also a res-
ident of Hinsdale, or of that part of the town embraced in the present limits
of Ischua.
Alson Leavenworth, who became an associate judge in 1821, again in 1823,
and first judge in 1828, was a prominent physician, and a sketch of his career
appears on page 149.
James Green, who took the office of associate judge March 28, 1821, is cred-
ited with being the first permanent settler of Great Valley. He came from
New Hampshire and located first at Olean Point, and is said to have built the
first saw-mill in the town of Olean. He removed thence to near the mouth of
Great Valley creek in 181 2, being the first white inhabitant to locate on the
Allegheny below Olean. Mr. Green was supervisor of the town of Great Val-
ley in 1817 and 1819, and was chairman of the board both years. He after-
wards removed to Illinois, where he died in 1854.
Griswold E. Warner took the oath of office February 18, 1823. James G.
Johnson, late of Olean, in his " Pioneer Sketches " of the county, says that
Judge Warner kept a store in a frame building in Olean, occupying the rear
part as a dwelling for his family. " He was a man of large business capacity
and remarkable sagacity ; and while apparently careless, absent-minded, and
deeply absorbed in his general manner, he was always cool, self-contained,
quietly energetic, and efficient in all his business transactions. He was noted
for his punctilious honesty and kindness of heart. Judge Warner went from
Olean to Allegheny city opposite Pittsburg, where he purchased a large quan-
tity of real estate, which became extremely valuable. His business was deal-
ing in lumber, coal, or anything which promised him a profit. He soon be-
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
came a wealthy and prominent man both in Allegheny city and Pittsburg.
He was the principal stockholder in the Second National Bank of Pittsburg.
He died a few years ago at the advanced age of eighty or more years, having
survived every member of his family except one daughter."
Benjamin Chamberlain'^ was born July 31, 1791, in the town of Mt. Vernon,
Kennebec county, Me., where he resided until he was about ten years of age,
when his father and his family removed to the county of Allegany, N. Y., and
settled in the town of Belfast on the Genesee ri\'er. At that time the whole
of western New York was little better than a wilderness, and the rewards of in-
dustry and enterprise here were only to be reached through scenes of toils
and trials and privations that often tried the sternest energies of those who
possessed the courage to encounter them. The family of Judge Chamberlain,
like most of our countrymen, were in humble life. Their lot was cast amongst
millions whose fate it is to toil, endure, and suffer, and to win their way to
such positions of prosperity or distinction as it may be their fortune to at-
tain, unaided and alone. At that early period the educational advantages of
this portion of the State were extremely limited. Schools of any description
were scarcely known, and the instruction of children was mostly confined to
such information as the parents were able to impart or as might be secured
b)- their own unaided efforts. The subject of our sketch had none of the ad-
vantages that are placed within the reach of the youth of the present day, and
he was compelled by stern necessity, not only by want of opportunity, but a
want of means, to set out in the journey of life without any of the aids de-
rived from a proper training in the schools. In March, 1807, when only si.\-
teen years of age, Chamberlain left his home to commence a career seldom
equalled in its leading features among the self-made men of the country.
Without money or clothes except such as were upon his back, barefoot and
alone, he went to Olean in search of employment. Here he commenced work
for Maj. Adam Hoops, the founder of the village, and labored diligently by
the month for five years. His employment was mostly in saw-mills and at
the various branches of lumbering, \\hich was at that time the principal busi-
ness of the county. As he increased in years and grew in strength his intel-
lect expanded and his powers enlarged until the position of a laborer in a
.saw-mill at wages by the month could no longer satisfy his ambition, or afford
a sufficient field for his energies and active capacity for business. And he be-
gan to look about for a wider avenue for usefulness and wealth. In company
with a Mr. McKay, long since deceased, he erected a saw-mill in Great Valley
and engaged in the business of lumbering, which he steadily followed to within
a few yeirs of his djath. Soon after tha mill was completed it was de-
stroyed by fire. Chamberlain lost all he had, and was not only left without a
*This bioj,'i'aphic;il sUotcli of Judjro Chambeilain is piincipiilly compiled I'l-om an obituary notice pre-
pared by the late .loliii Miiiiley tor tlie Ctittaiaaiiiis Rijpiililicdii and publislicd iu tliat newspaper on tlie 13th
of February, IWiS.
2/6 History of Cattaraugus County.
dollar, but not entirely free from debts, which had been contracted in the
business, and McKay was found to be utterly insolvent. Chamberlain de-
termined to rebuild the mill and set to work alone to provide the means. It
is said that at this time there was but one merchant doing business in the
county. This was Capt. Henry De Forest, who was trading at Olean. Cham-
berlain applied to him for aid and was readily granted a credit of §i,ooo in
goods, which enabled him to reconstruct his mill and again embark in business.
Judge Chamberlain often attributed his successful commencement in the
world to Captain De Forest and regarded him in grateful remembrance as the
founder of his fortunes. The rebuilding of the mill was carried on under
great disadvantages. The ironwork for the mill had to be transported from
Pittsburg in canoes on the Allegheny river, and pork and flour were obtained
in the same laborious and expensive manner. From this time for forty-five
years Judge Chamberlain enjoyed a degree of prosperity and an unbounded
credit seldom secured by any individual.
Aside from his extensive business transactions Mr. Chamberlain was
largely identified with the political histor}- of the county of Cattaraugus.
On the 25th of July, 1817, he took the oath of office as under-sheriff with
Israel Curtis, who was the first sheriff. He held the office of sheriff from
February 17, 1820, to June 1st of the same year, and from February 12, 1821,
to December 31, 1822. By the constitution of 1821 the office was made elec-
tive by the people and at the second election in November, 1825, he was
chosen sheriff and served until December, 182S. Having previously served as
associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county, with Alson
Leavenworth as first judge, Mr. Chamberlain was appointed by the late Gov-
ernor Marcy first judge of the Common Pleas of Cattaraugus county Febru-
ary 15, 1833. He was re-appointed by Governor Marcy in 1838 for a second
term of five years, and again appointed for a third term by Governor Bouck
in 1843 ^r'd served until June, 1847, ^^hen he was succeeded by Rensselaer
Lamb under the constitution of 1846. Although Judge Chamberlain had no
advantages of education nor the benefit of legal training, he possessed an un-
surpassed practical business capacity. To an intuitive knowledge of the
motives and characters of men he united a sagacity that penetrated clearly the
forensic myths of the bar, enabling him to sift conflicting evidence and present
every case in a plain, intelligible manner to the jury. His charges to juries are
remembered as models of directness, brevity, and perspicuity. In conse-
quence of his extensive business interests it is said that his own matters some-
times became complicated with those of litigants who came into the Common
Pleas to settle their controversies. It is related that on one occasion an ac-
tion of replevin for a lot of logs was being tried in his court and both parties
gave evidence tending to establish their respective claims of title to the prop-
erty. Judge Chamberlain's "charge" was substantially as follows: "Gentle-
men of the jury: The plaintiff has given a good deal of evidence to show that
//
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
the logs belong to him, and the defendant has also given a good deal of evi-
dence to show that they belong to him. But, gentlemen, I charge you that
they are both mistaken, tlic logs belong to me." In politics he acted with the
Democratic party. In 1852 he was a member of the electoral college of the
State of New York which cast the presidential vote of the State for Franklin
Pierce and William R. King. Judge Chamberlain was prominent in the efforts"
at improvements of a public character in the county, and manifested a sub-
stantial interest in schools, contributing liberally towards the establishment of
the Randolph Academy, and was president of the Board of Trustees of the
institution from the beginning. In 1866 Judge Chamberlain advised his
townsmen that he had decided to present the sum of §50,000 to the academy
in order to enlarge its sphere of usefulness and to place it upon broader founda-
tions for the education and benefit of the coming generations. The citizens
of Randolph purchased some twenty acres of land adjoining the academy
grounds which was given to the institution, and on their petition the school
was chn.nged to the "Chamberlain Institute," by act of the Legislature, and
transferred to the charge of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church, as desired by Judge Chamberlain, of which church he had for many
years been a communicant. A commodious and elegant brick structure for
the institute was erected upon this land by Judge Chamberlain. In addition
to his gifts to this institution during his lifetime he made ample provision for
it by will, and the school is now enjoying the benefits of his benevolence. At
the age of twenty-one Judge Chamberlain married Lucy Hooker, who was
then fifteen years old. The marriage took place in Allegany county, and
they lived together fifty-seven years. Their only child was the first wife of
the late Alonzo Hawley, of Hinsdale. To Mrs. Chamberlain should be
given a large share of credit for the achievements of her husband. She ren-
dered valuable aid to him in his operations, taking care of his business while
he was away from home, employing hands, preparing and despatching the
lumber to market, and maintaining the same vigilant and successful care over
the business as though it were her proper place in life, and the great wealth
which the judge accumulated was the result of their joint industry, intelli-
gence, and perseverance. Judge Chamberlain came to Cattaraugus county in
March, 1807, one year before its incorporation, and at the time of his death
he was the oldest citizen by residence in the county. The first census of the
county was taken in 1810 and it showed a white population of four hundred
and fifty-eight. Judge Chamberlain, like all men of marked intellectual
endowment, had some faults, but he was, nevertheless, one of the strongest
and most successful business men this county has ever seen, possessing keen
perceptions of the character and motives of men, endowed with wonderful
sagacity and mental capacity of uncommon power, having a rare judgment of
property values, with an unfaltering fund of humor, affable speech, and cour-
teous manners. Judge Chamberlain died in EUicottville, February 10, 1868.
278 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
Phineas Spencer lived in Gowanda and was one of the prominent politi-
cians of the county in the early days. He represented Perrysburg (then
embracing Persia) on the Board of Supervisors in 1822 and 1823, and was
member of Assembly in 1824 and again in 1837. James T. Henry, in his
"Personal Recollections," says of Mr. Spencer that "he was a man of few-
words, reticent, unassuming, but he bore about him a weight of character that
gave him commanding influence with his fellow citizens."
Peter Ten Broeck was of German extraction, and was born in Somerset
county, N. J., May i, 1793. He was the eldest of five sons and the second of
a family of ten children. In 1797 his father, Roeloff Ten Broeck, a farmer in
moderate circumstances, removed with his family to Otsego county. The
opportunities for acquiring an education in those days were very limited, and
up to the age of thirteen young Peter had not seen the inside of a school room,
and the little education he possessed had been imparted to him by his mother.
The nearest school was three miles distant, and there he spent three months
in the winter of 1806 acquiring a knowledge of figures. He had already learned
to read and write tolerably well at home. This was all the schooling young
Ten Broeck could boast until he attained his majority. He then felt his need
of a better knowledge of grammar and the other rudiments of an English edu-
cation. He therefore entered an academic institution then located at San-
gersfield, Oneida county, spent si.x weeks in that institution, and there, as he
said, "completed his education." In 1816, at the age of twenty-three, Mr.
Ten Broeck left his father's house to seek his fortune. He traveled on foot
to Erie, Pa. After giving the country some examination he set out on his
return, passing through Mayville, Conewango, Little Valley, and EUicottville
and reaching a small settlement on Ischua creek, now the village of Eranklin-
ville, on the 6th of June, 1816. He reached home in the early part of July.
In October of the same year Mr. Ten Broeck, with a younger brother, Cor-
nelius, and Richard Tozer, started again for the west. They settled in the town
of Farmersville, where they built a log house, but returned to Otsego county
for the winter. About this time Mr. Ten Broeck with others made a tour
through some of the western States looking for a chance to locate, which they
failed in securing for want of money. They returned to Franklinville in Aug-
ust, 18 17, and spent the following winter at his father's house in Otsego
county. In February, 1818, accompanied by his brother Cornelius, Mr. Ten
Broeck returned to F"armersville, where he afterward resided and became one
of its most wealthy citizens. In 1822 he married Miss Freeman, a daughter
of Ashbel Freeman, then one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas. It
is said that he became the owner of between 5,000 and 6,000 acres of land made
up entirely of improved farms. In addition to his farming business he was
engaged in raising, purchasing, and driving cattle to market. He was a mem-
ber of the Board of Supervisors from Ischua in 1821 and from Farmersville in
1827, 1837-38, and 1S41-42, and was chairman of the board in 1841. He was
Juiu;es of thk Court of Common Plfas. 279
appointed by Governor Yates an associate county judge in 1822 and served
five years, and in 1837 was re-appointed by Governor Marcy and held the office
until the abolition of the court by the new constitution of 1846. During the
interim from 1827 to 1837 he was appointed an agent of the Holland Land
Company, charged with the duty of collecting the debts due the company in
the counties of Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Wyoming. In politics he was a
Democrat and in 1842 was the candidate of his party for member of Congress,
but was defeated by Asher Tyler. Judge Ten Broeck died August 5, 1863.
In his last will and testament, after providing for the payment of certain leg-
acies to relatives and friends amounting in all to §60,000, he directed that the
balance of his estate, as fast as it could be prudently turned into ready means,
should be expended in the construction and endowment of a literary institu-
tion to be known as the Ten Broeck Free Academy. This institution is
located in the village of Franklinville and is the educational center of that
part of the county. " By reason of his sterling qualities of head and heart he
possessed the entire confidence of the community in which he resided. As a
neighbor he was quiet, kind, and obliging. As a citizen he was public spirited,
ever forward in promoting the general weal. As a man he was the soul of
honor and integrity, regarding his word as sacred, allowing no contingency of
circumstances or probabilities of profit or loss to interfere with its positive and
prompt fulfillment."
James Parmelee was one of the early settlers of the town of Freedom. He
represented that town on the Board of Supervisors from 1823 to 1826 inclu-
sive, and was chairman of the board in 1825 and 1826.
Henry Day seems to have been a resident of the town of Conewanco.
Facts concerning his history are very meager, but he appears to have been
town clerk several terms and also to have held the office of justice of the
peace.
Israel Day was a resident of Ellicottville, where he died May 4, 1852, in
the sixty-ninth year ofhis age. At the time of his death the Cattaraugus
Re-publican, a newspaper published in Ellicottville, said of him: "Judge Dav
was born at Killingly, Conn., in the year 1783. He resided for many years at
Cooperstown, Otsego county. From thence he removed to Greene and lastly
to this county. He has filled many places of honor and trust ; judge of the
County Courts, postmaster of this village, and was an acting magistrate of the
town for many years. He was an active politician of the Democratic faith,
and as a citizen maintained a consistent course in all the relations of life."
Andrew. Mead (see also page 152) settled in Olean about the year 1820,
where he immediately began practicing medicine, which he continued for
twelve or fifteen years, when he gave up active practice. He took an active
part in public affairs and held various town and county offices. He was for a
long time acting magistrate in Olean, was appointed a member of the Court
of Common Pleas in 1831, and in 1840 was appointed master and examiner in
28o HisTORV OF Cattaraugus Countv.
chancery. In 1847 he moved to Allegany, where he lived until his death in
1869. In 1868 he was supervisor of the town. In 1869 he fitted up a build-
ing on the west side of Main street in the village of Allegany, in which he
lived alone, being a bachelor, and kept a grocery in the front part. On the
evening of December 18, 1869, a young man named Theodore Nichlas entered
the doctor's store and soon, in an altercation which arose between him and
the doctor, seized an iron stove-poker and attacked the doctor so violently
that he was rendered speechless from his wounds and died within a few hours.
The murderer took about $55 from the doctor's pocket and also his watch,
and locking the door as he went out hid the key and fled to Olean, whence
he escaped to Buffalo. About a month afterward he was apprehended and
brought back to jail at Little \'alley. He made a full confession of his crime,
was indicted by the grand jury in January-, 1870, and immediately put upon
his trial, Messrs. Scott & Laidlaw, of Ellicottville, having been assigned to
defend him by Judge Barker, who presided at this term of court. He was
convicted and sentenced to be executed on the i8th of March, 1870. Nich-
las was executed on the day appointed and was the first person in the county
to suffer the death penalty. About 1828 Dr. Mead was appointed the agent
of the Holland Land Company in the location and construction of the road
which was opened from Olean by way of Chapel hill and Ellicottville to Buf-
falo. The present route over Chapel hill was first looked out and marked
through the woods by him. He is described as a man of decided opinions, and
one who left his mark for good or e\'il distinctly impressed on everything he
was in any way connected with. He does not seem to have had any general
practice in courts of record, but did considerable business in justice's court.
Thomas J. VV^ieeler located in the village of Rutledge in the town of Cone-
wango in 1826, and engaged in the practice of medicine, becoming one of the
most skillful physicians in the county. He died there in 1875. - He was a
presidential elector in 1836 and represented the old Sixth Senatorial District
in the State Senate in 1846 and 1847. -'^ further sketch of Dr. Wheeler ap-
pears on page 120.
Richard Wright was one of the pioneers of the town of Great Valley, where
about 1820 he built a saw-mill on Wright's creek, which takes its name from
him, and after using the same four or five years he sold it to David Chamber-
lain. He represented the town of Great Valley on the Board of Supervisors
in 1830 and the town of Burton (now Allegany) in 1836, and was elected
sheriff of the county in 1837, serving a term of three years.
Isaac Hull lived in the town of Perrysburg and was supervisor of that town
in 1835.
Frederick S. Martin was born in the county of Rutland, Vt., April 25, 1794,
and was the youngest of six children. His father died before his recollection,
and at the age of seven years he left his mother's home and spent three or four
years with his relatives, who resided in that vicinity. At the age of ten he
JUDtiES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PlEAS. 28 1
went to New Hartford, N. Y. He remained there five or six years and in
1810 went to Whitehall, where he was employed in a mercantile establish-
ment. After spending two years there he took service as steward of the
steamer F^r//2;?«/', a government vessel plying on Lake Champlain. In 1815
he shipped from Newport, R. I., on board a merchantman as a common sailor.
The vessel sailed to New Orleans and thence to Liverpool. He was gone
about eighteen months on this voyage, when he returned home and soon after
came to western New York, arri\"ing at Olean in the spring of 1818, where
he lived to the time of his death. In February, 1820, Mr. Martin married
Miss Cornelia Russell, daughter of Samuel Russell, of Pike, Allegany county,
one of the earliest settlers of that section. In 1821 Mr. Martin began keeping
hotel in the " Coffee House," a small hotel then standing upon the present site
of the Olean House. He carried on a lumber business in connection with the
hotel. He kept this hotel ten years, when he leased it and entered into mer-
cantile business, in which he was engaged for twenty years. " His integrity
and uprightness were acknowledged by all, and he was known everywhere as a
clear-headed, substantial merchant." Mr. Martin took an active interest in
public afTairsand held various public positions. In 1826 he was appointed by
Governor Clinton major of the 226th Regiment New York State Militia, which
position he held until 1830, when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-
colonel. He resigned his appointment in 1833. He was appointed post-
master at Olean in December, 1830, and held the office nine years. He was
appointed a judge of the County Courts in January, 1840, by Governor
Seward ; he held this office five years. He took an active interest in the con-
struction of the Genesee Valley canal, which became an important outlet for
southwestern New York. He was elected to the State Senate in 1847 ^.nd
served in that body two years; he was elected to the Assembly in 1850.
While a member of the Legislature he was a member oi the Canal Committee,
and by this means was enabled to render valuable service to the interest of a
large portion of his constituents. In the fall of 1850 he was nominated and
elected to the Thirty-second Congress. " Having decided to support the
'Compromise Measures of 1850' and the leading acts and policy of Mr. Fill-
more's administration he did not falter or turn to the right or to the left in
doing what he could to render that administration efficient and acceptable to
the people of his district. His course in Congress was marked, as his whole
public life had been, with a consciousness of the important trust committed
to him, and every act of his while there will bear the closest scrutiny. He
earned the confidence and esteem of his colleagues, and won for himself an
enviable reputation for industry and integrity. His acute discernment and
comprehensive line of thought made him a distinguished man among his fel-
low members ; and when he rose to give his views upon any subject — and
these cases were rare, for he was a man of few words — he commanded close
attention, and was listened to with more than ordinary gratification." Judge
36
History of Cattaraugus County.
Martin also took some interest in local affairs, representing Olean on the
Board of Supervisors in 1830-31, 1836, and 1838.
Ashbel H. Hurd was an associate judge appointed in 1843. He was a
practicing lawyer in Gowanda and a further sketch of him appears in this
chapter under the head of "The Bar."
Rensselaer Lamb became a member of the Court of Common Pleas in
1845, ^t^d ^^'^s also county judge under the new constitution of 1846. He
was a practicing lawyer. — See " The Bar."
Lewis P. Thorp was one of the early settlers of Napoli and was the last
judge appointed to the old Court of Common Pleas. He took the oath of
office January 29, 1846, and served while the court continued in existence.
Judge Thorp was a native of Delaware county, N. Y., where he was born in
March, 1801. He came to Napoli in 1820. He was a leading citizen of the
town, holding various public positions, among them that of supervisor in 1845,
which he filled to the satisfaction of his constituents and with honor to him-
self. He also held the office of county superintendent of the poor and was a
member of Assembly in 1842; he was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian stripe.
He died at his old home February 17, 1868.
The records show that several of the judges were admitted to practice in
the Common Pleas, taking the oath of office as follows : Timothy H. Porter,
July 6, 1819; Alson Leavenworth, June 20, 1833 ; Dan Allen, October 5, 1833;
Israel Day, October 5, 1833; Andrew Mead, October 30, 1833; Ashbel H.
Hurd, October 5, 1836; Isaac Hull, February 1 1, 1843 ^ ^"^ Thomas J. Wheeler,
February 7, 1844. Judges Porter, Mead, and Hurd are the only members of
the court who engaged in practice. The admission of the others seems to
have been only formal. The court minutes show that Judge Chamberlain
was admitted as an attorney at the October term, 1833, but the oath book
does not contain his name. He did not engage in practice.
The first court held in the county was the Court of Common Pleas and the
record begins as follows:
" Cattaraugus Common Pleas, July term, 1817.
" At a Court of Common Pleas, held in and for the County of Cattaraugus, at the house of William
Baker, in the villasre of Hamilton, in said county, on the first day of July, 181". Present, Hon. T. H. Porter,
first judge ; James Brooks, Ashbel Freeman, judges."
The first order related to a seal. " It is ordered that the seal, the impres-
sion of which is on the margin hereof, be and it is hereby constituted the seal
of the county of Cattaraugus." This seal consisted of the words " Cattaraugus
County "around the margin of a circle with the word "Seal" in the center.
The second order was as follows :
"Ordered that the rules of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Allegany, be adopted
as the rules of this court until the said rules shall be revised by the committee heretofore appointed by the
said court of Allegany and the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Steuben, and until others
shaU be adopted.
'• It is further ordered by the court that Daniel Cruger, Zephaniah Z. Caswell, David Higgins, Jun., and
Alvan Burr, who have heretofore been admitted to practice as attornies and counsellors of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegany, be admitted as attornies and counsellors of this court ;
Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions. 283
and also, that Asa Hazen, who, it appears, has beeu admitred to practice as an attorney of the Supreme
Court of this State, be likewise admitted as an attorney and counsellor of this court.
'■ The several gentlemen above named having severally taken and subscribed the oaths required by law,
it is ordered that they be accordingly admitted as attornies and counsellors of this covirt."
July 2d court opened. The first case is that of David McCurdy 7's. Israel
Curtis. " Alvan Burr, attorney for defendant, having by virtue of a special
warrant of attorney signed and filed a cognovit, confessing the debt in this
cause to §160, on motion of Daniel Cruger for plaintiff ordered judgment
for the sum." William Fowler, Luther C. Carner, Calvin T. Chamberlain,
and Cyrus Niles, constables, attended. The next court was ordered held at
the same place. A Court of General Sessions was held at the same time by
the same judges. A grand jury attended, but had no business or at least re-
ported no indictments.
The next term of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions was
held at the house of William Baker, in the town of Olean, in November, 1817,
by Judges Porter, Freeman, and William Price. The first civil case tried by a
jury was Ebenezer Reed I's. Andrew B. Northrop, and the jurors were Seth
Markham, John D. Ensign, Obadiah Vaughn, Nathan Cole, Parley Warner,
John McFall, Solomon Rawson, William Rawson, Lynds Dodge, Harvey
Parker, Luke Goodspeed, and Jedediah Strong. The plaintiff's witnesses
were Zachariah Oosterhoudt, William Kennard, Silas Knight, and Lynds
Dodge ; the defendant's witnesses were William Annin and Luke Goodspeed.
It will be observed that both parties called a juror as a witness. A verdict
was rendered for the plaintiff for $91.59. An order was entered appointing
Z. Z. Caswell, Alvan Burr, and Asa Hazen a committee to prepare a set of rules
to be adopted by the court and present the same at the next term. At the
Court of General Sessions a grand jury was sworn, consisting of Levi Gregory,
foreman, Charles Price, Robert Bard, Earl Willson, Joel W. Cary, Lewis
Wooster, Daniel Huntley, Russell Chapel, John Hager, Thomas Morris, Ralph
Hill, Abram M. Farwell, and Samuel Barrows. " The grand jury retired under
the care of a constable, returned into court, and having had no business before
them were discharged by the court."
A term of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions was held in
February, 1818, by Ashbel Freeman, Francis Green, and James Brooks, judges,
and William Price, assistant justice. At this term William Woods and Henry
Wells were admitted to practice as attorneys. A Court of General Sessions
was held at the same time by the same judges ; little business was done. " The
grand jury retired under the care of a constable, returned into court, presented
a bill of indictment against Fatty, an Indian, etc., and having no further busi-
ness before them were discharged by the court." This was the first indict-
men in the county, but the court minutes do not state the offence. " Fatty"
gave bail to appear at the following July term ; Zephaniah Z. Caswell and
Cornelius Brooks were his sureties. James Green and Benjamin Chamberlain
also gave bail to appear as witnesses in the case.
History of Cattaraugus County.
The July term of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, 1818,
was held by Timothy H. Porter, Francis Green, and James Brooks, judges.
The minutes contain the following list of "constables of Cattaraugus county":
Nathaniel Levy, William Chamberlain, Benjamin Chamberlain, Richard Green,
John Thacher, Peter Ten Broeck, Henry Saxton, and Isaac Carpenter. Nathan-
iel Levy, William Chamberlain, John Thacher, and Peter Ten Broeck were
fined $10 each for default in attending court. This must have been a busy
term of the Common Pleas, for the court minutes show that forty-five cases
were disposed of. " Fatty, an Indian," was tried at this term of the General
Sessions. This was the first criminal trial in the county, and the following
jurors sat in the case: Ezra Mead, Joseph McCluer, Samuel Rowley, Elijah
Rice, JohnGrover, Ira Norton, Timothy Butler, James Makepeace, Enoch
Howlett, Thomas Morris, Lewis Wood, and David McCluer. H. Wells was
attorney for the people ; the name of the defendant's counsel is not given.
James Green and Benjamin Chamberlain were witnesses for the people and
Simeon Hicks and Jared Benedict for the defendant. " The jury having heard
the proofs and allegations of the parties say they find the prisoner not guilty."
The November term, 1818, was held by Judges James Brooks, Ashbel
Freeman, and Francis Green. At this term James Mullett, Jr., John A.
Bryan, and Levi S. Littlejohn applied for admission as attorneys, and A.
Hazen, Z. Z. Caswell, and A. Burr were appointed a committee for their exam-
ination. The grand jury had no business before them at this term.
The February term, 1819, was held by Judges Porter, Green, and Brooks;
the July term was held by Judges Green, F"reeman, and Brooks, and at this
term Timothy H. Porter applied for admission to the bar. It appearing that
he had already been admitted to practice in Tioga county, and that he had
been examined by Mr. Cruger in Allegany county, he was admitted to prac-
tice here on caking the oath. It will be observed that he was already a judge
of the court. Milton B. Canfield presented a license showing that he had
been admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in the counties of Tioga,
Seneca, and Tompkins; a committee, consisting of Messrs. Burr, Caswell, and
Porter, was appointed to examine him, and he was duly admitted here. Timo-
thy H. Porter having resigned as first judge an order was entered on the 7th
of July that all writs be tested in the name of Ashbel Freeman, senior judge.
The November term of the Common Pleas, 1819, was opened with Judges'
Freeman and Brooks and the Sessions with the same judges with the addition
of Robert P. McGlashan. The February term, 1820, was held with the fol-
lowing judges: James Brooks, James Adkins, Israel Curtis, and Dan Allen.
At the November term, 1820, James Adkins was first judge and William
Kimball, Royal Tefft, Ira Norton, and Dan Allen were judges. At this term
the rules of the Court of Common Pleas of Steuben county regulating the
practice on appeals from justices' judgments were adopted as the rules of
this court.
Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions. 285
The February term, 1821, was held by Judges Adkins, Tefft, and Norton;
the July term by Judges Adkins, Green, and Leavenworth; the November
term by the same judges together with Israel Curtis and Thomas Morris ad-
ditional associate justices. At this term Lewis Peet was convicted of the
crime of petit larceny and fined §10, which he paid. This was the first crimi-
nal conviction by jury in the county. Jerry Birch was convicted at the same
term of "inveigling" and sentenced to five years at Auburn. This was the
first imprisonment. At this term George A. S. Crooker presented cer-
tificates of "classical and juridical studies" for five years. He was admitted
to examinations by a committee composed of M. B. Canfield, Timothy H.
Porter, and J. L. Tillinghast, and on their favorable report was admitted to
practice. Moses Sawyer was also admitted at the same term, coming from
Washington county.
The February term, 1822, was held by Judges Green, Curtis, and Morris.
The rules of practice of the Court of Common Pleas of Steuben county were
adopted to take effect March 20, 1822. The July term was held by James
Adkins, first ludge, with Lea\'enworth. Curtis, and Morris associates. Hon.
William B. Rochester was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas at this
term. An order was made extending the jail liberties to four hundred and
thirty-eight acres. The November term was held by Judges Adkins, Leaven-
worth, and Morris. This order was entered: "Ordered that the rules respect-
ing non-resident attorneys be so arranged that they may appoint any
gentleman their agent who is not an attorney, and who resides within one
mile of the court house."
The February term, 1823, was held by Judges Alson Leavenworth, Gris-
wold E. W^arner, Phineas Spencer, and Peter Ten Broeck. " Ordered, on
motion of Asa Hazen, that Alson Leavenworth, Esq., be known as senior
judge of this court, and that all writs hereafter returnable therein be tested
in his name." Messrs. Porter, Hazen, and Henry Bryan were appointed a
committee to draft rules of practice. At this term of the General Sessions,
held in connection with the Common Pleas, Henry Bryan was appointed dis-
trict attorney. The courts at this time were opened by proclamation.
The June term of the Common Pleas, 1823, was held by the same judges
as the last with the addition of Benjamin Chamberlain. The October term
was held by the same judges. By Chap. loi, Laws of 1823, the terms of the
Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions were changed to the third Tues-
day of June, the second Tuesday of October, and the last Tuesday of Janu-
ary, and the courts might continue in session until the Saturday next
succeeding, inclusive. By Chap. 122, Laws of 1823, Griswold E. Warner, one
of the judges of the Common Pleas, was authorized and empowered to tax
costs and sign records in cases where the first judge might theretofore alone
act, and to make orders and tax costs in vacation.
The January term, 1824, was held by Judges Leavenworth, Chamberlain,
286 History of Cattaraugus County.
and Ten Broeck; the June term was held by the same judges, together with
Spencer and Morris. The jail liberties were extended to "about five hundred
acres," according tea map on file. The October term, 1824, was held by
Judges Leavenworth, Chamberlain, and Ten Broeck.
The January term, 1825, was held by Judges Leavenworth, Ten Broeck,
and Warner; the June term by Leavenworth, Ten Broeck, and Spencer; and
the October term by Leavenworth, Chamberlain, Ten Broeck, and Warner.
The January term, 1826, was held by Judges Warner, Spencer, and Ten
Broeck. At this term John W. Howe and Chauncey J. Fox were admitted to
the bar. John A. Bryan, Asa Hazen, and Z. Z. Caswell were the examining
committee in each case. The June term, 1826, was held by Judges Warner,
James Parmelee, and Alson Leavenworth ; the October term by Leaven-
worth, first judge, and Ten Broeck, Parmelee, and Spencer, assistant judges.
January term, 1827, same as last. At this term the court adopted a new
seal. At the General Sessions held at the same time George A. S. Crooker was
appointed district attorney /r^? tern. June term, 1827, same as last. June 20,
1827, " ordered by the court that the clerk of this court be and he is hereby
required to procure proper books for, and to make general indexes of, all the
deeds and mortgages which have been heretofore recorded in this county, in
pursuance of an act for making general indices passed April 28, 1826." Russell-
C. Bryan was admitted at this term. The October term, 1827, was held by
Judges Leavenworth, Warner, Parmelee, and Ten Broeck. At the General
Sessions C. J. Fo.x was appointed district attorney /ri? tern.
The January term, 1828, was held by Judges Warner, Spencer, and Parme-
lee. Albert G. Burke and Luther C. Peck were admitted to practice at this
term. The June term was held by Judges Alson Leavenworth, Dan Allen,
and Henry Day; the October term by Judges Parmelee, Allen, and Day.
The January term, 1829, was held by Judges Leavenworth, Allen, and Day ;
the June term by Judges Leavenworth, Parmelee, Israel Day, and Henry
Day. Mark W. Fletcher was admitted to practice at this term on a certificate
from Erie county. The court at this term made an order "that an attorney
and counsellor of any court of record of other States shall, on the production
of his license, be admitted to practice as an attorney and counsellor of this
court on the principles of reciprocity." The October term was held by Judges
Leavenworth, Allen, Parmelee, Israel Day, and Henry Day.
The 'January, June, and October terms, 1830, were held by the same
judges, e.xcept that Henry Day was not present at the October term. At the
January term Henry Bryan was appointed to prepare a set of court rules
and Dudley Bryan was admitted to practice. At the October term the fol-
lowing order was entered: "Ordered by the Court of Common Fleas that the
supervisors be and they are hereby directed to cause five solitary cells to be
prepared in the jail of the county of Cattaraugus for the reception of convicts
who may be sentenced to punishment therein."
Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions.
The January term, 1831, was held by the same jndges, and also the June
term, except that Andrew Mead served in place of Judge Parmelee. The
October term was held by Judges Leavenworth, Allen, Mead, and Israel Daw
Charles E. Beardsley and Elijah Griswold were admitted to practice.
The January term, 1832, was held by Judges Leavenworth, Henry Dav,
Mead, and Allen. Samuel M. Russell and Lyman Scott, Jr., were admitted
to practice February i, 1832, after an examination by a committee composed
of Messrs. Gibbs, C. J. Fox, and Porter. The June and October terms were
held by the same judges except that Henry Day was not present.
The January term, 1833, was held by Judges Leavenworth, Israel Da\-,
Henrj' Day, Mead, and Allen. Josiah Ward and James Burt were admitted
as attorneys, having been previously admitted to the Supreme Court. Ches-
ter Howe was admitted to practice on motion of Albert G. Burke after an
examination by Messrs. Porter, Bryan, and Burke. The June term was held
by Israel Day, Dan Allen, and Thomas J. Wheeler. Cephas R. Leonard was
admitted at this term from Erie county. At the October term Benjamin
Chamberlain first assumed the office of first judge of the court. Andrew
Mead, Israel Day, Thomes J. Wheeler, and Dan Allen were associate judges.
Peter V. S. Wendover and Josiah S. Masters were admitted at this term.
William Waith was also admitted from the English King's Bench on affida-
vits showing that he was entitled to practice in that court. Dan Allen, Ben-
jamin Chamberlain, Israel Day, and John W. Staunton were also admitted at
this term on motion of Eleazar Harmon, without e.xamination.
The January, June, and October terms, 1834, were held by the same
judges. Charles C. Severance was admitted at the January term and David
McCluer at the October term.
The January, June, and October terms, 1835, were held by the same
judges. Homer H. Stewart was admitted at the June term, also John E.
Niles, who came from McKean county. Pa. Austin C. Chipman and Thomas
J. Sutherland were admitted at the October term.
The January term, 1836, was held by the same judges, except Allen, who
was not present. The June term was held by Judges Allen, Israel Day,
Wheeler, Mead, and Richard Wright ; the October term by Judges Chamber-
lain, Israel Day, Allen, Wheeler, and Wright. Joseph T. Lyman was admit-
ted to practice on motion from the Supreme Court ; Wales Emmons was
admitted from Erie county; James J. Strang was admitted after examination.
The January term, 1837, was held by the same judges as the last term. At
this term Orson Stiles, Joseph E. Weeden, and Alanson Coats were admitted
from the Supreme Court. February 11, 1837, the following order was entered:
"Ordered by the court that Josiah S. Masters be and he is hereby suspended
from practicing as an attorney and counsellor of this court on account of
gross intemperance." The June term was held by the same judges as the last.
Samuel P. Johnson was admitted to practice from Pennsylvania; Cyrus G.
288 History of Cattaraugus County.
McKay was admitted on examination. The October term was held by the
same judges. Seth Lockwood was admitted to practice upon examination.
The January term, 1838, was held by the same judges, except Wright, who
was not present. William A. Stewart was admitted at this term after an ex-
amination. The June term was held by Judges Israel Day, Wheeler, Peter,
Ten Broeck, and Isaac Hull. Charles H. S. Williams, Daniel Reed Wheeler,
and Roderick White were admitted from the Supreme Court. Leverett
Spring was admitted from Genesee county and Lester Cross after an exami-
nation by a committee. An order was entered at this term that thereafter
the rule for the admission of attorneys and counselors in this court be the
same as the rule for the admission of attorneys in the Supreme Court. The
October term was held by Judges Chamberlain, Israel Day, and Ten Broeck.
D. C. Bailey was admitted to practice.
No court was held in January, 1839. The June term, 1839, ^^'^s held by
Judges Israel Day, Wheeler, and Hull, and the October term by Judges Cham-
berlain, Day, Hull, Wheeler, and Ten Broeck.
The January term, 1840, was held by Judges Chamberlain, Ten Broeck,
Frederick S. Martin, and Thomas J. Wheeler. Nelson P. Willson was admit-
ted at this term on examination. The June term was held by the same judges
as the last, except Judge Chamberlain, who was not present. Madison Bur-
nell was admitted to practice at this term, on motion. The October term was
held by Judges Chamberlain, Hull, Martin, and Wheeler. John W. Turner
and Stephen T. Bentley were admitted to practice after examination.
The January term, 1841, was held by the same judges as the last; the June
term by Judges Wheeler, Hull, and Ten Broeck. Elisha Ward and Orville C.
Pratt were admitted on motion.
The October term, 1841, the January, June, and October terms, 1842, and
the January term, 1843, were held by Judges Chamberlain, Martin, Wheeler,
Ten Broeck, and Hull, e.xcept that Chamberlain was not present at the June
term. William T. Mitchell and Peter Masten were admitted at the January
term, 1842. Dolphin Stevenson, Albert Sawin, and Charles S. Macomber were
admitted at the June term, 1842. At the October term, 1842, A. B. Fenner
was admitted from Chautauqua county. At the January term, 1843, Theo-
dore Smith was admitted to practice after an e.xamination by a committee
composed of Anson Gibbs, Roderick White, and William P. Angel. Lewis
D. Simonds was admitted on motion from the Supreme Court and Orange
Rose after an examination. The June term, 1843, was held by Judges Mar-
tin, Wheeler, Ten Broeck, and Ashbel H. Hurd. Wolcott Hatch was admit-
ted from Allegany county and James M. Gillett from Steuben county. Ho-
ratio N. Jacobs, Addison G. Rice, and Robert Owen, Jr., were admitted upon
examination. The October term, 1843, was held by Judges Chamberlain,
Wheeler, and Ten Broeck. Benjamin F. Green was admitted to practice from
Chautauqua county.
Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions. • 2S9
The January term, 1844, was held by Judges Chamberlain, Wheeler, Ten
Broeck, Martin, and Hurd. \\"illiam L. Starke was admitted upon examina-
tion; also Alexander ^torrs, who was examined by a committee composed of
Messrs. Harmon, W. P. Angel, and Roderick White. February 7, 1844, on
motion of F. S. Martin, and by the concurrence of the court, it was " ordered
that Thomas J. Wheeler be and he is hereby admitted an attorney and coun-
selor." The June term was held bj' Judges Chamberlain, Wheeler, Ten
Broeck, and Hurd and the October term by Judges Wheeler, Martin, and
Hurd. Allen C. Fuller was admitted to practice at this term after an exami-
nation.
The January term, 1845, ^^''^'^ held by Judges Chamberlain, Wheeler, Rens-
selaer Lamb, and Ten Broeck. Gideon L. Walker was admitted from Alle-
gany county. Nelson Cobb, who had been admitted to practice in Allegany
county in June, 1844, was admitted to practice in this county at this term on
motion of James Burt. Edwin O. Locke was admitted on examination by a
committee composed of James Burt. W. P. Angel, and D. J. Pulling. G. W.
Gillet was admitted, without examination, on motion of Benjamin Chamber-
lain. The June term was held by Judges Chamberlain, Wheeler, Lamb, Ten
Broeck, and Hurd and the October term by Hurd, Wheeler, and Lamb. Azel
B. Hamilton was admitted at this term; also Milton L. Rice after an e.xami-
nation by a committee composed of George A. S. Crooker, D. R. Wheeler,
and Theodore Smith.
The January term, 1846, was held by Chamberlain, Hurd, Lamb, and Ten
Broeck. Orlo J. Hamlin was admitted to practice from the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania. The June term was held by Judges Chamberlain, Lewis P.
Thorp, Lamb, Hurd, and Ten Broeck. At this term Alexander Sheldon and
Charles P. Washburn were admitted after an examination by J. E. Weeden,
D. R. Wheeler, and William H. Wood. The October term was held by Judges
Chamberlain, Thorp, Lamb, and Hurd.
The January term, 1847, was held by the same judges, with the addition
of Judge Ten Broeck. William H. Andrews was admitted at this term, also
Benjamin Mosher after an examination by a committee composed of Messrs.
Crooker, Gibbs, and Pliny L. Fox. The May term of this year was held by
Judges Hurd, Thorp, and Lamb. This was the last term of the old Court of
Common Pleas.
Courts of General Sessions of the Peace were held at the same time as the
Courts of Common Pleas and by the same judges, which courts were usually
attended by a grand jury and disposed of the ordinary criminal matters arising
in the county.
The judges of the Court of Common Pleas were compensated for their
services by fees, and were allowed $2 for each day of actual attendance upon
the Court of Oyer and Terminer or the County Court. This/^r diem allow-
ance was made a charge upon the county. Other fees were paid by the par-
37
290 • History of Cattaraugus County.
ties interested. The first judge received a fee of $i for signing a license to
practice as an attorney and counselor.
THE county court.
By section 14 of article 6 of the constitution of 1846 provision was made
for the election in each of the counties of this State of one county judge
"who shall hold his office for four years." He was required to hold the
County Court and perform the duties of the office of surrogate. It was
further provided that "the County Court shall have such jurisdiction in cases
arising in justices' courts and in special cases as the Legislature may prescribe,
but shall have no original jurisdiction except in such special cases." The
county judge, with two justices of the peace, was authorized to hold Courts
of Sessions, with such criminal jurisdiction as the Legislature shall prescribe.
It was further provided that the county judge should receive an annual
salary to be fixed by the Board of Supervisors, which should be neither in-
creased or diminished during his continuance in office. AncTthe Legislature
was authorized to confer equity jurisdiction in special cases upon the county
judge. The old County Courts or Courts of Common Pleas ceased to exist
on the first Monday of July, 1847, and the new County Court, created by the
constitution, then assumed its powers and jurisdiction.
By "An Act Relating to the Judiciary," passed May 12, 1847, which was
enacted for the purpose of re-organizing the courts pursuant to the provisions
of the new constitution, the County. Court was given power "to hear, try, and
determine, according to law, the following actions when all the defendants at
the time of commencing the action reside in the county in which said court is
held: Actions of debt, assumpsit, and covenant when the debt or damages
claimed shall not exceed §2,000; actions for assault and battery, and false
imprisonment, when the damages claimed do not e.xceed $500; actions of
trespass, and trespass on the case for injuries to real or personal property,
when the damages claimed shall not exceed $500 ; actions of replevin when
the value of the property claimed does not exceed $i,QOO; and also to grant
new trials in all such actions, suits, or proceedings."
The County Court was also clothed with equity jurisdiction in various
cases, including foreclosure of mortgages, sales of infants' real estate, care
and custody of lunatics and habitual drunkards, actions for partition, and the
admeasurement of dower. The County Court on appeal from justices' courts
possessed the same jurisdiction as had been previously exercised by the Court
of Common Pleas.
Article 6 of the constitution was amended in 1869. The term of office of
the county judge was extended to six years, and the general original jurisdic-
tion of the court in all actions where the defendants reside in the county was
limited to cases where the damages claimed do not exceed $1,000.
As already stated the principal part of the business in courts of record was
The County Court and its Judges. 291
done in the Court of Common Pleas while that court was in existence, and
comparatively little business was transacted in the Supreme Court. The rela-
tive position of the County Court and the Supreme Court has been reversed
since the re-organization of courts under the constitution of 1846, and a very
large part of original business in courts of record is now done in the Supreme I
Court.
Few original actions are now brought in the County Court, although this
court has jurisdiction of a large majority of cases brought in courts of record.
The civil business of the court is confined principally to cases on appeal from
justices' court; but a large share of the criminal business of the county is not
transacted in the Court of Sessions, the Oyer and Terminer only giving its at-
tention to trials in cases of homicide or a few of the other more important
crimes. No grand jury now attends the Court of Sessions in this count}-. In-
dictments are found by the grand jury attending the Oyer and Terminer, and
in nearly all cases are sent to the Court of Sessions for trial or other dispo-
sition.
Rensselaer Lamb was the first county judge under the new constitution,
taking the oath of office June 26, 1847. He was elected the same year and
served until December3i, 1850, when he was succeeded by Chester Howe, who
had been elected the preceding November. Nelson Cobb was elected in 1855
and served until the fall of 1859, when he resigned and moved to Kansas. He
was succeeded by William Woodbury, who was appointed November 30, 1S59, '^o
fill the vacancy, and who had been elected at the general election held the same
month for a full term, to begin on the first of January following. David H.
Bolles was elected in 1863, but resigned in January, 1866, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rensselaer Lamb, who was appointed to fill the vacancy. Judge
Lamb was re-elected the same year for a full term. He was succeeded Janu-
ary 1 , 1 87 1 , by Samuel S. Spring, who died before the end of his term, and was
succeeded on August 18, 1875, by William H. Henderson. Allen D. Scott
was elected in 1875 for a term of six years and was re-elected in 1881. He
served to the end of his term and was succeeded on January i, 1888, by Oliver
S. Vreeland, who is the present county judge.
Until 1857 the county judge also performed the duties of the office of surro-
gate and received a salary of $1,000 as his compensation for services in both
offices. In 1857 ^^^^ Legislature passed an act creating the office of surrogate
in this county, and the Board of Supervisors at its annual meeting in that year
fixed the salary of the surrogate at $600 upon a stipulation filed by Judge
Cobb that he would consent to receive $900 a year as his salary as county
judge for the balance of his term.
The Board of Supervisors of Cattaraugus county in the year 1859 fi-^ed
the salary of the county judge at $650, and the salary remained at this sum
until 1866, when it was increased to $800. May 17, 1872, a general act was
passed by the Legislature of the State fi.xing the salaries of county judges,
292 History of Cattaraugus County.
and the salary in this county was fixed at S1.500 and it has since remained at
that sum.
SURROGATES' COURTS.
The development of Surrogates' Courts, illustrates the suggestion already
made, that our judicial system is a growth of the soil. The present Probate
Court had numerous progenitors, and is the result of a combination of several
of the early courts. Chief Justice Charles P. Daly, of the New York Common
Pleas, in Brick's Estate, 15 Abbott's Practice Reports, 12, gives an interesting
and exhaustive sketch of the courts. From this account it appears that
"when the colony of New York, or, as it was then called. New Amsterdam,
was settled by the Dutch all judicial power was vested in a council composed
of the director-general, the vice-director, and the schout fiscal. Afterwards a
court was established of which the vice-director was the presiding judge, hav-
ing associated with him members of the council, and in which the governor
or director-general himself occasionally presided. Before this tribunal all
matters pertaining to succession of estates, whether real or personal, were
disposed of according to the Roman Dutch law, the custom of Amsterdam,
and the law of Aasdom." In 1653 jurisdiction of all such matters was trans-
ferred to the Court of Burgomasters and Schepens. " Before this court wills
were admitted to probate, letters of administration granted, curators appointed
to take charge of the estates of widows and orphans, executors and adminis-
trators were compelled to account, and distribution was decreed." To relieve
this court a Court of Orphan Masters was established in 1665. '"After the
conquest of the province by the English in 1664 the Court of Burgomasters
and Schepens was changed into the Mayor's Court, a name by which it was
known for one hundred and forty-six years afterwards, until the present name
was given it, the Court of Common Pleas." After a short time the Court of
Orphan Masters was discontinued and its jurisdiction exercised by the May-
or's Court, with some modifications and restrictions. About this time a body
of laws, known as " the Duke's Laws," was promulgated for the government of
the province. " By the Duke's Laws a constable and two overseers were
required to proceed to the house of the deceased person, forty-eight days
after the death, and inquire respecting his estate, and whether he had left any
will. They were required further to take an inventory of his effects, appraise
the value, and make a return of their proceedings, under oath, to the next
Court of Sessions."
In 1686 the letterof instructions transmitted to Governor Dongan directed
him, among other things, to see that the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the
Archbishop of Canterbury should, with some exceptions, be established and
maintained in the province. In 1689 the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the
Bishop of London was added. This related to the settlement of estates. The
Mayor's Court and the Court of Sessions continued to exercise the same juris-
Origin of Surrogates' Courts. 293
liction as before, but the governor or secretary- of the province also took proof
)f the execution of wills and of the inventory and appraisement of estates,
md in 1691 Lieutenant-Governor Ingoldsby directed that a clause be inserted
in all letters testamentary or of administration that the granting of such let-
ters, the hearing of accounts, the reckoning of administration, and the grant-
ing of the final discharge belonged to the governor and not to any inferior
judge. If a will was proved before the secretary- he annexed a certificate that,
■' being thereunto delegated," the will had been duly proved before him. This
proceeding was authenticated under the prerogative seal. In this way a dis-
tinct department grew up in the secretary's office which took the name of
the prerogative office and the records connected with it the name of the Reg-
istry of the Prerogative ; and by 1691 the whole became distinguished by the
judicial appellation of the Prerogative Court. The secretary of the province
was an officer independent of the governor, holding his appointment from the
Crown — the duties of which he discharged chiefly through a deputy. It seems
to have been the practice of the governors of that period to appoint their
deputies their delegates, and they took the proof of wills, which were after-
wards approved and allowed in the name of the governor.
In 1702 Lord Cornbury appointed as his delegate a Dr. Budges, who was
afterwards chief justice of the province. "This gentleman was a man of legal
acquirements and had received in England the degree of Doctor of Laws;
and he was the first in the province to make use of the title of 'surrogate,'
adding it after his signature to all documents." The word " surrogate " means
a substitute or deputy of the chancellor, bishop, ecclesiastical or admiralty
judge, appointed by him. Dr. Budges was only using the technical name of
his office. We have preserved the name while making of the officer an inde-
pendent court with very extensive powers. "At first the local delegates ap-
pointed in the different counfies bore only the name of delegates ; but about
1746 they began to assume the title of surrogates, and were so designated
thereafter in their commissions."
The whole business of the Prerogative Court for seventy years before the
Revolution seems to have been managed by the secretary of the province and
his deputy, with little interference on the part of the governor. After the or-
ganization of the State government the Legislature, in 1778, established a
Court of Probate to be held by a single judge, and provided that the judge of
the Court of Probate should be vested with the power and authority and have
the like jurisdiction in testamentary matters which the governor of the colony
of New York, while it was subject to the Crown of Great Britian, had and ex-
ercised as judge of the Prerogative Court, except the power of appointing
surrogates. There were also surrogates in the different counties who took
proof of wills when the decedent's effects were exclusively in one county.
In other cases wills were proved before the Court of Probate; and all wills, by
whatever officer proved, were recorded in this court and letters issued
294 History of Cattaraugus County.
therefrom under the seal of the court attested by the signature of the
clerk. "This court held stated sittings, at regular periods, in different
parts of the State, until 1783, when it was fixed in the city of New York until
1787, after which it was permanently removed to Albany ; and up to 1787 the
surrogates of the different counties continued to exercise exactly the same
powers which they exercised before the Revolution." In that year (1787) the
system was changed and the governor was directed to commission a surrogate
for every county in the State with largely increased powers. The Court of
Probate was abolished in 1823 and its powers transferred to the Court of
Chancery. The Surrogates' Courts were given additional powers, and by the
revised statutes of 1830 a surrogate was to be appointed by the governor,
with the consent of the Senate, for each county, who should hold courts which
were "authorized to administer justice in all matters relating to deceased per-
sons according to the provisions of the statutes of this State." Appeals from
the Surrogates' Courts were taken to the Court of Chancery.
It is perhaps worthy of remark that neither surrogates nor Surrogates'
Courts were mentioned in the first constitution of 1777 nor in the second con-
stitution of 1821. In the constitution of 1777 the Court of Probate is recog-
nized as an e.xisting court ; in the constitution of 1821 it is not mentioned.
During all this period the surrogates were performing important judicial
functions, and constituted, during the latter part of the time, a court of sub-
stantially exclusive jurisdiction. By the constitution of 1846 county judges
were required to perform the duties of the office of surrogate; and this is still
the rule, except that in counties having a population exceeding 40,000 the
Legislature may provide for a separate officer to perform the duties of the
office of surrogate.
Under the first constitution surrogates were appointed by the "Council of
Appointment" and held office during the pleasure of the council. Under the
second constitution they were appointed by the governor, with the consent of
the Senate, for a term of four years. Under the third constitution — 1846 —
county judges, who were also surrogates, were elected in each county for four
years. By the amendment to the judiciary article, adopted in 1869, the term
was extended to si.x years, which is the present term.
Formerly the surrogate was paid for his services by fees. The constitu-
tion of 1846 provided for an annual salary to the county judge, which should
include his compensation as surrogate, and this salary could not be increased
or diminished during hiscontinuance in office. All judicial officers except jus-
tices of the peace were prohibited from taking fees. In 1847 the Legisla-
ture passed an act directing Boards of Supervisors to fi.x the salary of the
county judge and surrogate. These officers were required to collect the same
fees as had been charged before the act and pay them to the county treasurer.
The Board of Supervisors fixed the salary of the county judge and surrogate of
Cattaraugus count}- at §1,000; the salary remained at this sum until 1857. In
Surrogates and Surrogates' Courts. 295
that year the Legislature provided for a separate officer to perform the duties
of the office of surrogate and directed the Board of Supervisors to fix the
salary. At the annual meeting of the board in 1857 this question received
considerable attention, and the salary was fixed at §600. As an inducement
to procure the passage of the resolution fixing the salary at this sum Nelson
Cobb, then county judge, filed with the board astipulation in which he agreed
to receive $900 as his salary as county judge for the balance of his term if the
surrogate's salary was fixed at $600. In 1869 the salary of the surrogate was
increased to $800 and in 1872 it was again increased to $1,500 and has since
remained at that sum. Fees were abolished in 1867.
The first surrogate was Jeremy Wooster, who took the oath of office June 5 ,
1817. He was re-appointed in 1S21, 1823, and 1827. Walter Wood seems to
have been appointed surrogate June i, 1820, but he did not qualify. Mr.
Wooster held the office thirteen years, and was succeeded by Moses Beecher,
who took the oath of office May 15, 1830. Mr. Beecher held the office eight
years and was succeeded in 1838 by Robert H. Shankland, who served until
June, 1847, when he was succeeded by Rensselaer Lamb, county judge, who
took the oath of office as surrogate under the new constitution. Judge Lamb
held the office until January i, 1852, when he was succeeded by Chester Howi.-,
who served one term of four years. Nelson Cobb was elected county judge
and surrogate in 1855 and acted as surrogate until April 7, 1857, when he was
succeeded by Allen D. Scott, who on that day took the oath of office as sur-
rogate under an appointment made pursuant to a special law providing for a
separate officer to perform the duties of surrogate. He was elected in No-
vember of the same year for a full term of four years, and re-elected in 1861.
Arunah Ward was elected in 1865 and served one term. He was succeeded
by William Manley, elected in 1869, who also served one term. In 1873 James
D. McVey was elected for a full term of si.x years under the amended consti-
tution; he served from January i, 1874, until his death October9, 1879. Hud-
son Ansley was appointed October 14, 1879, to fill the vacancy caused by Mr.
McVey's death, and served until December 31st of that year. Alfred Spring
was elected in November, 1879, ^"d re-elected in 1885, serving twelve years.
He was succeeded by Carey D. Davie, the present incumbent, who was elected
in 1891.
No business seems to have been done in the Surrogate's Court until 1820.
March 27th of that year letter^of administration were issued to David Crocker
upon the estate of Stephen N. Webb, late of Olean, deceased. January 31,
1821, the will of David Brand, of Perrysburg, was admitted to probate. The
first contest was over the will of Ashbel Freeman, which occurred in 1823, but
the will was admitted to probate. The first letters of guardianship were issued
March 19, 1824, to David Oyer as guardian of Michael, Hufstader.
Jeremy Wooster had the honor to be the first surrogate of this county.
He was a native of Connecticut and was born February 21, 1785. He moved
296 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
to Burlington, Vt., where he engaged in mercantile business. In 1813 he
came to Great Valley, leaving his family in Connecticut. In 1815 he brought
his family to the same town, where he resided until his death. He at first
worked in Green's saw-mill and later built a mill of his own, bringing the irons
from Connecticut through the wilderness in wagons; it is said that this trip
occupied seven weeks. He lived with his family in a shanty, with bark roof
and no floor, and had boarding with them si.xteen men, who worked in the
mill. He and his brother Henry were prominent in Great Valley in the early
days, engaging in various important business enterprises. He was appointed
surrogate in 1817 and was re-appointed in 1S21, holding the office in all thir-
teen years. Mr. Wooster was a soldier in the War of 1812. A daughter of
his is the wife of Henry Didcock, of Great Valley. Mr. Wooster died August
7, 1868.
Moses Beecher, the second surrogate of the county, was a native of New
Haven, Conn., where he was born May 5, 1791. In 1814 he removed to Bata-
via, N. Y., where for a few years he engaged in mercantile business. After-
wards he was employed by David B. Evans as accountant and draughtsman
in the office of the old Holland Land Company. On the establishment of a
branch office at EUicottville he was transferred, and with his family and house-
hold goods reached his new home in the early part of July, 1827, traveling
the entire distance in wagons, the greater part of the journey being through a
comparative wilderness. Staley N. Clarke was the company's agent at EUi-
cottville, and between him and Mr. Beecher there always existed the closest
friendship. After the sale of the remnants of the land of the Holland pur-
chase, principally in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, to a New York syndi-
cate Asher Tyler was appointed agent, and from Mr. Beecher's intimate
knowledge of the business in general his services were secured by the new
company. This relation continued until further transfers of title were made,
mostly to Benjamin Chamberlain, Truman R. Colman, and Theodore Smith.
Mr. Beecher then engaged in a manufacturing business, which he carried on
until within a short period before his death, which occurred at Dunkirk, N. Y.,
February 14, 1867. In the spring of 1830 he was appointed surrogate of this
county, which office he held until February 9, 1838, when he was succeeded
by Robert H. Shankland. He was also appointed loan commissioner in 1840,
1856, and 1857. Mr. Beecher was a man of rare culture, moral worth, and
strict integrity. He possessed cultivated literarj* tastes and not a little liter-
ary ability ; he was especially fond of music and poetry. He never sought
public office, but in politics was an uncompromising Whig and Republican.
He took high rank as a useful and influential citizen, and he was withal a most
genial friend, a pleasant companion, and a kind neighbor, and was ever ready
to promote the welfare of all among whom he lived.
Robert H. Shankland (see also page 91) was born in Cooperstown, this
State, October i, 18 13. "And there, amid the beautiful scenery and in a
Surrogates and Surrogates' Courts. 297
region rendered classic by the pen of J. Fenimore Cooper, his boyhood days
were spent." He was the son of Thomas and Rachel Shankland, and was
one of a family of ten children. His grandfather, Robeit Shankland, was re-
corded as one of the hardy and courageous early settlers of Cherry Valley
and was active in the stirring and exciting scenes of the Revolution. Death
deprived the subject of this sketch of his father and mother at an early period
of his boyhood, and he was compelled to feel the responsibilities of life and
seek a livelihood for himself. After securing a somewhat meager common
school education he was .compelled to relinquish his studies, and he began
work in a tannery. Soon afterward he apprenticed himself as a printer in the
ofifice of the Freeman's Journal in Cooperstown, then edited by his brother-in-
law, Col. John H. Prentiss. Two years later he went to New York city,
where he was employed in the dry goods store of his elder brother for a time;
but this not being to his taste he shipped as a sailor to the East Indies.
After being out two weeks the vessel was driven back in distress, an experi-
ence which ended his career as a seaman. He ne.Kt entered the book printing
establishment of J. & J. Harper, New York, (since and long known as Harper
Brothers,) and there finished his apprenticeship in the printing trade. Subse-
quently he was employed as a journeyman printer in the ofifice of the Courier
and Enquirer, of which James Gordon Bennett \\as city editor and James Wat-
son Webb was managing editor; also in the Methodist Book Concern and in
West's ofifice in Chatham street, working side by side with Horace Greeley, and
there forming an intimacy and friendship with the afterwards distinguished
editor which lasted until death. One of the last letters written by Mr. Gree-
ley after his nomination to the presidency in 1872 was to his old boyhood
friend, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Shankland left New York city and as-
sumed the foremanship of the Journal office at Cooperstown, where he re-
mained for a couple of years until 1835. when he came to this county, locating
at Ellicottville. His newspaper career in Cattaraugus county is narrated in
the chapter on the Press. February 9, 1S38, Mr. Shankland took the oath of
office as surrogate and held the position until June, 1847, \\hen, under the-
new constitution, the duties of the office were transferred to the county judge,
and he was succeeded by Rensselaer Lamb. In 1844 he was a presidential
elector, being the youngest member of the electoral college. He also held
the position of State agent for Indians and in 1848 was appointed by Presi-
dent Polk the agent of the United States for the New York Indians. For
about a year, from 1854 to 1855, he was superintendent of the Genesee Valley
canal reservoir at Cuba, N. Y. In 1869 and 1870 he represented the town
of Ellicottville on the Board of Super\'isors and from 1870 to 1874 served
as one of the State commissioners of public accounts; he was frequently
chosen to act as a representative of his party in National and State conven-
tions. Mr. Shankland djed November I. 1889. For more than half a century he
occupied a prominent place in this county and exercised a potent influence in
38
History of Cattaraugus County.
shaping its affairs. In politics he was an uncompromising Democrat, but
was in no sense a hide-bound partisan who saw only the good in his own party
and evil in opposing organizations. His independent nature often led him to
criticise the management of his own party, and to commend the character and
qualifications of those who differed from him on important principles. He
detested every species of bigotry and hypocrisy, evincing a keen scent in its
detection, and was straightforward and resolute in denouncing and exposing
the shams of a social, political, or general nature that were proper for public
attention. He was faithful to the policy and fortunes of his party when it
numbered comparatively few adherents in this county, and by his acquaint-
ance with such men as William L. Marcy, Silas Wright, Edwin Croswell,
Horatio Seymour, Sanford E. Church, Samuel J. Tilden, and others he was
enabled to give expression and vigor to the organization at home. He was
entitled to great credit from the members of his party for his unselfish efforts
to keep up its organization in a strong Republican county, and to hold its
forces together for the political battles which were so often fought. In his
private life he was the indulgent, kind, and thoughtful father, the true and
generous friend, the sympathetic and accommodating neighbor, and the hon-
orable citizen.
The surrogates subsequent to Mr. Shankland were all practicing lawyers,
and sketches of them will be found under the head of "The Bar."
THE SUPRE.\rE COURT.
The first Circuit Court in the county was held by Hon. William B. Roch-
ester, Circuit judge of the Eighth District, commencing on the 20th of Aug-
ust, 1823. The only civil business was the trial of the case of William D.
McNair against Jacob Downing, late sheriff of the county of Cattaraugus.
The case was tried before a jury composed of Jonathan Carpenter, James
Saunders, Richard Green, Lucius Tyler, Gains Wheaton, Rosvvell Warner,
Nathan Saunders, Arial Wellman, Lyman Bumpers, Isaac Carpenter, Gurden
Cheesebrough, and Samuel G. Sutton. " Plff offered in evidence a record
which was read, and a ca. sa. which for defect was refused by the court, and
the plaintiff suffered a non-suit."
The first Court of Oyer and Terminer was held at the same time by the
same judges, together with Alson Leavenworth and Benjamin Chamberlain,
judges of the Court of Common Pleas. A grand jury was called, sworn, and
charged. "Ordered that Henry Bryan be appointed district attorney."
Simeon Hicks was indicted for forgery, and was tried and acquitted. This
was the first criminal trial. An order was entered making the seal of the
Court of Common Pleas the seal of the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The
court adjourned August 29th. The next Circuit was appointed for the first
Friday in February, 1824. The record says: "Friday, February 6, 1824, at 4
o'clock P. M., no Circuit judge or justice of the Supreme Court having arrived,
The Supreme Court.
299
the clerk opened and adjourned the court until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock,
agreeable to the 8th section of the act in such cases made and provided."
" Saturday, 7th February, 1824, there not having any one of the Circuit
judges or any of the justices of the Supreme Court arrived, at any time be-
fore the hour of 8 o'clock P. M., the term accordingly goes over. H. Saxton,
dep. clerk." The Court of Oyer and Terminer was adjourned for the same
reason.
A Circuit was held in August, 1824, at which Judge Rochester presided ;
also a Court of Oyer and Terminer, which was held by Judge Rochester, Cir-
cuit judge, and Judges Leavenworth, Phineas Spencer, and Benjamin Cham-
berlain, of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Rochester also held a Circuit
in May, 1825. He came here for the September term, 1825, but the court
was '• called and immediately adjourned without day." The May Oyer and
Terminer, 1825, was held by the same judge, with Judges Peter Ten Broeck,
Spencer, and Chamberlain, of the Common Pleas. The May Circuit, 1826,
was held by Judge John Birdsall, of the Eighth Circuit. No business was
done at this term. A Court of Oyer and Terminer was also held at the same
time at which John Pettit was tried for murder. Nine witnesses were sworn
for the people and none for the defendant, but he was acquitted. This was
the first murder trial.
Judge Birdsall held courts in this county in May and October, 1827 and
1828. At the May term, 1829, no judge appeared, but a term called the May
term was held in July of the same year. The October term, 1829, was held by
Hon. Addison Gardiner. All of the Circuit Courts held in the county from
1 830 to 1834 inclusive were held by Judge Gardiner, who also held the March
term, 1835. The September term of that year was held by Judge Charles H.
Ruggles ; the March term, 1836, by Judge Gardiner ; and the June term of that
year and all the Circuits from 1837 to 1843 •^"^ the June Circuit in 1844 were
held by Judge Robert Monell. The October term, 1844, was held by Judge
Bowen Whiting, of the Seventh Circuit; the October term, 1845, by Philo
Gridley ; the June and October terms, 1846, and the January term, 1847, by
Hiram Gray. Hon. Robert P. Marvin held an equity term in September,
1847, ^ri<^ '^Iso held the January and September terms of the Circuit in 1848.
An equity term was held in April, 1848, by James G. Hoyt. The January
term, 1849, ^^^ held by Judge Marvin and the July term by Henry Wells.
After this three regular terms were held each year, as follows :
. 18.50, January, Ho.vt; June, Seth E. Sill; September, James MuUett. 1851, January, Marvin; May,
Sill; September, Hoyt. 185^, January and June, Moses Taggart; September, MuUett. I»u3, January, Mar-
vin ; June, Levi F. Bowen ; September, Marvin. ISji, January, Marvin ; June, Bowen ; October, Benjamin
F.Green, isijo, January, Green ; June and October, Bowen. 185U, January, Marvin; April, MuUett; Aug-
ust, Green. 18.57, April, Thomas A. Johnson ; August, Noah Davis. 1858, .January, Marviu ; June, Martin
Grover: October, Green. 1859, January, June, and October, Marvin. ISliO. .January, Grover; June, Davis;
October, Marvin. 1861, Januarj- and June, Grover; October, Marvin. 1862, January and June, Grover;
October. Hoyt. 186.3, .January and June, Grover; October, Davis. 1861, January, Grover ; June, Marvin;
October, Grover. 166.5, January, Grover ; June, Marvin ; October, Charles Daniels. 1866, January, Grover ;
June, Marvin ; October, Grover. 1867, June, Marvin ; October, Daniels. 1868, January and June, George
300 History of Cattaraugus County.
Barkei- ; October, Daniels. 1869, January, Barker ; June, Marvin ; October, Barker. 1S70, January, Barker ;
June, Marvin ; October, Daniels. 1871, January. Barker; June. Diniels; October, Bark -r. H72, February
anl May. Barner; October. Daniel^. 1873, February, Geor^ie D. Lamont; .May, B:ir!cer; October, D.miels ;
November, special term, Lamont. 1874. February, Lamont; May and .September. Biirker; October, special
term, Lamont. 1875, February, Daniels; May and September, Barker. 1876. February and May, Barker;
September. Daniels. 1877, February, Albert Haight; May. Barker; September, Daniels. 1878, February
Haight; May and September, Daniels. 1879, February, Hais-ht; May, Barker: September, Daniels. 1880,
February, Haight; May, Barker; September, Daniels. 1881, February, Haight; May, Barker; September
Daniels. 1882, Febiuary, Haight; May, Barker; September, Daniel*. 18S:J, February, Haight; May, Loran
L. Lewis; September, Daniels. 1884, February, Haight; .Ma.v, Lewis ; September. Thomas Corlott. 1S85,
February, Henry A. Childs; .May, Lewis: June, special term, Childs; September, Daniels. 1886, February,
Childs; May, Corlett; June, special ti rra, Lewis; September, Haight. 1887. February. Childs; May, Lewis;
June, special term, Baiker; September, Corlett. 1888. February, Childs; May Circuit and June, special
term, Lewis; September, Dauiels. 1889, February, Barker; May, Lewis; June, special term, Corlett ; Sep-
tember, Childs. 1890. February, Childs; May, John S. Lambert; June, special term. Lewis; September and
November, adjourned term, Lambe t. 1891, February, Childs; May, Lewis and Hamilton Ward; June,
special term, Lambert; September, Daniels. IS''^, February, Childs; May, Ward; June, special term, and
Septeral er Circuit, Lambert. 1893, February, Childs; JIay. Ward.
Prior to 1847 Courts of Oyer and Terminer were held by a justice of the
Supreme Court or a Circuit judge, together with at least two of the judges of
the County Court. The records in this county show that this court was
usually held by the Circuit judge, together with the entire bench of the Court
of Sessions, making six judges in all. This was a very formidable criminal
court.
Under the judiciary act of 1847 the Court of Oyer and Terminer was
composed of a justice of the Supreme Court, presiding, and the county judge
and -justices of Sessions, and at least two of the other officers besides the pre-
siding justice were necessary to constitute the court: and the court was
required to be held at the same time and place as the Circuit Court. The
Court of Criminal Procedure, adopted in 18S1, continued the Court of Oyer
and Terminer with the same organization, but by an amendment adopted in
1882 it was provided that a Court of Oyer and Terminer should be held by a
justice of the Supreme Court without an associate, and this court is now held
by one judge.
MASTERS AND KKA.MIXERS IX CMAXCERV.
By the second constitution — of 1821 — the governor was directed to ap-
point, with the consent of the Senate, masters and examiners in chancery in
each county of the State who shall hold their ofifice for three years unless
sooner removed. They possessed the powers prescribed by the Court of
Chancery, and were answerable to that court for the correct discharge of their
duties.
Anson Gibbs, of Ellicottville, was appointed to the office in 1836, re-ap-
pointed in 1839, ^"d again appointed in 1846. David McCluer, of Franklin-
ville, was appointed examiner in 1837; Andrew Mead, of Olean, was
appointed master and examiner in 1840; William P. Angel, of Ellicottville,
and James Burt, of Franklinville, in [843. Peter Masten, of Randolph, was
appointed examiner the same year. In 1844 Daniel Reed Wheeler and Lewis
D. Simonds, both of Ellicott\-ille, were appointed masters -and examiners. Mr.
District Attorneys.
Angel was appointed again in 1845. The offices were abolished by the con-
stitution of 1846.
SUPREME COURT COMMISSIONERS.
In the early years of our judicial history the number of Supreme Court
judges was very small; none resided in this county, and their visits here to
hold court were not very frequent. It was sometimes very inconvenient to
reach them to obtain orders which were or might be granted out of court.
County judges did not then possess the important "chambers" jurisdiction
which has since been conferred upon them. As a means of relief under these
conditions the office of Supreme Court commissioner was created. These
officers were appointed for various counties and were required to reside in the
counties for which they were appointed. They were also required to be of
the degree of counselor of the Supreme Court. They were "authorized and
required to perform all the duties and execute every act, power, and trust
which a justice of the Supreme Court may perform and execute out of court,
according to the rules and practices of such court, and pursuant to the provis-
ions of any statute, in all civil cases, except as otherwise provided by law."
They Were appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate, and
held their office two years. Chap. 246 of the Laws of 1824 authorized the
appointment of a commissioner in Cattaraugus county, but none seems to
have been appointed until 1828, when John A. Bryan received the appoint-
ment. Albert G. Burke, of Persia, was appointed in 1832 and re-appointed in
1834. In 1836 James Burt, of Franklinville, was appointed. In 1836 a law
was passed providing for a Supreme Court commissioner to reside in Persia.
Anson Gibbs, of Ellicottville, was appointed in 1839 and re-appointed in 1842.
Chap. 162 of the Laws of 1839 provided foran additional commissioner "who
shall reside in the central or western part of the county." This act also gave
the commissioner the same powers as were possessed by the first judge of the
County Court "out of court." In 1840 Chester Howe, of Persia, and Joseph
E. Weeden, of Randolph, were appointed. Mr. Howe was re-appointed in
1842. Daniel Reed Wheeler, of Ellicottville, was appointed in 1844. The
ofifice was abolished by the constitution of 1846.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
By the act of February 12, 1796, the State was divided into seven districts,
each district embracing several counties, and the governor was directed to
appoint for each district an assistant attorney-general of the degree of counsel
of the Supreme Court, and who was required " to manage and conduct all
suits and prosecutions for crime and misdemeanors" within his district, except
that the attorney-general was required to personally take charge of criminal
. matters in the county of New York, and might do so in any county by direc-
tion of the governor. In 1801 the districts were re-organized and the officer
History of Cattaraugus County.
appointed to take charge of criminal matters on behalf of the people was then
for the first time called a district attorney. Subsequent legislation made each
county a separate district, the appellation of the officer remaining the same.
District attorneys, prior to the constitution of 1846, were appointed by the
judges of the County Courts, and were, by statute, to hold office for three
years. In practice in the earlier years of our history they were designated
from time to time by the Court of Sessions, the records showing appoint-
ments at irregular intervals. By the constitution of 1846 the office was made
elective and the term was fixed at three years. Originally the district attor-
ney was paid by fees, but in 1852 an act was passed authorizing the Boards
of Supervisors to fix a salary for this officer. In this county .the salary was
fi.xed at S500 a year; in 1868 it was raised to $800; in 1872 to Si.ooo; in 1884
to $1,200; and in 1892 to §1,500.
The first Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions was held in July,
1817. There was a grand jury, but they did no business, and the records con-
tain no reference to a district attorney. Another term was held in November
of the same year with a like result. In the minutes of the February term,
1818, Daniel Cruger is mentioned as district attorney. He lived in Allegany
county, but was the first lawyer who took the oath of office in this county.
At the July term, 1818, Henry Wells is named as "attorney for the people."
During the next two years the court minutes are silent on this subject, but
from the records of the Board of Supervisors it appears that in 1819 John A.
Bryan and Timothy H. P.orter both received pay for services as district attor-
ney, and in 1820 Mr. Bryan, Milton B. Canfield, and Henry Wells were paid
for like services. In 1821 Samuel S. Haight, Mr. Wells, and Mr. Porter were
allowed pay for services as district attorney. At the November term, 1821,
Mr. Haight was appointed district attorney by the court, and again in Feb-
ruary, 1822. At the February term, 1823, Henry Bryan was appointed and
again at the June term in the same year, and also by the Oyer and Terminer
in August. At the October Court of Sessions, 1823, John A. Bryan was ap-
pointed; Timothy H. Porter was appointed at the February and June terms,
1824. There is no record of any appointment in 1825 or 1826, but Mr. Porter
evidently served through those years, as appears from the records of the
supervisors. At the January term, 1827, George A. S. Crooker was appointed
district attorney pro tern, and served through the term. In June, 1827, John
A. Bryan was again appointed. In October, 1827, C. J. Fox was appointed
district attorney pro tern. From that time appointments were made more
regularly. Anson Gibbs was appointed in 1829; James Burt in 1834 and
again in 1838; Daniel Reed Wheeler in 1841 ; William Pitt Angel in 1844
and again in 1847; he took the oath of office again January 6, 1848. William
H. Wood was elected in 1850; Alexander Sheldon in 1853 ! William P. Angel
in 1856. William A. Meloy acted as district attorney at the October Oyer
and Terminer, 1858. Samuel S. Spring was elected in 1859 ^^'^ again in
JcsTicES OF Sessions — The Bar.
1862; Merrill T. Jenkins in 1865 and again in 1868; William G. Laidlaw
in 1 87 1 and again in 1874; Frank \V. Stevens in 1877 ^^^ again in 1880;
George M. Rider in 1883 and again in 18S6; James H. Waring in 18S9 and
again in 1892. The district attorney occupies a position of great dignity, im-
portance, and responsibility, and it is a source of gratification to the people
of the county that the incumbents of this office have uniformly been men of
the first rank in the legal profession, and that, from the beginning of our ju-
dicial history, the character and reputation of the ofifice have been main-
tained at a high standard.
JUSTICES OF SESSIONS.
The constitution of 1846 provides that the county judge, with two justices
of the peace to be designated according to law, may hold Courts of Sessions,
with such criminal jurisdiction as the Legislature may prescribe. Justices of
the peace so designated are termed "justices of sessions," and are a constitu-
ent and indispensable part of the Court of Sessions of the county ; and until
1882 they were also members of the Court of Oyer and Terminer. They oc-
cupy the same relation to the court that the associate judges occupied in the
old Court of General Sessions, except the power to hold a court without the
county judge. They have equal power with the presiding judge when he is
present, and may control, and sometimes have controlled, the court. A his-
tory of the bench of the county would be incomplete without a record of
these members of our criminal courts. The following is a list of the justices
of sessions since the office was created in 1846 :
lf47, Selleck St. John. G. W. C.illett; 1818, same; 1849, Selleck St. John, . John Palraer; 1S.')0, Edwin O.
Locke, Cyrus G. McKay ; I.'mI, Tlysses P. Cram, Seth Lnckwood ; 18.52, .John Palmer, Arnold Holden ; 18.>3,
Heman G. Button. Jerome B. Jewell ; VH, Chase Fuller, Anson G. Seager; 1855, Hiram Johnson, Charles
I. Lowden ; 18.56, Hiram Johnson, Cyrus G. McKay ; 1857, Anson G. Seager, Corydon Moruran ; 1858, Frede-
rick Carpenter, E. C. Price; 18.')9, Frederick Carpenter, Martin L. Stevenson ; \SW, Warren Onan, Hiram
Thornton ; 18«1, M. J. Titus, Israel H. Alden ; 18(i2, E. C. Price, M. J. Titus; ISSJ, Erastus Dickinson, Joseph
Peaslee ; 18(34, Era-ius Dickinson, David Lan^f ; 1805. Erastus Dickinson, Richard L. Stone ; ISWi, Stephen
A. Harrington, Seth Lockwood ; IStiT, same ; 1868, J. \V. Damon, Chase Fuller; 1809, Stephen A. Harrington,
Duel G.Smith; 1>70. Fuller Bucklin, Asher Bliss; 1871, Daniel Brown, Timothy Walsh; 1872. Nathan A. Dye,
H. N. Hunt ; 1873. Harris Aldrich, A. 0. Stone ; 1874, Leonard O. Hall, Harris Aldrich ; 1875, William Stevens,
Leonard O. Hall ; l>7ii, .Mortimer N. Pratt, William Stevens ; 1877, Isaiah W. Darling, George W. Press ; 1878,
Phipps Lake, Buel (i. Smith ; 1879, Buel G. Smith, Isaiah W. Darling ; 1880, Fhipps Lake, Charles T. Mason ;
1881, Milo Berry, David Metcalf; 1882, Phipps Lake, Milo Rerry; 1883, Henry J.Trumbull, D. M. Metcalf ;
1.SS4, William P. Guild, John Haeket ; 188."), William P. Guild, John Burlingame ; IHSU, William C. Smith,
John Haeket; l!<-T. John C. Green. Edwin Bebee ; 1888, William P. Guild, Michael O'Brien ; 1889, Kansom L.
Reeves, Michael O'Brien; 1890, Ralph Dewey, James O.Spencer; 1891, John C. Green, Charles Howland ;
18!e, William Cooper, Henry McKiuley ; 1893, William P. Guild, Charles O'Brien.
THE BAR.
An eminent ex-justice of the Supreme Court of this State who recently
retired from the bench said in a note to the writer upon the subject of this
chapter: "While I was on the bench it was always a pleasure to attend the
courts in Cattaraugus county, where the cases were well prepared and well
presented to the court and jury." An examination of the history of the legal
profession of the county shows that from the earliest period the bar has held
304 History of Cattaraugus County.
high rank and has contained a large number of able lawyers. Many men
would have been ornaments to any bar, and they maintained a high standard
of professional and general scholarship. They were devoted to the profession,
and strove to make it popular and useful. It has been said that we are afflicted
by a certain glamour in viewing the members of the early bar. There is
some truth in this suggestion, but it should be remembered that they were
men who were educated under a system which required careful preparation.
The course of legal study was then seven years. This time necessarily tended
to make them proficient legal scholars. This, added to the classical education
which many received, made the lawyer's a "learned profession" in its truest
sense. The intricacies of the common-law practice also cultivated legal acu-
men and made them careful practitioners. Yet it must be said that the legal
business of our earlier days was comparatively simple. An examination of
the court records shows that little business was done involving large sums
of money or intricate questions of law such as now frequently engage the
attention of our lawyers. This was incident to pioneer conditions.
The code of procedure adopted in 1848 seems to have been a serious
stumbling-block to the lawyers imbued with the spirit of common-law prac-
tice. Many of them gradually retired from active practice or removed from
the State. Joseph E. Weeden, of Randolph, is the only lawyer now living
who was actively engaged in practice under the common-law system. The
lawyers of this generation have been nurtured under the code system, or what
is called the " new procedure," without the art of artfulness of the common-
law mysteries of practice. But in the general knowledge of the law, the needs
of the times, and the ability to apply the jurisprudence of the period to the
questions which then engaged judicial attention the lawyers of the last gener-
ation were undoubtedly the equals of the modern lawyers.
An effort has been made to give a sketch of every lawyer who has ever
been in practice in the county, or who was a student and was admitted to the
bar here. Prior to the constitution of 1846 lawyers were required to be ad-
mitted to practice in every court, and they obtained a new license from every
Coyrt of Common Pleas in which they had occasion to practice. They were
also required to take the oath of office and sign a roll in the office of the
county clerk when admitted to the Common Pleas. This roll has enabled the
writer to ascertain with substantial accuracy who were in practice here during
the first thirty years of our history. This record does not show who were
resident lawyers. Every lawyer who wished to do any business in the court
signed the attorney's roll. Further examination, not always satisfactory, was
necessary to determine who actually resided in the county. -The names of
all have been given, although some are known to have been non-residents,
because it was thought it would be interesting to know who had become
actual members of our bar and entitled to practice here. Some of these men
who did not live here achieved marked distinction and adorned in a conspicu-
Attorneys and Counselors.
ous manner the bar and the bench of the State. By formal admission, and
frequently after an examination, they became membery of our bar, and they
are entitled to at least a brief place in this chapter.
More than three hundred lawyers have at some time been members of
our bar. Some practiced only a few months or years. Some have been ac-
tively engaged in professional labors nearly half a century. Some began
practice here and after a short experience left the county and won a name
and fame in other fields. The gathering of the materials for biographical
sketches has involved great labor, but the result has been an "embarrassment
of riches." There is material enough on hand for a volume on the bench and
bar of our county, but it must be compressed into one chapter. The necessity
of giving at least an outline of the facts in each career has compelled the elim-
ination of many incidents and anecdotes that would have been interesting as
illustrating the characteristics of men who were prominent and influential in
shaping the history and polity of our county. An attempt has been made to
give an outline of their careers according to the most reliable information
which could reasonably be obtained. To this end the writer has gleaned from
a variety of sources: old letters, newspapers, obituary notices, scrap books,
and every available piece of history that has been within reach has been laid
under tribute. Besides this the writer has frequently consulted the older
members of the bar arid many other people in the county and elsewhere who
are familiar with our early history. The bar generally, as well as the people,
have manifested great interest in this chapter, and have kindly furnished such
information as they possessed which would assist in preparing an accurate
narrative. The writer regrets the meagerness of several sketches, and can
only say that he has used his best efforts to obtain more complete information
from the subjects of such sketches or their friends. Where his personal ap-
plication for information has met with no response he has sometimes been
compelled to resort to heresay or tradition, but there is some authority for
every fact stated. As nearly as practicable the sketches have been arranged
in the order of admission to the bar.
Asa Hazen was admitted to the Common Pleas at its first term in July,
1817, and was the first resident lawyer of the county. He was a native of
Vermont, where he was born in 1793. He is said to have received a univer-
sity education. He began practice in Olean, where he remained several years,
forming a partnership with Timothy H. Porter, who had been the first pre-
siding judge of the Court of Common Pleas. After the courts were established
in Ellicottville he removed to that village and opened a law office in Mr.
Huntley's tavern. His partnership with Judge Porter was continued several
years, Porter remaining in Olean ; and the early court records show that they
did a large share of the business for the first few years of our history. James
G. Johnson, in his " Pioneer History," says of Mr. Hazen that he was "well
educated in his profession and an honorable, high-minded gentleman ; he was
39
3o6 History of Cattaraugus County.
not considered a good advocate, as his sedentary habits and love of quiet and
ease were greater than the requirements of business could overcome. He re-
tired early from practice." Inquiry among the older residents of Ellicottville
shows that Mr. Hazen was highly esteemed in that community. He was a
fine Greek and Latin scholar, and retained his interest in classical studies until
late in life. He exerted a great influence over the younger men of the last
generation, and his acquaintances universally testify to his kindness, intelli-
gence, and high character. He was a bachelor, and during almost his entire
residence in Ellicottville boarded with members of the Huntley family. He
died May 13, 1866, and was buried in the old cemetery at Ellicottville. An
appreciative sketch of his career was written by the late Addison G. Rice, who
was then a prominent lawyer in Ellicottville, and published in the Cattarau-
gus Wliig. Mr. Hazen left no relatives in this county and the writer has not
been able to learn of any elsewhere. The evanescent character of human
fame is illustrated in the case of Mr. Hazen, whose tombstone the writer, in
the spring of 1893, found fallen down upon the grave and nearly overgrown with
moss and weeds. It may well be a source of pride to the bar of Cattaraugus
county that our first lawyer brought to the discharge of his professional duties
not only a thorough legal training, but also the broadest general culture that
the schools of his time could afford.
Daniel Cruger was the first lawyer to sign the roll as an attorney of the
old Court of Common Pleas. He was a practicing lawyer in Allegany county,
and continued to practice in our courts several years after the organization of
the county. He was member of Assembly from Allegany and .Steuben coun-
ties in 1S14, 1815,'and 1816, and was district attorney of the old Seventh Dis-
trict under the act of iSoi, which included Allegany and Cattaraugus coun-
ties. He was district attorney of Steuben county in 1818 and was a member
of the Fifteenth Congress in 1S17 to 1819. He acted as district attorney in
this county at the Court of General Sessions held in February, 1818.
Alvan Burr also signed the roll of attorneys in our Common Pleas at the
opening of the first term, July 1, 1817. He was a resident of Allegany county,
and was treasurer of that county in 1826 and member of Assembly in 1836.
Zephaniah Z. Caswell also attended the first term of the Common Pleas.
He was a resident of Allegany county, where he held the ofifice of surrogate
in 181 5 and was again appointed to the same ofifice in 1823.
David Higgins, Jr., was also one of the five lawyers who attended the first
term of the Common Pleas. He seems to have been a resident of Allegany
county, but the writer has not been able to obtain any facts concerning his
career. ',
Henry Wells was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 18 18. He
seems to have been a resident of Tioga county. He practiced considerably in
our courts and acted as district attorney at the July term, 18 18, and appears
to have been paid for like services in 1820.
Attorneys and Counselors. 307
William Woods was also admitted in 18 18 from Steuben county, where he
seems to have been a prominent politician, holding several important offices.
James Mullett, Jr., was also admitted to the Common Pleas in 1818. He
li\'ed in Chautauqua county, and was district attorney of that county at one
time and also a member of Assembly.
Levi S. Littlejohn was also admitted the same year. His residence has
not been ascertained.
John A. Bryan was admitted to the Common Pleas on November 4, 1818.
He was in Olean a short time, and went to Ellicottville about 1820 and was
the first resident lawyer in that town. Soon after settling in Ellicottville he
married Eliza Dixon, sister of the wife of Baker Leonard, who built the
first house in Ellicottville. The marriage took place at Mr. Leonard's house,
and was the first ceremony of that kind in the town. It is said to have been
the occasion of great rejoicing and merriment. Mr. Bryan erected a law office
in Ellicottville, and also the dwelling house lately occupied by Robert PL
Shankland. He was a brilliant lawyer and one of the foremost men in the
county; he acted as district attorney at different terms of the Court of Gen-
eral Sessions in 1819, 1820, and 1823; he seems to have practiced in Olean in
1823 and 1824. He was appointed district attorney at the June term, 1827,
and served two years. He practiced law in this county until about 1830,
when he removed to Columbus, Ohio, and established a newspaper. He be-
came a prominent politician and held several important State and National
offices. He was first assistant postmaster-general in 1842, and on August 15,
1844, he was commissioned charge d'affaires of the United States to Peru and
served about one year. He also served as auditor of the State of Ohio from
1833 ^^ '^39 inclusive.
Timothy H. Porter, admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 18 19,
was the first presiding judge of the court, but resigned after a short service
and resumed the practice of the law. For many years he was one of the most
prominent citizens in the county, occupying various positions of trust. Pre-
vious to his coming to this county he had been admitted to practice in Tioga
county, and he seems to ha\'e resided for a time in Allegany or Steuben
county, for he represented those counties, then constituting one district, in
the Assembly in 1816 and 1S17. He acted as district attorney in this county
at some of the terms of court held in 1819 and 1820, and in 1824 was regu-
larly appointed to that office. The same year he was a presidential elector,
but did not attend the meeting of the electoral college. He was elected to
the Nineteenth Congress, 1S25-27, and was also a State senator from the old
Eighth District in 1823 and again in 1828, 1829, 1830, and 1831. He was also
member of Assembly from this county in 1838 and in 1840. For several
years after he resigned from the bench he practiced law in partnership with
Asa Hazen. James G. Johnson, in his "Pioneer History," says of him:
"Judge Porter was a man whose traits of character and memory are worthy
3o8 History of Cattaraugus County.
of a better tribute than I am able to give them in these brief sketches. In
person he was large and fine looking, with a dignified manner and thoughtful
look, cautious in all his actions, a good counselor, candid, thoroughly honest
in all his business transactions, of strict integrity in all his varied relations,
and never forfeiting or losing the confidence of a single one of the many
friends gained by him in public or private life. He gradually withdrew from
the practice of law and finally settled on his farm the next north of Judge
Brooks's in Olean, where he died about the year 1840, leaving a multitude of
friends and no enemies."
Milton B. Canfield was admitted in 18 19 and began practice in Olean.
Soon afterwards he removed to Ellicottville, where he continued in practice
for a time. The writer has not been able to ascertain where he went.
John L. Tillinghast was admitted in 1820. He was from Tioga count}-,
where he was district attorney in 1818. He was also twice appointed librarian
of the State library, the last time in 1844.
Samuel S. Haight, who was also admitted in our Common Pleas in 1820,
was from Allegany county, and it does not appear that he ever resided in this
county. He was district attorney of Allegany county in 1820 and the records
of our Board of Supervisors show that he received compensation for like serv-
ices in this county in 1821 ; and at the November term, 1821, he was appointed
district attorney by the court and again in February, 1822.
Henry Bryan was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1821, and for several
years was one of the leading lawyers of Olean. Mr. Johnson says of him that
"he was full of sport when it could be enjoyed at the expense of others, and
never lost an opportunity to gratify this desire, but if he became the subject
he could never see the point, and got factious and passionate over it. He
was a bachelor and roomed in his office." The court records show that he
was a prominent lawyer and did a large amount of business in the early days.
At the February and June terms of the General Sessions, 1823, he was ap-
pointed district attorney, and also by the Oyer and Terminer in August of the
same year. He and his brother, Dudley Bryan, were in partnership in Olean
sometime about 1833. It is said that at one time Mr.-Bryan owned the Mar-
tin farm and mills in Olean. About 1848 he went to Racine, Wis., and soon
afterwards removed to California.
George Miles was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1821 from Allegany
county, where he seems to have been in practice.
George H. Green was admitted at the February term, 1821, on a license as
an attorney of the Supreme Court.
Moses Sawyer was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1821, coming from
Washington county, and was at one time located at Ellicottville. After prac-
ticing there for a short time he is said to have gone west and engaged in prac-
tice and won considerable distinction.
George A. S. Crooker was also admitted to the Common Pleas at the No-
Attorxevs and Counselors. 309
vember term, 1821, and the court records show that he presented certificates
of "classical and juridical studies for five years." He was the son of Sampson
Crooker, an old sea captain who came to Conewango from Cairo, Greene
county, in 181 8. He set out the first orchard in town and gave the ground for
the first cemetery on the rise of ground just east of Rutledge. It is said that
his wife was a true pioneer, and once killed a wild cat with the fire-tongs at
her hen-roost in 1819. She also made a trip from her home to Catskill alone
with a horse and wagon, taking with her a live bear, which she sold to help pay
the expenses of the trip. Soon after this the subject of this sketch settled in the
town on lot 54. He was already a rising lawyer, having for some years studied
in Catskill and afterwards in Moscow.- "He is not only entitled to a place
in the history of the county as one of her most distinguished and talented men,
but Conewango as a town feels a pride in his citizenship and in the eminent
service which he rendered her people. He stood high as a legal counselor,
and as an advocate had few peers. He possessed a liberal heart and the most
kindly feelings, and no sacrifice was too great to be made on behalf of his
friends." He represented his town on the Board of Supervisors twenty-nine
terms, serving the longest in that body of any man in the history of the county
except N. M. Allen, and he was chairman of the board twenty-six terms. He
represented his district in the New York Assembly in 1832, 1839, ^^^ 1840,
and was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1846. He was also ap-
pointed State agent for the Onondaga Indians in 1861 and again in 1865. He
also served as district attorney at the June term of the General Sessions in
1827. He had an extensive law practice for several years. He was an acti\e
politician, and in 1850 he was the candidate of his p'arty for member of Con-
gress, but was defeated by Reuben E. Fenton. He is described as a man of
more than ordinary ability, of good address, commanding presence, and rare
social qualities. He removed with his family to Illinois, where he died at St.
Charles in 1874, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. At his request his remains
were brought back to Conewango and interred in the cemetery, the ground for
which was given by his father.
Fletcher McKnight was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1822, but it
does not appear that he was ever a resident of the county.
William A. Rochester also took the oath of office as an attorney of the
Court of Common Fleas at the February term, 1822. Judge Rochester held
the first Circuit in the county in August, 1823, but was not engaged in prac-
tice here.
Thomas S. Sherwood was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas in the
year 1825.
Chancey J. Fox. — " Few men in the county of Cattaraugus were more inti-
mately connected with its history or have borne a more conspicuous part in
its public events since its organization than Chauncey J. Fox. A history- of
the early settlers of the county who were identified with its fortunes would be
3IO History of Cattaraugus County.
incomplete without mention of Mr. Fox ; and in looking for examples of suc-
cessful effort to overcome the adverse influences of poverty in the road to hon-
orable distinction no better illustration can be found in the history of our
county." Mr. Fox was born in Tolland, Conn., August 21, 1797. His parents
descended from families above the middle class and were considered wealthy
until the death of his father — a manufacturer, — when Chauncey was a small
lad, left Mrs. Fox with limited means and her children could have no advan-
tages of education beyond a meager training in the common schools. In
August, 1 818, Mr. Fox left his home with a view of establishing himself in busi-
ness or seeking some occupation that would furnish him a living. Accom-
panied by a younger brother, Pliny L. Fox, he came to Olean in this county.
" Finding no employment they purchased a skiff, procured a supply of bread
and cheese,'and started on a voyage down the river with the vague intention
of going to Cincinnati, but with no distinct idea of the difficulties they would
have to encounter. They passed a day and a night and a part of the next
day on the river without seeinganyone. Towards night of the second day they
saw a man crossing the river. They landed and followed him to his house.
He advised them to abandon their voyage and offered them employment,
which they accepted. This man, their employer, proved to be Philip Tome,
whose early history was so well known in this region." The brothers imme-
diately went to work for Mr. Tome. Soon after, the younger brother, Pliny,
was taken sick and the expenses of this sickness exhausted all the means of
both of the brothers so that they were obliged to sell their clothes to discharge
the liabilities incurred ; and so severe did the burden prove that Chauncey ex-
changed the last suit he had for an old suit of regimentals that had seen the
wars, for the sake of the difference he recei\ed. Dr. Alson Leavenworth, then
of EUicottville, was the nearest physician and his services were obtained on
this occasion. The subject of this sketch soon afterwards came to Great Val-
ley and for several years was engaged in lumbering in the employ of Francis
Green and Judge Chamberlain. " Finding the labor too severe for his consti-
tution, and feeling that the instincts of his mind and genius were not directed
in the proper channel, he turned his attention to the study of law. He com-
menced reading in the office of John A. Bryan, then the leading lawyer of the
county, and in 1826 he was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas and was
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in January, 1833. He continued
to practice his profession at EUicottville until after the adoption of the code
of procedure in 1848, when he retired to his farm in the neighborhood of EUi-
cottville.
Mr. Fox was a successful lawyer. It is said that his strength was mainly
as an advocate, and that he possessed great power over a jury and control
over the minds of men. His manner in speaking was earnest and energetic.
Mr. Fox was also prominently connected with the political history of the
county and State. He became a prominent Whig, and by the partiality of
^'L^UO-^'^C^'^'
Attorneys and Counselors.
the people of his county was enabled to win distinction in public affairs. He
was a member of Assembly in 1833 and 1834 and a member of the State
Senate, being elected first to fill a vacancy. He also served in this body in
1836, 1837, 1838, and 1839. -^^ this time State senators were members of the
old court called the "Court for the Correction of Errors," or, more familiarly,
the "Court of Errors." Many important decisions were rendered by this
court, establishing great principles of our law, and which are found reported
in Wendall's Reports. Mr. Fox was an active member of the Legislature
and in 1833, while in the Assembly, he advocated and secured the passage of
a law taxing the debts of non-residents, and while in the Senate in 1838
brought forward and sustained almost alone an act ta.xing the lands of non-
residents for the support of roads and bridges. These two measures were of
great importance to the interests of the county and for many years had great
influence upon its prosperity. Mr. Fox was also active in behalf of the build-
ing of the New York & Erie railroad. " As chairman of the great Railroad Com-
mittee of the Senate he rendered invaluable aid in securing the advancement
of that great work, and to no one man in the Legislature during the progress
of important bills in aid of the road through that body are the people more in-
debted for its final success than to Mr. Fo.x." He had an important part in
perfecting the legislation that created the Genesee Valley canal in 1836, and
was unable to leave his post at Albany to visit his home during the. entire
session.* In February, 1827, Mr. Fox married Hannah, daughter of Grove
Hurlbut, who erected the first building in Ellicottville. Mr. Fox died at his
home in Ellicottville, February li, 1883. Aside from his prominence in polit-
ical and legal circles the domestic side of Mr. Fo.x's nature must also be con-
sidered. Home was to him the dearest place on earth, and it is difficult to
decide which should have precedence — the tender loyalty given to his devoted
wife, the familiar affection that inspired deep and abiding veneration in his
children, or the genial hospitality that made his house a charming resort for
numerous and admiring friends. His house was a place where the virtues of
an ideal New England home were fostered in an atmosphere of joy, and
which have left most pleasant memories which will last while one of that fam-
ily circle remains on earth. "As a citizen Mr. Fox was universally respected.
He was a man of the strictest integrity and possessed the confidence of all
who knew him." Mrs. Fox it still living in Ellicottville. The surviving chil-
dren of the family are Caroline (Mrs. G. W. Blackmon), of Paynesvilie, Ohio;
Chauncey J. Fox, of Ellicottville; Mary (Mrs. H. Adams), of Perry, N. Y.;
and Harriet (Mrs. A. H. Howe), of Buffalo.
John W. Howe was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1826, but there is
no further record of him in this county.
Anson Gibbs was the son of a physician, and was born in the town of
*This journey required two weeks' time, and this time was so important that tlio journey was not
made, and his daughter, born in that year, was not seen by him until she was three months old.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Pownal, Bennington county, Vt., on the 15th of September, 1790. He was
of Revolutionary stocl<, his ancestors having settled at Litchfield, Conn., at a
very early date. He came into New York State when he was a mere boy,
living for a time in Troy and in Schoharie; thence he went to Ovid, Seneca
county. He served as a soldier on the Niagara frontier through the War of
181 2, and after the war was over returned to Ovid, where he studied law and
was admitted to the bar in the same class with William H. Seward, and Mr.
Gibbs and Governor Seward were always very warm friends. His license to
practice as an attorney in the Supreme Court was signed by Judge Ambrose
Spencer and is dated November i, 1822. On the 12th of August, 1825, he
was licensed by John Savage as a counselor in the Supreme Court, and on
May 20, 1834, was licensed by Chancellor Reuben H. Walworth as a solicitor
in the Court of Chancery. On the 26th of March, 1820, he was married to
Nancy L. Reynolds, of Ovid. In the spring of 1826 they removed to EUi-
cottville, where he remained until his death. For the first twenty-five years
of his practice he did an extensive business, but gradually retired after the
adoption of the new code of procedure in 1848. Mr. Gibbs took a prominent
part in the public affairs of the county. He was appointed district attorney
in 1829 and served five years. He was also appointed master and examiner
in chancery in 1836, was re-appointed in 1839, ^"^ again appointed in 1846.
In 1839 '^^ ^^''•^ appointed a Supreme Court commissioner and re-appointed in
1842. He had the reputation of being a strong criminal lawyer, and his serv-
ices were often sought by defendants in criminal cases. He was an old line
Whig in politics, but was extremely conservative, and opposed any agitation
of the sla\'ery question. As issues changed and events shaped themselves he
naturally grew into a Republican when the party was formed. He believed
not only that to vote was a sacred right, but a sacred duty, and never missed
an election, and it was his boast that he never split his ticket. The late Ele-
azar Harmon was a student in his office, and after he was admitted to the bar
they were for a time partners. His practice extended beyond the limits of
his own county and he was often away from home at long distances attending
to his professional business, and was well acquainted with the prominent men
of that time. He died January 15, 1878, and at the time of his death was the
oldest lawyer in the county. " He was a man of ability and of unusual in-
telligence, and possessed a deep fund of humor. He lived to see the larger
portion of his early friends and associates pass away. His health had always
been good, and his mental strength and vigor to the last he retained in a re-
markable degree. He was a man of fine address and a courteous gentleman
of the old school." Many anecdotes have been told of Mr. Gibbs exhibiting
his humor and his peculiarities, many of which are undoubtedly exaggerated.
His overflowing humor manifested itself on many occasions. It is related
that on one occasion a young man who had been admitted to the bar in Can-
andaigua was recommended by his friends to come to Ellicottville and open
"ATTORXEVS AXI) Couxselors.
an office, and he was given a letter of introduction to i\Ir. Gibbs. He found
Mr. Gibbs, not in his office, but in his back yard spHtting wood. He intro-
duced himself and after some conversation Mr. Gibbs shouldered his axe and
started for the woods. The young man inquired where he was going. Mr.
Gibbs said he was going to cut some wood for his family, and the young man
thought if that was the extent of legal practice in Ellicottville he had better
locate elsewhere. It was doubtless a ruse on the part of Mr. Gibbs to discour-
age the young man from locating there. Many stories are told showing his
ready wit, but space docs not permit their publication here.
Marinus Willett was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1827, and seems to
have been engaged in practice in New York.
Joseph W'ait was admitted to the bar the same year from the county of
Chautauqua. <,,
John Cooke was also admitted in 1827 from Allegany county. They were
not residents of this county and only practiced here occasionally.
Russell C. Bryan was admitted to the Common Pleas at the June term,
1827. He seems to have been a relative of the other Bryans, but it is not
known where he engaged in practice.
Luther C. Peck was admitted to our Common Pleas in 1828. He was a
prominent lawyer of Pike, N. Y., and did an extensive business throughout
western New York. He nc\er resided in this county.
Albert G. Burke was admitted in January, 1828, and practiced several years
at Gowanda. He was the first attorney in that village. He is said to have
been one of the most brilliant lawyers of the period and a man of more than
ordinary ability. In 1832 he was appointed a Supreme Court commissioner,
and re-appointed in 1834 under a statute which required a commissioner to be
appointed to reside in the northern or western part of the county. He also
represented his district in the Assembly in 1835. " His health failing him he
retired from active life and died of consumption in 1836." In February, 1832,
he formed a law partnership with Chauncey J. F"o.x, Mr. P"ox living in Elli-
cottville and Mr. Burke in Gowanda.
Elisha Mack was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1828, but no informa-
tion has been obtained concerning his residence or practice.
Ralph R. Phelps was also admitted in 1828 and located in Franklinville,
and after practicing there several years moved to Ellicottville, where he died.
It is said that he kept " bachelor's hall" while in Franklinville, living in his
ofifice, and it is one of the historical episodes of the time that one night some
of the men picked up his office bodily and carried it onto the village green
and left it there.
William Lowe was also admitted to our Common Pleas in 1828. Accord-
ing to " Williams's Register" he was in Olean four years, from 1830 to 1833.
Nothing further is known of him. The New York State Register of 1843
says he was admitted in 1805.
40
314 ■ History of Cattaraugus County.
Samuel A. Brown was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1829. He was a
resident of Jamestown, but occasionally practiced in our courts.
Joseph Wilson was also admitted the same year. He lived in Allegany
county.
Mark W. Fletcher \\as also admitted in 1829. He seems to have begun
practice at Ellicottville, and to have removed from there to Gowanda or Per-
rysburg. He represented the town of Perrysburg on the Board of Supervis-
ors in 1833-34. We have not been able to trace his career since that time.
Isaac T. Gifford was also admitted at this term, but he was pot a resident
of this county.
Richard P. Marvin was also admitted in 1829; he was a prominent lawyer
in Jamestown and was afterwards a justice of the Supreme Court.
Dudley C. Brj'an was admitted in 1830. It seems that he was already a
resident of Sandusky, where he had located P-bout 1826 or 1827, coming from
New Hampshire. Mr. Bryan married a sister of Lyman Scott, Jr., who also
atone time practiced law in Sandusky. Mr. Bryan afterwards went to Olean
and was in partnership with his brother, Henry Bryan. About 1840 he went
to California and joined the gold hunters of that region. While in Olean he
was proprietor of the Olean Advocate, which he changed to the Olean Times.
H. M. S. Kinnicutt was admitted in 1830. We have not been able to learn
where he lived.
George P. Barker became an attorney of our Court of Common Pleas in
1 83 1. Mr. Barker was a prominent lawyer in Erie county, and had the repu-
tation of being one of the most eloquent advocates in western New York.
He was member of Assembly in 1836, was elected attorney-general of the State
in 1842, and was district attorney of Erie county in 1846.
Charles E. Beardsley, who was admitted to practice in our Common Pleas
in 1 83 1, was a son of Bartholomew C. Beardsley, and was born in Fredericton,
province of New Brunswick, January 31, 1806. He was graduated at Union
College, New York, and was married at Buffalo, N. Y., April 8, 1829, to Louise
Chapin Terry, of that city. He studied law in Buffalo and after his admis-
sion to the bar practiced a short time in this State. He then went to Wood-
stock, New Brunswick, where he practiced his profession a number of years.
He afterwards settled in Michigan and was there elected to the bench. He
subsequently entered the ministry, and in 1855 came to Olean, where he was
rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal church several years. He died in Moravia,
Cayuga county, January 1 1 , 1 863. It is said that he practiced law a short time
at Ellicottville before going to New Brunswick.
Elijah Griswold was also admitted at the same term, October, 1831, but the
records do not show where he lived.
Francis Storm was admitted to practice in 1831, and located in Franklin-
ville, where he remained two or three years, and went away. He seems to
have come from Monroe county and was a member of Assembly from that
Attorxevs AXI) Couxselors. 315
county in 1828. Nothing has been learned of his history after leaving Frank-
jinville.
Eleazar Harmon.* — Any history of the bar of Cattaraugus county would be
incomplete u'ithout the mention of the name of Eleazar Harmon, who for
many years was recognized as its most prominent member. Mr. Harmon was
born in Onondaga county, N. Y., on the 28th of February, 1808. His educa-
tional advantages were very meager, but such as the schools of his neighbor-
hood then afforded he eagerly availed himself of, and soon, at an early age,
turned his attention to the study of the law, commencing his preparatory
course at Aurora, N. Y. Removing to EIlicott\-ille in 1832 he entered the
law office of Anson Gibbs, and was soon afterwards admitted to the bar as an
attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court. Very soon after his admission
to the bar Mr. Harmon was known throughout the county as an able practi-
tioner. He was employed and thereafter continued to be engaged on one
side or the other of nearly every important case that was brought before the
courts. The county was then comparatively new. Ellicottville was the county
seat, and on that account, as well as on account of the location there of the
offices of the Holland Land Company and its successors, it was considered
one of the most thriving towns of the county. Important litigations frequently
grew out of the real estate transactions of the land companies as well as out of
the extensive lumber business along the Allegheny river and its tributaries.
\\hate\er controversies there were the services of Mr. Harmon as a lawyer
were almost invariably employed in their adjustment. The most important
question that arose in the county in many years related to the title of the Hol-
land Land Company. Every landov\-ner was interested in it and the e.xcite-
mcnt in regard to it became so intense as to threaten the public peace. Mr.
Harmon was engaged as attorney of the land companies, and by his great in-
fluence with all parties induced them finally to abide peaceably by the deci-
sion of the court in a case pending therein, wherein the question of title was
the only issue. The case was brought to trial after the most elaborate prep-
aration on behalf of the companies. Full documentary and other evidence,
procured at great trouble and e.xpense, clearly established the title, and no
doubt was thereafter entertained in regard to it. Few lawyers in western
New York equalled Mr. Harmon in the knowledge of the law; fewer still in
the ability to present a case in the most forcible manner before a court or jury.
He was of a nervous temperament and threw his whole soul into his case.
Possessed of a logical mind he drew his conclusions with unerring judgment.
He never went into court unprepared, and hence in all the cases in which he
was engaged he showed a remarkable familiarity with the legal questions that
arose in the progress of a trial, and which the ordinary practitioner finds it
difficult to meet. In the preparation of his cases his power of concentration
was intense. No point escaped him and he was always fully equipped. He
♦ The author is indebted to Hod. William H. Wood, of Chicago, for this biographj' of .Judge Harmon.
^i6 History of Cattaraugus County.
could not be surprised by the citation of an authority nor deceived by mis-
taken analogy. His manner was candid and courteous; apt at repartee,
though rarely indulging in wit for ei^ect, yet ready in parrying an attack. As
an advocate Mr. Harmon was earnest, logical, effective, and very successful.
He was not a fluent speaker, but if eloquence consists . of the faculty of con-
vincing a jury he was an eloquent one. By his sincerity of manner, his re-
markable power of analysis, his judgment of the bearing of evidence and power
of manshaling it he frequently put aside the most glowing efforts of an adver-
sary and rescued his case when defeat seemed inevitable.
Mr. Harmon will long be remembered, not only as standing at the head
of the Cattaraugus county bar of his time, but as ranking high on the list of
eminent contemporaries in the profession in western New York. He retired
from active practice in 1851 on account of failing health, and thereafter de-
voted himself mainly to business enterprises in various ways until the time of
his death, which occurred November 22, 1882. From the date of his retire-
ment from the bar he passed his days amidst the refinements and quiet
pleasures of his beautiful home in EUicottville, where he had lived for half a
century. His home was a perfect type of domestic happiness and content-
ment, and his latter years were spent in the serene enjoyment of the society
of his family and friends. Mr. Harmon was thrice married; first to Harriet
Goodspeed, who died in 1839, leaving two sons, Luke Goodspeed and Clar-
ence Gillette, both living. Second he married his first wife's sister, Caroline
Goodspeed, who died in 1842, leaving a daughter, Harriet Caroline, who died
in Florida in 1872. Third, in 1874, he married Maria Thalheimer, who
survives him. They had two children, Jennie Carver (who died in infancy)
and Eleazar, now a resident of Baltimore, Md.
Lyman Scott, Jr., was admitted to practice in our Common Pleas in 1832.
It is said that he came from New Hampshire and located in the town of Free-
dom, at Sandusky; that he practiced there several years and finally went west
in about 1836. He was an uncle of Capt. Harrison Cheney, of Freedom,
Captain Cheney's mother being a sister of Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott was town
clerk of the town of Freedom three years, from 1832 to 1834, and also held
the ofifice of justice of the peace several years.
Samuel M. Russell became an attorney of the Court of Common Pleas in
1832. Mr. Russell practiced in Allegany county and is still living at Cuba.
He was for many years a member of the law firm of Champlain, Armstrong &
Russell.
Chauncey Tucker was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas
in 1832. He resided at P'redonia, where he was a prominent lawyer many
years.
Josiah Ward was admitted to ^practice in 1833. He seems to have come
from Chautauqua county and to have practiced for a time at Franklinville.
No very definite information concerning his history has been obtained.
Cj? €^^^^^>^
Attorneys and Counselors. 317
James Burt was a native of the Mokawk valley, and his ancestors came
from Holland at an early day. He came to Franklinville in the autumn of
1 83 1 and was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1833. He was
appointed district attorney in 1834, and in 1836 was appointed a Supreme
Court commissioner, and was a member of Assembly in 1844. He left Frank-
linville after a few years' practice and spent two years in Cincinnati, Ohio.
About 1846 or 1847 he reached Dubuque, Iowa, where he engaged in practice
and was soon recognized as the leading lawyer of northern Iowa. His pro-
fessional engagements extended over all portions of the State. He was
elected to the bench of the district court, which position he held until his
death August 7, 1886, in his seventy-eighth year. While in this county he
had the reputation of being an able lawyer and a man of rare attainments.
He was a fine scholar, and kept up his classical reading until the end of life.
For twenty years prior to his death he was an active member of the Congre-
gational church. He married Phoebe Lawton.
Wells Brooks was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1833, and was one of
the prominent lawyers of Springville, N. Y.
Chester Howe, "one of a family of ten children, was born in Wells, Rut-
land county, Vt., March 22, 1812. His father, Jaazaniah Howe, served his
country in the Revolutionary' army, entering as a common soldier in 1779, be-
ing then seventeen years old, and served through the remainder of the war,
suffering with his fellow soldiers untold hardships from hunger, cold, and ex-
posure of various kinds, having nothing to eat at times for days but soup
made of dry bones pounded up and boiled. He died in 1838, aged seventy-
six years. His son Chester had a sickness in his twelfth year which left him
with an enfeebled constitution and curvature of the spine, from which he never
recovered. But this delicate and feeble child, with very limited advanta^^es
for an education, was enabled by his own e.xertion and inborn worth to step
forth in his early manhood and take a place in the front rank. He possessed
wisdom, a good degree of learning, and an indomitable love of right, which
governed all his actions and recommended him to his fellows, and were his
stepping-stones to advancement and success." Moving to Lodi, now Go-
wanda, in 1828, he attended the common schools and was a student two terms'
at the Fredonia Academy. In 1829 he entered as a student the law office of
Albert G. Burke. He was admitted as an attorney and counselor January 31,
1833, and in June of that year went into the office of Chauncey J. Fo.x, of El-
licottville. September 23, 1835, he was married to Harriet D. Fox, a sister of
Chauncey J. Fo.x, and returned to open his law office in Lodi. In April, 1839,
his wife died. The first of July, 1840, he was married to Matilda E. Torrance,
of the town of Persia. He was partner in the practice of law with the late
C. C. Torrance from 1846 to 1852. February i, 1840, Mr. Howe was appointed
Supreme Court commissioner and again appointed to the same office February
9, 1842. In the fall of 1840 he was elected to the Assembly. June 30, 1847,
3i8 History of Cattaraugus County.
he was appointed attorney for the Seneca Nation of Indians on the Cattarau-
gus and Allegany reservations, a position which he held until his election as
judge of Cattaraugus county. In this same year 'the Legislature passed an act
providing for the education of the children of the Indians on these reserva-
tions, naming Chester Howe as receiver of all appropriations, to be applied by
him to the maintenance of Indian schools. Under this act Mr. Howe estab-
lished schools upon both reservations. These schools were successful and
have ever since been continued. Mr. Howe drew for the Indian Nation a new
constitution providing for a president and twelve councilors to be elected an-
nually in place of the government by chiefs. This constitution was adopted
December 4, 1848. Mr. Howe was also the attorney and agent for the New
York & Erie Railroad Company for the purchase of the right of way for their
railroad through Allegany county and through all of Cattaraugus county east
of the Allegany reservation. He was of great assistance to the road and to
the Indians in respect to the right of way for the road through the reserva-
tion. Mr. Howe continued until his death the trusted counselor and adviser
of this people in all important matters. He was elected county judge and
surrogate of Cattaraugus county in the fall of 185 1 and assumed the duties of
his office January i, 1852. His knowledge of law together with his keen sense
of justice and humanity rendered him eminently suited to the office. His
term of office expired January, 1856. During the two remaining years of his
life he suffered much from disease. Still he continued to labor on cases which
were constantly referred to him. He died at the Elmira Water Cure on March
16, 1858. Judge Howe was one of the prominent men of the county for
twenty-five years, taking an active part in public enterprises, and using his tal-
ents and his energies to build up the communities in which he lived. " His
kindly manners, his instructive conversation, his quaint wit, his retiring mod-
esty, his appreciation of right and wrong, and those high and ennobling qual-
ities that go to make up the character of a good man " endeared Judge Howe
to a wide circle of acquaintances. His widow, Mrs. Matilda E. Howe, is now
living in Randolph.
Cephas R. Leland came from Erie county and was admitted to our Com-
mon Pleas in 1833, and located in Perrysburg for the practice of law. He re-
mained there a short time and then moved away. He practiced a while at
La Grange or Irving, N. Y., and was an Indian agent there for several years,
and finally removed to Milwaukee, where he died. C. T. Leland, auditor of
the Lake Shore Railroad Company at Cleveland, Ohio, is a son of Mr. Leland.
He was an uncle of William O. Leland, a prominent citizen of Hinsdale.
Peter V. S. Wendover was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1833. I* is
not known where he lived, but he appears never to have resided in this
county.
Pliny L. Fo.x was admitted in 1833. He was a }-ounger brother of Chaun-
cey J. Fox, and came to this county in 1818. He worked three or four years
Attorneys a\d Counselors. • 319
clearing land and farming near EUicottville and then taught school at York-
shire, and in 1827 was the first justice of the peace elected in EUicottville un-
der the constitutional amendment which made the office elective. In 1828 he
commenced the study of law in the ofifice of his brother at EUicottville, and
was soon after admitted to the bar, after which he practiced in the courts of
Cattaraugus county several years. He practiced law in EUicottville, Ashford,
New Albion, and Little Valley. It is said that while engaged in practice in
this county Mr. Fox, in connection with Jesse Mason, devised a scheme for
building a city at the little hamlet of Plato in the north part of EUicottville.
They laid out some land and mapped it into city lots, and, it seems, sold some
of them. But, as might have been expected, the scheme was a failure and its
projectors had some trouble over it. About 1842 Mr. F"ox mo\ed to Illinois.
When the war broke out he took an active interest in recruiting men for the
Union army, and went to the war as a captain in an Illinois regiment. He
rose to the rank of major and at the close of the \\-ar returned to Illinois. He
died in 1885.
Josiah S. Masters was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1S33,
coming to Machias from Troy, N. Y. He is said to have been a college grad-
uate and had the reputation of being a man of ability, but somewhat intem-
perate. He remained in Machias a few years and then went west.
William Waith, son of John Waith (or Wayth, as the name was formerly
spelled), was born at Bycross in the parish of Preston-on-Wye, Herefordshire,
England, April 17, 1796. He was left an orphan at an early age. and was
reared on a great farm by Mr. Eliot, a benevolent gentleman and lord of the
manor. On the death of his benefactor he went up to London to seek his
fortune, and after engaging with scant success first in different forms of hired
service and afterwards as a small tradesman he obtained some employment as
clerk to a law firm in Tokenhouse Yard, near the Bank of England. Later he
became an attorney in the Mayor's Court. In 1832 an increasingly trouble-
some asthma decided Mr. Waith to try a change of country; he came to
America and was led by a train of events to Cattaraugus county, where he
first found a home. He settled in Sugartown, to the south of EUicottville,
and tried farming, but never succeeded well in it. He obtained employment
as a writer in the ofifice of Staley N. Clarke, the Holland Land Company's
agent in EUicottville. In 1833 he was appointed by Mr. Clarke to serve
notices " to quit " on a class of settlers who had had no title to the lands on
which they were living. In the same year he was admitted to practice in the
Court of Common Pleas of this county, but he did not practice long. Upon
quitting the legal profession Mr. Waith turned his attention to the work of
the Christian ministry, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Buffalo in 1837,
He preached in Burton (now Allegany), Napoli, and Portville in Cattaraugus
county and Ellington, Silver Creek, and Ripley in Chautauqua county. He
died at Ripley on June 4, i860, and was buried at Silver Creek.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Robert S. Wilson took the oath of office as attorney in the Common Pleas
on January 28, 1834.
Charles C. Severance was also admitted to practice in 1834. He became a
prominent lawyer in Springville and had considerable practice in this county.
David McCluer was the son of Joseph McCluer, one of the pioneers of
Franklinville. Joseph McCluer was paymaster in the army during the War
of 1 8 12 and was on duty at Buffalo when it was taken by the English and
burned in 18 13. David was born February 12, 1805, and died August 20, 1880.
" He was a man of good native abilities, but not industrious or studious, and
gained no position in the courts ofrecord.. He did, however, a large business
for a time in the lower courts." He was admitted to the Common Pleas
in 1834.
George W. Cutter was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1835. During
this same year he established a newspaper at Olean called the Allegany Mer-
cury and conducted it one year, when it was changed to the Olean Advocate
under the control of Rufus W. Griswold. He does not seem to have been
engaged in the practice of law.
Thomas J. Williams was also admitted to the Common Pleas in 1835.
Homer H. Stewart was also admitted during this year. Thomas J. Sutherland
was also admitted during this same year; Austin C. Chipman also became a
member of the court in 1835. Nothing is known of either of these men.
John E. Niles was also admitted in 1835, coming from Pennsylvania. Noth-
ing farther is known of him.
L. H.Hewettwas admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1836. He
practiced for a time at Gowanda.
David R. Bacon was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1836, coming from
New York city. He was then a young man located in Olean, where he prac-
ticed a short time and went away. His subsequent history cannot be traced.
E. F. Warren took the oath of office as attorney of the Common Pleas the
same year. He lived in Chautauqua county and was a prominent lawyer.
Marvin Trail was also admitted in 1836 and was for a short time in part-
nership with Joseph E. Weeden at Randolph.
Hiram Greenfield was a school teacher in his early days; he afterwards
studied law and was admitted to practice in 1836. He located in Ellicottville
and was there a short time, when he moved away.
Ashbel H. Hurd was born in Augusta, Oneida county, in November, 1814.
He began business life as a teacher of the common schools, alternately teach-
ing in winters, and using his means thus obtained to defray the expenses at
the academy and in reading law. He came to Gowanda (then Lodi) and en-
tered the law office of Albert G. Burke when about eighteen years of age and
was admitted to the bar in 1836, after a seven years' course of study. Soon
after his admission he opened a law office in Gowanda, where he had a suc-
cessful legal career until his death March 31, 185 1. In 1838 Mr. Hurd was
AtT(JR\EVS and CoUN"SEL(_)RS.
married to Rebecca E. Stillson. After Mr. Hurd's death she married Hal-
sey Stearns and is now hving in Gowanda. Mr. Hurd was appointed an asso-
ciate judge of the old Court of Common Pleas in 1S43 ^^'^^ served until the
court was abolished by the constitution of 1846. Judge Hurd is described as
a large, powerful man, six feet or more in height, of a cheerful disposition, and
genial, pleasant manners. He was reputed to be a very able lawyer and gave
promise of a successful career. He died at the age of thirty-seven.
Wales Emmons was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas at the Oc-
tober term, 1836. He came from Erie county, where he was a practicing
lawyer.
Joseph T. Lyman was admitted at the same term. He had been previ-
ously admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. He li\'ed in Hinsdale, where
he established a newspaper in 1836 called the Hinsdale Democrat ,\\'\\\c\\ was
published about two years.
James J. Strang, who was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in
1836, had a remarkable career. He practiced law a while, and also published
for a year or more the Randolph Herald, beginning about 1843. He after-
wards became a Mormon prophet and the successor of Joseph Smith. The
editor of this chapter is indebted to Dr. Frederick Larkin, of Randolph, for
the facts concerning the career of this remarkable man. The impression or
impulse which prompted Mr. Strang to embrace Mormonism was the result of
a chance remark by Dr. Larkin himself. Shortly after the death of Joseph
Smith, and after Mr. Strang had received his" call " to become a Mormon, the
State of W^isconsin was opened for settlement. Thither he went and selected
a location which exactly fulfilled a prophecy made years before by the great
founder of his holy religion. This Mormon community met with so much
opposition in Wisconsin that the prophet received a direct revelation that they
plant their standard upon the Beaver Lslands in Lake Michigan. The set-
tlement was immediately commenced, the success of which vindicated the
truth of the revelation of the prophet. So great was the number of accessions
that they were forced to live in tents. In about two years the prophet could
boast of more than 1,000 followers. Then he began to dabble in politics, was
appointed postmaster at Beaver Island, and was elected a member of the Leg-
islature of Michigan. He was claimed to be the most powerful speaker and
debater that e\'er occupied that position in the State. After the close of the
session of the Legislature Mr. Strang visited Randolph and delivered several
lectures upon the Mormon faith. After a short visit he returned to Beaver
Islands, where the Mormons were congregated. Some of his people became
dissatisfied with him as a prophet and lost confidence in him, and one evening
as he was walking he was assassinated by one of his enemies. He lived only a
few days after receiving the fatal wound. Mr. Strang is described as awell-
formed man, remarkably healthy and strictly temperate ; his head exceeded
in several directions that of Daniel Webster. He possessed a wonderful mem-
41
History of Cattaraugus County.
ory, and as an orator he had few equals. He had a great command of lan-
guage and could apply it in a wonderful manner. As a lawyer he lost the
confidence of people who knew him and had little practice.
Orson Stiles was admitted in 1837. He seems to have been for a short
time in EUicottville, but was later located in Fredonia and became one of the
prominent lawyers of Chautauqua county.
Alanson Coats read law with Joseph E. VVeeden, of Randolph, and was ad-
mitted to the Common Pleas in 1837, but did not practice in this county.
Samuel P. Johnson was admitted in 1837 from Pennsylvania, -but did not
engage in regular practice here.
Cyrus G. McKay was admitted at the June term of the Common Pleas in
1837 upon an examination, but did not engage in practice in courts of record.
He was for many years a prominent citizen of the town of Allegany and died
May 3, 1893.
Morris Fosdick took the oath of office as an attorney of the Common Pleas
on June 23, 1837, but did not engage in practice in courts of record.
J. C. Morse is said to have practiced law for a short time about 1837 at
Perrysburg, at what was then known as " Cooper's Corners."
Joseph E. Weeden was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court on
May 30, 1836, and his license was signed by Chief Justice John Savage. He
is therefore by many years the oldest lawyer in the county, and he has been
in active practice nearly all the time since his admission. The period of his
professional life covers more than half our national existence, and during tliat
time he has witnessed many and remarkable changes in the development and
progress of our country. When he was admitted to the bar the population of
the entire Union did not exceed the present population of New York and
Pennsylvania. While he was preparing for his profession Andrew Jackson
was president, and during his professional life sixteen presidents have occu-
pied for a brief season the seat of power and have gone their way again to
private life. He has seen the Nation pass through two great wars: one the
war with Me.xico, resulting in a large acquisition of territory, and the other
the war of the Rebellion, the most gigantic struggle in all history. He has
seen the Nation spreading itself, across the continent until the great western
wilderness has been made to blossom like the rose. In his own common-
wealth he has watched with pride the stately march of the Empire State in
her development and progress. He has seen our judicial system radically
changed, the courts of his youth abolished, and new ones created. He has
seen the practice changed from the old common-law system to the codes; he
has marked the great constitutional and statutory changes that have acceler-
ated the centralizing tendencies of modern times. He has observed and
experienced the beneficial results of the development of our fair county from
the period of the stage coach and the rudeness of pioneer life to the prosper-
ous conditions of the present day.
-Jyij.tSi!;.-:''!"'*^-^'
Attorxevs and Counselors. 323
Mr. Weeden was born in Norwich, Conn., July 27, 1809, and is the eldest
child of Caleb and Civil (Lathrop*) Weeden. Caleb Weeden was a farmer.
He removed to Chelsea, Orange county, Vt., in 18 10. After a residence there
of four years he migrated westward as far as the town of Pike, Wyoming
county, was one of the pioneers, and settled in the forest nearly a mile from
the nearest human habitation. The entire town was a primeval forest, with-
out roads other than paths made by clearing away underbrush and winding
among the trees. "There existed no improvements whatever, so that he had
to cut away trees to make a clearing to erect his humble log cabin, around
which he proceeded to clear a small farm. On the same day that they
removed to their new habitation in the wilderness their second daughter
and third child was born. Their son Joseph, of whom we write, was pros-
trated by a severe and prolonged sickness, which at the time it was thought
by the physician and friends of the family would terminate fatally. He
recovered his health, but never enjoyed a robust constitution. The facili-
ties for an education were meager, but the settlers evinced a desire to do all
they could for the establishment and maintenance of regular schools. Avail-
ing themsehes of a log cabin of small size they converted it into a school
house and placed in it a young lady teacher. It was under such circumstances
that young Weeden began his common school education, he and his sisters
going a mile through the woods during the summer. His father had been a
teacher and both his parents were educated in the common schools of Con-
necticut, and they imparted to their children while at home much valuable
instruction and endeavored to inspire them with a love of learning." About
a year after their settlement in Pike Mrs. Weeden died and the family were
deprived of the benefit of a mother's care, and the father being in moderate
financial circumstances was oblige to manage matters alone as best he could,
and in consequence the children made little educational advancement for sev-
eral years, there being no school within convenient distance. "At the age of
eighteen young Weeden was allowed a term at a select school taught by Rev.
Anson Tuthill, a well-qualified and competent teacher. Prior to that time he
had assisted his father on the farm as much as his impaired health would per-
mit, with intervals of attendance at the common schools. From this time un-
til he attained his majority his time was divided between the farm, attending
* The maternal ancestors of Mr. Weeden, the Lathrops ot Norwich, Conn., are descendants of Hev.
John Lothrop, ot England, who preached to the first Independent or Congregational church organized in
London. Mr. Lothrop was imprisoned two years on account of his religious belief and released on condition
of his leaving the country. He emigrated to America in 16.^ and was the first minister of Scituate and
Barnstable, Mass. His son Samuel went to New Loudon, Conn., in 1648, and subsequently to Norwich,
where he died. Col. Simon 'Lothrop. a descendant, commanded one of the Connecticut regiments in the
successful expeditions against Annapolis and Louisburg. He died January 25, 17".">. He was an upright
man and an estimable citizen. His sons Simon and Elijah were prominent in the town and owned consid-
erable real estate. Israel and Joshua Lathrop were landholders and public spirited men. Dr. Daniel La-
throp Wi>s the first druggist in Norwich and probably in Connecticut, and for many years the brothers
Lathrop were engaged in this business. In 1779 Capt. Ebunezer Lathrop was in military service. In 1782
an association against illicit traffic was formed in Norwich and Josiah and Rufus Lathrop were members.
Representatives of the family have been resident in Norwich since that time.
324
HiSTORV OF Cattaraugus County.
the select school, and teaching a common school. At the select school he ob-
tained the rudiments of a classical education and some of the higher branches
of mathematics. At the age of twenty-two he commenced the study of law
with the late Luther C. Peck, then a prominent lawyer of Pike, who afterwards
moved to Nunda, Livingston county. He continued his studies for about
five years, supporting himself by intervals of land surveying and teaching
school. As already stated he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court
in 1836 in the city of New York."
In the summer of the same year he located in Randolph for the practice
of' his profession and was the second lawyer who settled in that part of the
county, George A. S. Crooker, then of Conewango, being the first. He was
the first resident lawyer in Randolph, and when he came here in 1836 the
lawyers in practice in the county were George A. S. Crooker at Conewango,
the only lawyer we.st of Ellicottville at that time; Chauncey J. Fox, Anson
Gibbs, Eleazar Harmon, and Lewis D. Simonds at Ellicottville; James Burt
and David McCluer at Franklinville ; Chester Howe at Persia; Timothy H.
Porter, Andrew Mead, and Roderick White at Olean ; and Ashbel H. Hurd.
at Perrysburg, — all of whom are now deceased. Mr. W'eeden was one of the
founders of the Randolph Academy ( now Chamberlain Institute) and was a
member of the Board of Trustees until the institution was transferred to the
care of the Methodist Episcopal church. He opposed the transfer on the
ground that he was unwilling it should be controlled by or managed in the
interests of a religious sect, claiming that the institution should confine itself
to the promulgation of science and literature, and that such was the intention
of its founders. Although not an active politician he has always taken an
interest in prominent political issues. He acted with the old Whig part}-
during its life and was a member of the Assembly of New York in 1847.
This was a long session, continuing about eight months of the year. The
then recent adoption of a new State constitution rendered a large amount of
legislation necessary in order that the statutes might conform thereto, and
Mr. Weeden participated in the enactment of the "judiciary act" of 1847
and other legislation of that year adopted for the purpose of re-organizing the
judicial system of the State. He was a member of various important com-
mittees, among them the committee appointed to divide the State into sena-
torial and judicial districts. " After the dissolution of the Whig party he
united with the Republicans, with whom he continued to act until after the
close of the war, when he disagreed with some of its principles and especially
with its policy towards the South and the colored people, and since that time
has acted with the Democrats." In 1840 he was appointed by Governor
Seward a Supreme Court commissioner for the county of Cattaraugus and
in 1848 he was appointed by Governor Young a loan commissioner for Cat-
taraugus county. He has also held the office of justice of the peace and several
minor offices in the town. Some time ago Mr. Weeden sold the principal
Attorneys and Counselors. 325
part of his law library to Hon. William H. Henderson, and since tiiat time he
has not been engaged in extensive practice, although he still goes to his office
daily, transacts minor professional business, and attends to his property
interests.
Mr. Weeden was a very active lawyer in his earlier years and had an ex-
tensive practice. He was a close student, careful in his practice, fertile in re-
sources, and had occasion frequently to devise new methods of procedure in
adapting legal practice to the new condition of things consequent upon the
change in our judicial system wrought by the constitution of 1846. In ad-
dition to his professional work Mr. Weeden has given considerable attention
to the investigation of scientific and philosophical questions and is a member
of the American Scientific Association. On the 27th of September, 1836, he
was married to Margaret, third daughter of Gershom and Marion Wait, then
of Sherman, Chautauqua county, and five children were born to them, four
sons and one daughter.
Seth Lockwood was also admitted in 1837, but did not engage in general
practice. He lived in Hinsdale, where he was a justice of the peace several
years. He was also supervisor of the town of Hinsdale in 1840 and 1841, and
was a justice of sessions in 185 1 and also in 1866 and 1867.
Hiram H. Barney \vas admitted in 1837 and practiced law a short time in
Franklinville, and then went to Aurora, N. Y., and engaged in teaching.
W. A. Stewart became an attorney in our Court of Common Pleas in 1838.
He seems to have been a resident of Allegany county, where he afterwards
held the office of district attorney.
Daniel Reed Wheeler came from Cortland, N. Y., and located in Ellicott-
ville, where he was a prominent lawyer several years. He was admitted
to the Court of Common Pleas in 1838 and immediately began an active
practice. In February, 1841, he was appointed district attorney and held the
office three years. In 1844 he was appointed master and examiner in chan-
cery. He soon afterwards moved from Ellicottville to Dunkirk and engaged
in business with one of the Colmans. He remained there a short time and
went west, locating at La Crosse, Wis., where he died about 1857. He mar-
ried Frances Williams, of Ellicottville.
Leverett Spring was also an attorney in our Court of Common Pleas,
taking the oath of office as such in 1838. He resided and practiced law in
Arcade, N. Y.
Lester Cross was also admitted in 1838, but he does not seem to ha\-e ever
engaged in practice in this county.
D. C. Bailey was admitted in 1838 and located in Gowanda. His health
failed and he went south and died there about 1839.
Charles H. S. Williams was admitted to our Common Pleas in June, 1838.
He was an Erie county lawyer, and was elected district attorney of that
county in 1850.
326 HISTORY OF Cattaraugus Countv.
Roderick White was born in 1814 and seems to have come to Olean from
Springville, N. Y. He was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1838.
He was also admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court in 1841 and as a
counselor in 1844, both licenses being signed by Judge Samuel Nelson. He
was also in the latter year admitted to practice as solicitor in the Court of
Chancery. In 1845 he was elected to the Assembly and served one year. In
1855 he was elected to the State Senate from the Thirty-second District. He
died May 26, 1856, while a member of the State Senate. For several years he
was the only practicing lawyer in Olean. He did a general business and
was a man greatly respected in the community, a good lawyer, a good citizen,
an upright man, and one who enjoyed the confidence of the community.
James T. Henry, in his " Personal Recollections," says of him : " He was a man
of rare virtues and personal worth ; his integrity and high honor were known
of all men ; he never knowingly deceived man, woman, or child. He was
truthful and kind to all, a lawyer by profession, but he took more pleasure in
settling and avoiding litigations in court than in receiving retainers from
either side."
D. Carlos Woodcock was admitted in 1839 ^^^ located in Olean, coming
from the eastern part of the State, either Albany or Troy. He published for
a time a newspaper called the 0/eaii Advocate, which was afterwards trans-
ferred by him to Dudley C. Bryan.
Horace M. Hawes was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1839, '^^'^ seems
to have been for a short time in Olean, but no definite information has been
obtained relating to his practice or when he went away.
William Pitt Angel was a native of Otsego county, N. Y., and served an
apprenticeship on the Freeman s Journal in Cooperstown, then under the con-
trol of Col. John H. Prentiss and William H. Stone; afterwards he was editor
of a paper in Bath. He studied law with his father and was admitted to prac-
tice in our Common Pleas in 1840. He opened an office in Cuba, N. Y., and
afterwards moved to Ellicottville, where he soon obtained a prominent posi-
tion, and for a long time was one of the leading lawyers in the county. He
took the oath of office as district attorney of Cattaraugus county February 7,
1844. He was elected district attorney in the fall of 1847 under the new con-
stitution, and was again elected in 1856, holding the office altogether nearly
ten years. In 1850 he received the appointment of inspector of prisons and in
1865 he represented the First District of Cattaraugus county in the Assembly.
Upon the organization of the Ellicottville & Great Valley Plank Road Com-
pany in 1850 Mr. Angel was elected its secretary and treasurer. This road
continued to be run until 1864, when it was formally abandoned. On the 22d
of August, 1867, Mr. Angel delivered the address at the laying of the corner-
stone of the court house at Little Valley. On leaving Ellicottville he removed
to New York and was for a time associated with James W. Nye. He again
returned to this county, locating in Olean, and in 1866 removed to Westchester
Attorneys and Counselors.
county, and died February ii, 1869. at the age of fifty-six years. While in
EUicottville he was for some time in partnership with Charles P. Washburn
and while in Olean was a partner of Harper H. Phelps. This did not continue
long, Mr. Phelps having lost his life in the great fire in Olean in January, 1866.
Madison Barnell was also admitted to practice in our Common Pleas in
1840. He occasionally practiced in our courts, but was a resident of James-
town, where he was one of the leading lawyers.
Marshall B. Champlain was admitted to our Common Pleas in 1840. He
lived in Cuba, N. Y., where he practiced law several years, being a member of
the firm of Champlain, Armstrong & Russell. He was a man of unusual ability
and occupied a prominent place at the bar of western New York. He prac-
ticed considerably in this county. He held several important public positions,
having been district attorney of Allegany county and also attorney-general of
the State.
John W. Turner was also admitted in 1840 and seems to have been in prac-
tice for a short time in Gowanda.
Nelson P. Willson was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1840. His father
was a resident of Ischua and is said to have been a well-to-do farmer. Nelson's
early advantages were quite limited. He left home at an early age and found
employment in a mercantile house in Chautauqua county, where he discharged
the duties of a clerk about two years. He afterwards entered the office of
Josiah Ward, a lawyer then living at Franklinville, arid began the study of
law. After pursuing his studies a year he became convinced that he needed a
better general education, and he accordingly entered the Aurora Academy,
where he remained two years, teaching common schools during the winter sea-
sons to enable him to complete his academic studies. He came to EUicottville
in 1838 and entered the office of Eleazar Harmon, and after about two years
of study was admitted to the Common Pleas. He immediately formed a part-
nership with Mr. Harmon, which continued until his death April 16, 1844. He
is said to have been a young man of great promise.
Stephen T. Bentley was admitted in 1840 after an examination, but no in-
formation has been obtained concerning his residence.
Ira C. Irish was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1841 and practiced law
at Gowanda. He seems to have resided in Erie county.
Martin Grover was also admitted to our Common Pleas in 1841. He was
a resident of Angelica, Allegany county, and was afterwards a justice of the
Supreme Court and also judge of the Court of Appeals.
A. S. Diven was admitted in 1841 and was a resident of the county of
Allegany.
Orville C. Pratt was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1841. His grand-
mother was a sister of Gen. Joseph McCluer. Mr. Pratt at first chose a mili-
tary career and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point
on July I, 1837. He was then eighteen years old. On account of ill health
History of Cattaraugus County.
lie was granted a leave of absence before the close of the first year and on
March 13, 1839, resigned. He next turned his attention to th law, studying
in the office of Mr. Stevens in Albany, N. Y., and after admission to the
bar of the Supreme Court he returned to Franklinville and practiced about
two years in connection with James Burt. He married a Miss Culver, of
Rochester, N. Y., and after leaving Franklinville was for a time a resident of
Rochester. He then went to Wisconsin and from there to Galena, 111. While
residing at Galena he was appointed by President Pierce territorial judge of
Oregon and resided at Portland several years. He finally moved into Cali-
fornia, making his home at San Francisco, and became a wealthy landowner.
He died about two years ago.
Elisha Ward was admitted to our Common Pleas in 1841. He resided at
Silver Creek, Chautauqua county.
Lorenzo Morris was admitted to practice in our Common Pleas in 1841.
Mr. Morris is still living at Fredonia, N. Y.
William C. Mitchell was admitted to practice in 1842. John S. Ford was
also admitted in 1842. Dolphin Stevenson was also admitted in 1842. No
information has been obtained as to the residence of either of these three men.
Peter Masten studied law with Joseph E. Weeden, of Randolph, and was
admitted in 1842. He practiced a few years in Randolph and moved away.
In 1843 he was appointed examiner in chancery.
Albert Sawin was admitted to practice in 1842. Mr. Sawin was a promi-
nent lawyer in Erie county. Charles S. Macomber was admitted the same
year. He practiced a while at Gowanda.
Wilkes Angel was also admitted in 1842. Mr. Angel was a brother of
William P. Angel, and for several years was a prominent lawyer in Allegany
county. He is now deceased.
William Mitchell was admitted in the same year, 1842. He resided in
Wyoming county.
Arthur B. Fenner took the oath of office as an attorney of the Common
Pleas in October, 1842. Mr. Fenner resided in Chautauqua county. -
David J. Pulling was also admitted in 1842 and practiced for a time in
PVanklinville. It is said that he then went to Hume, Allegany county, but
no information has been obtained as to his subsequent career. Mr. Pulling
was a brother-in-law of the late A. P. Laning, of Buffalo, and was said to have
been an excellent lawyer.
Lewis D. Simonds was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1843.
He practiced in Ellicottville several years, and while there was appointed in
1844 to the office of master and examiner in chancery.
Theodore Smith was admitted as an attorney of the Common Pleas in
1843, but did not engage in practice. He was a native of Orwell, Rutland
county, Vt., and located in this county in 1838 ; he was for several years con-
nected with the Holland Land Company and afterwards in various important
Attorxevs Axn Counselors. 329
business enterprises. He subsequently moved to Buffalo. A more extended
sketch of Mr. Smith appears in the chapter devoted to the town of Elli-
cottville.
Orange Rose was also admitted in 1843, but no information has been ob-
tained as to his residence or practice.
J. Monroe Gillett was admitted in 1843 from Steuben county, but it docs
not appear that he was ever located in this county.
Wolcott Hatch was admitted in 1843. He lived in Cuba, Allegany county.
Horatio N.Jacobs was also admitted jn 1843 upon an examination, but it docs
not appear that either of these men practiced law in this county.
Addison G. Rice was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego county, December
29, 1821, and removed with his parents to the town of Otto, now Elast Otto,
in May, 1S26, and from that time until the fall of 1867 was a resident of this
county. He attended the district school and then a few terms at Springville
Academy, -and was also taught at home by his father,-who was then regarded
us among the best educated men in the county. In 1841 he commenced the
study of his profession with William P. Angel at Ellicottville and was ad-
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas in June, 1843, '^'''d to the Supreme
Court in October, 1846. He commenced the practice of his profession at FA-
licottville, where he continued to reside until he left the county. He repre-
sented the town of Ellicottville on the Board of Supervisors si.x years, from
1856 to 1859 inclusive and also in 1861 and again in 1867, and was chairman
of the board three years, from 1857 to 1859 inclusive. He was a delegate to
the first Republican national convention in 1856 and was a member of the
Assembly in 1862, in which he served as chairman of the Committee on Claims
and a member of the Ways and Means, and of the Committee on the Revi-
sion of Rules and Joint Rules of the two houses. After leaving this county
Mr. Rice practiced law a few years in the city of New York and subsequently
located in Buffalo, where he had an extensive practice, and was at the time
of his death a partner of Loran L. Lewis, now a justice of the SupremeCourt.
He was recognized as one of the foremost men at the Buffalo bar. While in
this county he became one of the leaders in the profession, often employed bj'
other attorneys as the leading counsel in the trial of important cases. Soon
after he was admitted to the bar he was married to Ellen R. McCoy. " Mr.
Rice was a man of varied learning, of comprehensive views, of great force of
character, of sound judgment, of strict integrity, resolute and determined, and
unyielding in the cause of right as he understood it."
Robert Owen, Jr., was born in Clarendon, Orleans county, on the 17th of
July, 1820. His father became a resident of Conewango in this county in
1828, Robert being then eight years old. His father, like most other early
settlers, was a man of moderate means, and moreover in those days academies
and select schools were not very numerous. He therefore could not give his
children such opportunities for mental culture as are enjoyed by most
42-
History of Cattaraugus County.
youths in these days, being compelled to keep his boys at home from even
the common schools during the summer and fall months. He was, however,
a man who loved learning and did all he could to aid his children in educating
their minds. He gave them all a portion of each day which was set apart
especially for study and reading, and he taught them also to spend theireven-
ings in this profitable manner. It was in this way that Mr. Owen obtained
what education he had as a foundation to begin his way in the world. When
he was about twenty years old he went to Randolph to study law, and for
this purpose entered the office of Joseph E. Weeden. He remained with him
several years, teaching school the first two \\inters to clothe himself and work-
ing for his board the rest of the year. He thus managed to acquire a knowl-
edge of the law wholly from his own independent exertions, having no aid in
his struggle from any quarter. As soon as he had prepared himself for his
business he opened an office in Randolph and began practice. On the nth
of January, 1846, he was married. In 1848 he entered into partnership with
Mr. Williams, afterwards of Jamestown, but this did not continue long. In
1849 ht; was nominated by the Whigs for the office of State senator and was
elected by a large majority. His health broke down soon after he was ad-
mitted to the bar, and during the first year in the Senate his health did not
permit him to take an active part in the work of the session. He was the
youngest member of the Senate, but during his career he won for himself a
reputation honorable in the highest degree. He was ambitious — too ambi-
tious by far for his powers of endurance. He never spoke except on great
occasions; and not then without the most careful and laborious preparation,
and the manner in which he delivered his views when the occasion came
showed the thoroughness of his study as well as the natural brilliancy of the
orator. One of his great speeches was upon the nomination of Hamilton
Fish for United States senator; and Mr. Fish was so much pleased with this
effort that he afterwards presented Mr. Owen a fine gold watch and chain.
During the latter part of the year 1851, while he was in Albany in the per-
iormance of his duties as a member of a select committee, his health again"
failed and it was some time before he was able to return home. He only
reached home in time to witness the death of his wife, which occurred on the
31st of December, 1851. After that his health continued to fail and he died
at Randolph, December 14, 1853.
Benjamin F. Green was admitted to the Common Pleas in this county in
1843. Mr. Green lived at Fredonia. He was elected a justice of the Supreme
Court in 1853 ^""^ <^'^d in i860.
William L. Starke was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor
in the year 1844.
Albert P. Laning was also admitted to practice in our Common Pleas in
1844. Mr. Laning subsequently located in Buffalo and became one of the
leading lawyers of western New York.
Attorneys and Counselors. 331
Alexander Storrs was born at Worcester, Otsego county, January 9, 1806.
After attending the common schools he began at the age of eighteen an ap-
prenticeship at the shoemaker's trade and worked at this trade until he came
to Franklinville in 1827. On the 15th of April, 1831, he married Phcebe Piatt,
daughter of Stephen Piatt, of Plattsburgh, Clinton county. In 1832 Mr.
Storrs moved to Hinsdale, where he resumed the shoemaker's trade. In 1836
he was elected justice of the peace in Hinsdale and held that office about
thirty years, being elected the last time in 1866. His election to the office of
justice of the peace led him to the study of the law, and in 1844 he was ad-
mitted to practice in the Common Pleas in this county, and to the Supreme
Court in 1853 and to the United States Court in 1857. In 1855 he was elected
a member of Assembly, and in this capacity it is said of him that he " was
an industrious, capable representati\e, always in his seat during the pendency
of any important legislation, voting against all jobs and corruption in what-
ever form presented to him." At that time he was a "hardshell" Democrat,
but in 1856 he joined the Republican party and thereafter was an earnest ad-
herent of the principles of this party. During the more active practice of Mr.
Storrs in Hinsdale that town was the center of a large trade. It was before
the building of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad, and the Gene-
see Valley canal was then in operation and Hinsdale was the principal point
of shipping for the Ischua valley and neighboring towns. Mr. Storrs had a
good law practice and was one of the solid men of Hinsdale. Emery A. Storrs,
Mr. Storrs's eldest son, who was educated in Hinsdale, subsequently re-
moved to Chicago, 111., where he became one of the leading lawyers of the
northwest. Alexander Storrs had charge of important business interests
while in active practice, being the counsel for several business men in Hins-
dale who carried on large enterprises, and he was considered a safe and wise
counselor. He paid more attention to office business than to court practice.
Allen C. Fuller was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1844.
He began practice in Hinsdale, but after a short sojourn there went to War-
saw, Wyoming county, and entered the office of James R. Doolittle. He was
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in this State in 1847. ^^ imme-
diately afterwards went west and located at Belvidere, 111. In 1854 he formed
a partnership with William H. Wood, formerly of Ellicottville, which con-
tinued about five years, when it was dissolved in consequence of Mr. Fuller's
election to the office of Circuit judge. At this time Mr. FuHer had estab-
lished an extensive practice and ranked among the ablest lawyers of northern
Illinois. He was nominated and ran on the Republican ticket as presidential
elector in 1856 and stumped the State in joint debate with the late General
Rawlins, the Democratic candidate for Congress in that year. Upon the election
of Governor Yates in 1860 Mr. Fuller accepted the position of adjutant-general
of the State and continued in that office during the war of the Rebellion. He
was recognized as an able and effective officer and rendered conspicuous serv-
History of Cattaraugus County,
ice in organizing the forces of the State and pushing them on to the field.
At the close of the war he retired from the practice of law and devoted him-
self to his own extensive business at Belvidere and elsewhere. He still resides
at Belvidere.
Gideon L. Walker was admitted in 1845 from Allegany county, where he
seems to have been engaged in practice.
George \V. Gillett was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas at the
January term, 1845, without examination, upon motion of Judge Chamberlain.
Mr. Gillett had been county clerk and did not engage in the practice of law.
, J. G. Staunton was also admitted in 1845. Azel B. Hamilton was admitted
in 1845, but it does not appear where either of these men lived.
J. M. Parker was in practice as an attorney in Gowanda for a short time
about the year 1845.
Milton L. Rice was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1845.
He was a brother of Addison G. Rice. Soon after his admission to the bar
he removed to Kentucky and there engaged in general practice. He became
eminent as a criminal lawyer. When the Civil war broke out he advocated
the Union cause and remained one of the strongest supporters of the admin-
istration of Abraham Lincoln. " His energetic individual efforts did much to
save Kentucky to the Union." He served as provost-marshal, and was also
one of the presidential electors from Kentucky in 1864. After the war he sub-
stantially abandoned the practice of law and embarked in railroad enterprises.
" His brain conceived and his energy pushed to completion the Iron Mountain
railroad and he was president of the company many years." This road after-
wards passed under the control of the Jay Gould Southwestern System and
Mr. Rice removed to Colorado. He subsequently removed to Spokane Falls,
W^ashington, where he died March 16, 1890.
Nelson Cobb, who was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas in 1845,
was prominent in public life in this county a generation ago, and no history
of the bar would be complete without a sketch of his career. He was born in
Greene county, N. Y., in 181 1. At the age of fourteen he moved with his
parents to Livingston county, where his father, with the aid of his two sons,
cleared up a farm. He attended the common schools in the winter and gained
a great deal of his knowledge at that time from his parents, both of whom had
been teachers, and who were educated, cultivated people. After finishing the
common schools he actended an academy a short time. What other educa-
tion he acquired was by his own efforts. He began the study of law at the
age of twenty-one, but his eyes failed and for five years he could do little or
nothing. While studying law he held his first office, at the age of twenty-two
— that of commissioner of public schools of the town of Portage. Soon after-
wards he held the position of constable, which office was of use on account
of the pay which he received. His ne.xt office was justice of the peace, nomi-
nated by the Democrats and endorsed by the Whigs, with onl\- three votes
Attorneys and Counselors. 333
cast against him. Having moved to Cattaraugus county and entered upon
the practice of law Mr. Cobb was nominated for prosecuting attorney and was
defeated by about thirty votes, the majority against his party being over 500.
He was soon afterwards elected judge of the county, being nominated by the
Democrats and endorsed by the Whigs and elected by a large majority. This
was in the year 1855. The term was for four years, which he held except the
last three months. He resigned to go to Kansas. He located at Lawrence,
in that State, in October, 1859. I" April, 1865, he was married to Susan Eliot
Baker, daughter of Marsena Baker, of Farmersville, a highly esteemed farmer
and a member of the State Legislature at the time of his death. It was dur-
ing the white heat of the strife of the war of the Rebellion that Governor
Robinson, the first Free Soil governor of Kansas, appointed Judge Cobb to
the position of chief justice of Kansas in place of Chief Justice Thomas Ewing.
Judge Cobb had always been a Democrat, and though not a fanatic his politi-
cal opinions were, as he was, firmly grounded in the Democratic faith, but his
reputation was so. high that the governor had no hesitation in giving the ap-
pointment, and his acceptance of the trust was received by the public regard-
less of party with entire satisfaction. Judge Cobb has decided many impor-
tant cases and has handed down some opinions that will long stand as authority
upon the questions involved. His reputation as a sound lawyer and an upright
judge rests mainly, however, on his decisions in reference cases, settling prin-
ciples of both law and fact. Mr. Cobb is not without military record. His
age exempted him from military duty, but he was not slow to join in helping
to defend the homes and property of his friends and neighbors. With the
breaking out of the war it became npparent that Lawrence was endangered.
He joined Captain Cracklin's company and drilled industriously. After Quan-
trell had burned Lawrence, sacked the place, and butchered 180 of her people
it was evident that more vigorous measures must be taken. An independent
militia company was formed in Lawrence and equipped in the best possible
manner with weapons and ammunition paid for by the members of the com-
pany for the defense of the city. Judge Cobb was a private in the company,
which was subsequently mustered into the State militia. During the Price
raid he served as a member of the company under Captain Swift, a fearless and
gallant soldier, in the Wilson Creek fight. The judge never asked for nor
received any compensation for his services. He lost a fine law library, which
was burned by the Ouantrell raiders. In 1868 Judge Cobb moved to Kansas
City, Mo., where he still lives. Here he continued the practice of his profession,
and was the senior partner in the firm of Cobb & Cook for ten years and had
charge of several protracted and important trials. He has retired from active
life and is living quietly with his family, consisting of his wife and three daugh-
ters. While Judge Cobb was practicing law in Ellicottville he was for a time
a partner of Allen D. Scott. While county judge he was also acting surrogate
and performed the duties of both offices until April, 1857, when the two offices
334 History of Cattaraugus County.
were separated by act of the Legislature and Judge Scott was appointed sur-
rogate. Judge Cobb is remembered by the older members of the bar as a
careful, painstaking lawyer and an upright citizen.
Edwin O. Locke was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas on Feb-
ruary 5, 1845, ^"d in June of the same year was admitted to practice in the
Supreme Court at Rochester.- Prior to this time he had practiced consider-
ably in the lower courts. He practiced at Little Valley and also at Machias.
He was a justice of the peace and also a justice of sessions in 1850. His
most active practice occurred at the time of the building of the Erie railroad,
as there was considerable trouble about title, wages, etc., incident to the en-
terprise. His opportunities for early education were somewhat limited, but
by diligent e.xertion he succeeded in acquiring a fair education and became
well read in the books of his time. He was a pleasing speaker and possessed
an ample stock of ready wit. He died in 1853. Charles G. Locke, of Ran-
dolph, the surveyor, is his son.
William H. Wood was born at Hinsdale on June 25, 1822. His father,
Emery Wood, was born in Greene county in 1797. At the age of fifteen
years he entered the United States army in the War of 1812. He was twice
taken prisoner. He was conveyed to Halifax, where he was released at the
close of the war. He settled in Hinsdale in 1816, and in 1819 was married to
Permelia Marsh and engaged in agricultural and mercantile business. William
H., the subject of this sketch, passed his earlier years on his father's farm and
in his store, attending such district schools as were to be found in the neigh-
borhood at that time. Afterwards he was sent to the academy at Springville,
then to the seminary at Lima, N. Y., where he finished his preparatory course
in 1840. In the fall of the same year he entered Geneva College at Geneva,
N. Y., remaining there during the freshman year. He was admitted to the
sophomore class in Union College at Schenectady in 1841 and graduated from
that institution in 1844. Having commenced reading law in the office of
Judge Jones before his graduation he determined to embrace the legal pro-
fession. Upon his return from college he entered the law ofiice of Eleazar
Harmon, of Ellicottville, one of the leading lawyers of western New York, in
October, 1844. He was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas
in June, 1845, and immediately formed a' partnership with Mr. Harmon. He
was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in 1847. His partnership
with Mr. Harmon, under the firm name of Harmon & Wood, continued until
1850, when Mr. Harmon retired from active practice on account of ill health.
Mr. Wood remained in practice in Ellicottville until he removed from the
State in November, 1854. In 1850 he was elected to the office of district
attorney and held the office one term until December 31, 1853. In the fall
of that year he was elected a member of Assembly on the Democratic ticket,
and was a member of the Legislature during the session of 1854. In Novem-
ber, 1854, he left the State and engaged in practice at Belvidere, Boone
Attorneys and Counselors. 335
county, 111., in connection with Allen C. Fuller, formerly of Hinsdale, the firm
being Fuller & Wood. In May, 1861, he removed to Chicago. Since that
time he has not been in much active practice, but is engaged as trustee for
large property interests. In 1869 he purchased a residence at Oak Park, a sub-
urb of Chicago, where he resides. While residing at Belvidere he was county
superintendent of schools. He has been supervisor of the town in which he
lives and for three years was county commissioner. In 1847 'i^ married Fran-
ces A., daughter of David Gregory, of Ellicottville. He is a member of the
Reformed Episcopal church. Until 1856 he was a Democrat, but since the
organization' of the Republican party he has been one of its most earnest ad-
herents. He is a brother of Staley N. Wood, of Hinsdale.
William Woodbury was born at Salem, Mass., September 8, 1818. His
father, Rev. David Woodbury, was a Baptist minister, and in 1822, with his
family and goods' in a two-horse wagon, he made the journey from Massachu-
setts to Chautauqua county and settled on a farm three miles south of Fre-
donia. The journey exhausted his means except his horses and wagon, which
he sold for a Holland land article of the farm, and his family were subject to
the severe privations common to all the early settlers. This section was then
largely a wooded country, and the rude but healthful fare — corn-bread, pota-
toes, beech-nut pork, and " leeky " butter — developed sinew and strength, and
the father, mother, and five children (of whom William was the third) by in-
dustry and economy supplied the wants (few compared with this age) necessary
to a comfortable home. Among the early settlers contentions and strifes could
not be afforded. A mutual dependence existed, and the call for help by any
neighbor was quickly responded to. Men who opened the wilderness to the
sun were almost invariably large-hearted and big-brained men who were there
to grapple with the hardships of frontier life. Game was plenty, and as William
grew up he became fond of the chase and a good marksman, and has retained
his love of field sports through life. In 1834 his father's family moved to a
farm near Silver Creek. William remained at home, worked on the farm
summers, attended school winters, and one term of a select school at Silver
Creek. In the spring of 1839 he left home to seek his fortune in the west.
With a leather trunk, a limited amount of clothing, and $1 1.75 in money, the
sum total of his earthly effects, he went to Jamestown, worked two weeks
rafting lumber, and then hired to Jones & Seymour to help run a raft to Cin-
cinnati. He left Frewsburg the last of April and the next day they " tied
up " at Warren. The lumber was run to Pittsburg in sections ; there the
whole was formed into one raft, six rods wide and twenty rods long. The nights
were cold and frosty. A thin scattering of straw for a bed and only a light
overcoat for covering made the nineteen days of running the raft a time of se-
vere suffering. The young man soon gained the good will of the owners and
of the hands, though many of them were rough characters. At Cincinnati he
took a boat for St. Louis, getting a reduction of his fare by helping wood.
336 History of Cattaraugus County.
After one day at St. Louis he went up the river to Rock Island, and there
started on foot for Chicago, following the trails of that unbroken country for
his guide. Eight miles west of Chicago he found employment, remained there
nearly two j-ears, made many friends, then came home to Silver Creek by boat
" down the lakes." In 1842 he began to study law with Judge Elisha Ward
at Silver Creek, with whom he remained until admitted to practice in Chautau-
qua and Cattaraugus counties. He was admitted to the Common Pleas here
in 1845, and opened an office in Gowanda, where he has since resided. In
January, 1846, Mr. Woodbury married Majorie J. Barnard, of Forestville, and
he says that to her counsels and energy he is largely indebted for all he has
accomplished in life. In 1848 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme
Court in the class with Judge S. S. Spring. In 1849 1""-' ^^^s elected justice of
the peace and appointed postmaster of Gowanda and held the office until a
change of administration. In 1859 he was elected county judge and held this
office four years. In 1862 he was commissioner for the draft which was sus-
pended on the eve of completion by Governor Fenton. In 1873 he was ap-
pointed railroad commissioner for Persia and still holds the office. David R.
Woodbury, of Wisconsin, A. B. Woodbury, of Silver Creek, and himself are the
only members of his father's family living. Family tradition says that his
grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary army and fought at the battle
of Bunker Hill, and that he was uncle of Levi Woodbury, an eminent jurist
of New Hampshire. Judge Woodbury's mother's maiden name was Esther
Wales. Her father was a resident of Massachusetts and often a representative
in its Legislature. Judge Woodbury is the oldest lawyer in active practice in
the county, and for nearly half a century has occupied a prominent place at
the bar, and been connected with a large proportion of the important cases.
A friend of Judge Woodbury contributes the following:
"Ho commenced prot'essioniil life with a single iiim, and that was to e.vcel as a lawyer. Of robust consti-
tution, an analytical mind, and a love for the work he soon achieved hiy;h standing: as a careful practitioner.
Judffc Woodbury does not believe in dazzling? the jury by meaningless pyrotechnics. Mastery of the law
and facts of his case, united with good judsjment, was the ground work of his success. He had an e.valted
conception of the duties a lawyer owes to his client. A retainer called forth his best enerjjies and honest
work. Thousfh iutensel}' Uepublican he was never attracted to political life. He well knew that his domi-
nating purpose to attain prominence in his profession was incompatible with a thirst for oIKcial preferment.
Earnest conviction charactei ized his every act. In examining a question of law he made it a part of him-
self and was relentless in his pursuit of it, and even an adverse decision by the court of last resort rarely
altered his convictions. Defeat at Circuit or Special Term seldom discouraged him. Few men equalled
him in nerve and coolness. If in the trial of a cause unexpected evidenceapparently destroyed his chances
of success he was not disturbed by it. He has always been a hard flghter in his profession. Earnest, ag-
gressive, indomitable, and relentless in what he deemed right he e.xcelled as a lawyer. He was a good
citizen, an upright man who believed the oM-fashioued virtues should be a part of a man's daily life."
Alexander Sheldon was born in Victor, N. Y., April 5, 1823. " His par-
ents were farmers in limited circumstances, and the privileges of his boyhood
were very meager compared to many around him." He worked hard upon
his father's farm, and was also engaged at different times by neighboring
farir.ers. His means of education were the common schools and after-
wards the academy at Mendon, Monroe county, where he spent two years.
Attorneys and Counselors. 337
He early formed the resolution to leave home and seek his fortune in the
west. His mother tied up his scanty wardrobe and he set out on foot. "He
reached Randolph in 1842, at the age of nineteen, with a capital of §7 and all
his personal effects contained in a pocket handkerchief." He first found em-
ployment as a merchant's clerk, but having determined to enter the legal pro-
fession he used his spare time in pursuing such studies as would best fit him
for his life work. He struggled through this period under great disadvan-
tages, but he overcame them all and was admitted in our Common Pleas in
1846. It is said that his first cause was in justice's court and his client was
non-suited through an error of Mr. Sheldon's. He immediately paid the
costs out of his own pocket, though it took nearly all his money, and began
the case again. This time he succeeded, and thenceforward his professional
life was eminently successful. ■ His business was in the higher courts and was
of a character that called for the greatest research and most profound knowl-
edge of law. "His office became among his friends a place of frequent re-
sort for counsel and advice, as his great experience and practical information
on subjects that crowd the daily walks of life made him an invaluable coun-
selor. He was a peacemaker rather than a promoter of strife; and his coun-
sel was for a fair adjustment of difficulties wherever attainable." May 28,
1851, he was married to Leonora E. Granger, of Tolland, Mass. In 1853 he was
elected district attorney of this county and served one term. It is said that
he afterwards received a unanimous nomination for county judge, which he
declined. He was elected to the Assembly in the fall of 1S51 and served
during the session of 1852. Mr. Sheldon was one of the strongest lawyers in
this county and was highly esteemed as a citizen. It is said that he was pre-
eminently the young man's friend. To the students in his office he gave not
only the words of cheer and encouragement, but the advantages of his exten-
sive practice. He died at Jamestown, N. Y., February 16, 1866.
Orlo J. Hamlin was admitted to practice in 1846 from the Supreme Court
of Pennsylvania.
Enos H. Southwick took the oath of office as an attorney of the Common
Pleas on June 17, 1846, but did not engage in practice. Mr. SouttiwicR was
for a long time connected with the county clerk's office, and was elected to
the office of county clerk in 1852 and again in 1858.
Alonzo Turner was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1846, but does not
seem to have practiced in this county.
E. L. Rice was admitted in 1846, but no information has been obtained
concerning him.
Alfred Tallent practiced law in Olean sometime in the forties, but did not
remain long. It is said he removed to Jamestown and subsequently to
New York. He is said to have been an able lawyer.
J. T. Clark lived and practiced law at Versailles in this county for a short
time about 1848. It is said that he left his family here and went to Califor-
43
338 History of Cattaraugus County.
nia and remained there a few years; that he accumulated some money,
returned, and took his family and went away.
Charles P. Washburn* was born at Cavendish in the State of Vermont on
the 4th of September, 182 1. The family of which he was a member has been
remarkable for its many men of note in the public service, of whom the most
distinguished, perhaps, was the Hon. E. B. Washburn, of Illinois. Those who
were acquainted with the subject of this sketch during the few years that
death spared his early manhood will admit that no brighter promise of a
splendid eminence ever stimulated the energies of an aspiring nature. He
w^s brilliant even in his boyhood, easily distancing all his comrades in study
and attainments. Yet his was not, as is mostly the case with boys that are
called smart, a mere evanescent precocity that sickened and died before the
boy became a man. He developed in mind as he grew in stature, and every
year to the day of his death added to his resources and strength. He studied
hard and he never left a subject till he mastered it. He delighted in that
exercise from which most boys shrink with unconquerable distaste, the exercise
of declamation. Even when a school boy he faced an audience, however
large, with the assurance of a practiced speaker, but without a touch of impu-
dence or pert conceit, and in all declamatory contests for prizes or on "exhi-
bition " days he stood unrivalled and pre-eminent. As the boy developed into
youth and young manhood he composed and spoke his own discourses, and
whether in the tilt of the lyceum or the rough and tumble of the debating
club he was the invariable victor. He was a born orator, endowed with the
whole range of qualifications requisite to the part, an unrivalled command of
forceful and picturesque expression, imperturbable assurance, a voice .of great
compass and melodious in all its tones, and a delivery of wonderful grace and
power. These brilliant qualities were supplemented by a ready, powerful,
and cultivated intellect, a ripe scholarship, and a vivid imagination — all set off
to the highest advantage by a winning presence, a gallant carriage, and a
countenance which in moments of inspiration glowed and shone with the
emotions of a pure and noble spirit. On the lecture platform he was superb.
He was magnificent on the stump. But he was seen at his best on a purely
extemporaneous occasion when something had occurred to put him on his
mettle. Mr. VV^ashburn entered Dartmouth College and completed the college
course, graduating with high honors, though not the highest of his class. The
assistance his father had been able to give him had been slight and he was
considerably in debt for the means to pay his college expenses. In order to
provide for the discharge of that debt, and also for his expenses while study-
ing for a profession, he was compelled to teach. He found a suitable oppor-
tunity in Virginia, where he remained some years. While there he was
attacked by a sickness, lasting several months, that brought him very near to
* The author of this chapter is indebted to .Judge David H. BoUes, of Glean, for this appreciative sketch
of Mr. Washburn.
Attorxevs axd Couxselors. 339
death. It resulted in a fever-sore that sadly weakened and crippled him dur-
ing the whole residue of his life. But he accomplished his purpose, and after
returning north completed his legal studies, which he had pursued in Virginia
as opportunity had offered, and was admitted to the bar of New York State
in 1848. He was in politics an ardent Whig, and he entered with great fervor
into the presidential campaign of that year for Taylor and Fillmore.
He had become 'a resident of EUicottville in the county of Cattaraugus.
He was almost a stranger there and quite so to the people of the county at
large, but he worked and spoke for the presidential candidates of his party
with such'vigor, eloquence, and effect that he was the same fall made its can-
didate for county treasurer. He continued on the stump, and much oftener
than was safe, until November, when he was elected, and started upon the
duties of his office in January following. Owing to ill health and other draw-
backs he did not actively commence the practice of law till the summer of
1850, when he formed a partnership with William P. Angel at EUicottville,
and for a few months made the law his principal business. But the " Com-
promise Measures " of that year had been stirring up flagrant controversy in
the bosom of the Whig party between the then president, Mr. Fillmore, his
administration, and his friends on the one hand and Mr. Seward and his fol-
lowing on the other. Mr. Washburn took a decided interest in politics and
became a strong and untiring champion of the administration or Silver Grey
side of the question. He was, in the fall of the year, appointed acting Indian
agent for the State of New York. He held the ofifice some months, when, at
the desire of Mr. Fillmore, who wished to placate a political coterie in Buffalo
by conferring that place on a Buffalo man, he resigned and was almost imme-
diately appointed to a special agency in the Postoffice Department, which he
held to ihe day of his death. As the duties of these successive posts, espe-
cially the last, were exacting, and his health never good, he practically ended
his career as a lawyer by the acceptance of the first office. The whole of his
active connection with the practice was comprised within the period of a very
few months, but none who knew him can for a moment doubt that, had his
life been spared and devoted to that profession, his gifts would have led him
up to its highest honors. He died at EUicottville, after a final sickness of a
few days, on the 3d of March, 1853. Indeed his life, from the attack in Vir-
ginia, was one long sickness and involved a continued struggle against the de-
bilitating effects of a prostrating disease and almost unremitting pain. Noth-
ing but an indomitable will, irrepre'ssible ambition, and unflinching courage
enabled him to withstand the fearful and at last fatal drain upon his strength
and stamina. In person Mr. Washburn was slightly above medium stature.
In spite of the limp in his gait, caused by his fever-sore, his carriage was ex-
tremely graceful. His head was a noble one and his countenance luminous
with intellect. He was the most instructive and delightful of companions,
always genial and gracious even when his tortured body was racked with pain.
340 History of Cattaraugus County.
No matter how much he might be suffering his smile was always ready, his
spirit always high. His talk flowed on like a beautiful river, now musical
with the murmur of laughing ripples, now sonorous with the rush of the cat-
aract. Dying he left among the living few equals, no superior.
E. H. Sears took the oath of office as an attorney in this county in June,
1848. He does not seem to have been a resident of the county.
Cyrenius C. Torrance was the youngest of eight children. His parents em-
igrated from Middlebury, Vt., in 1808, to the State of New York, locating near
Buffalo, and in 1824 moved to Michigan near Mt. Clemens, where Mr. Tor-
rance was born July 21, 1825. The family left Michigan and came to reside
in Persia in this county in 1827. Mr. Torrance's grandfather was an Irish Prot-
estant who emigrated from Ireland to Vermont about the middle of the i8th
century. He bought 400 acres of land in what is now East Middlebury, built
a brick house on it, married a wife, and had five children. He died in 18 16.
His children were all born in the brick house, all grew up to manhood and
womanhood, and all died in the old brick house except the father of Cyrenius,
who died in Hidi, near Gowanda, in 1838. Mr. Torrance's education was ac-
quired in the district schools. He studied law with the late Chester Howe in
Gowanda, entering his office in 1842. He became a partner with Mr. Howe
in 1846. This partnership continued until 1852, when Mr. Howe entered upon
the duties of the office of county judge, to which he had been elected the pre-
ceding autumn. Mr. Torrance continued the practice of law in Cattaraugus
county until 1858, when he moved into Erie county on the north side of the
creek. He was married to Miss Mary Curtis on October 21, 1851. He was
elected district attorney of Erie county in 1863 and appointed Grover Cleve-
land his assistant. He was afterwards a candidate for State senator upon the
Democratic ticket, but was defeated. Mr. Torrance was a partner in the prac-
tice of law at Gowanda with Henry F. Allen, now of Buffalo. Later he formed
a partnership with George M. Rider, now of Ellicottville, and at the time of
his decease was in partnership with Fred J. Blackmon. In connection with
his law business he was interested in various manufacturing enterprises. Mr.
Torrance represented the town of Collins several years on the Board of Super-
visors of Erie county and occupied a prominent place in that body. He was
a man of intense activity, great pertinacity and strength of will combined with
keen intelligence, and in the practice of his profession was a foeman whose
steel was always to be dreaded. He was a tireless worker, a hard student, and
thoroughly prepared all his cases. During the later years of his life his health
began to decline, and he sought relief in travel, but without avail. He died
April I, 1888.
Lewis Hall took the oath of office January 27, 1847, but where he lived or
practiced has not been ascertained.
William H. Andrews was admitted in 1847. He was raised in Leon, and
while a young man was a clerk in a store there. After his admission to the
Attorneys and Counselors. 341
bar he practiced at Leon and then went to Buffalo, where he became promi-
nent. Mr. Andrews was some time in partnership with ex-President Millard
Fillmore. He died several years ago.
Benjamin Mosher was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas at the
January term, 1847, after an examination by a committee composed of George
A. S. Crooker, Anson Gibbs, and Pliny L. Fox. Mr. Mosher did not prac-
tice in the courts of records, but was one of the most active and successful
practitioners of his day in justice's court. At that time justice court practice
was different from what it is now, and several men in different parts of the
county gave a great deal of attention to it and became very expert. Mr.
Mosher was one of the recognized leaders of the justice court bar. He was
one of the pioneers of Leon, coming from Hoosick Falls, N. Y., and occu-
pied a prominent place in her history and development. He was a man of
strong will and great firmness, and wielded a great influence in local affairs.
George VV. Canfield was bor in Middlefield, Otsego county, in 1816. He
studied law in Ellicottville and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He opened
an office in Buffalo with Judge Clinton. He afterward moved to Ellicottville,
then to Hinsdale, then back to Ellicottville, then to Little Valley, and then to
West Salamanca, practicing some time in each of these places. He died at
West Salamanca, April 12, 1867. Mr. Canfield had for many years been often
subject to severe illness, vvhich embarrassed him in the practice of his profes-
sion, and his life had evidently not been altogether a cheerful one. It is said
that a short time before he expired he requested his sister to open the door
that he might look out upon the green earth again. He took a last survey
as far as he could see, said "it looks pleasant," and then said: "I have had a
rough and stormy life, and I am ready to have it closed today." He is said
to have been honorable and upright and highly esteemed in the circle of his
acquaintances and friends, and had maintained a reputable standing in his
profession. His remains were buried in Ellicottville.
Stephen P. Mead was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas on Janu-
ary 31,1 848. He was a son of Amos T. and Ann ( Purdy) Mead and was born
in the town of Norwich, Chenango county, September 26, 1819. He received
his education at Fredonia Academy and in 1839 entered the law office of
Chauncey Tucker, of Fredonia, and graduated at Cambridge Law School
in 1842. He then returned to the office of Mr. Tucker. In 1844 he went to
Versailles, N. Y., and in 1850 was appointed agent for the New York Indians
and served in this capacity three years. In 1855 he went to La Porte, Ind.,
and served two terms as sheriff of La Porte county. He was then appointed
clerk of the court and served as such until he went to California in 1870.
He held the office of deputy collector at San Francisco a number of years.
He died at Healdsborough, Cal., in 1887. It is said that Mr. Mead did not
practice his profession after removing from this county and did but little busi-
ness while here.
342 History of Cattaraugus County.
Joseph B. Wilkins was admitted to practice in 1848, but does not seem to
have practiced law in this county until 1868, when he located in Allegany and
remained there until 1873, and then removed to Michigan, where he died
about ten years ago.
Samuel Stowell Spring was a son of Samuel and Eunice (Stowell) Spring,
and was born at Grafton, Vt., December 25, 1823. He was the youngest of
a family of fourteen children. His father was an energetic and practical
farmer located on the uplands bordering upon the eastern slope of the Green
Mountains and living on a stony farm, and it required an unfaltering industry
to wring from the stubborn soil the required means of subsistence. Prior to
the age of fourteen years young Spring's educational advantages were confined
principally to the common school. His study there was supplemented by
home teaching, by which he received not only the rudiments of learning, but
the exemplary teachings of his father, instilling into his life habits of industry,
energy, and perseverance ; and also the wise counsels and pious precepts of
his mother. At the age of fourteen he entered upon a higher grade of
studies under the tuition of his brother Levi, who was a ripe scholar and a
graduate of Amherst College. Here he remained a student until the fall of
1842, when he came to Arcade, Wyoming county, and attended the academy
at that place one year, and then entered the ofifice of his brother, Leverett
Spring, and began the study of law. He did chores for his board and worked
in the hay-field in summer to earn money to defray his expenses while pursu-
ing his legal studies. He remained in the office of his brother until 1845,
when he entered the law office of Wells Brooks, a prominent lawyer at
Springville, where he remained a few months, and then returned to Arcade,
where he prosecuted his legal studie:^ nearly two years. In the spring of 1848
he left his brother's office and became a student in the office of Gen. Linus
W. Thayer, of Warsaw, and remained there until the fall of the same year,
when he was admitted to the bar. He came to Franklinville in the autumn-
of 1848 and opened an office for the practice of his profession. He was then
unacquainted there, was in debt, and though well grounded in the elementary
principals of the law he had had no experience whatever in its actual practice.
David McCluer, of Franklinville, and Jerome B. Jewell, of Machias, were then
in their prime and were astute practitioners in justice's court. It is said that
they combined to run out the rawyouth whose appearance indicated verdancy.
Mr. Spring was at first easily beaten by them injustice's court, but his knowl-
edge of the law enabled him to secure reversals and after a year or two he
became master of the situation. He always liked to practice in justice's
court; and even after his elevation to the bench he arranged to go into Alle-
gany county on "pettifogging" trips, but was prevented by other engage-
ments. " Ever clear and earnest in his convictions he at once took high rank
in his profession, and was always distinguished for his complete mastery of
his cases and thorough knowledge of legal principles." In the great majority
Attokxevs and Counselors. 343
of cases he was attorney for the plaintiff. During a good portion of the time
he was in practice he was the only lawyer in Franklinville or that vicinity, and
consequently w.as employed by those wishing to commence actions and was
engaged in most of the cases arising in that part of the county.
On the 9th of May, 1850, he married Ellen, daughter of William Hogg, of
Franklinville, she being the youngest of a family of twelve children. He con-
tinued in the practice of his profession with complete success and a growing
popularity, and in the fall of 1859 ^^'^s elected district attorney of Cattaraugus
county and re-elected in 1862, holding the ofifice in all six years. In 1870,
with a unanimity scarcely paralleled in the history of political contests, he
was chosen to the ofifice of county judge, the duties of which he continued to
discharge until the time of his death. "As a prosecuting attorney he was
without vindictiveness to the criminal, but to the crime he was as relentless
as destiny, allowing no' considerations to interfere with the majesty of the law
or to swerve him from his inflexible purpose of punishing the guilty, and no
defective indictment ever tarnished his legal reputation. As a judge he held
the scale of justice with an even and steady hand, zealously guarding the
rights of all and granting favors to none. His unbending integrity as a man,
and his extensive and thorough knowledge of the principles of law, secured
for him the entire confidence of every member of the legal profession who
had business at the court over which he presided, and appeals were seldom
taken from his decisions. Not only had he secured the entire confidence of
the legal profession, but by his honor as a man, his urbanity as a gentleman,
and his conceded ability as a jurist he had acquired a growing popularity that
pointed unmistakably to his elevation to a seat upon the bench of the
Supreme Court of the State." Judge Spring was brought up with the New
England notions of economy, and was never given in the least to speculation.
He was liberal and public spirited, but careful in small matters. He was
always in favor of public improvements, and during the war was a liberal
contributor in proportion to his means for the suppression of the Rebellion.
He was a reticent man as to himself, and sometimes appeared on the surface
severe, even to asperity. This was caused during his later years by severe
sickness; in fact, he was very tender hearted and could ijever endure seeing
others suffer from pain or disease. His knowledge of the law was remarkable,
and also his quickness in comprehending the vital point in any case. His was
the motto of St Paul: "This one thing I do," and his whole life was devoted
to the gratification of his ambition to excel as a lawyer.
He always enjoyed farming and since 1857 owned a small farm on which
the family lived. About 1866 he added to this until he had one hundred and
eighty acres, and he always assisted in the chores and in haying. His prac-
tice extended over a wide circuit, embracing nearly all of eastern Cattaraugus
and extending into Allegany, Erie, and Wyoming counties. He had a
remarkable love for the profession and also for his brother lawyers. He
344 History of Cattaraugus County.
always enjoyed their companionship, but the burden of his talk was about the
law. He never believed in making his fees dependent upon the result of the
case, adopting the position that his services were worth the same, regardless
of the consequences to his client. His outside reading was not extensive but
the books he read were standard and mainly historical. He was an enthusi-
astic admirer of Macaulay and read both his '"Essays" and "History" more
than any other works. He was also a thorough student of Hallam's works
reading carefully his "Constitutional History of England" and his "History
of the Middle Ages." " In the initial proceedings for the incorporation of-
tHe village of Franklinville Judge Spring took an active and prominent part;
his influence as a citizen and his knowledge of law either bore down or neu-
tralized the powerful opposition arrayed against it and carried the enterprise
to a successful termination. He was elected as its first president, and by his
skill and astuteness, in connection with his official compeers, placed it as an
incorporation in successful operation."
Subsequent to 1870 his health was in a state of slow but constant decline
from a malady which defied all medical skill, and for five years he suffered
intense pain without a murmur, never relaxing his habitual industry or ignor-
ing his official duties. In the summer of 1875, by the advice of friends, he
was induced to travel in the delusive hope that the invigorating atmosphere
of the lake region of northern Minnesota might improve his health or at
least mitigate his sufferings. He arrived at Duluth early in July, but after a
few days was taken violently ill, and on the iSth of July, 1875, he quietly
breathed his last, a stranger in a strange land. His remains were brought
home and are now deposited in Mount Prospect Cemetery on the confines of
the village of Franklinville, in easy view of that quiet home he loved so
dearly and from which he parted so reluctantly. Hon. David H. BoUes, of
Olean, who was many years a compeer of Judge Spring in the practice of
law in this county, contributes the following observations on his professional
and personal characteristics:
"There was nothing in the personal appearance of Mr. Spring to indicate
the genuine and solid qualities of mind and character that lay hid under his
peculiar exterior. ,A stranger observing him for the first time in court would
have been surprised to be informed that he was one of the foremost lawyers
in the county. The stranger would also have noted this peculiarity about him
- — the striking resemblance he bore in many ways, and particularly in his face
and head, to Abraham Lincoln. There was discernible in him the same
angularity of form and figure, the same carelessness of dress and attitude, the
same cast of countenance and irregularity of feature, that distinguished the
great president. His many peculiarities of manner and of person might be
termed eccentricities, but they were all honest, natural, and genuine. He
copied nobody. There was nothing put on for the purpose of exciting atten-
tion or remark, or gaining a reputation for originality. They were the spon-
Attorneys and Counselors. 345
taneous output of the man, odd and quaint, but entirely unaffected. These
pecuHarities might and sometimes did move the looker-on who did not know
him to smile, but the smile would have disappeared at once on a better
acquaintance, for under this surface of eccentricity he would have discerned
the sterling qualities and high deserts of the man. Mr. Spring was a lawyer
in the best sense of the word. Honesty is a homely term, and represents, as
most suppose, a very common virtue, but such is not the fact. Downright,
perfect, honest honesty is a merit too rare to be undervalued or ignored. He
was honest as a man, and emphatically an honest lawyer. His honesty bore
the 'hall mark.' It was veritable and genuine. He was an able lawyer like-
wise— thoroughly grounded in the doctrines, maxims, and science of the law,
and exhaustively mastering the facts and principles involved in the cause in
hand ; full of resources and skillful in the use of them ; rarely, if ever, taken by
surprise; able, aggressive, vigilant, untiring, and sagacious; he was a redoubt-
able advocate and a formidable adversary- in any forum, and before a jury as
well as the court in banc. He was an industrious lawyer (and indeed without
industry no lawyer can be either able or honest) ; patient and indefatigable in
the preparation of his case, taking nothing for granted, questioning his client
for the facts and searching his library for the law, and turning the light of
his trained and subtle intellect upon every aspect, prospect, and tendency of
his case. It is almost superfluous to add that he was scrupulously loyal to
every trust. To every matter that came to his hands, whether trifling or im-
portant, he devoted his time, skill, and energy. If, as some one has said,
genius is industry, Mr. Spring possessed genius of the highest order. He was
industry incarnate. It was, in the main, industry that triumphed over all the
deficiencies and drawbacks of his early years, and established him on an
assured eminence of reputation and success. But his list of sterling attributes
did not begin and end with industry. There were many other auxiliary quali-
ties that aided in making him what he was. His moral perceptions were
quick and clear, his principles sound to the core, his convictions strong and
abiding. He detested sham and pretense. To his friends he was hearty and
loyal, to his enemies frank and bitter. His mind was always in working
order; his intellectual perceptions were rapid, clear, and accurate, his logic
cogent and convincing. He made no pretentions to eloquence, but his
speech was fluent, lucid, and replete with energy, and the quaintness and
oddity of his style were often a helpful embellishment. His courage was in-
domitable and exhaustless, and he was seen at his best when confronted by
the jeopardy of a desperate case. No matter what the odds, he flung himself
into the fight without fear and without a thought of defeat or discomfiture.
He gave his whole soul and all his energies to his case. Beyond all doubt
his death was due to the tremendous toil and tireless devotion that marked
his professional life. He died universally mourned and regretted, and his
body was followed to the grave by a great concourse of sorrowing friends,
44
346 History of Cattaraugus County.
among whom were many members of the bar from his own and other counties.
He yet lives in the memory of the many who knew and honored him."
James O. Crosby is a native of the village of Lake George, Warren county,
where he was born March 22, 1828. His father was Nathan Crosby and his
mother, Melinda, was a daughter of Ketchel Bishop, who for fourteen years
in succession represented Warren county in the New York Legislature during
the gubernatorial careers of Daniel D. Tompkins and De Witt Clinton. The
family moved to Little Valley in 1836. In 1842 Mr. Crosby determined that
James should be a lawyer, and as the law required a seven years' course of
study at that time, and a certificate to be filed at the beginning with the clerk
of the Supreme Court by an attorney of that court, it was designed to start
the boy in at fourteen to gain admission to the bar on arriving at his majority.
Pliny L. Fox was then practicing law at Little Valley, and arrangements were
made whereby he was to take the boy under his care and hear his recitations
in Blackstone. During the winter following it was ascertained that Mr. Fox
was only admitted to the Common Pleas and that no certificate had been filed.
Mr. Crosby made arrangements the next spring with Daniel Reed Wheeler at
Ellicottville, then district attorney, to take the boy into his office and board
in his family. He was also expected to assist about the office and house, and
the " chores " were sometimes so numerous that there was no time for the office
work. On one of those days Mr. Wheeler said: "Now, James, while we are
taking out this hole of potatoes I shall certify for you just the same as though
you spent the time in the office." That winter the student took a recess and
taught school in the Lebanon district in the town of Cold Spring, and in the
spring attended one term at the Fredonia Academy and then entered the office
of Eleazar Harmon. William H. Wood, who had just graduated from Union
College, entered the office as a student three days before. The next winter
was spent in teaching in the Kill Buck district in Great Valley and the winter
following in the district half-way from Ellicottville to Great Valley. In those
days teachers "boarded round." Robert H. Shankland was then surrogate
and Francis E. Baillett was county clerk, and they gave the student occasional
work, enough to pay his board. When the constitution of 1846 was adopted
the time clause in the course of study for law students was abrogated, and
good character and qualifications only were needed to gain admission to the
bar. In 1848 John W. Fowler was conducting a law school at Cherry Valley,
N. Y., and from November of that year until the March following, when the
school was moved to Ballston Spa, Mr. Crosby "bunked" with Daniel G. Bing-
ham in the back room of Charles C. Coleman's office, and attended the school
while it lasted, and after that closed and until the General term of the Supreme
Court at Albany in May, 1849, studied diligently, and then went to Albany
with Mr. Bingham, where they were both admitted at that term. Charles P.
Washburn was a partner of William P. Angel, but ill health kept him from the
office, and on returning to Ellicottville Mr. Crosby at once found employment
Attorneys axd Counselors. 347
in their office as managing clerk, and so continued until September, when Mr.
Washburn retired from the firm for a year, and the firm of Angel & Crosby
was formed for that period. Mr. Bingham came to Ellicottville to take a post-
graduate course with the new firm, and at the end of a year a partnership was
formed between him and Mr. Crosby. After a short time the partnership
ended, but they continued to occupy the same office until Mr. Crosby moved to
Garnavillo, Iowa, in 1854. In April, 1851, Mr. Crosby was married to Caroline
C, youngest daughter of Anson Gibbs, then a prominent lawyer of Ellicott-
ville. Upon locating at Garnavillo in the fall of 1854 Mr. Crosby formed a
partnership with Samuel Murdock, to begin the next spring, when Mr. Crosby
intended to move his family. In the spring Mr. Murdock was elected judge
of the district court and turned his office and business over to his expected
partner. From that time to the present Mr. Crosby has continued in the prac-
tice of law, following the Circuit until 1861, and was admitted to practice in
the Supreme Court of the United States in March, 1884. The Iowa law
formerly provided for a commission of legal inquiry to consist of three coun-
selors to observe the practice and notice its defects, and to communicate with
the judges of the State in relation thereto and report to the General Assembly
with the suggestions of needed legislation to remedy the defects and improve
the practice. Gov. Samuel Merrill appointed Mr. Crosby on that commission
and he assisted in making a report at the next session following his appoint-
ment; and when the code of 1873 was adopted the commission was omitted.
When the act was passed providing for the building of the Iowa capitol
Mr. Crosby was chosen by the General Assembly as one of the commissioners
for two years. For five years he has been one of the curators of the State
Historical Society, appointed by the governor. He has attended four world's
fairs, viz.: Vienna in 1873, Philadelphia in 1876, New Orleans in 1885, and Paris
in 1889, ^nd is now (1893) president of the Iowa Columbian Commission, which
is charged with the duty of devising and executing plans for a creditable ex-
hibit at the World's Columbian Exposition of the resources and advantages of
the State of Iowa.
Daniel G. Bingham was born in Riga, Monroe county, January 29, 1827, and
is a son of Thomas Bingham, Jr. Mr. Bingham was educated at the Middle-
bury Academy, N. Y., Grand River Institute, Ohio, and at Professor Fowler's
law school at Cherry Valley, N. Y., and was admitted to the Supreme Court
at Albany in 1849. He settled in Ellicottville in 1850. He was a man of ex-
cellent education, and was a practical civil engineer and an expert mathemati-
cian. His tastes did not lead him into active legal practice. For some time
prior to the beginning of the last war he had been lieutenant-colonel of the
old 64th Regiment of New York State Militia and was possessed of decided
military tastes. At the first call for troops in 1861 he went with Companies H
and I of the old 64th to New York city, where they were absorbed in the 37th
New York Volunteers (The Irish Rifles), and with them on to Washington
348 History of Cattaraugus County.
as captain of engineers. Upon the enlistment of the re-organized 64th Regi-
ment he was commissioned Heutenant-colonel February 13, 1861. He left
Elmira with his regiment for Washington, December 10, 1861. On the 7th of
January, 1862, his regiment marched across "long bridge" down the right bank
of the Potomac, through Alexandria, to "Camp California"; it was the first
fifteen-mile march of the regiment. In a few days McClellan advanced on
Manassas, but the rebels had fled, leaving unoccupied forts with wooden guns
piercing the embrasures. The Union army was disappointed and disgusted,
and sullenly marched back to Alexandria, took transports for Yorktown, and
the Peninsula campaign followed. At Fair Oaks on the first of June Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Bingham was severely wounded and carried from the field. Upon
the resignation of Colonel Parker, July 12, 1862, Lieutenant-Colonel Bingham
was promoted to the colonelcy, but was not able on account of wounds to as-
sume command until winter. He commanded his regiment at Chancellorsville
and at Gettysburg. He was again severely wounded at Gettysburg and was
rendered unfit for duty in the field for many months. His constitution had
become enfeebled by hard service and continued exposure, and he was not
able again to assume active command of his regiment. He continued to fail
until he died July 21, 1864. "He bore a blameless life, was finely educated,
and a lawyer without love for its entangling bickerings. He was a phil-
osopher, conversant with history, a civil engineer of much skill, and fond of its
practice ; hence he took readily to a military occupation in its varied depart-
ments. He was also personally liked by officers and men because he was up-
right and just to all with favoritism to none, and he was esteemed as a gentle-
man and good citizen in private life." Mr. Bingham was never married.
Charles S. Gary was born in Hinsdale, November 25, 1827. He received
an academic education, chose the law for a profession, and graduated from
the National Law School at Ballston Spa in 1850 and was admitted to the bar
at the St. Lawrence General term the same year. He at once located in
Olean, and when he came there Roderick White was the only lawyer in prac-
tice at that place. Mr. Gary has continued in active practice there since that
time. He was in partnership for a time with Justus White, a brother of
Roderick White, under the firm name of Gary & White. He afterwards
formed a partnership with Judge David H. Bolles, which continued until
1870, and for a time Joseph R. Jewell was a member of the same firm. After
Mr. Bolles retired from the firm it was continued as Gary & Jewell, Mr. Jewell
residing in Little Valley until the fall of 1873. Afterwards Frank Rumsey
was admitted to the firm, and this partnership continued until the organiza-
tion of the firm of J. R. & M. B. Jewell, when the firm of Ca.ry & Rumsey
was organized. This continued until January i, 1890, when Mr. Hastings
was admitted and the firm was re-organized under the name of Gary, Rumsey
& Hastings. About 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln to the office
of commissioner of the Board of Enrollment and in 1866 he was made col-
Attorneys and Counselors.
349
lector of internal revenue. In 1881 he was elected to the Assembly from the
First District of Cattaraugus county. He has also been the candidate of his
party for the office of State senator, representative in Congress, and justice of
the Supreme Court. In the Supreme Court canvass in 1883 Thomas Corlett-
was elected, but Mr. Cary's minority was only about 1,000 in a district which
usually gives from 10,000 to 12,000 Republican majority. During the first
term of President Cleveland Mr. Cary was appointed as a member of a board
to examine the Northern Pacific railroad, and in 1887 he was appointed solic-
itor of the United States Treasury, which office he held until the inauguration
of President Harrison. Mr. Cary has been and is now interested in various
public enterprises in Olean and vicinity. He has been attorney for the Buf-
falo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad Company and has been interested in
several other railroad enterprises. He has seen Olean grow from a small
hamlet until it has become the only city in Cattaraugus county, and he has
always taken an active interest in everything which would promote its wel-
fare. In 1850 he married Sarah A. Mitchell, of Livingston county. Their
only child is the wife of Frank Rumsey, a partner of Mr. Cary who now lives
in Buffalo. Only one other lawyer in the county, William Woodbury, of
Gowanda, has been in practice longer than Mr. Cary; and during his active
professional life of forty-three years Mr. Cary has been engaged in a large
number of the most important cases that have occupied the attention of our
courts. His work has not been confined to this county alone, but his reputa-
tion has extended throughout the whole State. He is still in active practice.
Merrill T. Jenkins is a native of Bethany, Genesee county, and was born
October 10, 1825. His father was the Rev. Herman Jenkins of the Free Bap-
tist church. His mother died when he was but eight years old, and his father
being in very moderate circumstances the boy was left to take care of himself.
When he was about fourteen years of age he went to Milwaukee, Wis., then a
small but growing town. Here he spent one year. He left Milwaukee and
went to Berea, Ohio, attending an academy and laboring four hours daily
making grindstones to defray the expense of board and tuition. In this in-
dustry he became skillful, and he now boasts that he can turn a better grind-
stone than any other lawyer in the great State of New York. From Berea he
returned to his native State and entered the law office of Charles B. Green in
Ellington, Chautauqua county, to begin the study of law. He spent a year
or more in this office. Then for the purpose of preparing himself more effi-
ciently for the duties of his profession he became a student in the Jamestown
Academy, and while there paid his board in the family of Richard P. Marvin,
afterwards justice of the Supreme Court, doing " chores " and other labor.
Later he prosecuted his law studies in the office of Madison Burnell in James-
town and finished in the Ballston Law School, and was admitted to practice in
1850. During the time that he was pursuing his law studies he taught in the
common schools in the winter months to obtain means to pay his expenses.
350 History of Cattaraugus County.
Mr. Jenkins located in East Randolph, where he practiced about twenty-five
years. In 1865 he was elected to the office of district attorney of the county
of Cattaraugus and re-elected in 1868. He afterwards left East Randolph
and for a time practiced in Fredonia, Dunkirk, Gowanda, and Buffalo. About
two years ago he returned to Randolph, where he now resides. Mr. Jenkins
represented the town of Conewango on the Board of Supervisors in 1861. In
1850 he married Sarah H. Rolfe, of Bethany, N. Y. They have three children,
one, a son, Walter S. Jenkins, now a practicing lawyer in Buffalo, and a daughter,
Alice, who is the wife of Joseph M. Congdon, of Gowanda, and another
daughter, Florence, who is a teacher in the public school in Randolph.
Mr. Guiteau practiced law a few months in Franklinville about 1855, ^nd
it seems that he afterwards went to Ellicottville and was a partner for a short
time with Henry W. Harrington. He then left the county and nothing further
'is known of him. He is said to have come from Livingston county.
Henry W. Harrington was born at Laurens, Otsego county, September 12,
1825, and came to this county before he was one year old. He was admitted to
the bar at Geneseoin 1846. He practiced at Geneseo about six months, when he
came to this county. It is said that he practiced his profession at Allegany
and also at Ellicottville. While in Ellicottville he was for a time in partner-
ship with Mr. Guiteau and also with the late Judge Rensselaer Lamb.
About 1856 he removed to Madison, Ind., and followed his profession there.
While living at Madison he was elected and served two successive terms in
Congress. He then removed to Indianapolis, where he engaged in active
practice several years and became one of the most prominent lawyers in that
city. His prominence and activity brought him into acquaintance with lead-
ing men in the Democratic party, such as the late Vice-President Thomas
A. Hendricks and others. While living there, about 1870, he was the candi-
date of the Greenback party for governor of Indiana. He died March 20,
1882, of heart failure, sitting in his chair in his law office.
P. O. Berry practiced in Allegany from 1851 to 1858. He afterwards
practiced in Great Valley. He died several years ago.
J. W. Deuel practiced law in Gowanda some time about 1852, and was in
partnership with C. C. Torrance. He afterwards moved to Rochester and
later to Wemple, near Albany, where he now lives.
William H. Henderson is a son of John and Mary (Hunt) Henderson, and
was born in Tully, Onondaga county, December 4, 1828. In 1840 he removed
with his parents from Onondaga county to Cattaraugus county. He received
his literary education at the Fredonia Academy, which was then one of the
best educational institutions in this part of the State, at that time under the
management of the distinguished and talented F. A. Reddington. Young
Henderson remained at Fredonia about three years. Leaving there in the
spring of 1847 ^^ entered the State Normal School at Albany, then recently
founded by legislative enactment as a school for the preparation and educa-
Attorneys and Counselors. 351
tion of teachers. During his attendance the school was under the superin-
tendence of David P. Page, the first principal of the institution and a man of
fine educational abilities. In the spring of 1848 he was honorably graduated
and soon thereafter became a resident of Randolph, where he engaged in
teaching as required by the rules of the school, remaining thus engaged for
almost two years. He then entered the ofifice of Alexander Sheldon at Ran-
dolph to begin the study of law, and finished his ofifice studies with Joseph E.
Weeden, the veteran lawyer of that place. He was admitted to the bar April-
27, 1852, and has since practiced his profession at Randolph, where he still
resides. For a time he was in partnership with Mr. Weeden and afterwards
with Alson E. Leavenworth, and since 1859 he has been in partnership with
Alexander Wentworth, and this firm of Henderson & Wentworth is said to
be the oldest law firm in western New York. June 3, 1858, he married Anna
M., daughter of Rev. Thomas Morris, who for many years was the rector of
St. John's Episcopal church at Ellicottville. In 185 1 Mr. Henderson was
nominated by the Democratic convention for the ofifice of county treasurer,
but was defeated by the Whig candidate, John P. Darling, of Cattaraugus.
Mr. Henderson is not a politician in an active sense, but has several times
been honored with nominations for important ofifices by the Democratic party.
In 187s, upon the death of County Judge Samuel S. Spring, Mr. Henderson
was appointed by Governor Tilden to complete the unexpired term. On the
2 1st of March, 1876, he was appointed by Governor Tilden as a justice of the
Supreme Court for the Eighth Judicial District in place of George D. Lamont,
deceased, and he held this office until the end of that year. The same year
he received the nomination of his party for a full term, but owing to the
heavy Republican majority in the district was unsuccessful, Albert Haight
being elected at that time. Judge Henderson has always exercised a leading
and active influence in affairs coaducing to the development and prosperity
of Randolph as well as the entire county. He is now and has been for sev-
eral years president of the Board of Trustees of Chamberlain Institute and
Female College, and was for many years the attorney and adviser of Judge
Chamberlain, the founder of the institution. He is also president of the
Board of Trustees of the Western New York Home for Homeless and De-
pendent Children, and he takes a very active interest in the affairs of that in-
stitution. ■ He was largely instrumental in the organization and incorporation
of the State Bank of Randolph. On the occasion of the centennial celebra-
tion of American independence at Olean, July 4, 1876, Judge Henderson was
chosen president of the day and presided over one of the largest and most en-
thusiastic gatherings that ever assembled in Cattaraugus county. For more
than forty years he has adorned his chosen profession by his scholarly attain-
ments and profound knowledge of jurisprudence, and by his close and unre-
mitting application to the duties of his profession he long ago secured an ex-
tensive and varied practice in the highest courts of the State and a seat upon
352 History of Cattaraugus County.
the bench of its most important trial court. His legal ability and general
worth have been fully recognized, not only by the people and bar of the
county, but by the executive of the State, in bestowing upon him judicial ap-
pointments. No member of the profession occupies a higher place in this
c&unty than Judge Henderson.
H. L. Green was born in Virgil, Cortland county, February 28, 1828. He
received his education at Cortland Academy and studied law with Stephens
& Duell in Cortland village, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He began
the practice of law the same year at Marathon, Cortland county. In 1854 he
was elected a justice of the peace for that town and the next year he moved to
Cortland village and opened a law office there. In the fall of 1856 he was
elected county treasurer of Cortland county. In 1865 he removed to Syra-
cuse, N. Y., and opened a law office in that city, where he resided until 1876,
when he removed to Salamanca and commenced the practice of law. In 1886
he removed to Buffalo, N. Y., since which time he has been engaged in the
publishing business.
Williams B. Huntley, of EUicottville, was a son of Williams Huntley and
a grandson of Gen. Daniel Huntley, one of the first settlers in that town. He
was born October 19, 1827. He studied law with Addison G. Rice at EUicott-
ville and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He immediately engaged in gen-
eral practice, which was terminated by his death September 10, i860.
Romanzo Bunn was born at South Hartwick, Otsego county, September
24, 1829. His father, Peter Bunn, was of German descent and his mother,
whose maiden name was Polly Ann Jackson, was English. In September,
1832, the family removed into the county of Cattaraugus and settled upon a
farm in Mansfield. Young Bunn had the usual experience of farmers' boys in
this county at that early day, and remained until 1846, working on the
farm summers and attending the district school winters; he early developed a
love for study and became the first scholar in his school. In the summer of
1846 he ".worked out " for a neighbor and earned money enough to pay his
expenses for a half-term in the fall of that year at the Springville Academy.
His associates there were Charles C. Wilson, now a leading lawyer of Roches-
ter, Minn., and William Manley and Allen D. Scott, of EUicottville. Through
the influence of Scott with his father, Justus Scott, young Bunn was engaged
to teach the district school in the Scott district in East Otto the following
winter for three months at $12 a month ; and he gave such satisfaction that
the trustees, near the end of the three months, made a pilgrimage to the school
house and gravely informed him that they had held a consultation on an im-
portant subject and had come to inform him of the result of their deliberations,
and said that they had decided to ask him to continue a half-month longer
with his wages increased $1 a month. This promotion greatly pleased Bunn
at the time, and in after years he often spoke of this episode in his experience
with great pleasure. From this time on Bunn taught school in the winter
Attorneys and Counselors. 353
and worked with his cradle in the wheat-harvest fields in the Genesee valley
in the harvest season at good wages, and attended the old Springville Acad-
emy between these employments. He thus taught school at East Otto Cor-
ners, Yorkshire, and Waverly. In the spring of 1849 Bunn and his friend
Wilson went to Oberlin College, paid tuition for a term, and intended to work
their way through the college; but becoming dissatisfied decided to abandon
the college and commence the study of law, and went to Elyria, Ohio, and
entered the office of McCacheson & Myres. From that time the study of law
was Bunn's business, and teaching school and working in the harvest field a
means to help him in his chosen calling as his necessities required. He
studied at home, at Springville, and at Ellicottville until the year 1853, when
he entered the law office of Harmon & Wood in Ellicottville, and in Septem-
ber of that year was admitted to the bar. During that year he began to prac-
tice in justices' courts, meeting such masters in the art as John P. Darling and
Ben. Mosher. About that time, Mr. Harmon wishing to go out of the practice,
Bunn formed a partnership with William H. W^ood, now of Chicago, which
continued one year.
In August, 1854, Mr. Bunn married Miss Sarah Purdy, a niece of Dr. A. B.
and Marshall K. Wilson, of Mansfield, and in September of that year they
went west to Galesville, Wis. There was little or no legal business in that
new country, but Mr. Bunn was soon appointed district attorney for the new
county of Trempealeau and did a small business for six years. In the fall of
1859 '^^' was elected to the Legislature and served one year as a member of
Assembly. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Bunn removed to Sparta, Monroe
county, Wis., where he practiced law with fair success; was district attorney
for Monroe county and in 1868 was elected Circuit judge of the Sixth Wis-
consin Circuit, which corresponds to the office of justice of the Supreme Court
in the State of New York. His learning and ability were so manifest and his
impartial administration of the law so satisfactory and he became established
in the confidence of the people to such an extent that, at the end of his first
term, he was, regardless of political considerations, re-elected without opposi-
tion and upon the unanimous recommendation of all the members of the bar
of his Circuit. Upon the recommendation of the bench and bar of the State
Judge Bunn was appointed in 1879, ^Y President Hayes, the United States
district judge for the Western District of Wisconsin. This necessitated his
removal to Madison, the capital of the State, where he now resides. The
judge holds court at Madison and other places in his district, and at Chicago,
both as district judge, and, since the United States Court of Appeals was es-
tablished, as one of the members of that court. Besides attending to his
judicial duties the judge has for several years given lectures in the Law De-
partment of Madison University ; and for the past two years has lectured in
the Law School of Northwestern University at Chicago upon federal juris-
prudence. Mr. Bunn is also a man of fine literary taste and culture, and
45
354 History of Cattaraugus County.
spends many leisure hours in his carefully selected private library of several
thousand volumes. Perhaps his greatest pleasure is in studying and compar-
ing the different versions of the plays of his favorite writer, Shakespeare, of
whose works he is exceedingly fond and has more than a dozen editions. He
is frequently invited to lecture before the students of Madison University and
the literary societies of Madison on some literary subject, and always responds
with something interesting to the most cultivated listener.
Edgar Shaw was in practice in Allegany from 1853 to 1870, when he re-
moved to Iowa, where he now resides.
A. Philemon Russell studied law in Ellicottville with Judge David H.
Bolles and engaged in practice there for a time. He removed to Little Valley
about 1855, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the 9th X. Y.
Cav. After the close of the war he resumed the practice of law, but not in
this county.
Asgill Gibbs appears from the list of attorneys in an old law register to
have been located at Yorkshire in 1853, but inquiry fails lo elicit any informa-
tion concerning him.
David H. Bolles was born at Clinton, Conn., December 18, 1829. He re-
moved with his mother's family to Jamestown, N. Y., where he remained
until the fall of 1846, when he went to New Haven and entered Yale College,
graduating in the summer of 1850. Soon after leaving college he entered the
law ofifice of Angel & Washburn at Ellicottville and began the study of law.
He was admitted to the bar in March, 1853, and immediately began practice
at Ellicottville. He remained there until December, 1865, when he removed
to Olean, where he has since resided and practiced. In November, 1863, he
was elected county judge and held the office until his removal to Olean, when
he resigned. While in Ellicottville he was in partnership with the late Judge
Rensselaer Lamb for a short time and also with Manley Crosby, now of Corry,
Pa. After his removal to Olean he formed a partnership with Charles S.
Cary, which, under the name of Cary & Bolles, continued until 1870. Mr.
Bolles then continued in practice for a time alone. He subsequently was in
partnership with the late Enos C. Brooks and also with Charles P. JNIoulton.
Since October i, 1884, he has been in partnership with James H. Waring,
now district attorney. Judge Bolles does not now often attend court, but
still gives his attention to the work of the ofifice. For thirty years Judge
Bolles has been among the leaders of the Cattaraugus bar and has been en-
gaged in nearly all of the great litigations of that period. His thorough
mastery of legal science, his broad, general scholarship, his eloquent felicity in
discussing intricate problems of law and fact, his untiring industry, his urban-
ity and abundant kindness combined to place him in the front rank of the
western New York bar. His literary efforts have not been entirely confined
to professional subjects. He was for a long time connected with the editorial
department of the Olean Times, writing the "leaders" for the paper during
Attorneys and Counselors. 355
that period. In 1876, upon the occasion of the centennial celebration of our
independence, the people of Cattaraugus county held a great meeting at Olean,
at which Judge William H. Henderson, of Randolph, presided, ex-Vice Presi-
dent Schuyler Colfax delivered an able address of a general national charac-
ter, and Judge Bolles was the unanimous choice of the people to prepare
an address on the history and development of the county. His address,
delivered at Olean, July 4, 1876, was a monument to his industry and patient
research, and a masterpiece of historical and biographical eloquence. Judge
Bolles has found his chief pleasure in the work of his chosen profession, to
which he has thoroughly devoted himself for more than forty years. He is a
brother-in-law of the late Charles P. Washburn, a sketch of whose career ap-
pears in this chapter.
Rensselaer Lamb was a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1805.
About 1830 he came to this county from Oneida county and located in the
town of Machias. " He was then poor, with a large family upon his hands,
which taxed to the utmost all his energies and resources to provide for their
support and m.iintenance. He very soon manifested and developed traits of
character such as inspired the confidence of his fellow citizens in him as a
man of decided ability and integrity, and that confidence they manifested
toward him by conferring upon him positions of trust and responsibility."
While living in Machias he held various important local offices, having been
elected justice of the peace in 1836, 1839, 1843, ^"^ •847^ he was town clerk
in 1842 and was supervisor of the town from 1837 to 1840 and again in 1846.
He took the oath of office as associate judge of the old Court of Common
Pleas on January 18, 1845, and as county judge under the new constitution
June 26, 1 847, and held office until January i, 185 i. In January, 1866, he was
again appointed county judge and held theofifice until January- i, 1870, when he
was succeeded by Judge Samuel S. Spring. Soon after being appointed judge
he removed to Ellicottville. He died in November, 1871. After he waselevated
to the bench of the county he was admitted to the bar and was for a time a
partner with Judge Bolles and also with Commodore P. Vedder. Concern-
ing Judge Lamb the late Leverett Spring, of Arcade, N. V., on the occasion
of his death, made the following observations : " The history of Judge Lamb
during his residence in Cattaraugus county illustrates what perseverance, in-
tegrity, and moral courage accomplishes for a man, and how positions of honor
and responsibility can be reached even under unpropitious and discouraging
circumstances. Too surely want and destitution for a series of years were his
bosom companions, and with them he was compelled to struggle. Yet he had
force of character sufficient to meet the pressure of his pecuniary embarrass-
ments with such fortitude and resolution as entitled him to great credit. He
commenced the profession of law at a late period in life and not until he was
involved in the cares of a family. The duties and cares growing out of the
domestic relation would necessarily occupy very much of his time and largely
356 History of Cattaraugus County.
engross his attention. Under all these discouraging circumstances he prose-
cuted his studies and improved his opportunities, and made himself so familiar
with the legal principles and our system of practice that he was admitted as
an attorney and counselor at law in the highest courts of our State."'
J. B. Finch is a son of Nathaniel and Samantha Finch, and was born in the
town of Fishkill, Dutchess county, in April, 1823. He was educated at Alfred
University from 1848 to 1S50. Mr. Finch studied law with his father from
1850 to September, 1853, when he was admitted to the bar at Rochester. He
practiced law at Hornellsville, N. Y., from 1853 to 1866, when he removed to
Olean, where he remained in the practice of his profession until December,
1878. He was in partnership with William P. Angel two years from 1866 to
1868 and with Wilkes Angel from 1868 to 1878. In 1878 he returned to Hor-
nellsville, where he continued in practice two years and then retired. Dur-
ing all the time he was in practice from 1853 to 1880 he was the local attorney
for the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company in the counties
of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua.
William M. McCluer was born in Franklinville on the 6th of September,
1 83 1. His father was one of the pioneers of western New York and died when
William was only four years of age. His mother was a woman of intelligence
and force of character, and continued to carry on the farm after her husband's
death and provided for the thorough education of her children. William
graduated from Temple Hill Academy in Geneseo, N. Y., in 1850. He then
read law in Moscow, N. Y., and in 1854 graduated from the National Law
School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then engaged in the practice of law at his
old home in Franklinville, where he remained about two years. Li the sum-
mer of 1856 he went to Stillwater, in the then territory of Minnesota, and en-
gaged in the practice of his profession. On the 27th of September, 1858, he
was married at Waterford, N. Y., to Helen Jenks. In 1857 he was elected
prosecuting attorney of the First Judicial District in -Minnesota. He was
afterwards county attorney for Washington county, city attorney for Still-
water, twice mayor of the city of Stillwater,' a member of the State Board of
Inspectors of the State prisons, a member of the State Commission for Aud-
iting Claims against the State arising out of the Sioux Indian war of 1862,
and for several terms a member of the Board of Education of the city. " In
all these official positions he discharged his duties with eminent fidelity, zeal,
and ability." November 21, 1881, he was appointed by Governor Pillsbury
to the office of judge of the First Judicial District of Minnesota, and at the
fall election in 1882 he was elected to the same office and re-elected in 1888.
At the last election in 1S88 he was placed on the tickets of both parties and
was elected practically without dissent or opposition. He applied himself
to the duties of his high office with conscientious industry and fidelity. He
is described as being very popular with all classes. " The rich and the poor,
the high and the low, all approached him as personal friends." He was a
Attorneys and Counselors. 357
brother of Dr. Benjamin McCluer, now a prominent pliysician in Dubuque,
Iowa. He died at his residence in Stillwater, August 3, 1890.
William Manley, eldest son of John F. Manley, one of the pioneers of Mans-
field, was born in that town April 29, 1829. He was raised on his father's
farm, and after the usual course at the common schools of the neighborhood
became a student at the Springville Academy, which he attended several
terms. When he was eighteen years of age he began teaching in the common
schools and taught seven or eight terms. In 1852 he entered the office of
D. M. Bennett, of Rome, N. Y., to pursue the study of law, and was admitted
to practice -in the courts of this State in 1854 and subsequently in the courts
of the United States. Immediately after his admission he opened an office
for the practice of his profession in Ellicottville, where he has since resided.
He represented the town of Ellicottville on the Board of Supervisors in 1874
and 1875. In 1869 he was elected surrogate of Cattaraugus county and served
one full term of four years. In March, 1857, he was married to Lucy Bryant,
daughter of Nathaniel Bryant, of Little Valley.
Enos C. Brooks, third son of Judge James Brooks, of the first Court of
Common Pleas, and grandson of Cornelius Brooks, one of. the pioneers of
Olean, was born in the town of Olean, September 4, 1823. He received the
principal part of his education at the public schools, finishing his literary
studies at the Elmira Seminary, Elmira, N. Y. Immediately after leaving the
latter institution, and on September 4, 1850, he entered the office of Roderick-
White, of Olean, to begin the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in
September, 1853, and immediately began practice, which continued until 1856,
when his library and office effects were destroyed by fire. He then served
one term as deputy sheriff of Cattaraugus county. In 1853 he was commis-
sioned major of the 64th Regiment New York State Militia. On August 17,
1861, this regiment was accepted as a part of the quota of the State, and on the
28th of November following he was regularly mustered into the Union army.
With his regiment he played an important part in the battles of Williams-
burg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Gaines's Mill, Savage Station, White Oak
Swamp, Glendale, and Malvern Hill, and crowned the list with the ever mem-
orable battle of Antietam. December 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericks-
burg, he was dangerously wounded by a ball passing through his left shoulder,
and in consequence he received a leave of absence until April, 1863, when he
was assigned to duty as provost-marshal of western New York under General
Diven at Elmira, and by him appointed inspector of draft for eleven congres-
sional districts. He continued in that position until January 8, 1864, and was
afterwards placed on duty as commandant of barrack number one at Elmira.
On May 4, 1864, he reported at Washington and was honorably discharged.
On December 28th following he was made commissioner of enrollment and so
continued until the close of the war. At the close of the war he again re-
sumed the practice of law. In 1867 he was elected to the office of county
358 History of Cattaraugus County.
clerk of Cattaraugus county and performed the duties of that office three years.
While living at Little Valley as county clerk he established the Brooks cream-
ery and had charge of it some time. Soon after the close of his term of office
he returned to Olean and resumed practice. He was for a time in partnership
with D. H. Bolles and later with Thomas Storrs, of Olean. From 1876 to
March, 1877, he served as a clerk in the State prison at Dannemora, Clinton
county. He also held the office of justice of the peace in his town and in 1886
was supervisor. " His life was pure and simple, his integrity unstained. His
manner was easy and urbane, and he enjoyed to the highest degree the respect
and confidence of the community in which he lived." Colonel Brooks died
December 18, 1887.
A. A. Bruce practiced law a short time in Gowanda and then went away.
No information has been obtained concerning his subsequent history.
George B. Wood came to Gowanda from Allegany county about 1854, and
practiced law about two years. He died in 1856.
Ira L. Burlingame located in Franklinville about 1855 and engaged in
practice in partnership with the late Judge Samuel S. Spring. He died in
1857. He was a. quiet, retiring gentleman, but had the reputation of being a
good lawyer.
Joseph Bouton came to Allegany from New York city about 1856, and
after practicing there a few months returned to New York.
A. Patterson was in Olean about 1856, and was for a time in partnership
with Enos C. Brooks. He remained in Olean about a year.
Julian Clinton Converse was admitted to the bar about 1856 and practiced
in Gowanda a short time, when he moved away. The writer has not been
able to learn where he went.
William A. Meloy was born in the village of Chenango Forks, Broome
county, on the 26th of August, 1832, and is the eldest son of Frederick W.
Meloy and Martha Emilia Willard, his wife, both of New England stock.
His father was a native of New Haven and his mother of Stafford Springs.
William was prepared for college at Binghamton Academy and graduated at
Yale in 1854. The same summer he followed his parents to EUicottville, and
there began the study of law in the office of Addison G. Rice and Chester
Howe, then county judge and surrogate. September g, 1856, he was
admitted to the bar at a General term held in Buffalo. He had already
entered into partnership with William P. Angel, then the district attorney of
the county. Mr. Meloy went to Washington, D. C, in the spring of 1864
and became a clerk in the ordnance bureau of the War Department, where he
remained about six weeks, when he was appointed to a clerkship in the loan
branch of the office of the secretary of the treasury. He was soon promoted
to a fourth-class clerkship and had charge of the secretary's correspondence
regarding the loans of the government. In 1868, having meanwhile been ad-
mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, Mr. Meloy
Attorneys and Counselors. 359
resigned his clerkship in the Treasury Department and shortly afterwards
began again the practice of law in the District of Columbia and State of
Maryland. In 1879 ^^ became a partner of George W Julian, who was a
member of Congress and once the nominee of the Free Soil party for vice-
president. In 1883 he was appointed an assistant attorney-general of the
State of Indiana for the prosecution of certain claims of the State against
the general government, and in 1885, after the termination of that employ-
ment, he was appointed by the governor of Indiana to be the counsel of the
State at the city of Washington for the same purpose. In 1885 and again in
1887 he was nominated by the Republicans of Prince George county, Md.,
to represent the county in the House of Delegates of Maryland, but the
party being in the minority he was defeated. He was again nominated in
1889 and was elected and served in 1890 and 1891. Mr. Meloy is still living
in Washington, D. C.
Patrick Henry Jones was born on the 20th of November, 1830, in West-
meath, Ireland. His father's name was James Jones and his mother's name
was Ellen Lynch. The initial name represents his paternal grandfather, Pat-
rick Jones, and the second his maternal grandfather, Henry Lynch. When
Mr. Jones was ten years of age his father removed to America with his family,
landing in New York on June 5, 1840. Patrick attended school at a monastery
at TuUugh, County Wickiow, Ireland, three years before coming to America;
then he attended the common schools of this State. His father settled in the
county of Cattaraugus upon a farm, where Patrick lived until he went to Elli-
cottville to begin the study of law with Addison G. Rice. He was admitted
to the bar at the General term held in Buffalo in November, 1856. He imme-
diately afterwards formed a partnership with Mr. Rice under the firm name of
Rice & Jones, and he continued in the practice of his profession at Ellicott-
ville until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. About i860 Alanson
Crosby, who had been a student in the office of Rice & Jones, was admitted to
the bar and also to a partnership in the firm, which then became Rice, Jones
& Crosby. Just before the breaking out of the war Mr. Jones withdrew from
this partnership and formed a partnership with Allen D. Scott under the firm
name of- Scott & Jones. Mr. Jones continued a member of this firm during
his absence of four years in the army, although the business was conducted by
Judge Scott. Mr. Jones enlisted June 7, 1861, and was made second lieuten-
ant in the 37th Regiment N. Y. Vol. Inf. He was subsequently promoted adju-
tant, then major of the regiment, and served in the same until promoted to the
colonelcy of the 154th N. Y. Vols, on the 8th of October, 1862. On the 4th of
December, 1864, he was commissioned as brigadier-general of United States
volunteers. Mr. Jones participated in all the various actions in which his regi-
ment, the 37th, was engaged, viz.: The first battle of Bull Run, July 22, 1861 ;
siege of Yorktown; battle of Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862; Seven Pines, May
31, 1862; Seven Days' Fight about Richmond; and at Malvern Hill, July 2, 1862.
?6o History of Cattaraugus County.
The 37th was a part of Berry's Brigade, Carney's Division, Heintzelman's(the
Third) Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. Upon the evacuation of the Penin-
sula by General McCIellan Major Jones accompanied his division and regiment
to the Army of Virginia, commanded by Gen. John Pope, and participated in
the second battle of Bull Run, August 26, 1862, and the battle of Chantilly,
September i, 1862.
On being promoted to the colonelcy of the 154th Regiment he was assigned
to the Eleventh Army Corps, commanded at that time by Gen. Franz Siegel
and subsequently by Gen. O. O. Howard ; and under the latter general Colo-
nel Jones participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., where he was
wounded and taken prisoner May 2. 1863. He was exchanged in October of
that year and was sent to the west with General Hooker, who commanded the
Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, which were subsequently consolidated,
forming the Twentieth Army Corps. Under the command of General Hooker
Colonel Jones participated in the battle of Chattanooga, Tenn., November 24
and 25, 1863, and in the subsequent movements of the army under General
W. T. Sherman for the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville, Tenn. Upon
the opening of the campaign against Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, resulting in the
capture of Atlanta the following year, he accompanied General Sherman's
army and was present at the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas,
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and other engagements result-
ing in the capture of the place in July, 1864. On June 6, 1864, he was assigned
to the command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Twentieth Army
Corps, and continued to command the same until the close of the war. He
also participated with it in the march through Georgia and the Carolinas.
On the 27th of June, 1865, the war being closed, he tendered his resigna-
tion as brigadier-general of volunteers, which was accepted, and he returned
home and resumed the practice of his profession at Ellicottville. In the State
election in November, 1865, he was elected clerk of the Court of Appeals of
the State for three years and performed the duties of that office during the
term. His official duties required his presence in Albany the greater part of
the time. In 1867 he opened a law office in the city of New York, and in that
year was appointed counsel to the commissioners of immigration of this State.
In 1868 his former law partner, Mr. Rice, removed to New York city to prac-
tice his profession and they again became partners, Edward I. Wilson, of that
city, joining them and forming the law firm of Rice, Wilson & Jones. This
partnership continued until April, 1869, when Mr. Jones was appointed by
President Grant postmaster of the city of New York, whereupon the firm was
dissolved. This appointment was unexpected. Soon after the election of
General Grant Horace Greeley, who was a warm friend of General Jones, ob-
tained from the president-elect the promise to appoint General Jones marshal
for the Southern District of New York. This promise the president forgot,
and soon after his inauguration another candidate for the position was ap-
Attorneys and Counselors. 361
pointed. It is said that Mr. Greeley was terribly incensed, and taking Mr.
Jones with him repaired to Washington, where he was given an audience with
the president. He stated his grievance and the president informed him that
his promise had sHpped his mind, but assured Mr. Greeley that the matter
must be left to the president and that he would try to find something for
General Jones. The result was that the general was appointed postmaster.
The first intimation he had that he was a candidate was when his commission
was placed in his hands. While holding the ofifice of postmaster General
Jones formed a partnership with Gen. George W. Palmer and Col. Michael
Nolan. General Palmer was from Westfield, N. Y., and Colonel Nolan from
St. Lawrence county. Both of these gentlemen are now dead. General
Jones served as postmaster of New York during President Grant's first term,
when he resigned and resumed the practice of law in that city. At the gen-
eral election in 1874 he was elected register of the city and county of New
York, and served out his term of three years and again returned to the prac-
tice of his profession in New York. General Jones was a delegate to the Re-
publican national convention in Chicago in 1868. He is now living at Port
Richmond, Staten Island, N. Y.
Alson E. Leavenworth became a member of the firm of Weeden & Hen-
derson at Randolph on June 15, 1856, and he continued a member a little
more than a year. The firm name during that period was Weeden, Hender-
son & Leavenworth. Mr. Weeden had no interest in the business, but suf-
fered his name to continue in the firm. It is said that Mr. Leavenworth
did not practice law after his connection with this firm was dissolved. He
graduated at the Albany Law School a short time before he came to Randolph.
Allen D. Scott is a native of Springville, Erie county, and was born Janu-
ary 15, 183 1. In his infancy his father removed to Otto in this county, where
he became the owner of a large farm. Allen spent his boyhood at labor on his
father's farm and acquired his education in the district schools during the
winter months. Sexeral of the pupils in that school became prominent in
after life, among them John P. Darling, at one time State senator; Addison C.
Gibbs, formerly governor of Oregon ; Benjamin F. Rice, United States senator
from Arkansas ; Romanzo Bunn, now United States district judge in Wiscon-
sin ; Dr. Henry Van Aernam, pension commissioner and member of Congress
now living at Franklinville ; and Addison G. Rice, a prominent lawyer of this
county and subsequently of the New York and Buffalo bars. After leaving
the school Mr. Scott attended a few terms at the old Springville Academy and
a single year at Lim.a. After leaving the academy he engaged in teaching for
a year or two and then commenced the study of his profession with Chester
Howe, then county judge of Cattaraugus county, at EUicottville, and contin-
ued and completed his clerkship with Nelson Cobb, then the county judge, in
the year 1857, when he was admitted to the bar and began practice at EUicott-
ville. In 1 861 he formed a partnership with Addison G. Rice at Ellicottville,the
46
362 History of Cattaraugus County.
firm being Rice & Scott. This continued until 1867, when Mr. Rice removed
to New York city and then WilHam G. Laidlaw became a member of the firm
of Scott & Laidlaw, and this partnership continued until Mr. Scott was
elected county judge. In April, 1857, he was appointed surrogate by the
governor under a statute which provided for a separate surrogate in this
county. He was elected to the same office in the fall of 1857 and re-elected
in 1861, serving nearly nine years in all. In the fall of i860 he was appointed
by Governor Morgan county judge to serve out the unexpired term of Judge
Cobb, who had removed from the county. In 1869 he was elected to the
State Senate. While in that body he was a member of the Committee on
Finance and was an active worker on the floor of the Senate. In the fall of
1875 he was elected to the office of county judge and re-elected in 1881,
serving two full terms. After the expiration of his term of office as county
judge he continued the practice of his profession in Ellicottville, where he
remained until May, 1892, when he was invited to enter the law office of
Sprague, Morey, Sprague & Brownell in Buffalo, one of the largest law firms
in that city. By reason of his experience in railroad matters he was, in the
fall of 1892, appointed receiver of the Allegheny & Kinzua Railroad Com-
pany, and is now operating the road in that capacity. He is now with the
same law firm in Buffalo, acting as general counsel, and recently removed to
that city, where he now resides. Judge Scott took an active interest in pro-
curing the construction of the Rochester & State Line railroad, which has
since become the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad. This enterprise
was of great benefit to the people of the county, enabling several important
towns to enjoy railroad facilities. For several years Judge Scott was the
attorney of the road, having charge of procuring the right of way and after-
wards acting as the counsel for the road. Judge Scott was always popular
here. He took an active interest in public affairs and enjoyed the confidence
of our people, who bestowed on him many trusts of great importance. He
discharged all his duties, both public and private, with scrupulous fidelity.
John R. McConnell practiced law in Allegany from 1857 to 1861, when he
moved away. He married a sister of Stephen Welch, of Allegany, and is now
in the Department of the Interior at Washington, D. C.
Alexander Wentworth is a native of Aurora, N. Y., and was born July 26,
1837. He is a son of Alexander and Asenath (Harmon) Wentworth. In
1840 his parents moved to Ellicottville ; they lived there until 1844, when they
moved to Randolph, where Mr. Wentworth has since resided. He was raised
upon a farm about two miles west of the village of Randolph. He attended
the district school winters until the Randolph Academy was opened in the
fall of 1850, and then attended that institution three winters, working on the
farm during the summer. He then engaged in teaching, taking charge of
schools in the winters of 1854-55 and 1855-56. In the latter year he began
the study of law in the office of Weeden & Henderson in Randolph and was
/ / ukyuiX-^i W-^yTTlyUT-
Attorxevs and Counselors. 363
admitted to the bar at the May General term at Buffalo in 1859. Grover
Cleveland, now president of the United States, was a member of the same
class. Soon after his admission Mr. Wentworth entered into partnership with
Mr. Henderson under the name of Henderson & Wentworth, and this firm
lias continued since and is now the oldest law firm in western New York, hav-
ing been in existence thirty-four years. Mr. Wentworth has given his entire
attention to his profession and has taken little interest in politics ; at least he
has held no official positions except one or two local offices of minor impor-
tance. In 1859 ^^^ ^^^^ married to Ellen C, daughter of Asahel Crowley, and
two children have been born of this marriage : Isabel C, now the wife of Dr.
Edward W. Lee, formerly of Randolph, now of Omaha, Neb., and Crowley
Wentworth, who graduated at the College of New Jersey in June, 1892, and
is now pursuing a course of study at the New York Law School. Manley
Crosby, now of Corry, Pa., and Alanson Crosby, who died in the last war,
and who were students in EUicottville ; Worthy Putnam, the elocutionist ;
Delos E. Lyon, who was a student in Judge Spring's office, now a prominent
lawyer in Dubuque, Iowa, and others were members of the class of 1859. ^^'^^
firm of Henderson & Wentworth has now, and has had for many years, an
extensive practice, doing a general business in all the courts, and has achieved
a reputation second to none in western New York.
Delos E. Lyon was born and reared in Franklinville. He studied law in
the office of the late Judge Samuel S. Spring and was admitted to the bar in
1859. -^ f^^^' months afterwards he left the county and located in Dubuque,
Iowa, where he has since resided and practiced his profession.
Manley Crosby was born at Franklinville on March 12, 1834, and is a son
of Alanson and Cornelia (Wright) Crosby. He was educated at the common
schools and at the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y. He read law at the
law school at Poughkeepsie and in the office of David H. Bolles in EUicott-
ville, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, May 18, 1859. ^^^ was a partner
with Judge Bolles under the firm name of Bolles & Crosby. In 1863 he mar-
ried Frances S. Clarke, youngest daughter of the late Staley N. Clarke, of EUi-
cottville. In 1865 he removed to Corry, Pa., and was appointed the general
solicitorof the Oil Creek & Allegheny River Railroad Company, and held that
office fifteen years. He was elected mayor of the city of Corry in 1890 and
was re-elected and served as such two terms. He has been a member of the
Board of Education six years and was president of the board three years. On
the organization of the National Bank of Corry in 1892 he was elected presi-
dent, and is now serving as such. He is still engaged in the practice of law at
Corry. (See family sketch in Franklinville town history.)
Alanson Crosby, a brother of Manley Crosby, was born April 2, 1836, at
Franklinville. He received his education at the common schools and at a uni-
versity in Kentucky. He read law at the Poughkeepsie Law School and in
the office of Rice & Jones at EUicottville. He was admitted to the bar May
364 History of Cattaraugus County.
18, 1859, ^""^ entered upon the practice of his profession for a time at Ellicott-
ville. He subsequently entered the law office of Alexander Sheldon at Ran-
dolph, where he remained until he went into the army as first lieutenant of
one of the companies of the 1 54th Regiment N. Y. Vols. He was subsequently
made adjutant of the regiment and later captain of Co. A, which position he
held when he was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, from which
wound he died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., July 9, 1864. Gen. Patrick
H. Jones speaks of Mr. Crosby as a "brave and gallant soldier, a bright law-
yer, and a young man of great promise."
Henry F. Allen was born in the village of Gowanda, in the town of Collins,
Erie county, N. Y., March 6, 1837, and is a son of John J. and Hannah Allen.
He received his education in Gowanda Union School and studied law in the
office of the late C. C. Torrance and also with Judge Woodbury, both of Go-
wanda. He was admitted to practice in November, 1859. ^^ ^^'^s a partner
at one time with Judge Woodbury, and for many years, until his removal to
Buffalo, was in partnership with Mr. Torrance, the firm name being Torrance
& Allen. For a few years after his admission to practice he resided in that
portion of Gowanda lying in the county of Cattaraugus. He removed to Buf-
falo in 1882, and on the first day of February, 1882, entered into partnership
with Charles W. Goodyear. That partnership continued about one year. He
was a member of the law firm of Allen, Movius & Wilco.K, of Buffalo, from
August I, 1883, until January I, 1892, when the partnership was dissolved and
since that time Mr. Allen has been engaged in practice alone in Buffalo. In
1883 he was appointed by Governor Cleveland a member of the New York
State Board of Claims and entered upon the duties of the office June i, 1883.
He continued to discharge the duties of this office until January, 1892, when
he was succeeded by Judge Porter, of Watertown. Mr. Allen was at one time
attorney for the Seneca Nation of Indians, having been appointed by Gover-
nor Hoffman. In the fall of 1877 he was elected a member of Assembly from
the Fifth District of Erie county. Mr. Allen has always been an adherent of
the Democratic party. He was at one time the candidate of his party for
county judge of Erie county, and he was also a candidate for justice of the
Supreme Court at the time of the election of Judge John S. Lambert.
Willard Teller was born in Granger, Allegany county, and was educated
at, Alfred University, Rushford Academy, and finally graduated in a classical
course at Oberlin, College in 1858. He studied law with Z. A. Kendall at
Angelica, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in November, 1859, ^^ Buffalo.
He began practice in Olean in April, i860, and remained there until Novem-
ber, 1861, when he went to Morrison, 111., and engaged in practice at that
place. In 1864 he removed from Morrison to Central City, Col., and from
there to Denver in 1877. Formerly his practice related largely to questions
growing out of mining matters, but for the last twenty years he has been en-
gaged in both mining and corporation practice. He has been attorney for
Attorneys and Counselors. 365
the Union Pacific Railroad System for about twenty years. He was formerly
in partnership with his brother, Henry M. Teller, United States senator from
Colorado and secretary of the interior in the cabinet of President Arthur.
In 1862 Mr. Teller married Weltha A. Gleason, daughter of Ira F. Gleason, of
Olean. He now resides in Denver and is a member of the firm of Teller,
Orahood & Morgan, general attorneys of the Union Pacific System for
Colorado.
A. M. Brown located in Gowanda for the practice of law about i860. He
remained there a year or two and then went to Buffalo. No information has
been obtained concerning his subsequent history.
John B. Newton read law with Judge Samuel S. Spring at Pranklinville
and was admitted to the bar about i860. He afterwards removed to Empor-
ium, Pa., and achieved considerable prominence as a lawyer. He died several
years ago.
Orange S. Searl was a student in the office of Judge Samuel S. Spring at
Franklinville. He remained in Franklinville a short time after his admission
to the bar and then removed to Cohocton, Steuben county, where he is now
engaged in practice. He represented the First District of Steuben county in
the Assembly in 1882 and 1883.
Ashley D. Bessey also read law with Judge Spring and afterwards removed
to Morley, Mich., remaining there a year or two. He then returned to Rush-
ville, near Canandaigua, remained there a short time, and then moved to
Canandaigua. He then went to Prattsburgh, Steuben county, where he now
resides. He is not now engaged in practice.
Hiram Thornton practiced in Yorkshire some time about i860. He after-
wards moved with his family to Minnesota.
Frank S. Smith, .son of Ahijah Smith and Eliza A. Goodrich, was born in
Collins, Erie county, September i, 1833. His father was a native of New Bed-
ford, Mass., and his mother of Otsego county, N. Y. He received his educa-
tion in the common schools. His legal studies were pursued principally in the
office of C. C. Torrance, of Gowanda. He was admitted to the bar in i860
and soon afterwards opened an office in Buffalo. He practiced there and at
Gowanda until about 1873, when he moved to Little Valley, where he resided
until the spring of 1891, when, on account of poor health, he was obliged to
retire from practice. He went to New Boston, Mich., where he remained
with'a brother until his death May 5, 1892. Mr. Smith was a man who made
friends wherever he was known, possessing many kindly traits of character, and
was devoted to his profession. He was well grounded in the elementary
principles of law; he made no pretentions to advocacy, but his advice given in
the quiet of the office was generally safe. Mr. Smith never married, but dur-
ing his later years lived in his office with only " his faithful dog to keep him
company."
James G. Johnson is a son of Marcus H. and Sophronia (VVilloughb}-)
366 History of Cattaraugus County.
Johnson and was born in EUicottville, June 28, 1836. He received his edu-
cation in the common schools and also at Jamestown and the Randolph
Academy. He began the study of law with Alexander Sheldon in 1854 and
was admitted to the bar in June, i860. In September, 1861, he enlisted in
the 64th Regiment N. Y. Vols, and remained in the service until November,
1862. He was appointed provost-marshal of the Thirty-first District and held
the office until January i, 1865. He practiced law in Randolph from 1864 to
1880, and since that time has been engaged in practice in Salamanca. While
in Randolph he was in partnership with Rodney R. Crowley and while in Sal-
amanca he was in partnership several years with James E. Markham. He
still retains his residence in Randolph. May 16, 1864, he was married to
Mary, daughter of Albert G. Dow, of Randolph. Mr. Johnson was for several
years attorney for the Seneca Nation of Indians. He also represented his
town on the Board of Supervisors in 1869 and 1870.
Eugene A. Nash was born near Nashville, Chautauqua countj^ March 28,
1837. His great-grandfather on his father's side was of English descent and
served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution from the State of Connecti-
cut. His grandfather on his father's side settled in the town of Dayton in
1 8 10 and served on the Board of Supervisors from that town for many years.
He had a brother, Aaron Nash, killed in battle in the War of 18 12 at Black
Rock. He had a nephew, Oscar Winship, who distinguished himself as an
officer in the regular army in the Mexican war. The father of Eugene A.
Nash was born in Dayton in 181 1. He went to California in 1849 ^^i*^ died
there the same year. Mr. Nash lived on a farm until he was about fourteen
or fifteen years of age. He then attended one term of school at Gowanda
and one term at Silver Creek. The balance of the time he worked on a farm
until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to the State of Wisconsin,
taught district schools two terms, and worked on a farm when not otherwise
employed. He then took a four years' course in Albion Academy in Wiscon-
sin and graduated, standing first in his class. After graduating he taught
Latin and mathematics in that academy one year and then received an urgent
offer to continue his connection with that institution. He entered the junior
class of the classical course in the State University at Madison, Wis. He next
entered the senior class after passing the examination at Alfred University
in this State, where he graduated in i860 in the classical course and received
the degree of A.B. Being in debt he engaged with L. K. Thacher in build-
ing a book store and putting in a stock of books. -They soon sold the store
and stock of books for a small profit, Mr. Nash's part of which was used in
taking a course in the Albany Law School, from which institution he gradu-
ated in 1861, receiving the. degree of LL.B.; on his graduation he was ad-
mitted to the bar. On the 8th of August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in
the 44th N. Y. Vols., which was also known as the People's Ellsworth Regi-
ment. Before leaving the rendezvous at Albany he was promoted to the
Attorneys and Couxsei.ors. 367
position of second lieutenant and after the battle of Hanover Court House
was appointed acting adjutant of his regiment. After the Seven Days' Fight
in Virginia he was promoted to the rank of captain for gallant and meritori-
ous conduct in battle. For about one year he served as assistant inspector-
general of the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps. After the battle
of the Wilderness in 1864 he commanded his regiment until the battle of
Bethesda Church. He passed Casey's Board in the spring of 1864 after an
extended examination, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel United States
Colored Troops, and assigned to the command of the Twenty-third United
States Colored Troop. This last command he was unable to assume on ac-
count of a wound received after passing the examination and before receiving
his commission. He was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged
except while disabled by. wounds. He was twice wounded. He served in
the army over three years. After the expiration of his term of service he
was offered the colonelcy of a regiment to remain in the army, but was dis-
abled by wounds from accepting the same.
After the war he received from Alfred University the degree of A.M.
He spent the winter of 1865 in the employ of the State in the New York
State agency, and from there went to Kansas City and resumed the study
of law. He commenced the practice of law at Cattaraugus in 1868, and
continued to practice at that place until 1873, when he was elected county
clerk and removed to Little Valley. While practicing at Cattaraugus H. M.
Herrick studied law with him and after his admission they formed a co-part-
nership, which continued until Mr. Nash removed to the county seat. After
the expiration of his term as county clerk he formed a partnership with C. Z.
Lincoln for the practice of law, which continued until the latter part of the
year 1885. A year afterwards he formed a law partnership with Burdett A.
Rich, and later John M. Willson was taken into the firm, the new partnership
being known as Nash, Rich & Willson, which has been continued since that
time. Colonel Nash was a member of Assembly from the Second District of
Cattaraugus county in 1884-85, and the latter year was a member of the Judi-
ciary Committee. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors of
Cattaraugus county sixteen years, four years from New Albion and twelve
from Little Valley. He married Angle C. Clark, of Ferrysburg. Colonel
Nash has taken an active interest in military matters since the war and in
everything that tends to benefit the "old soldiers." He is now commander
of Fuller Post, No. 246, G. A. R., at Little Valley, and has been chosen his-
torian of his old regiment, the 44th New York.
Frank A. Newell was admitted to the bar about 1861 and located in
Gowanda in the town of Persia. He was elected a justice of the peace of
Persia in i860. He remained there until about 1871, and then removed to the
west and is said to be now living at Pomona, Cal., and engaged in raising
lemons and oranges. He is also professor of law in the college at that place.
36S History of Cattaraugus County.
Oscar Hawkins was a student in Judge Spring's oiifice and was admitted to
the bar wliile at Franklinville. He subsequently located in Buffalo, where he
practiced a few years. He died several years ago.
Rodney R. Crowley is a son of Rufus and Parmelia Crowley and was born
at Mt. Holly, Vt,, November 12, 1836. In April, 1841, he accompanied his
parents to Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, and in 1848 to Randolph, at which
latter place he has since resided. He received his education at the common
schools, which he attended until about thirteen years of age, and also at the
Randolph Academy, where he was a student four years. In the spring of
1855 he began the study of law in the office of Weeden & Henderson. On
account of an impairment in his eyesight by too close study he turned aside
,for a limited period and became a clerk in the store of W. H. Lowr)^ at James-
town, N. Y. He afterwards resumed his law studies, completing them with
Porter Sheldon at Rockford, 111., and Alexander Sheldon at Randolph. He
was admitted to the bar in May, 1861. Soon after his admission he enlisted
as a private in Co. B, 64th Regiment N.. Y. Militia, and was soon promoted
to sixth corporal and subsequently to quartermaster's-sergeant. In February,
1862, he was made second lieutenant of Co. B and in March following was
promoted to first lieutenant and quartermaster of the same regiment, and
served as such until immediately before the battle of Fair Oaks, when he was
transferred to Co. H as first lieutenant, and participated as such in the battle
of Fair Oaks, June i, 1862, where he was wounded. About January i, 1863,
he was promoted to the captaincy of Co. B. He afterwards served as brigade
quartermaster and also as brigade commissary on the staff of Brigadier-General
Caldwell. Several months afterwards he took command of his company and
served in such command through the campaign and battle of Chancellorsville
and the campaign and battle of Gettysburg, in which latter battle he was
severely wounded in the knee, on account of which he resigned his commission
November 7, 1863. On returning from the army he resumed the practice of
law at Randolph, forming a partnership with James G. Johnson under the firm
name of Johnson & Crowley. December 6, 1864, he was appointed provost-
marshal for the Thirty-first Congressional District of New York, which posi-
tion he occupied until October 15, 1865. In May, 1869, he was appointed
collector of internal revenue for the Thirty-first New York District, which
position he held until June, 1871. From this time until January i, 1876, he
practiced law alone at Randolph. In 1872 he was nominated by the Liberals
and Democrats for member of Assembly in the Second District of Cattarau-
gus county, but was defeated by the Republican candidate. In 1875 he was
nominated by the Democrats for the office of State prison inspector and was
elected. He served until March i, 1877. His service in this office was very
satisfactory. Several reforms were instituted, which were carried forward by
subsequent administrations, tending to the improvement of -the prison de-
partment of the State. Beginning in i860 he served twelve years as justice
Attorvr:vs and Counselors. 369
of the peace in the town of Randolph. He was elected supervisor in 1868
and again in 1869, but resigned the latter year and James G. Johnson was
appointed in his place. He was one of the original incorporators of the
State Bank of Randolph. He has also taken an active interest in the affairs
of the Western New York Home for Homeless and Dependent Children.
September 2, 1861, Mr. Crowley was married to Jennie Mussey, of New Lon-
don, Conn.
Charles D. Murray was born in Guilford, Chenango county, May 4. 1S31,
and is the son of Dauphin and Sally (Seymour) Murray. In 1839 Dauphin
Murray with his family came to Hinsdale, where he had a large contract in
building the Genesee Valley canal. Charles D. Murray received his education
in the " old red school house " in Hinsdale, together with two terms at the Hins-
dale Academy. In 1845 he engaged as a clerk in a large establishment in Nor-
wich, N. Y., remaining until the spring of 1850, when he went to California,
where he was engaged in business until 1855. During his residence in Cali-
fornia he went to Sydney in Australia, twice, on business ventures, and also
made several trips to Oregon. In 1855 he returned home, having made a
comfortable amount of money in his California business. He bought a lum-
ber tract and engaged in lumbering and general merchandise. He was caught
in the panic of 1857 '^^i'^ suffered severe loss. He then began reading law in
the office of Alexander Storrs in Hinsdale. He received in 1858 an appoint-
ment as route agent on the Erie railroad running from Dunkirk to Hornells-
ville. He had six hours* leisure each day in Hornellsville and became a clerk
in the office of Reynolds & Brundage in that place. He carried a law-book
with him on the cars and when not engaged in distributing mail he read law
in his mail-car. He was admitted to the bar in 1861 at Buffalo. He then left
the mail service and located in Hinsdale, opening an office there. He resided
in Hinsdale until 1864, when he was drafted into the army, and going to Dun-
kirk in August to procure a substitute he thought it a good place to locate.
He rented an office and in two weeks was the occupant of it, and removed
there in October, 1864, with his family, where he has ever since resided. He
now occupies the same office that he rented in 1864. He has been mayor of
the city of Dunkirk and president of the Board of Education two terms, and
has also been city attorney. He was a candidate for Congress in 1870 and
1872, and lacked only a few votes of an election. He is now president of the
Merchants' National Bank of Dunkirk. May 20, i860, he was married to
Orpha A. Bandfield, of Hinsdale.
Elias L. Matteson was born in Collins, Erie county, September 22, 1825.
His father was a native of Vermont and his mother of Massachusetts. He
was raised on a farm and educated in his native town. He followed the em-
ployment of a millwright for several years and also taught common schools
winters. In 1850 he went to Vermont, where he remained until after the
clo.se of the war. While there he engaged in building mills in the summer
47
370 . History of Cattaraugus County.
and read law and practiced in the winter. In i860 he entered the law school
at Albany and graduated from that institution May 23, 1861. He remained
in practice in Vermont until 1864, when he came to Cattaraugus county and
in 1866 formed a law partnership with Joseph E. Weeden, of Randolph. This
partnership continued until about 1885. After that Mr. Matteson withdrew
from active practice and engaged in manufacturing. January 17, 1867, he
married Maria Sample, daughter of John Sample, a pioneer of Randolph.
Johnson V. Goodwill is a son Johnson and Livonia M. (Greeno) Goodwill,
and was born at Darien, Genesee county, January 26, 1837. His mother died
when he was six years of age, and immediately after her death in 1843 he
came to Cattaraugus county and lived with his uncle, John Greeno, until he
was twenty-one years old. He received his education in the common schools
and in 1857 taught one term of district school. In 1866 he was married to
Lovisa D. Williams, only child of Norman B. Williams, of East Randolph. In
1861 he began reading law with Merrill T. Jenkins at East Randolph, and in
the fall of 1862 he attended the Albany Law School and was admitted to the
bar in December, 1862. He immediately entered into partnership with Mr.
Jenkins for the practice of law, which continued until 1872, when on account
of the removal of Mr. Jenkins from the county the partnership was dissolved.
He then formed a partnership with Frank W. Stevens, the firm being Good-
will & Stevens, which continued until 1882, when Mr. Stevens removed to
Jamestown. Mr. Goodwill's life has been devoted to his profession and he
has given little attention to politics. Since 1882 he has been engaged in prac.
tice alone at East Randolph, where he now resides.
Dan B. Allen is a grandson of the late Dan Allen, one of the early settlers
of the town of Persia and a member of the old Court of Common Pleas, and is
a son of the late Constant B. Allen, who was one of the most distinguished
citizens of the town of Otto. Dan B. Allen was born at Otto, April 7, 1839.
Besides attending the common schools he attended an academy at Austinburg,
Ohio, and also the Genesee Seminary at Lima, N. Y. He began the study of
law in November, 1859, with Rice & Jones in Ellicottville, and also studied
with Rice & Scott. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1862, and began
practice immediately afterwards at Olean. He continued in practice there but
a short time, when he enlisted in the army. Since the war he has practiced
at New York city, Jamestown, and at Otto, where he now resides. In addi-
tion to his law business Mr. Allen has extensive farming interests which de-
mand considerable attention. He represented the town of Otto on the Board
of Superv^isors seven years from 1879 ^° 1885.
George Straight is a native of Chautauqua county and was born near
Hamlet in 1836. He received his education in the common schools and also
attended the Ellington Academy and Chamberlain Institute ; he engaged in
teaching in the common schools, being employed some seven or eight terms.
He began his legal studies with Judge Snow, of Fredonia, and continued them
Attorneys and Counselors.
with Alexander Sheldon, of Randolph, and Daniel Sherman, of Forestville.
He was admitted to the bar in 1862 and located at Cattaraugus, where he
began the practice of law. Soon after this he was married to Helen J., daugh-
ter of John P. Darling, a prominent citizen of Cattaraugus. After some legal
practice he entered into partnership with Mr. Darling in a general merchan-
dise business under the firm name of Darling & Straight, but continued to
practice law. He afterwards formed a partnership with D. E. Powell, which
continued several years under the name of Straight & Powell. In 1889 Mr.
Straight went to Buffalo and the firm was dissolved. He returned to Cattar-
augus in 1890 and has practiced law there since. In 1893 he established a law
ofifice at Otto. Mr. Straight held the office of postmaster at Cattaraugus for
twelve years and was also several years a justice of the peace.
Milton M. Burnham was born in the town of Dayton on the 22d day of
February, 1839. '^'s parents soon afterwards removed to Villenova, Chau-
tauqua county, and thence to Nashville, N. Y. Mr. Burnham here enjoyed
the usual advantages of a district school. He left home in 1850 to take care
of himself, and from that time until 1856 he attended district school winters,
working for his board, and traveled and worked the balance of the seasons in
the States of New York, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. In the spring of 1856 he
began work at lumbering in and about Kiantonc, N. Y., as a common laborer,
where he lived most of the time until April, 1S60. He obtained his education
under difficulties, carrying school books while at work. He acquired sufficient
education to enable him to teach district school for a time and attend a few
terms at the Jamestown Academj-, then conducted by Professor Dickinson
and Miss Kent. In the spring of i860 he entered the law office of Hazeltine
& Clark at Jamestown and began his legal studies. He continued with them
until May, 1863, when he was admitted to the bar. He opened an office at
Otto, where he remained and practiced until the fall of 1866, when he went
to Pittsburg, Pa. In 1867 he removed to Holley, Mich., where he remained
until 1886, when he removed to East Jordan, Charlevoix county, Mich., where
he now resides. October 15, 1863, he was married to Julia A. Babcock,
daughter of Oliver C. Babcock, of Persia. Mrs. Burnham died in 1884 and
Mr. Burnham afterwards married Achsah M. Babcock, a sister of his first wife.
In November, 1890, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Charlevoi.x county
and .served two years. He is now a director of the East Jordan High School.
Hudson Ansley '" is of English ancestry, and was born in Collins, Erie
county, January 15, 1838. His parents, Hudson and Maria (Heaton) Ansley,
came from Pike county. Pa., to Collins some time between 1825 and 1830 and
purchased the only " clearing " then made in that vicinity. Here they reared a
large family amid the deprivations and pleasures of pioneer life, and gave their
children such advantages of education as were within their reach. Hudson,
after exhausting the resources of the district school, attended the academies
History of Cattaraugus County.
of Govvanda and Fredonia, and was a teacher of district schools. Turning his
attention to the law he pursued his legal studies with Torrance & Allen, of
Gowanda, was admitted to the bar in 1863, and from that time has been in
active practice. In the summer of 1861 he left his law studies and devoted
his time to enlisting soldiers. In September he joined the 64th N. Y. Regt. ,
was later commissioned regimental hospital steward, and held this office until
he was honorably discharged in the summer of 1862. He belongs to Sher-
wood Post, G. A. R. After a year's partnership with his instructor, Henry
F. Allen, in Gowanda, in 1864 he removed to Salamanca, where he has since
resided. In October, 1870, after the death of James D. McVey, surrogate of
Cattaraugus county, Mr. Ansley received the appointment to that office from
Gov. Lucius Robinson and held it during Mr. McVey's unexpired term. In
1882 he was appointed by Gov. Grover- Cleveland attorney for the Seneca
Nation of Indians and held that office ten years. Mr. Ansley represented
Salamanca on the Board of Supervisors in 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1880, 1881,
and 1891, and commenced his services as postmaster of Salamanca July i, 1893.
Mr. Ansley has ever been a Democrat. Much interested in political
movements, he is an ardent worker and a prized counselor in the conclaves
of his party. He has been frequently a delegate to district, county, and
State conventions, was on the State Committee in 1884 and 1888, and was
sent as a delegate by the " anti-snapper " convention to the Democratic na-
tional convention held at Chicago, 111., in June, 1892. Mr. Ansley has given
much attention to Free Masonry : he is a member of Cattaraugus Lodge, No.
239; Salamanca Chapter, No. 266; and Salamanca Commandery, No. 62.
He has been several times master of his lodge and high priest of his chapter.
In 1863 Mr. Ansley married Elzina J., daughter of Zalmon and Belinda
(Southworth*) Hanford, of Gowanda. They have one son, George H. Mr.
Ansley enjoys the social side of life and has many friends — to quote a promi-
nent Republican lawyer of Chautauqua county: "In law, in sociality, in
everything h\.\\. his politics, 'Hud.' Ansley is a fine fellow." Mr. Ansley owns
a farm near Salamanca, where he raises fine breeds of cattle and horses. In
1880 he made an extensive tour through Scotland, England, Holland, Ger-
many, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France; in 1889 he visited the island
of Cuba, and in 189 1 he passed some time in Mexico.
Norman M. Allen is a son of Luther and Huldah (Benedict) Allen, and
was born in Dayton, December 24, 1828. His parents were natives of Onon-
daga county, N. Y., and emigrated early to Cattaraugus county, settling in
Dayton. His mother died when he was but ten years old and his father
when he was seventeen. His educational advantages were extremely lim-
ited, the merest rudiments of an English education being acquired by a
*TliL- Southwoi-tli I'limily wiis ul' that bistoriu band of Mayflmver passengers that landed at Plymouth,
Mas.<.. ill K-M.
J/t,,c.t^^^(dMyi^ ^^^^
Attorneys Ax\d Counselors. 373
few years' attendance in the common schools of his native town prior to the
death of his father, which event prevented his further attendance at school.
He, however, used his leisure hours for many years in study and thus acquired
a substantial store of knowledge. For several years after the death of his
father he taught in the common schools in his vicinity in the winter and
worked at farming in the summer. As the result of his continuous labor his
health became impaired so much that for three years he was unable to per-
form outdoor work. During this time he devoted himself to hard study, but
without the aid of a teacher. In [848, at the age of nineteen, he married
Huldah Merrill, daughter of Heman Merrill, of Dayton. In 1855 he was
elected county superintendent of the poor upon the first Republican ticket
nominated in the county, and held that office until 1857, when he resigned
to accept the office of school commissioner, which office he held during the
years 1858-60 inclusive. In 1861 he was appointed to the position of United
States mail-route agent and held and discharged the duties of this position
until February, 1863, when he resigned to accept the office of paymaster in
the army, to which he had been appointed by President Lincoln. This office
he filled only a short time, resigning it to accept the office of assistant pro-
vost-marshal of the Thirty-first Congressional District, which position he held
up to the time of his first election to the State Senate in the fall of 1863.
For several years prior to his election to the Senate in 1863 he had devoted
his spare time to the study of law, but was not a clerk in any office and had
no instructor. He began to do business, however, some time before his ad-
mission to the bar, being employed in legal affairs by his friends and towns-
men, and did much of their law business, drew writings, and tried causes for
them in justice's court. While serving his first term in the State Senate he
was admitted to the bar at Albany upon motion of the late Amasa J. Parker.
Mr. Allen was again elected to the State Senate in 1871, and during this term
was a member of the Judiciary Committee and other important committees,
and by virtue of his office as senator was a member of the Court of Impeach-
ment that tried and removed Judge Barnard from office. In 1867 he was
elected a delegate to the constitutional convention and served during the
sessions of that body. In 1866 he was appointed State assessor and held that
office four years. In 1868 and again in 1876 he was one of the candidates for
elector upon the Republican electoral ticket. He performed loyal service in
assisting in the organization of regiments during the late war of the Rebellion
and in sustaining the cause of the Union, and when the remains of President
Lincoln were brought to Albany on their way. to Springfield Mr. Allen was
one of the pall bearers appointed by the Senate who attended the remains of
the dead president during their stay at the capital of the State.
Mr. Allen's service on the Board of Supervisors is longer than that of any
other man in the history of the county, he having been elected thirtyrfour
consecutive terms, during twenty-eight of which he has been chairman of the
374 History of Cattaraugus County.
board. Mr. Allen was again elected to the State Senate in 1881, serving two
years. While Grover Cleveland was governor of the State he appointed Mr.
Allen one of the State prison commissioners charged with the duty of examin-
ing the prisons of the State and making a report upon the subject of convict
labor. \o man in this county is more familiar with its history or its public
affairs than Mr. Allen. His long service upon the Board of Supervisors and
his chairmanship of that body have given him an unparalleled opportunity to
watch the development of the county, the growth of its industries and public
improvements, as well as its political history, and he has thus become entirely
familiar with every detail of county affairs. This knowledge and familiarity
have been made useful by him for the benefit of the county and of his town.
During all this time he has been engaged in active practice and has had the
care and management of many large and important trusts. For a generation
he has stood in the front rank of the public men of our county and has been
acknowledged one of the leaders in politics, at the bar, and in public affairs.
Mr. Allen owns a fine farm in Dayton to which he gives his personal attention.
His studies have not been confined to legal subjects alone, but in his efforts to
overcome the disadvantages of early life in procuring an education he became
proficient in the French language and also acquired sufficient knowledge of
Latin to enable him to teach it in the public schools. He still retains a deep
interest in all matters affecting the general welfare of our people.
Edwin D. Northrup was born in Tolland, Conn., April 27, 1839. He re-
ceived a o-ood common school education and graduated at the Connecticut
Literary Institution in 1862. The following year he removed to Cattaraugus
county and located in Ellicottville, where he has since resided. Mr. Northrup
taught the Union School at Ellicottville one winter, and the following spring.
May 18, 1864, entered Johnson's land office in the same place, of which he had
charo-e several years. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1865, and was ad-
mitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court in October, 1876. Mr.
Northrup was supervisor of the town of Ellicottville six years from 1876 to
1881 inclusive. He is a grandson of John Northrup, who was a native of New
London, Conn., and who served in the War of 1812, and is a son of Nelson W.
Northrup, a native of Morris, Otsego county. Mr. Northrup's mother was
Loraine Fitch and a relative of John Fitch, the steamboat inventor. The
Fitches trace their lineage back to Joseph Fitch, a native of Braintree, County
Essex, England, and he was one of the earliest settlers of Windsor, Conn. Mr.
Northrup is still engaged in active practice at Ellicottville.
Henry M. Seymour is a son of Silas and Charlotte Seymour and was born
in the town of Randolph, September 12, 1839. He attended the district schools
of Miller hollow, Sample hill, and Mud creek, and was a student at the Ran-
dolph Academy four terms. He also taught district schools four terms and
"boarded round." In the spring of 1863 he entered the law office of Merrill T.
Jenkins at East Randolph and began the study of law. In the fall of iS64hc
Attorneys and Counselors. 375
entered the Albany Law School and took a complete course of lectures, grad-
uating May 25, 1865, and was admitted at the Albany General term of the Su-
preme Court, May 4, 1865. He began to practice in what is now West Sala-
manca in the fall of 1865 and moved to Salamanca in September, 1877, where
he remained until October, 1880, when he removed to California. While in
Salamanca he was in partnership for about a year and a half with Carey D.
Davie. While living in Salamanca he held the office of justice of the peace
eight years, and was also assessor three years and postmaster about six years
at West Salamanca. In 1872 he was elected school commissioner of the Sec-
ond District of Cattaraugus county and held the office three years. Mr. Sey-
mour is now (1893) living at Santa Ana, Cal., and is not engaged in the prac-
tice of law.
William G. Laidlaw's native place was Jedburgh in Roxburgshire, Scot-
land, where he was born January i, 1840. He came to this country with his
parents in 1852, being then twelve years old. His mother died soon after their
arrival. His father and the rest of the family moved into Franklinville and -
settled upon a farm in that town in the fall of 1852, building a log house on
the place. William helped clear the farm before he was old enough to leave
home. His parents were in moderate circumstances, and were able to make
a good payment on the farm and buy a yoke of oxen, two cows, and some
tools. William went through, on the farm, all the steps of ox-driving, making
black salts, chopping fallow, etc. The Scotch believe in giving their children
an education, and while living in Scotland William attended school eleven
months in a year and was a pretty good scholar for a boy of twelve years
when he arrived in this country. After going onto the farm he began work
in earnest, and only went to school about twelve weeks each winter. The
time to begin going to school was in the fall when the snow got too deep to
"underbrush," and school generally wound up in the spring when sap began
to run. From 1852 until i860 the reading of the family was the N'c-lv York
Tribune. Mr. Laidlavv paid no attention to politics in those days, but he had
read " Uncle Tom's Cabin," and that and the Tribune made him intensely
anti-slavery. There was an excellent school in that district which Mr. Laid-
law attended. Some of the teachers were well educated people and gave a
great impulse to Mr. Laidlaw's ambition. He obtained here a good idea of
the common branches and gave some attention to the higher branches. Dur-
ing this time he procured an elementary geometry which he studied at home
without a teacher. When he was pretty well grown he hired out on a farm
for six months at $12 a month. In the fall of the same year a select school
was started in Franklinville by Mr. Kimball which Mr. Laidlaw attended, and
the following winter he began teaching, getting $20 per month. In the fall
following this the Rev. D. C. McVean, the pastor of the U. P. church at
P'ranklinville, who was a graduate of Union College, got an undergraduate of
that institution to come on to Franklinville and open a private school. Mr.
376 History of Cattaraugus -County.
Laidlaw attended his school. The teacher went back to college after a time
and another " Union " man came on and took his place. Mr. Laidlaw boarded
with both of these men at Mr. McVean's for a number of terms, and so was in
every-day intercourse with them. He learned much from them. Mr. McVean
had plenty of books, magazines, and reviews, and was the father of the school.
He is described as being a good man among the young folks and had the re-
spect of all sorts and conditions of men. In this school Mr. Laidlaw studied
Latin, Greek, higher algebra, geometry, and English grammar, and taught a
class in the school part of the time. He taught school three winters in all.
His mstruction at this school was sufficient to prepare him for college. He
began reading law in the office of the late Judge Samuel S. Spring at Frank-
linville.
While engaged in his law studies a party of young men from Olean and
Hinsdale began making arrangements to go into the navy. This was in the
summer of 1862. Mr. Laidlaw joined them and they went to New York and
shipped. Three of them got on board the United States steamer Monfg-oiM-rj,
then being put in readiness at the navy yard in Brooklyn. In a few days they
sailed, not knowing where they were bound, but they soon reached Havana
and sunk a steamer on the coast of Cuba, supposed to be a blockade runner.
The Montgomery kept to sea off the American coast, watching the ports for
blockade runners. One large steamer was captured with avaluable cargo, and
afterwards a small sailing craft loaded with sea-island cotton. Spain had com-
plained in the meantime to the United States about the sinking of the steamer
in her waters, it being too close to the shore, and with the result that in Jan-
uary, 1863, the Montgomery was ordered to Boston and her captain. Hunter,
of the regular navy, was suspended, ostensibly to please Spain; afterwards
Congress restored him by special act. Mr. Laidlaw was discharged from the
navy in Boston, May 1 1, 1863, and immediately returned to Franklinville and
resumed the study of law in Judge Spring's office. He took with him when
he enlisted on the Montgomery Edwards on Bailments so that he was enabled
to continue his law studies in a way while at sea. The war continuing, and
Mr. Laidlaw's interest in it also continuing, he was urged to try to raise enough
volunteers to save a draft in some of the towns, and to do this he made some
war speeches in Franklinville, Farmersville, and Hinsdale. The result was that
sixty or seventy men, all volunteers, started for Erie, Pa., and shipped, or en-
listed, in September, 1864. September i, 1864, before he left home, Mr. Laid-
law married Elizabeth, daughter of William McVey, of Franklinville. The com-
pany of volunteers was immediately sent by rail to Evansville and down the
Ohio to Faducah, Ky., and the Cattaraugus men were placed on three gunboats
to fill up a deficiency in their respective crews. It was warm work on the
Tennessee river, which was lined with thick woods, and they were at the mercy
of batteries that could only be located by the smoke of their guns. After a
few weeks of hard service the three gunboats were sunk by the Confederate
Attorneys and Counselors. uj
batteries at Johnsonville, Tenn., and a large quantity of stores and several
transports on the river destroyed. This left the crews of the vessels in the
woods, and they started for Nashville, eighty or ninety miles away across the
country. Mr. Laidlaw, with a few of the other men who had kept together,
reached Nashville on election day. They were next sent to Cairo and a few
of the Cattaraugus men, including Mr. Laidlaw, were put aboard the Cincin-
nati. This vessel was an ironclad, one of the best boats on the river, and did
some hard fighting. The vessel went up the Tennessee river past Johnsonville
and as far as she could find water, but encountered nothing. They then
started down the Mississippi to New Orleans, reaching that city on Washing-
ton's birthday. Mr. Laidlaw went ashore at New Orleans and obtained a few
books at an old junk-shop. The vessel was ordered to Mobile, which was
rather risky, as the Cincinnati \v3.s not a sea-going craft. After considerable
difificulty the vessel reached Mobile. There was an immense fleet off this port
and a large body of soldiers was being transported towards the city to aid in
its capture, preparations for which were being carefully made. The work of
the navy here was hard and dangerous. The Cincinnati was assigned to the
duty of taking up torpedoes out of the bay. This work could only be done
in the night, on account of the batteries, but the torpedoes were slowly re-
moved and the fleet gradually moved up the bay. Finally the city with its
defences was taken April I2, 1865, three days after the surrender of Lee at
Appomattox, the army having done most of the fighting. In this battle the
navy lost two vessels by torpedoes, the Meiacomet and Osage. After the cap-
ture of the city the Cincinnati was sent after Confederate gunboats up the
Alabama and Tombigbee rivers.
On the 15th of May, 1865, the war being over, Mr. Laidlaw was discharged
from active service at Mobile and was to go to New York for examination as
acting assistant paymaster in the navy. But by the time he reached New
York there was no use for paymasters. Mr. Laidlaw entered the navy as
"landsman," was promoted to " ordinary seaman," then to "able seaman,"
and finally to "captain of the forecastle." He returned to Franklinville, be-
gan keeping house, and resumed his law studies in Judge Spring's ofifice. He
was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1866 and began practice in Franklin-
ville. His practice had really begun before he was admitted to the bar, for
he had, prior to that time, been engaged in numerous cases in justice's court,
generally with Judge Spring on the other side; and he continued his practice
in the lower courts after his admission to the bar. In the fall of 1866 he
was elected school commissioner for the First District of Cattaraugus county
and served a term of three years. In the spring of 1869 he moved to Ellicott-
ville and went into partnership with Judge Allen D. Scott, and afterwards his
wife's brother, James D. McVey, joined the firm. In April, 1871, Mr. Laid-
law was appointed an assessor of internal revenue by President Grant and
held the ofifice until the following year, when he resigned. He was elected
378 History of Cattaraugus County.
district attorney of Cattaraugus county in tlie fall of 1871, served three years,
and was re-elected and served another term. Mr. jMcVey was elected surro-
gate in 1873 and in 1874 moved to Franklinville. In 1875 ^'^^- Scott was
elected county judge and Mr. Laidlaw continued to practice law alone for a
time afterwards. Later, S. R. McNair, who had read law with him, was taken
into partnership, and this partnership still continues. Mr. Laidlaw was
elected to the Fiftieth Congress in the fall of 1886. The House was Demo-
cratic, and he was appointed the fifteenth member of the Claims Committee
by Speaker Carlisle. He was elected to the Fifty-first Congress in 1888 and
wasappointed chairman of the Committee on Claims by Speaker Reed. This
was a very important committee, having to deal with all kinds of claims pre-
sented against the government, many of them involving large amounts of
money and requiring the examination of intricate questions of law. Upon
the expiration of his service in Congress Mr. Laidlaw resumed the practice of
his profession at Ellicottville, where he now resides.
John C. Spencer practiced law in Allegany about a year, 1866 and 1867,
but it is not known whence he came to this county or where he went.
Harper H. Phelps practiced in Olean some time prior to i865, and for a
time was a partner with William P. Angel. At a great fire which occurred in
Olean in January, 1866, Mr. Phelps lost his life in attempting to rescue his
law library.
Commodore P. Vedder was born February 23, 1838, on a farm in the town
of Ellicottville. His parents were Dutch and his ancestors fought in the Rev-
olutionary war and the War of 181 2. He lived in a log house on a fifty-acre
Tarm until he was fourteen years of age. He was then employed by a butcher
in Great Valley at $2.50 per month. In 1 854 he was a driver on the Erie canal.
In the spring of 1855 he went from Great Valley to Cincinnati down the Alle-
gheny river on a raft. From Cincinnati he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and
shipped as a sailor before the mast on the brig A/frf, hound for Chicago. He
followed sailing as a living until the close of navigation in 1859. In the third
year of his sea-faring life he was promoted to the position of mate, and was
captain of the vessel in 1858 and 1859. After leaving the lakes he took a course
in Springville Academy and finished in 1861. He began the study of law with
Judge David H. Bolles in 1861 and taught school during the winters of 1859,
i860, i86i,and 1862. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 154th
N. Y. Vols, and was successively promoted to lieutenant and captain in that
regiment. At the battle of Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner and for two
weeks endured the horrors of Libby prison. He was paroled, and while under
parole was detailed by the secretary of war to take charge of the camp of
paroled prisoners near Alexandria, Va. In the fall of 1863 he was transferred
with his regiment to the Army of the Cumberland near Chattanooga. He
participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Wauhatchie, Lookout Valley,
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, and the siege of Sa-
Attorneys a\d Counselors. 379
vannah, and was on the celebrated march of Sherman from Chattanooga to
K'loxville, Tonn., for the relief of General Burnside. He was also with Gen-
eral Sherman in his famous march from Atlanta to the sea and through the
Ca-olinas. He was discharged in June, 1865, by reason of the close of the
war. At the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, May 8, 1864, he was wounded, but
refused a furlough after leaving the hospital, and was appointed by President
Lincoln and the secretary of war to examine applicants for commissions in
colored regiments, with headquarters at Chattanooga. At the battle of Look-
out Mountain he was breveted major in the United States or regular army
" for gallant and meritorious conduct." He was promoted to be lieutenant-
colonel of v^olunteers "for bravery in battle" in the campaign from Chatta-
nooga to Atlanta. •
After the war he resumed the study of law and in the winter of 1865-66
he attended the Albany Law School, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo,
May 7, 1866. In May, 1867, he was admitted to practice in the District
Court of the United States for the Northern District of New York. In 1867
he was appointed register in bankruptcy and resigned that position in 1875
to enter the State Senate. From 1872 to 1875 inclusive he was a member of
the Assembly. In 1872, as member of the Judiciary Committee, he assisted
in investigating the unjust judges of the city of New York, to wit: Cardozo,
McCunn, and Barnard. He was chairman of the committee to draft articles
of impeachment against Judge Barnard and was appointed one of the man-
agers on the trial of that official before the High Court of Impeachment for
maladministration in office. In 1869 he was appointed United States assessor
of internal revenue and held the office until the next congressional succession.
He was elected to the Senate in 1875 and served in that body during the ses-
sions of 1876 and 1877. In 1880 he was appointed State assessor by Gov-
ernor Cornell and held that office until his successor was appointed in 1883.
In 18S4 he was again elected to the State Senate and was re-elected three
successive terms thereafter. He was chairman of the Committee on Taxa-
tion and Retrenchment during the last eight years he was in the Senate. Mr.
Vedder drafted and introduced the bill to tax gifts, legacies, and collateral
inheritances, which became a law in 1885. He drafted and introduced a bill
taxing corporations for the privilege of organizing, which became a law in
1 886; also the bill amending the collateral inheritance act of 1885, which
amended act became a law in 1891, under which the succession, by death, of
peisonal property of $10,000 or more is taxed one per cent. He is now a
member of the Holland Society and the Lawyers' Club. He is president of
the New York and New Jersey Ice Lines of New York, president of the State
Bank of Norwood, N. Y., president of the Elko Milling, Mining, and Manu-
facturing Company of Randolph, is a member of the G. A. R., and has an
office in the city of New York. In 1867 he formed a partnership with Will-
iam Manley, of Ellicottville, which continued some time. In 1869 he entered
380 History of Cattaraugus County.
into partnership with the late Judge Rensselaer Lamb, which continued until
Judge Lamb's death in November, 1871. In 1876 a partnership was formed
between Mr. Vedder and George M. Rider under the name of Vedder &
Rider, which continued until 1884. Mr. Vedder afterwards formed a part-
nership with James O. Clark, of Ellicottville. In 1862 Mr. Vedder married
Bettie E. Squires, of Springville, and had one child, a son, who died in Feb-
ruary, 1882. His wife died in 1884. In 1892 he was married to Mrs. Gene-
vieve A. Wheeler, of Chicago, 111.
Joseph R. Jewell is a son of Jerome B. Jewell, of Machias, and was admit-
ted to the bar about 1867. He pursued his legal studies with Cary & Bolles
at Olean and soon after his admission to the bar located at Little Valley as a
member of the firm of Cary, Bolles & Jewell. He remained at Little Valley
until the fall of 1873, when he went to Olean and there joined his partner,
Mr. Cary, in a general practice. Judge Bolles had retired from the firm
about three years before. Mr. Jewell remained in partnership with Mr. Cary
until the spring of 1883, when he withdrew from the firm and entered into
partnership with his brother, M. B. Jewell, under the firm name of J. R. &
M. B. Jewell. This firm continued until the winter of 1892-93, when it was
dissolved. Since that time Mr. Jewell has practiced alone at Olean. He
owns a farm about two miles north of the city. Mr. Jewell married Julia E.
Lamper, of Conewango.
William E. McDuffie was born about 1844 in the town of New Albion.
He attended the common schools until about fourteen years old, when he
went to Oberlin College for a time. He then went to Springville, N. Y., and
attended the academy there a short time. After that he went to Buffalo and
began the study of law in the office of Mr. Day and was admitted to the bar
in Buffalo in 1867. He afterwards located and practiced in Otto in this
county. He married Miss Addie McMillen, of Springville, and went to Mag-
nolia, Iowa, to engage in the practice of law. He died at Council Bluffs about
1868, at the age of twenty-five years. He is described as a young man of un-
usual ability and one who gave great promise of a successful career at the bar.
William P. Spargur practiced in Little. Valley a short time about 1868.
He then removed to Wellsville, N. Y., where he now resides.
Arunah Ward was born in Reading, Steuben county, September 30, 1820,
and is a son of Charles and Lydia(King) Ward. His parents came to Great
Valley from Vermont in 182 1 and settled in an unbroken wood lot. - They
traveled from Steuben county with an ox-team. While clearing a small plat of
ground and erecting a log cabin they lived in the only school house in the
town. They remained until 1846, when they removed to Wisconsin. Mr.
Ward's mother died in 1848, and his father returned to this county and died
in 1850. Arunah Ward was raised on the homestead, where he spent his boy-
hood at hard labor, attending the common schools in winter. He afterwards
attended Springville Academy two terms and at once began teaching district
Attorneys axd Counselors. 381
schools, and taught in all fifteen terms. He began business life as a millwright
and farmer, and owned and occupied the old homestead in Great Valley. He
was a justice of the peace in Great Valley and has also been superintendent of
the poor of the county. In 1865 he was elected surrogate of the county and
served four years. He removed to Ellicottville, January i, 1866, where he
still resides. In May, 1868, he was admitted to the bar. and in July, 1884, was
admitted to practice in United States courts. September 15, 1852, he married
Jane A. Palmer, of Great Valley.
Emory A. Anderson was at one time a minister of the Methodist Episco-
pal church^ At the beginning of the late war he enlisted in the gth N. Y.
Cav., taking an active part in raising the regiment. While in the .service he
was promoted to the rank of major. After the war he studied law and opened
an ofifice at Little Valley about 1868, in partnership with Andrew Smith. He
continued in practice there a short time, and then removed to Granger, Alle-
gany county, but did not continue the practice of law. He died several years
ago.
Andrew Smith, who came from Allegany county, opened an office at Little
Valley in connection with Emory A. Anderson upon the removal of the county
seat to that village in 1868. He remained in Little \'al!ey only two or three
years, when he returned to Allegany county and soon afterwards died.
Samuel Dunham was born in 1840 at Windham. Bradford county, Pa.
His father was Henry Dunham, a Methodist preacher. He received his edu-
cation at the Owego Academy, from which institution he was a graduate.
He learned the trade of a miller and engaged in this business several years
before the war, and during the same period he taught in the common schools
during the winter season. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the 64th Regiment
N. Y. Vols. He remained in the service about two years, and then began
reading law in Owego. He afterwards came to Salamanca and was appointed
station agent of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway Company ; he held
this position about three years. He continued his legal studies with Hudson
Ansley and was admitted to practice about 1868; he then formed a partner-
ship with Mr. Ansley at Salamanca. He afterwards went to Minnesota,
where he held the office of district attorney. He then moved to New York
city, where he was a clerk in one of the departments of the city government.
He held this position three years and then settled in Little Valley, where he
remained until the fall of 1890, when he removed to the west. While in this
county he held several important local offices, and for eleven years was clerk
of the Board of Supervisors.
J. Wilbur Cochran, who now resides in Centralia, Wis., is a native of the
town of Otto, where he was born April 8, 1845, and is the youngest son of
Orson Cochran, who was a farmer and surveyor and for many years one of
die leading citizens of that town. Wilbur spent his early life on the farm and
at the district school at Scott's Corners in the town of Otto. He also at-
382 History of Cattaraugus County.
tended the Springville Academy one term. On the 6th of September, 1864,
he enlisted as a private in the i88th Regiment N. Y. Vols, and went imme-
diately to the front at Petersburg, Va. He participated in the battle of
Hatcher's Run, October 27, 1864, and the subsequent battles around Peters-
burg, the raid on the VVeldon Railroad, and the second Hatcher's Run fight
on February 4, 5, and 6, 1865. He remained in the army until March 25, 1865,
when he left the field on account of illness. He was discharged from the
service at Elmira, N. Y., June i, 1865. He engaged in business at Shaffer and
Miller Farms in the oil regions of Pennsylvania -in November, 1865, and con-
tinued there several months. In April, 1866, he removed to Chicago and
engaged in the mercantile business. In November of the same year he left
Chicago and returned to Otto, N. Y. He taught school at East Otto Corners
in the winter of 1866-67 and worked on his father's farm the following sum-
mer. In November, 1867, he commenced reading law with Albert Haight,
now a justice of the Supreme Court, at Buffalo, N. Y., and was admitted to
practice at a General term held in Buffalo in May, 1869. While reading with
Judge Haight he received one dollar a week for office attendance ; he boarded
at the old Franklin House, lodging in the ofifice and using army blankets for
bedding. He located at Otto in the spring of 1869 for the practice of law,
where he remained until the spring of 1873. He then went west, locating at
Centralia, Wis., where he now resides. In July, 1873, he formed a partner-
ship with Charles M. Webb, who was then United States district attorney
for the Northern District of Wisconsin, living at Grand Rapids, Wis., which
partnership continued until 1883, when Mr. Webb was appointed and after-
wards elected Circuit judge of that Circuit, which position he still holds.
Since that time Mr. Cochran has pursued the practice of law alone. He has
been chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, district attorney of his
county one term, and city attorney for the city of Centralia since its incorpora-
tion in 1874.
James M. Gallagher, a son of John and Ellen Gallagher, was born in
Canada in 1841, and moved with his father and mother to Little Valley
Center. He attended the common schools and worked on his father's farm
during his youth, and later attended the Randolph Academy about three
years. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the 154th Regiment under Captain
Nelson. He was promoted successively to sergeant, quartermaster, second
lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain. He participated in all the battles in
which the 154th Regiment was engaged, and at Lookout Mountain was
wounded. He also marched with Sherman to the sea, and at the close of
the war was mustered out of service. After his return from the war he was
sick at his home in Little Valley about a year, when he went to Buffalo
and commenced the study of law in the office of Babcock & Moore, and
in 1869 was admitted to the bar; He immediately opened an office for the
practice of his profession in Buffalo, where he remained about three years.
Ati'orxilVs an'd Cc)U\sel(jks.
when he removed to Little Valley and practiced there about a year. From
there he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacture and sale
of burglar alarms. He died in Cleveland in 1885. He was married to a Miss
Burns, of Rochester, X. Y., sister of Rev. P. Burns, of that city.
'Martin V. Benson, son of John and Millie (Helms) Benson, was born in
Conewango, June 28, 1839. ^'^ father was a mechanic and owned a farm
where Martin spent his youth in attendance at the common schools and in
labor on the farm. He also took an academic course at the Randolph Acad-
emy. He began the study of law in the ofifice of Alexander Sheldon, of Ran-
dolph, and completed his course at the Albany Law School; he was admitted
to the bar in February, 1870. During the time that he was acquiring his
education and pursuing his law studies he taught eight terms in the district
schools. Immediately after he was admitted to the bar he opened a law
ofifice in the village of East Randolph, where he has since resided. He repre-
sented the town of Conewango on the Board of Supervisors from 1866 to 1871
inclusive, and also in 1873, 1874, 1880, and 1881, in all ten years, and was
chairman of the board in 1874. He has been three times elected president of
the village of East Randolph, and is now president of the Board of Water
Commissioners and also president of the People's State Bank of East
Randolph.
Charles \V. l^lackney was a son of Nathan and Sarah Ann (Leonard) Black-
ney, and was born in Perrysburg, F"ebruary 18, 1846. He moved with his par-
ents to Gowanda about 1851 and was educated in the Gowanda Union School.
After leaving school he was a clerk in his father's grocery store and also in the
hardware store of Sellew & Popple until 1867, when he began the study of law
with Frank A. Newell, of Gowanda. He continued with Mr. Newell about
two years and then became a student in the office of William Woodbury, from
whose office he was admitted to the bar about 1870. He was for a short time
a partner with Judge Woodbury. In 1871 he purchased the law library and
ofifice of F. A. Newell, where he continued to practice until his death Septem-
ber 8, 1875. He was murdered by Lewis Derby, who immediately committed
suicide. Mr. Blackney was a young man of great promise and bright pros-
pects, and had already taken high rank in his profession. He had held the
office of justice of the peace and was also town clerk several years. He rep-
resented Persia on the Board of Supervisors two terms. In 1874 he was the
candidate of the Democratic party for district attorney, but was defeated by
William G. Laidlaw. December 24, 1863, he was married to Alice E., daugh-
ter of William H. Stuart, of Gowanda, who still survives him.
Albert L. Read was the oldest son of Allen L. Read, and was born in the
town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, February 3, 1845. He received his
education at the Whitestown Seminary and graduated from that institution
at the age of twenty-two years. Afterwards he studied law in the office of
Scott & Laidlaw in Ellicottville and v/as admitted to the bar in 1870. He
584 History of Cattaraugus County.
practiced law in Yorkshire Center in 1871 and 1872. He then went to Buffalo
and formed a partnership with Mr. Gibbs, and afterwards was a partner with
L. Le Clear, of the same place, in 1877 and 1878. He died at his father's home
in Yorkshire on the 12th of July, 1879.
Benjamin F. Congdon, son of William H. K. and Elizabeth (Miller) Cong-
don, was born in Napoli, May 2, 1844. His father was a native of Rhode
Island and his mother was born in Napoli. He received an academic educa-
tion at Randolph Academy. He studied law with M. T. Jenkins, then of
East Randolph, Judge Hazeltine, of Jamestown, N. Y., and William Manley,
of Ellicottville. While pursuing his law studies he taught district schools at
intervals. He finished his law studies at the Albany Law School and was ad-
mitted to practice in October, 1870. He opened an office for the practice of
law with his brother, Joseph M. Congdon, in East Randolph, and in October,
1873, located in the village of Randolph, forming a partnership with James G.
Johnson, which continued about a year. Since then he has practiced his pro-
fession alone. In December, 1872, he was married to Frances M., daughter
of Dr. Samuel S. Wilcox, of Napoli. In 1880 Mr. Congdon was appointed by
Governor Cornell attorney for the Seneca Nation of Indians, which position
he held three years. During the legislative sessions of 1892 and 1893 Mr.
Congdon was in Albany acting as clerk to a Senate committee.
Joseph M. Congdon is a native of Napoli, where he was born on the 12th
of January, 1846. His father, William H. K. Congdon, and his grandfather,
Benjamin Congdon, who was a soldier in the War of 181 2. removed from
Rhode Island to this county in 1840, and his mother, Elizabeth Miller, was a
daughter of Joseph Miller, who was one of the early settlers of Napoli,
having purchased from the Holland Land Company a large tract of land and
settled upon it. Mr. Congdon lived upon his father's farm in Napoli, attended
the district school in the " little red school house on the hill," and did the
ordinary work of a farmer's boy until fifteen years of age, when he began
attending school at Randolph Academy, then presided over by Samuel G.
Love, an educator of more than ordinary ability. Soon after he became six-
teen he commenced teaching school in the winter and going to the academy
during the spring and fall terms. In the fall of 1864 he went to Oil City
and worked on the oil wells for about two years, going through the rise and
fall of the renowned Pithole development. In 1868 he began the study of
law with Jenkins & Goodwill at East Randolph and was admitted to the
bar in October, 1870. In January following he and his brother, Benjamin F.
Congdon, entered into partnership and practiced law at East Randolph under
the firm name of Congdon & Congdon, and remained there three years. In
the fall of 1873 he removed to Fredonia. N. Y., and entered into partnership
with Merrill T. Jenkins, where he practiced two years. In the fall of 1875 he
removed to Gowanda, where he now resides, and since which time he has been
engaged in the practice of law. In 1877 he engaged in the oil business near
ATTOKXEVS AXU CuUXMiUJK.-
Bradford, Pa., and drilled fourteen oil wells. In the fall of iSjghe was elected
member of Assembly from the Second District of Cattaraugus county and was
re-elected in 1880. During his first term he was a member of the Judiciary
Committee and the second year was made its chairman. It is said that this
is an honor which no other member of Assembly from Cattaraugus county
has ever received. Since the close of his legislative service he has devoted his
entire time to the practice of law. He married Alice, daughter of Merrill T.
Jenkins.
Silas A. Lamb, a son of Judge Rensselaer Lamb, was admitted to the bar
about 1870, and practiced law a short time in Ellicottville in partnership with
Commodore P. Vedder. After the death of his father in 1871 Mr. Lamb
settled his estate and then moved to Lyndon and engaged in farming; he
afterwards went to Kansas, where he now resides.
Hiram M. Herrick was born at Gowanda, January 17, 1849. I" 1868 he
began the study of law with Eugene A. Nash at Cattaraugus, where he re-
mained until September, 1870, when he entered the Albany Law School, grad-
uating from that institution in May, 1871, and was admitted to the bar. He
then formed a partnership with Mr. Nash at Cattaraugus under the firm name
of Nash & Herrick. This partnership continued until 1873. when Mr. Nash
was elected county clerk. After this Mr. Herrick continued the practice of
law alone until his death, which occurred May 16, 1880. Mr. Herrick was a
careful and painstaking lawyer, and had won considerable distinction when his
career was cut short by his early death.
James Dow McVey was of Scotch parentage, and was born in Covington,
Wyoming county, March 22, 1843. He moved to Eranklinville with his par-
ents in 1851. He there attended the district schools for a while, and after-
wards went to Rushford and attended the academy at that place. He then
taught district school two terms, after which he entered New York University
and graduated in the classical course in 1866. While pursuing his university
studies he turned aside for a year and entered the United States navy, where
he acted as clerk to the paymaster on board the John Adams. After leaving
the university he was engaged for a time in teaching in the city of New York,
and also, while there, attended lectures in the Law Department of Columbia
College. Coming to Ellicottville in 1870 he entered the law ofifice of Scott &
Laidlaw and continued his studies until 1 871, when he was admitted to the
bar. Upon his admission the firm was re-organized, Mr. McVey becoming a
member, and the partnership continued under the name of Scott, Laidlaw &
McVey. In the fall of 1873 he was elected surrogate of Cattaraugus county,
being the first surrogate elected under the amended judiciary article of the
constitution which was adopted in i86g. He assumed the duties of his ofifice
January i, 1874, and soon afterwards moved the surrogate's ofifice from Elli-
cottville to Franklinville and took up his residence in the latter village, where
he continued to reside until his death, which occurred October 9, 1879.
49
386 History of Cattaraugus County.
At the first session of the County Court after McVey's death, which con-
vened October 27, 1879, ^ meeting of the bar of Cattaraugus county was held
at the court house to take appropriate action expressing the feeUngs of the
bar with reference to his decease. On this occasion Frank W. Stevens
presented resolutions, which were adopted by the bar, in which they say that
the " pleasantness of their professional relations with him has never been
broken or marred." " Modest and unassuming, he won the affection of all
his brethren at the bar, and by his manliness and integrity commanded their
respect. In the judicial capacity to which he was chosen early in his profes-
sional life he acquired our confidence as an upright judge, a well-read lawyer,
and a discreet, judicious man. He discharged the different duties devolving
upon him with justice and kindness to all, with favor and partiality to none.
He ignored none of the claims which society has upon the man, the profes-
sion upon the lawyer, the State upon the citizen, and endeavored faithfully to
meet them all." Judge Allen D. Scott on the same occasion read from the
bench an appreciative tribute to his memory, in which he says: " My relations
with him were most intimate. He was with me as a student at law and a
partner in business, and I have watched his progress with great interest. As
a student he was diligent, attentive, and thorough; in professional life he
was discreet, intelligent, and the soul of honor; socially he was one of the
most genial men I ever knew, generous. and ever mindful of the feelings of
others. As a son, a brother, a husband, a citizen, a lawyer, a judge, and a
friend, and in all the walks of life, he was noble." Addresses were made on
the same occasion by Hudson Ansley, N. M. Allen, E. A. Nash, J. M. Cong-
don, J. H. Waring, and William G. Laidlaw. The writer was well acquainted
with Mr. McVey, and practiced in his court during almost his entire judicial
career. He was a man who took an active interest in everything which pro-
moted the welfare of the community. He was a thorough legal student, and
was well trained in the classics. He believed that the narrowing tendencies
of legal practice should be guarded against by studies of outside subjects,
which tend to broaden the man and keep him abreast of the best thought of
his age. He read widely and discriminatingly, and was not only an able
judge, but was deeply acquainted with the best literature of his time. Janu-
ary 24, 1872, Mr. McVey married Isidore, only daughter of Dr. and Mrs.
Henry Van Aernam, of Franklinville, who still survives him.
George M. Rider is a native of Trenton, Oneida county, where he was born
September 15, 1844. His father was a farmer, and in the fall of 1847 moved
with his family to this' county and purchased a farm about a mile south of
the village of Ellicottville. Mr. Rider attended the district school, the Elli-
cottville Union School, and Alfred Academy. He also taught district schools
a number of terms and was principal of the Ellicottville Union School three-
years. In the fall of 1864 he went to Albany to attend the law school, and
soon afterwards enlisted at Albany in the 91st N. Y. Regiment and served as
Attorneys and Counselors. 387
a private in the Union army from that time to the close of the war. He then
studied law in the ofifice of Scott & Laidlaw and was admitted to the bar in
June, 1871. Soon afterwards he went to Gowanda and formed a partnership
with the late C. C. Torrance under the firm name of Torrance & Rider. This
partnership continued about a year, when it was dissolved and Mr. Rider re-
turned to Ellicottville, where he has since practiced his profession. He was
for several years a partner of Commodore P. Vedder. Mr. Rider was elected
district attorney of Cattaraugus county in 1883 and re-elected in 1886. In
1892 he was appointed a special agent of the U. S. Treasury Department and
sent abroad to examine American consulates. He visited several foreign
cities in the course of his ofificial service.
Frank \V. Stevens is a native of Leon, where he was born December 16,
1847. His father, Daniel S. Stevens, is of New England descent and purely
English-Yankee blood. His mother's maiden name was Catherine E. Hurty,
who is a direct descendant of the original Holland settlers of New York. Mr.
Stevens spent his boyhood on his father's farm on Elm creek, in Conewango,
two miles north of East Randolph. He attended district school until twelve
years of age, Randolph Academy about two years, and prepared for college
under a private tutor. He spent some months at Harvard Law School while
a law student in 1870. He began teaching school at the age of fifteen, teach-
ing his first term in Mansfield in the winter of 1863-64; he also taught in Con-
ewango in the winter of 1865-66. He was assistant teacher in the Chamber-
lain Institute one year (1866-67), was principal of the Mayville Union School
one year ( 1867-68), and was principal of Friendship Academy, Allegany
county, one year (1868-69). He read law with Jenkins & Goodwill at East
Randolph and at Harvard Law School, and was admitted to practice at Roch-
ester in September, 1871. He began practice in January, 1872, at East Ran-
dolph, in partnership with J. V. Goodwill. This partnership continued until
October i, 18S2, when he became a member of the firm of Sheldon, Green,
Stevens & Benedict, of Jamestown. This partnership continued until July i,
1890, when Mr. Stevens withdrew and for a time practiced alone. He is now
the senior member of the firm of Stevens & Peterson. He was assistant clerk
of the Board of Supervisors of Cattaraugus county in 1871 and was journal
clerk of the board in 1873 to 1876 inclusive. He was elected district attorney
of Cattaraugus county in 1877 'ind re-elected in j88o, serving six years. He
was elected a member of the School Board in Jamestown in 1891. May 12,
1874, Mr. Stevens was married to Mary B. Miller and lived at East Ran-
dolph until November, 1884, when he removed to Jamestown, where he has
since resided. They have one child, Margaret K., born February 22, 1883.
Since his removal to Jamestown he has devoted himself with great energy to
the practice of law and is the counsel for several large corporations.
Hudson H. Parke formerly practiced law at Gowanda, but is now engaged
in practice in Buffalo.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Oliver S. Vreeland, the present county judge, is a native of Cuba, Allegany
county, and was born September 28, 1842. He is a son of Simon and Jerusha
(Butterfield) Vreeland. He grew up on his father's farm and during this time
attended the common schools, where he acquired the rudiments of an educa-
tion. In the fall of 1859 ^''s father removed with his family to Olean and in
the spring of i860 he began attendance at the Olean Academy. This con-
tinued until 1862, when the family moved back to Cuba. In the fall of 1862
he entered Rushford Academy and remained there two years, excepting two
winters, when he was engaged in teaching district school in the town of Ischua.
He' next attended Alfred University, where he remained one year, and taught
one term of school at Hume, Allegany county. He entered the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor in the fall of 1865 and graduated with the degree
of B.A. in 1869. In July, 1869, he began the study of law with E. D. Love-
rido'e, of Cuba, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1872. He located in
Salamanca and formed a partnership with Hudson Ansley in 1872, which
partnership continued until 1879. J^^dge Vreeland was president of the vil-
lage of Salamanca in 1878 and 1880 and represented his town on the Board
of Supervisors from 1882 to 1886. In 1887 he was elected to the office of
county judge, which office he still holds. In 1888 the New York Assembly
appointed a special committee to investigate the condition of the Indians of
the State, of which committee J. S. Whipple, then member of Assembly, was
chairman. Judge Vreeland was appointed counsel to the committee and
accompanied it in its investigations of the condition of the various Indian
tribes of the State. He had personal charge of the examination of witnesses
and bestowed very careful attention upon the subject involved in the investi-
gation. The committee investigated the history of the various Indian tribes,
the origin and condition of their titles to the reservations which they occupy
in this State, and various transfers of Indian titles to the whites. An exhaus-
tive report was prepared, embracing many rare and important documents
relating to the history of the Indian tribes, various treaties between the
Indians and the State and National governments, and contracts and agree-
ments with the Indians and various land companies. The result of this in-
vestigation, embodied in a " Report on the Indian Problem," is of great
importance to persons interested in Indian titles, and in aiding to elucidate
various questions concerning the disposition of the Indian tribes and their
possessions in this State. In conjunction with Mr. Whipple, at whose sug-
gestion the committee was appointed, Judge Vreeland was enabled to render
the public a valuable service by settling some questions which had hitherto
been seriously controverted. September 15, 1869, he was married to Anna
M. Guilford. He is now engaged in general law practice in the village of
Salamanca.
E. M. Sanger practiced at Gowanda a short time a few years ago and
thence went to Buffalo, where he remained some time. He then went to New
'^"^A.j'erm.i.ssijn & OO
Attorneys and Counselors. 389
York, where he remained until the winter of 1892, when he removed to Mexico,
and it is understood that he is there now.
Winfield S. Thrasher is a native of Cornish, N. H., and was bom May 5,
1847. He is a son of Samuel P. and Ann (Haven) Thrasher. His father died
in 1871 ; his mother is still living with him at Dayton. Mr. Thrasher received
his education in the common schools in New Hampshire and at Kimball
Union Academy at Meriden, N. H. He taught district schools winters in New
Hampshire, beginning at the age of eighteen years, and after he came to Day-
ton he taught three years there ; he came to Dayton in this county in the spring
of 1868 and at once entered the office of Norman M. Allen and began the
study of law. He was admitted to practice at Buffalo in June, 1872, and im-
mediately formed a partnership with Mr. Allen at Dayton, which continued
until the spring of 1886, including in the firm for about four years James E.
Bixby. After 1886 the firm of Thrasher & Bixby continued until about 1890,
when Mr. Thrasher formed a partnership with Irving R. Leonard at Gowanda,
under the firm name of Thrasher & Leonard, which still continues, Mr.
Thrasher residing at Dayton and Mr. Leonard at Gowanda.- In 1869 Mr.
Thrasher married Mary A. F. Allen, daughter of Norman M. Allen, of Dayton,
whose sketch appears on a preceding page. Alice, his oldest daughter, is
the wife of James E. Bixby, of Dayton.
Lewis J. Murphy is a son of John L. Murphy, a prominent citizen of Ash-
ford, and was born in that town on November 29, 1850. He attended the
common schools of his native town until sixteen years of age, when he
became a student at Griffith Institute, Springville, N. Y., where he gradu-
ated. While attending this institution he taught district schools during the
winter terms. In 1870 he began the study of law in the office of the late
C. C. Severance, a prominent lawyer of Springville, and afterwards went to
the Albany Law School, where he graduated in 1873 with the highest honors
of his class. He began the practice of law in Salamanca in 1875 ^^i*^ remained
there two or three years, when he removed to Bolivar, Allegany county, and
formed a partnership with Mr. Curtis, who had been in practice in that town
several years. For some time after Mr. Murphy located in Bolivar that part
of Allegany county was a prosperous oil-producing section. He gave this
business some attention in addition to his law practice, and during the last
two or three years has been engaged in business in West Virginia and Ohio
dealing in oil and real estate.
Mordecai E. Matteson is a native of Dayton, N. Y., and was born in 1841.
He began life on a farm. After some years he sold his Dayton farm and en-
gaged in mercantile business at Cattaraugus about two years. He then sold
his business and removed to Randolph and established himself in a general
store. He continued this business a few years, when he sold out and began
reading law with Weeden & Matteson, of Randolph, and was admitted to the
bar in 1873. He began practice at Randolph, but soon removed to Cherry
390 History of Cattaraugus County.
Creek, N. Y., where he practiced several years. He then removed to James-
town, where he continued to practice about three years, when he sold his
library and again embarked in mercantile business, in which he is still en-
gaged. He is a brother of Elias L. Matteson, of Randolph, whose sketch
appears on page 369.
Charles Z. Lincoln is the youngest child of Pratt and Harriet (Whitcomb)
Lincoln, and was born in Grafton, Vt., August 5, 1848. His mother died
when he was four years old and his father when he was eight. In September,
1856, immediately after the death of his father, he, with two sisters and a
brbther, came to East Otto, where they found a home with Lucius L. Lincoln,
his father's brother. He lived there until February, 1861, when he returned
to Vermont and lived with his oldest brother, George P. Lincoln, now of East
Otto. In July, 1863, he returned to East Otto and made his home with his
sister, Mrs. Addie H. Perkins. He attended the common schools in East
Otto and in Vermont, and was a student at Chamberlain Institute, Randolph,
a few terms from 1867 to 1869. He taught district schools in Dayton, Little
Valley, Kennedy, and East Otto. In March, iS/i--, he began the study of law
with Joseph R.' Jewell, then practicing at Little Valley. In October, 1872,
he went to Olean and entered the office of Charles S. Cary, where he remained
until his admission to the bar on April 10, 1874. August 5, 1874, he opened
an office in Little Valley, where he has since practiced his profession. No-
vember 12, 1874, he was married to Lusette, daughter of William Bonsteel,
of East Otto. In November, 1877, he formed a partnership with Eugene A.
Nash, under the name of Nash & Lincoln, which continued eight years.
Since January i, 1886, he has practiced alone. He has been president, trustee,
and attorney of the village of Little Valley and was for six years a member
of the Board of Education. He was also supervisor four years from 1886 to
1889 inclusive.
James H. Waring is a son of John and Catherine Waring and was born
in the town of Farmersville on February 3, 1848. He was educated in the
common schools and at Ten Broeck Free Academy, where he graduated
in June, 1870. He studied law in Michigan University, with Scott, Laidlaw
& McVey at Ellicottville, and with the late Judge Samuel S. Spring at Frank-
linviile. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1875. He soon afterwards
opened an office in Franklinville, where he practiced until October, 1884,
when he removed to Olean and became a partner with David H. Bolles under
the firm name of Bolles & Waring, which has since continued. In 1876 he
was married to Agnes Steele, of Franklinville. He was elected to the office
of district attorney of Cattaraugus county in the year 1889 and re-elected
in 1892.
Zenas M. Swift was engaged in practice at Limestone several years prior to
1880. About that time he removed to Buffalo, where he continued in prac-
tice until about 1883, when he died.
Attorneys and Counselors. 391
William R. Pindar was born at Hornellsville, N. Y., June 16, 1844, and is a
son of the Rev. William E. and Maria (Rice) Pindar. His father was a Meth-
odist minister, and like others of his order had no permanent abiding place.
Mr. Pindar received an academic education. He went to Ellicottville in 1867.
He was engaged in the clerk's office at Little Valley in 1869. In 1870 he was
appointed clerk of the Surrogate's Court during the incumbency of William
Manley, surrogate. While there, in June, 1875, he was admitted to the bar.
He opened an office in Ellicottville soon afterwards, where he practiced his
profession until 1882. He then moved to Salamanca and formed a partner-
ship with John J. Inman. This partnership continued until 1884. Since that
time Mr. Pindar has conducted his law business alone. In 1875 he was mar-
ried to Mary L., daughter of Marsena Brooks, of Ellicottville. Mr. Pindar is
now living in the village of Salamanca. His mother was a sister of Addison
G. Rice.
Alfred Spring is a son of the late Judge Samuel S. Spring, and was born
at Franklinville on February 19, 1851. He received his education at the
Ten Broeck Free Academy, where he graduated in June, 1870, in the same
class with James H. Waring, now district attorney of the county. He read
law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar in October, 1875. In
1876 he was elected supervisor of his town, and in 1879 ^^^s elected surrogate
of the county and re-elected in 1885, serving in all twelve years. May 8, 1877,
he was married to Anna A., daughter of Dana O. Tarbell, of Farmersville.
For several years he has been in partnership with his brother, George E.
Spring, in the practice of law at Franklinville. During his twelve years'
service as surrogate the business of the office largely increased and became so
extensive as to require nearly all his time. Many important and complicated
controversies were tried in the Surrogate's Court during his term, involving
large amounts of property and intricate and novel questions of law. Mr.
Spring has always taken an active interest in local affairs and has had several
years' experience on the Board of Trustees of the village of Franklinville.
Thomas Storrs was born in Franklinville, January 29, 1864. He began life
for himself at the age of eighteen years, and was for a time a book canvasser
and lecturer and merchant in turn, using the funds thus earned to defray his
expenses while he was pursuing his studies. He entered the law office of his
uncle, Alexander Storrs, at Hinsdale, as a student. After the usual course of
study he was admitted to the bar in June, 1876, and immediately thereafter
began to practice in Hinsdale. He remained in that town until 1879 ^"^
then formed a partnership with the late Enos C. Brooks, of Olean, and re-
moved to that town, where he now resides. This partnership continued until
1882, when it was dissolved, Mr. Storrs opening an office alone in Olean. In '
May, 1889, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United
States. In October, 1881, Mr. Storrs was married to Fannie B. Temple,
daughter of E. M. Temple, of Cooperstown, N. Y. Mr. Storrs is descended
392 History of Cattaraugus County.
from one of the oldest English families, who trace their genealogy back to the
time of William the Conqueror.
Carey D. Davie, the present surrogate, is a son of William and Angenette
(Montrose) Davie and was born in Bolivar, N. Y., March 4, 1850. He was
educated in Richburg Free Academy and in Allegany College, Meadville, Pa.,
where he graduated in 1871 with the degree of B.A., and has since received
the degree of A.M. He then engaged in teaching and was for a time princi-
pal of Genesee Valley Seminary at Belfast, N. Y. He read law at Cuba, N. Y.,
in the office of Marshall B. Champlain, late attorney-general of the State of
New York. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1876. July 5th following
he located for the practice of his profession in Salamanca, where he still re-
sides. In the spring of 1879 he formed a law partnership with Hudson Ans-
' ley, which continued until the summer of 1890. He has been president of the
village of Salamanca and has also served two terms as president of the Board
of Education. He represented the town of Salamanca on the Board of Su-
pervisors in i88g and 1890. In the fall of 1891 he was elected surrogate of
Cattaraugus county, which office he now holds. Mr. Davie married Anna
Benedict, of Meadville, Pa.
John F. Mosher was born in Leon, December 17, 1837. His education was
received in the common schools. At the age of eighteen he began trying
causes in justice's court, quite often with his father, Benjamin Mosher, as an
opponent. He began studying law with his father and continued this study
in connection with his practice several years before concluding to seek admis-
sion as an attorney in courts of record. In 1873 he began a clerkship with
Congdon & Congdon at Randolph. His studies were pursued at his home in
Leon. He was admitted to the bar in 1876. He remained in Leon until 1880,
when he removed to Little Valley. He there entered the employ of his
brother, Gilbert L. Mosher, then sheriff, and was deputy sheriff about three
years and had charge of the jail. In April, 1865, he was married to Mercy A.
Ross, daughter of Ahiman Ross, of Leon. Mr. Mosher is now engaged in
general practice at Little Valley.
Charles P. Moulton, son of George and Eglentine (Washburn) Moulton, was
born at Bridgewater, Vt., October 10, 1854. His father died when he was two
years of age and when he was five years old his mother moved to Jamestown,
and while living there she was married to Judge D. H. Bolles. She was a sis-
ter of the late Charles P. Washburn, of Ellicottville. When Mr. Bolles moved
to Ellicottville Mr. Moulton went with the family, and there attended the
common schools and afterwards for a time was a student at Perry Academy.
He left school at quite an early age and was employed as a clerk in a hardware
store. About 1872 he entered the ofifice of Judge Bolles at Olean and began
the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1876. Afterwards he
became a member of the firm of Bolles & Moulton, which continued until
1883. After that time he practiced alone until about 1889, when he formed a
Attorxevs and. Counselors. 393
partnership with Horace A. L. Beardsley. In 1876 Mr. Moulton married Ger-
trude Beardsley, daughter of Rev. Charles E. Beardsley, late of Olean and at
one time a member of our bar.
William Armstrong was in practice at Randolph a few years in partnership
with Rodney R. Crowley, beginning about 1876. He then moved to Allegany
county and from there to Buffalo, where he is now in practice.
Charles D, Van Aernam is a son of Hon. Henry Van Aernam, M. D. (see p.
131), and was born in the village of Franklinville, May 20, 1851. He attended
Ihe Ten Broeck Free Academy at Franklinville and Alfred University at
Alfred Center, N. Y., but did not graduate from either institution. For some
time prior to June, 1872, he was a clerk in the Pension Office at Washington,
and while there was graduated from the Law Department of Columbian Col-
lege at Washington. He afterwards studied law in the ofifice of the late Judge
Samuel S. Spring in Franklinville and was admitted to the bar in October,
1876. Shortly thereafter he formed a partnership with Alfred Spring, under
the name of Spring & Van Aernam, which continued until January i, 1880,
when Mr. Spring assumed the duties of the office of surrogate. Since that
time Mr. Van Aernam has practiced alone.
Myron A. Dodge was a native of Troy, Bradford county, Pa., where he
was born December 15, r847, and was the son of a Freewill Baptist minister.
In addition to the advantages enjoyed at the common schools he received an
academic education at Pike Seminary, Wyoming county. He was married
December 25, 1868, to Myra A. Smith, of Yorkshire. He began business as
an insurance agent in Great Valley. In 1872 he moved to Olean and en-
gaged with H. W. Eaton in the same business, following it two years. He
then entered the law office of J. B. Finch at Olean and was admitted to the
bar in 1876. From that time until his death he practiced law in Olean. At
the time of his death he was in partnership with C. S. Dwinnells, who studied
law in his office. They were also pension attorneys and Mr. Dodge, was a
justice of the piece. He died March 5, 1881. On the 7th of March a meet-
ing of the members of the bar of Olean was held at the office of Gary, Jewell
& Rumsey, at which suitable memorial resolutions were adopted. In these
resolutions the lawyers of Olean speak of Mr. Dodge as follows : " Our rela-
tions, both social and professional, having brought us into constant and active
contact with him as friend and neighbor, as citizen, and as a lawyer, qualify
us to testify with peculiar propriety and emphasis to the fine, generous, and
manly qualities that marked and ennobled his daily life, his quick and tender
sympathy, his warm and faithful friendship, his gentleness and sense of honor,
his zealous discharge of duty, his frank, free, and genial manner, and the
sterling manhood of his nature."
Frank H. Robinson is a native of Cuba, N. Y., where he was born May 23,
1855, and is a son of Charles P. and Elizabeth Robinson. He attended the
common schools, where he received the principal part of his education. He
. 50
394 History of Cattaraugus County.
read law with Champlain, Armstrong & Russell at Cuba and with Sickles &
Miller at Albany, and graduated from the Law Department of Union Univer-
sity in the spring of 1876. He was admitted to the bar in May of that year.
He immediately located at Salamanca, but remained there only a short time;
he formed a partnership with C. D. Davie and in September, 1876, opened a
branch office at Limestone. He remained there until June, 1879, when the
oil business began to decline and he went to Steuben county. He practiced
law- a short time at Hornellsville and then located in Canisteo in January,
1880, forming a partnership with A. M. Burnell, which continued four years.
Since that time Mr. Robinson has been in practice alone. In 1886 he was
elected district attorney of Steuben colinty and re-elected in 1889.
J. Arthur Corbin was born in Waverly, Tioga county, April 19, 1853. He
began his legal studies with D. O. Hancock, of Owego, N. Y. He attended
the Albany Law School in 1876-77 and was admitted to the bar in May, 1877.
He began practice at Allegany in April, 1878, where he remained until Janu-
ary I, 1882, when he removed to Olean, where he resided until the spring
of 1893, when he removed to Buffalo. During a part of that time he was in
partnership with Edgar N. Yates, the firm being Corbin & Yates.
William H. Nourse is a native of Hinsdale and was born in 1853. He re-
sided there and attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of
age. During 1869 he was employed as book-keeper for a manufacturing com-,
pany at Andover. He then became a pupil at Ten Broeck Free Academy,
and after finishing his studies there taught school at Yorkshire and Portville.
He began his legal studies in the office of A. G. Rice in Buffalo and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1877. He practiced at Arcade about three years. In 1882
he located at Olean and has since been engaged in practice there. In 1887 he
married D. E. Robinson, of Franklinville.
Frederick William Kruse was born in Germany, June 25, 1852, and emi-
■ grated to America with his parents in 1853. They settled near Buffalo, N. Y.,
where he resided until he was thirteen years of age. He then left his home
and was employed at labor on a farm summers and attended the district
school winters until 1868, when he became a student in Grififith Institute at
Springville, N. Y. He attended this institution several terms, and also taught
in the district schools during that time, until 1874. He then began the study
of law in the office of Gary & Jewell at Olean and was admitted to the bar in
1877. After his admission he went to Arcade and formed a partnership with
A. J. Knight, which continued three years. He then removed to Olean, where
he has since resided. He has served the village of Olean as clerk and as attor-
ney. He was a member of the New York Assembly from the First District
of Cattaraugus county in 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887. In 1887 the Committee
on Ways and Means in the Assembly was divided and all questions relating to
appropriations were -referred to the new committee then created, called the
"Committee on Appropriations." Mr. Kruse was made chairman of this com-
Attorneys and Counselors. 395
mittee when it was organized. The same year he was chairman of the Com-
mittee on Revision. Mr. Kruse took an active part in the legislation during
his service in the Assembly and served on various important committees. In,
1888, pursuant to an act of the Legislature, he was appointed a member of the
commission to revise the excise laws. In 1890 he was appointed by Robert P.
Porter, superintendent of census, a special agent to take charge of the census
recount of the city of Minneapolis, Minn., and he also visited other western
cities while .in the performance of this duty. Mr. Kruse is now the senior
member of the firm of F. W. & E. F. Kruse, composed of his brother and him-
self. He married Julia Engle, of Olean.
Irving R. Leonard was born at Dayton, N. Y., September 3, 1853, and is
the only son of Joseph and Maryette Leonard. He received his education at
the common schools and at the Forestville Union School. He taught district
schools several terms and read law at Dayton with Allen & Thrasher. He
was admitted to the bar at Rochester in October, 1877. Since that time he
has practiced at Gowanda and is now a member of the law firm of Thrasher
& Leonard. June 21, 1882, he was married to Emma M. Schaack. In 1876
he was elected a justice of the peace of the town of Dayton and served one
term, and in 1886 he was elected to the same office in the town of Persia, but
resigned after a short service. He was president of the village of Gowanda in
1883, 1884, and 1889.
George H. Phelps, son of Augustus H. and Olive E. Phelps, was born on
Haskell flats, in the town of Hinsdale, September 24, 1854. He received his
education in the common schools, and in the fall of 1873 began reading Kent's
Commentaries, which he borrowed from Alexander Storrs, a lawyer of Hins-
dale. In the spring of 1874 he entered the law ofifice of Champlain, Armstrong
& Russell at Cuba, N. Y., where he remained one year, and then went into the
ofifice of Loveridge & Swift of the same town, where he remained another
year, and then entered the ofifice of Enos C. Brooks, of Olean, where he re-
mained until he was admitted to the bar in April, 1877. He immediately be-
gan practice in Olean, where he remained until 1887, when he went to Findlay,
Hancock County, Ohio, where he now resides and is engaged in the practice of
his profession. While in Olean he was associated as a partner at different
times with Fred L. Eaton and J. T. Baxter.
W. Hutchinson Gibbs was born in Kortright, Delaware county, in 1846,
and is a son of Ezra T. Gibbs, who was a practicing physician in his native
town. He received an academic education and graduated from H. G. East-
man's Business College at Poughkeepsie. In 1864, although less than eighteen
years of age, he enlisted in the 144th Regiment N. Y. Vols. He was in
several engagements and escaped without injury, but when his regiment was
mustered out of service in June, 1865, he was left an invalid in the general hos-
pital at Hilton Head,S. C, from the effects of sunstroke. When convalescent
he was allowed to return home and was honorably discharged at Albany in
30 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
July, 1865. After his return from the army Mr. Gibbs engaged in teaching
until 1874, aiid had in the meantime begun the study of law. In the fall of
1874 he entered the law office of Ansley & Vreeland at Salamanca, where he
remained until he was admitted to the bar in June, 1877. In September,
1878, he opened an office for the practice of his profession at Limestone,
where he now resides. He is the attorney for the village of Limestone
and is also a justice of the peace of the town of Carrolton.
W. Darwin Phelps is of pure English descent, his ancestors having immi-
grated to America from England in the early days of the country. His grand-
mother, Lucy Pelton, was of Puritan stock, and her grandmother came to this
country in the Mayfloivcr. He was born at West Turin, Lewis county, April
18, 1848, and is the son of William and Catherine Phelps. His education was
obtained at the common schools, at Whitestown Seminary, Ellington Acad-
emy, and Chamberlain Institute. He began the study of law with Theodore
A. Case at Ellington, N. Y., and completed his course with J. Lambert Inger-
soll at Jamestown. He was admitted to the bar June 17, 1877, and com-
menced practice in Ellington. In the spring of 1880 he removed to Pine
Valley in this county and has been in practice there since, with the exception
of two months, which he spent in partnership with D. E. Powell at Cattar-
augus.
Perry Bruce Coxe was born in East Otto, September 15, 1852, and is a
son of Eli D. Cox, one of the early settlers and most substantial citizens of
that town. Perry attended the district school until seventeen years of age,
when he entered Griffith Institute at Springville, N. Y., as a student, and re-
mained there one year. He then attended the seminary at Lima, N. Y., for
about a year, and afterwards engaged in teaching, taking charge of schools at
Kill Buck and at Hamburg, N. Y., and was principal of the Union School at
Ellicottville several terms. In 1874 he began the study of law with Allen D.
Scott, then county judge, at Ellicottville, and was admitted to the bar in 1877.
A partnership was immediately formed between Mr. Co.xe and his tutor,
Judge Scott, which continued until 1884, when Mr. Coxe removed to Sala-
manca and formed a partnership with James S. Whipple, which was continued
until he moved to New York in 1890. He established an office in the World
building and soon acquired a large and lucrative practice. About 1884 Mr.
Coxe was appointed deputy internal revenue collector for the Twenty-eighth
Revenue District of New York, which office he held until December 31, 1886.
While in Salamanca the firm of Coxe & Whipple had charge of some impor-
tant litigation for the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company;
and after removing to New York Mr. Coxe was appointed counsel for the
committee of the State Senate during the sugar trust investigation. Mr.
Coxe died November 13, 1892. January 2, 1890, he was married to Miss
Julia Wickham, of Monroe Place, Brooklyn, N. Y., and he had resided in that
city since opening an office in New York. Mr. Co.xe \\as a gentleman of high
Attorneys and Counselors. 397
character and unquestioned probity, and had already taken high rank in the
legal fraternity of New York. At the time of his death he was in partnership
with Byron P. Stratton. While living in Cattaraugus county he held the
office of special deputy county clerk, and was also assistant clerk of the Board
of Supervisors in 1877, 1879, 1880, and 1881. Mr. Coxe was a young man of
genial manners and pleasant address and made friends easily. In addition to
his legal acquirements he had a decided taste for music, which was cultivated
to a high degree, and his presence was always welcome in social circles.
Everand A. Hayes was born in Addison county, Vt., September 24, 1850.
He attended the district school a few terms and then became a sailor and
pilot on Lake Champlain. Some time after leaving Vermont he came to
western New York and studied law for a time with the firm of Scott & Laid-
law at Ellicottville. He afterwards continued his studies with Charles Z.
Lincoln, of Little Valley, finally completing his course of study with Allen
& Thrasher at Dayton, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, June 15, 1877.
September 23, 1886, he was admitted to the District Court of the United
States for the Northern District of New York. While pursuing his law
studies Mr. Hayes was a teacher and taught in Great Valley, Little Valley,
Dayti:in, Randolph, and various other places. Mr. Hayes practiced law for a
time at Randolph and afterwards moved to the city of Buffalo, forming a
partnership with Leroy Andrus under the firm name of Andrus & Hayes.
In 1890 he formed a partnership with E. O. Farrar, formerly a member of
Assembly from Syracuse, N. Y. This firm was dissolved in 1892. In Janu-
ary. 1893, he formed a partnership with F. M. Joslyn, under the name of
Hayes & Joslyn, which is still iii existence.
Daniel A. Sackrider was born in Delhi, N. Y., in 1849. He received an
academic education at Chamberlain Institute, graduated at Fredonia State
Normal School, and engaged in teaching about six years. He studied law
with Henderson & Wentworth and was admitted to the bar in October, 1878.
He practiced law and was also managing clerk for Henderson & Wentworth
about three years. In March, 1882, he formed a partnership with Rodney R.
Crowley, which continued until March, 1887, when Mr. Sackrider received the
appointment of postmaster at Randolph. After the termination of this ofifice,
in the spring of 1892, Mr. Sackrider resumed the practice of law at Randolph,
where he still resides. He has been twice married, first to Harriet, daughter
of Delos E. Sill, who died March 16, 1881, and next to Lucia E., daughter of
Charles M. Beecher. He is how an acting magistrate of the town of Ran-
dolph.
Dewitt Clinton Reilly was born in Buffalo, February 15, 1855. His father
was of Scotch-Irish blood and a native of Toronto, Canada. His mother
was a native of France. Mr. Reilly obtained his education in the excellent
schools of the city of Buffalo, and in 1875, at the age of twenty, he entered
the law ofifice of Lewis & Gurney as a student. He pursued his legal studies
398 History of Cattaraugus County.
diligently and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He remained in the office of
Lewis & Gurney until 1880, when he began practice in Buffalo alone. He con-
tinued until 1883, when he went to Peoria, 111., but on account of poor health
was unable to continue practice there. He came to Cattaraugus county in the
fall of 1884. In 1885 he became a member of the firm of Crowley & Sackrider
at Randolph, the new firm being Crowley, Sackrider & Reilly. Mr. Sack-
rider retired from the firm in 1887 and the firm has since been Crowley &
Reilly. He was the Democratic candidate for the office of county judge in
1887, and for district attorney in 1889 and again in 1892. In February,' 1893,
he was appointed by Governor Flower attorney for the Seneca Nation of Ind-
ians, which office he still holds.
George E. Towne is a native of Keene, Cheshire county, N. H., where he
was born on the 7th of November, 1854. His father is a native of the same
place; his mother, Caroline (Spring) Towne, was a sister of the late Judge
Samuel S. Spring and a native of Grafton, Vt. Mr. Towne removed with his
parents from New Hampshire to Farmersville in 1866 and lived in that town
seven years. The family then moved to Franklinville. Mr. Towne attended
district school and a few fall terms at the Ten Broeck Free Academy. He
taught district schools a few terms before leaving Farmersville, and after going
to Franklinville completed a'course of study at the academy, graduating in
1875. He commenced reading law with Alfred Spring in the fall of 1876, read-
ing there two years. He then taught school at Little Valley and continued
his studies with Nash & Lincoln one year, and was admitted to the bar at
Rochester in October, 1879. He opened an office for the practice of law at
Cattaraugus in November, 1879, ^-^"^ removed to Silver Creek, N. Y., in March,
1880, where he still resides. In the spring of 1893 he opened an office in the
city of Buffalo. Mr. Towne represented the Second District of Chautauqua
county in the Assembly in 1889-90.
James E. Markham was born at Rochester, N. Y., July 21, 1857, and was
educated in the public schools of that city and subsequently graduated from
Genesee Valley Seminary at Belfast, N. Y., in 1875. He began reading law
in the office of Heniy M. Seymour, who was then associated in practice v.'ith
C. D. Davie at Salamanca, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court
at Buffalo in June, 1879. In September, 1880, he formed a partnership with
James G. Johnson at Salamanca under the firm name of Johnson & Markham,
and was associated with him until May, 1886, when he removed to St. Paul,
Minn., where he is now engaged in practice.
Frank Rumsey was born at Cattaraugus in the town of New Albion, July
16, 1854. He attended the common schools of his native village and also the
Forestville Academy, and taught a district school in New Albion during the
winters of 1874-75 and 1875-76. In the early part of the year 1876 he began
reading law with Hiram M. Herrick and continued in Mr. Herrick's office
until No\'ember, 1877, when he became a student in the office of Car}- &
Attorneys and Counselors. 399
Jewell at Olean. Hu remained with them as a law clerk until June, 1879,
when he was admitted to the bar at a General term of the Supreme Court
held at Buffalo. Soon afte:r his admission to the bar he became a partner
with his former tutors under the firm name of Cary, Jewell & Rumsey. This
partnership continued until the spring of 1883, when J. R. Jewell retired from
the firm, leaving it Cary & Rumsey, which continued until 1890, when it was
changed to Cary, Rumsey & Hastings by the admission of Allen J. Hastings,
who had been connected with the firm several years as a student and clerk.
Mr. Rumsey moved to Buffalo in June, 1889, and opened an office alone,
although retaining his connection with the Olean firm. He continued in
practice at Buffalo until November i, 1891, when he was appointed general
solicitor of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad Company. On
the 1st of October, 1879, ^^^- Rumsey was married to Emma F. Cary, daughter
of Charles S. Cary, of Olean. In 1885 he was the Democratic candidate for
the of^ce of surrogate of Cattaraugus county.
Elijah Cook, son of Theodore and Pauline Cook, was born at Otto on
September 22, 185 1. While a boy his summers were spent on the parental
farm and his winters in attendance at the district school. At fifteen years of
age he commenced a two years' attendance at Chamberlain Institute, Ran-
dolph, and Griffith Institute, Springville, N. Y. At seventeen years of age he
began to teach school. At the age of nineteen he entered Oberlin College,
Oberlin, Ohio, as a preparatory student, succeeding to the classical department
a year later. He was graduated from that institution in August, 1876, receiv-
ing the degree of B.A. Shortly after graduating he entered the law office of
Cook & Lockwood at Jamestown, N. Y., to begin the study of law. He after-
wards continued his studies with Allen & Thrasher at Dayton and was ad-
mitted to the bar at Buffalo, June 10, 1879. He began the practice of law at
Gowanda in May, 1880. One year later he removed to Dayton, where he has
since resided. He now has an office in Buffalo and does business in that city.
He held the office of justice of the peace at Dayton four years. In 1888 Mr.
Cook was elected supreme vice-president of the Equitable Aid Union, an in-
surance order, and in 1889 was elected treasurer of the same organization and
re-elected in 1890 and again in 1892.
Fred L. Eaton, son of Fred R. and Florence Eaton, was born at Olean,
July 16, 1857, and has resided there since that time. He received his educa-
tion in the Olean schools. After leaving school he assisted his father for a
time in his jewelry store in Olean. He spent the summer of 1876 in Skaneat-
eles, N. Y., working on the farm of Willis Piatt. In the fall of the same year
Mr. Eaton returned to Olean and the next July entered upon the study of
law in the office of George H. Phelps. During the fall and winter following
he taught school at Clermont, Pa. In October, 1880, he was admitted to the
bar at Rochester. He immediately afterwards formed a partnership with Mr.
Phelps under the firm name of Phelps & Eaton ; this partnership continued
400 History of Cattaraugus County.
about one year, when Mr. Eaton withdrew and has since that time practiced
his profession alone. In 1884 he was appointed village clerk and attorney of
the village of Olean, and has been re-appointed to that position eight consecu-
tive terms of one year each. In 1887 he was elected justice of the peace of
Olean. In 1889 the Yoiitlis Coinpanioii, of Boston, Mass., offered three chief
prizes of $1,000 each for the best short storj^ of adventure for boys and, for
girls respectively. Mn Eaton contributed a stor^' entitled " Way Out en the
Prairie Kentry" to the class of best stories for girls and was awarded therefor
the prize of §1,000. This story was the first literary production ever offered
by Mr. Eaton for publication. Since its appearance he has written and pub-
lished a small amount of other matter. In December, 1881, Mr. Eaton was
married to Elizabeth Brett, of Olean.
William W. Waring is a native of Farmersville. He was born January 25,
1854, and is a son of John Waring, who was a native of Connecticut. His
mother, Catherine (Hogg) Waring, was a native of Scotland. He attended
the common schools of his neighborhood and afterwards Ten Broeck Free
Academy in Franklinville, graduating from that institution in June, 1873.
He was engaged in teaching and working on a farm until October, 1876, when
he entered the office of his brother, James H. Waring, of Franklinville, to
begin the study of law. After the usual course of study he was admitted to
the bar in April, 1880. He practiced his profession at Arcade, N. Y., from
July, 1881, to July, 1882. Since then he has practiced in Franklinville. In
November, 1884, he married Lucy Flagg Thayer, at Clarendon Springs, Vt.
Fred J. Blackmon is a native of Little Valley, where he was born January
12, 1855, ^nd is a son of Lyman and Julia Blackmon, who afterwards removed
to Farmersville. He received his education in the common schools and in
Ten Broeck Free Academy, Franklinville. He began the study of law with
James D. McVey, then surrogate, at Franklinville, in February, 1877, ^"d con-
tinued with him until his death 'in October, 1879, after which he entered the
office of Alfred Spring at Franklinville, where he remained until he was
admitted to practice in April, 1880. He at once began practice alone at
Franklinville and continued there until September, 1883, when he formed a
partnership with C. C. Torrance at Gowanda under the firm name of Torrance
& Blackmon, which continued until the death of Mr. Torrance in 1886. In
September, 1891, he formed a partnership with George & H. C. Wodsworth,
of Buffalo, where he is still engaged in practice. Mr. Blackmon resides in
Gowanda, Erie county, where he also has an office. He has represented the
town of Collins several years on the Board of Supervisors of Erie county.
Vedder C. Reynolds is a native of Ellicottville and was born August 5,
1856. He is a son of Eiisha and Maria (Vedder) Reynolds. He obtained his
education in the common schools at West Valley, in this county, at Griffith
Institute, Springville, N. Y., and at Ten Broeck Free Academy, Franklinville,
and taught thirteen terms in the district schools in this county. He studied
Attorneys and Counselors. 401
law with Nash & Lincoln at Little Valley and with Henderson. & Wentworth
at Randolph; he was admitted to the bar April 10, 1880, and was admitted to
practice in the United States Court on September 25, 1885. He began prac-
tice at South Dayton and continued thereuntil 1883; he then removed to
Buffalo and became general manager of an insurance company, which place he
held one year. He then removed to Salamanca, where he now resides, and
has since been engaged in a general law practice. While at South Dayton he
was in partnership about a year with E. A. Hayes, now of Buffalo ; he was also
in partnership about two years with T. H. Dovvd, of Salamanca.
John J. Inman was born June 7, 1858, at Cottage, in the town of Dayton,
and is a son of Harvey and Betsey Inman, both of whom are of Scotch de-
scent. He attended the common schools and also took a course at Forestville
Academy. He engaged in teaching in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties
several terms. He read law a while with VV. G. Laidlaw at EUicottville, and
then went to Ionia, Mich., and read law with William O. Webster; he was ad-
mitted to the bar in that State on June 7, 1878. He came to Salamanca and
was admitted to practice in this State on June 11, 1880, and has resided and
practiced law in Salamanca since that time. From 1882 to 1884 he was in
partnership with William R. Pindar, the firm being Pindar & Inman. In May,
1886, he formed a partnership with George W. Cole, which continued until
December 21, 1891. Since that time he has practiced law alone. He served
as police justice of the village of Salamanca in 1881-82 and was also a justice
of the peace of the town one term, beginning in 1881. He was a member of
the Board of Education of the Salamanca Union School six years, beginning
in 1886, and was president of the board the last year of the term. In June,
1882, he married Carrie D., daughter of Joseph Frank, of Great Vallej'.
Joseph E. Hazard was born in Napoli in 1855. He spent his youth attend-
ing the district school, and at work on the farm. When he was seventeen
years of age he began teaching district schools in the winter seasons, and was
thereby enabled to defray his expenses while a student at Chamberlain Insti-
tute. He graduated with honor from that institution in 1876, and has been
president of its Alumni Association. He was admitted to the bar in 1880
and to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1885. He is engaged in
practice in the village of Randolph. He has filled the office of justice of the
peace since 1878 ; he also held the position of superintendent of Indian schooLs
on the Allegany and Cattaraugus reservations six years, and while holding
that office he was instrumental in introducing many reforms in the manage-
ment of these schools. He also succeeded in raising the standard of qualifica-
tion of his teachers so that they became the compeers of the teachers of our
public schools. In 1880 he was acting agent in place of the State Indian
agent, who was ill, and in whose office he was a clerk. He held this position
until a successor to the agent was appointed by the president. He took an
active interest in .the organization of the Union School in the^village of Ran-
51
402 History of Cattaraugus County.
dolph and is a member of the Board of Education. He has taken an active
interest in other local organizations in which the village of Randolph is in-
terested. A short time ago he compiled and issued a work entitled " Haz-
ard's New York State Constable's Guide." In 1892 he represented the town
of Randolph on the Board of Supervisors and was re-elected supervisor in the
spring of 1893.
Herbert \V. Allen, son of Henry F. Allen, was admitted to the bar about
1880 and was in partnership a short time with William Woodbury at Gowanda.
He afterwards removed to Silver Creek, N. Y., where he now resides and is
engaged in manufacturing flouring-mill machinery.
A. N. Lowry was in practice a short time at Pine Valley or South Dayton
about 1880. It is said that he came from Jamestown and returned thither,
but no definite information has been obtained concerning his history.
William Vernon Smith was born at Yorkshire Center on August 6, 1857.
He was raised on a farm and was educated in. the common schools and in Ten
Broeck Free Academy. He taught common schools several terms. In the
spring of 187S he entered the law office of Henry M. Hill, then of Arcade,
N. Y., and began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1881.
He at once opened an office in Olean, where he has since practiced his profes-
sion. He is now the senior member of the firm of W. V. & J. E. Smith.
November 16, 1881, Mr. Smith married Dora E. Allen, daughter of Andrew
L. Allen, of Machias.
Myron B. Field was admitted to the bar about 18S1, and since his admis-
sion has been engaged in practice at Machias, where he now resides. He is an
acting magistrate of that town.
Henry R. Curtis was born in Machias, June 12, 1852, and is the son of
Rensselaer Curtis, who is said to be the oldest citizen in Franklinville, having
been born in that town February 24, 1818. Mr. Curtis was educated in the
common schools and at Ten Broeck Academy at Franklinville. After com-
pleting his academic course he entered the law office of Vedder & Rider at
Ellicottville, where he pursued the study of law for the prescribed period, and
was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in June, 1881. He at once began the
practice of his profession at Franklinville, where he has since resided. He is
now a justice of the peace.
Burdett A. Rich is a son of Charles J. and Lucy A. Rich and was born at
Cattaraugus, October 24, 1854. He was educated at Chamberlain Institute,
Randolph, and Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. He studied law
with S. L. Warner, of Middletown, Conn., and was admitted to the bar in that
State in 1880. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar in this State and began
the practice of law at Cattaraugus. He was engaged a part of the year 1884
at Washington, D. C, assisting in the preparation of the Lawyers' Co-Opera-
tive Publishing Company's edition of the reports of the Supreme Court of the
United States. In 1886 he formed a partnership with Eugene A. Nash, and
Attorneys and Counselors. 403
the firm afterwards became Nash, Rich & Willson by the admission of John
M. Willson, who had been a student in their office. Since 1886 he has been
constantly engaged at Rochester, N. Y., with the Lawyers' Co-Operative Pub-
lishing Company. He prepared for that company a digest of the reports of
the United States Supreme Court and is now editor-in-chief of that company's
current series of the general digest of American and English decisions and
also of the lawyers' annotated reports. He now resides at Rochester, but re-
tains his connection with the law firm at Cattaraugus.
Stanley N. Wheaton is a native of Little Valley, where he was born De-
cember I, 1857. His parents are Norman and Harriet (Carver) Wheaton.
He attended the common schools of his native town, and in 1875 entered the
Forestville Free Academy and was also a student in Ten Broeck Free Acad-
emy at Franklinville in 1876. He taught in the common schools of Cattar-
augus county seven terms and one term in Chautauqua county. In 1877 he
be^;an the study of law in the office of Nash & Lincoln in Little Valley. His
lej;:il studies were continued in the office of J. A. Parsons at Forestville and
concluded with his former tutors at Little Valley, and he was admitted to the
bar in 1881. He was deputy county clerk from 1880 to 1883 and was engaged
in the county clerk's office in other capacities during the terms of succeeding
clerks. In 1887 he was elected school commissioner of the Second District of
Cattaraugus county and re-elected in 1890. He has for several years held the
office of justice of the peace of Little Valley and is now a trustee of the village.
Mr. Wheaton married Nellie Fuller, daughter of Cyrus A. Fuller, of Little
Valley.
William E. Gould is a native of Hinsdale, where he was born January 22,
1849, ^"<^ 's a son of John H. and Permelia (W^ood) Gould. He received his
education in the common schools and Hinsdale Academy, and studied law
with the late Alexander Storrs. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1881.
He has served three full terms as justice of the peace of his town and was
supervisor in 1882. In connection with his law business Mr. Gould is also
engaged as a grocer and land surveyor. In February, 1876, he married Julia
A. Darling, of Franklinville.
James Spencer Whipple was born October i, 1852, at Steamburgh in this
county. His father enlisted in the 154th N. Y. Vols, in the war of the Rebellion
and died in Andersonville prison. He left a large family who were obliged
to depend upon their own resources. James S. was principally educated in the
common schools at Salamanca. He began the study of law in 1877 with Sey-
mour & Davie at Salamanca and concluded his studies with James G. Johnson.
He was admitted to the bar in June, 1881, and soon afterwards began the
practice of law in Salamanca. For five years he was in partnership with Perry
B. Coxe, who afterwards removed to the cit}' of New York. In 1879 he was
elected one of the coroners of the county of Cattaraugus, but he resigned this
office when he began the practice of law. He was elected justice of the peace
404 History of Cattaraugus County.
of Salamanca in 1879 ^^'^ held the office four years, and during that time was
elected police justice of the village of Salamanca, which office he held three
years. In 1884 he was the alternate delegate to the Republican national con-
vention. In the fall of 1887 he was elected member of Assembly from the
Second District of Cattaraugus county and was re-elected in 1888, 1889, and
1890. While in the Legislature he was chairman of the Committee on Claims,
Insurance, and General Laws, and during his entire service was a member of
the Judiciary Committee and other important committees. He took an ac-
tive interest in the investigation of the Indian question. At his suggestion
the^Assembly of 1888 appointed a committee charged with the duty of investi-
gating the condition of the Indians throughout the State of New York, of
which committee Mr. Whipple was made chairman. This committee pursued
its investigations during the summer of 1888 and made an important report
to the Legislature of 1889, which attracted wide attention and is a valuable
and important contribution to the discussion of the Indian problem of the
State. In addition to his interest in the Indian question Mr. Whipple took
active participation in general legislation.
Mr. Whipple learned the steam-fitter's trade, and when he had arrived
at the age of about twenty-one years he went to work in the Erie railroad
yards at 'Salamanca village as a common switchman.- While there he learned
the business of car dispatcher, and soon afterwards, a vacancy occurring, he was
appointed to thjs place. Frorn this position he was appointed clerk in the
railroad office and was afterwards employed in the ticket office, and was sub-
sequently appointed ticket agent _^ at Salamanca. During all this time he was
pursuing his legal studies. He kept his text books in the office and read dur-
ing his leisure moments. In the spring of 1S92 he was elected supervisor of
the town of Salamanca,- and, at the following-annual meeting of the Board of
Supervisors, was made its chairman. He was re-elected supervisor in 1893.
In the spring of 1892 he was appointed by Judge Wallace of the United States
Circuit Court to the office of United States commissioner, which office he re-
signed after holding it less than a year. Mr. Whipple is now engaged in the
practice of his profession at Salamanca.
Edgar N. Yates is a native of Hinsdale and was born February 11, 1856.
He obtained his education in the common schools of Hinsdale; he entered
the county clerk's office during the term of Arthur H. Howe in 1877 ^"d in
1880 was appointed special deputy clerk by Marion J. Rich, and under Charles
W. Terry, who was elected in 1882, Mr. Yates was deputy clerk. He was in
the clerk's officecontinuously fr'om 1877 until December 31, 1S85. He read
law with Samuel Dunham in Little'^ Valle.y and was admitted to the bar in
1882. He practiced law in Olean from -January {, "i 886, to January i, 1889,
with J. Arthur Corbin, undeY the firm name of Corbin & Yates. January i,
1889, he was again appointed deputy county clerk by Henr^- S. Merrill and
remained in that position until 1891, when he resigned and entered the em-
/
/
r
Attorneys and Counselors. 405
ploy of the National Transit Company in New York. He married Carrie
Thomas, of Little Valley.
Edward A. Gould, a son of John H. Gould, of Hinsdale, was born in that
town February' 9, 1853. He received his education in the common schools of
his native village and also under the instruction of his father. Leaving school
he gave his attention for a time to civil engineering and engaged in railroad
building in western New York. While serving as a justice of the peace in
Hinsdale he determined to study law. He left Hinsdale and became a book-
keeper at the First National Bank of Olean, which position he occupied ten
years. During this time he pursued his legal studies and was admitted to the
bar in 1882. He did not practice in this county. He went to Middletown,
N. Y., in 1889, and after practicing his profession there a short time entered
the First National Bank of that place as a book-keeper and remained there
until a short time before his death, which occurred April 12, 1891. He mar-
ried Parthenia Gile, of Hinsdale.
Oliver D. Sprague is a son of Delos VV. Sprague, of Perrysburg, and was
born at Versailles, in that town, January 20, 1859. He attended the district
school of the neighborhood until 1867, when the family removed to the village
of Perrysburg, where he attended school until 1872. He then entered the
Union School and Academy at Westfield, N. Y., and remained a student at
that institution .several years, with the exception of one term at Forestville
Academy in the spring of 1878. In the fall of 1878 he began the study of
law with Allen & Thrasher at Dayton and was admitted to the bar June 16,
1882. He immediately began practice at Perrysburg, where he continued
nearly two years. He then moved to Gowanda and formed a partnership
with Irving R. Leonard, which continued about a year. He then engaged in
the insurance business with George I. Lincoln. Some time afterwards Mr.
•Lincoln withdrew from the firm and Mr. Sprague formed a partnership with
A. M. De Long. This partnership continued about two years, when Mr.
Sprague sold his interest to Mr. De Long. While living in Gowanda Mr.
Sprague was twice elected trustee of the village. He is now living on a farm
in the town of Perrysburg and is not engaged in active practice.
Willis D. Parker, son of Leroy and Fidelia (Vinton) Parker, was born in
Hinsdale, February 15, 1858, and received an academic education at Ten
Broeck Free Academy at Franklinville. He taught district schools several
terms in his native town and in Olean. He began the study of law with the late
Enos C. Brooks, of Olean, and completed his studies with Myron A. Dodge.
He was admitted to practice at Rochester in October, 1882, and opened an
office in Olean, where he has since resided. He is now a member of the firm
of Parker & Mudge. In 1883 Mr. Parker was elected town clerk of the town
of Olean and in 1886 was elected a justice of the peace and re-elected in 1890.
He is now also serving as police justice of the city of Olean.
John H. Bolles, son of David H. Bolles, of Olean, studied law and was ad-
4o6 History of Cattaraugus County.
mitted to practice in October, 1882. In January, 1883, he became a member
of the firm of D. H. Bolles & Son, which continued until October i, 1884,
when it was re-organized, James H. Waring becoming a member under the
name of Bolles, Waring & Bolles. This firm was dissolved in March, 1886.
Mr. Bolles is not now in practice.
Charles S. Dwinnells is of Scotch descent and the son of Jonathan and
Elizabeth (Alwood) Dwinnells. He was born in Yorkshire, September 4, 1840 ;
he was raised a farmer and educated in the common schools and at Pike Sem-
inary. He began business life as a teacher in the public schools and taught
twenty-two terms, fourteen in his own district. In 1863 an'l 1864 he engaged
as a commercial traveler through the west and in 1870, 1871, and 1872 he was
in business as a druggist in Yorkshire. From 1872 until 1878 he was engaged
in farming. He then entered the law ofifice of Myron A. Dodge in Olean as a
student and was admitted to the bar in 1883. Since that time he has prac-
ticed his profession in Olean. He served three years on the Board of Educa-
tion and three years on the Board of Trustees of the village of Olean. He has
been a justice of the peace and police justice of the village several years.
Marcus B. Jewell, son of Jerome B. Jewell, was born at Machias, Novem-
ber 7, 1858. He attended the district schools of his native town and Ten
Broeck Free Academy at Franklinville. He began the study of lawwith A. J.
Knight at Arcade, N. Y., in October, 1879. ■^''' January, 1880, he removed to
Olean and continued his law studies with Cary, Jewel! & Rumsey and was
admitted to the bar in April, 1883. Upon his admission to the bar his brother,
J. R. Jewell, withdrew from the firm of Cary, Jewell & Rumsey and the firm
of J. R. & M. B. Jewell was formed. This firm continued in existence until
the winter of 1893, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Jewell is now doing busi-
ness alone. November 10, 1886, he was married to Lizzie B. Hazlitt. He
has represented the town of Olean on the Board of Supervisors six j^ears. He.
was again elected in February, 1893, and upon the incorporation of the city of
Olean in May, 1893, became one of the supervisors of the city.
Thomas H. Dowd was born in Humphrey on August 20, 1859. He is of
Irish descent, and his father was a farmer living in the town of Humphrey.
Young Dowd lived with his parents in a log house, in which he was born,
during his youth, spending some time in school and working on the farm. He
attended the Ten Broeck Free Academy and to sa.ve expense boarded at
home, going and returning a distance of seven miles each day. He continued
this course until 1880, teaching school winters, when he entered the law ofifice
of James H. Waring, then of Franklinville, and began the study of law. He
continued his law studies during the next two years. July i, 1883, he was
appointed by Lieutenant-Governor Hill an orderly at the capitol at Albany.
In addition to the duties of his position he continued his law studies in the
office of Hugh Reilly, formerly district attorney of Albany count}' and now a
commissioner of the State Board of Claims, and was admitted in November,
Attorneys and Counselors. 407
1883. Ii> 1884 he was elected supervisor of the town of Humphrey. In
April, 1884, he resigned his position in Albany and opened a law office in
Salamanca. He was elected a justice of the peace of Salamanca in 1886. In
1892 Mr. Dowd was chosen clerk of the county Board of Supervisors.
James E. Bixby was born at Dayton, October 3, i86i,and is a son of Will-
iam H. and Hattie A. (Wellman) Bixby. He was educated in the district
schools and in the public schools of Galesburgand Bloomington, 111., and Hor-
nellsville and Waverly, N. Y. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ
of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company and the Buffalo
and Southwestern Railroad Company as a clerk and telegraph operator at
Dayton. After serving two years in this capacity he left the employ of the
railroad companies and entered the law office of Allen & Thrasher. He pur-
sued the study of law the usual period and was admitted to the bar in April,
1883, at the age of twenty-one years. He was then admitted to partnership
with his tutors, the firm being Allen, Thrasher & Bixby, which continued
until 1886, when Mr. Allen withdrew and the firm became Thrasher & Bixby.
This firm continued two years, since which time Mr. Bixby has practiced
alone. He owns a printing establishment and a farm which he carries on m
connection with his law business. In August, 1888, he was married to Alice
M., daughter of W. S. Thrasher, of Dayton. Mr. Bixby has held the office of
assessor of the town of Dayton two terms. In 1892 he was elected a member
of the Board of Education of the new Union Free School of Dayton.
Ernest F. Kruse was born in East Hamburg, Erie county, March 23, 1857,
and was educated at Griffith Institute, Springville, N. Y., and at Hamilton
College, Clinton, N. Y., graduating from the latter institution in the class of
1883. He studied law with L. M. Cummings at Springville and also with his
brother, F. W. Kruse, in Olean, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1884.
He has since practiced his profession at Olean, and since September, 1884, in
partnership with his brother under the name of F. W. & E. F. Kruse. Octo-
ber 19, 1892, he was married to Isa Orr, of East Otto.
William S. Rann is a native of Whitewater, Wis., where he was born April
24, i860. He was educated at the common school in Silver Creek, N. Y., at
the Fredonia Normal School, and at Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y. He
began the study of law with Sprague, Milburn & Sprague at Buffalo in Aug-
ust, 1881, and remained with them until October, 1882. He was then em-
ployed on the Buffalo Express from that time until April, 1883. In the fall
of 1883 he went to Forestville, N. Y., and continued the study of law with
John G. Record and was admitted to the bar in October, 1884. He was in
Salamanca in the office of John J. Inman from the time of his admission until
the following spring, after which for two years he was employed in writing for
county histories. He then went to Fredonia, N. Y., where he practiced law
a year or more and then went to Chicago, where he was claim agent for the
Chicago & Atlantic Railroad Company one year. In August, 1889, he opened
4o8 History of Cattaraugus County.
an office for the practice of law in Buffalo and practiced until April, iSgi.
He then became a reporter for the Buffalo Courier a.nd in September, 1892,
was promoted to the place of city editor, which position he now occupies.
Daniel E. Powell, son of Daniel H. and Catherine (Tubbs) Powell, was born
in New Albion, May 10, 1853. He was raised on a farm and educated in the
common schools, at Chamberlain Institute, and also at the State Normal
School at Fredonia. He commenced business life as a teacher at the age of
eighteen years and taught thirty-nine terms. He afterwards chose the pro-
fession of law and was admitted to practice March 28, 1884, a-^d in the United
States Courts three or four years later. He commenced the practice of his
profession at the time of his admission to the bar, in the village of Cattarau-
gus, in his native town, where he still resides. Por several years he was in
partnership with George Straight, but for the last four or five years has been
engaged in practice alone.
Samuel R. McNair is a native of Arcade, N. Y., where he was born August
15, 1856. His parents were natives of Scotland and came to the United
States in 1852. He attended the district school, Arcade Academy, Pike Sem-
inary, and the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y. He studied law with
William G. Laidlaw, of Ellicottville, and was admitted to the bar in June,
1884, and since that time he has been in partnership with Mr. Laidlaw in the
practice of law at Ellicottville. He was chief clerk of the House Committee
on Claims in the Fifty-first Congress, of which committee Mr. Laidlaw was
chairman. Mr. McNair for several years was an acting magistrate of the
town of Ellicottville.
George W. Cole was born in Humphrey, December 31, 1858. He was ed-
ucated in the common schools of his native town and in the high schools of
the county. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of law with Will-
iam G. Laidlaw at Ellicottville and was admitted to the bar in October, 1884.
While pursuing his law studies he spent some time in teaching in district
schools. Soon after he was admitted he entered the law office of Ansley &
Davie at Salamanca, where he was engaged one year. In May, 1886, he
formed a partnership with John J. Inman, under, the firm name of Inman &
Cole, which continued until December 21, 1891. Since that time Mr. Cole
has practiced his profession alone in Salamanca. Mr. Cole was for some time
attorney of the village of Salamanca and has held other local ofifices.
Walter S. Jenkins, son of Merrill T. Jenkins, was in practice in Olean a
short time about 1884. He is living in Buffalo engaged in general practice.
Linus T. Mudge, son of Rev. W. and Sarah (Ross) Mudge, was born in
Palmyra, Wayne county, October 17, 1858. He received an academic educa-
tion and began the study of law with Bentley & Jones in Boonville, Oneida
county, where he was a student three years from 1880 to 1883. He graduated
at the Albany Law School in May, 1884, with the degree of LL.B. He was
admitted to practice in 1884. In January, 1885, he came to Olean, where he
Attorneys and Counselors. 409
engaged in practice alone until March, 1887, when he formed a partnership
with Willis D. Parker under the firm name of Parker & Mudge. September
30, 1885, he married Addie B. Hare, of Georgetown, N. Y.
James O. Clark, son of William Clark, was born in Ellicottville, October i,
1856, and was raised on his father's farm. He graduated from Ten Broeck
Free Academy in June, 1877. He taught school fourteen terms, one year as
principal of the Union Free School of Ellicottville. He studied law with
Vedder & Rider at Ellicottville and was admitted to the bar in June, 1884.
He then practiced law for a time with Commodore P. Vedder. Since April,
1887, he has been connected with the Bank of Ellicottville and has not been
in regular practice. ,
George E. Spring was born in Franklinville, October 27, 1859, ^^'^ '^ a son
of the late Judge Samuel S. Spring. He attended the Ten Broeck Free
Academy, Franklinville, and graduated ftom that institution in 1880. He
studied law with his brother, Alfred Spring, and was admitted to the bar at
Rochester in October, 1884. Since that time he has practiced his profession
at Franklinville in partnership with his brother. While his brother, Alfred
Spring, was surrogate he was clerk to the Surrogate's Court.
Joel J. Crandall is a son of Etsel Crandall, of Mansfield, where he was born
January 10, 1854. He received his education in the common schools, at Ten
Broeck Free Academy, and at Chamberlain Institute. He was engaged in
teaching public schools several years. He was elected school commissioner
of the Second District of Cattaraugus county in 1878 and re-elected in 188 1,
serving six years. In 1882 he began the study of law with Nash & Lincoln at
Little Valley and completed his studies with Coxe & Whipple at Salamanca.
He was admitted to the bar in June, 1885, and immediately began practice in
Salamanca. He recently moved to Jamestown, N. Y., where he now resides.
Edward B. Vreeland, of Salamanca, was admitted to the bar about 1885,
but has not engaged in general practice.
. George L. Winters was elected sheriff in 1876, and while at Little Valley
performing the duties of his ofifice he began the study of law with Eugene A.
Nash. He was admitted to the bar in 1885, but did not engage in practice.
He died June 8, 1889.
Spencer Blodgett Parker was born at Versailles, Cattaraugus county, July
21, 1859. His ancestors on the side of his father were English and Welch
and on the side of his mother English, Dutch, and Scotch. He worked on
his father's farm until fifteen years of age and then for several years worked
at the business of making cheese, and when eighteen years of age had entire
charge of a large factory at Angola, N. Y. In 1881 he entered Chamberlain
Institute at Randolph and graduated therefrom in the literary and scientific
course, taking the first prize for highest standing. He entered the law ofifice
of Henderson & Wentworth at Randolph and remained one year, and then
entered the Albany Law School, where he graduated. He finished his law
52
4IO History of Cattaraugus County.
clerkship with Oliver S. Vreeland and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in
1886. In 18S7 he married Emma Campbell Owen, of Randolph, and soon after
opened an office for the practice of law in Versailles. In 1892 he removed to
Niagara Falls, N. Y., and formed a partnership for the practice of law with
William J. Byam.
Horace A. L. Beardsley is a descendant of one of the old Puritan families
who settled in Massachusetts in 1635, and also of one of the old families of
United Empire Loyalists in Canada. He was born at Oakville, Ontario, Sep-
tember 5, 1863, where he received his early education and resided until about
18.80, when he removed to Olean for the purpose of pursuing the study of
law.. He entered the office of Bolles & Moulton and was admitted to the bar
at Rochester in October, 1887. Soon afterwards he formed a partnership
with Charles P. Moulton under the firm name of Moulton & Beardsley. This
partnership has since been dissolved. Mr. Beardsley is now practicing alone
at Olean.
William C. Overton is a native of Scranton, Pa., where he was born Octo-
ber 3, 1863, and is a son of Giles B. and Maria W. Overton. He was educated
in the common schools and at the Elmira Academy. For three years from
1878 to 1881 he was engaged in the coal and iron business with his father. In
1 88 1 his parents removed to Olean. In 1883 he began the study of law with
George H. Phelps at Olean, studying with him two and one-half years, and
then went into the office of Corbin & Yates, and was admitted to the bar in
June, 1887. He immediately began practicing law at Allegany, where he
now resides.
Earle H. Eaton, youngest son of Fred R. Eaton, was born at Olean, Octo-
ber 24, 1865. He graduated from the Olean Union School in 1884, studied
law in the ofifice of his brother, Fred L. Eaton, and was admitted to the bar
in 1887. He did not engage in practice, but soon after his admission became
city editor of the Olean Herald, which position he occupied about two years,
and then went to New York city, where he has since been engaged in journal-
istic work.
Jasper E. Smith is a native of Yorkshire and was born January 22, i860.
He spent his youth on his father's farm and attending school. He began his
academic course at Ten Broeck Free Academy and completed a college pre-
paratory course at Dryden Union School, Dryden, Tompkins county, in June,
1880. He then taught common schools a year and entered Hamilton College
in September, 1881. During his second year at college he turned aside for a
time and occupied the position of teacher in mathematics in Kingston Free
Academy at Kingston, N. Y. He returned to college in September, 1883,
and graduated in June, 1885, with the degree of A.B. In June, 1888, he re-
ceived the honorary degree of A.M. In July, after graduating from college,
Mr. Smith began the study of law with his brother, W. V. Smith, of Olean,
and was admitted to practice in October, 1887. He at once formed a part-
Attorneys and Counselors. 411
nership with his brother, which still continues, under the firm name of W. V.
& J. E. Smith. May 6, 1891, he married Mary L. Lee, daughter of M. L.
Lee, of Olean.
John K. Ward, son of Arunah Ward, was born in Great Valley, November
20, 1859. He attended the common schools and graduated at Chamberlain
Institute in 1882. He was principal of the school in Machias village a year
(1882-83), and afterwards traveled through the west in the employ of H. H.
Warner, of Rochester, as a salesman, for one year. In August, 1884, he be-
came principal of the Randolph Union School, where he remained until
March, 1887. He studied law with his father in Ellicottville and was admit-
ted to practice in June, 1887. He immediately commenced the practice of
his profession in Ellicottville, where he still resides. He was for a time local
attorney for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad Company and is
now an acting magistrate of the town of Ellicottville. In February, 1893, he
was appointed by the surrogate appraiser for the First District of Cattaraugus
county under the statute relating to the taxation of collateral inheritances.
John T. Baxter was admitted to practice about 1887, and since that time
has been engaged in a general legal business at Olean, where he now resides.
Henry Donnelly, son of Henry and Catherine (Brice) Donnelly, was born
in Kendall, Orleans county, March 16, 1861. He was educated in the common
schools of his native town, at Brockport State Normal School, and at Albion
High School. He engaged in teaching district schools in Orleans and Monroe
counties about five years. In 1885 he entered the law office of Calvin J.
Church, of Albion, N. Y., and began the study of law. He was also a student
in the ofifice of John Cunneen and completed his studies with W. P. L. Staf-
ford, district attorney of Orleans county, at Albion. He was admitted to the
bar at Buffalo in June, 1888. In July, 1888, he located in Olean and becamea
law partner of J. T. Baxter. This firm continued until December, 1889, when
it was dissolved, and since that time Mr. Donnelly has practiced his profession
alone. He was married March 5, 1888, to Mary Brower.
■ Anson W. Stone studied law in Salamanca and was admitted to the bar
about 1888. He engaged in practice in Salamanca until the spring of 1891,
when he removed to Buffalo, where he now resides.
Allen J. Hastings is a native of Olean and was born November 26-, 1864.
He is a son of Loren S. and Sarah (Jones) Hastings. He was raised on a
farm and received his education in the district schools and at the Olean Union
Free School and Academy. He graduated from the academy in June, 1885.
In September, 1885, he entered the office of Cary & Rumsey and began the
study of law, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1888. He continued
with Cary & Rumsey as a clerk until January i, 1890, when he -was admitted
to the firm and is now engaged in practice in Olean.
John M. Willson is a native of Mansfield, is the son of E. Oscar and Eme-
line S. (Utley) Willson, and was born April 5, 1863. He spent his youth on
412 History of Cattaraugus County,
his father's farm in Mansfield, attending the district schools in the neighbor-
hood, and also received an academic education and spent some time in teach-
ing district schools. At the age of seventeen he had charge of the graded
school in the village of Otto. In 1882, at the opening of the Bank of Cattar-
augus, he was appointed its book-keeper and was promoted to the position
of teller, remaining in its employ four years. He then determined on the pro-
fession of law and in 1886 entered the office of Nash & Rich at Cattaraugus
and pursued his studies the usual time. He was admitted to the bar June 10,
1890. Soon afterwards he became a member of the law firm with whom he
had studied. While pursuing his law studies he served as a clerk of the courts
of Cattaraugus county during a portion of the term of Albert T. Fancher and
also of Henry S. Merrill. In 1885 he was married to Belle C. Babcock, of Cat-
taraugus, daughter of Abner Babcock. Mr. Willson has identified himself
with the educational interests of his village and in April, 1891, was appointed
examiner for the Cattaraugus Union School by the Regents of the University
of the State of New York.
Udolph V. Sage is a native of Rochester, N. Y., and was born May 25, 1856.
He is the son of Edwin S. and Mary P. (Nichols) Sage. In 1859 his parents
removed to Olean, where he has since resided. He attended the public schools
of Olean and graduated from Ten Broeck Free Academy at Franklinville in
1876. He entered the office of the late Enos C. Brooks, of Olean, as a law
student, and remained there until Mr. Brooks's death. He afterwards read
law with Thomas Storrs and was admitted to practice in June, 1890. He at
once opened an office in Olean, where he has since practiced. February 8,
1879, ^^ married Catherine E. Storrs, a sister of Thomas Storrs.
William Cobb is a son of John and Elizabeth (Duncan) Cobb. He was
born on the lOth of April, 1870, at Brechin, County Forfar, Scotland. When
five years of age his father removed with his family to the United States and
they have since resided in this county. Mr. Cobb received his education at
the Olean Academy, of which institution he is a graduate. In the fall of 1889
he began the study of law in the office of W. V. & J. E. Smith at Olean, where
he remained until he was admitted to the bar in October, 1892, at Rochester.
January i, 1893, he began the practice of law at Olean, where he now resides.
Manley E. King was born in Yorkshire, May 18, 1866, and is a son of
Seymour and Ann Eliza (Steele) King. His father is now living on his farm
in the northeast part of the town ; his mother died when he was five years of
age. He attended the district schools of his native town until about fifteen
years old, when he entered the graded school at Yorkshire, and afterwards
attended school at Sardinia, N. Y., winters, in the meantime working by the
month on the farm during the summer. He had some experience in teach-
ing district schools. When he was about nineteen he entered Griffith Insti-
tute, Springville, N. Y., as a student, and continued there altogether about
three years, teaching district schools a part of the time during that period.
Attorneys and Counselors. 413
He graduated at this institution and completed a preparatory college course.
He began the study of law in the office of Edwin A. Scott, of Springville,
N. Y., and pursued his studies with some interruption while occupied in teach-
ing until he was admitted to the bar at the General term in Buffalo in Janu-
ary, 1893. He immediately opened an office at Yorkshire for the practice of
law, where he now resides.
Peter B. Tarr was born near Petroleum Center, Venango county. Pa., No-
vember 7, 1866, and is a son of George A. W. and Nancy (Benninghoof) Tarr.
In 1870 the family removed to Titusville, Pa., where Peter attended the pub-
lic schools. When he was twenty-one years old he determined to become a
New York lawyer. He accordingly came to Olean and began the preparatory
course required by the rules of the court and obtained a Regents' certificate.
In February, 1890, he entered Columbia Law School in New York and re-
mained there one collegiate year. In February, 1891, he entered the office of
Cary, Rumsey & Hastings at Olean, as a student, and completed his legal
studies. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester, March 30, 1893. At the
first election in the city of Olean, held May 11, 1893, he was elected a justice
of the peace. He is now engaged in general practice.
Charles W. Terry, of Randolph, was also admitted March 30, 1893. Mr.
Terry is a prominent citizen of the county and has held several important offi-
cial positions, including county clerk, deputy collector of internal revenue,
journal clerk of the Board of Supervisors, supervisor of Randolph, etc. A
more complete sketch of his career appears in the history of the town of Ran-
dolph. He is not engaged in legal practice.
Justus White* was a brother of Roderick White and came from Springville,
N. Y., to Olean. He studied law with Charles S. Cary, and was admitted to
the bar about 1858. Afterwards, about 1864 or 1865, he formed a partnership
with Mr. Cary, which continued several years, under the name of Cary & White,
until Mr. White's death. Mr. White is described as a candid, careful lawyer
whose tastes led him to prefer the work of the office rather than the turmoil
of court practice. He was greatly respected in Olean and was considered one
of her most reliable citizens.
This completes the list of members of our bar as far as I have been able to
ascertain their names.
A meeting of members of the bar of Cattaraugus county was held at the
court house in Little Valley on the 4th of June, 1877, for the purpose of or-
ganizing a County Bar Association. Hon. Allen D. Scott was chosen chairman
and E. D. Northrup secretary ; Hon. D. H. Bolles, a committee appointed for
that purpose, submitted a draft of a proposed constitution, which, on motion of
J. R. Jewell, was adopted as the constitution of the association. The follow-
ing officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, David H. Bolles;
♦This sketch of Justus White was unintentionally omitted from its proper place in the chronological
order of admissions to our bar.— Editor.
414 History of Cattaraugus County.
vice-president, Norman M. Alfen ; secretary, Frank W. Stevens; treasurer,
Eugene A. Nash. The president appointed the following standing committees :
Executive Committee, E. D. Northrup, James D. McVey, J. R. Jewell, E. A.
Nash, ex-officio, D. H. Bolles, ex-officio ; on Admission, F. W. Stevens, ex-officio,
W. G. Laidlaw, W. S. Thrasher; on Legal History and Biography, William
Manley, J. M. Congdon, C. Z. Lincoln. An annual meeting of the associa-
tion was held in June, 1878, but since then no regular meetings have been
held. An attempt was made in 1892 to re-organize, but without success.
Five lawyers — Asa Hazen, Zephaniah Z. Caswell, David Higgins, Jr., Al-
van Burr, and Daniel Cruger — attended the first court held at the house of
William Baker in the village of Hamilton (now Olean), July 1, 1817, only one
of whom, Mr. Hazen, became a resident of the county. The number of law-
yers has increased to eighty-four, seventy-five of whom are in active practice.
The following are the resident members of the Cattaraugus county bar, June,
1893, with their business addresses:
Allegany. — William C. Overton. Cattaraugus. — Eugene A. Nash, John
M. Willson, Daniel E. Powell. Dayton — Norman M. Allen, Winfield S.
Thrasher, James E. Bixby, Elijah Cook. Dclevan. — Manley E. King. East
Randolpli. — Johnson V. Goodwill, Martin V. Benson. Ellicottvillc. — William
G. Laidlaw, Edwin D. Northrup, George M. Rider, Arunah Ward, John K.
Ward, William Manley, Samuel R. McNair, James O. Clark, Commodore P.
Vedder. Frankliiivillc. — Alfred Spring, George E. Spring, Charles D. Van
Aernam, Henry R. Curtis, William W. Waring. Gawanda. — Joseph M.
Congdon, William Woodbury, Irving R. Leonard. Hinsdale. — William E.
Gould. Edgar N. Yates. Limestone. — W. Hutchison Gibbs. Little Valley. —
John F. Mosher, Stanley N. Whcaton, Charles Z. Lincoln. Maehias. — Myron
B. Field. Olean. — David H. Bolles, Charles S. Cary, Joseph R.Jewell, Marcus
B. Jewell, Frederick W. Kruse, Ernest F. Kruse, James H. Waring, Charles S.
Dwinnells, William V. Smith, Jasper E. Smith, Linus T. Mudge, Udolph V.
Sage, Willis D. Parker, Thomas Storrs, Charles P. Moulton, Horace A. L.
Beardsley, Allen J. Hastings, John T. Baxter, Henry Donnelly, William Cobb,
Fred L. Eaton, William H. Nourse, Peter B. Tarr. Otto.—T>d.n B. Allen,
George Straight. Perrysburg. — Oliver D. Sprague. Randolph. — Joseph E.
Weeden, William H. Henderson, Alexander Wentworth, Rodney R. Crowley,
Elias L. Matteson, Benjamin F. Congdon, Dewitt C. Reilly, Daniel A. Sack-
rider, Joseph E. Hazard, Merrill T. Jenkins, Charles W. Terrj'. Salamanca. —
Oliver S. Vreeland, Hudson Ansley, James G. Johnson, Carey D. Davie,
John J. Inman, Vedder C. Reynolds, George W. Cole, William R. Pindar,
Thomas H. Dowd, James S. Whipple, Edward B. Vreeland. South Day-
ton.— W. Darwin Phelps.
From small beginnings the county has grown in population, resources, and
material strength until it ranks with the best of the agricultural counties of
the State. The bar has kept pace with the general prosperity, and has made
itself felt in all departments of the county government and in all the interests
which affect the welfare of our people. The legal profession has not only
been patriotic at home, but it has shown its patriotism in the broader field of
national affairs. The large number of lawyers who were engaged in the
' RECAriTUI.ATION OF THE BENCH AND BAR. 415
service of th'eir country during the late war testifies to the patriotism of the
profession and illustrates the broad public spirit which has always animated
our bar.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote an essay on " Uses of Great Men," in which
he says that " the search after the great man is the dream of youth and the
most serious occupation of manhood." In my search after the beginnings of
our history and in the study of its development I have not had in view the
discovery of greatness, but rather the discovery- of those persons who are part
and parcel of the very warp and woof of our history. But greatness has been
thrust upon my attention, for the men who planted and nurtured the institu-
tions of our county were indeed great : great in native ability and acquired
powers; great in perseverance and industry; great in the capacity for self-
government; great in their power to conquer adverse circumstances; and
great in their conception of the breadth, the strength, and the growth of our
institutions. As I have patiently turned the pages of our early public records,
yellow and dusty with age, I have seemed to meet face to face the men whose
work is there spread out before us, and I could almost talk with them as I
read the history they made.
This chapter embraces the first seventy-six years of our separate judicial
history, from 1S17 to 1893, and they have been years of rapid growth and
wonderful development. Our population has grown from 458 in 1810 to
61,774 in 1892. The assessed valuation of taxable property has increased
from $1,786,217 in 1820 to $23,105,992.09 in 1892. This great increase in
power and material strength has been stimulated by the enterprise and broad
public spirit of the bar. In every community the lawyers have been consulted
and their opinions sought in every public movement, and they have thus
been able to exert a powerful influence in shaping public policy. Their con-
servatism as a profession is proverbial, yet they have shown themselves suf-
ficiently radical on every question involving the public good. The people of
the county have no occasion to apologize for the bench and bar, but on the
contrary should feel a pride in our history as they read the annals of the
courts and the biographies of the men who have honored the county by their
ability, their learning, and their patriotism.
David Dudley Field, himself the Nestor of the American bar, said to a
class of law students in Buffalo a few years ago : "If I were to say all that I
think of our profession I should say nothing else in the course of this address.
They who are best acquainted with the history of civilization, or have studied
most the sources of government, know very well that no truer measure can be
found in either than the influence which the legal profession exerts or the re-
spect which it receives." Readers of this chapter will willingly concede that
the bar has been a great power in the history and growth of our county. This
is manifest from the number and character of the men engaged in legal prac-
tice, the official positions held by them, and the inevitable influence exerted
4i6 History of Cattaraugus County.
by a class of men who deal with every characteristic of human nature and who
learn the personal and business secrets of the active members of the commu-
nity. A review of the bench and bar of our county from the records here
given may well inspire the pride of our people. This part of the machinery
of our local government has done its work with only the .welfare of the people
in view ; and the capacity and beneficence of free institutions are here illus-
trated in a manner to justify the hope of our fathers that the foundations of
good government which they so carefully laid will be enduring.
An eminent jurist says that "every lawyer owes something to his profes-
sion." He certainly owes it his loyalty and faithfulness, his industry and the
best use of his talents, his integrity, his highest energy, and a sincere deter-
mination to make it the noblest profession among men. The opportunities
for growth, fortune, fame, and usefulness are almost immeasurable if the law
shall receive from her devotees the service which this "jealous mistress" ab-
solutely requires. We need only consider the lawyers at our bar who have
given their lives to the profession to be convinced that the law is a faithful
friend, but one who will suffer no division of interest or affection.
By the preparation of this chapter I have endeavored to discharge, in some
measure, my obligations to the profession of which I am proud to be a mem-
ber; and the work is submitted to the public with the hope that not only the
legal profession, but the mass of our people, may be led to appreciate more
fully the meaning of our history and the value of our institutions.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ALLEGANY.
ALLEGANY, the largest town in area in Cattaraugus county, contains
the whole of townships one and two, in the fifth range, of the Holland
Company's survey, and has an area of 44,989 acres. It is bounded on the
north by Humphrey, on the east by Hinsdale and Olean, on the south by the
State of Pennsylvania, and on the west by Carrolton and Great Valley. The
town is noted for its high hills and its broad, deep, and fertile lowlands.
The hills tower abruptly to the height of from 700 to 900 feet above the val-
leys. The principal water-course is the Allegheny river, which flows nearly
west through the central part of the town and receives the waters of Five
Mile and Nine Mile runs on the north and Four Mile, Two Mile, and Trout
runs on the south. The soil is clayey loam on the highlands and gravelly
loam in the valleys. The valleys were originally covered with a magnificent
Town of Allegany. 417
growth of towering pines and the hills with deciduous trees, hemlock, and a
few pines.
A notable freak of nature is a peculiar upheaval of the conglomerate sand
rock in the southeast part of the town known as Rock City. The location is
within the oil belt, and on the height of land between the Allegheny river
and Tuna creek. The rocks have been thrown up above the general surface
from thirty to fifty feet, and masses of rock stand out in bold relief as high
and as large as an immense three-story business block, with fissures between
them varying from a few inches to the width of a street. Many of them are
at right angles with each other. These immense regular blocks of conglom-
erate rock impress the beholder with the fact that he is in a deserted city.
The fissures run in straight lines and form streets and alleys. In other
parts the rocks are irregular and angular, and form grottos or caves, the
largest of which it is said is capacious enough to shelter twenty-five or thirty
people. The whole covers an area of several acres. Possibly this wonderful
record of immense power is the result of an explosion of natural gas, which is
known to underlie the location.
Ebenezer Reed, a native of Connecticut who settled on the west side of
Five Mile creek in 1820, was the first actual settler in the town of Allegany.
In the same year Amos B. Orton and his brother David settled on what is
now the Jewell farm on Five Mile run, Isaac Eggleston on the Horton farm,
and Andrew Allen on the Robert Wilber farm. Amos and David Orton
joined the Mormons at Nauvoo, 111., in 1823. From 1821 to 1828 the settle-
ment was increased by the arrival of Hiram Wood, Elias Fish, James Strong,
Sr., Abiathar Phillips, Sr., William Morgan, Deacon Thompson, Deacon War-
ren, and Messrs. Kenyon, Hall, and W^ilber, all of whom located along the
Five Mile run.
In the thirtieth and fortieth decades the settlement was further augmented
by the settlement of John Palmer, William Wright, John and Henry Alten-
burg, John Norris, Lewis Pierce, James R., Barak, Sanford, Raynor, and Alfred
Clark (brothers), Jabez Chapin, Sr., and his sons Jabez and William, Isaac,
James, and Andrew Freeland, Abel Burdick, G. C. Sheldon, Amos Scofield
(1839), Franklin Smith, Jason Blair, H. W. McClure (of Franklinville, the first
white child born in the county). Freeman Kenyon, Isaac Wright (recently
deceased), John and William Ellis, Joseph Goodwin, Deacon Hubbard, George
Bascom (recently deceased), and many others.
Allegany, including Humphrey, was formed from Great Valley as the
town of Burton on April 18, 1831. The name was changed to Allegany on
March 28, 1851. Humphrey was taken off May 12, 1836. On February 2$,
1854, all the books, records, and papers belonging to the town were destroyed
by fire and on this account it is impossible to give a complete list of the
town clerks and justices of the peace prior to that date. The appended list
of supervisors is accurate, inasmuch as it was obtained from the board's offi-
53 - ■
41 8 History of Cattaraugus County.
'cial records, and the names of the other officers nave been gleaned from
reliable but incomplete sources:
Supem'sor.<i.—Ebenezer Jones, l.S32-a5, 1S37 : Hichard Wright, ISii; S. I. Horton, lsas-39 ; Jedediah La-
throp, 1840-42; Edwin H. Blackmore, 184;}-44, !1852 ; Abiathar Phillip?. Jr., 184,5-46 ; Sherlock B. Willard,
1847; A.O.Smith, 1848-49, 1856; Erastus Willard, 1850, 1SH5-GT ; Hirara W. McClure, 18.51, 1873; Jaraes Free-
lan-l, 18.53, 186.3-64, 1875; Caleb Jewett, 1854; JamesG. Johnson, 18.55: Edward S. Mills. 1857, 1861: Hiram
Couchman, 1858; David Austin, 185!); Gilbert Palen, 1860, 186:i; Andrew Mead, 1868; J. B. Strong, 1869-70;
Asa Haskell, 1871-72, 1877; E. C. Howard, 1874; Zenas G. Bullock, 1876; J. H. Farqahirsou, 1878; C. J.
Hickey, 1879 84; Charles Spraker, 1885 ; Mason M. Dye, 1886-89; Sanford B. McClure, 1830-93.
Town C/cr;f.e.—Jedediah Lathrop, 18:32-37; record destroyed, 18.38-40; William Wales, 1841-43: record de-
stroyed, 1844- 47; C. S. Trivitt, 1848; record destroj-ed, 1849-50; A. L. Simmonds, 18.51; William H. Smith,
1852; record destroyed, 185:3 ; Edgar Shaw, ia54-.55 ; Luther P. Forbes, lSo6; Albert J. Scofteld, 1857 ; William
B. Evans, 1858; J. H. Farquharson, 1859; A. H. Marsh, 1860; J. R. MeConnell, 1861 ; Dudley Phelps, 1862,
1867,1874-75, 1879-84, 1886-93; J. P. Colgrove, 1863-64; Nathan A. Dye, 1565; Charles Dolan, 1866; Frederick
Smith, 1868-70 ; Charles Spraker, 1871 ; E. R. McClure, 1372-73, 1878 ; C. J. Hickey, 1876 ; L. S. Corthell, 1877 .
Alfred Keyes, 1885.
Justices of the Peace— 18:32, record destroyed; 1833. John Palmer, Abiathar Phillips; 18.34, Seth Cole. A.
Phillips, John Palmer; 1835, A. Phillips, John Palmer ; 18.36, Christopher Whitney, Joseph Symonds ; 1837,
Stephen S. Cole, Christopher Whitney ; 1838 :39, record destroyed ; 1840. Christopher Whitney, Ebenezer
Jones; 1841, record destroyed; 1842, Ebene^er Jones; 1843, E. H. Blackmore, Isaac Freeland, E. Jones;
1844, E. Jones, 1. Freeland, E. H. Blackmore. G. C. Sheldon ; 1845, G. C. Sheldon, George Bascom, E. Jones, I.
Freeland ; 1846, S. B. Willard, G. C. Sheldon. I. Freeland. George Bascom : 1847. George Bascom, G. C. Shel-
don, S. B. Willard ; 1848, Erastus Willard, George Bascom, A. O. Smith ; 1849. lErastus Willard ; 1&50, George
Bascom; 18.51, James P'reeland, George Bascom, E. H. Blackmore ; 1852, Warren Onan, Seth Allen, E. H.
Blackmore ; 1853, Warren Onan, Erastus Willard, George Bascom : 18.54, Coruell Wiltse, Andrew Mead,
Era-stus Willard ; 185.5, James Freeland ; 18.56, Warren Onan ; 1857, Erastus Willard ; 1858, A. C. Keyes ; 1859,
A. Mead ; 1860, W. H. Phillips ; 1861, Cyrus G. McKay ; 1862, E. Willard ; 1.813:3. Edgar Shaw ; 1864, W. H. Phillips ;
1865, C. Wiltse; 1866, H. Couchman ; 1867, Balthaser Witman; 1868, N. A. Dye. M. Thornton; 1869, J. B. Wil-
kins; 1870, Michael Thornton; 1871, E. C. Howard, John Collins; 1872, Erastus Willard; 1873, J. B. Strong;
1874, A. Haskell ; 1875, E. C. Howard ; 1876, E. Willard; 1877. X. A. Dye; 1878, D. Thurber; 1879, E. C. Howard,
G. L. Sheldon ; 1880, E. Willard ; 1881, N. A. Uj e, A. G. Barter ; 1882, C. J. Cronin, L. S. Corthell ; 18.83, L. S.
Corthell, M. M. Dye, Joseph Martin; ISSt, E. Willard, H. W. McClure: 18,85, M. M. Whitney, J. B. Abbey,
N. A. Dye ; 1886, Michael O'Brien, ,T. L. Welsh. A. Griinn ; 1887, L. S. Corthell, Robert Fitzgerald ; 1888, James
McAuliffe, Edwin E. Guthrie ; 1889, J. A. Ten Eyck, E. Willard, R. Fitzgerald ; 1890, Michael O'Brien. W. J.
Shultz, Frederick Smith, P. H. Sullivan; 1891, Frederick Smith; 1892, James McAviliffc; 1893, Martin Link,
L. M. Chase.
The first Board of Excise Commissioners was elected in February, 1874,
and consisted of Charles Tousey, John Laubenthall, and Michael Collins.
The present commissioners are John Collins, Fred Furnace, and William
Weinaug.
The valleys of the Allegheny river and Four Mile and Five Mile creeks
were covered with a dense forest, mainly of towering pine trees. The river,
being in close proximity to where this fine timber grew, offered a cheap and
an easy thoroughfare to float it to market. These were the inducements that
decided the pioneer settlers to build mills and give their attention to the man-
ufacture of those great trees into lumber and shingles. They became a com-
munity of lumbermen, and continued the business until the available timber
was nearly exhausted before much attention was given to tilling the soil in
these fertile valleys. The quantity of lumber manufactured and rafted to mar-
ket is estimated at 125,000,000 feet. The pine forests and much of the hem-
lock have disappeared. What yet remains is mainly on the hills.
Of the numerous saw and shingle-mills erected at various times within the
limits of the town of Allegany space forbids the mention of all but a limited
number. Along Five Mile run Anson King built one in 1827, and three years
later Reuben Lamberton put up another. From 1840 until recently this latter
Town of Allegany. 419
mill was owned by Jacob M. Park. Charles Chamberlain erected a saw-mill
in 1850 and a grist-mill in 1874. In 1845 S. B. Willard put up a saw-mill and
in 1848 William B. Fox built another, while in 1856 Freeman Wilber began
the operation of one, which was finally abandoned. On the banks of the
Allegheny several mills have been constructed. About 1831 a dam was thrown
across a mile or so above the mouth of Nine Mile creek by William Forbes,
Jedediah Budlong, Guy C. Irvine, and William Clark, who erected a large
saw-mill on the south side of the river. This mill went down in 1852. Gen.
C. T. Chamberlain put up another on the north side which was discontinued
soon afterward. On Nine Mile creek, near Vandalia, David Chamberlain
started a saw-mill in 1840 and in 1858 William Grimes erected another. In
1866 R. Stone & Co. built a steam saw-mill three miles from the river capable
of sawing daily 25,000 feet of lumber. This mill was burned in 1868, was
rebuilt, and was later owned by Erastus Willard. The settlement here was
known as Stone's Camp. The Four Mile creek was utilized in 1832 by Dr.
Andrew Mead and in 1848 by Levi McNall, who in 1863 erected a steam mill
which was'burned in 1874. George Van Campen, Joseph Nessel, Col. J. G.
Johnson, and A. O. & W. H. Smith were also millowners here. An over-
shot saw-mill was built on Two Mile run in 1868 by William Stephan at a
locality subsequently called Stephansburg. D. & J. Hall and Rufus Austin
also erected saw-mills on this stream. On Three Mile creek Paul Reed put
up a mill in 1833, and in 1848 J. C. Devereux & Co. built one in which steam-
power was used and which contained also a run of stone for grinding. It was
burned in i860. C. J. & D. Soule and Joseph Richler & Son were owners of
steam saw-mills near the Allegheny, as were also Charles Soule & Son. Hiram
Wheaton and J. H. Farquharson erected a large steam saw and grist-mill in
Allegany village in 1873. William Morgan in 1848 put up a saw-mill in Mor-
gan hollow, and in 1856 Patrick McMahan erected another, operated by steam,
on Chipmunk creek, which employed from thirty to forty men. Some of the
machinery in this mill was used in sawing the timber employed in the con-
struction of the great Portage bridge across the Genesee river.
The largest lumbering mills in the town at present are on Chipmunk or
Trout run, near the Carrolton line, and are operated by a Buffalo firm. Other
saw-mills now in operation are the s'eam mills of Wm. Chamberlin on Five
Mile run, with an output of 400,000 feet of lumber per year; Gilbert Soule's
near the village; and George Nessel's on Four Mile creek.
About the time that successful farming had been fairly established the oil
excitement swept through Pennsylvania and reached the town of Allegany.
Boring for oil was begun near the village in 1875, but not until 1877, after sev-
eral unsuccessful experiments had been made, were the seekers rewarded for
their labors. Many good wells have been put down, but no phenomenal
"gushers " have resulted. Oil producing was for several years a prominent
industry of Allegany and employed a small army of men. It is estimated
420 History of Cattaraugus County.
that now there are over i,ooo producing wells in the town. Besides these a
large number have been abandoned.
Agriculture has come to the front, with dairying as the leading industry.
The soil is peculiarly adapted to the growing of fine grasses, and also to the
production of grain and fruit in considerable quantities. In 1867 an im-
portant organization was effected called the Allegany Cheese Factory Asso-
ciation, which erected a factory on Five Mile creek. Other cheese manufac-
tories have been established in convenient parts of the town.
As early as 1814 or '15, five or six years before the first settler came to Alle-
gany, a road was marked and used along the north bank of the river con-
necting Olean with the wilderness in Allegany. In 18 10 a road from Buffalo
passing through Springville, Erie county, and Franklinville by way of Alle-
gany to Olean' was opened, but was hardly passable for many years. This
became the old Buffalo and Olean stage road. It entered the town over
Chapell hill, followed down Five Mile creek to the Chapin farm, and thence
ran by way of the Jones and Johnson farms to Olean. About 1822 Peter
Sampson carried the mail from Buffalo to Olean on horseback and later by
stage, continuing until the close of his life in 1836. The route was continued
until it was superseded by the Erie railroad and was abandoned in 1852.
Stages for several years passed daily both ways over this road, and history
says "it was one of the most useful and stirring thoroughfares in western New
York." Five Mile run was then the leading community in Allegany, and
where the village now stands was a wilderness. The first postoffice was es-
tablished in the Five Mile neighborhood, on the Freeman Kenyon farm, in
1828. Conditions have changed. The office was long since discontinued and
the thoroughfare is now familiarly known as " the back road." The town
maintains good highways on both sides of the river, both sides of Five Mile
run, and along the valleys of the other streams in the town.
The first bridge to span the Allegheny river in this town was a frame struct-
ure erected in 1846, near the village. With two others subsequently built
elsewhere it was swept away in the flood of 1872, which caused the erection
of the present handsome and substantial iron bridge, near Allegany village,
three spans of which were completed in 1873 at a cost of $8,765. The remain-
ing span was a temporary wooden structure, which was replaced in 1880 with
an iron span corresponding with the others, the cost being §1,725, making a
total expenditure for this durable structure of $10,490, all of which was de-
frayed by the town of Allegany.
The New York, Lake Erie & Western and the Western New York &
Pennsylvania railroads extend across the town along the valley of the river,
and afford the people good facilities for travel and transportation. The Olean,
Bradford & Warren narrow gauge railroad traverses the south part of the
town with stations at Four Mile, Rock City, Knapp's Creek, and State Line.
Alfred Clark had a grocery in 1843 i" the north part of the village. The
ToAYN OF Allegany. 421
first general store was opened in what was tlien Burton in 1844 by S. B. & E.
Willard. The leading merchants from that date to i860 have been: George
Bascom in 1848, whose large building was converted into a public hall in 1875
and christened "Bascom hall"; David Chase (early); Erastus Willard in 1846;
James G. Johnson and George Van Campen in 1854; S. K. Hale in 1858;
Forbes & Smead, grocers, in 1850; Butterworth & Fox, in 1844, in the build-
ing that was converted into Zink's brewery; A. O. & W. H. Smith, with
Harmon, Brother & Co., in 1858; Nathan Dye, grocer, in 1853; and Charles
Dolan in i860.
The first birth in the town was that of Nathan Reed on October 2, 1820,
and the first deaths were the children of Isaac Eggleston in 1823. William
B. Fox and Sally Strong were the principals in the first marriage ceremony,
which occurred in 1825 at the house of James Strong. October 19, 1835, the
river was suddenly swollen by a heavy rain and caused considerable damage
on the adjacent flats.
Ebenezer Reed opened the first tavern in town in 1820. It was located
near the mouth of Five Mile run. Raynor Clark opened another shortly af-
terward in the north part. Ira Washburn, who subsequently settled in Hins-
dale, became an innkeeper about 1834 on the David Chamberlain property.
He was succeeded by Robert Patterson and he by R. H. McCoy in 1847. It
was afterward metamorphosed into a dwelling by the latter's son. Barak E.
Clark opened an inn in the village in 1838 and Raynor Clark another in 1840.
The present Park Hotel was built as the Devereux House in 1852, and the
same year a hotel and store building, called " The Block," was erected in front
of the depot. It was burned in 1861.
A burial place was designated in 1820 near the school house in district No.
4, and was used for interment for a long series of years. A cemetery in the
north part of the town, near the Five Mile Baptist church, was first used for
burials in 1826. Both have been well fenced and kept in good condition.
About 1830, and from then down to i860, several interments were made on a
lot selected on the Clark farm, about a half-mile west of Allegany village, and
on a portion of the James Freeland farm south of the river. Those buried on
the latter place were subsequently removed. The Allegany cemetery is the
property of the town. It is situated on high ground near the eastern part of
the village and contains five acres of land. It is managed by aboard of three
trustees, whose duty it is to see that it is well cared for. The grounds are well
drained and neatly fenced, properly laid out, and kept in excellent order. Its
first Board of Trustees was composed of James G. Johnson, Edgar Shaw, and
Abiathar Phillips, who were elected at the organization of the association in
1855. The trustees in 1893 are L. L. Burr, Charles Spraker, and Dr. S. B.
McClure.
The first school in the town of Allegany was taught in the winter of
1825-26 by Leonard Cronkhite, in the north part of the town, in the house of
422 History of Cattaraugus County.
James Strong. Other schools were opened from time to time to meet the
wants of the increasing population, which by the State enumeration taken in
1892 gives Allegany 3,705.
The tow"n is divided into fourteen school districts with a school house in
each of them. The schools the past year were attended by 902 scholars,
taught by twenty-four teachers. The entire expense of maintenance was
$11,254.01. ' The valuation of property taxable for school purposes within the
town is $1,334,417. The school houses and sites are valued at $17,661.
In 1837 Nicholas Devereux, of Utica, who, by purchase of the Holland
Land Company, had become an extensive proprietor of wild land, conceived
the idea that Allegany would be an important point on the Erie railroad,
which was then in process of construction. Mr. Devereux gave tangible form
to his idea by selecting his farm of 300 acres situated on the north side of Alle-
gheny river, about a mile southeast of the village, as a site on which to build
a city. The first survey of a line for the railroad ran through these grounds,
which he surveyed into streets and lots and named Allegany City. He had
his city platted in 1842 and a splendid map printed, which made a beautiful
appearance on paper. Soon after work was suspended on the Erie railroad and
Allegany City waited for time to develop its feasibility. When work was again
resumed on the railroad in 1848 a new survey located it a half-mile north of
the paper city, and the project was abandoned. Several buildings had been
erected on the property, among them being a large structure designed as a
hotel.
The first postoffice in town was established in 1828 on what is now known
as the Freeman Kenyon farm, and was named Five Mile. Josiah Hall was
the first postmaster. Later Elias Fish held the position. About 1850 Will-
iam Wiltse was postmaster and he was succeeded by his son, Cornell Wiltse,
who held the office until it was discontinued in 1866.
The first Burton postoffice was established in the Chamberlin neighbor-
hood, about a mile north of the village, with Jedediah Lathrop as postmaster.
Lathrop was also prominent in the early affairs of the town. The ofifice was
discontinued in 1856.
Allegany postoffice was established in 185 1 as " Burton," and was changed
to- its present name in 1852, when the name of the town was likewise changed.
The postmasters have been successively David Chase, Dr. A. P. Phillips,
Erastus Willard, James Freeland, Patrick McMahan, Warren Onan, A. C.
Keyes, William Spraker, Jr., Lewis S. Corthell, and Warren Onan again in
1868 for si.x years. William Spraker was again appointed in April, 1875,
and held until March 24, 1887, when he was succeeded by William P. Mc-
Carty, who was the incumbent until April 14, 1891, when William Spraker,
the present postmaster, was once more appointed. July i, 1876, the office
was made a money-order office.
Allegany village is situated in the central part of the town, in a beautiful
Town of Allegany. 423
valley on the north side of Allegheny river, three or four miles northwesterly
from Olean. The village is sufficiently elevated to afford good drainage, and
is also above the overflow of the river in high water. This location as well as
the whole township is distinguished for its pure, bracing, and health-giving
atmosphere. The village has a population of i,ocxD inhabitants, but is not
incorporated. It is the seat of St. Bonaventure's College, and contains a Union
Free School, five church edifices, two public halls, three physicians, one den-
tist, one lawyer, five general stores, two hardware stores, two drug stores,
four groceries, one banking firm, three hotels, two furniture stores, one liquor
store, two marble and granite shops, a lumber yard, a sash, door, and blind
factory, a grist-mill, and a tannery, besides a full complement of mechanics'
shops and artisans. The village has an efficient Board of Health, a registrar
of vital statistics, and an organized hook and ladder company. A street rail-
road, constructed the present year, connects it with the city of Olean.
The first village school house was built of slabs in 1830, between Five Mile
run and Sheldon's mill-race, west of the village, and on the south side of the
highway. At that time there were only three small log houses at the mouth
of the run, and no buildings where the village has since been built. Miss Fa-
ritta Chapin, who is still living at the age of more than eighty years, was one of
the first teachers. In 1834 a school ho.use was erected on what is now the
Norwood farm and is now used for a store room. Many of the older residents
now living received their rudimentary education in that building, and religious
instruction, too, as it was used for " meetings" by all denominations until 1853.
Allegany Union Free School, district No. 3, was organized on Wednesday,
June 18, 1884, with Df. S. B. McClure, L. L. Burr, Stephen Welch, M. O'Brien,
Joseph Presack, Charles Spraker, Morris McAuliffe, Mrs. Byron Norwood, and
Mrs. John Eggleston, trustees. Dr. S. B. McClure was elected president of
the board and Morris McAuliffe secretary. In 1885 the sites for their two
school buildings were purchased and the present school houses were built.
The main building is a two-story brick structure, divided into four rooms,
with seats in each for sixty pupils, and cost §10,000. The. branch building is
also two stories high and divided into two rooms, with seats for sixty pupils
in each, and was constructed at the expense of $2,500. These buildings, with
the grounds arid all other school property, are estimated to be worth $15,000.
In 1892 the Union Free School was attended by 323 scholars with an average
attendance of 216. Six teachers are employed, viz.: G. J.-Dykeman, prin-
cipal, Jennie Burr, Franc Soule, Lotta Bascom, Rose Crandall, and J. Mitchell.
The present officers of the Board of Education are L. L. Burr, president ; Dr.
E. Torrey, vice-president ; C. G. Weight, secretary. L. L. Burr, Dr. E. Tor-
rey, C. G. Wright, George A. Hall, William Keim, T. Smith, B. H.Green, and
M. J. Culligan compose the present Board of Trustees. The school has re-
cently been placed under the supervision of the Regents of the University of
the State of New York.
424 History of Cattaraugus County.
Knapp's Creek, situated in the extreme south part of the town on the
height of land, on the narrow gauge railroad, is a railroad station and hamlet
containing a postoffice, one or two stores, a school house, some shops, and
about fifty families. This little village owes its existence to the oil interests
in its neighborhood. The postoffice was established about 1876 or 1877 with
George F. Curtis as postmaster. Mr. Curtis had one successor, was re-ap-
pointed, and is the present incumbent. It was made a money-order post-
office in 1892.
Four Mile is a small hamlet, a railroad station, and a postoffice on the
narrow gauge railroad between Knapp's Creek and Olean. The present post-
master is P. H. Sullivan.
A postoffice was formerly kept at Chipmunk. It was discontinued in
January of the present year.
About one mile west of Allegany village, on the banks of the river, is the
" Willard Stock Farm " of 230 acres'owned by Clare Willard, son of Erastus.
The business was started in 1892 and consists of breeding high-blooded trott-
ing horses.
Previous to Januar\- 2, 1 890, business men were compelled to go to Olean
or to Salamanca to transact banking business. On that date Dye Brothers
'(M. M. and VV. H.) opened their present banking house, the first regular es-
tablishment for transacting a general banking business in y\llegany. They
are organized as individual bankers, and are personally responsible to such as
do business at their bank. M. M. Dye is cashier and W. H. Dye is assistant
cashier.
A. Healy & Sons' tannery in Allegany village was built in 1852 by Col. J. G. .■ '
Johnson, Gilbert Palen, and Caleb Jewett. In 1857 it was sold to Palen & f\
Strong. Some years later Mr. Strong became the owner and conveyed the ''
property to his son, Jairus B., who conducted it until his death. It \vas de- -'
stroyed by fire in 1876 and rebuilt the same year. The tannery, together with 'j'
the large estate left by Mr. Strong, was for a time under the management of ^-■\
E. C. Howard and his sister, Mrs. Strong. In the winter of 1880 the property -f^
was bought by A. R. Hills, who conducted it until his death in 1885. It then ':|-
came into the possession of the present owners, A. Healy & Sons, who have A,
doubled its capacity. They now turn out 600 sides of leather and consume %
fifty cords of bark daily. They employ from eighty to one hundred men. '||;
Edwin R. M^rClure began tanning leather in Allegany in 1849, '^"'^ contin- '|;!
ued up to a few years ago. In 1868 he erected and put in operation a small J-i
upper-leather tannery in the west part of the village. A. B. Canfield & Co. ^\\
built another at Vandalia in 1876 which was finally discontinued. :|
George A. Hall's sash and door factory in Allegany was established by %.
Couchman & Byran in 1853. They carried on business until about 1859, when f
Mr. Byran sold his interest to E. C. Mills, the firm being Mills & Couchman, |
which e.xisted for two years and failed. About 1863 the business was pur- |
Town of Allegany. 425
chased by Lewis S. Hall, who carried it on until his death in 1876, when his
son, George A. Hall, assumed the proprietorship. He employs fifteen men.
The great flood in 1865 destroyed the mill, carrying off all the lumber, about
75,000 feet of saw-logs, and 3,000,000 shingles. It was also twice destroyed
by fire — in 1877 and 1879.
The Crescent Milling Company, of Allegany, was established in 1882 by
William Keim and O. J. Lewis, the present proprietors. In 1887 they built
the present three-story frame mill building. It has a brick boiler house sup-
plied with a fifty horse-power boiler and a forty horse-power engine. The
capacity is forty tons of grain per day. Employment is given to si.x men. A
warehouse is connected in which is handled lime, cement, plaster, and salt.
The lumber mill of F. H. & C. P. Stephan was established by James John-
son in 1848. In 1856 William Stephan, the father of the present proprietors,
assumed control and conducted, it until 1877. The mill was operated by
steam-power and had a capacity of cutting 10,000 feet of lumber daily.
In 1847, when the late Rt. Rev. John Timon was appointed bishop of the
See of Buffalo, including as now the territory of Cattaraugus county, he found
within this county very few Catholics and no organized parishes or missions.
In 1850 the building of the Erie railroad offered profitable employment to
laborers, and an army of Irish Catholics came into Cattaraugus county.
Nicholas Devereux, a zealous Catholic who owned an extensive tract of wild
land, offered these laborers such generous inducements to settle upon his
lands and make themselves homes that many of them accepted his terms
gladly. Here then was a ready field opened to Bishop Timon and the Catho-
lic churdi. Mr. Devereu.x was not only interested in the temporal, but also
in the spiritual, welfare of his proteges. He conceived the project of bring-
ing to this field some missionaries of the Order of St. Francis, and communi-
cated his desires to Bishop Timon. This met the worthy bishop's own
desires. In 1854 the Pope assembled all the prelates of the Catholic church.
This was the favorable opportunity for Mr. Devereux to accompany his
bishop to the Vatican at Rome. The journey was made under auspicious cir-
cumstances; the petition for missionary aid was granted ; three priests and one
lay brother of the Order of St. Francis willingly offered their services for the
new field of labor in the uncultivated regions of western New York. The
names of these self-devoted pioneers of the Gospel were Rev. Father Pamfilio,
O. S. F., Rev. Father Samuel, O. S. F., Rev. Father Sextus, O. S. F., and
Venerable Brother Salvador, O. S. F. The first named was commissioned
warden or supervisor of this band of the Franciscan Order, constituting a mis-
sion of Franciscans established in Cattaraugus county thirty-five years ago.
Nor is this the only Franciscan mission to which the American Catholics are
indebted. There was another of the same order in Canada 150 years prior to
the date of this, and it is an historical fact that it was a Franciscan priest who
first celebrated mass in the city of Monterey, California. In the southwest and
54
426 History of Cattaraugus County,
the southeast parts of the United States this order existed in the intermediate
centuries after the discovery of America, and were the pioneers to carry tlie
banner of the Cross of Christ.
Father PamfiHo and his coadjutors remained in EUicottville three years,
spending the time in incessant missionary labor, and then settled in Allegany
on a beautiful tract of land, the munificent bequest of Mr. Devereux. where
with his aid and with the aid of other friends of the project they opened to
the public in 1859 th'^t famous institution, St. Bonaventure's College. The
college buildings are situated on a fine plateau near the north bank of the
beautiful Allegheny. The natural elevation gives the locality all the advan-
tages of pure, bracing air and fresh mountain water. Students at this well-
conducted college have a home in the institution, and also the advantages of
extensive and well laid out grounds, a large and well-selected library, a com-
plete set of philosophical and surveying instruments, and every opportunity
for recreation and proficiency in their studies. This institution, founded in
1859, was chartered March i, 1875, and empowered to confer the academic and
honorary degrees usually conferred by universities. The course of studies is
ecclesiastical, classical, scientific, and commercial. All the usual college chairs
are filled with competent professors. The scholastic year commences on the
second Monday of September and ends about the last of June. The college
has a usual attendance of 200 students, with very moderate expenses. The
buildings, grounds, and all other property has a valuation of $200,000. The
institution has no endowments. It is under the supervision of the Regents of
the University of the State of New York.
St. Elizabeth's Academy of Allegany is a Catholic institution conducted by
the Franciscan Sisters. It is pleasantly situated on the brow of a hill, and
overlooks the Allegheny river. It commands a view of one of the most pictur-
esque valleys in western New York.' The academy was organized in 1S59 ^Y
the Rev. Father Pamfilio for the higher education of young ladies. At first
the building consisted of a plain, substantial brick square, but the number of
pupils increased so rapidly that within six years an addition was necessary,
and in 1882 the Sisters had to erect the large and handsome building now
called the "academy." Students come here from Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania for instruction. The course consists of
all the higher English branches, book-keeping, typewriting, stenography, lan-
guages, painting, drawing, and needlework. The number of students is in-
creasing and now averages ninety. The institution receives no endowment
and is supported by the tuition of the students. It is connected with St.
Bonaventure's College.
The first religious services in Allegany occurred in 1823 at the dwelling of
James Strong, Sr. Rev. Benjamin Cole had charge and Jabez Chapin was the
first class-leader. The first religious society and church organization (Presby-
terian) was formed in May, 1827, with twenty-seven members, by the Rev.
Town of Alleganv. 427
Mr. Orton, an evangelist, at the house now occupied by Anson Chapin.
Rev. Silas Hubbard was pastor, and was celebrated for having been the hus-
band of five wives. In warm weather the congregation worshipped in a barn.
Fortunately a school house was erected in the vicinity in the summer of 1827,
and on the approach of cold weather the congregation repaired thither. The
society existed and prospered for five years, when the members quarreled
and the organization went down.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Allegany is located in the village and
was organized in 1829 by Rev. Jonathan Benson, who was its first pastor. Mr.
Benson was succeeded successively by Revs. W. D. Buck, William McKinstry,
A. C. Dubois, Francis Strang, Horatio N. Seaver, O. F. Comfort, D. V. B.
Hoyt, Carlton Fuller, F. B. Hudson. Milo Scott, John Kennard, Schuyler
Parker, B. F. McNeal, A. C. Curry, C. P. Clark, John Worthington, William
Jennings, John Ready, J. B. Countryman, H. Butlin, C. S. Dale}-, William
Mayovern, J. C. Whiteside, N. N. Beers, N. B. Congdon, J. D. Monroe, John
R. Catham, James Davis, Woodruff Post, William McGarren, Waterbury
Miller, J. D. Holland, John Harlman, W. H. Kellogg, and John F. Bennett,
the present pastor. At its organization the church had seven or eight mem-
bers. John Chapin was the first class-leader. The society was without a
house of worship until 1855, when their present church edifice was erected at
an expense of §2,500. The building was repaired and a bell placed in the
belfry in 1865-66 at a cost of S'i407, was rededicated by Rev. C. D. Burlin-
game, and will now seat 300 people. The present value of all church property
is $4,000. The membership is forty. In 1865 the society was re-organized by
Thomas D. Wilson. The Sunday school, organized in 1866, has an average
attendance of ninety scholars and twenty teachers with B. H. Green superin-
tendent. The present class-leader is Charles W. Alexander. The Epworth
League has forty members with C. G. Wright president.
The First Presbyterian church of Allegany village is the successor of the*
First Congregational church, which was organized October 2, 1852. That
society built the present church edifice in 1853 at a cost of $2,200. Three men
erected the house and were reimbursed by the sale or rent of the pews. In
1858 the church organization was changed to Presbyterian and has so contin-
ued. In 1858 the new society had but thirteen members, and Rev. I. G. Ogden
was their first pastor. The present membership is sixty, and they are without
a pastor. The present value of the church property is $4,000. The edifice has
seats for 250 people. The Sunday school is attended by 125 scholars and
teachers.
St. John's Evangelic 1 Lutheran church is located in the village of Alle-
gany. It was organized in 1856 by Rev. E. F. Strauss, who was its first
pastor. In 1861 the present church edifice was erected and was enlarged and
repaired in 1888. This society now has two hundred and fifty members. Rev.
A. T. Pechtold is the present pastor. The original cost of the present church
428 History of Cattaraugus County.
edifice was $i,ooo, which with the grounds and all other church property is
now worth $4,000. The church has seats for 220 persons. The Sunday school
is attended by forty-five scholars and five teachers.
The Free Methodist church of Allegany was organize d by Rev. A. F.
Curry, October 2, i860, with two hundred members. The present house of
worship was erected in 1870, at the cost of §1,800, and has seats for an audi-
ence of three hundred. The present value of church property is $2,000. The
society now has sixty-one members with Rev. William Manning pastor. It
also has a Sunday school connected.
St. Bonaventure's church was founded about 1858 by the missionary Fran-
ciscan Father Pamfilio assisted by two other priests of the Order or St. F"ran-
cis. The first house of worship was a little chapel which is still in existence.
About 1867 the present elegant brick church edifice, connected with St. Bona-
venture's College, was erected at a cost of §40,000, including furniture, deco-
rations, and all appurtenances. This church is attended by about 1,500 mem-
bers under the pastoral care of the Franciscan Fathers.
A Baptist society was formed by Rev. E. F. Crane, at a meeting held in
Willard hall April 3, 1854, with the title of the "First Baptist Society of
Allegany." J. G. Thompson, "Dr. A. P. Phillips, John Ellis, S. J. Horton,
L. P. Forbes, and Andrew Mead were elected trustees. Their meetings were
held in the village school house. Rev. De.xter S. Morris was one of the
earliest preachers. This society has long since passed into history.
The First Universalist Society of Allegany was organized Februar}' 10,
1872, with Nathan A. Dye, Charles Soule, and David Thurber trustees. Rev.
Isaac George gave them a stated supply for a year and in 1875 Rev. Benjamin
Brunning was their pastor for the same period, the latter residing in Allegany
and preaching there half the time. No regular meetings of the society have
been held since he left.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Knapp's Creek was organized by
Rev. T. J. Bissell in 1885, with thirty-two members. Rev. C. M. Buck was
the first pastor. The society now has a membership of twenty-five with Rew
John F. Bennett, pastor. A house of worship was built at a cost of $300 and
has a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty. Their Union Sunday school
is attended by seventy-five scholars.
Allegany Lodge, No. 50, A. O. U. W., was organized December 27, 1876,
witli twenty-one charter members, who elected the following officers : Asa
Haskell, P. M. W.; S. B. McCiure, M. W.; C. G. Wright, G. F.; C. H. Tousey,
O.; E. D. Mixer, recorder; C. B. Smith, financier; A. G. Burlingame, re-
ceiver ; Z. G. Bullock, G.; W. W. Campbell, J. W.; A. B. Scofield, O. W. The
lodge now has forty-seven members. George Strohuber is the present M. \\\
The Woman's Literary Club was organized in December, 1888, with thirty-
two members and meets weekly. Mrs. J. A. Freeland is president and Mrs.
George Hall is secretarv.
Town of Allegany. 429
Branch 41, C. M. B. A., was organized December 28, 1878, with twelve
members. The first officers were C. J. Hickey, president; M. R. Collins, vice-
president; E. P. Collins, R. S.; W. P. McCarty, F. S.; James McAuliffe, T.
The present membership is sixty-six. The president for 1893 is George
Brenner.
St. Bonaventure's Branch, No. 21, L. C. B. A., was organized with about
thirty members July 21, 1890. It now has a membership of si.xty. The first
officers were Mrs. Elizabeth McAuliffe, president; Miss. Ellen M. Carmody,
first vice-president ; Mrs. Hannah Hewitt, second vice-president ; Miss Cath-
erine McAuliffe, R. S.; Miss Mary Nenno, F. S.; Mrs. Mary Wheeler, treasurer.
River Union E. A. U. was instituted February 18, 1881, with about fifteen
members. Dr. E. \V. Dutcher was president; Gaius Wheaton, vice-president;
John E. Barnes, secretary; and Homer H. Jones, treasurer. The union now
has 125 members with Gilbert Soule president and Mrs. M. J. Blair secretary.
The Allegany \V. C. T. U. was organized June 29, 1881, with forty-two
members, by F. \V. Crossfield. Mrs. William Manning, Sr., was president;
Miss Z. Keyes, secretary; and Mrs. N. T. Sheldon, treasurer.
Allegany Council, No. 153, Royal Templars of Temperance, was instituted
in 1884, and had atone time fifty names on its roll. J. H. Williamson is coun-
selor; Mrs. J. C. Stoneroad, secretary; and Mrs. N.T. Sheldon, treasurer.
A number of temperance organizations have had more or less successful
careers in the town from time to time, one of the earliest being a society
of the Sons of Temperance instituted in 1840 with about thirty-five members.
George C. Sheldon and Ebenezer Grover were presiding officers. The society
erected a hall in 1853 which was burned in 1854, when the organization was
merged into a Good Templars lodge with Warren Onan as W. C. T. After a
few years the lodge was disbanded and soon afterward another was organized,
which likewise went down. A third was formed in January, 1868, which four
years later surrendered its charter. The next one had its birth in April, 1875.
This slumbered after a brief life and the cause was not revived until October
18, 1878, when still another lodge of Good Templars was organized, but this,
like its predecessors, died after a short career.
Allegany Council, No. 1334, Royal Arcanum, was instituted in December,
1889, with twenty-five members, and with W. J. Scofield, R.; C. M. Soule,
V. R.; E. Torrey, P. R.; W. H. Dye, T.; F. F. Spraker, collector; and William
Keim, secretary. The present membership is thirty with F. F. Spraker, R.
Ira Thurber Post, No. 584, G. A. R., was organized March 27, 1886, with
A. G. Burlingame, commander. Those who have successively filled that office
are William Spraker, Joseph Presack, Jordan Mclntyre, A. G. Burlingame,
and George Strohuber. The post numbers thirty-four members.
The Woman's Relief Corps, No. 92, auxiliary to Ira Thurber Post, was
organized May 10, 1892, with Mrs. Alice McClure, treasurer ; Mrs. A. Stro-
huber, vice-president; Mrs. A. F. Corthell, secretary; and Mrs. M. Moyer,
430 History of Cattaraugus County.
treasurer. The officers for 1893 are the same except Miss Marie Strohuber is
treasurer. The corps has nineteen members.
Col. George Bascom was one of the pioneer settlers of Cattaraugus county,
and was prominently known in this town, where the most of his life was spent.
In the days of general trainings he was closely connected with the State mili-
tia, whence he obtained his title of colonel. He died in Allegany village April
II, 1893, in his eighty-fourth year.
Jason Blair, a native of Massachusetts, was born September 12, 18 10. No-
vember 13, 1835, he married Miss Graves, of Lisle, N. Y. Shortly afterward
he came to Allegany and settled near Olean, where he remained for two years.
His next home was at the mouth of Five Mile creek. He was a lumberman
and cut the pine timber off 700 acres of land which he bought at from §1.00
to §2. 50 per acre. They were early settlers and most of their provisions were
brought from Buffalo by teams. There were times when roads were so bad
that it was hardly possible to make the trips. Then provisions were exhausted.
The little that was left the neighbors would divide and help each other out
until their supplies came. Mr. Blair survived his wife, who died September
14, 1887. He died June 3, 1893. They had seven children, two of whom died
in infancy.
Lieut. William C. Bockoven was born in New Jersey, July 18, 1824. He
came to Allegany in 1848, remained about a year, and went to Fishkill, N. Y.,
where he married Maria Van Vlack, July 22, 1850. The same year they moved
to Allegany village. By trade he was a blacksmith. He was a partner with
Dennis Lamberton four years, when Lamberton died, and Mr. Bockoven con-
tinued the business alone until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he
went out as lieutenant of Co. I, 64th N. Y. Vols. Capt. Robert Renwick was
wounded and Lieutenant Bockoven took command of Co. I as captain. After
the close of the war he followed his trade until his death, which occurred Jan-
uary 13, 1890. He was a member of the River Union, No. 240, E. A. U. He
left a wife, two sons, and three daughters. The children were Eleanor N.
(Mrs. Hyde Rice); Dewitt C; Jessie (Mrs. William H.Hayes); Minor; and
Estella (Mrs. Clare VVillard).
Edward Booth was born in England, December 11, 1844, and in 185 1
came to America with his parents, Joseph and Susan Booth, who reside in
Humphrey. They reared twelve children, eight of whom are living. Mr.
Booth is a farmer in Allegany. He enlisted February 2, 1862, in Co. C, 105th
N. Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war. He married, March 5,
1866, Mary D. Slocum, who was born in Herkimer county, July 5, 1844.
They have one child, Charles M., born July 15, 1867, married Flora Heald,
January 16, 1887, and has two children.
Harry Bostwick was born in Vermont, Oct. 17, 1793, married Annie
Meeker in 1825, and came to Allegany in 1852. He was a tailor by trade.
His wife died^June 6, 1881 ; he died June 12, 1883. Their children were
Charles H., who was born in Vermont, April 11, 1826, and Martha M., who
was born in July, 1827, and resides in Franklinville. Charles H. Bostwick
married Lydia L. Brooks, of Bethel, Vt., Aug. 18, 1852, and came to Alle-
gany when about twenty-two yearsof age. His wife died July 28, 188S. His
death occurred very suddenly July 27, 1890. Their children were Charles H.,
Jr., and Annice. The latter was born June 21, i860, and resides on the home-
stead, where four generations have lived and where three were born, the house
being one of the oldest in town.
Town ok Allecianv. 431
John B. Bucher, a weaver by trade, with his wife, Mary Ann Sutter, and
their two daughters and one son, emigrated to America in 1851, landing in
New York city on June 24th. The family came from Ober Schneisingen,
Canton Argan, Switzerland, where the son, William Bucher, was born on July
19, 1839. The daughters' names were Helen and Lenna. The mother was a
member of a prominent family in Switzerland. John Bucher first settled
near Buffalo, but soon moved to Transit, N. Y., and in 1852 located near
Lockport. In 1853 he purchased a few acres of wild land in Amherst, Erie
county, which he sold in March, 1859, and removed to Allegany, settling on
the Four Mile, where the parents died at the age of seventy-seven years.
William Bucher's education was nearly all in German, which he judiciously
combined with the practical knowledge he was forced to secure. Leaving
home in April, 1858, he preceded the family to this town, where he worked by
the month and finally purchased forty acres of land. By an accident he lost
his right arm and then began peddling, but money was scarce and this proved
unprofitable. In 1862 he secured a permit to enter the 154th Regiment and
followed that organization through its campaigns, supplying the soldiers with
tobacco, notions, etc. He returned home in June, 1865, and with the profits
accumulated in the army he was enabled to pay for his farm. July 12, 1868,
Mr. Bucher married Mary Krein, of Buffalo, and their children are William
F., John P., Joseph A., Henry F., Christian A., George, Jacob, Albert, Mary
A., Katie A., Clara E., and a daughter deceased. Mr. Bucher is the owner of
the celebrated Rock City in this town, a place fully described on a preceding
page. He has always been a Republican in politics, but not an office-seeker.
Ira Burlingame, the father of Mrs. Cordelia C. Jones, was born in Weath-
ersfield, Vt., November 5, 1778, and before attaining his majority went to
Oxford, Chenango county, where he married Elizabeth Lyon. He experienced
religion in 1818 and united with the Baptist church. In 1827 he renioved to
Cattaraugus county, where he spent the remainder of his days. Here he soon
identified himself with the Baptist church and labo;ed to promote its interests
until his death, which occurred November 29, 1846. His wife died at Frank-
linville in 1864. Only four of their twelve children are now living: Leroy,
Elizabeth, Cordelia C, and A. Haynes.
John C. Calkins, born in Ballston, Saratoga county, October 30, 1815, came
to Great Valley about 1852. After the war he removed to Allegany and
engaged in farming. He married, first, Abigail Mack, June 30, 1849, 'i"'^ ^Y
her he had three children: Foreman R., John E., and Commerce C. January
I, 1862, he married, second, Mary E., daughter of David P. and Hannah (Way)
Simmons, of Great Valley, and their children are David P., Lillian H., Charles
F., Mary,. E. (deceased), and Adna D.
John H. Carls was born in Germany, October 5, 1835, and in 1844 emigrated
to America with his parents, who settled in Buffalo. At the age of eighteen
he began life in the lumber woods of Northern Wisconsin, where he was
engaged thirteen months. He was next employed by Joseph Story, of Buffalo,
in his sheep-skin tannery. In 1855 he came to Allegany and settled on a farm
on the Four Mile, where he still resides, and near where he owns a steam
shingle-mill and cider-mill. November 20, i860, he married Magdalene Heit,
who has borne him twelve children, viz.: Lewis J. (who died March 26, 1872),
John J., Magdalene, Andrew A., George I. (who died June 30, 1870), Rosie,
Henry F., Barbara A. (who died October 10, 1881), Joseph F., Francis A.,
Edward, and Marcus J. His father, Henry, born in 1810, died May 7, 1882,
432 History of Cattaraugus County.
Charles Chamberlin, son of Moses and Anna (Piatt) Chamberlin, was born
December ii, 1818, and married Caroline Becker, of Chautauqua county, Nov.
12, 1848. She was born March 9, 1829. Mr. Chamberlin came to Allegany
over forty years ago and settled on a farm about one mile north of the village.
He also owned a saw-mill on Fi\-e Mile creek. Feb. 16, 1880, while superin-
tending the manufacture of lumber at the mill, the circular saw caught aboard
from the carriage which it severed in an instant and one of the pieces, thrown
with great velocity, struck Mr. Chamberlin on the left temple, causing instant
death. He was an earnest member of the M. E. church. His widow resides
on the homestead. Their children are William M., born April 22, 1850; G.
Frank, born Nov. 3, 1853, married Kate Gooden, December i, 1880, and has
three children, Lewis M., Florence B., and Willard A.; Charles E., born Aug-
ust 3, 1856; Frederick E., born September 12, 1859; Anna P., born April 27,
1862, married Frank Parks, of Allegany, and has three children, Grace, Sadie,
and Clara; John, born June 10, 1865; and Jennie, born October 4, 1868.
William M. Chamberlin is a farmer and owns the mill where his father met
his death. He married Miss Roslia Covell, March 24, 1875. She was born
September 16, [850. Their children are Mabel C, Carrie J., Lewis S., Roy P.
(deceased) ; and Edna R.
The Chapin family has long been well known in Allegany. The first rep-
resentative who came here uas Jabez Chapin, Sr., from Massachusetts. His
son Roswell settled in Buffalo in 181 5 and became the first village surveyor
there. Two daughters of Jabez, Mary and Faritta, joined their brother in
Buffalo, but removed to Allegany soon after their father settled here. Another
daughter, Lucy, suggested the name Springville for that village in Erie county.
Jabez Chapin, Sr., had a family of three sons and four daughters, and it is
said that in none of their homes was ever found a lamp or a stove. At least
this is true of those who settled in Allegany. They used candles for lighting,
and did their cooking and warmed their houses with fires on the hearth of the
fireplace. Only one — a maiden daughter — of this generation survives. Her
nephew, however, lives in town. They have all lived to extreme old age and
attribute their great longevitj- to never employing a physician. Their lives
were full of history. Their house is a veritable museum of curiosities. Mary
and Faritta for many years wove carpets for the neighbors. The former was
an expert in needlework, especially in making fine embroidered lace, pieces of
which are still extant and valued for their superior quality.
Alfred Clark, born in Claremont,N. H., November 15, 1808, married, No-
vember 3, 1833, Elizabeth H. Jones, and came to Allegany in 1841, where he
conducted a tavern for nine years. He then opened a g ocery store, which he
ran until June, 1859; '"^ 1S64 his son Calvin G. succeeded to this business
and continued it until 1890, when he sold out on account of poor health.
Alfred Clark died August 16, 1864; his wife's death occurred August 15, 1871.
Calvin G. Clark, their only child, was born December 30, 1834, and October
28, 1862, married Harriet L. Loomis, who was a daughter of William Loomis,
and who was born in Machias, January i, 1836. Mr. Loomis settled in Machias
when he was seventeen years old and died there September 8, 1865 ; his wife
was Emma Tyrrell, who survived him until May 22, 1890.
Henry Clark, born in Franklin, N. Y., September 3, 1830, came to this
town with his parents when nine years of age. He served three years in the
late war in Co. D, 154th N. V. \'ols. He is now engaged in lumbering and
farming. He married Mary J. Preston, December 12, 1854, who was born in
Towx OF Allegany. 433
Hinsdale, December 2, 1836. They have six children, viz.: Staley A. (died
July 29, 1861), Ida J. (died Jan. 16, 1887), Harriet A., Lewis G., Anna E.,
and Gracie M.
Lewis S. Corthell was born in Lima, Livingston county, in 1837, arid in
1840 or 1841 came with his parents, Daniel and Sally (Fitch) Corthell, to Alle-
gany (then Burton). His father and mother dying when he was very young
he was early in life thrown upon his own resources for support, and in 1851 he
began to learn the trade of harness maker, which has been his life vocation.
May 5, 1859, Mr. Corthell married Annette F., daughter of Rev. J. M. Field,
of Machias; they have an adopted daughter, Gertrude S. It is not in a busi-
ness capacity only that Mr. Corthell is known to his townsmen. In 1862 he
entered Co. C, iS4th N. Y. Vols., and was postmaster of Allegany from 1866
to 1869 (through Johnson's administration). He was also justice of the peace
for eight years from April, 1882, until he was compelled to resign in 1890 by
reason of deafness, has served as town clerk, and for twenty-three consecutive
years was clerk of the School Board. Mr. Corthell is a member of the Pres-
byterian church and is at all times deeply interested in the success of the
Democratic party. He is widely known and much esteemed.
Michael Donahue, who was born in Ireland, September 25, 1820, came to
America in the fall of 1850. After residing six years in Buffalo he came to
Allegany, where he is said to have cleared a piece of land by moonlight, his days
being occupied in the employ of others. He was one of the pioneei farmers
of the town and as a man has always been much respected. In the fall of
1852 he married Mary Fitzgerald, who died March 26, 1883. Their children
were Ellen (Mrs. William Burns), Bridget (Mrs. John Cronyn), Thomas,
Michael P. (born March i, 1865, died February 22, 1885), John, Mary, Mattie,
and Maggie.
Dennis Dye was born in Litchfield, N. Y., March 15, 1805. In 1830 he
removed to western New York, and from then until his death lived much of
the time in Cattaraugus county. In April, 1852, he settled in Allegany as a
farmer and died here Februarj- 23, 1872. His wife, Minerva Merrill, who was
born in Johnstown, N. Y., September 27, 1808, died here September 27, 1887.
Their son Nathan A. was born in Litchfield, August 22, 1829, came to Free-
dom, and thence on March 7, 1852, to this town, where he became a merchant,
dying December 5, 1882. A Democrat in politics Mr. Dye was elected to
many town offices and in 1871 became justice of sessions of the county. Jan.
26, 1 85 1 , he married Rosaline, daughter of Oliver Moore, a farmer and an early
settler of Freedom and subsequently (in 1869) a resident of Allegany, where
he died March 2, 1877. Mr. Moore was born in Vermont, April 6, 1804, and
his wife, Judith Pixley, Jan. 12, 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Dye had born to them
these children: Charles O., born May 18, 1852, died December 29, 1887;
Mason M., born May 6, 1854; Jennie R., Sept. 23, 1858; Edwina M., July 11,
i86o; William H., Nov. 19, 1862; Nellie B., Sept. 3, 1868; and Nathan E.,
October 14, 1870, died Sept. 14, 1871. Mrs. Dye died Dec. 22, 1892. Mason
M. and William H. are bankers in Allegany village. Mason M. was supervisor
of Allegany from 1886 to 1889 inclusive.
Isaac Eggleston, born in Vermont, February 13, 1792, came with his brother
to Onondaga county about 1808, wherein 1819 he married Rebecca Hopping.
In 1820 they settled in Olean and finally removed to Allegany, locating on
Five Mile creek and subsequently on Nine Mile run, where Mr. Eggleston died
May 17, 1872. His wife died February 15, 1872. They had eight children,
55
434 History of Cattaraugus County.
three of whom died in infancy; the others are Eliza A. (Mrs. Jeremiah At-
wood), Clarissa A. (Mrs. Cornelius Gillett). deceased, John W.,Almira B. (Mrs.
Horace O. Spicer), and Rev. Charles C. John W. Eggleston married, first,
Lydia L. Bliss, Dec. 2, 1858, by whom he had three children, Cora, Charles L.,
and William F. He married, second, August 27, 1873, Euphonia A., daughter
of Abel and Lucy (Hadsell) Burdick.
George Eisert was born in Buffalo on the 7th of February, i860, and came
to Allegany in 1874 and engaged in peeling bark, beginning his present busi-
ness in 1880. September 2, 1884, he was married to Anna Fick, who has borne
him three children: Frank J., James \V., and Lena. Mr. Eisert is a respected
citizen and a prominent factor in the German population of the town.
John C. Emmons was born in Corning, June 13, 1856. There he received
his education. He married Ella Born, of Cuba, Sept. 15, 1880, and came to
Allegany in 1883. .Mr. Emmons is an experienced and reliable pharmacist.
His is the leading drug store in Allegany village.
James Henry Farquharson, son of Francis and Margaret A. Farquharson,
was born in East Pike, Wyoming county, March 23, 1837. He became a
telegraph operator in 1854 and performed the duties of that avocation in
several stations in Cattaraugus county, receiving the appointment at Allegany
on May i, 1856. His wife, Marion J. Hale, of Hinsdale, whom he married
August 19, 1856, bore him si.x children: Francis H., Fred H., William L.,
Millie J., Charles B., and Van Deusen. Mr. Farquharson held many offices of
trust, including that of supervisor on the Greenback ticket in 1878, and was
prominently connected with the business, religious, and educational interests
of the town and county.
Nicholas Felt, a native of Germany, was born May 3, 1823, and came to
America in 1849. His first home was in Buffalo, from whence he moved to
this town about 1 861 with his brother-in-law. Three years prior to this, how-
ever, he had purchased his present home. His wife was Margaret Lichten-
thal, who was born in Germany, December 31, 1827, and whom he married
September 14, 1849. Children: Mary (Mrs. Joseph Karl), Magdalena (Mrs.
Louis Colt), Katie (Mrs. Albert Karl), Margaret (Mrs. Andrew Rehler), Joseph,
John (who married Angle Clark), Nicholas,- and Annie. The family are all
exemplar}', industrious citizens and are counted among the town's representa-
tive settlers.
James Freeland was born in Caroline, N. Y., May 11, 1 8 10. His father,
Robert Freeland, born in the North of Ireland about 1773, came to America in
1798 and settled in Tompkins county, where he married Catharine Robinson
in 1800. He was a farmer and mechanic. James Freeland attended the com-
mon schools and worked on his father's farm. May 23, 1833, he married Lu-
cinda, daughter of Jonathan Norwood, Esq., of Caroline, and in 1836 removed
to Allegany with his wife and two children. He soon became an expert river
pilot, which occupation he followed for thirty years and never had a "break-
up," but always landed his rafts safely at their place of destination. He was
-prominent and popular, and constantly in town offices until his retirement on
account of old age. He successfully filled the offices of highway commis-
sioner, justice of the peace, assessor, and postmaster. In 1876 he was the
Democratic nominee for member of Congress. The characteristics that dis-
tinguish his life are enterprise, perseverance, honesty, and integrity. Mr. and
Mrs. Freeland's children are Dolphus S., who married Fannie E. Norwood in
October, 1868, and now resides in Maywood, Neb., where he is postmaster;
Town of Allegany. 435
Jonathan B., who married Mariette Hardy, November 2, 1859, ^^^ is a minister
of the Free Methodist church ; Ruveha, who married Rev. Randolph Worth-
ington, October 30, 1873; James A., who married Lottie E. Soule, November
27, 1870, resides in Allegany; and Mabel L., who married Rev. H. H. Loomis.
John Fries was born in Buffalo, November 24, 1846, and came to Allegany
with his parents when he was eight years of age. They were farmers and
settled on the farm where John now resides. John Fries was a soldier in the
Rebe lion, enlisting in Co. H, i88th N. Y. Vols. June 16, 1866, he married
Elizabeth Messer; children: Maggie, Annie, Mary, Lizzie, and Josie.
Jacob Gallets, Sr., was born in 181 5 in Germany, where he married Susan,
daughter of Jacob Mohr. With an only son they came to Allegany in the
spring of 1853. Jacob Mohr had contracted for 250 acres of wild land on
Four Mile creek, which was worked by himself and three sons, Henry, Joseph,
and Peter, and John Blazur and Jacob Gallets. These pioneers cleared their
tract, and in winter were jobbers in cutting logs, spending their evenings in
shaving pine shingles, which their wives packed into bunches for market.
Upon the division of the 250-acre tract Jacob Gallets received thirty-seven
and one-half acres as his share. He added to this from time to time and at
his death, February 10, 1879, had a farm of 360 acres. His widow survives
him. Their children were Henry, Marcus, Mary, Joseph A., Jacob, Jr., Henry,
Anna, and Barbara. Henry died in infancy. Marcus Gallets was born in
Germany, October 4, 1852, married Lucy Brand, of Allegany, and resides in
Pennsylvania. Mary was born here May 7, 1854, married Philip Geiser, and
lives in Olean. Joseph A. Gallets, born February 14, 1857, is engaged in farm-
ing, lumbering, and oil producing. May 7, 1878, he married Fanny Gearinger,
who has borne him six children: Jacob, Jr., Mary, Clara, Rosie, Laney, and
Barbara. Jacob Gallets was born October 6, 1858, and November 8, 1883,
married Mary A., daughter of George Nusser. They have four children, viz.:
Theresa, George J., Mary E., and Grace A. Henry Gallets, born May 6, 1861,
is a farmer. May 5, 1886, he married Sophia E., daughter of George Nusser,
and they have two daughters, Agatha T. and Sophia G. Anna Gallets was
born. in 1863. Barbara, the eighth child of Jacob Gallets, was born Novem-
ber I, 1865, and married, April 4, 1887, Jacob Karl, who was born April 4,
1862. Their children are Katharine S. and Ernest J.
Rossell Gates, born in Canada on March 12, 1834, went to the oil regions
of Pennsylvania in 1865, at a time when "Oil Well Johnnie" sprung into
prominence as a spendthrift and had a meteoric career. Mr. Gates settled at
Knapp's Creek in 1883 and removed in 1890 to the Brandall farm. On the 4th
of January, 1855, he married Alecia Higgins, daughter of William Higgins,
for fifty-two years high bailiff of Toronto, Can. Children : Hannah (Mrs. John
Lobdger), Mary Ann (deceased), Jonathan (deceased), Roswell, Lydia (Mrs.
Henry Erwin), and Anna (Mrs. Frank Perkins).
Jacob Geiger, born in Germany, April 24, 1841, came to America with his
mother in 1854, landing in New York city on the I2th of October. His
mother, after the death of Mr. Geiger, married Peter Gatez, and after living in
Buffalo two weeks came to Allegany, arriving here in November. 1854, and
settling on a farm on the Nine Mile run. In 1861 Jacob Geiger enlisted in Co.
H, 37th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged on the 6th of September of the same
year for disability. In 1864 he re-enlisted in Co. A, i88th N. Y. Vols., and
served until the close of the war. He participated in many important battles
and suffered much hardship. November 1 2, 1 866, he married Rossella, daughter
436 History of Cattaraugus County.
of Albert Karl, and their children are John (deceased), Joseph, Katie (Mrs.
Andrew Lippert), Robert, Rosie,and Mary (deceased).
Rev. Walter Gordon is a son of John Gordon and was born in Rushford,
N. Y., January 22, -1824. In 1849 ^e located in Olean and the following year
joined the M. E. Conference. Rev. Mr. Gordon, during the years of his
ministry, was stationed in various places in western New York and achieved
wide distinction as a thorough worker and eloquent preacher. He was emi-
nently successful in building up his charges to a higher degree of activity and
usefulness, and left in all many warm friends and followers. He is now en-
gaged in farming, being the owner of a large tract of land in southern
Cattaraugus.
Frederick Haase, son of John H. and Louisa Haase, wasborn in Germany,
Nov. 18, 1824. After his father's death in 1S60 he came to Allegany with his
family and mother and bought a farm where he still resides. Louisa Haase
was born in 1797 and died in 1875. Frederick married, first, Laney Rehkopf
and second Louisa Wiegrafe. By his first wife he had seven children, two
of whom died in infancy ; the others are Henry F., Frederick E., Caroline,
Hanna, and August V. Henry F. Haase was born in Germany, Oct. 19, 1845,
and is a farmer. He married Catharine A., daughter of George J. and Catha-
rine (Angle) Smith, Oct. i, 1872, and they have had two children, George F.
and Emma. August V. Haase, born Nov. 18, 1855, is a farmer on the home-
stead. He married Anna, daughter of Martin and Marga'et (Connhaiser)
Masner, Apnl 12, 1883. She was born July 24, 1S63. Their children are
Howard F., Frederick H., Raymond, and Mildred.
George A. Hall, son of Lewis S., was born in Westfield, Chautauqua
county, May 2, 1 841. He came to Allegany in the fall of i860, married
Hattie C. Morris, of Chesterfield, Va.,and has had born to him seven children,
of whom si.x are living. Mr. Hall has a sash and door factory and planing-mill
in the village which was owned -and operated by his father for several years
up to the time of his death in 1876.
John Harbel, Sr., was born in Germany, Aug. 6, 1816, and married there
Katharine Kianan. He was among the early settlers on Four Mile run. His
wife died July 30, 1876. He resides with his son John, Jr. They had
four children : John, Jr., Andrew, Tresea, and Maggie. John, Jr., was born
May 5, 1850, married Rose, daughter of George and Mary A. (Bockmier)
Schifter, Jan. 7, 1877, and has three children: Mary, Anna T., and George.
Mr. Harbel is engaged in farming and producing oil. Andrew Harbel was
born Aug. 12, 1852, married Tresea Schifter on Oct. 21, 1879, ^"'^ died July
26, 1882. Tresea Harbel, born April 10, 1857, married August Ehborer.
Maggie Harbel was born March 8, i860, and married. May 4, 1886, Anton
Schumann, who was born in Germany, Feb. 13, 1859, ^^'^ came to Allegany
in 1885. They have two children, Katie and Agnes.
Henry E. Harms, a native of Germany, was born January 14, 1859, ^"'^
came to Scio, Allegany county, with his parents in 1868. In 1878 he accepted
a position as clerk with A. E. Ackley, with whom he remained four years. In
1884 he formed a co-partnership with W. E. Brady, of Allegany, in the boot
and shoe business, which continued until 1887, when Mr. Harms built the
brick block where he is now located. He married Polena, daughter of John
Miller, of Allegany, and they have one child, Mintie Louise.
Zarah C. Hills, born in Tompkins county in 1814, came to Portville about
183 1 and to Allegany in 1868. He married Amanda Middaugh, of Allegany
Town of Allegany. 437
county, in 1837. She died January 25, 1885. Mr. Hills resides in Warren
county, Pa. They had five children, of whom Elphonso, James M., Miranda,
and Jennie are living. Elphonso Hills was born July 28, 1838, and is engaged
in the manufacture of bee-hives and in handling bees. He married Martha E.
Seeley, February 17, 1862, who was born in Ovvego, N. Y., June 30, 1841.
Their children are Flora I. (Mrs. William Wright), Addie B. (Mrs. Abram
Altenburg), Minnie H. (Mrs. Charles Grossman), and Floyd A.
Andrew Hirt, father of Henry, was born in Germany in 18 10. He came to
Buffalo in 1835, where he married Mary A. Smither. and in 1855 removed to
Allegany, where he cleared 100 acres of woodland, and where he still resides.
His wife died August 21, 1878. Their children were Lena, Louie (deceased),
Mary, Francis (deceased), Henry, and Andrew. Henry Hirt, born September
24, 1850, married, October 3, 1876, Agatha Zister, who was born February 9,
1856. Their children are Ma.ry L. Clara M. (deceased), Theresa M., Vincent
H. (deceased), Frank L., and Annetta A.
Homer H. Jones, son of Benjamin, was born in this county April 10, 1826.
He came to Allegany when about twelve years of age, and in 1851 bought the
farm where he now lives. He married Cordelia C, daughter of Ira and Eliza-
beth (Lyon) Burlingame, May 21, 1854. She was born in Franklinville, May
21, 1832. They have one child, Willis P., born August 9, 1859, "^^ho married
Eva Burnett, November 6, 1884, by whom he also has one child, Rochester B.
They reside in Buffalo.
George Karst, born in Germany, November 8, 1828, came to Fredonia,
Chautauqua county, in 1852 and thence to Allegany in 1866. Here he was
engaged in manufacturing light and heavy carriages in partnership with Jo-
seph Presack until 1880, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Karst succeeding to the
business, which he still conducts. He married, first, in 1854, Magdalene Ker-
ber, who died October 16, 1884, and he married, second, Barbara Lake, of
Buffalo, February 17, 1887. His first wife was the mother of all his children:
Philip, Charles, and Anna. Philip Karst is a wagon maker and repairer and
dealer in carriages. He married Katie Schafer, of Allegany, June 10, 1878;
she was born in Germany, October 23, 1858. They have four children:
George P., Lena J., Emma K., and Clarence C.
Oren J. Lewis was born in Collins, Erie county, September 4, 1842. He
came to Allegany in 1869, married Olive A., daughter of Levi McNall, Octo-
ber 14, 1871, and he has had two children: Ada L. and Leroy M. Mr. Lewis
with VVilliam Keim organized the Crescent Milling Company in 1882, and by
careful management the firm has established a substantial business and an
enviable reputation.
Nicholas Linderman, born in Tompkins county, November 22, 1803, set-
tled in Ischua in 1831. He was the father of eleven children (see Hinsdale).
His son, John M. Linderman, born in Ischua, October 4, 1831, married Ellen
E., daughter of Thaddeus J. and Elizabeth Farwell, June 14, 1855, and came
to Allegany in 1869, settling the farm where he now resides. They have had
three children: Medora F. (Mrs. Stanley Whitlock), Flora E. (Mrs. George
Rogers), and Ray. Orson, son of Nicholas, was bOrn March 23, 1836. He
married Hannah Farwell, by whom he has five children: Charles, Alice, Nich-
olas, Eola, and Ellen. They reside in Allegany. Nicholas A. Linderman
was born March 11, 1838, and married Lucinda Searl. Mary Linderman was
born June 26, 1840, and married Jackson Sill. Lester P. Linderman was
born March 13, 1842, and is a farmer in Allegany. He married Frances Smith,
4jS History of Cattaraugus County.
by whom he had one child, Gertrude E., who married Charles Canady. Mr.
Linderman married, second, Clara Whitlock, of Hinsdale, December 12, 1876.
Adeline and Emeline (twins) were born Aug. 25, 1844. Edgar Linderman was
born March 17, 1847, and died September 11, i8;o.
Martin Masner, born December 11, 1823, came to America from Germany
in 1847 ^"d to this town in 185 1, where he still resides. He married, first,
Elizabeth Mack, by whom he had four children, of whom Henry Masner is
the only one living. His second wife, Margaret Connhaiser, was born in Ger-
many, November 1 1, 1826, and by her he had nine children : Horace, died Oct.
26, 1881; Freddie, died Nov. ig, 1889: John, of Iowa; George, of Allegany;
and Margaret, Carrie, Anna, Mary, and Minnie.
William P. McCarty was born in Utica, N. Y., January i, 1849. I" 1854
he moved to Princeton, 111., and in February, 1870, married Miss Margaret
McAuliffe, of Allegany. They have a son and a daughter. In 1887 Mr. Mc-
Carty was appointed postmaster of Allegany by President Cleveland and
served until April, 1891. He has been engaged in the furniture and under-
taking business with J. C. Blair since 1889. He is a member of the C. M. B. A.
Hiram \V. McClure was the first white male child born in Cattaraugus
county. His birth occurred at McClure settlement in the town of Franklin-
ville on the 30th of April, 1806, and he was the eldest of nine children born
to David and Orilla (Warner) McClure, of whom something is said in the his-
tory of that town. David McClure was born in Stafford, Conn., June 29, 1778,
and died in Allegany, January 20, 1848; his wife was born in the same place
December 24, 1783, and died in Franklinville, February 19, 1849. Their chil-
dren, besides Hiram W., were Antoinette, born January 5, 1808, died in Kan-
sas, August I, 1888; Adaline, born March 15, 1810, died May 4, 181 1 ; Sidney
W., born December 30, 1811, of Wisconsin; Hannah, born October 5, 1813,
died December 10, 1866; David, Jr., born March 17, 1815, a physician of Indi-
ana; Pennel, born January 2, 1817, a physician in Ohio, where he died October
6, 1842; Dexter, born February 9, 1819, a physician in Indiana, where he died
February 24, 1879; ^"d Lemira, born June 3, 1822, of Minnesota. Hiram W.
McClure on September 12, 1830, married Caroline Burlingame, who was born
September 21, 1813, and who died January 6, 1887. Children: Dr.Sanford
B. (see p. 1 14) ; Elizabeth L., born February 2, 1838, died 1839 ! Alice B., born
August 5, 1840, married W. B. Taggart ; Maria E., born July 12, 1842, married
Riley L. Starr, who died in EUicottville, December 26, 1886; Esther C, born
December 6, i8z]4, married George S. Griffin ; Rosebelle, born June 2, 1847;
Francis C, born February 12, 1850; Agnes G., born Nov. 12, 185 1, married
Dr. E. A. Chapman, of Jefferson county; and Kate L., born Sept. 22, 1856.
Hiram W. McClure located where he now resides in 1847. His first ballot
was cast in 1828 for Andrew Jackson for president, and since then he has voted
at every regular election except one. It is doubtful if another man in western
New York can claim such an unbroken record. He has ever been prominent
in town affairs and has held nearly every office of trust and responsibility. In
1838 and 1839 ^^ represented Franklinville on the Board of Supervisors and
in 185 I and 1873 served in the same capacity for the town of Allegany. His
son and his father were several times elected to the same office, the former
from Allegany and the latter from Ischua and Franklin\-ille. As a citizen
Mr. McClure is greatly respected and esteemed. He has-lived an active, hon-
orable, upright life, and has always been foremost in promoting the general
weal of the communities in which he has resided.
Town of Allegany. 439
Richard H. McCoy, born in Goshen, N. Y., April 30, iSii, married Marj-
Ann Wickham, November 17, 1835, who was born June 4, 181 1, and died No-
vember 30, 1889. Mr. McCoy came to Ellicottville at an early day, and finally
removed to Allegany and located where he now resides. His children are
Abigail (Mrs. David Thornton), Elizabeth (Mrs. Seth D. Allen), Richard,
Albert, Mary Ann (died in infancy), Alfred, and Susan. Richard McCoy en-
listed in Co. I, 64th N. Y. Vols., was wounded at Fair Oaks, was confined in
Libby, Salisbury, and Belle Isle prisons, and married, May i, 1867, Sarah B.
Burdick, and has three children: Albertus A., Gertrude B., and Florence L.
Silvertus D. Mcintosh was born at Homer,'Cortland county. May 13, 1831.
He came to Humphrey with his parents, Jonathan and Annie Mcintosh, when
thirteen years of age. He served in the Rebellion on the U. S. steamer Pazv
Paw and died Jan. 9, 1866. He married, Jan. 5, 1861, Cornelia S., daughter
of Rollin and Susan (Everts) Pratt, who came from Vermont to Olean in 1838.
where Mr. Pratt died in 1886 and his wife June 19, 18S9. Mrs. Mcintosh
resides on the homestead. They reared children as follows: Salina G., Addie
C. (Mrs. Myron D. Johnson), Annis S. (Mrs. John A. Parker), Jonathan E.,
Elizabeth C, Lillie F., Grace U., and Judson R.
Thomas McMahan, brother of John McMahan, of Ellicottville, was born
in County Clare, Ireland, in 1830, came to America with his younger brother,
James, about 1844, and spent the remainder of his youth in Ellicottville,
where he married Ann Clary. Soon afterward he settled in Allegany and en-
gaged in farming on the Devereux farm. Later he purchased the Edgerton
homestead on the Five Mile, where he was a thrifty farmer and an extensive
dealer in live stock. Mr. McMahan was a man of integrity, sound judgment,
and of more than ordinary business ability. He died May 14, 1877. Mrs. Mc-
Mahan survives and resides on the homestead. Their children are Mary A.
(Mrs. Eugene Hickey), of Allegany ; Nora T., John C, and Thomas F., who
reside with their mother; and James G., an enterprising .merchant in Ellicott-
ville, secretary of the Board of Trade, and for a time a member of the Board
of Village Trustees. John C. McMahan, like his father, is one of the heaviest
dealers in live stock in Cattaraugus county.
John Miller was born in Bavaria, Dec. 14, 1833. He came to Maryland in
1853 and in i860 removed to Allegany, where in 1883 he built the Miller
block, which contains a hall capable of seating about 500 people. Mr. Miller
was overseer of the poor eleven years, commissioner of public highways two
years, and school trustee fifteen years. He married, in Nov., 1855, Rose Rup-
pert, who died Nov. 24, 1886. By her he had eight children: Eve, Joseph,
Polly, John, Kate, Andrew, Charles, and Rose, all of whom are living except
Eve, who died November 5, 1879. He married, second, Mary Schradcr, of
Salamanca, Sept. 10, 1889.
Henry Mohr was born in Germany, July 8, 1^32, came to Buffalo and
thence to Allegany in 1853, settling on 125 acres of land which he has cleared.
June 10, 1859, he married Ann Miar, who was born in Germany, June 26,
1834. They have eight children; Joseph, -Katie, Andrew, John, George,
Anna, Frank, and Martha.
John Mortimer was born in Belgium, October 28, 1828, came to Allegany
in 1854, and settled on Chipmunk creek. In i860 he returned to Belgium on
a visit and there married Mary Kemmer, March 4, 1861. In, 1867 he took pos-
session of their present home. Their children are John H., Josephine A.
(Mrs. John J. Spindler), Henry F., and Mary A.
440 History of Cattaraugus County.
Joseph H. Multrus was born in Dayton, December 8, 1857. September
18, 1883, he married Mrs. Libbie (Zink) Smith, daughter of W'illiam F. Zink,
of Allegany, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Mary, Libbie, and Jo-
seph. Mr. Multrus is a prosperous farmer in the town of Allegany.
Nicholas H. Nenno was born in Buffalo, June 5, 1838, came to this town
about 1857, and was a farmer and lumberman. About 1867 he bought the
farm where his widow now resides. February 13, 1890, Mr. Nenno was killed
by falling from the top of a tank house at the oil well on the Zink farm, where
he was at work. At the time of his death he was poormaster and president of
Branch 41, C. M. B. A. Janiiary 15. 1858, he married Barbara Furnace, of
Buffalo. They reared twelve children : John, William, Mary, George, Michael,
Joseph, Victor, Lena, Frank, Freddie, Charles, and Edward.
Joseph Nessel was born in Montgomery county January 15, 1830, and
about 1855 married Almari Grimes, of Vermont. Their two children were
George H. and Mary. When sixteen years of age Mr. Nessel came to this
town and contracted for 378 acres of land, which he paid for by clearing off the
timber and converting it into lumber. His first habitation was a log cabin,
which stood 150 rods from his present home. Four years later he erected
another near by and subsequently a third on the site of his present residence.
This burned down February i, 1885. He was one of the earliest settlers on
the Four Mile and has always been considered a solid, substantial citizen.
His son George H. was born in March, 1857, married Harriet Boughton, and has
one child, Joseph B. The daughter, Mar\', born in 1859, rnarried Charles O.
Dye, and died in 1884; Mr. Dye's death occurred in 1885. They left one
child, Florence E.
Thom.as C. Norwood was born in Caroline, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1820, and came
to Allegany on a visit about 1842. After remaining one year he returned to
Tompkins county, but in i860 came back and settled permanently. He has
been a farmer and blacksmith. He married, in 1846, Sarah Lake, of Tompkins
county, who bore him three children: Byron, Fred H., and Nettie. Byron
Norwood was born Oct. 30, 1847, ^'^'^ for about twenty years has been express
messenger between Salamanca and Chicago. He married Jennie Hills, of
Allegany, November i, 1872, and they have had four children — Harry, Guy,
Genevieve, and Geraldine. Fred H. Norwood was born Aug. 27, 1849, ^^'^ '^
a farmer. He married Celestia Phillips, Oct. 14, 1875, and has two children,
Agnes G. and Emma D. Nettie, born July 28, 1S52. died April 15, 1862.
Lyman Perrigo, a native of Franklin\ille, was born Sept. 20, 1832, and
married, July 4, 1853, Mary Ann, only child and daughter of Frederick and
Maria M. (Stedman) Bessey, who bore him two children — Fred C, born Feb.
2, 1856, married Flora, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Raish, of Allegany,
Oct. 26, 1885, has two children, Raymond N. and Clarence R., and resides
on the homestead ; and Estella M., born May 20, 1859, married Edwin E.
Chase, Nov. 6, 1877, and had one child, Mortimer D. Frederick Bessey was
born in Vermont, Feb. 6, 1808; his wife was also born there May 15, 1813;
they were married Sept. 29, 1833. They came to Allegany in 1845. He died
here March 30, 1875. His widow sur\-ives him and resides with her daughter,
Mary Ann Perrigo, who was born Sept. 5, 1834.
Dudley Phelps, son of Gideon Spencer Phelps, was born Sept. 5, 1834, in
the town of Barker, Broome county. He came to Friendship, Allegany
county, in 1854, where, in 1855, he married Maria Torrey, who bore him two
children: Jennie E. (Mrs. S. G. Keyesj and Charles S., both of Gowanda.
Town of Allegany. 441
The family came to Allegany in 1856, where Mrs. Phelps died Sept. 10, 1863,
while her husband was in the army. On Aug. 6, 1862, Mr. Phelps enlisted in
Co. C, 154th N. Y. Vols., and served until the war closed, being promoted
corporal. He married, second, Nov. 23, 1865, Julia A., daughter of Amos
Scofield, of Allegany. Mr. Phelps is a general merchant, and is serving his
eighteenth term as town clerk.
Abiathar Phillips, Sr., was born at Ashfield, Mass., Oct. 27, 1774, and
married Hannah Ranney, Dec. 4, iSoo. He came to Phelps, Ontario county,
about 1820 and in 1828 removed to this town with his oldest son, Abiathar,
Jr., locating on land where Fred Norwood now lives. In the summer of 1829
he brought his family to this home, where he and his wife resided the remainder
of their lives. He died Feb. i, 1863, and his wife July 28, 1857. They reared
twelve children: Esther, Eliza, Abiathar, Jr., George, Anna, Samuel R.,
Jared, Harriet, William H., Charles H., Alonzo F., and John P., o.f whom four
sons are living: Abiathar, Jr., William H., Charles H., and John P. Mr.
Phillips served as supervisor of the town in 1845 s-^d 1846. John P. Phillips
resides in this town and is a farmer. He married Sophronia Platner. Jared
D. Phillips, son of Samuel R., was born in Allegany, Oct. 30, 1841. He
married Mary J., daughter of Levi McNall, Nov. i, 1876. They have one
child, Myrtie M.
Jeremiah Potter was born in Otsego county in 1796. He married Betsey
Priest, and with his wife and three children came to Farmersville about 1839.
There they died, she in 1851 and he in 1871. They reared three children:
Eliza A., who married Walter N. Little, of Farmersville, and died on the home-
stead in October, 1886; Augustus F., who married Elmira Curtiss, of Brad-
ford, Pa., and resides in Wisconsin ; and Chester L., who was born Aug. 6,
1834. The latter served in the late war in Co. K, 105th N. Y. Vols. He
married Mahala Priest, Sept. 30, 1870, and came to Allegany in 1880, where
they still reside.
Joseph Presack, born in Germany, June 18, 1838, emigrated to America
in 1862. He served in the late war in Co. I, i6th N. Y. Cav., and was dis-
charged Sept. 21, 1865. He came to Allegany in 1866 and worked at his
trade of blacksmith until poor health obliged him to make a change. He is
now in the insurance business. Oct. 30, 1866, he married Frances Dombrowsky,
of Allegany, and they have had four children : Randolph, Frank, Lizzie, and
Gustave.
George Schifter was born in Germany, February 10, 1817. In 1852, the
year he came to America, he married Mary A. Bockmier: They settled in
Clearfield county, Pa., whence they moved to this town about 1857. Their
first home here was on the Nine Mile run, bat in 1865 they located in Alle-
gany village, where they died — Mr. Schifter on May 19, 1875, and his wife on
June 30, 1884. They had nine children, viz. : Caroline, Mary, and George,
who died in infancy, Katie (deceased). Rose (Mrs. John Harbel), Tresea (Mrs.
Andrew Harbel), Mary, Lena (Mrs. Joseph Felt), and Michael.
William F. Schultz was born in Buffalo on the 5th of December, i860.
His father, Charles H. Schultz, moved with his family to this town in 1861,
arriving here on the 8th of November, where the son has since resided. His
wife is Mary Smith, by whom he has one son, Howard H. Mr. Schultz's
mother's maiden name was Christina Lamb. The family is a prominent one
in the German element of the town.
Amos Scofield was born in Hadley, Saratoga county, February 22, 1810,
56
442 History of Cattaraugus County.
and came as a lumberman to the town of Allegany in 1839, settling on Five
Mile run, where he died April 15, 1858. By his wife, Ruth Lines, who died
here January 21, 1880, he had seven children, viz.: Harriet (deceased), who
married Rev. E. J. Selleck ; Augusta Charlotte (Mr.s. A. W. Bullock), of Alle-
gany; Julia A. (Mrs. Dudley Phelps), of Allegany; Ellen Lorette(Mrs. Frank
S. Smith), of Binghamton; Lovina E. (Mrs. Rev. T. E. Clayton), of Ocean
Grove, N. J.; Amos B., of Rochester; and Willis J., of Allegany. Mr. Scofield
was prominent in town affairs and owned* and operated several saw-mills at
various times. His brothers Barzilla settled in Portville, Harvey in Hinsdale,
and Shadrack in Oneida county — all in 1839.
George C. Sheldon, a native of New Hartford, Conn., was born Jan. 13,
181 1, and when about twenty-one years of age came to Allegany, where he
died Oct. 7, 1882. He was a member of the Free Methodist church. Nov. 4,
1834, he married Julia Lamberton, of Allegany, by whom he had five children.
Mrs. Sheldon was born September 28, 18 18, and died in 1853. ^"^^^ Sheldon
married, second, Elizabeth Overocker, in 1856, who survived but a few years.
He married again, in June, 1866, Mrs. Rebecca H. Brown, who still resides on
the homestead with Norton T. Sheldon. The children of George C. and Julia
Sheldon were George L., Mary A., Norton T., Charles C, and Margaret S.
George L., born October 18, 1835, enlisted in Co. I, 64th N. Y. Vols., and
served three years. He is a baker in Allegany. He married Georgianna Park
and they have four children : Charles F., Park C, a wholesale liquor dealer in
Allegany, Luceba H., and Bennie D. Norton T. Sheldon resides on the
homestead and owns, besides, a saw-mill near the mouth of Five Mile creek.
September 26, 1866, he married Louisa A. Brown, and their children are Es-
tella J., Minnie L., and Clare E. Charles C. Sheldon, Jr., died Jan. 7, 1885.
John G. Smith was born in Germany, April 15, 1803. There he married
Katharine R. Angle in 1838 and emigrated to America in December, 185 1,
settling first in Buffalo and in 1856 in Allegany, where he died March 23,
1876, and his wife February 8, 1885. They had born to them seven children,
three of whom died in infancy. The others were Katharine A., Frederick,
George, and John S. Katharine A. married Henry F. Haase, of Allegany.
Frederick Smith was born in Germany, October 21, 1841, came to America
with his parents, and commenced his business life as a clerk with Erastus
Willard, who in 1868 admitted him to an equal partnership, which continued
until 1884, when Mr. Smith became sole owner. April 21, 1881, he married
Mary L. Burger, who was born in Olean, Aug. 19, 1856, and graduated from
the State Normal School at Fredonia. They have three children: Raymond,
Georgianna, and Clinton. George Smith was born Jan. 20, 1845, and served in
Co. I, 64th N. Y. Vols., being fatally wounded in the battle of Gettysburg.
John S. Smith, born Aug. 16, 1859, 's engaged in the mercantile business with
his brother. He married Emma L., daughter of Isaac and Eliza J. (Goodwin)
Wright, Sept. 8, 1881.
The Spraker family in Allegany has been one of the most prominent
families in the town. The record goes back to William Spraker, who was
born in Germany, Oct. 9, 1808, and there married Christina Souter. They
emigrated to America in 1847 and located in Erie county. Only two of their
nine children are living. Mr. Spraker came to Allegany in May, 1854, and
died in the village May 30, 1875. His son, William Spraker, Jr., born in
Germany, December 1 1, 1838, came with his parents to this town in 1854 and
has since been one of its foremost citizens. His education was obtained in
Town of Allegany. 443
the common schools of Erie county and clerking was his early occupation.
August 21, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 64th N. Y. Vols., and participated in ten
regulir engagements, receiving a wound at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and
being discharged May 3, 1864. Mr. Spraker wa^ appointed postmaster Dec.
20, 1865, and was re-appointed in 1875, serving continuously from then until
1887. He was again appointed in 1891 and is the present incumbent of that
position. He has also served as town clerk and in other capacities, and is a
member and has been an officer of the local G. A. R. Post. October 29, 1867,
he married Susan E. Hyde, who died Aug. 12, 1886; she bore him three
children: Clarence H., Lois M. (Mrs. Miner Carr), and George V. He mar-
ried, second, Mrs. Phcebe Hall, sister of his first wife, on June 28, 1887, by
whom he has one child, Harold E. Henry Hyde, the father of Mr. Spraker's
two wives, was born in Germany and came to Allegany in 1855.
Charles Spraker, the other surviving son of William Spraker, Sr., was born
Oct. 20, 1842, and Feb. 18, 1868, at Olean, he married Mary Frank. He
began life as a clerk for Marsh & Van Campen in March, 1857, in which capacity
he continued until just before his marriage, when he was admitted to the firm
under the name of Marsh & Co. In 1876 he formed the firm of Spraker &
Mixer, and in April, 1881, bought his partner out. February 22, 1889, a fire
destroyed his mercantile establishment, but he soon rebuilt and started anew.
He has two children, Frank and Anna. Mr. Spraker has served as town clerk
and in 1885 he represented Allegany on the Board of Supervisors.
William M. Stephan was a native of Germany, where he was born Oct.
8, 1819. He came to the United States in 1850 and after living in Buffalo
four years removed to Allegany, locating on Nine Mile run. In 1864 he
settled on the Four Mile, where he still resides, being one of the early settlers
in that locality. Mr. Stephan has held several town offices and has been
quite an extensive oil producer. In 1849 he married Mary Frank, who was
born Aug. 29, 1816. Their children are Charles P., born Jan. 12, 1853, mar-
ried Emma, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Hetz, Oct. 3, 1881 ; Cl_ara,
born Feb. 16, 1854, married Michael Welch; George; Mary J., born Dec. 3,
1856, married Patrick Noonan ; and Frank H., born Nov. 27, 1858, married,
Dec. 25, 1883, Maggie A., daughter of Frank and Margaret Travers, and has
had born to them these children: Jennie M., Laura P., and Francis (deceased).
The children of Charles P. Stephan are William Henry, Frank A., Elmer H.,
and John M. George Stephen, third child of William M., was born Sept.
8, 1855, and until 1880 was engaged in lumbering. In that year he located
on his present farm. Dec. 27, 1880, he married Mary Noonan and their
children are Celia, Fred, Clara (deceased), Albert, Agnes, and Eddie.
James Strong, son of Solomon and Mary (White) Strong, born in Vermont,
May 3, 1868, married Catharine Clifford, of New Hampshire, in 1799, came to
Olean in 1819, and two years later removed to Allegany, settling where the
widow of his son James, Jr., now resides. The first marriage in Allegany
occurred at his house, being that of his daughter Sally to William B. Fo.x in
1825. James Strong died April 20. 1839, ^"d his wife, Catharine, Aug. 16,
1852. Their children were Almeda, Solomon, Sally, Emily, Luthera, James,
Jr.', Catharine, Adeline, Williarn, and Jame A., all deceased. James Strong, Jr.,
married Carmale, daughter of Rhody (Andrews) May, of Hinsdale, April 25,
1857, and'died in June, 1882. His widow survives him and lives on the old
homestead. Their children were Eola and Lew J. Eola, born Oct. 30, 1858,
married Frank Lemon and has two children. Lew S. and Fred H. Lew J.,
444 History of Cattaraugus County.
born Nov. 22, 1864, is a farmer and resides on the homestead. William May,
father of Mrs. James Strong, Jr., died in 1840 and his wife Rhody in 1844.
Davis Thornton, born in Allegany county, July 2, 1828, came to this town
when eighteen years of age and followed lumbering and rafting on the Alle-
gheny river until 1889. In the spring of 1890 he built the Allegheny River
House near the Indian reservation. He married, first, Abigail, daughter of
Richard H. McCoy, who was the mother of his son David. Mrs. Thornton
died May 27, 1856. His second wife was Lydia A. Frank, by whom he has
three daughters, Katie, Mary, and Abbie.
William H. Wheeler was born in Washington county, January i, 1824. He
married Rebecca Lindsley, July 4, 1845, who was born October 15, 1826. Mr.
Wheeler came to this county when about ten years of age, with his parents,
who settled in Yorkshire. He now resides in Allegany and is a farmer. He
has two brothers, Charles M. and Joseph A. Wheeler, and one sister, Mrs.
Helen M. Spalding, who reside in this town. William H. Wheeler has eleven
children: Devillow, born in Yorkshire, October 4, 1846, enlisted in the late
war at the age of sixteen in Co. I, 154th N. Y. Vols., and starved to death at
Andersonville prison; William W., born at Yorkshire, August 26, 1848, served
in the late war in Co. A, i88th N. Y. Vols., married Julia H., daughter of Mar-
shall and Emma Hatch, April 23, 1874, who was born November i, 1856, and
has six children, Jennie R., Alice A., J. Russell, George P., William W., Jr.,
and Matie E.; Myron Devereux, born in Allegany, December 8, 1850, married
Emeline Redout, and resides in South Saginaw, Mich.; George C, who died
in infancy ; Caroline H., born May 9, 1855, married John Curtiss, Jr.; Halsey A.,
born June 28, 1858, married Emelia Redout ; Hannah L., born June 25, i860,
married Russell Haynes; Nancy, born February 7, 1863, married Theodore
Peterson, and died in 1879; Guy I., born October 15, 1866, in Allegany; John
H., born September 18, 1869, died in infancy; and Ada, born F'ebruary i, 1872,
married John Kahn.
Dwight W. Ward, second son of Robert D. and Mary A. (Haney) Ward,
was' born in Jamestown, N. Y. Robert D. was an only son and was born in
Ireland, October 20, 1812, emigrating thence to America in 1828, the voyage
lasting three months. Learning the cabinet maker's trade in Bath, N. Y.,
where he married Mary A. Haney on September 24, 1833, he removed to
Jamestown, where he ran a foundry for fourteen years, when he engaged in
hotel keeping until his death in 1857. His widow with her family removed to
Allegany in 1859 ^"d resides with her daughter, Mrs. William H. Smith.
Their children were Elida S. (Mrs. W. H. Smith), Hibbard P., Dwight W.,
John D. (deceased), and Mary E. (deceased). Dwight W. Ward was born Feb-
ruary 12, 1849. Coming to this town in 1859 he subsequently purchased what
was knoAfn as Ward's Hotel, now called Park Hotel, which he conducted until
1883, when he engaged in the business of developing the oil fields and produc-
ing oil, in which he has been one of the most extensive operators in town.
Henry Wilber was born in the town of Humphrey, and has one child,
Henry S., who was born in Allegany, Jan. 21, 1884. Mr. Wilber is manager
of Sheldon's Allegany cheese factory. His father, Philo C. Wilber, came
from Onondaga county to this county when about nine years of age. He
married Catherine Palmer.
Erastus VVillard, son of Sherlock and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Willard, was
born in Lisle, N. Y., March 23, 1823, while his parents were moving from
Fort Edward to Cattaraugus county. The family settled in Franklmville.
Town of Allegany. . 445
In the fall of 1843 he came to Allegany (then Burton) and taught a district
school, which closed in March, 1844. In December of this year he began his
mercantile life in this town. Mr. Willard began a small business with small
means, and constantly increased both until he finally had one of the largest
and best stores in western New York. He took an active interest in local
Democratic politics, and was super\'isor in 1850 and from 1865 to 1867 inclu-
sive, and serve.d his town as justice of the peace about forty years. In 1877
he was his party's candidate for member of Assembly, but his dictrict being
overwhelmingly Republican he was defeated. He was loyal and true during
the Rebellion, and although he was not drafted he nevertheless, in accordance
with his convictions of duty, placed a substitute in the army. April 26, 1848,
he married Harriet A., daughter of Henry Huntley and a native of Herkimer,
N. Y., and granddaughter of Abner Huntley, who was born near Bunker Hill,
Mass., in 1767. Her father was born in 1804 and she was born in Cuba, N. Y.,
Dec. 25, 1828. Mr. VVillard's children were Charles, born in Allegany, March
II, 1849, ^^^'^ Nov. 10, 1865; Clare, born July 28, 1870, who is his father's
successor in business and the proprietor of Willard's Stock Farm; and Hattie,
born Aug. 5, 1872, died Sept. 7th following. Mr. Willard died Dec. 31, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Willard were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Allegany and he was one of its liberal supporters.
William Wiltse was a native of Marcellus, Onondaga county, and was born
April 2, 1802. On the 26th of April, 1821, he married Sophia Hall, who was
born in Connecticut on March 10, 1800. They came to Allegany in the
spring of 1848 and the ne.xt year built a hotel, which they kept until 1859,
when they engaged in farming, continuing in it until his death Oct. 7, 1865,
her death occurring June 5, 1874. Their children were Cornell, Charles C,
and Danford W. Cornell Wiltse. born May 16, 1824, came to this town
with his parents, and married Electa Jones, of Hinsdale; they have one child,
Wesley C, a Baptist preacher who married Louisa Wilber, of Allegany.
Charles C. Wiltse was born December 19, 1827, and died May 28, 1866. Dec.
7, 1847, he married Abigail Kenyon, who survives him and resides in this
town; their daughter Orcelia is the wife of Orran Van Brunt. Danford W.
Wiltse was born Aug. 17, 1833; he resides in Springville, N. Y. Amos Jones,
the father of Mrs. Cornell Wiltse, came with his wife Eliza to Allegany in
1841 and in 1867 removed to Minnesota. They had eleven children.
Asa S. Wing was born in Oneida county, March 7, 1837. He came to
East Otto with his parents when twelve years of age. He was a soldier in the
late war in Co. G, 154th N. Y. Vols., and was taken prisoner at Gettysburg
and confined in Libby prison. He came to Allegany in 1865. Mr. Wing
married, first, Louisa Blower, of Oneida county ; their three children died in
infancy. His second wife, Catharine Connhaiser, whom he married in June,
1862, was born in Germany, March 9, 1837. Their children were Eliza L.
(Mrs. Thomas A. Barnes), Nelson, Julia, Edward, Emma, Georgie Anna,
Charles E., Elizabeth C, and Samuel.
Frederick J. Woodard, born in Bolivar, Allegany county, July 16, 1859,
learned the printer's trade at Wellsville in the office of the Allegany Cozinty
Reporter, and was employed three years in the Herald office in Olean. In
1885 he came to Allegany and purchased the farm where he now lives.
He married Anna Franklin, of Portround, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 26, 1881, and
by her has had two children : George and Artiemarie.
William F. Zink, born in Germany, Feb. 3, 1828, emigrated to Buffalo with
446 • History of Cattaraugus County.
his parents in 1831. He came tothistown in 1855 and is engaged in farming.
Mr. Zink married, Feb. 3, 185 1, May C. Criquie, who was born in Buffalo,
Oct. 9, 1829. She is said to have been the first German child born in that
city. Their children were William, Jr., born Nov. 23, 1851, married Rickey
Kenoch : Minnie, born Feb. 3, 1853, married John W. Robinson; Frank, born
June 8, 1856, married Rosa Multrus; Libbie, born April 15, 1859, married,
first, April 24,, 1877, Sebastian Smith, who died Sept. 13, 1880, and second,
Sept. 18, 1883, Joseph H. Multrus, and their children are Mary, Libbie, and
Joseph, Jr., Mrs. Multrus's first children being Frank and Nellie Smith ; John
F., born May 5, 1861, married Lizzie Linehart; George H., born June 6, 1865,
married Mary Reitz ; Mary Z., born Aug. 7, 1870, died Sept. 28, 1870; and
Mary M., born June 29, 1872. Francis Zink, father of William F. Zink, was
born in Germany in 1800. He there married Bridget Britchel, who with him
came to America in 1831, settling at Eden Corners, Erie county. He died
i\Iay 29, 1855, in Allegany, at the residence of his son. His wife survived
him until April 9, 1880.
Michael Zister, born in Germany about'1818, came to Buffalo about 1850,
and a few years later settled in Allegany. He had thirteen children, of whom
seven are living. His wife was Louisa A. Weaver, who died in 1888. Michael
Zister died in 1867. John Zister, son of Michael, was born in Buffalo, Jan. 3,
1856. He came to Allegany with his parents and married Elizabeth, daughter
of Sebastian Hyde, Aug. 16, 1880. They have had born to them five children,
viz.: Edna C, Alice L., Clara E., Clarence, and Laura A.
CHAPTER XLX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ASHFORD.
WHEN the territory embraced in the county of Cattaraugus was set off
from Genesee county in 1808 Ashford formed a part of the immense
town of Olean. In i8i2jt was embraced in the new town of Ischua ;
in 1820 it was included in EUicottville, and remained the northern part of that
town until set off February 16, 1824, when it became a separate municipality
by the election of a full set of • town officers on the first Tuesday in March,
1824, viz.: Johnson Bensley, supervisor; Seth Allen, town clerk; Ebenezer C.
Sherman, Truman Bensley, and Isaac Woodruff, assessors; Avery Smith,
David Oyer, and Peter Sampson, commissioners of highways ; Nathan Saun-
ders and David Oyer, overseers of the poor; David Oyer, constable and col-
lector; and Norman B. Carter, George Arnold, and Daniel Thomas, school
commissioners.
This town is situated in the northern tier of townships, and is bounded on the
north by Cattaraugus creek, which separates it from Erie county, on the east
by Yorkshire and Machias, on the south by EUicottville and a part of East
Town of Asiiforu. 447
Otto, and on the west by East Otto. A part of Otto was annexed April 13,
1S35, and Ashford now has an area of 33,779 acres. The southern part of the
town lies on the dividing height of land in the county. The water from the
northern portions finds its way to the sea through the St. Lawrence river and
that from the south part flows into the Allegheny. The town has an uneven,
broken surface, with hills 300 feet above the valleys, the highest of which are
in the south part. The principal streams are Cattaraugus, Buttermilk, and
Connoirtoirauley creeks. Cattaraugus creek, the northern bfundary of the
town, flows with numerous bends and takes a southwesterly course. Butter-
milk creek rises in the south part of the town and flows north into Cattaraugus
creek. It derives its name from the whitish color of its waters. Connoirtoir-
auley creek rises in the southwestern part of the town, flows in a northwesterly
direction, forms the northern part of the western boundary, and is tributary
to Cattaraugus creek. Its ugly name signifies to the Indians " an ugly stream."
The soil is a clayey loam on the uplands and a gravelly loam in the valleys.
It is not positively known who was the first actual settler in Ashford. It
is quite probable that several families came nearly simultaneously and made
settlements in and near Ashford Hollow about 18 17. Among the very early
pioneers were William and George Shultis from Columbia county ; Henry
Frank and two sons, Andrew and Jacob H., and Augustus Van Slyke from
Herkimer county; and Nathan Saunders, a native of Massachusetts. The
latier was a man of some prominence in the new town and was elected one of
the overseers of. the poor at the first meeting in 1824. On the Shultis farm
was an old beaver dam and an open space of some thirty acres, on which they
erected a log house, which for many years was a halting-place for emigrants.
The brothers opened for the Holland Land Company what in early years was
called the Shultis road, which was little used and finally abandoned. Andrew
Frank served in the War of 18 12, and his daughter Phebe died August 30,
1818, which was the first death in Ashford. Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob H.
Frank, was the first white child born in town, her birth occurring in the fall
of 1817. Van Slyke married a daughter of Andrew Frank and was prominent
in the organization of the first religious society in Ashford.- David and John
Oyer settled in 18 18 or '19. The latter cleared the farm now owned by A. B.
Nefl. In 1828 he built the first saw-mill erected in Ashford Hollow. David
Oyer married another daughter of Andrew Frank. He erected the first saw-
mill in town and held several offices. About 1833 Abel French and David B.
Jewett built the first grist-mill at Ashford Hollow. The building has since
been converted into a dwelling and is now the house of Simon Oyer. Very
soon after these came Jacob Bargy, a son-in-law of Henry Frank, a soldier in
the War of 1812, and a justice of the peace in 1830. Another early settler
was John Goodemote, who was interested in building a school house and
possibly more interested in who should erect the building and have the money
for the job. On this question he approached Nathan Saunders and said :
448 History of Cattaraugus County.
" Meesder Saunders, ve musd puilt a school houdst ver de childers ! You oppi-
nate me for drusdee, I oppinate you ! Den ve puilt de school houdst and
have de monies!" In 1822 he traded farms with Peter Sampson and moved
across Cattaraugus creek, erected a distiller^,-, and made whisky.
Jacob Hufstadercame from Herkimer county in 1818. Peter Quackenbush
came in 1819 and his father John H. in 1821. The later built the first tavern
in town. John Holdridge, Elijah Parmeter, Tristam Dodge, and Asahel Nye
came here about the year 1819. Philip Bonsteel, who came about the
same time, held several town offices before Ashford was set off from Ellicott-
ville. In 1823 he removed with his son Henry to Otto. Isaac Woodruff,
who settled in the town in 1820, was one of the first assessors. Amos and
David Thomas made the first settlement in the neighborhood of Thomas's
Corners about 1822. Here was built and kept the first school in town this
same year, the same winter another being taught by N. B. Carter in the
southern part. At the house of Amos Thomas was held the first town meeting.
Henry Frank, Sr., and Grififin and David Wildey came about 1821. Seth
Allen settled in Ashford Hollow in 1822 and opened a grocery store, the first
in the town. He also built an ashery and manufactured pearlash, and was
the first town clerk. Abram Laing at one time conducted a brewery about a
mile and a half east of Ashford Hollow. French & Jewett bought the saw-
mill at Ashford Hollow of John Oyer and constructed in separate buildings a
saw-mill and a grist-mill. Isaac Bellows, from Montgomery county, was a
prominent settler and liked by all his neighbors. He served nine years as
assessor.
Other settlers in Ashford between 1820 and 1830 were Michael C. Huf-
stader, Austin Pratt, Anderson Rowland, Joseph T., Norman B., and Russell
M. Carter, Jacob and P"redcrick Frank, sons of Henry Frank, Jr., John D.
Quackenbush, Peter Sampson and family, Ebenezer C. Sherman, George
Arnold, Jeremiah Wilcox, Timothy Stevens, James Flagg, Amos B. Fuller,
Job Bigelow, John Bond, Alexander Scobe'y, David R. Upson, Daniel M.
Cole, Freeborn Joslyn, Solomon Day, Albert Williams, William Rice, Nathan-
iel Hurd, Truman, Johnson, and David Bensley, Truman Crummell, and Will-
iam Wait and sons. Joseph and Norman Carter lived bachelor lives for many
years. The latter, in 1823, built the first frame barn and was one of the first
school teachers in town. Jacob Frank opened the first blacksmith shop.
Peter Sampson was prominent in town affairs, held several offices and posi-
tions of trust, was for many years mail carrier on the route from Buffalo to
Olean, and'died December 8, 1836. Ale.xander Scobey was another eminent
settler, became interested largely in mills, erected a bridge one hundred and
eighty-five feet long across Cattaraugus creek in 1862, and finally removed to
Freedom. The hamlet long known as Riceville was named in honor of Will-
iam M. Rice, who built a saw-mill soon after he settled there.
Ashford is an agricultural town whose grass is king, and dairying is the
Town ok Asfiforu. 449
leading industry. The early settlers were fortunately men of great physical
powers and resolution, and most of them had abundant energy and stability
of purpose. As a class they came to the wilderness empty-handed, filled with
the enterprise of hewing comfortable homes out of the forest by long-con-
tinued toil. They were men of good morals, honest, persevering, and indus-
trious— most of them strong and stalwart, and came to stay, and several of
the farms of these original settlers are now owned by their descendants.
They commenced an active onslaught on the heavy forest, carefully saved the
ashes from the burned timber converted them into black-salts, saved the
money to pay taxes and to buy positive necessaries, and kept their wants
within- what they could supply. The quick virgin soil produced excellent
crops and in time they were abundantly rewarded for their toil and privations.
The principal town officers from 1824 to the present time are as follows:
Supervistjrs.— Johnson Bensley, 1824; Peter Sampson, iaS-30, ISS-.SS; Arnold Holden, 1831; Jeremiah
Wilcox, 1834-36, 1S3S; David K.Upson, IS^T ; David B. Jewett, 1839-10, 184;}-t5; David Pierce, 1841; Thomas
Pierce, Jr., 1843; J. J. Frank, 1816-47; Alexander Scobey, 1*48, 18.tO-53 ; Alanson King:, 184!); A. B. WUson,
1854-5.5, 18<ki; Josei h Hammond, 1856; Copelund Kemington. 1857-58; Boutelle A. Lowe, 18,59-60, 186.3-64;
Francis P. Kice, 1861-«2, 1865, 1873 ; George N. West, 1867-63. l.-'77; Andrew B. Neff, 1869, 1871-72, 1875-76, 1887,
1889-91, 1893; John Quackenbush, 1870; George W. Oyer, 1874; Asher C. Porter, 1878; William C. Kruse,
1879-80; John L. Murphy, 1881-82; George H. Hughey, 188.3, ISSi, 1892; A. O. Tillinghast, 1884; John L. Oyer,
1886, 1888.
Toii'ii C(ei*s.— Seth Allen, 1834, 1812-45 ; Charles Boss, 1835-27, 1834 37.1840-41; George Arnold, 1828;
Ebenezer C. Sherman, 1839-30 ; James D. Searl, 1831, 1839 ; Abel French, 183J ; John W. Clark, ia33 ; Henry
House, 18:38; Warner Frank, 1846; Jeremiah Frank, 1847; David Ward, 1848-51; Francis P. Kice, 1852, 1854,
1859, 1871-73 ; John Keed, 185:J ; Orange HammoiiJ. 1855 ; Jobn Multer, 18.56 ; James J. Bargy, 1857 ; Francis J.
Kine, 1858; Alonzo Wiltse, 1860, 186:5; John Ellis, 1861 ; Seward Robbins, 1863 ; Frederick A. Clark, 1864-65;
J. B. Larabee, 1836; Charles iV. Sher.nan, 1.^7-6i ; George W. Oyer, 1869 70; Charles F. Ballou, 1873; Clark
K. Day, 1874; Charles Holden, 1875 76; William Kruse, 1877-78; J. Eugene Williams, 1879.; A. H. Murphy,
1880; William H. Proctor, 1881; Alanson King, 1883-M; C. B. Pettengill, 1885-87, 1889;.Grant Smith, 1888;
Kobert Hughey, 1890-91 ; Leonard Proctor, 1893-93.
JiiMces of the Peace— 18:30, Jacob P. Bargy ; 1831, David K. Upson, Arnold Holden ; 1832, Seth Allen ; 1833,
William M. Kice; 18:i4, Norman B. Carter; 1835, D. K. Upson; 1836, S. Allen; 18.37, W. M. Rice; 1838, A.
Holden; 18:39, John W. Crosby; 1840, Thomas Pierce; 1841, Joseph Remington; 1843, A. Holden; 1843,
Sylvester Fitch ; 18+4, Alexander Scobey, Charles C. Bigelow ; 184-5, J. Remington ; 1846, A. Holden, Andrew
Stevens; 1847, C. C. Bigelow ; 1848, J. J. Frank ; 1849, A. Stevens ; 1850, A. Holden ; 1851, C. C. Bigelow ; 1853,
J. J. Frank ; 185:3, Albert Holland ; 18.54, A. Holden ; 1855, C. C. Bigelow ; 18.56, Thomas Pierce ; ia57, John L.
Murphy; 1858, Jacob Multer; 1859, Ambrose Upson; 1860, -George C. McKay; 1861, J. L. Murphy; 1862, J.
Multer ; 1863, A. K. Upson ; 1864, G. C. Parmenter ; 1865, J. L. JIurphy ; 1866, J. Multer, T. Pierce ; 1867, Paul
H. Wiedrig ; 1868, Bela Remington, Chester J. Lowe ; 1869, J. L. Murphy ; 1870, J. Multer, J. B. Weber ; 1871,
William Pierce ; 1873, P. S. Aid rich ; 1873, J. L. Murphy ; 1874, L. C. Robbins : 1875, J. Multer, W. Pierce ; 1876,
J. S. Aldrich ; 1877, J. L. Murphy ; 1878, J. Multer ; 1879, J. B. Weber ; 1880, C. D. Day ; 1881, C. 0. Holden ;
1883, Jacob Harson, W. H. Proctor ; 1883, George Wrangle, Alanson King ; 1884, C. D. Day, J. L. Murphy ;
1885, W. H. Proctor; 1886, A. King; 1887, J. Multer; 1888, Charles Williams; 1889, W. H. Proctor, A. H.
Murphy ; 1890, A. H. Murphy ; 1891, J. Multer ; 1892, Charles A. Williams ; 1893, W. H. Proctor.
Ashford has never been a manufacturing town. What is now done is lim-
ited to grinding feed, sawing lumber and shingles, cooperage, and preparing
building materials. David Oyer contracted for his lands in 1816, but did not
settle upon them until 1819. He built the first saw-mill in town in 1826 on
Connoirtoirauley creek. A saw-mill was built by William M. Rice at Rice-
ville in 1834. Samuel Hanan built another soon after at West Valley. The
present mills of Samuel Oyer, situated at Ashford Hollow, are furnished with
water-power with steam as auxiliary. Mr. Oyer manufactures lumber,
shingles, and cheese-boxes and grinds feed. The motive power for the saw-
57
450 History of Cattaraugus County.
mill of E. F. Reynolds is furnished by a thirty horse-power engine. The mill
has a capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber a day.
A. Ehman & Company's mills at West Valley are operated by a forty-five
horse-power engine and will saw 8,000 feet of lumber, 8,000 shingles, and
5,000 lath and grind four tons of feed daily.
The West Valley Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1889.
The officers are George N. Waite, president; John L. Oyer, vice-president;
and G. W. Oyer, secfetary and treasurer. The company manufactures 100,000
feet of building materials, 100,000 sets of heading, and large numbers of
barrels, tubs, etc., per annum. The motive power is a forty-five horse-power
engine.
Ashford, or Ashford Hollow, is a small village on Connoirtoirauley creek
near the southwest corner of the town. It contains a postoffice and hotel,
two stores, a physician's office, one church edifice, a public school, one saw-
mill, a harness shop, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, a furniture store,
and about 150 inhabitants.
West Valley is a thrifty post village located in the southeast part of Ash-
ford on the Buffalo branch of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad.
The village contains one hotel, three churches (Freewill Baptist, German Lu-
theran, and Evangelical Association), a doctor's office, seven stores, one public
school building, one furniture store, two blacksmith shops, a harness shop, a
woodworking manufactory, one saw and shingle-niill, several societies and
orders, and a population of about 200.
East Ashford (formerly Riceville) is a small post village situated on the
Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad and on Buttermilk creek, about two
and one-half miles north of West Valley. It contains two churches (Metho-
dist and Congregational), a public school, two stores, a blacksmith shop, a
saw-mill, and about seventy-five inhabitants.
The West Valley Literary Institute was organized in December, 1889, by
A. O. Tillinghast and ten associates. It now has thirty-two members. The
officers are J. C. West, Jr., president, and Mrs. J. C. Holden, secretary. Reg-
ular meetings are held every Thursday evening from December to May, and
are open to the public one each month.
The Lively Times Library was organized F"ebruary 17, 1887, with A. O.
Tillinghast librarian. This association consists of twenty members and the
library contains fifty volumes.
The Ashford Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized in 1877 and
re-organized in 1880. The towns representing the association are Ashford,
East Otto, Ellicottville, Farmersville, Franklinville, Freedom, Machias, Mans-
field, Otto, and Yorkshire. The business of the company is conducted by a
board of twelve directors, who are elected annually. The directors elect a
president and a secretary. At the annual meeting held January 10, 1893, the
secretary reported $1,100,000 of property insured at a cost of less than one-
Town of Ashford. 45 i
third of any of the regular companies. The basis of insurance is a bonded
mutuality, and all losses are paid within sixty days after adjustment by the
Board of Directors.
Norman B. Carter and Daniel Thomas were the first to teach schools in
the town, the first school houses being erected in 1822, one at Thomas's Cor-
ners, the other at or near Ashford Hollow. George Arnold with Messrs.
Carter and Thomas, who composed the first Board of School Commissioners,
divided the town into two school districts in 1824. 1 he census of i8go shows
that Ashford had a population of 1,710 inhabitants ; the State enumeration of
1892 gives only 1,662. The town is divided into thirteen school districts. In
1892 fourteen teachers were employed and schools were maintained in all the
districts at a cost of $3,355.31, giving instruction to 399 pupils. The total
valuation of taxable property for school purposes is $633,246; the value of
the school buildings and sites i.s $4,875.
Religious services were first held in town at the house of Isaac Woodruff,
but of what denomination it is impossible to ascertain. The earliest church
organization occurred at Ashford Hollow on October 27, 1821, at the dwell-
ing of Henry Frank, and was known as the First Freewill Baptist Society.
Rev. Richard M. Cary came from Erie county a little prior to this and con-
ducted a meeting at Augustus Van Slyke's residence, and organized and be-
came the first pastor of the society above mentioned. Until 1847 meetings
were held in the school houses and private dwellings, but that year a church
edifice was erected. This was superseded in 1852 by another structure, cost-
ing about $1,500, and capable of seating three hundred persons. On Septem-
ber I, 1828, the Holland Land Company deeded the society fifty acres of land
as the first religious organization in town, and on- February 20, 1857, this lot
was exchanged to furnish means for the completion of the church and parson-
age. The society finally disbanded and their house of worship was used for
a time by the Church of the United Brethren. The pastors succeeding Rev.
Mr. Cary were Revs. Chaffee, Jenkins, Tanner, Webb, Kellogg, Ensign,
Parkyn, Flynn, Durfee, Moon, Cornell, Cook, McCoon, Howe, Harlan, Clancy,
and Donaker.
The Church of the United Brethren at Ashford Hollow was organized
December 17, 1872, by Rev. John H. Smith, the first pastor. The original
membership was twenty-one. The society held services for a number of
years in the Baptist church.
The Baptist church of Ashford Hollow was formed about 1843, with Asa
and Anderson Rowland and wives, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Maybe, and Rev. and
Mrs. Orasmus Tayntor as first members. An edifice was. erected in 1851 and
dedicated January 6, 1852. The first and only pastor was Rev. Mr. Tayntor.
In February, 1865, their building was burned and the society shortly after-
ward disbanded.
An Anti-Slavery Church Society was organized in the Weber neighbor-
452 History of Cattaraugus County.
hood about 1844, conducted services for a few years in the school house, and
finally went down.
The First Congregational church of East Ashford was organized February
10, 1854, by its first pastor, Rev. C. B. Lord. Those who formed its first
membership were Tracy and Harriet Ensworth, Elias and Laura Hopkins,
J. S. and Cordelia H. Aldrich, Sulphina H. Remington, Judson Wi'tse,
Alonzo Hadley, Fessenden Hadley, and Nelson Hadley. The first house of
worship, built in 1855, is a wooden structure still in use. It has seats for an
audience of four hundred and originally cost $2,000. The entire church
property is now valued at $2,800. The Sunday school has an average attend- "
ance of fifty members. The church membership is forty-six with Rev. W. H.
Peck, pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church of East Ashford was organized in 1855
with about sixty members, by Rev. C. P. Clark, who was its first pastor. As
early as 1832 a Methodist class was formed at the school house in the neigh-
borhood, Ebenezer C. Sherman and Rev. Mr. Proper being among the first
members with the latter as the first preacher. The society was without a
church edifice until 1856, when a neat building of wood was erected at a cost
of $1,000. It has a seating capacity of 300 people and with the grounds is
valued at $2,000. The membership is thirty with Rev. Hugh Boyd, pastor.
The Sunday schooj has fifty scholars and si.x teachers.
In consequence of the decided opinions growing out of Masonic and slavery
questions a number of the members of the East Ashford M. E. church sev-
ered their connection with that body and in 1845 organized the Wesleyan
Methodist Society, which continued with irregular preaching until 1855, when
it united with the Congregationalists and Baptists in the erection of a house
of worship.
The East Ashford Baptist Society was organized with forty members June
12, 1833, the first preacher being Rev. Mr. Loomis. Its membership was
small and services were held in connection with the Congregational and Wes-
leyan Methodist Societies.
In the spring of 1832 a Presbyterian church \vas formed in a log school
house near East Ashford, with eight members, under the pastoral charge of
Rev. William J. Wilcox. No regular preaching was sustained and the society
after a brief existence disbanded.
St. John's church (Roman Catholic) is located at West Valley. It was
organized in i860 by Rev. John Ahrend with fifteen members. The first house
of worship was built of wood the same year. Rev. Mr. Ahrend was the first
pastor. In 1884 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of $3,500.
It has a seating capacity of 200. The present value 6f the property is $4,200.
The church has a membership of 200 with Rev. Charles Schillo, pastor. The
Sunday school is attended b)' twenty scholars.
The First Freewill Baptist church of West Valley was organized by Rev.
Town of Ashford. 453
H. H. Clancey, January 5, 1873, with twelve members. Rev. Mr. Clancey was
the first pastor. The present house of worship was erected the same year at
an expense of $1,600, the seating capacity being 225. The church now has
seventeen members with Rev. D. W. Pierce, pastor. The present value of
the church property is $1,600. The Sunday school is attended by thirty-five
scholars and four teachers.
The Seventh Day Adventists formed an organization May 6, 1883, with a
membership of six. Rev. F. Peabody, who was instrumental in bringing the
society into existence, was the first pastor. This church has no house of
worship and at present is without a pastor. Their Sabbath school has twenty-
one scholars.
The German Lutheran Church and Society was organized in 1865 by Rev.
John Bernreuther, who was the first pastor. It then consisted of thirty mem-
bers. In 1866 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of $2,000.
The society has about seventy members and Rev. Charles Peters is pastor.
West Valley church (Evangelical Association) was organized with twenty-
one members by Rev. Fred Hehr in 1869. They erected their house of wor-
ship the same year, the cost being $2,000. It has seats for about two hundred
people, and with the grounds and other church property is now valued at
$3,500. Rev. Fred Hehr was the first pastor. The church now has fifty-two
members with Rev. Conrad Pfei^er in charge. The Sunday school is attended
by forty-five scholars and five teachers.
West Valley Lodge, No. 35, K. O. T. M., was organized by M. E. Barnes,
of Carrolton, August 7, 1886, with fifteen members, the present number being
seventy-six. Hazel Tent, L. O. T. M., was organized by Miss Lucy Osborn,
of Buffalo, with twenty-one members.
-West Valley Lodge, No. 665, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 25, 1893, by
Millard N. Allen, D. D. G. M., assisted by brothers from Salamanca, Gowanda,
andother places. The first officers were Dr. E. L. Fish, N. G.; A. H. Murphy,
V. G.; C. E. Groat, secretary; J. C. Groat, treasurer.
Jirah S. Aldrich, son of Rev. Adon Aldrich, was born in Walrath, Wayne
county, Nov. 20, 1823, removed to Fabius, and in 1852 came to Ashford,
where he purchased of Andrew Stevens the farm where he now resides. His
father, who resided with him, died in July of that year. Mr. Aldrich taught
common and singing schools several years, served as town superintendent of
schools two years, and justice of the peace eight years. He has been identi-
fied with the Congregational church since its organization. He married Cor-
delia H., daughter of Tracy Ensworth, by whom he had children as follows :
Leroy, of Williams, Iowa; Cornelia, deceased ; Alma (Mrs. O. A. Baldwin), of
Bradford, Pa.; and Fred, of Ashford.
Job Bigelow came from Brookline, Vt., to Ashford in 1825 and settled on
the farm which Miss C. Goddard now owns, and where he reared his ten
children. His son, Charles C. Bigelow, was born in Bfookline, Vt., Dec. 18,
1807, and removed to Ashford in 1825.' A few years later he began business
for himself and bought the farm where his son Henry now lives. He never
454 History of Cattaraugus County.
"sought place or position, but was often chosen to fill positions of responsi-
bility and trust." He was an Odd Fellow and a Mason and was buried with
Masonic honors. He married Roxana, daughter of Peter Sampson, by whom
he had ten children ; those now living are William W., Caroline, Henry W.,
Maria, Adaline, and Charles D. William W. resides in Chicago, Charles D.
in Buffalo, and the others in Ashford.
Joseph Block was born in Mechlenberg, Germany, and came to America in
1854 and to Ashford in 1857. He married Dora, daughter of Frederick Kruse ;
their children were Charles, John, William L., Sophia, and Mary. William L.
Block came to America with his parents at the age of twelve years. Oct. 5,
1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 44th N. Y. Vols., and served three years, ^participat-
ing in the battles of Malvern Hill (where he was wounded), Fair Oaks, and
Williamsburg.
Joseph T. and Norman B. Carter came to Ashford from Darien, Genesee
county, in March, 1 821, and purchased a quarter section of lot 45. They were
bachelors and kept their own house. N. B. was one of the first school com-
missioners and was a justice of the peace in 1834, and taught one of the first
schools in the town in the winter of 1822-23. These brothers removed to
Michigan in 1835. Their brother, Russell M. Carter, who had visited Ashford
in 1822, settled on a part of lot 45 in 1825 and later located on the farm where
William and George Shultis first settled in 18 18.
Hiram Chamberlain, son of Pliny Chamberlain, a native of Massachusetts,
came from Genesee county to Ashford in 1832. He made the first settlement
on the farm now owned by Christian Ehman. His children were Cordelia,
widow of Daniel Huntley, of Ellicottville ; Lucinda, widow of Hezekiah
Willis, of Little Valley ; Joanna (Mrs. H. V. R. McKay), of Ellicottville; Hud-
son, of West Valley; and Martha (Mrs. Hicks), deceased. - He filled several
town offices and spent the last years of his life with his son Hudson, where he
died March 28, 1882, aged eighty-two years. Hudson Chamberlain was born
in Ashford, Oct. 21, 1833. He began the trade of a carpenter at the age of
twenty and has since been a successful contractor and builder. He has held
several town offices. He married Julia A., daughter of Edwin Bemis, of Ash-
ford, and they have two children, Cora E. and Edwin B.
Daniel Mansfield Cole was the oldest of four children of a crippled father,
and was born in Dummerston, Vt. His first wife was Polly Bigelow, and to-
gether they came to Cattaraugus county while it was yet a wilderness, arriving
in Ashford on November 26, 1826, with five children. Mrs. Cole died Sep-
tember 22, 1834, and Mr. Cole married, second, December 26, 1835, Nancy
Bigelow, a sister of his first wife. She died May 23, 1838, and he married for
the third time, July 18, 1843, Polly Bemis. Mr. Cole passed through many
vrcTssitudes of prosperity and adversity, but throughout his long life he was
esteemed and honored for sterling qualities of head and heart.
Peter Conrad, son of Jacob, a native of Germany, came to America with
his father in 1847 and settled first in Hamburg, N. Y. In 1866 he came to
Ashford. He married Wilhelmina Leezer and has five children : Peter, Carrie,
Lottie, Lora, and George.
Abel Demon emigrated from Ware, Mass., and settled in Ashford in 1836
on the farm now occupied by Joseph Demon. He married Catharine Brooks,
and they had nine children, namely: Judah, Edmond, Angeline, Betsey,
Lydia, Wesley, Joseph, Catharine, and Charles. Joseph Demon, who came
to Ashford with his parents, married 'Parmelia Sampson, by whom he had
Town of Ashford. 455
three children: Lydia (Mrs. A. C. Folts), of Ashford; Addison, of Yorkshire;
and Margaret (Mrs. George W. Davis), of Yorkshire.
Frederick Ehman, a native of Germany, came to America in 1853 and soon
afterward settled on the farm now owned by John Carter in EUicottville.
He married Augusta Hauffman, who bore him nine children. Christian Eh-
man, their son, born Feb. 5, 1843, came to America with his parents and Aug.
30, 1861, enlisted in Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cav. (First Ira Harris Guards), and
served until Dec. 31, 1863, when he was discharged. He re-enlisted and
served until July 19, 1865. He was detailed as a scout under W. Boise and
for a time was his orderly. He was color-bearer at Gainsboro' and carried the
flag presented to the regiment by the ladies of New York. In his hands it
received its first and only shot. Mr. Ehman is a farmer, and was instru-
mental in organizing the Northern Farmers' Agricultural Association, being
its president the first two years of its e.xistence. He settled in West Valley
in 1873. By his wife, Sophia Groff, he has had these children: Walter C,
Frank C. J., Dorothy M. R. J., and Rosetta A. K.
William L. Emerson came from Windham county, Vt., in 1840. He mar-
ried in Vermont Miss Maria Chase, and their children were William F.,
Edward, Hiram, Mary, Sylvia, Clarissa, and Arnold.
Joseph Folts came to this town in 1832 from Herkimer county. He was
an a.xe maker by trade. He married Elizabeth Clapsaddle, who bore him ten
children, of whom those living are William, of Mansfield; Sally, widow of
John Van Slyke, of Sardinia; Elizabeth (Mrs. Justin Munger), of Little Val-
ley ; and Oliver, of Ashford.
Timothy Folts, son of Joseph, settled in Ashford about 1834. He was a
moulder by trade, but gave his attention to farming. In 1853 he purchased
the farm where his son, Allen C. Folts, now lives, and where he died in May,
1872. He married Mary, daughter of John Frank, of Ashford, and of their
nine children only Wealthy (Mrs Robert Frank) and Mary (Mrs. Solomon
Upson), of Springville, Frank and Newton, of Machias, and Allen C. are living.
Javan Fox removed from Fabius. N. Y., to Ashford in 1825 and purcha.sed
of his uncle, Marsena Brooks, the farm where George O. Fox now lives. He
cultivated his large farm and was a teamster between Buffalo and EUicott-
ville. He was employed to haul the lime for the count}/ buildings in EUicott-
ville; he dealt in flour and salt and later was a merchant several years.
Jacob Frank was born in Frankfort, Herkimer county, in 1800. He came
to Ashford in 1817, but soon returned, and came again in 1831, settling per-
manently on the farm now owned by Adam Oyer. Mr. Frank was a boatman
on the Erie canal, and through him many emigrants were induced to settle in
Ashford and vicinity. He married Margaret Weber and had eleven children.
In 1846 and 1847 he represented the town on the Board of Supervisors. The
family has been a prominent and substantial one in the history of Ashford.
Almon Fuller, of Orwell, Vt., settled on Cattaraugus creek, in Erie county,
in September, 1810. In 183 1 he removed to Ashford and located on the farm
now owned by Edverdo Hughey. He reared ten children, of whom only
Almon, who resides in Ashford with his son Albert, and Betsey are living.
William Gibson came to this town from Genesee county in 1834 and bought
the improvements of Lorenzo Waite, the farm where John Aldro lives. He
worked at carpentering and farming. He married Charlotte Tibbetts, and of
their seven children Anna, John, Juliette, Garry, Peter, and Lavilla (Mrs. E. B.
Smith) are living.
456 History ok Cattarauous County.
Jasper Groat settled in this town in 1829 where James Neff now lives.
He came from Montgomery county. His wife Maria, daughter of Uriah
Mabee, bore him ten children, of whom eight are living, viz.: Jerry, Uriah,
John, Seth, Esley, Susan, Hurmey, and Deborah. John Groat, a native of
Ashford, served in the war of the Rebellion, and married, first, Emily Draper,
who was the mother of two children, Frank S. and Mary. He married, sec-
ond, Margaret Nelligan, by whom he has four children: Charles E., Jasper C,
Jennie, and Earl E.
Cornelius Hadley came to Ashford in 1842. Alonzo and William Hadley,
sons of Jesse Hadley, came to this town from Brattleboro, Vt., in 1843, ^"d
purchased the farm now owned by Otis Holland. Later Alonzo purchased
the farm on which he now lives. Nelson H., another son of Jesse Hadley,
came from Brattleboro, Vt., to Ashford in April, 1850, and purchased the farm
where his son Henry H. now lives. He died July 6, 1867. By his wife, Cath-
arine Thomas, he had two children, Henry H. and VVillard, both of Ashford.
Mr. Hadley was a member of the Congregational church and much esteemed
by his neighbors.
Cornelius Hanson came to Ashford in 1836 from Glen, Montgomery
county, and settled on land now owned by George Hughey. Eour of his six
children are living: R. Hudson, Sarah A., Margaret, and Peter W.
Arnold Holden, son of Edward, a descendant of George Holden of Revo-
lutionary fame, removed from North Adams to Aurora, Erie county, and in
1829 settled in the town of Ashford. He built one of the first framed build-
ings in town for the purpose of carrying on the business of carding wool and
dressing cloth, and eventually used it for manufacturing cloth. It was one of
the first establishments of the kind in the county. This he run successfully
until the business declined, when Mr. Holden became a farmer. He was
prominent in the affairs of his town and used his influence to advance the
cause of education and the general good of society. He was supervisor in
183 1 and a justice of the peace a quarter of a century. He also served as jus-
tice of sessions. Mr. Holden removed from Ashford about 1865 and died in
Bradford, Pa., in 1869. He reared ten children, all living: Julia (Mrs. A. M.
Green); Jane M. (Mrs. N. Pratt); Sarah A. (Mrs. M. Woodworth) ; John R.,
of Franklinville ; Amos B., of Sparta, Wis.; Martha A. (Mrs. L. C. Robbins)
and William A., of Ashford; Edwin C, of Topeka; Dennison P., of Oviatt,
Mich.; and Nelson H., of White, S, D.
Michael C. Hufstader came to Ashford from Frankfort, N. Y., in 1822,
making the journey on foot and carrying his provisions on his back. He
came to live with his uncle Michael Hufstader, who had preceded him in 1820,
but soon after " bound himself out " to Seth Allen, of Springville, and en-
gaged in the manufacture of pearlash and potash. In 1831 he married Sally,
daughter of Abram Dygert, of Frankfort, and settled in Ashford on the farm
now owned by John Block. He was fond of hunting and fishing. He killed
a great number of deer and wildcats, and once or twice each season he made a
fishing trip to Lake Erie. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hufstader were
Willard, of Salem, Ore.; Michael, deceased ; Hannah C. (Mrs. George O. Fox),
of Ashford; and Mary E. (Mrs. John Holland), Abram, and Sadie (Mrs. E.
Hughey), also of Ashford.
George Hughey, born of Scotch parentage in Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 14,
1803, learned the trade of paper making, and at the age of twenty-one emi-
grated to America, where he followed his avocation several years, and con-
Town of Ashkord. 457
ducted a grocery and bakery in Schenectady. In 1840 he came to Ashford
and purchased and cleared the farm now owned by his son George H. He
served as highway commissioner, and both he and his wife were active mem-
bers of the Baptist church. He was honest and charitable. He married
Mary McMickle, who bore him eleven children : Mary A. ; Eliza J. ; James, of
Ellicottville ; John, 1st, drowned at Schenectady; John, 2d, born in Ashford,
Sept. 24, 1847, married Ida Folts, of Mansfield, and has four children, Carl B.,
Claude L., Neil, and Guy; Matilda; Catherine; Ellen; George H., born in
Ashford, Oct. 9, 1843, owns the homestead, and for several years has been a
dealer in live stock, produce, and real estate; Robert, a merchant in Ash-
ford Hollow; and Rosanie. George H. Hughey served Ashford on the Board
of Supervisors in 1883, 1885, and 1892, and has held other town offices. He
married Adaliza, daughter of John A. Vedder, of Ellicottville, and their
children are Eugene G. and Vedder G. Edverdo Hughey, son of James,
served as highway commissioner in 1888 and 1889.
Herman Kruse came to Ashford in 1858 and settled on the place where
Henry Kruse now lives. William C. Kruse represented the town on the
Board of Supervisors in 1879 ^"'i 1880.
John Lampman, from Schoharie county, settled in Ashford on the farm
now owned by Elmer Frank. He cleared the place and died aged 102 years.
Peter A. Multer came from Camillus, Onondaga county, to Ashford in
1 83 1 and settled on the farm where his son Gilbert now lives. He spent
much of his life from home repairing clocks and watches. He married Eliza-
beth Widrig, of Herkimer county, and had born to him nine children, si.x of
whom are living: Gilbert, Jacob, Lydia A. (Mrs. Lawrence French), of Ash-
ford, Margaret (Mrs. Hinman), of Ellicottville, Eliza (Mrs. Eli Pickett), of
Wisconsin, and Adaline (Mrs. O. Folts), of Ashford. Gilbert Multer is a
farmer on the old homestead. Jacob Multer has been engaged in the furni-
ture and undertaker's trade since 1859, and has served as justice of the peace
about twenty-five years.
Ormel Murphy, son of John Murphy and grandson of John Kimball, a
Revolutionary soldier, was born in Royalton, Vt., in 1801, came to Ashford in
1831 from Genesee county, and made the first settlement on the farm now
owned by his son John L. VV^hen Mr. Murphy came to his home in the
woods there were only the families of Nathaniel Holland and William M.
Rice living between him and Cattaraugus creek. He married Minerva, daughter
of Thomas Weaver, of Darien, and their children were John L.; Betsey (Mrs.
George Holden), of Springville; Marilda (Mrs. John S. Pierce), of Machias ;
and Omer, also of Machias. John L. Murphy was born in Darien, Oct. 28,
1830. He was taught by his mother and with only two months at a select
school, up to the age of eighteen, he began teaching in the common schools
and continued for ten winter terms. At the age of twenty-one he was elected
a justice of the peace, which office he held for thirty-five consecutive years.
He was supervisor of Ashford in 1881 and 1882 and is often employed as pet-
fogger in justices' courts. He is a farmer and dealer in real estate. He mar-
ried, first, Calphurnia, daughter of Jeremiah Buck, who was an early settler of
Ellicottville. Their children now living are Lucius J., of Bolivar; Orville W.,
a veterinaay surgeon in Kansas; Albert H., of Ashford; and Lizzie (Mrs.
William C. Kruse), whose husband is president of Ridgeville College in Indiana.
Mr. Murphy married, second, Adelphia, daughter of Stephen Reed, a pioneer
of Ashford who now resides in Little Valley.
58
45^ History of Cattaraugus County.
Andrew B. Neff, son of De Nike Neff, was born in Glen, Montgomery
county, September 14, 1840, and came to Ashford to live with his uncle, Isaac
Bellows, when twelve years old. He received his ed cation in the common
schools and in Springville Academy and taught district schools six winter
terms. Mr. Neff purchased a farm of 'James J. Bargy, and has added to it
until he now has about 1,000 acres. He also o\\ns three cheese factories in
Ashford and one in EUicottville, in which he manufactures full-cream cheese
from the milk of 1,200 cows. Mr. Neff has represented Ashford on the Board
of Supervisors nine terms and has recently been elected for another year.
He is now one of the Board of Directors of the Farmers' Bank of Springville.
He married Ann, daughter of Frederick Crary, of Springville, and their chil-
dren are Charles C, Alice A., Andrew B., and Ellen C.
John P. Oyer, who came to Ashford from Herkimer county in 1827, made
the first settlement on the farm now owned by Mrs. Sally Smith. His chil-
dren were Philinda (Mrs. William A. Holden), of Ashford ; Mary (Mrs. Sam-
uel Tefft), of Springville; Betsey (Mrs. John A. Vedder); and Sally (Mrs.
William Smith). George Oyer came from Herkimer county in 1828 and settled
where his son Adam now lives. His wife Mary Miller bore him these chil-
dren: Adam, Levi (deceased), David, and Simon. The latter was born in
Ashford, November 5, 183 1, is a shoemaker and carpenter by trade, and is now
a lumberman and miller. Two of the Oyer family, George and John, have
represented the town of Ashford on the Board of Supervisors, the former in
1874 and the latter in 1886 and again in 1888.
Charles B. Pettengill was born in Wales, Erie county, February 15, 1848.
In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the service of the Union, but was rejected
on account of his youthful age. December 5, 1863, he enlisted in Co. A, 14th
Wis. Inf., and served until December, 1865. He was wounded July 22, 1864,
at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. While running from rebel pickets at
Black River, near Vicksburg, in March, 1864, he fell down the bank of the
river, fifty feet, and seriously injured his spine. After the war he engaged in
the harness trade. In 1882 he settled in West Valley. He has been town
clerk four years, postmaster of West Valley four years, and treasurer of the
Ashford Fire Insurance Company- seven years. He married Louisa, daughter
of Abram Kelmer, of Washington county. Their children are Allie, Mamie,
Guy, and Rob Roy.
Aaron Porter from Danby, Vt., settled in New Albion in 1836. He mar-
ried Sarah, daughter of David Gilmore. F"ive children survive them : Electa
]., widow of Richard Van Aernam, of New Albion ; Chloe A. (Mrs. Lorenzo
Richardson), of Great Bay, Wis.; Weltha L. (Mrs. Augustus Buffington), of
New Albion; Caroline (Mrs. Fillmore Herrick), of New Albion; and Dr.
Asher C, of Ashford. For a sketch of Dr. A. C. Porter see page 1 18.
John and Nathan Pratt, natives of Massachusetts, came to Ashford about
1825 and settled "on lot 77. John made the first settlement on land now
owned by Adam Oyer. He died in 1869. John Pratt's children were Benja-
min, of Ashford ; Amos, deceased ; Noah, of Franklinville ; and Patience (Mrs.
John Clark), of Yorkshire.
James Proctor, born in Quebec, Canada, came when young to Attica,
N. Y., where he married Elizabeth Jones. Their children now living are
William H., John, Leonard, Harvey, and Ella. William H. Proctor was born
in Attica", June 4, 1859, came to Ashford with his parents in 1861, and in 1880
opened the first furniture and undertaker's establishment in West Valley,
Town of Ashford. 459
which business he still successfully continues. In 1881 he was elected town
clerk and in 1882 justice of the peace, which latter position he has held con-
secutively to the present time. He is serving a second term as deputy sher-
iff and is secretary of the Ashford Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Peter Quackenbush came to Ashford from Montgomery county in the fall
of 1 8 19, and made the first improvement on the farm now owned by A. B.
Neff. His father, John H. Quackenbush, joined him in 1821 and built the
first tavern in town on his son's farm. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war, and with his brother David was captured by the Indians, taken to Niag-
ara, and while in captivity were compelled to run the gauntlet. Peter Quack-
enbush married Hannah Prince, daughter of Peter Prince, of Montgomery
county. Their children were Rebecca, who married Russell A. Carter, and
John, who was born in Montgomery county April 16, 1818. John came to
Ashford with his parents and has since been a resident of the town. He is a
farmer and served as supervisor in 1870. He married Mary E., daughter of
Jacob P. Bargy,- and of their six children four are living: John, of Eagle,
Wyoming county; Clark P., of Ellicottville; George B., of Yorkshire; and
Charles, of Ashford.
Peter Sampson, a native of New Salem, Mass., was born in 1773. He mar-
ried Sarah Kellogg in 1793, and to them thirteen children were born. In 1816
he moved with his family to Concord, Erie county, and settled on the north
side of Cattaraugus creek. In 1822 he traded farms with John Goodemote
and moved over to the south side of the creek in the town of Ashford. He
was elected commissioner of highways in 1824, was supervisor from 1835 to
1830 inclusive and again in 1832 and 1833, and was afterward justice of the
peace eight years. He early contracted to carry the mail from Buffalo to
Olean by way of Townsend hill, Springville, and Ellicottville. This was the
regular mail carried between these points. He first went on horseback, then
with a wagon, and finally with a stage coach, and continued as mail-carrier
and e.xpressman until his death Dec. 8, 1836. His daughters married William
Shultis, Royal McLean, Charles C. Bigelow, and Truman Bensley.
Ebenezer C. Sherman came to Ashford from New Bedford, Mass., in 1822,
and made the first settlement on the farm where his grandson, W. H. Sherman,
now lives. He assisted in cutting the road from his place to Ellicottville.
Mr. Sherman was a cabinet maker, but he gave his whole attention to his
farm. He married Constant Tabor, and their children were Charles, Mary A.,
Sarah, Clark, and Lydia. Charles Sherman came to Ashford with his parents
at the age of twelve years. He was an exemplary Christian and a worthy
member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than fifty years, for
forty of which he was a licensed e.xhorter. He removed to Springville, where
he died April 2, 1883. Mr. Sherman married Mary, daughter of William H.
Whitney, who came to Riceville in an early day and taught school in a log
school house. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman had nine children: Helen, Charles W.,
Mary O., Fanny, Angie H., Ebenezer C, William H., Hattie L., and Lucy C.
Elsbree J. Smith. — Andrew VVatkins came to Ashford from Pennsylvania
in 1839. His grandson, Elsbree J. Smith, came at the same time and learned
the trade of a bricklayer and mason, which he has followed as an avocation.
Feb. 2, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 105th N. Y. Vols., as second sergeant. He
was wounded at the second Bull Run battle, was captured, and remained a
prisoner of war until the ne.xt September, when he was paroled and removed
to Fairfa.x Seminary Hospital. He was exchanged and November following
460 History of Cattaraugus County.
was discharged. August 24, 1863, he re-enlisted in Co. C, 13th N. Y. H. A.,
and was first duty sergeant. He served until September 24, 1865, when he
again received an honorable discharge. He married Luella, daughter of Will-
iam Gibson, and their children are Emma J. (Mrs. D. Andres), Sabra (Mrs.
A. J. Phillips), and Grant, all of East Bradford, Pa.
Nathan Starks became a resident of Machias in 1850. Dec. 10, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. K, 94th N. Y. Vols., was captured in front of Petersburg, was
confined in Salisbury prison seven months, and was paroled and taken to An-
napolis, Md., where he died April 2, 1865. John D. Starks enlisted Sept. 17,
1861, in Co. A, io6th N. Y. Vols., and re-enlisted in February, 1864. He was
wounded and captured at the battle of the Wilderness and died in Anderson-
ville prison in September following.
Ebenezer Stowell, a native of Worcester, Mass., was born in 1782, mar-
ried Hannah Meacham, who was born in New Salem, Mass., in 1787, and emi-
grated with his family to Ashford in 1836, where he died in 1845. They had
born to them eight children. His son, Charles E. Stowell, married Susan,
daughter of Joseph Weast. Their children now living are Haplona (Mrs.
Daniel Wilcox), of Springville; Marj- (Mrs. Edwin Scott), of Springville ;
Charles E. Stowell, Jr., of Ashford; and Luthera M., of Springville.
Arthur O. Tillinghast was born in Sardinia, July 10, 1850, and came to
West Valley in 1878, where he has since been engaged in mercantile business.
He was supervisor in 1884 and in various ways has shown much enterprise.
Joseph Turner, son of Dyer, came to Ashford from Frankfort, N. Y., in
1835. He was a collier by trade. He married Ellen Kelch, and their surviv-
ing children are Harriet E., Horace M., and Jerome J., the latter a soldier for
three years in Co. D, 154th N. Y. Vols., being wounded in his right shoulder.
Horace M. Turner is a resident of this town and Jerome J. of Great Valley.
Dr. William Wait, born at White Plains, N. Y., in 1784, came from Darien,
Genesee county, and made the first settlement in West Valley in 1829. With
his sons he cut a road from Riceville to West Valley, and settled on the farm
now owned by his grandson, Hudson Waite. He was for a long time the
only doctor in the place. He died May 20, 1873. He had four sons and two
daughters: Weston, Lorenzo D., Henrj-, Esek 13., Fanny M., wife of Parmenus
P. Barlow, and Melissa, who married Apollos Lincoln. Lorenzo D. Waite
was born in January, 1807, and came to Ashford with his father. Like many
other pioneers they had a hard struggle to live. Their homestead twice re-
verted to the Holland Land Company. It was finally reclaimed and paid for
by Lorenzo D., who in 1849 built a saw-mill on the site of the old tannerj'
which was the only saw-mill in the place for several years. Mr. Waite was a
Baptist. He held several town offices, and in the State militia he attained
the rank of captain. He died Februarv- 12, 1877. ^^^- Waite married, first,
Laney Ouackenbush, of Ashford, who was the mother of Hudson, Charlotte,
and Sarah A. (deceased). He married, second, Nancy M., daughter of
James Leach, and their children were Lovinus B., a Union soldier who died
in Lincoln hospital of fever contracted in front of Richmond ; George N., of
West Valley; and Ira, deceased. Hudson Waite was born December 16, 1834,
and is a farmer and formerly a dealer in horses and cattle and breeder of fine
Holstein cattle. With his son he is now breeding thorough blooded Shrop-
shire sheep, their fine flock numbering 160 head. Mr. Waite married Lydia
A., daughter of James Leach, and their children are' James S., of Salamanca,
and Bert L. George N. Waite, born January- 26, 1847,- was a farmer with his
Town of Ashford. 461
father until 1865, when he learned the carpenter's trade. For several years
he has been a millwright and a contractor and builder. Since 18S2 he has
also been a dealer in lumber. He married Adelaide Hitchcock, of Ashford,
who died and left one child, Thirza J. He married, second, Mary J. Scott, of
North Collins, N. Y.
Conrad Weast came from Schenectady in 1829 and was the first settler on
the farm where his grandson, George \V. Weast, now lives. Mr. Weast mar-
ried Anna, daughter of Martin Shultis. Their children were Stephen C, Sally,
Francis, Susannah, Clark, and Lewis O. Stephen C. Weast, born in Schenec-
tady, was six months of age when his parents came to Ashford. He married
Sally, daughter of John Goodemote, and had five children: Augusta A.,
Julia E., Josephine (Mrs. William Vosburg), George W., and John L. George
W. Weast, born in Ashford, November 12, 1859, married Edna O., daughter
of Daniel Schoonover, of Tuscarora, N. Y. Their children are Myrtle, George
L., and Anna.
Benjamin Weast was born in Schenectady and came to Ashford with his
father. He married Olive, daughter of Amos V. Fuller, and has eight chil-
dren: Mary A. (Mrs. Ozro Cole), of Ashford; Catherine, widow of A. R. Dil-
lingham, of Arcade; Amos B.; Emeline (Mrs. L. F. Bowen); Louisa(Mrs. E.
Lindsey), of Yorkshire; Franklin C, of Arcade; Sarah (Mrs. M. J. Lindsey),
of Franklinville; and Adelle (Mrs. C. \\'hitney), of Franklinville.
Amos B. Weast was born in Ashford, and Aug. 8, 1862, enlisted in Co. D,
154th N. Y. Vols., serving to the close of the war. He was promoted cor-
poral in May, 1864, sergeant April i, 1865, and was honorably discharged
June 1 1, 1865.
Joseph West, son of Jonathan, was born in Galvvay, Saratoga county, set-
tled in Sempronius, Cayuga county, and a" few years later removed to Darien,
Genesee county. In 1839 he settled in this town on the farm now owned by
Peter Dole and eventually removed to West Valley, where he died. He
married Susan, daughter of Peter DeWitt, who bore him eleven children.
George N. West, second son of Joseph and Susan West, was born in Sempro-
nius, September 25, 1820. He came to Ashford with his parents, but returned
to Darien in 1842, where he married Mary A., daughter of Rufus and Jerusha
Hall, in 1849. About 1844 he engaged in the sale of merchandise in Attica
and in 1857 he settled permanently in Ashford. About 1854 he built the first
store in West Valley. It was conducted by William C. West and now forms
the rear part of the building occupied by the postoffice and harness shop.
In 1858 he opened a store in West Valley, where he kept the first postoffice
in i860. He u.sed his influence in securing the line of railroad through the
town of Ashford and was the agent of the railroad company in procuring the
right of way. In 1877 the company located a depot at Ashford Junction,
which he had urged and recommended, and he was its station agent the en-
suing five years, the postoffice there being named in his honor. Mr. West
served as supervisor of Ashford in 1867-68 and again in 1877. In November,
1869, and in 1889 he was elected to the Assembly from his district. Mrs.
West died. January 6, 1890. By her he had these children: Clara A. (Mrs. G.
W. Oyer), of West Valley; Leonidas D., a merchant of Dundee, N. Y.: and
Ida M. (Mrs. C. D. Stickney), of Buffalo. Mr. West married Mrs. Mary C.
Hitchcock, of Oakland, Cal., December 10, 1891.
Rev. James L. West, son of Joseph West, was born in Ashford, June 22,
1838. He began working for wages and supporting himself at thirteen years
History of Cattaraugus County.
of age. He obtained a common school education and engaged in farming.
He has also been a dealer in live stock for the past thirty years. In 1878 he
was licensed as a clergyman of the Free Baptist church and is now the pastor
of the-church at Rawson. He married Christina, daughter of John D. Quack-
enbush; children: John E., Cora L. (Mrs. Charles G. Do.x), and James C.
Lockward West came to Ashford in 1839. He married Mary, daughter of
Joshua Pike, of Springville, who bore him two sons, Eugene and Charles.
His second wife was Emeline Wemple, by whom he had seven children:
Simon, James, Mina, Fred, Dewitt, Susan, and Eddie.
CHAPTER XX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CARROLTON.
CARROLTON lies near the center of the southern tier of townships of
the county and is bounded on the north by Great Valley, on the east
by Allegany, on the south by Pennsylvania, and on the west by Red
House. It was formed from Great Valley on March 9, 1842, and was named
in honor of Guy Carrolton Irvine, an early and extensive land proprietor of
its territory. The town contains an area of 26,872 acres.
As a township it is decidedly rough and mountainous. Its highest emi-
nence is Bald hill, 800 feet above the valley of the Allegheny, in the southeast
part of the town. The finest farming lands are in the valley of the Allegheny
river and remain mainly uncultivated, being a portion of the Allegany Indian
reservation. It was originally covered with a magnificent growth of valuable
timber which the Indians have sold to their white neighbors. Along Tuna-
engwant creek (abbreviated Tuna) are fertile lands, and except the territory^
comprised in the neighborhood of New Ireland and along Nichols run and
Trout or Chipmunk creek the remainder of the town is too rough and ele-
vated to be fit for cultivation. Upon the uplands the soil is a clay and shaly
loam and in the valleys a rich gravelly loam.
The principal water-course, the Allegheny river, enters the town from
Allegany at the hamlet of Vandalia, flows a little south of west a trifle more
than half-way across the town, then turns abruptly north and flows into the
town of Great Valley. Its only affluent of much size is Tunaengwant creek,
which in its course in this town receives the waters of Nichols run" from the
east, Limestone creek from the west, and several other small brooks. It
enters the town from Pennsylvania and flows north with a very moderate de-
scent through the middle of the town and empties into the Allegheny where
that river turns to the north.
Town of Carrolton. 463
Carrolton was organized into a town by the election of town officers on
the last Tuesday in May, 1842. The officers elected were Ferdinand D. Per-
kins, supervisor; John Palmer, town clerk; Ira Rice and George W. Farr,
justices of the peace; Aaron Kellogg, William L. Wixon, and Ira Rice,
assessors; George W. Farr, Peter Zeliff, and Levi Leonard, commissioners of
highways ; John Palmer, William L. Wixon, and F. E. Perkins, commission-
ers of common schools; John Palmer, William L. Wixon, and Isaac Wright,
inspectors of common schools; Lafayette Rose, collector; Isaac Wright,
sealer of weights and measures; Lafayette Rose, Dearborn F. Fellows, and
Loren E. Lewis, constables ; Levi Leonard and George W. Farr, poormasters.
The town records for the years 1843, '844- and 1845 are missing. The
following list of supervisors is complete, as is also the lists of town clerks and
justices of the peace excepting the three years mentioned:
Supemisors.- Ferdinand D. Perkins, 1842; L. E. Perkins, 1843; Chase Fuller, 1844-47, 1849, 1851-55; Ira
Rice, 1848; Abuer O. Hunt, 1850; William Beardsley, 1856-57; James Nichols, 1858-63, ISUa, 1876-77; Daniel
Smith, 18()4, 1866 ; Felix BaiUet, 1867; Nelson Parker, 1863-69 ; Job Moses, 1870-7;i ; Harper G. Andrews, 1873,
1875; Shep. L. Vibbard, 1874 ; J. H. Beardsley, 1878 80; JI. H. Paxon, 1881; George Haton, 188-' ; John Good-
sell, 18S3; E. M. Bell, 1884 ; E. R. Schoonmaker, 1885-90, 1893 ; R. J. Watson, 1891-92.
Town Clerks.— John Palmer, 1842 ; records missing, 1843 45 ; James Fuller, 1846, 1849 ; Daniel Warner, 1847 ;
Enos Pai-sons, 1848 ; Nathan L. Sears, 18.50 ; JIanley C. Fuller, 1851-52 ; Abner O. Hunt, 1853 ; Edwin A. Jones,
1854-55; Samuel W. Fish, 18.56; William E. Zeliff, 1857; John L. Baxter, ia58-63; Milton Westbrook, 1863;
Giles M. Kellogs, 18W, 1867; Shep. L. Vibbard, 186.5-66, 18ti9-73, 1880-93; George Paton, 1874-76, 1878-79; Edwin
M. Bell, 1868, 1877.
Jiwticcs of the Peace.— 1842, Ira Rice, George W. Farr; 184C, Enos Parsons, William Grimes ; 1847, William
Beardsley, V. L. Lowe, Lafayette Rose ; 1848, Isaac Freeland, W. Grimes ; 1849, Isaac W. Hall, James Fuller ;
18.50, Chase Fuller, Daniel Warner, Abner O. Hunt ; 1851, Eliphalet Roselle; 1852, Ira Rice ; 185.3, D. Warner ;
18.54, C. Fuller; 18.55, Monroe Hayford, W. Beardsley; IKiti, Ira Rice ; 18.57, D. Warner, Manley C. Fuller; 18.58,
Michael Wheeler ; 1859, J. BaiUet, J. A. Hazzard, W. Grimes ; 1860, M. Wheeler ; 1861, M. J. Titus, Patrick
McMahon; 1862, M. C. Fuller, Ira Rice; 186:J, James Zelitf, John L. Baxter; 1864, Reuben Du Boise, Marshall
D. Harris; 186,5, Ira Hice ; 1866, Shep. L. Vibbard, Isaac Adams ; 1867, Job Moses, Charles H. Kellogg; 186,8, Mil-
ton Westbrook, R. E. Fuller, A. B. Hunt ; 1.869, A. V. Hill, J. Zeliff ; 1870, Shep. L. Vibbard ; 1871, R. E. Fuller.
William J. Clark, Walter J. Wright ; 1872, John F. Bassett ; 1873, Giles M. Kellogg ; 1874. Shep. L. Vibbard,
Clark Frank ; 187.5, Levi H, Stephens ; 1876, G. 0. Cutler ; 1.877, Clark Frank ; 1878, R. E. Fuller, E. C. Toplitt ;
1879, L. H. Stephens ; 1880, Shep. L. Vibbard ; 1881, David Vannatta, Walter S. Rigdon ; 1882, Allen Johnson ;
issii, Erwin Davis; 1884, Shep. L. Vibbard, R. E. Fuller; 1885, Thomas Jordan, Allen Johnson ; 1886, Allen
Johnson, John B. Gasseple ; 1837, R. E. Fuller, David Vannatta ; 1888, Shep. L. Vibbard ; 1889, J. B. Gasseple ;
1890, Allen Johnson, John Beatty ; 1891, W. H. Gibbs, C. E. Chapman ; 1892, Shep. L. Vibbard ; 1?93, R. E.
Fuller.
As near as can be ascertained Stephen and Jesse Morrison, brothers, made
the first settlement in Carrolton, at Irvine's Mills, in 1828, where they built the
first saw-mill in town. They removed to Pittsburg, Pa. Aaron Kellogg came
the same year and remained. Some woodsmen were there earlier for the sole
purpose of selecting the finest pine trees, cutting them into logs for sawing,
and floating them to mills down the river. This work of devastation began
as early as 18 14. Jonathan Fuller settled at the mouth of Limestone creek
soon after 1828, made a small clearing, and shortly afterward moved to the
Moore place farther up the creek. Several settlers came in about 1831.
Among them was Levi Leonard, who settled on the Indian reservation on the
west bank of the Allegheny just below the mouth of Tuna creek. James O.
Beardsley came in February of that year and located on the State line in
Tuna valley. Peter Zeliff came with his family in the year 1832 and set-
464 History of Cattaraugus County.
tied on the west side of Tuna creek within the present Hmits of the village of
Limestone. His daughter Harriet, born June 29, 1834, was the first white child
born in the town. About the time that Zeliff settled at the village site Sam-
uel Webber, a native of Maine, located on lot 41 and erected a frame house,
the first of the kind in the town. Seth Wixon, who had been a soldier in the
War of 1812, settled in the valley about a mile north of Limestone. He died
in 1850 , at the age of sixty-five years. He had nine children. His son Bar-
nabas, with a wife and infant daughter, came about the same time and like
his father was a farmer. He died August 1, 1889, aged seventy-nine years.
The first tavern in the town was opened about 1828 by Elias Stone, near the
mouth of Tuna creek, and the first store in 1832 by Charles Lewis. The first
marriage was that of a Mr. Brown and Emeline Fuller in 1828 and the first
death occurred the same year, the deceased being Enoch Fuller. The town
settled slowly. The census report of 1845 shows that Carrolton then had only
193 inhabitants ; in 1850,5(5; in 1860,779; in 1870,1,142; in 1880,2,171; in
1890, 1,884; ^nd by the State enumeration of 1892, 2,096.
The Allegheny river and Tuna creek formed the only thoroughfares of the
early settlers, as they had neither roads nor bridges. Small flat-boats, scows,
and canoes on these waterways answered a good purpose in lieu of roads and
carriages. For a number of years Levi Leonard conducted a ferry at his place
on the Allegheny, and not until 1849 ^^as there any attempt made to bridge
that stream. Carrolton then raised $1,500 and with the aid of subscriptions
outside of the town a bridge was placed across the river near the mouth of
Trout run. This site was abandoned after a bridge had been constructed
across the river below the mouth of Tuna creek in 1868.
All parts of the town that are inhabited are now furnished with passably
good roads. In the matter of railroad facilities Carrolton is especially fortu-
nate. The main line of the Erie enters the town from Allegany at the hamlet
of Vandalia, where there is a depot, and follows down the north side of Alle-
gheny river to Carrolton junction, where there is a good depot ; the road then
turns north and follows the river into Great Valley. The Bradford branch of
the Erie extends from Carrolton junction south to Bradford, Pa., along the
east side of Tuna creek. There is a depot at Limestone and a place to take
and leave passengers at Irvine's Mills. The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg
railroad enters Carrolton from Great Valley with its tracts parallel with the
main line of the Erie to Carrolton junction, and thence it runs to Bradford
parallel with the Bradford branch of the Erie. It has depots at Carrolton and
Limestone. The Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad enters the town
opposite Vandalia on the south side of the Allegheny and follows the river
across the town. This road has a station at South Carrolton opposite Carrol-
ton junction.
The pioneers in the oil interest in Carrolton began operations as early as •
1864, when Dr. James Nichols, Henry Renner, and Daniel Smith sunk a well
Town of Carrolton. 465
to the depth of 570 feet near the village of Limestone. They discovered oil,
and probably the only reason they did not find it in paying quantities was
because they did not sink it deep enough. The Hall Farm Petroleum Com-
pany, Job Moses, and others put down several wells, but not until they
learned to strike the oil-bearing strata, called the "third sand," at a depth
of from 1,000 to 1,200 feet, were they rewarded with success. After that
several good producing wells were sunk as early as 1875 and 1876, when farms
lying in the supposed i>i\ belt were rented very advantageously by their own-
ers, the excitement grew to -a craze, and oil derricks sprung up as if by magic.
Some 250 paying wells were producing oil at the time the business was at its
zenith. Convenient storage tanks were erected and numerous pipe lines were
formed, and an attempt made at refining the crude oil. The largest produc-
ing wells gave a yield of about 175 barrels per day, but this amount gradually
decreased to a few barrels. Only a few of the wells in Carrolton are now
pumped regularly.
In 1828 Stephen and Jesse Morrison (brothers) erected a saw-mill on the
site of the present Irvine's Mills, which was the first saw-mill in the town.
This mill in time went down, and in 1840 Guy C. Irvine, who had long been
the owner of the site, with F. D. Perkins and others built a mill on the oppo-
.site side of the stream. But not until 1857, when B. F. Irvine and Nelson
Parker put up the present mills, which Mr. Irvine afterward improved, was
lumber very extensively manufactured. For some years this firm manufac-
tured from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 feet of lumber and 2,000,000 shingles annu-
ally. They used both steam and water-power. The timber in the" vicinity
has nearly become exhausted. The mills are now owned by Plumer, Gilfillan,
Steele & Co., who manufacture and deal in all kinds of rough and dressed
hemlock, flooring, and shingles, making from '1,000,000 to 3,000,000 feet of
lumber yearly and employing from ten to twelve men. James I. Wynn is
general manager and superintendent.
James Nichols & Co. erected a steam saw-mill in 1856 which had a capacity
of cutting 8,000 feet of lumber per day. This mill was built on lot 2, on Nich-
ols run. In 1873 Dr. Nichols removed it to Limestone.
William Grimes, an enterprising lumberman, erected a steam saw-mill of
good capacity in 1865 on a small brook about one and one-half miles west of
Vandalia, where he did quite an extensive business. His mill was burned in
1874 and at once rebuilt. It is now owned and successfully operated by his
son, James H. Grimes.
The Limestone tannery is located in the village of Limestone. The nucleus
of this immense manufactory was built by Dodge & Smith in 1858. In 1863
the property was transferred to A. E. & G. W. Palen, who materially en-
larged the works and increased the capacity by putting in new machinery.
In 1875 F. H. Perry & Co. became the proprietors, and in 1877 they again went
through the process of enlarging, renovating, and adding more new ma-
59 ' .
History ok Cattaraugus County.
chinery. It is now the property of Hoyt Brothers, of New York, who have
ii\creased its capacity to such an extent that very few manufactories of the
kind in the United States equal it.
Blaisdell Brothers' Wood Company is located near the Allegheny river in
the village of Carrolton. The machinery of this manufactory is operated by
the combined power of two fifty horse-power engines, to drive which and
furnish heat for the drying kilns three eighty horse-power boilers are used.
The bundling presses, ninety-six in number, and the cut-off machines are their
own inventions. The output of the establishment is 50,000 bundles of kind-
ling wood per day, which loads five cars. This requires a supply of 27,000
cords of wood yearly, which is first sawed lengthwise into strips about one
and a half inches square. Thus prepared the material passes to the cut-off
machine (a gang of eighteen saws), which cuts it into blocks three inches long,
drops them into a screen where they are separated from sawdust, and passes
them through a chute to the elevator, which carries them to the top of the
drying kiln, which is forty-eight feet deep by one hundred and twenty feet
long. This is kept full and constantly heated. The wood thus thoroughly
dried is taken out at the bottom of the kiln and tied into bundles ready for •
market. The item for strings alone aggregates $100 per day. The company
gives employment to 170 operatives and pays monthly for wages from S5.500
to $6,000. For the comfort and convenience of their employees a number of
houses near the factory have been erected. The mill buildings are illuminated
in every part by the company's own electric plant. A powerful pump which
takes water from the Allegheny river is constantly in operation and ready in
case of fire.
Milton Northrup, it is said, was the first school teacher in town. He
taught in the winter of 1 830-3 1 in a log house on the east side of Tuna creek.
In 1892 the town had six school districts with schools maintained in all of
them. Five hundred and eighteen children attended these schools and were
taught by fifteen teachers. These schools were maintained at the cost of
$6,952.93. The assessed valuation of the town for school purposes is $647,889.
The value of school buildings, including sites, is estimated at $13,316.
Limestone, the- largest village in Carrolton, is situated in a broad and
beautiful valley on the east side of Tunaengwant creek, and on the New York,
Lake Erie & Western and the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroads. It
is in the south part of the town and three miles north of the city of Bradford,
Pa. It is a post village and originally known as Fullersburg, named in honor
of Chase Fuller, an early and a prominent citizen. This village now contains a
population of about 700 and a fine academy and graded school building.
There are two churches (Roman Catholic and Methodist Episcopal), four
stores, several small dealers, four or five licensed hotels, and the usual trades
and artisans. The first Limestone postofifice was established about 1840 at
Irvine's Mills with F. D. Perkins as postmaster. For several years it was
Town of Carrolton. 467
moved from one postmaster's residence to another's. The mammoth manu-
factory of the place is the Limestone tannery, one of the largest of its kind
in the United States. The village had a rapid growth after the advent of
the railroads and the erection of the tannery and a phenomenal growth at the
time of the development of the oil interest. The first merchant of the place
was Chase Fuller, who erected in 1847 ^ small store on the site of the Tuna
valley store, now owned by Hoyt Brothers. The first drug store was opened
by Dr. James Nichols in 1871 and is now conducted by Byron Bissell. In
1876 M. F. Higbee opened the first hardware store, which is now continued
by Joseph Greenwood. William H. Cable conducted the first hotel, known
as the Eagle House. Bell Brothers in 1877 organized the Limestone Bank,
which since the decline of the oil business has been discontinued.
The village of Limestone was incorporated under the general laws of the
State, December 7, 1877. The first officers of the village were E. R. Schoon-
maker, president; George Paton, E. J. Knapp, M. G. Bell, trustees ;*Shep.
L. Vibbard, clerk; James Zeliff, street commissioner; and J. W. Fritz, fire
warden. The origin of the name Limestone is attributed to the exhumation
of some skeletons in a prehistoric mound mentioned in a previous chapter by
Dr. Larkin, of Randolph. The bones, when exposed to the air, crumbled to
a dust, which fact caused the remark that they resembled limestone.
The Limestone Union Free School was organized in July, 1870, with the
following composing its first Board of Trustees: Arthur Palen, president,
Nelson Parker, John Hazzard, Eli Hooker, Dr. James Nichols, John McKen-
zie, James A. De Voe, Romanzo E. Fuller, and Henry Renner. An academic
department was formed October 7, 1878, and on November 4th of that year
the name became Limestone Academy and Union School and the institution
placed under the supervision of the Regents of the University of the State of
New York. The school has senior, junior, and primary departments with a
principal and an assistant, six teachers, and an instructor in music. The build-
ing is a two-story wooden structure, the main part, fifty by sixty feet, being
erected in 1871 and the wing, twenty-four by sixty, subsequently. The en-
tire properly is valued at $8,000.
Carrolton is a post village at the junction of the Bradford branch and main
line of the Erie railroad and a station on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg
railroad. The village contains a small Catholic church edifice, a large depot
building with an express and telegraph ofifice and an engine house, a store,
a large kindling wood manufactory, two hotels, and quite a group of dwellings.
Vandalia is another small post village situated on the Erie railroad, on the
north bank of the Allegheny river. It contains a postoffice, established in
1867 with William Soule postmaster, and a railroad station. The village is
located on the line dividing Carrolton from the town of Allegany, and con-
tains a population of about 150. Its only manufacturing interest js lumber.
Irvine's Mills, near the geographical center of the town, has a fine water-
History of Cattaraugus County.
power on Tunaengwant creek. This is one of the old settlements of the town
and was named in honor of the Irvine family. Quite a little cluster of houses
have been built up around the mills. It is a way station on the railroad mid-
way between Limestone and Carrolton villages.
New Ireland is a neighborhood in school district No. i in the west part of
Carrolton. The settlement w^as made soon after 1850 by Irish families, who
were all natives of County Clare, Ireland. Its inhabitants are distinguished
for their industry and economy and are generally prosperous.
The first religious services in Carrolton were held at the house of Aaron
Kellogg in 1831 by a Baptist preacher named Glazier. A small band of Meth-
odist worshipers was organized into a class in 1850 with J. O. Beardsley,
leader, and attached to Rushford district, of which Rev. E. Thomas was the
presiding elder. Rev. S. W. Eaton was the circuit preacher and about
monthly ministered to this little flock, usually in the school house. This was
the nucleus around which the First Methodist Episcopal church of Limestone
was formed, the complete organization of which was effected May 21, 1872,
with the following Board of Trustees : Dr. James Nichols, William McGill,
Job Moses, Henry Wade, Cortes Harris, Israel Adams, Arthur Palen, George
Higgs, and Ann Harris. Rev. B. Copeland was the first stationed pastor, in
1876, and under his administration the present neat and tasty church edifice
was erected and dedicated August 26, 1877, by Presiding Elder L. F. Watson.
The society has a membership of eighty-six with Rev. D. C. Nye, pastor. The
church edifice is constructed of wood with seats for 300, and is valued at
$4,000, including grounds, etc. The Sunday school, under the able manage-
ment of J. G. Drehmer, who has been its superintendent several years, has a
membership of 147 pupils.
St. Patrick's church (Roman Catholic) is located on Center street in Lime-
stone, and owes its origin to the labors of the Franciscan Fathers of Allegany,
who preached in the village once a month. In 1866 the church was organized
with 130 members. In 1867 the church edifice, a wooden structure, was
built, and in 1877 this house was enlarged and greatly improved. In 187S
Limestone became a parish and since that date St. Patrick's church has had
a resident priest. Rev. John D. Biden, the present pastor (1892), was ap-
pointed in 1883. The church property, including grounds and buildings, is
valued at $4,000. The Sunday school is attended by sixty pupils.
The Limestone Presbyterian church was organized June 19, 1877, with six
members. Rev. R. G. Williams, from Bradford, supplied the society semi-
monthly until May, 1878. The membership increased to eighteen; the cong-
regation met in Nichols hall. No service has been held by the society in
several years and at present not a single member resides in Limestone.
Henry Renner Lodge, No. 780, F. & A. M., was organized in 1877 with
Warren Dow. VV. M., and was chartered June 10, 1878. It meets every alter-
nate Wednesday evening with Shep. L. Vibbard, W. M.
Town of Carrolton. 469
Limestone Lodge, No. 177, A. O. U. W., was organized October 18/1878.
It meets alternately on Fridays with S. M. Hyde, M. W.
Tuna Valley Union, No. 343, E. A. U., was organized in 1882. S. M.
Hyde is president and J. G. Drehmer is secretary.
The W. C. T. U. of Limestone was organized January 31, 1888. Mrs.
M. C. Bissell is president and Mrs. S. L. Vibbard is secretary.
Limestone Branch, No. 79, C. M. B. A., was organized February 28, 1885,
with fifteen members, and with James Bl^ckall, president, and H. J. Conners,
recording secretary. The membership has increased to fifty-one. The present
officers are Daniel McCarty, president, and John McCarty, recording secretary.
John Smith Adams, son of William and Magdelene (Wade) Adams, was
born in Massachusetts, April 23, 1806. His ancestors came from England to
America about 1630. In 1820, as near as can be ascertained, he came to
Farmersville with his parents, where he married Theda Corkins, Jan. 17, 1831,
who was born Oct. 18, 1811. In 1834 they emigrated to Ohio with a team
and heavy wagon and settled in Lorain on a farm adjoining his brothers,
W. H. H. and Lyman. He was there a farmer and a ship-carpenter, and re-
turned to Cattaraugus county in 1883 and spent the remainder of his old age
with his son, Albert Quincy Adams, in where he died March 21, 1889.
Albert Quincy Adams was born in Lorain, Ohio, July 14, 1844. With his
father's consent he enlisted in the 55th Ohio Inf. and was mustered in Sept. 1 1,
1 861, being honorably discharged Nov. 5, 1862, on account of a gun-shot
wound in his left leg received at the second battle of Bull Run. He returned
home and was employed to drive a team for the government in Kentucky in
the winter of 1863-64. In the summer of 1864 he was employed on board a
government tugboat on the Potomac and James rivers. In the fall of 1864
he came to Carrolton and ran a stationary engine in the steam saw-mill of Dr.
J. Nichols for nine years. He settled on the place where he now resides in
1868, and has since been a farmer. Dec. 5, 1866, he married Euthenia Bos-
worth and they have two sons and two daughters. Their oldest child, May
B., is a successful teacher.
Harper G. Andrews, son of Robert H. and Julia E. (Wilmot) Andrews,
was born in Windsor, Broome county, February 3, 1845. He was educated
in the common schools, at Rogers Seminary at Great Bend, Pa., and at Low-
ell's Business College in Binghamton. He was a farmer with his father until
July 23, 1862, when, with his father's consent, he enlisted in Co. B, 137th
N. Y. Vols., and returned at the close of the war with the rank of first lieu-
tenant. He participated in all the events of his regiment, marched to the
sea with Sherman, and returned by way of Richmond to Washington. He
led a charmed life and only received one gun-shot wound in his right arm at
the battle of Peach Tree Creek. He was honorably discharged June 20, 1865.
He was again a farmer with his father the ensuing two years. In November,
1867, he settled in Limestone as a clerk and two years later engaged in the
manufacture and sale of lumber, which he followed until 1881. He then con-
ducted a hotel up to 1890. Mr. Andrews is a staunch Republican, and has
been electee! assessor and two times supervisor. May 5, 1869, he married
Mary A. Irvine, of Carrolton. They have had three children, all of whom
died in early childhood.
Felix Baillet, born Nov. 22, 1802, married Aff. Whitcomb, who was born
470 History of Cattaraugus County.
April II, 1807, and removed from Farmersville to Limestone in the fall of
1852. He built a small tannery, the first in town, and tanned leather and
made boots and shoes. His brother, Francis E. Baillet, was clerk of Cattar-
augus county for nine years. Felix Baillet was a great reader, well informed,
was familiar with the Bible, and loved an argument, especially with the cler-
gymen. He had a mind and will of his own. He was supervisor of this town
in 186*. He removed with his family to Tullahoma, Tenn., in 1868, where he
still resides. His father, Francis Baillet, was born in Rocheforte, France, in
1769, and died in Philadelphia in 1804. John W. Baillet, son of Felix, was
born in Farmersville, March 12, 1837. January 31, 1864, he married Abigail,
daughter of Levi Leonard. He was a railroad conductor and train dispatcher
eighteen years. He was always affable and kind. He died in 1881. His
only surviving child is a son, Frank, born July 26, 1871.
John Odell Beardsley was born in Dutchess county in 1779 and married
Charity Bromley, of Delhi, N. Y. Being a lumberman and merchant with his
father they used the Delaware river as a means of transportation to and from
Philadelphia. Mr. Beardsley removed to near Seneca Lake and in 1813 or
1 8 14 to Chautauqua county, where he was a successful lumberman until 1829,
when he came to Tuna valley and purchased several hundred acres of pine
land in the township of Bradford, Pa., and engaged extensively in manufac-
turing lumber. In February, 1831, he brought his family to his log cabin.
In a few years he built a comfortable residence, the center of which was ex-
actly on the State line. He claimed his residence in Pennsylvania. In 1S36,
with his sons John O. and William, he built a double mill on Foster brook,
where they were engaged in manufacturing lumber to the time of his death,
April 23, 1842. John O., William, and Hiram were all lumbermen. They had
a tract of land along the State line in Carrolton which contained 2,000 acres,
from which they cut the timber. J. O. Beardsley was the river pilot for the
family from the age of fifteen years, and took millions of feet of lumber to
market. He became a prominent man in society and the first leader of the
M. E. class organized in Carrolton in 1850. He is now a farmer in Sardinia,
Erie county. Mr. Beardsley married Alinda Whitaker and his children are
Malvina, born Nov. 10, 1836, of Arcade, N. Y.; Louenza (Mrs. Richard Haz-
zard), of Limestone; Lucy, born May 6, 1842, wife of Joseph Leonard, of
Carrolton; Charles O., born May 10, 1844, of Duluth, Minn.; Louise J., born
Oct. 27, 1846 (Mrs. M. W. Caffee), of Bradford ; Millie A., born Nov. 14, 1850
(Mrs. Guy C. Irvine), of Irvine's Mills; Clinton J., born Sept. 18, 1853, a farmer
on the homestead; and Wilbur G., born Nov. 18, 1858.
Hiram Beardsley, youngest son of John O., Sr., was born March 25, 1825.
He married Mandana Hull, succeeded his father on the homestead, and gave
his mother a home until she died in August, 1876, aged ninety-two years. He
built his present fine residence in 1880, north of the State line. In 1865,
Hiram and William Beardsley, with a company of capitalists, took the first
leases of territory and made a test by drilling the first well in this region on
land where the city of Bradford has since been built. Although this well was
not a success, because it was not bored deep enough, it established two facts:
that oil did exist in paying quantities, and that William and Hiram Beardsley
were the pioneers in the discovery of petroleum in Tuna valley. On the farm
of Hiram Beardsley is the first paying oil well in Carrolton. This was drilled
in the winter of 1875-76 and is still yielding oil. William Beardsley died in
October, 1885. He served the town as supervisor in 1855, 1856, and 1857.
Town of Cakrolton. 471
Jacob Bedell, a native of Branchville, N. J., was born March i, 1840. His
parents removed to Owego in 1850, where he resided until i860, when he
joined them in Prompton, Pa. He then began business for himself as a job-
ber in lumbering. He has since been a jobber and overseer of lumbering and
peeling bark, except three years and a half spent on contract work in the coal
mines. In 1879 ^^ began business as a jobber in peeling bark for Hoyt
Brothers in Gouldsboro, Pa., which employed him there and in Hillsgrove,
Pa., about six years. Since then he has resided in Limestone and is the over-
seer for Hoyt Brothers in the business in which he has long been an expert.
Mr. Bedell is efficient and trustworthy. In March, 1881, he married Emma
Engler, of Gouldsboro, Pa. They have two daughters, Maud and Frances M.
Rev. J. D. Biden, born in Buffalo, Sept. 30, 1852, spent his boyhood in
Cattaraugus county and acquired his early education in the common school on
Whig street in Little Valley. After a short business career in Buffalo he
entered Niagara University in 1874 and in Dec, 1879, received the degree of
A.B. After a two years' course in theology he received in 1881 the degree
of A.M. and was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church
June 3, 1882. He then spent one year as assistant at West Seneca. Aug. 1,
1883, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's church of Limestone, where he
still officiates. Since coming to Limestone he has purchased a cemetery for
the parish, enlarged and greatly improved the parsonage, has wrought many
other necessary improvements, and has built a small but neat church edifice
at Carrolton villag£. He has also started a fund to build a more commodious
church at Limestone. He served a term on the Board of Education.
Byron Bissell, son of Aaron and Delilah (Pullen) Bissell, was born on the
Bissell homestead in Lyndon, Nov. 5, 1849, ^'^^ ^^^s educated in the common
schools and Ten Broeck Academy. He was a farmer with his father until he
attained his majority and the winter ensuing taught the district school where
he had himself been taught. He spent two years of the ensuing ten as drug-
gist's clerk with Dr. James Nichols in Limestone, two or three years on the
home farm in Lyndon, where he held the offices of town clerk and justice of
the peace, and the remainder of the period was engaged in the oil business in
Pennsylvania. Aug. 26, 1880, he succeeded Dr. Nichols in the firm of Nich-
ols & Paton, druggists, of Limestone. Since 1883, when he purchased Mr.
Paton's interest, Mr. Bissell has conducted the business alone. He has held
the positions of deputy postmaster and trustee and president of the village.
October 10, 1875, he married Ella Beebe, of Carrolton. They have five chil-
dren: Jennie H., Clara M., Maud, and Leon B. and Lena (twins).
Alonzo Bosworth was born in Marion, Wayne county, June 17, 1823, and
moved with his parents to New Hudson, Allegany county, when about five
years old, where his parents resided to the close of their lives. Alonzo Bos-
worth married, in November, 1854, in Allegany county, Amelia Page, who died
in June, 1855, and in February, 1861, he married, second, Sarah Adams, who
was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, in 1832. Her father, Israel Adams, was
a native of New Hampshire and of English descent. Mr. Bosworth is a lum-
berman and has been employed as head sawyer and manager of the lumber
firm of J. Nichols & Co. for more than twenty years. He now gives his atten-
tion to his farm.
Ansel J. Brown, youngest child of Erastus Brown, a pioneer of Mansfield,
was born on the homestead Jan. 8, 1849, ^^^^ reared a farmer, and waseducated
in the district school. His father died when he was only eleven years old.
472 History of Cattaraugus County.
At eighteen he and his brother Levi bought the homestead and together
cultivated it about twenty years. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Brown opened a
general store at Union Corners, near his old home, where he remained until
the spring of 1887, when he purchased his present store in Limestone. In
1875 he made an extensive tour through California. April 6, 1870, Mr. Brown
married Ellen L., daughter of Lorenzo H. Smith, of Mansfield. Their children
are Harry, who married Miss Armstrong; Clara (Mrs. George Seymour) ; and
Melva. Mr. Brown is a musician and Mrs. Brown conducts a millinery store.
John Carmody was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1823. He resided in
England three or four years, where he married Mary O'Day, a native of Ire-
land, and born in 1830. They came to New York city in 1853; he was en-
gaged on the Erie and New York Central railroads until 1858, when he came
to Limestone, where he was employed in the tannery until 1866. He then
purchased a wood lot of fifty acres in the neighborhood known as New Ire-
land, where he resided about two years. In November, 1869, he settled on the
farm where he now resides. This farm, with the aid of his industrious sons,
he has converted into well-cultivated fields and a good home. In March, 1875,
he leased fifty acres of his farm for oil' purposes, with a royalty of one-eighth
net to himself, and has an income from six producing wells. Mr. and Mrs.
Carmody have had born to thtm eight children, three of whom died young.
Those now living are Michael, Kate M., John P., Marv, and Ellen A. Michael
and John are contractors and jobbers in drilling oil and gas wells; Kate M.
and Ellen A. are teachers; Mary (Mrs. M. Scanlon) resides in Bradford, Pa.
Mason W. Cogswell, son of Samuel, was born in Warren, Pa., Nov. 4, 1822,
and about 1847 came to Carrolton, where he began manufacturing square
timber and pine shingles. With four or five others he lived in a shanty kept
by a mulatto. When their raft of timber arrived at Warren Mr. Cogswell took
charge of it and ran it down to Pittsburg. He was known as one of the most
capable pilots on the river. Until 1882 or '83 he made dozens of trips a
pilot and was successful with all but one. In 1853 he settled where he now
resides and is engaged in farming. Aug. i, 1851, he married Sarah Lawton,
who bore him these children: Adelaide and Hannah, who died in childhood;
Chloe A. (Mrs. W. Brooks), born April 3, 1857, died Feb. lo, 1877; John L.,
born Aug. 23, 1859, married Sylvia Tallman, of Minnesota, and resides on the
homestead with his father; and Perry M., born Feb. 10, 1862, also with his
father. Mrs. Cogswell died Feb. 10, 1863. Jan. i, 1874, he married, second,
Phebe Lawson.
George J. Cowen was born in Candor, Tioga county, in June, 1840. His
father was a shoemaker and later a grocer in Limestone, where he died in
1873. Aug. 6, 1862, George J. enlisted in Co. C, 109th N. Y. Vols., and he
participated in all the events of his regiment for two years, when he was sent
to the. hospital to recover from an amputated finger. He left before it was
fairly healed and assisted in repelling the attempted assault on Washington.
Soon afterward he was transferred to the 13th Veteran Reserve Corps, from
which he was discharged July 13, 1865. He immediately settled in Lime-
stone, where he was a groceryman with his father one year. Mr. Cowen has
served as constable since 1885, and since 1882 he has been police constable of
Limestone. Aug. 29, 1-865, he married Anna A. Hill, and their children now
living are Fred C, Georgiana N., and Luney M.
John J. Crowley, son of Dennis, was born in Cattaraugus, May 12, 1866,
and attended the Union Free School of his native village. He began to
Town of Carrolton. 473
learn telegraphy' at the age of fourteen and became an operator for the Buf-
falo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad at the age of sixteen. One year later he
was operator and clerk at Mt. Jewett, Pa., and two years afterward was made
station agent of Limestone, taking charge March i, 1886. His is a family of
railroad men.
Jacob G. Drehmer was born in Dansville, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1844, enlisted Aug.
I, 1862, in Co. B, 1st N. Y. Dragoons, and was honorably discharged June 10,
1865. Mr. Drehmer participated in the battle of Cold Harbor, where he
received an injury in his left leg .and was excused from duty in consequence
for about a week, but did not leave his regiment. He was present also at
the Wilderness, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Yellow Tavern, Fisher's Hill, the
siege of Suffolk, and other battles and skirmishes. Since returning from the
army he has pursued his trade as a manufacturer of boots and shoes. Mr.
Drehmer married Julia L. Common, of Angelica, N. Y., and they have one
son. Mr. Drehmer is a Republican. Both are members of the Methodist
church, of which he is one of the trustees, having held the position the past
fourteen years. He has also served as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Daniel Frank, son of Daniel, a pioneer of Ashford, married Catherine,
daughter of Peter Multer, also a pioneer of- Ashford. He was a farmer and
blacksmith. He came to Vandalia and -built the fences from Olean to Dun-
kirk for the Erie railroad by contract. He also carried on his trade of black-
smith, and was the superintendent in the construction of the State road from
Vandalia to Great Valley. In 1861 he enlisted in the 64th N. Y. Inf. for three
years. He stood six feet three and one-half inches in his stockings. The
exposures of army life brought on inflammatory rheumatism, and after a period
of treatment in the hospital he was discharged an invalid. He returned home
about eleven months after he entered the service and died two years later.
Mrs. Frank died October 25, 1888. Their son, Clark Frank, was born in Otto,
March 27, 1844. Aug. 31, 1862, he enlisted in the iiith N. Y. Inf., partici-
pated in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, was never in the
hosjiital nor away from his company until he received a wound from a minie-
ball that struck him a little above the heart, passed through his left lung, and
out at his back. By a strange coincidence his brother Sylvester, a soldier in
the 61st Regiment, received precisely such a wound the same day and in the
same battle. They were treated in the same ward of the hospital by the same
surgeon, recovered at the same time, were honorably discharged June 14, 1865,
and nent home together. Nov. 7, 1868, Clark Frank married Lucina Waters,
of Fimestone. He conducted a grocery in Carrolton and was a lumberman
until about 1870. He was successively baggagemaster, telegraph operator,
and three years station agent at Limestone. Since 1888 he has been a farmer.
Mr. Frank has ofificiated as justice of the peace eight years, and has held sev-
eral other town offices. He has five children. James D. Frank, son of Daniel,
was born March 23, 1854. He leaTned telegraphy without a tutor, was assis-
tant station agent at Carrolton, and for eight years was station agent at Great
Valley. He is now the station agent and telegraph operator at Vandalia.
Chase Fuller, son of John and Betsey Fuller, was born in Piermont, N. H.,
April 18, 1797, received a good business education, and married Nancy Ken-
yon, of Holland, N. Y., May 5, 1822. She was born January 12, 1802, at
Stanley, Conn. They came to Freedom in the winter of 1839-40. In Feb.,
1844, they removed to Carrolton on lot 25, where the village of Limestone
has since been built. His residence, a two-story log house, was located -where
60
474 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
the Bateman House now stands. Mr. Fuller was an extensive farmer and a
manufacturer and dealer in pine lumber, which he rafted down the river to
Cincinnati. In 1846 he opened a general mercantile establishment where the
Tuna valley store now stands. Mr. Fuller was a man of good business ability,
well informed, and a leading and prominent citizen. He was elected super-
visor of Carrolton in 1844 and represented the town ten years and held the
same office in Humphrey four years. He officiated as a magistrate over forty
years and as associate judge of the county several terms. As inagistrate he
was the trial justice and ofificiated at nearly 200 weddings. Early in life he
began practice in justice's courts and continued successfully until old age com-
pelled him to relinquish the work. Mr. Chase was an honorable, upright
citizen. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Humphrey, where he gave his
attention to his farm, the various ofifices which he held, and his law practice.
In 1868 he removed to Virginia, where he was postmaster, but five years later
returned to Carrolton, where he died Jan. 25, 1880. Mrs. Fuller survived him
until Dec. 24, 1887. Their children were Philetus M., born May 4, 1823, now
of Smethport, Pa., a soldier in the Union army five years, a magistrate eight
years, associate judge five years, county commissioner six years, and has been a
heavy oil producer; Lafayette T.,born March 25, 1825, living near Bradford, Pa.;
Manley C, born April 3, 1827, a magistrate in Carrolton several years, removed
to Rochester, Minn., in 1865, was elected to the Legislature in 1868 and in
1870; Dolly P., born May 8, 1829, widow of Marcus IMcMillen, of Olean ; Ro-
manzo E., born May 22, 1833, married Harriet, daughter of Calvin Leonard,
Sept. II, 1853, and their children are Herbert C, a railroad bridge builder in
Nebraska, Jerome H., a farmer and oil-well driller near Limestone, and Sam
R., an oil producer in Forest county. Pa.; Desire E., born Nov. 3, 1835, widow
of Samuel Huntington, a soldier in the Union army who died of starvation in
Andersonville prison; Velonia N. (Mrs. Samuel Leonard), of Limestone, born
March 21, 1840; Zoroaster C, born Sept. 21, 1842, a farmer near Bradford,'
Pa., and a soldier in the Union army; Olivia A., born May 6, 1845, widow of
Almanzer Jones, of Allegany ;■ and Millard F., born Feb. 15, 1850, died at the
age of fourteen years. Romanzo E. Fuller is a carpenter and builder by trade,
which until recently has been his avocation. He was elected magistrate of
Carrolton in 1866 and has served in that' position twenty-four years. He has
also held other important town ofifices.
Joseph Greenwood, son of Robert, was born in I\Ianchester, England, in
1843, emigrated to America with his parents in 1848, and settled first in
Massachusetts, where he resided until twelve years old. His mother died in
1855, and Joseph then had a home with his grandparents in Patterson, N. J.,
with whom he lived until 1859, when he became an apprentice to the trade of
tinner in Orange, N. J., where he remained until 1862. He then enlisted in
the 26th N. J. Vols, and was honorably discharged June 7, 1863. In March,
1864, he enlisted in the U. S. navy and was discharged in June, 1865. Mr.
Greenwood settled on Oil creek in Aug., 1865, and was a tinner thereuntil
1 87 1, when he began dealing in hardware and oil supplies in Salem, Pa. In
1876 he came to Limestone and opened a general hardware store, which he
still conducts. Mr. Greenwood is a staunch Republican, but is not an office-
seeker. In 1868 he married Celestia A. Rockwell, of Summit, Pa., and they
have had four children, of whom Joseph P. and John W. are now living.
William Grimes was born in New Hampshire, Feb. 2, 1804. In his child-
hood he removed to the eastern part of New York State, and finally married
Town of Carroltox. 475
Margaret Dudley. He afterward resided a few years in Vermont and came
thence to Essex county, N. Y., where he was a jobber in cutting and hauling
lumber. He removed to Tiffanyville, Chautauqua county, where he stocked
and ran the mills of Jehiel Tiffany. In the fall of 1840 or '41 he settled on
the Nine Mile on the Allegheny river at what is now the village of Vandalia,
and for about four years conducted the lumber mills of Guy C. Irvine and
Judge Chamberlain. About 1845 he purchased 900 acres of timber lands and
added to them from time to time till he had a tract of 2,000 acres. He began
cutting and rafting square pine timber and shingles down the river to market,
and continued to the close of his life, Jan. 26, 1877. Mr. Grimes was a man
of more than medium height, broad-shouldered and muscular, and possessed
great powers of endurance. He was ambitious, courageous, and industrious,
and was known as the poor man's friend. He was a man of the old-school
style, strictly honest and upright. His only son, James Henry Grimes, was
born in Vermont, Feb. 10, 1829, received a common school education, and
succeeded his father in 1877, continuing the business still and manufacturing
an average of 1,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Grimes is also a farmer
on a farm of one hundred acres. He employs from ten to twenty-two men.
Sept. 25, 1882, he married Anna Horton, a native of England, and they have
one son, William Henry, born Dec. 20, 1885.
John Hamm, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, came with his parents to
New York in May, 1853. In 1864 his father removed to Allegany, where he
still resides. He settled in Limestone in 1868 and opened a blacksmith shop.
A year later he added a custom carriage and sleigh manufactory and gave
employment to three men. This he still continues. June 21, 1874, he mar-
ried Cynthia, daughter of Makerous and Mary Merkt, natives of VVurtemberg,
Germany, who came to America in 1853. Children: Carl Joseph and Fred
Andrew.
Sanford M. Hyde \vas born in Tolland, Conn., in 1840. He removed to
EllenvUle, Ulster county, in 1850, and began active business at thirteen years
of age. At fifteen he was clerking in a general store. He was one of the firm
of E. R. Schoonmaker & Co. and S. M. Hyde & Co. He conducted Tunaeng-
want Hotel successfully for three years and was postmaster during Cleveland's
first administration. He is now book-keeper for the Northern Tier Hemlock
Company, Limited, with headquarters at Bradford, Pa. Mr. Hyde was a
serg ant in the Union army in the Civil war three months. In Oct., 1862,
he married Charlotte J., sister of Hon. E. R. Schoonmaker, of Limestone, and
their children are George, who died at the age of twenty.:four years ; Charles
L., a clerk for Stickney, Bell & Co. at Quaker, N. Y.; Robert; and Nellie.
Guy Carrolton Irvine, brother of Andrew and uncle of B. F., was born on
the West branch of the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania, the youngest son
of a family of twenty-six children. His father died when he was a boy, and
young Irvine was apprenticed to a blacksmith, whom not being a congenial
spirit he soundly thrashed and ran away. In very early manhood he resided
at Broken Straw, Warren county. Pa., and there began his active business life
by jobbing in building roads and bridges. He had dealt in- lumber and soon
after his marriage with Polly Cotton he bought 2,000 acres of timber land on
Conewango creek on credit, built mills also on credit, manufactured lumber,
built up a small village which took the name of Irvinesburg, and was very
successful. About 1837, in company with Judge Chamberlain and N, A. Low-
rey, he purchased a tract of 25,000 acres of land lying in and adjacent to Tuna
4/6 History of Cattaraugus County.
valley in Carrolton, which was divided among the proprietors. Mr. Irvine
built the original Irvine mills in 1840, about half a mile below the site of the
mills erected by Stephen and Jesse Morrison in 1828 and on the opposite side
of the stream. He was succeeded in 1848 by his nephew, B. F. Irvine, who
had for several years been engaged in business with him. He was an abrupt,
fearless, able business man, possessed great energy, and was honest and true.
The town named in honor of him took his second name, Carrolton.
Benjamin F. Irvine, son of Andrew, was born in Towanda, Pa., Aug. 12,
1819, and received a good business education. In the winter of 1841-42 he
came to Irvine's Mills in the employ of his uncle, Guy C. Irvine, to haul logs.
In drawing the logs to the chute at the top of the hill, where they were slid
down into the pond, one of his horses slipped and fell into the chute, dragg-
ing his mate and the heavy load with him, and all went down together in a
total wreck. This outfit was all Mr. Irvine had to carry on business. In
1843 he returned and got out square timber and pine shingles, which he rafted
to Louisville, continuing until March, 1848, when he assumed the manage-
ment of his uncle's large lumber business. In 1855 he bought his cousin's
interest in 6,000 acres of land. In 1857 the firm of B. F. Irvine and Nelson
Parker built the saw-mill on lot 29 on the site of Morrison's mill, where they
manufactured lumber, which they rafted to the markets. In 1865 they sold
their entire property to Job Moses, but in 1869 Mr. Irvine bought back the
mills and 600 acres surrounding them, and enlarged the mills to a daily capacity
of 50,000 feet, added a shingle-mill, a planer, and a flooring-mill, giving him
a total capacity of 4,000,000 feet of lumber and 3,000,000 shingles annually.
He continued this vast business until his death Sept. 10, 1878. January i,
1847, he married Rebecca, eldest daughter of Levi Leonard. Mr. Irvine pos-
sessed many of the characteristics of his uncle, G. C. He had great energy,
more than ordinary business ability, was quick to perceive, and bold and fear-
less to decide and act While he did business on strict business principles he
had a quick ear for the voice of the needy and was not slow to relie\'e their
wants. While he could drive a good bargain he was tender to those in dis-
tress and dispensed charity unseen, but with an open hand. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Irvine were Mary A., born May 5, 1848, wife of H. G. Andrews;
Guy C, born March 21, 1850; Andrew L., born May 29, 1854, died Nov. 26,
1855 ; Leonard C, born March 27, 1856: Jerome N., born Oct. 27, 1857, died
April 12, 1859; Benjamin F., Jr., born September 30, 1859, now agent for his
mother and manager of the estate; and De Witt C, born Feb. 24, 1866, died
Feb. 4, 1S67. June 26, 1872, Guy C. Irvine married Millie A., youngest
daughterof J. O. Beardsley. Mr. Irvine learned his father's business as a lum-
berman, and with his brother Leonard C. succeeded him at his death in 1878,
under the firm name of Irvine Brothers, who continued it until they sold the
mills and fifty acres in 1882 to Plumer, GilfiUan, Steele & Co., the present
proprietors. Mr. Irvine is now a farmer. Leonard C. Irvine is now book-
keeper for Schoonmaker & Davis.
Allen Johnson was born in Monmouth county, N. J., June 6, 1832. Aug.
29, 1861, he enlisted in the 6th N. J. Inf. and served three years. He partici-
pated in seventeen general engagements, was never absent from roll call except
when on detached service, was never in the guardhouse or hospital, and was
never reprimanded by any officer. He was several times struck with spent
balls and had two guns shot from his hands. He was honorably discharged in
September, 1864. In January, 1880, he came to Carrolton from Pennsylvania
Town of Carrolton. 477
and here he still resides. He is now engaged in selling groceries and station-
ery at the village of Carrolton. He is a pronounced Democrat, and holds the
positions of postmaster, justice of the peace, and overseer of the poor. Mr.
Johnson is the father of five sons and a daughter.
Levi Leonard, born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 22, 1809, married, April 15, 1828,
Elizabeth Cargill, of Corydon, Pa., a native of Maine who was born Dec. 25, 18 10.
In 1832 became to Carrolton as a lumberman and in 1834 he brought his wife
to his log cabin which he had erected near the mouth of Tuna creek. At that
time the vast unbroken forests were in their pristine glory. Mr. Leonard was
a young man of fine physical development, broad shouldered, very muscular,
and stood full six feet high. He was energetic and courageous. Lumbering
was then, and for many years after, the leading industry of the country, and
the river was the only highway to convey it to market. To accommodate the
scores of rivermen and wood-choppers he built a large hotel at the mouth of
Tuna creek, on the east side of the Allegheny on the Indian reservation, and
opened it to the public in 1836. He also established a ferry across the river.
This tavern was a favorite resort. Mr. Leonard also dealt extensively in lum-
ber and was famous as a river pilot. He gave his attention mainly to what is
known as square timber and hand-made pine shingles. His knowledge of the
Allegheny was proverbial. He was credited with knowing every shallow and
rock, and lumbermen claimed that " Leonard could sail the river on a dark
night with as much safety as at mid-day." Food, clothing, etc., were brought
up the stream in canoes and the last one now in the vicinity was constructed by
Mr. Leonard and is still kept by his family as a relic of " ye olden time." To
keep a supply of fresh fish with which the river and streams abounded he
confined them in a skiff covered with boards and sunk in the water. He was
a successful hunter. The city of Buffalo was then quite inaccessible. To
make the trip Mr. Leonard shipped his team and load on his ferry boat to
Great Valley, proceeded thence by highway, and returned as he went with
provisions and groceries which he dealt out to his neighbors.
Mr. Leonard was always on the most amicable terms with the Seneca Ind-
ians, whom he uniformly treated kindly and with the strictest honesty. He
thus gained their undying friendship and confidence. All matters of impor-
tance were submitted to him for his advice, and they never failed to act in
accordance with his suggestions. So great was his influence over them that
his friends in a facetious way spoke of him as the " God of the Senecas." The
Indians acknowledged him as their superior, and were in awe of him. He was
master of the Seneca dialect and spoke it fluently. In Nov., 1858, he removed
to the farm about one mile north of Limestone, where he spent the remainder
of his I'fe in the pursuit of farming. He died September 10, 1879. Although
he never held high office, nor wished to, he was as well and widely known as
the proudest official and as much esteemed. His children were Rebecca, born
July 12, 1830, widow of B. F. Irvine; Sabrj, born Jan. i, 1832, widow of Bil-
lings Lauton and proprietor of the Lawton House, Carrolton : Jerome B., born
Dec. 15, 1835, died Jan. 15, 1859; Abigail, born March 22, 1837, widow of John
W. Baillet, now residing with her aged mother ; Joseph, born Sept. 4, 1839, a
jobber, lumberman, and farmer; Mary A., born Nov. 24, 1842, widow of
George Baker, a tanner who served three years in the late war and died of
disability contracted in the army; Levi, Jr., born Dec. 20, i8zj4, died in early
childhood ; Frank A., born May 21, 1846, a traveling salesman from East Liv-
erpool, Ohio; Robert, born April 2, 1848, drowned in the river at the home-
478 History of Cattaraugus County.
stead at the age of three and one-half years; Sarah J., born Oct. 3, 1850, wife
of Hon. E. R. Schoonmaker; and Bradley R., born F. b. 28, 1853, died of an
injury received while coupling cars, Nov. 15, 1875. The children of George
Baker are Georgia (Mrs. John Goodsell)of Olean, and Clarence, a farmer on the
Leonard homestead.
Calvin Leonard, brother of Levi Leonard, Sr., was born in August, 1801.
He married Jemima Cogswell and came to Carrolton from Beaver county, Pa.,
in 1 85 1, settling on the farm now owned by Hon. E. R. Schoonmaker. Mr.
Leonard was a carpenter and one of the most skillful millwrights in the
country. He built the Irvine mills, the first Union Free School building,
the tannery erected by Dodge & Smith, and many other large structures. He
was a Democrat, was well versed in the Scriptures, liberal in his religion, and
believed in the ultimate salvation of the whole human race. He died Jan. 22,
1884. Only three of his children reside in Carrolton: Samuel J., who mar-
ried Velonia N., daughter of Chase Fuller, and for sixteen years has been the
carpenter and millwright of the Limestone tannery; Jackson L., who married
Maggie Stevens; and Cynthia R. (Mrs. Shep. L. Vibbard).
Joseph F. McCahill was born in the city of New York, April 10, 1859, ^"d
Jan. I, 1883, married Kate Dwyer. In 1884 they settled in Limestone, where
Mr. McCahill is engaged as a jobber in the Limestone tannery. He also con-
ducts cigar factory No. 1234.
Donald J. McDonell, of sturdy Scotch descent and cousin of Alexander
McDonell, Bishop of Alexandria, Can., was born in Renfrew, Ontario, Can.,
Jan. 15, 1838. Nov. i, 1864, he went to Buffalo as a journeyman blacksmith.
From Jan., 1865, until 1876 he was engaged in the oil business in Pennsylva-
nia. He then settled in Limestone, where he was an oil producer and a driller
of oil wells, by contract, until 1886. He still owns his machinery and oil ter-
ritory, and now has charge of the Manufacturers' Gas Company's business in
Limestone. Jan. 24, 1875, he married Louisa, daughter of R. B. Barnes, a
native of Massachusetts. . Mrs. McDonell was born Dec. 15, 1839, i" Wiscon-
sin. Mr. Barnes resides with his daughter in Limestone.
John McKenzie was born in Rosshire, Scotland, June 12, 1836, and in
1854 settled in Forestville, N. Y. In 1856 he came to Carrolton and April
16, 1857, married Harriet H., daughter of Peter Zeliff, who was born June 29,
1834, being the first white child born in the town of Carrolton. Mr. McKen-
zie is a farmer. He was formerly engaged in lumbering. He is a Republican
and has held the office of highway commissioner three years, assessor four
years, and collector one year. Four of their seven sons and their only
daughter are living.
George McNally, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in County Cork, Ire-
land, July 9, 1845. He emigrated to America in 1862, spent a year in Massa
chusetts, three years in Cleveland, Ohio, was a hotel proprietor in Corry, Pa.,
ten years, and in 1876 came to Limestone, where he built the McNally House
and has been its proprietor since. In 1878 he married Margaret McNamara,
a native of County Clare, Ireland. Their children are Anna and George B.
John Miller, a native of Prussia, came with his family to Limestone in
December, 1864. He was a worthy citizen, and for ten or eleven years was
an employee in the tannery. Later he was a farmer. He died in April, 1876.
On his farm the first paying oil well in the valley of Tuna creek was sunk.
In 1875 his only son, John, Jr., was accidentally killed aged twenty-two years.
Charles Morse was born in Ontario county in 1832. He came from Alle-
Town of Carroi.ton.
479
gany county to Carrolton in 1859, ^^^ here married Lois C. VVixon. He then
returned to Allegany county and lived three years. In 1861 he enlisted in
the 54th N. Y. Vols, and while at Elinira awaiting orders to move to the
front he was attacked with lung trouble and was eventually discharged. Mr.
Morse has a farm of ten acres. Of his eight children four are now living.
Rev. De Witt C. Nye, son of Nelson and Abigail (Mather) Nye, was born
in Hume, Allegany county, N. Y., March 22, 1846. There he attended the
district schools, and in Sept., 1862, with his father's consent, c-nlisted with an
older brother in Co. F, 4th N. Y. H. A., and was honorably discharged at the
close of the war. After General Grant assumed command his regiment joined
the Army of the Potomac at Culpepper and participated in the battles of the
Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Ream's Station, and the
siege of Petersburg. April 2, 1865, the regiment charged the enemy twice
before Richmond and captured 1,800 prisoners, two stands of colors, and sev-
eral pieces of artillery, and was the advance regiment at Lee's surrender.
Mr. Nye was present at all these engagements. At the close of the war he
learned his father's trade of shoemaker and followed it until he was thirty-six
years old. He was converted at twenty-eight, licensed to exhort at thirty,
and studied the English branches on his shoe-bench. He received a local
preacher's license at thirty-four, began a four years' course in theology, and
in Oct., 1882, received an appointment from the Genesee Conference as a
supply for Farmersville, where he remained one year. In 1883 be supplied
East Ashford and next Honeoye, Pa., for two years. In October, 1886, he
joined the conference and was appointed to the charge of Portville. At the
same time he commenced the regular conference course, which he completed
in Oct., 1890. He remained at Portville until the fall of 1890, when he was
appointed to the charge at Limestone. Mr. Nye married Isadore E. Stone,
June I, 1870. They have three children.
John E. O'Brien, a native of Cork, Ireland, was born in Nov., 1840, and
reared and educated in England. In March, 1864, he emigrated to America
and at once enlisted in the U. S. navy, serving a little more than two years.
While sinking obstructions to the enemy across James river he was severely
bruised by an explosion, from which he never fully recovered. Mr. O'Brien
is a farmer in Carrolton and has been overseer of the poor for five years.
Nelson Parker, born Feb. 2, 1806, began business in Carrolton as a manu-
facturer and dealer in- pine shingles and lumber. In 1853, with A. J. Irvine,
he bought the Irvine mills and from 1856 to 1869 B. F. Irvine was his lumber
partner. They then sold the mills and their large tract of land to Job Moses
and Mr. Parker engaged in farming. Later he was a merchant. He was killed
by the cars while crossing the track at Carrolton, Nov. 27, 1873. He was a
capable business man, and was supervisor of Carrolton in 1868 and 1869. Jan.
19, 1847. he married Catherine B., daughter of Andrew Irvine, of Warren, Pa.
Their children were Marion B. and Catherine.
William Paton, Sr., born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, Dec. 31, 1838, received a
good business education and in 1855 emigrated with his parents to the Gene-
see valley. They resided in Machias and in McKean county. Pa., where his
father died in 1874. Since 1862 Mr. Paton has resided in Carrolton. He is
a farmer. Jan. i, 1868, he married Mary Lee, of Ellicottville, and in 1873
settled on the place where he now lives. Both are members of the M. E.
church and interested in every good enterprise. He has served as overseer
of the poor four terms and as highway commissioner one term.
History of Cattaraugus County.
William Paton, Jr., was born in Annan, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, Sept. 14,
1847. In 1864 he. came to Limestone and at once commenced a clerkship
with Dodge & Smith, remaining in their employ until they sold their property.
He was engaged the ensuing year with A. E. & G. W. Palen. In the year
1 889 he went to Wilco.x, Pa., where he was a clerk in the tannery store of
Jackson, Shultz & Co., and where he remained for three years. With his
partner, Mr. Aldrich, he then opened a general store in that place under the
firm name of Aldrich & Paton, which continued three years. Mr. Paton sold
his interest to Mr. Aldrich in 1871 and removed to Louisville, Ky., where he
was engaged with Mr. Smith, before mentioned, in building the manufactory
of the Ohio Falls Cooperage Company. The plant covered an area of tw;o
acres. As soon as the establishment was opened the company employed an
average of 125 hands. Mr. Paton remained there as a partner with Mr. Smith
the ensuing four years, when, on account of ill health, he sold his interest to
his partner and returned to Limestone, where he opened a general country
store, and where he is still selling goods. He also has two farms on which are
five oil wells. Mr. Paton has been identified with the entire growth of Lime-
stone, has aided in building its schools and churches, and has erected his store
building and four dwelling houses. He married Harriet, daughter of Daniel
Smith, in 1870. They are members of the M. E. church.
John Paton was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, April 24, 1849, "I'ld
removed to Carlisle, England, in his childhood. His mother had died arid in
June, 1867, he came to Limestone, where he accepted a position with his
uncle, Wm. Paton, Sr. He was next an employee of Daniel Smith in Wilcox,
Pa., a year. He has since been an employee and j.obber and dealer in bark,
wood, and lumber. Since Hoyt Brothers became proprietors of the Lime-
stone tannery- Mr. Paton has been employed as a finisher of leather. Sept.
28, 1874, he married Georgiana Hapgood, also a native of England. They
have an only son, Eloyd, born in Jan., 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Paton are mem-
bers of the M. E. church.
Myron H. Paxon was born in Aurora, Erie county, in 1840. In 1863
he assisted as a carpenter in building the tannery at Salamanca, the office and
outside charge of which he assumed in 1864 and continued until 1873. In the
fall of that year he accepted a similar position in Jewett & Keating's tannery at
Olean. In the spring of 1874 this firm transferred Mr.Paton to their tannery
in Port Allegany, McKean county, where he also had charge of the office and
outside work. He remained there until the fall of 1877, \vhen he came to
Limestone, where he has since had control of the office, outside work, and
financial interest of the concern. He represented Carrolton on the Board of
Supervisors in 1881.
Harry Renner, born in Men'se, Germany, June 6, 1826, emigrated in 1840
to Susquehanna county. Pa., where he engaged at his trade of journeyman
tanner until Oct., 1869, when he came to Limestone and was employed in the
Limestone tannery three years. In 1875 he erected the Limestone House
and opened it to the public. Dec. 24, 1857, he married Mrs. Juliana Bell,
widow of Worthy Bell, and to them was born one daughter, Maud R. (Mrs.
M. W. Smith). Mr. Renner died April 19, 1878. His widow surv'ives him.
Algernon Sidney Rigdon, son of Sidney, was born in Mentor, Ohio, July
4, 1828. The family emigrated with teams to Missouri when he was nine
years of age. A year later they removed to Illinois, whence, after six years'
residence, they settled in Pittsburg, Pa. A. S. came to Friendship, Allegany
Town of Carrolton.
county, in 1847, and was employed on the Erie railroad from 1859 ""til 1874,
when he removed from Cuba to Carrolton village and has since been the effi-
cient agent of that station. Mr. Rigdon is a staunch Democrat, prominent in
his party, a competent and popular citizen, but has constantly refused to ac-
cept town office. Oct. 19, 1854, he married Annis Bradley, of Cuba. They
have two sons: Walter S., station agent at Dayton, and George R., manager
for the Postal Telegraph Company at Scranton, Pa.
Hon. Elijah R. Schoonmaker, of Limestone, was born in Sullivan county,
and is descended from solid Dutch stock. His father, a farmer and con-
tractor, gave his son a common school education. At a very early age he was
a clerk in a store in his native county for seven years. He next filled a like
position in Ulster count)' several years more. He was a traveling salesman
the next three years (until 1868) for a wholesale boot and shoe house at
Kingston, and then settled in Limestone, where he has since led a very busy
life. When he located here he formed a partnership with A. E. and G. W.
Palen in mercantile business and was associated in trade with them for three
years. The lumber firm of Schoonmaker & Nichols was then formed. About
this time he also conducted a lumber business alone, and for many years he
was one of the owners of the "tannery store." From 1875 to 1885 he oper-
ated in oil, largely in real estate, and heavily in bark, supplied the tanneries
of Great Bend, Canisteo, Hornellsville, and Limestone, and pulled bark from
the trees on 10,000 acres. In addition to this he bought and handled from
5,000 to 10,000 cords of bark per year. He is now a member of the following
firms: Northern Tier Hemlock Company, Limited, of which he is general
manager; Bullis, Schoonmaker & McNiel, real estate and lumber; Schoon-
maker & Sheldon, hardwood lumber; Schoonmaker & Davis, lumber; Hall,
Schoonmaker & Co., lumber; and Stickney, Bell & Co., merchants.
He is also prominent in politics and decidedly popular with the people.
He was postmaster of Limestone four years, station agent ten years, seven
years president of the Board of Education, and supervisor of Carrolton six
consecutive years ending with 1890, and was re-elected in 1893. In 1882-83
he represented the Second Assembly District of Cattaraugus county in the
State Legislature. He has served as a member of the Republican State Com-
mittee for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties, has attended sev-
eral times as a delegate the Republican State congressional and senatorial
conventions, and is always a delegate to the Republican county. conventions.
Mr. Schoonmaker is a man of comprehensive business ability and has a ready
knowledge of men. He is a bold speculator and apparently relies on his own
judgment. He is affable and gentlemanly, and a pleasant companion. He is
a good talker, a good listener, and fond of a good joke. Emphatically he is
the poor man's friend, ready to aid the needy and help them to help them-
selves. Feb. 21, 1867, he married Eliza Palen, of Sullivan county, who died
Aug. 4, 1870. She was the mother of his son Fred P., born March 11, 1870.
Nov. 2, 1 87 1, he married Sarah J., youngest daughter of Levi Leonard. Their
children are Eliza W., born July 25, 1872; Alice, born Dec. 9, 1873; and
Faith, born Oct. 12, 1881.
Charles E. Schrader, son of Edward, was born in Prussia in April, 1853.
In October, 1870, his parents with their family of five sons and two daughters
emigrated to America. In April, 1871, they settled in Limestone, where Mr.
Schrader at once found employment in the tannery. Charles E. Schrader has
spent his whole life as an employee in tanneries and is capable, industrious,
61 .
482 History of Cattaraugus County.
and trustworthy. Dec. 8, 1881, he married Anna L. Miller, a native of Mech-
lenberg, Schewrin, Prussia, and a daughter of John Miller.
Bradner Scott was born in Wallkill, N. Y., in 1842. Losing both parents
in early childhood he experienced a youth of severe hardship. In 1859 ^^^
came to Limestone with Mr. Smith, of the firm of Dodge & Smith, in whose
employ he had been several years, remaining with them here until August,
1864, when he enlisted in the U. S. navy under Commodore Farragut in the
Squadron of the Mississippi, and was honorably discharged in August, 1865.
Returning to Limestone he continued in the employ of Dodge & Smith until
they sold their tannery, and was an employee of the Limestone tannery nearly
all the time until 1887. Since then he has been a farmer. Mr. Scott married,
first, Eliza Wood, who was the mother of six children, five of whom are living.
He married, second, Melinda Skinner.
Maurice TuUer, son of Alvah, was born in the town of North East, Pa.,
Nov. 4, 1861, and was reared and educated to railroad station work. His
father, the present station agent at Cattaraugus, taught him both telegraphy
and depot business. At the age of sixteen he began as telegraph operator
and clerk at Cattaraugus. He accepted the position of station agent of the
B., R. & P. R. R. at Limestone and took charge Aug. 4, 1890. Oct. 10, 1882,
he married Elsie Pierce, of Cattaraugus, N. Y.
Shep. L. Vibbard, was born of English parentage in Ellicottville in 1838.
His father, Chester Vibbard, came from Massachusetts at an early day. Shep.
L. learned the printing business of the late Robert Shankland, and at the first
call for troops enlisted in Co. I, 37th N. Y. Vols., leaving the service as cor-
poral two years later. Soon afterward he settled in Limestone, where he has
since been prominent in local Democratic politics. He was elected justice of
the peace in 1866, 1870,- 1874, 1880, 1884, 1888, and 1892, and is now serving
his twentieth year as town clerk. In 1874 he served as supervisor. He is also
clerk of the village of Limestone and of the Board of Education. He is a
member of Henry Renner Lodge, No. 780, F. & A. M., is its present master,
is a member of St. John's Commandery at Olean and of Olean Chapter, of
Bradford Post, No. 141, G. A. R., of the A. O. U. W., being district deputy
grand master of-lhe latter order in 1889, ^^^ of the K. O. T. M. and the E.
A. U. In 1868 Mr. Vibbard married Cynthia R., daughter of Calvin Leonard,
and they have three children.
Marcus N. Wample, born* in Montgomery county, N. Y., Nov. i, 1824,
came to Vandalia from Chautauqua county in 1850. He is a lumberman and
was employed by William Grimes, and since his death in 1877 he has been
engaged with J. H. Grimes. About 1855 he married Mary J., daughter of
William Gnmes. They have one daughter, Jessie, born July 22, 1858.
Robert J. Watson, son of James and Catherine (Hallock) Watson, was
born in South Worcester, Schoharie county, Nov. 15, 1856. His father en-
listed in the Union army, vyas captured, confined in Andersonville prison, and
died of starvation. Robert J. VVatson, being left at the age of six years with-
out fatherly counsel, experienced a youth of severe hardship. He began
chopping wood for J. H. & A. Kiersted, tanners of Hancock, N. Y., who soon
gave him a clerkship in their office and store, where he remained five years,
devoting the winters to attending school. He was their book-keeper and in
1881 accepted the position of agent for the Salamanca tannery. In 1884 he
came to Limestone as book-keeper of the Limestone tannery, and in 1887
was made agent in place of Mr. Paxon for one year. Since Mr. Pa.xon's
Town of Carrolton. 483
return Mr. Watson has been his assistant. Mr. Watson has served as treas-
urer of the village and as member of the Board of Education several years,
being president one year. In Feb., 1891, he was elected supervisor of Carrol-
ton and re-elected in 1892. April 24, 1881, he married Irona Knowles, of
Delaware county. They have one son, Roy R., born Aug. 18, 1884.
William Whittaker. born in Darbyshire, England, May 9, 1821, emigrated
with his wife and five children to Blair county. Pa., where Mrs. Whittaker
died in 1858. In May, i860, he married Jane E. Owen, of Golden, N. Y., and
in the ensuing fall they settled in Limestone, where Mr. Whittaker found em-
ployment in the Limestone tannery. In April, 1861, he located on a wood lot of
100 acres, cleared a part of it, and remained there until 1875, when he removed
to his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker have had five children.
Chauncey Willis, son of Isaac, was born in Conesus, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1818.
His father settled in Machias in March, 1832, their log house having a dutch-
back fireplace and a stick chimney plastered with mud. The doors were hung
on wooden hinges and fastened with wooden latches. Their currency — black-
salts — was at first the only commodity that would bring money. Isaac Willis
died in 1837. Oct. 22, 1842, Chauncey Willis married Polly Phillips, who was
born in Freedom, Oct. 5, 1822. They commenced housekeeping on the home-
Stead, where he gave his mother a home until her decease. From 1862 or '63
until 1868 he was a farmer near Little Valley Center. Since then he has been
a citizen of the town of Carrolton and has owned the Peter Zeliff homestead
within the corporation of Limestone. He is a member of the village Board
of Trustees. His children are Sarah J., born July 29, 1845, married Nathaniel
Ethridge, Jan. 17, 1869, and died Oct. 3, 1872, leaving an only daughter, Cora,
who was born April 8, 1870, and resides with her grandparents ; Warren W.,
born April 9, 1846, died in Little Valley, March 22, 1866; and Daniel C, born
Aug. 24, 1849, married Loretta Fisk, Aug. 24, 1876.
Barnabas VVixon and his wife Elsea, with an infant daughter, came to Car-
rolton from Allegany county in June, 1838. He was a farmer and died Aug.
I, 1889, aged seventy-nine years. His aged widow survives him. Seth Wixon
came to Carrolton as early as 1836, was a farmer, and settled in the valley
about a mile north of Limestone village. He was a soldier in the War of
1 81 2. He died in 1850, aged sixty-five years. He had nine children.
James I. Wynn, born in Scottsville, Pa., Oct. 13. 1836, began business as a
sawyer in his father's mill. In March, 1863, he came to Carrolton as superin-
tendent of B. F. Irvine's mills, which position he filled until Mr. Irvine died,
since which time Mr. Wynn has conducted them for Irvine Brothers and for
Plumer, Gilfillan, Steele & Co. Mr. Wynn is a man of energy and good busi-
ness ability. Nov. 24, 1859, ^^ married Rachel Todd, a native of Jamestown,
N. Y., and of sturdy Scotch descent. Their children are T. Adelaide, a grad-
uate of Geneseo Normal School, a teacher in the city schools of Bradford, Pa.,
and her father's book-keeper, and Irvine L., his father's head sawyer.
Peter Zeliff was born in Northumberland county. Pa. He was a lumber-
man, and when a little less than twenty-one years of age he married Marvel-
ous Hodge. . In 1832 he settled in Carrolton, being the second family to
locate where the village of Limestone has since been built. He cleared a
small piece of ground and built a log cabin, which he covered with bark. His
place was ten miles from Great Valley, the nearest white settlement, and no
road the last six miles. He used Tuna creek for a highway and brought his
wife and four children to his "lodge" in a canoe. He bought and paid for
484 History of Cattaraugus County.
200 acres. Eventually he started for the gold regions of Pike's Peak and
was last heard from near his destination. It is supposed he was murdered.
Mrs. Zeliff died in Carrolton in 1874. They had eleven children. A daughter,
Harriet (Mrs. John McKenzie), born June 29, 1834, was the first white child
born in Carrolton.
George Zeliff, oldest son of Peter, was born in Farmington, Pa., Sept. 19,
1825, came with his parents to Carrolton in 1832, and has since resided here.
He began business for himself in cutting and hewing square timber, making
pine shingles, and piloting rafts down the river. Later he has given his atten-
tion to his farm. April 14, 1853, he married Betsey Balman, of Lawrence,
Pa., and they have had four children, two of whom died in infancy ; the others
are William A., born Feb. 28, 1854, married, first, Jennie Scott, and second
Stella Duel; and Ornaldo, born February 5, 1865, married Hetty Ingler.
William E. Zeliff, son of Peter, was born on the homestead in Carrolton in
1835, and was educated in the common schools with a few terms at Chamber-
lain Institute. He commenced his business life by buying and selling lumber
and shingles and running them to market down the river to Pittsburg, Cincin-
nati, and Louisville, which occupation he has followed to the present time. He
was elected clerk of his town at the age of twenty-two years and soon after
became constable and collector. At about the age of twenty-five he settled
just across the State line, where he has resided about twenty years, but his
business, home, and property has always been in his native town. In 1885 he
returned to Carrolton and in 1886 was elected commissioner of highways, hav-
ing been elected each year since. Mr. Zeliff has from time to time operated
for oil. July 4, 1864, he married Marilla J. Glass, of Bradford, and their chil-
dren are William H., a traveling salesman, and Fred R.
CHAPTER XXI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF COLD SPRING.
•
COLD SPRING, the second township in range eight of the Holland survey,
was formed from Napoli, March 20, 1837, embracing all the land south
to the Pennsylvania line described by the Holland Land Company as
towns one and two in that range. April 2, 1847, ^ P'^''^ of town one was set
off to South Valley and in 1848 another portion was annexed to the same
town, leaving Cold Spring with its present area of 18,787 acres. The town is
bounded on the south by Elko, on the west by Randolph, on the north by
Napoli, and on the east by Salamanca and Red House. The Allegheny river,
the largest stream in Cold Spring, flows southwesterly through the southeast-
ern corner a distance of almost three miles, receiving the waters of Cold
Spring creek about two miles above its entrance into Elko, and a little above
that, still, the rivulet known as Robinson run. The other streams are Saw
Town of Cold Spring. 485
Mill run, rising in Napoli and flowing southeasterly and easterly through the
northeast corner; Sunfish creek, rising in the eastern part and flowing south-
easterly ; and the Little Conewango, rising a short distance west of Steam-
burgh and flowing northwesterly. Cold Spring creek rises in Napoli and flows
southerly nearly across the center of the town through what is locall}^ termed
" Hardscrabble " and" Lebanon," and its pure cold water suggested the town-
ship's name. On the western edge of the town is also a small mill brook
flowing southwesterly into Randolph. Nearly all of these streams afford
excellent water-power, which was formerly utilized and improved, contributing
materially to the prosperity of the town, but since the timber has been
exhausted and steam has come into more general use these numerous mill
privileges have been abandoned.
The surface is broken into summits and intervales, some of the hills being
500 feet above the general level of the valleys. In the central, northeastern,
and southwestern portions of the town the land is almost mountainous. The
entire town was originally densely covered with pine and hemlock, some of
the trees reaching a height of over 200 feet. These have been converted into
lumber, of which millions of feet have been manufactured and shipped. Indeed
lumbering at one time formed the chief occupation of the people. The soil
in the valleys is a fertile, gravelly loam, while the uplands or hills are princi-
pally a slaty loam not well adapted to farming. The staple products are hay,
grain, and potatoes, with fruit in limited quantities. Hunting is still a favor-
ite sport, rabbits, fox, and partridges being the principal game, though ducks
and some small fur-bearing animals are sometimes captured in considerable
numbers.
In 1819, according to the books of the Holland Land Company, land was
owned in town by Philip Tome, Artemas Houghton, Jesse Hotchkiss, Milton
Helms, and Isaac Dow, some of whom became actual settlers. The early
comers suffered all the privations incident to pioneer life, which tended to
make them rugged and hardy, as indeed they ^must have been to master the
huge forests and reclaim the land from a wilderness to a fine agricultural dis-
trict. Many of their descendants are enjoying the fruits of their ancestors,
axe and plow; others have moved westward; others still have passed away,
forgotten in name but not in deeds. The first settlers were mainly from
other portions of the State, though a few were emigrants from New England.
They moved in by ox-teams, bringing their families and effects on sleds.
Philip Tome was doubtless the first settler in Cold Spring. He came
about 1818 from Susquehanna, Pa., and was a hunter and trapper. He caught
large numbers of elk, which were abundant then, and engaged extensively in
lumbering, claiming to have run the first raft of lumber down the Allegheny
river. For many years he was widely known as the owner of a tame bear
which he taught many tricks. He died in South Valley. James and Robert
Pease and a Mr. Conn settled here soon afterward, but removed. Jesse
486 History of Cattaraugus County.
Hotchkiss came to what is now South Valley about 1819, where he died.
Isaac Merrill, from Connecticut, moved onto lot 54 in 1822. He was born in
April, 1779, and died in Randolph, October 17, 1858. H en rj- Washburn came
in 1823. Marshall Marsh came about 1820. They built a saw-mill near the
Annin fish hatchery, utilizing the springs there as a water-power.
Charles Crook came to Cold Spring in March, 1822, locating on lot .32.
He was a soldier in the Revolution. He built a shanty, the roof and floor of
which were of bark, and a saw-mill on Cold Spring creek the same season, "
having brought a millwright with him. Polly Chandler, his wife, born in
1759, died here in 1833. Frink and Erastus Crook, brothers, located on lot
31 also in 1822. They later moved away. Joshua Barnes, Alvah Rogers, and
Horace Wait all came in 1822, the former settling on lot 32 and the latter on
lot 30. Joel Hall located on lot 54 in 1823. Capt. Amos Hall, an ambitious,
energetic man, moved here in 1825 and for many years was the town's most
influential citizen. He died in Kansas in 1878. Erastus Hall, a life-long res-
ident of the county, came to Napoli in 1820 and to Cold Spring in 1825.
Philemon Hall, born August 27, 1792, came here about 1824, and died No-
vember 12, 1875. His son Joel served in the War of 1812.
Parley Marsh, born in 1796, settled in 1826 on lot 53, as did also Arba Marsh.
The latter died here in January, 1839. Newton Marsh came this same year
and died in January, 1836. Blakeley Ingalls, who settled in town in 1825, died
here in '1838. Sylvester May was a settler in 1828 and William Earl, on lot
17, in 1832. The latter's father was killed by the falling of a tree in Genesee
county. He died April 30, 1880, and his wife March 7, 1870. James Hacket
came in 1831 and was killed by the cars at Marsh's crossing in March, 1891.
Jonas Hubbard settled on lot 29 in 1830. Samuel Price "pitched his tent"
on lot 50 in 1833, where his son Dorr now lives. He died there May 31, 1862.
Allen Campbell was a settler in 1835. He was a justice of the peace nearly
his whole life here. He died in Iowa in 1864. For many years he was a
lumber manufacturer and prominent in town affairs. Two of his sons enlisted
in Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols., in 1862, one serving through the war, the other
taking a " French leave." Brazil Kent, nowTiving in Steamburgh, came in
1837 and has long been a hotel keeper, mail carrier, stage proprietor, post-
master, and farmer. For sixteen years he ran a stage from Stearnburgh to
Warren, Pa. Isaiah W. Darling moved into the town in 1839. For over
twenty-five years he served continuously as justice of the peace; he has been
supervisor, justice of sessions, and held every town ofifice. He is still a highly
respected resident. His father John was a very early settler of Conewango.
James M. Woodworth, still living, came here in 185 1 and was for some time
an extensive lumber manufacturer. He took contracts to build bridges and
culverts for what is now the N. Y., P. & O. R.R. He says he owned and still
has in his possession the first M. E. class-book ever brought into Cold Spring,
and in it was probably first written the name Steamburgh. Warren H. Reeves
Town of Cold Spring. 487
came 'to South Valley in 1837. This family, several representatives of whom
still reside there and in Cold Spring and are mentioned at length elsewhere,
has always been prominent in town and county affairs. Hezekiah Owen,
whose father was an early settler of Conewango, came thence to Cold Spring
in 1853, having served since then some twenty-four years as justice of the
peace. He is a surveyor, the oldest living one probably in the county, and
has assisted or himself laid lot lines in many surrounding towns.
To Charles Crook belongs the honor of planting, on lot 32, the first orchard
in the town, in 1823, and erecting the first frame barn, in 1825. It is also said
that he built the first private saw-mill, in 1822 ; the Halls put up one the same
year. A saw-mill was put up by 'the government on Upper Saw Mill run for
the Indians before this date, but the year can not be determined. The first
grist-mill was located in what is now Elko, and was known as Quaker mill.
The building is still standing. The first steam saw-mill in town was built by
Curtis Harding on Sunfish run. Charles Morse, in 1855, put in the first sole
circular saw in Cold Spring. The first steam shingle-mill was built by the late
E. L. Lyon. Charles Crook and Sally Ballard were married in 1822 and the
next year a daughter, Martha, was born ; she was the first white child born in
the town. A Mr. Prescott, father of Eastman, was the first adult to die in
Cold Spring. The first frame school house was built in 1835 on a lot given
by Nathan Crook. In 1831 and 1832 schools were taught by a Miss Noble
and Miss E. Sanford. A log school house was erected near Price Corners in
1835, the first teacher there being Miss Ordelia Gleason and the second one
her sister, Louisa. The first tavern and store were kept by Philemon Hall.
The first burials were made on lot 29, near the depot in Steamburgh, and on
lot 32. Rev. William J. Wilcox, a Congregational minister, held, it is claimed,
the first religious meetings in town in 1823.
The first roads in the town were opened in 1821. Previous to that year,
however, some of the settlers farther north had underbrushed a few roads
through the dense forests to enable them to get to the Quaker mill on the
south side of Allegheny river. Little attempt had been made down to 1838
to improve the highways otherwise than to clear away the brush and .stumps.
At that date there were twelve road districts and in 1840 three more were
formed. In 1842 the number was eighteen, and now there are twenty-seven.
The " Old Indian Trail " ran through this town, following Cold Spring creek,
and passing into Napoli on lot 41. Before the settlers came in it-was merely a
footpath. The present roads are well graded and kept in good condition, and
bridged over the streams with substantial bridges, some of which are of iron.
The first town meeting was held March 6, 1838, at the house of Eastman
Prescott, and these officers were elected: Supervisor, Stephen Aldrich, Jr.;
town clerk, James Pease ; justices of the peace, James Pease, Stephen Al-
drich, Jr., and Samuel Price; assessors, Samuel Price, Samuel J. York, and
Harper Bovee ; collector, Ebenezer C. Price ; commissioners of highways,
History of Cattaraugus County.
John H.Godfrey, John Cook, Jr., and David Pease; poormasters, Samuel
Price and David Pease ; commissioners of common schools, Samuel J. York,
John Timmerman, Jr., and John H. Godfrey; school inspectors, Joseph Batty,
Harper Bovee, and John Timmerman, Jr.; constables, George W. Lewis, Hial
Tanner, David Pease, and Ebenezer C. Price. Abial Relf was clerk of the
meeting and Eastman Prescott was justice.
At a special town meeting held September 27, 1862, "for the purpose of
deliberating in regard to compromising with the Erie & New York City
railroad and others who claim to hold the bonds of said town [Cold Spring],
and also for the purpose of considering the propriety of surrendering the stock
of said town to the said railroad," the supervisor was authorized to pay $290,
previously collected, and collect $350 more and pay the company, making
altogether twelve per cent, of the amount of the bonds issued to the railroad.
The supervisor was further authorized to surrender the railroad bonds, 140 in
number of $50 each, subscribed for by the town October 23, 1855. E. C. Price
and Freedom Jeffords were appointed to act in behalf of the town of Cold
Spring, and the exchange was perfected and satisfactorily settled October 16,
1862. A special town meeting held April 5, 1864, voted to raise $1,500 to pay
soldiers' bounties. A later meeting voted to levy a tax of $1,420.86 on all
taxable property to procure volunteers to fill the town's quota. January i,
1865, at a special meeting, a tax was authorized, enabling the town to pay
bounties of "§600 for three years' men, §200 for two years' men, and $100 for
one year's men." The supervisor was also authorized to issue bonds on the
town for the amount of the bounties. It was also voted " that all men in this
town who are liable to a draft and not on the assessment roll shall pay $10
or not be entitled to the town bounty." February 28, 1865, the town voted
to pay a bounty of $100 " hard money " per man for soldiers to fill the quota
under the president's call of December, 1864. William M. Brown and Samuel
H. Barrett were appointed a committee to revise the military roll and do other
business respecting the enlisting and recruiting of soldiers. At a town meet-
ing held October 9, 1888, a board of health was duly organized and composed
as follows: M. A. Jaquay, president; Dr. H. D; Snove'r, health officer; and
Fred L. Lyon, W. H. H. Campbell, John Hacket, Ransom L. Reeves, and
George W. Henninger. A special meeting was held March 18, 1891, to con-
sider the question of building a town hall. The sum not to exceed $800, to
include the cost of the lot, was voted and soon afterward a site adjoining the
Union church property was purchased and a neat frame building, one story
high, erected thereon. The present Board of Health consists of H. D. Snover,
M.D., health officer, Daniel F. Reeves, Clifton M. Parks, D. M. Metcalf, John
Hacket, and George W. Reeves. The principal town officers since 1838 are
as follows:
Stwtn'mtr^.-Stefihen Aldrich, Jr., 1838; Horace D. Swan, 18:39-43; Alson Leavenworth, 184:3-46 ; John
Crooks, J847 (Parley Marsh was appointed to fill the vacancy; Crooks lived in the town of South.
Valley, which was formed this year) ; Howard Fuller, lSi8-49 ; Thomas Biggins, 1850 ; John D. Wheat, 1851 ;
Town of Cold Spring.
Howard Fuller, 1852 ; Thomas Higgins, 1853-55 ; Freedom Jeffords, 1&56-57 ; Isaiah \V. Darling-, 1858-59 ; Free-
dom .Jeffords, 1860 ; E. C. Price, ^861 ; Howard Fuller, 1862 ; Freed om Jeffords. 186.3 ; William M. Brown, lS6-t-
66 ; Henry C. Fuller, 1867 ; .Samuel H. Barrett, 1868; KobertM. Patterson. 1869: G. A. Williams, 1870 (appointed,
there being no election) ; Daniel F. Reeves, 1871-72 ; Clark McCollister, 1873-71 ; William M. Brown, 1875-77 ;
H. A. Ostrander, 1878 ; George W. Van Syckle, 1879-83 ; Hiram K. Whelpley, 1881 ; Orson E. Helms, 1885-86 ; M. A.
Jaquay. 1887-88 ; Albert Hale, 1889-91 ; Daniel F. Reeves, 1892-93.
TriiiH f Ttifc.- James Pease, 1838; Eastman Prescott, 18:39 ; James Pease, l&iO-ll ; Robert Creighton, 1842 ;
A. M. easier, 1843 ; Frederick Aldrich, 1844-45 ; Howard Fuller. 1846 ; Frederick Aldrich, 1847-48 ; Thomas Hig-
gins, 1849: William Wyman, 1850-51 ; James A. Swan, 1852-53 ; Samuel H. Barrett, 18.54 ; Daniel S. Swan, ia5o ;
.lames H. Swan, 1856; Daniel S. Swan, 1857-.58; Augustus Payne, 1859-61; Oreon B. Coe, 1862-63 ; A. V. Fuller,
1864-66: -\ustinB. Wells, 1867; William G. Ingraham, 1868; B. G. Casler, 1869; C. B. Sturdevant, 1870; M. W.
Gibbs, 1871 ; C. S. Lyon, 1872; John W. Paisley. 1873; Frank E. Wells, 1874-77 ; M. A. Jaquay, 1878-84; E. Carlos
Lyon, 18S5 ; David G. Bliss, 18i>6 ; John F. Vail, 1887 ; George W. Henninger, 1888 : John Hacket, 1889 ; John
F. Vail, 1890-9:3.
Justices nf the Peocc— 1838, Jaraes Pease. Stephen Aldrich, Jr., Samuel Price ; 1839, Abner P. Jones ; 1840,
Abraham M. Casler, Samuel J. Tork ; 1841, Eastman Prescott ; 1842, Abraham M. Casler ; 1843, Samuel Price ;
1844, Erastus Hall, Ariel Wellman, Jr. ; 1845, Thomas Higgins, George Mai-sh ; 1848, Thomas Higgins, Enoch
Holdridge, Allen Campbell ; 1847, Isaiah W. Darling, Thomas Higgins, A . M. Casler ; 1848, Horace D. Swan ;
1849, Noah Culver ; 18.50, Henry Whitmore ; 1851, I. W. Darling, Ebenezer C. Price ; 1&52, Madison Woodworth ;
1853, Howard Fuller; ia54, Anthony Covert, Alfred Fuller ; 185.5, Allen Campbell, Thomas Higgins, E.G.
Price : 18.56, James W. Woodworth ; 1857, I. W. Darling, Howard Fuller; 18.58, Allen Campbell, Freedom
Jeffords ; 18.59, I. W. Darling ; 1860, E. C. Price ; 1861. Hezekiah Owen ; 1862, Allen Campbell. 'Orson B. Coe ;
1863, 1. W. Darling ; 1864, Franklin C. Hovey, James M. Woodworth ; 1865, O. B. Coe ; 1866, Stephen Cooper,
Samuel H. Barrett; 1867, 1. W. Darling; 1S68, Hezekiah Owen, E. C. Price; 1869, Anson D. Burlingame ; 1870,
S. H. Iktrrett ; 1S71, I. W. Darling. E. C. Price ; 1872, H. W. Burdick ; 1873, Alpha Flagg, John W. Paisley ; 1874,
John W. Paisley; 187.5, Frank E.Wells; 1876, Frank E.Wells, Hiram L. Saunders; 1877, Hezekiah Owen;
1878, John Hacket, L. Nuttinir; 1879, I. W. Darling. D. M. Metcalf ; 1880, D. M. Metcalf ; 1881, M. J. Welch ;
1882, John Hacket, H. V. Nutting ; 1.S83, Hezekiah Owen ; 1884, W. H. H. Campbell ; 1885, Albert Hale ; 1886,
John Hacket; 1887, R.L.Reeves; 1888, D. M. Metcalf; 18.89, Edward V. Randall; 1890, Wilber Congleton,
John Hacket ; 1891, Clifton M. Parks ; 1892, Ernest D. Holdridjre, John Hacket ; 1893, J. A. Covert.
The Allegany Indian reservation cuts into the eastern edge of the town
nearly three miles, and an arm averaging about a mile in width extends up
the valley of Cold Spring creek some two miles, taking in what is locally
known as " Long Meadow," a narrow strip of land entirely free from timber
or brush. The boundary lines of the reservation are marked by means of
iron posts.
On the foggy morning of October 27, 1873, a collision occurred at the
depot in Steamburgh between a passenger and a freight train, killing Harrison
Morrison and Uriah Rhodes and fatally injuring Edward Culver, who
died five days later. Rhodes lived in Napoli and the others in Steamburgh.
On Sunday morning, February 5, 1888, an eastbound passenger train crashed
into the rear end of a freight standing on the side track at the depot and in-
stantly killed a brakeman and a seventeen-year-old girl named Hattie Abbott,
and mortally wounding Freight Conductor Ellis, who died a few hours later.
F""our other persons were injured. A broken frog was the cause of the acci-
dent. Late in December, 1870, a sleigh-load of people was returning one
foggy morning from a dancing party of the night before, and when crossing
the railroad opposite the Indian cemetery at Robinson run they were struck
by the westbound express and two or three killed and several injured. In
1864 an Irishman named Pat. McCooI bought a pair of boots in Steamburgh,
remarking to the storekeeper: "They are the last pair I shall ever want."
He started home on the railroad track, and arriving at the bridge over Cold
Spring creek either purposely or accidentally stepped through and was
62
490 History of Cattaraugus County.
drowned before help could reach him. James Racket, father of John, was
killed in March, 1891, at Marsh's crossing.
The most brutal murder ever perpetrated in the town of Cold Spring, and
one that will long be remembered, was that of Caleb Omens by his stepson,
William Bourne, in a house which stood on the lot now occupied by the Union
church edifice in the village of Steamburgh. The crime occurred in the evening
of December 31, 1873, but was done so quietly that even some of the nearest
neighbors were not aware -of it until New Year's morning. It seems that
Bourne had long before deliberately planned to murder his stepfather in some
manner, but it was not until the festivities of a New Year's dance were at
their height that he saw a good opportunity. The murderer was convicted
and sentenced to Auburn prison, whence he was afterward pardoned. On
account of this crime being committed on ground afterward bought and duly
consecrated to the service of God some superstitious villagers and towns-
people will not enter the neat Union church edifice to worship, evidently
believing a dire evil would result should they pass over soil once dyed with
human blood.
The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio ("Nypano") railroad, one of the
Erie lines, passes through Cold Spring from east to west, the only station in
the town being Steamburgh. The road was built under the name Atlantic
& Great Western railway in i860. The depot in Steamburgh was burned
with all its contents in May, 1881, and the present frame structure erected in
the fall of 1882. The Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad crosses
the southeast corner of the town, but has no station there. The Cold Spring
Railroad Company was incorporated April 30, 1839, by Horace D. Swan,
Charles Crook, Jr., Manly Healy, and others, for fifteen years, and was au-
thorized to build a wooden railway from a point near Samuel Barrett's saw-
mills to the Allegheny river at or near the mouth of Cold Spring creek.
"Steam, animal, or mechanical power" could be used and "persons or prop-
erty transported." The capital was $2,500 in twenty-five shares of $100 each.
The road was never begun and the charter became void three years after the
passage of the act.
In 1840 Cold Spring had a population of 602 ; in 1850, 591 ; in i860, 667 ; in
1870, 835 ; in 1880, 860; in 1890, 892; in 1892, 9r2.
School districts were organized at a meeting of the commissioners of com--
mon schools held April 24, 1838. The town is divided into six school dis-
tricts, and in 1892 schools were maintained in all of them with an aggregate
attendance of 211 scholars taught by eight teachers. The amount expended
for school purposes during the school year was $2,338.27. The valuation of
the property of the town assessed for school purposes is $289,409. The
school buildings and sites are valued at $3,200.
It is interesting to note the salaries of some of the town officers in 183S
and 1839. The supervisor received $8.13 ; town clerk, $10.41 ; assessors from
Town of Cold Spring. 491
$11.63 to $18.75 ! school commissioners about $3; commissioners of highways
from $4 to $14. In 1841 John G. Bruce as assessor received $17; Howard
Fuller as school commissioner and inspector, $4; James Pease as town clerk
$26.18. The assessed valuation of the town has never exceeded $236,000.
In 1892 it was $186,091.
The town of Cold Spring was originally covered with the finest growth of
pine timber of any town in the county. It has been pre-eminently a lum-
ber town, furnishing for shipment millions of feet, but the large number of
mills have been moved away until now only one remains, that of Morse &
Wyman's in Steamburgh. The first saw-mill was built for the Indians by the
government on Saw Mill run. Another was erected at the same time in South
Valley, and the ruins of this can be seen today. The first individual saw-
mill was probably put in by Charles Crook, in 1822, on Cold Spring creek,
though the Halls built one on Spring brook the same year. In 1836 they
erected one on the Little Conewango and in 1839 still another; in 1842 and
in 1844 they built two on Spring brook. They put up a grist-mill with a
single run of stone on the latter stream in 1824 and one in 1833 with three
runs of stone. Price & Culver built a saw-mill on the Little Conewango in
1840. In 1870 this was rebuilt by Nathan Niles. Thomas Harvey and James
Orton in 1835 erected one on Cold Spring creek; Thomas Harvey & Son put
another in on the same stream in 1838 ; and Marvin Fearry and Eben Sibley
still another in 1840. Samuel Barrett, prominent also in town affairs, built
two saw-mills on Cold Sprfng creek and Daniel Blood another a little below.
Parley Marsh built a saw-mill on Trout Grove brook in 1827, which was since
rebuilt. Amos Hall erected one on Spring brook in 1858 that was later
owned by George VV. Watkins. Mr. Hall in 1842 put up a shingle-mill on
the same stream which afterward became the property of Lewis Morton.
This mill was enlarged to include a grist-mill and cooperage.
Nye & White in 1846 erected at Cold Spring for Holt & Jeffords the first
steam saw-mill built in Cattaraugus county. In 1848 it was purchased by
E. L. Lyon and in 1854 it burned. Its capacity was 1,500,000 feet of lumber
annually. Lyon & Vale built a steam saw-mill on Robinson run in 1847, which
was burned in 1849, ^"^ rebuilt by Alonzo Woodford in 1850. It was moved
in 1858 to the mouth of that stream, thence in 1862 to lot 30, and finally
removed in 1868 to the Larkin tract. Curtis Harding in 1848 put up a steam
saw-mill on lot 8 that was run some eight years. He built another on this lot
in i860 that cut about 3,000,000 feet of lumber annually. William M. Brown
erected a steam saw-millin Steamburgh in 1858. In 1861 it was moved to
Meeting House run and in 1864 to Robinson run, where it was purchased by
Silas Harkness and removed to Cold Spring. It cut about 3,000,000 feet of
lumber yearly. E. L. Lyon in 1851 built a steam saw-mill in Steamburgh
village. It was both burned and rebuilt in 1853 ^"d again in 1854, and was
later enlarged to a capacity of 2,000,000 shingles per annum. A stave and
492 History of Cattaraugus County.
planing-mill was connected, the whole being driven by a thirty-five horse-
power engine. In 1845 Samuel Price put in a saw-mill on the Little Cone-
wango, twenty-five by forty feet, which was later rebuilt by his son, Joseph
Price, who ran it until a few years ago. Mr. Lyon erected the first steam
shingle-mill in the town. It was located in Steamburgh village where James
Corbett now lives. Charles Morse in 1855 built the first sole circular saw-mill
in Cold Spring. It was located in Steamburgh and operated by him and his
brother Harmon about four years, when they sold to William M. Brown.
A wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill was erected by Enoch Holdridge
on Spring brook at East Randolph in 1858. It was afterward owned by
Frederick Butcher & Son in manufacturing yarns and flannels. Gideon Marsh
in 1872 built a single-run-of-stone grist-mill on the Little Conewango, 30x36
feet, two stories high, with a wing 24x26. He also operated a turning lathe,
scroll and slitting saws, etc. H. L. Sanders built a spoke and hub factor)- in
Steamburgh about 1875. Another similar establishment was erected in 1870
on Trout Grove brook by A. & S. T. Stedman, who did a business of about
$3,000 annually.
Morse & Wyman's steam saw and shingle-mill in Steamburgh was pur-
chased by them of Joseph Leach in September, 1872. It was formerly owned
by E. L. Lyon. Fred D. Williams's shingle and grist-mill, west of Steam-
burgh village, was erected by Gideon Marsh. Mr. Williams purchased it of
Benjamin Taylor. It is run by water-power and is known as a freshet mill.
The Price creamery, located a little north of the railroad in the western
part of the town, was built in the fall of 1874 by E. C. Price and G. A. Will-
iams at a cost of over §4,000. It is thirty-six by fifty-six feet, three stories
high, and run by steam-power. In 1875 Mr. Price died and Mr. Williams
rented it for two years, when Mrs. E. C. Price and her daughter Emma (now
Mrs. T. P. Butler) became proprietors. Mrs. Price died in February, 1890,
and her son Elbert acquired her interest, thus making the present owners
I^lbert Price and Mrs. T. P. Butler. Cream separators are used and both
butter and cheese are manufactured, the capacity being about 500 cows. The
Rich creamery, located southeast of East Randolph village, forty by sixty
feet in size and three stories high, was erected in 1874 by Edwin Stone, who
later sold to Joshua Rich. It cost $5,180 and is operated by steam-power,
having a capacity of over 400 cows.
The Annin fish hatchery, on lot 53, was started in 1868 by John B. Eddy
as the Trout Grove fishery. It covers about fourteen acres of hillside land,
from which a large number of pure soft-water springs gush forth in never
varying quantities, which never freeze. Mr. Eddy with his son conducted and
improved the hatchery, adding to their business a small summer resort, and
finally admitted a Mr. Shelly to partnership. The latter soon sold his interest
to a Mr. Thomas and the firm Taecame Eddy & Thomas. Finally H. O. Burt
acquired possession by mortgage and rented to Martin V. Mosher, who ran it
Town of Cold Spring. 493
on a small scale until July, 1890, when James Annin, Jr., of Caledonia, Livings-
ton county, purchased the premises and installed his brother Herbert E. as
general manager. There are some twenty ponds, affording a capacity of over
2,500,000 eggs annually. The present yearly output of small fish is about
500,000, requiring the care of two or three men. The food used is beef liver.
Brook trout are bred principally, though brown or German and California
mountain trout are produced in considerable quantities. Convenient build-
ings and breeding and rearing vats have been constructed, and the business is
carried on in a thoroughly scientific manner.
It is quite certain that the first burials in town were made on lot 28, a
short distance north of the depot in Steamburgh, whence their remains were
never removed. Nathan Crook later donated a piece of land on lot 32 for
this purpose, but from this a number have been taken up and interred else-
where. It is now a cultivated field. Samuel Price, at an early day, started a
burial ground on a portion of his farm since included in the farm of Daniel F.
Reeves. Some of the remains have been removed, but many still rest there,
their graves unmarked by stone or slab. The Steamburgh Cemetery Associa-
tion was organized in 1863. Duane Marsh was killed in the Civil war and his
remains were sent home for burial. They were interred by the roadside near
the present grounds, and it was this incident that probably started the subject
of establishing a cemetery. George Marsh and G. A. Williams each contrib-
uted a piece of land, to which additions were afterward made, making the
present plat about two acres, neatly enclosed and well drained. The first
officers were Ebenezer C. Price, president; Freedom Jeffords, secretary ; G. A.
Williams, treasurer; Sylvester A. May, William Earl, and E. L. Lyon, trus-
tees. Unfortunately the organization has dwindled down so much that a list
of the present officers can not be accurately obtained. The Bunker Hill Cem-
etery Association was organized with Isaiah W. Darling as the first president.
It is a small plat of ground situated near the central part of the town, well
fenced and cared for. Lyman Scott is president and Richard Langham,
treasurer. The Indians have a cemetery on their reservation.
A pretty and romantic spot is Red pond, situated in' the eastern-central
part of Cold Spring, and covering an area of about two acres. The water is
of a dark red color, which suggests its name.
A part of the village of East Randolph is situated in the northeast corner
of the town, but as it will be fully noticed in the history of Randolph further
mention of it here is omitted.
Steamburgh, a station and postoffice on the N. Y., P. & O. R. R., is a thriv-
ing village of over 150 inhabitants and contains two general stores, two hotels,
a saw and planing-mill, a shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, a meat market, a
Union church, town hall, and a physician's oflfice. The first settler on the site
was Eastman Prescott, who came at an early day, but no effort to found a
village was made until after the completion of the railroad. Up to that time
494 History of Cattaraugus County.
the village of Cold Spring had become famous as a lumbering center, but
with the building of the railroad its principal business interests were diverted
to Steamburgh, which gradually assumed a position of considerable impor-
tance as a lumber town. The name Steamburgh was applied to the village
from the fact that a number of steam mills were situated here and in the
vicinity. Meletiah Price erected, it is said, the first frame building in the
village. The first blacksmith was probably a Mr. Geer. The first store in
the town is claimed to have been built and kept by Horace Holt prior to
1837. It was in the upper part of " Lebanon " in the Barrett district. The
first store in Steamburgh was erected in 1856 by Freedom Jeffords and kept
by Howard Fuller and B. G. Casler. The second one, built in 1871 by E. L.
Lyon, was kept by Robert Carson, and the third was erected in 1873 by
Franklin Jackson and occupied by Nutting Brothers. The first hotel, the
A. & G. \V. House, was built by Moses B. Wells in 1864. He was succeeded
as landlord by Dana Grout. Mr. Wells a year later again took it and changed
its name to the Travelers' Home. In 1867 he closed it and the next year it
was re-opened by Alpha Flagg and Howard Wright as the Steamburgh House,
by which name it was afterward known. The succeeding proprietors have
been Alpha Flagg, H. K. Whelpley, Mr. Flagg again, Horace S. Frederick,
Chauncey Earl, Mr. Flagg again, Henry Staples, and finally Mr. Flagg, who
closed it July I, 1892, and now occupies it as a dwelling. The Union House
was converted into a hotel from an old store by B. G. Casler in 1867 and
opened that year by Brazil Kent. It has had several proprietors, among
whom were H. S. Frederick, A. J. Hotchkiss, Gilbert O'Dell, White Williams,
and W. P. Smith, the present landlord. The Earl House, a neat frame build-
ing, was formerly a dwelling and changed into a hostelry by Chauncey Earl,
who conducted it about five years. In July, 1892, he sold to Timothy J.
Biushingham, the present proprietor.
The Steamburg postefifice, the only one in town, was established in March,
i860, with Ethel L. Lyon as the first postmister. His successors have been
B. G. Casler, Maurice Gibbs, Robert Carson, F. L. Beyer, M. A. Jaquay,
H. D. Nutting, Lucius Nutting, David Bliss, Brazil Kent, and H. G. Wyman,
who has served since May 23, 1889. While Lucius Nutting was postmaster
the office was burned. It became a money-order office July 16, 1892.
The only severe fire the village of Steamburgh has ever suffered occurred a
few years ago and caused a loss or between $7,000 and §8,000. The principal
buildings burned were M. A. Jaquay's store, the meat market, and the Steam-
burgh House barn. All were speedily rebuilt. The fine frame school building
in Steamburgh was erected in 1873 ^t a cost of about $1,800, including an ad-
dition to the old lot, on which stood the first school in the village. Both
buildings were constructed under the supervision of Hezekiah Owen. The
present structure is thirty by fifty feet in size, one storj- high, and surmounted
by a bell and belfry, and will accommodate about eighty scholars. The
Town of Cold Spring. 495
Steamburgh free church edifice was commenced in 1884 and completed and
dedicated by the residents of Cold Spring in the fall of 1886, being the first
and only church building in the town. Prof. J. T. Edwards, of Randolph,
preached the dedicatory sermon. The structure is of frame, will seat some
300 persons, and cost, including lot, about $2,000. In the belfry hangs a bell
purchased by the Ladies' Bell Society and hung in 1891. The building is
governed by a board of seven trustees selected from the citizens and the sev-
eral denominations, and these elect a clerk, the present incumbent being
George W. Reeves. The use of the building is given by appointment to any
religious society desiring to hold services, all, however, contributing to its
maintenance. The Union Sunday school was organized a number of years
ago with Hezekiah Owen as superintendent. There are now about forty
scholars with Mrs. Orange Gray as superintendent.
The James Randolph Post, No. 307, G. A. R., of Steamburgh, was organ-
ized with about forty members. H. V. Nutting was commander. Interest
lagged somewhat and it was shortly afterward re-organized with VV. H. H.
Campbell, commander. It existed in all about two years.
Steamburgh Lodge, No. 813, 1. O. G. T., was organized February 28, 1890.
There were thirteen members with E. V. Randall, C. T. The present mem-
bership is forty-one and the ofificers are Ora Gates, C. T.; Miss Lottie Grain,
V. T.; Sidney Gates, recording secretary.
Garland Grange, No. 546, P. of H., was organized in March, 1888, with
about twenty-four charter members. This was the first subordinate lodge of
the grange instituted in the county. The 'first master was the late Albert
Hale and his successors were J. A. Covert, T. P. Butler, Daniel F. Reeves,
H. C. Gates, and Alonzo Zimmer. There are now about thirty-five members.
Cold Spring was once a village famous along the Allegheny and Ohio
rivers for its lumber interests, it being for many years the center of a great
lumber trade. This business finallv declined, the railroad through Steamburgh
diverted its interests to that point, and the white settlers moved away, leaving
it tenanted only by Indians. Excepting these dusky inhabitants and a few
ruins of its old stores and taverns there is nothing left to remind the visitor of
its former importance and activity. In 1839 there were three hotels kept
respectively by Howard Fuller, Alonzo Woodford, and Abraham M. Casler.
Fuller also kept a store. Other merchants and traders there were Benjamin
Giles, Dewitt Wheat, Foster Barlow, Daniel Swan, William Brown, Howard
Fuller, Jr., Alfred Fuller, B. G. Casler, and Stephen Aldrich, Jr. The last
tavern keeper was Jesse Champlin. Jonathan Cricks was widely known as
one of the postmasters. Mails were received on horseback once a week, and
it is said that the postoffice was once officially designated " Ten Mile Spring,"
but the village was always known as Cold Spring.
Other localities in the town are " Hardscrabble," so-called from its high
hills and deep valleys, in the northern part ; " Lebanon," locally named from
History of Cattaraugus County.
its being a fertile valley bounded on all sides by high elevations, in the central
part ; " Price Corners," named in honor of the Price families and having the
only guide-board in town, in the western part; and "Bunker Hill." The
latter was named from a remark made by Noah Culver, Sr., who one day
witnessed a fight in the Eagle tavern between some men and facetiously
exclaimed : " Gosh ! That was a regular battle of Bunker Hill ! "
Rev. William J. Wilcox, a Congregational minister, is claimed to have held
the first religious services in the town of Cold Spring in 1823. Apparently
no church organization was effected until 1851, although itinerant or circuit
preachers held meetings occasionally in houses, barns, and school buildings.
In 1 85 1 a Methodist Episcopal Church Society was formed in what is now
Steamburgh by a Rev. Mr. Chesboroagh, the members being the Woodworth
families, G. A. Williams and wife, W. D. Arrance and wife, and Jonathan J.
Whipple. James M. Woodworth was class-leader. Among the earlier
preachers were Revs. Blynn, Day, Moore, Barnhart, and Mead. The present
minister in charge is Rev. Mr. Sartwell, of Randolph.
The Free Methodist Church Society of Cold Spring was organized at a
camp meeting held at Gowanda by Rev. Levi Wood with four members —
William Langham and wife and Foster Payne and wife. Services, however,
were held in the town prior to the organization, which occurred, it is said,
about 1880. The first pastor was Rev. Josiah Henning, since deceased. There
are now about fourteen members, who meet for worship each week in the
Steamburg Union church under the pastorship of Rev. Mr. Tuxford, of
Ashville.
The Wesleyan Methodist Society was organized in the fall of 1891 by Rev.
Edgar Fuller, of East Leon, with thirteen members, who have since decreased
in number to about half a dozen. William A. Backus, a licensed minister,
has pastoral charge and Merlin Blood is class-leader.
The United Brethren in Christ became a nominal organization in 1859
with about seven members, and was formally organized as a class in 1872.
Services were held every two weeks in the " Lebanon " school house by circuit
preachers. Later meetings, however, were called in the " Bunker Hill " school
house, continuing there until 1S91. A "split " occurred in the society in 1888
which finally caused its dissolution.
The Seventh Day Advent Society was formed in October, 1882, by J. E.
Robinson, assisted by Rev. Frank Peabody. The original members numbered
about fifteen. The first minister was J. P. Hayward and the present one is
G. A. Williams. The deacons are L. F. Hovey and J. P. Winckie. Services
are held every sabbath (Saturday) in the Union church in Steamburgh. A
sabbath school of about twenty scholars is under the superintendency of Mrs.
B. W. Eastman. The Tract Missionary Society, organized in October, 1882,
has some fifteen members who meet every four weeks, with Miss Nettie
M. Hovey, librarian.
Town of Cold Spring. 497
Elisha Brace was born Jan. 13, 1818, and came to Randolph about 1825.
He married Mary E., daughter of John Angle, and she bore him four chil-
dren: Sophronia (Mrs. D. F. Reeves, of Cold Spring), Russell, of Randolph,
Annett, and Ernest. Mr. Brace died Sept. 9, 1861, on the farm in Cold
Spring onto which he had moved in 1844, and which his widow still occupies.
Jeremiah Brushingham was born in Ireland and came to America -in 1857,
locating on a farm in the town of Hinsdale, where he died in 1872. His
widow now lives in Allegany. His children were Timothy J., Mary, James,
Ella (deceased), and Anna. Timothy J. Brushingham was born in Hinsdale,
April 15, 1862. He was reared on the farm. His father dying when he was
but ten years old the support of his mother and her younger children de-
volved upon his youthful shoulders. Upon reaching maturity he engaged in
other business and in July, 1892, bought the Earl House in Sieamburgh,
cenverting it into the principal hotel in the village. In March, 1887, Mr.
Brushingham married Mary, daughter of Martin Masoner, of Allegany,
and they have three children: Leo, Lloyd, and Hazel. He was engaged for
four years in lumbering at Onoville, where he served two years as constable.
Wilber Congleton, son of Phelps and Hannah (Beardsley) Congleton, was
born in EUicott, Chautauqua county, Oct. 11, 1842. Phelps Congleton came
from Vermont to Chautauqua county about 1812. A brother John served in
the Black Hawk wars and became a captain in the navy in the Civil war, where
he died. Phelps came to Randolph in 1852, but in 1863 returned and died in
April, 1888. His first wife, who died May 24, 1864, bore him nine children:
Mary J., Sarah A., James B., Luther C, William, ist, Laura S., William, 2d,
and Wilber, twins, and Rebecca. By his second wife, Mrs. Tibbetts, he had
no children. Mr. Congleton was fourteen years in the State militia and at-
tained the rank of a non-commissioned officer.
Wilber Congleton was raised on a farm, came to the town of Randolph in
the year 1852, and when fifteen years of age began life on the Allegheny
river on a raft. In June, 1864, he enlisted in Co. C, 13th N. Y. H. A., at
Steamburgh, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. In 1867 he began
rafting lumber down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, which business he has
continued more or less since. In Oct., 1873, M"". Congleton came to Steam-
burgh, where he has become well known in political circles. A staunch Dem-
ocrat in politics he is not an office-seeker; for one term, however, he accepted
the position of justice of the peace. He is a member of D. T. Wiggins Post,
G. A. R., Randolph. He is well known among the legal fraternity of western
New York, having served them many times in important capacities. Jan. 14,
1879, ^r. Congleton married Jennie, daughter of Caleb Winn, of Sinclairville,
Chautauqua county; children — James H. (deceased) and Jennie M. L.
Anthony Covert was born in Dryden, Tompkins county, Nov. 30, 1821,
and came to Chautauqua county with his father in 1837. In 1843 he came to
Randolph, where he married Almira A., daughter of John N. Angle, and their
children are John Asher, William N., and Lydia E. (Mrs. L. Wilson), who
died Nov. 25, 1889. Mr. Covert removed to his present farm in Cold Spring
in 1846, and has since served as overseer of the poor and road commissioner.
He has also carried on lumbering in connection with farming.
John Asher Covert, born Feb. 2, 1849, married, first, Addie Butler, of Ran-
dolph, by whom he had three children — Bessie, Herbert, and Glenn. Mrs.
Covert died in July, 1890, and he married, second, Margaret, daughter of Joel
Ewing, of Randolph. He is a farmer near his father.
63
History of Cattaraugus County.
William N. Covert was born in Cold Spring, Jan. 15, 1854, and married.
Feb. 2, 1873, Sibbie J., daughter of Alden McMillan, and they have had two
children: Cora Alma, born April i, 1874, and Hart A., who died Aug. 26,
1886. Mr. Covert has served as excise commissioner and school trustee.
Noah Culver, a soldier of the War of 18 12, came to Little Valley about
1817. His sons were Lyman, Eliphalet, Noah, Jr., Edward, and Charles and
his daughters were Charlotte, Martha, Eletha, Louisa, and Sally. Edward
Culver was fatally injured in the railroad accident in Steamburgh on Oct. 28,
1872, and died Nov. 2d following. His widow, Matilda Price, and son Jerome
reside in Cold Spring. Lyman Culver was a long time resident of this town
and prominent and influential as a citizen. His daughter. Miss Helen Culver,
resides in Chicago, 111., and by her own industry has accumulated a fortune
running into the millions.
Alpha Flagg was born in Canada West, July 31, 1841, and came to South
Valley in 1855 to work for his uncle, Elzi Flagg. Later he engaged in farming
there and in 1868 removed to Steamburgh as proprietor, first with Howard
Wright and afterward alone, of the Steamburgh House, which he conducted
until August 20, 1876, when he went to Salamanca as landlord of the Dudley
House. He returned to Steamburgh in 1877 to resume the proprietorship
of his former hotel, running it until June i, 1882, when he went to South
Valley. There he remained until April 11, 1888, when he again returned
to Steamburgh as proprietor of the Steamburgh House, which he conducted
until July i, 1892, when he con\'erted it into his own dwelling and became
assistant postmaster under H. G. Wyman, which position he now fills. Mr.
Flagg married Laura, daughter of Nathan Crook, one of the first settlers in
Cold Spring; children: Cleve M., Carl P., Ruth, and an infant deceased.
James Hacket, born in Ireland in 1809, carne to America in 1829, locating
in Cattaraugus county near Ellicottville. In 1831 he came to Cold Spring and
was killed by the cars at JVIarsh's crossing in March, 1891. He was a farmer
and a Catholic. His wife was Lucy, daughter of Samuel Price, who came to
Cold Spring in 1832. Their children were Barney, Perry, Aurelia, John,
Francis, and Susan, of whom John, born April 15, 1846, has been a life-long
resident of Cold Spring and by occupation has been a farmer and lumberman.
He studied law with Rodney R. Crowley, of Randolph, but was never ad-
mitted to the bar. August 8, 1863, he enlisted in Co. M, I3t^ N. Y. H. A.,
and served two years. His brother Perry enlisted in 1862 and served about
three years in Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols. John Hacket has been elected justice
of the peace continuously since 1878, and has Served as constable, school
trustee, and justice of sessions two terms. He married, first, in 1873, Ellen,
daughter of Thomas Turner, an early settler of Cold Spring. She died in
1874 and Mr. Hacket married, second, Feb. 28, 1877, Annett, daughter of
Brazil Kent, of Steamburgh, and their children are B. Grace, born Dec. 11,"
1877, and Gary, born July 1 1, 1880.
Albert Hale was at one time a prominent resident and one of the leading
farmers of* Cold Spring. He was supervisor of the town in 1889 and 1890,
and died a year or two ago. His widow resides on the homestead.
Milton Helms came to Cold Spring in 1826 and cleared the farm where his
son Orson E. now lives, where he lived and died in November, 1873. His
wife, Lorinda Kelley, died there in 1879. ^'^^- Helms was constable and col-
lector and otherwise prominent in town affairs. His children were John
(deceased), Julia A. (Mrs. George Champlin), deceased, Marj' E. (Mrs. H. H.
Town of Cold Spring. 499
Holt), VVillard (deceased), Emeline (Mrs. G. W. Reeves), Elizabeth (Mrs.
Nathan Eddy), Eliza (Mrs. A. Coy), and Orson E.
Ziba Hovey, born in 1788, came from Genesee county (now Wyoming) to
Conewango in 1829, where he pursued farming. Shortly afterward he removed
to Randolph and engaged in hotel keeping, follovving this business in both
villages during a considerable portion of the remainder of his life. In 1836
he started west with his family, intending to go down the Allegheny and Ohio
rivers on a raft. He embarked his effects at the confluence of Cold Spring
creek with the Allegheny river, but navigation gave out and he landed there
and built and started a hotel, which he kept two years, being succeeded by
Howard Fuller, Sr. The building burned a few years ago. Mr. Hovey
returned to Randolph, where be kept hotel, and eventually removed to Cold
Spring, where he died at the residence of his son, La Fayette, Feb. 17, 1879,
aged nearly ninety-one. His wife, born in 1789, was Sophia Metcalf, whom
he married Dec. 25, 1810. Their children were Chauncey A. (deceased);
Sophronia S. (deceased) ; Andrew J. (deceased ) ; Ziba M., born July i, 1816, of
East Randolph; Emily A. (Mrs. D. B. Spaulding), born April 5, 1818, of
Cold Spring; Alta M. (deceased), born Nov. 29, 18 19; Laura P. (Mrs. C. A.
Snow), born Oct. 20, 1821, of East Randolph ; Franklin C, born Oct. 21, 1823 ;
Clarissa H., of Iowa ; Amelia A., born July 23, 1827 ; and La Fayette, born
March 15, 1831. Mrs. Hovey died Feb. 17, 1873.
La Fayette Hovey came to Cold Spring in 1863 and to his present farm in
1866. He married, Oct. 13, 1858, Louisa T. Case, of Bergen, Genesee county,
and their children are Fernando G., born Sept. 11, 1859; Carrie E., born June
20, 1862; and Nettie M., born July 14, 1865. Mr. Hovey is a carpenter and
joiner by trade, and with his father and two brothers has assisted in the erec-
tion of almost every building in East Randolph village.
Franklin C. Hovey is also a carpenter and joiner by trade. From 1858
until 1865 he followed lumbering, and since then has been both a farmer and
lumberman. He now lives in East Randolph. While residing in Cold Spring
he served as assessor six years and justice of the peace one term. May 8,
1848, Mr. Hovey married Harriet H., daughter of Horace Hall, one of the
pioneers of Randolph. Their children are De Ette (deceased) ; Edgar W.
(deceased); Adelle (Mrs. W. G. Harmon), of Old Orchard Beach, Me. ; Nellie F.;
and Kittie M. (Mrs. F. Larkin, Jr.), of Randolph.
Ethel L. Lyon, for a long time a prominent resident of Steamburgh, was
a lumberman and a farmer. He came into the town in the fall of 1847, ^"d
died here Dec. 19, 1889. His wife, Sophia, a daughter of Charles Wright,
deceased, lives with her son in Steamburgh village. Their children were
Ellen J., Clayton S., Manley S. (deceased), Maryette (Mrs. H. G. Wyman),
Adella R. (deceased), Julia E., Herman A., and Fred L. Mr. Lyon organized
the first school ever taught in Cold Spring and with Charles Morse named the
village of Steamburgh.
Jotham Metcalf, born July 16, 1791, in Keene, N. H., came to Conewango
in Feb., 1823, and settled on lot 2, being the first settler on Elm creek in that
town. His wife, Sarah Ash, born in Rensselaer county in 1794, died March
22, 1883. Their children were Sarah H. (Mrs. T. Huntington), deceased;
Jotham H., deceased ; Henry L., of East Randolph; David M.; and Mary M.
(Mrs. Zalmon Smith), of Napoli. Mr. Metcalf died at the home of his young-
est daughter July 5, 1875. He was a life-long resident of Conegango, and
both he and his wife were exemplary members of the Freewill Baptist church,
500 History of Cattaraugus County.
iiniting, however, with several others in 1826 in forming a Methodist class at
their house, there being no services of their own faith then in the town. For
many years Mr. Metcalf was a deacon of the church.
David M. Metcalf, born in Conewango, April 10, 1823, married, March 19,
1847, Jeannette, daughter of Ira Smith, and they have had two children, viz. :
Mary Isabelle, who married \V. D. Hevenor, of Salamanca, and is deceased,
and Cora (Mrs. C. A. Hoggins, of Salamanca). Mr. Metcalf ha,^ been justice
of the peace many years, justice of sessions two terms, poormaster, and town
auditor. He is a representative farmer and a public spirited citizen.
Harding Morse, born in Connecticut, Feb. 5, 1796, was a descendant of
seven brothers, early settlers of New England, and his father, James, served
seven years in the Revolutionary army. His mother was a Brewster, a family
noted in New England history. Mr. Morse was a hatter by trade and worked
in the first factory in the United States that employed machinery in the manu-
facture of hats, pursuing his avocation under lock and key, for the work then
was a secret. His wife, Catherine Hartman, whom he married in Dansville,
Livingston county, about 1820, bore him eight children, three of whom grew
to maturity, viz. : Harman, Lovisa, and Charles. He removed finally to
Ferry, Wyoming county, after following his trade in nearly all the eastern
States, and came thence in 1833 to Otto, where he was a farmer and lumber-
man, running a saw-mill there about two years. In 1842 he moved to Mans-
field and thence in 1847 to Cold Spring, where he died Oct. 30, 1853. His
wife died in Otto, April 10, 1840. He was a Royal Arch Mason.
Charles Morse, born in Perry, Wyoming county, Aug. 14, 1830, was reared
on a farm and came to Steamburgh with his father in 1847, when there was
but one house in the place, and for four weeks saw no white man and but one
Indian. He married, Jan. 15, 1854, Rachel, daughter of Rev. Thomas Arnold
(see Napoli), and their only child, Charles Harding, was born Sept. 7, 1856.
Mr. Morse has manufactured large quantities of lumber.
The Price family has long been prominent in the settlement of Cold
Spring. Its members have always been public spirited, influential citizens,
many of them holding ofiices of trust and responsibility. The first of the
name to arrive was Meletiah Price, who came about 1827, settling where
Steamburgh now is. He later moved to Little Valley and .thence to Cone-
wango, where he died in 1850.
Samuel Price came from Otsego, Otsego county, to Cold Spring in 1833
and settled on the farm where his son Dorr now lives, and where he died May
31, 1862. His wife, Elizabeth Cheney, who died. March 11, 1876, bore him
these children : Ebenezer C. (deceased), James W. (deceased), Sarah (deceased),*
Matilda (Mrs. Edward Culver), of Steamburgh, Lucy, Angeline (Mrs. Angel
Pope), of Randolph, Jonathan (deceased), Joseph, Martin, and Dorr. Mr.
Price was justice of the peace many years, poormaster, assessor, school trustee,
and a lumberman and farmer.
Joseph Price was born March 10, 1832, married, Feb. 12, 1854, Diantha,
daughter of William Earl, and they have had two children: Amanda (Mrs.
John Crooks), of Corydon, Pa., and Elmer, of Waterford, Pa. Mr. Price built
and for fifteen years ran a saw-mill. Aug. 13, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 154th
N. Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war, being slightly wounded.
Dorr Price enlisted at the same time and in the same company, and served
nineteen months, being discharged for physical disability.
Ebenezer C. Price, born June 19, 1815, died in Cold Spring June 17, 1875.
Town of Conewaxgo. 501
He was prominent in political affairs, serving as supervisor, county excise
commissioner, justice of the peace, justice of sessions, and coroner. His wife
was Sally, daughter of Noah Culver, and their children were Ellen (de. eased),
Emma (Mrs. T. P. Butler), of Cold Spring, Elbert, of Cold Spring, and Elsie.
George W. Reeves, son of Warren H. (see South Valley), was born Aug.
16, 1827, and came with his parents to South Valley in 1837. He married,
June 51, 1849, Emeline, daughter of Milton Helms, of Cold Spring, and their
children are Fayette W. (deceased); Delora R. (Mrs. D. J. Abbey), of Sala-
manca; Frank A., of Salamanca; Lizzie M. (Mrs. M. P. Prosser), of Buffalo ;
Lorenda A. (deceased); and Ernest G. and Darwin W., of Johnsonburg, Pa.
Mr. Reeves has been a farmer, carpenter, and lumberman. He came to Cold
Spring in 1849. While in South Valley he was town clerk one term. With
his two brothers, William I. and Daniel F., he enlisted in Co. I, 9th N. Y.
Cav., in 1864, serving until the war closed. He has retired from active life.
Daniel F. Reeves, another son of Warren H. Reeves, was born May 12,
1834, and married, March 31, 1866, Sophronia, daughter of Elisha Brace, and
their children are Warren E., born Jan. 11, 1867; George R., born Feb. 5,
1869, of North Dakota; Ernest C, born Dec. 2, 1872 ; Daniel E., born Jan.
24, 1875; and J. Brace, born April 20, 1877. Mr. Reeves has been assistant
clerk of the Board of Supervisors, town assessor, and for over thirty years a
teacher in the public schools. He has been district deputy of the county
grange and was supervisor in 1892 and re-elected in 1893.
Josiah Wyman came to Steamburgh from Kennedy, Chautauqua county,
in 1847, but soon returned. His children were Harvey G. and Hettie (deceased).
He died in 1857. Harvey G. Wyman, born April 30, 1849, married, July 4,
1870, Maryette, daughter of E. L. Lyon, and their children are Jennie S.,
Nellie S., Elmer H., Ellis A., and Beulah H. He has spent his life in lumber-
ing. In September, 1892, with C. H. Morse, under the firm name of Morse &
Wyman, he bought the steam saw and shingle-mill of Joseph Leach which
was formerly owned by E. L. Lyon. Mr. Wyman has been postmaster four
years, highway commissioner one year, and school trustee three years.
CHAPTER XXn.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONEWANGO.
CONEWANGO was erected into a township from Little Valley on Janu-
ary 20, 1823, and originally embraced all the territory south of the
north line of Leon to the Pennsylvania State line, being described as
towns I, 2, 3, and 4 in range nine of the Holland survey. On February 21,
1826, the town of Randolph (including also nearly all of what is now South
Valley) was set off and on April 24, 1832, Leon was formed, leaving Cone-
wango with its present area of 22,846 acres, embraced in a square containing
sixty-four equal lots of land. The name Conewango is of Indian origin and
signifies " walking slowly."
502 History of Cattaraugus County.
This town contains some of the best farming and grazing land in the
county. It was originally covered with a dense growth of pine and hemlock,
the converting of which into lumber afforded constant and lucrative employ-
ment to the early settlers, who, like other pioneers, were poor in worldly
goods, but rich in enterprise, courage, and industry. The soil on the uplands
varies from a stiff clay to a gravell)' loam. The valleys are chiefly composed
of the latter. In the north and east the surface is hilly upland, while along
Conewango creek, in the southwest, it is generally level and swampy, usually
affording, however, easy access and tillage. The principal water-course is
Conewango creek, which enters the northwest corner of the town from Chau-
tauqua county, where it mainly derives its source, and flows southeast to
within a mile of the Randolph line, where, after forming a confluence with its
namesake, the Little Conewango, it takes a southwesterly direction and leaves
the town at the southwest corner, entering Chautauqua county and finally
joining the Allegheny river near Warren, Pa. The stream was not inappro-
priately named, for it is deep and sluggish and scarcely manifests a perceptible
motion. Over its sullen waters once floated immense quantities of timber to
Pittsburg and the west. In early lumbering times it was to the settlers of
this region what the Allegheny was to the county — a waterway to markets
and supplies. Unlike many of its small tributaries the Conewango never
afforded much water-power, but like them it abounded with delicious fish,
many varieties of which still exist.
Elm creek, which derives its name from the unusual number of elm trees
along its banks, rises in lot 14, flows southerly, and empties into the Little
Conewango in Randolph. It formerly afforded good water-power. Clear and
Saw Mill creeks and other brooks, most of which flow into the two Cone-
wangos, afford with those mentioned excellent natural drainage and many
water privileges, though few of these latter are now utilized. In the south-
west part of the town lies Conewango swamp, which is from thirty to fifty
feet below the bed of the Allegheny river at its nearest point.
The first settler in Conewango is said to have been Eliphalet Follett, who
located near Rutledge, on the old Chautauqua road, in 18 16. In 1817 he
opened an inn for the accommodation of emigrants, and here was born soon
afterward his son, the first white birth in the town. Follett removed from
the county a few years later. James Battles, born in Vermont in 1798,'
moved hence and became a settler here in 1817 and shortly afterward mar-
ried Rachel Hadley. About the same time Calvin Treat and Adaline Childs
became man and wife. At the present day there is a dispute as to which of
these marriages occurred first, but both repaired to Chautauqua county to
have the ceremonies performed. Battles erected the first frame barn in the
town. He was for some time class-leader in the M. E. church at Rutledge.
Cyrus Childs, the third settler and a native of Massachusetts, came Decem-
ber 15, 1818. His wife, Miriam, born in Worthington, Mass., August 17, 1785,
Town of Coxewango. 503
was at the time of. her death the oldest person in Conewango. He died here
aged ninety-three. The same year (1818) James Blanchard located on the
same lot as Childs and in 1820 opened a tavern on the old Chautauqua road.
A native of Vermont he was born in Bennington in July, 1789, and died here
in March, 1833. Eunice, his wife, was born in Halifax, Vt., in Januarj-, 1796,
and lived to about the age of ninety. Blanchard built in 1827, at Rutledge,
the first frame hotel in town. He had born to him four sons and four daugh-
ters. Daniel Grover and David Davidson, both natives of Ne\\: England,
came to Conewango in 1818, the former settling on lot 23 and the latter on
lot 48. Grover was born in 1792 and- Davidson in 1777. The latter was a
carpenter by trade and built in 1820 the first frame building here. Lyman
VVyllys was born in Massachusetts and settled on lot 23 in 1818. He subse-
quently moved to Michigan. Calvin Treat, before mentioned, whose mar-
riage with Miss Childs is dated May 31, 1819, erected the first grist-mill in
town, on Spring brook, in 1821. He settled on lot 23 and died here in 1832.
Sampson Crooker came from Greene county in 1818 and located a farm on
lot 47, near Rutledge, where he planted the first orchard and gave the land for
the first cemetery in the town. With Robert McGlashan he built the first
saw-mill, and with Culver Crumb he erected a saw and grist-mill in 1825 on _
Clear creek. His wife was a true pioneer. A sketch of their son, Hon. George
A. S. Crooker, appears on a preceding page among the lawyers of the county
and his poem on the bloodless Dutch Hill war is preserved on page 199.
H. Camp and William Holbrook settled in Conewango in or about 1818
and in 1822 established the first store in town — at Old's Corners. In 18 18
came Robert McGlashan, who settled on lot 47 and became the first justice of
the peace. His brothers James and Charles located here in i8i9and about
1825 respectively. Peter, another brother, came to Rutledge some years later.
The mother of all, Mrs. Ann McGlashan, widow of Peter, Sr., came with one
of the sons at an early day. The McGlashans were prominent residents and
attained considerable reputation in local military affairs. Charles became a
colonel and in i860 moved to Red Wing, Minn., where he died in 1872,
James was commissioned a brigadier-general, and in 1824 and 1825 represented
the town of Conewango on the Board of Supervisors. James and Charles
erected the first frame house in town and in 1831 built a store and a hotel at
Rutledge, where they were long successful merchants and extensive cattle
dealers. Daniel Newcomb, a native of Goshen, N. Y., came here in 1821,
reared a family of nine children, and died in 1855, his wife dying in 1846.
Aaron and Leonard Barton located on lot 15 in 1820, cleared ten acres, and
becoming discouraged returned to their home in Massachusetts. Gen. Seth
Wood and his two sons Thomas and Gaius came to Conewango in 1820, but
the general subsequently removed to Ohio, where he died; his sons died here.
Rufus Wyllys and his father came here in 1820. The son with Samuel
Farlee erected a saw-mill on Elm creek in 1823. Farlee arrived from Genesee
504 History of Cattaraugus County.
county in 1819 and in 1827 built on Elm creek a grist-mill having two runs of
stone. In the flood of 1865 a ^Ir. Farnsworth, who was emploj^ed in this
mill, was swept away while attempting to remove the slash-boards from the
dam. His body, sitting naturally against a tree and entirely nude except the
collar-band, one boot, and a wrist-band, was found the next day two miles be-
low the woods. The mill continued business until 1870.
Chauncey Butler and a blacksmith named Bradner settled on lots 39 and
30 respectively in 18 19. In 1820 Elias Wilcox came in from Livingston
county and afterwards settled in East Randolph, where he died. Russell
Pennock lived in Conewango from 1819 to 1S30, when he removed to Ohio.
It was at his house that the first dance in town occurred on July 4, 1821. A
Frenchman played the fiddle. Thomas Darling became a resident on lot 30
in 1820 and also finally went to Ohio. In 18 19 Peter Blanchard settled on lot
22, where he died in 1825. John Darling, born in Vermont in 1786, came
here with his wife, who was also born there in 1797, and opened a home on lot
38 in 1821, where he died in December, 1867. He became the town's first
supervisor and was one of the earliest maple-sugar makers here. His brother
Benjamin came also in 1821 and located on lot 46. Benjamin was born in
Rutland, Vt., and his wife at Plymouth, Mass., both in 1782. He died on
his homestead in April, 1861. At their house was held the second dance in
town on New Year's day, 1822.
Thomas and Nicholas Northrup, brothers, arrived in 1818 from Stephen-
town, N. Y. Nicholas was killed by the cars while returning from a visit to
the west. His son Anson is said to have pre-empted the first land, built the
first shanty, and subsequently erected the first frame house where the city of
Minneapolis now is. Thomas was the first and for several years town clerk.
Julius Gibbs came into Conewango from Chautauqua county in 1822 and
the following year Asahel Brown arrived. Brown was born in Grand Isle, Vt.,
in 1799, and his wife Flora in Massachusetts in 1802. For twenty years after
their settlement they occupied a log house constructed by Lyman Wyllys.
Brown then erected what was locally known as the " Red House," which is
still standing. Ezra Amadon became a resident on lot 15 in 1820 and claimed
to have owned the first grain cradle in town. He was a typical pioneer,
reared ten children, and died at a good old age. Stephen Nichols, Culver
Crumb, and David Cooper settled in town in 1820, Nathan Burt in 1821, Val-'
entine Hill in 1822, and Loomis Lillie, Luke Ward, Joseph Cunningham, and
Luther Marlow in 1823. Burt was from Mount Morris and died on his farm
here. Daniel Whiting came in from Vermont in 18 19, and the same year
John Farlee arrived from Genesee county. Farlee's wife's death, which occured
in the fall of 1821, was the first adult death in Conewango, and on the day of
the burial a terrific snow and wind storm raged for more than twenty-four
hours. No minister of the gospel was present, but a simple prayer was
offered, and the remains were buried in the garden back of the house.
Town of Conewango. 505
On lot 63 Goldsmith Coffin was the first settler and on lot 56, in 1822, John
Fairbanks and his wife located. Both of the latter died on their homestead,
John in 1837 and his wife in 1835. They had fourteen children. James Ham-
mond and Henry Pellitt, the latter an Englishman, became settlers in 1823.
Hammond was born in Rhode Island and died here in 1866. Bemus Baldwin
and Dana Phillips located farms in 1818 and 1819 respectively. Bela B. Post
came to town in 1819, settled on lot 27, sold later to his brother Joel, and
moved to Iowa, where he died. Jotham Metcalf and Ralph Williams, natives
of New England, came to Conewango in 1823 and spent the remainder of
their lives here. Metcalf was born in 1791. He was a Freewill Baptist, but
there being no organization of this sect in town he formed a Methodist class
at his house in 1826 and became its leader. His death occurred in 1875.
Williams was born in 1778 and died in 1875. He and his wife enjoyed connu-
bial bliss for seventy-two years. John Towers and his wife, whose early ad-
ventures with bears and wolves furnished substance for thrilling stories, set-
tled on lot 37 in 1826. Nathan Snow followed Towers two years later and
died on his homestead in 1861.
Among the settlers of 1827 were Job Gardner, who finally moved to Illi-
nois and was killed by a load of rails, Freeborn Fairbanks, and Alden Childs.
Richard McDaniels, in 1824, located on lot i, but soon sold out to Jeremiah
Bundy, who three years later transferred to George L. Fox, who died on the
farm in 1838. In 1822 Samuel Cowley came in and in 1825 Henry L. Gard-
ner became a resident of the town. Gardner afterward married a daughter of
Nicholas Northrup. Cowley was born in 1798, and during the presidential
campaign of 1844 he fell from a hickory pole, breaking both legs. Amputa-
tion of one became necessary and during the operation he died. Peter Pen-
nock came here in 1821 and the same year Lyman Beach settled in Leon.
Beach became a resident of Conewango in 1825. Jared Stevens and Levi
Steele both came from Genesee county, the former in 1826, the latter in 1829.
Stevens was born in Oneida county and Steele in Granville, Vt. The latter
finally moved to Chautauqua county, where he died. William Hollister. Jr.,
came here in 1833 and erected a tannery and conducted a shoe shop. John
Hammond followed Hollister the next year and died on his original farm on
lot 61 in 1875. Two settlers of 1824 were Chauncey .Helms and Daniel Ben-
son, the latter of whom was born in New Jersey in December, 1777. Helms
articled one hundred acres of land on lot i, but subsequently sold out to
Robert Helms. Robert afterward married Jane Benson. Jesse and Erastus
Boynton,^two brothers from Allegany county, came here in 1825, as did also
Richard Goodwin, who was born in New Hampshire in December, 1783, and
died where he settled in April, 1858. Jesse Boynton died on his farm and
Erastus subsequently removed to Olean. John Benson came here in 1824 and
died in July, 1862. He was born in New Jersey in 1800 and his wife in
Genesee county in 1806.
64
5o6 History of Cattaraugus County.
Elias Carpenter moved to Conewango from Onondaga county in 1825 and
afterward removed to Minnesota, where he died. Ziba Hovey settled on lot
4 in 1829 and lived to be over ninety years of age. Elnathan Pope, a Ver-
monter, being born there in 1788, came to this town from Allegany county in
1828 and died in Wisconsin in 1865. Hector Seager moved here in 1831 and
died on his farm on lot 38 in 1859. Both he and his wife Sally were born in
Connecticut in 1793 and 1796 respectively. William Bedell settled in this
town in 1823 and James Wirt followed him in 1825. Both were from Gene-
see county. Bedell was a Methodist preacher. Abijah Bruce located a farm "
here in 1826 and finally died in Randolph. David Huntington, the seventh
son of John, a Vermonter, came to Conewango with his father in 1824, where
the latter died March 24, 1858. He was born in Bethany, Genesee county,
June 27, 181 2. His father was born Angust 20, 1775, and served in the War
of 1812-15. David was a candidate for assemblyman on the Greenback ticket
in 1877, and during his active life held many town ofiices.
Other settlers of the town from 1825 for five or six years were John Pierce,
George Frisbie, Gideon Walker, Charles Mason, Uriah Wheeler, Cyrus
Thacher, Joseph Hamilton, Alfred A. Kinney, Willard and Reuben Cheney,
Arthur Cowen, Calvin Hills, Ephraim Palmer, James Allen, Ezra Stannard,
Alexander Wandell, Joseph Cunningham, John Fairchild, Alvah Palmer,
Grosvenor Barton, John A. Fitch, John and Jeremiah Bundy, Samuel G.
Hoard, and Thomas Dutcher. One of the most prominent men the town
ever claimed as a resident was Dr. Thomas Jefferson Wheeler, who settled in
Rutledge about 1825 and died here February 8, 1875.
Martin V. Benson, son of John, who settled in Conewango in 1824, was
born here June 28, 1839, and became a lawyer of ability in East Randolph.
Chester Tuttle came to Napoli in 1826 and was killed by a falling tree in 1S27.
His son Ichabod B. afterward settled in this towri, where he died October 18,
1873, on the farm subsequently owned by his son Chester D. Horace Hunt-
ington was born in Conewango on July 2, 1826, and resided here all his life.
John Bjgelow came to the town in 1834 and died April 14, 1844. He was a
Baptist preacher and assisted in organizing the. first Baptist church in Cone-
wango. His son Wells J. married a daughter of Gains Wood.
The first individual landowners in Conewango in 181 5 were Daniel Phillips,
William Sears, Harry Davidson, Edmund Mullett, Rufus Wyllys, and Peter
Blanchard. It will be seen that only two or three became actual settlers.
It was in 1820 that the first school house was erected and the first school
opened with Miss Eliza Bradner as teacher. The structure was of logs and
was located on lot 30. Subsequent teachers here were Ann Wise and Olive
Cheney. Soon after the construction of this building another school house
was erected farther west, where Olive and Eliza Cheney were early teachers.
In 1892 Conewango had a population of 1,295. The town was divided into
eleven school districts, in each of which a school was maintained, the whole
Town of Conewango. 507
being taught by thirteen teachers and attended by 386 scholars. The total
sum expended for support of the schools during the year was $3,364.77. The
assessed valuation of property taxable for school purposes aggregated $770,-
903 and the school buildings and sites are valued at $6,290.
The first inn was opened by Eliphalet Follett on the Chautauqua road in
1 8 17; the first store was kept at Old's Corners in 1822 by Camp & Holbrook.
Up to 1823 the only highway in Conewango was the old Chautauqua road
running east and west through the northern part of the town to Mayville in
Chautauqua county. That year the roads were re-surveyed and new ones laid
out, and since then the highways have been continually improved, until now
they are generally in good condition. The railroad facilities of the town are
excellent, although very little land is occupied by railway lines. The New
York, Pennsylvania & Ohio (the "Nypano" or Western division of the Erie)
passes through the southwest corner of Conewango a distance of some three
miles, the nearest station being Randolph. The Buffalo & Southwestern
division of the Erie runs along the valley of Conewango creek on the western
edge of the town, a little over five miles, and has a station a mile and a half
from Rutledge.
The first town meeting was held at the house of John Darling on Febru-
ary II, 1823, with Robert McGlashan as president, and these officers were
elected: John Darling, supervisor; Thomas N. Northrup, town clerk; James
Powell, Calvin Treat, and Alexander McCollum, assessors; Bemus Baldwin,
collector; Thomas Darling and Calvin Treat, poormasters; Nicholas North-
rup and Samuel Farlee, commissioners of highways; Benjamin Darling, Rob-
ert Durfee, and James Powell, school commissioners; Robert McGlashan,
Solomon Nichols, and George A. S. Crooker, school inspectors; Peter Blanch-
ard, Recard Outhoudt, and William Minor, constables. The principal town
officers have been as follows:
Supervisiirs.—Joha Darling, 1833; James McGlashan, 18i4-25; George A. S. Crooker, ISiti-Sfl and 1S4I-55;
Hector Seager, 1840; Clark McCollister, 1856-57 ; Enoch Holdridge, 18.58-60 and 1875-79 ; M. T. Jenkins, 1861 ;
Daniel S. Swan, 1862; Philip M. Smith, 1863-64; Daniel Benson, 1865; M. V. Benson, 1866-71. 1873-74, and 188(1-
81; David Huntington, 1872; S. B. Ellsworth. 1882-84; Bela R. Johnson, 1885-86; Abner A. Aldrich, 1887-88;
Charles J. Mason, 1889 and 1891 ; Garret S. Myers, 1890 ; R. J. Coates, 1892-93.
Town C/crfo.— Thomas N. Northrup, 1823-29; Henry Day, 1830, 1836-37; Bliss C. Willoughby, 1831-32; Hec-
tor Seager, 1833; James McGlashan, 1834-35 ; Henry Town, 1838; Robert Owen, 1839; Thomas J. Wheeler,
1840; Horatio Jacobs, 1841-44; Henry D. Grant, 1845-50; Foster D. Barlow, 1851-52 and 1856.57; Calvin Daven-
port, 18.53-5-1; S. B. Ellsworth, 1855; M. T. Jenkms, 1858; William S. Crooker, 1859; S. D. Crooker, 1860-61,
1869, 1873, and 1879; Thomas Wilder, 1862; Cyrus Thacher, 1863; Dominicas Thoma, 1864, 1872, 1874, 1878, 1881',
1882, 1886, 1888, and 1890; Bueklin Jeuks, 1865; Milo R. Darling, 1866; Edward Brennan, 1S67-6S; Joseph M.
Congdon, 1870 ; Richard F. Coates, 1871 and 1875; C. W. Terry, 1878; Oliver H. Phillips, 1877, 1881, and 1883 ;
Horace Hull, 1884; L. D. Hill, 18&5; Bert Ellsworth, 1887; R. J. Coates, 1889 and 1891 ; Lysander Willey, 1892 ;
A. B. Archer, 1893.
Justices of the Peace.— 1823-30, no record ; 18.31, James Battles ; 18.32, John Cooper ; 18S3, Elnathan Pope,
Lewis Holbrook, Charles Pomeroy ; 18.34, James Battles, Elnathan Pope, David Benson ; ISB, Reuben Cheney,
Thomas Trask ; 1836, no record ; 1837, Otis Hicks; ISJh, no record ; 1839, Henry Day, Samuel Cowley, James
Hammond ; 1840, James Hammond ; 1841, Reuben PenhoUow ; 1842, Dewitt Huntington ; 1843, Horatio Jacobs ;
1844, Russell B. Clark ; 184.5, Reuben PenhoUow ; 1846, David Huntington, Robert Owen; 1847, James Ham-
mond, Alson Leavenworth ; 1848, Enoch Holdridge, Anson G. Seager, Daniel W. Gardner; 1849, Isaac Drake ;
ia50, A. G. Seager ; 1851, Enoch Holdridge ; 1852, J. P. Allen ; 1&53, Bueklin Jenks ; 1854, John H. Grover ; 1855,
Enoch Holdridge ; 18.56, J. P. Allen, A. G. Seager; 1857, S. B. Ellsworth ; 1858, Charles W. Dawley ; 1859, Erastus
5o8 History of Cattaraugus County.
Hall, K. B. Clark, Chauncey S. Hubbell; 1S60, Philip M. Smith, Da\id Metcalf, A. G. vSeager; 18tfl, C. S. Hub-
bell ; 1S«2, Daniel Fuller ; 1863, Thomas Wilder ; 1864, P. M. Smith ; 1805, M. V. Benson, Chauncey A. Snow ;
181)6, Daniel Fuller, Daniel Colburn ; 1867, Enoch Holdridsre ; 1868, David S. Collum ; IStiH, i '. A. Snow ; 1870,
Richard T. Hammond, Harris Aldrich; 1871. Enoch Holdridgre; 1872, George Kirkland ; 1873, William Buf-
flnfton ; 1874, Frank E. Day, Thomas Wells : 187.5, Bcla H. Johnson, Orra Snow, David Dunn ; 1876, D. Dunn,
Horace Hollister ; 1877, Harris Aldrich; lors,*. li. Ellsworth; 1879, C. W. Mount; 1&8U, Austin Saunders; 1881,
Charles W. Terry ; 1882, Robert E. Durfee ; 1883, C. A. Snow,- 1884, Austin Saundei-s; 188.5, James H. Hollister ,
1886, Daniel B. Mason ; 1887, M. M. Merrill ; 1888, Austiu Saunders ; 1889, L. D. Hill ; 18!iO, David Stevens; 1891,
Austin Saunders; 1892, John Case; 1893, L. D. Hill.
The first cemetery in town was located near Rutledge, the land being
given for the purpose by Sampson Crooker. With additions by purchase it is
still used and controlled by a Board of Trustees. The first death to occur in
Conewango was a child of Robert McGlashan.
In 1830 there was a little cluster of houses which nestled near the base of
the eastern range of hills along the Conewango valley, on what was called the
Chautauqua road or mail route from Ellicottville to Mayville. The hamlet
was named Rutledge and contained nine log and five frame structures, about
sixty inhabitants, and scarcely no mechanical industry. It was here the people
came from miles around to do their trading and vote and air their grievances
for justice, for here was the home of Judges Wheeler and Day and 'Squire
Battles. They also came for general trainings, for here resided the McGlashan
family — Adjutant-General Peter, General James, and Colonel Charles, who'
were in command of the militia of Conewango and adjacent towns. These
were stirring times for Rutledge, which became an important point for the
eastern half of the county. Randolph and East Randolph were hardly con-
sidered hamlets. Neither contained more than a few log houses and perhaps
a store or two. Here, too. Judges Chamberlain and Henry Day formed the
first copartnership in mercantile business in the vicinity in 1829. McGlashan
Brothers were also earh? traders and tavern keepers and at one time conducted
an extensive business. George A. S. Crooker, whom older inhabitants remem-
ber in various capacities, was another prominent citizen and merchant. In
1830 the polling place was changed to the hamlet then called "The Hollow,"
three miles farther north. The Hollow, although only about half the size of
Rutledge, was really the business place of the town. It had an extensive mill
privilege, which was utilized for a saw-mill, grist-mill, and fulling-mill ; besides
these there was an ashery, a hotel, and a grocery store. All of these except
the hotel were under the general supervision of Johnson Noyes, who was the
controling owner of the entire property. This once important hamlet has
lost its ancient activity and today scarcely nothing remains of its former e.Xr
tensive business interests.
In 1830 there were three distilleries within a radius of three miles of Rut-
ledge. Two of these were in what is now Conewango. To these the farmers
brought their corn and rye, which they exchanged for whisky — five, ten, or
fifteen gallons at a time, and occasionally a barrel. It was the custom for
everyone — man, woman, and child — to drink. In 1836 the distilleries were
closed. Cider was more generally used for many years. Barrels of this bev-
Town of Conewango. 509
erage would be rolled into the farmers' cellars each fall for family use. Truly
then could the boys and girls sing:
" It rains and it hails,
And it 's cold, stormy weather :
In comes the farmer
Drinking up his cider."
Now the popular cry is:
' Beware of the bottle,
Beware of the cup."
The pioneers of this community were apparently ahead of the average
settler in intellectuality and educational enterprise, for as early as 1824 they
clubbed together and established a public library, which, contained several
standard works on history-, theology, and physics, and which for many years
was well sustained. Rutledge has now settled down into a prett}-, quiet coun-
try village with four mercantile establishments, several shops, a physician's
ofifice, two churches, and about forty neat and tasty dwellings. The post-
office, named Conewango, was established in 1825 with George A. S. Crooker
as postmaster. Prominent among his successors were James McGlashan,Dr.
Thomas J. Wheeler, Chas. McGlashan, Clark McCollister, and Cyrus Thacher.
East Randolph village is partly located in the southeast corner of Cone-
wango. Its history will be detailed under the chapter of Randolph.
Conewango Station, formerly known as Old's Corners, is a station on the
west line of the town on' the Buffalo & Southwestern division of the Erie
railroad. Most of its business places, however, are in Chautauqua county.
Axeville took its name from Edwin Lefifingwell, a skillful axemaker and
an early settler. It is a small hamlet in the northeast corner of the town.
Samuel Cowley kept a postoffice there in 1840.
Elm creek is a small settlement on the stream of the same name in the
east part of the town ; it has a cheese factory and a few shops and dwellings.
Clear Creek, a postofifice just over the line in Chautauqua county, has a few
dwellings only in Conewango.
Pope is a postofifice nearly in the center of the town. The ofifice was estab-
lished August I, 1892, with Mrs. Mary A. Shannon as postmaster.
The great lumber industry of the town in early days has given place mainly
to agricultural pursuits with dairying as the chief occupation. This business
began to develop about 1870, when several creameries manufacturing both
butter and cheese were erected. Carpenter Brothers' cheese factory at Cone-
wango was built by Charles J. Mason in 1869. It cost $3,000 and has a capacity
of -manufacturing 55,000 pounds of cheese annually. M. M. Gardner is the
cheese maker. The Elm Creek cheese factory was built in'iS/o. It is owned
by Dana A. Cowan and has a capacity of 400 cows. Other factories have
been opened from time to time, among them being one by Bigelow & Gard-
ner near Rut'edge in 1876, another by John Wiggins at Elm Creek in 1874,
and still anotier by Bigelow & Gardner on the Chautauqua road in 1878.
5IO History of Cattaraugus County.
The foundry and machine shop of Charles M. Huntington, located near
East Randolph, was built by its present proprietor in 1880 at a cost of $2,000.
It is run by both water and steam-power and among its productions are dyna-
mos and electric supplies.
Snow & Loop's steam saw-mill in the southeast part of the town was
erected in April, 1892. It has a capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber daily.
The First Presbyterian church of Conewango dates back to January 11,
1823, when its organization was effected in a log school house in Leon by Rev.
John Spencer, a missionary sent out by the Connecticut Domestic Society.
Its original membership consisted of nine persons. Norman Coe served as
clerk until 1832. Meetings were held at Leon and Rutledge and Revs. Mr.
Spencer and Ira Dunning conducted the services. In 1845 the Leon mem-
bers were set off and formed a Congregational church. Rev. L. S. Morgan
became pastor of the Rutledge branch, being regularly installed in 1846 and
continuing until 185 1. Prior to this, however, Rev. Sylvester Cowles admin-
istered the ordinances occasionally, and it is quite probable that at one time
he had pastoral charge. Succeeding Rev. Dr. Alorgan's pastorate the relig-
ious enthusiasm waned and the society finally became al.most extinct. In
1868 Dr. Morgan was recalled and the church once more flourished and pros-
pered. Rev. A. D. Olds afterward became the pastor ; the present incumbent
is Rev. Edwin Hall. The present membership is thirty. Their house of
worship, a wooden structure capable of seating 400 persons, was begun in
1841 and completed in 1846. It cost $2,000. The church property is now
valued at $3,000. The Sunday school's average attendance is thirty-five.
The Methodists formed what was known as the " Elm Creek Class " in
1826 at the house of Jotham Metcalf, who was chosen class-leaden The organ-
izer was Rev. Job Wilson, from Canada. In 1830 another class was organized
at the Treat school house with Orestus Seager as leader, who served as such
for over twenty-five years.
A Baptist society was organized at Clear Creek in 1830 with twelve mem-
bers. Among the first preachers were Revs. Hadley and Bragman. A church
edifice vyas erected about 1844 ^^ ^ cost of $1,900. The society dwindled and
finally disbanded. In this house in 1868 a Freewill Baptist clergyman named
Cooke commenced a series of meetings and organized a Freewill Baptist
society, which existed only a short time.
The First Congregational Church of Christ at Clear Creek had its inception
in 1876 from revival meetings conducted by Rev. L. T. Mason. The society f
was incorporated April 21, 1876, with thirty-six members, and the Baptist
house of worship was purchased.
The Free Methodist church at Conewango has a membership of twenty-
five persons. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel Hadley. The church edifice
cost $600, will seat 200 people, and is valued, including grounds, at $1,000.
The Sunday school has twenty-five scholars and five teachers.
Town of Conewango.
Ziba Aldrich, a native of Richmond, N. H., d'ed in Rutland, Vt., aged
eighty-two. His wife was Hannah Webber. Abner Aldrich, their third child,
was born in Vermont, May 9, 1782, and removed to Canton, St. Lawrence
county, where he died in 1862. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His
wife Betsey was a daughter of Moses Sanderson, a Revolutionary soldier, and
of their seven children Harris was born in Rutland county, Vt., Oct. 31, 1S14,
and came to Randolph, Aug. 3, 1837. March 8, 1840, he married Diana,
daughter of Joseph and Pearl (Chapin) Stanley, of Homer, N. Y. She died
Feb. 17, 1886. Their children were Pearl A., born Sept. 26, 1841, married
David' F. Whitford, and has one daughter, Cordelia L. (Mrs. Charles Hol-
brook), of Oil City, Pa.; Hartwell B., Jan. 16, 1844; Abner A., June 13, 1S48;
Estella D., died in 1872 ; and Kate A., March 4, 1859. M^. Aldrich is said to
have been the first in Cattaraugus county to apply steam-power to the manu-
facture of butter and cheese. He has served many years as justice of the
peace, has been school superintendent, was associate justice of the count)' two
years, and has taught at least twenty terms of school. He has been a man of
prominence and enterprise, and now, in retired life, carries the esteem and
high respect of his fellow townsmen. Abner A. Aldrich was supervisor of
Conewango in 1869.
James Allen, son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Allen, was born in Rhode Is-
land and came to this town in 1830. He died at Clear Creek on March 2,
1854. His first wife, Hannah Townsend, bore him these children : Ripley T..
Sarah A., James P., and Henry. Air. Allen married, second, Terzah Town-
send, by whom he had one son, Mason. His third wife was Emily Farnham,
who was the mother of his youngest son, Charles T. Henry Allen owns and
occupies the paternal homestead.
Archer Benson was an early settler of Randolph. A grandson is a general
merchant in Conewango.
Joseph Bailey, who was born, lived, and died in Oxford, Vt., left one son,
Joseph, who was born June 23, 1800, removed to Black Rock in 1827, and
came thence to Conewango in 1828, settling where he still resides (April,
1893). He is a cooper by trade. He married Ann Noyes, whose mother's
father, Timothy Johnson, was a captain at the battle of Bunker Hill. Their
children are James J., Maryam, and Mandana N.
David Barton died in Leon about 1830, having come to that town from
Massachusetts in 1820. His son Grosvenor located in Conewango the same
year and cleared the farm on which he died in 1876. Some of the latter's
children still reside on the homestead and in the vicinity..
Daniel Benson came to Conewango from Mendon, N. Y., in 1824. Here
he died in 1859. aged ninety years. He was born near Patterson, N. J., and
married Rachel Doremus, who died in this town in 1838. Their children
were Rebecca, John, Jane, Cornelius, Garret, Peter D., and David. David
Benson, a native of New Jersey, was born April 25, 1798, and died in Cone-
wango on Oct. 30, 1870. His wife, Catharine Pier, died in Randolph on Oct.
II, 1882. Their children were Sally A., John D., Rachel J., Caroline A.,
Rebecca S., Marv' C, Lydia L., Ellen A., and Daniel D. The latter was born
in Conewango, Jan. 18, 182^, married, Oct. 15, 1848, Catharine M. Fox, and
had one child, Gary, born May 13, 1852. Gary Benson married Laura E.
Martin, Sept. 9, 1874, and resides on the Benson homestead. The Bensons
have been prominent in local matters.
John Bigelow, a son of John and a native of Colchester, Conn., died in
512 History of Cattaralt.us Couxtv.
Conevvango on April 14, 1844, coming here in 1834. He was a Revolutionary
soldier and for many years a Baptist minister. He married Temperance
Spencer and had born to him these children : Elihu, Temperance, Temper-
ance, 2d, Lucy, Cynthia, Mary, Eunice, John S., and Israel B. John S. Bige-
low was born iVIarch 14, 1807. He married Caroline A. Wells and his children
were Wells J., Emmaria, Harriet, Antoinette L., Mary J., Charles A., Francis
M., and Amanda H. Mr. Bigelow died March 26, 1866. Mrs. Bigelow sur-
vives and lives with her daughters Amanda and Harriet. Wells J. Bigelow,
born Nov. 5, 1830, married Laura P. W^ood, and has one daughter, Caroline
A. (Mrs. Franklin C. Burt). Mr. Bigelow owns and operates the Axeville
cheese factory, which was built in 1870 by Morgan L. Worden.
Hon. William Buffington, son of William, was born in Cambridge, Wash-
ington county. May 31, 1817. William, Sr., came with his family to New
Albion (q. v.) in June, 1826, where both he and his wife (Harriet Churchill)
died, the former in March, 1858, and the latter in March, 1874. Both were
Baptists and highly esteemed citizens. William, Jr., at an early age evinced
considerable ability as a scholar, especially as a mathematician, and while
young was elected in New Albion inspector of schools and subsequently
superintendent of schools five successive terms. In 1849, '850, and 1857 he
represented that town on the Board of Supervisors and in 1857 was elected
to the Assembly, being re-elected in 1858, and was chairman of the Com-
mittee on Roads and Bridges. First a Whig of the Seward type and after-
ward and continuously a staunch Republican he represented his district as a
delegate to the first Republican convention in 1854, and in 1861 he received
the first appointment from Lincoln's cabinet as mail-route agent from Dun-
kirk to Nev\- York city over the Erie railroad. Mr. Buffington from early
manhood took an active and a prominent part in temperance movements and
in religious matters, and in all affairs his excellent judgment and influence
have carried vast weight and prestige. In Feb., 1850, he married Eleanor
Ballard, who bore him si.x children. The family came to Conewango several
years ago. Mr. Buffington purchased a farm on Elm creek.
Willard Cheney, after living in Genesee county and later in Chautauqua
county, moved to Leon, and finally settled in Conewango, where he died. His
son Thomas W. located in Leon in 181 8 and died there November 17, 1892.
He was a \Vesleyan Methodist minister and at one time was presiding elder.
Mrs. W^illard Cheney was a niece of General Warren of Revolutionary fame.
Daniel Coates, an Englishman by birth, came to Conewango in 1830 and
died April 11, 1857. He was a farmer. He married Martha Jarvis, who was
born and died in England, being the mother of two children, Nathaniel and
Ann. His second wife was Ann Merry, by whom he had one son, Nathan.
Ann Coates, who was born February 9, 1807, married, August i, 1825, Charles
Mason, who died October 2, 1851, from accident. Their children were Martha
J., Mary A., Charlotte E., William J., George J., Daniel B. P., and Charles J.
Mrs. Mason died Feb. 11, 1893.
Nathaniel Coates, son of Daniel and brother of Mrs. Ann (Coates) Mason,
was born in England, October 13, 1809, and died in Chautauqua county in
March, 1871. His wife was Martha Merry, who bore him three children
Alfred N. (deceased), Tho-mas D. (deceased), Richard J., William M. (deceased),
Elizabeth, James, and Mary S. (deceased). Mrs. Coates died Aug. 15, 1848,
and Mr. Coates married, second, Mary Merry, sister of his first wife, and third
Harriet House. Richard J. Coates, born Nov. 12, 1839, married, January 7,
T(3\VX OF CONEWANGO. 513
1869, Julia F. Morgan, of Conewango. He enlisted Aug. 21, 1861, in Co. I,
49th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged Jan. 6, 1863. He has been supervisor
since 1892 and has served as town clerk five terms. Thomas D. Coates
served in Co. E, 9th N. Y. Cav., and died from poison at Annapolis, Md.,
Nov. 4, 1862.
Coe. — John M. Stewart, a native of Williamstown, Mass., settled in Ohio,
where he died. He married Electa Foster, who bore him these children:
Alonzo, Sophia, and Elvira R. The latter married Alfred Lacy, who died in
Union, Wis., aged forty-five. She married, second, Luman Coe, who died at
the age of about seventy years. Mrs. Coe survives her husband and resides
in Conewango. Her sister Sophia married Hanson Jones, also of this town.
Benjamin Corey, the father-in-law of one of John A. Fitch's sons, settled
in Leon in 1821, moved thence to Rutledge, and died in 1857. He was a pio-
neer in temperance work in Cattaraugus county and gained a considerable
reputation as an abolitionist.
John Cowen was born in Rhode Island, served in the Revolutionary war,
came to Conewango in 1833, and died at the age of ninety-one years. His
wife, Olive Smith, bore him these children: Eddie, John, Arthur F., Sally, Es-
ther, and Waity. Eddie Cowen died in Tolland, Conn. His children were
Theodore, Jane, Olive, Sarah, Norman E. G., and John M. John M. Cowen,
born December 12, 1826, came to Conewango when six years old. He cleared
the farm where he now resides. August 3, 1847, he married Rachel A. Seager,
by whom he has had these children : Adeline, Josephine W., Salla A., John N.,
Lester E., Jennie M., Orestus S., and William S. Norman E. G. Cowen, born
in Connecticut in 1833, married Hattie A. Metcalf, a native of New Albion,
and their children are Eddie L., Austin M., Arthur C, and Olive A. He
resides on the homestead of his grandfather.
Emmett Cowan was born in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1828. His marriage
with Harriet Hotchkiss, of South Valley, bore him these children: Emma,
Erie, Irving, Abbie, and Dana A. Mr. Cowen died in 1868. Dana A. Cowan
was born in South Valley, March 4, 1862, and March 4, 1891, he married
Stella; daughter of Album and Helen (Merchant) Bushnell. He is proprietor
of the Elm Creek cheese factory.
Samuel Cowley, a native of Delaware county and an early settler of Cone-
wango, died Feb. 15, 1845. His wife, Sophronia Stephens, died here Sept. 1 1,
1885. They reared a large family, several representatives of whom still reside
in town. He was a famous hunter, and in early days killed much large game.
Sampson Crooker was a native of England and for many years a sea captain.
He came to Conewango from Greene county in 181 8, and with Robert Mc-
Glashan built the first saw-mill in town. With Culver Crumb he built a saw
and grist-mill on Clear creek in 1825, and alone he set out the first orchard
and gave the land for the first cemetery in Conewango. His wife Alma was
an energetic, hardy pioneer, and braved' with undaunted courage the incidents
of a frontier life. Their son, Hon. George A. S. Crooker, is mentioned at
length in the chapter on the Bench and Bar. ' Among the latter's children is
S. Deloss, who was born in Conewango, May 4, 1828, married, Sept. 4, 1848,
Philena F. Pen'hollow, daughter of Reuben and Eliza M. (Bates) PenhoUow,
of Conewango, who bore him two children: Paul D., born Sept. 4, 1849, ^^'^d
Oct. 26, 1852, and Alice I. G., born Feb. 2, 1852, who married. May 14, 1871,
Abner Aldrich, and has these children: Ella, D. Estella, Emir M., Stanley C,
Harris, Philena, and Lilly I. Mr. Crooker has always resided in Conewango.
65
514 History of Cattaraugus County.
He has served as town clerk and has held other positions of trust. George
A. S. Crocker's second wife was Mary J. O'Conner, of Albany, by whom he had
five children : Minnie, Alma, Georgia, Roderick, and Magdalene.
Joseph Curtiss was born in Huntington, Conn., where he died at an ad-
vanced age. He was a life-long farmer. His son Joseph came to Cattaraugus
county in 1836 and died March 4, 1840. He followed the sea many years.
His wife, Mary Hart, died January 4, 1837. Their children were George W.,
John, Clarissa, Mary, Cornelia^ 2d, Sarah A., Asa E., and Robert H. The
latter was born in Huntington, Conn., September 25, 1832, and now occupies
the homestead. January 31, 1850, he married Josephine E., daughter of
William and Mariah (Bates) Day, who was born Sept. 24, 1831. Theirchildren
are Helen, born Oct. 24, 1850; Frank F., born October 24, 185 1 ; Helen, 2d,
born July 14, 1854; Walter E., born March 22, 1856; William R., born Nov.
14, 1857; Frances J., born January 14, i860; Carrie V., born Sept. 18, 1861 ;
Harland, born Feb. 14, 1866; Lizzie C., born July 31, 1870; Evelin E., born
Oct. 14, 1872; and Joseph A., born Aug. 25, 1874. Mr. Curtiss is a farmer in
the north part of the town, where he has lived since 1861.
Benjamin Darling, born in Rutland, Vt.. Nov. 8, 1782, came into the town
of Conewango in 1821- and died in April, 1861. He married Maria Moreton,
who died January 18, 1848, their children being Betsey M., Huldah Ezra,
Polly Ann, Benjamin S., and Christiana. Benjamin S. Darling was born July
7, 1 8 19, and married, February 3, 1844, Sally Saunders, who bore him these
children: Polly A., Sally M., Saloma D., Charles B., Thomas J., Titus S.,
James B., Ada C, Ezra I., Frances P., and Myrta M. James B. Darling was
born March 15, 1857. Nov. 12, 1879, ^^ married Effie S. Hollister, and his
children are Ezra B. and Effie M. Titus S. Darling, who was born March 4,
[855, married Ada L. Wording, Dec. 25, 1877, and has one son, Cleveland S.
George Adam Dockstader, son of Nicholas and Dorcas (Van De Walker)
Dockstader, was born in Johnstown, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1775. Nicholas Dock-
stader was a native of Montgomery county, where he died in 1830. He was
a Germ n by birth, a farmer by occupation, and a Revolutionary soldier from
patriotism. George A. Dockstader came to Conewango in 1834, was th'e first
permanent settler on the Dockstader farm, and removed to Montgomery
county, where he died July 26, 1870. He was a very prominent and enter-
prising pioneer, and possessed untiring energy and much native ability. He
married Sarah Veeder, who died here in Oct., 1855, having borne him these
children: Catharine, Anna, Adam, Sarah, A. V., and Alida. Adam Dockstader
was born Nov. 27, 1806, married, Feb, 22, 1827, Angelica Searles, and had
born to him children as follows: Dennis, Sarah J., Anna M., Alida C, and
George A. The latter was born Dec. 31, 1827, and married, April 28, 1869,
A. Alida Fox, by whom he had three children: Annie K. (Mrs. Orestus S.
Cowen), Sarah, and Georgie A. Not only the paternal ancestors of the Dock-
stader family but the maternal ancestry as well were prominent in Revolu-
tionary times.
Stiles B. Ellsworth, son of Benjamin, was born in Ellington, N. Y., Feb. 6,
,1832. Benjamin Ellsworth was born in East Windsor, Conn., Dec. 25, 1793,
and died in Conewango, Nov. 8, 1871. His wife, Calista Day, was a daughter
of Judge Day, of Vermont, and their children Were M. Eliza, Stiles B., and
Florence A. Mr. Ellsworth came to this town from Chautauqua county in
1840, and was a farmer by occupation. Stiles B. Ellsworth finished his rudi-
mentary education at Fredonia Academy and devoted much of his life to the
Town of Conewanco. ' 515
practice of civil engineering. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 154th N. Y. Vols.,
and at Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, was three times wounded. Being left
on the field for dead he laid there four days and was finally taken by the Con-
federates, being subsequently exchanged and promoted first lieutenant.
Jan. I, 1856, he married Victoria Jenks, who died Aug. 13, 1867. He mar-
ried, second, Oct. 14, 1869, Betsey M. Gardner. Mr. Ellsworth was supervi-
sor of Conewango in 1882, 1883, and 1884.
Simeon Fisher, son of Simeon and Lucy Fisher, was born in Windham
county, Vt., came to Poland, Chautauqua county, in 1 831, and thence to Ran-
dolph in 1840, where he died at the age of seventy-two. Simepn Fisher, Sr.,
was a Revolutionary soldier, as were also two brothers, while Simeon, Jr.,
served three months as a musician in the War of 1812. Simeon Fisher, Jr.,
married Lucy Smith, who bore him nine children : Lucy C, Palena, Lewis,
Ebenezer, Rosella, Carmelia, Lucy, Olive (deceased), and Vilando. The latter
was born in Windham county, Vt., Jan. 22, 1820, came to Randolph in 1837,
and married, Aug. 1 1, 1842, Betsey Stanley, who was born in March, 1821, and
died in Conewango in 1881. Their children were Diana (deceased), Luceba,
and Mary. Mr. Fisher is a chair and cabinet maker by trade, a farmer by
occupation, and has voted at every election since 1842.
Eseck Fitch came to Leon in 1845 ^"d died there ten years later. His
son John A., born in 1805, came to Conewango in 1831. Both had large fam-
ilies and were prominent in town affairs. John A. Fitch was an indefatigable
temperance worker and eminent as a local abolitionist.
George Frisbie was born in Litchfield, Conn., and came to Conewango in
February, 1832, clearing the farm on which he died February 25, 1868, aged
eighty-five. He married Filena Brown, and their children were Orator K. and
Charles R. Orator K., born Aug. 27, 1823, married Aurilla Newcomb, had
children George, Roxana, Charles. Maxa, Ellen, Flora, and Nelson, and died
in Conewango in April, 1869. Charles R. Frisbie, born Dec. 20, 1826, married
Mandana, daughter of Joseph and Ann (Noyes) Bailey, and has had born to
him four children: Mary Ann, Ettie E., and Melvin and Melvina (twins).
David Fuller was born in Dover, Mass., was a farmer, and died here at an
advanced age. His son Joseph, who died in Shrewsbury, Vt., in 1845, mar-
ried Achsah Greenwood, who was born Dec. 16, 1778. Their children were
Charles, Greenwood, Joseph, Achsah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Daniel. Daniel
Fuller was born in Shrewsbury, Vt., March 18, 1823, came to Conewango in
1855, and purchased the Charles McGlashan farm, where he now resides. His
wife, Harriet M. Farmer, whom he married Feb. 21, 1859, died July 13, 1886.
Their children were Henry E., born Nov. 29, 1859, died Sept. 4, 1872; Ach-
sah H., born July 29, 1861, died Oct. 28, 1872 ; Frank D., born Sept. 22, 1865 ;
Flora, born Oct. 24, 1870; and Hattie M., born Feb. 3, 1872, died Oct. 28,
1872. Mr. Fuller is a farmer and has been justice of the peace eight years.
George Gardner, son of George and Huldah Gardner, was born in Lunen-
burgh, Mass., and came to Conewango in 1830, where he died in 1854. He
married Rebecca Morton, a native of Massachusetts, and their children were
George, Harry, Morton, Daniel W., Stephen, Huldah, Aurilla, and Christianna.
George, Jr., was born in Woodstock, Vt., Jan. 7, 1812, and Dec. 14, 1842, mar-
ried Lorena Crossfield. Their children are Emma, born Sept. 18, 1845;
Frank, born May 12, 1847; John, born Jan. 22, 1849; George D., born Oct. 6,
1856; and Dr. Will F. (see page 121).
Daniel W, Gardner, a son of George and a native of Woodstock, Vt.,
5i6 History of Cattaraugus County.
came to this town with his father in 1830 and died Oct. 31, 1861. He served
as constable and collector for sixteen consecutive years and was deputy sheriff
under George White. He married Laura Crossfield, who was born in 1816
and died in 1872. Their children were Christiana D., Betsey M., Edwin S.,
Julia A., Marcus M., Edna R., Martha F., and Dana W. Marcus M. Gardner
was born April 13, 1847," and married, Jan. i, 186S, Emma J., daughter of Silas
Cooper. Their children are Mary G., Martha A., Maud L., Daniel D., and
Bessie E. Mr. Gardner conducts the Conewango cheese factory.
Daniel Grover, a native of Connecticut, came at an early day to Conewango
and died here at a good old age, as did also his wife. Of his four children
Lewis was born in this town and died here in 1S62. He married Abigail,
daughter of Rufus Wyllys, and their children were Elijah, Mason, Alvin,
Alonzo, Mary, De Heart, Deloss, William, Elisha, Sophia, and Gustavus. The
latter was born February 23, 1841. October 7, 1861, he married Hannah E.
Milliman, who has borne him three children, Frank, Jennie J., and Charles RL
Mr. Grover enlisted Oct. 7, 1861, in Co. K, 64th X. Y. Vols., participated in
the battles of Fair Oaks, Williamsburg, Second Bull Run, and Portsmouth,
being wounded at the latter engagement, and was discharged May 5, 1863.
Deloss Grover enlisted in the same company and regiment and died in 1872.
William Grover served in a regiment of New York heavy artillery. Frank
Grover, son of Gustavus, married Ida, daughter of Gordon and Abigail Steb-
bins. Jennie Grover married Joseph C. Stewart, Jan. 24, 1888.
Joseph K. Hall was an early settler of Leon. Both he and his wife, Nanc\'
Arnold, died there. Their children were Nancy C, Joseph, Abner, Elvira,
Frederick, Chauncey C, Harvey, Charles, and Harrison. Chauncey C. Hall,
born April 7, 1818, came to Leon in 1847, ^"^ June 24, 1856, married Eliza,
daughter of Benjamin Ellsworth, of Conewango, their children being Jennie
C, Ralph N., Henry E., Kate F., Stiles C, and Frank H. Mr. Hall was a
carpenter by trade. His second wife was Sarah Franklin, by whom he had
children A nice, Maud E.,and Warren A. Anice married Washington Blanch-
ard, of Leon, and has two children. Maud E. (Mrs. Herman Flentje) lives in
Winona, Minn. Mrs. Eliza (Ellsworth) Hall survives her husband, residing in
Conewango village. Her father, Benjamin Ellsworth, served in the War of
1812, came to Chautauqua county from Connecticut on foot, and removed in
1839 to Conewango. He donated for the purpose the land where the Presby-
terian church now stands, and both he and his wife, Calista Day, were instru-
mental in the organization of the society and the erection of the edifice.
Rev. Edwin Hall, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Conewango, was
born in Middlebury, Vt., Aug. i, 1829. The most of his early life was spent
in Norwalk, Conn., where his father. Rev. Edwin Hall, D.D., was pastor of
the First Congregational, church from 1832 to 1855. Thence his father re-
moved to Auburn, N. Y., where he was professor of theology in the Theolog-
ical Seminary from 1855 to 1876. He died at Auburn in 1877. His mother,
Fanny (HoUister), died in 1885. Mr. Hall came to Conewango in Jan., 1890.
Joseph Hammond was born in Rhode Island in 1767, removed to Che-
nango county in 1800, and came to this town in 1830, where he died in 1848,
and where his wife, Anna Talbot, died in 1836. They reared several children.
William Harris, son of Jonathan, was born in Elba, N. Y., in 1803, and re-
moved in 1864 to this town, where he died. His wife was Marilla W'hitmore,
who bore him these children: Sumner, Eliza, Lyman F., Levi, George, and
Samantha, of whom Lyman F. Harris, born July 18, 1832, married, Aug. 26,
Town of Coxewaxgo. 517
1856, Matilda Fisher, and their children are Mary and Burdette (killed Dec.
20, 1886). Mary married Melvin, son of Warren and Jane (Clark) Harris, of
Napoli, Jan. 18, 1882.
Levi Hill early cleared a farm in New Albion, where he died in i£62. His
children were Gardner, Jerome, Emma, and Alexander. Gardner Hill died in
New Albion, March i, 1854. By his wife Matilda, daughter of John A. and
Sophronia Kennicutt, he had these children: Leroy, Lucius D., Ellen, and
Gardner. Lucius D. Hill was born March 5, 1849, and married, Dec. 30, 1870,
Alma M. Hubbell, of Leon, who has borne him children as follows: Rolland
S., born Oct 21, 1871 ; Eva, born Feb. 1, 1873, died June 30, 1883; Emma
M., born Nov. 22, 1877; Ray C, born Oct. 19, 1879; ^""^ Addie H., born
Aug. 13, 1883. Mr. Hill has served as justice of the peace, notary public,
and town clerk, and is a general merchant.
Calvin Hills was born in New England, Sept. 16, 1799, came to Conewango
in 1832, and ran the first carding-mill and cloth-dressing establishment in the
town. He cleared a farm on which he died Oct. 9, 1889. His wife was Mary
F., daughter of Lyman and Abigail VVatkins, and their children were Emily,
Edwin F., Charles S., Mary F. (Mrs. \V. H. Winship), William G., and Ellen C.
The three sons served in the Rebellion and were honorably discharged.
William Hollister, son of Willi im, was born in Weathersfield, Conn., Jan.
15' 1763, married Rachel Holden, removed to Granville, N. Y., where he
erected a tannery, and in 1833 came to Conewango, where he died. His
children were Ann, Sarah, Emma, Melissa, and William. The latter was born
Aug. 31, 1792, came to Conewango in 1831, and built and for many years
conducted the first tannery in the town. He married Laura Foster and their
children were William H., Edward, Xorman, and James H. James H. Hollis-
ter, born Dec. 10, 1824, married, Dec. lo, 1846, Cornelia L. Morgan, by whom
he has children as follows: Mary L., Emma M.,- Edward M., James T., and
Fanny C. Mr. Hollister has been prominent in town affairs and resides on
the homestead. William H. Hollister was born in Granville, December 16,
1815, and died at Conewango on March 8, 1893. He was a life-long member
of the Presbyterian church, for twenty-four years its ruling elder, and for
thirty years superintendent of the Sunday school. A man of great activity
he was an indefatigable worker and lived a life worthy of imitation.
Jacob L Hopkins came to Conewango as a farmer and died in 1878. His
father was for many years a sea captain and finally died in Cooperstown. A
son of Jacob L is a blacksmith in this town.
John Huntington, born in Vermont, Aug. 20, 1775, -was a soldier in the
War of 1812, was a ship-carpenter by trade, and came to Conewango in 1824,
dying here March 24, 1858. His wife, Betsey Metcalf, was born May 5, 1780,
and died April 20, 1862. Their children were Arnold, born June 28, 1801 ;
Charles, Nov. 4, 1802; Amos, April 7, 1804; George, Oct. 10, 1805; Hiram,
April 25, 1808; Trumbull, March 14, 1810; David, June 27, 1812; Emily,
Sept. 2, 1814;- Nancy, June 14, 1816; Mary, May 9, 1819; Henry, May 14,
1820; Almeda, Aug. 11, 1823; and Horace, 1826. Horace Huntington mar-
ried. May 12, 1849, Samantha C, daughter of Asa R. and Emily (Sprague)
Keene. Their children are Mary, Charles M., Frank D., and Almeda. Charles
M. Huntington was born Feb. 14, 1864. Frank D., born April 4, 1867, died
April 3, 1870. Almeda, born June i, 1869, died May 8, 1882. Mary, born
March 25, 1859, married Charles L. Tuttle, and has one son, Clair, born
March 8, 1882. David Huntington married, Jan. 21, 1839, Adaline Gordon,
5iS History of Cattaraugus County,
of Rushford, N. Y., and died in Conewango, Aug. 24, 1886. Their children
were Loraine E., Mary J., Charles D., Ellen L., and Ina G. Mr. Huntington
was town supervisor in 1872.
George Kaiser, son of Hartman, Jr., and a native of Germany, being born
there May 20, 1829, came to Conewango in 1840, married Alzina Saunders, of
this town, and has had born to him two children: Jennie A. (Mrs. Adello Carr)
and Nellie E. C. Mr. Kaiser is a farmer on the Saunders farm.
Alfred A. Kinney, son of John and Lucy (Gallop) Kinney, was born in
Connect 'cut, March 23, 1808. He settled in Conewango in May, 1832, and
cleared the farm where he died Oct. 14, 1882. His wife, Athelia Spicer, bore
him these children: Lucy E., Eunice E., Matilda. Sarah J., Sally Ann, Olivia
A., Christiana, and Alfred, and died June 4, 1882, aged eighty-one. Alfred
Kinney was born Oct. 4, 1836, and married, April 17, 1877, Flora B., daughter
of Elisha and Mary J. Cowen. He is a farmer on the Kinney homestead.
Daniel Kessler came to Conewango in 1859. ^^ ^^'^^ born in Saxony, Ger-
many, December 14, 1841, a son of George and Caroline Kessler, and married,
April 18, 1873, Mary B., daughter of Alonzo and Jane Dole. Their children
are Carrie J., Maud E., Alonzo, and Lida E. Mr. Kessler cleared the farm on
which he resides.
Mrs. Cynthia A. Knapp. — Christopher Weaver, a native of Rhode Island,
was killed by an accident. His son William, born in Rhode Island, Feb. 22,
1801, came to Otsego county and thence to Cherry Creek, N. Y., where he died
in 1880. His children were Betsey A., Cynthia A., Electa, Oscar, Abner W.,
Laura, and Mary W. Cynthia A. Weaver was born July 20, 1820, married,
April 13, 1840, Bucklin Jenks, and had born to her two children, William L.
and Leafy A., both deceased. Her second husband was Ira, son of Elijah
Knapp, who died September 9, 1891. Mrs. Knapp survives him and resides
in Conewango village. Mr. Jenks held several town offices.
James Lamper, son of James and Sarah (Brown) Lamper and grandson of
Benjamin, was born in New Hampshire, April 23, 1798, and came to Randolph
in the fall of 1829. James Lamper was for thirty years a sea captain. Two
brothers, Benjamin and Asa, served seven years in the Revolutionary war and
participated at the battle of Bunker Hill. James Lamper, Jr., removed to
Conewango in the spring of 1830 and cleared the farm on which he died Feb.
5, 1848. His wife, Mary Young, who died Sept. 25, 1865, bore him these
children: Alexander, Susan M., Sarah, William, Delia, Mary, Julia, and
Alonzo S. Alonzo S. Lamper, born June i, 1826, married Huldah Pritchard,
by whom he had five children — Acta M., Myron C, Susie B., Charles C, and
James J. Mr. Lamper was for si.x years county superintendent of the poor,
thirteen years local assessor, and since 1887 town overseer of the poor. Alex-
ander Lamper married Sylvia Farnsworth, of Dayton, had one son, Edward A.,
who was born in Conewango, and now resides in Minnesota.
Joseph Leach was born in Herkimer county and came to Ellington, Chautau-
qua county, where he cleared a farm and died in 1844. His wife was Betsey
Goodier and his children were Aaron, Alma, and Joseph G. Joseph G. Leach
was born Dec. 9, 1828, and married, June 27, 1856, Angeline, daughter of
Amos Leach, by whom he had two children, Aaron (deceased) and Alice, who
married Manley A. Seekins, March 4, 1878, and has four children — Marian,
Myra A., J. Ray, and Guy M. Joseph G. built in 1882 the steam saw-mill in
Conewango which he now owns. He is also a farmer.
Uriah Limbocker was for many years a Wesleyan Methodist minister.
Town of Conewango. 519
Born in Conesus, N. Y., he came to Leon and removed finally to Michigan,
where he died June 20, 1883. His son Gardner was born in Conesus, April
20, 1828, came to Leon with his parents, and subsequently removed to Cone-
wango, where he died in 1853. He married Harriet Stephens, of this town,
who bore him one son, Gardner A., July 29, 1853. M.rs. Limbocker survives
her husband and resides with her only son. Gardner A. Limbocker married
Mattie Edwards, Feb. 8, 1879, and their children are George R. and Lloyd L.
He is a farmer on the Stephens farm.
David Loop was born 'and died in Columbia county. He participated in
the War af 1812. His son David, born in Dover, N. Y., in 18 10, came to
Conewango in 1840, cleared three farms, and for many years operated the
Holdridge mills at East Randolph. He died in 1880. He married Mary
Winter, who died March 29, 1890. Their children were Moses W., Charlotte,
Mary, Edward, Thomas, and David. David Loop, Jr., born May 8, 1850,
married, July 4, 1873, Sally A., daughter of John and Rachel Cowen, and
their children are Claude A., Josephine, and Mary R. He owns and occupies
the homestead farm, and under the firm name of Snow & Loop conducts a
saw-mill in the southeast part of the town.
Charles Mason, son of William, Jr., and Mary (Perry) Mason, both natives
of England, was born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1800, came to Conewango in
1830, and was killed by an accident in 185 1. His son Daniel B. P., born Feb. 27,,
1844, married, Nov. 26, 1879, EHen C, daughter of Calvin and Mary (Watkins)
Hills, and they have one child. Flora E.
George J. Mason, son of Charles and Ann Mason, married Josephine W.,
daughter of John and Rachel (Seager) Cowen, of Conewango, and their chil-
dren are Amy L., Jessie, Mattie, and Mabel. Mr. Mason enlisted in 1862 in
Co. K, 154th N. Y. Vols., and served until the war closed, participating in the
battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Mission Ridge, and in Sher-
man's march to the sea.
Timothy McElwain, son of Roger and a native of Massachusetts, removed
to Erie county in 1818 and to this town in 1843, dying here in 1877. His wife
was Mariah Fish, who died here the same year. Their children were Reuben,
Samuel, Clarinda, Benjamin, and Heman. Reuben McElwain, born April i,
1824, married Mary G. Champlain, who bore him these children : William H.,
John A., Clara W., Grant, and Earl. William McElwain married Anna L.
Milks and has seven children : Robert L., Mary A., Albert D., Bennie C, Jessie
E., Hattie, and Hettie. Clara W. McElwain married Alanson A. Pool and
died Oct. 21, 1890, leaving two children, Bessie E. and Claude.
The Metcalf family. — John Waldron, a German by birth, was born in
Auburn, N. Y., in 1827, and is now a resident of Arkansas. His wife was
Elmir Fox, who died in 1886, and of their children Ida married William Met-
calf, Nov. 7, 1881, who died January 19, 1882. He was a son of Henry and
Julietta (Smith) Metcalf. Their children were Coila E. and Raymond D.
Mrs. Metcalf resides on the Fox farm, which was cleared by George Fox.
Jotham H. Metcalf.— Asa Champlain, a native of Stonington, R. L, where
he died, had five children, of whom Robert came to New Albion, where he
died in 1850. His wife was Polly Moore and his children were William M.,
Hannah, Lydia, Robert, Sarah, Jessie, George, Dudley, and Armenia. The
latter was born Jan. 21, 1821, married Jotham H. Metcalf, Jan. 9, 1840, and
resides on the homestead. Their children were Leroy C, Harriet, Eveline,
Arvilla, and Mary. Mr. Metcalf died in 1884.
520 History of Cattaraugus County.
Amos Merchant was born in Cazenovia, X. Y., and came to Napoli, where
he died in 1881, aged eighty-four. His wife, Almira Stannard, died in Napoli
at the age of sixty-five. Their children were Warren W., Truman, Reuben,
Chester, Miranda, Alzina, and Betsey. Warren W. Merchant was born in
Napoli in 1827 and came to Conewango in 1849. ^^ is a farmer. He married
Mehitable, daughter of Thomas and Deborah Wood, who died in 1863. Their
children were Charles T., born May 14, 1844; Lafayette, born in August, 1848;
Ella D., born Aug. 10, 1852; Austin, born in 1856; and Adelbert, born in
1861. Charles T. Merchant married Ella D. Dela'nd, by whom he has one
daughter, Hattie A. The latter married John Johnson and has two children.
Samuel Morey, a Revolutionary soldier, was an early settler of Otto and
died there in 1874. His wife, Electa Forward, who died in Otto in 1876, bore
him these children: Stillman, Phebe, Sarah. Samuel, Clarissa, and George.
Stillman Morey was born Nov. 17, 18 17, moved to Mansfield in 1856, and thence
to Oregon in 1888. His son Levi E., now a resident of Conewango, was born
in Sacket's Harbor, N. Y., May 7, 1847, married, Sept. 16, i866, Nellie,
daughter of John and Annie M. (Ten Eyck) Travis, of Mansfield, and has chil-
dren as follows: Effie A., Etta L., and Ladore E. Levi E. Morey enlisted at
the age of seventeen in Co. K, 9th N. Y. Cav., and served to the close of the
war, participating in nineteen engagements.
Justin Otis came to this town in i860 and died in East Randolph on Nov.
22, 1882. Born in Colchester, Conn., March 23, 1798, he married Minerva
Babcock, and has had these children : George, Norman G., Patty, Harrison G.,
and Mary A. Norman G. Otis, born in Perr\-, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1849, married
Eliza C. Walker, who bore him one daughter, Lucy, and died Jan. 30, 1854.
His second marriage was with Louisa Heath, by whom he has children as
follows: Bennie C. (deceased), Norman E., George H., and Mettie. Mr. Otis
\\'as census enumerator for the town in 1880. He is now a farmer and a re-
tired merchant and miller.
Isaac Phillips was born in Brookfield, Madison county, and came to Ville-
nova, N. Y., where he died in 1872. His wife, Diantha Mclntyre, who died
Feb. 9, 1864, bore him twelve children, of whom William P. was born in
Brookfield, Oct. 12-, 1814, removed to Chautauqua county in 1835, cleared
several farms, came to Conewango in April, 1869, and died here April 14,
1884. He married, July 28, 1844, Lorinda, daughter of Timothy and Zurvina
(Hitchcock) Torrence, of Randolph. She was born Nov. 20, 1824. Their
children were Mandana M., born Nov. 8, 1845, "^'^d in infancy; Adelaide, born
June 21, 1848 ; Marvin W., born July 12, 1851 ; piiver H., born Sept. i, 1853 ;
Charles, born Feb. 13, 1856; Moses, born Oct.' 13, 1859, ^^^^ Feb. 7, 1864;
Lee S., born May 29, 1862 ; and Nellie E., born April 14, 1864. Mr. Phillips
was an industrious man and a highly respected citizen. Adelaide Phillips
married Charles J. Mason and their children are Mertie J., Alta L., Annie M.,
and Lynn P. Marvin W. Phillips married Jennie C. Hall and has had two
children : Claude (deceased) and Ethel. Oliver H. Phillips married Ettie
Watkins, of East Randolph.
Elnathan Pope came to Conewango in 1828 and died in Wisconsin in 1865.
His father, Nathaniel, was a Revolutionary soldier. He cleared what is
known as the Pope farm, and before moving west left several descendants. It
was in honor of this family that the Pope postoffice was naqied.
Jeremiah Pritchard was a son of John, who served in the Revolution and
died in Madison county, N. Y. Jeremiah located in Conewango in 1847,
Town of Conewaxgo. 521
cleared three farms, and died in 1874. His daughter Mary E. married Wel-
come Chapman, who settled in Leon at an early age, moved thence to Cone-
wango, and died Nov. 29, 1892. For twenty years Mr. Chapman was a member
of the Presbyterian church and during his whole life was a farmer.
Potter A. Prosser, twin brother of Amos P., born in Livonia, N. Y., came
to Conewango among the early settlers, cleared a farm, and died in 1890. His
wife, Eliza, bore him six children, of whom Andrew R., a native of Livonia,
came to this town with his parents, and finally removed to Cold Spring,
where he now resides. His wife, Caroline Seager, died in 1887. Their chil-
dren were Charlotte A., Micah, Aurora, and Anson S. Anson S. Prosser was
born in Conewango, Sept. 13, 1849, married, April 12, 1885, Susan McKeever,
of Cold Spring, and has two children: Andrew C, born April 29, 1888, and
May, born Oct. 51, 1891. Mr. Prosser is a farmer on the John Benson farm.
Chester Rice became a resident of Conewango in 1835 and died here on
the farm which he cleared in 1862. His wife, Dorothy Henderso"n, died in
1882. Both were hard workers and reared a family of sturdy children.
Elijah Robinson, son of ex-Governor Robinson, was born in Bennington,
Vt., married Experience Slade, had three children, and died there aged twenty-
eight. His son Elijah, who was born in Bennington, Jan. 20, 1812, came
to Conewango in 1846, cleared a farm, kept hotel, and died May 27, 1886.
He married Mary D. Benson, who was the mother of his children Francis E.,
C. Janette, Edwin E., John C, Robert E., MaryS., and F. Eugene. John L
Benson, father of Mrs. Mary D. Robinson, served in the War of 1812, came to
Conewango in 1847, and died Jan. 13, 1889. His wife Alice, a native of
Washington county, died in this town in 1887. Mrs. Robinson still survives.
Reuben Ross was a soldier in the War of t8i2, a pensioner, and died at
Arkwright, Chautauqua county, after living in Conewango twenty years. Of
his children Zenas, Wilber, and Edwin, Wilber was born in Leon, April 11,
1830, married Frances A., daughter of Benjamin and Calista Ellsworth, of
Rutledge, and has had nine children: Ida, Benjamin E., Willard, Micah, Eva
E., Harriet C, Willie, Herbert, and Susan. Benjamin E. Ross married Kate
Congdon, of Napoli, has one son, Leo C, and is a farmer with his fathej.
Charles Saunders, son of Hezekiah, came to Conewango about 1830,
cleared a farm, and died here in 1876. One of his sons has been a merchant
in Clear Creek for twenty-five years.
Sabastian Schulz, born in Solson, Germany, in 1817, came to Conewango
in 1 85 1. He married Amelia Feltsner and their children are Ann, Eliza,
Frank, Charles, Frederick, and Ada. Frank Schulz was born June 3, 1854.
Dec. 25, 1877, he married Ida L. Worden, of Randolph, and has three chil-
dren : Iva I., Goldie, and Floyd F. Mr. Schulz is a farmer.
William Scott was born in Franklinvilleand moved to Versailles, where he
was killed by a stone falling from a bridge he was building. His father was a
native of Germany. One of his sons has resided in Conewango forty years.
Anson G. Seager, son of Micah, Jr., and Lois (Graham) Seager, was born
in 1805. The family were early settlers in Phelps, Ontario county, coming
there from Connecticut, where Anson G. was born. In 1833 he removed to
this town and cleared the farm he still occupies. He has held several town
offices, among them being that of justice-of the peace for sixteen years. His
wife was Aurora Harmon, who died April 4, 1891. Their children were Caro-
line, Charlotte, Delia, William M., and Micah. William M. Seager, born
March 22, 1835, married Martha E. Hildum, who is the mother of his children
66
History of Cattaraugus Countv.
Charles H., Edwin W., and Fred L. Edwin Brennan, an adopted son of
Anson G. Seager, was born in Randolph, July 28, 1842, served in the Civil war
as a lieutenant of artillery-, and for twelve years has been a customs officer in
New York city.
Isaac Smith, son of Isaac, was born Nov. i, 1791, in Milford, Conn. He
came to this State in the spring of 1814, married Elizabeth, daughter of Alan-
son and Elizabeth Edwards, of Skaneateles, N. Y., April i, 1817, and in 1827
removed to Napoli, then little more than a wilderness. They built a log house
and commenced farming, where they remained until 1865, when they moved
to Conewango to live with their son Thaddeus. Elizabeth Smith died April
9, 1866, at the age of sixty-nine years; Isaac Smith died Feb. 20, 1883. They
were members of the Presbyterian church. The eldest son, Edward Smith,
was born Dec. 30, 1817, and married, April 4, 1847, Eveline Rowe ; James
Henry Smith, born April 18, 1819, married Sarah Mayo, June 10, t8z^; Will-
iam Clark Smith, born April 16, 1821, married Mary Ann Osborne, Aug. 28,
1853; a son born April 30, 1823, died same day; Elizabeth Smith, born Aug.
9, 1824, married Stephen C. Knapp, June 15, 1846; Ann Smith, born Feb. 27,
1828, married Harvey Lindsley; Melissa Edwards Smith, born Aug. 20, 1830,
married Albert Roberts, Oct. 14, 1850; Cynthia Smith, born Aug. 21, 1832,
married Elias Bushnell ; and Thaddeus C. Smith, born Aug. 15, 1836, mar-
ried Mary J. Bigelow, Nov. 29, 1864, and has had two children — Frank Clay-
ton Smith, born Sept. 8, 1865, died Sept. 15, 1889, and Ralph Bigelow Smith,
born March 15, 186S. Edward Smith is a prominent school teacher in Syra-
cuse, N. Y., having been superintendent of the city schools twenty-three years.
Nathan Snow, a native, of Connecticut, came to Conewango in 1828. Serv-
ing as a captain in the War of'1812 he was at the burning of Buffalo in 1814,
and after his settlement here died upon the farm which he cleared. His wife,
Laura Hovey, also died here, after bearing him these children : William D.,
Sewell H., Chauncey A., Orey, Edward, Melvin, Alvira, and Lucelia. Melvin
Snow owns and occupies the homestead. He was born March 8, 1831. July
I, 1857, he married Mariah Hueston, by whom he has had two children: Ella
G. and Clarence A. Ella G. married Hiram Benedict, of East Randolph, in
1881, and has one son, Leo. Orey Snow served in the late war.
David Clark Spear, son of David and Mary (Clark) Spear, was born in
Hartford, Conn.; March 9, 1802, came to Ellington, Chautauqua county, among
the early settlers, cleared a farm, and finally removed to Iowa. His son Will-
iam D., born April 25, 1827, married, Nov. 17, 1850, Edna M., daughter of
Grosvenor and Charlotte (Ross) Barton, of Conewango (see also Leon), and
has had born to him these children: Charlotte, William G., and Karl E. Mr.
Spear is a farmer and manufacturer of grain cradles in Conewango.
John Steves was a farmer in Leon for many years. He was born in Onon-
daga county in 18 18 and married Rachel Jones, who died in 1889. Their
children were George G., Francis M., Jeremiah, Fred E., Allen M., Marshall,
Charles, Clara, Alice, Estella F., Rose M., Ruth, Elmer, and John H. The
latter was born Aug. 14, 1853, married, July, 4, 1877, Mary A., daughter of
Vilando and Betsey (Stanley) Fisher, of Conewango, and is now a farmer on
the Fisher farm. Joseph Stanley was an early settler in Conewango.
Cyrus Thacher came to Conewango in 1823 and was the first merchant in
Clear Creek, of which place he was postmaster, holding the position there and
at Seeleysburg and Conewango in all twenty-seven years. Born in Vermont
in 1802 he died here August 3, 1892. He was a very active man and up to
Town of Dayton. 523
the date of his death possessed a remarkably attentive memory. His son
Charles C. is now postmaster and a general merchant at Conewango village.
Lucas Towers, a native of Schaghticoke, N. Y., died in Conewango in
1S53. His wife Rachel bore him these children: Jared, Mary, and John.
The latter was born in Syracuse and died here aged 44 years. He married
Clarinda Seager, who died in 1891. Their children were Jane, Mary, Rachel,
Clarissa, Levi, and John H. John H. Towers was born Dec. 8, 1832, and
married, Dec. 25, 1859, Mary Slyker. Their children are Cora, Lena, Ida,
Ada, John, Daniel, and Grace.
John A. Watson, son of Daniel. and Elizabeth (Wilcox) Watson, early
settlers in Ellington, Chautauqua county, was born in Rensselaer county, Oct.
29, 1 83 1, came to Conewango from Ellington in 1879, ^"<^ 's now a wood me-
chanic and farmer residing in Rutledge. He married, Oct. 13, 1856, Fidelia
Woodmansee, by whom he has had children as follows: John S., Daniel, Per-
melia, and Mattie M. Daniel Watson married Kate F., daughter of Chauncey
and Eliza (Ellsworth) Hall. They conduct a millinery store in Conewango.
Andrew Wattenpaugh, a native of Germany, was a soldier in the Revolu-
tion, and died in Troy, N. Y. His son John married Amorilla Richmond,
who died in Dayton in 1848. Their children were Emeline, George, Louisa,
William, Filena, Cordelia, Andrew, and Merrick. Merrick Wattenpaugh,
born May 28, 1816, married, Jan. 13, 1854, Margaret J. Brown, and has six
children: Janette, Sarah J., George, Frank J., Emogene, and Ann M. Born
in 1816 he is doubtless the second oldest living native of the county.
Daniel T. Wiley settled in New Albion in 1865 and died in Conewango in
1890. He was a son of John Wiley and was born near Gloversville in 181 3.
His son James F., a farmer in town, has taught over thirty terms of school.
William H. Winship, son of Isaac and Augusta (Lathrop) Winship, was
born Nov. i, 1836, came to Conewango in 1856, and Oct. 17, 1857, married
Mary F., daughter of Calvin and Mary F. (Watkins) Hills, and they have one
son, Charles H., of Fremont, Neb. The children of Isaac and Augusta Win-
ship were Rossa R., William H., and Albert E.
Mara Wyllys, who was born in Chesterfield, Mass., came to Conewango
in 1820, cleared a farm, and eventually removed to Ohio, where he died. His
wife, Maria McHuron, bore him children as follows: Rufus, Silance, Miriam,
Lyman, Elijah, and Maria. Rufus Wyllys was born in Massachusetts in 1780,.
came to this town with his father in 1820, and died here in 1871. He married
Freedom Dana and his children were Abigail, Lucretia, Rufus, Russell, John,,
Wealthy, Silance, and Elijah. Silance Wyllys occupies the homestead.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF DAYTON.
THE territory now comprising the town of Dayton was set off from
Perrysburg on the 7th of February, 1835, and covers an area of 23,137
acres. It is described in the Holland survey as township five in range
nine, and is bounded on the east by Persia, on the south by Leon, on the west
524 History of Cattaraugus County.
by Chautauqua county, and on the north by Perrysburg. The surface is
much less broken than many other towns of the county. The central and
western portions are generally level and usually well drained, but the eastern
edge is considerably undulated. In the south part of the town was once a
swamp, the outlet of which is Conewango creek, but this has been improved
and settled and forms today an excellent farming district. The soil on the
flats or lowlands consists mainly of clay and loam, while on the uplands
and hills it is generally a light loam admixed with clay or gravel. Along the
streams the land was originally covered with pine and hemlock; on the up-
lands it was mainly beech and maple. In early days lumbering was an im-
portant industry, but the timber supply has been exhausted and agriculture is
now the chief pursuit of the inhabitants, with dairying as the leading industry.
Extending along the northeast corner of Dayton is a watershed, on the
north of which small streams flow toward Cattaraugus creek and thence to the
St. Lawrence. On the south the water-courses pursue a southerly or south-
easterly direction to the Allegheny. The drainage on this side is afforded
by the east branch of Conewango creek and its numerous small tributaries.
The Erie railroad traverses this watershed and in July, 1875. the Buffalo &
Southwestern was completed diagonally through the town from northeast to
southwest, the two lines forming a junction at the village of Dayton, more
than a thousand feet above Lake Erie. Both roads are under the Erie man-
agement and afford excellent shipping facilities to all points.
The f:rst settlement in the town was made on lot 64 by Simeon Bunce
and Silas Nash, brothers-in-law, November 5, 1810. These men were from
Otsego county and intended to locate in Chautauqua, and when they articled
one hundred acres each they believed their lands to be in that county. They
paid eighteen shillings an acre and at once began improvements. Nash
erected a log house, which was the first in the town, and in it occurred the first
birth, that of Aras, his son, in June, 181 1. In this same humble dwelling
occurred also the first death in Dayton in February, 18 12, the deceased being
Dewitt, another son of Silas Nash. Nash built the first saw-mill in town in
1817 on a branch of the Conewango. For many years he was a local leader
among the settlers and his descendants have become prominent in various
positions. Bunce was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1788. Three years after
his settlement here he returned to that State for his father's family. He had
three children and died on the homestead in 1875. Timothy M. Shaw located
on lot 31 in 1814 and the next year brought his wife and child to his rude
home. With him in 1815 came Heman and Anson C. Merrill from Onon-
daga county, who settled on lots 31 and 30 respectively, where they lived the
remainder of their lives. Ralph Johnson, Joshua and Caleb Webb, and Le-
man H. Pitcher became actual settlers in 1815. Johnson was from Connecti-
cut and located on lot 30. A tanner and currier by trade he followed that
business here until 1865. He was the first postmaster in Dayton and was one
Town of Davtox. 525
of the earliest tavern keepers in the town. The Webbs were the first settlers
at West Dayton, and about 1825 they opened there the first inn in town. In
Joshua Webb's house on lot 56 were held the first religious services, in 1816,
by Rev. Elnathan Finch, a Baptist. Pitcher was the first settler at South
Dayton. James P., his brother, quickly followed, but both removed, selling
their lands to M. C. Nickerson, who finally joined the Mormons.
Azariah Darbee, Sr., a native of Vermont, located on lot 54 in 18 16. The
next year he moved his family in with an ox-team and subsequently planted
the first orchard in Dayton. Thomas Newcomb, also a Vermonter, came here
in 1817, as did also William and Nathaniel Blasdell and Samuel K. Strick-
land. The Blasdells were the first to locate in the central part of the town.
Strickland made the journey hither from the central part of the State in
March, bringing his wife and son Robert O. In 1818 came Peter and Luther
Allen from Onondaga county, the latter of whom soon returned and brought
his wife to share his pioneer life. He erected in 1834 the first frame house in
Dayton, which is still standing, and finally moved to Gowanda, where he died
in February, 1847. Asahel, a brother of Luther, located on lot 23 in 1820 and
died in 1858. Royal Allen settled near by a few years later. Besides these
mentioned the following persons were landowners and most of them actual
settlers in 1819: Abraham Hale, James H.Shaw, Hiram Howard, Jedediah
Lee, Lyman Wood, Frederick A. and Bela H. Redfield, Chauncey and Samuel
Hammond, John and Stephen Parsall, Ezra T. Winship, George Babcock,
Aaron Nash, Chester McDaniels, Sylvanus Finch, Ebenezer Roberts, Nathan
and Lyman Bumpus, Simeon Dryer, Luther Hubbard, Jeremiah Pratt, Chester
Darbee, Arza Corbett, A. Starkweather, Ephraim and Ephaphras Smith, Eldad
Corlitt, Moses Morgan, William Reed, and D. S. Downer.
In 1833 the actual residents, in addition to many already given, were Isaac
Wait, Peter Kellogg, Ephraim Dutton, David and Jonathan Milks, Daniel C.
Bassett, Eleazer Hillebert, P. Collins, D. Loomer, Wyman Hulett, Daniel
Guptel, Chapel Judd, Ezekiel Seekins, Leander, Constant C, Penuel, Norman
L., and Abel M. Bacon, Avery and Sidney Park, D. C. and Russell J. Burdick,
H. C. Adams, Artemas Coon, John Wattenpaugh, Reuben Robertson, Gershom
Wells, William Farnsworth, Gile Johnson, Hale Matteson, R. E. Knight,
Garrett Parsall, William B. Smith, John Hammond, Asa H. Nichols, Alvah
Cole, Stephen Soule, Lemuel Webster, James Caldwell, John H. Blish, Isaac
P. Hubbard, George Passmore, Tilly Sanford, Sylvester James, Isaac Hol-
brook, and Daniel Whelpley.
The first marriage in town occurred in March, 1818, when Benjamin Par-
sail and Miss Mary Redfield became husband and wife. In 1833 the first
store kept in the southeast part of Dayton was opened by William H. Leland.
When the town was set off from Perrysburg in 1835 the act provided for an
equal division of the unexpended public moneys, and Dayton received as her
share just one shilling. At its organization the town had 4,313 acres of im-
526 History of Cattaraugus County..
proved land, three saw-mills, and a tannery, and a population of 1,114, which
in 1850 was 1,448; in i860, 1,294; in 1870, 1,267; '" 1880, 1,705 ; in 1890, 1,735.
The first school was taught by Mary Redfield and the first church was organ-
ized by the Baptists at West Dayton in March, 181 8.
The first annual town meeting convened at the school house near Ralph
Johnson's on the last Tuesday in February, 1835, and Silas Nash was elected
supervisor; Ralph Johnson, town clerk; and Luther Allen, justice of the
peace. The list of principal civil officers to the present time is as follows:
Supen-isors— Silas Nash, 18a5-36, 1841-43, and 1845; Luther Allen, 1837-38 and 18U ; Anson C. Xterrill,
18.39-4(1 : Heman Merrill, 1846-47 ; Cal\riu F. Taw, 1848-50 ; Ralph Johnson, lail ; John B. Ileed, 18.53-53 ; Frank-
lin Philbrick, 18.>t and 1856 ; Gile Johnson, ia5o and 1857 ; Dewitt C. Nash, 1858-59 ; Norman M. Allen, 1860
to 1893.
Tmcn aerki. -Ra\p\i Johnson, 1835 1845; Richard Johnson, 1846-47; Orsman Markham, 1848-49; T. W.
Johnson, 1850-51 and 18.5.3-62 ; N. M. Allen, 1852; G. P. Dart, 1863 ; A. M. De Long-, 1864-65 ; M. P. Roberts, 1866 ;
Silas H. Merrill, 1867-70 ; N. A. Chaffee, 18n-72 ; Fernando Smith, 1873-76 ; A. M. Hall, 1877-78 ; M. N. John-
son, 1879 ; John J. Volk, 1880-92 ; Albert R. Young, 1893.
Jiustices tif the Peace— 1835, Luther Allen ; 18:36, John H. Blish, Avery Park, Luther Allen ; 1837, John
McMillan ; 1838, John H. Blish : 1839, Lemuel Webster ; 1840, Avery Park : 1841, Luther Allen ; 1842, Lemuel
Webster; 1843, no record ; 1844, . \ very Park; 1845, Luther Allen ; 1846, John B. Reed; 1847, Eleazer J. Hillebert ;
1848, Avery Park, Franklin Philbrick; 1849, Asahel Allen; 1850. James S.Shaw; 1851, Avery Park; 1852,
John W. Badgero ; 1853, Asahel Allen ; 1854, James S. Shaw ; 185.5, Avery Park ; 1856, Noi-man M. Allen ; 1857,
J. B. Allen: 18»<, James S. Shaw; 1859, I. H. Alden ; 1860, H. W. Locke; 1861, J. B.Allen; 1862, James S.
Shaw ; 1863, I. H. Alden ; 1864, H. W. Locke ; 1865, J. B. Allen ; 1866, James S. Shaw ; 1867, 6. P. Dart ; 1868 ,
Charles Blair ; 1869, J. B. Allen; 1870, W. S. Thrasher; 1871, L. O. Hall; 1872, Charles Blair; 1873, J. B. Bad-
gero ; 1874, Harrison Judd; 1875, L. Ranlett ; 1876, B. H. Lamb ; 1877, Charles W. Smith ; 1878, Charles Blair,
Charles W. Smith, Harrison Judd, B. H. Lamb ; 1879, same ; 1880, same ; 1881, Charles Blair, L. O. Hall, B. H.
Lamb ; 1882, John Locke, L. O. Hall, B. H. Lamb, John Newcomb; 1883, same ; 1884, Elijah Cook, B. H.
Lamb, John Locke, John Newcomb ; 1885, Elijah Cook, B. H. Lamb, A. G. Park, John Newcomb ; 1886, same ;
1887, B. H. Lamb, Elijah Cook, A. G. Park, J. S. Van Slyke ; 1888. B. H. Lamb, J. S. Van Slyke, J. M. Parm-
lee, A. G. Park; 1889, same; 1890, B. H. Lamb, E. K. Park, J. M. Parmlee, John Van Slyke ; 1891, B. H.
Lamb. J. M. Parmlee, E. K. Park, J. N, Johnson ; 1892, same ; 1893, same.
From the time Mary Redfield taught the first school in town down to the
present day the educational facilities have kept pace with those of other
localities. The old log structures have given place to neatly painted frame
school buildings, and from four whole and five fractional districts in 1S35 ^^^
number has been increased to ten. In 1835 the number of children in town
of school age was 365, the number of months of school aggregated seven, and
the money received from the county amounted to $121.50. The fine brick
school house in Dayton was built in 1879 '^'^ ^ '^ost of $3,500. It stands on an
eminence of land in the west part of the village and is surrounded by a beau-
tiful maple grove of about five acres, locally known as " Educational Grove,"
which cost the district §1,000. These maple trees are the second growth and
average ten inches in diameter, and their shelter affords magnificent picnic
grounds in summer. The district was organized as a graded school district in
1892 with four teachers and loi scholars. Hiram E. Vincent is principal.
The town in 1892 had a population of 1,740 and was divided into ten
school districts, in each of which schools were maintained by si.xteen teacliers
with an aggregate attendance of 530 scholars, the total expenditure being
$4,504.05. The taxable property assessed for school purposes is valued at
$685,303, while the school buildings and sites are valued at $12,367.
Town of Dayton. ' 527
The first thoroughfare in the town was a wagon road from Perrysburg
south by way of South Dayton, and this was used as early as 18 17. The
Jamestown road is another early highway and was to the eastern part what
the other was to the western part. The present roads are kept in good order.
Manufacturing began in 18 17, when Silas Nash erected a saw-mill at West
Dayton, which was continued until 1856 under different proprietors. Owing
to the limited water-power very little manufacturing was attempted until
steam came into use. Anson C. Merrill and Ralph Johnson built a saw-mill
about 1830, on the site where Henry Markham more recently operated one
having a capacity of 3,000 feet of lumber daily. One of the earliest shingle
manufacturers was Gorham Dart, who erected, in all, three mills in the swamp,
whence he subsequently removed them ; they were afterward operated by
C. L. Watkins and Moses Dart. It is quite probable that John Knowlton was
the first to put up a steam saw-mill in town. He erected one at West Day-
ton in 1853 which finally became the property of John Crandall. Henry
Wolfe built a shingle-mill in 1862 that was later operated by Henry Markham,
the capacity being 15,000 shingles per day. Watkins & Tarbell had a mill
in Leon which they moved in 1873 to Dayton. Wolfe had a steam saw-mill
at the Jamestown crossing that he removed in 1877 to lot 22, where the
boiler exploded on June 12, 1878, killing the proprietor and his son William
and Joseph Harbine and the engineer, Fronds, the latter a Norwegian. Prior
to this William Wolfe had a saw and shingle-mill below Markham near where
Jacob Dersey later operated a shingle-mill.
In 1852 Wallace and William Ranlett built a shingle-mill at Pine Valley
which they ran some six years, when a saw-mill was added and John Wick-
ham became a proprietor. Finally the ownership was vested in the firm of
Burkhalter & Wickham, and the mill did also both planing and matching, the
machinery being driven by a forty horse-power engine. In 1874 C. L. Wat-
kins established a sash, door, and blind factory and a planing-mill at Dayton
village. In connection with it was a feed-mill and cider-mill. Fernando
Smith started here a stave and heading factory in 1876 with a capacity of
200,000 or 300,000 staves per year, which were mostly made into flour and
apple barrels on the premises. At Pine Valley Jesse Pile built a steam lum-
ber mill in 1878 and the same year C. J. Babcock & Co. started a stave and
heading factory. Palmer & Hall put up a similar factory at the same time,
and also manufactured box material. A broom factory and a few carriage
shops were once in operation in Pine Valley.
The principal manufacturing industry of the present day is the converting
of milk into cheese and butter, which has developed into its present magni-
tude since 1865, when a cheese factory was erected in Dayton village by Por-
ter We4ch, of Gowanda, at a cost of $7,000. He used 50,000 feet of lumber
in its construction. After running the factory one year Welch sold to Joseph
Plumb, who, seven years later, disposed of it to Orrin W. Catlin, who now
s28 History ok Cattaraugus County.
runs it under the ownership of Frank Rice. The capacity is the milk from
1,700 cows daily, and large quantities of cream are shipped to Buffalo. Jenks
& Ross operated a cheese factory for a number of years in the south part of
the town and manufactured seventy-five tons of cheese annually, which they
sold one year for $25,000. This is said to have been the first cheese factory
established in Dayton. The present manufactory is a portion of the original
structure, and is owned by Anson Conger, of Gowanda, and conducted by
Albert Howard, the capacity being about 400 cows. In 1872 a stock com-
pany erected a cheese factory at Wesley at an expense of $2,500. The
company sold out in 1888 to Ellis and Julius Brown, who still own and con-
duct it. The capacity is 500 cows. Andrew Brainard. in 1866, built at West
Dayton a factory employing the cheddar process of manufacture. It later
passed into the possession of William McAdams. A factory was put up by
Isaac Lang in 1872 on the Jamestown road which manufactured full-cream
cheese. The ne.xt year Hall & Park erected a cheese and butter factory at
Howard's Corners which later was owned by R. Hall. William Johnson
built a cheese factory at Markham in 1877 at a cost of $1,500. It is now
owned by his widow, Mrs. Lucinda Johnson, and has a large capacity.
West Dayton (Cottage postoffice) is a hamlet in the northwest part of
the town and contains two general stores, a creamen>- and cheese factory,
shops, two church edifices, and about fifty dwellings. The nearest railroad
station is Markham, three miles distant. West Dayton is the oldest village
in town, and in early days, owing to its location on one of the principal thor-
oughfares, was a point of considerable importance. It is still entitled, how-
ever, to a prominent place among the surrounding hamlets. Caleb and Joshua
Webb, in 1824, opened the first tavern here, which was also the first public
house in the town. Subsequent keepers were John H. Blish, J. H. Rice,
Daniel Whelpley, L. & G. Flowers, and others. The first merchant was
John H. Blish, about 1845. Other traders were John Knowlton, S. VV. Day,
Barzilla Merrill, I. H. Alden, and D. S. Alden. Cottage postofifice was
established soon after 1850 with' John H. Blish as postmaster, who was suc-
ceeded by Norman M. Allen, I. H. Alden, S. W. Day. Charles W. Blair, and
David S. Alden. The present incumbent is Leroy B. Johnson.
Dayton postoffice, a station at the junction of the Dunkirk and the Buffalo
& Southwestern divisions of the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad,
is the principal village in town, and has grown to its present size since 185 1.
Peter Allen was the original owner of most of the site, purchasing it from the
Holland Land Company and settling here in 1818. When the Erie was com-
pleted in 185 I A. W. W. Chaffee built and kept a store, the building being
subsequently used as a postoffice. He was followed in this location by James
H. Chaffee, James S. Shaw, A. M. De Long, H. N. Hooker, Spencer Horton,
Frederick Moore, and N. A. Chaffee. James Rice was an early groceryman
and James Currin, in 1866, opened a store in the building erected by Henry
Town of Dayton. 529
Wagner, which was burned, reburit, and occupied by C. M. Hall. In 1870
Fernando Smith established himself as a general merchant and Dr. Moses P.
Roberts opened a drug store. Langmaid & Cheney began the hardware trade
in 1874, and were succeeded by John Marvin and he by John Volk. J. M.
Parmlee was the first furniture dealer. T. W. Johnson opened in 1852 the first
hotel in the village in a building erected by Ralph Johnson. George Volk for
sixteen years was a hotel keeper. The Dayton postoffice was established about
1 836 and kept near what is now Markham in the dwelling house of Ralph John-
son, who was the first postmaster. In 185 1 it was moved to Dayton village and
James Rice appointed to the position, some of his successors being James H.
Chafifee, Jonathan Shepard, Spencer Horton, A. M. De Long, and N. A.
Chaffee. The village is twenty-two miles from Dunkirk, and contains three
general stores, a drug store and doctor's office, a hardware store, two hotels, a
livery, one bank, a lawyer's ofifice, a feed-mill, three church edifices, a graded
school building, several shops, telegraph and express ofifices, about 100 dwell-
ings, and a population of 500.
Pine Valley (South Dayton postoffice) is a thriving village six miles from
Dayton, in the southwest corner of the town, on the Buffalo & Southwestern
division of the Erie railroad, and has two dry goods stores, one hardware
store, a drug store, a clothing store, two groceries, several shops, a dental and
physician's office, one hotel, two church edifices, two saw-mills, and a grape
basket factory, and about 150 dwellings. The village was laid out by Robert
F. Ewing in 1875, though it had its birth as a hamlet several years prior to
that date. Ewing platted thirty acres of the Wickham farm and A. L. Rowe
erected and opened a small store the same year. John Wickham surveyed
out another thirty acres in the autumn of 1875 and since then a number of
large handsome buildings have been put up. It is a village of attractive ap-
pearance and for several years has been an important .shipping point. The
first merchant in the locality was David Barrett, who opened a grocery store
in 1862, and in the same building John Wickham began trade in 1871. Other
storekeepers were A. L. Rowe, Ewing & Whipple, and Wilson & Wade.
The first hotel was kept by A. B. Charlesworth in a dwelling remodeled for
the purpo.se, and again changed into a farm house. The present hostelry was
erected in 1877 and opened to the public the next year. The postoffice' was
established about i860, the first postmaster being E. O. Beach, who appointed
John Wickham his deputy, at whose house the office was kept. Henry T.
Rice and M. L. Ranlett successively held the position.
Markham, formerly known as Markham's Corners, is a station and postoffice
about midway between Dayton and South Dayton on the Buffalo & South-
western division of the Erie railroad, and contains 125 inhabitants, with the
usual complement of stores, shops, etc. The name was given the place in
honor of Joshua Markham, who settled there in 1834 and shortly afterward
opened an inn, which he conducted about thirty years. Ralph Johnson had
67 ■
530 History of Cattaraugus County.
another tavern nearby that he opened in 1845, the building being subsequently
occupied as a grocery store by Leonard Metzkar. The original Dayton post-
office was established in this locality. The present office was started in 1876
with John Wallace, postmaster, who was also station agent and a merchant.
Wesley is a postal hamlet in the southeast part of the town, on the old
Jamestown road. In early days the settlement was known as Sociality, and
the first postoffice in town was established here under that name in 1833 with
Ephraim Dutton, postmaster. Here was also opened this year the first store
in Dayton by William H. Leland, who also kept a tavern. Franklin Philbrick
was likewise a merchant and Harry Howard an innkeeper, and from the latter
the place took the name of Howard's Corners, soon after 185 1, about which
time the Sociality postoffice was discontinued, the last postmaster being Nel-
son Hillebert. The Wesley postoffice was established March 6, 1884, with
Charles W. Hall, postmaster, who has since served in that capacity.
The first religious services held in the town of Dayton were of the Baptist
order in 18 16, and were conducted by Rev. Elnathan Finch, a missionary, at
the residence of Caleb Webb in West Dayton. In the autumn of 1818 four
persons — Caleb Webb and wife and Daniel and Clarinda Brand — met at this
same house and formed a Methodist class, the leader being a Mr. Whipple.
Dennis Goddard and Samuel R. Brockway, ministers of the gospel, preached
occasionally and the class was augmented by members from the Darbee,
Webb, Prosser, and other families.
The Freewill Baptist church of Dayton was organized May 4, 1831, by
Rev. Amos C. Andrus, with seven members, and John Seekinswas chosen the
first clerk. The following year Rev. Stacy Smith became the first pastor and
about a year later Rev. Hiram Whicher took charge. In 1834 Rev. F. B.
Tanner was called to the pastorate, and he was succeeded in 1835 by Rev.
Freeman Darte. The membership in 1847 ^^'^s forty-two, under Rev. Mr.
McKoon as pastor, whose position was filled in 1849 ^Y Rev. Horatio Plumb,
who was succeeded by Rev. George Donacker, under whose pastorate the first
church edifice, of wood, was erected and completed in 1854, being consecrated
by Rev. J. H. Ball, of Buffalo. The society was incorporated February 16,1852,
with Jonathan Wait, Daniel Brown, William Waldron, Harrison Judd, John
Seekins, and Ezekiel Seekins as trustees. The building cost $1,200, would
seat 200 persons, and was located in the southeastern part of the town near
the Leon line. Among the pastors who had charge over it after its erection
were Daniel Brown (who was originally licensed within its walls to preach),
J. H. Lovelace, L. D. Howe, S. Crosby, J. C. Steele, and Jerome Higbee. In
1890 the society built a frame edifice, veneered with brick, in Dayton village,
at a cost of $5,000, capable of seating 300 persons. The present value of the
church property is $6,600. There are thirty-eight members under the pastor-
ate of Rev. S. R. Waldron, with M. J. Rhodes, clerk. The Sunday school has
five teachers and thirty scholars.
Town of Dayton. 531
Out of the Methodist class formed in 1818 was incorporated on October
31, 1845, the First M. E. church in Dayton, better known perhaps as the Cot-
tage M. E. church because of its being organized in that hamlet. The first
trustees were William Howlett, Gile Johnson, and John B. Reed, the original
membership was sixty, and the organizers were W. S. Warallo and T. H.
Cummings, who were also jointly the first pastors. The following year (1846)
a wooden church edifice was erected, which gave place to the present wooden
structure in 1872. The cost of this latter, which will seat about 300 persons,
was $2,500, and is now valued, including lot and parsonage (which was pur-
chased a- number of years ago), at $4,500. Among the ministers who have had
charge of this congregation are Joseph Uncles, W. W. Warner, Peter Bur-
roughs, T. G. McCrary, S. Churchill, W. H. H. Snowden, W. H. Hover, J. H.,
Whallon, T. P. Warner, L. A. Chapin, A. H. Bowers, and J. G. Garnett, the
present pastor. A Sunday school connected with the church has eight teach-
ers and sixty-five scholars.
"The Second Methodist Episcopal church in Dayton was incorporated
March 8, 1848, with Nelson Hillebert, Avery Park, E. B. Nash, Aaron P.
Knowles, Norman L. Bacon, Jonathan Prince, and Benjamin J. Allen, trustees.
No church edifice was erected and after a few years the society disbanded,
but those who continued a class met in the school house at Howard's Corners
on April 21, 1875, and under Rev. J. H. Whallon organized anew, the name being
the East Dayton Society of the Methodist Episcopal church. That summer
a pretty edifice was built at Howard's Corners at an expense of $2,000 and
dedicated in January, 1846, by Rev. J. T. Edwards, of Randolph. The soci-
iety has been supplied by clergymen from Leon.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Dayton village was organized with
forty members by Rev. W. W. Warner in 1864 and on May 15, 1875, the body
was duly incorporated. The first pastor was the Rev. Peter Burroughs. A
church edifice was put up in 1868, of wood, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated
by Rev. C. C. Carruthers. It will seat about 200 persons and is valued, in
eluding lot, at $3,000. A large Sunday school is connected under the super-
intendency of Mrs. C. A. Markham. The present pastor of the church is Rev.
Jeremiah G. Garnett and the membership is sixty.
The Methodist Episcopal church of South Dayton was organized with
twenty-five members by Rev. Mr. Palmer, who became the first pastor.
Their first and present house of worship was built of wood in 1881, the cost
being $1,200, and will seat 250 persons. The present membership is fifty, the
value of church property about $1,400, and the pastor is Rev. L. W. Elkins.
The Sunday school has an attendance of sixty-five scholars and seven teachers.
The Fair Plain Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1885 with
twelve members, with Rev. W. W. Cushman as the first pastor. Their church
building, erected in 1889, of wood, will seat 150 persons, and cost $1,500, the
present value of their church property. There are seventeen members under
.532 History of Cattaraugus County.
Rev. F. V. Dunkle, pastor, and the Sunday school connected has forty-
scholars and four teachers.
About 1857 twenty-five dissenters of the Freewill Baptist church met and
organized the Wesleyan Methodist Society of East Dayton under the pastor-
ate of Rev. Mr. Frink. A house of worship was erected that year, at a cost
of $500, and capable of seating 500 persons, the present value of which prop-
erty, including lot, is $700. The membership now is fifteen under Rev. J.
Adams as pastor, and connected is a Sunday school of sixty-five members.
The German United Protestant Lutheran church was organized September
3, 1864, by Charles Coeppel, John Oscher, and William Borneman. A few
months prior to this date a small wooden church building was erected about
four miles south of Dayton village, at a cost of $500, and capable of seating 100
persons. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Shonstein, who was followed by Rev.
Mr. Fagle and others. At present there are twenty members, but thesociety
has no regular pastor.
St. Paul's Roman Catholic church was the immediate result of missionary
meetings held by Passionists from Dunkirk in 1863, the present society being
organzied in 1864 with fifty members. Their first house of worship, of wood,
was erected in Dayton village during the latter year and would seat 150 people.
The congregation remained in charge of the Passionists until Dayton was
made a parish, when Father Charles C. Geppert became the first resident priest.
The present church edifice was built in 1876, on a lot covering an acre of
ground, a portion of which is used as a cemetery. The structure is 40x70
feet, will seat 400 persons, is supplied with a tower and bell, and cost $4,000 ;
the present value of the church property is $6,000; the present membership is
300 and fifty scholars in the Sunday school.
The Free Union church at Cottage was organized in the fall of 1878 by
twenty-five persons, over whom A. P. Cook became the first pastor. Their
house of worship was erected the same year, the cost of which was $1,300,
the present value being, including lot, $1500. It will seat 200 persons. The
society, which is now without a pastor, has a membership of thirty and a
Sunday school of thirty-five scholars and five teachers.
The Free Methodist church of South Dayton became an organized body
with thirty members in 1880. Their church edifice was built, of wood that
year at a cost of $1,000, and would comfortably seat 250 persons. Both
membership and value of property remain the same. The first pastor was
Rev. Mr. Worthington and the present one Rev. Mr. Jones.
Barzilla Merrill Post, No. 637, G. A. R., was organized September 18,
1888, with seventeen members, the present number being thirty-three.
Summit Lodge, No. 72, A. O. U. W., Dayton, was instituted February 24,
1877, with twelve members.
Valley Lodge, No. 704, K. of H., of Pine Valley, was organized August i,
1877. There were eleven charter members.
Town of Davtox.
Valley Lodge Building Association was formed in April, 1878, for the pur-
pose of providing a suitable hall for lodge and other purposes at Pine Valley..
A two-story building was erected the following fall.
Pine Valley Lodge, No. 605, L O. O. F., at South Dayton, was instituted
September 9, 1891, by Dr. R. D. Wilcox, D. D. G. M. The first officers were
A. F. Kelley, N. G.; H. T. Wilson, V. G.; B. A. Whipple, secretary; D. J.
White, recording secretary; J. F. Peacock, treasurer.
Asahel Allen, son of Peter, a native of Connecticut, was born in Fabius,
Onondaga county, Nov. 5, 1802, and came to Dayton in 1818, cleared a farm
where that village now stands, and erected the' first dwelling house on the site,
buying the land of the Holland Land Company at $3 per acre. He finally
moved to Cottage, where he died Jan. 21, 1858. His wife, Sally A., daughter
of Jonathan Benedict, of Onondaga county, died Oct. 22, 1847. Their chil-
dren were Jonathan B., Peter R., Harlow, Lucy M., Laura J., Eliza L.,
Mary C, James M., George M., and Ellen M. By his second wife, Julia A.,
daughter of Timothy M. Shaw, he had three children — Annette, Newton, and
Julia A. Peter R. Allen married Betsey, daughter of Daniel and Lydia
(Eddie) Johnson, and died July 29, 1880. He was a farmer and wood me-
chanic. Their only son, Danial E., was born Aug. 25, 1862, and is postmaster
of Dayton. Mrs. Allen is still living.
Jonathan B. Allen was born Aug. 10, 1824, and married, Nov. 8, 1849,
Fanny M., daughter of Timothy M. and Amanda (Redfield) Shaw. Their
children are Ellen (Mrs. A. C. Wright), Laura (Mrs David Brand), and Cora L.,
who died Sept. 2, 1877. Mr. Allen is a farmer and has been justice of the
peace fourteen years.
Luther Allen also came to Dayton in 1818 and became prominent in town
affairs. He arrived before he had attained his majority, and soon returned to
Onondaga county for his wife, whom he brought to his rude home on an o.x-
sled. His was the first frame house erected in Dayton village, in 1834. Mr.
Allen finally removed to Gowanda, where he died in Feb., 1847. He was
supervisor of Dayton in 1837, 1838, and 1844.
Hiram Austin, son of Samuel, came to Dayton in 1826, cleared a farm, and
died here Nov. 16, 1875. He was twice married and had three children, of
whom Hiram C, born Jan. 26, 1825, married Jane Hooker, has five children,
and is a farmer on the homestead.
Christopher Babcock was a native of Rhode Island and served in the Rev-
olutionary war. Asa, his son, born in Westerly, R. L, Oct. 9, 1777, died in
Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1840; he married Mary Babcock and, second, Eliza-
beth Barber, both of whom were born in Westerly. His children were Caro-
line, Thomas, George W., Amy, Mary, Asa C, Elizabeth, and Christopher J.
Christopher J. was born in Smyrna, Dec. 14, 1814, and married, Nov. 11,
1838, Rebecca A., daughter of Silas and Jerusha Smith, and their children
were Amy, 2d, and William A., both of whom were born in Truxton, N. Y.
Mr. Babcock married, second, Harriet Button, and their children are Julius C.
(deceased), Wesley J., Willis A., Frank P., and Herman T. He was formerly a
ship-builder, but is now a retired resident of South Dayton. He married,
third, Mrs. Sarah A. Chase.
Norman Bacon was a son of Penuel and was born in Onondaga county.
He came to Dayton at an early day and died May 9, 1849, o" ^^^^ ^^^^ which
he Cleared. His wife, Lucy Ann Park, died here in 1872. Their son Elisha
534 History of Cattaraugus County.
H. was born in town Sept. 15, 1846, married, in 1868, a daughter of Zalmon
Rich and afterward a daughter of Walter Dean, and has six children. He is a
farmer. His brother Ezek P. served in Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols., and died
in Andersonville prison.
John W. Badgero, son of Jacob and Sophia Badgero, was born in Vermont
and came to Dayton while young. He married Laura A., daughter of Abel
and Maria (West) Jolls, by whom he had these children : Christiana C, Fran-
ces M., EUery G., Laura ^I., Phoebe E., Ada E., and Iva M., of whom Phcebe
E. is a dressmaker and resides with her widowed mother in Dayton, and
Laura M. married M. P. Peterson and lives in Norfolk, Neb. Mr. Badgero
was a soldier in the late war in Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols., and died in Dayton.
Dennison Bartlett came to Dayton while young and died here aged sixty
years. His wife was Alzina Campbell, who bore him five children.
Abner Batchellor, a native of Massachusetts, came to Dayton as an early
settler, married Mary A. Dow, had three children, and died June 19, 1880.
Netta A., who resides on the homestead, is the only survivor of the family in
town.
Charles W. Blair was born at Stockbridge, Oneida county, Feb. 22, 1822,
and came to Perrysburg and thence to Dayton at an early day. His father
was William, son of Robert, a native of Massachusetts. Charles W. Blair has
served as j'ustice of the peace, highway commissioner, and postmaster at Cot-
tage. He married Pastorette A., daughter of William D. and Betsey (Webb)
Smith, and their children are Emmett W., Ada A., and Cora A (deceased).
William Blair, another son of Robert, was born in Massachusetts in 1785
and came to this town while young, locating at Cottage, where he died Dec.
14, 1862. His wife, Susan Curtis, was born Feb. 14, 1793, and died Sept. 3,
1832. One of their sons, William W., married Mary Walker, and of their
children Charles H. was born in Perrysburg, Sept. 22. 1838, and July 4, 1865,
married Christiana C, daughter of John W. Badgero. Charles H. Blair enlisted
in Co. A, 44th N. Y. Vols., was wounded at Gettysburg, and was discharged
in 1864. William W. Blair served from 1862 until 1865 in Co. K, 155th N. Y.
Vols., and was six months in prison.
Nathaniel Blasdell was one of Dayton's pioneers and died here aged sixty-
two. Of his seven children David married Lucinda, daughter of Daniel
Allen, of Persia, and had born to him six children. His brother Daniel was
born in Otto, Jan. 28, 1828, married Elizabeth Shepard, of Dayton, and of
their children Frank married Mary Merrill and May became the wife of
Marshall Merrill.
David Brand came to Gowanda and lived many years, removing finally to
Dayton and eventually to Iowa, where he died. Of his children Henry C.
was born in Gowanda and died in Dayton in 1872. He married Sarah How-
ard, who survives him, and their son Henry M., born in Dayton on Feb. 22,
1847, married Eliza M. Loomer, Feb. 20, 1869, who died, and he married,
second, Rachel E. Smith. Daniel H., another son of Henry C, was born
July 6, 1854, and married Kate, daughter of Jonathan and Fanny (Shaw)
Allen, and is a farmer in the south part of the town.
Ezra Brown, a native of Vermont, came to Chemung county, where he
died at an advanced age. He served in the War of 18 12 and was a farmer.
His son Daniel was born June 15, 1813, and came to Dayton in 1847, locating
near Howard's Corners, where he died Aug. 5, 1882. He married Fanny Per-
ham, who survives him, and their children were Ellen, Harriet, Janette,
Towx OF Davtox.
Josephine, Julius, and Ellis. The latter was born Feb. ii, 1856, and Nov. 21,
1875, married Sarah L., daughter of George and Jane (Ashdown) Williams,
and their children are Welcome J., Helen M., and Leon W. He is proprietor
of a cheese factory with his brother Julius. Julius Brown, born Feb. 24,
1854, married, Dec. 27, 1874, Ida Ann Easterly, has one son, Ellsworth, and is
a farmer and breeder and dealer in carriage horses and roadsters.
Rory Bunce was born in Hartford, Conn., Jan. 9, 1758, and died June 27,
1812. He served in the Revolutionarv war. His wife, Elizabeth Olcott,
born in Connecticut, Jan. 14, 1763, died in Dayton, July, 24, 1843. His son
Simeon was born in Hartford, Conn., June 9, 1788, and died in Dayton, Nov.
26, 1875. Dec. 28, 1814, he married Esther, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca
(Putney) Brownell; she died Sept. 20, 1870. Their children were Harriet,
Sanford, and Nelson. Nelson Bunce, born in Dayton, Nov. 30, 1821, married,
Nov. 22, 1843, Katharine Wheeler, who died March 24, 1891. Their children
were Sanford C, Maria S., Francelia, Jay B., Simeon A., and Nellie L. Mr.
Bunce married, second, Mrs. Mary E. Ingalls. Jay B. Bunce married, Aug. 15,
1877, Elva A., daughter of Jacob and Adelaide Badgero. Francelia married
George Hubbard, Jan. 18, 1871, and tbeir children were Katie, Lynn P., and
Melva M. She died Jan. 6, 1886.
John Casten was born in Dutchess county and came to Collins, Erie
county, where he died. His son James, born in Dutchess county, Sept. 29,
1 801, was located in Buffalo as a dealer in live stock for many years and came
thence to Collins and from there to Leon, where he died March 3, 1888. He
married Amanda Wheeler (born July 16, 1802), and his children were Ann E.,
James W., Ira W., Emily A., Mary J., William H., Eunice L., Stephen L.,
and John G. John G. Casten was born in Buffalo, March 14, 1833, and in
i860 married Martha M., daughter of Samuel and Susan (Fairbanks) Town,
of Leon, who was born March 9, 1841. Their children are Susie A., James
S., Addie M., John F., Ira B., William E., Stephen A., Ella M., and Archie R.
Mr. Casten is a farmer in Dayton.
William Catlin, born in Massachusetts, moved to Tioga county, Pa., and
died in Chenango county, N. Y., aged ninety-seven years. He was a farmer
and a manufacturer of leather and ratan whips. His wife bore him thirteen
children, four of whom served in the Union and one in the Confederate army.
One of his sons. Wells G. Catlin, was born in Tioga county, Pa., where he
married Sarah B. Bennett, and moved to Persia, where he lived twenty-five
years. His children were Annie S., Helena, Herbert L., Aaron F., George,
and Orren. Orren was born in Charleston, Pa., Aug. 22, 1848, and Aug. 17,
1875, married Melissa A. Peck (born in Persia, Nov. i, 1851), daughter of Joel
and Philena Peck, and their children are Inez, J. Gordon, and Orren. Mr.
Catlin is a cheesemaker in Dayton.
Abner Comstock, a Canadian by birth, came to Dayton in 1829 and died
in 1859. Hs had ten children by two marriages, among them being David,
who was born in Persia and married a daughter of Ransom Remington, by
whom he has had five children.
David Crowell was born at Sherburne, N. Y., and came to Villenova, Chau-
tauqua county, where he died in 1861. He was married three times, and of
his children David also lived in Villenova until his death in 1841. He married
Annie Faulkner, and their children were Seth, Norman, W^illiam, James,
George, and Charles H. Charles H. Crowell was born in Villenova, Aug. 27,
1840, and Dec. 3, 1861, married Celestia Robbins, of Hanover, N. Y., and has
536 History of Cattaraugus County.
one son, Fred D., born Aug. 5, 1871. Mr. Crowell enlisted in 1861 in Co. H,
looth N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged in 1862. Fred D. Crowell
married Emma Smith, of Dayton.
Azariah Darbee was born in Vermont in 1762. His wife, Susan Phelps,
was born in 1761. They came to Dayton in 1817 and cleared a farm in the
western part of the town, where their deaths occurred Aug. 18, 1851, and Jan.
28, 1840, respectively. Their children were Chester, Susanna, Aurilla, Azariah,
Olive, Clarissa, Celia, and Henry. Chester Darbee was born Nov. 24, 1785,
served in the War of 1812, cleared a farm, and married Theodotia Church, by
%vhom he had these children : Henry, Olive, Chester, Jr., Simeon, and John.
Chester Darbee", Jr., was born in Hamburg, Erie county, July 28, 181 1, and
married, first, Caroline Amsden, and second, Caroline Lewis. His children
are John H., Lewis H., and John H. John H. enlisted in the 44th Regt.
N. Y. Vols, and was shot at the battle of Malvern Hill.
Joseph Dersey was born in Germany and came to Eden, Erie county, as
an early settler, and died there in 1867, aged sixty-four years. He married
Elizabeth Smith, and their children were Mary, Elizabeth, Delia, Joseph,
Philip, and Jacob. Jacob Dersey was born in Eden, June 20, 1840, and June
29, 1876, married Mary W. Huff, who was born June 4, 185 i. Their children
are Alfred, born April 28, 1882, and Mildred P., born March 13, 1890. Mr.
Dersey is a farmer in the town in a locality known as Fair Plain.
Charles W. Dexter came to Leon and died there at the age of seventy-five
years. His grandson, William A. Dexter, the son of Bela E., was born in
Gowanda, Dec. 14, 1856, and is now a farmer in the town of Dayton.
Elbridge Eddie was an early settler of Persia, where he died in 1878. He
was a native of Enfield, Mass. His son Guilford J. was born in Persia, May
10, 1833, married Clarissa Ketchum, and has had seven children. Hs is a
blacksmith.
Daniel D. English, son of William, was an early pioneer of Dayton. He
was born in Washington county, N. Y., May 9, 1807, and died here April 15,
1874. His wife, Amanda Gere, died in Leon, Oct. 21, 1880. Their children
were Eleanor, Sanford, Oscar, Alida, Amelia, Edgar, Theodore, and Lewis, all
born in Dayton. Oscar English, born December 31, 1839, married, Sept. 2,
1866, Mercy R., daughter of William and Basheba (Waite) Potter, of Leon.
She was born in Machias, Oct. 26, 1843. Their children are Bert L., born May
27, 1869, and Maud (adopted), born Aug. 22, 1S78. Mr. English has resided
on his present farm twenty-four years and has served as assessor three terms.
Theodore English was born June 22, 185 1, and January 10, 1874, married Etta
A., daughter of George and Mary P^illey, and their two children, Ethel and
Bernard, were born Sept. 14, 1877, and Sept. 6, 1885, respectively. Mr. Eng-
lish is a general merchant at South Dayton.
Carl Fisher, son of John, was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., March i, 1864. John
Fisher was born in Germany in 181 5, served in the war of the Rebellion, and
died in Dunkirk in 1863. July 24, 1882, Carl Fisher married Reka, daughter
of Christopher and Caroline (Bower) Traber, of Dayton, and their only child is
Isabella, born January 23, 1892. Christopher Traber, son . of Gotlieb, was
born in Germany, Nov. 26, 1841, came to Buffalo in 1861, served in Co. H,
96th N. Y. Vols., in the late war, married Caroline Bower, and now lives in
Dayton. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Traber are employees of he Erie railroad.
John Fisher, a native of Albany, a miller by trade, a soldier of the War of
1812, died in Italy, Yates county, at the age of 106 years and six months. Of
Town of Davtox.
his children James married Rachel Gillett and of their children Jeremiah was
born May 8, 1830, married Sally Ann Cook, has three children, and is a dealer
in monuments in South Dayton.
Joseph Foster, born in Hartford, N. Y., in 1800, died in Otto aged seventy-
five. His wife was Hester Wheeler, of Otto, and they had eight children, of
whom Harvey, born Oct. 9, 1834, in Otto, married, Dec. 25, 1862, Emily,
daughter of Simon Newcomb, of Dayton, and is a farmer in this town.
Francis Cadwin was born in Cayuga county in 1795, came to Hamburg,
Erie county, removed thence to Leon, and finally settled in Ferrysburg,
where he died, aged seventy-five years. His father, Roswell, a native of Con-
necticut, served in the War of 1812 and died in Cayuga county. Francis mar-
ried a daughter of Simon Francis, by whom he had seven children, of whom '
George was born in Hamburg, May 7, 1831, married, Dec. 18, 1856, Mary
White, and reared one daughter, Lydia (Mrs. Morris O. Briggs, of Buffalo).
Mr. Francis enlisted in 1861 in Co. K, 64th N. Y. Vols., and served 14 months.
Henry Fuller, son of Benjamin, had seven children, of whom Edgar was
born in Dayton, July 7, 1843, married Alice Conklin, and is a VVesleyan min-
ister. His mother Betsey survives and resides in Dayton on the homestead.
Jonathan Gregg, born in New Hampshire in 1791, came to Dayton, where
he was killed by a falling tree Oct. 21, 1850. His wife, Philinda, daughter of
Thomas and Elizabeth Adgate, died in 1855. Their children were Clarinda,
Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph, Chester, Adgate T., Caroline, and Edgar. Ad-
gate T. Gregg, born April 20, 1837, married in 1864 Philena, daughter of Gile
Johnson, of Dayton, and has had born to him these children: Lizzie M.,
Grace C, Althea M., Clara S., and Georgia A. Mr. Gregg enlisted Oct. 2,
1861, in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged in 1864. He
is a farmer on the Gile Johnson farm in Dayton.
William G. Hall, son of Justice, was born at Portage, N. Y., came to New
Albion, and finally removed to near the Wesley postoffice, where he died.
He was a farmer, and married Almeda Rich, of Barre, Orleans county, who
survives him and resides on the homestead. His children were Charles W.,
Leonard O., Alzina A., Mary D., Delbert, Rowland, Arad, Sarah, Denton, and
Marian (deceased). Charles W. Hall was born in New Albion, Nov. 3, 1837,
and March 11, 1861, married Betsey A., daughter of Norman L. and Lucy A.
(Park) Bacon, by whom he has one son, Burt H. Mr. Hall is a merchant and
postmaster at Wesley. He served as corporal in Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols.,
and was at the battles of Chancellorsviile and Rocky Face Ridge, being
severely wounded at each engagement. Delbert Hall, another son of Will-
iam G., was born in New Albion, May 12, 1848, and married, March 27, 1865,
Mary J. Wood, a native of Niagara county, who has borne him three chil-
dren— Glenn W., Willie J., and Jennie M. Mr. Hall served in the late war in
Co. D, 179th N. Y. Vols., and is now a carpenter and proprietor of a planing-
mill in Dayton village. Glenn W. Hall, born Aug. 15, 1868, married Anna,
daughter of Obediah and Mary J. Luce, of New Albion, has one son, Blaine D.,
and is a farmer in the south part of the town.
Calvin Hall, a native of Vermont, came to Dayton in 1855, where he died
in 1890. His wife, Sarah Mosher, died here aged fifty-four. They had three
children: Calvin E., Phebe, and Lydia. Calvin E. Hall was born#Jan. 22,
1826, came to Dayton with his father, and finally moved to Buffalo, where he
died in 1890. By his wife, Sarah Watkins, he had these children: Mary Z.,
Ada, Edmond, Drusa, Jessie, and Robert B. The latter was born in New
538 History of Cattaraugus County.
Albion, July i, 1853. January i, 1872, he married Nettie, daughter of Patrick
Shafer, of Salamanca, and their children are Gertrude, Charles C, Jessie M.,
and Mabel D. Mr. Hall is a farmer on the homestead. Patrick Shafer, son
of Andrew, was born Oct. 26, 1822, and died Oct. 15, 1875 ; his wife Cordelia
was born May 20, 1820, and died Jan. 16, 1876.
Nelson Hillebert, son of John C. and Elizabeth Hillebert, was born in
Onondaga county, Nov. 11, 1809, came to Dayton in 1837, and settled near
Wesley, where he died Sept. 13, 1871. He was postmaster and highway com-
missioner many years. He married; Sept. Ii, 1845, Eleanor Harvey, and
their children were Emeline J., Amelia, George N., Adaline, Mary, and War-
ren W. Mrs. Hillebert survives her husband and resides on the homestead.
Emeline J., born in Dayton, Sept. 22, 1846, married, Feb. 15, 1871, George
Bailey, and has one daughter, Dora E.; Warren W. was born Aug. 21, 1S85,
married Belle Payne, and has two children: Willie J. and Chester. George N.
Hillebert, born in Dayton, Jan. 27, 1851, married Ursula Skeels, and their
children are Nelson and Clifford (deceased). Mr. Hillebert is a farmer in town.
Jacob Hooker was a son of Daniel, who was a native of Germany, a resi-
dent of Boston and later of Brandon, Vt., and a soldier of the Revolution.
His wife, Mary (Gates) Hooker, died in Perrysburg aged about ninety years.
Jacob Hooker was born in Stowe, Mass., came to Perrj'sburgin-i835, and died
Nov. 25, 1863. His wife, Lois Fife, was born Dec. 24, 1788, and by her he
had five children.
John Hooker, another son of Daniel, married Philena Waterman, reared
ten children, and died in 1888, in Perr\-sburg. His sons Hall and Ray served
in the Rebellion, the first mentioned being killed in action. Newell P.
Hooker, another son, was born in Perr\-sburg, March 20, 1850, married, June
22, 1884, Christine Johnson, and has five children. Mrs. Johnson was born in
Sweden, Feb. i, t86o. Her father came to Dayton in 1884 and is a farmer.
Harry Howard, a native of Onondaga county, came to Persia as one of the
first settlers, cleared a farm on Nash hill, and thence removed to Dayton,
where he died in 1881 ; his wife, Delilah Bacon, died in 1888. Their children
were Harriet, Amanda, Alexander, Norman, Emeline, and Charlotte. Ale.x-
ander Howard, born in Persia, died in Dayton in March, 1861. He married
Lucy, daughter of Amos and Almeda (Town) Ross, and his children were
James, Albert, Emma, and Amanda. William H. Howard was born in Wis-
consin, June 8, 1850, and March i. 1874, married Mary A., daughter of Hiram
and Alzada (Ingersoll) Remington, of Leon, and his children are Worden A.,
born March 13, 1875; Bertha, born April 13, 1876;. Orville, born Feb. 17, 1880;
Ray, born July 18, 1885; and Custer, born Feb. 18, 1891. Mr. Howard is a
farmer in the southeast part of Dayton.
Harvey Hubbard, a native of Massachusetts, came to Dayton while young
and died here in 1872. His son Charles accompanied him to the town and
still resides within its limits, having removed in 1891 from near Markham to
his present location. Several family connections of the name also live in
Dayton and hold high places in the esteem of the community.
Asahel Hulett was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., in 1800. His father, Aaron,
served seven years in the Revolutionar\- war as groomsman of Washington's
horses. Asahel married Almira, daughter of Elisha and Dolly (Calkins) Dar-
bee, who bore him eleven children, of whom Andrew J., born Oct. 26, 1833,
married in 1856 Frances Allen, by whom he had two children, Lucy and
Allen. Mr. Hulett married, second. Mrs. Elizabeth Kimball, daughter of
Town of Davtox.
539
John Dye, in 1865, who was the mother of two children, Helen and Horace
Greeley. His third wife was Mrs. Annie Dye, daughter of Jonathan C. and
Margaret (Stivers) Wade. Mr. Hulett enlisted in July, 1863, in Co. C, 112th
N. Y. Vols., and served to the close of the war. His brother Marcus was a
soldier in Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols. ; another brother, Asahel, was a member of
Co. B, ii2th Regt. Mr. Hulett is a blacksmith in South Dayton.
Edward C. Hurlburt, son of Byron C. and Harriet C. Hurlburt, was born in
Haskinville, N. Y., April 17, 1868. Aug. 31, 1889, he married Bertha M.,
daughter of Oscar and Emma (Easton) Vincent, of Leon, and resides on the
Easton estate in the southeast part of the town.
Harvey Inman came to Dayton with James Caldwell and married Betsey
C, daughter of William and Susan Blair. His father, Peleg, served in the
War of 1812. Harvey Inman removed to Illinois, but returned after a few
years to Dayton and enlisted in the late war and served until its close, being
captured at Chancellorsville and incarcerated in Libby prison for a time. He
died in Dayton, May 24, 1891. His wife survives him and resides with their
daughter at Cottage, where also live two sons, Henry and Orris. Lowell D.
Inman, born in Illinois, Dec. 13, 1854, married Alia Randall, and resides at
Cottage. H. Burt Inman, son of Harvey, was born in Dayton, May 16, 1842,
married Harriet, daughter of John and Philena Ho"oker, and has six children.
He served three years in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols., in the Civil war.
Gile Johnson was a son of John, who served in the War of 181 2 and died
in Herkimer county. He was also a brother of Ralph Johnson, who figures
largely in the early settlement of the tovv-n. Gile died here in 1872. His first
wife was Philena Salisbury and the mother of three children. His second
wife was Milla Rich. His children were Calvin, Corydon C. (see Medical chap-
ter, p. 168), George, Gile, Belva, Philena, Mary, Elsie, Althena, Leonard, and
Julia. Ralph Johnson was supervisor of Dayton in 1851, while his brother
Gile served in the same capacity in 1855 and 1857.
Leroy B. Johnson, son of Hugh, was born in Mansfield, June 7, 1855, and
Nov. 22, 1876, married Jennie, daughter of Lot and Rachel Crosby, by whom
he has five children. Mr. Johnson is a merchant and postmaster at Cottage,
and is also a farmer. Hugh Johnson served in Co. K, 56th N. Y. Vols., and
now resides in Fredonia, N. Y.
Carrier Jolls was an early settler in Perrysburg, where he died. Among
his large family of children was John, who was the first to settle on the
present Foster farm, where he died aged seventy-nine. He likewise had a
large family from two wives.
Chauncey E. Law, son of Lewis M., who was for many years a hardware
merchant and died in Pennsylvania in 1861, was born in Aurora, April 22,
1857, and married. May 2, 1882, Minnie E., daughter of George and Caroline
Dailey, of Dayton, by whom he has had two children, George L., born July 30,
1883, and Chester D., born Jan. 4, 1892. Mr. Law is a resident of Dayton.
Isaac Leonard was born in Taunton, Mass., came to Perrysburg in 1825,
and thence to Dayton, where he died aged sixty-nine years. His wife, Lucy
Manchester, a native of New Hampshire, died here at the age of forty-seven,
after bearing these children : Joseph N., Otis VV., Ann M., Schuyler B., Mary-
ette, Ellen, Lyanda, and Cornelia. Mr. Leonard's father, Noah, a native of
Massachusetts, served seven years in the Revolutionary war and died in
Southfield, N. Y., aged ninety years. Joseph N. Leonard is a farmer in the
town of Dayton on a farm of 242 acres.
540 History of Cattaraugus County.
Henry W. Locke was born in Massachusetts and came to Dayton from
Moravia, Cayuga county, in February, 1852, clearing what is known as the
Locke farm, where he died in 1890 at the age of eighty-five years. He was
born Jan. 22, 1805, was justice of the peace three years, and married Temper-
ance Wood, of Moravia, who died in 1883. His children were Henry A.,
James, David A., Mary A., Mary L., and John, all of whom were born in
Moravia. John Locke came to Dayton with his father and now resides on
the McMillen farm.
Henry J. Markham is a lineal descendant of an English family of the name
who were early settlers of Massachusetts, of whom Benjamin, grandfather of
Henry J., was seven years in the Revolutionary war and finally moved to
Broome county, where he died. His son Joshua had five children, of whom
Henry J. was born in Windsor, Broome county, Jan. i, 1815, married, Feb. 17,
1842, Clarinda, daughter of Jonathan and Philinda (Adgate) Gregg, and has
had born to him these children : John H., born Dec. 8, 1843; Philinda, born
March 17, 1847; ^"d Annie B., born Aug. 30, 1867. Mr. Markham is a
farmer on 700 acres of land, most of which he cleared. His son John H.
married, Aug. 11, 1870, Harriet, daughter of Eli and Sirena (Chase) Day, has
two children, Sirena and Annie, and is a farmer near the station of Markham.
Aaron Markham is a native of Massachusetts, came to Dayton in 1836, and
died here in 1852. Among his five children was Aaron, Jr., whose son William
R., born Nov. 27, 1814, came to this town in 1843, where he still resides, a
retired farmer. Of his sons Aaron and Sylvanus, served in the late war in
the Ellsworth's Zouaves, the former being killed (age nineteen), and Philo A.
was a member of Co. B., 154th N. Y. Vols., and lost an arm at Rocky Face
Ridge. The latter was brevetted first lieutenant for meritorious service.
Henry C. Mason is a son of Isaac Mason, who was born in Massachusetts,
Nov. 23, 1798, and died Dec. 27, 1885. Brooks Mason, the father of Isaac,
was a Revolutionary soldier and the third settler in the town of Penfield,
Monroe county, where he died. Henry C. Mason was born in Penfield, Sept.
14, 1825. Oct. 31, 1847, he married Amanda M. Crane, who bore him these
children : Orinda C, born May.20, 1850; Isaac C, born April 28, 1852 ; Levi D.,
born May 14, 1854; and Loren D., born Sept. 25, i860, now a farmer in Day-
ton. James B. Mason, a brother of Hency C, was lieutenant-colonel in com-
mand at Clinch Mountain, West Virginia, where he was killed in 1863.
George P. Mason, another brother, was captain of Co. B, nth Mich. Vols.,
and was killed in Kentucky. Levi A. Mason, still another brother, enlisted
as captain of Co. I, 2d Mich. Vols., and served to the close of the war, par-
ticipating in forty-seven different engagements. Russell B. Mason, another
brotherstill, enlisted in Aug., 1861, in a Michigan regiment, and was wounded
at White Oak Swamp. Henry C. Mason, the fifth brother in service in the
war of the Rebellion, enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols., in Sept., 1861, and
was discharged Dec. 3, 1862. He is now a farmer hear South Dayton.
William McMillen, Sr., son of Hugh McMillen, who was born at Loch,
Scotland, came to America and settled near the head of Lake George, where
he became an enterprising citizen, and where he died. Among the children
of William, Sr., was William, Jr., who was born in Athol, Warren county,
Nov. 8, 1813, and came to Dayton in 1831. By his first wife, Esther Beach,
of Bennington, Vt., he had five children — Mary A., Margaret, James, William
W., and Wesley. His second wife was Gorilla Shepard, who has borne him
si.x children — Orland, Rachel, John, Edwin, Frank, and Irving. Mr. McMillen
Town of Dayton. 541
has been deputy sheriff and constable nine years and now resides near
Markham.
Johnson Merrill, son of Captain Israel, was born in Manchester, N. H.,
May 9, 1833, began life teaching school when sixteen, came to Syracuse,
N. v., in 1854, and purchased an interest in the salt works there, and in 1856
removed to Persia, where he married, June 17, 1858, Sarah E., daughter of
Benjamin J. and Sally (Prentice) Allen. They moved to Meadville, Pa., where
they both taught school three years, and then went to Oil Creek, Pa., where
he engaged in oil speculation. In 1866 they returned to Dayton and settled
at Cottage, where he died May 7, 1891. Their only son, William W. Merrill,
was born May 29, 1868, and with his widowed mother occupies the homestead.
Anson C. Merrill was an early settler of Dayton and held many ofifices of
trust, among them that of supervisor in 1839 ^"<^ 1840, and died here aged
75. Of his seven children Albert J. occupies the Merrill farm in Dayton.
Heman Merrill, son of Barzilla, was born in Fabius, Onondaga county,
March 27, 1891, and came to Dayton at an early day. He was supervisor of
Dayton in 1846 and 1847. He died on the farm he cleared on June i, 1871.
Heman R. Merrill, one of his thirteen children, was born here Feb. i, 1836,
married, April i, 1855, Lydia M. Day, of Villenova, Chautauqua county, and
has had born to him six children. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill reside on the Marvin
farm in Dayton, where he has lived twenty-eight years.
Silas H. Merrill, the father of Mrs. Marcus J. Rhodes, was born in Dayton
in 1830. His father, Heman, was born in Connecticut in 1791 and died at the
age of eighty years. Silas H. married Maria J. Marshall, of Erie county. Pa.,
and their children were Ara N. and Martha I. He was prominent in local
politics and for many years was a deacon in the Baptist church. On Dec. 29,
1876, he was killed in the Ashtabula (Ohio) railroad disaster, and nothing was
ever found of his remains. A pocket knife, a bunch of keys, and his gold
watch were all that were recovered by which identity could be established. His
watch had stopped at 7:32 P. M., indicating the time of the accident.
Jonathan Milks was the first settler on a farm in the south part of Dayton.
He was born Jn Washington county in 1800 and died here at the age of
eighty years, his wife Margaret dying aged sixty. Their children were John,
Benjamin, Jonathan, Prince W., Luke, Mary, Bashebee, Sarah, and Deborah.
Benjamin Milks married Elida Miller and their children are Leonard, Charles,
Cordelia, Betsey, Garret, Joanna, Deborah, Gilbert, and Freeman. The latter
was born in Dayton, July 22, 1831, and Oct. 23, 1856, married Joanna, daugh-
ter of Eber and Martha (Kimball) Franklin, of Leon. She was born July 24,
1836. Mr. Milks resides in Dayton village. He has lived in the town from
his birth, has been a farmer, and now owns 500 acres of land and a saw-mill.
Silas Nash was a native of Massachusetts and came to Dayton in 18 10.
He and Simeon Buncewere the first settlers in the town. He cleared a farm
now known as the Nash farm, where he lived until his death. In his house
occurred the first birth and first death in Dayton. He married Sally Bunce,
a sister of Simeon, and their children were Aras (the first child born in
town), Miranda, Almira, Emeline, and Dewitt. The latter was born in Day-
ton, July 10, 1818, and died here April 27, 1891. He was a great hunter. With
his gun and friends he would roam the wild forests in search of game, which
they always found. He married Julia H. Smith on October 5, 1842. She was
an excellent woman and his companion for nearly half a century, and survives
him. Their adopted children are Adelbert, Charles, Orlando, and Marshall.
542 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
The Nash family has been prominent in the northwest part of the county.
Representatives of the various branches have frequently filled positions of
trust and responsibilty, and have invariably served their constituents and their
country with unswerving fidelity and lasting honor. Silas Nash was super-
visor of Perry in i8i8, of Perrysburg in 1821 and 1822, and of Dayton in 1835,
i836,.i84i, 1842, 1843, and 1845. Dewitt Nash held the same office for the
town of Dayton in 1858 and 1859.
Thomas Newcomb, a pioneer of Dayton, cleared a farm near Markham,
where he died at an advanced age. His son Edwin, who was born here in
1 83 1, has married three times and resides on the homestead. Another son,
George, served in the 154th N. Y. Vols, and died a prisoner on Belle Island.
Isaac Olivey was born in London, England. He was paymaster in the
Royal Engineers' Corps at Aldershoot. He had one son, Isaac Olivey, Jr.,
who was born in London in 1835 '■^^'^ ^^'^s drowned in a shipwreck off the
coast of Ireland in i860. His wife, Elizabeth Coomb, who died in London
in 1883, bore him two children, William and John. John Olivey came to
Dayton and married Catharine A., daughter of Joseph Vance, of New Ham-
burg, Canada, and their children are Charles D., Clara E., and Laura I. Mr.
Olivey is a cheesemaker at Markham.
Sidney Park, son of Ephraim and Betsey Park, was born in Chenango
county, Sept. i, 1805, and died in Leon, April 17, 1864. He came to Dayton
in 1826. His wife, Cornelia E. Kirby, whom he married June 24, 1825, bore
him five children: Wellington N., Betsey E., Elizabeth A., John Q., and An-
drew G. The latter was born in Dayton, Aug. 6, 1839, ^"*^ J^"- •> 1866, mar-
ried Mary D., daughter of William and Almeda Hall, of New Albion, and his
children were Fenton M., William H., Alzina C, Lester A., and Earle S. Mr.
Park is a farmer, a dealer in hay and grain, and assessor and highway com-
missioner. Aug. II, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols., and was
honorably discharged June 17, 1865. He participated in the battles of F"red-
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, was transferred to the Army of
the Cumberland, was in Sherman's campaign and march to the sea, was first
duty sergeant, was taken prisoner at Snow Hill, N. C, March 26, 1865, and
was incarcerated within twenty miles of where Jefferson Davis was captured.
Avery Park, another son of Ephraim, was born in Chenango county in
1800, came to Dayton in 1826, cleared a farm in the eastern part of the town,
and died in the village in 1876. He was justice of the peace many years. He
married Lodema Ann, daughter of Alexander Nas'n, of Dayton, who died in
1846, their children being Franklin, Electa Ann, Achsah M., Porter A., An-
son N., Hudson H., and Esek K. The latter, born in Dayton, Sept. 6, 1830,
married, Dec. 25, 1852, Emeline O. Wade, who was born in 1832. Their chil-
dren are Roselia A. (Mrs. Rowland Hall) and Lincoln A. Parke. Mr. Park is
a resident of Wesley, where he is a general merchant and farmer and a justice
of the peace. Lincoln A. Parke was born Sept. 11, 1867, and is a merchant
with his father.
Porter A. Park, son of Avery and Lodema (Nash) Park, was born on the
homestead in Dayton, 'June 26, 1840, and Sept. 9, 1864, married Amelia,
daughter of Daniel D. and Amanda English, who was born March 14, 1844.
Their children are Clayton A., born May i, 1867; Clarence E., born April 3,
1872; Clara A., born Dec. 24, 1875, died Feb. 28, 1879: and Herbert H,, born
May 8, 1882. Mr. Park served in Co. K, 25th Wis. Vols., and was discharged
Feb. 16, 1865, on account of wounds. He is a farmer near Wesley.
Town of Dayton. 543
Joseph K. Peck, a native of Connecticut, was born Nov. 4, 1776. and came
at an early day to Freedom. His wife, Isabella Hyde, also a native of Con-
necticut, was born June 30, 1779, and their children were Mar}-, Samuel,
Joseph, Hannah, David B., Emily, Porter, Lurany, Eunice, Joel, and Horace,
of whom Horace was born in Freedom, Dec. 27, 1831, married, Oct. 3, 1852,
Delia Poland, and has had born to him these children : Hiram C, Jan. 17, 1854;
Elmer H., Jan. 25, 1859, died Aug. 25, 1859; Ella O., Nov. 12, 1862; Elma S.,
Feb. 2, 1865; Willa C, May 2, 1867; Albert H., June 9, 1874; and Elga E.,
May 25, 1878. Horace Peck has resided on the Matteson farm 39 years.
Daniel Potter came from Wyoming county to Machias, where he cleared a
farm and died at the age of eighty-seven years. His children were Allen,
Daniel, David, Silas, Achsah, Mary, and William. William Potter, born in
Wyoming county, Jan. 25, 1809, came to East Leon, where he now resides, in
about 1840. He married Basheba Waite and his children are Butler, Allen,
George, Silas, Peter, Mary Jane, Melissa, and Mercy. Silas Potter was born
in Leon, March 5, 1848, and Feb. 20, 1876, married Mary Locke, who died in
September, 1890. He married, second, Florence, daughter of John Johnson,
and his children are Juvie and Charles (adopted). He is a farmer in Dayton.
Orange Remington was born in Wallingford, Rutland county, Vt., June 2,
1810, and came to Onondaga county and thence to Dayton in 1832. where he
cleared a farm in the south part of the town and died in 1871. Nov. 11, 1835,
he married Mary D. Mayo and his children were Hepsabee, born Nov. 8, 1837 ;
Wallace W., born June 30, i839;Garret P., born Sept. 5, 1841 ; and George W.,
born Feb. 25, 1845. George W. Remington married Alice Dean and they have
one daughter, Carrie L, born April 11, 1870. He is now a farmer on the
homestead. His mother, Mary, survives her husband. On the 5th of Sept.,
1892, it being her birthday, a re-union of the family occurred, at which were
present three children and their families, fourteen grandchildren and their
families, and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Mrs. Remington came from
Chautauqua county and has lived in Dayton seventy-three years. Her step-
father, Royal Aldrich, was the first settler on what is called the Summit,
where he cleared 200 acres of land. Garret P. Remington, born in Dayton,
Sept. 4, 1841, married, July 4, 1861, Augusta, daughter pf Darius and Mary
A. (Merrill) Markham, who was born in Dayton, Jan. 20, 1846. He enlisted
in the late war April 4, 1861, and is a farmer on the Benjamin Markham farm.
Marcus J. Rhodes, son of Joseph (son of George and Annie) and Sarah L.
Rhodes, of Northville, Pa., was born at Corning, N. Y., March 5, 1854, mar-
ried Martha J. Merrill, and has had born to him four children, Maria B.,
Merrill H., Sarah A., and Silas A. He is a farmer.
James Rice came to Gowanda in 1834 and died in Dayton in 1884. He
was a cabinet maker by trade, a farmer, and for twenty-five years station agent
at Dayton village. His wife, Eleanor Howe, survives him.
Hiram Sherman, an Englishman by birth, came to New Albion as an early
settler and died there in 186 1. He married twice, and of his ten children Al-
vin H. is a harnessmaker in Dayton village.
Chauncey R. Smith was born in Oneida county. His father, Thomas
Smith, was also born there, was one of the earliest settlers of Villenova, Chau-
tauqua county, where he died March 3, 1872, and served in the War of 181 2.
Chauncey R. Smith married Lucy E. Searles and died in Villenova aged forty-
three. His children were Marvin E. and Emeline D., of whom the former
was born in Villenova, July 14, 1840, and married, Aug 15, 1858, Rhoda
544 History of Cattaraugus County.
Ames, by whom he has had these children : Henry P., Susie D., Nellie A.,
Jennie V., and Emma L. (deceased). Rlr. Smith was proprietor of the Smith
Hotel in South Dayton twelve years and is now a farmer near that village.
Abram Sprague, son of Reuben and Huldah Sprague, was born in Ham-
burg, Erie county, married Louisa, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Shaw)
Oaks, and had two children, Juliette and Emery, the latter of whom was
born Feb. i, 1873, and is now a farmer with his widowed mother. Emery
Sprague died in Dayton in 1874, aged sixty-three.
Anderson Stelley died in Franklinville in 1875. His children were Spen-
cer, James, Dottson, Anderson, Olive, and Wealthy. Spencer Stelley died in
Chautauqua county Sept. 7, 1889. For a time he was a resident of Ischua.
He married Malinda, daughter of John Scott, of Farmersville, and their chil-
dren were Nathan S., Warren, Laura A., Pelona, Almira, Edwin, Bert, and
Adelbert. Laura A. Stelley, born in Franklinville, July 18, i860, married, Oct.
7, 1871, Hiram Peck, of Dayton. Their children are Ida, born July 6, 1888;
Charley, born Dec. 17, 1884; and Ray, born Oct. 16, 1890. Nathan S. Stelley
was born at Ischua, July 21, 1856, and in 1880 married Mary A., daughter of
Hiram C. and Jane (Hooker) Austin, of Dayton. Their children are Hiram A.,
Laura A., and Bernice B. He is a harnessmaker in Daj-ton village.
Philemon Studley, son of Jonathan and Lois (Huntley) Studley, natives
of New England, was born iVIarch 27, 1817, settled in Pomfret, Chautauqua
county, and finally removed to Dayton, where he now resides, a farmer. He
married, first, Elvira Starks, second, Chloe A. Adams, and, third, Alvira Darl-
ing. His children are Mary E., Charles A., David, Maria, and Marion.
Charles and David served in the late war, the latter dying in Vicksburg,
June 9, 1S63. Mr. Studley has been a member of the M. E. church 63 years.
Stephen Titus was born on Long Island in 1772 and died Sept. 4, 1814.
He was a farmer. His wife, Sally Starr, born Jan. 25, 1774, died Nov. 30, 1814.
Of his twelve children Ira C. was born in Onondaga county, Oct. i, 1803, and
May 4, 1826, married Mary Whipple, who was born in March, 1808. They
had five children, of whom Silas, born in Perrysburg, Nov. 21, 1832, married,
Feb. 22, 1855, Naoma, daughter of Samuel Leggett, who bore him three chil-
dren, Eva, Frank, and Emma. He married, second, Ellen, daughter of W^ill-
ard and Johanna Daniels, and his children by her are Burt, Emma, May, and
Burt, 2d. Silas Titus is a farmer in the west part of the town.
Adam Volk was a son of Adam and was born and died in Hesse Darm-
stadt, Germany. He was a farmer, and of his eight children George was born
Jan. 21, 1831, and came to America in 1853. After residing at Black Rock
near Buffalo one year he removed to Sandusky, Ohio, thence to Canada, later
to Gowanda, and finally to the village of Dayton, where he was killed by the
cars March 14, 1893. He was a cooper by trade, and for sixteen years was
proprietor of a hotel in Dayton village. As a gentleman and a citizen he was
highly respected. His wife was Catharine Beesel, who died in 1884, and their
children were John J., Louisa, Catharine, George, Ida, and Emma. John J.
Volk was born March 4, 1858, and married Maggie, daughter of Daniel and
Emeline Howard. He is a hardware merchant in Dayton, and has held the
office of town clerk in all twelve years.
Benjamin Waite, born in Washington county, came to East Leon with his
father in 1830 and died there in 1891. He married Martha, daughter of
George Barse, and his children were Vermelia (Mrs. Alphie Roberts), Fred,
Lucy, and Albert. Albert Waite was born in Dayton, March 7, 1S58, and
Town of East Otto. 545
Feb. 28, 1882, he married Ella, daughter of Horace and Adelia S. (Poland)
Peck. Their children are Martin M., born Feb. 4, 1883, and Nettie M., born
June 12, 1888. He is now a farmer on the homestead.
Elijah Wells, Jr., son of Elijah and Lydia Wells, of Massachusetts, was
born in Conway in that State and moved to Oneida count}' and finally to Per-
rysburg, where he died. By his wife, Mercy Hopkins, he had these chil-
dren : Thomas, John, Clarissa, Dexter, Elijah, and Luther. Elijah Wells was
born in Sangersfield, Oneida county, Nov. i, 1813, came to Perrysburg with
his father, and married, April 7, 1842, Lovina, daughter of John and Julia
Farnsworth, who bore him children as follows: John L., Julia A., Clarissa,
Jonathan S., Adelbert C, and Eleanor. Mrs. Wells died at the age of seventy-
eight. Mr. Wells survives her and resides in Dayton. Adelbert C. Wells
married Lillie Smith and has one son, Leo. He lives with his father on the
homestead. John L. Wells enlisted in the 64th Regt. N. Y. Vols, and died
at Camp California in 1862 of typhoid fever.
Joshua Wilber was born in Collins, Erie county, June 17, 1819, married,
Jan. 29, 1840, Clarinda, daughter of Daniel L. and Sybil (Golding) White, and
came to Dayton in 1885. His father, Stephen, a native of Vermont, came to
Buffalo in 1807, being there at the burning of that city in 18 14, and removed
to Collins, where he died in 1862. Isaac Wilber, the brother of Stephen, was
a native of Scotland and a Quaker, and before settling in Danby, Vt., followed
the ocean for about twenty years. He eventually came to Collins, where he
died at nearly 100 years of age. The children of Joshua and Clarinda (White)
Wilber are George, Daniel, Imogene, Steukley, and Frank B. He enlisted in
Co. D, loth N. Y. Cav., and served under Gen. Sheridan until the war closed.
Alanson Wilco.x became a settler of this town at the age of twenty years.
He served in the War of 1812. His son William C, who was born here in
1845, h^s manied twice, and lives on the Wilcox homestead.
Alonzo W'ood, son of George, married in 1844 Betsey Satterly, of Otto.
He served in Co. A, 9th N. Y. Cav., and is a farmer in the town of Dayton.
Lemuel H. Wood was an early comer to Leon, where he died in 1853.
His son Daniel T., born in 1830, married Sarah Wells, served in Co. K, 64th
N. Y. Vols., and now resides at South Dayton.
CHAPTER XXIV.*
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF EAST OTTO.
EAST OTTO was formed November 30, 1854, by dividing the town of
Otto. It lies on the north border of the county, nearly in the center
east and west, being parts of towns five and six, range seven, and a
small portion of town five, range six, of the Holland survey. In 1858 a strip
of land two and one-fourth miles long and one and one-half miles wide was
• For this chapter we are pleased to acknowledge our obligations to Ralph Dewey and to G. W. An-
drews.—Editor.
69 •
546 History of Cattaraugus County.
taken from the northwest corner of Ellicottville and annexed to this town,
and in 1866 that part of lots 44 and 45 lying in Ashford were also annexed to
East Otto, giving the town its present area of 25,236 acres. The northern
boundary is Cattaraugus creek, which flows westerly ; on the east are Ashford
and Ellicottville, between the former town and East Otto being Connoirtoir-
auley creek, flowing northwesterly ; on the south are Ellicottville and 'Mans-
field ; and on the west is Otto.
The surface is mostly a series of hills and valleys extending thr^ ugh the
town from the eastern part in a westerly direction. The larger of these val-
leys commences in the southeast corner and runs northwest till it passes the
center of the town, when it turns to the southwest. In this valley are found
some valuable farms. The soil throughout the town is of an excellent quality,
on the hills as well as in the valleys, and produces large crops of grass and
grain. The hills attain an altitude of several hundred feet, the highest of
which, in the southeast corner of the town, is about 1,650 feet above Lake
Erie, which can be plainly seen from the summits of many of the hills when
the atmosphere is clear. The western portion of the town comprised a part of
what was formerly locally known as the "big swamp " and was covered with
a dense growth of alternating pine, hemlock, black ash, alder, etc., with birch,
beech, and red (or soft) maple on the slightly elevated ridges. The original
forest of much the larger portion was mostly of the various deciduous trees
that in summer clothed the rounded hilltops till they appeared like immense
green billows, while the valleys were like emerald bowls brimming over with
sunshine. Few landscapes are fairer than East Otto's larger valley viewed
from the lower slopes of her eastern hills. The " big swamp " has been largely
denuded of its timber and is now inhabited by an energetic population that is
bidding fair to make this former wilderness " blossom like the rose," and the
land under cultivation will ere long be among the best.
The attentit)n of the farmers is mainly confined to dairying. In the town
are six cheese factories, in which during the year 1892 were manufactured
906,000 pounds of cheese, receiving the milk from 2,470 cows. There are also
some large home creameries. The town is noted for the large quantity and
choice quality of maple sugar manufactured here from year to year. Lum-
bering is still carried on to some extent. Daniel Hawkins has in the village a
circular saw-mill in connection with a planing-mill, shingle-mill, and cheese-box
factory, and to which is attached a grist-mill ; he also has a steam circular saw-
mill in the northwest corner of the town. John Laing & Son have a steam
circular mill in the western part and Ira TefTt another in the northern part.
Orville L. Larkins has a circular saw-mill and a grist-mill on the same site
where Moses T. Beach built his mills seventy years ago; mills have been con-
tinued on this location ever since the first one was erected. A short distance
below the Larkins mills Ladore V. Sikes has a circular saw-mill.
In favorable seasons East Otto produces a large surplus of excellent ap-
Town of East Otto. 547
pies, which bring considerable revenue to the farmers. The population of the
town in 1870 was 1.164; in 1880, 1,251 ; in 1890, 1,288.
The first settlement in East Otto was made in 1816 by Horace Wells, who
came from Schoharie county and located in what is now East Otto village,
camping the first night, it is said, under a tree where the hardware store now
stands. Joseph Bates settled about one mile east of here about the same time
and a few years afterward located north of the village. In 1817 John V. King,
and Allen and Rufus King, his brothers, settled near Cattaraugus creek a short
distance above the mouth of the Connoirtoirauley. In 1819 Jabez Hull came
from Erie county, taking up his residence about two miles east of the village.
He was a resident of Buffalo at the time it was burned in the War of 18 12.
Two sons of Mr. Hull, Ira and Roland, came about the same time, as did also
Ephraim Rolfe, who was here before 1820. Simeon B. Hinman came from
Vermont in 1820 and located about one mile southeast of the village. About
this time there was quite an influ.K of settlers, among whom were Josiah Baker,
Daniel Burchard, Caleb Pierce, Justus Bartholomew (who came from Massa-
chusetts), Azan Wells (the father of Horace), Walter Wells (a brother of
Horace, probably at the same time), Philip and Henry Bonesteel, Clark
Holmes (a minister of the M. E. church for many years who came from Her-
kimer county), Alvah Powers, and John Mason. In the fall of 1821 Moses T.
Beach, a captain in the Revolution, and his son, Tyler M. Beach, came from
Massachusetts and located on land where O. L. Larkins's mills now stand.
Moses T. Beach had previously purchased the small improvements made on
the land of Josiah Baker, and here in 1823 he erected the first saw-mill and in
1 824 the first grist-mill in East Otto; he also built the first frame house, which
is still standing and is used by Mr. Larkins as a shop. Tyler M. Beach was the
first postmaster.
In 1822 Roderick Scovel came from Wyoming county, Samuel Tuthill
from Vermont, and about the same time his brother William, Sumner Reed,
Thomas Whitford, and Ozi M. Goodale, a Baptist minister. In 1823 Abram
L. Gibbs, the father of Gov. Addison C. Gibbs, of Oregon, came from Rich-
field, Otsego county, and purchased of Alvah Powers the farm now owned by
Poltus Rush. Hezekiah Scovel, the father of Roderick, with a large family
came from Warsaw, Wyoming county ; his daughter Polly S. (Mrs. Theron
Perkins) was at the time two years old and remembers very interesting and ex-
citing events which took place in the South woods, as the locality was called
in her girlhood days. Wild beasts were abundant, and it was often a question
which owned the sheep, the wolves or the settlers. Moses Leland came from
Vermont with several sons and located east of the village. One of the sons,
Moses N., a Baptist minister, was married in the fall of 1823 to Brittania
Wells, and it has been questioned some whether this or the marriage of Josiah
Baker and Sally Bartholomew was the first that took place in town. A num-
ber of the descendants have become prominent citizens in other localities.
548 History of Cattaraugus County.
David Williams about this time settled in the north part of the town, as did
also Eli D. .Cox, who married Eliza S., daughter of Mr. Williams. Barton
Morey, from Erie county, located near Williams the same year; Mrs. Poltus
Rush is a daughter of Mr. Morey, was born in 1826, and is probably the oldest
person born here and yet living in town. Jeremiah Spaulding with his family
located about two miles east of the village. Peter Strunk settled near him.
Eleazer Larabee came from Hamburg, Erie county, and located a little
south of the village. Mr. Larabee's sons. Miner, Thomas, Nathan, and Ira,
with their families, and Sidney, a single man, together with four daughters,
came about the same time. Noah Stovvell, a minister of the M. E. church,
came from Herkimer county and settled in the south part of the town. Jo-
seph Hammond located near Cattaraugus creek. Joseph Burchard and Grif-
fin Swayne were here before 1824. Swayne built a tannery in 1829 and a
store at a later period. John Darling came from Massachusetts in 1823 or
1824. Ichabod Brown settled in the eastern part of the town in 1824, John
Pratt in the northern part, and Nathan and Thomas Whitford located in what
has since been known as Whitford hollow.
Hon. Elijah A. Rice came here in 1824 and in 1826 moved his family
from Otsego county, coming to Buffalo on the first line boat that came
through on the Erie canal. He was the father of Hon. Addison G. Rice,
Hon. Milton L. Rice, Hon. Carlton A. Rice (chief judge in Kansas), and
Hon. Benjamin F. Rice (U. S. senator from the State of Arkansas). Morris
Fosdick, who afterward became a prominent counselor and citizen of Spring-
ville, N. Y., was here as early as 1824. Ebenezer Brush was also a settler
about the same time. Rufus Darling in 1825 settled in the southeastern part
of the town; he was'the father of Hon. John P. Darling and grandfather of
Judge A. D. Scott. Dr. Levi Bullis came from Cooperstown and located
about one mile west of the village; he was an early physician. Arnold
Bentley, Nathan Scovel, and Joseph Whaley came the same year. Benjamin
Mason and David T., his son, located in the southeast corner of the town,
coming from Wayne county. Levi Bradley came from Vermont and settled
in the west part of the town.
In the spring of 1827 Alexander Tefft came from Otsego county with his
wife, four sons, and two daughters.- Nathaniel Niles Tefft was noted as a
surveyor throughout the count}-; Dewey was for years a minister in the Free
Methodist church; Samuel resides in Springville. Waistill Wilcox with his
sons John and Warren, and Niles Starkweather, were here prior to 1828.
Starkweather kept an inn near where the Baptist church now stands. In 1828
John and Calvin Pratt came from Montgomery county and settled in the north-
west corner of the town. Philip Pratt located in the north part. The same
year John Bonesteel, with his sons William and Edmund and several daugh-
ters, and Joseph Burchard, 2d, arrived.
In 1829 Willis M. Andrews, Daniel Bailey, and Samuel Wells, a brother of
Town of East Otto. 549
Horace Wells, came in. Among others who came about the same time or
soon after may be mentioned Darius Pratt, a brother of John and Calvin ;
Salmon Lull, from Massachusetts ; Samuel Colvin and his brothers Allen and
Freeman, from Vermont ; John Perkins, who was largely interested in the
growth of the M. E. church, from Washington county ; Dea. Samuel Everts,
from Pittsfield, Mass.; Arunah Griffith, later a prominent merchant in the
village ; and Isaac Reed, from Otsego county. Sylvester Pierce, the father
of Gov. and U. S. Senator Gilbert Pierce, of Dakota, and of Emmons Pierce,
the famous "horse poet, of Springville, located in the village in 1833. Elihu
Ward came from Massachusetts and settled in the western part of the town.
Elijah Dresser, M. D. (see page 123), came from Buffalo. Leonard Utley,
Philander Griffith, Hiram Sikes, and Amos N. Fitch came early in the thirties.
Some whose names are previously mentioned, and others who came at a
later period, are more particularly noticed in subsequent pages. The pioneers
who felled the forest and opened the way for the present prosperity of the
town have, with scarcely an exception, passed on to the other shore, leaving
to the present generation a rich heritage in fruitful farms, pleasant homes, and
beautiful scenerj'.
From this town have gone forth a number of individuals prominent in the
history of other States and localities, among them being Gov. Addison C.
Gibbs, of Oregon; Gov. and U. S. Senator Gilbert Pierce, of Dakota ; U. S.
Senator Benjamin Rice, of Arkansas; and members of Congress and of the
Legislatures of other States as well as of New York.
The act creating the town of East Otto, passed November 30, 1854, pro-
vided for the convening of the first town meeting at the school house in the
village on the fourth Tuesday in February, 1855. At this meeting the fol-
lowing officers were elected: John Laing, supervisor; A. L. Gibbs, town clerk;
Dr. Elijah Dresser, commissioner of common schools; F. G. Larabee, Thomas
Morrow, Arunah Griffith, Eli D. Cox, justices of the peace ; S. B. Dunbar and
M. M. Bartholomew, assessors; John C. Pratt, collector; Samuel H. Lull,
overseer of the poor. Subjoined are lists of the supervisors, town clerks, and
justices of the peace from 1855 to the present time:
Suvervixiirs— John Laing, 1&t5, 1858, 1871, 1873, 1876; Eli D. Cox, 1856-57. 1863-61, 1869-70; Dr. Elijah Dresser,
1859 ; Stephen Lainj?, 1860-62 ; John L. Perkins, 1865-66 ; Nathaniel Niles Tefft, 1867, 1872; Halsey Satlord, 1868 ;
Oscar F. Beach, 1874-75; Hiram D. Cox, 1877-78; Francis Hufstader, 1879-1881 ; F. W. Holmes, 1882-83; Solon
Laing, 1884-85, 1889-90 ; W. Z. Lincoln, 1886-88, 1891 ; G. A. Matteson, 1892-83.
Tiiwn Clerks.-k. L. Gibbs, 1855; W. E. Burchard, 1856-57; J. S. Drake, 1858, removed and Edwin Smith
appointed ; Edwin Smith, 1859 ; G. W. Andrews, 1860-61, enlisted in the army ; William Bonesteel, 1881-62 ;
W. S. Lines, 1863-66, removed and Levi Bullis appointed ; A. D. Bonesteel, 1887-89 ; .1. R. Holden, 1870-72 ;
A. B. Matteson, 1873-75 ; G. W. Babcock, 1876 ; O. D. Satterlee, 1877-78 ; G. A. Matteson, 1879-80, W. J. Good-
rich. 1881 ; Clark Burchard, 1882-84 ; G. L. Warner, 188» 87 ; K. H. Phiibrick, 1888 93.
Jmlicesof the. Peace.— 1855, F. G. Larabee, Thomas Morrow, Eli D. Cox, Arunah Griffith ; 18.56, Calvin
Pratt, Poltus Rush ; 1857, N. N. Tefft, Edwin Smith ; 1858, A. L. Orr, E. D. Cox ; 1859, Isaac Keed, J. C. Pratt ;
1860, Justus J. Scott; 1861, John C.Pratt; 1862, John L. Perkins; 186.3, A. L. Orr: 1884. O. L. Larkins; 186.5,
N. N. Tefft, O. F. Beach ; 1866, A. L. Orr, J. J. Scott ; 1867, 0. F. Beach ; 1868, Edwin Smith ; 1869, N. N. Tefft,
Harvey Tuthill ; 1870, B. F. Williams; 1871, A. L. Orr ; 1872, Harvey Tuthill, G.P.Lincoln; 1873, H. D. Cox,
E. F. Beebe:1874, John Harrison ; 1875, A. L. Orr ; 1878, Harvey Tuthill ; 1877, C. T. Mason; 1878, Edwin Smith,
E. D. Tefft : 1879, H. D. Cox, G. P. Lincoln ; 18S0, Harvey Tuthill ; 1881, C. T. Mason, L. H. Utley ; 1882, Stephen
History of CAfTARAUGUS County.
Lains, George 0. Sackett ; 1885, Edwin F. Beebe ; 18S4, Labaa Twitchell ; 1885, Geoi-ge 0. Sackett ; 1886, L. H.
Utley; 1887, George P. Lincoln; 1889, George O. Sackett, Edwin F. Beebe; 1890, Laban Twitchell ; 1891.
George P. Lincoln: 1893, L. H. Utley ; 1893, C. F. Austin, O. D. Satterlee.
East Otto post village contains about 250 inhabitants and is situated a
little to the south and west of the center of the town, surrounded on all sides
by a thrifty farming community, The business places are J. & D. Laing and
M. W. Butterfield, general merchants; C. H. Mason, hardwai-e, stoves, and
tinware; H. M. Lincoln, groceries and provisions; R. H. Philbrick, furniture
and undertaking; G. W. Andrews, drugs ; John Hamele, harness and horse
furnishing goods; George F. Orr and S. R. Sikes, carriage shop's; E. D. Sat-
terlee and Edwin Smith, blacksmiths; Jacob Gampp, cheese factory; Daniel
Hawkins, cheese box factory, saw-mill, and grist-mill; and William Ham-
mond, mine host at the Hammond House. Among the former merchants
here were Griffin Swayne, Charles Mallory, Sylvester Pierce, Hawkins & Beebe,
Chester Lowe, Daniel Wilson, Philander Griffith, George DruUard, Henry
Beach, Walter Burchard, Julius Beach, J. L. Drake, E. B. Bonesteel, James
Hufstader, Frank Warren, George L. Warren, John Leonard, Stephen Laing,
J. A. Andrews, Walter Fox, S. 5. Laing, and F. W. Holmes.
Plato, in the extreme southeast corner of the town, is a small hamlet
named in honor of the celebrated Greek philosopher, Plato. At one time it
had quite a boom and aspired to become a city. The general store of H. F.
Hiller is here with the postoffice in the store, and Mr. Hiller is postmaster.
A postoffice was established here in 1832 with Enoch Marvin as postmaster,
but was subsequently discontinued. The present office is of recent date. A
union cheese factory, a blacksmith shop, and several dwellings are located in
the hamlet.
The first school is said to have been taught by Miriam Leland at the
house of her brother, Asa Leland; the first school house was built near where
afterward stood the Union cheese factory and in it Moses N. Leland was the
first teachrr. In 182S a log school house was erected in the north part of the
town, where Statira Barr taught the initial term. There are in East Otto
nine school districts, among which in 1892 there was apportioned the sum of
$1,240.32 from the State school moneys. The village school has two teachers.
At East Otto village is a cemetery containing several acres, which has
been used as a place for the burial of the dead since the early settlement of
the town. On its monuments and tombstones are recorded the names of
many who were prominent actors in the early history of this portion of
Cattaraugus county. In the northern part of the town, near the Free Meth-
odist church, is a cemetery that has been used as a burial place for over forty
years. The Tefft family selected a lot on their land, surrounded by an iron
fence, where now sleep a number of that family's dead.
The first religious services in the town were held at the dwelling of Tyler
M. Beach late in 1821 or early in 1822. In the latter year Rev. Ira Bronson,
a Methodist preacher, began ministering to the spiritual wants of the com-
Town of East (3tto. 551
munity, but how long he remained can not be determined. Indeed, aside
from these facts, the early history of religion in East Otto, before the organi-
zation of churches, is obscure.
The First Baptist church of (East) Otto was organized as the Baptist
church of Otto at the house of Hezekiah Scovel on the 22d of September,
1825, by a council of churches. The initial meetingeffecting this organization
was held at the same place on the 2d of July preceding, at which Samuel Tut-
hill was elected moderator and Nathan Larabee clerk. The original member-
ship numbered twenty-two, and on September 24th Tuthill and Larabee were
chosen deacons. The first church service was held September 25, 1825, by
Rev. David S. Wooster, who was pastor until 1827. His immediate successors
were Revs. O. M. Goodale, L. Loomis, H. D. Mason (ordained August 25,
1833), D. Piatt, B. Wilcox, C. J. Scott, B. Oviatt, N. Gray, S. B. Thompson,
R. Cherryman, and N. F. Langmade. The name was changed on December
20, 1831, to the First Baptist church of Otto, and in 1833-34 a wooden edifice
was erected about a mile east of East Otto village, to which place it was
removed in 1854. The present house of worship was built in 1873-74 and
dedicated December 22, 1874. It is of wood and cost about $5,000, and will
seat some 350 persons. The old edifice was sold to the town and used as a
town hall. The society now has forty members, who are at present without a
pastor. The value of the church property is estimated at $3,500.
The Methodist church in East Otto village was formed in 1826 by Rev.
Ira Bronson, who became the first pastor. The original number of members
was nine. The society now has 105 members under the pastoral care of Rev.
A. H. Johnson. Their first house of worship was a brick structure erected in
1842. This was rebuilt of wood in 1853, remodeled in 1868, and burned in
1880. The present edifice is constructed of wood, will seat 350 persons, and
cost $5,000; the entire church property is valued at $6,ooo._ The Sunday
school has a membership of 135.
The Presbyterian church of East Otto was organized in February, 1834,
and received into the Presbytery of Buffalo on the 2d of September following.
The first meeting occurred at a school house under Rev. William J. Wilcox
and Abijah Parmalee, of Springville, and the original membership numbered
eleven. Samuel Everts and Tyler Spaulding were the first deacons; the last
resident minister was Rev. W. W. Norton. In 1846 the society had forty-six
members, but this number has decreased to about a half dozen at the present
time, who still continue the organization.
The First Free Methodist church of East Otto was organized January 6,
1861, by Rev. B. T. Roberts, with sixteen members, who were under Rev.
O. O. Bacon as first pastor. The first official meeting occurred at the house
of Nathaniel Niles Tefft on March 30th and the first services were held in the
school house in " Whitford hollow." The society now numbers thirty-two
members and is under the pastoral charge of Rev. H. W. Rowley. Their
552 History of Cattaraugus County.
house of worship, a neat wooden structure, was erected in 1869 and dedicated
June 10, 1870. It cost $3,(X)0, has seats for 300 persons, and with other
church property is valued at $5,000. The Sunday school connected with this
church has about twenty-five members. ' m
A society of the W. C. T. U. was organized at East Otto village in May, i^
1888, with thirty-seven members; Mrs. S. S. Laing, president; Mrs. O. D. #•
Satterlee, secretary. Mrs. H. Tuthill is president and Mrs. S. C. Spaulding is .M
corresponding secretary. The membership numbers fourteen. M
The name Andrews is the modern English form of the Latin, Andreas, ^
which signifies a ina)i. Some bearing the name have claimed that " it is de- !'^
rived from St. Andrew the Apostle." The family has been prominent in Eng-
land, whose books of heraldry contain full descriptions of their " coats of arms."
John Andrews came from England in 1640 and settled on land in Connecticut
in what was anciently known as " Tunxis," afterward as " ffarmingtowne,"
and later as Earmington, on which land some of his direct descendants still
reside. He died in 168 1 and his wife Man- in 1694. Daniel, their third son,
was born in 1649 and died in 1731. His son Daniel was born in [672 and died
in 1748. Joseph, son of Daniel, Jr., was born in 171 1, lived in Glastonbury,
Conn., and died about 1747, leaving a son Joseph, born in 1745, who was a
soldier in the Revolution, as was also his brother Daniel. Joseph died in 1837.
George, the fourth son of the last named (Joseph), was born in 1780, removed
to Knowlesville, N. Y., in 181 5, and died in 1861. Willis M., the second son
of George, was born Feb. 7, 1806, in Glastonbury, Conn. In 1829 he came
with Samuel Wells, a brother of Horace Wells, the pioneer, to East Otto, and
Jan. I, 1832, married Mariette Bonesteel, who w^s born in Worcester, N. Y.,
Jan. 8, 1 8 10, and who came with her father's family to East Otto in 1828.
Soon after his marriage he built a house and shop at East Otto Corners, where
he carried on shoemaking till the early forties, when he purchased a farm near
''the corners," which he managed till his removal in 1864 to Cattaraugus,
where he died Sept. 3, 1870, his wife surviving until Nov. 36, 1891. Prior to
their marriage she was a school teacher. Both lived useful, honorable lives,
and their many sterling characteristics were inherited 'by their descendants.
Sketches of their children appear in the chapters of the towns with which they
have been most recently identified. The Andrews family has ever been
ready to take up arms in their country's defence. From the Revolution to
the present day they have gallantly participated in every war which has
threatened the nation's life, enlisting others in the strife, and leading or them-
selves going to victory or death. In all that interests the soldier, his widow,
or his children they are first and foremost in aid and influence.
George William Andrews, the oldest child of Willis M. and Mariette An-
drews, was born in East Otto, Nov. 12, 1832, and was married, April 13, 1856,
to Ellen, daughter of Calvin Pratt, an early comer to this town. She was
born in East Otto, Sept. 17, 1837, and died June 19, 1878. She was a brave,
true woman and a devoted wife and mother. Children: Tully, born Feb. 27,
1857, died Aug. 6, 1857; Annie L., born July 6, 1858, married, Sept. 24, 1884,
Oscar Carter, a photographer at Cattaraugus, and died March 27, 1885 ; Wal-
ton C, born Jan. 13, 1861, married, Nov. 29, 1885, Nellie Slawson, was a
partner with his uncle. Jerome A. Andrews, in-the general merchandise busi-
ness for several years at Cattaraugus, now with Qayton Rich in the same line
Town of East Otto.
at Gardeau, Pa.; and Crissy, born Dec. 25, 1869, married, Jan. 9, 1889, A. S.
Courier, a merchant at Otto. The latter has one child, Walton C, born
Nov. 29, 1890. George W. Andrews, like his brothers and sisters, obtained
the rudiments of an education in the common school. During a part of three
terms he was a student in Springville Academy and engaged in teaching in
the mtervals of farm labor till after his marriage. In 1861 he enlisted more
than a score of men for the 9th N. Y. Vol. Cav.. in which regiment he served
as private until discharged for disability. He then engaged in general mer-
chandizing with his brother Jerome A. (see Salamanca) till 1869, since which
time he has been alone. He was postmaster twenty-one years at East Otto,
where he has always resided.
Edson Alfred Andrews, youngest son of Willis M. and Mariette Andrews,
was born Aug. 8, 1845, ^^ East Otto. He early began the study of law with
Rice & Scott at Ellicottville. While yet a student in their ofifice he married
Ellen, daughter of Hon. Alanson King, of Ashford, and enlisted as sergeant
in the 179th N. Y. Vols, in the same month, April 11, 1864. He served gal-
lantly in front of Petersburg, was taken prisoner at the great mine explosion
July 31, 1864, and died of starvation and exposure in the rebel prison pen at
Danville, Va., Jan. 11, 1865.
" He heard his country's call aud gave his life.
Just wed : from nuptial joys he went where grim
Death grinned o'er Petersburg;- ta'en in that strife
;He died— sad prison death— far, far from home, and friends, and wife."
Eva A., youngest daughter of Willis M. and Mariette Andrews, was born
at East Otto, Oct. 28, 1857, and removed with her parents to Cattaraugus.
Dec. 30, 1871, at Silver Creek, N. Y., she married Olin G. Rich, of Cattarau-
gus, now senior partner of the firm of Rich & Oakes, real estate dealers of
Buffalo, N. Y. They have one daughter, Nellie, born at St. Petersburg, Pa.,
Aug. 18, 1874. As a child Eva was musical and is now a talented pianist and
instructor in piano, organ, ^and vocal music.
Harvey K. Armstrong was born in Perry, Wyoming county, Feb. 10, 1834.
Jedediah Armstrong, his father, was a native of Oneida county, whence he
moved to Perry in 1823. In the winter of 1844 he came to East Otto. He
located on tlie farm on which H. K. now lives, where he resided till his death
in 1865, aged sixty-eight years. The mother of Harvey K. was a daughter of
Amasa Copeland, a soldier of the Revolution who belonged to the detachment
that guarded Major Andre and conducted him to the scaffold. She lived with
H. K. until her death in 1891, aged ninety-four years. Five others of the
Copeland family lived to be from ninety-one to ninety-seven years old. Har-
vey K. Armstrong married, Sept. 16, 1857, Mary, daughter of Abel Travers,
of Chautauqua county. They have two sons and one daughter: J. D., of
Salamanca; Rosa (Mrs. M. H. Austin), of Buffalo; and J. Benton.
Clark Barnes was born in Dayton, Feb. 2, 1852, and traces his ancestry
back to the heroes of the Revolution. His great-grandfather fell while scaling
the walls of Quebec ; his grandfather, Tompkins Barnes, came from Maine to
Sardinia, Erie county, about 1820; and his father, Surlanty Barnes, born there
March 16, 1828, came to East Otto in 1846, and was here married, Dec. 9,
1849, to Caroline, daughter of Joseph Burchard. She was born in East Otto,
July 8, 1829, and both are now living on their farm in this town. Children:
Lovina A., born Sept. 25, 1850, died Sept. 20, 1863, and Clark. Clark Barnes
married, Jan. 19, 1876, Ann L., daughter of James Mercer, who was born in
England, Jan. 14, 1807, came to America in 1826, and settled in Oneida
70
554 ••■ History of Cattaraugus County,
county, removing in 1835 to East Otto, where he died Sept. 5, 1880. He
married Betsey Holmes, Sept. 23, 1830; children : Mary, born Sept. 8, 1831,
married Amos Larabee ; JamesC, born Oct. 22, 1833 ; Elizabeth, born March 31,
1839, married William Hawkins ; Ann L., born March 17, 1845, married Clark
Barnes; Martha M., born Sept. 26, 1848, married Chris Ditcher; Philama,
born Dec. 4, 1850, married Laban Twitchell ; and William A., born Sept. 11,
1855. To Clark and Ann L. Barnes have been born Carl J., June 27, 1877,
and Mary, May 21, 1887, now living, and Ina, Feb. 22, 1879, '^^''"'o died at the
age of three years. Mr. Barnes is one of East Otto's thorough, reliable
farmers. A Republican in politics he served his town as assessor and is now
corhmissioner of highways, having received the largest majority ever given in
town for that office in a contested election.
Oscar F. Beach was born in Massachusetts, Sept. 23, 18 18, and is a son of
Henry Beach, who came to East Otto with his family in 1825 and died here
Feb. 7, 1847. ^^^s. Beach (Maria Nash) died June 14, 1872. Oscar F. Beach
purchased the homestead and made it his life-long home. He married, Oct. 8,
1846, Adaline, daughter of S. B. Hinman. She was born in this county Oct
8,1827. Children: Edson F., Cornelia (Mrs. A. B. Bush), and Addie (Mrs.
L. H. Northrup). A Republican in politics Mr. Beach represented the town
of East Otto on the Board of Supervisors in 1874 and 1875, and in religion
was an examplary member of the Congregational church.
About 1640 four brothers, sons of John Beebe, of Dorset, England, came
to America and settled on Long Island. Silas Beebe, a lineal descendant of
John and the grandfather of Edwin F., was born on Long Lsland in 1763.
James Beebe, his son, was born March 30, 1804. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of James Battell, a soldier of the Revolution who died at the age
of eighty-nine years. Edwin F. Beebe, son of James, was born in New Ha-
ven, Conn., Oct. 30, 1836, his father at that time being an engineer on a steam-
boat running from New York to New Haven. The family residence was in
Newport, Herkimer county, and it was here that Edwin F. grew to man-
hood. In 1858 he came to East Otto and Oct. 10, i860, married Elizabeth,
daughter of Darius Pratt. Sept. 2, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 9th N. Y. Cav.
He was first duty-sergeant and was in the siege of Yorktown, after which he
was taken sick, with fever and sent to the hospital at Baltimore, whence he
was discharged by order of the War Department. In the fall of 1864 he re-
enlisted in the same regiment and was assigned to Co. D, was detailed as
. drill-sergeant at Pleasant Valley remount camp, joined the regiment Dec. 1st,
and was in the raids and battles during the winter of 1864-65. In the spring
he was sent back to remount camp with crippled horses and was there
detailed as provost-sergeant and afterward to assist Quartermaster Bean in
selling horses and other supplies. He was mustered out June i, 1865. In
1876 he was appointed keeper in Auburn prison and held that position three
years and four months. He has been justice of the peace in East Otto four-
teen years. Children: Luella, born June 20, 1861, died Aug. 12, 1874, and
Maggie J., born Oct. 17, 1874, married James Mills in 1888. Mr. Beebe is one
of three brothers who served their country during the Civil war. George H.
Beebe was in the 65th N. Y. Regiment and Silas T. Beebe was captain in the
I52d N. Y. Inf., serving four years.
Levi Bradley was born in Vermont, July 18, 1798, and died Dec. 4, 1877.
After his marriage in 1827 he came to East Otto and settled on a farm, and
for many years was a respected member of the Baptist church. His second
Town of East Otto.
wife was Betsey, daughter of James Morrow, of East Otto, whom he married
Aug. 9, 1853, and who survived him.
Joseph Burchard came from Massachusetts about 1821 and died here two
or three years later. His son, Joseph Burchard, Jr., was born in WilHamstown,
Mass., in. 1797, and emigrated to this town in 1828, where he died in 1867.
His wife, Martha Burchard, was born in Massachusetts in 1793 and died in
1875. To them were born eighteen children, seven of whom lived to matur-
ity: Edwin, Hiram, Mary and Martha (twins), Caroline, Clark, and Adaline;
of these Caroline(Mrs. Surlanty Barnes) and Clark are living. Clark Burch-
ard was born in East Otto, Jan. 8, 1833. On the 8th' of May, 1859, he married
Calista, daughter of Benjamin Milks, an early settler of Otto. Children:
Charles E., born Dec. 29, i860, died May i, 1863; Mara Eleanor, born April 7,
1862, married Abram Gampp; Edith Sophia (Mrs. Edgar Darling), born Dec.
27, 1864; Grace A., born May 7, 1869, (Mrs. Isaac Gampp); Ida Jean, born
May 5, 1874, died Nov. 15, 1886; and Beatrice A. E., born Jan. 14, 1877. Mr.
Burchard owns the farm on which Horace Wells, the first settler in East Otto,
originally located, his buildings standing in the village. He has been elected
to several official positions.
John C. Colvin was born in East Otto, April 11, 1833. He is of New Eng-
land lineage; his grandfather, Ephraim Colvin, was born in Coventry, R. I.,
Dec. 14, 1764, and afterward settled in Wardsboro, Vt., where Samuel Colvin,
the father of John C, was born Feb. 14, 1794. He was also the father of seven
other sons and two daughters. In 1832 Samuel came from Vermont to East
Otto and in 1833 settled in the west part of the town on the same farm on
which he now resides. Here he spent the remainder of his days, rearing a
family of seven sons and five daughters, of whom six sons and one daughter
are yet living. About the same time he came three of his brothers and his
two sisters also settled in town and another brother in an adjoining town.
John C. has always resided on the farm on which he was born. Jan. i, 1867,
he married Sophia, daughter of Ernest Kruse, of Ashford. Children: Emily
(Mrs. Heman Lincoln), Nellie (Mrs. George Zeilman), Anna (Mrs. H. Gampp),
Cyril, Grace, and Elmer (deceased).
Benjamin Dow emigrated from England about 1635, soon thereafter set-
tling in Stonington, Conn., and here Daniel Dow, his lineal descendant, was
born April 22, 1771. His wife, Mrs. Susannah Douglas Dow, was born in
Voluntown (now Sterling), Conn., Nov. 23. 1777. The name of Douglas
comes down from an early period in Scotch history, when the name and de-
gree of' knighthood was conferred upon a cavalier for valor in saving the life
of his k ng. In 1640 Dea. Williarp Douglas came to America and located in
New London, Conn., and for two centuries his descendants have been in pos-
session of lands previously owned by him. Daniel Dow and Susannah Doug-
las were married March 28, 1799, in Voluntown, Conn., and here John Dow
was born Feb. 11, 1809. His parents moved to this State in 1815 and the
youthful days of Mr. Dow were passed in the counties of Dutchess, Columbia,
and Otsego. April 18, 1833, he married Eliza, daughter of Michael Weber,
and the same year came to East Otto and settled on a farm. In 1855 he
buried his wife and Sept. 11, 1855, married Maria A., daughter of John Dud-
ley. By his first marriage he had three sons and four daughters; Daniel M.,
William C, James E. and Gertrude M. are living. By his second wife he
had one daughter. Belle (Mrs. C. H. Fleckenstein), with whom Mr. Dow now
makes his home, his second wife having died Jan. 15, 1886. Mr. Dow was
556 History of Cattaraugus County.
active in military affairs and was successively promoted from sergeant to
major. He has held a number of offices of trust and responsibility and for
many years has been a deacon in the Congregational church.
Samuel C. Everts came to East Otto in 1834 and for seventeen years was
one of the deacons of the Presbyterian church. He was born in Afassachus-
etts, July 5, 1805, and acquired his education at Lenox Academy. In 1851
he moved with his family to Illinois. One of his sons, Louis H., attained the
rank of major in the Rebellion and afterward became a prominent publisher.
Cyrus and Jacob Galloway, brothers, came from New Jersey to this' State
and in 1823 located in Mansfield. Cyrus Galloway came with his wife and
four children, to which were subsequently added four more, making in all
one daughter and seven sons. Ozias P., ne.xt to the youngest of the chil-
dren, was born Oct. 6, 1829, and obtained his education in the district school.
In 1847 he came with his father to East Otto, where he has since resided.
His father died in 1851. On the 17th of March, 1859, he married Mary O.
White, adopted daughter of Jacob White, of Otto. Martin V. B. Galloway,
a younger brother and single gentleman, resides with them. Mr. Galloway
has been assessor twelve years. He is engaged in the poultry business.
Jacob Gampp was born in Boston, Erie county, July 9, 1844. His father,
George Gampp, emigrated from Germany a short time previous to Jacob's
birth, whose schooling was limited to common schools in the English language.
The war of the Rebellion opened just as he came of age for military duty, and
on the 9th of Aug., 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, ii6th N. Y. Vol. Inf., for three
years. The regiment was stationed at Baltimore until about December, and
while there detachments were sent into Pennsylvania to oppose Gen. Stew-
art's cavalry raid. In December they were sent to Ship Island in the Gulf of
Mexico and landed at New Orleans about the 1st of January, 1863. He was
in the battle of Plain Store, May 21, 1S63; in the siege of Port Hudson from
May 27th to July 8th and under fire forty-seven days; in the battles of Co.x's
Plantation, July 13, 1863; at Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864; at Pleasant
Hill, April 9, and Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; and at Fisher's Hill, Sept.
22, and Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864. He was discharged at Washington on
June 26, 1865. After the war he took up his residence in Ashford and in
1873 commenced the manufacture of cheese in company with A. B. Neff. In
1884 they dissolved partnership and with his brothers Mr. Gampp bought four
factories in East Otto, where he has since resided. He has also bought the
interests of his brothers, and now in his four factories receives the milk from
nearly all the cows in the town. In the fall of 1890 he made the largest cheese
on record. It took one day's milk from 3,400 cows, the milk weighing about
40,000 pounds and the cheese 4,500 pounds. The cheese was sold for si.xteen
cents per pound. Mr. Gampp married, Feb. 6, 1867, Almira, daughter of
Joseph Capron, of Ashford. Children : Henry E., Maron F., two daughters.
John Hamele was born at W^endlingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, June 22,
1849. ^'s father, Freidrich, was a farmer; his mother, Katherina, died when
he was but a few months old. John lived on the farm and went to school till
the age of fourteen and was then apprenticed for three years to learn harness
making and upholstering. Completing his apprenticeship he became a jour-
neyman and traveled over a considerable part of Europe. Leaving Wurtem-
burg he passed through Baden, Alsace. Switzerland, Bavaria, and Austria to
Wien, where he remained six months working at his trade. Thence he went
to Hungary, but soon turned back into Styria, where he worked for eighteen
Town of East Otto. ' 557
months. He then passed through the principal towns to Trieste, Carinthia,
and the Tyrol, crossing the Alps to Baden and the Rhine province to Frank-
enthal, through Bavaria and Saxony into Silesia, back to Berlin, through the
smaller German States into Switzerland, to Zurich, to Interlachen, and in
June, 1870, was called on to enter the army. In his journeying about Europe
he visited the int.eiesting and historic cities of Stuttgard, Carlsruhe, Strasburg,
Freiburg, Basle, Bern, Lucerne, Zurich, Stein Aygsberg, Munich, Linz, Wien,
Gratz, Laibach, Trieste, Mannheim, Mayence, Frankfort-on-Main, VVurzburg,
Chemnitz, Dresden, Gorlitz, Leipsic. Magdeburg, Gottingen, Cassel, Coblenz,
Bern-Neufchatel, and many smaller towns. He served in the 22d Uhlans
through the Franco-German war under Prince Freidrich (the Prussians' Unser
Fritz). Upon the expiration of his term of military service he came to
America, locating at Springville, X. Y. In March, 1875, he removed to East
Otto, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness,
etc. Feb. 9, 1875, he married Elizabeth Schingler, who was born in Boston,
N. Y., March 25, 1848. Children; Otto, born June 22, 1876; Utmer, April 16,
1878; Amelia, Dec. 16, 1883 ; and John, July 22, 1885.
Joseph Hammond came into this town about 1823 and settled in the north
part on land now known . as the Fr\- farm. His son Samuel was then only
thirteen years old ; upon attaining his majority he articled from the land
office land about two miles 'south from Cattaraugus creek, which remained in
his possession till his death. He married Mary Folts in 1832 and commenced
clearing up his farm, on which William Hammond was born Nov. 7, 1834, and
here he enjoyed such school privileges as the early settlements afforded.
After attaining the age of twenty-one years he purchased 162 acres of land
adjoining his father's farm, and in Jan., 1857, married Mary E., daughter of
J. J. Scott, of East Otto. They lived on his farm until 1890, when he moved
to East Otto village and since 1892 has kept the only hotel in town. Chil-
dren: a son and daughter, deceased, Sarah E. (Mrs. Elmer D. Williams), and
William S.
Daniel Hawkins was born in 1822 in St. Lawrence county. In 1839 he
came to Collins, Erie county, having for two years previous lived in Canada.
In 1847 he built a saw-mill in the north part of Otto, where he resided until
1861, when he bought mills in Collins and manufactured lumber, shingles, and
cheese bo.xes until 1871, when he moved to East Otto and built the steam
mill in the west part of town known as the swamp mill. In 1876 he built a
stave-mill in New Albion and in 1880 he erected the steam mills in East Otto
village, putting in a grist-mill in addition to the lumbering business. He has
a steam mill in Otto village and also one in the north part of East Otto. Mr.
Hawkins has disposed of all his mill property e.xcept the last three mentioned,
which he still continues to operate, manufacturing in them large quantities
of rough and dressed lumber, shingles, and cheese boxes. In 1877 he mar-
ried Mrs. Orrilla Clark, his present wife; he has by a former wife two daugh-
ters and one son (Franklin). Mrs. Hawkins has one son, Roswell Philbrick,
of East Otto, by her first husband, Hon. Franklin Philbrick. Mr. Hawkins
is recognized as the veteran lumberman of this section of the county.
John Laing was born in Hebron Washington county, Feb. 6, 1812. His
father, Adam Laing, was a captain in the War of 1812 and a farmer by occu-
pation. John enjoyed only common school privileges. In Aug., 1841, he pur-
chased a stock of goods and came to East Otto, where he has since continued,
being probably the oldest merchant in Cattaraugus county doing business in
History of Cattaraugus County.
the same locality. In the fall of 1842 he married Minerva, daughter of Sylvester
Pierce, of East Otto. They have two sons and two daughters ; they buried
one son and one daughter while quite young, and one son, Frank, was fatally
injured in a railroad accident, dying aged thirty-four j^ears. Those living are
Hon. Solon S., of Salamanca; j. W., m company with his father: Mrs. C. B.
Pierce, of Otto; and Mrs. V. A. Ellsworth, of East Otto. Mr. Laing ever since
his residence in East Otto has been one of the leading citizens of the town.
Politically he has acted with the Democratic party, which has at all times
been considerably in the minority, but notwithstanding that fact he has for
eight years been elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Cattarau-
gus county (three years from Otto and five years from East Otto). Hon.
Solon S. Laing was supervisor from East Otto four years.
Stephen Laing was born in Hebron, Washington county, April 5, 1S18.
He followed farming till 1847, when he came to East Otto and soon after
engaged in the mercantile business with his brother John, and for nearly
twenty years the brothers carried on a successful trade. In 1866 he sold his
interest to his brother and since then has been occupied chiefly in attending
to his farming interests. He married, Feb. i, 1849, Arvilla, daughter of
Philip Pratt, who for many years was a prominent dealer in cattle, and who
died in Jan., 1893, at the age of eighty-four years. Children: two daughters,
deceased; Owen S., of East Otto; Fremont C, of Buffalo; Hon. Philip A.,
also of Buffalo; Stephen A.; and Dora (Mrs. Marcellus Pierce). Mr. Laing
has represented his town three terms on the Board of Supervisors and has
been justice of the peace several years. For nearly fifty years the Laings
have been a power in East Otto, politically, socially, and executively.
Owen S. Laing was born in East Otto, Jan. 20, 1850. He has been bucolic
in his pursuits and stuck to the soil. Dec. 10, 1873, he married Alice R.,
daughter of Elisha C. Eddy (see Mansfield), who was born Dec. 8, 185 1.
They have a beautiful home, so situated as to afford a splendid view of the
village and valley. Although quite prominent politically as well as socially
he has seldom held office, because his party — Democratic — is in a minority.
Fayette C. Larabee was born in East Otto, March 13, 1847. His grand-
father, Eleazer Larabee, came from Hamburg, Erie county, about 1823, and
with him came also about the same time five sons and four daughters, four of
the sons — Miner, Thomas, Nathan, and Ira — being married and bringing their
families. Eleazer Larabee was born Aug. 31, 1756, and died Jan. 29, 1837; his
wife, Mary(Grant) Larabee, was born Sept. 15, 1767, and died May 28, 1835.
Sidney L. Larabee, the youngest of the five sons and father of Fayette C, was
born in Oneida county April 2, 1805 ; his wife, Lorinda (Scovel) Larabee, was
born in Orwell, Vt., Feb. 15, 1810; they were married Sept. 16, 1827. Heze-
kiah Scovel, the father of Mrs. Larabee, had settled in town in 1822. ■ In 1840
Sidney Larabee located on the farm where Fayette C. now lives, which has
been in the possession of the family for fifty-three years. Here he residedtill
his death June 6,- 1875. He was the father of six daughters and six sons, of
whom but two sons and one daughter are now living. Fayette C. Larabee
married, Dec. 21, 1869, Abbie T., daughter of Rev. N. F. Langmade, a Baptist
clergyman of this county. They have one son, C. Rossie, born Dec. 22, 1880.
After the death of Mr. Larabee's father his mother was cared for by him till
her death Oct. 12, 1890. In the earlier history of the town the Larabees
composed quite a proportion of the inhabitants; it is said there were at one
time about thirty voters by that name, but at the present time Fayette C. and
Town of East Otto. 559
his family are the only representatives of the name left. His only remaining
brother, Nathan, is a farmer in Otto and his only sister resides in the west.
Heman P. Lincoln was born in Grafton, Vt., Dec. 20, 1866. His father,
George T. Lincoln, was born in the 'same town June 26, 1836; his mother's
maiden name was Clarissa J., daughter of Dudley P. Marsh, -When Heman
M. was but three months old his parents came to East Otto. His father was
a farmer and the son followed the same calling till 1890, when the two en-
gaged in the grocery and provision trade at East Otto village. His father's
health soon after failing he purchased the entire business and continues it.
May 18, 1892, he married Emily L., daughter of John Colvin, of East Otto.
William Z. Lincoln is a son of L. L. Lincoln and was born in East Otto,
May 28, 1838. The father came to this town at an early day and subsequently
moved to Hinsdale. William Z. devoted his life to farming,' but gave some
attention to public affairs, representing his town on the Board of Supervisors
in 1886, 1887, and 1888. He married Louisa A., daughter of Alexander
Scobey, and both were members of the Baptist church.
Charles H. Mason was born Oct. 27, i860, in East Otto. His great-
grandfather, Benjamin Mason, and his grandfather, David Tyler Mason,
came to the town about 1825. Benjamin Mason died in 1866, aged eighty-
four years; David T. Mason died in 1890, aged seventy-eight years. Charles
T. Mason, the father of Charles H., was born in East Otto, April 30, 1840,
and resided here till 1881, when he removed to Franklinville. While living
in East Otto he was for a number of years justice of the peace and was also
justice of sessions. Charles H. Mason's boyhood days and school privileges
were confined to his native town. He married, Sept. 8, 1881, Bertha G. B.,
only daughter of A. A. Irish, of Otto. Nov. 20, 1890, .she died. Mr. Mason
lived three years at Franklinville, moving there in 1883; the rest of his life
has been spent in East Otto, where he followed farming till 1892, when he
bought the hardware store of F. W. Holmes. Dec. 6, 1892, he married Mary
Anwerter of Concord He has one son, Roscoe Dee, by his first wife.
Girvase A. Matteson was born in Russia, Herkimer county, Dec. 28, 1857.
His father, Almirin B. Matteson, camf to East Otto in 1867. In addition to
other school privileges G. A. attended Griffith Institute two years, taking the
first two years a college course in mathematics, intending at that time to fol-
low civil engineering. He commenced teaching school at the age of eighteen
and taught ten terms, and has to some extent been engaged in land survey-
ing. He married Nellie M. Perkins, March 3, 1880; she is a daughter of John
L. Perkins and granddaughter of John Perkins, who was for about fifty years
one of the prominent and wealthy citizens of East Otto. They have two sons.
In 1881 Mr. Matteson engaged in the insurance business. He has been town
clerk four years and is now serving his second term as supervisor, being
elected in 1893 by the unprecedented majority of 112. He is also postmaster
of East Otto, which office he held during Harrison's administration.
Cyrus Orr, the father of George F., came from Cortland county in 1833
and located in the northwest part of East Otto, where he resided until his
death in 1855. He left four sons and two daughters. George F., the oldest,
was born Nov. 13, 1842. His early years were spent on his father's farm
with common school privileges and Sept. 2, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 9th
N. Y. Cav., was mustered in Sept. 9, and remained in remount camp, Pleasant
Valley, Md., and on detached service till Dec, when he joined the regiment
near Winchester and was with it in all the actions and raids in the Shenan-
560 History of Cattaraugus County.
doah valley during the winter of 1864-65. In the Gordonsville raid he re-
ceived injuries by his horse falling on him. He was mustered out June i,
1865. Sept. 19, 1866, he married Mary, daughter of George Rush. They
have one daughter, Isa (Mrs. E. F. Kruse). For about twenty years Mr. Orr
h IS been engaged in wagon and carriage manufacturing in East Otto village,
where he resides. He is drawing a pension for disabilities received in the
army. John W. Orr, a brother of George F., was a member of Co. C, 64th
N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Antietam on Sept. 18, 1862.
Everett H. Perkins was born in East Otto, Dec. 6, 1862. His grandfather,
John Perkins, was born in Vermont, July 15, 1810, and came to this town in
1833, where for many years he was prominent in all matters relating to its
business, social, and moral interests. He was an earnest member of the M. E.
church and gave largely of his means to sustain its educational and benevolent
interests. He died Oct. 15, 1891. John L. Perkins, the father of Everett H.,
was the only one of six children who lived to attain their majority ; he was
born Sept. 23, 1836. He was supervisor two terms (1865-66) and justice of
the peace a number of years. His death occurred Nov. 5, 1868. He left a
widow and four children, only two of whom are now living : Everett "H. and
his sister, Mrs. G. A. Matteson. The mother died Nov. 20, 1885. Everett'
H. Perkins married, Nov. 20, 1884, Mary, daughter of John Zeilman, of .Ash-
ford. They have two daughters. Mr. Perkins owns the homestead farm'.
Roswell P. Philbrick was born in Persia, Aug. 15, 1864. His father, Hon.
Franklin Philbrick, was a prominent citizen of that town, in which he occu-
pied responsible official positions. In 1861 he represented the Second Assem-
bly District of Cattaraugus county in the State Legislature, making an hon-
orable record both for his district and himself; he was supervisor of Dayton
in 1854 and 1856. In 1865 he removed to Erie county, where he died when
Roswell P. was fourteen months old. The mother of Roswell P. (now Mrs.
Daniel Hawkins) ga\-e him, in addition to the school privileges of Angola
village, several terms of school in Buffalo and a three months' course in Bry-
ant & Stratton's Business College. Sept. 14, 1885, he married Alice E.,
daughter of T. M. Dewey, one of the old residents of East Otto, he having
previously come to this town, took up his residence in the village, and in 18S8
engaged in tlie furniture and undertaking business. Jan. 10, 1893, his wife
died. He is serving his fifth consecutive term as town clerk of East Otto.
Edward Ranke was born in East Otto, Oct. 23, 1864. In 1853 his father,
John Ranke, emigrated from Germany ; he was a native of Mechlenberg,
Schwerein, and was born May 12, 1827. About one year after his arrival in
America he came to East Otto, where he finally purchased a large farm in
the southeast corner of the town. He married, in 1853, Dora, daughter of
Henry Wolf, of this town ; they have three sons and three daughters, all
married but one daughter. Edward Ranke was educated both in German and
English schools, and married, Oct. 22, 1888, Augusta, daughter of John Lang-
haus, of Ellicottville. They have a son and an infant daughter. Mr. Ranke
has purchased the homestead, on which he keeps a large dairy.
Hon. Elijah A. Rice was one of the foremost pioneers of Cattaraugus
county. Such a mighty influence did he e.xert on subsequent generations
that his name shines with peculiar luster on the pages of history. No citizen
ever gave his community a healthier energy, a wider influence, a purer pa-
triotism. A man of good address he was an interesting speaker, a brilliant
conversationalist, an active temperance advocate, and a sterling exponent of
Town of East Otto. 561
thorough education. His Httle locaUty furnished to the world more eminent
men than any similar area of terra firina in the county, and it was due to his
own high principles and moral worth that so much was accomplished. Law-
yers, governors, physicians, soldiers, and statesmen went forth into the world
from his community as shining lights of his great energy and unparalleled
influence. Mr. Rice, although a farmer by occupation, devoted much of his
life to land surveying, and so great was his skill in this profession that his
word was considered as paramount authority. He was the ultimate arbitrator
for many years hi numerous cases involving boundaries and land controversies,
and his decisions were never questioned. As a surveyor he was employed by
the Holland Land Company and its successors and by Nicholas Devereux.
Mr. Rice was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., Sept. 20, 1705- Orphaned at an
early age he removed to Washington county, N. Y., and lived with a relative
until 1809. He then started in life alone. By economy and perseverance he
gained a good classical education and mastered land surveying. He volun-
teered in the War of 1812 and participated in the battle of Plattsburgh, and in
i8i8 he moved to Herkimer county. In 1819 he removed to Otsego county,
where he surveyed and laid out the now celebrated village of Richfield
Springs. In 1823 he came to Cattaraugus county on a visit, which he repeated
in 1824 and 1825, each time on foot, and in the latter year located a farm in
East Otto and erected a log house. In the spring of 1826 he brought his
family hither and continued his residence in this county until his removal to
Wisconsin in 1854. He subsequently moved to Minnesota. Mr. Rice was
school commissioner of Cattaraugus county seven years and represented his
district in the State Legislature in 1842 and again in 1846. His four sons
were lawyers and attained positions of prominence and responsibility. His
only daughter married Rev. William E. Pindar of the M. E. church.
Pearl P. Safford was born in Windham county. Conn., Aug. 25, 1837.
His father, Halsey Safford, came to East Otto in 1839 '^"'^ located on the
farm where Pearl P. now resides, and which has always remained in the family.
Halsey Safford was the first person to start a cheese factory in East Otto ;
he erected the large factory at the village about 1867 now belonging to Jacob
Gampp, and manufactured cheese several years, but subsequently sold the
factory and moved back to his farm. He was supervisor (in 1868) and com-
missioner of highways. His death occurred in 1885 ; his wife died in 1890,
aged seventy-three years. Children: Pearl P. and John. Pearl P. has since
his majority continued to live on the homestead farm. He married, Feb. 16,
1859, Eliza C, daughter of Jedediah Armstrong. Children : a daughter who
died in infancy; Addison H., who resides on the homestead; Charles E., a
carpenter in East Otto village; and Harry M.
Wilber L. Scott's ancestry dates back to Connecticut, whence his great-
grandfather, Justus Scott, emigrated to Wallingford, Vt., where he was one
of the first settlers, and where, in 1799, Justus Scott, the grandfather of W. L.,
was born. In 1816 Justus Scott came to Springville, Erie county, where
Justus J. Scott was born May 14, 1818, being the first child born there. About
1830 he came with his father to East Otto, where he became a prosperous
farmer and was for a number of years a magistrate of the town. He died
suddenly in Cattaraugus village in 1865. His widow, who is still living, was
Catharine, daughter of Dr. Levi BuUis, an early physician in East Otto. Chil-
dren : Mary E. (Mrs. William Hammond), born in 1838; Marshall E., born
May 10, 1842, who served three years in the 9th N. Y. Cav.; and Wilber L.,
71
562 History of Cattaraugus County.
born Dec. 21,1 848. Besides the privileges of the district school W. L. attended
several terms at Griffith Institute at Springville, and Feb. 25, 1874, he mar-
ried Eliza, daughter of John Hawkins. Mr. Scott was a plumber and tinner
fifteen years, living part of the time in Salamanca and six years in Cattarau-
gus village, and about two years ago he bought the homestead on which he
was born. Children: Elbert J., born Feb. 16, 1876; Adams H., born June 6,
1877; and Frank W., born March 3, 1880.
Ladore V. and StiUman R. Sikes are sons of Hiram Sikes, who came from
Washington, Mass., to East Otto in 1831. The lineage of the family is
traced back to Richard Sikes, who was born in London, England, about the
year 1600, and who came to America not far from 1640; from him descended
in the following order Jonathan Sikes, Jonathan Sikes, Jr., Posthumas Sikes,
Stephen Sikes, and Shadrach Sikes, the father of Hiram. Hiram Sikes was
born Feb. 12, 181 1, in Massachusetts, settled in East Otto in 1831, married
Lodema Scovel on March 3, 1836, and resided here till his death Sept. 6,
1886. He had five sons and one daughter; but three of them are living, viz. :
Ladore V., born July 8, 1849; Stillman R., born July 8, 1851 ; and Elton,
born March 28, 1854. Ladore V. Sikes married, Jan. 7, 1875, Emily Ed-
munds, who died June 3, 1876; on the 2d day of April, 1878, he married
Rhoda J. Torrance, his present wife. By his first marriage he has one son,
Ceylon; by his second wife he has two sons, John and Lester, and one daugh-
ter, Lodema. He resides about three miles southeast of East Otto village,
where he has a saw-mill. Stillman R. Sikes married Frances A., daughter of
T. Frank Brown, March 3, 1875. They have one son. Ferry, and one daugh-
ter. Mr. Sikes resides in East Otto village.
Nathan J. Slocum was born in Herkimer county April 13, 1834. In 1843
his father, John Slocum, came to East Otto and in 1844 settled on a farm in
the northwest part of the town, which has remained in possession of the fam-
ily to the present time. He had seven daughters and six sons, of whom six
daughters and five sons are living. Mr. Slocum died Sept. 16, 1877; his
wife survives him. In Aug., 1861, Nathan J. Slocum enlisted in Co. C, 64th
N. Y. Vol. Inf., for three years, and on the 23d of Sept. was mustered in at
Elmira. He was at the siege of Yorktown, was taken sick on the march from
Williamsburg towards Richmond, and did not participate in the battle of Fair
Oaks; was in the Seven Days' Fight, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, and
Antietam, previous to which he had been detailed to General Richardson's
headquarters as cook. General Richardson being killed at Antietam he
again joined the regiment and was in the battles. of Fredericksburg, Chancel-
lorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and to Petersburg, where he was dis-
charged Sept. 23, 1864. After the battle of Fair Oaks, while on picket duty,
his left cheek was grazed by a bullet from a rebel sharpshooter. He married,
Sept. 28, 1865, Emma E., daughter of James Wickham, of East Otto; chil-
dren: Nellie R. (Mrs. Albert Pratt), of Dunkirk, and William J., who mar-
ried Helen M., daughter of John Harrison.
Alexander Tefft, son of Oliver and Deborah (Dewey) Tefft, was born, in
Rhode Island, July 19, 1784, and came to East Otto in 1828, dying here in
1868. He was a farmer and as well a Freewill Baptist preacher; his wife was
Deborah, daughter of Nathaniel and Deborah (Niles) Niles, and their children
were Nathaniel Niles, Alexander, Samuel, Deborah A., Dewey, Polly, Oliver
D., and Olive. The latter married Solomon Steele and has been a preacher in
the Free Methodist church for several years, ministering to congregations of
Town of East Otto. 563
that denomination in a number of towns in Cattaraugus county. Dewey
Tefft was a Free Methodist minister for twenty years and died in this town
January 8, 1892. Nathaniel Niles Tefft was born Aug. 12, 1814, and acquired
considerable fame as a surveyor. Reserved East Otto as supervisor in 1867
and 1872. Alexander Tefft held several of^ces of trust, and besides was a
writer of no mean ability ; his productions comprised both poetry and prose.
Harvey Tuthill traces his lineage back several generations. His great-
grandfather, John Tuthill, was born on Long Island, Sept. 8, 1742 ; his grand-
father, Samuel Tuthill, was born May 17, 1768 ; and his father, Samuel Tuthill,
Jr., was born in Windham county, Vt., May 29, 1797. He married, Oct. 17,
1822, Sarah Guernsey, a descendant of the ancient titled Guernsey families of
England. Previous to his marriage Mr. Tuthill had been to East Otto,
selected a farm, and cleared a small piece of land ; after his marriage he, with
his wife, started for their wilderness home, where they arrived Jan. 23, 1823.
About two years later he located on the farm now owned by Harvey Tuthill,
where he resided till his death. Mr. Tuthill was for many years a prominent
citizen of the town, holding several offices of trust and responsibility. He
and his wife were constituent members of the Baptist church, of which he was
chosen one of its first deacons in 1825. He left a family of two sons and two
daughters. Col. Henry G. Tuthill raised a company in Nunda in 1861,
joined the 104th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was a brave and efficient ofificer through
the war. He was wounded at Antietam, and at Gettysburg was shot thro: gh
the groin and still carries the ball in his body. He is an architect in Corning.
Miss Anna Tuthill is a graduate of the Art Department of Cooper Union,
New York city. She taught that branch of education four years in Freehold
University, New Jersey, was engaged in the same department three \-ears in
Deland University in Deland, Fla., and js now teaching in McFerrin College
in Martin, Tenn. She was in Charleston, S. C, when F"ort Sumter was bom-
barded. Harvey Tuthill was born in East Otto, Oct. 27, 1835, on the farm on
which he now lives, and where he has always made his home. He obtained
his education in the district school and Sept. 4, 1881, married Jennie E. Petty,
of Ikirlington, Vt., daughter of Rev. McKendree Petty, A.M., a clergyman of
the M. E. church and professor of mathematics and natural history in Vermont
University. Mr. Tuthill is a leading member of the Baptist church, having
been deacon nineteen years, and has been sixteen years justice of the peace.
Rodney C. Utley was born in Pawlet, Vt., July 22, 1823. He is the young-
est son of Capt. Leonard Utley, who came to East Otto in 1835 with his
family of four sons and three daughters and settled on a farm in the north
part of the town, afterward owned by his son, Leonard S. Utley. He died
in 1862. There are now living of the family the three daughters and Rodney
C. The latter married. April 23, 1848, Malvina, daughter of James L. Brown,
who died March 14, 1867. He married, second. Electa A., daughter of Philo
Brooks, of Otto, Feb. 3, 1871. By his first marriage he had two daughters and
one son ; by his second wife he has three sons and one daughter.
Nicholas VVhitmeyer was born in France, July 4, 1844, and in 1856, in com-
pany with an older brother and two sisters, he came to America and settled
in Boston, Erie county. In 1859 he came to Otto, where he worked till the
summer of 1861, and on the i6th of Aug. enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vol.
Inf., for three years. He was in, the battle of Fair Oaks and in the Seven
Days' Fight, where he was prostrated by sun-stroke and sent to the hospital.
After partially recovering he was detailed to guard duty and stationed on
564 History of Cattaraugus County.
Governor Wise's farm. He joined his regiment in June, 1863, was in the bat-
tles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, where on May 12, 1864,
he received a bayonet wound in his arm and while in the hospital was taken
prisoner the next morning by the Black Horse Cavalry, but escaped during
the night of the 13th and lay in hiding all the 14th, partly in the water of the
North Anna river. He crossed the river just before night, but was discov-
ered and shot at a number of times, escaped, and reached the Union lines
about two o'clock next morning. He was again sent to the hospital and
rejoined his regiment at Cold Harbor, was in the siege of Petersburg, and was
present at the surrender of General Lee, having re-enlisted in the winter of
1863-64. He was mustered out at Elmira in July, 1865. In July, 1866, he
married Catharine, daughter of John Kern, of Eden, Erie county; they lived
in Erie county ten years and in the town of Otto thirteen years, and since 1888
have resided in East Otto village, where he carries on a meat market. They
have three daughters and three sons living and a son and a daughter deceased.
Lyman Williams came from Vermont to East Otto about 1830, at which
time his son, Solomon Williams, the father of Dr. Elmer D., was about two
years old. He afterward located permanently in Mansfield, where he was for
many years a prominent citizen and substantial farmer, and where he resided
till his death. Solomon Williams passed nearly all of his.active life in Mans-
field and died in 1887. His son. Dr. Elmer D. Williams, is the oldest of one
brother and two sisters. See Medical chapter, page 124.
CHAPTER XXV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ELKO.
ELKO is the youngest town in Cattaraugus county. It was formed from
the eastern portion of South Valley on November 26, 1890, and com-
prises nearly all of township one of range eight of the Holland sur-
vey. It is bounded on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by South
Valley, on the north by Cold Spring, and on the east by Red House, and
contains an area of 14,393 acres. The surface is similar to all this part of
Cattaraugus county — broken into high hills and deep valleys with the best
portion within the lines of the reservation, which takes off a large tract in the
north and west-central parts, through which runs the Allegheny river. The
whole was originally densely covered with a fine growth of pine and hemlock,
but all of the former and most of the latter have been cut off and converted
into lumber, transforming the valleys into excellent farming land, which is
generally well cultivated and yields abundantly all kinds of agricultural pro-
ducts. Lumbering until recently formed the chief occupation of the people.
Even now it is carried on to a considerable extent, as some valuable timber
still remains on the hills. Until the Western New York & Pennsylvania rail-
road was constructed the main outlet for shipping was the Allegheny river.
Town of Elko. 565
The name Elko was suggested by F. M. Blackwell, an agent of the Amasa
Stone estate. He was a shrewd man and respected for many excellent quali-
ties. He asserted that only one town of the name (in Montana) existed in
the United States. His assertion proved correct and the name was adopted.
The Allegheny river enters the town near the center of its north liiie, and
flowing southerly and southwesterly passes into South Valley about the center
of the western edge of Elko. It passes through the middle of the Indian
reservation, and receives as tributaries on the east Pine creek, Tunesassa or
Quaker run, and Wolf run. On the west Hotchkiss run, so named from the
Hotchkiss family, has almost its entire course in this town, emptying into the
Allegheny, however, a few rods below where the river enters South Valley.
All of these streams formerly afforded good water-power, which was exten-
sively employed in operating saw-mills, but these privileges have been aban-
doned and steam substituted. They also once furnished excellent sport for
the fisherman and the hunter. Small game of both kinds still abound in lim-
ited quantities, a few of the common varieties of fish and fo.xes, partridges,
and rabbits being quite plentiful.
Quaker run is so called from the fact that members of the Philadelphia
Society of Quakers were the first settlers upon its banks, locating near its
confluence with the Allegheny in 1798. Along this stream lies the most
available farming land in the town. The Indian name is Tunesassa or Tune-
sassah. Wolf run, in the southern part of the town, derives its name from a
traditionary incident of early days. A party of surveyors in the employ of
the Holland Land Company was one day performing some work in this valley
when their dogs ran a wolf into a hollow log. The log was chopped open
and the mother and four or five cubs taken out. The stream and valley ever
afterward went by the name of Wolf run.
In 1798 the Quaker missionaries found the Indian village of Genesinguhta
on the Allegheny in Elko at what is now "Old Town." It was doubtless
here, too, that the Indians for many years followed the "practice of collecting
around a log about thirty feet long, worked into a resemblance of the human
form, to which they performed a kind of worship. The son of Cornplanter
subsequently persuaded them to throw it into the river."
The first settlers in Elko, and the first also in Cattaraugus county, were
three Quakers who established an Indian mission on the banks of the Alle-
gheny, on the reservation, in May, 1798. This settlement was made at Old
Town. These pioneers were Joel Swayne, Halliday Jackson, and Henry
Simmons. In 1803 they removed to a lot of 692 acres on the east side of the
Allegheny, two miles above their first location, which they had purchased of
the Holland Land Company for the purpose of more permanently estab-
lishing their mission. Their sole purpose in coming to this wild country was
to labor for the amelioration of the spiritual and temporal condition of the
Indians. Their efforts proved fairly successful and upon the purchase of the
566 History of Cattaraugus County.
Friends' tract, as above mentioned, the permanency of their settlement be-
came assured. Their land has been reduced by subsequent sales to about 464
acres, which has become widely known as the Quaker Mission Farm. Here
the Quakers, in 1804, built a saw-mill and grist-mill, which were set in motion
in the spring of 1805. An orchard of the Pennock variety was set out and
other improvements were made.
When the Quakers sought to make their first settlement in this town they
of course chose a desirable location on the most thickly settled portion of the
reservation — at Old Town — and their only purpose was to give the natives
practical instruction in agriculture and the arts of civilized life. The Indians,
however, could not understand this broad charity and believed that some day,
if the Friends were permitted to go on as they had begun, they would lay
claim to the Indian lands. Jealous of their interests, which had but recently
been bestowed upon them, the Indians were loth to accept the friendly offices
of the missionaries and refused to give them that support and co-operation
which was necessary to insure the success of the Christianizing project. The
Friends therefore determined to secure lands outside of the reservation on
which to carry out their plans. The previously "mentioned tract was accordingly
bought, which up to 1818 was the only land in town that did not belong to the
Holland Land Company, and for years afterward was the only improved farm
in the southwest part of the county. An extended sketch of the Friends"
settlement, their mission, and their present institution appears in Chapter V.
Elzi Flagg was the first settler on Quaker run above the Quaker settlement.
In 1831 he pitched a camp on Wolf run and engaged in shingle making.
Charles Smith was also there in business. In 1835 Flagg removed to 626
acres on Quaker run, on which he erected suitable frame buildings the follow-
ing year. He finally owned by subsequent purchases 3,000 acres of land in
this locality, which he sold off in small pieces to later comers. Mr. Flagg
resided here until his death on August 16, 1884. He built several saw-mills
and manufactured large quantities of lumber. Several representatives of the
Flagg family now reside in the town.
Norman Brown located on lot 10 in 1845, selling, however, a few years later
to Corydon Holmes. In i849Zabin Wright settled also on this lot. Leonard
Barton, whose descendants are today among the town's leading citizens, came
from Chautauqua county in 1838 and settled first on lot 4 and later on lot 2,
where he reared eight children. He was an extensive lumberman and an in-
fluential man. He built the first steam saw-mill on Wolf run about 1859.
Jesse Hotchkiss \vas a very early settler on the stream to which his name
has since been applied, on the west side of the river. Several descendants
still reside in the vicinity. A Mr. Bovee was a tavern keeper at Kent's Cor-
ners before 1830. In 1832 William Earl became the landlord there. The
place probably took its name from B. Kent, a later hotel keeper.
At Wolf Run Miss Amanda Caswell was doubtless the first teacher and the
Town of Elko. ■ 567
first school was kept for two or three years in an old blacksmith shop built by
Gideon Marsh. Nellie Saunders and Mattie Flagg were also early instructors.
The first school on Quaker run was taught in a log school house on lot 10. A
frame structure was subse:quently erected and burned and the present build-
ing erected on its site. In 1892 the population of Elko was 492. The town
has three school districts in which schools are taught by three teachers aid
attended by seventy-eight scholars, at an expense of $774.93. The property
taxable for school purposes is assessed at $107,186 and the school buildings
and sites are valued at $1,525. The Indians have a school house at Old Town
and another at Quaker Bridge, in both of which instruction is imparted by
white teachers.
The first town meeting was held February 24,1891, and these officers were
elected: Supervisor, Austin J. Morrison; town clerk, D. A. Sullivan; justices
of the peace, David Flagg, Jr., H. A. Carnahan, Peter Burning, Harry John-
son ; assessors, T. A. Hall, F. M. Barton, Asa Flagg; commissioner of high-
ways, J.W.Campbell ; overseer of the poor, George Brown; collector, Deloss
Carnahan; inspectors of election, J. W. Potter, M. D. Holt ; constables, J. A.
Flagg, Deloss Carnahan, Henry P'rench, R. W. Potter; game constable, M. D.
Holt; excise commissioners, Zabin Wright, Myron Carnahan, E. A. Barton.
Since the town's organization its principal officers have been as follows :
Supervisor, Austin J. Morrison, 1891-93. Town clerks, D. A. Sullivan, 1891 ;
Wayne Temple, 1892-93. Justices of the peace. 1891, David Flagg, Jr., H. A.
Carnahan, P. Durning, H. Johnson ; 1892, H. Johnson; 1893, H. A. Carnahan.
In early days water was generally used as a motive power, but what few mills
remain, the last existing evidences of a once important industry, are operated by
steam. The first saw-mills erected in this vicinity were built and operated
through the enterprise of the Quakers. In Elko they placed a saw-mill in
operation on Quaker run in 1805. This was primarily intended for the Ind-
ians, but it did work for the whites on the same terms as other mills. A small
tannery was operated here soon after the mills were built, but was discon-
tinued before 1830. Elzi Flagg put up a saw-mill on lot 10, on Quaker run,
in 1838 and in 1845 another mill below the same dam, both of which he operated
several years. Leonard Barton was an early millowner on this stream, erect-
ing a saw-mill in 1841, and in 1870 another lumberman built a steam mill a
short distance above. Elzi Flagg, in 1857, put up a steam mill on lot 4, on
which he later owned several shingle-mills. Robert Kane built a steam saw-
mill in this locality in 1873, and on lots 11 and 25 Charles Fuller and Abbott
& Co. had steam mills after 1858, which were afterward removed. Other mill-
owners on Quaker run have been A. S. Prather and M. D. Holt. On Wolf
run Uriah Wellman and Gideon Marsh built a saw-mill about 1845 ^"d still
later a shingle-mill near by. Bemis & Ostrander afterward had a steam mill
on this site. Other mills on this stream were owned and operated by L. Bar-
ton, O. P. Nichols,, Gideon Caskey, Lewis Bishop, Charles Fuller & Son,
568 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
Walter L. Curtis, William Crater, Deloss Carnahan, and George Carnahan.
Michael Quinn now operates a large steam mill at the mouth of Pine creek ;
A. S. Prather, M. D. Holt, and Robert Kane have saw-mills on Quaker run;
J. M. Bemis & Co. conduct a large steam saw-mill near the mouth of Wolf
run; and Michael Quinn has a small mill near Hotchkiss run.
In 1805 the Quakers built and put in operation a grist-mill near their
present school, and this was used extensively by early settlers for miles around.
Like the saw-mill it was erected for the Indians, but also grouna corn and feed
for the whites.
The highways in Elko are kept in fair condition. The first one was that
put through on the reservation, on the west side of the Allegheny, by the
State, which for many years made additional appropriations to keep it in re-
pair. Other roads have been laid out as the settlement demanded them.
The Friends early constructed and until 1867 kept in repair a ferry near
the present bridge. It was given to the Indians to work for the tolls arising
therefrom. At that date a frame bridge was erected by a tax of forty cents
an acre on the lands lying east of the ri\'er and an appropriation by the
State of §1,000. Leonard Barton was appointed commissioner to build the
bridge. In 1874 the approaches were damaged by a flood and the State
made an additional appropriation of $1,500 to repair them. Since then the
structure has received repairs each year; in 1892 about §1,000 was laid out
for this purpose, leaving it now in excellent condition. It is nearly 600 feet
long and substantially anchored on a number of stone piers.
Until about i860 the only method of communication with the outside
world was by means of water or stage. At that time and until 1882 the near-
est railroad station was Steamburgh. In 1882 the Western New York &
Pennsylvania railroad was constructed along the east bank of the Allegheny
river on the reservation, giving the town two stations, Quaker Bridge and
Wolf Run, the postoffice designations being respectively Tunesassa and Elko.
The first religious services in the town were conducted by the Quakers,
but no regular church for their worship has ever been built. Their simple
methods of religion have been almost continuously observed, however, from
their early settlement to the present day. The pioneer missionary of the
Presbyterian faith was Rev. William Hall, who for many years did excellent
service in the cause of Christianity and civilization among the Indians. A
mission was established on the reservation at Old Town and a good house of
worship erected, but in recent years this has been allowed to go down. In
other portions of the town religious services have been held occasionally in
school houses or private dwellings, principally by Methodist preachers. In
Quaker run a society of the United Brethren in Christ was organized some
years since by Rev. David Abbey, of Conewango. The membership has
always been small. Rev. Mr. Abbey presided over the society about two
years, when Rev. J. W. Andrews took charge. Succeeding him was Rev.
Town of Elko. 569
Thomas Butterfield. The society was without a pastor for some time, and
finally Rev. W. J. Markham, the present incumbent, was installed. Services
are held every two weeks in the school house. Preaching by ministers of
other denominations is occasionally had in this locality. A Sunday school is
held during most of the year.
The first religious exercises in Wolf run were held by the Methodists, the
first class being organized in 1888 by Rev. W. M. Branson. A quarterly
meeting was held in 1884 by Rev. Mr. Borland, of Randolph. Mr. Branson
died in January, 1890. The next revival was started in the spring of 1892 by
William Backus, oi Cold Spring, who organized a Wesleyan Methodist society.
The early settlers of Elko first buried their dead on their own land or in
cemeteries of neighboring and older towns. The Friends established a burial
ground near their present institution that was generally used for many years.
A few removals were made and it was finally levelled off and converted into
the present play-ground. A new plat was set off and opened near by in 1889,
on the Quaker farm. This is neatly fenced and well cared for. Leonard Bar-
ton had a private burial ground on his farm that was used by the family and
neighbors until about 1878. The Indians have a cemetery at Old Town which
is still used. It is said to be the oldest burial place in the county.
Quaker Bridge (Tunesassa postoffice) is a small but brisk business hamlet
and station in the north part of the town, on the Indian reservation, on the
Allegheny river, and on the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad. It
is an important shipping point for lumber. The place contains a postoffice ,
express and telegraph offices, two lumber yards, a general store, shops, etc.,
and about twenty dwellings. The postoffice was established in January, 1883,
with William Dillon, postmaster, whose successors were James A. Flagg, Mrs.
Sarah Holt, and the present one, Victor F. Oburg, who is also station agent.
Wolf Run (Elko postoffice) is a station on the Western New York & Penn-
sylvania railroad at the confluence of the stream known as Wolf run with the
Allegheny. The postoffice was established June i, 1887, with the present
postmaster, Alfred A. Chandler, in charge. The village has one store, a black-
smith shop, a steam saw-mill, a telegrapli office, and a dozen dwellings.
Leonard Barton came to Elko in 1838 and settled on lot 2, where he died
July 13, 1891. His wife, Eveline Fargo, of Gerry, Chautauqua county, is still
living; their children were James S., of Quaker Bridge; Elizabeth D. (Mrs.
Gideon Caskey), of Frewsburg, Chautauqua county; Frank M.; Charles M.,
of Randolph; Edgar A., of Elko; Ella V. (Mrs. Charles Morrison), of Elko;
Clarinda and Celestia (deceased); La Fayette L., of Tennessee; and Loretta
E. (Mrs. Frank Hill), of Bradford, Pa. Frank M. Barton has served as high-
way cornmissioner, school trustee, and assessor, as well as in other capacities
of responsibility. He married Emily M., daughter of George A. Williams, of
Cold Spring. They have an adopted son, Leo D. The Barton family were
early and have always been prominent, public spirited residents of Elko.
The father of Leonard Barton, James, was an early settler, as were also his
sons Chester, Smith, Asher, Joseph, Merrills, Sylvester, and Walter.
72
History of Cattaraugus County.
Manley D. Holt came to Elko from Warren county, Fa., about 1873. He
has always been engaged in the lumber business. Since residing in this town
he has manufactured and shipped large quantities, owning both saw and
shingle-mills of good capacity. Although never seeking office, in fact always
declining it, he has been elected to several local positions of importance,
which he filled with credit. He resides at Quaker Bridge.
Ephraim Morrison was one of the first settlers in South Valley where the
village of Onoville now stands. He was the first innkeeper there and for
some time was a justice of the peace. In politic he was a Whig. He died
in Iowa. His children were Hiram, Benjamin, William (deceased), Harriet
(Mrs. John Brown, deceased), Rosina (Mrs. Elijah Bradley), Ophelia (Mrs.
Asa Wright), John, Reuben, and Lafayette. Benjamin and the last two men-
tioned reside in Elko. Benjamin Morrison married a daughter of Zabin
Wright, a long-time resident of Quaker run, in which locality Mr. Morrison
has lived since 1872.
CHAPTER XXVI.
history of the town of ellicottville.
ELLICOTTVILLE, whose southwest corner lies near the geographical
center of the county, was formed from Ischua by an act of the Legis-
lature on April 13, 1820. Ashford was formed from its territory in
1824 and a small part of East Otto was taken off in 1858. The town em-
braces all of township four and a part of township five of the sixth range of
the Holland Land Company's survey and contains an area of 28,459 acres.
The surface consists of hilly upland, broken by the deep and narrow ravines
of the streams, the largest of which is Great Valley creek, which enters the
town from Ashford about a mile west from the northeast corner of Ellicott-
ville and flows in a southerly direction to Ashford Junction, thence in a south-
westerly course to the village of Ellicottville, where it turns at nearly a right
angle to the southeast and flows into Great Valley. This stream and its
tributaries, the largest of which is Beaver Meadow creek in the northern part,
drains nearly all of the township. The soil in the valleys is a gravelly loam
and is very fertile. On the hills the loam is mixed with clay and produces
good crops of hay and pasturage.
The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad has a station at Ashford Junc-
tion and another at the village of Ellicottville. The Rochester branch and
the Buffalo branch unite at the first named station, which affords the people
of the town adequate facilities for travel and for reaching the markets in Buf-
falo and Rochester.
Those who first took contracts for land in Ellicottville were Rickertson
Town of Ellicottville.
Burlingame, Grove Hurlburt, Orrin Pitcher, Archelaus Brown, and Orrin
Brown. The honor of making the first settlement in town is about equally
divided between Grove Hurlburt and Orrin Pitcher.. Grove Hurlburt built
the first house in the town, of logs, in the fall of 1815, and Mr. Pitcher occu-
pied it with his family until March, 1816. In the meantime he erected a sim-
ilar structure for himself on the site occupied by the Whitney House. He
remained in Ellicottville until 1843, when he removed with his family, except
the venerable David Pitcher, who remained and is still a citizen of the town.
In the fall of 181.6 Grove Hurlburt built the first-framed barn and the same
year planted the first orchard. In 18 16 and 1817 there was quite an addition
to the settlement.
The organization of the county and the designation of Ellicottville as the
county seat occurred March 28, 1817. On the first Tuesday in July, 1817,
the first Court of Common Ple'as and General Sessions convened at the house
of William Baker in Olean. The courts for the county in November and
February following were held at the same place. Afterward they were held
at the dwelling of Baker Leonard in Ellicottville until the county buildings
were completed in 1820, and justice was dispensed there until 1868, when
Little Valley became the county seat. The removal of the courts from Olean
to Ellicottville so chagrined the people of the village of " Natural Advantages "
that several of them, to vent their spleen, brought tents and provisions with
them and resorted to the impotent means of revenge by camping out, deter-
mined that Ellicottville should be none the richer for their presence. The
cool nights and inconvenience of " tenting " eventually cooled their anger.
The first jail limits were surveyed and mapped by R. Burlingame in June,
1820, and contained only ninety-six acres. The next year the limits were
increased to 438 acres and in 1824 enlarged to 500.
In 1817 Baker Leonard came to Ellicottville from Batavia and erected for
the Holland Land Company for a tavern the building now the fine residence
of Mrs. J. King Skinner. The structure cost so much when completed that
the company refused to accept it. Mr. Leonard moved into it and opened it
as a public house. He also used a portion of it for a store, the first one
opened in the village. Mr. Leonard died on the 17th of April, 1821. Later
his clerk, Henry Saxton, married his widow. The Holland Land Company,
by their agent, David Goodwin, opened an ofifice here in 1818.
The Ellicottville postoffice was established in 1822 with John A. Bryan as
the first postmaster. The mail at first was carried on horseback from Elli-
cottville to Centerville. Soon afterward a mail route was established from
Buffalo to Olean and " Uncle" Peter Sampson first carried the mail on horse-
back, then by stage, and also conducted a private express business.
The Cattaraugus County Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated
March 17, 1837, and was organized by the election of officers on June ist fol-
lowing: Benjamin Chamberlain, president; Bethuel' McCoy, vice-president;
572 History of Cattaraugus County.
Adam Charlton, secretary; Israel Day, general agent. The company contin-
ued in business until 1857.
Eleazar Harmon, Esq., conducted a private banking business about three
years from 1853. January i, 1858, J. KingSkinner opened a bank of discount
which he conducted until 1878. In 1863 an application was made to the State
Legislature for a charter for a bank to be known as the Cattaraugus County
Bank of Ellicottville, the capital stock to be $200,000 ; again in 1875 a petition
was made for a similar banking institution with a capital of $55,000, but
charters were refused in both instances.
The first school was taught in the house of Orrin Pitcher in the summer
of 1818 by Eunice Carpenter. The people residing on Bryant hill led the
town by building the first school house in 1820. Rev. John Spencer, sent out
by the Congregational Missionary Society, preached the first sermon in the
town at the house of Orrin Pitcher in 1818. Dr. James Trowbridge, who
came into the town in 1816, was the first physician. Orrin Pitcher built the
first saw-mill in 1821 and Ozro Thomas and Deacon Gardner erected the first
grist-mill in 1832. The same year Artemas Blair built the first tannery in
town. The Baptist church on Bryant hill was organized August 21, 1824, be-
ing the first church organized in town. The first white male child born in Elli-
cottville was Orlando, son of Orrin Pitcher, his birth occurring in June, 1816;
the first white female child was Miranda, daughter of Grove Hurlburt, born
October 7, 1818. The first marriage occurred in 1820, the parties interested
being John A. Bryan and Eliza Dixon. Mr. Br>-an was the first lawyer. The
first adult person who died in Ellicottville was Baker Leonard, April 17, 1821 ;
the first death was that of an infant of H. B. Hayes.
Ellicottville from its first settlement had the advantages of being the
county seat, the location of the Holland Land Company's office, and later the
land offices of its successors. David Goodwin, the first local agent of the
Holland Company, came in 18 18 from Batavia and opened the land office for
business, which had been built for this purpose by Baker Leonard the year
before. He had assisted Joseph Ellicott as a surveyor and clerk and had mar-
ried his niece. In 1822 he was succeeded by Staley N.Clarke, who was one of
the most popular and beloved men that ever lived in Cattaraugus county.
Moses Beecher, who had been in the land office at Batavia from i8i4to 1827,
then came to Ellicottville to assist Mr. Clarke. His sketch appears on p. 296.
The Devereux Land Company, the most extensive land purchaser who suc-
ceeded the Holland Company, appointed Asher Tyler agent, and he came to
Ellicottville in 1836, where he remained until about 1846. Mr. Tyler was
elected to the Twenty-eighth Congress from this district and served in the
sessions of 1843 and 1845. He removed to Elmira, where he died in 1875.
Mr. Tyler was succeeded in the land office by John C. Devereux when that
company made the division of its lands in 1843. He was the son of Nicholas
Devereux and came to Ellicottville with his familv, had charge of his father's
Town of Ellicottville. 573
land interest, and remained a worthy citizen until some time in 1866, when
he returned to Utica. He was a member of the State Board of Charities.
In 1838 Theodore Smith came to Ellicottville to fill a position in the
Farmers' Loan and Trust Company's land office, a position tendered him by
Hon. Staley N.Clarke. This company also was a successor to a portion of the
lands of the Holland Company. Mr. Smith was with Mr. Clarke until 1843
and later he was a private banker with J. R. Colman. In 1847 they purchased
75,000 acres of land (a portion of the Holland purchase) and continued private
banking and the sale of their land until 1852, when they divided the remaining
company property.
J. R. Colman, who came to Ellicottville in 1829, was a merchant's clerk
until 1832 and a merchant until 1843, when he became the land agent of
several parties that had in part composed the Devereux Company and owned
quite large tracts of land in the counties of Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Wyom-
ing. In 1847, with Theodore Smith, he purchased 75,000 acres of these lands,
which he and his partners at once proceeded to sell out on contract in small
parcels for homes for farmers. In 1852 the partnership of Colman & Smith
was closed, with an amicable settlement by the parties interested, and -in the
fall of 1854 Mr. Colman removed to Dunkirk, where he established a bank
which in 1866 became the Lake Shore Banking Company with Mr. Colman
its president. Mr. Colman died in Dunkirk. He was treasurer of Cattarau-
gus county in 1846 and 1847.
William Samuel Johnson, another land proprietor, came to Ellicottville
and opened his land office in 1846. His family came in 1851 and remained
until 1858. Mr. Johnson continued his residence in Ellicottville with his son.
Gen. Samuel William Johnson, until 1862. He was admitted to the bar in
1820, was a law partner of Hon. Ogden Edwards, was afterward a partner of
Judge William Kent, of New York, son of Chancellor Kent, and was a mem-
ber of the State Senate in 1848-49.
The fertile valleys had more attractions for the pioneer farmers than the
rugged hills excepting the neighborhood of Bryant hill, which was very early
settled. Biographical sketches of the solid yeomanry wlio came here empty
handed, removed the giant forests, made black-salts, fared hard but courage-
ously toiled on, and made homes and built school houses and churches will be
found on subsequent pages.
Soon after the completion of the Erie railway John C. Devereux offered
to the Irish laborers who had been employed in the construction of the rail-
road inducements to settle on his wild lands on the hills of Ellicottville.
They came in numbers. .Mr. Devereux kept every promise. The Irish pio-
neers of the hills fell to work with a will, and have converted their "wild-
wood" into excellent dairy farms, have become well-to-do-farmers, and have
added several hundred thousand dollars to the value of the town.
Ellicottville, including Ashford, when formed from Ischua in 1820, took
574 History of Cattaraugus County.
the name of its village, which had been named in honor of Joseph Ellicott,
agent of the Holland Land Company at Batavia. The town was organized
at its first town meeting held at the house of Baker Leonard on the second
•Tuesday in March, 1821, when the following officers were elected, David
Goodwin presiding: Supervisor, James Reynolds; town clerk, John W. Staun-
ton ; commissioners of common schools, John W. Fitch, Daniel Thomas, and
Artemas Blair; inspectors of schools, David Goodwin, John VV. Staunton, and
John A. Bryan. The following list comprises the supervisors, town clerks,
and justices of the peace from 1821 to the present time:"
SKpciTi,*.)!-.*.— James Reynolds, 1821 ; John W. Staunton, ISiS, 1S24-25, 1839 : David Gregory, 1823 ; Abraham
Searl, 1826, 1833-44 ; Lotbrop Vinton, 1827, 1829-31, 1836-38, 1841-42; Henry Saxton, 1828 ; Artemas Blair, 183.5
Thomas P.Huntley, 1810; ChavmceyJ. Fox, 1843,- Jonathan B. Staunton, 1844, 1847,1849; Alonzo A. Greg-
ory, 1S4.V46. 18.50; George W.Moore, 1848; Stephen McCoy, 1851-.52 ; Samuel P. Arnold, l.S.53-54; Sylvenus
Vedder. 18.55; Addison G. Bice, 18.56-59, 1861, 1867 ; Daniel T. DickinS'U, 1860, 1862 ; Samuel William Johnson,
lSti3-6.5 ; John C. Devereux, 18C6 ; Benjamin F. Boj'ce, 1868 ; Robert H. Shankland, 18U9-70 ; Timothy Walsh,
1871-72; Daniel E. Bartlett, 1873 ; William Manley, 1874-75 ; Edwin D. Northrup. 1876-81 ; William G. Laidlaw,
1882 ; Jamfs G. .McMahon, 18813-88, 1890; JIatthew W. Kiernan, 1889 ; Henry Somerville, 1890-93.
Tincn Clerhs.-Jfihn W. Staunton, 1821 ; David Gregory, 1822, 1824; Charles Boss, 182J ; Samuel Davis, 1825 :
James J. Adkins. 1826 ; Artemas Blair. 1827-33; Daniel I. Huntley, 1834-36; Marcus H. Johnson, 1837; Harlan
Colman. 18:5.^39 ; Joseph Colman, 184U; Thomas Kibbe, 1841-42; Alonzo A. Gregory, 1843-44; Albert W. Kim-
ball, 1845-41; ; Archibald McKallon, 1847, 1850; Horace Arnold, 1818-49; Lewis L. Colman, 1851-52; Edwin F.
Vinton. 185;j; Stoll J. Anthony, 1854; George W. Baillett, 1855; William W. Haines, lS.5fi-.57; Stephen W. Mc-
Coy, 1S5S; John K. Parker, 1859-61 ; Silas.A. Lamb, 1862-6:3 ; Timothy Walsh, 1864, 1SG6, 1.S68 ; L. A. l-iood, 1865 ;
Stephen A. Harrington, 18B7; Alonzo L. Eazey. 1869-70,1872-73; Williaii K. Rider, 1871; J. R. Pettit, 1874;
Thomas K. Aldrich. 1875; H. L. McCoy, 1876-77, 1885 ; William D. Huntley, 1878 ; Frank E. Redfleld, 1849, 1882-
83; Edwins. King, 1880-81, 1884 ; Eugene Oyer, 1880-87; Matthew W. Kiernan, 1888 ; Charles W. Ward, 1889 ;
Walter E. Razey, 1890 ; John H. Bird, 1891 92 ; William H. Fenton, 1893.
JuAiiis iif the Peace— Alson Leavenworth, J. W. Staunton, D. Gregory, Quartus Rust, Artemas Blair,
Pliny L. Fox, Phineas Howe, Chauncey J. Fox, Benjamin P. Mason, Thomas L. Huntley, Israel Day, James
Reynolds. Dorastus Johnson, Sylvenus Vedder, Stephen T. Bentley, George W. Gillett, William Johnson,
John Vedder, John Palmer, A. Gibbs, Jacob Mulholland, F. Gillett, H. Colman, Daniel G. Bingham, Erastus
Dickinson. John .McCoy, Constant L. Trevitt, John W. Rust, Milford Rider, Augustus C. Mason, Joshua N.
Bartlett. Thomas Morris, Rensselaer Lamb, Eleazer Larabeo, Commodore P. Vedder, Stephen A. Harring-
ton, B. F. Boyce, George H. Cagurn, Edwin Hopkins. Andrew Stevens, Timothy Walsh, Alanson A.
Walker, Christopher Fisher, L. H. Crary, Charles H. Sykes, Edgar W. Brooks, Edwin D. Xorthrup, William
Manley, A. W. Razey, James 0. Clarke, Henry R. Curtis, M. E. T. Warren, Abner F. Burdette, S. R. McNair,
L. H. Crary, E. E. Warren, Erwin C. Brand, J. K. Ward, L. B. Nichols, Herman E. Bolles, H. K. Ward.
The soil is much better adapted for producing good crops of hay and for
grazing than for grain culture. Hence the farmers of the town forward their
own interests by keeping as many cows as their farms will support. Cheese
mak-ing is the leading industry. Butter is also produced in considerable
quantities. Nearly all the milk is carried to the cheese factories and there
manufactured by expert cheese makers for market. Apples of good quality
are successfully grown, and maple sugar is made in most parts of the town.
August 22, 1867, Addison G. Rice, H. S. Springer, A. A. Walker, D. E.
Blair, Allen D. Scott, Timothy B. Walsh, Daniel Darling, George W. Seneare,
C. S. Arnold, John McMahon, Daniel E. Bartlett, C. P. Vedder, and George
Barre met and organized the " Union Fair Grounds of Ellicottville," with
A. G. Rice, president; A. D. Scott, secretary; and A. A. Walker, treasurer.
The association held fairs until July lo, 1872, on a plat of twenty-six acres,
which was purchased for the purpose. D. E. Bartlett shortly afterward ac-
quired the property and the organization disbanded.
Town of Ellic(jttvili,e. ' 575
The first public burial place set apart for the purpose by the town is situ-
ated in the village on Jefferson street, where the ashes of many of the sturdy
pioneers and prominent citizens of the village repose. Very early in the his-
tory of the town the people of Bryant hill consecrated to the burial of the
dead a cemetery in their neighborhood which is still in use. A new cemetery
has been laid out in the west pai-t of the village, on quite an eminence, and
several burials have been made and some fine monuments erected. A sol-
dier's monument has the place of honor.
The village was known as Ellicottville when it was included in the original
town of Ischua and when it was first inhabited. After the completion of the
county buildings in 1820 it grew rapidly, outstripped all sister villages in the
county, and was the first to be dignified with a village charter. It early be-
came the home of many families of high culture and moral worth who im-
parted their civilization to the society ; for many years it was recognized as
the leading village in the county. It is situated near the southwest corner of
the town, in a beautiful, broad, and fertile valley, on Great Valley creek, and
on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad. The village was incorporated
by an act of the Legislature on April 1, 1837. The plat was surveyed by R.
Burlingame. The village was the seat of all the land offices in the county as
long as they were continued, and also the site of the court house of Cattarau-
gus county from 1820 to 1868. The first court house was a frame building,
which was burned in 1829. It was replaced with a substantial brick structure
the same year. The January term of 1830 was held in the new court house,
although it was not entirely completed. The town of Ellicottville purchased
the county buildings which were vacated in 1868 for $1,000; they are now
used for town and public purposes. The census of 1890 gives the village a
population of 852. It was devastated by a fire May 1 1, 1890, which destroyed
many of the business places, including the Crawford House. In place of the
wooden structures fine brick blocks almost immediately arose from the ashes
which now give the place a neat and enterprising appearance. The Hotel
Crawford is especially well built; the new stores are fine and convenient. The
village has four churches, a flourishing Union Free School, two weekly news-
papers, about a dozen stores, four or five public houses, seven or eight law-
yers, four or five physicians, and a full complement of mechanics and artisans.
The present (1893) officers are Halsey F. Northrup, president ; Chauncey
Smith, Dr. Charles M. VValrath, and William D. Huntley, trustees ; Edwin S.
King, clerk; J. D. Randall, postmaster.
Ashford^ Junction is a small village on Great Valley creek at the junction
of the Buffalo and Rochester division of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg
railroad. The station building and switch vi^ere contributed by the people of
the town of Ashford, hence its name. It is the location of West postoffice,
and besides the station the place contains two hotels, two stores, a blacksmith
shop, a pump station on the Buffalo and Rochester pipe-line, and about fifteen
5/6 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
dwellings. From this station large quantities of wood and lumber are shipped.
It is also the residence of about fifty railroad employees.
Schools have been maintained in Ellicottville since 1818. In the summer
of that year Eunice Carpenter taught a school in the house of Orrin Pitcher.
Chauncey J. Fox taught in the ensuing winter a short term; Ursula Maltby
taught a term in each of the summers of 18 19 and 1820 in Baker Leonard's
house; John W. Staunton taught a school in the winter of 1820-21 in the court
room ; and Charles Chamberlain taught in the same room in the winter of
1821-22. Schools were also taught on Bryant hill and a school house was built
in that neighborhood as early as 1 820. In 1823 the town contained three
school districts as formed by Artemas Blair, Rickertson Burlingame, and
Daniel Thomas, school commissioners. Schools were sustained in all of them
three months in summer and three months in winter.
The first school house erected in the village was completed about 1824 and
was two stories high. It stood on the public square and did double duty.
The lower story was used for a district school and the upper one for a select
school. Ultimately it was purchased by Mr. Devereux and converted into a
Catholic chapel. The Ellicottville Female Seminary was opened to the pub-
lic in 183s by Mrs. S. Cowles and Miss Mary Lyman, who taught until 1838,
when it passed into the control of Mrs. Emma Newcomb, who continued it
with success for several years.
The Ellicottville Union School and Academy in the village of Ellicottville
comprises ail the territory of district No. i. It was instituted October 28,
1865, at a special school meeting held for the purpose, the Board of Trustees
then elected being Dr. E. S. Stewart, D. T. Dickinson, and J. King Skinner
for three years; S. M. Johnson, Smith C. Springer, and Timothy Walsh for
two years; and James Crary, J. D. Fowler, and D. H. Bolles for one year.
D. H. Bolles presided and Timothy Walsh acted as secretary of the meeting.
The present elegant school building was erected by the resident architect, Mr.
Stokes, in the summer of 188S, costing, with the furniture and appurtenances,
$15,000. By the munificence of Miss Harmon, sister of the late Eleazar Har-
mon, it has been placed under the Regents of the University of the State of
Nevv York. Five teachers are employed in all the grades, which are primary,
second primary, intermediate, and grammar school. In the latter the course
includes mathematics as far as and including trigonometry, Latin, German,
and French. About 250 pupils are in regular attendance and W. S. Hubbard
is principal.
The town of Ellicottville had a population in 1892 of 1,910 and is divided
into ten school districts. Ten teachers were employed for the legal school
year and the aggregate attendance of scholars was 493, the expense of main-
taining the schools being $4,565.62. The assessed valuation of property of the
town taxable for school purposes is $655,857 and the value of school build-
ings and sites is $19,995.
Town of Ellicottville. . 577
Maple Grove Mills, J. W. & D. P. McMahon, proprietors, are situated on
Mill street in the village of Ellicottville. The feed-mills are run by water and
have three runs of stone, which are capable of grinding 1,000 bushels every
twenty-four hours. The company deals in feed, flour, grain, and grass seed,
and handles two hundred car-loads yearly. The saw-mills are propelled by a
sixty horse-power engine and have a capacity of 16,000 feet of lumber daily.
Daniel E. Bartlett's last-block factory, hay-pressing establishment, grist-
mill, and nearly all the various interests owned by him and located on Mill
street, on Great Valley creek, were burned on May 19, 1893. The loss was
estimated at about $12,000.
. F. C. Rankin's marble shops are located on the corner of Monroe and
Washington streets.. Mr. Rankin came to Ellicottville in February, 1886, and
opened shops for the manufacture of all kinds of marble work for cemetery,
furniture, and ornamental purposes. He also deals in granite monuments.
Ellicottville cheese factory, No. i,is located a little northeast of the village
limits; Charles J. Clair & Co. are proprietors. The factory receives the milk
of 350 cows, and the work of manufacturing and marketing is done by the
proprietors at a stipulated price.
The Bank of Ellicottville was organized July 15, 1878, and commenced
business August ist, following, with a cash capital of $15,500 and these ofificers :
Dr. E. S. Stewart, president; Charles McCoy, vice-president; C. A. Case,
cashier ; all of whom have been elected each year since the organization. The
bank has increased its cash capital stock to $25,000, which is fully paid up.
The business has grown steadily. During the year 1890 a fine brick banking
office was erected with the latest improved burglar-proof vaults and safes. At
the annual meeting on January 2, 1891, articles of agreement were made and
executed changing the organization from a private bank to a State bank, and
the institution commenced business as a State bank on April ist following.
• The first tangible evidence of an organized religious society in the town
of Ellicottville is recorded June 26, 1824, and is signed by Gershom R. Staun-
ton as secretary. The entry reads as follows :
" This day, according to previous appointment, have assembled at the house of Nathaniel Bryant a
number of Christian brethren to confer on and adopt meaisures for the formation of a church, and to regu-
late and unite themselves into a Christian body, signalized by the title of the ' Regular Baptist Order.'
We therefore, whose names are undersigned, after mature deliberation and consultation, covenant to-
gether to unite, according to the articles and covenant of faith drawn by Elder Peter P. Koot, to prepare
the way for being constituted as a church. We do further agree to re-assemble at the house of Nathaniel
Bryant on the 10th day of July succeeding at one o'clock p.m., for further conference on the building of
the church of Christ."
[Signed J Ebenezer Vining, Daniel Huntley, Nathaniel Bryant, Records W. Vining, Joseph E. Vining,
David Putnam, Gershom R. Staunton, Abigail VinJng, Lydia Vining, Sally Vining, Mary Putnam, Annie M.
Bryant.
The next meeting convened on July 24th and the third on August 21st.
At the latter meeting the persons named above were received as constituent
members of the Baptist church of Ellicottville, the first regularly organized
religious society in the town. September i8th Ebenezer Vining was installed
73
5/8 History of Cattaraugus County.
as elder and Records W. Vining as deacon; March 4, 1826, the latter received
a license to preach and on May 26, 1831, was regularly ordained as a minister.
Meetings were held until August 29, 1826, at the house of Nathaniel Bryant
and afterward at the school house and private dwellings until September 8,
1838, when the society and its business was removed to the village and serv-
ices were held in the court house. Up to this time fifty-eight had been re-
ceived by baptism and forty-five by letter, and in 1S46 the membership was
one hundred and twenty-two. The society was incorporated December 16,
1829. On May i, 1856, it was decided to exchange gospel lot No. 20, which
had been deeded to them by the Holland Land Company on October 2,
1830, as the first church organized in town, for a lot in the valley owned. by
D. Bartlett. This evidently caused dissensions, for the members thenceforth
withdrew and joined neighboring churches, leaving only sixteen communicants
November 26, 1864, the date of the last entry in the society's books. No
house of worship was ever erected and the organization finally became extinct.
St. John's church of EUicottville (Protestant Episcopal) was organized
September 13, 1829, at a meeting held in the school house in the village of EUi-
cottville ; Rev. Rufus Murray presided. Ralph R. Phelps and John Fellows
were elected wardens and Ezra Canfield, David Ward, Moses Beecher, Israel
Day, Nathaniel Fish, Elihu Alvord, Henry Wooster, and Staley N. Clarke were
chosen vestrymen. Rev. Reuben H. Freeman and Rev. Ale.xander Frazer
administered to the church from its organization until 1834, when the Rev.
Thomas Morris became the first settled rector. The first church edifice was
completed' in 1838 and dedicated by Bishop B. T. Onderdonk on August 17th
of that year; the church with all other property is now valued at §3,500.
The society is at present without a rector, but conducts lay services. The
present wardens are Charles McCoy and William Niles. The membership
includes twenty-three families with thirty-six communicants. The Sunday
school has eight teachers and thirty pupils. The first church bell brought to
EUicottville hangs in the tower of this edifice. It is a Spanish bell of bronze
material and was brought to the village in the . fall of 1838, being purchased
by subscription for $125. For some years it was regularly rung every day at
six o'clock in the morning, at noon, and at nine o'clock in the evening. The
bell bears an inscription in bad Spanish which, when translated into good
English, reads thus : " Hail (I am the voice of the angel who on high sounds
forth), Mary! full of grace." It bears the founder's name and date of con-
struction : "Bargas, made at Malaga, 1708."
The First Presbyterian church of EUicottville was organized by Rev. N.
Gould and Rev. S. H. Gridley, at the school house on the public square,
December 20, 1829. Those who then comprised its membership were Josiah
Hollister, Ira Norton, Orrin Brown, Archelaus Brown, Stillwell Huntley, Hiram
L. Ripley, David Pitcher, Sally Ewell, Chloe Fo.k, and Margaret Rust. At the
organization Josiah Hollister, Ira Norton, Orrin Brown, and Hiram L. Ripley
Town of Ellicottville. . 579
were elected the first Board of Elders, and the latter two were also chosen
deacons. Rev. J. T. Baldwin served the church as stated supply half the time
for the ensuing two years. Rev. Sylvester Cowles supplied the society from
1833 the following four years and in 1836 the membership had increased to
seventy-five. In 1841 Rev. Mead Holmes was ordained an installed pastor of
the church, and officiated until September 6, 1843, when there were 168 mem-
bers. Rev. Mr. Gowles was again employed as stated supply for fbur years
from the first of the year 1844. In all these years the church was assisted in
supporting their ministers by the American Home Missionary Society. The
pastors succeeding Rev. Mr. Cowles were successively Revs. Hiram Eddy,
C. Jerome, W. V. Couch, L. P. Sabin, and I. M. Ely. In September, 1869,
Rev. Courtney Smith supplied thechurchand in December, 1870, was installed
pastor, which relation continued until his death February 22, 1884. Mr.
Smith's successor. Rev. A. G. Daniels, was installed in October, 1884, and
finally resigned, being succeeded by Rev. F. R. Wade, who supplied from May,
1887, to November, 1889. The present pastor, Rev. Mr. Remington, began
his ministry in July, 1890. The church now has ninety members. The first
house of worship was erected in 1838. In 1852 it was superseded by a brick
edifice at a cost of $5,000. The church has a flourishing Sunday school.
The First Methodist Episcopal church was organized February 10, 1845.
The Board of Trustees then elected consisted of David Simmons, E. Canfield,
Isaac Searl, Abraham Searl, and Benjamin Chamberlain. As near as can
be ascertained this may have been a re-organization. As early as 18 18 the
Methodists built their first cliurch on the Holland purchase in Buffalo and
soon afterward Rev. Gleason Fillmore was presiding elder and met with the
few Methodist people in Ellicottville, where a class was formed about 1821,
with Ezra Canfield as class-leader. Services have probably been held statedly
from that time. Rev. Father May was the first local preacher and was here
in 1822. The first church edifice was built in 1850 and 185 1 ; the present neat
gothic structure was erected in 1892 at a cost of $2,500. This, with all other
church property, including grounds and furniture, is valued at $4,000. The
church has seats for 325 people. The society now has. about fifty members
with Rev. John B. White pastor. The Sunday school is attended by eighty-
three scholars and twelve officers and teachers. Acting in conjunction with
the church there is an Epworth League and a Ladies' Aid Society. This
charge or circuit in 1840 included six appointments, viz.: Ellicottville, Great
Valley, Humphrey, Chapellsburg, Bryant hill, and Mansfield. It now includes
Ellicottville, Sugartown, and Eddyville. Each society has a separate Board
of Trustees, but a joint Board of Stewards.
The Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary (Roman Catholic), formerly
known as St. Philip Neri's church. — The first Catholic services held in this
town were in the Mansion House (now the Whitney House), then kept by
Daniel Huntley, and were conducted by Rev. Father McAvoy. About six
;8o History of Cattaraugus County.
months 'afterward services were held in J. C. Devereux's land office by the
same clergyman. Later Nicholas Devereux purchased a two-story building
that had been a school house, which was converted into a chapel and used
until the first church edifice was erected in 185 i. The baptismal record kept
in the church says that the first baptism was made by Rev. H. P. Fitzsim-
nions, the first pastor, in January, 1850. His successor seems to have been
Rev. P. Mclvers, whose first baptismal entry bears date August, 1850, and
his entries in the record continue until March, 1855. Then come the Francis-
can Fathers. The venerable Bishop Timon had charge of the Diocese of Buffalo
at this time, which as now included Cattaraugus county. Nicholas Devereux,
on a visit to Rome, requested the reigning Supreme Pontiff to send some
Franciscan Fathers or Friars Minor of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi to
this county. The request was granted, and Fathers Pamfilio, Milian, and
Sextus, accompanied by a lay brother, came in 1855 and established in Elli-
cottville the foundation of the present flourishing Franciscan Order in New
York and the eastern States.
The entries of the Franciscan Fathers in the baptismal record extend
from June, 1855, to June, 1859. They were succeeded by Dr. Barker, who
remained until April, i860. Next came Rev. P. Bradley, who was succeeded
by Rev. John Twohy in 1861 until 1863, when Father Le Breton came and
remained until January, 1865 ; then Rev. P. F. Glennon took charge and he
was followed by Rev. James Leddy, who remained until October, 1867. His
successor was Rev. James Rogers, now pastor of the Immaculate Conception
church of Buffalo, whose pastorate extended to January, 1871, when he was
succeeded by Rev. J. Brady, who was pastor until May, 1878. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. M. Ryan, who officiated until the ensuing December. Rev.
Philip Kinsella was appointed pastor in December, 1879, ^"^ officiated until
his death in October, 1889. He was succeeded by Rev. A. R. Barlow, whose
successor was Rev. J. D. Biden, the present pastor. In 1891 Father Barlow
thoroughly repaired the church, built the parsonage, and in 1892 had the ed-
ifice well painted outside and beautifully frescoed inside. The church prop-
erty, including grounds, etc., is valued at Sbout $25,000. The parish includes
about 150 families. The 2,500-pound bell was presented the church by Daniel
O'Day, of Buffalo, in memory of his parents.
The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's church (unaltered Augs-
burg Confession) was organized December 18, 1867, by Rev. E. Leemhuis,
with the following members: John Langhaus, Chris Weishan, J. Allwardt,
F. Luss, W. Bauer, W. Hess, H. Wulff, J. Stade, F. Stade, J Hiller, H.
"Shultz, H. Avers, C. Weishan, J. Wilken, H. Dreier, J. Hagen, J. Ruper, C.
Ollrogge, and J. Rouke. The church edifice is located in school district No.
8 in the northwest part of the town. In 1854 the society purchased and re-
modeled a frame building into a house of worship, in which they held
services until their present neat structure was erected in 1884 at a cost of
Town of Ellicottville.
$4,500, the present value of which, including buildings and grounds, is $6,500.
The building will seat foun hundred persons. The little society, organized
with only nineteen members, has prospered and increased until it now has
seventy. Their first pastor, Rev. E. Leemhuis, officiated until the latter part
of 1872; the pastor now in charge is Rev. William Hanewinkel. The Sunday
school is attended by about forty children and is superintended by the pastor.
The Seventh Day Adventists have erected a church edifice the present
year on the corner of Elizabeth and Mechanic streets in Ellicottville village.
One of the earliest Masonic organizations in Cattaraugus county was Con-
stellation Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M., which was chartered at Ellicottville
by the County Grand Lodge on June i, 1835, with Gains Wheaton, M.; John
Vosburg, S. W. ; and Jacob Simmons, J. W. Meetings convened in the
famous Huntley tavern in what was called the Masonic room, of which many
interesting anecdotes are still extant. During the e.xcitement attending the
Morgan episode the lodge succumbed and finally surrendered its warrant.
Ellicottville Lodge. No. 307, F. & A. M., was chartered June 14, 1853, the
charter being signed by these grand officers of the State of New York: R. H.
Walworth, G. M.; J. D. Evans, D. G. M.; Jarvis M. Hatch, S. G.W.; Finlay M.
King, J. G. W.; James M. Austin, G. S. P. M. Job Bigelow constituted the
lodge and installed Rensselaer Lamb, W. M.; George W. Gillett, S. W.; and
Clark Robinson, J. W. There are now eighty-four members. The officers are
William R. Pindar, M.; William B. Johnson, S. W.; Edwin S. King, J. W.
Daniel Darling, treasurer; Charles A. Weir, secretary; John K. Ward, S. D.
Abner C. Marvin, J. D.; Alonzo L. Rasey, 2d, S. M. C; G. orge Deitter, J. M. C.
and James Blackmon, tiler. Many of the members are old men, but are still
active in the work. Grand Master William R. Pindar has held the position of
master twelve years. The venerable tiler, James Blackmon, is now serving
his twenty-second year in that office, and is the only man now living who was
present at the first meeting. The regular meetings are held in the lodge
room, which is the property of the lodge. Clinton F. Page Lodge, No. 620,
of Otto, and Franklinville Lodge, No. 626, have been organized out of its ter-
ritory. All the records and the old aprons are preserved in the lodge. The
master now wears the apron which was worn by John J. Aiken, the second
incumbent of that office. The past masters have been : Rensselaer Lamb,
John J. Aiken, William Howland, Samuel William Johnson, David H. Bolles,
William A. Meloy, J. King Skinner, Edwin D. Northrup, Oliver T. Drown,
William R. Pindar, Palmer K. Shankland, Herman B. Drown, Walter G. Scott,
and Theodore Lowe.
S. C. Noyes Post, No. 232, G. A. R., was organized with about fifteen mem-
bers; it now has about forty. Hon. W. G. Laidlaw was the first commander ;
Byron A. Johnson, senior vice-commander; T. R. Aldrich, adjutant; H. E.
Bolles, quartermaster.
Ellicottville Lodge, No. 174, A. O. U. W., was organized September 18,
582 History of Cattaraugus County.
1878, by D. J. Woodvvorth, with fourteen members. A. D. Scott was P. M. \V.; /^
C. P. Vedder, M. W.; L. H. Crary, recorder: William B. Boyce, general fore- M
man. The present number of members is thirty. .,^
Star Union, No. 22, E. A. U., of Ellicottville, was instituted in 1879 '^''i'^h
about twenty members, the present number being ,120.
Branch 39, C. M. B. A., of Ellicottville, was instituted in 1S76 with Rev.
Father P. Kinsella as spiritual advisor and John Roe as president. At its organ-
ization the branch had thirteen members; now it has fifty-five.
Branch jt,, L. C. B. A., of Ellicottville, was instituted June 19, 1891, with
twenty-seven members, and with Rev. Father A. R. Barlow, spiritual advisor,
and Miss L. M. Fenton, president. It now has thirty-four members.
Bryant Hill Lodge, No. 808, I. O. G. T., was organized February 19, 1890,
with sixteen members and Peter M. Drown as chief templar.
There is a flourishing lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
which meets regularly in the village of Ellicottville, but those in a position to
furnish historical information have failed to respond to repeated inquiries.
The Cattaraugus County Anti-Slavery Society was formed in Ellicottville ;•
in April, 1836, under the shadow of the indignation of the conservative popu- %
lation of the village, which outnumbered the anti-slavery element fifty to one.
A small band of men, who then held the advanced idea that no man had the
right to own his fellowman, procured a speaker and held a meeting on April
21, 1836. Another meeting was held on the 23d and an appointment was
made for still another the ensuing evening (Sunday). This brought down
upon the devoted heads of the speakers and the anti-slaver>- men the male-
dictions of the conservative element, who met in council on the grave misde-
meanor of the abolitionists holding a meeting on the slavery- question on
Sunday evening. In a series of resolutions they were denominated as
Sabbath-breakers, as outrageous, as being agitators and promulgators of
pestiferous doctrine, and the speaker asindicatmg a concert between the aboli-
tionists and the emissaries of the monarchial powers to subvert the liberties
of our country. Again on Wednesday evening the anti-slavery men met at
the Huntley tavern to form a society and adopt a constitution. The popu- ■
lace led by prominent citizens were there in force, and under the specious
plea of "free discussion" voted down every proposition. The abolitionists
attempted to retire by themselves to another room, but were followed by
the mob upstairs and down again. The meeting was declared adjourned by
Mr. Huntley, but the society was organized, and "free discussion" of man's
right to himself was debated until the martyred Lincoln issued his proclama-
tion of emancipation.
Thomas R. Aldrich was born at Quaker Springs, Saratoga county, Oct. 6,
1840. His lather removed to Otsego county soon after his birth and died
there in Jan., 1844, feaving his wife without means and with four small chil-
dren. Thomas had a home with a friend and an uncle until he became four-
Town of Ellicottville. 58;
teen, and since then he has provided for his own wants. Aug. 8, 1862, he
enlisted in Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols. May 2, 1863, he received four bullet-
wounds at the battle of Chancellorsville and was sent to Carver Hospital at
Washington, D. C. He rejoined his regiment at Alexandria, Va., Sept. 11,
1863, and left with it on the 26th for Tennessee, taking part in the battle at
Wauhatchie on Oct. 28th. He was also at Chattanooga and Mission Ridge,
and started with his regiment in the march through Georgia with General
Sherman, but was wounded and captured at Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., May 8,
1864. May 12th he was a prisoner in Andersonville; Sept. 7th he was trans-
ferred to the prison at Savannah and later to Millen, to Blackshear, Ga., and
to Florence, S. C, and escaped Feb. 22, 1865, at Wilmington en route for
the rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C, re-entering the Union lines reduced to a
mere skeleton. He was sent to Annapolis, was given a furlough, and was
honorably discharged June 22, 1865. In Sept., 1865, he was given a position
in the quartermaster's department of the icoth U. S. Colored Infantry at
Columbia, Tenn., where he remained until the regiment was mustered out
Dec. 30, 1865. He returned to Cattaraugus county and is now and has been
for fifteen years deputy sheriff, has been postmaster of Ellicottville five years,
deputy U. S. marshal eight years, and commander of S. C. Noyes Post, No.
232, G. A. R., and of Maybee Tent,' No. 23, K. O. T. M., several years. Feb.
2, 1869, he married Maryette Walker, who died June 29, 1877.
Samuel P. Arnold, born in Londonderry, Vt., about 1798, married Betsey
Hadley, and shortly afterward emigrated to Le Roy, N. Y., coming thence in
1827 to Ellicottville, where he conducted a tannery and had an interest in a
■ shoe shop and furniture establishment. He was deputy sheriff nine years
and represented Ellicottville on the Board of Supervisors in 1853 ^^'^ 1854.
He was a collector for the Holland Land Company and later for Mr. Dever-
eux. At one time he owned 1,300 acres of land which he stocked with cattle,
being also a heavy dealer in cattle and sheep. Mr. Arnold was an active,
energetic business man and a good companion ; he was generous and kind to
the poor, but never made any display of his virtues. E. Young Arnold, his
son, was born in Le Roy, N. Y., May 8, 1826. April 12, 1859, he married
Laura P. Young, of New Albion, daughter of Hon. Horace C. Young. He
has had extensive dealings in cattle in his own county, in Buffalo, and in
Canada. Both he and his wife are great readers. Charles S. Arnold, another
son of Samuel P. and Betsey E. (Hadley) Arnold, was born in the village of
Ellicottville, Feb. 9, 1838. He attended the common schools and was on his
father's farm until he was twenty-eight, when he began farming for himself.
Besides this he is an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep. In 1859 he married
Addie Frazier, who bore him one son, Charles E., and one daughter, Nellie
(Mrs. Frank Neubacher), of Salamanca. Mrs. Arnold died Dec. 10, 1874, and
- Dec. 16, 1875, Mr. Arnold married, second, Emma Lawton.
The Ballou family in America are of Huguenot descent and early settled
in Rhode Island with Roger Williams's colony. They were lovers of civil
liberty, possessed quite a military spirit, and one of the family served in the
Revolutionary war. Charles F. Ballou, son of David and Eliza (Barrett) Bal-
lou, natives of Vermont, was born in East Otto in 1840, and in early life
taught district schools. Sept. 17, 186 1, he enlisted in Co. I, 44th N. Y. Vols.,
and at Gettsyburg received a severe gunshot-wound and was discharged
from the hospital a cripple Dec. 21, 1863. Returning to his home in Ashford
he attempted farming, but was obliged to give it up and entered the New
584 History of. Cattaraugus County.
York customs house in the city of New York, becoming finally a grocer in
Ellicottville.
H. E. Ballou, son of David and EJiza (Barrett) Ballon, was born in East
Otto in 1845, ^nd in 1861 enlisted in Co. A, i(X)th N. Y. Vols., experiencino-
all the vicissitudes of his regiment, and escaping with only the loss of a piece
of skin from his nose. He had his haversack and canteen shot from his shoul-
ders at the charge on Fort Wagner and the stock from his gun at Fair Oaks ;
his blouse was several times pierced with bullets. He was discharged a
corporal after a service of three years and four months, being always on duty
and never in the hospital. Mr. Ballou returned home with imperfect eyesight.
He is engaged in bee-keeping.
Rev. Arthur E. Barlow, a native of Ireland, was born in 1854 and emi-
grated to America at the age of seventeen years. He completed his educa-
tion for the priesthood in Rome, Italy, in 1877, where he was ordained a
priest of the Catholic church. He returned to America, was soon assigned to
duty in the profession of his choice, and was appointed pastor of the Church
of the Most Holy Name of Mary at Ellicottville in 1889. Father Barlow is
distinguished in his denomination as a sound theologian, and by all who hear
him as a gentleman of fine attainments. He was succeeded in his pastorate
here during the present year by Rev. J. D. Biden and transferred to a perma-
nent charge in Hornellsville, N. Y.
Alexander Bird, born in Montgomery county, July 21, 1842, enlisted in
Co. G, 154th N. Y. Vols., Aug. 6, 1862, was promoted to corporal, sergeant,
sergeant-major, and first lieutenant, and commanded a company as acting cap-
tain during the last nine months of the war. Mr. Bird fought at Chancellors-
ville and under General Sherman was in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge,
Resaca, Kingston, Cassville, Pine Mountain, Peach Tree-Creek, and Atlanta,
marched to the sea, and was engaged at Savannah. He marched through the
Carolinas to Raleigh and was present at General Johnston's surrender. He
marched to Washington by way of Richmond and was discharged at Elmira,
N. Y., June 22, 1865. Being wounded at Rocky Eace Ridge he refused to
go to the hospital, never asked for nor received a furlough, and was absent
from his company only six months on recruiting service by order of the War
Department. In this capacity as well as in the "tented field " he was an able
and efficient soldier. On his return from the army he was a blacksmith .
twelve years; since then he has conducted a grocery and a meat market. In
the autumn of 1880 he made a tour of all his old battlefields. From the field
of Rocky Face Ridge, where he was wounded, he cut a hickory walking-stick
and formed a head for it with a grape shot that he picked up on the field of
Resaca. Mr. Bird is a Republican. He had three brothers in the army: Will-
iam, James, and Alexander. The aggregate number of battles fought by
these four brothers was sixty-one and the sum total of service tendered was
eleven years and five months.
George Blackall was born in County Clare, Ireland, and died in this town
June 12, 1893, aged 103 years and ten months. He was a Catholic and had
lived in Ellicottville thirty-five years. He was the father of eighteen children,
five of whom survive him, one of them being the wife of Timothy Kelly.
William Boyce, a native of Massachusetts, married Mary Bacon, a native
of New England, and in 1830 settled on lot 10 in Ellicottville. He came from
Boston and bought his farm of Allen Green, who had lived on it a short time
and had made a small improvement. Three years after he settled here a
Town of EClicottville. 585
kind friend in Massachusetts offered Mr. Boyce a yoke of oxen if he would
go and get them. The present was gladly accepted and he made the entire
trip on foot. Mr. Boyce died in his native town while there on a visit. Ben-
jamin F. Boyce was supervisor of Ellicottville in 1868, but died between the
first and second weeks of the session and Rensselaer Lamb filled the office the
remainder of the term.
Frederick Brown, Sr., born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1831, emigrated
in 1853 to America, and was seventy-four days crossing the ocean, landing in
New York on July 9th and coming at once to Buffalo. In 1856 he married
Anna Maria Buchfink, a German lady who crossed the Atlantic in the ship
with him. In 1863 they settled where they now live. Mr. Brown began here
with si.xty-four acres of primeval forest, which he has changed into cultivated
fields and added to it by purchase fifty acres. He enlisted in Co. A, i88th
N. Y. Regt., and was honorably discharged June i, 1865. He fought in the
battles of Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court House, and is
now a pensioner and a member of S. C. Noyes Post, G. A. R. He has been
assessor six years. Children : Frederick, Jr., Henry J., Anna, Louisa M.,and
Charles J.
Samuel Bryant, born in Chesterfield, Mass., Oct. 5, 1781, married Anne
Staunton, who was born in Northampton, Mass., March 10, 1785. They
settled on Bryant hill, so named in honor of the Bryant family, leaving New
England with their seven children and household goods loaded in a heavy
covered wagon drawn by two pairs of oxen and arriving at their home, a log
cabin, about 1821. While on the journey their little son Royal T. fell under
the wheels of the wagon and was instantly killed. They brought with their
goods half a bushel of apples, carefully saved the seeds, and planted a nursery
which produced the trees of his large orchard, and for several other orchards
in the Br^-ant neighborhood. Mr. Bryant resided on the farm where he first
settled until his death April 17, 1853; Mrs. Bryant died June 29, 1869. Mr.
Bryant was a captain of militia in Massachusetts ; he was a prominent citizen
in Ellicottville, a member of the Baptist church, and an old line Whig. They
had eleven children, those living to maturity being Maria, born April 9, 1809,
married Alonzo Woodard ; Ursula, born April 22, 1810, married Jerold Vin-
ing, settled in Kalamazoo, Mich., where she died about 1870; Mary Ann,
born Feb. 20, 1812, married Nathan Kingsley, and died in Ellicottville; Samuel
A., born March 8, 1814, married Rachel Beebe ; Royal T., 2d, born May 29,
1823, died on the homestead Sept. 19, 1844; Louisa F., born March i, 1825,
married Cooley Williams, and died at about twenty years of age ; Amanda
M., born April 18, 1827, married Alfred French, and settled in Lake View,
Mich.; and Hiram. Hiram Bryant, born Nov. 27, 1830, succeeded his father
on the homestead. He married, Jan. 3, 1855, Jennette H., daughter of Peter
Drown, who died July 31, 1868, being the mother of these children : Eva A.,
born Oct. 2, 1858, died July 16, 1884; Freddie A. and Eddie A. (twins), born
March 16, 1861 ; and Warren G., born Sept. 20, 1870. Freddie A. died Oct.
4, 1872. Sept. 20, 1870, Mr. Bryant married, second. Electa M. Searl, of Frank-
linville, who is the mother of two daughters: Bertha L., born Dec. 11, 1874,
and Ida J., born Dec. 28, 1881. Mr. Bryant is a prominent citizen and a
Republican. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Charles A. Case, son of Thomas, was born in Lyndon, Oct. 25, 1851, was
educated in school district No. 7 of his native town, at Franklinville Acad-
emy, and in a commercial college in Buffalo. Remaining with his father, a
74
586 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
farmer, and assisting in his large business as a dealer in farmers' produce, he
began business himself in dealing in livestock, having a large trade in Canada
and the west. He subsequently engaged in life insurance business about two
years, when the Bank of Ellicottville was organized and Mr. Case became its
first cashier, a position he has continuously held. Air. Case is a prominent
citizen, an affable gentleman, a thorough business man, and a true friend.
Hon. Staley N. Clarke. — Every epoch of a nation's life produces certain
individuals who, by virtue of innate strength of mind and breadth of charac-
ter, stand above the level of common men, and by them are honored and
followed as their benefactors and leaders. It is not in the higher walks of
life alone that such men appear; they stand forth in the by-ways to assist
and cheer the toils of their fellows by their example and advice. Often in
the settlement and development of this country such leaders of men have
come opportunely to guide the well-being of some struggling colony, and by
their purity of life, honesty of purpose, and conscientiousness in the discharge
of duty have contributed to the happiness and promoted the welfare of all
with broad and generous sympathy. Identified with the early history and de-
velopment of the county was Hon. Staley Nichols Clarke. Mr. Clarke was
born in Prince George county, Md., May 24, 1794. At about the age of
twenty-one he settled at Buffalo, N. Y., and began his career as a clerk in the
Bank of Niagara. In 18 19 he was offered and accepted a clerkship in the
ofifice of the Holland Land Company at Batavia, X. Y., where he remained
until Jan., 1822, when he was transferred to the ofifice of the company at
Ellicottville and appointed as their authorized agent for the county of Cattar-
augus. In this selection of manager the company chose wisely. His previous
service in the office at Batavia had shown that he possessed the qualities
requisite to success in the new field to which they desired to send him, and
they were quick to discern and prompt in availing themselves of the benefit
they would derive from his business capacity. The result amply justified the
trust they reposed in him, and Mr. Clarke remained the agent of the company
until it sold out to the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company.
The country was rugged and uninviting and then but sparsely settled.
Communication between the different settlements, widely separated by un-
broken forests, was slow and difficult, and the settlers at first came but little
under the charm of the agent's presence, and hence intimate acquaintanceship
was of slow growth. Those who came to take up the land were, in the main,
without capital or resource, except brave hearts and brawny arms, with will
as sturdy and purpose as rugged as the surrounding forests and hillsides.
The instinct of self-preservation inspired them to constant watchfulness lest
in some way they should be deceived or imposed upon. They knew their
weakness, and for a time they feared the power of the agent. Better ac-
quaintance, however, disarmed suspicion and revealed to them the true
excellence of his character; they came to know him as he was and trusted and
respected him. The settlers came to him for advice and counsel in all the
simple affairs of their uneventful lives, and his relations with them soon be-
came paternal. They confided in and trusted him to a degree quite wonder-
ful, and consistent only with the fact that they had discovered his merit and
read aright his character. Without judicial authority Mr. Clarke was for
many years the people's chancellor. To him they came as to an upright
judge with their disputes and their contentions. He listened to their recitals,
and his intuitive perception of right and wrong enabled him to see where
^^
Town of Ellicottville. 58;
justice lay; and so great was their confidence in his wisdom and integrity that
his decisions were always respected. Men left his presence with the convic-
tion strong upon them that if they pursued the course suggested by him they
could not go far wrong.
His position as between the settlers and the company, whose representa-
tive he was, must have been at times a delicate one, not wholly free from
embarrassment, and yet, through it all, there was never once the slightest inti-
mation or suspicion of injustice to the one or lack of fidelity to the other. It
is believed that in no case was a settler, if worthy and meritorious, evicted
from the land for which he held a contract because of inability to meet
promptly his payments. If to those who held the security further indulgence
seemed beyond the limit of business prudence, and foreclosure became immi-
nent, Mr. Clarke often made the obligation his own, paid the debt to the
company, assumed the risk, and carried the burden, thus insuring the settler
against oppression and the company against loss : and so at once was gener-
ous to the one and just to the other. In later years, when the condition of
the settlers had improved and the gloomy forest had become productive
farms: when poverty had given way to modest competence, and to the scant
and coarse necessities of life had been added many of its comforts and some
of its luxuries; when hard and unremitting toil had been succeeded by some
degiee of leisure and the pioneers had become independent, self-supporting
citizens, they did not forget their friend and benefactor; they were wont to
dwell with a fondness amounting almost to devotion upon the unselfish, dis-
interested, and immeasurable service he had rendered them. They told their
children the story of his life, and his name became a household word and his
memory a benediction.
Not only by those whom he had befriended was he honored ; he was re-
spected and beloved by all men, the affluent, the learned, and the influential.
To the needy, if deserving, he was an unfailing friend ; no worthy person in
distress ever appealed to him for aid and was sent away empty handed. Be-
nevolent far beyond the common, his charities were not bestowed with osten-
tation or desire for notoriety, but with unobtrusive modesty in harmony with
the simple grandeur of his nature. In short his character was ennobled by
the unity and harmonious blending of more good qualities and marred by
fewer faults than is usual with men who are esteemed both good and great.
He was of stately figure and commanding presence, and his manner was one
in which were combined both simplicity and elegance. Though not indiffer-
ent to public affairs he was not in the popular sense ambitious to appear in
them. He served his county as treasurer for seventeen years, and at the
earnest desire of his friends consented to represent the district in the Twenty-
seventh Congress. On the expiration of his term he declined a re-election.
On Oct. 27, 1816, he married Eunice Thayer, of Ontario county, N. Y., who
was born March 5, 1797, and died at Corry, Pa., June 23, 1873. Mr. Clarke
at Ellicottville, Oct. 14, i860.
William Clark, son of Wells Clark, was born in Granville, Aug. 28, 1814,
and reared in Blandford, Mass. He married Caroline M. Stewart, of Canton,
Conn., a native of Blandford, Mass., Aug. 20, 1839, ^^^ the ensuing spring
emigrated to Ellicottville, coming by canal from Albany to Buffalo, thence
with a team to this town, arriving May i, 1840. His farm had some twenty-
five acres partly cleared and a small frame barn, but no house. While build-
ing a portion of the house he now occupies they resided in a deserted old log
History of Cattaraugus County.
house near by; here the little striped snakes were in possession and would
frequently bob up their heads through the large cracks in the floor. Mr.
Clark had means to pay for his original farm of 122 acres, and has added to it
from time to time until he now has nearly 300 acres. His children are George
and Harlan M., farmers on the homestead ; Charles VV., who occupies his
father's farm in Mansfield ; James O., a lawyer and teller of the Bank of Elli-
cottville; Wells W., a mechanic and farmer in Ellicottville; Carrie L., at
home; and Mary, who died in Sept., 1889, aged twenty-nine.
Lewis Coit, son of Roger and Hannah (Harris) Coit, was born in Norwich,
Mass., June 18, 1818. His parents came to Ellicottville in March, 1820.
Their conveyance was a heavy sled drawn by a pair of oxen ; their first resi-
dence, a log cabin, stood on the site of Judge Scott's barn. Two or three
years later he built the residence occupied by the late Amy Huntley. In
1S27 Mr. Coit removed to the Coit homestead, the home of Lewis Coit, where
he had cleared twenty acres and built a log house, and where he died Dec.
14, 1829. Lewis Coit and his younger brother William then had the labor of
the farm and the care of their mother and her seven children. They cut wood
three feet long and drew it to Hon. Staley N. Clarke (the orily one who would
buy it at any price) and sold it for fifty cents per cord. They saved the ashes
in their fields and from the kitchen fire, leached them, and made black-salts.
Their industrious mother spun and wove linen and wool and clad her family,
and often wove cloth for her neighbors. They rode to church in summer in a
lumber wagon drawn by o.xen and in winter on a sled. Lewis Coit has
twelve children living. His mother died at the age of sixty-seven years. In
1847 he married Maria Shults. He has been a dealer in working oxen.
Truman Rowley Colman was born in Coventry, Conn., Nov. 13, 1809, and
was a resident of Ellicottville from 1829 until 1S54. He was prominently
identified with the land interests in Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Wyoming
counties and besides carried on at times an extensive mercantile trade and
banking business. In 1854 he removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., where he estab-
lished what became the Lake Shore National Bank. He married Sophia M.,
a daughter of Moses Beecher. She died Sept. 30, 1867.
James Cotter, born in County Cork, Ireland, Oct. 31, 1831, recei\'ed a good
business education, and at the age of seventeen years, with his father, William,
and brother Richard, emigrated to America in a sailing vessel and landed at
Quebec after a voyage of six weeks and three days. In 1852 they all settled in
Ellicottville. James Cotter, in May, 1858, invested what he had saved in a
grocery store, which he continued until 1880, since which time he has lived a
retired life. Mr. Cotter has always been a fair dealer. He'is a liberal Dem-
ocrat and during the late war he gave his aid and influence to the Union. He is
a great reader. In religion he is a Catholic. Feb. 23, 1864, he was elected town
collector of taxes; March 26, 1864, Addison G. Rice, Samuel William John-
son, and James Cotter were appointed a committee on the part of the town of
Ellicottville to procure the number of men to fill the quota, and were allowed
to pay bounties in their discretion, but in the aggregate not to exceed $4,800;
Feb. 27, 1866, he was again elected collector ; in 1872 he was a delegate to the
Democratic State convention at Rochester and the same fall he was a dele-
gate to the Democratic national convention at Baltimore, which nominated
Horace Greeley for the presidency : he is now serving a three years' term as
assessor. Oct. 27, 1858, he married Honora H. Hackett, a native of County
Tipperary, Ireland, who was born Dec. 10, 1835, and came to Ellicottville in
Town of Ellicottville. ' ' 589
1852. They have been members of the choir of the Catholic church about
thirty years and Mrs. Cotter has been organist the last twelve years.
Burt J. Crawford was born in Napoli in 1861, was reared in Java, Wyoming
county, and married Minerva Fuller, of Arcade, X. Y. For two years he kept
hotel in Springville, N. Y., and in Nov., 1882, purchased the Crawford House
in Ellicottville, which was burned May 11, 1890. He immediately rebuilt a
fine brick hotel, which was conceded to be one of the handsomest structures
and the best appointed hostelries in Cattaraugus county. This property he
exchanged in February, 1893, for property in" Buffalo, where he is now pro-
prietor of the newly refitted Hotel Carlton on Exchange street.
William H. Davis, son of John H. and Almira Davis, was born in Mont-
gomery county April 5, 1840. In 1845 the family removed to Ellicottville and
located where William H. Davis now lives. Feb. 6, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C,
105th N. Y. Vols., reached Washington on April Sth, and the first night there
slept on the ground, which during the night was covered with snow six inches
deep. He was attacked with measles on the loth and sent to the hospital,
where he was confined three weeks, when he rejoined his regiment at Cloud's
Mills, Va. From the effects of the measles he was again ill and confined in
the hospital about two months. He participated in the battle of Cedar Mount-
ain, Aug. 9, 1862, was in the battles of Warrenton Junction, Thoroughfare
Gap, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville, Mine Run, and Cold Harbor, where he received a wound
from a minie-ball which fractured his skull above the left eye and shattered
his cheek bone, which has never united. From blood-poisoning from this
wound he has totally lost his' left lung. From the time he received the wound
until July, 1865, he was confined in the hospital and was then mustered out
with his regiment. He has been an invalid evi r since. M^rch 26, 1871, he
married Lucy Eddy. Children: Emma O., Clara, William H., and Mildred.
Peter Drown, a native of Hartford, Conn., married Eliza Green and soon
after removed to New York State. He was employed as a sentinel at the
prison in Auburn about two years; settled on a farm in Sweden, N. Y., and
marketed his wheat in Rochester for twenty-five cents per bushel ; and about
1827 began anew in the woods in the northwest part of Ellicottville, where he
cleared the land and gave all his family a good education. Mr. Drown served
as commissioner of highways. His wife died in 1821 and left five children;
his second wife, Sarepta Thayer, bore him nine children. Ten children are liv-
ing ; two reside in Ellicottville. Mr. Drown died March 1 1, 1875, aged eighty-
three years. Elbridge, the youngest by the first wife, was born Nov. 5, 1819,
began life as a jobber clearing land and taught school nine winter terms. He
has been a farmer, and also a dealer in real estate and cattle. He married
Frances, granddaughter of Rickertson Burlingame.
Oliver T. Drown, son of Peter and Sarepta (Thayer) Drown, was born in
Monroe county Aug. i, 1824, and about 1854 he removed to Spartansburg,
Pa., where he engaged in mercantile business. In 1865 he came to Ellicott-
ville and opened a general store, which he conducted until his decease in 1870.
Sept. 3, 1849, he married Harriet, daughter of Jacob Huff, of East Otto, and
they had four children, the oldest, Herman B. Drown, being the only survivor.
He was born in Ellicottville in 1850, and commenced his business life as a
druggist in Spartansburg, Pa., in 1876. In 1878 he returned to his native
town, where he has since conducted a drug store. In 1876 Mr. Drown married
Louise Huenerfeld, of Ellicottville. They have one son.
590 History of Cattaraugus County.
Alfonso Drown, youngest child of Peter, was born on the Drown home-
stead, where he now resides, Jan lo, 1842. He received a good English edu-
cation, and married Nancy, daughter of Collins and Amanda (Walker) Batts,
of New Albion. ' Mr. Drown has been an elder of the First Presbyterian
church of Ellicottville for many years.
Peter M. Drown, son of Elbridge, born Jan. 22, 1854, received a good Eng-
lish education, and Oct. 11, 1879, rnarried Flora Day. He settled on Bryant
hill, where, when he took possession in 1872, his crop of hay was only eight
tons; he has so improved his"farm that in 1890 he harvested about 160 tons.
Mr. Drown is a progressive farmer and gives his influence for the cause of
temperance. Both are members of the Presbyterian church. Meetings of
Bryant Hill Lodge, No. 808, I. O. G. T., are held at his house. Of this body
he was its first chief templar.
Andrew Gray was born in Northumberland county, England, in 1790, and
with his parents came to America in 1800, settling in Gorham, Ontario county,
where they lived ten years. His father then purchased a tract of 500 acres of
wild land in Caledonia, Livingston county, removed t_o it, and there the par-
ents died. Andrew had 100 acres of this purchase. He married Agnes Rom-
yen, Feb. 21, 1821, and in 1832 removed his family to a farm in the southeast
part of Mansfield, where he died March 22, 1864, and his wife Nov. 27, 1879.
Mr. Gray was a soldier in the War of 1812. They had five children. Their
oldest son, George Gray, born in Caledonia, July 16, 1823, received an aca-
demic education, was a farmer, was nine years supervisor of Mansfield, and
was many years a member of the Board of Trustees and a generous supporter
of the Presbyterian church of Ellicottville. He gave his influence to every
good and noble object and died Oct. 28, 1874. His brother, Abram Gray,
was born in Caledonia, July 7, 1826. He supplemented his common school
education with a year's attendance at an academy, remained with his parents
until twenty-three years of age, and began business for himself as a carpenter
and builder, which has since been his a\'ocation. Many fine residences, among
others St. Bonaventure's College at Allegany and the wooden bridge spanning
the Allegheny river in South Valley, are monuments to his skill. Mr. Gray
has resided in the village since 1873. He has been an elder of the Presby-
terian church for twenty-one years and trustee twenty years.
Allen Green removed from Cazenovia, N. Y., to Sardinia, Erie county, in
1815. In 1826 he came to the northeast corner of Ellicottville, where he pur-
chased 317 acres of wild land, and where his nearest neighbor was five miles
distant. He died Sept. 13, 1859, ^"^ his wife, Mercy Putnam, May 5, 1872.
Children: Charles, Job, Betsey, Clarinda, Obadiah, Allen M., Perry, Ellen,
Sarah, Mary, and Job, 2d. Allen M. Green resides in Franklinville. Obadiah
Green lived in Sardinia and became a prominent citizen.
Harvey Grinols, son of Daniel R. and Elsie (Tripp) Grinols, was born in
Otto, Sept. 23, 1839, ^"<^ Sept. 23, 1861, enlisted in Co. B, 9th N. Y. Cav., and
was on duty with his regiment until he was attacked with fever and obliged
to go to the hospital. He was transferred in an emaciated condition to
Block Island Hospital, near Providence, R. I., from which he was discharged
Oct. 28, 1862. He returned to his farm with ruined health and was obliged to
give up so laborious an occupation, and now resides in the village, where he is
engaged in dealing in light produce. Jan. 15, 1865, he married Lorinda Hin-
man, of East Otto, and they ha\-e two sons and two daughters.
Joseph, Owen, Miles, and Caleb Harrington, sons of Nathaniel Harrington,
Town of Ellicottville.
591
came from Otsego county and settled in Mansfield in 1826. The father had
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was a pensioner ; he was a
well-to-do farmer in Otsego county and gave each of his sons a yoke of oxen
and fifty acres of land in Mansfield. They soon disposed of their farms ;
Joseph and Miles settled in Ellicottville, Owen went to Ohio, and Joseph and
Caleb eventually located in Little Valley. Miles Harrington married Sarah,
daughter of Benjamin Aiken. Their children were Henry W., Stephen A.,
Augustus C, and Sally D. Stephen A. Harrington, born on Fish hill in
Mansfield, July 8, 1828, was early obliged to leave school, and finally entered
the law office of his brother, where he was two or three years, leaving by the
advice of his physician. He was a groceryman in Ellicottville most of his
life, wasan aggressive politician and a life-long Democrat, and sometimes in
the heat of political campaigns he had a little trouble. He believed in the
principles of the Democracy as opposed to those of the Whig party, and was
an influential leader. He held several town offices, being justice of the peace
nearly thirty years. He was a keeper in the Auburn prison until he resigned
the position ; he also did some conveyancing and pettifogging in justice's
court. He married Adaline Beecher, niece of Moses Beecher. of Ellicottville,
a^d their children were Walter A. and Fred L.
John Hiller, born near Hamburg, Germany, about 1831, married Mary
Lanchow, and in 1863 emigrated with his wife and three children to America,
coming to Cattaraugus county and settling in East Otto. He was a brick-
maker in his native country, but gave his attention to farming after locating
here. He died in Ash ford in 1868. His widow married William Fox, Sr., a
native of Germany and a farmer. Mr. Hiller's children were Sophia (Mrs. A.
Stadler) ; Henry }., who married Mary King and resides in Plato; and Her-
man F., a general merchant and an extensive dealer in farm produce. Mr.
Hiller commenced his mercantile life a clerk at $12 per month and boarded
himself. Three years later he began business where he had been a clerk.
Joseph Horning was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1844. In 1871 he
married Louise Weidmann and came to America. Being a carriage maker
he prosecuted his trade successively in Little Valley and Ellicottville, and in
the spring of 1880 settled on the farm near Ashford Junction where he now
resides. Mr. Horning is also a dealer in agricultural implements and fertil-
izers. His wife died in 1872 and in 1874 he married Henrietta Busckrist, who
is the mother of all his living children.
Daniel Huntley, a native of Connecticut, married Catherine, daughter of
Thomas Stillwell, and in 1817 removed from Cortland county to Franklinville
with his family. It appears that he possessed considerable means, foi* he
bought a large tract of land sufficiently cleared to support thirty cows, which
he drove to his place when he came, and began farming on a large scale for
that day. His was probably the first dairy in Cattaraugus county. When
the county seat was located in Ellicottville he purchased the eighty-acre farm
new occupied by his grandson, William Huntley, and moved onto it; he sub-
sequently increased his real estate to about 900 acres. In 1820 he built the
Cattaraugus Mansion House and opened it to the public the ensuing year,
and kept it until he died July 5, 1846. The hotel was continued by his fam-
ily until 1872. Mrs. Huntley survived until Dec. 7, 1864. Their children
were William, who died in 1828, and was the first person in Ellicottville who
was buried with Masonic honors; Thomas S., a farmer at Huntley Station,
111., the location being named in his honor; Daniel I. ; Silas; Samuel; Amy ;
59- History of Cattaraugus Countv.
Catharine, who died in 1827; and Jane M. (Mrs. P. J. McGowen). Daniel I.
Huntley, born in Cortland county. Sept 5, 1810, married, in 1840, Eliza
Hawkins, a native of Massachusetts who died in April, 1852, and Jan. 2, 1855,
he married, second, Cordelia Chamberlain, who was also born in Massachu-
setts. Mr. Huntley was with his father assisting on the farm and in the hotel.
After the sale of the latter he devoted his time and attention to agriculture.
He was prominently interested in military affairs and held ail the grades suc-
cessively from second sergeant to brigadier-general of the militia of the State.
He also held the office of county treasurer three years from 1843 and several
minor civil positions. He was supervisor of Mansfield in 1862 and 1863.
Thomas S. Huntley held the same office in Ellicottville in 1840, while Hor-
ace S. served the town of Little Valley in this capacity in 1856, '62, and '66.
Grove Hurlburt, the first settler in the town of Ellicottville, was born in
Tolland, Conn., in 1765, and was an early settler in Whitestown, Oneida
county. He next built and conducted a tavern at Oriskany and in 1809
settled on a farm of " lease lands" in the town of Rome. In 1815, after a
journey of six weeks, he came upon Rickertson Burlingame, who was survey-
ing this town into lots, and, being pleased with the location, went a few weeks
later to the land of^ce in Batavia and was offered inducements to settle as soon
as the town was surveyed. In the ensuing fall he came with his son John and
made choice or lots 56 and 57, containing 316 acres. They remained till fall
and cut up the timber preparatory to clearing seven acres, and built a log
house, the first habitation of white people in Ellicottville. Feb. 11, 1816,
Grove Hurlburt's brother Reuben, with Grove's son and daughter John and
Sally, arrived at this log cabin ; the latter, then but eleven years old, became
the temporary female head of the Hurlburt family, which honors she dis-
charged until March 15th, when they were joined by her parents and the
remainder of the family. Here Mr. Hurlburt spent the residue of his long life,
dving Sept. 28, 1852. Mr. Hurlburt brought provisions, as he supposed, suffi-
cient to last until he could raise and harvest a crop. The frosts of the " cold
season " of 18 16 destroyed his grain and corn and he had only a small crop of
potatoes. The next season he made black salts, which he exchanged for two
barrels of flour at Sl8 per barrel. To carry the family through to wheat har-
vest John searched the country for five days to obtain one and one-half bush-
els of corn, which he purchased at $1.50 a bushel. Mr. Hurlburt planted the
first orchard in town in the spring of 18 16. They were obliged to go thirteen
miles to mill and to Bethany and Le Roy in Genesee county for groceries.
Bears and wolves preyed upon their sheep. John was taught by a hunter to
trap the wolves and caught six in a winter, for which he received a bounty of
§60 per head. Mr. Hurlburt erected the first frame barn in town in the fall of
18 16 and built a comfortable frame house in 1822, now well preserved and
occupied. He married Hannah Niles, of Whitestown, a native of Vermont,
who was the mother of his thirteen children. Their seven sons are deceased.
William Johnston, a pioneer of Ellicottville, was born in Johnstown,
N. Y., which place was named in honor of one of his ancestors. June 21, 1822,
he married Sally, daughter of Grove Hurlburt. She was born in Whitestown,
N. Y., Feb. 14, 1803. They first settled on a farm, but in November, 1826,
removed to the village, where Mrs. Johnston still resides. Mr. Johnston was
a skillful mechanic and conducted a cabinet shop. He was a man of influ-
ence in town and church affairs, was a justice of the peace, and held other
town offices, and was a vestryman in the Episcopal church. Their children
Town of Ellicottville. ' 593
were John, a physician of Jackson, Mich.; Grove, deceased ; Byron A.; William
H., a soldier in the late war and now a dentist in the village ; and Mary
deceased. Mr. Johnston died in June, 1853. William H. Johnston, born
Sept. 21, 1832, enlisted in August, 1862, in the 154th N. Y. Vols, as a musi-
cian and was honorably discharged from Mt. Pleasant hospital in February, 1863.
Capt. Byron A. Johnston, son of William and Sally (Hurlburt) Johnston,
was born in Ellicottville, Jan. 31, 1827. In 1852 he went overland to Cali-
fornia He remained and two and a half years later returned by way of the
isthmus. He was wrecked with 1,500 passengers on board the steamer Yan-
kee Blade, off Point Conception, and over 100 passengers were lost. He was
a carpenter by trade. May 7, 1861, he enlisted for two years in Co. H, 37th
N. Y. Vols., and served as orderly-sergeant. He was discharged at Fort
Washington, Md., Jan. 19, 1862, on a surgeon's certificate of disability. July
21, 1862, he re-enlisted in Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols., for three years, as orderly-
sergeant. Oct. 6, 1862, he was promoted as second lieutenant. May i, 1863,
as first lieutenant, and July 9, 1864, as captain. He participated in the first
battle of Bull Run. With the 154th Regiment he was in the battles of Chan-
cellorsville and Gettysburg. With the Eleventh Army Corps he was trans-
ferred to the Army of the Cumberland on Sept. 28, 1863, and participated at
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He went with his regiment to the
relief of General Burnside at Knoxville, Tenn., and returned to Lookout Val-
ley in December, 1863, where his command spent the winter. In May, 1864,
his regiment joined General Sherman and marched from Chattanooga to At-
lanta. He continued with Sherman from Atlanta to the .sea and from Savan-
nah to Washington, and was mustered out in June, 1865.
Alanson King, son of Arnold and Candace (Cook) King, was born in Collins,
Erie county, March 20, 1816, and married Charlotte Munger in Hanover, Chau-
tauqua county, Jan. 12, 1843. He early became a major of militia, and in
1848 removed to Ashford, where he engaged in mercantile business and owned
and conducted a flouring-mill and saw-mill. In 1849 he represented Ashford
on the Board of Supervisors. He was an old line Whig, but on the organiza-
tion of the Republican party joined its ranks. In 1856 he was elected a
member of Assembly. He went to the Legislature for honest work and ably
filled the position and the expectations of his constituents. Gen. Samuel W.
Johnson, a Democrat, said of him : " He returned from the Legislature as
poor as he entered it." Mr. King was man of more than average ability; he
had great influence, and his integrity aud honesty were unquestioned. In
1861 he received an appointment in the customs house in New York, where
he remained until 1871. He resided in Ellicottville the ensuing two years
and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Candace M. Gaylord, in Tiona,
Pa., Aug. 10, 1888, and was buried at Ashford with Masonic honors. His son,
Edwin S. King, the only member of the family residing in Cattaraugus county,
was born in Collins, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1844. At the age of fifteen he commenced
teaching district schools and taught three winter terms. In Feb., 1862, he
came to Ellicottville, and in 1872 formed a partnership in the drug business
with Charles H. Matteson, whose interest he subsequently purchased. Mr.
King was assistant assessor of internal revenue about ten months; after that
office was abolished he was appointed deputy collector, holding the position
in all eight years. He has been secretary of the Republican County Commit-
tee and clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
John Langhans, born in Lauenburg, Germany, Nov. 4, 181 1, married Dora
75
O
594 History of Cattaraugus County.
Merow in Oct., 1841, and came to America in 1858, settling first in East Otto,
where he and his family saved money to make a payment on one hundred
acres of land on Jackman hill in Ellicottville, where his son John now lives.
He removed to this farm in the fall of 1861 and died there Sept. 21, 1884.
John Langhans, Jr., was born in Germany, Oct. 21, 1843, came to America
with his parents, and Sept. 9, 1864, enlisted in Co. H, 154th N. Y. Vols., join-
ing the regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn. He marched through Georgia in
General Sherman's campaign and was honorably discharged with the rank of
corporal at the close of the war. Since then Mr. Langhans has been a
farmer. He is a Republican and has served his town as assessor. Oct. 21,
1868, he married Sophia Block and has three children. Henry Langhans mar-
ried Dora Eulers, resides on a portion of the old homestead, and has three
children. Julius Langhans, son of John, Sr., is a farmer in Mansfield.
William Lawler was born in the Parish of Kilconley, Ireland, about 1S20,
came to America in 1852, and was married in BufTalo, in 1854, to Jane H.
Stack, a native of Ballylongford, Ireland. They settled the same spring in
Peth in Great Valley. In March, 1873, they located on the farm at Ashford
Junction where they still reside. They have five children living: Garrat T.,
William J., Eugene M., James E., and Charles A. Eugene M. Lawler was
born Jan. 23, 1862, received his education in the common schools and at the
Union school at Ellicottville, chose the printer's trade, and at the age of four-
teen years entered the office of Hon. Robert H. Shankland, where he spent
four years. In 1881 he opened a general store at Ashford Junction.
Beals E. Litchfield, youngest son and child of Ensign and Mary (Hayden)
Litchfield, was born in Chesterfield, Hampshire county, Mass., Dec. -12, 1823.
His ancestors were of English descent. At the age of scarcely seven
years he came to the settlement of Ellicottville, where the blows of the
pioneer's a.xe were resounding and the primeval forest yet standing, although
it had been fourteen years since the birth of the first white child. He de-
scribes the arrival, etc., thus : " In the month of October, 1830, Ensign Litch-
■ field and Mary, his wife, then residing in the town of Chesterfield, Hampshire
county, Mass., and who were the parents of eleven children, of whom the
writer is the youngest, loaded their seven youngest children into a covered
wagon drawn by two horses, and bidding farewell to their native hills and
home (where for many years they had struggled with adversity, though some-
times they rejoiced in prosperity) started to seek a new home in the then
wild woods of Cattaraugus county, N. Y. After a tedious journey of two
weeks the covered wagon with its load of emigrants arrived at a log tavern
kept by Freeman Bryant, located in the town of Ellicottville on what has
since been known as Bryant hill, and on the same place where Peter Drown's
dwelling house now stands. Through the kindness of Mr. Bryant and his
estimable companion, who had been old acquaintances of the emigrants in the
east, the tired and hungry travelers were supplied with a bountiful dinner, to
which they did ample justice. After the repast the team was hitched to the
" wagon and wended its way slowly over the roots and through the woods for
about a mile and a half to where our oldest brother Simeon had a few months
before pitched, not his tent like the wanderers of old, but his shanty in the
woods, said shanty being built of logs and covered with basswood troughs.
Tho floor was also made of basswood split open in the center and laid the flat-
side up. The fire for warming and cooking purposes was built in one corner
upon the ground, without hearth or chimney. There was an open space in
(h&. ^HtdfuAc.
Town of Ellicottvili,e. • 595
the roof above the fire for the smoke to pass out, but when the wind blew
much of the smoke returned to bid the inmates of the shanty a" good bye,"
and that " good-bye " blessing often caused the silent tear to fall and invaria-
bly left a smarting sting behind. This shanty was located on what is now
known as the Dooly farm. At that time brother Simeon's family consisted
of himself, wife, and three children and father's family of nine persons, and
these fourteen people lived in that little shanty (the size of which was only
twelve by sixteen feet) for. four weeks, until brother Elisha, who was about
twenty-one years of age, bought of Orrin Brown his chance on seventy-eight
acres of land on lot 62, on which we now reside, and is a part of the Litchfield
farm which at present contains three hundred acres. Not beingable to obtain
possession of the log house on the premises until the next spring, they built a
" lean-to " against the back side of the log house, and there our father's family
lived during the winter of 1 830-3 1. Such were the conditions we met on our
first introduction to Cattaraugus county. There were only a few acres cleared
on the farm bought by father, and he and brother Elisha worked on that land
the next summer. In October, 1S31, Elisha married Amy Buck and in Decem-
ber his spirit left the material form and passed on to a higher condition of
life in the spirit realms of existence. Our father. Ensign Litchfield, faithfully
labored on the farm as a pioneer for ten years, and October 17, 1840, quietly
passed to the higher life, sincerely mourned and sadly missed by his many
relatives and friends. Our mother remained with us until May, 1858, when
she was released from her material form and crossed the mystic river to join
those who were waiting her on the other side. She was truly loved by all her
children and friends and was much missed."
As Beals Litchfield grew in strength and years he assisted in the great
work of transforming the forests into fruitful fields, became an agriculturist,
and has ever been a careful and successful one. He loved and honored his
vocation, and his opinions on agriculture are worthy of record. He says :
" During the last quarter of a century I have noticed that many young men
have left the farm and engaged in other occupations, either because they con-
sidered that of agriculture less dignified or less lucrative. There undoubtedly'
are other occupations or speculations in which, if successful, a large fortune
can be more speedily accumulated than by agriculture, but I am sure that the
different branches of agricultural pursuits contain all the elements and condi-
tions necessary to bring wealth and happiness to those farmers who pursue
their labors in a reasonable and scientific manner. Agriculture is the basis of
all other pursuits, hence it can not be less dignified or less useful to mankind.
In an early period it was supposed by many that a farmer did not need much
education, that a half-idiot could plow, sow, reap, and mow, and consequently
be a successful farmer, but opinions as well as agricultural implements have
changed, and it is now admitted by well informed farmers that a scientific edu-
cation is necessary for success in agriculture. A scientific application of labor
and other means often unlocks nature's storehouse and fills the farmer's barn
with the rich fruitage of the soil and his heart with joy, and I here affirm that
agriculture is a chemical science and one of the most useful ever revealed by
the Creator to mankind."*
Mr. Litchfield is modest and unassuming in his manners and honest in his
convictions. For forty years he has been a believer in Spiritualism, was one
of its pioneer speakers, and with conscientious endeavor he lives up to the
truths of his belief. In 1890 he published a book, " Leaflets of Thought gath-
*See Mr. Liichfleld's article on Agriculture, Chapter XII, in this volume.
59^ History of Cattaraugus County.
ered from the Tree of Life," and has another volume (his autobiography) ready
for publication. He has passed a quiet and uneventful life of three-score years
and more on the beautiful place where his father first settled ; here he brought
his worthy helpmeet, Lucinda, daughter of Israel and Delight Thatcher, of
Hopewell, Ontario county, whom he married October 14, 1847. Here they have
dispensed a generous hospitality; here they have experienced many joys and
many sorrows; here their children were born, and here they have mourned
their departure for the spirit world; and from here after long and useful lives
may they cross to the beautiful land beyond, and " meet their Pilot face to face."
Levi Litchfield, son of Ensign, was born in Massachusetts in 1S05 and
married Nancy French. In the spring of 1831 he settled in the north part
of Ellicottville and in 1835 or '36 made a permanent home on the farm now
owned by Fred Weishan. He cleared this farm, erected good buildings, aided
in building school houses, and gave all his children a substantial education.
During the Rebellion he sold his farm and retired to the village, where he
died in June, 1887. Like most of the pioneers he worked hard, was a good
financier, accumulated a fair fortune for a farmer, and was highly respected.
His oldest son, Harvey Litchfield, was born in Massachusetts in September,
1826, was educated in the common schools, and early chopped, rolled logs,
made black-salts, and at the age of twenty-six had 100 acres of his father's
farm. He married Almira Boyce. He inherited his father's sterling qualities.
Andrew Lowe came to Ellicottville from Albany, where he had been a
dry goods clerk six years. In 1837 he married Jane Bugby, who came to this
town when only five years old and resided in the family of Spencer Pitcher.
Mr. Lowe died in 1841, aged twenty-seven years; Mrs. Lowe died in July,
1887, aged sixty-seven. She was the widow of Moses Chamberlain, who died
in Feb., 1864. Theodore Lowe, son of Andrew, was born Sept. 8, 1839.
From 1859 ^° '8^^ he was in the employ of Daniel Bartlett, who ran a stage
line from Ellicottville .to Great Valley, which he extended to Salamanca in
1864. In March, 1866, Mr. Lowe purchased the route and equipments and
conducted the business until the completion of the Buffalo, Rochester &
Pittsburg railroad in 1878. Since then he has dealt in agricultural imple-
ments. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in i860, has been high-
way commissioner, and has been for twenty-seven years a Mason. Sept. 7,
1862, he married Celia Ward, of Great Valley.
Abram Mabee was born in Canajoharie, N. Y., July 4, 1S39. ^'^ father
was born a slave, but was liberated in early life ; he resided in Syracuse at
the time of the " Jerry rescue," and was so active in that memorable event
that he removed to Canada to escape arrest as a rioter. Abram Mabee came
to Ellicottville in 1850 and had a home in the family of Lewis Coit until he
was twenty-one. In 1861 he went south as a servant of Captain Clark and
soon after was a teamster in the U. S. service. In December, 1864, he enlisted
in Co. A, 20th U. S. Col. Inf., and went with his regiment to New Orleans,
being promoted to the rank of orderly-sergeant. He was at the siege of Port
Hudson, Brownville, Texas, and Mansfield on- the Red river, where he was
shot in his right thigh, going thence to the hospital, whence he soon rejoined
his regiment at Welkin's Bend on the Mississippi river. He was again sent to
the hospital at New Orleans, and was honorably discharged at the close of the
war. Since then he has been a barber in Ellicottville.
Bethuel McCoy, son of John 'and Hannah (Beach) McCoy, was born in
New Jersey in 1807. When seventeen or eighteen he came to Great Valley
Town of Ellicottville. . 597
as Judge Chamberlain's clerk, where he remained about five years. In the
fall of 1828 he settled in Ellicottville and opened a general store, and was one
of the leading merchants until the spring of 1847, when he sold to his brother
Stephen and retired to a farm in Great Valley. There he spent the remainder
of his life, dying May 12, 1876. He served the town of Great Valley as
supervisor in 1865. Stephen McCoy was born in Seneca, N. Y., Jan. 26,
1817. He became a clerk for his brother Bethuel, and in May, 1847, bought
the latter's interest in the store and conducted it until 1875. Mr. McCoy
represented Ellicottville as supervisor in 1851 and 1852, the county as treas-
urer one term, and was loan commissioner two years.
John McMahon, born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1820, came to America
in 1847, reaching Ellicottville with but a sixpence in his pocket. He entered
the employ of Hon. John C. Devereux, with whom he continued until the
latter's death. Mr. McMahon came here a stranger, but by untiring industry
and excellent business ability he became prominent in the village and county.
He was a leading spirit in the organization of the Cattaraugus Railway Com-
pany, now the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, and erected a steam
saw-mill in the village where he employed a large number of men. He also
owned and conducted a flour and feed-mill and erected several dwellings and
stores. Although born in the shadow of the British throne he nevertheless
loved freedom and soon was invested with citizenship, but he still had a warm
heart for the sufferings of Ireland. He died Aug. 22, 1887. He married
Jennie Walsh, also a native of Ireland, who survived him until Nov. 8, 1888.
Their surviving children are John D., James W., Daniel P., Thomas P., and
Cathleen (Mrs. Martin B. Daley). James W. McMahon is much interested in
the affairs of his town and has represented it on the Board of Supervisors
nine years. He was the youngest delegate to the national convention that
nominated Grover Cleveland for president in 1884 ^nd has been a member of
the Democratic State Committee, representing the 34th Congressional District.
James Moffit was born in Franklinville in Feb., 1843, ^^'^s reared a farmer,
was educated in the common schools and the academy at Geneseo, and Oct.
24, 1863, enlisted in Co. G, 64th N. Y. Vols., which. a year later was transferred
to the 187th Regiment, with which Mr. Mofifit served to the close of the war,
being honorably discharged in July, 1865. He received a gunshot wound and
an abrasion of the skin on his right side at Petersburg. In 1865 he married
Josep'nine Chapman and the same year opened a general store in Humphrey
Center. In 1877 he was appointed postmaster and served six years. In 1883
he settled in Ellicottville and commenced the publication of the Ellicottville
Post, a Republican weekly. Since 1888 his only son has been an equal partner.
Halsey F. Northrup was born in South New Berlin, Chenango county, in
1844. He obtained a thorough education, especially in mathematics, and
early engaged in land surveying, civil engineering, and teaching. In the
spring of 1868 he came to Ellicottville and taught the Union School one year,
and practiced his profession during vacation. He then gave his whole atten-
tion to land surveying until 1875, when he began surveying for the oil pipe
line companies. In the winter of 1877-78 he was employed by the Tide
Water Pipe Line Company. He made the preliminary examination of the
route, secured the right of way, made the surveys and maps, and examined
the titles of the lands over which the line passes, which has required nearly
all his time, much care, and great research. He is still the civil engineer of
this company in charge of all surveying, engineering and right of way matters.
598 History of Cattaraugus County.
This great line is 285 miles long, passes in a generally direct line, and the pipe
of wrought iron is six inches in diameter. The oil'is propelled from seven
stations. The greatest altitude above tide water is 2,600 feet at Summit,
Potter county, Pa. He purchased about 3,000 acres of wild lands in different
sections of Cattaraugus county, which he has been selling out in parcels. He
owns twenty-one oil wells in Allegany county, which are managed by his part-
ner. He is also the present president of the village of EUicottville. In 1874
he married Mary Lansing, of Greene, N. Y., and has a son and two daughters.
Michael Oyer, son of Frederick, was born in Herkimer county about 1802.
He early came to Ashford with his father, who as a farmer began at what is
now called New Ashford, coming in by marked trees over corduroy roads and
pole bridges. The nearest grist-mill was at Springville in Erie county, whither
they went in summer with a wood-shod sled drawn by oxen. Frederick Oyer
resided there until his death ; his wife lived to be ninety-nine years of age.
Michael Oyer married Betsey Hammond, of East Otto, and settled near his
father soon afterward. Selling out five years later he settled on a farm partly
cleared in East Otto, where he died. He had si.x daughters and one son.
The latter, Joseph Oyer, married Delilah Dye in 1863, was a farmer in East
Otto, and in 1861 enlisted in Co. A, 7th 111. Vols., for three months. In 1865
he purchased a half-interest in a general store of his brother-in-law, J. D. Lar-
abee, in Ashford Hollow, where he was a merchant ten years. In Feb., 1881,
he removed to EUicottville, where he deals in horses and has a livery stable.
Joshua R. Pettit, born in Tonawanda, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1839, commenced his
business life in EUicottville in i860, and Aug. 12, 1862, enlisted in Co. A, 154th
N. Y. Vols., serving until the close of the war, being most of the time a ser-
geant of an ambulance corps. In 1866 he opened a grocery in Ellicott\-ille.
Orrin Pitcher, a native of Norwich, Mass., married Miranda Woodruff in
Broome county, N. Y., and settled there about 1807. In 1813 he came to
EUicottville and cut down the timber on about two acres where the village
now stands, and returned to his family in Broome county. In the fail
he brought his wife and son (David S.) and three daughters to Franklin-
ville, whence in the spring he made a path to Peth in Great Valley and re-
moved to a shanty which he had built there. In the succeeding winter he
occupied the log house of Grove Hurlburt while building a similar residence
for himself. His log cabin occupied the site of the old Mansion House, now
the Whitney House, and was the first habitation within the village corpora-
tion. This place he sold to Daniel Huntley. He eventually removed to Illi-
nois and thence to Iowa, where he spent the last twelve or fifteen years of his
life, dying at the age of eighty-four years. His wife died aged over eighty-
seven. David S. Pitcher, their oldest son, born in Broome county in 1809,
came with his parents to EUicottville in 1814 and lived to see the wilderness
transformed into a thriving town and village. His brother Orlando, born in
June, 1816, was the first white male child born in EUicottville.
Clark P. Quackenbush, second son of John and Mary (Bargy) Quacken-
bush, was born in Ashford, July 7, 1849, ^"^ June 7, 1871, married Augusta
Hinman, of his native town, who was born in Mansfield, April 8, 1849. He
settled on his father's homestead of 233 acres, which he owned, and where he
remained eleven years, when he began keeping hotel in Ashford Hollow. In
March, 1883, they settled in EUicottville. They have three daughters.
Charles P. Randall, a native of Chenango county, married Margaret Dim-
mick, and as near as can be ascertained made with his bride his first settle-
Town of Ellicottvilt.e. 599
ment in Mansfield on Fish hill. He cleared a farm and in a few years be-
came an extensive dealer in sheep and cattle. He resided in Mansfield until
his death Dec. 31, 1859; ^'^^s. Randall died June 21, 1855. Children: Mary
(Mrs. C. McCoy), who died in 1859; Joseph D., born in Mansfield, June 16,
1836; George, born in June, 1838; Ralph C, born in March, 1840; and
Frank W., born May 17, 1846. Joseph D. Randall married Charity Shan-
non, of Bridgeport, N. Y. He has been a successful business man, has been
an inspector of telegraph for the United States Telegraph Company, has
owned several star mail routes, has been a grocer, has drilled a number of oil
wells, at one time owning nineteen, has dealt in live stock and largely in real
estate, and has built a large number of residences. He is now postmaster of
Ellicottville. Mr. Randall cast his first vote for General Fremont and has
been a pronounced Republican since the organization of the party.
E. T. Reed, son of J. W., was born in Ashford, May 29, 1853, and choosing
dentistry as a profession became a pupil of Dr. Carlos Wait, of .Springville,
N. Y., where he spent two years. He located in Ellicottville in the spring of
1877, where he has since resided, and where he has acquired a flourishing
practice. Dr. Reed was burned out in the great fire in May, 1890, but quickly
became settled in his present handsome quarters.
Ouartus Rust, born in Chester, Mass., Sept. 4, 1790, early learned the
carpenter's trade, and about 1815 married Polly Ellis, who was born Aug. 17,
1792, and who died in January, 1813, leaving an infant son. In 1817 Mr.
Rust married Martha Stanton and in 1818 came to Ellicottville. He paid a
neighbor §50 to bring his family and their goods to their home in the woods
with a yoke of oxen and a heavy wagon, and they were six weeks making the
journey. They settled on Bryant hill, where lie was a successful pioneer
farmer. Mrs. Rust died Nov. 8, 1846. Children : Quartus Ellis, born in
Massachusetts, June 2, 1815 ; Lewis, who died in infancy; Lewis S., born
July 25, 1819, who was killed at Second Bull Run; John W., born March^
II, 1821, was a mechanic and farmer, and died April 26, 1872 ; Mary A., born
Jan. 21, 1823, married Howland Washburn, and died Nov. 13, 1871 ; Angeline,
born in December, 1830, died July 12, 1842 ; and Edwin R., born March 31,
1832, a farmer who faithfully cared for his aged parents until their decease,
and who now resides with his 'nephew, Charles C. Rust, in the village. Quar-
tus Rust married for his third wife Mrs. Sarah, widow of Lyman Todd, May
8, 1853 ; he died Sept. 10, 1854, and she May 10, 1884. Mr. Rust was a justice
of the peace for twenty-five years. Quartus E. Rust was a cabinet maker by
trade and a farmer on the homestead. In 1859 he settled in the village and
conducted a cabinet shop and furniture store until his death Sept. 8, 1889.
Dec. 19, 1839, lis married Electa M. Knight, who died March 17, 1861 ; she
was the mother of all his children : Amelia M., Charles C, and Ellis E.
March 3, 1863, Quartus E. Rust married Ann McCoy.
Henry Saxton was born in Vermont and came to Ellicottville as a clerk
in 1817 or 'i8.for Baker Leonard, whose widow he married. He died of chol-
era in Louisville, Ky., in 1834, aged thirty-four years. Mr. Saxton possessed
great energy and large natural resources, and was a leading citizen of the town
and county. He was elected sheriff in 1828, which position he resigned at
the beginning of the last year of hif term. He was a prominent merchant in
Ellicottville and had branch stores in Springville and Randolph ; he was also
an extensive dealer and manufacturer of pine lumber. He leased a mill-site
on the Allegheny river where Salamanca now is and there built the first mill,
6oo • History of Cattaraugus County.
and used the river as a highway to convey his lumber to market. Children :
Albert, who lives in Sacramento, Cal.; Hannah L., widow of J. King Skinner,
resides on the homestead where she was born, and which now shelters three
generations of the family ; Baker Leonard, who enlisted in Co. A, 154th N. Y.
Vols., for three years, re-enlisted in the 179th N. Y. Regt. as first lieutenant,
and was killed in front of Petersburg; Frederick A., of Washington, D. C;
Walter, who died in 1855 ; and Ebenezer. Henry Saxton was supervisor of
Ellicottville in 1828.
James M. Sheffield, born in Great Valley, March 13, 1847, was raised in
Ellicottville, and Sept. 26, 1864, enlisted in Co. F, 43d U. S. Col. Troops, and
was honorably discharged Sept. 28, 1865, at Brownville, Texas, receiving in
an engagement a permanent injury of his right eye. William H. Sheffield,
his father, was a soldier in the 26th U. S. Col. Troops, saw hard service, was
disabled from field duty, and was detailed as hospital steward until discharged.
Rev, Courtnej' Smith, born in Bolton, Warren county, March 21, 1806,
died in Ellicottville, Feb. 22, 1884. He received a thorough education, studied
theology with his brother. Rev. Reuben Smith, of Waterford, and later re-
ceived the degree of A.M. from Middlebury College in Vermont. Mr. Smith
was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Troy, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1834, and
was ordained within a year afterward. He entered upon the labors of his
profession in his native town, where he remained seven years, and was then in
Warrensburgh, N. Y., fourteen years, was the pastor of a church in Grand
Rapids, Mich., nearly ten years, and was four years at Portland, Chautauqua
county. Mr. Smith settled in Ellicottville in the fall of 1869 and was duly
installed as pastor of the church about a year later. He remained to the close
of his life their faithful, efficient, and zealous pastor, and the church prospered
under his ministration. He was an argumentative and eloquent sermonizer,
an easy and pleasing conversationalist, and the highest type of a Christian
gentleman. He had strong and decided convictions of duty and the courage
to advocate what he decided was right. Aug. 28, 1828, he married Sarah
Mclntyre, of Bolton, who survived him.
Theodore Smith was born in Orwell, Rutland county, Vt., on the 28th of
June, 1809. He was the si.xth in descent from Rev. Henry Smith, who came
from England an ordained minister and was installed first pastor of the church
at Weathersfield, Conn., in 1636, and died in 1648. In the last century the
family moved from Connecticut to Vermont, where it soon became noted for
its broad minds and independent natures. It furnished from its numbers many
men who .became prominent in Colonial affairs and in the councils and on the
battlefields of the new Republic. Hon. Pliny Smith, father of Theodore,
born in 1761, died in 1840, was the leading mind in northern Vermont in his
lifetime, and at different periods was a member of the General Assembly, a
State senator, and for many years a justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont.
Theodore Smith was educated at the high school and at the college at Castle-
ton. At the age of twenty-one he married Lucy, daughter •of Dr. Asher
Nichols, and shortly afterward moved to Springville, N. Y., where he began
life as a merchant. In 1838 he moved to Ellicottville and entered the office
of the Holland Land Company under Mr. Clarke, whose daughter, Eunice
Sarah, he had married, his iirst wife havyig died some years previously. In
1843 he was admitted to the bar, but ntver practiced ; the legal training, how-
ever, proved of great value to him in later life when, burdened with the care
of his own and other estates, he had many complicated interests to protect.
Town of Ellicottville. ■ 6oi
and the welfare of widows and orphans depended upon his knowledge of legal
duties. In the early thirties the Holland Land Company sold its interests to
the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company of New York and the latter some
years afterward transferred its title to several private individuals. Among
these were Mr. Smith and Truman R. Colman, who since 1843 had been part-
ners in the banking business. They fully appreciated the opportunity which
lay before them at this time and purchased over 150,000 acres of land in Cat-
taraugus and Allegany counties, which they disposed of to the settlers in the
same manner as the old company. In 1852 the partnership was dissolved,
after which Mr. Smith remained in Ellicottville disposing of his share of the
partnership lands until 1863, when he removed to New York.
Although not a politician and never in office Mr. Smith took great interest
in public affairs. Thoroughly independent in feeling, with ideas founded on
long study of political and constitutional writers as well as affairs of the day,
he was above and beyond party bias, and followed what seemed to him to be
the line of public policy most conducive to the interests of the whole rather
than a party or section of the nation. Previous to i860 he had taken no
active part in matters of public interest beyond the discussion incident to a
political campaign, and then only to express briefly his views upon the point at
issue. But in that year the question of the conservation of the Union, the
fatuity of the doctrine of States' rights, and the attempt to abolish a system
that was contrary to the basal idea of the constitution stirred within him the
spirit he had inherited from his Puritan ancestors. He resolved to do his duty
to his country so far as it lay within his power. Prevented by physical weak-
ness from serving at the front he directed his energies towards supplying the
material with which the struggle was to be won. With a thoroughness which
was a characteristic feature, he went to Washington and familiarized himself
with the detail of army life which was to be seen in the great army then
encamped near the capital during the period of McClellan's campaign. He
likewise visited the various departments of the government and was favored
with an interview with the president. At the second call for troops in 1861
Mr. Smith gave his time to the raising of volunteers and the organization of
regiments for service. He canvassed Cattaraugus county from end to end,
exhorting the people both publicly and privately to do their part for the
Union. When companies were formed in the various towns he cheered the
departing volunteers with inspiring and patriotic words. Ordinarily of an
undemonstrative and unimpassioned manner he became at such inspiring
moments a fascinating and brilliant speaker, and through the fervor of his
addresses and the earnestness of his manner stirred the enthusiasm of the
men of the county to give their best efforts for the Union. In 1863 Mr.
Smith went to New York, spending his time between that city and Cattarau-
gus county until the end of the war, when he moved to Buffalo, where he lived
until his death, Jan. 12, 1883. About the time of his removal to Buffalo he
gradually began to give up active business, leaving his interests in the hands
of his son, Archibald Clarke Smith, and devoted the remainder of his years to
his books and to travel. In 1868 he suffered a severe loss by the death of his
only daughter, Lucy Nichols, wife of James Curtis Beecher. In time the
infirmities of age became too strong to permit an active life, and, surrounded
by his family and guiding the development of a younger generation grown up
beside him, he passed his last years among the comforts and blessings to
which an energetic and benevolent life entitled him. His wife, the eldest
1^ ^
6o2 History of Cattaraugus Gountv.
daughter of Hon. Staley Nichols Clarke, as perfect a woman as her father was
a man, and whose motherly kindness many have cause to bless, has survived
Mr. Smith many years.
Mr. Smith was a man of great breadth of character -and depth of mind.
Fond of study, he devoted his spare moments to his library and was a writer
not only of the spirited addresses delivered during the war, but of many
short stories and critical essays of literarj' worth. Combined with these tal-
ents were a fund of dry hiJmorand the faculty of easy expression, all of which
made him fascinating and instructive in conversation ; men left him feeling
charmed and elevated by his presence. Of Puritan stock he was naturally
severe and critical, but once convinced of the merit of a man there was no
more steadfast friend than he. He was charitable and kind, convinced that it
was no merit but the pleasantest of duties to serve and make others happy.
He was a man of great business capacity, whose foresight and sagacity
brought his many interests through dangerous crises, and seized the opportu-
nity where a wrong step would not only have ruined himself, but brought
desolation to the many who trusted him.
William Somerville, son of James, was born in Dalkeith, Scotland, in
March, 1797. His father was a miller; William was a stone cutter. In 1817
he came to America and went to Washington, D. C, where he was employed
on the capitol over two years. Returning to Europe he married, in London,
in March, 1822, Hannah Hill, and brought his bride to Washington, where he
was employed on the White House. Remaining there until the completion
of the national buildings he returned to New York, where he conducted
shops of his own until 1842, when he came to EUicottville and settled on the
farm where his son, Henry Somerville, now lives, in Somerville valley, so
named in his honor. He died in 1859; his wife died in 1852. Mr. Somer-
ville was a member of the Baptist church. He had ten children who came to
"The Valley" with their parents ; only five are living. Henry Somerville suc-
ceeded his father on the homestead. He was supervisor of EUicottville in
1892 and was re-elected in 1893.
John W. Staunton and his wife, Sally Brewster, were born in Massachusetts
and soon after their marriage removed to Nunda, N. Y. In March, 1820, with
three children and all their household goods loaded in a heavy covered wagon
drawn by two yoke of oxen, they came to EUicottville and settled on a farm.
He died here at the house now the home of the widow of Dr. J. B. Staunton,
Dec. 13, 1858. Mr. Staunton was a well educated gentleman of dignified
deportment whose integrity was above question. He was the first town clerk
of EUicottville in 1821, was supervisor in 1823, 1824, 1825, and 1829, and was
clerk of Cattaraugus county from Jan. 2, 1826, to Jan. i, 1838.
William Stokes, son of Michael Stokes, was born in Limerick, Ireland, in
1849; ^^ '856 his parents came to America, and in 1861 he settled with them
on a farm in the north part of EUicottville. At the age of twenty-seven he
became a carpenter, and almost continually since then has been engaged as a
contractor and builder, employing from twelve to twenty men. Mr. Stokes is
a skillful mechanic and drafts his own work. The Union school building in
EUicottville, the new Crawford House, the Catholic church at Suspension
Bridge, the Congregational church at Kane, Pa., the Catholic church at Tona-
wanda, and numerous residences are monuments to his skill.
Asher Tyler became land agent for the Devereux tract in 1836, and during
his residence in EUicottville he was elected to Congress. He was a man who
Town of Farmersville. • 603
commanded universal respect and possessed remarkable ability. He subse-
quently removed to Elmira and was appointed land agent of the Erie railroad,
and died there in 1875. "He knew the Indian when as yet the white man's
mastery over. lands west of Schenectady was only in process of recognition."
Joseph Vaughan, of English descent, married Lydia Rood and in 18 10
removed to Pennsylvania. In 1822 they settled in the woods on Bryant hill
and about 1830 located in Somerville valley, where they spent the remainder
of their lives. Mr. Vaughan was a blacksmith before he came to Ellicottville.
He had twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity'. Joseph Millen
Vaughan, their first child, born in Massachusetts, May 21, 1808, married Polly
Litchfield, of Ellicottville, Feb. 17, 1832, who was born in Chesterfield, Mass.,
Sept. 6, 181 1. They settled on a woodland farm adjoining his father's place,
where Mrs. Vaughan still resides. ^Ir. Vaughan died Jan. 13, 1870. Their
eleven children all grew to maturity.
Walter Walrath, son of David and Elizabeth Walrath, was born in Man-
heim, Herkimer county,' Aug. 28, 1S26, and in 1844 came to Cattaraugus
county. In Dec, 1852, he married Mary Richards and in 1856 settled on a
farm near Great Valley Center, which he still owns. He enlisted in the Union
army in 1862, leaving his wife and four helpless children, the youngest an in-
fant only six days old. He followed the vicissitudes of the 154th Regiment
three years, e.xcept that he was a prisoner four months, and escaped without
a wound, but had several hair-breadth escapes. A bullet passed through his
cap and clipped a lock of his hair, and again his gun was shivered in pieces in
his hands. In 1865 he was discharged and is now leading a retired life in the
village of Ellicottville. His children are Adelaide (Mrs. J. Chase), Nelson D.,
Dr. Charles M. (see Medical Chapter), Walter D., and John C.
A. Spencer Weir married Lucretia Beebe and settled on a farm in Free-
dom in 1836. He was an exemplar}- citizen and died there in 1888; Mrs.
Weir died in 1877. Their oldest son, Charles A. Weir, born in 1852, re-
ceived an academic education, learned the mercantile business, and at the
age of twenty years became a general merchant in Arcade. A year later he
removed to Yorkshire Center and in 1889 settled in Ellicottville, opening a
furniture store and an undertaking establishment. His maternal grand-
father, Charles Beebe, was a very early pioneer of Freedom. In his early
manhood he built a log house in the woods and brought to this home his
young wife and their first-born child. He resided in Freedom until the ap-
proach of old age, when he and his wife retired to Arcade, where they died.
CHAPTER XXVII.*
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FARMERSVILLE.
FARMERSVILLE was formed from Ischua on the 29th of March, 1821,
and has an area of 29,843 acres. It is bounded on the east by Alle-
gany county, on the south by Lyndon and Franklinville, on the west by
Machias, and on the north by Freedom and a small part of Machias. The
• The data and nearly all the biographical material, particularly the personal reminiscences, comprising
this chapter were kindly contributed to this volume by William Henry.— Editor.
6o4 History of Cattaraugus -County.
town lies on the eastern edge of Cattaraugus county near the northeast corner.
The surface consists mainly of large rolling hills, with quite an extensive and
beautiful valley along the banks of Ischua creek and at the head of Mud lake,
the outlet of which is the south branch of Cattaraugus creek. The land,
though rolling, is little of it too steep for cultivation ; indeed there is no town
in the county and probably none in the State with less waste or untillable land
than Farmersville. The soil on the hills is a rich, vegetable mold admixed
with yellow loam, with a subsoil of clay or hardpan. The valleys consist of-
a vegetable mold and gravelly loam. The whole is well adapted to grazing
and the production of hay, grain, and potatoes. Hay and cheese are shipped
in large quantities. Agriculture forms the chief occupation of the people.
A watershed near the center of the town rises to a height of nearly i,ooo
feet above the Allegheny river at Olean. On the north are the headwaters
of the south branch of Cattaraugus creek and on the south some of the tribu-
tary branches of the Ischua creek have their source.
According to Marvin Older, now an aged and respected resident of Frank-
linville, the first settlements in Farmersville were made on Ischua flats, lots
33 and 34, in i8i5and 1816, by Elijah and "John Rice, brothers, Joseph Fowler,
Pell Keed, Ashbel Freeman, Ashbel Bard, and Real Price. None of them
remained citizens of the town many years. Ashbel Freeman died in 1821,
leaving a widow and famil}' who retained and lived on the homestead for a
long time. Mr. P"reeman was appointed judge of what was then the Olean
judicial district. Mr. Bard soon removed to Franklinville. There were evi-
dences of civilized settlements on the Ischua creek and on the south side of
Mud lake and its outlet at an early date. The supposition is they left pre-
vious to the War of j8i2 from fear of the Indians. From appearances of
graves on these clearings, and from wrecks of old buildings, people died of all
ages and were buried prior to 181 5.
In February, 1817, the first permanent settlement was made where Farm-
ersville Center now is by Richard Tozer, Peter and Cornelius Ten Broeck,
Peleg Robbins, and Levi Peet. The October previous the first three named
contracted for six hundred acres of land and erected the body of a log house.
The land was equally divided. The evening of the arrival of the five persons
named and the wife of Richard Tozer, the only one married, it commenced
snowing and in thirty-six hours the snow was nearly three feet deep. F"or
two days and nights the company remained with such covering as they could
improvise from their scanty bedding. The third day with great difficulty
they made their way through the woods to McCluer's saw-mill, ten miles
away, and obtained boards to cover their house. In May Peter Ten Broeck
sold his land (200 acres) to Levi Peet. Ten Broeck and Peleg Robbins went
on a tour of discovery, but returned to Farmersville in August. After re-
maining a few weeks the Ten Broecks returned to Otsego county, the home of
their parents, on foot, by way of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester. In
Town of Farmersville. . 605
February, 1818, they returned to Farmersville. Cornelius located near the
village and Peter first contracted for 100 acres in the southeast part of the
town on Ischua creek, to which he added until he became the largest land-
holder in the county.
Brief biographical reminiscences of many of the early settlers and their
descendants appear on subsequent pages of this chapter, but short notices
of some of the town's pioneers are given herewith. Cornelius Ten Broeck
prospered as a farmer. Though at first, like his brother Peter, he opposed
the temperance reform, he afterward signed the pledge, joined the Baptist
church, and was a consistent member until his death in 1843. Peleg Robbins
located on lands joining Peter Ten Broeck, where he lived and prospered.
For the next few years the settlers were governed by some si'mple regula-
tions. In 1822 the town was organized and Richard Tozer elected supervisor ;
Levi Peet served by appointment during 1821. Of the five early settlers Levi
Peet is the only one now represented by children in the town. Silas L., his
third son, is a large landowner, a wealthy and enterprising farmer. The next
youngest by his second wife is also a highly respected farmer.
The town increased in population quite rapidly. Among those who be-
came inhabitants previous to its organization were Nehemiah Parish, a soldier
of the Revolution who came from Henrietta, N. Y., in 1818, and his sons
Roswell, Shubael, and Zabad. Jeremiah Parish and his son Smith emigrated
to this town in 1821. The elder was a Revolutionary veteran. The son
Smith became a resident of Portville in 1831 and was one of the ablest and
most enterprising men of the county. He was an Assemblyman, and while
there was stricken down with paralysis, which impaired his health, but mind
and heart remained active for many years. Among other residents in 1 821
were William Adams, S. Williams, L Burns, Simeon Bradford (who built the
first good frame residence where Farmersville Station now is), Solomon Cur-
tis, Ashbel Freeman, John Flagg, William Gilley, Ru.ssel Hubbard, Lyman
Hubbard, Daniel Hodges (who represented the county in the Assembly in
1825, was one of the best and ablest men in the vicinity, and who became in-
sane in 1832 and remained so until his death), Josfeph Hazelton, James Leland,
Thomas Leet, Caleb Lewis, Joseph Mills, John D. Older (the first surveyor),
William Older, Jesse Older, Elijah Rice, John Rice, 2d, Clark Rice, David
Rood, Cyrus Rood, William Stilwell, Chauncey Taylor, Lucius Tyler (an
early justice of the peace), Uriah D. Wood, Alfred Willey, Samuel G. White,
Moses Wade, and William Waring, father of John Waring, of this town.
The settlers of 1822 were Zachariah Blackmon (a soldier of the Revolution)
and his sons Franklin, Jabez, Gains R., Ransom, and James.
The Blackmons were a very hardy race — all blacksmiths. All the sons
were hard drinkers in youth and early manhood. Every one of them re-
formed and remained teetotalers until their deaths. Franklin and James
made this town their home nearly all their lives. Franklin was for many
6o6 History of Cattaraugus County.
years a member of the Methodist church and died in 1879 in that faith.
James R. was a long-time deacon in the Baptist church, but in 1856 became
converted to modern spiritualism and remained a firm believer and an earnest
advocate of that faith until his death in 1878. The only representatives of
the Blackmon family now in town are Lyman, Horace, Elizabeth (Mrs. Jede-
diah Hubbard), and Susan (Mrs. Daniel Baldwin), children of James R. and
Persus Blackmon. They are worthy descendants of a sterling race.
John Hayford came in March, 1819, and reared a large family ; Mrs. George
O. Giles and Mrs. James Caldwell are the only representatives living in town.
Mrs. Hayford would accomplish what seems now a fabulous amount of all
kinds of family labor. Ora Bond was for a number of years a justice of the
peace. He went west many years ago.
Between 1822 and 1 826 came Israel B. Abbott, Tracy Avery, John Barnhart,
Solomon S. Buller, Edward Bumpus, John Bowers, Samuel Butler, Perry H. Bon-
ney, Ezra Belknap, Harvey Butler, Preserved Bullock, Artemas Barnes, Alva
Burgess, James E. Bishop, Asa Bullard, Solomon Burns, John Aiken, and
Francis E. Baillet. The latter taught a school in a small log school house,
in district No. 10, erected in the summer of 1827. It had a huge stone chim-
ney and fire-place, was sixteen by sixteen feet, and not over six feet and a
half between joints. He received $10 per month and boarded at home, a mile
away, and took his pay mostly in work. He taught the school a number of
winters. He was fond of fun. The school was made up largely of nearly full-
grown boys and girls, and one of the prime amusements was blindman's buff.
He was a sterling, capable man and far removed from profanity or vulgarity.
He was elected county clerk in 1837, '843, and 1846, and was one of the best
recorders and most exact business men the county has ever had. His kind-
hearted wife as well as himself will be remembered through many generations.
The following came to Farmersville in 1826: Eli Burbank, Jonathan Car-
penter, Curtis Carpenter, Zenas Carpenter, Elma Clark, Caleb S. Cooley,
Dyer Coudrey (first physician), Abram Cayter, Jacob Comstock (the first
merchant in 1826), Ashbel Carter, James Calkins, Curtis B. Divine, William
Dunham, Silas Dort, Salmon Dutton, Albert .Fancher, Ezekiel Flanders,
Frederic Farrington, Timothy Henry, George W. Gillet, Charles Gary,
Abner Grinnell, Richard Goodwin, Ira S. Hatch, Ebenezer Harris, Hiram A.
Hill, John Henry, Peter Holmes, Cicero Holmes, Gordon Henry, Peter Had-
lack, William A. Harris, Samuel Henry, Ezra Kellogg, Ebenezer Reed, Sam-
uel MuUiken, Marcellus McGowen, Enoch Richardson, Nathaniel Rowley,
Gershom Rowley, Jr., Amos Rose, Benjamin Rose, Jonathan Rich, William
Ross, Simeon Smead, John Squares, Enoch Sanborn, Alvah Skinner, Asahel
Spoor, Nicholas Spoor, James Tarbell, William L. Thomas, Marvel Thayer,
Anthony Van Schaick, Jacob Wade, Henry \\'ade, John D. Wade, James
Weston, Oliver Wakefield, Joseph Wedge, James West, and George Wickwire.
Of this long list of settlers it is doubtful if one of them brought $500 in cash.
Town of Farmersville. ' 607
Gordon Henry, born in 1777, probably had nearly that sum, and he bought
150 acres of land of Richard Tozer two miles north of the Center, with
twenty acres cleared and a small log house and a framed barn. For this he
paid $150 and the same amount on the original contract with the Holland
Land Company. This was the largest cash deal in land here up to 1826.
. Zachariah Lawrence explored the towns of Rushford and Farmersville in
1812 and made a permanent settlement in Rushford near the town line in
1818, moving into Farmersville in 1822, where he was a successful farmer.
One son, Hiram M., is now a resident at Farmersville Station. In 1844
W. H. Williams, the first immigrant from Wales, bought the Willey farm, now
a part of S. L. Feet's place. He paid for it in gold — about the first cash pur-
chase of land made in town. Soon after John Griffith and Owen Owens fol-
lowed ; David, Charles, and Robert Jones came in 1849 ^'''•^ -D. P. Hooper in
1852. Many other Welsh families soon moved in, nearly all farmers, and
either bought or rented farms. Nearly all haxe raised large families and are
among the most industrious and patriotic citizens. There are also a few Irish
families and several representatives of sunny Italy now residents of the town.
During the winter of 1829-30 the first temperance society was formed.
The pledge of that society only required abstinence from distilled spirits.
Gordon Henry and his sons Anson G., Backus, and Thomas, Levi Peet, David
Carpenter, Russel and Lyman Hubbard, Nathaniel and Gershom Rowley,
Peres Brown, Jr., and fifteen others joined at the first meeting, and nearly every
man remained faithful to his pledge. There is one exception. Levi Peet built
a hotel and commenced keeping a temperance house ; his customers were so
few, his profits so small, and the calls of his large family so urgent that he put
liquor into his bar. The protests of his excellent wife and the reproofs of his
own conscience were so severe that he continued his traffic but a short time,
and for nearly fifty years he was one of the most faithful, self-sacrificing, and
able temperance advocates in the county. The movement met with violent
opposition. A few evenings later the " rummies " met at the hotel and formed
what they called a true temperance society, pledged not to drink so as to
thicken the tongue, interfere with their walk, or in any way disguise themselves.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Richard Tozer, March 5,
1822, nearly one year after the township was erected, and the following officers
duly elected : Richard Tozer, supervisor ; Elijah Rice, town clerk ; Russel
Hubbard, John D. Older, Peter Ten Broeck, assessors; Peleg Robbins, col-
lector; James Leland, Uriah D. Wood, overseers of the poor; Lyman Hub-
bard, William Stilwell, Joseph Mills, highway commissioners ; Solomon Curtis,
Jr., Alfred Willey, Peter Ten Broeck, commissioners of common schools ; Thomas
Leet, Peter Ten Broeck, Russel Hubbard, Samuel G. White, inspectors of com-
mon schools ; William Stillwell, Levi Peet, William Waring, justices of the
peace; Moses Wade, William Burns, Jr., Peleg Robbins, constables. The
following lists give the principal town officers since 1822 :
6o8 History of Cattaraugus County.
Sujwrrfrms.-Richard Tozer, 1822-24, 1826 ; Russel Hubbard, 1825, 1828, 1832, 1836. 1851 ; Peter Ten Broeck,
1827, 18:57-3'<, 1841-i2 ; Ora Bond, 1829-30, 1840 ; Jonathan Graves, 1831 : George W. Gillet, 183:3-35 ; Russell Bar-
low, 1SJ9; Solomon Cummings, 1843-44, 1846-48; Edwin Taylor, 1845; Jarvis Leonard, 1849; Reuben Cross^
1850; Andrew C. Adams, 1852-53; James Nichols, 1854-55; Marsena Baker, 1856-58; David Carpenter, 1859 61 _
1864, 1871 ; James H. Day, 1862 ; J. T. Cummings, 1863: Adelbert Carpenter, 1865 ; William Henry, 1866 ; An-
drew Knisht, 1867; Levi L. Lines, 1868-70; Albert E. Bobbins, 1872-73; Henry S. Merrill, 1874-76, 1882-84;
James Caldwell, 1877-78 ; Squire C. Hayden, 1879 ; Alonzo Older, 1880 81 ; Melvin E. Smith, 1885-93.
Tiiicii aerlts.-TAmh Rice, 1822-24; Jacob Comstock, 1825; Lucius Tyler, 1826-27; George W. Gillet,
1S2.S-31, 1840; Francis E. Baillet, 1833-37, 1842-43 ; Solomon Cummings, 18=38-39, 1841 ; Grove B. Graves, 1844;
Luther Cross, 1845-49 ; James Nichols, 1850-52 ; iM. Hayford, 1853 ; Delos J. Graves, 1854 ; Reuben Cherryman,
1855, 1837; James A. Parker, 1856; Myron Older, 1858-60, 186:3-64; J. T. Cummings, 1.861-62, 1866-67; Franklin
Osborn, 1865; Albert E. Robbins, 1868-71; S. C. Rowley, 1872; D. G. Hubbard, 1873; John Worthington,
1874-75; Scott Cummings, 1876-77; M. E. Smith, 1878-82, 1884; AV. D. Smith, 188:3, 1835-90, 1893; George D.
House, 1891-92.
Justices nf the Peace— 1822, William Stilwell, LeviPeet, William Waring ; 1823, Lucius Tyler ; 1825, Jacob
Comstock ; 1826, Ora Bond, James Leland ; 1827, George W. Gillet, Joseph Hazelton ; 1828, Ora Bond ; 1829,
James Leland, James Weston, Lucius Tyler, Jacob Comstock ; 1830, Cyrus Keyes ; IWl, G. W. Gillet ; 18:32,
Ora Bond. Elijah Anderson ; 18:3:3, Ora Bond ; 1S34, Cyrus Keyes ; 1835, George W. Gillet ; 18:36, Hiram Bond;
1837, Solomon Cummings; 18;J8, Ora Bond, Solomon Cummings; 1839, Gi-oige W. Gillet; 1840, Ora Bond;
1841; Clark Rice, Gideon D. Walker; 1842, Solomon Cummings, Amos Wright; 1843, Edwin Taylor, Stephen
Hardy; l.<44. Ora Bond; 1845, Felix Baillet ; 1846, Solomon Cummings, Hiram Johnson, Russel Hubbard;
1847. Edwin Taylor, Samuel W. Wakefield ; 1848, Jarvis Leonard ; 1849, Seldon Squares, Hiram Johnson ;
18.50, David Carpenter, George W. Swift ; 1851, George W. Stanford ; 18.53. Duma Burr ; 1853, Hiram Johnson,
Benjamin G. Cagwin; 1854. Silas L. Pcet; 1855, B. G.Cagwin; 1856, David Carpenter; 18.57, A. C. Adams;
1858, S. A. Thomas ; 18.59, Gardner George ; 1801), David P. Hooper ; 1861, Gardner George, David Carpenter ;
1862, A. C. Adams ; 186:3, David Carp uter ; 1864, David P. Hooper; 1805, Ebenezer Hungerford ; 1866, A. C.
Adams, John Lockwell ; 1867, Abraham Pcet, Aaron G. Hovey ; 1868, David P. Hooper, M. J. Allen ; 1869,
Clark Giles; 1870, David Carpenter. Nathaniel Jewell; 1871, Samuel A. Thomas; 1872, David P. Hooper,
Dodge D. Persons ; 187:!, N. D, Smith, Edwin Hooper ; 1874, H. Jl. Lawrence, Jedcdiah Hubbard : 187.5, S. M.
Thomas, L. L. Carpenter ; 1876, S. S. Thomas, Hiram Robeson ; 1877, Abraham A. Peet, Rufus E. Cornwell ; -
1878, H. M. Lawrence; 1879, R. Stowell; 1880, S.M.Thomas; 1881, A. A, Peet; 1.882, H. U. Robeson; 188:3,
HughGridith; 1884, M. A. Jewell; 1.S8.5, George L. .Tames; 1.88<i, S. A. Thomas; 1887, Hug;h Griflith ; 1888,
Samuel \V;irring; 1889, George L. .Tames; 1890, S. P. Bingham; 1891, D. 0. Phillips, R. Stowell (vacancy) ;
1802, Charles Peavy ; 1893, Hugh Grifflth.
The fii'st birth in Farmersville was that of Addison, son of Richard Tozer,
in 1S17, and the first death that of Mrs. Magdalene Adams, November 7,
1820. The first marriage was that of Peter Ten Broeck to Polly Freeman.
In 1824 James VVorden erected the first saw-mill, locating it on the outlet of
Mud lake. Velinda Older taught the first school in Farmersville in 1819, hav-
ing about a dozen pupils in a frame barn. The first school district was formed in
the southwest part of the town April 12, 1822. This same year, at the first
town election, the sum of $25 was voted for support of common schools.
In 1825 the population was 636, amount raised for school purposes $39.35,
and number of children taught 155. In 1892 the population numbered 1,027.
The town that year had ten school districts with a schoofin each, attended
by 279 scholars and taught by ten teachers, the cost of maintenance being
$2,314.40. The assessed valuation of the property taxable for school purposes
aggregates $540,702, while the value of all school property is $3,740. The
.school books most in use in the town in 1825 were the Holy Scriptures, Web-
ster's Spelling Book, American Preceptor, Beauties of the Bible, American
Reader, and Pike's Arithmetic.
Excellent shipping facilities are afforded the inhabitants by two lines of
railroad, one running to Buffalo, the other to Rochester, namely, the Western
New York & Pennsylvania and the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg. There
Town of Farmersville. " 609
is only one station, however, in Farmersville, but there are three just over the
line in as many adjacent towns. The first highway was the State road from
Franklinville to Fairview, which was laid out in 1816 or before, and it was on
this, at the Center, that the first comers located.
Farmersville postoffice, locally known as Farmersville Center, is the oldest
village in the town and is situated a little east of the center. It contains two
church edifices (Baptist and M. E.) a school house, one hotel, a general store,
two blacksmith and two shoe shops, a wagon shop, a harness shop, a grist-
mill, a cheese factory, and about twenty-five dwellings.
Farmersville Station is located in the north part of the town on the Buf-
falo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, and contains a Baptist church edifice,
one hotel, one hardware and three general stores, a blacksmith shop, a steam
saw and grist-mill, a cheese factory, telegraph, express, and postofifices, and
about 150 inhabitants. W. C. Williams, who emigrated from Wales in 1868,
became the first merchant at the Station.
Fairview is a postofifice and hamlet in the northeast corner of the town,
lying partly in Allegany county. It contains one church (Welsh), a cheese
factory, a grocery store, blacksmith and cooper shop, and a few dwellings.
Laidlaw is a postoffice established in 1391 with C. E. Wright as postmas-
ter. It lies a little northwest of the center of the town.
The Farmersville cheese factory was built in 1890 by C. E. Wright and
has a capacity of manufacturing 100,000 pounds of cheese annually. It is
located at Laidlaw. The Farmersville Center cheese factory, situated in the
village of that name, was erected in 1880 by Howden Brothers. Its capacity
is about 300 cows. In 1889 F. W. & G. E. Hoggs built what is known as the
Bullock cheese factory, which is capable of producing 100,000 pounds of
cheese annually. The Rock Spring cheese factory was built by the Napier
Brothers in 1865 and is now owned by J. R. Holden. Its capacity is 900 cows.
Rev. Eliab Going, a Baptist preacher, conducted in i82i,in a barn of Levi
Feet's, the first religious services in town. It was not till 1826, however, that
a Baptist society was organized. On January 17th of that year a church was
formed with eighteen members under the pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Going,
and the body was legally incorporated April 4, 1836. ^ Their church edifice at
the Center was erected in 1838 at a cost of $1,600. It is a wooden structure
and will seat 300 people. The value of their church property is $500. The
society is without a pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Farmersville Center was formed and
incorporated September 12, 1823, and re-incorporated September 13, 1834.
Again the society was incorporated April 7, 1838, and again November 15,
1853. Their house of worship was built of wood in 1838 and cost $1,500.
The present membership is about twenty-five and the church property is
valued at $500. The edifice will seat 300 people and Rev. Mr. Wells, a local
preacher, conducts services every two weeks.
6io History of Cattaraugus County.
The Welsh Congregational Society of Siloam, organized by Rev. James
Griffiths and twenty-six members October 5, 1856, was incorporated in April,
1871. Their services were conducted in private houses until 1870, when a
neat edifice was erected at an expense of $1,200, which represents the present
value of the church property. The building will seat 250 persons.
The First Baptist church of Farmersville Station was organized February
14, 1888, with nine members, viz. : William Charles and wife, William C. Will-
iams and wife, Thomas R. Peet and wife, A. B. Morgan and wife, and Mrs.
James Davis. The first pastor was Rev. Orson F. Shoonhoven and the
present one Rev. W. A. Day. Their house of worship, a wooden structure,
was erected in the fall and winter of 1887 and cost $2,000. It will seat 210
people, and with the grounds is valued at $2,150. The society has thirty-five
members and the Sunday school eighty scholars and six teachers.
Oliver H. Adams, born in Johnstown, N. Y., in January, 1800, settled in
1824 on the farm where he has passed his life. He has probably done more
hard work than any man in town. His sons Warren and Edward live on the
homestead. His wife died in 1889.
Cummings Adams settled in Farmersville in 1827, was nearly blind when
he came here, soon became entirely so, and remained so until his death. Of
great strength and activity of mind and body, the town has had but few men
better read than he. His sons were for many years among the most influen-
tial in town. Andrew, the youngest, now a citizen of Franklinville, repre-
sented the town two terms as supervisor and was a faithful and active trustee
of the Ten Broeck Academy until his removal to that town.
Nelson and Joel H. Alexander came to town in 1835, bought land in com-
pany, and while clearing up their farms both worked a portion of the time at
the blacksmith trade. Nelson was an expert horseshoer and has been a suc-
cessful farmer on the lands originally bought by the brothers, where he now
lives. Nelson Alexander, son of Solomon and Gratia Alexander, was born in
Winchester N. H , April 26, 1807, came at the age of twenty-three to Otsego
county, where in 1831 he married Polly Bacon, and removed thence to this
town. Mrs. Alexander died Nov. 7, 18S7. They had eleven children, ten of
whom grew to maturity. His son Albert D. is the only representative here.
By reading and study he has become one of the ablest men of the town. His
wife, a woman of great executive ability, will long be remembered as a kind
neighbor and excellent nurse. After a few years the brothers disolved part-
nership and Joel, the younger, is now living in New Hudson, N. Y.
William Austin, a veteran of the War of 18 12, a native of the eastern part
of this State, and a son of John, removed to Pittsford, Monroe county, where
he married Rebecca Doud, and came in 1827 to this town, where he built a
log house, cleared a farm, and ten years later sold out. He immediately began
clearing the second farm, where his wife died in 1843. Si.K of his eight child-
ren grew to maturity, viz.: Susannah, Elihu D., Hannah, Sarah H.,Anna, and
William D. Mr. Austin died in 1884. Elihu D. Austin, born May 21, 1825,
married Jane, daughter of Laban and Sarah (Tarbell) Lewis, and has eight
children: Zina, Lucinda M., John W., Albert H., Reuben L., Fred E., James
W., and Luther M. Zina Austin enlisted in the Rebellion and served on the
gunboat Key West, participated in five engagements, was taken sick, and died
on the boat Red Rover, Jan. 11, 1865.
Town of Farmersville. ■ 6i i
Henry Backus started in the race about the same time with others who
came to town during its early settlement. For fifteen years his success, hard-
ships, and endurance corresponded with the companions of his youth, when
his wife, a sister of Marsena Baker, was stricken down with consumption, leav-
ing him seven small children. His second marriage was inharmonious, which
broke up the family, and he died in Boston in January, 1873. Olive H.
Rhoades, of Boston, Mass., is the only one living of the family. Aaron B.,
the oldest child, emigrated to Oregon with his uncle in 1852, became wealthy,
and died in 1882, leaving a large family. Thomas went to Oregon in 1857,
where he buried his wife and only son, after which his mind and health became
impaired and he died in 1890. James H. was a Congregational preacher,
started for Oregon in i860, and was shipwrecked between San Francisco and
Portland. The hardships and exposures impaired his mind and health, and
returning to this town in 1869116 died in 1881 at his brother William's. Eliza-
beth, the oldest daughter and first wife of George Howard, died in 1843.
Marsena Baker was born in Brimfield, Mass., acquired a large landed prop-
erty, mostly earned by hard work, economy, and good judgment, and inherited
a few hundred acres from his father. Aside from him there was up to this
time scarcely a man that received as much as §100 by inheritance. While
discharging his duty as Committee on Charitable Institutions as member of
Assembly he caught the small-pox and died at his brother's in Brimfield, Mass.,
aged fifty-two. His widow, a woman of culture, great versatility of reading,
and many virtues, still lives on the old homestead. The oldest daughter
married Judge Cobb, a former resident of the county, and lives in Kansas
City, Mo. The second is the wife of Frank Gilbert, of Chicago. The fourth
married Putnam Peet, youngest son of Le\-i Peet. The two sons are unmar-
ried. The children received nearly all their education in the checkered
school house ; the younger ones had some advantages at Ten Broeck Academy.
William Baldwin, son of Benjamin, a Baptist preacher in Vermont, came"
to F"armersville about 1835 and settled upon the farm where his son, U. P.
Baldwin, now resides, and where he died. His wife was Martha Hinds, a native
of Vermont. He had six children, of whom three are living": Benjamin,
Martha (Mrs. A. Proctor), and D. P. The latter married Susan Blackmon
and has one daughter. Bertha A. (Mrs. M. O. Tarbell).
Jacob Brewer came from Pittsfield, N. Y., with his family about 1833 and
settled in the west part of the town, where he took up some wild land and
built a log house. Of his four children two are living: Mrs. Olive Knight in
Franklinville and Maria (Mrs. Aaron Hovey) in Missouri.-
Preserved Bullock was a settler of 1824; his sons Preserved and Wood-
bury (twins) are dead. Elisha, a son of Preserved, owns and lives on the
homestead. Horace, a son of Woodbury, is living near Franklinville Station
and his mother lives with him. The wife of Preserved, Sr., was Lydia Wood-
bury, and both died on the homestead. Preserved, Jr., was born Feb. 5, 1804,
married, Nov. 13, 1831, Malana Cronk, who was born May 17, 1804, and died
Aug. 18, 1879. Mrs. Bullock died Feb. 23, 1879. Their two children were
Joel and Elisha, the former of whom was burned to death. Elisha was born
October i, 1835. Nov. i, 1857, he married Anna A., daughter of Orrin and
Augusta (Hayderi) Terry. They have five children. VVoodburry Bullock
married Eunice Richardson, who survives him. Mr. Bullock died June 15, 1872.
Duma Burr was born in Denmark, N. Y., in 1812. In 1832 he married Lucy
Munger and in 1849 removed with his family to Farmersville, where he was
6i2 History of Cattaraugus County.
for many years a justice of the peace and a respected citizen. He was a mem-
ber of the M. E. church and died in 1887, his wife dying in 1876. Children:
Allen C, who died in i860; Amelia S. (Mrs. George Gould), -of Franklinville,
and Triphena (Mrs. William H. Adams), who resides on the homestead.
Harvey Butler, son of Richard and Mercy (Sage) Butler, natives of Con-
necticut, came to Farmersville in March, 1823, and in September following
his wife, Lovisa Douglass, came on with their five children. They lived on
two different farms here until 1854, when they moved to Sparta, Wis., where
he died in 1871 and where his wife died in 1866. Their daughters were all
educated in the public schools and did good service in teaching. The only
ones now living are Mrs. Eliza A. Holmes and Mrs. Laura H. Graves, of
Franklinville. One son, the oldest of the family, died when sixteen ; another
is living in Sparta, Wis. The girls were all married.
David Carpenter, a nephew of Levi Peet, was apprenticed to him soon
after Peet was married. He married in town, raised a large family, and for
many years was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the county,
representing the town as supervisor, town clerk, and justice of the peace many
years. The too free use of his name endorsing notes, etc., led to his failure in
old age, but he strained every nerve to prevent loss to his friends, for many
years working by the day or at odd jobs to earn his support or pay debts.
He remained a citizen of the town until 1889 and voted at elections for nearly
si.xty years. In politics he was first an anti-Mason, next a Whig, and then a
Republican until 1872, when he supported Horace Greeley, and for the last
six years has voted with the Prohibitionists. A Baptist in religion he has all
his life been a teetotaler. Born m Massachusetts he belongs to a family noted
for extraordinary memories, which distinguished him, enabling him to trans-
act much business; he was a sort of encyclopedia among his neighbors.
Zenas Carpenter was born July g, 1801, and settled in this town in 1827-
with his wife, Laura Webster, and two children. He afterward removed to
the BuUard district, whence he went in 1844 to Lyndon, where he died Dec.
18, 1854. Children: Warren and Laura.
Michael Chaffee settled in 1821 and raised five boys and two girls. The
boys were remarkable for physical strength. DeNike, the youngest, the only
representative living in town, is a well-to-do farmer.
Lucius Cleaveland came to Farmersville in 185 i and died here in 1876, his
wife dying in 1882. Of his seven children five are living: Norris, Freeman,
Matilda (Mrs. Horace Blackmon), Charles S., and Delos. Norris Cleaveland
married Marion Crawford, and has had three daughters, all deceased. Lucius
Cleaveland was a stone mason by trade, a native of Rhode Island by birth, and
an Englishman by ancestry.
Solomon Cummings came to Farmersville in 1829 and a few years later
married Jonathan Graves's eldest daughter, Mariette. He was a merchant
here and represented the town on the Board of Supervisorsin 1843, 1844, 1S46,
and 1848. For a number of years he has lived in Franklinville, in which chap-
ter a further notice of him appears.
David Cutting emigrated from New Berlin, N. Y., about 1824, settling with
his wife, Nancy Bancroft, upon a tract of one hundred acres on lot 32, where
he erected a log house, set out an orchard, and cleared a farm. His children
were Diana, Mianda, Risina, and David L., the latter of whom resides on the
homestead. David L. married Mary C. Potter and has one son, Frank L.
David Day was a settler of 1829; he died in 1804. His son James owns
Town of Farmersville. ■ 613
the homestead, to which he has made additions. Nelson, the second son,
lives on and owns a part of the old Tozer place. His farm had the first fruit-
bearing orchard in town, and it is yet among the best. William is a dentist in
Franklinville, and Daniel B. lives in Kansas, and Clark, the youngest, died
there. Daniel B. was in the battle of Fair Oaks and received five severe gun-
shot wounds, his being one of the most marvelous escapes from death recorded
during the war. His vigorous constitution, great strength, and temperate
habits can alone account for his marvelous recovery. James Day represented
the town of Farmersville on the Board of Supervisors in 1862.
James Evans was born in March, 181 1, in South Wales, whence he emi-
grated to America and to Freedom in 1852, with his wife, Mary Davis, and
three children. Mrs. Evans died July 11, 1870, and Mr. Evans resides with
his daughter Mary (Mrs. Theodore Leonard).
George W. Gillet, successor to Jacob Comstock, the first merchant, built
a store in 1828. In connection with it he ran an ashery, making pearlash and
potash, nearly the only cash articles manufactured or raised for many years.
Mr. Gillet was an enterprising man, but failed in business after a few years.
He served the county as clerk from 1841 to 1844 and emigrated west soon
after his term expired. Himself, wife, and children are all dead.
Jonathan Graves, son of Jonathan, settled at the Center in 1828 and was
a partner of G. W. Gillet in the mercantile business a number of years; he
afterward bought Richard Tozer's tavern. His oldest son. Grove B. Graves,
remained a citizen of the town and died in 1889 on the farm his father had
owned. His second son, Delos, is a merchant in Franklinville. The daugh-
ters were accomplished ladies. The eldest, Mariette, is the wife of Solomon
Cummings, of Franklinville. Julia, the wife of J. T. Cummings, died in Arcade,
where they lived, in 1872. Her life was one of great labor. She was equalled
by few and excelled by none. She was among the sweetest of singers and
most accomplished and beautiful women the town was proud to own. Jon-
athan Graves was supervisor of Farmersville in 1831.
Gideon Henry was born in 1777 and settled in Farmersville in 1826. In
August of that year his right shoulder was dislocated by the kick of an ox.
It was not properly set, inflammation and rheumatism set in, and for many
weeks he was a great sufferer. The neighbors were faithful in volunteering
to watch with him night and day, and after he began to recover they made a
large logging-bee. This helped the elder boys. Backus and Thomas, so they
sowed about the quantity of winter wheat the father had intended. He died
here January 14, 1857. O^ Protestant Irish descent his father emigrated to
Colchester, Conn., when seven years old (in 1737), and thence to Richfield,
Otsego county, when Gordon was sixteen, where he was married to Phebe
Cheeseman in 1803, and where all his children were born, five sons and three
daughters. He came to this town May 6, 1826. Unselfish and charitable,
honest and just, he was especially prompt to pay hired help. He was deacon
in the Presbyterian church, and after the division he sympathized with the
new school. He was one of the first to embrace the temperance movement
and espouse the cause of the slave, and discarded the use of tobacco when
sixty years old after using it over forty years. With Phebe, his wife, he
lived a loving and respectful union of fifty-four years. Their oldest son,
Anson G. Henry, was a person of many virtues and varied experience. He
studied medicine in Richfield Springs, N. Y., and Cincinnati, Ohio, and in
1829 came to visit his parents in Farmersville, where he taught the district
6 14 History of Cattaraugus County.
school the following winter. Completing his medical education he located in
Springfield, 111., in 1832, and became a close and a life-long friend of Abraham
Lincoln. Dr. Henry took an active interest in the politics of the State and
was elected and appointed to places of importance and great trust. He
moved to Oregon and in 1S61 was appointed surveyor-general of Washington
territory, which position he held until his death. After Lincoln's assassina-
tion Dr. Henry accornpanied the remains on their journey to Springfield and
sailed for his home in Oregon on board the Brother Jonathan, but was
wrecked Aug. 12, 1865.
Joseph Henry, of Irish descent, was born in 181 5, came to this town in
1827, and for two years rented the John Hooper place. He then bought a
portion of the farm he now owns, and by industry, aided by an excellent wife
(Amanda Lawton), has added to his lands and other personal property until
he is one of the wealthiest men in town. Since the completion of the Buffalo,
Rochester & Pittsburg railroad he has kept a general store and his sons John
and Andrew have conducted the farm. Since the death of his wife, in 1875,
he has lived alone with his youngest daughter. He has three other daughters
married and two sons deceased. Andrew Henry was born Aug. 26, 1856, and
married in 1879 Jennie McKerrow; children living: Matthew and Blanch.
William Henry, the youngest son of Gordon, was born in Richfield, N. Y.,
Aug. 8, 1 818, and married Sophia C. Wood, of Gainesville, N. Y., Jan. 19,
1843. The union has been harmonious and their progress along the same
lines of thought and belief. For over si.xty years he has taken an active part
in all matters of public interest ; especially has he always been an earnest
worker in the temperance and anti-slavery reforms; never used tobacco,
always avoided late hours, and strenuously opposed all luxurious living and
show. From 1831 to 1854 he was a Presbyterian, but then became converted
to modern spiritualism. For many years he was a pioneer school teacher, the
wages at first being §9 per month. In the winter of 1843-44 he taugiit for
$14 and boarded himself. Besides this he had from two to four night schools
each week. Teachers at that time set copies for the scholars and made and
mended good quill pens. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a
radical Republican. In 1872 he supported Greeley for president. From that
time until 1890 he acted with the Democrats and since then has been a leading
and enthusiastic member of the People's party. For over thirty years he has
been a prolific writer for the local press; and has occasionally written for lead-
ing papers in Boston, New York, Elmira, Buffalo, Rochester, and Chicago.
His communications generally command the attention and respect it not the
approval of readers. His honesty, his courage, and his independence can not
be questioned. It became his duty by common consent to lead in raising the
quota called for the spring of 1864. He volunteered himself and in less than
twenty-four hours the quota of the town was filled. He was supervisor in
1866 and has held other offices of trust. He served on the gunboat Pazv Pazv
until the close of the war and was able to do full duty nearly every day.
Since seventy years old he has nearly retired from business and has de\'oted
his life to reading and writing. Besides his prose writings he has written some
verses that have been approved by the best minds in the country. He read
an interesting poem in 1892 at the Pioneers Picnic. His education was
limited to the log school houses and one term in the high school in Spring-
field, 111., in 1839-40. At that time he made the acquaintance of Lincoln,
Douglass, and many more of the men who afterward acquired national
Town of Farmersvii.i.e. 615
prominence. Mr. Henry often repeats the immortal words of Lincoln : " With
charity for all and malice towards none," and Paul's summing up: " Charity
never faileth."
Peter Holmes became a citizen of the town in 1820, bought land, and lived
upon it until his death in March, 1864, getting his first start making wooden-
ware by hand. He and his wife were very hardy, substantial people, and
reared five sons and one daughter. Cicero S., the second son, is the only rep-
resentative still living in town. Born here in 1823 he has been an exception-
ally industrious and hardworking farmer. Luther M. Holmes is a son of
Hosea and Eliza A. (Butler) Holmes and was born Oct. 25, 1851. In 1876 he
married Ettie, daughter of Lyman and Maria (Sill) Searl, and has two children,
Mattie and Ernest. He is an industrious farmer and a representative citizen.
Ebenezer Hooper, Jr., was born in New Berlin, Otsego county, came to
Farmersville about 1833, and settled and cleared the farm now occupied by
his son Lyman. He was a member of the Freewill Baptist church and a man
respected and esteemed by his neighbors, and died in 1869. Mr. Hooper mar-
ried Caroline Thrasher, who died in 1839, leaving him one child, William, who
lives in this town. For his second wife he married Almira King, who bore him
five children : Lyman, Solomon, Cornelia, Mary A., and Mary A., 2d. Both
of the latter are deceased. Lyman Hooper is a farmer. Born Feb. 4, 1843,
he married, in 1863, Florinda, daughter of Robert Blair, and has five children :
Alta L. (Mrs. James Rogers), Wallace W., Bertha E., Flora B., and F"rankie.
Another daughter, Mary C, died in infancy.
George Howard came to this town in 1830 and bought the farm owned by
Joseph Mills. An excellent farmer, a good neighbor, and a public spirited
citizen he emigrated to Le Roy, N. Y., in 1868, where he died in 1882. His
oldest son went to California, where he still lives. A daughter went to Ore-
gon in 1863. Frank, the third child by the first wife, was killed at Gettys-
burg. The children of the second wife are Thomas, Byron, Charles, and Anson
(deceased). Anna, the eldest daughter, is unmarried and lives with her mother
in Le Roy. Ella (Mrs. Clarence Bryant) lives in York, N. Y.
Russel Hubbard with his father, who survived him only a few years, and
his brother Lyman, who soon removed to Rushford, came in 1821 and settled
on a farm of two hundred acres in the east part of the town, where he lived until
a few years before his death at Waverly, N. Y. Being one of the best informed
and finely cultivated men in the county he was discovered by Horace Greeley
and by his influence was nominated and elected to the Assembly in 1831. He
also served the town as supervisor, school commissioner, and in other places
of trust, and might have been returned to the Legislature, or sent to Congress,
or appointed to other positions if he had sought them. A most interesting
and fascinating man in conversation he had the elements of an orator, but
would only say a few words in public at a time. After being an active mem-
ber of the Methodist church for many years he became converted to modern
spiritualism. He remained a citizen of this town until a few years before
his death, which occurred at Waverly in 1875. His remains now rest in
the Farmersville cemetery beside his wife, who survived him a few months.
His son Jedediah, born Jan. 24, 1828, a farmer, represents him in town. Jede-
diah married, Feb. 21, 1861, Ann E., daughter of James and Percy (Hayford)
Blackmon ; children : Jessie (Mrs. Glenn Watkins), Russel C, and Hattie M.
For some thirteen years he has been town assessor. An only daughter of
Russel, Hattie Scott, is living in Chicago, 111. The oldest and only other sur-
6i6 History of Cattaraugus County.
viving son, Rial W., lives in Chicago and has been a member of the Legislature.
Abel Jewell came from Sherburne, Chenango county, in 1S41, settling on
the farm now owned by his nephew, Michael A. This he cleared and im-
proved, reclaiming it from a thickly wooded tract to fertile, cultivated fields.
Solomon J. King, son of Samuel and a native of Genesee county, was born
March 22, 1818, came with his father to Cattaraugus county, and married Eu-
phema, daughter of Ezra and Betsey Hawkins. Mr. King is a mason by trade
and a farmer by occupation, residing on the homestead of his father. They
have a son, Lewis A., who married Ellen L. Potter and has one child,
Lora E.
Andrew Knight, Jr., son of Andrew, was born in Pittsfield, N. Y., in 1808,
and in 1830 married Olive Brewer. The same year they moved to Farmers-
ville onto a farm of 100 acres. Mr. Knight was well known in the county.
He bought and drove cattle to Philadelphia, and was supervisor of Farmers-
ville in 1867. Of his six children only one, Fremont, is living. Andrew
Knight died April 19, 1886; his widow lives in Franklinville.
Dea. Timothy Lane and his sons Lloyd, Jacob, and Samuel settled on
farms on lot 39. The deacon was a Baptist and a gifted man in conference
and prayer meetings. The three sons and three daughters comprising his
family are deceased. The oldest son of Lloyd, James H., is an enterprising
farmer here. His success has been phenomenal. In 1868 he bought a large
and poor hill farm, mostly on credit, and has made it into a pleasant home.
Ezra B. Law is a son of Eliphalet and Mary E. (Strong) Law. Born in
this town Dec. 16, 1853, he married, April 12, 1873, Eva, daughter of Zabad
Parish, and has been a farmer and dealer in cattle and horses. Children:
Lovina (deceased), Vernia E., Bertha E. (deceased), and Reuben \V.
Benjamin Leonard, son of Evan and Margaret (Davis) Leonard, was born
July 2, 1828, and came to Freedom in June, 1844. He married Jenette Bydle-
man and had these children: Dora, Theodore, Julia, Sarah, Jane (deceased),
George (deceased), Charles E., Melvin E., Eddie (deceased), Hattie J., and
William B. By his second wife, Martha Thomas, he had children Gretta G.,
Lewis J., Mary E., David T., and Eliza A. Theodore Leonard was born in
Freedom, F'eb. 8, 1851, received his education in the common schools and in
Ten Broeck Academy, and married in 1879 Mary Evans; children: James F.
and Irving B.
William S. Little, who came into Farmersville as a farmer in 1840, was a
native of Middletown, Conn., for some time a resident of Genesee county,
raised thirteen children, and died at the age of ninety-seven years. Five of
his family are living, viz.: Elizabeth (Mrs. E. Hines), Sarah (Mrs. Amos
Wright), Emily (Mrs. Clark Sisson), Walter N., and Fred M. The latter
owns and occupies the homestead. Walter N. Little was born in Bethany,
N. Y., Dec. 6, 1822, came to Farmersville with the family in 1840, and in 1845
married Eliza A., daughter of Jeremiah and Betsey Potter; children: Adel-
bert W. (deceased), Amelia (Mrs. E. Curtis), Bessie L. (Mrs. M. L. Sessions),
and Orville. Mr. Little resides on the farm he originally settled, and carried
on his back from Farmersville Center the apple trees now comprising his
orchard. Feb. 17, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 105th N. Y. Vols., and was with
the regiment until its discharge, acting as teamster.
Frederick M. Little, son of William S. and Lurana (Manwaring) Little;
was born in this town Nov. 27, 1840, on the farm on which he now resides.
May 13, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 71st N. Y. Vols., and participated in the
TOWX OF FaR.MEKSX ILLE. . 617
engagements of Fair Oaks, Seven Days' Fight, Malvern Hill, Second Bull
Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor,
and Petersburg. At Second Bull Run he was taken sick, sent to Philadelphia,
and rejoined his regiment in April, 1863, and was discharged July 31, 1864.
Returning home he went to Warren, Pa., where he married Carrie B. Loomis,
and in 1878 resumed his residence in Farmersville. Children: Charles F.
and Nellie M. (Mrs. H. W. Drumb).
Charles Love, born March 22, 1798, settled here in 1827. He was most
scrupulously honest and faithful to every obligation. His wife was Katie
Lane and they had eight children. Their son James remains on the home-
stead. George is a farmer in Freedom. Elanah, wife of John Rust, and
Catherine, wife of Landes Rogers, reside in this town. Thomas lives in Port-
ville, as does also Mary (Mrs. N. Colerick). Martha (Mrs. FI. Rogers) resides
in Humphrey. James Love was born Dec. 26, 1S32. Aug. 28, i'864, he mar-
ried Harriet L., daughter of Benjamin and Lucy (Kidder) Martin. Children:
Nettie L., Lillie M. (Mrs. Milton Charles), Anna J., Charles B., and Edna May.
Benjamin Martin, a native of Salisbury, \'t., came to Yorkshire in 1834
and in 1851 removed to this town, locating five years later on the farm his
son William P. now owns. By his wife, Lucy Kidder, he had eleven children,
all but one of whom are living, viz. : Mary iMrs. Daniel Bullard), Caroline
(Mrs. Harvey Turner), -Ann (Mrs. Nathaniel Patterson), Benjamin F., Henry
G., Hiram A., Harriet L. (Mrs. James Love), Ellen J. (Mrs. Harlan Locke),
William P., and Clara A. (Mrs. Fayette Joslyni. Susan is deceased. Will-
iam P. Martin was born in Yorkshire, Feb. 4, 1S45. Nov. 19, 1868, he mar-
ried Adelaide, daughter of Horace ^nd Laura (Blount) Frescott ; children :
Erdine L., Leona A., Prescott U., Burnett H., Denton E., and Ethel L.
The Merrill family in America is of English descent and date their resi-
dence in this country to the year 1633 or 1634. Nathaniel Merrill and his
brother John, as near as can be ascertained, were natives of Wiltshire, Eng-
land, came to America in 1633-34, and resided in Ipswich, Mass., about a year.
They then removed to Newbury, Mass., where they were farmers and original
settlers. The homestead of Nathaniel has but recently passed out of the
possession of his descendants. Nathaniel and Susanna, his wife, had four
sons and a daughter. Their son John was adopted by Gregory Wilterton,
supposed to be his uncle (the brother of his mother, Susanna), and at his
death he inherited his estate. John married Sarah Watson and they had
eight sons and two daughters. Their fifth son, Wilterton, married, first, Ruth
Pratt, and second, Hannah Waters, who was the mother of Gideon Merrill.
Gideon married Mary Bigelow and had sons Samuel and Nathaniel. Nathan-
iel, married Hannah Belden and they had sixteen children. Their seventh
child, Allen, was born in Litchfield, Conn., and early in life became a pioneer
of Litchfield, N. Y., where his brother-in-law, Samuel Merry, was the first
settler. Allen Merrill married Tammie Smith and they were parents of eleven
children. His fifth child. Smith Merrill, was born in Johnstown, Montgomery
county, Oct. 16, 1810, and came to Yorkshire in 1835. In the early part of
1838 he married Melinda, daughter of John Howe, who settled in Yorkshire
in 1832. Mr. Merrill was a tailor and opened a merchant tailor's store, and
remained there in trade until 1849. He then located in the village of Frank-
linville, where he continued his business until the financial embarrassments of
1857, when he closed out. In 1859 he removed to a farm in Farmersville,
where he was a farmer until 1881, with two years of the time in the same oc-
78
6i8 History of Cattaraugus County.
cupation in Great Valley. He has since then resided near his son, Perry E.
Merrill, and two of his daughters in the town of Freedom. This family con-
sists of ten children: Henry S., John B., Emmett VV., Perry E., Addie E.,
Loraine H. Steele, Wallace W., Mary E. Hayes, Grace M., and Frank M.
John B., Emmett W., and Addie E. are deceased.
Henry S. Merrill, the eldest of this large family, was born in Yorkshire,
June 5, 1839, ^^'^s educated at the common schools, and at the age of fifteen
he entered the printing ofifice of the Olca)i Journal, of which Charles Aldrich
was then editor and proprietor. There he was an apprentice for three years,
when he returned home and remained until the breaking out of the Rebellion.
He enlisted April 22, 1861, a private in Co. B, 23d N. Y. Vols., and followed
the vicissitudes of his regiment the next two years, being honorably dis-
charged at the close of his term of enlistment. He participated in the battles
of Manassas, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
(first and second) Chancellorsville, and several of lesser importance. He es-
caped without a wound and was only four weeks in hospital. Returning
home upon his discharge he again went to the war and was engaged with an
army sutler a year. He was then a farmer until 1868, when he engaged in
cheese-making, which he followed successfully until 1874 and was proprietor
of three factories at the time he sold and left the business. Since then he has
been engaged as a farmer, station agent, insurance agent, and in the railway
mail service four years. His first presidential vote v/as given to Abraham
Lincoln in Nov., 1864. He cast his lot with the Republican party and there
are few, if any, more zealous adherents in his town or county. He served
six terms as supervisor of Farmersville, where he has lived since 1868, and has
held other places of trust both political and financial ; and were he to die to-
day his political account should balance. Financially he has been better to
acquire than to preserve.
In the fall of 1888 Mr. Merrill received the Republican nomination for the
ofifice of county clerk and was elected by the flattering plurality of 2,291
votes. He is now serving his second term acceptably and satisfactorily. Mr.
Merrill is the first county clerk in this county who has succeeded himself
since 1846, when Francis E. Baillet, formerly of Farmersville, was also his own
successor. Feb. 12, 1866, he married Miss Hattie E. Persons, daughter of
Alonzo Persons, of Rushford, N. Y., and they are the parents of a son and
two daughters. His son Emmett W., born Nov. 19, 1867, married Bula
Hilsle on June 6, 1893, and is now aiding his father as special deputy clerk.
His oldest daughter, Hattie E., recently graduated at the Normal School at
Fredonia, N. Y., and the youngest, Mertie C, is at home.
Alvenus Metcalf, son of Rufus, was born in Freedom in 1820, married
Alma Weire, and settled finally in the northeast part of Farmersville, where
he died on the farm where his son Carlos now lives. His five sons were Car-
los, Earl (deceased), George, Odell, and Charles.
Samuel i\Iulliken was among the early settlers. To the girls the commu-
nity is indebted for their faithful service as teachers. Fidelia commenced
teaching when only sixteen years old and received seventy-five cents per
week : her labors and pure Christian example should perpetuate her name
through all coming generations. The family consisted of seven girls and two
sons; of the girls all but one, Angeline, were married. She died quite
young. The youngest son died in the west. Edwin, the oldest, retains the
old homestead, married, and is now living in Rushford, N. Y.
-CJJO
Town of Farmersville. . 619
Sally Older was a worthy friend and co-worker as a pioneer teacher
with Mary Ann Tozer, Miss Packard, Minerva Peet, the Nobleses, and Fidelia
Mulliken. She has been twice married and is now a widow living in Illinois.
She was an excellent scholar, especially in mathematics, in which she had no
equal in town. All her learning was acquired without the aid of an academy or
high school. Marvin Older, an elder brother, was an able and very successful
teacher in this and other towns during our early histon,-. Mr. Older has been
a citizen of Franklinville many years and one of their best scholars and ablest
writers in prose and poetry. Paulina Older taught school as early as 1825 in
district No. 2, at the Center, and the writer went to school in the same place
during the summer of 1826. Morden Older, brother of Marvin and an accom-
plished scholar and a successful teacher, studied law later in life and practiced
in Moscow, N. Y., until his death.
Wallis Older, son of William, came to this town with his father in 1818, mar-
ried Juliette Mulliken, followed farming and his trade of cooper, and died
here after rearing a family of five children Alonzo, his son, married Mariam
Woods and had six children: Charles E., William W.. Rosa, Ella M., Frank,
and Clyde. Mr. Older's second wife is jane Carpenter. He was town super-
visor in 1880 and 1881 and is a prosperous farmer.
Nathaniel S. Patterson was born in this town April 8, 1842. Enlisting in
Co. D, 1 54th N. Y. Vols., he served until the close of the war, being discharged
June II, 1865. April 22, 1864, he married Mrs. Lucy A., widow of Henry L.
Martin, and has one daughter, Alta M.(Mrs. Frank Bancroft). Mr. Patterson
is a progressive farmer on the homestead.
Rufus Peet became a citizen of the town in 1828, was highly endowed, and
few men had better memories or a more correct and ready flow of language. He
used to say that he obtained a mastery of language by a severe study of
Webster's Dictionary ; he divided the book into 365 parts, and each day learned
to spell and define one of those parts. At the end of the year he had mas-
tered his task and never after that did he hesitate for a word when writing or
speaking. Witli all the qualities he possessed he seemed to lack the power to
attract or please. Perhaps the community is as much to blame for not listen-
ing and appreciating his superiority as he for not making a more judicious use
of his wonderful gifts. Levi Peet was a marked character in many directions.
It would hardly be possible to find a human form more devoid of grace and
beauty. Slim, six feet two inches tall, loose-jointed, having very few oppor-
tunities for school, he was undoubtedly possessed of latent powers susceptible
of great development. He was elected justice of the peace in 1822, and by
the help of his excellent and well-educated wife he continually advanced in
usefulness and influence until his death in 1863. He became an able business
man, studied law, and became quite a successful practitioner in justices' courts.
He was twice married; his wives were sisters. To them he owes much for
his success. And to them he and the world are indebted for a large family of
stalwart sons and cultivated daughters. One of his sons in a letter to an old
schoolmate in 1891 says : " Some of us may not have filled the niche designed
for us by our Creator, yet I think the boys and girls who lived in Farmersville
sixty years ago will rank with the average."
Schuler Peet taught school a number of seasons, emigrated to Iowa, and
became one of the ablest lawyers in that State. Cornelius also went to Iowa,
has been a successful farmer, and has ably represented his county in the Legis-
lature. S. L. Peet, before marriage, was a teacher. They were sons of Levi.
620 History of Cattaraugus .County.
Joseph Powell became a resident of Farmersville about 1828, settling near
the center of the town on a tract of land he afterward sold, to Cornelius Ten
Broeck. About 1853 he moved to Wisconsin, where he died.
Truman C. Pratt, son of Jeremiah, Jr., was born in New Lisbon, N. Y.,
Nov. 19, 1825, came with his father to Lyndon, and subsequently removed to
this town, settling in 1862 upon the farm he now occupies. Jan. i, 1851, he
married Charlotte M. Stockwell ; children : Eleanor S. (deceased), Lucien R.,
Rose M., and Ernest A. Gertrude M., an adopted daughter, married Charles
M. Thompson, and died Dec. 15, 1890.
Enoch Richardson came to Farmersville Center about 1S28 and engaged
in the tanning business. He was afterward a farmer and eventually moved to
Rushford, N. Y., where he died.
Richard Robbins married the second daughter of Gordon Henry. His
farm joined Mr. Baker's. Their children were all born and educated in the
same school district. In culture, reading, and literary taste Mrs. Baker and
Mrs. Robbins were much alike. Mr. Robbins, a man of great strength and
endurance, did a great deal of clearing by the job, and would chop twenty-five
acres in 100 days and has chopped five and three-fourths cords of four-foot
wood in a day. He signed the pledge previous to his marriage in 1833 and
was among the earliest to espouse the cause of the slave. They had six sons
and four daughters. Two, Milton and Egbert (the twin brother of Albert, a
policeman in New York) were killed in the Rebellion before Petersburg. Rich-
ard was drowned arftd Frank, the youngest, died in Portland, Ore.; Ellen, the
oldest, is not married; Elizabeth died when quite young; Esther F. has had
superior advantages of travel and was a genius in sketching and drawing.
She has been twice married ; her present husband is James Brown, LL.D.,
of Portland, Ore., where she has had a home since 1863.
Israel Sessions, born in Vermont, October 24, 1806, came with his parents
to Oneida county, and moved thence in 1836 to Farmersville, where it is said
he "cleared up more land than any man in the county." Marrying Sophia
Shepard he had born to him six children, of whom Albert served and died in
the navy during the Civil war; Mariette (Mrs. Orson Sweet) is deceased ;
Luther enlisted in the Rebellion and died at Elmira; Marenus H. married
Bessie L. Little and has one child, Edith B.; Edwin C. resides on the homestead.
Nelson D. Smith, son of Asa B., was born in Otsego county. Coming to
Rushford, Allegany county, he married there Adaline P. Balcom, and was
engaged in milling and cheese making. In 1870 he came to this town, having
since been a farmer and cheese maker, and now resides at the Center. He
has two sons, Melvin E. and Willis D., who are merchants in the Center vil-
lage. Melvin E. has been supervisor for several years, and in other positions
he has served faithfully and honorably. He married Mary L., daughter of
James and Catherine (Ives) Burger ; children: Genevieve and Mildred. Willis
D. Smith married Florence J. Thomas, and has one child, Harry C.
Ezra Strong was among the early settlers and made a manly struggle with
poverty while rearing and educating a family of six sons and three daughters,
all of whom are living excepting the third son, Ezra B., and the youngest
daughter, Mary Ann. Walter and Jacob are farmers, the first living in Ma-
chias and the latter in Freedom. William, the oldest, is a wealthy farmer in '
Michigan. The two younger are well educated men.
D. O. Tarbell. — Among the few who have remained on the homestead of
their father D. O. Tarbell, son of James Tarbell, has been most successful.
Town of Farmersville. 621
He took the farm, which was badly encumbered, cleared off the debts, and
added largely to it by purchase. His barns with all their contents were
burned by lightning in the fall of 1877 and again in the fall of 1881. The in-
surance covered only a small part of the loss. Myron O., his son, superintends
the farm and D. O. lives in Olean.
Chauncey Taylor was an emigrant from Otisco, Onondaga county, to
Farmersville in 1820. Settling on the farm where he died he reared three
daughters and one son. Edwin Taylor was supervisor of Farmersville in 1845.
Hon. Peter Ten Broeck became a permanent resident of Farmersville in
1817 and at one time was the wealthiest man in town. An extended sketch of
him appears on page 278.
Samuel Thomas and his son and their families settled in town in 1840.
Samuel. Sr., is dead. His son Samuel A. still lives here, is a wit and a good
story-teller, and has made a specialty of rearing blooded stock. He has been
acting justice of the peace for a number of terms, is a very ingenious person,
and can make any common article in iron or wood.
J. \V. Thomas, a native of Wales, England, came to Cattaraugus county
in 1S55 and to this town in i860. In 1857 he married Mary F., only daugh-
ter of Robert Gilley. Robert Gilley came with his father to Farmersville
when a small boy, married Clarinda Hand, and died on the homestead, which
he had purchased. Mr. Thomas was a tanner and currier by trade and com-
bined that vocation with farming, being fairly successful in both occupations.
His three children are Fred W., who was killed in ati accident at Alpine.
Te.K., Sept. 19, 1890, Addie V. (Mrs. M. A. Leonard), and Herman H.
Richard Tozer was born in Richfield, N. Y. Soon after his settlement in
I 817 he built additions to his one-room cabin and commenced keeping tavern.
A few years after he tore down the log cabin and built what was then con-
sidered a beautiful and spacious hotel, which still remains without scarcely
any changes or repairs to this day, a period of over si.xty years. He was the
first supervisor after the organization in 1822 and was re-elected in 1823, 1824,
and 1826, and was a man of enterprise and ability. He was noted for his
sharp wit and burlesques and stories. He had a large family of sons and
daughters. Addison, his oldest, was the first child born in the settlement.
His second daughter, Mary Ann, married John Packard in 1844. They emi-
grated first to Galena, 111., but now live in Chicago. It seems quite proper to
keep alive her memory in the town of her birth, where she received in the
plain little school house all, or nearly all, her literary education, and where
for years she and her husband will be remembered by their pupils for their
faithful service and good examples as teachers. She died in Aug., 1892.
Jamin and Arthur Tyler came to this town with their father, Alvin, in
1826, and the father died a few months afterward. They became farmers, re-
taining lands articled by their father, where Jamin lived until his death in
1888. He has one son, Clayton, living in town, a daughter, Emma Adams,
in Bradford, Pa., and another in Sandusky. The widow of Jamin is still liv=
ing on the homestead. Arthur and his wife. Hurry, oldest daughter of Har-
vey Butler, died in Portville, where they had lived many years. Lucius, an
older brother, was a still earlier settler, a tanner, currier, and shoemaker, and
an early justice of the peace. Henry C, son of Jamin, resides in this town.
Samuel Wakefield, Jr., moved into Farmersville in 1844 and located on
the farm now owned by Orin Wright. Born in Brattleboro, Vt., in iSoo, he
reared a family of eight children, and died on the homestead respected by a
622 History of Cattaraugus -County.
wide circle of friends. His wife was Polly Knight and their children now
living are Benjamin F., Delia H., Mary J., Fenner, Charles B., and William K.
Charles Wilder, a native of Windham county, Vt., emigrated to Otsego
county, whence his son Reuben came to Farmersville in 1837, where he set-
tled on the farm now owned by his sun R. S., and where he died. His wife
was Elsie L. Skinner, who bore him four children — Frances JM. (Mrs. D. O.
Tarbell), Mary A., Sarah A. (Mrs. N. Brown), and Reuben S. The latter was
born Aug. 17, 1829, came to this town with his father, and Feb. 25, 1857, mar-
ried Sarah J., daughter of Joseph Henry, by whom he has one son, Millard R.
For nine years he lived in Fairview, where he was postmaster and a grocer.
William C. Williams, son of John, was born in Pembrockshire, South
Wales, in 1848, came to America and to Freedom in 1868, and worked by the
month until [878, when he built a store at Farmersville Station, where he has
since been engaged in the mercantile business. He married Cariie, daughter
of Alonzo Osman, and has been postmaster. Mr. Williams has acquired an
excellent reputation as a thorough business man. The first merchant at the
Staton he is one of the very few laboring men who saved enough from their
wages in an iron-mill to bring them to America and start them in business.
John Worthington, whose father was an early settler of Freedom, became
a citizen of this town quite early, where his children were born and educated.
The oldest, Dubios, became an accomplished scholar and a popular preacher.
William, a lawyer, was corporation attorney of the city of Buffalo when he
died in 1890. Another son is a carpenter (the trade of his father).
Amos Wright came from Genesee county to Freedom in 1824, settling on
i5o acres of land near Elton. There he cleared a farm and worked at his trade
of carpenter and millwright, and removed to this town in 1838, locating on
the place now owned by Henry Little, where he was killed by a falling tree.
He had ten children, of whom four are living: Amos, Jr., Orin, Harriet, and
Sally. Orin Wright, a native of Freedom, was born Feb. 23, 1829. Dec. 5,
1852, he married Angeline C. Wakefield, who has borne him eight children,
six of whom are living: Samuel, Charles E., Albert B., Irving P., Orin S.,
and Katie D. His wife died in June, 1888, and forhis second wife Mr. Wright
married Mrs. Mary J. Law. He is a farmer and a carpenter.
CHAPTER XXVHL*
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FRANK!, INVII.LE.
FRANKLINVILLE lies northeast of the center of the county in lat. 42^
20' and long. 1° 30', and embraces within its limits township four in the
fifth range and three tiers of lots from the west side of township four
in the fourth range of the Holland survey, and is bounded on the north by
Machias and F"armersville, on the east by Lyndon, on the south by Lschua
* Contributed mostly by George C. Storrs.
Town of Franklixvili.e. ■ 623
and Humphrey, and on the west by ElUcottville. It contains 31,804 acres, of
which 20,200 are improved. It is watered by Ischua creek, which flows south
through the east part of the town.; Great Valley creek, which passes through
the northwest corner; Chamberlain creek and Cold Spring brook, which unite
in Morgan hollow, flowing in a southerly direction until Crosby run empties
into and forms Sugartown creek, which flows in a southwesterly direction into
the Allegheny river; Rockwell creek, which rises on lot 61 and flows north-
easterly and west of north into Great Valley creek west of Devereux Station;
Simonds run, which flows northwesterly into Great Valley creek east of Dever-
eux Station; Storrs creek, which flows east into Ischua creek south of Cadiz ;
Boyce run, which rises on Boyce hill and flows easterly into Ischua creek near
Franklinville village; and Gates creek, which rises in the eastern part of the
town and flows northeast and southwest into Ischua creek at Cadiz.
The western part of the town is undulated and hilly, traversed by narrow
valleys along the streams. From the northeast corner broad flats extend
down the Ischua valley to below Cadiz, whence to the south boundary of the
town they are considerably narrower. The soil along the Ischua valley is
largely composed of alluvium and is remarkably fertile. The timber is princi-
pally maple, beech, basswood, birch, cherry, and white ash, with occasional
groves of hemlock, and originally a sprinkling of pine on the hills and elm and
butternut in the valleys. The early fauna consisted of the elk, deer, bear,
wolf, panther, wild-cat, lynx, otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, coon, fox, sable,
hedgehog, groundhog, and black, gray, red, striped, and flying squirrels
Many of these species have retired before the march of civilization. Among
the feathered tribes was the raven, whose hoarse croak and slowly flapping
wings distinguished it from other birds ; but it, too, has sought deeper solitude.
Eighty-eight years ago the town of Franklinville was a primeval forest : the
home of wild beasts and of the untutored savage. The oppressive stillness of
its hills and valleys was unbroken save by the halloo of some dusky hunter,
the hoot of an owl, or the scream of a wild animal. But in 1805 new echoes
were heard in these vast solitudes — sounds which caused the savage occupants
to dimly realize the dark foreshadowings of an inevitable doom. They were
the sounds of a party of surveyors dividing the vast wilderness into townships
and lots. The Indian had already retired before the advancing tread of the
Saxon race.
In March, 1806, Gen. Joseph McCluer, the pioneer of pioneers, arrived at
Franklinville with his wife and five children and began housekeeping in a log
cabin on the site now occupied by the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Myers. Gen.
McCluer was born in Belchertown, Mass., May 14, 1775. About the period
of his majority he married Betsey Grice, an accomplished yojng lady. In
1804 he removed to Angelica with his wife and family. His skill and accu-
racy in surveying soon attracted the attention of Joseph Ellicott, the principal
agent of the Holland Land Company. This led to negotiations which ended
624 History of Cattaraugus County.
in an agreement, and Mr. McCluer was sent into the wilderness with compass
and chain, accompanied by Solomon Curtis and Ira Pratt as axemen. Begin-
ning at the eastern boundary of the Holland Land Company's purchase, and
proceeding westward, they came to the beautiful Ischua valley. Here nature
had scattered charms with a lavish hand. The broad, beautiful valley, covered
with a wealth of green succulent herbage, stretching out on either side of
Ischua creek ; the majestic denizens of the forest rearing aloft their venerable
heads, crowned with emerald green, intertwining their dark moss-covered
branches as if in loving embrace; the evident fertility of the soil; and the nat-
ural advantages the location presented for building up a thriving business town
— all challenged the admiration of the young surveyor and he determined to
make the site of what is now the village of Franklinville his future home. In
1805 he selected lot 39, township four, range four, and built a log cabin on the
premises. The next spring he removed from Angelica with his wife and five
children, and after a wearisome journey of three days, cutting his own road
through the wilderness, a distance of thirty miles, he set his family down at
the door of his new home in the Ischua valley in March, 1806. The same
summer he put up a log barn where Ely & Ferris's drug store now stands.
He became the leading man of the town and held several of the town offices.
Mr. McCluer erected the first frame barn in the Ischua valley. In those
days it was a serious matter to build. Settlers were so scarce that he was
obliged to go to Angelica to get help to raise it. In those primitive times
men were ready at call to go thirty miles to help a neighbor put up a barn,
even if it did, as in this case, occupy three days. At a later date he built a
saw-mill on Gates creek a short distance east of Franklinville village.
It would scarcely be possible to portray in these pages the toils and priva-
tions, the anxieties and dangers, the victories and defeats, the hopes and fears,
incident to pioneer life. The sufferings and endurance, the weary days and
sleepless nights of the pioneer, can never be fully realized until experienced.
In the growth of the town there have been three periods of rapid increase
of its population: From 1806 to 1809-10, from 1817 to 1833, and from 1850
to 1870. Immediately following the survey of the Holland Company's lands
in 1805, by Joseph EUicott accompanied by Joseph McCluer, a tide of immi-
gration set in which rapidly filled up the Ischua valley in the immediate
vicinity of Franklinville, and which continued until about the beginning of
the year i8'io. It was then quite generally understood that a war with Great
Britain was imminent, which meant innumerable Indian attrocities. Very
few indeed came into the town from this time until after the war closed and
the fear of trouble with the Indians had subsided. No open hostile demon-
strations were made here by the savages during the conflict, yet their in-
creased boldness in begging or stealing kept the unprotected inhabitants in
constant fear. They dared not refuse their demands, yet to give was to
deprive themselves and little ones of absolute necessities. Between fear and
Town of Franklinville. ' 625
privation those early settlers led anything but agreeable lives during those
two or three years of war excitement. The cold season of 1816 operated
against the new settlement. iVIany became discouraged and left their farms
to find homes in other places. Others who had settled in the villages removed
to the hills to get away from the frost. This gave the county the name of
" Cold Cattaraugus," which clung to it for many years. Franklinville (or Mc-
Cluer Settlement, as it was then called) was very nearly the center of several
surrounding tribes of Indians: The Alleganies on the southwest, the Cattar-
augus on the west and northwest, the Tonawandas on the north, and the
Squakie Hill, Gardow, and Caneadeas on the north and east.
From about 1817 there were new impulses given which again called the
attention of people to this section. The land was sold to settlers at a low
figure, and many who had small farms in eastern counties exchanged them
for a larger number of acres here. Another consideration which attracted
immigrants was the plan adopted by the Holland Land Company of giving
"articles." To obtain an article it was necessary to pay enough down to
cover the expense of issuing the proper papers; and many a landless wight
started for the land office in the morning with two dollars in his pocket and
came back at night a freeholder. This easy method of getting possession of
land tended to create an unsteady and shifting population. Settlers often
desired to change and would sell their improvements for what they would
bring and remove to othef neighborhoods. This state of things often brought*
about some novel and amusing sales. In some instances a farm was purchased
for a gun or other piece of property. Uncle Robert Scott, as he was called,
bought fifty acres in Sugartown for a dog — a hound at that. The abundance
of '.', ild game, too, proved a great aid in procuring food for the table.
After about 1820 it was generally reported in the east that the climate of
this new region was mild, with early seasons and plenty of pure water, to-
gether with a fertile soil and valuable timber; these -reports brought settlers
quite rapidly. In 1826 Moses Essex, Stephen Seward, and Thomas D. Storrs
made a trip from Otsego county to locate land here. This resulted in quite
an addition to the population of the town from that section in 1827 and 1828
and later. About 1830 for three or four years a number came to the western
part of the fown from Genesee county. Afterward and up to about 1836
settlers no longer came in groups and the growth of the town was less rapid.
During this whole period a class of men came in who made permanent citizens
and many of their sons and daughters still remain. Many possessed means to
pay for their farms and thus escaped the privations the pioneers endured.
This brought together a set of resolute, athletic men. Their sports were of
the athletic type. Almost every raising, logging-bee, town meeting, and elec-
tion was hailed as a day of recreation. Jumping, wrestling, and ball playing
were the usual sports engaged in. General training and Fourth of July were
anticipated as legitimate days for all manly and innocent games. One in-
79
626 History of CATTARAUGUis Countv.
dividual, Sela Burlingame, a peffect gentleman, would never bet, never refused
a challenge to wrestle, and was never vanquished. We are not aware that
a wager was ever laid on one of these contests.
The third period of rapid settlement of the town was brought about by
John C. Devereu.x, son of Nicholas Devereux, the leading proprietor of the
lands purchased from the Holland Company known as the Devereux purchase.
About 1843 he came to Ellicottville to take charge of his father's interests.
Mr. Devereux was an Irishman by birth, and soon after his arrival at Ellicott--
ville he conceived the idea of disposing of their lands to his countrymen, who,
about 1850, began to arrive in large numbers. He sold farms on liberal terms
and rapidly disposed of his lands to actual settlers. A considerable portion
of this property was in Franklinville, which gave a new impetus to the im-
provement of the town. These new arrivals quickly paid for their farms and
surrounded themselves with the comforts of life. When the Irish first began
to settle here there was a strong prejudice against them, which was outspoken
and quite as annoying as it was undeserved. They were in a manner ostra-
cized. This treatment induced them to lead a clanish life for some years. But
they were prompt and honest in discharging their obligations, which gradually
won the entire confidence of the conrtmunity at large. In 1866, the arrivals of
this class having considerably diminished, Mr. Devereux moved to Utica,
leaving his business here in the hands of John McMahon.
Soon after the first settlers began to raise stock the bears and wol\-es be-
came so troublesome that measures were taken to protect the inhabitants from
their predatory encroachments and bounties were offered for their destruction.
Prior to 1822 the Legislature had passed acts authorizing Boards of Super-
visors to offer bounties for killing wolves and to levy and collect taxes to
pay them. In some instances county treasurers had become involved in con-
sequence of the large amounts of bounty certificates presented for payment,
and they applied to the Legislature for relief. As an example the following
act, passed February 4, 1822, is quoted:
" Be it enacted bij the people of the State <if New York represented in Senate and Axsemtjhj, That it shall
be the duty of the Comptrcller to draw his warrant on the treasurer of this State in favor of Moses Van-
campen, treasurer of Allegany Countj', for the sum of ninety two dollars and fifty cents ; which sum the
said treasurer of this State is hereby required to pay ; the same being for wolf bounties."
Sections 8 and 9 of an act passed February 9, 1822, read as follows:
" And be it further enacted. That the Countu trea>-!(rcr shall charg-e the S(a(f tcra»Ti»-fr the one half of all
bounties credited and allowed by the board of Supervisors for wolves taken and killed in their respective
Couuties, which account the comptroller is hereby directed to allow.
'' And he it further enacted, That all laws heretofore made, authorizing any bounty to be paid by any
county or town in this State, for the destruction of wolves, beai-s, panthere, wild cats, foxes, noxious ani-
mals, and birds, be and the same are hereby repealed."
The following resolution was passed by the Board of Supervisors of Cat-
taraugus county on November 10, 1820:
" Resolved, That the County pay a bounty of twenty dollars for every full grown wolf killed in the
county and seven dollars and fifty cents for each and every wolf whelp killed in the County of Cattaraugus
for one year from this 10th day of November, 1830."
Town of Franklinville.
627
This resolution had been passed year by year for several years prior to
1820, and was passed again in 1821 for the last time. The effect of these
bounties is shown by the town audits of the town of Ischua for 1820. As
that document contains several items of interest aside from bounties it is
given in full :
TOWN OF ISCHUA TO SUNDRY PERSONS, DR.
AlIT. WHAT SEBVICES.
HARGED.
,7nhn Burget.. S20.00 Wolf certificate.
Ashbel Freeman 20.00 Wolf certificate.
Jacob Belong 20.00 Wolf certificate.
Solomon Curtis 20.00 Wolf certificate.
Chas Button 20.00 Wolf certificate.
Ashbel Freeman 20.00 Wolf certificate.
Samuel Kickor... 20.00 Wolf certificate.
Joseph McCluer 13.00 Clerk of election.
Muses Warner ^M Town clerk.
Moses Warner 4.00 Town clerk.
Isaac Seari 4.00
Enoch Howlet 25..'i0 Assessor.
Samuel G.Sutton 26.7.5 Assessor.
Elijah Kice... 22.25 Assessor.
Isaac Carpenter 8.00 Clerk of election.
Orange Powell.-- 5.00 School commissioner.
Sa'ml G. Sutton -- 11.25 Surveyor.
Nathan Cole 20.50 Cora'rof highwajs.
Satiiuel Kickor.- 10.00 Bear scalp.
Nathan King -- 10.00 Bear scalp.
Richard Tozer 5.00 Com'r of highways.
NAMES OF PERSONS. AMT. WHAT SERVICES.
OCT. 4, 1820. CHARGED.
ThomasMorris $ 400 Supervisor.
David Barrows.- 10.00 Bearscalp.
Ashbel Freeman 20.00 Wolfscalp.
William Price 14.00 Justice of the peace.
Sands Bouton 2.00 Town clerk.
Joseph McCluer 10.00 Damage to house at
town meeting.
Isaac Carpenter 4.00 Com.commnnschools
Daniel Vaughan 50.00 5 Bear spall's.
Thomas Morris 20.00 Copying ta-x roll.
ThomasMorris 3.00 Footing ta.\ roll.
James Adkins --- 3.00 Justice of the peace.
SEPT. 26, 1820.
James Reynolds 3.00 Justice of the peace.
Israel Curtis 1.00 Justice of the peace.
James Brooks..- 1.00 Justice of the peace.
Benjamin Waterman- 1.00
Ira Norton 1.00 Justice of the peace.
James Reynolds 1.00
Richard Tozer 1.00 Com. of highways.
In 1820 the county treasurer charged the State of New York with bounty
money $972.50 and in 1821 with $1,476.50. The State paid bounties in 1822
of S200, in 1822 S90, in 1824 $120, in 1825 $67. After this bounties received
little attention. After .1827 stock was rarely killed by wolves or bears.
In 1820 the total valuation of real and personal property in the town of
"Ischua was $450,818. Ischua then embraced the present towns of Franklin-
ville, F"armersville, Lyndon, EUicottville, Freedom, and Yorkshire. In 1892
the total valuation of these towns was as follows: Franklinville, $1,314,510;
Farmersville, $702,315; Lyndon, $389,627 ; EUicottville, $754,611 ; Freedom,
$720,608; Yorkshire, $661,014: a total of $4,542,685. EUicottville, Freedom,
and Yorkshire were set ofT from Ischua in 1820. The town audit of Frank-
linville for 1824 was as follows:
TOWN OF FRANKLINVILLE TO SUNDRY PERSONS, DR.
Elijah Sill - S 7..50 Assessor.
John Morris 15.00 Com'r highways.
John Morris.-- 3.50 Com'r highways.
ThomasMorris 1..50 Surveyor.
S. Kawson 5.00 Assessor.
Moses Chamberlain.. 7.00 Com'r of highways.
Ezra Brock way 17.00 Com'r of highways.
Ellas Hopkins 6.50 Chairman.
Chas. Howell 13.00 Surveyor.
J. D. Older.-- 7.0O Surveyor.
Arba Richards 6..50 A.tman.
Manly McCluer 3.00 A.xman.
A. C. Boon 2.00 Chairman.
John Reynolds 2.84 School commiseioner.
NAMES. A
Joseph McCluer
Moses Warner, Jr...
Isaac Scarl
Moses Warner
Jonathan H. Lyon
Solomon Curtis ...
Flavel Patridge
J. H. Lyon
J. H. Lyon --.
Isaac Searl
Isaac Searl
1.50
3.00
4.00
.75
16.25
2.25
21.02
8.00
1.00
1.00
3.00
School commissioner.
School commissioner.
Supervisor.
School inspector.
Assessor.
School com'r.
Town clerk.
J. P.
J. P.
Supervisor.
Supervisor.
Tear 1824 $159.11
In 1892 the town audit was -
Levied by resolution of the board and added.
A total of - - _ S'tJJ.S
628 History of Cattaraugus- Countv.
Lyndon was set off from this town in 1829, leaving Franklinville with its
present boundaries. The total valuation in 1829 was S6i,68i and in 1892
$1,314,510. In 1829 the total tax levy of the town was §1,057.32; the ratio
of tax on the dollar was .01713. In 1892 the total tax levy was §7,197.28;
the ratio of tax on the dollar was -O0533.
The first school taught within the present limits of the town of Franklin-
ville was in 1808 or '09 by Dr. John McCluer in a house built by Benjamin
Hotchkiss, who had moved out and settled on the east part of lot 38.
The first frame school house was built in 1813 on the farm then owned by
Henry Conrad and now owned by Thomas Grierson. Its size was 16x20, and
Henry L. Kingsley was the first teacher. In 1820 a log school house was
built about a half-mile north of the village of Franklinville and William
Older, Solomon Curtis, and William Stiliwell were elected trustees. In
1820-21 Louie Moore taught this school. In the winter of 1821-22 Benjamin
McCluer and in 1824-25 Pardon T. Jewell taught. In 1828 the first school
house in the village of Franklinville was erected. Since the first school
houses were built, as the districts were formed and numbered, the new build-
ings, in point of comfort and convenience, have fully kept pace with the
growth and prosperity of the town. The first settlers clustered around the
village and district No. i was organized. Later, from 18 17 to 1821, the set-
tlement extended down the Ischua valley below Cadiz and No. 2 was formed.
About 1825 Cadiz received a number of settlers, a carding-mill was built by
Tilly Gilbert, a store was opened, a saw-mill put up, a tavern and a black-
smith shop established, and No. 3 was organized. There are now twelve,
school districts in town. v
There has been some misapprehension in regard to the formation of the
town of Franklinville. It has been difficult to obtain the successive legislative
acts which gave the town its present name and form, but they were finally
secured through the courtesy of Hon. B. B. Lewis. In the State Gazetteer of
1861 and County Gazetteer of 1874 appears the following: " Franklinville was
formed from Olean, June 16, 1812, as 'Hebe.' Its name was changed to Ischua,
April 17, 1816, and to Franklinville, March 3, 1824." The latter statement
only proves to be correct. i\Iarch 11, 1808, the Legislature passed an act
dividing the county of Genesee, a part of which reads as, follows:
" XXI. And be it furtlier enacted. That the county of Cattaraugus be erected into a town by the name
nt Olean, and that the fli-st town meeting in the said town of Olean be held at the dwelling house of Joseph
JfcCluer, in said town.
" XXII. And be itfurUicr enacted. That so much of this actas relates to theforming of new towns shall
take effect from and after the day preceding the first Tuesday of April next."
The following is found among the early records of the town of Olean :
" At a special town meeting held at the house of Wyllys Thrall, on Saturday the W day of May, 1812,
for the purpose of dividing the town of Olean, the following votes were passed :
" 1st. That the town of Olean shall be divided.
"2d. 1 hat the ilii-ision line shall be theline between the third and fourth towns, running east and west.
" 3d. That the south part of said line shall retain the name of Olean.
'• 4th. That the north part of said line shall X>e called Ischua.
Town of Franklixville. ■ 629
" 5th. That the first town meeting in the town of Olean shall be held at the house of Sy Ivanus Russell.
" 6th. That the first town meeting in the town of Ischua shall be held at the house of Joseph McCluer.
" 7th. That the postage for to send the same to Albany shall be paid out of the contingent money in
the town of Olean."
This resulted in the passage of the following act by the Legislature on the
i6th of June, 1812:
" Section I. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly,
That from and after the day preceding the 1st Tuesday of March next, all that part of the town of
Olean aforesaid, lying on the north side of the line running east and west between the third and fourtn
tiers of townships of the Holland Land Company's land in said county of Cattaraugus, shall be erected
into a separate town, by the name of Ischua, and the first town meeting in said town shall be held at the
house of Joseph McCluer in said town.
" II. And be it further enacted. That all the remainmg part of said town of Olean shall be and remaiu a
separate town by the name of Olean, and the first town meeting shall be held at the house of Sylvanus
Kussell in said town."
Again Ischua and Olean were declared separate towns by the following
act passed April 12, 181 3:
••I. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly, That all
that part of the county of Cattaraugus lying on the north side of the line running east and west between
the third and fourth tiers of townships of the land of the Holland Company, shall be and continue a town
by the name of Ischua. And that all the remaming part of the county of Cattaraugus shall be and con-
tinue a town by the name of Olean."
The towns of Olean and Ischua were still further recognized by the act
passed April 13, 1 8 14, anne.x;ing a part of the county of Cattaraugus to Alle-
gany, erecting the town of Perry (now Perrysburg), directing the use of mon-
eys, and regulating town meetings, etc. :
"III. And be it further enacted. That all that part of the towns of Olean and Ischua, in the said county
of Cattaraugus, hereby annexed to the said county of Allegany, shall be and remain separate towns, by the
name of Olean and Ischua."
The name of the town of Ischua was changed to Franklinville by an act
of the Legislature passed March 3, 1824, as follows:
"Be it enacted by the people of the State nf Xetv York represented in Senate and Assembly, That from and
after the first day of April next, the town of Ischua, in the County of Cattaraugus, shall be called and
known by the name of Franklinville."
The foregoing legislative acts establish the fact that the northern part of
the town of Olean was erected into a town by the name of Ischua and remained
so until 1824, when it was changed to Franklinville. During the period be-
tween 1812 and 1824 towns had been erected from Ischua until only township
four in the fifth range, township four in the fourth range, and township four in
the third range remained of the original town, and these townships were erected
into the town of Franklinville by the act last quoted. Lyndon was set off
from Franklinville on January 24, 1829, which left Franklinville with the same
territory that it now contains. The town of Ischua was properly represented
in the Board of Supervisors from 18 18 to 1824. The town of Hebe nowhere
appears in the records of Cattaraugus county, and positively there never was
a town of Hebe in this county.
Since the town of ''Hebe" has in some way got mixed up with the history
of Franklinville and Ischua it seems proper to outline its very brief existence.
On page 27, laws of 18 14, appears the following act passed by the Legislature
on February 25th:
630 History of Cattaraugus' County.
" I. Be it enacted 6y the people of the State of New Yark represented in Senate and Asxemhlij, That from aud
after tbe passing of this act, all that part of tlif! said countj' of Genesee, compreliending- township uumber
eight in the first range of the lands of the Holland Company, shall be erected into a separate town by the
name of Hebe; and that the first town meeting thereafter shall be held at the dwelling house of Charles
Bristol ; aud that from and after the passing of this act, all the remaining part of the said town of Warsaw
shall be aud remain a separate town by che name of Warsaw; and that the first town meeting thereafter
shall be held at the dwelling house of Elizur Webster."
Hebe in Genesee county, now in Wyoming, was changed to Gainesville
on April 17, 1816, and this is the act referred to as changing the town of Hebe
to the town of Ischua :
" Be it ei}actcd by the pen/ile of the Slate nf New Yorlc repre-iented in Semteand Assemhlu, That from and
after the first Tuesday of May next the town of Hebe, in the County of Genesee, shall be called and known
by the name of Gainesville."
The town officers of Ischua in 1820 were Thomas Morris, supervisor;
Moses Warner, town clerk ; William Price, James Adkins, Ira Norton, justices
of the peace; Enoch Howlet, Samuel G. Sutton, Elijah Rice, assessors; Joseph
McCluer, Isaac Carpenter, clerks of election ; Nathan Cole, Richard Tozer, com-
missioners of highways ; Orange Powell, Isaac Carpenter, commissioners of
schools. There was paid for bounties on wolf certificates and wolfs' scalps
$160 and on bears' scalps $80. The Ischua town officers in 1821 were Peter
Ten Broeck, supervisor; Elijah Rice, town clerk; William Sill, James Green,
justices of the peace; Moses Warner, Elijah Sill, Isaac Searl, Sr., Robert R.
Blackmon, Henry Conrad, Joseph Cole, commissioners of highways ; Isaac
Searl, school commissioner; Solomon Curtis, Richard Tozer, assessors.
The supervisors, town clerks, and justices of the peace of the old town
of Ischua, as far as ascertained, are as follows:
Supervisor!:. -Thomas Morris. 1818 20; Peter Ten liroeck, 1821; David McCluer, 1822; Isaac Searl, 1823.
Town acrhs— Moses Warner, 1821); Elijah Rice, 1821 ; Flavel Patridge, 1822-23. Justices nf the Peace— Will-
iam Sill and James Green. 1821 ; Isaac Soarl and Jonathan H. Lyon, 1823.
Franklinville was erected March 3, 1824, and the first officers elected were
as follows: Isaac Searl, supervisor; Flavel Patridge, town clerk; Jonathan
H. Lyon, justice of the peace; Elijah Sill, S. Rawson, Jonathan H. Lyon,
assessors; John Morris, Moses Chamberlain, commissioner of highways; Jo-
seph McCluer, Solomon Curtis, John Reynolds, school commissioners; Moses
Warner, school inspector; John Patterson, collector and constable.
The town has furnished its full share of members of Assembly: 1814-15,
Joseph McCluer; 1829, Flavel Patridge; 1837, Tilly Gilbert; 1844, James
Burt; 1846, Gideon Searl; 1858, Henry Van Aernam ; 1866, William McVey ;
and 1868, Jonas K. Button. Henry Van Aernam was member of Congress
from 1865 to 1869 and from 1879 ^° '883. The principal town officers have
been as follows:
S»poi)i.si)r.s.— Isaac Searl, Sr., 1824 27, 18;)!, 18:36-37, 1S4II, 1845 ; Flavel Patridge, 1828 ; Joseph McCluer, 1829 ;
John Patterson, ISM; Tilly Gilbert, 1832-.3,j ; Hiram W. McOuer, 1838-39; Thomas Seward, 1841-42; James
Burt, 1,*43 ; Otis W. Phillips. 1844 ; David McCluer, 1846-48 ; William Smith, 1849-50 ; Alanson Crosby, 1851-.52 ;
Jonas K. Button, 18.53.54, 1857, 186(1; O. M.Seward. 1855; Lewis J. Mason, 18.56 ; Samuel Searl. 1858; JohnJohn-
son, 1859 ; Isaac Searl, Jr., 1861-62, 1868-72 ; William F. Weed, 1863-66 ; Nathan F. Weed, LS67, 1880-81 ; William
A. Day, 1873-74; Solomon Cummings, 1875; Alfred Spring, 1876; Cyrus W. Fay, 1877-79; Peter T. B. Button,
1882-83; Frank D. Smith, 1884-a5 ; William Ely, 18.S6-87; Stephen MoNall. 1888 ; S. C. H ayden, 1889 : D. W. Dean,
1890; Thomas Davis, 1891-92; J. K. Button, 1893.
Town of Franklinville. 6;i
Tinvn Clerto.—Flavel Patridge, 1824-26 ; ■William Phoenix, 1827-29 ; Tilly Gilbert, 1830, 1851, 1354 ; Elijah C.
Hyde, 18:31, 1833-a8 ; Lorentus Salisbury, 1832 ; Warren Kingsley, 1839, 1811 ; Francis G. Clark (P. N. Brad-
ford), 1840 ; Hiram W. McCluer, 1842 ; John K. Pollard, 1843-44 ; Le Hoy Burlinframe, 1845, ia55, 1858 ; James J.
McCluer, 1846-48, 1850; Merlin Mead, 1849, 1859-60; Henry E. Green, 1352; Francis G. Clark, 1853; Robert
Keed, 1856; Joseph Lawrence, 1857; Dexter C. Weed, 1361-63; Sylvester Curtis, 1864; David Phetteplace,
1865-66; Marcus Smith, 1367; Wallace Howard, 1868; J. W. Howard, 1860; Andrew Chanrller, 1870; John
Sherry, 1871; Delos E. Graves, 1872-75; Avery W. Kingsley, 1876 ; Christopher Whitney, 1877,1330-86; IraT.
GleasoD, 1878-79; William F. Weed, 1887; John C. Clements, 1,838-93.
Justices iif ttie Pedcc— 1324, Jonathan H. Lyon ^ 1829, Ezra Brockway, James L. Bishop; 1830. Tilly Gil-
bert ; 18;ll, Jonathan H. Lyon, Isaac Sear] ; 1&32, Joseph McUluer, Flavol Patridge, James L. Bishop ; 1833^
Tilly Gilbert; 1834, Pardon T. Jewell; 18.35, Israel Day; 1835-37, Willi.ira Elliot; 1&38, Tilly Gilbert; 1340,
F. G. Clark, Tilly Gilbert, P. T. Jewell, William Elliot; 1841, Tilly Gilbert; 1842, Manly McCluer; 1843,
Francis G. Clark; 1344, William Elliot; 184.5, Merlin Mead ; 1846, Manly McCluro; 1847, Francis G. Clark;
1848, Lewis J. Mason; 1849, William F. Weed ; 1850, Manly McClure; 1851, Francis G. Clark; 1352, Lewis J.
Mason ; 1853, William F. Weed ; ia54, Ira L. Burlingame. John Little ; 1855, Solomon Curtis ; 1856, Elnathan
Wing; 1357, William F. Weed; 1858, William Smith, Nathan P. Williams; 1859, Le Koy Burlingame ; 1860,
John Burlingame; 1361, Solomon Cummings; 1862, Peter Carr; 1863, Edward Shearn ; ISiJt, Pardon Jewell,
N. P. Williams;' 1865, Solomon Cummings; 1866, Peter Carr; 1867, John Burlingame; 1868, Le Roy Burlin-
game ; 1870, Pardon .Jewell, Solomon Cummings; 1371, William F. Weed ; 1872, Marcus Smith; 1873, Parfon
Jewell ; 1874, Solomon Cummings ; 187.5, Merlin Mead ; 1876, Delos E. Graves ; 1377, Pardon Jewell ; 1878,
George H. Chandler ; 1879, Dexter C. Weed ; 1880, W. W. Warins; 1881, John Burlingame; 1832, Charles D.
Van Aernam, Pardon Jewell ; 1883, Henry R. Curtis, John D. McMahon ; 1884, John Burlingame ; 133.5, Pardon
Jewell ; 1386. Dexter C. Weed, W. W. Waring ; 1887, Henry R. Curtis ; 1838, Thomas Davis ; 1889. Stephen C.
Andrews, W. W. Waring; 1890, Pardon Jewell; 1391, Henry Curtis, W. W. Waring; 189^', Charles T. Mason ;
1893, James L. Clements.
In consequence of some sinister fatality which pursued the earliest records
of Franklinville but little can be ascertained concerning the officers of the
town until about 1833, since when there seems to be no break in the records.
In one of the county treasurer's books are the following entries :
" John Patterson, collector of the town of Franklinville, in account current with the treasurer of
Cattaraugus county.
Feb. 4th. 1325.
" To amount of ta.\ roll as pr. warrant and directions :
To poor masters $ .50.tKl
To town clerk 2.50.00
To school commissioners 26.64
To supervisor 226.11
To county treasurer 466.91
$1,019.66
Amount of fees retained 50.98
$9fi8.6S
To cash paid collector 26.40
Total S99.5.08"
All of which was credited as follows:
"By Holland Company's tax $ 366.15
By com. schools rec'd in f ull 26.64
By supervisors rec'ts in part 39.22
By poor master rec'd in full ,_ _ .50.00
By sundry orders 241.57
By transcript returns. _ 271..50
Total : S995.08"
The above is the first tax made out and collected in the town of Franklin-
ville, and is for the year 1824. In the year 1892 the taxes on corporations
alone amounted to $655.45. The county treasurer's report for the year ending
November 14, 1892, states that he received from the collector of the town of
Franklinville taxes to the amount of $4,713.09. From the journal of the
Board of Supervisors for 1892 it is found that the claims against the town as
audited and allowed by the Town Board, and added thereto by resolution of
632 History of Cattaraugus County.
the supervisors, amounted to $762.88. In 1825 the population of the town of
Franklinville was 523; in 1890 it was 2,224. In '825 the town received school
money from the State $32.35 and for the year ending 1893 $1,876.14.
Two Hnes of railroad, with stations on each, afford to the town excellent
communication with Rochester, Buffalo, and other points. The Western
New York & Pennsylvania traverses the eastern part of the town, running
through the villages of Franklinville and Cadiz, the first train going over the
road on June 10, 1872. The Rochester branch of the Buffalo, Rochester &
Pittsburg crosses the northeast corner, the station in this town being Dever-
eu.x Station. For the first named road the town, on September 5, 1868, issued
bonds to the amount of $30,000, and on October 6th Jonas K. Button was
authorized to subscribe for 300 shares of the company's stock. On February
I, 1878, the balance of the bonded indebtedness was paid.
There are six cheese factories in the town, five of which turned out 699,407
pounds of cheese in 1892, as follows: Rock Stream factory, No. 4, J. R. Hol-
den, proprietor, 71,102; Franklinville factory. No. i, E. H. Farrington, pro-
prietor, 188,677; No. 2, E. H. Farrington, proprietor, 180,000; No. 3, E. H.
Farrington, proprietor, 143,628; Claire factory, 116,000. The Laidlaw factory
was built the past spring by its patrons.
The following is a letter from the Postoffice Department at Washington
relative to the early postoftices in Cattaraugus county :
"Washington, D. C, March 7, 1891.
"Sir: In answer to your letter to Hon. W. G. Laidlaw, M. C, (herewith
returned,) you are informed that the postoffice at Franklinville, Cattaraugus
county, N. Y., was established July 5, 1820, Joseph McCluer, P. M. Olean was
established May 23, 18 16, Philo Cleveland, P. M. Cattaraugus established
July 19, 1814, discontinued December 4, 1817, re-established June 17, 185 1.
West Hinsdale established October 2, 1828, name changed to Rice, April 28,
1848, and Rice changed to Ischua, July 31, 1855. There never was a Hebe
office in Cattaraugus county. Respectfully,
" To G. C. Storrs, Esq., S. A. Whitfiel,
" Franklinville, N. Y. First Asst. P. M.-Gcn'ir
Since the establishment of the Franklinville postoffice July 5, 1820, the
successive postmasters have been Gen. Joseph McCluer, David McCluer (son
of General Joseph), Maj. Flavel Patridge. David McCluer (re-appointed), Silas
Adams, Gideon Searl, J. R. Salisbury, David McCluer (re-appointed second
time), John Little, Christopher Whitney, Stephen C. Andrews, and Margaret
Andrews, the present incumbent. About 1830 there was a postoffice estab-
lished by the name of Canning with James L. Bishop as postmaster. The
office was discontinued about 1833 or '34.
Cadiz postoffice was established October 23, 185 1, with John H. Ayles-
worth as postmaster. From the most reliable information at hand the post-
masters have been John H. Aylesworth, Robert Reed, Joseph Lawrence,
Le Roy Burlingame, Charles Seward, and Eddy Mead.
Town of Fkanklinville. 633
Previous to the establishment of the Franklinville postoffice in 1820 the
manner in which mails were received and sent out is involved in uncertainty.
Prior to 1816 it appears that there was a horseback route from Moscow to
Olean which brought the mail to be distributed along the Ischua valley.
About the year 1816 there xas a mail route opened from Centerville through
to Franklinville and the mail carried on horseback, and this continued until
July 5. 1820. Among those who carried the mails from 1816 to 1820 were
William M. and Marvin Older, sons of William Older, one of the first who
settled near the western boundary of what is now Farmersville. The point
where he located has since been known as Older hill. The first person who
made a contract with the government to carry the mails after the establish-
ment of the postoffice in 1820 is believed to be a Mr. Moore, who carried them
only a short time. His trips were made on Horseback. He was succeeded
by Thomas B. Walker, who held the position for a number of years. He was
the first to drive a 'buss for the accommodation of passengers, and his route
was from Gainesville to Ellicottville. Reuben Hurlburt, who also carried the
mails for some years, succeeded Mr. Walker. A route was also established a
little later from Franklinville to Olean with John Patterson as mail carrier,
which continued until the completion of the New York & Erie railway in 1851,
after which the route extended to Hinsdale only, and this continued until the
completion of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad in 1872. Bony
Deibler carried the mails much of the time during this period. The comple-
tion of this road completely revolutionized the mail service through the east-
ern part of the county.
On the site of the village of Franklinville, which lies in the northeast part
of the town and was first known as Ischua fiats, Gen. Joseph McCluer settled
in 1806, and from him it took the name of McCluer's Settlement, which it re-
tained until 1824, when it was changed to Franklinville in honor of Benjamin
Franklin. From 1808 to 1812 it was in the town of Olean and was the
center of population of the entire county of Cattaraugus. From 1812 to 1824
it was in the town of Ischua, during which period it was that town's business
center, and this fact makes the history of the old town of Ischua (the present
town of Ischua was never included in the old town) and the town of Franklin-
ville nearly identical. The first goods sold here were sold by Thomas Morris
in 1808; Isaac Carpenter sold goods in 1816 and Flavel Patridge in 1821 ; the
latter built the first store. About 1825 Lorentus Salisbury came to the vil-
lage and entered the service of Flavel Patridge as clerk. He soon afterward
opened a store in company with Jonathan H. Lyon; a few years later he
entered into partnership with Jabez Morgan. In 1835 he commenced busi-
ness alone and in 1837 his brother, J. R. Salisbury, came to the village and
became his clerk for one year, when he became a partner in the business, and
some member of the Salisbury family has represented some branch of mercan-
tile business up to the present time. Cook & Day had a store which was
80
634 History of Cattaraugus County.
burned in 1825 or '26. E. C. Hyde sold goods in 1828. The physicians and
the lawyers who have practiced their professions in Franklinville have re-
ceived extended notices in their respective chapters. Joseph McCluer kept
the first inn. On the road leading from Franklinville to EUicottville there
were four taverns within the limits of this town in 1829: John Patterson,
about a mile west of the village, afterward owned by Jarvis Stone; Samuel
AlcCluer, on the place now owned by Frederick McCluer; Moses Chamber-
lain, on the place now owned by Peter Carr ; and John Andrews, on the Marj'
Foot farm. About 1828 a tavern was built where the Globe Hotel now
stands. In 1825 Pardon T. Jewell rented the McCluer tavern and kept it
three years. Jonathan H. Lyon built the first tannery in 1819. About the
same time Israel Day started a deerskin tannery and manufactured gloves
and mittens. In 1828-29 Jonathan H. Lyon carried on a shoe shop in the
village. Jasper M. Bosworth built a blacksmith shop in 1824.
In accordance with the general statutes providing for the incorporation of
villages notices were issued, signed by many of the citizens of the village, call-
ing a meeting to determine whether the territory described below should be
incorporated into a village to be known as Franklinville :
Beginning at thesoutheast corner of lot 3'..l, township four, and range four of the Holland Land Com-
pany's survey ; thence west along the south bounds of said lot 39, 74 chains and .50 links, to the southwest
corner of lot 39 ; thence north along the township line, between the fourth and fifth ranges of townships of
said survey, 94 chains, to a point 34 chains north of the southwest corner of lot W, township four, and
range four ; thence east through the Riggs farm to the west boundsof the Buffalo road ; thence northerly
along the west bounds of said road to a point opposite to the northwest corner of laud now owned by N. F.
Weed & Co. on sai I lot 40 ; thence southeasterly across the said road and along said Weed's line to the east
bounds of the Kushford or Farmersville road at the Bridge across the Saunders creek ; thence southerly
along the east bounds of said road to the north line of B. Howard's land on said lot 40 ; thence easterly on
said Howard's north line to the east boundsof said lot 40; thence south on the east line of said lot 40, 17
chains, to the south corner thereof: thence south on the east line of lot 30, 59 chains and 10 links, to the
southeast corner thereof, being the place of beginning, containing 647 acres of land.
At the meeting eighty-nine ballots were cast, of which sixty-five were for
and twenty-four against the incorporation. A meeting was held on June 17,
1874, which elected these village ofificers : Samuel S. Spring, president ; Jonas
K. Button, Andrew C. Adams, and Henry Van Aernam, trustees ; Andrew B.
Chandler, collector; Solomon Cummings, treasurer; and Alfred Spring (ap-
pointed), clerk. The ofificers elected in 1893 are W. A. Day, president ; S. C.
Hayden, trustee; James McStay, collector; R. S. Litchfield, treasurer; and
Pardon Jewell, police justice. The village contains three dry goods stores, a
clothing store, six groceries, two hotels, five lawyers, five physicians, two
weekly newspapers, an academy, a union graded school, two marble and gran-
ite shops, two hardware stores, two jewelry stores, two drug stores, two wagon
and four blacksmith shops, two harness and three shoe shops, two meat mar-
kets, a bakery, three millinery stores, three dressmaking and four tailor estab-
lishments, two feed stores, *i shoe store, one coal ofifice, two livery stables, two
insurance ofifices, two undertakers, a furniture establishment, two photograph
galleries, two barber shops, telephone, telegraph, and express ofifices, a num-
ber of carpenter shops, etc., and a population of about 1,100.
Town of Franklinville. . 635
The first fire company formed in Franklinville was the " Eagle Engine Fire
Company," organized June 30, 1876, with twenty members. The engine was
an eighty-gallon Babcock chemical fire extinguisher and cost $704.83. The
officers were Fra C. Worthington, foreman, and Andrew B. Chandler, assistant
foreman. After the water works were completed in 1891 three new compa-
nies were formed : The Alert Hook and Ladder Company, the Union Hose
Company, and the Exempt Hose Company. The Union Hose Company was
organized from the old Union Fire Company in 1891. The old Eagle Com-
pany exists only in memory. The Alert Hook and Ladder Company organ-
ized in 1879 with these officers: L. S. Ely, president ; W. H. Ferris, secretary;
R. S. Litchfield, treasurer; H. K. Fisher, foreman; Walter Whitcomb, assist-
ant foreman. The Alert Company has an elegant suit of rooms furnished at
a cost of over $1,000. The Union Fire Company was organized in 1886 and
was changed to Union Hose Company in 1891. A new hose company was
formed in July of this year. The present officers of the Franklinville Fire
Department are: M. J. Waring, chief; L. S. Ely, assistant chief ; F. M.Naugh-
ton, president ; A. J. Smith, vice-president ; A. Clark Adams, secretary- ; R.S.
Litchfield, treasurer.
The system of water works is owned by the corporation and the village
trustees are its officers. The vote authorizing the trustees to put in the plant
was taken July 31, 1890, and the works were completed December 20th fol-
lowing. Water was taken from springs in Lyndon, six miles east, and from
Farmersville, two miles north. The works cost $33,000 and have a capacity
of 3,500 barrels per day. There is a fall of 181 feet. The work of supplying
the village with pure and sufficient water was undoubtedly accelerated by a
series of incendiary fires which terrorized the citizens and the whole community.
Mount Prospect Cemetery is situated east of the village, about a quarter of
a mile, on the slope of the hill overlooking the Ischua valley from below Cadiz
to some distance upward into Machias and Farmersville and some distance to
the west. For a number of years previous to 1877 the question of establish-
ing a new cemetery had been agitated, meetings had been held, resolutions
passed, committees appointed, and reports made. In July, 1877, a paper was
drawn up for the purpose of forming a cemetery association under the laws of
the State and about fifty names were secured. On the 28th of July a meet-
ing was held in the Baptist church and a corporation was organized under the
name of the " Franklinville Cemetery Association." It was then determined
to hold the annual election of officers on the last Saturday of July and the
number of trustees was fixed at nine. The first officers were Henry Van
Aernam, president; William F. Weed, vice-president; James H. Waring,
secretary; Jason D. Case, treasurer; trustees: William F. Weed, A. O.
Holmes, James Ferris, first class ; Solomon Cummings, Warren Carpenter,
J. H. Waring, second class ; Henry Van Aernam, Jason D. Case, John E.
Robeson, third class. On the 30th of July the certificate of incorporation was
636 History of Cattaraugus- County.
recorded in the county clerk's office and the association thereby became a
corporate body with full power to purchase land and lay out into lots, orna-
ment, and sell the same for cemetery purposes. The trustees on the 5th of
September, 1877, purchased of Tryphena and Luman Howard twelve and
twelve-hundredths acres of land for $2,000; as a matter of convenience they
later bought one and seventy-one one-hundredths acres for $350, so that the
plat contains thirteen and eighty-three one-hundredths acres. The grounds
received the name of " Mount Prospect Cemetery " and were dedicated to the
sacred purpose of burial places for the dead on the 6th of June, 1878, by ap-
propriate exercises. Rev. F. W. Fisher delivered the dedicatory address.
Morgan hall is a commodious building and cost about §15,000, $9,000 of
which was willed to the town by the late Henry Morgan, for the purpose of
erecting a town hall, in whose honor the building received its name. It was
completed and dedicated in 1885; Mar\in Older delivered the dedicatory
address. The remaining $6,000 was raised by a tax on the inhabitants of the
town. The building is conveniently located near the center of the village,
south of the park and across the road, and is 120 by 54 feet in size. The audi-
torium will seat 550 persons — 360 below and 190 in the gallery. One room on
the ground floor is set apart for transacting town business and another for
the postoffice. The basement is for the use of the fire companies.
The Franklinville Electric Light Company owes its existence to the push
and energy of two young men. Will H. Ferris and Samuel Arthur Spring,
who called a meeting of the citizens at Morgan hall in November, 1892, at
which a committee of five was apnointed, consisting of Dr. J. W. Kales. L. S.
Ely, Fayette Searl, C. D. Van Aernam, and P. T. B. Button, to investigate
different electric light plants. This committee visited several different
plants, and at a meeting held some two weeks later it reported in favor of arc
lamps, and accordingly the trustees of the village called a special election for
January 31, 1893, which decided on electric lighting by a handsome majority.
The trustees advertised for bids for lighting the streets with sixteen 2,000
candle-power arc lamps and the contract was awarded to S. A. Spring and
Will H. Ferris, who subsequently received orders for over 700 incandescent
lights for buildings. A company was formed with a capital of $12,000, Messrs.
Ferris and Spring taking one-half of the stock, the balance being taken by
Dr. H. D. W^alker, J. C. Bowen, A. & G. E. Spring, S. C. Hayden, J. K. Button,
and Avery Kingsley, and these officers were elected': H. D. Walker, president ;
E. E. McNall, vice-president; Samuel A. Spring, treasurer; Will H. Ferris,
secretary; H. D. Walker, E. E. McNall, George E. Spring, S. A. Spring, W^ill
H. Ferris, Board of Managers. A site for the plant near the Dean & Spring
casket factory was purchased and a brick building erected. Up to August
I, 1893, there were seventeen arc street lamps, eleven commercial arc lamps,
and 900 incandescent lamps in operation.
The inception of banking transactions in Franklinville dates from January
Town of Franklinville. , 637
I, 1867, when N. F. Weed & Co. started an exchange office for the business
accommodation of the village and town. This led to the organization of the
Bank of Franklinville on December 24, 1872, with a capital of $26,000 and
these stockholders: Asher W. Miner, William F. Weed, Thomas Case, A. A.
Morgan, Samuel Morgan, Jason D. Case, L. F. Lawton, Horatio Stillwell,
H. E. Green, James O. Jordan, Simeon R. Williams, and Nathan F. Weed.
William F. Weed was president and J. D. Case was cashier. This bank com-
menced business February 3, 1873, and until January, 1876, occupied quarters
in the second story of the Wasson store; on that date it moved to its new
two-story brick banking house on the site where once stood D. Claflin's dwell-
ing. On January i, 1877, the institution became the First National Bank of
Franklinville with a paid-up capital stock of $55,000; this was the second
national bank in the county. The charter was dated January 15, 1877, and
the first officers were William F. Weed, president ; H. Stillwell, vice-president;
Jason D. Case, cashier; directors, W. F. Weed, A. W. Miner, H. Stillwell,
T. Case, H. E. Green, N. F. Weed, and J. D. Case. On May i, 1882, W. F.
Weed and H. E. Green resigned, and H. Stillwell was elected president and
Thomas Case vice-president. Mr. Stillwell died about September, 1883, and
Mr. Case became president and James H. Ferris vice-president. The latter
died January 12, 1885, and was succeeded by John R. Holden. Thus the
present officers are Thomas Case, president; J. R. Holden, vice-president;
J. D. Case, cashier; E. D. Scott, assistant cashier; directors, J. R. Holden,
J. D. Case, A. VV. Kingsley, B. S. Colwell, E. D. Scott, R. B. Griffin.
The Farmers National Bank of Franklinville was organized August, 1882.
The capital stock is $52,000; surplus, $5,500. The first officers were John
Napier, president; William F. Weed, vice-president ; and W. J. Weed, cashier.
April I, 1885, W. J. Weed resigned as cashier and A. P. Adams was elected
to the position. Upon the death of William F. Weed on August i, 1888, his
son, Nathan F. Weed became vice-president. With these changes the present
officers are John Napier, president; N. F. Weed, vice-president ; A. P. Adams,
cashier; R. S. Litchfield, teller; directors, A. O. Holmes, Alfred Spring, Will-
iam Ely, J. E. Robeson, W. A. Day, N. F. Weed, John Napier, J. E. Euchner,
and A. P. Adams.
The Franklinville Canning Company was organized January 10, 1882, with
a capital stock of $18,700, and with these officers: Alfred Spring, president;
William M. Benton, vice-president; Ira T. Gleason, secretary; A. W. Kings-
ley, treasurer; Ira T. Gleason, William Ely, Jason D. Case, executive com-
mittee. The factory was completed and commenced operations the same
year and packed of all kinds of fruit a total of 314,447 ca.ns. The factory was
burned in October, 1887, and rebuilt in 1887-88. The main building is two
stories high and 50 by 108 feet in size; attached are two ells each 75 feet long.
A brick boiler house, in which is an eighty horse-power boiler and forty
horse-power engine, a two-story warehouse 50 by 175 feet, and a one-story
638 History of Cattaraugus County.
building for husking corn, etc., completes the plant. The whole is equipped
with modern and convenient machinery, and both fruit and vegetables are
packed. In the can shop large numbers of fruit and syrup cans, paint pails,
etc., are manufactured ; this department is kept running nearly the entire
year. During the packing season from 200 to 250 hands are employed. The
total pack of all kinds during 1892 was 1,237,270 cans, of which 208,570 or
more were gallon cans. The company also made 227,000 syrup cans and
33,000 sap buckets for market. The present officers of the concern are Alfred
Spring, president ; Dr. H. D. Walker, vice-president; W. A. Day, bondholder;
A. O. Holmes, secretary ; P. T. B. Button, William Ely, A. O. Holmes, ex-
ecutive committee.
The Dean & Spring Manufacturing Company was incorporated Septem-
ber 22, 1888, with the following officers : P. T. B. Button, president ; William
Ely, vice-president; Samuel A. Spring, treasurer; D. W. Dean, secretary;
P. T. B. Button, William Ely, Albo Holmes, Lewis H. Stilwell, D. W. Dean,
Samuel A. Spring, Board of Managers. The capital stock is $48,000. The
company deals in feed, lumber, and burial supplies, and grinds all its feed and
manufactures its burial supplies except trimmings; it simply deals in lumber.
The sales in 1889, the first year after the organization, aggregated about
$100,000; in 1892 they amounted to $200,000. They employ 40 or 50 hands.
The Grierson flour and feed-mill derives its motive power from Ischua
creek. It is owned by Thomas Grierson, who purchased it of James Grierson
in 1876. It has three runs of stone with a good capacity.
The Franklinville machine and foundry shop in the village manufactures a
general line of castings and small agricultural implements. H. S. Grossman is
proprietor and five or si.x hands are employed.
The Ten Broeck Free Academy is one of the two leading educational in-
stitutions in Cattaraugus county, and in point of advantages ranks high among
the prominent seats of learning of the kind in western New York. It occupies
a pleasant location in the northern part of the village of Franklinville. The
institution was incorporated April 19, 1862, and in the following year was en-
dowed by the founder, Hon. Peter Ten Broeck, for fifteen years associate
judge of the county, after whom the academy is named. In 1867 a commodi-
ous cut-stone building was erected on a campus of four acres at a cost of
$21,000. The school was opened in December of that year under the control
of three trustees named in the act of incorporation, viz. : Jonas K. Button,
Heman G. Button, and John T. Cummings, representing respectively the
towns of Franklinville, Machias, and Farmersville. Mr. Cummings, however,
declined to serve and Andrew C. Adams was appointed in his place. Upon
the removal of Mr. Adams from the town in 1873 James H. Day was appointed
his successor and vice-president of the board. In 1884, at the resignation of
Jonas K, Button from the presidency of the Board of Trustees, Heman G.
Button succeeded to that office and Dr. Henry Van Aernam was appointed
Town of Franklinville. 639
to fill the vacancy in the board, both of whom continue to act in their respec-
tive capacities as president and secretary. Since 1884 no treasurer has been
appointed. The First National Bank and the Farmers National Bank are the
financial agents of the board, through whom all the monetary affairs of the
academ}' are conducted. The school began under the principalship of William
M. Benson, A.M., and remained under his supervision until 1882, when he
was followed by Theodore F. Chapin, A.M., who retained the position during
the next five years. At his resignation in 1887 Professor Chapin was in turn
followed by the present principal, Hamilton Terry, A.B. The first class was
graduated in the classical course in June, 1870, and consisted of Alfred Spring,
Joel H. Greene, James H. Waring, Emily M. Adams, Ida M. Adams, Mary
T. B. Button, and Ida A. Gibbs.
The current expenses of the school are met by the income from an endow-
ment of nearly $47,000 made by the founder, by receipts from tuition, and by
an annual apportionment from the State literature fund. The institution is
furnished with suitable apparatus for experiments and illustrations in the
sciences, with a well-selected library of books covering all branches of knowl-
edge, and with a free reading room supplied with educational and political
papers and magazines. Students are admitted at any time and special classes
are formed when necessary. There are three courses of study: (i) An Eng-
lish course designed to give a thorough practical knowledge of the English
language, but in which a lai'ge number of subjects are elective, an arrangement
which allows the student great freedom of choice in selecting his studies; (2)
a German-French course for those who wish to become versed in the modern
languages; and (3) a Latin-Greek course for those who intend to pursue a
classical collegiate course. Graduates of this academy from the full Latin -
Greek course have uniformly succeeded'in securing an appointment to a Cor-
nell free scholarship at competitive examinations. Candidates for graduation
from any of the courses are required to have a Regents' preliminary certificate,
and must have pursued at least three studies, exclusive of the preliminary
branches, each term, and are entitled to a Regents' diploma. The income
from a fund of $600 given by Caleb G. Hall for this purpose is annually dis-
tributed in prizes to the successful contestants in competitive examinations on
past and current political subjects. The academy has been uniformly suc-
cessful in carrying out the designs of its founder, imparting knowledge to a
large number of young men and women, and qualifying them to successfully
engage in the arduous duties of life. It has been a potent factor in develop-
ing the educational resources of Cattaraugus county as well as advancing the
cause of learning in adjacent counties and States. Since its inception its pat-
ronage has steadily increased, and its students and graduates have gone forth
well trained and mentally equipped. Its various teachers have admirably sus-
tained a good reputation in the line of instruction, and have uniformly imparted
to the school a high degree of thoroughness and efficiency.
640 History of Cattaraugus County.
Cadiz is a post village one and a half miles south from Franklinville, and
is located on the west side of Ischua creek and on the Western New York
& Pennsylvania railroad. It contains one church edifice, a cheese-bo.x and
barrel factory, a saw-mill, blacksmith shop, a broom factory, one store, a cheese
factory, school house, and about thirty-five dwellings. Tilly Gilbert settled
here in 1825 and erected the first store and a carding-mill. Elijah Hyde be-
came a merchant here in 1830. John ]McXall built a saw-mill on the creek in
1818 and a tavern in the village in 1826. The first settler on this site is said
to have been John Warner about 1809. The Cadiz steam saw-mill, opeiated
by Samuel P. Bard, has a capacity of 6,000 feet of lumber daily. The Cadiz
cheese-box and barrel manufactory was built by Davison, Hinkley & Allen
about 1870, and was purchased by its present proprietor, L. J. B. Goo, in
1882. He makes about 75,000 cheese boxes and 5,000 apple barrels annually.
Devereux Station is a postoffice on the Rochester branch of the Buffalo,
Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, in the northwest part of the town.
Fitch is a postal hamlet near the southeast corner of Franklinville, in the
Ischua valley, on the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad. It con-
tains two stores, a saw and feed-mill, a cheese factory, and a half-dozen dwell-
ings. The saw-mill here was built in 18S2 and the feed-mill added in 1889.
It was some three or four years after the first settlement was made in
Franklinville that a minister of the gospel appeared among the pioneers.
The first preacher in this region was Rev. John Spencer, a Congregationalist
who was sent out by the Connecticut Mission Society as early as 1807. He
traveled on horseback and preached wherever he could find a half-dozen
listeners. He organized the first religious body in town, but the exact date
can not be ascertained. There was a church here, however, in 18 13, and the
locality being then without a name the society was designated "No. 4 — 4th
range" in the minister's reports. Mr. Spencer's labors .ceased in 1825. The
first religious meeting in the west part of the town was held at the house of
T. D. Storrs in the spring of 1828. Barnet Windsor, a P'reewill Baptist cler-
gyman, preached, and as a preacher there he was followed by Joseph Vining
and he by Ira Burlingame.
In 1828 Rev. William J. Wilcox, a Presbyterian, held meetings in the red
school house on " North East street," and on the 2d of November of this year
the old (Congregational) society was re-organized under the name of the First
Presbyterian church of Franklinville. At this organization three members of
the old church were living, viz.: Mrs. Betsey McCluer, Mrs. Aurelia McCluer,
and John Warner, who, with Youngs E. Benton, Mary Ann Benton, Parma
Dennison, Mary Ely, Seth Ely, and Laura Ely, constituted the membership
of the new organization. The Presbyterian form of government .was adopted
November 28, 1829, and it was also voted to unite with the Presbytery of
Angelica, and on February 24, 1830, at Angelica, the church was received into
the convention. On August 31st following the society had thirty-five mem-
Town of Franklixville. 641
bers. The first resident pastor was Rev. John T. Baldwin, who began his pas-
torate about January i, 1831, receiving a salary of $100 a year and remaining
until 1834. In 1832 a building committee was appointed which was succeeded
on February 2, 1833, by a new committee, which reported February i, 1834,
that Gen. Joseph McCluer had given the society a lot and that a church edi-
fice had been erected thereon. This was the first building erected in town
for church purposes and was dedicated August 13, 1835, by Rev. Sylvester
Cowles. The first bell was purchased in 1850 at a cost of $100. The pastors
to 1876 were Revs. John T. Baldwin, 1S31-34; William J. Wilcox, 1834-35;
J. T. Baldwin, 1835-36; William Howden, 1836-37; C. W. Gillam, 1837-42;
H. A. Sackett, 1842-47; Joshua Lane, 1847-49; C. H. Baldwin, 1849-52;
Mr. Jerome, 1852-53 ; E. J. Stewart, 1854-55 ; J. T. Baldwin, i860; J. E. Tin-
ker, 1868-70; W. C. Gaylord, 1871-72; J. L. Landis, 1873-76. The present
pastor is Rev. R. R. Watkins. The first house of worship was the one erected
in 1834, and for over fifty years it was used for the sacred purpose for which
it was designed. It was repaired in 1868 at a cost of $1,962, and again in
1878, and was refurnished in 1876. This edifice gave place to the handsome
new structure which was dedicated March 22, 1893. The new building was
planned by Capt. E. A. Curtis,, architect, of Fredonia, N. Y. It is of Gothic
architecture, the material being of brick and frame. It contains several me-
morial windows and is beautifully decorated and furnished. The structure
cost $12,000 and will seat about 600 people. To this society was given in
1830 a communion set, the gift of three young men of New York city. On
July 8, 1831, the Holland Land Company, in accordance with the usual custom,
deeded the church 100 acres of land "as the first church organized in town,"
the trustees at that time being Flavel Patridge, James L. Bishop, and Seth Ely.
The First Baptist church of Franklinville was organized October 20, 1825,
ivith seven members, of whom Caleb Barber was the last survivor. Rev.
Eliab Going was the organizer and the first pastor. He was a licentiate of
the Rushford Baptist church and held services of his denomination in this
locality as early as 18 16, being preceded, however, by Rev. Mr. Beckwith, a
iTiissionary, in 18 14. The early meetings of this society were convened in
private dwellings or in school houses until 1832, when a wooden edifice was
erected. This was replaced by another in 1853 which was burned March 12,
1869. The next year the present house of worship was built at a cost of
Sio.ooo, the entire church property being now valued at $8,000. It will seat
about 700 people. The society has a membership of 180 under the pastoral
:are of Rev. A. S. Thompson. A union Sunday school was maintained dur-
ing the early years, or until May, 1868, when a distinct organization was
affected, the present members numbering about 170. This Baptist church was
the first religious body regularly organized in the town of Franklinville and
under the rules governing the Holland Company it was entitled to the gospel
ot, but on the day the application was made the gift went to the Presbyterian
81
642 History of Cattaraugus County.
society. One of the most eminent pastors of this congregation was Rev.
G. W. Varnum, still living, a retired life, in the town.
The Free Methodist church of Franklinville was formed at a school house
on East hill in 1863, and had an original membership of fifteen. The first
pastor was Rev. O. O. Bacon. Services were held alternately at this place
and in Cadiz until 1875, when a church edifice was erected, of wood, in the
village of Franklinville, at a cost of $2,275, and dedicated January 6, 1876, by
Rev. R. W. Hawkins, of Oil City, Pa. The building will seat 300 people and
is valued, including all other church property, at $2,200. The present pastor
is Rev. W. Manning and the membership numbers about twenty-five. The
Sunday school has about the same number of scholars.
The First United Presbyterian church of Franklinville was organized June
25, 1S67, by Rev. D. C. McVean, with twenty-si.x members, who belonged
mainly to the Lyndon congregation. The sermon on this occasion was de-
livered by Rev. Mr. Galbraith, and Charles Thompson, John Johnston, and
Daniel McKinley were chosen elders. Services were held at first in the churches
of other societies and in halls, by various ministers, and Rev. William Donaldson
was the first pastor, assuming charge November i stand being installed Decem-
ber 7, 1870. On November 14, 1867, the society purchased a lot on which a
neat wooden edifice was erected at a cost of about $5,000 and dedicated in the
fall of 1870. The present house of worship, a brick structure, was built in 1882
at a cost of $12,000, and with other church property is now valued at $I4;000.
It will comfortably seat about 400 persons. The society has nearly 200 mem-
bers with Rev. J. B. Lee, D.D., pastor. The Sunday school has a member-
ship of 200 scholars.
The St. Philipmenia Catholic church, in the village of Franklinville, was
organized in 1 873 by Rev. J. Brady, of EUicottville, who became the first pastor,
and consisted originally of twenty members, the present number being forty.
Their house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected in 1873 and dedicated
August 1, 1875, and will seat about 150 people. The present value of church
property is $1,500, and the pastor is Rev. J. D. Biden, of EUicottville, in which
charge this parish is located.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Franklinville was organized in July,
1878, by Rev. F. D. Goodrich, with fifteen members, over whom Rev. C. S.
Daley had the first pastoral care. Their house of worship, a neat wooden edi-
fice, was built the following year at a cost of $3,000, the present value oT the
entire church property being about $6,000. The.building will seat 350 people,'
and the society has 125 members with Rev. F. M. Cole, pastor. The Sunday
school has a membership of about one hundred scholars and twelve officers
and teachers.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Cadiz was organized in 1840 by Rev.
Thomas B. Hudson, who was installed the first pastor. The original mem-
bership was fifty, the present number being thirty-five. The present house
Town of Franklinville. 643
of worship was erected of wood in 1840, at a cost of $1,800, and will comfort-
ably seat about 200 persons. This society is under the pastorship of Rev.
E. C. Swartz, and has a Sunday school of fifty scholars connected. The
present value of their church property is $2,000. From this society a number
withdrew in 1863 and formed the Free Methodist church, leaving the mem-
bership of the parent organization less than ten.
It would seem from reliable sources that the first Masonic organization in
the county was started in Franklinville, for on October 25, 1824, Cattaraugus
Lodge, No. 393, F. & A. M., was instituted by Rt. W. G. M. Joseph Enos.
The first evidence that meetings were held are dated November i6th and
30th of that year, and they convened in the lodge room in the McCluer
tavern. On June 24, 1825, the festival of St. John the Baptist was publicly
observed, and on December 30th of that year a Royal Arch Chapter was
petitioned for and granted, A. F. Hayden being the first high .priest. The
masters of Cattaraugus Lodge were Joseph McCluer, Thomas Morris, James
L. Bishop, Pardon T. Jewell, Isaac Searl, and David McCluer, the last incum-
bent. It ceased to work in 1830 and its worthy master, David McCluer, is
said to have refused to surrender the charter. The first death in the lodge
occurred in 1827, the deceased being Edward Swales, who was buried with
Masonic honors. The last regular communication was November 23, 1830.
Franklinville Lodge, No. 626, F. & A. M., was organized June i, 1867, with
seventeen charter members, and with David M. Phetteplace, W. M.; John Bur-
lingame, S. W.; \V. A. Day, J. W.; Horatio Stillwell, treasurer; J. R. Salis-
bury, secretary; George W. Phetteplace, S. D.; Joseph Deibler, J. D. There
are now sixty-seveh members with these officers: M. J. Waring, W. M.; Milo
Farvvell, P. M.; B. R. Van Hoesen, S. W.; G. G. Williams, J. W.; J. D. Case,
treasurer; W. S. Hovey, secretary.
Ischua Lodge, No. 409, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 3, 1849. ^^s num-
ber was changed to 192 on December i, 1850, with Silas Adams, N. G., and
Jasper Adams, V. G. The lodge disbanded in the fall of 1854 and was re-
organized February 23, 1892, by Millard N. Allen, D. D. G. M. The first offi-
cers of the new lodge were Charles Munger, N. G.; H. R. Fisher, V. G.; James
Clements, secretary; and James Turnball, treasurer.' There are 45 members.
Alanson Crosby Post, No. 50S, G. A. R., was organized April 6, 1891, with
twenty-eight charter members, the present number being fifty. The first ofifi-
cers were A. P. Adams, P. C; M. F. Thompson, S. V. C; Henry C. Farwell,
J. V. C; William Ely, adjutant; C. E. Manvvaring, quartermaster; Henry
Van Aernam, surgeon; William Storrs, chaplain. The post was named-in
honor of Capt. Alanson Crosby, who went into the service in the 154th N. Y.
Vols, and was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain.
Henry Van Aernam Camp, Sons of Veterans, was organized April 3, 1893,
by Charles H. Rafferty and M. J. Burke. The first officers were Charles Pel-
ton, captain; R.O.Williams, lieutenant ; E. J. Reiman, second lieutenant;
644 History of Cattaraugus County.
Guy C. Ames, chaplain ; John F. Andrews, first sergeant ; James McStay, sec-
ond sergeant ; C. D. Van Aernam, W. G. Kerr, and M. H. Wade, camp council.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1883 with
about twenty charter members and the following officers : Mrs. William Swin-
ton, president; Mrs. M. R. Findlay, vice-president; Miss Hattie Watkins, sec-
retary; Mrs. Julian Orr, treasurer. There are now about forty members.
A lodge of the A. O. U. W. was organized March 3, 1877, with eleven
members, the present number being thirty-three. The first officers were
W. S. Hovey, P. M. W.; James D. McVey, M. W.; George Clark, recorder.
A branch of the E. A. U. was instituted December 15, 1879, with thirty-
five members. The present membership is sixty-nine.
A lodge of the I. O. of G. T. was formed in February, 1891, with about
thirty members, the present number being 100.
Among the town's pioneers was Buel Dunbar, who early settled on the east
part of lot 14, and after occupying the premises a few years sold to Aaron
Whitney. Mr. Whitney built a saw-mill. Moses Warner, a brother of Ros-
well Warner, settled on lot I4and occupied it for some years. Samuel Rickor
came about 1821 and made a beginning on lot 55. John Redmond was the
first to settle on lot 23. He remained on the place but a short time. The
farm was afterwards owned by Marcus Smith. Martin Francis came from
Ireland to Franklinville about 1853 or 1854 and went on to a wild lot where
he resided over fifteen years. Zadoc Whipple settled in the west part of the
town prior to 1821. Boon and Brant occupied part of lot 23 previous to 1827.
About 1817 Caleb Barber came from Chenango county and purchased the
lot now occupied by Orvil Willard. He married Lovina Lyon, of Norwich,
Chenango county. Mrs. Barber was the sister of Mrs. Ira Burlingame. Of
their eleven children these are living: Augusta, Henry, Caroline, Alvira, Ce-
lestia, and Lucina. Seth Wheeler married Alvira, and they now live in the
village of Franklinville. Moses Chamberlin came from Ellicottville about
1842 and settled on lot 47, where Peter Carr now resides. He built a frame
house, the first one built in the west part of the town. He kept a tavern for
a number of years up to about 1836.
In 1813 Jacob Ford came from Rutland county, Vt., with an ox-team. He
took a piece of land near where John McPherson now lives. A few years
later he moved to Ellicottville. Several of his sons reside on East hill. John
Reynolds came about the same time and located below Cadiz. Ely Rockwell
settled on lot 61 and resided there a number of years. Nathaniel Bryant
established himself in the extreme west part of the town about 1820. He
topk an active part in town affairs. About 1840 he moved to Great Valley.
On the road pvoceeding west from tire school house in district No. 9 the
first settlers were Nathan Kingsley, Duty Buck, Abram and Joseph Purdy,
and Ivy Buck. Ivy Buck came about i82i;the others about 1830. Purdy
became a permanent settler, the others selling out after a few years. Samuel
and Elijah Silliman and Henry Huyck settled early in the northeast part of
the town, and Ephraim Fitch, Edward E. Smith, and Ashbul Church on East
hill. Nehemiah Rogers and John McNall settled at Cadiz in 18 17. John
McNall kept a hotel at there for a number of years. His son William mar-
ried Sybil, daughter of Col. Stephen Seward. His son Levi married Mandana,
daughter of Francis G. Clark. One of the daughters married Warren Kings-
Town of Franklinville., 645
ley. Rowland Washburn located below Cadiz in 18 17. Daniel Huntley
came from Cortland county in the same spring and purchased of Levi Greg-
ory three lots of 100 acres each, which were somewhat improved. The loca-
tion was near the place where Wilson Hogg lives. In 1821 he moved to the
town of EUicottville.
About 1818 William Sill, Deodatus Sill, and Elijah Sill settled in the
Ischua valley below Cadiz. William Sill was elected justice of the peace
within a few years after his arrival, and it is said that he issued the first war-
rant ever issued within the present limits of the town. An amusing anecdote
is told in regard to it. Mr. Conrad had a man working for him by the name
of Abial Rolf, who had by some means overdrawn on Mr. Conrad $1.50, the
price of a vest, which Conrad had furnished him. Rolf started to go home
before he had worked out the sum. That was a little too much for '' Uncle
Henry," and he at once took Henry Gross (constable) and went to Mr. Sill
for a warrant. Form books in those days were scarce, but the squire proved
himself equal to the occasion. He took up his pen and after a few moments'
reflection wrote the following:
" Here, Henry Gross, take this, catch Abial Rolf, and bring him before me
quickly, for Henry Conrad says he owes him.
"Willia'm Sill, J. P."
This proved sufificient. Henr}- Gross brought the delinquent before Mr.
Sill and the matter was arranged satisfactorily. Mr. Sill married Harriet
McNitt. Deodatus and Elijah both filled responsible town offices. Isaac
and Jacob Searl, Aaron Osgood, and Eleazer Densmore came during the
same period and established themselves below Conrad's mill on Ischua creek.
About 1823 James L. Bishop, from Connecticut, came in and after several
changes gained possession of the west part of lot 38 in 1828. He organized the.
first Sunday school in the west part of the town. He was captain of militia and
was one of the early justices of the peace. He was postmaster and kept the
Canning postoffice, which was established through his influence. His office
was in his own dwelling. When he sold and moved west in 1838 the office
was discontinued. There is a letter before us dated July 20, 183 1, and directed
to " Mr. Thomas D. Storrs, Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, Canning post-
office, N. Y." This letter bears the postmaster's endorsement at Cherry Val-
ley, N. Y. : " Paid 18^," which was the price of letter postage 250 miles in
the " good old times."
About 1 82 1 John Andrews came to Franklinville. He put up a log house
and barn on lot 53 and kept a tavern known as the ILalf-way House about
twelveyears. Children: William, Marshall, John, Melissa, and Minerva. Mar-
shall was the first settler on lot 63.
There was in 1806, a few months after General McCluer had settled on lot
39, a log shanty standing on or near the site where the First National Bank
now stands, covered with halves of hollow logs, the lower tier laid touching
each other with the hollow side up, forming troughs to carry off the water,
the second or upper tier with the hollow sides down, thus forming a water-
tight roof ; but who was its builder, or when it was built, are items of unknown
history. In General McCluer's log cabin and log barn and in Solomon Cur-
tis's house of the same material, and in the shanty above named, — four build-
ings in all, — we have the nucleus ai-ound which the present village of Franklin-
ville has since grown up — then McCluer Settlement.
646 History of Cattaraugus County.
George Adams was a native of London, England, and came to Humphrey
in this county in 1830. He was born Jan. 16, 1805, and died Oct. 27, 1890,
residing in Sugartown for sixty years. His wife was Mary Bunting, also a
native of England; she died March 28, 1874. Of their five children two, Sa-
rah (Mrs. Warren S. Root) and George W., are living.
Moses Antisdale came to Franklinville from Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1829,
and settled on lot 45, previously purchased. He finally sold out and moved
into Morgan hollow, where he resided until his wife's death in i860. He mar-
ried Nancy Coon, of Cherry Valley, previous to coming to this town. Chil-
dren: Mary J. (Mrs. G. C. 'Storrs), Diantha (Mrs. Walter Lindsay), Willard,
Sarah Ann, Louisa (Mrs. William Patterson), Anna (Mrs. John Oakes), and
Luther S. Mr. Antisdale and Luther went to Illinois in i860. In 1861 Lu-
ther enlisted in Co. A, 2d 111. Cav., and was soon promoted orderly, in which
capacity he served until General Oglesby was mortally wounded at Corinth,
Oct. 3, 1862. After General Oglesby's death he served under Gen. John A.
Logan. He was in many battles along the Mississippi, including Fort Henry,
Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and Vicksburg, through all of
which he passed without a wound, but afterward died of intermittent fever
in the military hospital at New Orleans in the fall of 1863. Moses Antisdale
enlisted a few months later and received an injury on board a gunboat at the
siege of Fort Donelson, in consequence of which he was discharged and died
aboard the cars on his way home, in April, 1862.
Robert Bard came to Farmersville from Herkimer county in November,
1816, and settled on what is now known as the Freeman farm. He married a
daughter of Ashbel Freeman and had four children. Mr. Bard came to the
village of Franklinville in 1829, having traded his farm with John Patterson
for property where now stands the Globe Hotel, where he kept hotel 26 years.
Marshall O. Bond is a son of Ora and Laura (Carpenter) Bond and was
born June 26, 1828. January i, 1852, he married Hannah Searl, of Franklin-
ville, and settled in the village, where he engaged with his father in harness
making. In July, 1862, Mr. Bond enlisted in Co. D, 154th N. Y-. Vols., as
first lieutenant, and resigned in 1863 on account of sickness. A number of
years were spent in the oil country and upon returning to this town he en-
gaged in farming. Children : Ida E., Adda M., Hanford S., and Kate G. Ora
Bond, the father of Marshall O., was supervisor of P'armersville in 1829-30
and again in 1840.
James F. Boyce, born in Worcester, Mass., March 1, 1795, came to this
county in 1823. He kept bachelor's hall in the woods two years and then
married Elizabeth Bloodgood, from Herkimer, N. Y., the ceremony being per-
formed by Israel Day, J. P., of Franklinville. The couple located on Bear
creek, two miles farther into the forest than any other settlers, and remained
there seven years ; they then came to this town and settled on lot 32, on Boyce
hill, where he resided until his death Jan. 12, 1864. His wife died April 5,
18S5. Children: Louisa H. (Mrs. Ezra Buck), David F., Almira C. (Mrs. Har-
vey Litchfield), Nancy E., Amy L., and Mary A. Z. (Mrs. Joseph Vaughan). .
David Burrows, a Vermonter by birth, at the age of eighteen came with his
father to Gainesville, N. Y., and in 1840 removed to Franklinville, settling in
Cadiz, where he commenced shoemaking. His wife was Orrilla Rockwell,
who bore him five children, of whom three are living : Jasper A., Lucinda M.
(Mrs. D.Alger), and George W. Mrs. Burrows died July 9, 1855, and Mr.
Burrows on March 31, 1885. Jasper A. Burrows was born Oct. 28, 1843, 'iirJ
Town of Franklinville. ■ 647
married Candace, daughter of Edward C. Squire'; two children : Dora A. and
Edward C.
Samuel Butler, son of Nathan, came with his wife, Phebe Lyon,, from
Otsego county to Franklinville in 1820. Two years afterward he bought
seventy-five acres of wild land in Farmersville, whither he moved and erected
a frame house. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade. A few years later
he returned to this town and purchased the farm and built the stone house
where John Napier now lives. Of his four children two are living: Eliza A.
(Mrs. Howard) and Lewis L.
Jonas K. Button* was born in Machias on the 3d of May, 1821. His
father, Charles, was a pioneer farmer, and the early life of Mr. Button was
passed on the farm with a large family of brothers and sisters, and his stalwart
frame was inured to the severe toil which was the lot of the " tiller of the soil "
in the primitive history of the county. His father died in 1832 and the duties
of the farm so occupied the attention of the children that the education of Mr.
Button was restricted to a few winter terms of school in the log school house,
but that temple of learning has been the source of inspiration to the men who
have risen to prominence in western New York. After attaining the age of
eighteen years he worked out at farm work by the month during the summer
season and taught school during the winter months. He early acquired habits
of thrift and economy and was particular to add to his savings each year,
knowing that this course was the only one that insured the attainment of a
competence. He was never afflicted with the modern mania of becoming sud-
denly rich, but preferred to acquire his accumulations by ceaseless energy and
in business where his ripe judgment could be of service to him. On the 27th
of Sept., 1845, he was married to Jane M. Duncan, and together they began
life in the employ of Judge Peter Ten Broeck, of Farmersville, and that rare
judge of men at once appreciated the merit of the young couple, and their
friendship continued unabated until the death of Judge Ten Broeck.
In 1847 ^Ir. Button purchased and moved onto a farm about three miles
south of the village of Franklinville, and which has ever since been known as
" the Button farm " and is now owned by his youngest son and namesake, who,
at twenty-t wo, is proving himself a " chip of the old block " in representing the
town as supervisor. Mr. Button was early ambitious to excel as a farmer and
like his early patron. Judge Ten Broeck, to become a large landed proprietor,
and so well was his ambition gratified that at his death he owned 2,100 acres
of farming land in the county of Cattaraugus, being the largest owner of till-
able land within its borders. This land comprised six farms well stocked
and under an excellent state of cultivation. In 1864 he took up his resi-
dence in the village of Franklinville and thereafter leased his farms. Mr.
Button was the model landlord. He was unerring in his estimate of men,
understood well when his farms were properly carried on, and while fair and
considerate to his tenants was strict and exacting in requiring them to care
for his stock and maintain his farms in good condition. His relations with
his tenants were close and kindly, and he seldom was obliged to change them,
and his leaseholds were profitable alike to him and his lessees.
When the cheese industry by factory-making first started Mr. Button
erected a factory between Franklinville and Cadiz and another west of Cadiz,
and they were the nucleus of a combination that has become celebrated. For
* Contributed by Hon. Alfred Spring.
648 History of Cattaraugus County.
many years he attended to the financial management of this combination,
selling the cheese and distributing the proceeds, and his excellent judgment
and methodical habits prevented criticism as to his performance of this trust.
Mr. Button early took an .interest in politics and was soon recognized as one of
the leaders of his party in the county. He was an uncompromising Democrat,
zealous in defending the principles of his party, and a partisan in practice.
He was supervisor of Franklinville for five terms and was elected member of
Assembly in 1867, though the district was regarded as safely Republican. He
was the candidate of his "party for Congress in one or two campaigns. He
afTfiliated with his party during the Civil war, yet believed in the suppression
of the Rebellion and the unity of the nation. He contributed liberally for
the payment of bounties, and, to induce enlistments, at one time paid
§1,000, at another pledged $100 to be divided equally among the next four
who should enlist, and again personally advanced $3,000 to enable the town
to fill its quota, trusting to future legislation for its re-payment. Western
New York has been largely Republican since the inception of that party, so
Mr. Button's political preferment was confined to the offices stated, but in the
councils of his party and among those in this end of the State who were in-
strumental in party organization he was a prominent factor.
Judge Ten Broeck appointed him sole executor of his will with plenary
power in the management and disposition of his large estate. When it is
remembered that his property included about 7,000 acres of land the magni-
tude of the undertaking can be partly appreciated. This vast area he man-
aged with consummate judgment, making, sales from year to year until the
entire land was converted into money or securities that were gilt-edged. He
was also by the act of incorporation one of the trustees of Ten Broeck Free
Academy, and by virtue of his residence in Franklinville and his aggressive
individuality was the master spirit of the Board of Trustees until his resigna-
tion shortly prior to his death. The academy was erected in the village,
which was then remote from a railroad and where education was at a low ebb.
Mr. Button assumed the direction of this business with his wonted energy and
the academy was soon the potent agency in eastern Cattaraugus for higher
education. His zeal in behalf of this institution was irrepressible and he
seized every opportunity to advance its influence. When Franklinville be-
came a full-fledged village Mr. Button, though opposed to incorporation, was
elected as one of its first trustees, as the taxpayers had implicit faith in his
judgment and fairness. He well served his constituents in this capacity,
believing thoroughly in public improvements and yet guarding wisely the ex-
penditure of the moneys raised.
In 1879 he united with the First United Presbyterian Church Society of
Franklinville, of which his wife was a member. Thenceforth he was a faith-
ful, earnest Christian. He made no parade of his new life. He contributed
one-fourth of the $1 1,000 used in building the substantial church edifice of this
society. He died in Franklinville, Sept. 8, 1884, leaving his widow, four sons,
and two daughters, all of whom are still liv'ng.
Mr. Button was a man of sterling, positive traits of character. He de-
spised any cant or hypocrisy and asserted his intense convictions confidently
and fearlessly. On any matter, either local or of a wider range, he took a
decided stand. With little education in his youth, yet, by friction with men,
by keen observation, by an aptitude for comprehending the pith 01 any sub-
ject, and by his unfailing common sense, he soon became well informed. He
^. ^, /5^i^^^c
Town of Franklinville. • 649
made a marked impression on the people of eastern Cattaraugus, was thor-
oughly respected, and was recognized as one of its leading men. In de-
fining to a young man the cardinal principles leading to success he stated
they were " integrity, industry, and perse\'erance," and they certainly com-
prised the elements that made his own career so successful.
Reuben C. Button, son of Lyman and Polly (Brown) Button, was born in
Machias, Nov. 25, 1839, ^^^ removed to this town in 1855, living for a time
with his uncle, Jonas K. Button. Nov. 3, 1861, he married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John Little, and was engaged in farming until 1865, when he opened a
liverj' stable in the village. In 1876 his wife died and Nov. 25, 1880, he mar-
ried, second, Addie V., daughter of Sylvester and Mary Curtis.
Peter T. B. Button has always taken an active interest in the mercantile and
political affairs of the town. He has served as supervisor and in other offices,
and was largely instrumental in organizing the Franklinville Agricultural and
Dri\-ing Park Association, of which he has served as treasurer, secretary, and
president.
Robert Campbell, a relative of Judge Campbell, of Cherry Valley, Otsego
county, N. Y., was born in that place and resided there until after his majority.
He married Elizabeth Campbell, and in 1829 he came with his family to
Franklinville and settled on a part of lot 29 on the road known as Otsego
street, from the fact that every settler thereon was from Otsego county. He
remained on the place about thirty years and then, with his son, Andrew J.
Campbell, removed to Black Creek and remained there until his death. Chil-
dren : Samuel, Mary Ann, Albert J., Eleanor, Alanson, Deborah, and Andrew J.
Samuel married Eliza Morgan^ July 24, 1851, and remained on lot 29 until his
death in 1889. Children: Dewitt, Sarah, and Amenzo. Ameiizo now resides
on the place with his mother. Albert J. married Permelia daughter of John
W. Dickinson, Feb. 2, 1841, and settled on a farm in upper Sugartown, where
he resided until his health failed, when he moved to Franklinville village and
kept a hotel twenty-five years. Children : Mary and Devillo. Devillo went
to Mazo Manie, Wis., where he is a druggist. Mary, at the age of twenty-four,
met with an accident in a collision on the Great Western railroad at Komoka,
Ontario, which rendered her a cripple.
Warren Carpenter, son of Zenas (see Farmersville), was born Jan. 17, 1827,
and Dec. 18, 1849, married Catherine J., daughter of Thomas De Kay, of New
Hudson, Allegany county; children : Zenas, Thomas, Elroy V., Samuel, and
Julia A. (Mrs. E. D. Scott), who died Nov. 7, 1890. Mr. Carpenter lived with
his parents until their deaths and in Lyndon until 1880, when he came to
Franklinville village. He has taken an active interest in laying out and
beautifying Mt. Prospect Cemetery. Besides this he has been called upon to
plan and adorn several other burial places.
Peter Carr, a postmaster under the British government, came to Franklin-
ville in 1849 ^id purchased the farm belonging to Moses Chamberlin, which
he made his permanent home until his death in 1873. He was justice of the
peace several years. He left Peter Carr, Jr., his only heir, in possession of
his estate, who still resides upon it. In 1857 Peter, Jr., married Katharine,
daughter of Patrick Power. Children: Mary, Rose (Mrs. Wilson Hogg), Jo-
sephine (Mrs. Charles Weed), Katie, Anna (Mrs. J. G. Jolly), arid Joseph.
Thomas Case, born in Berkshire, Tioga county, Jan. 14, 1818, came in
Feb., 1838, with his father, Phineas Case, from Candor, N. Y., to Lyndon,
where he resided until March, 1884, when he moved to Franklinville. On
650 History of Cattaraugus' Cou-xtv.
Jan. 14, 1845, he married Betsey, daughter of Nicholas Melrose, of Lyndon.
She was born Sept. 20, 1S26, in Delhi, Delaware county. Children, all born
in Lyndon: Jason Daniel, Oct. 3, 1847; Edward Nelson, Dec. 9, 1849;
Charles Arbuckle, Oct. 25, 1851; and Eben Leicester, Aug. ig, 1S59. Ed-
ward N. is a successful farmer; the other three are bankers. In Sept., 1865,
Thomas Case assisted in organizing the Cuba Banking Company, of Cuba,
N. Y., and later in changing the company to the succeeding organization,
now the First National Bank of Cuba. In Oct., 1870, he assisted in starting
the Bank of Olean, which in 1871 was re-organized into the First National
Bank. In Aug., 1878, he assisted in organizing the Bank of Ellicottville, of
which his son, C. A. Case, has been the cashier. In Nov., 1883, with others,
he started the Citizens' Bank of Arcade, N. Y., of which he is now a
director, his son, J. D. Case, being the president. In Dec, 1872, Mr. Case
proposed and with others organized the Bank of F"ranklinville, which was
subsequently merged into the First National Bank of Franklinville, and has
always been an active director and for several years its efficient president.
His son, J. D. Case, is the cashier.* Mr. Case has been a fortunate financier,
honest and punctual in his business affairs, cheerful, social, and temperate.
With a free hand and open purse he aids everything beneficial to society.
Jason D. Case, son of Thomas, was born in Lyndon, Oct. 3, 1847, attended
school in the Hayden district and two terms at the Rushford Academy, and
assisted in the farm duties at home and his father in buying eggs, butter, etc.
In the fall of 1 868 he taught the Morgan district school near Cuba reservoir,
and the following summer he was engaged as superintendent of the Cherry
Run and Pithole Oil Company, making a satisfactory- sale of their property in
1872, when he bought a third-interest in some valuable oil property near
Parker's Landing, Pa. Mr. Case was active in the organization of the first
bank in Franklinville and later of its successor, the First National; of the
Bank of Ellicottville, of which he is a director; of the Citizens' Bank of
Arcade, of which he was the first president ; of the canning company in
Franklinville, being for some time a member of its executive committee;
and of the Franklinville Cemetery Association, of which he has been trustee
and treasurer since its foundation. Jan. 29, 1873, Mr. Case married Helen
C, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Morgan, of Cuba. Children : Nellie
and Gertrude A.
Moses Chamberlin came fromDutchess county to Ellicottville in i8i6and
thence he moved to Franklinville, settling on the farm now owned by Peter
Carr, where he lived about thirty years. He then moved to Allegany, where
he died in 1869. Mr. Chamberlin married Anna Piatt, of Caledonia, N. Y.
Children : Mary (Mrs. Sylvester Curtis), Dr. William, Dr. Harry, Ann E. (Mrs.
John Knox), Laura, Charles (died in 1880), Eliza (died in 1887), Henry (died
in 1865), Lucy (Mrs. E. N. Babbitt) died in 1884, and George S. (died in 1S84).
James Clements came here from Ireland in 1859. ^^ March, 1859, he mar-
ried Margaret Lochard. He purchased and moved onto the farm he still
occupies. Children living : James, Mary, Thomas, Margaret, John, William,
Timothy, George, Robert, Alexander, and Samuel. James and John are part-
ners in a grocery in Franklinville. John has been town clerk several terms.
James Collie, a native of Morayshire, Scotland, and a son of James and
Barbara (Mitchell) Collie, was born March 10, 1821, and at the age of twenty-
si.x married Elizabeth Watson. In 1853 he came with his wife to America and
settled in Franklin\'ille, moving to his present farm in 1857. Of his eleven
Town of Franklinville. ■. 651
children eight are living : Peter, William, James, Jessie, Mary, Elizabeth, Mima,
and Louisa.
Milton N. Colvin was born March 28, 1870, on Chappel hill in Humphrey.
He was the son of Royal and Mary Colvin and the second child of a family
of seven children: Charles, Milton N., Carrie, Lucia, Agnes, Hattie, and Wel-
come. Sickness and other dire misfortunes pursued the family until it was
broken up and its members scattered. Milton was adopted into the family of
Walter VVhitcomb, of Humphrey, and came to this town with Mr. Whitcomb
in 1883, with whom he resided until 1891, when he began life in earnest.
Henry Conrad, from Tompkins county, during the summer of 1807 located
on the north half of lot 37 and commenced the erection of a mill, which he
completed in the summer of 1808. The mill was in keeping with its surround-
ings, primitive indeed, but it would grind wheat into flour which did not al-
ways resemble the " beautiful snow." Thdt useful old mill more properly
belonged to the "Tuscan Order" of architecture than to an}^ other. In the
early part of 1807 John, Nicholas, and Daniel Kortwright, from Tompkins
county, settled upon the north part of lot 36 and south part of lot 37. They
were millwrights and superintended the building of Henry Conrad's grist-
mill, and instructed " Uncle Hank" (as he was commonly called) in the art
of grinding grain and taking toll. Owing to some defect in its construction
the mill was not uniform in its mechanical behavior. There is one anecdote
in relation to Uncle Hank and his mill which illustrates the fun-loving pro-
pensities of the Warner family. Parley Warner, who lived near the mill, on
observing some customer emerge from the forest with a bag of grain across
his brawny shoulders, would stealthily approach the rear of the mill and seize
the arms of the wheel in his herculean grip, and, with muscles firmly set,
await the coming ordeal. The gate would be raised, but the wheel would not
move; it was as firmly bound as the nymphs had bound Andromeda. After
uttering a few words not admissable in Sunday school Uncle Hank, armed
with the necessary tools, would go around to the rear of the mill to see " vat
vas der ail mit der tam veel." By the time he reached the wheel Parley would
be snugly concealed in the alders. Mr. Conrad was a kind-hearted man. He
had four chiidren by his first wife : Elizabeth, Margaret, Catharine, and Sam-
uel. Margaret married Elijah Sill ; Elizabeth married Thaddeus Farwell ;
Catharine and Samuel were mutes and were never married. One of the grand-
daughters of Mr. Conrad, Fanny Farwell, is the wife of D. J. Morris. By
his second marriage Mr. Conrad had si.x children : Peter, Henry, Joseph, John,
Henrietta, and F'anny. About 1820 he sent Samuel and Catharine to New
York, where they received an education. When they came back they could
read and write fluently and converse by means of the hand alphabet. Samuel
died of small-pox at his broiher-in-law's, Elijah Sill, about 1830. Lyman
Searl, Thomas M. Sill, Fayette Searl, and Robert E. Gardner also married
granddaughters of Henry Conrad.
Samuel A., Alanson, Jedediah W., and Lot C. Crosby came to Franklin-
ville in 1830 and settled on Crosby hill, the place taking its name from the
four brothers. Alanson and Jedediah purchased portions of lot 28, while
S. A. (known here as Austin Crosby) made his home on lot 36 and Lot C. on lot
35. They were sons of Col. Jedediah Crosby, who was born near Boston, Mass.,
in 1776. At an early period he removed to Gorham, N. Y., where he married
Mabel Austin, a native of Connecticut. She was born May i, 1782. In 1805
the couple moved to Bergen, N. Y., then known as the Triangle, where they
653 History of Cattaraugus' Countv.
made a permanent home. Colonel Crosby was a volunteer in the War of
18 1 2 and commanded a regiment at the battle of Fort Erie, where one-third
of his soldiers were left on the field. Both Colonel Crosby and his wife were
of English descent. He died in Bergen, August 18, 1830; she died May 21,
1866. They had five sons and four daughters, the latter being Polly, Lou-
anny, Harriet, and Lovina. S. Austin Crosby married and had sons Christo-
pher C, Jedediah W., and Luther V. Christopher C. married Helen Starr.
Jedediah married Viola Kenyon and resided on the homestead until his
death. Luther married Mary Wenrick. Newton A. and Ora B. are deceased.
Alanson Crosby married Cornelia Wright; children: Mabel, Manley, and
Alanson, Jr. Mabel married George Baillet. Manley (see Bench and Bar, page
363) is a practicing attorney in Corry, Pa. Alanson enlisted in 1862 in the
154th N. Y. Vol. Inf. and was killed before Atlanta, Ga. He was a young
man of rare promise. As a well-deserved tribute to his memory the Grand
Army Post in Franklinville received his name. Jedediah Crosby, Jr., married
a daughter of Roswell Warner, a granddaughter of Gen. Joseph McCluer.
He still resides on Crosby hill, occupying the place on which he settled when
he first came to this town. One of his daughters married Dudley Kenyon
and a second married Thomas Wheeler.
Solomon Cummings came to Farmersville in 1829 and a few years later
married Jonathan Graves's eldest daughter, Mariette. He became a merchant,
was successful, represented Farmersville as supervisor in 1843, 1844, 1846, and
1848 and Franklinville in 1875, was a very exact business man, and always
performed his duties with ability and fidelity. For many years he has resided
in Franklinville. He sold his property in 1850 to his father and brother, John
T. Cummings, who continued the mercantile business until his sudden death
in 1876. J. T. Cummings left an excellent record behind him for ability and
integrity. He was supervisor of Farmersville in 1863. By consulting him and
his library almost any matter of history, law, politics, religion, or science could
be learned. From tinkering clocks to making or repairing any article of the
house or tool on the farm he was an expert, and he had a great variety of tools
that he persistently refused to lend. He was aCongregationalist, a cultivated
scholar, and a valuable friend. The Cummingses emigrated to this town from
Warren, Mass., and are direct descendants of the Puritans.
Solomon Curtis, from Lanesboro, Mass., located on a large tract of land
where the village of Franklinville now stands in 1806 and removed thither
with the first settlers, erecting his log house a few rods west of the center
stake in the village plat in 1808. It is said that hunting and trapping were his
primary and agriculture his secondary pursuits. Mr. Curtis married Abigail
Rose, of Rushford, Allegany county ; children : Azur, Rensselaer, Polly, and
Sylvester. He died in 1840 and his wife in 1837. Rensselaer Curtis was born
in Franklinville, Feb. 8, 1818, and Feb. 8, 1848, married Ruth M., daughter of
Ezekiel and Folly (Foot) Foster. Locating in Machias in i85ohe returned to
Franklinville nine years later, and in 1863 settled on the farm he now occupies.
His son Henry R. is an attorney in the village. Sylvester Curtis, born April
I, 1819, married, in 1844, Mary, daughter of Moses and Anna Chamberlin, and
for eighteen years lived on the farm where his father died ; he then sold out
and moved to his present farm. His daughter is the \\ ife of Reuben Button.
Thomas Davis, son of John and a native of Wales, England, came to Amer-
ica with his father when ten years old and settled in Litchfield, Herkimer
county. In 1857 Mr. Davis married Sarah M., daughter of Jacob Klock, and
Town of Franklinville. . 65;
in 1865 located in Lyndon, of which town he was supervisor in 1873 and 1874.
In 1882 he came to this town and settled as a farmer at Cadiz, being elected
supervisor of Franklinville in 1891 and 1892. Mr. Davis in public and private
is an exemplary citizen, serving his constituents with honor and credit, and
in all matters of importance to the town and county he takes a deep interest.
Danforth W. Dean, son of Tower J. and Esther E. (Young) Dean, was
born in Centerville, Allegany county, Feb. 8, 1853. In 1877 he removed to
Franklinville, where he has since followed the carpenter's trade, engaging in
1878 with Richard Little in the contracting and building business: he is also
at the head of the Dean & Spring Manufacturing Company. He was super-
visor of Franklinville in 1890, and served in that position with honor and
credit. Feb. 8, 1882, Mr. Dean married Jennie, daughter of John Conners.
Willard Drewry removed from Genesee county to this town in 1831 and
settled with his wife on a wild lot on Genesee street. In 1865 he sold to Mr.
Simonds and went west. His son Ebenezx-r enlisted in 1861 for three years,
and served his full time; he was mustered into the service in the 105th Regt.
in Oct., 1861, and was honorably discharged. He died in 1878.
James Duncan and his wife Annie came from Scotland in 1833 and the
next year settled in Franklinville, first at what is now the village and subse-
quently on East hill. He finally removed to the village and died. They had
nine children.
William Elmer was born in Hartford, Conn., May 14, 1807, and came with
his father to Genesee county in 181 5. He married Harriet Crosby, March 27,
1835, and they had four daughters and two sons. He moved to Franklinville,
March 16, 1855, and his wife died June 4, i860. He married his second wife,
Mrs. Lydia Dickinson, Nov. 27, 1862. Austin W. Elmer, the eldest son, was
mustered into the navy in Sept., 1864, for one year, and died of disease con-
tracted in the service. Crosby L. Elmer resides on the homestead, with his
father, on Crosby hill. The family influence has been exemplary.
William Ely, son of C. C. Ely, of Rushford, Allegany county, was born
July 27, i84i,and obtained his education in the common schools and in Rush-
ford Academy. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was in all
the engagements with his regiment from Antietam to Cold Harbor, where he
was wounded by a minie-ball in the ankle. Being discharged in 1865 he re-
turned home and in 1866 came to Franklinville, where he started a drug store
in the village under the firm name of W'alker & Ely, which two years later
was changed to Ely & Day by Walker disposing of his interest to W. A. Day.
Day subsequently sold out to H. D. Smith and the firm became Ely & Smith.
In 1884 Smith sold to W. H. Ferris and the style was changed to Ely & Ferris.
In 1867 Mr. Ely married Caroline S., daughter of Marcus and Susan (Stillwell)
Smith. Mr. Ely was supervisor of Franklinville in 1886 and 1887.
Moses Essex came frem Decatur, N. Y., in 1827, and settled on the west
part of lot 13, which he had previously purchased from James O. Morse and
Benjamin Rathbun. He soon erected an ashery, which he operated over
twenty years. He purchased all the ashes and black-salts that he could from
those who'were clearing up their farms and worked them into potash, which
he shipped to New York city. In those early times about the only way the
settlers had to raise money to pay taxes and buy bread was by making ashes
and black-salts, which were jocosely called "legal tender." Essex remained
on the place about 23 years. His daughter resides on a part of the farm.
Aleanzor M. Farrar is a son of Wiggin M. and Betsey (Loomis) Farrar, of
654 History of Cattaraugus -County.
Machias (q. v.). He was born in that town Sept. 15, 1829, and Jan. i, 1854,
married Lydia Carver. Until 1884 Mr. Farrar was a resident of Machias, on
the old homestead, where he served as justice of the peace twelve years and as
assessor. In 1884 he came to Franklinville. He has in his possession a sword
used by. John Farrar, his grandfather, on the field of Bunker Hill.
Edward H. Farrington, son of Harvey, was born in Newport, N. Y., Dec.
I, 1848. His father was an early cheese maker, in which business the son was
educated. In 1873 Edward H. came to Franklinville and began manufactur-
ing cheese, being interested in 1890 in nine factories producing several hun-
dred thousand pounds of cheese annually. In 1872 Mr. Farrington married
Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel McAfee, of Canada. Children: Irvin A., How-
ard P., Harry, and Ellen.
Henry C. Farwell, son of Thaddeus (see Ischua), was born Feb. 19, 1832.
In 1854 he engaged in lumbering in the great lumber woods of Wisconsin, and
June I, 1861, enlisted in Co. K, 4th Wis. Vols., fighting in the battles of Will-
iamsburg, Second Bull Run, Seven Days' Fight, Antietam, South Mountain,
Fredericksburg (both engagements], Gettysburg, and Rappahannock Station,
where he was wounded by a ball passing through the leg. He was promoted
captain of his company and was discharged Oct. 14, 1S64. Returning to
Ischua he married, March 28, 1866, Anna, daughter of Henr}- and Betsey Cook,
of Mansfield. He was a farmer in Ischua, which town he served as supervisor
in 1873 and again in 1875 and as assessor several years. Mr. Farwell moved
to the village of Franklinville in 1885. Children: Lettie C. and Arthur M.
James Fay, son of Cyrus, was born in Sturbridge, Mass., married Olive
Rice, of Brookfield, Mass., and came to Cattaraugus county in 1829, in 1830
settling on the farm now owned by Cyrus M. Fay, his son. He was a man
highly respected, held several town offices, and was a member and deacon of
the Presbyterian church. He died in 1882, aged ninety-two years. Of his
five children four are living: William G., Sarah J. (Mrs. I. L. Cole), J. C,
and Cyrus M. Cyrus M. Fay, living on the homestead, was born Nov. 13,
1S33. In 1858 he married Ellen I., daughter of William M. Pierce, of this
town. Children: Sarah O. (Mrs. B. J. Greene) and Elsie M. (Mrs. E. E.
Litchfield). He was supervisor from 1877 to 1879 ^"^ assessor nine years.
J. B. Goo, son of Hiram, was born in Ashford, Sept. 29. 1829, and in Jan.,
1855, married Lucy J., daughter of Samuel Brand, of Ellicottville. By trade
he was a carpenter. About i860 he moved to Yorkshire Center, where he
carried on cheese-box manufacturing. In 1882 he came to Cadiz. He has
two sons and three daughters.
Allen M. Green, born inCazenovia, N. Y., Aug. 9, i8i2,came with his father,
Allen Green, to Cattaraugus county in 1826. In 1838 he married Mary Jen-
nings, of Fort Madison, Iowa, where he lived and followed his trade of black-
smith. Upon the death of his wife in 1840 Mr. Green returned to Cattarau-
gus county, and in 1845 he married Julia J., daughter of Arnold Holden, of
Ashford. He settled in Franklinville in 1869. Of his six children three are
living: Emma (Mrs. Eugene Rust), Burnett J., and Perry W.
James Grierson, son of Thomas and Agnes (McQuenn), was born in Dum-
fries, Scotland, May 27, 1832, and came to F'rankiinville in 1854, where he re-
sided for one year, when he went to Otto, where he worked at his trade as
miller for Selleck St. John. There he married Melissa, daughter of Sylvester
and Harriet (P'uller) Skeels. He also lived in East Otto and in Ellicottville.
In 1870 he returned to Franklinville and purchased the grist-mill below Cadiz
Town of Fraxklinville.- 655
known as the Conrad mill, which he conducted until 1876, when he moved to
the village of Franklinville, where he now resides. Children: Lun i C, Mina
C, Harriet A. (deceased), Nettie 0.. Grace M., and Edgar J.
George S. Hackett, son of Stephen K. (see Ischua), was born Feb. 20,
1844, in the town of Ischua, and at the age of seven years, his mother dying,
he was bound out to D. H. Woods, of Rushford, Allegany county, where he
lived until Dec. 22, 1863, when he enlisted in Co. B, 2d N. Y. Mounted Rifles.
He was actively engaged in the battles of Shady Grove, North Anna River,
Tolopotomoy Creek, Cold Harbor, Gaines's Farm, siege of Petersburg, and
Pegram Farm, and was discharged at White Hall Run on June 18, 1865. Re-
turning to Rushford Mr. Plackett married, July 4, 1866, Fannie M., daughter
of John W. and Caroline (Searle) Sill, and in 1867 settled on Buzzard hill in
Humphrey. He followed cheese making for a number of years, residing in
various places, and in 1881 located in Franklinville village, where on Jan. 10,
1 89 1, his wife died. She was born April i, 1846, and bore him two children,
Willie B. (deceased) and Lewis A.
Squire C. Hayden has been prominent in the industrial and political in-
terests of the town and county, and in various capacities has represented his
constituents with eminent ability and unswerving integrity. He is trustee of
the village and was supervisor of Farmersville in i879and Franklinville in 1889.
James A. Haynes, a native of Yorkshire and a son of Daniel B. and
Amanda (Stewart) Haynes, was born March 7, 1839, ^^"^^ Feb. 24, 1861, mar-
ried Isadore Busecker, of Ischua, who died Jan. 20, 1868. May 19, 1869, Mr.
Haynes married for his second wife Mary A., daughter of S.J. Smith, of
Ischua. The same year he formed a partnership with Mr. Smith in the mer-
cantile trade under the firm name of S. J. Smith & Co., which business was
continued until 1873, when Mr. Haynes sold his interest to A. J. Morris. He
then purchased a farm, which he sold in 1885, and in 1886 moved to Frank-
linville village, where he handled sewing machines until 1890, v/hen he started
with Thomas Grierson a flour and feed store. Soon afterward Mr. Grierson
sold to F. P. Willard. Mr. Haynes was supervisor of Ischua in 1872.
John R. Holden was born July 30, 1843, i'l Ashford, and is a son of Arnold
and Patience Holden. In Sept., 1S61, lie enlisted in Co. B, 9th N. Y. Cav.,
and was discharged from the Patent Office Hospital in April, 1862, for sick-
ness. He re-enlisted in October, 1864, in Co. A, 9th N. Y. Cav., and was
mustered out in June, 1865. Jan. iS. 1863, he married Melvina, daughter of
Poltus and Elizabeth Rush, of East Otto, and in 1867 settled in F'armersville,
whence he removed in 1885 to the village of Franklinville, where he has been
engaged largely in the cheese trade, a business he has successfully followed
for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Holden has been prominent in
town affairs and is vice-president of the First Nati' nal Bank of F^ranklinville.
His father, Arnold Holden, was supervisor of Ashford in 1831.
Samuel L. Hollister was born in Cairo, Greene county, Oct. 29, 1788. In
1806 he came to this town and in 1S12 married Sibyl Norton, who was born
in Litchfield county, Conn., May 24. 1791, and moved to Franklinville in 181 1.
In 1816 he removed to Great Valley and in March, 1821, went to Mansfield,
where he died June 29, 1849.
Hosea T. Holmes, son of Peter Holmes, an early settler in p-armersville,
was born in that town Dec. 28, 1821. In Jan., 1843, he married Eliza A.,
•daughter of Harvey Butler, and until 1871 was a farmer. He then came to
Franklinville and died June 13, 18S9. Children: A. O., Clark L., and L. M.
656 History of Cattaraugus- Couxtv.
Joseph Holmes, a native of Leeds, England, came to America and to
Franklinville in 1830, settling in Cadiz, where he followed his trade of gun-
smith and kept also a dry goods, and grocery store. He was born March 6,
1817, and died June 9, 1882; he married Amantha, daughter of Eli A. and
Finetta Sprague, of Ischua, and had born to him seven children, five of whom
are living: John T., Alfie F., Jennie G., Mary E. (Mrs. R. Stone), Reuben B.
Benjamin Hotchkiss, about 1817, came from Whitehall, N. Y., and after
a brief residence in the Ischua valley located on lot 38. His son Hiram
settled on the same lot a little farther west. One of his daughters was the
wife of Isaac Searl and another became Mrs. Aaron Osgood. Hiram Hotch-
kiss was a soldier in the War of 18 12. Simeon Hotchkiss located on lot 38.
He married Lucretia, daughter of Stephen Piatt, from Plattsburgh, N. Y.
Children: Benjamin, Sarah, Alexander, Mary, Stephen, Orange, and Charles.
Stephen and Orange enlisted in the 154th Regiment in Aug., 1862, and both
died in the service. Alexander served in the artillery.
Simeon Ingalls came from Otsego, N. Y., in 1828, with his wife and family,
and settled on lot 29. He married Martha, daughter of T. D. Storrs. He
finally sold his place and moved to Tennessee, where he was at the breaking
out of the Rebellion. With several others from the north he was forced to
leave the State, barely escaping with their lives.
John Johnston was a Scotchman by birth. He came to this county in
1833 and bought a farm of Elijah Sill; in June, 1834, his family joined him,
and in September following he died. He had four sons and three daughters;
two sons, James and John, reside on the homestead. John Johnston, Jr.,
born in May, 1818, married Agnes Penman, by whom he had seven children.
He was a popular citizen and a respected gentleman; he represented the
town of Franklinville on the Board of Supervisors in 1859.
William W. Kingsbury, son of Benjamin, was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego
county. In 1830 or 1831 his father came to Rushford, Allegany county, where
he now resides. He is a carpenter and farmer. He married Betsey Bassett
and has three children. Frank D. Kingsbury, his son, was born Sept. 25, 1849,
and in 1880 married Arlouine L. Smith, of Rushford. In 1882 he came to
this town and purchased the Dell Zell farm ; children: Harry and Willie.
Warren Kingsley, son of Nathan, came from Otsego county to Franklin-
ville in 1825, he being at that time seventeen years of age. For five years he
worked on the farm and for eight years was a clerk in the employ of Tilly
Gilbert in Cadiz. February 22, 1838, he married Augusta, daughter of John
McNall, who died Dec. 26, 1889. Mr. Kingsley was thoroughly identified with
the best interests of the town, holding for twelve years the office of assessor
and for a number of terms the position of town clerk. With the exception of
some fifteen yejrs, which were spent in Machias, Mr. Kingsley made the town
of Franklinville his home from the date of his settlement until his death,
which occurred at the residence of his son, Avery W. Kingsley, Feb. 25, 1891.
Gilbert Laidlawand his wife Margaret and their three sons and two daugh-
ters emigrated to America from Scotland in 1851. They first settled in Roch-
ester and in 1852 removed to this town, locating on a farm in what has since
been known as the Laidlaw district. His wife died soon after their arrival
and his death occurred in 1863. ' One son, Hon. William G., is a prominent
lawyer in Ellicottville ; the other children were Robert, James, Agnes, and
Betsey (Mrs. A. Duncan).
The Latham family trace their ancestry back to Mary Chilton, the first
Town of Franklinvill.e. 657
female to land on Plymouth Rock from the Mayfloivcr. The American JMes-
scngcr for 1850 says: " Chancellor Walworth, an eminent jurist of this State,
traces his ancestry to Mary Chilton. John Winslow, brother of Edward
Winslow, one of the first governors of the Plymouth colony, married her, and
their daughter became the wife of Robert Latham, from England, who came
to this country some twenty years after the arrival of the Mayfloivcr. From
Robert Latham and his wife all the Lathams in this country, so far as known,
have descended." A branch of the family early moved to Vermont and at
about the same time David Latham settled at Lyme, Conn. His grandson,
Joseph Latham, born Dec. 12, 1787, came thence to Le.Roy, Genesee county,
in 1808, commencing the journey on his birthday, crossing the Hudson river
on the ice opposite the city of Albany and the Genesee river where the city
of Rochester now stands. He volunteered in the War of 1812 with the rank
of sergeant-major and participated in the storming of Fort Erie with unloaded
muskets and fixed bayonets. May 2, 181 8, he married Polly, daughter of Col.
Jedediah Crosby, came to Franklinville in the spring of 1834, settled on
Crosby hill on the farm now owned by his son, Joseph Latham, and died June
7, 1865; his wife died Dec. 9, 1870. Children: Joseph, William, Russel, and
Helen. Russel Latham enlisted in the Rebellion, served on board the U. S.
gunboat Toioa, and after that vessel was destroyed in action with the rebel
forts on Cumberland river he died at Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 23, 1864.
Joseph Latham, Jr., born Dec. 12, 1819, has been a minister in the Gene-
see Conference of the M. E. church for over forty years. He married, Sept.
4, 1851, Lydia R., daughter of Hon. Lyman Nelson, county judge of Potter
county, Pa.; children: Franklin (died 'Nov. 4, 1874), Orry N., William H.,
Russel M. (died August 28, 1867), Lyman R., Joseph C, Minnie M., and Jo-
sephine Eugenie (died Jan. 22, 1878). Orry N. is a physician at Bolivar, N. Y.;
William H. is a lawyer in Nebraska and county judge of Frontier county;
Minnie M. married Rev. Y. S. Parkhurst, of the Genesee Conference, Aug.
25, 1880. The Latham family has represented California as collector of the
port of San Francisco, as governor, and as U. S. senator.
Teneyck Low was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1789. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812 and served in the militia under Gen. Stephen Van
Rensselaer; he was one of the brave little band who volunteered to cross the
Niagara and attack the British at Queenstown Heights, where he received a
slight wound in the shoulder. Some years after the war he married Abigail
Buchanan and came to Franklinville in 1825, settling on lot 21, where he re-
sided until his death May 15, 1870. Children: Charlotte, Margaret, Anna,
Amanda, Marvin, Judson, Mary, and Clarinda. Marvin- married, Feb. 8, 1851,
Lucy Buddy, and resided on the homstead until his death Aug. 25, 1886.
Children: Alvin A., Lluwellyn, and Judson M. Alvin now lives on the place
with his widowed mother. Judson was born Jan. 22, 1839, ^""^ remained on
the farm with his father until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. B, 9th N. Y. Cav.,
as orderly-sergeant. He went to the front and for gallantry in the service
was soon promoted to second lieutenant. His indomitable courage and readi-
ness to undertake dangerous duties often led him into hand to hand encount-
ers with the enemy. On one occasion he and his company were sent forward
to ascertain the position of the rebels. Their course led them into a piece
of woods where they found a considerable force of cavalry drawn up ready to
receive them. The rebels were so vastly superior in numbers that instant
retreat was their only course, during which he became slightly detached from
83
658 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
his company and was at once sitrro nded by five Confederates, the foremost
of whom exclaimed: "Now, you d — d Yank, surrenderl" After shooting one
rebel through the head and unhorsing two with his sabre a fourth rode up
behind and struck him across the neck with a carbine, which knocked Judson
from his horse, and while he laid on the ground a horse struck him in the side,
from the effects of which he died Nov. 9, 1863.
Robert Lowden was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and fitted himself for the
ministry at a college in Edinburgh. His father, a sea captain having a
daughter and five sons, emigrated to America and settled in Pictou, Nova
Scotia, where the family became largely interested in mercantile business and
ship building, in which Robert .continued, and thus relinquished the idea of
entering the ministry. He married a widow, Mrs. Wallace, 7u'c Abigail Dick-
son, and had eight children. Charles Thomas, the third, was born in Meri-
gomish, Nova Scotia, Aug. 22, 18 15, and by- his half-brother, Alexander
Wallace, was instructed in blacksmithing, a trade he followed for many years.
At the age of twenty-one he came to the States and on Oct. 22, 1837, arrived
at Yorkshire Center, where he set up as a blacksmith and continued for
thirty-five years. In Nov., 1838, he married Pamey B. Woolley, who died
Nov. 4, 1877; in the fall of 1878 he married Mrs Martha J., widow of John
Ten Broeck, of Franklinville, to which village he at once removed. Mr.
Lowden, after his settlement in Yorkshire, took an active interest in politics,
and after becoming a legalized citizen he was chosen delegate to several
Republican conventions, including the one at Ellicottville for organizing that
party in Cattaraugus county. He was several times town clerk, justice of
the peace, and justice of sessions; was supervisor of Yorkshire in 1861 ; was
for five years loan commissioner; was postmaster at Yorkshire Center for
twelve years; and from 1872 until Dec. 31, 1878, held the office of county
superintendent of the poor. In all these positions he served with marked
ability. He had six children; his two sons became blacksmiths.
Jonathan H. Lyon came to this town in 1816 from Troy, N. Y. He mar-
ried Harriet Perkins, from Otsego county, in 1819. He was a man of some
influence among the ear}y settlers. About 1830 he was doing business in the
dry goods line, tanning, shoemaking, etc. Children : Russell, Reuben, Delos,
Amanda, and Clara. Clara is now living on the homestead lot in the village.
Charles T. Mason was born in East Otto, April 30, 1840. His father was
David T. Mason, a pioneer of that town. In 1858 Charles married Jennie E.,
daughter of John and Sally Dudley, and in 1864 he purchased the Mason
homestead in East Otto. He followed carpentering and farming, and in 1881
removed to the village of Franklinville. Children: Charles H., of East Otto;
Rosa M., who died March 4, 1889; and Lois A. Lewis J. Mason was super-
visor of this town in 1856.
Gen. Joseph McCluer * (or McLure), the first settler in the town of Franklin-
ville, was born in Belchertown, Worcestercounty, Mass., May 14, 1775, and at
about the age of twenty married Betsey Grice. He came to this town and
located on the site of the village in March, 1806, with his wife and five children.
He was an agent and surveyor of the Holland Land Company. He served as
captain on the Niagara frontier in the War of 1812 and was the soldier who
rescued the bugler Burns after he had deserted from the British and swam the
♦The original orthography of this name in Franklinville was MvLurc. though the pronnnr;iation was
identical with McCluer or McClure. Gen. Joseph McClucr used, it is said, the ancient form, but his descend-
ants have many of them adopted the present spelling, McCluer.— Editor.
Town of Franklixville. ' 659
Niagara river to reach the American lines, ilr. McCluer represented the
counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara in the Assembly of 1814-
15, the three counties forming one district. He was county clerk in 1821
and was a general in the State militia. After an active and eventful life he
died of heart disease Sept. 11, 1833. His wife survived him eleven years, and
was buried by his side in the family burying ground a few rods south of their
former habitation. The remains of both were subsequently removed to the
present cemeteiy. The family of Joseph and Betsey McCluer consisted of
five sons and three daughters: Samuel, Manly, Joseph, David, Freeman,
Emily, Harriet, and Caroline. Samuel married Lucy Carpenter and settled
on the hill road on lot 30. He kept a hotel until his death. He was born
Dec. 4, 1795, and died in July, 1829. He built the first frame barn between
Franklinville and Ellicottville. He had nine children. Frederick, his son,
was born Aug. 5, 1825, married Permelia Nichols, and occupies the old home-
stead. Of their six children four are living: Dell, James H., Frank D., and
John H. Manly married Emily Wightman and settled on the west part of
lot 30. He filled several town offices, one of which was justice of the peace for
several years. -He was born June 26, 1800, and died May i, 1853. Joseph
occupied the west part of lot 23 prior to 1827, and resided on it until he re-
moved to Canada in 1830. He was born June i. 1802. He gave a bushel of
wheat for four pounds of nails, which were used in building his barn. He
married Patty Long. Emily married Roswell Warner, a farmer and a man
of influence. One of their daughters married Jedediah Crosby and settled on
Crosby hill. Harriet married Pardon T. Jewell in 1825. Mr. Jewell was one
of the early teachers and took a lively interest in our common schools. He
was superintendent of schools for several years. He. was elected justice of the
peace in 1S34 and again in 1840. Caroline married John G. Mathewson in
1826 and settled upon the north part of lot 4. After a few years Mr. Math-
ewson removed to Michigan with his family, where his wife died several years
ago. Freeman McCluer first located on the south part of the old homestead
and afterward on the south part of lot 38. He was in the U. S. service from
Nov., 1 861, to about 1863, when he was discharged on account of ill health.
Returning to Franklinville he was granted a pension, and soon disposed of
his interests here and removed to Iowa. David alwa}"s resided within a few
rods of the old log cabin in which he was reared. He lived in the town about
seventy-five years. He received a fair education, studied law, and became
an attorney of some note. In 1817, at the age of ten, he drove a team once
a week to Ellicottville to supply Baker Leonard with provisions while he was
building the first hotel erected in that place. He represented the town on
the Board of Supervisors and filled other offices of trust. In Feb., 1825, he
married the daughter of Thomas Morris. Of their children Leonard D. Mc-
Cluer enlisted in 1861 in the 21st N. Y. Regt. and served until 1865. John,
the youngest son, enlisted in Co. I, 6th N. Y. Cav., and fell in battle in 1864.
Benjamin McCluer, a brother of Gen. Joseph McCluer, was born in Bel-
chertown, Mass., in 1775. He married Elizabeth Barber in 1814, came to this
town about 1821, and purchased a farm on lot 7, where he died in 1832. The
farm was occupied by members of the family for many years afterward.
Children: Elizabeth (Mrs. James Mallory and later Mrs. William M. Older),
Dr. Benjamin, and Mary J. (Mrs. Allen Briggs and afterward Mrs. Alanson
Campbell). Porter McCluer and Abner Hoyt owned parts of lot 7.
David McCluer, a cousin of Joseph McCluer, arrived in this town from
66o History of Cattaraugus County.
Vermont in April, 1806, and selected the north part of lot 5, a few rods below
the village of Cadiz, jvhere Hiram Warner McCluer was born April 30, 1806,
being the first child of Saxon origin born within the limits of Cattaraugus
county. !Mr. McCluer removed from Franklinville to Allegany with his fam-
ily about 1836 and resided there until his death. He was supervisor of Ischua
in 1822. Hiram W. McCluer still resides in Allegany.
Thomas McKernan, son of Thomas, was born in County Caven, Ireland,
in 1823, and came with his son Hugh to Scottsville, N. Y., in 1848, where he
was engaged in manufacturing barrel hoops. His wife, Ann Phillips, whom
he had married in Ireland, came to join her husband in 1849, bringing with
her their children James and Mary. After residing in Scottsville, HoUey,
and Eagle for brief periods the family moved to EUicottville in 1866 and
settled on a farm, where he died Oct. 18, 1879; his wife died Nov. 5, 1880.
Children: a daughter who died in infancy, Hugh, Joseph, Frank, Thomas,
John, Michael and James. James McKernan was born Nov. 12, 1846, and
Oct. 6, 1867, married Susan M., daughter of S. R. and Prudence Williams.
Children: William, Joseph, John, Thomas, Catherine, Simeon, Helen, James,
and Josephine.
William McXall, oldest son of John and Mellison (Washburn) McNall,
was born Feb. 23, 1806, at Stafford Springs, Conn., and died Dec. 20, 1870, in
this town, whither he had removed with his parents in 18 16. The family
settled in Cadiz. Dec. 17, 1829, he married Sibyl, daughter of Stephen Sew-
ard. Children: Charles (deceased), William, Jr. (deceased), Nathan (died
March 5, 1857), Thomas E. (killed at Morton's Ford, Va., in 1864), Stephen
E., and four daughters. Stephen McNall was supervisor of this town in 1888.
Rev. D. C. McVean was born Oct. 10, 18 18, in Caledonia, N. Y. His par-
ents settled on the farm where he was raised in 18 16; his twin brother, John
C. McVean, still resides on the homestead. After receiving the usual drill of
a village school D. C. studied at Cambridge, N. Y., and Cleveland, Ohio. In
after years he said that while a boy working on a farm a premonition some-
times came over him that he should preach the gospel. His mother was left a
widow and his labor was needed at home. At the age of seventeen, on profes-
sion of faith in his Master, he united with the U. P. church of Caledonia. He
graduated at Union College in 1844 and was licensed to preach in June, 1847.
After laboring as a licentiate in the New England States and in the south he
accepted a call from the Lyndon church in this county and was ordained and
installed pastor Jan. 29, 1850. During the sixteen years he labored there the
church grew and prospered. The mcTmbership was scattered, yet he was in-
defatigable in his work. After the resignation of his charge at Lyndon his
labors were mostly confined to Franklinville, where he resided, and where by
his efforts a nucleus was formed around which gathered those who afterward
formed the membership of the First United Presbyterian church of Frank-
linville, which was organized by Mr. McVean on June 25, 1867, with forty
members, and now there 214 communicants. An epidemic soon afterward
broke out in the community and during his visits he became the victim of the
disease, and while he was preaching on the last Sabbath before his death he
was stricken with this malady and died the following Saturday. Mr. Mc-
Vean married M. J., daughter of Abram Gillespie, of Orange county, N. Y.
Their only son, Creighton, died at the age of seventeen. In [848 Mr. Mc-
Vean, Dr. Henry Van Aernam, and Hon. S. S. Spring located in Franklin-
ville. To the united efforts of these three men, aided by Hon. J. K. Button,
Town of Franklinville. ■ 66i
the citizens of Franklinville and adjacent towns and indebted for the endow-
ment of Ten Broeck Free Academy.
The Mead family. — Tradition has it that tliree brothers came from Eng-
land before the Revolutionary war and settled in Greenwich, Conn. ; most of
their descendants settled elsewhere in New England. Merlin Mead, son of
Clark, was born in South Salem (now Lewisboro), Westchester county, Aug.
1 8, 1794, and at seventeen began teaching district school in the winter, work-
ing on his father's farm summers. After his marriage, Nov. 14, 1820, to
Polly, eldest daughter of Eli Clark, of Waterbury, Conn., he removed to New
York city and in connection with Mrs. Mead continued teaching about
ten years with the subsequently famous Mr. McKean. They opened an even-
ing school, teaching two hours each evening, charging simply for light and
fuel. Richard and Robert Hoe, the inventors of the celebrated printing press,
were among his pupils. Mr. and Mrs. Mead united with the Cedar Street
Presbyterian church under the pastorate of Dr. J. B. Romeyn. Owing to
Mrs. Mead's failing health they removed to Cattaraugus county in the fall of
1830, settling in the village of Franklinville. With his brother-in-law, the late
Seth Ely, who preceded him by two years, he kept tavern in a building erected
for the purppse (standing near where W. A. Day's buildings now are). Mr.
Mead taught the district school in the old red school house two winters. As
Mr. and Mrs. Mead came with a "gift"* in their hand to the Presbyterian
church of Franklinville they esteemed it their greatest joy to unite with that
church, which they did by letter on the first Sunday after their arrival, and Mr.
Mead was elected and ordained an elder, remaining such till his death, being
also elected clerk of the session, trustee, clerk of the society, etc. Nov. 14,
1870, they celebrated their golden wedding. In politics Mr. Mead was in
early days a Whig, becoming afterward an Abolitionist He died at his home
in Cadiz, Dec. 23, 1874; Mrs. Mead died May 19, 1882. Children: Thomas
Ely, born Aug. 10, 1821, died Aug. 28, 1822 ; Maria S., born July 30, 1824, mar-
ried J.' C. Giddings on July 4, 1849, ^^^ ^^w lives in Venango, Pa.; Romeyn,
born March 22, 1827, married Mrs. Jane B. McGuire on Oct. 12, i87i,and now
lives in McMinnville, Tenn.; Lois Rebecca, born Sept. 16, 1830, married Aaron
Treadwell, settled in Redding, Fairfield county, Conn., and she died Oct. 16,
1888; Rhoda Ely, born Dec. 17, 1833; Eli Clark, born Aug. i, 1836, died Jan.
3, 1839; Aaron Benedict, born Nov. 7, 1838, married Mary E. Packard on
Sept. 2, 1868, and now lives in Chicago, 111.; and Merlin Edward, born Aug.
18, 1842, married Isabella W. Johnston, March 7, 1877, and resides in Cadiz.
William Mitchell, with his wife and sons Alexander, Thomas, and John
and daughters Janet and Agnes, emigrated from Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1834,
and settled on a part of lot 6 in the town of Freedom. Respected by his
neighbors for his moral and religious worth his house was the ministers' home,
and through his influence a branch of the United Presbyterian church of Lyn-
don was formed and sustained during his life. He died in i860, aged seventy-
six; his widow died in 1874, aged eighty-five. Alexander, after living in -York,
N. Y., a number of years, returned to Freedom and was elected justice of the
peace in 1857, which office he held until his death in 1875. He was largely
identified with all the public affairs of the town, settled satisfactorily many
family estates, and always used his influence to prevent litigation. Janet mar-
ried James Yule and settled in Eagle, Wyoming county, where their family
still remains. Agnes married Andrew Currie, of Lyndon, where she lives with
* A communion plate, still in use, presented by three young men of New York city.
662 History of Cattaraugus County.
her sons. John was elected justice of the peace in Freedom in 1876 and held
that oi'fice until his removal to Franklinville, where he and Thomas now reside.
Henry Morgan, son of Samuel and Sarah Morgan, was born in Cherry
Valley, Otsego county, April 2, 1806. It is a noteworthy coincidence that
while Gen. Joseph McCluer was taking the initiatory steps toward developing
the future town of Franklinville a child should be born in a distant part of the
State destined to play such a conspicuous part in its history. Of Mr. Mor-
gan's early life but little is known, except that he received a common school
education that was scarcely up to the standard even of these early times. But
what he failed to acquire from teachers was amply-compensated for by his
strong, vigorous intellect and his instinctive love of knowledge. After he
fully developed into manhood many of the intricate problems in the sciences
were solved as if by intuition, especially so in the mathematics. He was kind
hearted and bympathetic, and easily moved by the misfortunes of those about
him, yet he wag eccentric in his modes of charity. He was ready in case of
need to do what he could by his own labor, or to furnish a team, or himself and
team, or supply food such as he had to spare ; but it is not known that he ever
bestowed money. When property was turned into cash it was carefully laid
by. He was no miser, yet he was not a spendthrift; he was industrious and
frugal. In 1833, in company with his parents and three sisters, he removed
to this town and settled on lot 51, town four, range five, a tract of land then
known as the Big Elm flats, since known as Morgan hollow. Here during
the succeeding four years he underwent the toils and privations of pioneer
life. In 1837 he rented what was then known as the " Half-way House," and
with the family left, for the time being, his home in the " Hollow." For
about four years he acted as host, hostler, and farmer. In 1841 he returned
with the family to his home on the " Elm flats." Soon after his father died
and two of his sisters married, and thus he became the head of a family con-
sisting of himself, his aged mother, and a sister, for whom he ever provided
with a bountiful hand. Thus situated he continued to reside on his farm in
Morgan hollow twenty-five years. In 1866 he sold his farm in the hollow and
purchased of Robert Campbell a farm of fifty acres, on which he resided a
few years. Soon after his mother's death he removed with his sister Almira
to Cadiz, where her death occurred a few years later. Afterward his sister,
Mrs. Eliza Campbell, and her husband remained with him until his death,
which occurred at Cadiz after a brief illness Oct. 8, 1881.
A few years prior to his death Mr. Morgan held consultation with some of
his friends concerning the propriety of having a town hall. After a few inter-
views of this nature the subject was not again mentioned by him to any one
e.xcept to hisattorney. His mind was of the argumentative type ; he reasoned
from cause and effect, and his beliefs were mainly based on such propositions
as could be demonstrated. He regarded all phenomena as the effect of natural,
though often either of obscure or invisible, causes. His intellect was adapted
to deal with the physical sciences rather than with those of the metaphysical
and psycological. He.believed in the e.xistenceof God and in the immortality
of the soul, and derived his belief from the material universe. Near the close
of his life, and after those who had affectionately clung to him to the last had
passed to the palace of rest, he decided to bequeath to the town of Franklin-
ville the larger portion of his property for the purpose of erecting a town hall.
After Henry Morgan's munificent bequest of about §8,000 a magnificent build-
ing was erected, on which, in bas-relief, are two words, MORGAN HALL.
Town of Franki.ixvili.e. . 663
There are three names that will ever remain green in the hearts of the people
of Franklinville : Gen. Jos. McCluer, Peter Ten Broeck, and Henry Morgan.
John Morris and his father, Thomas, came to Franklinville from New Jer-
sey in 1807. Thomas Morris selected lot 38 and erected a dwelling house upon
it. During the same summer he opened a store on the ground now occupied
by the residence of the late Horatio Stilhvell. Mr. Morris was supervisor of
the town of Ischua (now Franklinville) in 1818, 1819, 1820, and 1822 and of
Franklinville in 1846, 1847, ^nd 1848. John was born in 1802 and in 1823
married Lovina, daughter of John Patterson, and had ten children.
Samuel B. Myers was born in Portage, N. Y., June 30, 1842. Feb. 14, 1865,
he enlisted in Co. B, 154th 111. Vols., and was mustered out May 22d follow-
ing. Nov. 15, 1880, he married Mary E., daughter of AlbertJ. and Permelia C.
Campbell, of Franklinville.
Elijah Oakes is a son of Elijah, who served in the Revolutionary war. At
an early day the father settled in Rochester and moved thence in 1839 to
Franklinville, where he located a farm of fifty acres, which he cleared. He
married Joannah Leonard, who bore him twelve children, of whom Elijah, Jr.,
Avas born Feb. 10, 1835, and Oct. 20, 1856, married Sarah C, daughter of Hi-
ram and Harriet C. Morgan, of Franklinville. In Sept., 1864, Mr. Oakes en-
listed in Co. A, 187th N. Y. Vols., participated in the battle of Hatcher's Run,
and was discharged in March, 1865. Returning to his farm he resided there
until 1880, when he moved to Cadiz. Mrs. Oakes died Oct. 24, 1881, and he
married, second, Katie, daughter of Freeman and Maryette Cleveland. His
children are Manley C, Willie V., and Ella'E. (Mrs. B. Crosby).
Marvin Older was born in Middletown, Delaware county, Aug. 22, 18 10.
A few days after his birth the Hon. Dudley Marvin called at the house of his
parents and suggested that the tiny specimen of humanity before him be
christened Marvin. The name was agreed to by common consent, and ever
since he has answered to it. His parents, William and Hannah Older, raised
sixteen children, Marvin being the sixth son and eighth child. In 1815 his
parents with their family removed to Otisco, Onondago county, where they
remained three years. Mr. Older has jocosely jemarked that, during that
time, there was nothing pertaining to the narration of his life " except that I
invariably stood at the head of my class in district school, from the fact that
there were but two in the class, and one of them at least was lamentably un-
derwitted," which of course was the other fellow. On the i6th of July, 1818,
William Older unloaded his household appendages from an emigrant wagon
by the side of an excellent spring on the northeast corner of lot 25, township
five, range four, of the Holland Land Company's purchase. This location
was then in the original town of Ischua, which at that date included the en-
tire north half of the county of Cattaraugus; it is now in the town of Farm-
ersville, one and one-half miles northeast from the village of Franklinville.
The location for the last seventy-three years has been known as Older hill.
At that time there was but one school house in the whole country. Marvin's
father was a cooper, and the shop became the school room of the young stu-
dent. His library consisted of a Bible'and psalm book, Bunyan's Pilgrim's
Progress, Young's Night Thoughts, Hervy's Meditations, an antiquated dic-
tionary whose first pages contained a condensed synopsis of English grammar
in its most incomprehensible and mysterious form, Dwight's Geography, Dil-
worth's and Daboll's Arithmetics, the American Preceptor, Webster's Spelling
Book, Esop's Fables, Robinson Crusoe, and Charlotte Temple. Such were the
664 History of Cattaraugus' County.
surroundings of the mere stripling when he commenced the struggle for intel-
lectual development. Without the privilege of attending school, and with an
unquenchable desire to obtain knowledge, home study became a passion as
well as a necessity. In that cooper shop, with the shavings that fell from his
father's drawing-knife for a light, a barrel-head for a slate, and a piece of coal
for a pencil, many a knotty problem yielded to his persevering efforts.
From the age of thirteen to fifteen years Marvin attended the district
school in the old log school house which stood a short distance north of the
village of Franklinville ; two months to Miss Louie Moore (since Mrs. Smith,
of Hinsdale) and about the same length of time to Pardon T. Jewell; and
afterward eleven and a half days to Eleazer Perkins. This rounded him up
and polished him off as an accomplished scholar of the period. In the autumn
of 1828 he entered upon his first term as a teacher, and at intervals, both
summer and winter, has followed the profession through a period of forty
years, having in all taught what is equal to fifteen years without recess or va-
cation. It is balm of Gilead to the heart of Mr. Older at this time, when the
shadows of life are lengthening, to know that he has no warmer or more
faithful friends than those old-time pupils who received the first rudiments
of an English educati^on from him. Of the nine sons in his father's family
Marvin alone remains; of the daughters three survive and reside in the west.
On the 17th of July, 1836, Marvin married Diantha T. Reynolds, of East
" Bloomfield, Ontario county, who was born in Sullivan, Madison county, Feb.
23, 1 8 16. There have been born to them four sons and six daughters. Their
oldest child (a son) died in infancy; of the other sons, Robert E. and Will-
iam M. served in the army during the Rebellion — Robert E. was killed near
Petersburg, Va., June' 18, 1864; William M. was wounded and captured in the
valley of the Shenandoah and died of starvation in Andersonville, Ga., Aug.
22, 1864. The remaining son, Wallis M., died at Franklinville, Dec. 24, 1878.
Of the daughters five are or have been teachers and all are married.
Oct. 24, 1861, Mr. Older enlisted in Co. I, 6th N. Y. Vol. Cav., and after a
brief period of camp drill at Staten Island, N. Y., the regiment was sent to
the front early in the summ.er of 1862, and was successively under command
of Generals Pleasanton, Averill, Custer, and Sheridan. Soon after the organ-
ization of the regiment he was detailed on extra duty as clerk in the quarter-
master's and commissary's departments in the field, which positions gave
additional comforts and duties. This relieved him from ordinary duties of the
rank and file, yet he participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam,
and Fredericksburg, and came out free from bruise or scratch. On the night
of the last day of April, 1863, he was one of a squad of seventy, under com-
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel McVicker, who, being on a reconnoissance, sud-
denly found themselves in the darkness of a foggy night, surrounded on all
sides by the enemy en route for the historic heights of Chancellorsville. Mr.
Older says of this adventure:
" To stay and fight would be sheer madness; to tamely submit would be
cowardice ; and the only way was to hew a road with the sabre in a desperate
charge. The latter alternative was adopted ; some succeeded and reached the
main body, and some fell in the encounter. I was among the latter, and when
I had, after a severe effort, collected the scattered fragments of what little in-
tellect I once possessed I found myself half buried in mud, with my head
sadly battered by a sabre-stroke and a dead horse across my legs. I drew
myself from beneath my dead horse and crawled to a little mound beneath
Town of Franklinville. ■ • 665
some dwarf pines and communed with myself in sober, almost in dead, earnest.
There was nothing to disturb or vary my gloomy forebodings except the
groans of the wounded, the twinges of acute pain, the moaning of the chill
night wind, and the heavy rumble of artillery trains on the distant pikes en
route for the bloody scenes of the coming morrow. I had dragged from my
saddle two blankets, an overcoat, and a haversack of provisions, but of these,
as soon as it was light, the vandal hounds relieved me. We were then taken
to some farm buildings hard by, and suffered to sun ourselves and nurse our
wrath on the south side of an old out-house. Toward night we were taken to
Spotslyvania Court House and our wounds dressed, and the next day I, with
two others who were unable to walk, was loaded into a dump-cart drawn by a
dilapidated mule, and started on our triumphal march to the city of Richmond !
After much fatigue, many delays, privations, and starvations we arrived at
our destination, and were at once escorted to that historic watering place,
Belle Isle, and subsequently to that fashionable resort, the ' Hotel de Libby.'
where we were treated to rebel hospitality by way of the naked floor for a bed,
the grimmy old roof for a covering, gray-backs for recreation, mule soup for
refreshment, and river water for a beverage. But all things have an end, and
so did my imprisonment. I was returned on parol by way of Petersburg, City
Point, James River, Fortress Monroe, and Annapolis to convalescent camp
near the city of Washington, where we arrived in July, 1863. * * * I was
immediately detailed as a clerk in the ordnance department, and for merit
was promoted to the first rank in the office, and the order of detail was made
permanent by the endorsement of the secretary of war, in which position I
remained until the close of the term of my enlistment, when I returned to my
family a poor, battered, time-worn veteran of the war."
Mr. Older's life has been one of changes. He has labored in the field and
has held official positions; he has taught common schools, and has been at the
head of polite literary circles. For ten years he held the chairmanship of the
Regents' Board of Examiners in Ten Broeck Free Academy, and filled the
position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. In
disposition he is unobtrusive and retiring, and the positions he has held are
those in which his services have been next to indispensable.
Maj. Flavel Patridge was a native of Wilbraham, Mass. His wife was
Azubah Ellis, of Stafford Springs, Conn., and with one child, Frances C,
they came to Franklinville in 1820, living in a small house where the Morgan
block now stands, where he carried on shoemaking and conducted a store.
Major Patridge was a prorhinent man in politics and held several positions of
honor and responsibility. . He was town supervisor in 1828, was postmaster a
number of years, and a member of Assembly in 1829. He was a strong
temperance advocate and an active member of the Presbyterian church. Of
his nine children only one, Eliza A. (Mrs. James Waring), is living in town.
John Patterson came from Onondaga county to the county of Wyoming
in 1805, and moved thence to P>anklinville in 1820. A few years later he pur-
chased and settled on a farm. Mr. Patterson was well known in the county
as well as in his town. He was supervisor of Franklinville in 1830. He built
a hotel about 1830 which he kept for several years and sold to Jarvis Stone,
who kept it until his death. Between i860 and 1870 the property was sold
by the heirs and has since acquired the name of " Brown Eagle." Mr. Stone
left three children: George, William, and Mary (Mrs. Russell Adams). John
Patterson was the first collector in Franklinville after its organization in 1824.
666 History of Cattaraugus County.
Peter Phillips, from Kinderhook, this State, came to Franklinville about
1831 and married Mrs. Samuel McCluer. Children: William W., born March
9, 1835 ; Charles W., born March 17, 1837 ; and David L., born June 9, 1839.
Otis \V. Phillips, son of John, came from Chenango county to the town of
Franklinville in 1833 and settled on what is now South Main street in the
village, where he died May 19, 1888. His wife was Phebe Garlick, who bore
him eight daughters and three sons. He was a carpenter and built many of
the best houses in the town. As a citizen he was highly respected and as a
politician he became very popular, being supervisor of his town in 1844. Five
of his children are living: Sarah M. (Mrs. James Laidlaw) ; Phebe M. (Mrs.
Charles Schutz) ; L. A. (Mrs. Egbert Van Slyke), of Great Valley; Delia M.
(Mrs. Truman Harrison); and Otis H.
William Pierce came to Franklinville in 1832, from Genesee county, and
settled on Genesee street. There were four children : Harriet, John, Ellen
(Mrs. Cyrus Fay), and Lorette. He sold to Mr. Simonds in 1859 '^^^^ removed.
Ira Pratt, one of the axeman who accompanied Joseph McCluer while sur-
veying the Holland Land Company's land, settled in the Ischua valley, but
just when and where can not be ascertained. A grandson of Joseph McCluer
states that Mr. Pratt married one of the general's sisters and resided in the
town from 1806 to about 1836. They had three children : Orvil. Lucy, and a
second son. Orvil went to California and became a Supreme Court judge.
There was a vein of dry humor in Ira Pratt's composition which often proved
amusing, but sometimes rather annoying to those of whom he made a target.
In 1 83 1 Austin Cowles had come into possession of the Conrad grist-mill below
Cadiz. His occupation was preaching the gospel and grinding the grists. On
one occasion Ira Pratt had taken a grist to mill, but in some mysterious way
the grain was lost and Cowles refused to pay for it. Pratt sued and recovered
judgment, whereupon Cowles put up this notice:
" Franklinville, March 26, it<31.
" Whereas, Ira Pratt has commenced a prosecution against the firm of the Franklinville mills for
property left thereat, and pretended to be lost by said Pratt ; this is therefoie to forbid any person leaving
grain or other property at said mills on his account, as the subscriber Gives this Notice that he will not here-
after Receive Said Ira Pratt's property in safe Keeping.
" Austin Cowles."
To which Pratt replied :
" The Publick are hereby requested to take notice that I forbid Austin Cowles (late miller) preaching or
attempting to preach, and all persons are forbid to permit the said Cowles to preach in their houses, out-
houses, sheds, or yards any where in ray Diocese on pain of my displeasure. Dated at Franklinville this
28th day of March A. D. lasi.
"Elder Bloss."
" P. S. I also forbid Austin Cowles, late miller of Franklinville, taking extra tole from me, or from any
of mj" church, on pain of my displeasure.
"E. B."
Noah Pratt, son of John, was born June 12, 1^32, in Ashford, and when
twenty-one married Jane M., daughter of Arnold Holden. In 1866 he moved
to Franklinville on the farm where B. J. Green now resides, where he lived
until 1870, when he purchased his present farm. Children : Edwin H., Albert
L., Alice B., and Edith M.
John Reynolds and his wife, Permelia Searl, and one child, JVIarilla, ca'me
from Washington county to Franklinville in 18 19 or '20 and settled on the
farm now occupied by their son Dennis. Five of their eight children are liv-
ing: Henry, Dennis, Maria, Marietta, and Marilla. Mr, Reynolds died Feb.
6, 1865, and his wife July 29, 1884. Dennis Reynolds, born Aug. i, 1824,
married, in 1849, Wealthy, daughter of Jeremiah and Ro.xey H. (Gladding)
Ryther, and until 1865 was a farmer on East hill. In that year he removed
to the Reynolds homestead. Children : Stewart, Dwight, Millard, and Fred,
Towx\ OF Franklinville. • 667
of whom only the last named is living. Henry Reynolds was born March 4,
1822, and married, in 1850, Harriet J., daughter of Nathaniel Ransbury, who
came to this town in 1844 and settled on East hill. Mr. Reynolds was also a
farmer on East hill, but in 1887 moved to Cadiz. He has one son, Melvin L.
Lewis C. Riggs, son of Dr. Lewis Riggs (see page 130), was born July 14,
1845. On Sept. 21, 1868, he married Martha J., daughter of Matthew and
Louisa (Brooks) McGeorge, and in 1872 assumed charge of the Riggs home-
stead in Franklinville. Mr. Riggs, like his father, is well posted in agricult-
ural matters and devotes his time solely to the care of the paternal farm.
He is a breeder of Hambletonian horses, Holstein cattle, and Cotswold sheep.
Nathaniel Rogers, a native of Massachusetts, came to Franklinville in
1850, settling on a farm on East hill, where he died. He was a worthy mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church, and had born to him seven children, of whom
two are living in this county, viz.: Levi, of Humphrey, and Mrs. S. S. Searl.
Oliver Root came from York, Livingston county, about the year 1818 and
located on lot 41. He married Zulama Merrill. He built a saw-mill, the first
one in that locality. An incident characteristic of those hardy pioneers
occurred at the raising of this mill. After the frame was up they all repaired
to the log house, where Oliver snugly seated his guests in as nearly a semi-
circle as the stools, chairs, and benches at his command would permit. He
then mixed a quantity of whisky and sugar in a tin pan, and with a large
spoon commenced at one end of the half circle, giving the first a spoonful, then
the next, and so on to the end of the line. The operation was continued
until that crowd was as jolly a set of fellows as a mixture of whisky, sugar,
and good nature ever make. Mr. Root lived on the place until his death
Feb. 18, 1872; his wife died Feb. 18, 1875. They had twelve children, two of
whom are now living on the homestead. Warren S. married Sarah, daughter
of George Adams; children: Alice C, Charles D., and George VV. Clarinda
married Mark Harrison, resides in the south part of the town, and has one
son, Truman. Noah M. Root, another son of Oliver, was born Nov. 16, 1820,
and married Betsey, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Barron, of Franklin-
ville. He settled and cleared a farm and died Aug. 9, 1877. His widow mar-
ried J. D. Frank and resides in Great Valley. Children: Sabra M. (Mrs. Ben-
jamin Pierson), Huldah E. (Mrs. B. C. Cleaveland), and Loren F. The latter
was born Sept. 29, 1850, and married Laura J., daughter of Cal/in C. Bowen.
He resided on the old homestead until 1886, when he moved to the village of
Franklinville, where he engaged in the insurance business with J. C. Bowen.
Isaac Searl was the second son of fifteen children of. Gideon and Hannah
Searl, and was born in Whitehall, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1789. Of this large family
six brothers and five sisters of Isaac have resided in Cattaraugus county. In
July, 1 81 1, Mr. Searl married Martha Hotchkiss, of Washington county, and
in 1816 moved with his family to Warsaw, N. Y., coming thence in the fall of
1817 to Franklinville, where he died April 11, i860. His first settlement in
this town was on land occupied by the Globe Hotel, but from this he soon
removed to a farm, where he erected a log house, and where he dispensed for
many years a generous hospitality. Mr. Searl united with the Baptist church
in April, 1837, and from then until the close of his life he was an exemplary
member of that society. He had nine children, some of whom survive. Mr.
Searl was supervisor of Ischua in 1823 and of Franklinville in 1824-27, 1831,
1836-37, 1840, and 1845 — ^^^ terms in all.
Isaac Searl, Jr., son of Isaac, was born Sept. 22, 1820, and has always lived
668 History of Cattaraugus -County,
in Franklinville. He has been a life-long farmer, at the present time being
one of the most extensive agriculturists in the town. Like his respected father
he has taken a lively interest in town affairs, serving as supervisor in 1861 and
1862 and again from 1S68 to 1872 inclusive, and as assesivor and poormaster.
He married Jane, daughter of John Johnson. She died Jan. 11, 18S3.
Orange Searl, son of Isaac, Sr., was born Jan. 8, 18 16, and came with the
family to Franklinville, where he has always been a farmer. He removed to
Cadiz in 1875, ^^^^ is now one of the oldest pioneers in the town. He married
Elizabeth A., daughter of Nathaniel Ransbury.
Lyman Searl, son of Isaac, Sr., was born May 22, 18 18, and occupies the
homestead farm of his father, having been almost a life-long resident of a
single school district, and following since his boyhood the avocation of a
farmer. He married Hannah M., daughter of Elijah Sill (q. v.) ; children :
Lucian H., Viola E., and Henriette(Mrs. Luther M. Holmes).
Samuel Searl was born Jan. 13, 1812. He was a son of Isaac and Martha
(Hotchkiss) Searl, and he married, Sept. 19, 1835, Sophronia, daughter of Ira
and Elizabeth Burlingame. Settling first on East hill he removed thence in
1 85 1 to the farm now occupied by his son Fayette. Mr. Searl held several
positions of trust, was a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1858, and
was an exemplary member and deacon of the Baptist church. Of his two
children, Fayette and Hanford, the latter, born June 25, 1837, enlisted in
June, 1861, in Co. K, 85th N. Y. Vols., was promoted orderly-sergeant, was
taken sick in front of Yorktown, and was taken to the hospital at Annapolis,
Md., where he died May 3, 1862. Samuel Searl died Feb. 17, 1865; his wife
died July 25, 1857. Fayette Searl, born March 7, 1846, married, March 18,
1867, Susan C. Farwell, of Ischua, and lives on the homestead.
Jeriah Searl, born in Hampton, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1788, died in Franklinville
in April, 1863. He married in 1815 Rachel Sarles, and carried on farming
and manufactured chairs. In 1835. with his wife and four children, he moved
to Franklinville, settling on a farm of 115 acres on East hill. For fifty years
Mr. Searl was an active member of the M. E. church of Cadiz and for thirty
years was class-leader. His wife was born May 28, 1787, and died Sept. 4,
1867. Children: Almond D., Caroline C. (Mrs. J. W. Sill), Lucy B., and
Samuel S. The latter was born May 23, 1824, and in 1858 married Lucretia,
daughter of Nathaniel Rogers. Settling on a farm on East hill, which he
cultivated a number of years, he moved to Franklinville village in 1885.
Children: Cora M. (Mrs. Clarence Morris), Clifton R., Marshall J., and Arthur
J. Almond D. Searl was born Dec. 4, 1815, and. came with his parents to
this town in 1835. He married Jane, daughter of Edward and Lucinda Scott,
and settled on the farm now occupied by his son E. E. He died in 1882.
Children: Dolson B,, Emily, Covil J., Walter H., Julia C, Electa M., Lucy
L., Frank E., Elmer E., Ellen J., and Agnes S.
Gideon Searl, a native of Washington county, came to Cadiz at an early
day and engaged in mercantile trade. He subsequently removed to Ischua,
where he followed the same business and was elected a member of Assembly in
1846 upon the Whig ticket. He finally returned to Franklinville and became
postmaster, and was accidentally killed by the cars. His wife was Lorania
Howard, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are living : Cynthia A.
(Mrs. S. P. Bard), Gideon, O. S., and Ro.xanna (Mrs. J. H. McCluer). Mr.
Searl was much respected, and the positions he filled he honored with a noble
manliness and a strict integrity.
Town of Franklinville. ■ 669
Stephen Seward came from Decatur, N. Y., in April, 1827, and put up a
double log house, which was considered aristocratic in those days. He settled
on the east part of lot 21. He was a man of much decision of character and
manifested a good deal of public spirit. James Seward, son of Stephen, came
to Franklinville with his father in 1827 and settled on lot 21. He was a man of
some ability and perseverance ; he became captain of militia, and his influence
in society was good. Orrin M. Seward served as supervisor of this town in
1855 and Thomas held the same office in 1841 and 1842.
David C. Sexton, a native of Rhode Island, came to Cazenovia, N. Y.,
where he resided until 1825, when he came to Rushford, Allegany county,
with his family. There he followed the trade of carpenter and builder until
his death in 1843. Hezekiah C. Sexton, his son, born April 28, 1804, came to
Rushford with his father, and Dec. 16, 1824, married Maria, daughter of Elisha
Babcock, of Cazenovia, who was born in 1807. Mr. Sexton took up a farm
where Rushford village now is, and was deputy sheriff of Allegany county for
several years. In 1845 ^e came to Freedom and a few years later to Cadiz,
where he kept hotel until about 1870. He died Nov. 14, 1885, and his wife
Jan. 16, 1890. Children : Melinda D. (Mrs. Starkweather), of Buffalo ; Emily E.
(adopted), wife of Dr. T. F. Frank, of Pittsburg, Pa.; and Elisha D., born
June 26, 1830. For six years Elisha was employed by Beach, Wheeler & Co.,
of Buffalo, as traveling solicitor. June 15, 1857, he married Eliza H., daughter
of Bela Norton, of Hinsdale, and soon after settled on a farm near Cadiz, where
he lived till 1885, when he moved to Franklinville. He has one daughter.
Belle D. Mr. Sexton is a member of the M. E. church.
William Sill was born in Connecticut, Sept. 25, 1786; his wife, Harriet
Arnold, was born May 10, 1796; they were married in Victor, N. Y., Feb. 20,
181 5. With three brothers — Deodatus, Elijah, and Alonzo — he came to
Franklinville about 1820 and settled in the south part of the town. He died
Aug. 30, 1839, ^"d his wife Oct. i, 1859. Children: John W., Caroline H.,
Elijah B., Thomas M., Chloe A. (drowned), Charlotte A., Phebe A., Andrew
J., Alonzo D., and Mark. Thomas M. Sill, born in May, 1822, married, Sept.
13, 1849. Sarah M. Farwell, of Ischua, and settled on a part of the A. J. Sill
estate, but subsequently removed to the farm on which his widow now lives,
where he died in May, 1886. Children : Elon M., Viletta M. (Mrs. E. E. Searl),
Enos K., and Carrie G. (Mrs. Edwin Guthrie, Jr.). Andrew J. Sill was born
Oct. 29, 1832, in Franklinville. He married, Jan. 4, i860, Mary A., daughter
of Nicholas and Rebecca Linderman, of Ischua, and settled on the homestead,
where he resided until 1884, when he moved to the village of Franklinville,
where he died July 4, 1889. His widow and three children — Mrs. H. R.
Reynolds, Aggie, and Will N. — reside in Franklinville.
Deodatus Sill, brother of William, settled about 1820 on the farm now
owned by Dennis Reynolds, where he died. He had ten children.
Elijah Sill, brother of William, married Margaret, daughter of Henry
Conrad. He resided in Franklinville from his settlement in 1820 until about
1833, when he removed to Hinsdale, but four years later returned. Eight
years afterward he moved to Hinsdale again, where he died.
O. H. C. Simonds was born in Brownville, N. Y., in 1808. When quite
young he came with his father, John Simonds, to Alexander, Genesee county,
where he resided until after his majority. He married Laura Kilborn, of
Canandaigua, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1830. Coming to this town from Genesee on
May 6, 1 831, he settled on lot 46, on the road afterward called Genesee street.
6yo History of Cattaraugus County.
He taught school a number of winters and his remarkable powers of explana-
tion rendered him an excellent teacher. He took a great interest in the early
Sunday schools and did much to make them successful. He has been town
superintendent of common schools and commissioner of highways. Children :
Mary, Philo, Ellen, Julia, Sabra, Justin, and Harriet, of whom Philo, Ellen,
Julia, and Sabra are living. Mrs. Simonds died May 6, 1889. Julia, the
widow of William Jameson, resides on the farm with her father. Justin en-
listed in Co. A, looth N. Y. Vols., and was killed at Fort Wagner, July 18,
1863. The following is taken from a letter of his dated " Camp near the
Chickahomony, June 13, 1862":
" We crossed the Chickahomony at Bottom's Bridge on the 23d and were kept on constant picket duly
for more than a week at Fair Oaks Station. At the battle of the 31st our dirision, of not more than GOO
flghting men, was in the advance, and consequently was the tirst to receive the attack of the enemy, whose
force was not less than 30,000, yet it took them three hour-! to drive us back a halt-mile. By this time the
other divisions had come up and all were driven back another half mile before dark. You can jndjre of the
loss of the division by our company : we went in with thirtj'-si.\ men and left fifteen on the field, including
our captain and first lieutenant, i lur second lieutenant has since died at Camp Scott, so it leaves our com-
pany without an olHuer. I succeeded in getting near enough to them to talie the belt from a Louisiana
Tiger, and I have it now."
Thomas Denny Storrs, son of Nathaniel Storrs, was born in Mansfield,
Conn., Feb. ii, 1782. When quite young he came with his father's family to
Worcester, N. Y. April 8, 1804, he married Katharine, daughter of Alexander
Campbell, of Glasgow, Scotland, a brother of Robert Campbell, of the same
place. She was born in Rheinbeck, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1787. They resided in
Worcester until April, 1827, when they came to Franklin ville, arriving on the
25th. He settled on lot 37, which he had previously purchased of James O.
Morse and Benjamin Rathbun. In the fall of 1827 he put up the first frame
house on the street, clearing a place just a trifle larger than the building. Then
the struggle for e.xistence commenced. Not a rod of ground was cleared on
which to raise food, and to this wilderness home Mr. Storrs had brought his
wife and si.x children. The principal meat for a time was venison, which was
plentiful ; corn bread, with now and then flour enough to make a shortcake,
comprised the menu in those days. Mr. Storrs was a cooper, and by furnish-
ing the asheries with pot and pearlash barrels and making black-salts he very
soon established a comfortable home, where he resided until his death Aug.
19, 1874. Children : Martha (Mrs. Simeon Ingalls), Nirum, Alexander, Will-
iam, Jehiel, George C, Lester, and Jane (Mrs. James H. Nichols). Nirum,
born May 23, 1806, came with the family to Franklinville and settled on lot
29. He married Silva, daughter of James Bradley, of Middlefield, N. Y., at
the home of Royal Farrar in Machias. and the two lived together until May
10, 1878, when she died in Hinsdale. Children: Thomas, Barzilla, Phcebe,
and Catherine. Alexander was a lawyer in Hinsdale ; seepage 331. Hisfour
children were Emery A., Rosette (Mrs. John A. Grow), Caroline (Mrs. John
Adams), and Marshall, who died in infancy. Emery A. became a prominent
member of the Chicago bar.
William Storrs was born in Worcester, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1810, and came to
Franklinville with his father in 1827. June i, 1834, he married Lydia, daugh-
ter of Edward and Rachel Pindar, of Worcester, and they settled on a part of
the homestead. In the autumn of 1840 he and his wife returned to Otsego. In
the spring of 1841 he became pastor of the Baptist church in Jefferson, Scho-
harie county. In the summer of 1842 he became pastor of the Baptist church
in the village of Lodi, town of Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he was ordained
March 8, 1843. ^^i addition to his ministerial work he has taught several terms
of district, academic, and select schools. In Sept., 1861, he enlisted in Co. F,
Town of Franklinville. • 671
76th N. Y. Vols., and was soon appointed military commander of the mess-
room ; a few days later he was appointed commissary-sergeant, and held both
positions until he was discharged in May, 1862, on account of disability. He
returned to his home in Belmont, Allegany county, where his wife died Jan.
20, 1889. He now resides in Hinsdale.
George C. Storrs was born April 5, 1820, and was brought to Franklinville
at the age of seven. He early developed a passionate love of books, which
were the conipanions of his leisure moments. He soon turned his attention
to mathematics, mastering branch after branch with a rapidity rarely equalled.
He also became conversant with other studies. His habits of study led him
to adopt teaching as a profession, which he followed for more than twenty
years with marked success. In the sciences he was well versed and was also
a fair scholar in the languages. He served two winters as clerk of a com-
mittee in the Assembly at Albany and over three years as an officer in Clin-
ton prison at Dannemora, N. Y. Oct. 25, 1842, he married Mary J., daughter
of Moses and Nancy Antisdale. Children: Mary (Mrs. Edwin Pettengill and
later Mrs. Seward Harvey), of Mansfield; Amelia, who died at the age of six-
teen; Willard, who died in infancy; Lester; and Ida. (Mrs. Byron Eddy), of
Eddyville. Lester resides on the homestead.
Lester Storrs was born May 23, 1822, and was brought with the family to
Franklinville at the age of five years. He became a teacher at an early age
and died Oct. 26, 1849, °f consumption caused by over-study and a severe
cold caught in the winter of 1847. I" '848 he taught two terms on Jackson
hill in Cuba, N. Y., and one term in the academy at Richburg, Allegany
county, in the spring of 1849.
John Ten Broeck was a brother of Hon. Peter Ten Broeck (see page 278)
and was born in Otsego county on March 1 1, 1797. He came to Farmersville
in 1821 or 1822. He removed to the village of Franklinville in 1847, and died
Sept. 15, 1866, his remains being buried in "Ten Broeck cemetery" under a
costly monument prepared by his own direction. John Ten Broeck was a
man almost the direct opposite of his honored brother. He was abrupt and
eccentric but charitable, unpolished in etiquette and harsh in retort but kind-
hearted, and possessed excellent traits of character. From his first wife he
obtained a divorce and the second bore him no children.
Joseph M. Vaughan came from Wayne county. Pa., in 1820 and settled in
this town on lot 61. With a yoke of oxen he made the journey, bringing his
wife, Lydia Rood, to his home in the unbroken wilderness. Joseph M.,Jr., their
son and one of their nine children, was born May 21, 1808, and married Polly,
daughter of Ensign Litchfield, of Ellicottville ; children: Abraham, Lucinda,
Jessie, Joseph E., Almanza, Laura, Lydia, David G.. Fred A., Harriet P., and
Charles M. Abraham served in the Rebellion and died in the service.
William Waring and Catharine, his wife, came from Connecticut about
1821 and located on lot 33 on the farm now owned and occupied by their eld-
est son, John Waring. The family consisted of four sons and four daughters.
The eldest daughter, Julia, is the wife of A. F. Bard, of Port Allegany, Pa.
The eldest son, John, is a prosperous farmer one mile north of Franklinville.
The second son, James, now a dealer in general merchandise in Franklinville,
was born in what is now Farmersville, April 6, 1821. In his youth he was
apprenticed to a village blacksmith, and after his majority he erected a shop
opposite the Globe Hotel, where he commenced business for himself, and
soon after married Eliza, daughter of the Hon. Flavel Patridge, and has four
6/2 History of Cattaraugus County.
sons and three daughters, all living. The life of a village blacksmith soon be-
came too monotonous for one of Mr. Waring's versatile temperament and he
tried farming with indifferent success, the sober realities of the profession
oftentimes running counter to his ruling propensities to buy and sell. He has
distributed vast sums of money to farmers in this vicinity for principally wool
■and butter. He has always shared a fair measure of public confidence, having
held many offices of trust and emolument, and his life thus far has been
financially a success. His friendships are warm and spontaneous, his dislikes
and aversions are decisive.
Moses Warner, with his four sons, Moses, Jr., Parley, John, and Roswell,
all from Vermont, settled on lot 5, township 4, range 5, in the summer of
1806, and three of the boys, on. becoming of age, took parts of the same lot.
But little is known concerning the old gentleman except that he was a cooper
and worked at his trade. The mother left a legacy of good deeds behind her.
She was an excellent nurse, and also possessed considerable skill in combat-
ting diseases with roots and herbs. She was often called on to perform the
more delicate duties usually assigned to the medical profession, and when
such calls were made there was no night too dark or rough, no path too lone-
some or obscure, no day too cold or stormy for Mother Warner to hasten to
the bedside where her services were needed. She possessed good health and
a lithe, wiry frame, and never troubled herself or those around her for horse
or carriage to take her to the sufferer's couch. Many a patient had reason
to say "God bless you. Mother Warner." She had a strong, well-balanced
intellect, and in short might be termed a walking volcano of wit, sarcasm, and
good humor. The boys inherited their mother's constitution and many of
her characteristics, and were noted for their courage, powers of endurance,
and love of fun. John Warner married Naomi Hollister in 181 1, theirs being
the first marriage in the town.
William Franklin Weed was born in Darien, Conn., June 3, 181 1, and was
the tenth child and fifth son of Nathan and Mary Weed. Nov. 14, 1831, he
married Sarah \V. Chandler and in May, 1834, came to this town. Children:
Dexter C, Nathan F., and M. Adelie (Mrs. M. J. Crowley). Mrs. Weed died
Sept. 10, 1876, and Oct. 9, 1877, Mr. Weed married Miss Ann E. Hogg. He
was a leading factor in the material prosperity of the town; himself and sons
were long identified with its financial, mercantile, moral, and educational prog-
ress. Nathan F., under the firm name of N. F. Weed & Co., started the first
banking business in Franklinville and William F. was the first president of
the first bank in town in 1872 and of the First National Bank at its organiza-
tion in 1877. The latter represented Franklinville as supervisor from 1863 to
1866 inclusive and Nathan F. held the same office in 1867, 1880, and 1881.
John Whitney, son of Christopher and Rhoda (Wilder) Whitney, was born
in Hinsdale, March 14, 1830. At the age of sixteen he commenced learning
the trade of harnessmaker in the employ of Norman Birge and three years
later came to Franklinville, where he was employed by Ora Bond, whose har-
ness business he purchased in 185 1. Sept. 9, 185 1, he married Mandana,
daughter of Manly and Nancy McCluer; children: Christopher, Emma (Mrs.
Alfred Smith), Fred M., Mand'ana (Mrs. V. Smith), and Nettie (Mrs. William
Showalter). In Oct., 1861, Mr. Whitney enlisted in Co. I, 6th N. Y. Cav.,
and was discharged for disability March 16, 1863.
Sherlock Willard, son of Daniel, was born in Massachusetts, Nov. 15, 1786.
His wife, Elizabeth B. Reynolds, was born June 27, 1789. They came to this
Town of Freedom. ■ 673
town in 1828 and settled first upon a farm then owned by Robert Bard and
subsequently upon the place now occupied by their son Franklin P., where
Mr. Willard died Aug. 31, 1846, and his wife Oct. 29, 1871. Mr. Willard was
a merchant before corning to Franklinville, but after his settlement here fol-
lowed farming. Children : Elisha R., Sherlock B., Orville D., Chas. P., Eras-
tus P., Augustus T., Franklin P., Sophia A., Louisa E., Hannah M., Mary E.
Simeon R. Williams, son of Sylvester and Lydia (Sterling) Williams, was
born in Granville, N. Y., April 23, 1814, and in 1838 came to the town of East
Otto, where he purchased a small farm and erected thereon a log house. Nov.
5, 1838. he married Prudenda Morgan, who bore him 16 children, 15 of whom
grew to maturity. He moved to this town in 1853, and died March 19, 1885.
Abram Wood is the son of Solomon Wood, who married Anna Shewman,
of New Jersey, and settled in Tompkins county, N. Y., where their first child,
Abram, was born in 1830. In 1831 they came to Lyndon, where five more
children were born: Harriet (Mrs. Sylvester Gray), Halsey S., Horace A.,
Jane L. (Mrs. Montravill White), and Allena L. The children of Mrs. Jane L.
White are Anna, Harry, and Catharine. Abram was reared a farmer, but be-
came a contractor and builder, which he followed till his marriage in 1885 to
Adelia B. Seward, when he returned to farming. His wife died in 1S90.
Robert J. Woodard, son of Asa and Mary Woodard, was born April 14,
1843, and Aug. 6, 1862, enlisted in Co. C, 154th N. Y. Vols. Participating in
the battle of Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner July i, 1863, at Gettys-
burg, was confined in Belle Isle and Richmond, and Sept. 10, 1864, was trans-
ferred to P'lorence, S. C. Feb. 18, 1865, he was started for Salisbury, N. C,
but upon reaching Wilmington he made his escape on the morning of Feb.
19th, and three days later rejoined the Union army. He was discharged June
23, 1S65. May 27, 1867, Mr. Woodard married Atalia, daughter of Hiram
and Harriet C. Morgan, and resides on the Morgan homestead. Children :
Asa H., Charles., George C, and Floyd.
Harvey Woodworth, a brother-in-law of Moses Chamberlin, came to
Franklinville in 1823 and settled on lot 45. He was the first carpenter in the
west part of the town, and was a fine workman. His son Arad, it is said, in-
vented the first brick machine in the United States that worked satisfactorily
in making pressed brick. The first trial of his machine was made on Moses
Chamberlin's farm, near the forks of the road. The right to manufacture,
use, and sell it was afterward sold in Boston for $100,000.
CHAPTER XXIX.
HISTORY. OF THE TOWN OF FREEDOM.
FREEDOM is situated in the northeast corner of the county, and is
bounded on the north by Wyoming county, on the east by Allegany
county, on the south by Farmersville, and on the west by IMachias and
Yorkshire. The town was formed from the original town of Ischua by an act
of the Legislature passed April 13, 1820, and comprised all the territory of
85
674 History of Cattaraugus County.
townships six in the third and fourth ranges. In 1844 this was reduced by the
annexation of the west tier of lots of township four to the town of Yorkshire.
The surface is described as a " rolling moderately hilly upland." It is less
broken than in most of the towns in the county, and all of it admits of culti-
vation to the summits of its hills. The principal streams are the south branch
of Cattaraugus creek, which flows northwest across the southwest corner of
the town, and Clear creek, the outlet of Fish lake, which flows in a northwest
direction through the central part of the town and empties into Cattaraugus
creek in Wyoming county. Freedom is further beautified by several pretty
lakelets : Fish lake in the east part, Beaver lake in the south part, and Law
and Scum lakes in the central part. The soil, composed of gravelly loam and
clay, is of good quality and is especially adapted to grazing and dairying, and
also to the growing of fruit and all agricultural products. There are several
quarries of good building stone.
The first settlers in Freedom were enterprising and sturdy pioneers mainly
from New Hampshire and Vermont, who brought with them their habits of
persevering industry and economy and their sterling principles of honor and
integrity. Their posterity have inherited these qualities and ably represent
them in public and private. Quite a colony from the two States named settled
in the town in 181 1 : Warren Stanley, Ezekiel Reynolds, Elihu Daggett,
Enoch Howlet, Rufus Metcalf, Earl Sawyer, and Jonas Irish. Stanley, Rey-
nolds, and Daggett removed a few years later and are but little known. It
is related that Daggett's family in a time of great scarcity of food, to keep the
wolf of starvation from the door, dug up the potatoes that had recently been
planted and ate them. Gideon Baker in 1822 made the first settlement on the
farm now owned by Joseph Baker. He came from Connecticut. Josiah Mead
came to Freedom in 1823 and built in 1824 the first carding and cloth-dressing,
mill on George Waterman's farm. The water-power being insufificient he
erected a similar mill on the site of the present Hayden mills, and for several
years continued both establishments.
Freedom, although formed April 13, 1820, remained unorganized and with-
out town officers until the town meeting held at the house of Gillet Hinckley
on the first, Tuesday in March, 1821. This meeting elected William Price,
supervisor; Earl Sawyer, -town clerk; Enoch Howlet, Charles Beebe, and Lot'
Crowel, assessors; Lot Crowel and Enoch Howlet, overseers of the poor;
Daniel Cole, collector ; Elihu Daggett, Nathan Holmes, Nathan Cole, com-
missioners of highways ; Daniel Cole, Israel Reynolds, John G. Ensign, con-
stables ; Enoch Howlet, Charles Beebe, Nathan Cole, commissioners of schools ;
Earl Sawyer, Wycum Clark. Nehemiah Sparks, inspectors of common schools ;
Gillet Hinckley, Daniel Cole, E. Howlet, poundmasters; Earl Sawyer, Nathan
Holmes, Nehemiah Sparks, James D. Sischo, Jonathan Stow, James T. Drew,
Charles Beebe, Delinus Daggett, David Hinckley, fence viewers; Willard Law,
Earl Sawyer, David Hinckley, Israel Reynolds, Lot Crowel, James T. Drew,
Town ok Freedom. • 675
JohnG. Ensign, Simeon Magoon, Reuben Daggett, James D. Sischo, Jonathan
Cook, Oliver Alger, overseers of highways. Following is a list of the supervis-
ors, town clerks, and justices of the peace since the organization of the town :
SiipeiTi.wr.s.— William Price. lS;il, 1838-30; Enoch Howlc-t, 1822, 1827; James Parmalee, 1823-20: David
Wild, 1831-32 ; Eber H.-Imcs, lS.33-a=J, 183T-39, 1841-4.3, 1850 ; David L. Barrows, 18:56 ; John G. Wood, 1840 ; Jai--
vis Leonard, 1844-4.5; John K. Knowles, 1846; Myron Holmes, 184"; Reuben M. Jameson, 1848, 18.58; Henry
Crandall, 184<4; Daniel Lammie, 18.51-.52, 1857, 1863-66 ; William V. Smitb, 1S5;3, 1862 ; Hugh H. Jones, 18.54-5fi ;
John Higg-iiis, 1859-60; Harrison Cheney, 1861, 1873-74; Warren J.Sawyer, 1867; J. D. Colburn, 1868; Oliver R.
Knight, 18f;9-70; John W. Rees, 1871-73; John Lammie, 187.5-79; Omar < rossman, 1880-81; Burton B. Lewis,
1882-89,1892-93; J. H. Shallies, 1890-91.
Town CTci-to.— Earl Sawj-er, 1821-28; David Wild, 1829; James Sherwood, 1830 31; Lyman Scott, Jr., 1832-
34; Albert Seaman, 1835; Thomas White, 1836; Cbester W. Williams, 1837-38; Ralph Lewis, 1839-40; Daniel
Warner, 1841-44; Benjamin Hillman, 1845-47, 18.50, 1857-60; Joseph Hinckley, 1848; Milo Holmes, 1849; William
Thomas, 18.51-.t6 ; Leroy W. Brown, 1861 ; C. Mason, 1862-63 ; Martin Hayden, 1864-65 ; Maynard W. Lanclcton,
1866-67; Eugene Haskell, 1868-69; L. W. Baldwin, 1870; T. H. Crandall, 1871-74; M. J. Crandall, 1875-76 ; Mar-
cus P. Beebe, 1877; Burton B. Lewis, 1878-81 ; Theodore Hayden, 1882; Frank M. Merrill, 1883 88 ; Stephen
Edwards, 1889; George S. Davis, 1890-91 ; C. C. Wood, 1892; Alton K. Laird, 1893.
Jiwticexof the Peace.— 1822, Enoch Howlet; 1823, Lot Crowel; 1824, Earl Sawyer; 1825, Amos Wright;
1826, Jonathan Cook; 1827, Eber Holmes; 1828, James Parmalee; 1829, William Price; 18.30, Leonard Mason ;
1831, W. Price, Stephen Shutt; 1832, Lyman Scott; 18:33, Lyman Scott, Jr.: 18:14, S. Shutt; 1835. W. Price; 1836,
1,. Scott, Denisou .\shley. Nathaniel Brown; 18:57, X. Brown; 18;J8, S. Shutt; 18:59, D. Ashley; 1840, Henry
Foot, Thomas White; 1841, Nathaniel Brown; 1842, Henry Foot; 1843, L. Scotl; 1844, Luther Cumraings;
1845, Ulysses P. Crane; 1840, John G. Wood; 1847, T. White; 1848, S. Shutt; 1849, U. P. Crane; 18.50, John G.
Wood; 18.51, T. White ; 1852, David H. Olney ; 18.53, IT. p. Crane; 1854, J. G. Wood; 1855, T. White; 18.56, Reu-
ben Brown; \Sa~, Aaron G. Hovey, Alexander Mitchell; 18.58, Isaac T. Wheeler; 1859, Alfred Lewis; 1860,
A.G. Hovey; 1861, A. Mitchell; 1862, R. E. Jameson; iai3, A. H. Lewis, T. White; 1864, Daniel Brown, 1. T.
Wheeler; 186.5, A. Mitchell; 1866, Harrison Cheney; 1867, William Charles; 1868, D. Brown, T. White; 1869,
A. Mitchell; 1870, T. White; 1871, Reuben Ball; 1872, D. Brown; 1873, A. Mitchell, I. T. Wheeler; 1874, I. T.
Wheeler; 187.5, David D. Morgan; 1876, D. Brown, John Mitchell; 1877, J. Mitchell ; 1878, Perry E. Merrill ;
1870, D. D. Morgan: 1880, D. Brown; 1881, J. Mitchell; 1882, George Cheney ; 1883, D. D. Morgan; 1884, Sylves-
ter B. Brown; 188.5, J. Mitchell; 1886, G. Cheney: 1887, George Haskell, E. J.Cheney, John Laramie; 1888,
S. D. Brown, E. J. Cheney; 1889, J. Laramie; 1890, Ellsworth Cheney, Enoch Howlet, William H. Cushman;
1891, G. W. Haskell, Arthur Powell, Martin Cole; 1892, M. Cole; 189:3, E. E. Howlet.
Rufus Metcalf, Jr., whose birth occurred December 24, 1812, was the first
white child born in Freedom. The first persons married here were Elihu
Daggett to Sally McKee and Sylvester Davis to Miss Daggett, the two cer-
emonies being performed at the same time and place in 1817. Peter Davis
died December 17, 1816, his death being the first one in the town. Jemima
Clark taught the first school in 1816. Elam Ellithorpe came from Monroe
county, accompanied by seven sons, and erected the first tannery, in 1824, on
the farm now owned by John Charles. In 1828 he built a second tannery in
Sandusky village. The first postoffice was established about 1824; Dr. War-
ren Coudery, an early physician who resided in the Fish lake neighborhood,
was the first postmaster.
Nathan Cole and his brothers Daniel and Asahel, Reuben Brown, and Ha-
zen and Daniel Jaquish were the first settlers in Elton; in early days the
neighborhood was known as Cole's settlement. Nathan Cole built the first
saw-mill there prior to 1827. In 1830 there were two asheries in the place;
one was owned by a Mr. Terrill and the other by a Mr. Buell, and both kept
groceries with which, presumably, to pay the pioneers for their ashes. About
1835 Isaac Crawford erected a brewery on the lot now owned by Jonah
Thomas, which was burned about 1840 and was never rebuilt.
Daniel Howlet owns an ancient agricultural relic in the form of an old bull
6/6 History of Cattaraugus County.
plow, which was made by his father in 1817. This primitive implement is
entirely of wood except the point, which is wrought iron. It is well preserved.
In the northwest corner of the town a black lubricating oil was discovered
in 1865.. A test well was put down by Hope, Converse & Mulligan on the
farm of David Morgan. In 1878 E. K. West & Co. put down the second well
and in 1890 Scott & Co. drilled another on the same farm. All found oil at a
depth of from 150 to 175 feet. Prentiss & Co. sunk a well on the farm of Delos
Clough to a depth of 1,400 feet, but no oil was discovered after passing the
rock at 150 feet below the surface.
Freedom is an agricultural town, with cheese making the leading industry.
Grain is grown successfully, apples are produced in quite large quantities and
of good quality, and vegetables are raised in abundance. The manufacture of
maple sugar is the source of considerable revenue.
About 1840 several Welsh families from Oneida county settled in Free-
dom. They were mostly enterprising and industrious farmers, and from that
time forward the colony has continued to increase until it now forms a very
considerable portion of the population of the town.
The highways of Freedom compare favorably with those of other towns in
the county. The first road was "laid out " October 20, 1813, by the commis-
sioners of highways of the town of Ischua, of which Freedom then formed a
part. The road lies in and along the valley of Clear creek. The first iron
bridge in the town of Freedom was erected in 1877 by Commissioner of High-
ways D. D. Newman across Clear creek in Sandusky. The town now has thir-
t.een of these substantial structures.
The Rochester branch of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad enters
the town on its eastern border, about two miles south of the northeast corner,
traverses in a southwesterly direction through the hamlet of Freedom station,
enters Farmersville, and with a curve to the northwest re-enters this town.
With a curve to the southwest it again leaves Freedom near the southwest
corner. The Tonawanda & Cuba railroad (narrow gauge) was discontinued
from Sandusky to Cuba on October 15, 1886. In January, 1892, the name of
the road was changed and has since been known as the Attica & Freedom
railroad. Its southern terminus is Sandusky.
In harmony with their New England ideas the pioneers were active and
energetic in providing for the education of their children. The first school
commissioners of the town, Enoch Howlet, Charles Beebe, and Nathan Cole,
established two school districts in September after their election in March,
1821. In 1825 the population of the town was 935 and it then contained
four whole and three fractional school districts, and $73.57 was expended for
school purposes. In 1890 the town had a population of 1,251, and is divided
into eleven school districts with eleven school houses and maintained a school
in all of them. The school property was valued at S4.225. The assessed
valuation of the districts is $671,392. Twelve teachers were employed for the
lOWN OF f-'REEDOM.
legal term and 253 children attended school. The amount of public money
received from the State was $1,389.18; raised by local tax $1,157.80.
Sandusky is a post village situated north of the center of the town on
Clear creek and on the Attica & Freedom (narrow gauge) railroad ; the village
also has stage communication with Freedom station. The village contains
three churches, a district graded school house, three general stores, one hotel,
a harness shop, an undertaking establishment, two meat markets, two black-
smith shops, a wagon shop, two saw-mills and a grist-mill, a cheese factory,
a woolen-mill, and 325 inhabitants. Situated on Main street, which runs about
north and south, is a pleasant public park or common, prized as the bequest
of the late David Wild. The park was used in the old training days for mili-
tary parades, for public meetings, and for a play-ground. The plat is a part of
lot 38, township six, in the third range, and is bounded as follows : " Beginning
at an iron in the center of the State road, at the northwest corner of the Beebe
block lot, and runs thence N. 15° 50' VV. along the center of said State road
638 feet 9 inches; thence N. 88° 3' E. 108 feet ; thence S. 13° 30' E. 497 feet;
th'ence N. 73°3o' E. 66 feet 4 inches; thence S. 9° 10' E. 56 feet; thence S.
16° 10' E. T,6y, feet ; thence S. 69}^° W. 24^ feet ; thence S. 15° E. 25 feet 3
inches; thence S. 74° 10' W. along the said Beebe block lot 1 19 feet 9 inches, to
the place of beginning, containing one and one-half acres of land." Although
many of the inhabitants of Sandusky never knew Mr. Wild, yet his memory
is revered by them and his bequest is held as a sacred trust.
Freedom is a station on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, in
the east part of the town, and contains a postofifice, one store, a church edifice,
and about a dozen dwellings.
Elton is a hamlet in the southwest corner of Freedom and a station on
the Buffalo, Rochester, & Pittsburg railroad, and has a postofifice, two church
edifices, a school house, two stores, a saw-mill, a feed store, a cheese factory,
two blacksmith shops, and about seventy-five inhabitants.
The Arcade signal service station is located in the northern part of Free-
dom, on the slope of a hill on the south side of the valley of Clear creek, be-
tween Sandusky and Arcade. This station was established in April, 1890, and
has an elevation of 100 feet above the valley and 1,557 feet above tide-water.
It is situated on the farm of James D. Tate, who was appointed observer at
the time it was established.
May 19, 1830, Josiah Cheney purchased of David Wild the site where
Josiah Mead had a few years before built a carding and cloth-dressing mill,
and where the Hayden woolen-mills have since been built. Mr. Cheney con-
tinued the business of wool-carding and cloth-dressing until 1836, when he
sold to a Mr. Waldo. In 1842 the property was owned by Guy C. Mead, who
sold it to Harvey Lanckton in 1844. The latter conveyed it to Albert Lanck-
ton in 1847, who conducted the business until 1850 and sold to Martirr Hay-
den, who continued until 1869, when he began the manufacture of yarn. In
6/8 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
1871 he made stocking yarn and flannels for market. In 1868 the firm of M.
& T. Hayden was formed and continued until the death of Martin Hayden in
1883. Since then Theodore Hayden has been the sole proprietor. The busi-
ness has steadily increased. These mills consume 30,000 pounds of wool an-
nually and turn out 30,000 yards of flannel, 5,000 pounds of yarn, and 22,000
shirts. They are run by water-power and employ 15 or 20 operatives.
E. D. Austin's grist-mill in Sandusky is erected on-the site of a mill built
in 1822 by Elihu Cruttenden. The property has had several proprietors.
About 1856 it was owned by David H. Wood, who in 1859 rebuilt the mill and
in 1 861 the first dam, which had been washed away. Mr. Wood sold to George
Wood, who sold out to Thomas Dorman. In March, 1885, E. D. Austin pur-
chased the property, which he has improved by putting in elevators and other
new machinery. The motive power is water; the mill contains two runs of
stone, one for making flour and the other for grinding provender, and has a
capacity of 300 bushels of wheat and 500 bushels of feed per day.
Arthur T. & George C. Norton's saw-mills in Sandusky on Clear creek,
which furnishes the motive power, were rebuilt by Elon A. Norton in 1866 on
the site of the mill erected by Spencer Crowe! about 1840. Mr. Norton de-
signed his mill for sawing lumber only, but subsequently built an addition
and he and his sons have put in a planer and other machinery. The saw-mill
has a capacity of 8,000 feet of lumber per day; three hands are employed.
Lyman Richardson's saw-mill in Elton was built by him in 1843. ^^ ^^'^s
washed out in 1864, but immediately rebuilt, and now has a capacity of 3,000
feet of lumber daily. In 1876 a grist-mill was added capable of grinding loo
bushels of grain per day. Both mills are operated by water-power.
The grist-mill of P'red Gates in Sandusky was built by Eber Holmes in
1845. In 1877 Mr. Gates purchased the property of Jerome Wakerly. The,
mill is operated by water-power and has two runs of stone.
The saw-mill of Thomas S. Sparks was erected by a Mr. Wood ; the prop-
erty has had several proprietors. In August, 1868, it was purchased by Mr.
Sparks, who manufactured lumber and cheese boxes. In 1885 he put in steam-
power as auxiliary to water-power. It has one lumber saw, one planer, and
one shingle and heading machine.
Religious services were first held in Freedom in April, 1813, at the dwell-
ing of Rufus Metcalf, and were conducted by Elder P. Root. From the'n until
the organization of the Methodist and Baptist societies meetings were doubt-
less held at private houses or in barns by representatives of different denomi-
nations. About 1835 some disciples of the iVIormon religion held a series of
meetings in Orrin Cheney's barn and various other places which caused much
excitement. When they left for Ohio they were followed by ten or fifteen
families who became converts to Mormonism, some of whom afterward re-
nounced the faith and returned. The leaders of this mo\'ement to obtain
proselytes were Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley Pratt, and John Gould,
Town of Freedom. ' 679
who made their headquarters with Rufiis Metcalf and Dr. Warren Coudery.
The First Baptist church of Freedom is located in Sandusky. The first
covenant meeting was held at the house of Stephen Hollister on Saturday, No-
vember 4, 1820, when the following named members organized themselves as
the South Branch of the First Baptist church in Concord : Deacon Colby,
Samuels. Nichols, Silas Parker, Joseph Pasco, Caleb Calkins, Stephen Hollis-
ter, E. R. Wilbur, Sardis Davis, Samuel Upham, Hurlburt Cruttenden, and
Isabella Clark. At a council held at the house of Silas Parker in China, Febru-
ary 22, i82i,this branch becamean independent church with the name of the
" China Baptist church." Caleb Calkins and Deacon Colby were chosen dea-
cons March 27, 1821. July 27, 1826, this organization was changed to the
" First Baptist church in Freedom," and retained forty-four of its old members
and several were granted dismission to join churches in Sardinia. The society
was formed or re-organized in 1844 and contained only si.xteen members with
Rev. Francis Spears, pastor. That year the present house of worship was
erected, of wood, at a cost of $1,100, and is now valued, including grounds,
etc., at $2,500. The edifice will seat 250 people. The present number of
members is about seventy, with Rev. Thomas Seyse, pastor. The Sunday
school has fifty-five scholars.
The F"irst Presbyterian church of Freedom was incorporated January 20,
1827, and became extinct after a few years of usefulness. In fact its exist-
ence is scarcely remembered at this late day.
The F'irst Universalist church of Sandusky was organized May 24, 1845,
with twenty-five members ; Rev. G. S. Gowdy was the first pastor. The pres-
ent house of worship was erected in 1845, ^t a cost of §[,500, and will seat
200 people. The society has thirty-five members and is without a pastor.
The First Methodist Episcopal church at Sandusky was re-organized Jan-
uary 12, 1846, with eleven members. In 1890 the present church edifice was
erected at a cost of $1,635. The church property is now valued- at $2,500.
The edifice has seats for 300 people ; the membership numbers twenty, with
Rev. Joseph Clark, pastor. The Sunday school has an average attendance of
twenty-five scholars. Before the erection of the present house of worship meet-
ings, after the re-organization, were held in the Universalist church. Prior
to that time services were held at the Fish lake settlement. Before the Mor-
mon excitement in about 1835 this church was prosperous and strong, but the
dissensions caused by the doctrines of the "Latter-day Saints" nearly ex-
tinguished its organization for a time. The society evidently had a regular
existence in the early history of the town, probably before 1820, for on Octo-
ber 6, 1827, the Holland Land Company deeded it fifty acres of land — a part
of lot 28 — which was sold in 1867 for $1,200.
Salem church, near Sandusky, was organized June 30, 1850, as Calvanistic
Methodist (Welsh); in September, 1892, the denomination was changed to
Welsh Presbyterian. Rev. Edward Rees officiated at the organization, when
68o History of Cattaraugus County.
the church had only ten members. Rev. John D. Jones, the first pastor,
preached in the school house at the " Sand Bank " for two years, or until
1854, when the present house of worship was erected at a cost of $900, and
will seat 250 people. The church property is valued at $1,500. The present
number of members is fifty-six, with Rev. John Evans, pastor. The Sunday
school is attended by fifty pupils under R. J. Williams as superintendent.
The Ebenezer Baptist church (Welsh), located at Freedom, was organized
with twenty members by Rev. John P. Harris on March 2, 1843. Rev. Rich-
ard Morris, who was ordained March i6th of that year, was the first pastor.
The first church edifice was erected in 1844. ' In June, 1871, the present house
of worship was dedicated, the cost of the structure being §3,000; the seating
capacity is 350 people. Deacon John Lewis donated the lot upon which it
stands. The present number of members is 165 with Rev. Joseph M. Lloyd,
pastor, who is also superintendent of the Sunday school, having 100 scholars.
The Freewill Baptist church of Elton was organized on May 29, 1837, by
Rev. A. H. Andrus, the first pastor, with forty-six members. The first
house of worship, a wooden structure, was built the same year. In 1873 the
present church edifice, also a wooden building, was erected at a cost of about
$2,000, and with the grounds, etc., is now valued at $1,800. The church has
sixty-three members 'with Rev. A. P. Markham, pastor. The building will
seat 250 people. The Sunday school has seventy-two scholars.
The Free Methodist church at Elton was organized in 1880 by Rev. Mr.
Burgess. Rev. C. C. Egleston was the first pastor. The present church ed-
ifice was erected, of wood, in 18S1, has a seating capacity of 225, and cost
$1,200. The present number of members is twenty-eight with Rev. N. B.
Martin, pastor. The church property is worth $2,000. The Sunday school is
attended by twenty scholars with C. E. Leonard, superintendent.
In 1840 a number of families in Freedom and Lyndon organized a religious
society called the Associate Reformed church, with Rev. William Howden as
the first minister. Meetings were held principally in school houses. The
name was changed about 1858 to the United Presbyterian church of Freedom
and Lyndon; no edifice has ever been erected.
Sandusky Union, No. 95, E. A. U., was organized May 20, 1880, with fif-
teen members. The first officers were B. B. Grover, chancellor; E. Shuart,
advocate; B. B. Holmes, president; Sarah C. Norton, secretary.
Freedom Lodge, No. 127, A. O. U. W., was organized January 25, 1878,
by James D. McVey with twenty-five 'charter members. The first officers
were Harrison Cheney, P. M. W.; J. D. Colburn, M. W. ; R. O. Jones, F. ;
M. D. Scobey, O. ; B. B. Lewis, R.; E. W. Earl, financier; P. E. Merrill, re-
ceiver. The present membership is thirty-eight.
Sandusky Council, No. 103, R. T. of T., was organized in 1879 ^^'•^'^ fifteen
members, the first officers being Harrison Cheney, C. C. ; M. C. Freeman,
secretary.
Town ok Freedom. 68 i
David Austin came from Taunton, Mass., in 1823 and settled on the farm
now owned b_\- .\lonzo Wyman. He was a shoemaker and a farmer. David
Austin, Jr., who came to Freedom with his parents, married Matilda, daughter
of Elihu Daggett, who came from North Attleboro, Mass., in 181 1, and settled
on the farm now owned by David James. Mr. and Mrs. Austin had eleven
children, of whom six are living: Melvin J., Caroline (Mrs. Andrew Jackson),
Almira (Mrs. Sylvester Jackson), Elroy D., Louisa (Mrs. Lysander Baldwin),
and Edgar Austin. Elroy D. Austin, born in Arcade, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1836, was
a farmer until 1885, when he purchased the grist-mill at Sandusky which he
still owns. He married Janette, a daughter of Stephen Findlay, who came
from Scotland in 1833. Children: Sarah (Mrs. George Norton), Arthur E.,
Elizabeth (Mrs. John E. Feck), William F., and Burton.
Charles Beebe, from Vermont, came to Arcade with his family about 1815,
making the journej' with an o.x-team. In i8i8he moved to Freedom and set-
tled on the farm now owned by his youngest son, Wellington, who resides at
Aurora. Mr. Beebe had eleven children. Charles Beebe, Jr., born in Arcade,
was one year old when his parents came to Freedom. He married Harriet
Mead; children: Marion (Mrs. C. S. Pinney), Frank, Verlette C, Ella, Earl,
and Mabel (Mrs. Elmer Gould). Frank Beebe was born in Freedom, and for
his first wife married Mary, daughter of Joshua Edwards ; children : Lura and
Alice. He married, second, Alida A., daughter of Albert and Melvina Daw-
ley, and they have one daughter, Emma.
Frederick Beekman, a Revolutionary soldier and a man of Dutch descent,
came to this town in 1820, where he died at the age of 109 years, 6 months,
and 5 days. His wife Susan died two years prior aged 105 years, 8 months,
and 8 days. Their son Christopher came with them and spent most of his
life here. Of F"rederick Beekman many interesting stories are related. He
was thoroughly imbued with the spirit of '76, and early on Fourth of July
mornings, with his old "howling-piece" on his shoulder, he would sally forth
and rouse his neighbors with a grtind salute, following it with a " Hurrah for
Washington, Gates, Putnam, and Lee, und all der brave men who fought for
libertee!" He was patriotic and became a sage for Dutch wit and repartee.
Barnes Bixby came from New Hampshire in 1817 and settled on the farm
now owned by David R. Phillips, where he encountered all the hardships of a
pioneer. He married Hannah Bixby; children: Daniel, William, Ann, and
Lucy. Daniel Bixby, born in 1816, wasnot quite one year old when the family
came to Freedom; he was a farmer, and married Vastia Root. Children:
Anson E. and Anna J. (Mrs. A. Woodley). Anson E. Bixby, a farmer, mar-
ried Margaret Woodley; children: David E., Harry J., and Carl A.
The Cheney family is an early and reputable one in New England, and is
of English descent. As early as 1680 the Cheneys were residents of Roxbury
(Boston Highlands), Mass. Subsequently some of them settled in New Hamp-
shire, and their descendants are among the prominent people of that State.
Josiah Cheney, son of Ebenezer, came from Chesterfield, N. H., to Livingston
county, N. Y., in 1820. In 1823 he removed to Freedom, where he built the
first woolen-mill in the town in 1824 and operated it until 1836, when he en-
gaged in farming, and continued in this vocation the remainder of his life.
He died in October, 1865. He was a member of the militia and held town
offices. Mr. Cheney married Harriet, daughter of Lyman Scott, of Chester-
field, N. H. Their children were Harriet (Mrs. Myron Holmes), deceased ;
George, deceased; Jane (Mrs. Darius Beebe), deceased; Harrison; Wallace, of
86
682 History of Cattaraugus County.
Java, N. Y.; Walter L.; and Wellington M., a physician of Dansville, N. Y.
Lt.-Col. Harrison Cheney was born in Freedom, Jan. 3, 1830. After re-
ceiving his education in common schools and in Arcade Seminary he taught
nine winter terms of district school and labored on his father's farm in sum-
mer. But this quiet farmer's life was not to continue. At the breaking out
of the Civil war he was too true a patriot not to be aroused to action, and in
Aug, 1862, he recruited every man of Co. D, iS4th N. Y. Vols., and had more
applicants than he could receive. It is said that "he was the only man who
recruited, personally, every man of a company in this State." He was com-
missioned captain of the company at its organization. He was engaged at
the battle of Chancellorsville and was captured by the enemy at Gettysburg.
On the ninth day after his capture, while marching under guard through a
piece of woods near Martinsburg, he broke from the ranks and ran, was hotly
pursued into the woods, but escaped, and was a fugitive for twenty-two days
before he reached the Union army. Captain Cheney was promoted major in
Feb., 1865, and lieutenant-colonel in March, 1865, and was mustered out at
the close of the war in June, 1865. Colonel Cheney married, first, Mary J.,
daughter of Harvey Foote, of Deerfield, N. Y. Mrs. Cheney ditd in 1891.
Their children were Ella M. (Mrs. Cassius C. Wood), Mary E. (Mrs. Walter
L. Knight), and Harry F. He married, second, Frances D. James, of Freedom.
Colonel Cheney has been prominent in his town and his district, which
he represented in the Assembly in 1876 and 1888. How well he performed
his duties can best be told by quoting from the " Review of the Assembly."
He is spoken of among the most earnest working members, and " as a man of
tone and character he had no superior. Far above the wily machinations of
bad men, he had the interests of the people at heart, ever watching and work-
ing for sound legislation and good government. With this class of men in
our legislative halls we should soon feel a welcome relief from the sad depres-
sion into which incompeteiit and dishonest men have plunged us; and we
could once more enjoy the privileges and blessings of an honest prosperity."
Colonel Cheney made agriculture his vocation after the war, and since 1881,
with the exception of three years, he has held the position of railway mail
clerk. Courteous, affable, kind-hearted, and dominated by strong Christian
principles, he has ever been a popular citizen and official, and holds a high
place in the regards of his numerous friends. He rightly stands among the
representative men of Cattaraugus county, and in the written words of Dr.
Van Aernam to him: "You helped in clearing the forests of Cattaraugus,
helped in opening up its roads, aided in establishing its schools and churches,
aided in crushing out the Rebellion, and I think it is due to yourself and your
special friends as well as the public that your memory should be perpetuated
in its history."
Walter L. Cheney was born in Freedom and has always been a farmer.
He married, first, Frances, daughter of Charles Beebe, Sr., and had one son,
Willie T., of Pike, N. Y- After her death he married Jane, widow of Capt.
Alfred H. Lewis, by whom he has two children, Hattie E. and John W.
William Crossman and two brothers came from England to Connecticut
at an early day and subsequently settled in the town of Williamsport, Pa.
He married Sally Workman and just before the War of 18 12 removed to Pa-
vilion, N. Y., where he died. Amos Crossman, his son, was born in 1788,
married Alice Stoddard, and in Nov., 182S, came to Freedom, where he bought
244 acres of land, on which there was a log house. He died in 1870 and his
Town ok Freedom. . 683
wife in 1 868. Of their seven children six are living: Joel, Lurena (Mrs. Ly-
man Richardson), Amos, Oren, Alice L., and Omar. Amos Grossman mar-
ried Olive E. Wait and has two children: Homer S. and Lettie A. (Mrs. A. B.
Childs). He lives in Cadiz in the town of Franklinville. Omar Grossman
was supervisor of Freedom in 1880 and 1881.
Elbert Gummings, son of Luther, who came from Herkimer county to
Yorkshire and soon afterward settled in Freedom, was born on the farm where
he now lives Oct. 5, 1844. In 1877 he started a market garden and now has a
little more than thirty acres annually in garden truck. He married Cora,
daughter of Gardner Sheldon; children: Nat. G., Delia A., and Howard L.
William Edwards, son of Thomas, was born in Wales, emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1855, and resided at Genterville, where he followed farming until 1867.
He then removed to Sandusky and was a merchant's clerk until 1878, when he
opened a general store. He married Sarah A. Evans; children: Stephen A.,
George F., Car)- T., and Lois M. Stephen A. is engaged in the insurance
business at Sandusky. He married Mallie E., daughter of Miles and Amanda
Lewis, and has one daughter, M. Eleanor.
Edward Gibbin was born in Wales and came to America in 185 i, locating
in Farmersville. He married Phebe Williams; children : Hattie (Mrs. R. G.
Lewis), Sarah (Mrs. Jesse Brown), Ann (Mrs. Byron Leonard), James, Phebe,
William, and Mattie (Mrs. William Brown).
Sylvester Haskell, son of Daniel and Mary (Rich) Haskell, was born March
7, 1816. He learned the tailor's trade, which he followed in Youngstown, Ni-
agara county, and in 1843 came to Freedom and engaged in farming. With
the exception of one year he has since lived in this town. In 1862 he pur-
chased of Abram Van Deusen the farm on which he now resides. He married
Julia A., daughter of John Crandall ; children: Eugene (deceased), John T.,
George W., Calvin, and Dwight W. George W^ Haskell was born in Holland,
Erie county, June 2, 1843, and in 1864 enlisted in Co. C, 13th N. Y. H. A.,
serving until the close of the war. He returned to Freedom and engaged in
farming, and in 18S9 purchased the hardvv-are store in Sandusky of E. J. Cheney,
which he sold in 1890 to H. M. White. Mr. Haskell married Hettie, daughter
of Sampson W. Owens; children : John W., Alfred E., and Sherman S. Cal-
vin Haskell, born in Holland, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1847, lived on the farm with his
father until 1879, ■^^hen he opened a livery and carried the mail from Freedom
to Arcade, continuing until the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba railroad was com-
pleted. In April, 1886, he disposed of his livery business and became a con-
ductor on this railroad, which position he still holds. He married Rose,
daughter of John C. Law; children : Nettie J. and Eugene.
Eber Holmes, from York, Livingston county, came to PVeedom in 1827.
He was a man of great energy and enterprise, and soon after he settled here
he built a grist-mill on the site of Fred Gales's mill in Sandusky ; about the
same time he built a saw-mill on what is known as the John Law estate. Sub-
sequently he opened a general store at Sandusky, built an ashery, bought the
farmers' ashes, and made potash. Mr. Holmes was a very popular man aiid
served as supervisor ten years. Myron Holmes was supervisor in 1847.
Enoch Howlet located in Freedom in 18 10, settling finally where a son now
lives. Coming from Bradford, N. H., he returned to that place almost imme-
diately, but came hence and made a permanent settlement in 1812, remaining
until his death in 1856. He was a prominent man and highly respected, and
at the first town meeting was vested with four local offices. On the farm now
684 History of Cattaraugus .County.
owned by G. A. Waterman he erected the first saw-mill in the town, kept also
the first store and inn, and in 1831 was appointed the second postmaster, which
office he held at the time of his death. He was also supervisor and justice of
the peace. His first wife was Susan Metcalf, who bore him five children ; his
second marriage was with Sally Coudery, by whom he had three children.
William Jackson, son of John, was born in Essex county, N. Y., Jan. 25,
1810. His parents moved to Columbia, Herkimer county, in 181 1, and to
Cattaraugus county in 1833, settling first in Machias. He purchased the farm
where he now lives ajid moved onto it in 1841. He married Elizabeth Cornes ;
children: Rev. Benjamin F., Dr. William H., Elizabeth (Mrs. J. Henn*' Shal-
lies), Delphia B. (Mrs. Daniel H. McMillan), and Charles E.
Levi Jones, from Greenwich, Mass., came to Freedom in 1824 and made
the first settlement on the farm now owned by David Cramer. He married
Rachel, daughter of Elisha Newcomb, of Massachusetts' children: Josiah,
Elisha, Levi, Elizabeth, William, Elbert, George, Selina, Marshall, and David.
Levi Jones, Jr., born in Massachusetts, was nine years old when his parents
came to Freedom. He was a cooper and a mason, trades which he followed
several years. He married Sophronia, daughter of William Hatfield; child-
ren: Horace W., Elisha, Parley C, W. Henry, Elliott, Fayette, Mamie, Adel-
bert, Mary, Runy, and Luther. Since Mr. Jones has lived in the town he has
assisted in killing several bears, one panther, and many deer. W. Henr\" Jones
was born in Freedom and has conducted a meat market for several years. He
married Mary Harper; children: Mildred, Isadore, Myrtie, and Florence.
Morris M., Jones, a native of Wales, emigrated to America in 1827 and first
settled in Oneida county. Mr. Jones removed to Freedom in 1854, where he
is a farmer. He married Elizabeth Richards, of Wales, who was the mother
of his children Mary (deceased), Thomas, Richard, and Catherine (Mrs. Mill-
ard Ellithorpe). Mrs. Jones died and he married, second, Ann Jones, by
whom he has a daughter, Jennie, wife of Bishop Lincoln, of Yorkshire.
Daniel Lammie was a prominent factor in the town's prosperity. He was
its supervisor in 185 I, 1852, 1857, and 1863-66, in all seven terms, and served
during the war period with signal ability. John Lammie held the same office
five years from 1875 to 1879.
William Law, a native of England, deserted the British army in the War of
181 2 and settled in Washington county. He married Fanny, daughter of
John Congdon, and both families came to Freedom in 1825. His children
were Eliphalet, John C, and Mary A. John C. Law was born in Washington
county about 1821 and married Emeline, daughter of Lemuel Rounds. In
1864 he moved to Sandusky, where he died July 22, 1892. His widow and
children survive him. Children: Denis, Rose (Mrs. C. Haskell), Cora (Mrs.
B. B. Lewis), and Ada (Mrs. George Davis).
Harvey Lanckton, son of Seth and a native of Massachusetts, born Nov.
II, 1797, settled in Freedom in 1842, and purchased the wool-carding and
cloth-dressing-mill of Josiah Cheney and Guy C. Mead on the present site of
the Hayden woolen-mills at Sandusky. He had previously lived in Holland,
where he built a saw-mill and woolen-mill, and in Hurdsville, where he had
conducted similar business. After a few years in Sandusky he sold to his son
Albert, who transferred the property to Hayden. Harvey Lanckton pur-
chased a saw-mill of Elias Wood, rebuilt it, and with it built a furniture and
undertaker's shop. He constructed the hearse that he used, which was the
first one in the town, and continued the furniture and undertaking business
iL'\\.N ui- rKLLJUUM. 065
till his death in 1870. Mr. Lanckton married Eunice Chapin. Children:
Albert, Ann C. (Mrs. George Cheney), deceased, Rosetta (deceased), William
Mearns, Emeline and Elvira (deceased), Millard F., Maynard W., and Harriet
(Mrs. L. H. Ferrand). Mr. Lanckton was succeeded in business by his sons
Millard F. and Maynard W., who continued together until 1878, when May-
nard W. retired and is a merchant at Delevan. M. F. continues alone.
Laban Lewis, son of Reuben and Mary Lewis, was born in Chesterfield,
N. H., Sept. 17, 1787. In 1810 he married Sarah Tarbell, of Groton, Mass.,
who was born Jan. i, 1793, and by her he had fifteen children, of whom only
William F., of Arcade, N. Y., was born in Freedom. Laban Lewis was a
soldier in the War of 1812. He came to Freedom from Sherborn, Mass., in
1832, and settled in the east part of the town. Mr. Lewis died Nov. 26, 1861 ;
Mrs. Lewis survives him at the age of ninety-eight years and receives a widow's
pension. She resides with her daughter Calista M. (Mrs. Barnard Wilder) in
Armada. Mich.
Jerome B. Lewis was the second son of Nathan and Sally Lewis, was born
on the loth of October, 1830, in the town of Penfield, Monroe county, N. Y.,
and at the age of three years moved west with the family and settled in Rush-
ford, Allegany county. He married in December, 1852, at Freedom, Mary E.,
daughter of John B. and Gertrude M. Van Dusen, who came west from Otsego
county and settled in the town in 1835. In the spring of 1853 he moved onto
a farm of 157 acres situated about one and one-half miles east of Sandusky
village, which he had bought the year before, and which he still owns. Re-
maining there until the fall of 1855 he rented the farm and moved with his
family to East Rushford, Allegany county, to operate a saw-mill. As a result
of their marriage two daughters and one son were born to them : Lillian,
Burton B., and Iva. In the fall of 1858 he removed to his farm in Freedom,
remaining there until the spring of 1862, when he moved to Sandusky to en-
gage in the saw-mill and cheese-box business with William V. Smith and John
L. Wilder, running the mill which is at present owned and operattd by Thomas
S. Sparks. In the spring of 1866 he, in company with John L. Wilder, built
at Sandusky the first cheese factory erected in the town, and at present is
operating ten factories.
Burton B. Lewis, born at East Rushford, Allegany county, Sept. 3, 1856,
was educated in the common schools of Sandusky, at Ten Broeck Free Academy
in Franklinville.in 1872, at Arcade Academy in 1873, '^"d at Bryant & Stratton's
Commercial College at Buffalo during the fall and winter of 1876-77. He
worked at cheese making from 1870 to 1876, attending school during the fall
and winter of each year, and is now engaged with his father in the manufac-
ture of cheese as cashier and book-keeper of the Sandusky Combination Cheese
Factories. He was married to Miss Cora V. Law, daughter of John C. and
Emeline Law, of Sandusky, Sept. 24, 1878, and has a family of six daughters:
Leah, Lora, Ruth, Mary, Genevieve, and Margary. In politics Mr. Lewis has
always been a staunch Republican. He was elected to the office of town clerk
of Freedom in 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1881, and was supervisor in 1882 to 1889
inclusive and again in 1892-93. He was a member of the County Committee
in 1884 and 1889, was nominated by his party to the office of member of
Assembly in 1889 and elected over E. B. Jewell, Esq. (Democrat) and Paul B.
Griffin (Prohibitionist) by a plurality of 457, and was again re-nominated in
1890 and elected over Charles W. Phillips (Democrat) and H. B. Morgan (Pro-
hibitionist) by a plurality of 563. Mr. Lewis is quite largely interested in
686 History of Cattaraugus County.
real estate operations in Buffalo, and is an estimable citizen enjoying great
personal popularity.
Capt. Alfred H. Lewis was born in Perrington, N. Y., and came to Free-
dom with his parents. He enlisted ni iS6i in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Vols., was
engaged in seventeen battles, and for meritorious service was promoted to
sergeant, to lieutenant, and to captain, and was killed at the battle of Gettys-
burg. He married Jane, daughter of Sampson Owens, who came from Wales
in 1838 ; they have one daughter, Kittic ^^Irs. Hugh VV. Davis,) of Salamanca.
Griffith Lewis, a native of Wales, came to America in 1844 and to Freedom
in 1849. ^^ married Ann, daughter of Thomas Williams, of Remsen, Oneida
county; children: Thomas P., Richard G. (proprietor of the hotel at San-
dusky), John G., and William G.
Perry E. Merrill, son of Smith and Melinda Merrill, was born in Freedom,
June 30, 1845, was educated in the common schools and in Rushford Academy,
and in 1870 entered the office of W. A. Day, of Franklinville, as a student of
dentistry. After learning the profession he entered into partnership with Mr.
Day, and in April, 1872, opened an office at Yorkshire Center, continuing there
until 1873, when he came to Sandusky, but still continues the Yorkshire office.
In May, 1877, he opened a drugstore. Mr. Merrill in 1878 was elected justice
of the peace, and after serving nearly four years was appointed notary public.
He was appointed postmaster under President Harrison and is the present in-
cumbent. Jan. 10, 1877, he married Mar\' L, daughter of Sereno and Lucinda
Loomis, of Arcade ; children : Eugene L. and F"loyd S.
Rufus Metcalf, a simultaneous settler with Earl Sawyer and Jonas C. Irish
in 181 1, and whose brother Gregory located in the southeast part of the town
in 1812, became somewhat famous during the Alormon meetings of 1835, for
it was at his house that the leaders made at times their headquarters and early
converted him and his family to Mormonism. Mr. Metcalf followed them to
Ohio. He was one of the first cheese manufacturers and his son Rufus was
the first white child born in P"reedom, his birth occurring Dec. 24, 18 12.
Evan Morgan was born in Wales, where he married Margaret, daughter of
Thomas Griffith. He came to America in 1830 with his wife and six children
and settled jn Oneida county ; in 1850 he removed to Freedom, where he en-
gaged in farming. Children: Thomas, John, Jane, Evan, Margaret, Joel, and
Isaac. Isaac married Martha, daughter of John Hooper, and is a farmer;
children: John, Richard, Thomas, Charles, and Albert.
Samuel Norton came from Barnston, P. O., in 1838, and by trade was a
millwright. He married Orphia Heath ; children : Hiram, Harriet, Olive,
Sally A., Amanda, Elon Alonzo, Melvina, Samuel, Clarissa, and Mary. Elon
Alonzo Norton married Sarah, daughter of Elias Wood, and they have two
sons and two daughters. The sons, Arthur M. and George C, are the propri-
etors of the Norton lumber mills at Sandusky. Arthur M. Norton was born in
Farmersville, where he resided until his parents returned to Freedom in 1856.
In April, 1865, he enlisted in Co. G, 8ist N. Y. Vols., and served until the
close of the war.
John Peet, a native of England, came to America and located first in
Oneida county. In 1837 he moved with his family to Freedom and settled
on the farm now owned by J. J. Davis. He married Mary Davis. Five chil-
dren survive them both, viz.: Evan, George, William, David, and John. John
Peet was born in Oneida county March 24, 1833. He is a farmer and has
served several years as assessor of Freedom. He married Sarah, daughter of
w^
Town of Freedom. 687
Thomas W. Owens ; children: Martha (Mrs. Melvin Leonard), Mary (Mrs.
John L. Gibbs), Arthur O., John E., Eva S., and Fannie.
Col. Earl Sawyer, with Jonas C. Irish and Rufus Metcalf, became a settler
in 181 1, coming here from Vermont. In [822 he erected the first frame dwell-
ing, was the first town clerk and an early justice of the peace, and was one of
the first to introduce improved farming implements. In other ways he was
first and foremost. J. W. Sawyer was supervisor of Freedom in 1867. •
Nelson Shallies, son of Joseph, came to Freedom from Woodstock, Vt.,
about 1840. He was first a blacksmith here and then a farmer, and married
Ellen Cheney; children: Emily (Mrs. J. Vallance), Elbert C, Edgar M., Ella
(Mrs. A. Carter), and J. Henry. J. Henry Shallies was born near Freedom,
was educated at Arcade and Ten Broeck Academies, and has followed civil
engineering and school teaching. He was elected in 1878 to the position of
school commissioner for a term of three years and re-elected for another term
in 1881, and was supervisor of Freedom in 1890 and 1891. He married Libbie,
daughter of William Jackson ; children : L. Ethel and Eleanor B.
Ezra B. Strong, a native of Vermont, came from Monroe county to F"arm-
ersville in 1832, settling on the farm now owned by Mrs. Bradford Jones. He
married Eleanor, daughter of Matthias Lane. Eleven children were born to
them, ot whom eight are now living, viz.: William, Sally (widow of Henry
Chaffee), Josephine (Mrs. Danforth Shattuck), Reuben, Joseph (captain in the
28th Iowa Inf.), Walter, Lucy (Mrs. Hellman), and Jacob L. Jacob L. Strong,
born in Monroe county, came to Cattaraugus county in 1832, is a farmer, and
married Phebe Louise, daughter of James Phelps; children: Osee James,
William W., Eugene H., Jacob L., Phelps G., Ezra B., and Mary L., all of
whom reside in Freedom. Mr. Strong and his six sons all vote in the same
election district. He has been a deacon of the Baptist church over 30 years.
Francis White, a descendant of Rev. John White, who came from England
to America in 1635 and settled in Cambridge, Mass., was born in Connecticut,
came to the Mohawk valley and thence to Springville, N. Y., in 1809, and was
one of the first school teachers in the county.. He also taught singing school
and frequently took his pay in wheat. In 1844 he moved to Yorkshire and
engaged in farming, which he followed until his death in 1876. He married
Emma, daughter of Jacob Rushmore, of Springville ; children: Roderick (at
one time State senator). Justice, Francis, Jacob, and Isaac. Isaac White was
born in Springville, was educated at Springville Academy and subsequently
taught school, and about 1830 went to Scotland, Canada, to teach, being also
engaged in the mercantile trade. He married Anna, daughter of Chauncey
Smith, of Burford, Canada, and was a farmer at the breaking out of the Pa-
triot war in (856. Taking sides with the Patriots he had to flee the country ;
the Tories made a vain attempt to capture him, but he escaped to Buffalo at
night in a wagon secreted under some household goods which he saved. He
settled in Arcade and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1844
he removed to Yorkshire, where he died in 1887. Children: Lucinda (Mrs.
C. J. Phelps), James, and Marana (Mrs. William Cunningham), who reside in
Boston, Canada; Hiram M.; Chauncey J., of Arcade ; and Elouise (Mrs. E. J.
Runyon), of Yorkshire. Hiram M. White, born July 4, 1845, was educated in
the common schools, and in 1863 went to the Pennsylvania oil fields, where he
worked five years. He then came to Arcade, where he learned the tinner's
trade, which he has since followed. In 1890 he came to Sandusky and pur-
chased the store of G. W. Haskell. He married Kate E. Conroy (deceased),
688 History of Cattaraugus County.
who bore him one son, Charles F. He married, second, Lottie B. Thompsett.
Wilham E. Williams, born in Wales, emigrated to America about 1833,
and was a farmer at Trenton, Oneida county, until 1847, when he removed
with his family to Freedom. Mr. Williams married Margaret Lewis and six
children survive them: Laura (widow of John Higgins), Ann (Mrs. David D.
Davis), Samuel W., William W., John W., and Ellen (Mrs. Romaine Benjamin).
John W. Williams was born in Trenton, N. Y., came to Freedom with his
parents, and was engaged in farming until 1877. In 1882, in company with
H. H. Owens, he purchased the 'store at Freedom, where Mr. Williams was
appointed postmaster in 1883, being the present incumbent.
John Worthington, who settled in Freedom in 1818, had eight children, of
whom Thaddeus, a farmer, was born in Waterloo, N. Y., was one of the first
members of the M. E. church of Sandusky, and had ten children. His son
John, a native of Freedom, being born here June 9, 1834, has been most of
his life a farmer and a prominent man in his community.
CHAPTER XXX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GREAT YALLEY.
GREAT VALLEY was erected into a township from the town of Olcan
on the 15th of April, 18 18, and then comprised what are now the towns
of Great Valley, Allegany, Humphrey, and Carrolton, and a part of the
Allegany Indian reservation. The towns of Allegany and Humphrey were
set off under the name of Burton on April 18, 183 1, and Carrolton was formed
on March 9, 1842. In 1847 a portion of the Indian reservation was taken off,
leaving Great Valley with its present area of nine miles north and south and
six miles east and west. It includes the whole of town three and the north
half of town two of the fourth range of the Holland survey, comprising 33,715
acres of assessed land: It is bounded on the north by Ellicottville, on the east
by Humphrey and Allegany, on the south by Carrolton, and on the west by
Salamanca and Little Valley.
An interior town lying a little south of the center of the county its surface
in many parts is uneven and hilly, yet the hills, except in a few sections, are
susceptible of cultivation and possess a fertile soil and good water. The high-
est summit is near the southwest corner and is about 1,300 feet above the bed
of the Allegheny river. The township is drained by Great Valley creek, which
enters this town from Ellicottville, between lots 29 and 42, and flowing south-
erly and southwesterly through the villages of Great Valley and Peth empties
into the Allegheny near the southwest corner of the town, through which the
latter flows northwesterly. Both these streams have several tributaries, the
Town ok Great Vallev.
largest being Wright's creek, which enters the center of the east boundary line
from Humphrey and flows west into Great Valley creek some three miles be-
low Great Valley village. Into Wright's creek flows Willoughby creek from
the south and several other streams between that one and its mouth. Along
Great Valley creek is a broad and fertile valley, thickly settled and picturesque,
from which the township derives its name. This is traversed its entire length
in this town by the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, which has stations
at Great Valley and S. & B. Junction. For a half-mile on either side of the
Allegheny river, in the southwest corner of the town, lies a portion of the Ind-
ian reservation.
The soil in the valleys is a gravelly loam and on the uplands a clay admixed
with disintegrated slate and shale. Most of it, however, is susceptible of high
cultivation and produces excellent crops. A considerable portion was originally
covered with a dense growth of pine timber, which has nearly all succumbed
to the woodman's axe and is succeeded by well-cultivated farms. In the early
settlement of the town the principal occupation of the people was lumbering.
At the present time farming is the leading industry, with dairying the chief
branch, though fruit and stock raising are carried on quite extensively.
The first permanent settlement in the town was made by James Green at
Kill Buck in 1812. Green was from New Hampshire and located first at
"Olean Point." He erected at Kill Buck in i8i2the first saw-mill and opened
in 181 3 the first tavern in Great Valley. He also put in operation the first
grist-mill in 18 16, which was used until 1888. He finally moved to a point on
the Ohio river, where he died. Among the early settlers were Daniel McKay,
Benjamin Chamberlain, Mr. Hibbard, and John Green in 1813; Laurin Nor-
ton and Lewis Worcester in 1814; Orin Pitcher, Judge Francis Green, Rich-
ard Green, Betsey Green, Daniel Farrington, Edward Bryant, Dennis Bryant,
and Leonard Spaulding in 181 5; Ira Norton, Col. William Baker, Nathan
Howe, David Farnum, and David Gregory in 1816.
Among those who settled within the present limits of Great Valley be-
tween 1816 and 1823 were Isaac Phillips, Abram Mudgett, Charles Ward,
Ebenezer Willoughby, Joseph McCullock, Abram Wright, Richard Wright,
Thomas Hewett, Jeremy Wooster, Henry Wooster, Abial Rolph, David
Markham, Mr. Moody, Matthew Gibson, Benjamin Chamberlain, Sr., Lovell
Gibson, Joel Fairbanks, Freeman Bryant, Benjamin Bacon, Arza Searl, Mr.
Sawyer, Moses Chase, John Cronkright, Isaac Lawton, B. McCoy, and John
Ellis. Andrews L. Norton is the only person living in town who was born
here before 1820.
Col. William Baker settled at the mouth of Great Valley creek, where he
opened a tavern, which became a popular resort for lumbermen. Marcus
Leonard kept another inn on the opposite side of the creek a few years later.
The Chamberlains were prominent citizens. Benjamin became county judge
(see page 275) and others of the family held various positions of trust. The
87
690 History of Cattaraugus County.
father, Benjamin, Sr., served as a soldier in the Revolution under the name
Benjamin Chambers and was a pensioner until his death in 1855.
The town at one time or another had as citizens a number of men who
attained positions of eminence in the county. State, and nation, and who are
noticed in other pages of this volume. Francis Green became associate judge
of Cattaraugus county in 181 7 and James Green in 1821. Jeremy Wooster
was the first surrogate of the county in 1817, holding the office in all four
terms by appointment. Henry Wooster and Benjamin Chamberlain were
sheriffs and Nelson 1. Norton served as member of Congress one full term.
Arunah Ward was county coroner one term, superintendent of the poor nine
years, and surrogate one term. Five ministers of the gospel have gone forth
from Great Valley to preach. A. A. Gregory was sheriff and member of As-
sembly, and Wesley Flint went to China as consul. Chauncey J. Fox was
successively a member of both branches of the State Legislature.
The first white child born in the town of Great Valley was Ira Green in
1813 and the first death was that of Mrs. Hibbard the same year. The first
sudden death was that of a Mr. Moody in 18 18, he being instantly killed by
lightning during a thunder storm while sitting in the door of his house on
the Otis Rhoades farm. His little girl, whom he was holding in his arms,
escaped injur\-. The first school was taught at the house of James Green in
the winter of 1S17-1S by Joel Fairbanks; the first school house was built at
Peth in 1820. James Green kept the first hotel at Kill Buck in 1813; he
erected the first saw-mill in 181 2 and the first grist-mill in 1816, both at or
near Peth on Great Valley creek. L'ewis Wooster opened the first store in
181 5. The first religious services in town were held by Rev. John Spencer,
a Congregational minister, at the house of Orin Pitcher in 181 5, a church
being organized the same year with eight members. The first woolen-mill
(carding machine and cloth-dressing) was established at Great Valley Center
by Joseph A. Bullard and John Perkins in 1828. The first physician was Dr.
James Trowbridge (see page 137). It is supposed that the first marriage oc-
curred in 1818, the principals being Matthew Gibson and Esther Markham.
For many years the Indians had a council house on the reservation at
" Horseshoe Bend," some two miles above Kill Buck on the Allegheny river,
where they met periodically to worship the Great Spirit and hold other Indian
ceremonies. On the present site of the hamlet of Kill Buck there formerly
existed an Indian village, in the midst of which lived the chief, from one of
whom, Daniel Kill Buck, the place received its name.
One of the first public highways in the town was the stage road from Buf-
falo to Olean. This passed down the valley along Great Valley creek to the
postoffice of Peth and thence turned east, following the valley of Wright -■".
creek to Chappellsburg and thence to Olean. Another road was crudel"
opened along the north bank of the Allegheny at an early day, aiid this was
superseded by a State road authorized by the Legislature in 1841 and con-
Town of Great Valley.
structed soon afterward. When the Erie railroad was completed in 1852 a
plank road from Ellicottville to the Allegheny river was built and used for a
few years, but was finally abandoned, as it failed to pay the expense of repairs,
etc. The New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad passes through the south-
east corner of, the town and has a station, Kill Buck, at the mouth of Great
Valley creek. The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad follows the valley
of Great Valley creek from a short distance above Kill Buck, north, and has
two stations in this town, S. & B. Junction and Great Valley.
By some fatality the early records of the town are lost and consequently
it is impossible to give the proceedings of the first town meeting. The first
supervisor, elected in 18 18, was James Green; the others have been as follows:
Supermi))-.--. -James Green, 1S18-19: Henry Wooster, 182(1-23, 1S27 ; Charles Wanl, 182-t 26; Francis Green,
1828, 1&38, 1840, 1842 ; Seth Cole, 1829, 18:]! ; Ru-hard Wright, 18=30: John Green, 1832; B njamin Chamberlain.
1833-35, 1841; Alunzo Hawley, 183H 37, 1839; Horace Howe, 1843; Williara-Cmss, 1844, 1857-t)0; David Cciamber-
lain, 1845-48; Eli Ellsworth, 1849; Alexander Chambers, 1850; Daniel Furriugton, 1851-.52; Francis E. Baillet,
18.5:j-5o; James Nelson, 1836; Charles Burnsidc, 1861-02; A. L. Norton, 18(53-64; Bethuel McCoy, 1865; Morgan
Thorp, 1866-71, 1874; Myron W. Hieks, 1872-73, 187.5, 1883; J. Edward Bemis, 1876; Michael H. Cullinan, 1877-
78; Wilson N. Howe, 1879-82; John E. Chase, 1884; Ephraim Fitts, 1885; Frank Snow, 1886-91; William S.
Morton, 1893-93.
Joel Fairbanks is credited with being the first school teacher, in 1817,
within the limits of Great Valley. From school rooms in private d\vellings
and school houses of logs in early times the school system has developed into
its present degree of excellence, and the town today has ten school districts
with commodious and efficient buildings. In point of efficiency and value
they compare favorably with those of other towns in the county. In 1820 the
town had a population of 171 ; in 1850, 1,638; in 1880, 1,859; ^^ 1890, 1,705.
The great natural curiosity of Great Valley is a " breathing well " on lot
II in the eastern part of the town. In 1841 Nicholas P^lint attempted to
dig a well near his dwelling, and after reaching a depth of forty feet and find-
ing no water he stoned it up and covered it over, hoping that water would
come in during the wet season. But no water came. Subsequently he dis-
covered a strong current of air pressing up through the crevices in the plat-
form. He inserted a pump-log with a two-inch bore in the close-fitted deck-
ing. A current of air is continually blowing out of or pressing into the well
with more or less force, and a whistle placed in the bore of the log^ is often
heard half a mile away. At times the current is steady in one direction for
half or even a whole day, but generally it changes frequently, serving the pur-
pose of a barometer : blowing out indicating fair or settled weather and breath-
ing in denoting a storm. The bottom of the well is about twenty-five feet
below the bed of the creek near by. Scientists have been unable to account
for this strange phenomenon.
At a very early day a terrific hurricane passed over the south part of the
town, leveling the forest in its path and causing considerable destruction.
From the fact that it passed up a small brook emptying into the Allegheny
near Carrolton that stream has been called Windfall creek.
692 History of Cattaraugus- County.
Evidences of an ancient race of people have been discovered witiiin the
limits of Great Valley, a notable event being the finding of several large skel-
etons about 1850 in the garden of Chandler Chamberlain. The bones ex-
humed were extremely large and were evidently those of giants.
This was originally and emphatically a lumbering town. From its first
settlement to within a decade or two the manufacture of lumber was the chief
industry, but upon the denudation of the hills and valleys of their primeval
forests the attention of the inhabitants was directed to other channels, and
today agriculture has come to the front. A few mills yet remain, the last
evidences of a former period of activity. A number of cheese factories have
been built as dairying developed, the first one being erected in 1858 on lot 11.
The saw-mill of C. B. Potter was built by J. VV. Staunton in 1844. It is
operated by water-power and cuts from 6,000 to 10,000 feet of lumber daily.
Burton Curtis's lath and saw-mill, operated by water, was built in 1882 and
has a capacity of 4,000 lath and 3,000 feet of lumber per day. Michael H.
Cullinan has a steam saw-mill in the \vest part of the town in which he em-
ploys twelve men and cuts 15,000 feet of lumber daily. J. A. Cleaveland
owns a steam saw and shingle-mill on Wright's creek. The original of this
mill was built by Babbitt & Mason about 1872 and was owned by various per-
sons until 1880, when it was purchased by its present proprietor, who removed
and rebuilt it in 1888, the present capacity being 12,000 feet of hardwood
lumber and 10,000 shingles per day. In 1885 Gould, Hale & Co. started a chair
factory at Kill Buck which they operated one year, when it was sold to Eph-
raim Pitts, who converted it into a saw and planing-mill, the motive power
being steam. Its daily capacity is 10,000 feet of lumber. Connected are three
planers, a shingle machine, three lathes, one bolting machine, and a full equip-
ment of chair-making machinery.
In 1875 Louis Torge came to Kill Buck and purchased the old brewery
property. The buildings were burned in 1884 and rebuilt the same year. The
plant is now operated by William W. Torge, who manufactures a large quan-
tity of soft drink annually.
Horton A. Ostrander came to Kill Buck in 1871 to take charge of the steam
saw-mill'for J. M. Bemis & Co., in which position he continued until 1875.
From 1876 to 1884 the mill was burned three times. In the latter year it was
purchased by Mr. Ostrander, who now employs twenty-five or thirty men. Its
capacity is 30,000 feet of lumber daily. S. M. Rickards's steam saw, shingle,
and planing-mill in Great Valley village was built in i886by H. P. Colmanand
Mr. Rickards, Mr. Colman retiring from the firm the same year. The capacity
is 4,000 feet of lumber and 8,000 shingles per day. The Great Valley mills,
owned by R. F. Gilman, consist of a grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a shingle-miil.
The former was built in 1880 and burned in 1882, the present mill being
erected the same year. The whole are operated by water-power and have a
good equipment. The grist-mill of Gideon Searl, in the south part of the
Town of Great Valley. . 693
town, was built by John Ellis in 1852. It stands on the site where James
Green erected the first grist-mill in town, the old building being still used by
Mr. Searl for a barn. It is operated by water-power and has two runs of stone.
Almost from the first settlement of the town Great Valley has had speci-
fied burial places for her dead. Several cemeteries are appropriately chosen
in various localities, among them being one at Kill Buck, another near the
Humphrey line northeast of Great Valley village, still another in the Will-
oughby neighborhood, and a fourth, the Catholic cemetery, at Kill Buck.
The Great Valley Cemetery Association was organized September 2, 1871.
Great Valley is a post village and station on the Buffalo, Rochester &
Pittsburg railroad, and near the center of the town on Great Valley creek. It
contains a church edifice, two general stores, one hotel and livery, a flouring-
mill, two saw-mills, two blacksmith shops, two shingle-mills, a meat market, a
cheese factory, and about 150 inhabitants. Here was located the Plank Road
or Half-way House before the advent of the railroad. The postoffice was re-
moved to this place from Peth soon after 1870, the first postmaster here being
Myron W. Hicks.
Kill Buck is the oldest settlement in the town Great Valley and also
the original site of quite an Indian village. It is a station on the Erie rail-
road two miles east of Salamanca and contains two church edifices, a post-
office, two stores, saw-mill, a saw and planing-miil, bottling works, meat market,
and some 200 inhabitants. The postoffice here was established about 1836.
Among the earliest postmasters were Marcus Leonard and William Cross.
Leonard kept the office on the west side of Great Valley creek; it was subse-
quently removed to the east side, where it has since been continued. Among
the early merchants were Daniel and Horace Howe, Marcus Leonard, Hiram
Smith, and Cross & Ellsworth. Andrew Merkt had a brewery and hotel sev-
eral years and was succeeded upon his death in i860 by Lewis P. Brewer.
Both were burned in 1865. Oscar Senear and Francis Green, Jr., in 1856,
built a store on the site where formerly stood the wigwam of Kill Buck, the
Indian chief from whom the village received its name.
Peth is a hamlet on Great Valley creek a little below the mouth of Wright's
creek, and a station on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad. It was
formerly a place of considerable activity and contained the first postoffice
(1830) in the town, the first postmaster being Benjamin Chamberlain, who
was succeeded in 1833 by Francis Green. Ira and A. L. Norton then succes-
sively held the position. The last incumbent was Frederick Cramer, and soon
after his appointment the office was mo\-ed to the point then known as the
Plank Road House, the official designation being Great Valley. An effort
was subsequently made to re-establish the postoffice at Peth under the name
of Great Valley Center. George E. Howland was appointed postmaster, but
the project never got any further. It was here that Lewis Wooster opened
the first store in the town in 181 5.
694 History of Cattaraugus ■ County.
Sugartown postoffice was recently established in the northeast part of the
town with Mrs. Helen Sherman as postmistress.
ReHgious services were held in Great Valley at a very early period and
were of the Congregational order. Rev. John Spencer, a missionary who held
meetings and organized churches in many other towns in western New York,
was the first minister of the gospel to conduct religious exercises liere, the first
meeting being held in 1815 in Orin Pitcher's dwelling house. Until 1820
services were conducted in private residences, in barns, and even in the woods,
but after that year the worshipers usually repaired to school houses and sooji
afterward to church edifices. Rev. Mr. Spencer organized a church society in
the school house at Peth soon after his advent there and continued to minister
to the congregation until 1825, when he ceased his labors. Rev. Mr. Will-
oughby afterward preached occasionally and about 1835 the society united
with the Methodists in holding meetings. Notwithstanding the fact that
Rev. Mr. Spencer was a Congregationalist the doctrine of this first society
seems to have been Presbyterian. By deaths, etc., it finally became e.xtinct.
A Baptist church was organized at Kill Buck, in the dwelling of Charles
Ward, November 4, i83i,with Ira Burlingame as moderator. There were
eight members and Rev. Samuel Brayman was the first pastor. Among his
successors were Rev. Ebenezer Vining, E. Going, Benjamin Cole, Daniel
Piatt, and Records Vining.
The Humphrey and Great Valley Free Baptist church at Sugartown was
organized in 1858 by Rev. D. VV. McKoon, the first pastor, with thirty-five
members. In 1874 their first and present house of worship, a wooden struc-
ture, was erected at a cost of §2,000, the present value of their church property
being §2,500. It will seat 250 persons. The membership numbers eighty-
four and the present pastor is Rev. F. D. Ellsworth. The Sunday school has
an average attendance of thirty-five members.
The Freewill Baptist church at Great Valley Center was formed in i860
by Rev. R. D. Hays, the first pastor. Their original membership was nine.
In 1879 the present edifice was built, of wood, at a cost of $1,100; it will seat
250 persons; the church property is now x'alued at $1,500. The society has
si.xty-five members with Rev. Mr. Varnum as pastor. The Sunday school
has about seventy members.
The Willebough church of the United Brethren in Christ, located in " Shin
hollow," was organized by Rev. H. H. Barber in 1869 with nineteen members,
the first pastor being Rev. J. W. Gage. Their house of worship, a frame
edifice, was erected in 1878 and a parsonage and barn were built of the same
material in 1891-92, the church costing about $1,000. The present value of
the entire church property is $1,600. The edifice will seat 150 people, the
society has seventy-two members, and Rev. VV. A. Bennett is the present pas-
tor. The society has three Sunday schools with a total enrollment of 180
scholars, the aggregate average attendance being 123. Only one of these
(
Town of Grkat Valley.
.schools remains open throughout the
pointnhents of Great Valley, Shin hollow, and Bear hollow
The Methodists organized a class
695
year. This church embraces the ap-
at Peth 'as early as /1 830, 'Rev. Mr.
Nevinsand Rev. Mr. May being the first jDreachers. Of this society Judge Ben- '
jamin Chamberlain became a member about 1845 and gave liberally to its sup-
port. A similar class was formed at Kill Buck about 1-858 or i860 of which
Rev. J. R. Alexander was pa.stor for several ycarsT The present M. E. So-,
ciety there was organized in 1871 by Rev. Mr. Barnhart,.the first pastor, and',
their ijramc house of. worship was erected the sau'ic ye^r at a cost of $2,000.
It will seat 150 persons and with the grounds is valued at $1,500. The society
has six mernbers with Rev. Mr. Spencei] as pastor.
The St. John's Roman Catholic church edifice at Kill Buck was' erected in
1872. It is of wood and will seat about 250 people. The building originally
cost $2,400; the present value of the church property is $-1,200. Of this par-
ish Rev. Mr. Burns was the first pastor; the present one is Rev. P. Berkery.
..Rust post, No. 357, G. A. R., was organized by Col. E. A. Nash. on March
30, 1883, with eleven members, the present number being sixty-eight. The
first officers were R. C. Adams, commander ; E. Hurlburt, S. V. C; Melbourne
Wilco.x, J. V. C.; y\ugustus Wilcox, O. M.; F. Wood, .surgeon. The present
officers are Melbdurne Wilcox, commander; E. R. Huff, S. V. C; Edwin Wil-
cox, ].V.C.; John Markham, adjutant; Otis D. Rhoades, Q. M.; Stephen
Palmer, surgeon ; 'Augustus Wilcox, chaplain. 1
Great Valley Lodge, No. 603, I. O. G. T., was o^^anized May 23, 1891,
with twenty-eight neinbers, the present number being forty-five.
Great Valley Union, No. 144,. E. A. U., was instituted September 4, 1880,
with twenty-five'members.
Nicholas Bonsteel, son of Philip, was born in; Columbia, N. Y., Aug. 24,
1797. His first, wife was Polly Squires, who bore him five children. In 1829
he settled in East Otto and the next year married Angelinc, daughter' of Sol-
omon Fordick, : of Boston, 'Erie county, by whom he.' had four children, of
whom three are living; Edwin, Ursula D., and Morris T. March 25, 1844,
. Mr. Bonsteel removed to this town and settled where his children now reside.
'Edwin Bonsteel married Eliza A., daughter of John Rowland ? children :
Arthur U., Ernest L., Orrin J., Dora L., and Anna B. The Bonsteels in
America are descended from Nicholas 'Bonsteel, who came from' Germany to
Kinderhook, N.Y., before the Revolutionary war.
. David M. Brown, a native of Londonderry, N. H., Was born March 10,
1793. 'He remove4. thence with his family to Napoli in 1832 and erected a
saw-mill the following year.- His wife was Polly Senter; children: Lucinda,
Sheldon P.j Sarah, Mary, Lorane,"Quincy A., and Andrew J. In 1842, while
on a visit to brothers on the coast of Maine, Mr. Brown secured the carcass
oNa whale forty-eight feet in length.'which he had prepared and transported
bnVvagons and canal boats, exhibiting it throughout'-.the country. He finally
sold it for $8,000,. and it is still exhibited as a curiosity.
Solander Carver was for many years a respected| ;resident of Gr^at Valley.
He was a son of Parley G. Carver, who came to theitpwn from Srrtyrna, N. Y.,'
696
History of Cattaraugus County.
in 1832, settling on the farm'where he died three years later. Solander Car-
ver,acquired a modest competence by-' the slow process of accumulation of the.
surplu.s income from a small farm and dairy. His word was a.s f^'ood, as his-
bond. He marricd'Rcbccca (jibson, who sUrvivcs"1iim. He died'Feb. 14, 1893.
■ Nathaniel Chase .came from French :Mi"lls, N. Y., to' Springvillc, Erie
county, in 1812, aiid built the first .grist-mill in that town. He returned to
riattsburgh that year and removed to Great Valley in 1816, making the first
settlement on the farm now owned, by Walter Walworth, Sr. Mr. Chase was
a millwright by trade and assisted in 'the crectioin 'of nearly all t|hc early mills
in the town. His first wife bore liim two Ich-ildfen;, Reuben ahld John. His
second ' wife wa.s Sophia Colwell ; children :;Moscls, Robfcrt,!lra, Jacob, Martin,
Lucend, Marinda, Naomi, and Eunice. i ' -
iRobcrt Chase was born in 'Vermont and served in the War of l8i2, being
present at the battle of I'lattsburgh. In'iSiS he came to Great' Vrillcy, where
in 1827 he was injured by a falling tree; he died i" 1834. Mr. Chase married
Sally Estey; children: Harley, Julina, Lorenzo, Joseph, and, Susan." t
Reuben Cha.se, from Wayne couiity, came ! to, Great Vaikly in 1827 and
bought of Nathan Howe the farm now owned,' by Thomas Lciu'nsbury.,' (He
married Hannah Estoy and had. two son.n, Lyman and Orrin.; Orrin Chase
came^to thin town -in 184-;, ar.d wi.th him came tlirce sons — Alc-X.^ndcif, Reu-
ben, and Augustus— and one daughter, Clarissa ;. another so'n, James, was
born in Great Valley. yVle.xander Chasa^ married Ma'rictte Mcintosh; chil-
dren ;• Orrin, Jolm E., Ruloff, Adclin'L", AiiniCi and Clara. John E. Chase was
supervisor of Great- VaHc'y in !884. - ■
: Robert Chase was born m Great ..Vallc'y, June 13, 1824, h, as always resided
here, and for .several years followed "raftinij. He married Mariett'e, daughter
of l^rainard Cleavcland ; children:. Chiirlcs, Manlay,*.and Horace.
. Brainard Cleavcland, son of Aaron and a native of Connecticut, came with ■
his parents in -1825 to Wyoming county and thence the same yeaij to Mrjchia.'j.
ln.1833 he removed to Humphrey,- and in 1865 came'to Grpat Valley to reside
with his son Aaron. He married Betsey Eddy ; children : Andrew, Aaron,
.'\lonzo, Joseph, Isaac," Mftry A., and-' Mariettc. Aaron Clcavclland /marriecl
Catharine, daughter of Joseph Learn, of Humphrey ; children : Laura L. (Mrs.'
N. D: Walworth), Nettie A. (Mrs. -Eli Butler), Mary C. (Mrs. P. J. Daggett).
Alonzo Cleavcland was born in ;the town of Machias. He married Lydia,
daughter of David Wheeler, one of' the first settlers of Humphrey, and has
had seven children, of whom three are^ living: Brainard, Isaac, and Joseph A.
Frederick S. 'Cramer, son of Sebfistian, was born, in Saxony, Germany,
May 2, 1839. His parents died while he was young- and' at tlfe age of fifteen'
he. came to America, settling in Tonawanda, where he was engaged as a clerk
until 18.69, when he removed to Great Valley and bought the store now owned'
by William Morton]. Here he was m trade and had the postoffice for six
years, When he began the Evocation o;f a farmer.- He married Marg;iret Hicks.
Edmond Cullinan, born in County Clare, jlreland, came to America about
1840 and settled first ih Elmira. He subsequently removed' to'Pcnn.sylvania
and in 1856 located in Great Valley, where he cleared a farm on which he now
lives. By his wife, Ann Kerney, also of County Clare, Ireland, he had eleven
children, only one of whom survives. | Their son, Michael H.ICullinan, married
Sarah, daughter of John Carr, of Cattaraugus; children : Ma!ry, Margaret, and
Teresa. He served as supervisor of this town in 1877 and 1878.
Nicholas Flint became a settlcrj m Great Valley in 1828, .coming from
■■3S'
Town of Great Vallev. . 697
Cherry Valley, N. Y. He married Phebe, daughter of EbenezerWilloughby ;
children : Weston, OrviUe, Agnes (Mrs. K. Kelsey), Esther (Mrs. Lewis J.
Parker), Sarah (Mrs. Adrian Fay), and Irving.
Henry Folts, son of Sylvanus, was born in Frankfort, N. Y., and came to
Ashford in 1840, where he followed farming until 1855, when he removed to
Great Valley and bought the farm where his family now resides. He married
Mary E. Hess; children : Daniel H., William H., Marietta (Mrs. C. G. Miller),
and Georgianna.
Judge Francis Green (see page 273) about 1812 removed from New Hamp-
shire with his wife, seven sons, and two daughters to Great Valley, and located
on a large tract of land which (except the old homestead) was afterward ap-
portioned to several of his children. And a singular coincidence is that Judge
Green, his wife, and all of his children except one daughter lived and died upon
that tract of land, and are buried in the same cemetery located thereon. The
last survivor of the family was Benjamin, who died January 23, 1892, aged
eighty-one years and four months. Benjamin Green was for about thirty-five
years a consistent member of the M. E. church. His wife, who survived him,
was Harriet Simmons; children: Joseph, John, Mary, and Demon. James
Green was supervisor of Great Valley in 1818 and 1819 and John served in
that position in 1832. The latter was also magistrate four years and post-
master at Great Valley nine years. He died Sept. 4, 1874.
Reuben Halladay came from Black Creek, N. Y., to Humphrey in 1852,
and removed to this town two or three years later. He married Irena Benja-
min and had eleven children.
George Hess was a son of Capt. Honyost H. Hess, a captain for eight
years in the war of the Revolution, and was born in Herkimer county Dec.
18, 1788, and served in the War of 1812. He came to Ashford in 1841 and
settled on the farm now owned by Andrew Frank; he married Mary Clapsad-
dle; children: Joseph, Mary E. (Mrs. Henry Folts), Nancy (Mrs. Jedediah
Walker), Michael E., and George W. Elias W. Hess was drafted March [7,
1865, in Co. I, 65th N. Y. Inf., and was discharged June 28th following; George
W. Hess enlisted from Ashford. The family trace their ancestry back to
John Hess, of Hesse Castle, Germany, who came to America in 1 7 10, settling
in Palantine, N. Y. His son Augusdenus, born in 1719, married Mary Ben-
son; children: Christina, Honyost, Nicholas, Conrad, Henry, Daniel, and
Eva. Angusdenus was killed by the Indians at Fort Herkimer in 1782. Hon-
yost was born Nov. 3, 1758, and married Catharine Edic ; children: Nancy,
George, Catharine, Elizabeth, Polly, and -Margaret.
Abel Hicks, born in Providence, R. I., June 14, 1795, was for several years
a captain on Lake Ontario and subsequently lived in Geneva, N. Y., where he
married Jane McCurdy. In 1825 he came to Lyndon, where he lived forty
years. He had eight children. In April, 1865, he came to Great Valley and
kept hotel for two years, retiring finally to a small farm, where he died Jan.
20, 1872. His son Myron W. was born in Lyndon, Oct. 16, 1836, and came
with his father to Great Valley in 1865. He was for some time a merchant,
postmaster, and supervisor, holding the latter office in 1872, 1873, 1875, and
1883. His daughter Sophia is the wife of Ernest Bonsteel.
-W Nathan Howe, son of Capt. Howe, was born in New Hampshire and came
to Great Valley with his father when a small boy. The family settled at Kill
Buck. Nathan married Nancy, daughter of Philip Mudge, of this town, and
about 1822 moved to Humphrey, where he was the first settler on what is now
History of Cattaraugus County.
known as Howe hill. He had seven children, of whom four are living: Mary
(Mrs. Eli Bateman), Wilson, Cynthia (Mrs. Alonzo NilesV and Emily (Mrs.
F. J. Harris). Mr. Howe was a strong anti-slavery man and was active in the
operations of the underground railroad. Wilson N. Howe was supervisor of
Great Valley from 1879 ^° 1882 inclusive.
Malancthon J. Howe, son of Joel, was born in Lyndon in 1848 and on Sept.
5, 1864, enlisted in Co. B, ist N. Y. Dragoons, serving until the close of the
war. He was taken prisoner near New Market by Mosby and was confined
three and one-half months in Libby prison, his weight during this time being
reduced from 160 to 80 pounds.
Isaac Lawton came to this town in 1827 and located on Great Valley creek
on the farm now owned by Alexander Roy, where he built the second saw-
mill in the town.
James Leggett, born in Dublin, Ireland, came to America in 1850, settling
in Cattaraugus county. In 1 866 he moved onto the farm he now occupies. He
married Sarah Cullen ; children: Lizzie G., Efifie M., Nellie, James, Frederick.
Enoch Marvin, son of James and a native of Otsego county, came to Elli-
cottville in 1820, where he followed his trade of millwright. He married Fran-
ces Doty and had seven children. A son, Ferdino, was a soldier in the Re-
bellion, is a carpenter, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob H. Frank;
she was the first white child born in Ashford.
Patrick McNamara, son of Dennis, was born in County Clare, Ireland.
Coming to America in 1850 he settled in Great Valley, which "has since been
his home. He married Mary Carey ; children: Elizabeth L., John F., Peter C.
Hugh Morton, son of Hugh, was born in Scotland, married Jane Lindsey,
and had born to him eight children, of whom si.x grew to maturity, viz.: Eliza,
Hugh, Peter, John, Robert, and Gaven. His second wife was Sarah Simmons,
who bore him twelve children. Mr. Morton came to America in 1839 ^"<^ to
Great Valley the following spring, settling at Peth. Hugh ]\Iorton married
Maria Ray and has five children : John, Eva, Frank, Hugh, and James.
William Morton, son of Hugh Morton, was born in Killbride, Scotland, in
1816. At the age of twenty-one he moved to London, where for fifteen years
he was engaged in mercantile business. In 1854 he came to America and
located in Great Valley on the farm he still occupies. He married Margaret,
daughter of John Scott, of Scotland, and to them have been born seven chil-
dren, only three of whom are living: William S. and Robert W., both mer-
chants, and Mary M.(Mrs. Joseph Green). William S. Morton was born in
1858 and in 1884 he formed with his brother Robert W. a partnership in the
mercantile business. He married Ella Weager, of Randolph, and has one son,
Howard D. Mr. Morton was elected supervisor in 1891 and re-elected in 1892
and 1893. Robert W. Morton was born in i860 and married Lana, daughter
of Asa Stevens; children: Gilbert A. and Lester L.
Jonathan Nobles was an early settler in Great Valley, and with him from
Angelica, N. Y., came his son Spencer T., both of whom settled at Kill Buck.
Spencer T. married Betsey, daughter of Luther and Sally Demming; three of
their five children are living: Daniel, Stelbert E.,.and Nellie(Mrs. M. T. Ryan).
Ira Norton was born in Goshen, Conn. His sketch appears in Hinsdale.
His son, Andrews L. Norton, born on the farm on which he now lives
April 27, 181S, married Polly A. Bacon and has si.x children. He is now the
only survivor of the early settlers living in that section. He was postmaster
for several years and in 1863 and 1864 was supervisor of this town. Mrs. Will-
Town of Great Valley. . 699
iams, daughter of Ira, resides at Corydon, Pa. E. D. Norton, the youngest of
Ira's sons, born in Great Valley in 1825, is a resident of Yorkshire. The first
twenty-five years of his life were spent in Great Valley ; he then removed to
Bradford, Pa., where he lived fifteen years, where he was honored by his
townsmen by important ofificial positions and was a member of the Board of
Commissioners that, under a special act of the Legislature, issued the bonds
of the town to pay soldiers' bounties. Afterward for four years he was a resi-
dent of Owatonna, Minn., where he served one term as member of the city
council. He returned to this county and settled in Yorkshire in 1877.
William W. Norton was born at Great Valley in 1822. Although reared
on the farm, and having only the limited advantages for an education in those
early days, at the age of thirty he commenced his preparation for the ministry
in the Congregational church. His first charge was in Ashford, where he
remained two years, when he removed to Otto and was pastor of that church
ten years. He went thence to New Richmond, Wis., and subsequently organ-
ized a church in Alexander, Minn., where he remained five years. The last
few years of his life he spent in Northfield, Minn. Considering the educa-
tional advantages of those early days his ministry was remarkably successful.
Money was not plenty then and books were expensive, and in this family of
nine children one copy of the old English Reader went down through the
whole line, and that book is now in the possession of E. D. Norton, of Yorkshire.
Horton A. Ostrander, son of John B., was born in Dryden, Tompkins county,
Dec. 22, 1840. Working in the saw-mill of his father until 1856 he then went
to Lake Simcoe, where he followed lumbering until 1 859, when he returned to
Dryden. From 1864 to 1871 his energies were spent in the pineries of Michi-
gan ; he then came to Kill Buck and took charge of the mill of which he is
now proprietor. Mr. Ostrander married, first, Jane Mandeville, and, second,
Mary R. Noxon, by each of whom he has a daughter. Belle and Edna.
John Potter, born in Gainesville, N. Y., April i, 181 5, came to the town of
Otto in 1835, where he married Mary A. Mclntyre. He was a farmer and a
carpenter, and in 1842 removed to Great Valley, where he lived until 1844,
when he went to EllicottviUe, where for several years he ran a sash and door
factory. In 1861 he returned to this town, following since the carpenter's
trade and farming. Mr. Potter had an only child, Charles B., who enlisted
May 13, 1861, in Co. I, 37th N. Y. Inf. Vols., going out as third sergeant and
being promoted to second lieutenant. This was the first company to leave
Cattaraugus county for the war of the Rebellion. Charles B. was assigned on
September 13, 1862, to Co. I ; was made first lieutenant Dec. 2, 1862, and as-
signed to Co. H ; and after the battle of Chancellorsville \vas captain of Co. K,
holding the position until July i, 1863, when he was mustered out. Re-enlist-
ing FeJ). 16, 1865, he was commissioned captain of Co. F, 194th N. Y. Inf., and
was again mustered out May 3, 1865. He married Frances Williams.
Jonas Randall was a native of Genesee county. He subsequently resided
in Concord, Erie county, and in 1840 came thence to East Otto. He married
Mary Prindle, who bore him two children, Leonard and Martha(Mrs. William
Seeley). Leonard Randall was born in Batavia and came to Cattaraugus
county with his father. March 17, 1865, he enlisted in Co. K, 65th N. Y.
Vols., and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he purchased and moved
onto his present farm in Great Valley. He married Julia, daughter of Jacob
Frank, of Ashford; children: Ida (Mrs. Tlieron Rust), Eva (Mrs. Clarence
Washburn), Cora (Mrs. Daniel Washburn), and Charles.
700 History of Cattaraugus County.
John G. Rohrich is a son of John Rohrich, of Ellicottville, and was born in
Wurtemberg, German, in 1841. Emigrating to America in 1850 he located in
Ellicottville in 1852, where he resided until 1885, spending, however, some
ten years of that time on the lakes. Mr. Rohrich held several town ofifices
and in 1880 constructed the first iron bridge in the town of Ellicottville. In
1885 he came to Great Valley and purchased his present farm, being also en-
gaged in lumbering. He married Anna M., daughter of John G. Brown, who
came from Germany in 1852. Children: Ida (Mrs. John Ehman), Charles,
Emma (Mrs. Ernest Dietrich), Carrie, and George.
Alexander Roy came from Scotland to Wyoming coimty in 1833 and thence
to Humphrey in 1839, locating there on the farm now owned by Henry Clark.
In 1858 he moved to Great Valley. He married Celestia Dennis; children:
Marion (Mrs. Augustus Adams), Jane (Mrs. Israel Rickards), Maria (Mrs. Hugh
Morton), Ellen (Mrs. Edwin Blodgett), and Anna (Mrs. Jacob Barker).
Michael T. Ryan was born in Bradford, Pa., on the 4th of Oct., 1858. He
is the son of James and Margrette (Dunlay) Ryan, who moved into Hinsdale
in 1859 and in 1871 removed to Great Valley, where they afterward resided,
respected residents and esteemed citizens. Mrs. Ryan died in April, 1883.
On Feb. 25, 1889, Michael T. Ryan married Miss Nellie A. Nobles. He has
been town clerk and was postmaster of Great Valley during Mr. Cleveland's
first term. Feb. 22, 1883, in partnership with C. A. Case as M. T. Ryan & Co.,
he succeeded H. J. Smith in the general mercantile trade at the village.
Arza Searl, son of Gideon (see Franklinville), was born in Whitehall, N. Y.,
and at the age of twenty-two came to Franklinville. The next year, 1825, he
removed to Great Valley, thus becoming one of the earliest settlers of the
town, where he spent his life and died in 1884, aged eighty-three years. His
wife was Ann, a daughter of Stephen Wood, by whom he had eight children.
Caleb Snow was one of the early settlers of Great Valley, coming to the
town from his native State — Vermont — about 1830, and making the first settle-
ment in what is now called Bear hollow. He married Polly Avery ; children :
Abigail, Lydia, Roxana, Hiram (drowned while young), and Levi. The latter
was born May 12, 1825, married Jane Du Bois, of Humphrey, and was the first
settler on the farm where Frank Snow resides, and where he died. Children :
Frank, Kate (Mrs. F. Manhart), and Sarah (Mrs. Horace Sibley). Frank Snow,
born Dec. 22, 185 1, was elected supervisor each year from 1886 to 1890 inclu-
sive, and has served as justice, etc.
Seamour Wilcox came from Bath, N. Y., to Hinsdale in 1829. Until 1836
he resided in various places, but in that year he came to Great Valley and
settled on a farm. He married Sally, daughter of Enoch Sargent, who bore him
ten children, of whom these are living: Emma (Mrs. William Chamberlain),
Augustus, Isaiah C, Edwin. Mary (Mrs. Byron Hinman) Melvin, and Mel-
bourne. All these sons served in the Civil war, also Hiram, who died there.
Melbourne Wilcox was born in Hurnphrey, Jan. 25, 1842, and soon after-
ward his parents moved with their family to Great Valley. Oct. 30, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. I, 6th N. Y. Cav., and served three years. At the battle of
Gettysburg Mr. Wilcox was wounded in the head by a minie-ball, fracturing
the skull so seriously that five pieces of bone and about a spoonful of brains
were extracted. He married Amanda, daughter of Harvey Kean ; children:
Leona A. (Mrs. John Rider) and Albert M.
Mark Williams came from Chesterfield, Mass., to Ellicottville in 1829, and
' by occupation was a carpenter. He married Polly Staunton, of Massachusetts ;
Town of Hinsdale. _ 701
children : Dexter, Elisha, Samuel C, Royal, Frank, Almina, Theresa, Martha,
Aurelia, and Mary.
Charles Williams came to Ellicottville from Chesterfield, Mass., in .1832,
bringing with him six sons and two daughters, viz.: Charles, Spencer, Amasa,
Lyman, Horace, Hiram, Eliza, and Sarah ; another son, Burton, was born to
him in Ellicottville. Spencer Williams came to Great Valley in 1847 ^"^ pur-
chased the saw-mill owned by John W. Staunton, near the north town line.
Ebenezer Willoughby, son of Rev. Ebenezer Willoughby, of Kingsbury,
N. v., came to Great Valley in 1823 and purchased of Matthew Gibson the
farm now owned by Mark Church. He married Esther, daughter of Abraham
Wright, and had three children, of whom Phebe is the widow of Nicholas Flint.
George Witherell settled in Great Valley in 1835, coming from Java, N. Y.
In 183S he removed to Ellicottville, but in 1840 returned to this town, buying
the farm now owned by C. B. Potter. He married Mary E. Lockwood and
had born to him four children, only one of whom, George J., is living. George
J. Witherell came to Kill Buck in 1852 as clerk for J. W. Phelps. In 1874 he
engaged in mercantile business for himself. He has been postmaster for eleven
years and has held various other offices of trust. Mr. Witherell married Mar-
garet A., youngest daughter of John C. Cross, an early settler of Otto. Chil-
dren : Mary E. (Mrs. William Knorr), Giles H., George, and M. Gertrude.
James Wood came to New Albion from Utica in 1851, and died there
three years later. He married Eunice Campbell ; children: Tames F., Wallace,
Gilbert, Fidelia (Mrs. Reuben Colton), Sarah, Mary J. (Mrs. Adelbert Hall), and
one deceased. James F. Wood enlisted Sept. 11, 1861, in Co. F, 64th N. Y.
Inf. Vols., and served three years, being discharged Sept. 11, 1864.
Abraham Wright, son of Dea. Abraham, was born in Cambridge, N. Y.,
Dec. 20, 1778. His wife was Lydia Guy, whom he married March 23, 1815,
and their son John G. enlisted Sept. 5, 1864, in Co. A, i88th N. Y. Vols., and
was discharged July 11, 1865. Another son, James, served in the 6th N. Y.
Cav. and died in Wellsville, N. Y., July 6, 1873. Abraham Wright came to Great
Valley in 1819. His brother, Col. Richard Wright, came to Cattaraugus county
about the same time and held several offices of responsibility. He qualified
as associate judge of the County Court on March 23, 1836, and was elected
sheriff of Cattaraugus county in 1837; he was supervisor of Great Valley in
1830 and of Burton (now Allegany) in 1836 (see page 280).
CHAPTER XXXI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HINSDALE.
HINSDALE derives its name from the southwestern town of New Hamp-
shire in the fertile valley of the Connecticut. ■ In 1819 the counties of
■ Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Niagara (the last named then embracing
also what is now Erie county), formed one Assembly district and elected two
members, the elections being held in April and continued three successive
days. E. T. Foote, of Jamestown, and Oliver Forward, of the village of Buf-
702 History of Cattaraugus. County.
falo, represented this district in the winter of 1820. At the time of their elec-
tion the towns of Franklinville, Great Valley, Little Valley, Olean, and Perrys-
burg- embraced the entire county of Cattaraugus and the total population
was 4,090. Mr. Foote, in a letter to the town clerk and supervisor of Hinsdale
dated March 14, 1873, writes:
" When I was elected there was not even a regular weekly mail from Chau-
tauqua county through Cattaraugus county, and I did not learn the result of
the votes in Olean until ten days after the election, and then by the way of
Buffalo. The mail was then not infrequently from seven to ten days passing
from Albany to Jamestown. The latter part of March a petition was re-
ceived, I think from Lewis Ward and others, of Olean, for a division of said
town into two towns; the new town to be called Fayette. All the papers
were in legal form and a bill was reported favorable to the prayer of the peti-
tioners. Near the close of the session the bill came up in its regular course
before the committee of the whole, when a member objected to the proposed
name of the new town, as there was already a town of that name in Seneca
county and a post village Fayetteville in Onondaga county. I was called on
to give a name to the proposed new town. There was no time to write to
Olean for instructions. The bill must be passed or wait a year. Neither my
colleague nor the members of the committee had a name to propose, and that
duty fell upon me. I determined to give it the name of an old and respecta-
ble New England town and the birthplace of my beloved mother, which is
Hinsdale in New Hampshire, an old and respectable town easily written and
easily pronounced. The name Hinsdale was inserted in the bill by unanimous
vote, and the law passed on the last day of the session, April 14, 1820."
The town of Hinsdale, N. II., was organized in 1753 and named in honor
of Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale, one of its founders and a large proprietor of the
township. , He was conspicuous for his bravery in the French and Indian
wars, and built Fort Hinsdale in his town as a defense against the assaults of
the Indians. He died January 6, 1763.
The town of Hinsdale, N. Y., lies upon the east boundary and southeast of
the centerof Cattaraugus county. It has an area of 24,786 acres and embraces
parts of towns two and three in the fourth range and two and three in the
third range of the Holland survey. It is bounded on the north by Ischua
(erected from its territory February 7, 1846, as the town of Rice), on the east
by Allegany county, on the south by Portville and Olean, and on the west by
Allegany and Humphrey. Its principal streams are Ischua creek, which enters
the town about the middle of the north line and flows south, and Oil creek,
which enters the northeast corner and flows southwest, the two uniting at
Hinsdale village and forming Olean creek, which flows south through a broad
and fertile valley and empties into the Allegheny river at Olean. Haskel creek
in the eastern part flows southerly through a beautiful valley into the Alle-
gheny near Weston's Mills. There are others, once mill-brooks, that drain the
western part of the town and flow into Olean creek. The surface is hilly ex-
cept along the creeks. The summits of the highest ranges of hills are 500 or
600 feet above the valleys.
Town ok Hinsdale. • 703
The venerable John Putnam, son of Peter Putnam, states that his father
settled on lot 42, township three, range three, of the Holland purchase, on
January i, 181 1, where John was born August lOth following. He further
emphatically declares that he knozvs his father was the first settler in the town
of Hinsdale and that he (John) was the first white child born within its bound-
aries. In Everts's " History of Cattaraugus County " the first settlement in the
town is accorded to Zachariah Noble and his brothers Horace and Charles in
1806. Zachariah did live on lot 7, township two, range four, but it is impos-
sible to learn anything of his brothers. In 1810 Peter Putnam found Zacha-
riah Noble at Olean, an unsettled and unmarried man who joined him in pur-
chasing lumber, and together they rafted it to Cincinnati. Putnam returned
to Olean (now Hinsdale) and settled on lot 42. Zachariah Noble returned,
married, and later settled on lot 7. He eventually removed to Williamsport,
Pa., with his son Seymour J. The " oldest inhabitants " remember him well,
but know nothing of his mythical brothers ; neither do their names appear on
the books of the Holland Company as purchasers of land in 1806. As their
claims of priority as settlers is founded only in tradition we are inclined to
take as better history the declaration of John Putnam. The story of Mrs.
Hicks's, related in Everts's History, in which she states that on Olean creek,
in the south part of Hinsdale, there was an organized school with a school
house where she (then Miss Murray) taught in l8io; that in the same season
she attended a party at Olean given by Major Adam Hoops, whom she de-
scribes as a bachelor and a woman-hater ; and further that there were then but
three families living in Olean, is evidently a gross exaggeration. Indeed there
is much evidence extant to contradict it. In 18 10 the town of Olean had a
population of 458.
In the winter of 1816 William Chamberlain, with his wife and sons Corne-
lius, Ira, Hazen, and William, came from Barton, Vt., and settled on Olean
creek opposite the residence of Warner Smith. On this site a few apple trees
are still standing. In 1883 the late Ira Chamberlain gave the following recol-
lections of the settlers in 1816:
Zachariah Noble resided where Warner Smith lives on lot 7, township 2,
range 3, but the road was then between the bed of the abandoned canal and
the creek. Noble then had about ten acres cleared. Next south was a Mr.
Hinman, brother-in-law of Wyllys Thrall and Jedediah Strong. On lot 5 there •
were a few acres cleared and a frame barn, but no family has ever lived on the
lot. Joshua Wicks lived next south of Hinman and had a clearing of ten or
twelve acres. Jedediah Strong lived where Hiram Webster now lives. The
old house was burned and is replaced by Mr. Webster's present fine residence
near the old site. He had a frame barn and twenty or thirty acres cleared.
There was a plank school house standing in or near the line between the Web-
ster and H. W. Smith farms. The first settler north of Z. Noble was Elisha
Humphrey. His house stood a few rods northerly from the gravel-pit used
704 History of Cattaraugus County.
in constructing the canal. He became the owner of lots 4 and 6, afterward
known as the Riggs lot. The ne.xt north was Ezra Thornton, who lived in a
frame house and owned lots 9 and 1 i, town 2, and kept a tavern. Thornton
sold to Reuben Scott, who continued the public house. John Foot lived on
the west side of Olean creek on lot 8, town 2. He had ten or twelve acres
cleared and a log house. He was a brother-in-law of Z. Noble. Elisha Foot
lived on the south half of the same lot and had a small clearing. Lambert
Fay was living in an unpainted plank house on lot 10, now owned by J. H.
Beers. Clemon Fay took up lot 12 and commenced clearing it. There was
no road north of his lot on the west side of the creek, nor was there any set-
tlement in Fay hollow. There was a log house on the north half of lot 11,
where Israel Curtis lived, while Thornton lived in the tavern below. Robert
Hines lived in a part log and part frame house and kept a tavern on the Nor-
ton farm (lot 1 of section 4). Harvey Parker lived ne.xt north on lot 3 of the
same section and had a frame or plank house. Capt. William Smith suc-
ceeded Parker, and also kept a tavern. The only house then in th-e present
village of Hinsdale was that of Lewis Wood, a long story-and-a-half building,
where he kept a tavern. Henry Conrad succeeded Wood about 1821 and kept
the tavern there for several years. Mr. Conrad was of German parentage and
a native of Easton, Pa. Under a rough exterior he carried a benevolent and
tender heart. Emery Wood came in. soon after. Emery Yates lived in a log
house at Scott's Corners. Peter Putnam lived on lot 42, town 3, in a frame
building. The next settler easterly towards Cuba from Conrad's tavern was
a Mr. Grimes, whose house was on a knoll. Some apple trees still standing
mark the location. Lewis P. Metcalf later occupied the place. The ne.xt place
was then occupied by Orrin Hull and is now owned by G. M. Brown. East-
erly from this was Mr. Wasson and ne.xt and last before reaching the. Cuba
line was a Mr. Bennett.
At this time(i8i6) there was neither a road nor a settlement in Fay hol-
low or on Dutch or Yankee hills. Other prominent early settlers were Capt.
Thornton Wasson and his sons Thomas T., Elihu .M., and Thornton, Jr., who
came in 1820. The same year Robert Hines came from Bloomfield, N. Y.
He was the first town clerk and was a tavern keeper. Lambert Fay settled
on section 3, in the fourth range, of which Aaron Houghton, from New Hamp-
shire, also had a part. Jacob Chamberlain, Alexander Campbell, and William
Hungerford all came in 1820. Tunis D. Bush, William Smith, David D. Howe,
Moses W. Butterfield, and Col. Emery Wood (brother of Lewis, Wheelock,
and Manning Wood) came about the same time. Colonel Wood was the first
merchant and the first postmaster in 1825. Hollis Scott, who came in 1830,
was the second merchant and represented his county in the Legislature of
1839. William Vinton kept a tavern in the village at an early date. Hon.
Alonzo Hawley was a merchant and a prominent citizen. He represented his
Assembly district in the Legislature in 1841 and in 1843. Alexander Storrs
Town of Hinsdale. ■ 705
was a prominent citizen and a lawyer (see page 331). Hon. Nelson I. Norton,
a partner in mercantile business with Mr. Havvley, served in the Legislature
of 1861 and represented his district in the Forty-fourth Congress.
Peter Putnam built the first frame barn in town and in 1816 Lewis Wood
erected the first frame house. Lewis Wood and Emery Yates brought the
irons for the first saw-mill, which was constructed in 1814, on their backs from
Bellefonte, Pa. Gardner Bullard in 1829 is credited as having built the first
wool-carding and cloth-dressing-mill. The postoffice in Hinsdale was estab-
lished in 1825 at the store of Emery Wood, who was the first postmaster.
Seymour Bouton, a lad, carried the first mail from Olean to Angelica. Hugh
Magee and his brothers were the contractors. Hinsdale was then favored
with a semi-weekly mail. At the raising of Lewis Wood's saw-mill in 18 14 a
Mr. Redfield was accidentally killed by falling timber. As near as can be as-
certained this was the first death in town. His widow married David D. Howe,
who built the State road from Hinsdale to Angelica. Howe in his business
transactions had become involved in a debt to a man named Church, of Alle-
gany county. Howe was not able to meet the demands against him and Church
began an annoying method of collecting. He got a claim on all Howe's grow-
ing crops, marched into his garden, pulled up his vegetables, and carried them
away before his eyes. This was more than Howe could bear, and in the
frenzy of e.xasperation he seized his rifle, mounted his horse, and rode into
Allegany county. That night Church was shot. Howe was convicted of his
murder and was hung in Angelica in 1824.
The valleys and foot-hills in Hinsdale, like other towns in the southern part
of the county, were originally covered with a magnificent growth of pine trees,
and until these were converted into lumber and rafted to market lumbering
was the leading industry. Agriculture has superseded it ; the dairy is fore-
most, and at the factories mainly the milk is made into cheese. Good crops
of grain, vegetables, and fruit are also raised.
The old State road, constructed in 1817 at the expense of the State, is a
fine highway and has been constantly used since it was first opened. The
people enjoyed all the advantages to be gained by the navigation of the Gen-
esee Valley canal from its completion in 1856 until it was abandoned in the
fall of 1878. It never was a highway for the farmers' produce. William O.
Leland states that in one autumn he shipped two boatloads of oats from
Hinsdale to Albany, which was the first and only shipment of grain by canal
from Cattaraugus county. The New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad
enters the town from the east, near the northeast corner, and follows the val-
ley of Oil creek to Hinsdale village, where there is a station, the land for which
was donated to the company by the citizens. The road thence continues
down the valley of Olean creek through the town. The Western New York
& Pennsylvania railroad enters the town fromlschua at about the middle of the
north line and follows down Ischua creek to its junction with Oil creek oppo-
7o6
History of Cattaraugus County.
site the village, thence down the west bank of Olean creek and crosses the
south Hne of the town into Olean. This road has a depot opposite the village
and a branch road to Rochester that follows mainly the line of the old canal.
Hinsdale was formed from Olean on April 14, 1820, and the first town
meeting was held on the first Tuesday in March, 1821, when these officers
were elected: Israel Curtis, supervisor; Robert Hinds, town clerk; Thornton
Wasson, Sands Bouton, Jedediah Strong, assessors; Henry Gross, collector ;
Jedediah Strong, Lewis Wood, overseers of the poor ; Charles Price, Harvey
Parker, Emery Yates, commissioners of highways; Henry Gross, Lambert
Fay, Simeon Hicks, constables; Lewis Wood, Alexander Campbell, Israel
Curtis, commissioners of common schools; Sands Bouton, Robert "Hinds,
school inspectors ; Lewis Wood, poundmaster; Robert Hinds, William Hun-
gerford, Simeon Hicks, Peter Putnam, Israel Curtis, Jonathan Davis, Henry
Gross, overseers of highways and fence viewers. Officers since 1821 :
Swpen-isor.s.— Israel Curtis, 1831-2:!; Jedediah Strong-, 1824-20; Thomas Morris, 1S27-2S; Emery Wood,
1829-32 ; Hollis Scott, 1833-36 ; Tlihu il. Wassou, 1837-39, l»j2; Seth Lockwood, 1840-11 ; Frederick Carpenter,
1842-45; Jarvis Blatchley, 184t)-47 ; Edmund McKee, 1848-49; Bela Norton, 18o()-.t3; Frederick M. Wood, 1854-
55; John Willover, 185«-57; William O. Leland, 1858; Thomas A. E. Norton, 1859, 1881 ; Nelson I. Xorton, 1860,
1865-67; Charles D. Murray, 186;i; Lewis Bouton, 1864; Staley N. Wood, 1868-69, 1877-80; Christopher Willover,
1870,1872,1881; Albertus Norton, 1871, 1875; George H. Bandfield, 1873-74; Alonzo Hawley, 1876 ; William E.
Gould, 1882; William H. Vincent, 18S3-86; Laurentine Y. Miller, 1887-93.
Tonn CTfrtfs.— Robert Hinds, 1821-2:3 ; Thornton Wasson, 1824 ; Emery Wood, 1825-26, 1828; Abner Smith,
1827; Christopher Whitney, 1829-30; Albert Lawrence, 18.31-32; James Trowbridge, 183:5-36; William Vinton,
1837-39; Thomas T. Wasson, 1840-41, 1852; Jarvis Blatchley, 1842-45, 1848-51, 1856, 1862; John M. Palmer, 1846;
James B. Norton, 1847; William O. Leland, ia53-55; Ale.\ander Storrs, 18.57-5S; Timothy A. Allen, 1^59-60;
Henry K. White, 1861, 1865-66; Daniel F. Chapin. 1863-64 ; Daniel E. Sea ver, 1867 ; Georfje H. Bandfield, 18(i8-72;
Jarvis Blatchley, 1873-75; Calvin B. Bouker, 1876 ; Seth Larabee, 1877 ; Isaac S. Larabee, 1878 ; F. A. Hawley,
1879 ; E. F. Sessions, 18.80, 18«2-83 ; A. H. Marsh, 1881, 1890; Jonas B. Conrad, 1884, 1887; W. E. Gould, 1885 ; Oliver
P. Bowen, 1886 ; A. E. Nelson, 18.88 ; C. K. Bowen, 1889 ; C. Don Bandfield. 1892 ; De F. E. Johnson, 1891, 1893.
Justices of the Peace— l$il, Thornton Wasson, Samuel Putnam, Israel Curtis; 1822, Emery Wood ; 1823,
Daniel Chandler ; 1824, John Conrad ; 1825, S. Putnam ; 1826, Charles C. Hatch ; 1827, D. Chandleif ; 1828, E. Wood ;
1829, John Conrad ; 1830, William Hawley ; 1831, Jonathan Robinson ; 18:12, D. Chandler,' Luther Scott; 1833,
C. C. Hatch, Joshua IT. Hungerford ; 1834, Ira Weaver; 18:V), William Smith, Frederick Carpenter, Elihu M.
Wasson ; 18:5(i, L. Scott, Alexander Sforrs; 1837, George D. Bandfield; 1838, F. Carpenter; I.'nSP, Thomas T.
Wasson ; 1S40, Alexander Storrs, Seth Lockwood ; 1841, Zalmon P. Wasson ; 1842, Edmund McKee : 184:5, Elihu
M. Wasson ; 1844, Philo Burlinyrame ; 1845, Seth Lockwood, Alexander Storrs ; 1846, Edmund McKee, Dauphin
. Murray ; 1847, Cyrus Phelps, Alexander Storrs ; 1848, Cyrus Phelps, Thomas T. Wasson ; 1849, Seth Lockwood ;
1850, Dauphin Murray ; 18.51, Ale.xander Storrs, William G. Todd ; 1852, Jarvis Blatchley ; 18.53, Elihu .M. Was-
son; 18.54, Martin L.Stevenson, Amos L. Hedden; 1855, Alexander Stor.s, William G. Todd; 1856, Elihu M.
Wasson, Christopher Willover; 1857, Martin L. Stevenson, Seth Lockwood ; 18-58, Augustus H. Phelps; 1859,
Alexander Storrs; 1860, Seth Lockwood ; 1861, Charles D. Murray ; 1862, Phalismus Snyder; 186:5, Albertus
Norton; 1864, Seth Lockwood; ISCw, Almon B. Bullard, Austin May, Augustus H. Phelps; 1866, John A.
Ostrander, Alexand< r Storrs ; 18<i7, James T. Terry ; 1868, Elihu M. Wasson ; 1869, Augustus H. Phelps, John
L. Adams; 1870, Henry K. White, Augustus H. Phelps; 1871, John L. Adams; 1872, Nelson I. Norton; 1873,
Augustus H. Phelps; 1874, William E. Gould, John L. Adams ; 1875, Carlton E. Tates, George H. Bandfield ;
1876, Edward A. Gould, Cyrus E. Phelps; 1877, Thornton B. Wasson, Nelson L Norton ; 1878, William E.
Gould; 1879, Alexander Storrs; 1880, William E. Gould; 18S1, Calvin K. liowen; 1882, Elijah Edwards,
Albertus Norton ; 188:5, Caleb K. Fish, Carlton Yates ; 1884, Nelson I. Norton, Julius Burlingame ; 1885, Nelson
I. Norton ; 1886. George M. Brown ; 1887, William A. Fo.x, Elias Bryant ; 1888, W. A. Cox, Henry W. Norton ;
1889, Julius Buriingame ; 1890, F. H. Chapin, Martin Green, N. H. Marsh : 1891, A. E. Nelson ; 1892, Barzilla
Storrs; 1893, Julius Buriingame, N. H. Marsh.
Hinsdale village, near the junction of Ischuaand Oil creeks, is a station on
the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad and at the junction of the Buf-
falo and Rochester branches of the Western New York & Pennsylvania rail-
road. It contains a postoffice, a church (Methodist Episcopal), a Union Free
School building, six or seven stores, one hotel, the usual mechanic shops, a
Town of Hinsdale. ■ 7°^
feed, cider, and saw-mill, and about 400 inhabitants. It is located in a broad
and beautiful valley with high hills on either side, and was once a center of a
flourishing trade. Among its early industries was a tannery and a wool-card-
ing and cloth-dressing-mill.
Haskel Flats, on Haskel creek in the southeast part of the town, is a pretty
hamlet containing a postofifice, a new Union church edifice, two stores, a school
house, a blacksmith shop, a cheese factory, and thirty-seven families embraced
in the school district. A settlement was first begun here by Charles Stewart
as early as or before 1830. Other settlers in that year were Jacob Bowers, Will-
iam Hungerford, Christopher Keller, Aaron Osmun, Thomas Sherlock, and
William Wesler. In 1832 the following with their families had settled in the
neighborhood : Jacob Snyder, John Willover, Roswell Benham, George Peck,
Henry Burton, Thomas Scott, Jacob Masker, Isaac Masker, David Dillon, John
Lefever, Robert Evans. Amos L. Hedden, William Howe, Oliver Phillips,
and John Wood. William Hungerford was the wag, carpenter, joiner, and
mason of the neighborhood. He was a strong, stalwart six-footer who could
hew the timber and erect from cellar to garret a stout edifice. John Willover
was the leading business man. This settlement remains unusually harmoni-
ous; for the past twenty years only one suit at law has been tried in court
between any of its citizens. John Lefever built the only hotel at Haskel Flats.
He sold to Ambrose Salisbury, who continued it until he died.
Scott's Corners is a hamlet on Ischua creek a mile north of Hinsdale vil-
lage. It derives its name from Hollis Scott, a merchant and business man
who settled here in 1835. It contains one church (Baptist), a cheese factory,
a grocery, and about 100 inhabitants. Lewis Wood settled here in 1813 or
1 8 14, and was the original owner of the site. He built the first saw-mill in
Hinsdale at this place in 1814.
David T. Maxwell's mills in the village of Hinsdale are operated by steam
and are equipped with machinery for sawing all kinds of lumber and shingles,
planing and matching, grinding feed, and making cider.
William B. Reynolds's steam mills about a mile south of Hinsdale village,
on Olean creek, do custom work in sawing, planing, matching, sawing shingles,
and grinding feed. He was born September 26, 1844, and has been a manu-
facturer of lumber all his business life. He was a sawyer in Minnesota four
years, but has spent most of his life in Hinsdale.
About 1816 a plank school house was erected on or near the line between
the Webster and H. W. Smith farms. The first frame school house in town
was erected at Scott's Corners in i8i8. In 1825 Hinsdale, then including the
present town of Ischua, had a population of 382, which was increased to 1,543
in 1835, when it contained sixteen common school districts and 663 children
of school age. The town received from the State as its proportion of the pub-
lic money $169. In 1890 the population was 1,258. The town has eight school
districts and a school house in each of them. The aggregate valuation of the
7o8 History of Cattaraugtjs County.
school buildings and sites was $5,500; the assessed valuation of the districts
was $506,413. The amount of public money received from the State was
$1,133.79; the amount raised by local taxation was $1,938.16. The whole
number of scholars was 366 and ten teachers were employed.
Rev. W. M. Fay became the pastor of the Baptist church at Scott's Corners,
and in 1843 he originated the visionary project of founding a school of extra-
ordinary size to be self-sustaining by the manual labor of its students. The
main structure was to be erected at Scott's Corners and a smaller and auxil-
iary building was to be built in Hinsdale village, with a covered walk between
them. The institution in embryo was called the " Manual Labor Institute."
Ihe; Freeniaii and Messenger newspaper was started in its interest with Edwin
Fuller as its editor. Mr. Fay scoured the country and solicited subscriptions
in behalf of the project and sold scholarships at $25 each. The people of
Hinsdale contributed liberally and funds sufficient to begin the smaller struc-
ture at Hinsdale were collected, and the work of construction was commenced,
when Mr. Fay became involved in a scandal which so damaged his moral and
religious character that he fled from the town. The inhabitants of Hinsdale
completed the building and opened it to the public as the Hinsdale Academy,
October 30, 1S43. ^t flourished for a time and the building became the prop-
erty of the school district of the village, and is now used for a Union Free
School and the town hall. The school has recently been placed under the
superintendence of the Regents of the University of the State. Three teach-
ers are employed: primary, intermediate, and academic.
In 1 8 19 the Olean Methodist circuit was formed and included Hinsdale.
Rev. Reuben A. Aylesworth "rode the circuit" and formed a class at Hins-
dale, and since that time the iMethodists here have not been without a "stated
supply." No regular church organization was effected until 1849, when the
First Methodist Episcopal church of Hinsdale was formed and incorporated.
From then until 1863 it formed a part of the Olean and Cuba charge; after-
ward it had an independent existence. December 13, 1852, the society was re-
incorporated. In 1850 the present house of worship was erected at a cost of
$2,500. The parsonage was built in 1S65. The entire church property is
valued at $4,500. The site is held by a warrantee deed, with full covenants,
e.xecuted by Emery Wood and Permelia, his wife, which conveys to John C.
White, William S. Morris, Wells Lyman, Seymour J. Noble, and Lorenzo Yates
as trustees for $i,ooo, with the understanding that the house, when not occu-
pied by the Methodists, shall be free to any other denomination. The society
has eighty-three members and an Epvvorth League of fifty-three members.
Rev. J. M. Leach is pastor. The Sunday school is attended by 125 scholars.
The Baptist church of Hinsdale, at Scott's Corners, was organized by Rev.
Eliab Going in 1830, in A. M. Farwell's barn, and consisted of eight members:
Peter Putnam, Charles C. Hatch, Mrs. Mary Putnam, Mrs. Anna K. Hatch,
Mrs. Lydia Farwell, Mrs. Elizabeth Farwell, Mrs. Sarah Davfs, and Mrs. Lu-
Town of Hinsdale. . 709
cretia Miner. Rev. Eliab Going was their first pastor and remained many
years. Meetings were first held in the school houses and sometimes in barns.
February 8, 1834, the society was incorporated. In 1844 the present church
edifice was erected, of wood, and is now valued, including grounds, at $250.
It has a seating capacity of 250. Rev. Orlando Jeffrey is the pastor. The
present membership is 107. The Sunday school has eighty-seven pupils.
The Baptist church of Haskel Flats was organized October 18, 1854, by
Rev. H. S. Card, the first pastor, with five members, the present number being
fifty with Rev. D. H. Dennison, pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Haskel Flats was organized in 1840
by the formation of a class comprised of Robert Evans, Thomas Scott, Isaac
Masker, and their families. Other early members were Samuel Fletcher, Rob-
ert Graham, Abial Washburn, John Lefever, and their families. Rev. Mr.
Searles is credited as being the first pastor. Rev. Comfort is also mentioned
as one of the early pastors, and possibly was the first. The church now has
fourteen members with Rev. J. M. Leach, pastor.
Neither the Baptist nor the Methodist society had a house of worship until
the people of the neighborhood unitedly built a very pretty edifice in 1891 at
a cost of $2,600. This building is known as the Union church, and is alternately
occupied by the tv/o societies. The value of the structure and grounds is
estimated at $3,000. The Union Sunday school is attended by 75 pupils.
St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church of Hinsdale was organized January
3 and incorporated January 12, 1871. The society occasionally holds services
in the Methodist church. They are without a rector.
Hinsdale Lodge, No. 540, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 8, 1886, by
C. D. Tuttle, D. D. G. M. The first officers were E. N. Pierce, N. G.; S. Rey-
nolds, V. G.; M. P. Derby, secretary; J. S. Larabee, treasurer.
Hinsdale Lodge, No. 175, A. O. U. W., was instituted September 20, 1878,
and the first ofificers were P. F. W. Sydenham,- M. W.; L. Y. Miller, foreman ;
G. W. Capron, O.; L. C. Scott, recorder; A. L. Walker, financier.
Hinsdale Union, No. 49, E. A. U., was organized February 27, 1880, with
twenty members. Its first officers were : Chancellor, A. K. Cbrbin ; advocate,
Mrs. F. D. Leland ; president, J. H. Gould ; vice-president, Mrs. M. Green ;
treasurer, M. Green ; secretary, M. Older. The present membership is 108.
Its officers are: Chancellor, C. J. Green; advocate, Mrs. M. L. Goodrich;
president, H. J. Conrad ; vice-president. Miss N. Sherlock ; treasurer, M. Green ,
secretary, Mrs. E. A. Judd; chaplain, E. A. Judd.
George D. Bandfield, of English descent and New England stock, was
born in Caneadea, N. Y., in 181 1. His father died soon afterward and in 181 3
his mother came to Hinsdale. At the age of fourteen he was a raftsman and
at sixteen was a river pilot, which he continued until 1867. He bought a
farm of 214 acres in Oil creek valley which he sold for oil purposes in 1865,
and the ensuing year he purchased a farm of 128 acres on Olean creek, where
he died in Feb., 1892. He was interested in military and town affairs, was
7IO History of Cattaraugus County.
captain of militia, and was familiarly known as "Captain Den." He was
highway commissioner and assessor a long time and justice of the peace
eight years. He was a prominent Mason and was buried with Masonic
honors. About 1835 he married Orpha S. Marsh, who died in Jan., 1866.
He married, second, Harriet E. Jones. Children: Orpha A. (Mrs. Charles D.
Murray), George H., Nelson D., and Fiances E. (Mrs. Calvin R. Bowen).
George H. Bandfield was born May 18, 1841. He graduated from Rush-
ford Academy and taught common schools three terms. In Aug., 1862, he
enlisted in the Marine Corps and served sixteen months on board the ]"andcr-
bilt, and visited Rio Janerio, Sidney in Australia, Cape Colony, and the West
India Islands. In 1864 he was transferred to the U. S. ship Brooklyn and
served in the Gulf Squadron under Admiral Farragut. He was also with Ad-
miral Porter at the siege of Fort Fisher. He engaged in the hardware and
tin trade in 1866 and in 1867 was elected town clerk, holding the office six
years, and represented Hinsdale as supervisor in 1873 and 1S74. In 1876 he
was elected justice of the peace and has since held that position. In 1866 he
married Eleanor, daughter of David Sessions. She died March 14, 1879.
Children: Ellen (Mrs. Orrin Doud), Franc E., C. Dow, and Blanche B.
John H. Beers, son of Wakeman and Clarinda (Withey) Beers, was born
in Bolivar, N. Y., in i860. He was raised on his father's farm and was edu-
cated in the common schools and in Friendship Academy. He came to Hins-
dale with his parents in 1882 and settled on the farm in Pleasant valley he
now owns. His father died in Bolivar in 1888, where Mrs. Beersre^ides. Be-
ginning in the fall of 188S John H. had one year in the grocery trade and in
conducting a meat market with D. E. Johnson. Mr. Beers is serving his sec-
ond term on the Board of Education. He is a contributor to the Methodist
church and votes the Democratic ticket. In March, 1887, he married Addie E.,
daughter of Lovinus and Minerva Osmun.
Roswell Benham, a native of Vermont, was born Jan. 3, 1794. and died in
Nov., 1871. He came from Ohio to Haskel Flats in Hinsdale about 1830
and settled near where his son Alden now lives. He reared eight children.
His wife was Lucinda Colman, whom he married Jan. 9, 1817. His son Alden
was born in Locke, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1820, married Lydia A. Hortwick, and first
settled in ElJisburgh, N. Y., where he was a farmer. In 1835 he returned to
the Haskel neighborhood. About 1874 Mrs. Benham died. Children: Joseph-
ine (Mrs. Albert Adams), Eunice (Mrs. Melvin Pixley), Lewis, and Ezra.
In Sept., 1886, Alden Benham married Mrs. Hannah A. Parker.
Lucius Benham, son of Roswell, was born in Reading, N. Y., N0V.4, 1831,
and married Rosina Pixley, July 9, 1876, who was born in Farmersville, May
II, 1846. Mr. Benham remained with his parents until their decease. His
children are Theda M., Edith O., Clayton L., and Nellie Pearl.
Varnum Burton was born in Ulysses, N. Y., July 11, 1808. His father,
Isaiah Burton, a native of Hopkinton, R. I., was a Revolutionary soldier.
Varnum married, in Dryden, N. Y., Sylvinia Mi.x, and first settled there as a
farmer. They came to Hinsdale, where he arrived with his wife and three
children Feb. 9, 1841. Since then he has been a farmer. He has raised eight
children. George \V., his oldest child, was born in Dryden, N. Y., June 14.
1833, and married Phebe Reynolds, July 6, 1854. He is a farmer and me
chanic. Children : Eliza, George, Willis, James, Ella, Fred, and Bela.
Franklin M. Burton, a native of Hinsdale, born May 23, 1843, enlisted in
March, 1864, in Co. D, 179th N. Y. Vols., and at Elmira was detailed for serv-
Town of Hinsdale. . 711
ice in the general hospital, where he was engaged about thirteen months, and
where he was disabled in his right hand by poison. He is a pensioner. In
the fall of 1865 he married Mary, daughter of John Miller. Children: a daugh-
ter and a son.
John T. Casey, a native of Ireland, was born Feb. 7, 1835. In 1849 ^^
emigrated to America with his parents, four brothers, and two sisters, and
settled on a farm near Oil creek in Hinsdale. At the age of twenty-one he
married Margaret Foley and became a section foreman on the Erie railroad.
He died Oct. 25, 1889. He had a good education, was well versed in music,
and was a fine violinist. He was overseer of the poor three consecutive years.
Children : Josephine (Mrs. C. Skinner), Nora E., Timothy, Mary J., Rev. John.
Rev. Reuben Cherryman, son of William and Elizabeth (Jenner) Cherry-
man, was born in Linfield, England, Aug. 31, 1814. In 1824 his parents with
their family emigrated to America in a sailing vessel, coming to Pittsford, N. Y.
Reuben remained with them until 1834, when he came to Ischua (then a part
of Hinsdale) and settled on a farm of 100 acres on Yankee hill. Dec. 13, 1834,
he married Hannah M. Hackett, who was born in Plymouth, N. Y., Dec. 6,
181 1. He was finally licensed to preach by the Baptist church of Hinsdale,
and preached in the school houses and occasionally in barns in the surround-
ing neighborhoods. He studied with Rev. Absalom Miner at Rusliford about
two years and was ordained an elder in the Cattaraugus Baptist Association
at Rushford in 1841, of which he has been corresponding secretary nearly
thirty years. He has been pastor of the Baptist churches at Farmersville,
Richburg, East Otto, and Scott's Corners, where he settled in 1862, and where
he was first licensed to preach. After a pastorate of sixteen years with this
church he resigned and is now retired. Children : Harriet E. (Mrs. Myron
Older), Emerancy A. (Mrs. J. E. Robeson), and Ann Augusta (Mrs. P. A.
Leonard).
John Conrad, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Tompkins county to
Dutch hill in Hinsdale about 1822 with his wife, seven sons, and four daugh-
ters. He purchased 320 acres, which he subsequently sold, and settled on
Haskel fiats, where he died. His second son, Daniel, born in 1804, married
Mary Hawley and settled on 100 acres of the original 320. He had eleven
children. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1884.
Abram M. Farwell, born in Fitchburg, Mass., Nov. 28, 1780, married, in
Brookline, Lydia Jackson in 1800, who was born Oct. 8, 1780. In 1814 he
came as a peddler to Hinsdale and articled 400 acres of pine timber land
on Ischua creek north of Scott's Corners, where he built a log cabin, and then
returned to Massachusetts. In 1815 he came with his wife and eight children
and his goods in two heavy wagons, and was accompanied by three millwrights.
He constructed a saw-mill, and his mill-pond eventually became a reservoir
for the Genesee Valley canal. Mr. Farwell was first a Democrat and cast his
first vote for Thomas Jefferson; he joined the Republican party and voted
last for Lincoln. He died Jan. 12, 1868. Mrs. Farwell survived him until
Jan. 3, 1874. Only four of their ten children are living; their six daughters
were all teachers.
Benjamin M. Fay came to Hinsdale in his childhood. The family settled
in the neighborhood known as Fay hollow. Benjamin was an expert hunter,
and was a farmer and a lumberman. He married Phebe A. Shaver (deceased)
and had four children. Their daughter Louisa married Spencer S. Peake, a
farmer and milk dealer. Children: E. Earle, Lua A., Lilla E., and Mearl B.
712 History of Cattaraugus County.
Mr. Peake enlisted in Co. K, 85th N. Y. Vols., in April, 1861, served three
years, and re-enlisted as a veteran in the same regiment. He was a prisoner
twelve months, was wounded at the battle of Plymouth, N. C, and was pro-
moted second lieutenant.
Martin L. Gile came to Hinsdale from Groton, N. Y., in April, 1850, with
his wife and seven children, settling where he now lives. During his long life
he has assisted in building five Methodist churches. He has been three times
married and the father of thirteen children; ten of them are Adaline (only
child by his first marriage) married S. G. Clark; Permelia C. (Mrs. Dr. Ira
Brownson and now Mrs. W. O. Leland); Martha (Mrs. George W.Davis),
deceased; Adelia C. (Mrs. M. F. Newville); Almira C. (Mrs. S. A. Fay); Mer-
ritt A.; Caroline A. (Mrs. L. R. May), deceased; Clara P. (Mrs. S. M. Wood);
Orthello P. (married Mary Burlingame); William R. (only child of his present
wife).
Merritt A. Gile was born in Groton, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1848, and came to Hins-
dale with his parents in 1850. He was educated in the common schools and
reared a farmer. In 1S64 he enlisted in the U. S. navy, serving on the ship
Undine at Paducah attlie mouth of the Tennessee river. Two weeks later they
were attacked by Gen. Hood's army. The commanding officer and several
others were killed, and the vessel was captured, but the crew escaped by wad-
ing to the opposite shore and tramping 160 miles through the woods, rejoining
their squadron at Mound City at the mouth of the Ohio river. Mr. Gile was
present at the evacuation of Mobile and was often under fire. Since return-
ing home he has been a farmer adjoining his father. He is a staunch Repub-
lican and has served as assessor six consecutive year.=. He was one of the
organizers of the Union Free School of the village and is a member of the
Board of Education. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church,
of which he is a trustee and the recording steward. May 3, 1867, he married
Viola M.. daughter of Jeremiah and Lovina (Learn) Raub ; children: Edith
L. (Mrs. Alexander Adams), Catherine A., Fred M., Thenia M., and Vincent H.
Jesse W. Gould, born in Barton, Vt., June 25, 1797, married in Irasburgh,
Vt., Sally Smith, who was born there Aug. 12, 1794. In 1825 they came to
Hinsdale, settling on Ischua creek, where he owned a saw-mill and was also a
farmer. In 1839 he bought a farm in Franklinville on Ischua creek where
Mrs. Gould died April 14, 1846. He died in. Potter county, Fa., Dec. 22,
1859. Only four of their ten children are living: Euphemia (Mrs. Horace
Gage), Abner, Horace, and James M. The latter was born in Hinsdale in 1832,
and has a farm on Olean creek. Sept. 28, 1859, ^e married Sophia, daughter
of Sylvester Sherwin ; children living: Lucy L., Emmett M., Leona E.
Moses Haney, son of Archibald, a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of
Berks county. Pa., was born in 1802, and married Laura Clarey, a native of Lev-
erette, Mass., who was born in 1801. They first settled in Le Roy. In 1839
they removed to Hinsdale and settled on Oil creek. In 1840 they removed to
the " Locks " near Scott's Corners. Mr. Haney was a mason and also con-
ducted an ashery, where he manufactured potash and pearlash. He carried
the first mail from Olean to Jersey Shore, and was a week making the round
trip on horseback ; he made regular trips for over eleven years. He was a
farmer the last twenty-five years of his life. He and Mrs. Haney were mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church of Cuba. He was an old line Whig and later
a Republican. He died Feb. 5, 1882; she died Feb. 19, 1866. Children:
Amelia, born in 1836, married William W. Gould, Sept. 14, 1862; William J.,
Town of Hinsdale. . 713
born Sept. 14, 1839, enlisted in 1861 in the 85th N. Y. Vols., served through
the war, was captured at Plymouth, N. C, was incarcerated in Andersonville
and Florence prisons, and is now a locomotive engineer; Stanley H., born in
1845, \^'ent to Kansas in 1868 and became division superintendent of the
Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, and died in California in 1887; and a son who
diedin infancy. Sept. i, 1862, William M. Gould enlisted in Co. I, 154th N. Y.
Vols., leaving his bride a week after his marriage to go to the front. Being
disabled by exposure he was sent to the hospital, where he died Jan. 23, 1864.
Amos Lampson Hedden, son of Martin, was born in 1809. His father
was an early settler and a farmer near East Lansing, N. Y. Amos L. mar-
ried, in Tyrone, N. Y., Maria Johnson in 1832, and in the spring of 1833 he
brought his bride to his home at Haskel Flats. He had purchased 100 acres
of woodland in Clarkson, Allegany county. When he arrived he found that
the "great tornado" had passed over his lot and swept down in a body three-
quarters of his purchase. The fallen timber dried, burned, and in three or
four years he had good crops of grain. In 1846 he had added lands adjoining
in Hipsdale, on which he built what was known as the red house, where he
spent the remainder of his life. He served as justice of the peace about five
years. Both were members of the Baptist church. He died on Nov. 5, 1868,
and Mrs. Hedden on Sept. 20, 1881. Children: Sarah J. (Mrs. James Brown),
died at Haskel Flats in April, 1879 > John, born April 10, 1837, marrred Ma-
tilda Witter, Dec. 21, 1858, who was born Feb. 25, 1838, and settled on the
Old homestead, and has four sons and four daughters ; Almira (Mrs. Sarriuel
Rood); and William H. H. John Hedden's daughters and oldest son are
members of the Baptist church and he has been one of the deacons ten years.
Jefferson Hosley is a native of Massachusetts and was born April 12, 1817.
He married Electa Walker in 1840 and in 1841 came from Friend.ship to Has-
kel Flats in Hinsdale, .settling on the farm where they now live. He pur-
chased 100 acres at $3. 50 per acre and has cleared 300 acres, planted orchards,
and aided in building school houses and the church edifice in his neighborhood.
He has served his town as assessor and highway commissioner, and in politics
is a Republican. He is the senior deacon of the Baptist church of Haskel
I'lats. Children: Cady R.; Henry C, born Oct. 24, 1845; and A. Warner,
born in 1848, died at the age of twenty-si.x.
Cady R. Hosley, son of Jefferson, was born April 23, 1842. He is an ex-
tensive farmer. Feb. 19, 1863, he married Elizabeth J. Snyder, who was born
July 18, 1845. Children: Philip Sheridan (a graduate of the Westbrook
Commercial College), Luella M, (Mrs. Joel Adams), Edgar R., Mabel Electa.
The Judd family in America descends from Thomas Judd, who came
from England to Cambridge, Mass., in 1633 or 1634. In 1636 he removed to
Hartford, Conn., and about 1644 again removed to Farmington, where he
was one of the eighty-four original proprietors of that township. Thomas
Judd was one of the first two deputies who represented Farmington in the
general court in May, 1647. He was a deacon of the church and familiarly
styled Deacon Judd. He had six sons and three daughters. His fourth son,
Benjamin Judd, born about 1642, married Mary, daughter of Capt. William
Lewis, of Farmington. He had three sons and five daughters, and died in
1689. Jonathan, youngest son of Benjamin, baptized Sept. 22, 1688, married
Hannah Diggens, Nov. 27, 1712, settled in East Middlebury in 1716, and died
Aug. 28, 1725. Jonathan Judd's posterity are very numerous. He had five
sons and three daughters. His youngest child, Daniel Judd, was born Oct.
90
714 History of Cattaraugus County.
lo, 1724, lived in Colchester, married Lydia Jones, March 14, 1751, and died
Oct. 23, 1807. He was twice married and had eight sons and two daughters.
Daniel Judd, Jr., first son of Daniel Judd, married Mehitable Clark, Nov.
13, 1 77 1, settled in Colchester, was in trade in Marlborough in 17S3, and about
1800 removed to Pompey, N. Y., where he died in 1830. He had four sons and
five daughters. Daniel Clark Judd, first son of Daniel, Jr., was born Oct. 18
1772, married Debby Hatch, Sept. 9, 1796, who died June 19, 1816, and in Dec,
1816, married, second, widow Jerusha Finley. After his first marriage he suc-
cessively resided in Williamstown, Mass., Pompey, Bergen, and Middlebury,
N. Y.,and died with his son David in Warsaw, N. Y., in 1850 or 1851. He had
been a joiner, farmer, and surveyor and had seven sons and six daughters.
Daniel Judd, fifth son of Daniel Clark Judd, was born in Pompey, X. Y., Sept.
27, 1807, married Hannah A. Armstrong, May 3, 1843, who was born in Lan-
sing, Cayuga county, March 29, 18 18. and settled at once in the village of Hins-
dale. Mr. Judd was an energetic and enterprising business man. He was an
extensive contractor in the construction of canals and railroads and also con-
ducted a general mercantile business. He was also an inventor and patentee
of several machines, among them being a valuable excavator used by him and
his son. He died Oct. i, 1877. Mrs. Judd survives and resides on the home-
stead, where she settled in 1843. Children : Ellen M. (Mrs. Rev. D. F. Mc-
Donald), deceased, Ethan Allen, .and Charles D. Ethan Allen Judd, born Oct.
25, 1845, w^s a merchant's clerk in Hinsdale and in Olean for twelve years,
and since then he has been either foreman or contractor on public works.
Oct. 17, 1872, he married Neola P., daughter of John H. Gould, of Hinsdale.
Charles D. Judd, born Sept. 4, 1852, married Flora, daughter of Hon. S. N.
Wood, and is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Olean.
Jacob Learn, of German descent, was born in Easton, Pa., Aug. 10, 1794.
He married Catharine Moyer and in March, 1824, came to Ischua and settled
where Frank A. Learn now resides. He and his brother George bought on a
single contract 320 acres which they divided into two equal parts. This con-
tract was given to the Holland Land Company, and when their successors at-
tempted to force its collection it precipitated the famous Dutch Hill war.
Jacob Learn died Feb. 24, 1884 ; Mrs. Learn died five years earlier. Children :
two died in infancy; Thomas enlisted in the Union army and lost his right
arm at the battle of Fair Oaks; Lovina (Mrs. Jeremy Raub) died Dec. 27,
1891 ; John C. married Miss Keziah Green, lived on the homestead, and in
Aug., 1884, removed to his present home; Peter is a dentist and farmer in
South Dakota; Margaret (Mrs. Frederick Head) ; Jacob, Jr., served under
Grant at the siege of Vicksburg and died on a transport of typhoid fever;
Reuben is a dentist in San Francisco ; Albertus married the daughter of
George Learn and died in Nov., 1890; and Morris enlisted in the Union army in
1864, and married Rosa Babcock and, second, Hattie Kenyon. John C. Learn
enlisted in 1864 in the i88th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged in June, 1865.
He was at Petersburg and before Richmond and saw General Lee surrender.
William O. Leland, son of Asa, is a native of East Otto and was born May
4, 1827. He was educated in the common schools and in Hinsdale Academy,
and taught the district school at Haskel Flats one term. In 1846 he began
mercantile business, which he has continued with partners and alone to the
present time. About 1866, with his oldest son, he organized a private bank
at Springville, which in 1884 they changed to a national bank with a capital
of $50,000, of which Mr. Leland and his sons now own the controlling inter-
Town of Hinsdale. ' ' 715
est, the name being the First National Bank of Springviile. The officers are
W. O. Leland, president ; H. G. Leland, vice-president ; E. O. Leland, cashier ;
F. D. Leland, assistant cashier; and F. W. Leland, teller. Mr. Leland served
as a Republican representative of Hinsdale on the Board of Supervisors in
1858, was postmaster twenty-four years and deputy postmaster four years,
and has served as a delegate at the district, county, congressional, and State
conventions. His children are four sons and Gertie A. (Mrs. M. E. Pierce).
Nicholas Linderman was born in Tompkins county Nov. 22, 1803. He
married there, Jan. 6, 1S31, Rebecca Whitlock, who was born May 11, 1807.
He built a log cabin on Buzzard's hill in Ischua, cut a road to it, and brought
hither his bride. He had a deed of 100 acres of land timbered with haid-
wood and valuable pine, which he converted into shingles, lumber, ashes, and
black-salts, which he hauled to Buffalo. He was a man of the old school style.
He died where he first settled aged eighty-three years: Mrs. Linderman died
March 10, 1849. June 3, 1849, ^'^r. Linderman married Mrs. Sally C. (Hyde)
Winters, who died in 1888. Of his eleven children five sons and three daugh-
ters are living. Ezekiel Linderman, born on the homestead Jan. 9, 1833,
remained with his father until i860. April 3, i860, he married Adaline
Frantz and settled on his farm in the southwest part of Ischua. He now
resides in Pleasant valley on Olean creek in Hinsdale. Mrs. Linderman died
in 1869. Feb. 18, 1872, he married Gertrude Kent. Children: Ella G. (Mrs.
C. E. Brooks), born Feb. 16, 1864, and Phebe Rose, born Dec. i, 1878.
The Marsh family in America are of Welsh descent and first settled in
Massachusetts. Nelson H. Marsh was born in Vermont. In 1825 or 1826 he
came uith his sisters Orpha, Rosetta, Rhoda, and Susan to Hinsdale. His
sisters were all teachers. He located a farm on Olean creek, and married
Emily Fosmer, who is now the wife of Edward Smith.
VVilliam May, a native of Massachusetts, married Rhoda Andrews in
Homer, N. Y. She was born in Hartford, Conn., Feb. 11, 1788. In 1825,
with six children, they settled on a farm of 139 acres on Dutch hill in Hins-
dale, purchasing the interest of Jonathan Allen and receiving his deed from
the Holland Land Company. He made black-salts and pine shingles. He
died in May, 1840, and his wife in April, 1845.
Abraham Miller was born in Hamilton, Pa., Sept. 8, 1812. In the spring
of 1827 he came to Hinsdale with his brother, Peter Miller, who had a wife
and two children, and settled on Dutch hill. The only road from Olean then
was a path indicated by blazed trees. Remaining with his brother until
eighteen years of age he then began business for himself as a sawyer. Sept.
28, 1842, he married Vesta A., daughter of Julius C. Underwood, a pioneer of
Machias. He was a farmer on Dutch hill about three years and then went to
Pennsylvania as a sawyer. Returning to Hinsdale in July, 1853, he settled
in 1857 on a farm on Olean creek where E. Linderman now lives. He now
resides in the village. Children: Laurentine Y., Lorentus, Henry C. (died in
1875), Sarah H. (Mrs. Edgar Norton), and Vesta (Mrs. N. H. Marsh).
Laurentine Y. Miller was born in Hinsdale, Dec. 9, 1843. He married Eva-
line, daughter of Thornton and Charlotte (Smith) Wasson, and in the fall of
1863 he enlisted in the U. S. navy at Brooklyn and served on board of sev-
eral war vessels. He participated in a number of engagements on the South
Carolina coast, and was discharged Aug. 29, 1865, at Washington navy yard.
March 19, 1866, he left for the gold fields in Montana, going by the Nicarau-
gua route and reaching Walla VValla on the 14th of May, 1866. On the sum-
7i6 . History of Cattaraugus County.
mit of Bitter Root Mountain on June i8th he found the snow eight feet deep.
He finally reached Bear Gulch on July 15th, where he was a miner until No-
vember. He then crossed the main divide of the Rocky Mountains alone,
arriving at Confederate Gulch, where he was a gold miner five years. In the
fall of .1871 he returned to Hinsdale and was married in the winter ensuing.
March 29, 1872, he started west again and about April 4th was en route to the
summit of the main range of the Rocky Mountains. He arrived at Deer
Lodge City on July loth by again crossing the Rockies, and in August he went
alone 200 miles to his old mining location at Confederate Gulch. In the win-
ter of 1874 he returned home again, and since then has made several trips
through the west and northwest and spent two j'ears more in the mines of
Colorado. Mr. Miller is an efficient worker in the Republican party. He is
now serving his si.xth consecutive year as supervisor of Hinsdale.
The Norton family belongs to the pioneer and prominent families of Cat-
taraugus county. Early in the century (1807) Ira Norton, a native of Goshen,
Litchfield county. Conn., born Oct. 6, 1783, with his wife, Lucy (Perkins)
Norton, and one child, emigrated to Franklinville. This section was then
known as the far west. Mr. Norton located on the east part of lot 21, township
4, range 4. A few years later(i8io) he became a resident of Great Valley and
settled on lot 38, township 3, range 6, which contained 136 acres. Here this
noble pioneer devoted himself to the improvement of his land, not neglecting,
however, the religious interests of his co-workers in the settlement. He was
a true scion of the New England Nortons, who were thoroughly imbued with
religious zeal and fervor, and conspicuous as clergymen and church leaders.
The first meetings of what was afterward the Presbyterian church of Great
Valley were held in Mr. Norton's house, and here with others Deacon Norton
and his wife worshiped until a school house was built. He was a firm anti-
liquor advocate, and was the first person in Great Valley to dispense with
liquor at raisings, which was done at the erection of his own house. Mr. Nor-
ton was a man of ability and integrity, which was soon recognized by the
people, and he was elected to offices of trust, among them justice of the peace
and supervisor. July 26, 1820, he was qualified as associate judge ■'■ of the
County Court. The duties of these official trusts were discharged with dignity
and satisfaction. After a long life of usefulness Judge Norton died in 1S66,
aged eighty-three years, " full of years and full of honors." For a half-cen-
tury his home had been in Great Valley, and the unbroken wilderness was
now transformed into fruitful fields and pleasant homes. " He loved his'God
and the Old Flag, and li\-ed to see it float over the whole of the United
States." Of his fourteen children nine attained maturity. The Norton home-
stead is now occupied by his oldest surviving son, Andrews L. Norton; an-
other son, E. D. Norton, is a resident of Delevan in Yorkshire: to both of
these gentlemen we are indebted for material for this sketch.
Hon. Nelson I. Norton, third son of Ira and Lucy (Perkins) Norton, was
born in Great Valley, March 31, 1820, on the Norton homestead. His boy-
hood was passed on the farm, aiding in its multifarious labors, and attending
to his studies when opportunity offered. He acquired more than an ordinary
education, and became well versed in political and historical matters. He
taught common schools two winters, but preferring mercantile life he entered
the store of Morris & Hawley at Hinsdale in 1841 as clerk. In this relation
* The olHce of associate judge was abolished by the constitution of 1846, which associated with the
couDtjr judge two justices of the peace to be designated by law to hold Courts of Sessions.
Town of Hinsdale. • 717
he passed some years, then became the mercantile partner of Alonzo Hawley,
and later conducted merchandising alone until 1851, when Mr. Hawley pur-
chased the business. Mr. Norton then retired to his farm in Hinsdale (now
the home of Mrs. Norton), where he devoted himself to its management.
Here his death occurred Oct. 28, 1887, after forty years' residence in the
town. Mr. Norton was an "old line Whig" until the formation of the Re-
publican party, when he became an active member of that organization. His
influence was early and prominently felt in the civil and political circles of
his town and county. Possessing fine natural abilities, and being a ready,
fluent, and gifted speaker, he was often "on the stump," where, aided by his
popularity among the people, he did effective service. He was chosen justice
of the peace early and was a capable, impartial, and satisfactory magistrate
for twenty years. He was in positions of great responsibility during the
Civil war. Serving on the Board of Supervisors in i860, 1865, 1866, and 1867,
and representing his Assembly district in 1861, he was brought face to face
with the great problems connected with that historic period, and did good and
patriotic service. In 1872 he was chosen presidential elector and was called
by the people of his congressional district to represent them in the Forty-
fourth Congress. To this latter highly important office he did not seek a
renomination, as his personal friend, Alonzo Hawley, desired it and was a
candidate for the place. In all these positions Mr. Norton manifested a keen
insight into men and their motives, a facility in discriminating the true from
the false, and faithfidly performed the high duties devolving upon him. He
united with the Congregational church at Great Valley in 1820 and held to its
principles and tenets through life. He made many frieijds and retained them
by his genial personality.
Mr. Norton married, Feb. 15, 1847, Mary E., daughter of Elias and Dolly
(Fletcher) Parker,* of Arcade, Wyoming county. She was born Jan. 23, 1820.
Their children were Ella L. (Mrs. Oscar L. Dyer), who died in 1870, leaving
one child. Belle, who married O. F. Witter, of Hinsdale, is a graduate of the
Olean High School, once won a scholarship in.'Cornell University in a com-
petitive examination, and has been a successful teacher; Elbert N. (killed by
a horse in 1870); Herbert A.; Leonard R. (died»in infancy); Anna M. (Mrs.
Franklin Hess), who has one child, Eastman, and resides in Fort Fred Steele,
Wyoming; William S.; and James N.
William S. Norton espoused newspaper work, shortly after attaining his
majority in 1880, as local writer on the Olean Democrat. He- was next local
news-gatherer and telegraph editor on the Olean Morning Herald 2iX\A in 1884
took charge of the local department of the Olean Evening Times, remaining
there until November, 1885. In June, 1886, he assumed the conduct of the
local department of the Olean Evening Herald a.nd held the position until Sept.,
1887. The next winter he performed satisfactorily the arduous labors incum-
bent on the sole proof-reader of the Buffalo Evening and Sunday News. In
1890 he, with D. McMillan, established the Olean Sunday Hateliet,oi which, he
soon became sole proprietor until March, 1891, when he discontinued its pub-
lication to accept a responsible position on the Buffalo Courier. He is now
the head, in point of salary and term of service, of the Courier s reportorial
*Mr. Parker and hia wife were natives of Wistford, Mass. Tliey resided in Carendisli, Vt., near the
Connecticut river, for some years, but came to Arcaie in its early days, tlie journey with tlieir own teams
requiring three weeks' time. They died in Arcade— Mr. Parker at the age of tifty-eight and Mrs. Parker
aged eighty-four.
7i8 History of Cattaraugus • County.
staff. He married Nettie C. Wait, has three children : Zora L., Ralph R., and
Iva, and resides in Buffalo.
James N. Norton was born in Hinsdale, Oct. 13, 1862. He was educated
at the common schools supplemented by attendance at Rochester Business
University. After graduating here in 1882 he became book-keeper for Barse
& Wil lover at Great Valley. On the death of Mr. Barse in 1885 he became
the partner of Mr. Willover in the firm doing business as C. Willover. In 1887,
in connection with Mr. Willover and G. A. Woods, Mr. Norton formed the
firm of C. Willover & Co., as lumber dealers and manufacturers of lumber, at
Morrison, Pa. In 1889 Mr. Willover retired and the Morrison Run Lumber
Company, consisting of J. C. French, J. N. Norton, and G. A. Woods, was
formed. This company established a general store at Morrison in connection
with their lumbering, v/hich,on Mr. Norton's retirement from the company a
few months later, was purchased by him and A. E. Foster. Jan. i, 1892, Mr.
Norton purchased Mr. Foster's interest and now carries on three mercantile
establishments in three different places — Morrison, Dunkle, and Newtown — in
which he does an annual business of from $60,000 to $70,000. The postoffice
at Morrison was established in iSSS with Mr. Norton as postmaster. He still
holds the position. Mr. Norton married, July 19, 1888, Clara, daughter of
A. B. and Eliza (Guthrie) Bullard, of Salamanca. They have three children :
James R., Ellen B., and Neva.
Bela Norton, son of James, was born in Norway, N. Y., Oct. 2(, 1797. He
was a farmer in Herkimer county until 1859, when he married there his second
wife, Mrs. Mary Fort, Jan. 24, 1839, ^'""^ with his family removed to Hinsdale
and settled on the farjn now owned by his son, Edgar Norton, where he died
Jan. 30, 1870. Mr. Norton was a man of fine natural abilities. He was a Dem-
ocrat in politics, was prominent in town affairs, and was superviser in 1850,
1851, 1852, and 1853. Of his ten children eight are living; all his six sons
were Democrats. Edgar Norton, second son of the second marriage, was born
on the homestead, which he still owns, May 19, 1845. Nov. 29, 1871, he mar-
ried Sarah H., daughter of Abram Miller; children: Fred E. and Clarence H.
Aaron Osmun was born in Lansing, N. Y., July 28, 1805. He married Cath-
erine Cary in 1 821 and in 1830 they settled on Keller hill in Hinsdale, where
he spent the remainder of his life. He purchased his wood lot of 100 acres at
$1.25 per acre, and eventually cleared 350 acres of land. He died Jan. 15,
1889. Mrs. Osmun died in June, 1891. One son, three daughters, twenty-
seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren survive them.
Peter Putnam, the first settler of the town of Hinsdale and a cousin of Gen-
eral Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, was born in 1776. In 1804 he married
Mary Walters in Almond, Allegany county. In 1810 he went to Oloan, where
he made a raft and with his family aboard and his brother for a pilot started
down the Allegheny, intending to sell his lumber in Cincinnati and settle
there. In that city his family were all ill with fever. and ague. With them he
returned to Olean with a span of horses and a wagon loaded with his prop-
erty. Jan. I, 181 1, he settled in the woods where George Scott now lives.
His nearest neighbor on the south was at Olean and on the north at Frank-
linville. He raised a log house with the help of the Indians, who had a camp
near by. He was a great hunter, was an industrious pioneer, planted the sec-
ond orchard in Cattaraugus county, and raised the first frame barn in Hins-
dale. He died in Feb., 1844; Mrs. Putnam died Dec. 22, 1842.
John Putnam, oldest son of Peter, was born in the log cabin on the home-
Town of Hinsdale.
719
stead Aug. to, 181 1, and is distinguished as the first white child born in Hins-
dale. Jan. I, 1S39, he married Sarah A. Learn, and Jan. 5, 1841, their son
Joseph M. C. was born. Mrs. Putnam died Jan 15, 1841. May 9, 1843, he
married, second, Mary A. Learn. At his marriage Mr. Putnam settled on the
homestead: in 1840 he rented that and settled on a farm in Humphrey. His
health failed in 1877 and they moved onto the home Mrs. Putnam had pur-
chased at Scott's Corners, where they now reside. Mr. Putnam was justice of
the peace in Humphrey sixteen consecutive years.
Worden Salisbury, son of Ambrose and Sylvinia (Morgan) Salisbury, was
born in Scott, Cortland county, Dec. 12, 1830, and has always been a farmer.
About 1844 he came with his parents to Haskel Flats. July i, 1853, he mar-
ried Sophia S., daughter of William G. and Azubah (Cummings) Todd, and
about i860 they settled where they now reside. They are members of the
Methodist church. Children : Hugh S., Nettie Belle (Mrs. W. Brown), Guy W.
Abner Smith was born in Littleton, N. H., March 7, 1791. His father
served through the Revolutionary war. About 1816 he came from Irasburgh,
Vt., to the Holland purchase. In 1820 he married, in Hinsdale, Lucina
Yates. He became a lumberman and piloted his own rafts and others down
the Allegheny. He was also a farmer, and resided on a fine farm on Ischua
creek and later purchased another farm with a hotel in Ischua village and con-
ducted both about twenty years. Mrs. Smith died in 1855. He soon after-
ward went to Iowa and died at the home of his oldest son, Abner W. Smith,
March 7, 1873. His children all removed to western States except Charlotte M.
(Mrs. Thornton Wasson.) Their daughter Evaline married L. Y. Miller.
Jacob Snyder came to Haskel Flats from Lansing, N. Y., as early as 1832.
He married in Tompkins county Mary Learn, whose grandparents were killed
by the Indians at the Wyoming massacre. They settled on the farm owned
by Mr. Baker. Of his eight children four are living. The youngest, Eliza-
beth J., is the wife of Cady R. Hosley. Mr. Snyder sold his farm and retired
to Cuba, N. Y., where he died in Nov., 1875.
Barzilla B.,son of Nirum and Sylvia (Bradley) Storrs, was born in Franklin-
ville, March 25, 1846. He has made school teaching his vocation, and has
taught about twenty-seven terms. He is now a merchant, teacher, and justice
of the peace. June 16, 1872, he married Ettie L. Main and has two children.
William G. Todd, son of Daniel Todd, the first white child born in Homer,
N. Y., was born in his father's native town and married there Azubah Cum-
mings, a native of Connecticut. They were among the pioneers of Friendship.
About 1843 he removed to Haskel Flats and settled on the farm where Cady
Hosley now lives. He drew the frame of his house and materials to cover it
from Friendship. He first built a small horse barn, and because he would not
furnish whisky while raising it he spent two days in putting it up. He was
captain of militia, served as justice of the peace, and was a member and one of
the founders of the Baptist church at Haskel Flats. He died about 1854.
Alfred C. Torrey, of sturdy New England origin, was born in East Java,
Wyoming county, July 8, 1838. His father. Rev. Timothy Torrey, was a
native of Bethany, Vt., was a soldier in the War of 181 2, and came with
his father, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, to Wyoming county
in his boyhood. A. C. Torrey's mother's parents were natives of Connecticut.
She was a daughter of Daniel Curtis, who also settled in Wyoming county.
Timothy Torrey was an itinerant Methodist preacher and traveled on a large
circuit among the pioneer towns. Alfred C. Torrey came to Hinsdale with his
720 ■ History ok Cattaraugus C(ju\tv.
parents about 1850. He began business for himself as a manufacturer and
dealer in pine shingles. Later he was a carpenter and builder. He has also
been engaged in the oil regions and for the past nine years he has been a mer-
chant. June 25, 1859, 1^^ married Susan Powers ; children : Ella J., A. Leroy,
and Theresa (Mrs. Dr.. A. K. Corbin).
David Webster, son of Isaac Webster, was born in 17S3. He served three
months in the War of 18 12 and his father was a soldier and pensioner of the
Revolution. David married in Dutchess county, about 1804, Hannah Gifford,
and at once went to Fabius, N. Y., where he was a farmer until Dec, 1833,
when he came to Hinsdale, settling on Olean creek, where he resided until his
death in Nov., 1851. Mrs. Webster died about 1848. Of their thirteen chil-
dren twelve attained mature years; four are living and only the youngest son,
Hiram Webster, resides in Hinsdale. He was born in Fabius, Feb. 7, 1827,
succeeded his father on the homestead, and married, first, in January, 1850,
Lucinda, daughter of Lewis Fay. She died May 9, 1868, having borne one son,
deceased, and a daughter, Addie L. Jan. 18, 1872, he married Mrs. Miranda
(Bishop) Crosby. They have one daughter, Clara M. Mrs. Webster has a
son, Emmet H. Crosby, by her first marriage. He has served as assessor nine
consecutive years and votes with the Prohibitionists. He is prominent in the
M. E. church, of which he, Mrs. Webster, and the oldest daughter are mem-
. bers. He is one of its stewards and trustees.
R. Gifford Webster, a native of Pompey, N. Y., was born Feb. 7, 18 10.
He married Marinda Ouimby in Fabius in 1832 and in 1834 removed to Fay
hollow in Hinsdale, where he cleared a farm of 106 acres, which was his home
for more than half a century. He died Jan. 28, 1892. His widow survived
him only ten weeks. Eight of their ten children are living: Henry. Marian
(Mrs. C. A. Smith), Harriet (Mrs. Morian), Henrietta (Mrs. Osgood), Jennie
C. (Mrs. Davis), Marcella (Mrs. Rogers), Ann M. (Mrs. Densmore), and Bela.
Bcla Webster has a farm adjoining the homestead. Sept. 11, 1872, he mar-
ried Emma Pelton. Children : De Witt D., born June 4, 1874, and Cora May,
born April 18, 1878.
John Willover was a native of New Jersey and descended from sturdy Hol-
land ancestry. He was born in Essex county, N. J., in 1806. His father set-
tled on lease lands, where he accumulated a little property, and emigrated
thence to Tyrone, N. Y., when John was a lad of seven years. There he cleared
a farm and died. 'John Willover married, in Tyrone. Miss Esther Frost about
1829. In 1831 he settled at Haskel Flats in Hinsdale, and very soon after
built a saw-mill on Haskel creek, the first in the neighborhood. Later he
purchased another farther down the stream built by Oliver Phelps, and con-
ducted both some years. The valley was covered with a fine growth of pine
trees and he became an extensive manufacturer of pine lumber and shingles,
which he rafted to- market down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. " Besides his
lumber business he cleared three good farms. He came to the wilderness
without means except a yoke of oxen, which drew his family and goods from
Tyrone. But he had energy, courage, perseverance, and industry. In his bus-
iness life he gave employment to a host of men and was the means of helping
the industrious poor to help themselves. He purchased timber land, reserved
the pine timber, and sold the soil to those who wanted homes. Mr. Willover
was the prominent person in his neighborhood — a man of sterling integrity
and high character. He was a Whig in politics and joined the ranks of the
Republican party at its formation. He was the first supervisor of his party
Town of Hinsdale. 721
in town, in 1856, and was re-elected in 1857. He died Jan. 17, 1873. Mrs. Will-
over died March 5, 1888. Children: Christopher; Hetty A. (Mrs. Fair), of
Oil City, Pa.; Hannah E. (Mrs. Canfield), of Ohio; Jidia E. (Mrs. Ward), of
Allegany, N. Y.; and Lucy M., who died at the age of sixteen years.
Abram Willover, brother of John, was bornin Tyrone, N. Y., about 1804,
married there. Miss Emeline Coon, and came to Haskel Flats about 1833. He
was a natural mechanic and could turn his hand to any job of woodwork.
He was a first-class carpenter and joiner and a good millwright. In 1839 ^^
settled on the woodland farm on which his son Abram now lives, and there
had the double occupation of house building and farming. He cleared up his
farm, planted an orchard, and died in 1852. Mr. Willover was a genial and
agreeable companion who could give and take a joke. He was a very good
neighbor and quite popular with the people, and served as constable several
years. Mrs. Willover remained his widow and survived until July 17, 1891,
aged eighty-two. Children: Julia (Mrs. James B. Norton), of Salamanca;
Halsey, a farmer in Ischua ; Martin V., who enlisted in Co. K, 85th N. Y.
Vols., was captured at Plymouth, N. C, was confined in Andersonville prison,
and died in Florence; Annie (Mrs. William Smith), deceased; William, a sol-
dier in the 154th N. Y. Vols, who marched with Sherman to the sea and was
discharged at the close of the war; John, a soldier in the 154th N. Y. Vols,
and a prisoner three months in Belle Isle; Elizabeth, who died at the age of
seventeen ; Eveline (Mrs. George Durfee), of Portville ; and Abram. Abram
Willover has served as constable, has been engaged in the oil regions of
Bradford, Pa., and married Miss Anna Reynolds. He purchased the home-
stead of the heirs, and administered to the comfort of his aged mother the
last eight years of her life. Upon this old farm he still resides.
Christopher Willover, oldest son of John Willover, was born at Haskel
Flats, April 8, 1832. He was educated in the common schools and in Grand
River Institute, a branch of Oberlin College, in Austinburgh, Ohio. He began
his business life as the financial manager in taking a raft of lumber down the
river and at the same time worked as a raftsman. He spent the ne.xt .three
years as tallyman and measurer of lumber. In 1858 he began the business of
buying lumber on commission, which he followed until 1865, when he became
a buyer on his own account and has since been a heavy dealer and many times
a bolcfspeculator. He was the partner of the late C. V. B. Barse, of Olean, in
the lumber business from 1864 until the latter's death. Mr. Willover is a man
of more than ordinary business ability, is an able financier, and has the energy
to accomplish whatever he attempts. In his long course in business he has
sustained heavy losses, but mainly because he is generous to a fault. His dis-
interested benevolence has led him to entangle himself in the business of his
friends and has obliged him to pay their debts. In his own ventures he has
planned well. His real estate embraces more than a thousand acres. He has
a fertile farm at Haskel Flats, where he has a beautiful home. He is popular,
gives his aid and influence to forward every good object, and has lately con--
tributed the larger half towards the erection of the elegant Union church of
his neighborhood.
Mr. Willover was elected a justice of the peace in 1856 and served a term
of four years. He represented Hinsdale on the Board of Supervisors in 1870,
1872, and 1881. Jan. 4, i860, he married Miss Mary T. Quin, who was born
in Newport, Chemung county, Sept. 11, 1834. Children: Winnifred S., born
July 27, 1861, married Dana Osmun, a farmer of Haskel Flats ; John H., born
91
722 History of Cattaraugus County.
July 15, 1863, died in infancy; Frank E., born Aug. 13, 1865, married Alyra
Hedden, and is a farmer on the homestead; Lucy A., born Oct. 14, 1869, mar-
ried Charles H. Fuller, a farmer on Keller hill; and JohnC, born Oct. 7, 1870,
a member of the firm of Phelps, Sibley & Co., of Cuba, N. Y.
Emery Wood, son of Wheelock Wood, was born in Gainesville, X. Y.,
Nov. 13, 1797. He was raised on a farm and attended the primitive common
school four weeks, but by improving his leisure moments he became an ex-
pert mathematician, grammarian, and historian. At the age of fifteen he
enlisted as a fifer in the War of 1812 and served three months. In the sum-
mer of 1813 he again entered the "tented field" as a substitute and in July
ensuing was made a prisoner at Black Rock and sent to Halifax, where he
was confined until June, 1814. In Sept., 1814, he joined the American army
and was captured at the battle of Fort Erie and carried to Quebec, where he
remained a prisoner till the war closed. In 1817 Mr. Wood canie to Hins-
dale. He was very soon engaged in the lumber trade, and acquired a large
territory of pine timbered lands, including more than half of the grounds now
occupied by the village. In 1825 he opened the first store in Hinsdale and
was the first postmaster of the town. He conducted an exchange or barter
trade. At the time he opened his store and the first postoffice he held the
offices of town clerk, justice of the peace, overseer of the poor, and colonel of
the 226th Regiment militia. In 1829, 1830, 1831, and 1832 he represented his
town on the Board of Supervisors. Colonel Wood's marked ability and public
spirit were shown in forwarding every good enterprise, and especially in the
educational interests of Hinsdale. He was a leader in founding the Hinsdale
Academy, for which he donated the site, and generously patronized it in edu-
cating all his family. Sept. 16, 1819, he married Permelia, daughterof Royal
and Rhoda Marsh, who was born in Vermont, Dec. 12, 1796. Colonel Wood
died Feb. 24, 1875, and Mrs. Wood Nov. 18, 1872. Children: Frederick M.,
born June 19, 1820, died June 3. 1861 ; Hon. William H. (see page 334): Per-
melia M., born Feb. 12, 1824, married John H. Gould, and died Dec. 6, 1862;
Lewis, born Sept. 19, 1826, accidentally drowned Oct. 7, 1828; Emery L.,
born Sept, i, 1830, drowned July 16, 1837; Hon. Staley N., born May 22,
1832; Evelyn R., born July 2, 1834; and Hon. Wales W., born April 25,
1837, now serving his second term as county judge in Illinois.
Hon. Staley N. Wood received his education in Hinsdale Academy. He was
a clerk for E. M. & T. T. Wasson at the age of fourteen, and clerked also for
his father and brother and for the late Judge Martin, of Olean, until 1S52 or
1853, when he became a partner in general merchandise trade with his brother
Frederick in Hinsdale. In the fall of 1857 he was a salesman for A. & F.
Reed in New York ; in 1872 he was a partner with F. & L. B. Reed, their suc-
cessors. All this time except two years he was a citizen of Hinsdale. During
the late war he was a war Democrat, and Governor Fenton, as a compliment for
his patriotism, sent him a captain's commission. Mr. Wood represented Hins-
dale on the Board of Supervisors in 1868, 1869, 1877, 1878, 1879, ^n^ 1880.
He ran for elector of General Hancock in 1868 and in 1866 for congressman
of his district. In 1861, in 1875, and again a third time he was the nominee
of his party for member of Assembly and at each election he greatly reduced
the majority of his Republican opponent. He was also nominated for the
office of treasurer of Cattaraugus county. April [9, 1883, Governor Cle\'eland
tendered him the position of State assessor, which he resigned in March, 1892.
June 2, 1853, he married Laura A., daughter of widow Mary Fort, now the
Town of HUiMPHREV.
widow of the late Bela Norton. Children: Mary P. (Mrs. F. D. Leland),
George F., Ellen J. (Mrs. A. T. Nelson), Flora V. (Mrs. C. D. Judd), and
Lewis B. Frederick Wood was supervisor of Hinsdale in 1854 and 1855.
Emery Yates, a native of Woodstock, Vt., came to Hinsdale from Gaines-
ville, N. Y., about' 1813 and settled at Scott's Corners where E. A. Hull now
lives. He erected a saw-mill on Oil creek and engaged in lumbering. He
also built a saw-mill farther up Oil creek on the site of the Tousley mill. He later
established a boat-yard on Oil creek a little below his saw-mill at Scott's Cor-
ners, and there built flat-boats. He was also an expert in constructing mill-
dams. He died at Scott's Corners.
Emery W. Yates, oldest son of Emery Yates, was born at Scott s Corners,
Nov. 20, 181 5. He began the trade of carpenter and joiner at the age of six-
teen and followed that avocation until approaching old age. He has never
had a home outside of his native town. He cast his first presidential ballot
for William H. Harrison and has never missed a vote at a general election.
He married Polly Coats, Dec. 14, 1836, who died Nov. 22, 1891. Of their
five children two sons are living: Theodore H., a veteran of the late war,
and Edgar N. Warren C. enlisted in 1861 and died in Andersonville prison.
Lorenzo Yates, son of the pioneer Emery, was born at Scott's Corners,
Dec. 23, 1819. He learned the trades of carpenter, joiner, and millwright,
which he followed until 1854, when he engaged with S. Augustus Mitchell, of
Philadelphia, the celebrated map publisher, and was his general agent six
years. He was then general agent for four years for several publishers, and
since 1864 has led a retired life. Aug. 18, 1846, he married Abigail, daughter
of John E. Wright. She was born in Richfield, N. Y., July 6, 1823. Five of
their seven children grew to maturity: Lucy (Mrs. Henry J. Conrad), Carl-
ton E., Julia (Mrs. M. L. Goodrich), Allen, and Eva E. (Mrs. G. E. Hogg).
^ CHAPTER XXXn.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HUMPHREY.*
HUMPHREY was erected from Burton (now Allegany) on May 12,
1836, and was named for Charles Humphrey, of Tompkins county,
then speaker of the Assembly. The town is situated nearly in the
center of the county, and is described in the Holland Land Company's sur-
vey as town three, range five. It is bounded on the north by Franklinville,
on the east by Ischua and Hinsdale, on the south by Allegany, and on the
west by Great Valley, and contains 22,583 acres of land, nearly all sloping up-
lands. It is traversed from north to south by two distinct ranges of hills which
raise their summits many hundred feet above the level of the Allegheny river.
Some of these hills were settled at an early day and were named after the men
* For a considerable portion of the earlier history of the town of Humphrey we are indebted to Bar-
nard Salisbury.— Editor.
724 History of Cattaraugus County.
who cleared away the primeval forest and made homes thereon. The town is
drained by three streams of considerable size: Sugartown creek, in the north-
west part, a tributary of Great Valley creek ; Wright's creek, flowing south
through the center, an affluent of the same stream ; and Five Mile run, in the
southeast part, emptying into the Allegheny river near Allegany village.
These springs are fed and maintained by springs of pure soft water which flow
from the hillsides in every part of the town.
Russell Chapell was the first settler in Humphrey. He came from Sche-
nectady county in 1815 and settled on lot 56 in the Sugartown valley. After
a long and weary journey through a howling wilderness he selected a location
in this beautiful valley and built a log house near where Richard Leaning
now lives. After a few years he sold his place and moved over the divide
into the valley of Wright's creek, where he founded a settlement known far
and wide as Chapellsburg. Mr. Chapell made good improvements and built
a tavern that was a noted stopping-place on the old stage route from Buffalo
to Olean. This was for a long time the most important point in town and was
the scene of many a high carnival in the time long ago. Mr. Chapell was post-
master a long time and held various town offices. He died May 30, 1857, aged
seventy-two years. His wife Phcebe died February 3, 1863, aged eighty-three
years. Soon after Mr. Chapell's arrival he was joined by Thomas B. and Pau-
line Shepard, a son and daughter of Mrs. Chapell by a former marriage.
Richard Wright came from Washington county in 1819, settled in Great
Valley, built a saw-mill on Wright's creek, and made other improvements.
He soon sold this property to David Chamberlain and bought Mr. Chapell's
place in Sugartown. He made extensive improvements at this place and built
a fine house and good barns; the house is yet standing and fs occupied by
Richard Leaning. Mr. Wright was a man of note — was a colonel of militia,
county sheriff, and for a long time associate judge of Cattaraugus (see p. 280).
^apt. Nathan Howe was an early settler of the Sugartown valley, but did not
remain long; he removed to near the mouth of Great Valley creek, where he
had a saw-mill. Alonzo Berry and William Baxter were also early settlers in
Sugartown. Mr. Berry settled on the sidehill between Sugartown and Hum-
phrey Center. His son, Milo Berry, has been justice of the peace thirty years
and justice of sessions for the county. His oldest son, Frank Perry, is the
present supervisor of the town.
Stephen and Benjamin Cole, brothers, came from Phelps, Ontario county,
in 1822, with only one dollar in money and their little all tied up in a bundle.
They made the trip on foot and located on lot 38. They built a cabin near a
spring on the sidehill a little southwest of the Humphrey Center cemetery.
It was floored with split timbers and roofed with elm bark. They were soon
followed by their father, the Rev. Benjamin Cole, who was born in County
Tipperary, Ireland, and was the first Irishman to settle in the town. He was
educated for a Catholic priest, but ran away from home and enlisted in the
Town of Humphrey. . 725
British army. He came to this country with Lord Howe's troops during the
Revolutionary war and at the battle of White Plains he deserted and joined
the American army, and fought with it to the close, after which he married
Rachel SaUsbury and became a Baptist minister. He died in Humphrey on
January 2, 1834, aged eighty years. His sons Seth and Elijah came to the
town with him. Seth was twice elected supervisor of Great Valley before
Allegany and Humphrey were taken off. Stephen S. Cole married Lemira,
daughter of Alonzo Berry. Their oldest son, Marvin S. Cole, was a prominent
educator of the county and is now station agent at Machias Junction ; their
youngest son, G. W. Cole, is a lawyer at Salamanca. Stephen Cole was the first
supervisor of Humphrey and held that ofifice nine consecutive terms and eleven
terms in all. In 185 1 he was elected a member of Assembly for the Fifst
District of Cattaraugus county. Benjamin Cole remained a bachelor. They
both resided near each other in Humphrey until the summer of 1877, when
they died in the same house within two weeks of each other. Foster B. Salis-
bory, a cousin of the Coles, came about the same time and settled on lot 37.
He built his cabin on the flat southeast of the present residence of Patrick
O'Brien. He erected the first saw-mill in town. It stood on the creek within
a few rods of Mr. O'Brien's house. .He afterward built a grist-mill and a
steam saw-mill at Humphrey Center. He held nearly every office in the
town, and succeeded Stephen S. Cole as supervisor, holding the ofifice nine
terms in all. At the first town meeting he was elected justice of the peace,
assessor, school inspector, and overseer of road district No. 2. He died at
Humphrey Center on September 11, 1871, aged sixty-eight years. He mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Cole. She was the mother of
his son Barnard and died in 1864. Afterward he married Miss Elizabeth
Thomas, who was the mother of his other son, Frank B. Barnard Salisbury
was supervisor of the town four consecutive terms (1876-79) and is now editor
of the Ellicottvillc News at EUicottville. Frank B. Salisbury is connected
with th« Western New York & Pennsylvania railway service at Rochester.
Almon Guthrie, whose wife was a sister of Foster B. Salisbury and a
cousin of the Coles, came at the same time and first settled on the bank of the
creek on lot 37, across the road from the present residence of William Reed.
He soon removed down the creek about two miles, and built a log house that
stood in an orchard just back of the dwelling of his son, Edwin Guthrie, on
lot 51. Mr. Guthrie was supervisor of the town three terms and filled many
other town offices. He reared a large family, nearly all of whom are still liv-
ing in the immediate vicinity of the old homestead, and all of whom grew up
to be honorable and respected citizens of their native town. Danforth Marsh
settled on lot 37 where Myron Berry now lives and Oliver Marsh on lot 38
where Leroy Litchfield resides. John L. Sexton lived on the top of the hill
on the present farm of Thomas Kenney, northeast of the residence of Frank
Snyder. Seth Cole settled near a spring 100 rods southeast of the Center.
726 History of Cattaraugus- County.
Hatfield Cooper located on lot 29 where D. Gill now lives ; Caleb West on
lot 39 and Oliver Scott on lot 40 ; Richard Bozard on lot 6 ; and Joseph Learn
came in an early day and settled on lot 7. Learn cleared a large farm and by
hard work and great energy accumulated a nice property. His youngest son,
George P. Learn, has represented Humphrey three times on the Board of
Supervisors and is one of the leading citizens of the town. Thomas Barker
was one of the first settlers. He was supervisor one term ; his son, Marshall
Barker, also held the office a year and is now a prominent business man. L. B.
Pierce settled on lot 6. He raised a large family, some of whom are still liv-
ing, respected citizens of the town. His son, H. A. Pierce, is a justice of the
peace and a prominent business man, and Fred Pierce, a son of H. A., has been
supervisor of the town three terms.
Other early settlers were Henry Reed, Abijah Rowley, and Abraham Wright.
Francis Matteson, James Hitchcock, Eri Tracy, Parker and Freeman Hale,
G. Worden, Freeman and Horace Hitchcock, and Barber Wilber came from
Onondaga county and settled on Five Mile run. Russell Chapell put in
the first crop of grain on lot 56 in 1816 and kept the first tavern and was the
first postmaster.
Foster B. Salisbury built the first store, which was stocked and kept by
Sawyer & Foote at Humphrey Center. The first goods were hauled on wagons
from Buffalo by Joseph Learn and Richard Bozard. Jeremiah Crandall paid
for the first piece of land in town, being five acres on lot 37, now owned by
H. A. Pierce. Nathan Howe and Samuel Reynolds settled on Howe hill.
Simeon Bacon was the pioneer of the valley east of Chapellsburg where Pat-
rick Ryan now lives. David Wheeler came from Junius, Seneca county, about
1830, and settled on lot 38. His wife was a sister to Hatfield Cooper. Their
oldest son, David Wheeler, Jr., married Sarah, youngest daughter of Rev.
Benjamin Cole. They settled on lot 31 and raised five boys and four girls.
The oldest three boys — John, Seth, and William H. — served through the
Rebellion ; the oldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of Joseph B. Miller, who
was twice supervisor of the town, justice of the peace, etc.
The forest was swarming with wolves, bears, and other wild animals that
killed the settlers' sheep and carried away their pigs. Nathan Howe found a
big bear in his pig-pen trying to capture his hog. Howe attacked bruin with
an axe and after a desperate fight succeeded in killing him. Almon Guthrie
was awakened one night by a commotion among a litter of pigs that occupied
a shed near the house. He got up and looking out of the window saw a very
large bear chasing the pigs around the house. Mrs. Guthrie carefully opened
the window and Mr. Guthrie shot the bear. Ransom Green killed a bear
weighing 400 pounds in his corn on the place now owned by Charles Fay. A
pack of wolves visited the cabin of the Cole brothers one night and succeeded
in getting on the roof. As the Coles had no gun they drove the wolves off
by throwing fire-brands at them. David Snow and John Logan, two Indians
Town of Humphrey.
living on the bank of the Allegheny nea^ where Kill Buck depot now stands,
claimed Humphrey as their hunting ground at the time the first settlers came
into the central valley. These Indians had a heavy brush fence running across
the valley from the point of Mount Tom to the opposite hill, near where the
store of James Devine now stands in Humphrey Center. This fence obstructed
the free passage of animals up and down the valley, while the Indians, secreted
at a convenient point, could easily shoot them. John Logan presented the
first claim for a bounty of $20 on a wolf killed in the town. At the same
time David Snow presented a claim of $7.50 each for five whelps and both
Indians claimed the entire amount. Justices Wright and Salisbury, before
whom the claim came, .settled it by giving Logan the bounty on the wolf and
Snow the bounty on the whelps. John Green, of Great Valley, captured seven
young wolves in the butt of a hollow pine tree which stood at the side of the
road opposite the Humphrey Center cemetery, upon which he secured the
bounty of $7.50 each. Hatfield Cooper was the first white man to kill a wolf
in the town. John Logan and David Snow claimed the bounty on the ground
that it was killed on their hunting ground. They went so far as to bring suit
before Justices Richard Wright and Stephen S. Cole. John Green, of Great
Valley, was counsel for the Indians and Foster B. Salisbury for Cooper, who
finally got the bounty. Samuel Cooper, a son of Hatfield Cooper, was a great
hunter. He once told the writer that he killed thirty-three deer, one wolf,
and twenty martin in one week. Soon after they came to Cooper hill he was
hunting for deer and found a track that he followed all day without seeing
the game, but in making a turn the animal crossed its own track and Cooper
saw that he was being followed by an Indian. The next morning Cooper
again took up the hunt and about noon the deer again crossed its track and
Cooper saw that the Indian was still on his trail. He then stepped one side
and hid behind a tree. Soon the Indian made his appearance with a gun car-
ried handy, moving carefully through the brush. As Cooper was satisfied
that the Indian was looking for him he shot and killed him. This occurred at
a point about 100 rods due north from where Thomas Martin now lives, on
Cooper hill. Cooper dug a hole and buried the body where it fell. John L.
Se.Kton was the greatest slayer of deer, having killed over 300 during the few
years he lived in town. The first deer he killed fell near the top of the bank
about twenty rods below where Patrick O'Brien now lives, and rolled down
the bank into the creek.
Rev.. Benjamin Cole was the first pensioner in the town. He received. $8
a month for services in the Revolutionary war ; some of his papers, bearing
the signature of John C. Calhoun, secretary of war, are now in possession of
the writer. The first couple married in town was Edward Bryant and Pauline
Shepard (aged sixteen), the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Dow
at the residence of Judge Wright in Sugartown. They lived together four
years and separated and Mr. Bryant died five years thereafter. Mrs. Bryant,
728 History of Cattaraugus County.
at the age of twenty-five, married William S. Morris and lived to a verv "reat
age at the residence of her step-father, Russell Chapell. Her daughter, Airs
W. J. Sherman, inherited the fine old place and now resides there. Jack Hall
and Cornelia Rowley were married by Judge Wright and were the parents of
the first white child born in the town. The first death was that of an emi-
grant who had camped on lot 56. He was buried on a knoll a little north of
where the upper Sugartown cheese factory now stands. F. B. Salisbury put
in the first cider-mill in Humphrey. It was run by water-power at his saw-
mill. He also put in a turning lathe that was operated in one corner of his
saw-mill, where he turned out bed posts and sides and chair posts and rounds
and all other turned goods required by the settlers. David Wheeler, Jr., and
Hector Pritchard were carpenters and they made the coffins required out of
cherry boards. Dr. Augustus Crary, who was at one time president of the
Geneva Medical College, was the first physician. He settled in Sugartown
about 1825. His daughter Caroline married Dr. Calvin Chickering, who
came about the same time, but did not live long. His widow married Dr.
Virgil Reed, who practiced medicine until his death, which occurred in
1866. Drs. Crary, Chickering, and Reed all died on the same place in Sugar-
town. Mrs. Reed is still living at an advanced age on the old homestead
where her father and two husbands died. Philemon O. Berry was the first
lawyer in Humphrey admitted to the bar. F. B. Salisbury, Stephen S. Cole,
and Milo Berry practiced law in justice's court. The first school was taught
in Sugartown in a log house near where Mrs. Reed now lives. Mr. Marsh
commenced the school, but the boys threw him out and the term was com-
pleted by John W. Howe, a son of Capt. Nathan Howe. Foster B. Salisbury
taught a school in a log house that stood on the bank of the creek a few rods
south of P. O'Brien's south line. The settlers paid him §10 a month by chop-
ping wood for him on his farm. He boarded himself, cut his wood, and built
his own fires. Miss Pauline Shepard taught a school in the same house. The
first general Christmas gathering was held at the house of Russell Chapell in
1823, when the hardy pioneers got together and scraped turnips and ate
baked potatoes and johnnycake. While returning from this merry-making
F. B. Salisbury had a narrow escape from a pack of wolves. The favorite
sports at raisings and logging bees were running, wrestling, and jumping. One
of the difficult feats was to jump over a yoke of oxen. William Baxter, al-
though a small man, was an adept at this. Seth Cole was the champion
collar-and-elbow wrestler. Foster B. Salisbury stood six feet one inch bare-
footed and weighed 195 pounds. He was never thrown at Indian-hug or
back-hold and could jump ten feet on a smooth floor without weights. Ben-
jamin Cole weighed over 200 pounds and was the champion chopper of all
time. He felled one acre of heavy timberin one day on the place now owned
by Aaron Cleaveland in Sugartown on a $5 bet. Russell Chapell once poled
a canoe loaded with flour and pork up the Allegheny river from Pittsburg,
Town of Humphrey. • 729
Pa., to the mouth of Great Valley creek, and nearly every one of the early
settlers had the experience of carrying a bag of corn on their shoulders to the
mill at Franklinville, a distance of ten miles. Danforth Marsh raised a family
of seven boys, four of whom served in the Union army in the Rebellion.
This family passed through nearly the whole of one winter with nothing to
eat but potatoes and a little salt obtained from the brine in a pork barrel.
The first road to Franklinville ran due north from Humphrey Center up the
hill by the so-called red house, striking the present road near the town line.
Michael King and family were the first Irish family to move into the town,
coming in 1840. Their son, Edward King, resides near Humphrey Center.
James Cassidy and John Clark came about the same time. They were soon
followed by Peter and Larry Lines and others. None of the natives of con-
tinental Europe have ever lived in the town except Germans and Swedes, and
but few of these. The first and only colored family to make a permanent
settlement in town was that of Thomas Sheffield. They were fugitives from
Maryland and came about 1838, and lived in Humphrey until the passage of
the fugitive slave law, when they went to Canada, but subsequently returned.
Henry Shefifield and his sons Marshall and Wesley were gallant Union soldiers
in the Rebellion. Andrew Lockie was the first blacksmith in town. He
came about 1848. A man name Pearson made chairs from 1840 to 1850.
The finst town mieeting convened at the dwelling of Russell Chapell in the
spring of 1837, nearly a year after the erection of the township. The first
officers were Stephen S. Cole, supervisor; Thomas Barker, town clerk; John
W. Dickinson, Foster B. Salisbury, Parker Hall, Almon Guthrie, justices of
the peace; John W. Dickinson, Foster B. Salisbury, Parker Hall, assessors;
Francis Matteson, collector; Jeremiah Crandall, John McWilliams, Thomas
Barker, highway commissioners; Alonzo Berry, James Hitchcock, Parker Hall,
school commissioners; John W. Dickinson, Foster B. Salisbury, John Mc-
Williams, school inspectors ; Philip Bonsteel, Almon Guthrie, overseers of
the poor; S. Marsh, Ichabod Chapman, Samuel Reynolds, constables. Fol-
lowing are the principal town officers:
Supervisory. -Stephen S. Cole, 1837-4.5. 1849, 18.>t; Foster B. Salisbury, 1846-48, 1850, 1852-53, 1856, 1862-6;j;
Thomas Barker, 1851; Archibald C. Crary, 1855; Almon Guthrie, 1857-58; Chase Fuller, 1859-60, 1866-67; Ben-
jamin Crary, 1861 ; ParkerSmith,1864-65,186n, 1871, 1873-74; Joseph B. Miller, 1868, 1881 ; Gilbert C. Sweet, 1870,
1872; Marshall Barker. 1875 ; Barnard Salisbury, 1876-79; George P. Learn, 1880, 1882-84; John E. Healey, 1885 ; •
Greeley Sweet (died and K. M. Leaniug elect^ to fill vacancy), 1886; Fred F. Pierce, 1887-89 ; William S.
O'Brien, 1890-92; Frank T. Berry, 1893.
TmvH acj-frs. -Thomas Barker, 1837; Kussell Chapell. 1838-39, 1843-47; Abraham Wright, 1840-42; O.
Hitchcock, 1848 ; A. B. Sawyer, 1849-50 ; Stephen S. Cole, 1851, 1856 : John C. Meacham, 1852-54, 1857 ; Austin
Marsh, l&jo; William S. Morris, 1858-60, 1862, 1864-fio; H. M. Bozard, 1861, 1866; Chase Fuller, 1863; Marshall
Barker, 1867, 1871-72; Ezra Marsh, 1868; W. J. Sherman, 1869, 1873, 1889; Milo Berry, 1870, 1874-75; Harvey
Pierce, 1876; Samuel Moffit, 1877; Cyrus P. Bozard, 1878-82; H. A. Pierce, 1883-84 ; E. M. Shaffner, 1885; W. H.
Train. 1886-87 ; J. W. Moffit, 1888 ; Truman C. Bozard, lWlO-91 ; Charles S. Pierce, 1892-93.
Justices ijf the Peace.— 1837, John W. Dickinson, Foster B. Salisbury, Parker Hall, Almon Guthrie ; 1838,
Stephen S. Cole; 1839, John W. Dickinson, John J. Northrup; 1840, Hale H. Crary, Foster B. Salisbury, Al-
mon Guthrie; 1842 and 1843, Almon Guthrie; 1844, Stephen S. Cole; 1845 and 1S46, Hale H. Crary; 1847,
Almon Guthrie. Richard Wright; 1848, John Putnam, George Adams; 1849, James Bond, Hector Pritchard,
Sanford Pierce; 1850, Hector Pritchard; 1851, \XMer Parker; 18.52, Stephen S. Cole, John O. Pierce, C.
Wilber; 1853, Foster B. Salisbury, Stephen West, George Adams; 1854, John Putnam ; 1855, George Adams,
92
/ J'-
History of Cattaraugus County,
Stephen West, Almon Guthrie; 1856, Henry M. Bozarcl ; 1857, Joseph B. Miller, Frederick Wright; 1858,
Chase Fuller: 1859, John Putnam; 18WI, Milo Berry; 1S61, George C. De Golia; 1862, Chase Fuller; 1863,
John Putnam ; 1864, Milo Berry ; 1865, H. A. Pierce ; 1860, Chase Fuller ; 1867, D. T. Kaub ; 1868, Milo Berry ;
186!l. Patrick Quinlan ; 1870, Frederick Wright, H. A. Pierce; 1871, John Moycr, .I.M.Whitney; 1872, Mill
Berry; 1873, J. M. Whitney, Edwin Guthrie; 1874, Frederick Wright; 187.5, Richard M. Leaning, Judson
Bowen; 1876, Milo Berry; 1877, M. Wilber; 1878, Lafayett Sweet; 187fl, Edwin Guthrie; 1880, Milo Berry;
1881, Harvey A. Pierce; 1882, Thomas H. Dowd; 1883. W. H. Train; 1884, Richard M. Leaning; 1885, Milo
Berry ; 1886, C. P. Bozard ; 1S.S7-8!I, Harvey A. Pierce ; 18!», Milo Berry ; 1891, Charles E. Whitney ; 1892, G. W.
Chamberlain; 1893, William H. Train.
Upon the organization of the town nine road districts were formed. This
number has been increased as the settlements extended and at the present
time the highways compare favorably with any other section of western New
York. The leading industry of Humphrey today is agriculture. Dairying
is given special attention and cheese making is carried on quite extensively.
The FrankHnville cheese factories, Nos. 6 and 7, are owned by E. H. Farring-
ton and T. E. Sherman and have a separate capacity of 300 or 400 cows.
There are others in the town equally as large. Fruit is also produced of ex-
cellent quality and in considerable quantities.
Lumbering in early days was an important industry and is still carried on in
some localities. The first saw-mill on Wright's creek west of Chapellsburg was
built prior to 1840 by Archibald M. Murphy, on land now owned by W. S.
O'Brien, which did a large business for several years. Madison Kinyon was
the next owner; then Thomas B. Shepard conducted it till Marshall Barker
bought the mill in 1868 and sold it six years later to John B. Guthrie. In
1874 Mr. Barker built a dam and the present Guthrie saw-mill building, and
sold it with the real estate to John B. Guthrie, who, with his sons Almon G.
and Conrad J., has run it the past ten years. In 1893 they put in a new
iron turbine wheel. A steam saw-mill was built at the Center on the old site
of Foster B. Salisbury's saw-mill by William E. Learn in 1887, in which was
also a shingle-mill, that did good business till it burned in 1890. David Van
Tile built a grist-mill on Wright's creek at Chapellsburg in 1865 that did fair -,
business for a while, but was finally abandoned. H. A. Pierce bought the
building, removed it, and metamorphosed it into a barn. '
The pipe line of the National Transit Company was laid through Hum- ;;
phrey in 1880, and along it a telegraph line was constructed in 1887 with a public ':.
office at Chapellsburg in the house of Marshall Barker, who has been the oper- f-
ator for several years. "|
A test oil well was drilled about 1878 by Golden, Fowler & Cody. When 'f
down about 1,500 feet Heathcoat, the contractor, declared strong indications '$
of oil, but the next day the proprietors abandoned it as a "dry hole." A '-^
cloud of mystery still envelops the real facts. '.••
The cemetery near the Baptist church at Chapellsburg contains half an acre ^'
of land which was deeded February 25, 1859, by Chase Fuller and Nancy, his '%
wife, to Almon Guthrie, Madison S. Kinyon, and Parker Smith, trustees of |-
the Chapellsburg Burying Ground Society, in consideration of $50. The pres- ?
ent trustees are John B. Guthrie, Harvey A. Pierce, and William J. Sherman. -f
Town of Humphrey. 731
The public burying ground at Humphrey Center contains a half-acre of land
given by Stephen S. Cole in 1871, when Foster B. Salisbury died and was the
first person buried there. The remains of his wife and of her mother were
also transferred from another ground to this. In the Marsh burial ground
are the graves of Danforth Marsh and wife, Alonzo Berry and wife, Mrs. Ezra
Smith, and other eafly residents.
The hamlet of Chapellsburg contains Humphrey postoffice, hotel, two
stores, two churches, a public hall, a school house, wagon and blacksmith shop,
telegraph office, and about a dozen houses. It is the oldest village in the
town and stands on the old stage route from Buffalo to Olean. It was named
in honor of Russell Chapell, its first settler, tavern keeper, postmaster, and most
active and best-known citizen. It owes its existence to being the most central
and accessible four corners in town. The first store here was kept by Hamil-
ton Smith and the next by William Curran. In 1862 H. M. & C. P. Bozard
built and opened a store and Marshall Barker succeeded them for about seven
years in his present dwelling. Luman Miller, John Learn, Charles Sherman,
H. A. Pierce, and Elmira Call followed. In 1875 H. A. Pierce built the store
now occupied by H. A. Pierce & Son and in 1891 T. C. Bozard built his pres-
ent store. The blacksmiths here have been Mr. Hallock, Orson Myrick, James
Fenton, Allen Low, and Marshall Barker, who also has a wagon shop.
Humphrey Center, situated two miles north of Chapellsburg, contains a
postoffice, a school house, a public hall, two stores, two blacksmith shops, a
shoe shop, a cheese factory, and a score of dwellings. The postoffice was
established in 1877 with James Moffit as the first postmaster, his commission
being dated January 15, 1877. The first store in the town was opened here
in Foster B.- Salisbury's dwelling by A. E. Sawyer in 1849. The next year
Mr. Salisbury built the store now used by James Devine. Its successive oc-
cupants have been Sawyer & Foote, John Meachum (the only merchant who
ever sold liquor there), Foster B. Salisbury and Pat-ker Smith, J. B. Miller,
C. G. Miller, Rev. Daniel McKoon (1859), James Moffit, Miles Berry (1871 to
1874), James Moffit again for nine years, S. H. Butler, Daniel Healey, Leroy
Litchfield, and James Devine since 1889. In connection with his mercantile
business A. E. Sawyer built an ashery near where Chamberlain's blacksmith
shop now stands, the only ashery ever operated in town, and sent out teams to
collect ashes from house to house, paying for them from eight to twelve cents
per bushel in groceries and cotton goods from his store. Mr. Sawyer's
successor was John Meachum, who, about 1856, erected a building farther up
the hill which contained a pearling oven, in which he converted potash into
pearlash. He built also a gassing room — a very tight apartment in which the
pearls were placed on shelves and subjected to the deadly fumes of burning
charcoal, sulphur, and other chemicals that produced a gas which changed the
pearls to saleratus. The door of this room was firmly closed and made as
nearly air and gas-tight as possible. Meachum continued this business as long
73- History of Cattaraugus County.
as raw material could be procured in sufficient quantities. He also built the
large house on the corner now called the Miller house, in which Richard Pritch-
ard kept a tavern one year. In 1880 James Warren got a license and opened
a public house in the same building for a single year; this was the last whisky
license granted in Humphrey. A Mr. Wilcox many years ago opened a cabi-
net shop here and made considerable furniture for those times. Andrew Lockie
and his son James as early blacksmiths were followed by John W. Sam-
uel and Charles Mofifit, who also had a wagon shop. The present blacksmiths
are Leroy -Litchfield and G. W. Chamberlain. By some residents at Chapells-
burg and elsewhere the Center was formerly often called "Tickletown."
The first minister of the gospel in Humphrey, and the first to hold relig-
ious services in the town, was Rev. Benjamin Cole, who settled at the Center
in 1824. Educated for the Catholic priesthood, which he abandoned, he
joined the British army, came to America with Lord Howe, deserted, and be-
came a Baptist minister.
The first Methodist Episcopal church of Sugartown, located in the south-
west part of the town, was organized in 1839 with seventeen members by Hi-
ram Sanford, who became the first pastor. Their house of worship, a wooden
structure, was erected in 1874 and cost $4,100. The present value of the
church property is $5,000. The edifice will seat 300 persons and the society
has twenty-five members under the pastorship of Rev. J. B. White. It also
has an interesting Sunday school. Mrs. C. C. Reed, in 1874, deeded to the
society the house and nineteen acres she occupies, reserving, however, a life
lease; she also gave them $2,000. The pastors have been as follows: Hiram
Sanford, 1838; Anderson, 1839; Burlingham, 1S40; Pickard, 1841 ; Herrsch,
1842-43; Hoyt, 1844; Havens, 1845; McEwen, 1846-47; Sanford Hunt,
1848-49; McCreary, 1850; Packard, 1851; Luce, 1852; Buck, 1853; Ely,
1854; Curry, 1855; Wells, 1856-57; Cooley, 1858-59; Gordon, i860; L. A.
Stevens, 1861 ; Mclntyre, 1862; T. W. Potter, 1863-65; Alexander, 1866;
Webber, 186S-70; P. D. Barnhart, 1871-72; George H. Cheney, 1873-74;
M. D. Jackson, 1875; C. D. Rowley, 1876; Bowen, 1877; G. Van Vraden-
burg, 1878-79; Mervillo, 1880; E. G. Piper, 1881-82; J. D.Monroe, 1883;
W. Post, 1884; J- W. Archibald, 1885-86; W. Holland, 1887; Tyler, 1888;
Wilkinson and White, 1889; F. Bell, 1890: J. B. White, since 1891.
The First Baptist church of Humphrey was organized in 1845 by Revs.
Samuel W. Titus, William Storrs, and R. D. Hays, with fifteen members.
The first pastor was Rev. Samuel W. Titus, the present one being Rev.
George W. Barnum. Their church edifice, a wooden structure, was built in
1875, cost $2,200, and will seat 250 people. The present value of the en-
tire property is $3,000. The society has fifty-two members and a Sunday
school of thirty scholars. The site on which this church stands was deeded
to the society by Phebe Morris on December 10, 1872, for §100.
St. Pacificus Catholic church at Chapellsburg was organized with seventy
Town of Humphrey. 733
members in 1855 by the Franciscan Fathers of EUicottville. The first pastor
was Father Pamfiho De Magh'ano, the present one being Very Rev. Joseph
Butler, O. S. F. The parish has 170 members. Their church edifice was
built of wood in 1855, cost $500, and will seat 200 persons. The present
value of their property is $2,ooo. A Sunday school is conducted during the
summer months. The church was regularly chartered in 1891.
The Union church edifice was built by the Christian and Baptist denomi-
nations on the line between Humphrey and Allegany, half of it standing in
each town. An organization was effected in 1857 and the building was erected
of wood in 1859 ^^ ^ cost of $1,500, the present value of the property. The
edifice will seat 200 people. There are twenty-five members under the pas-
torate of Rev. N. S. Langmade, and connected is a flourishing Sunday school.
The site of this church was purchased of Robert Wilber and James Hitch-
cock. The first deacons were Nathan Wilber, Harrison Newell, Marcus Onan.
The W. C. T. U. of Humphrey was organized at the house of Mrs. E. T.
Salisbury with eight charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. S. S.
Reed, president; Mrs. Mary S. Guthrie, vice-president ; Mrs. R. T. Wetherby,
secretary; Mrs. B. T. Sweet, treasurer. The society now has 25 members.
Levi D. Bailey is the grandson of Daniel Bailey, who was born in England,
came to America, settled in New Jersey, served in the War of 18 12, and died
aged 1 10 years. His son Levi E., born in New Jersey in 1809, came to
Wayne county, where he married Elizabeth Drake, who was a descendant in
the eleventh generation from William of Orange, and settled in Exeter, Pa.,
where Levi D. was born in 1833. Levi E. afterward lived in Steuben county,
N. Y., over forty years and died in Bradford, Pa., in 1889 and his wife in
1 891. At the age of si.xteen Levi D. shipped from New Bedford on a three
years' whaling voyage, visiting California on his way home. In 1853 he mar-
ried Celia A. Stevens and settled in Tioga county, Pa., coming in 1857 to
Carrolton, where he was a lumberman. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 154th
N. Y. Vols., and was in the battle of Fredericksburg, was disabled from fur-
ther service from spinal disease, and was discharged in 1863. Mrs. Bailey
went with her husband and served as a volunteer nurse in camp and on the
battlefield. She had a tent after the battle of Fredericksburg known as Mrs.
Bailey's tent, for which she neither asked nor received pay. Children: Ar-
menia (Mrs. Levi Petrie), Ida M. (Mrs. Fred Card), George L. (married Har-
riet Turner — children: Carrie M. and Lennie), and James A. (died young).
Marshall Barker is the son of Thomas and the grandson of Phineas Barker,
of French descent, who lived in Orwell, Vt., and married Amy Persons, of
Dutch ancestry and a descendant from Anneke Jans of Trinity church prop-
erty notoriety. Their son Thomas, born in Orwell in 1797, came to Hum-
phrey in 1 8 19. He was a shoemaker and brought a sack of boots and shoes and
his kit of tools on his back, and bought land and settled in the west part of
the town. He married Phebe, daughter of John Vaughn, of Washington
county. Children : Edwin (died when four years old), Cordelia, Jane, Au-
gusta, Maiy, and Marshall. The latter was born April 17, 1838, was raised a
farmer, and after the common schools attended Randolph Academy and
Alfred Seminary. His father died in 1855. He remained on the farm and
in 1859 married Ellen E., daughter of Thomas B. and Lucinda (Lewis) Shep-
734 History of Cattaraugus. County.
ard. Children: Ada M. (Mrs. Edwin Smith), whose children are Lee, Glen,
Coilah, and Grace; Neolah, died aged nineteen; Frank W., now telegraph
operator at Four Mile station who married Anna, daughter of Milo Berry,
and has one child, Musette; and Jennieve (Mrs. Patrick Quirk), whose chil-
dren are Ellen G. and Frances G. Mr. Barker traded the farm for his present
home at Chapellsburg in 1865, in which he opened a store and was a merchant
seven years and postmaster eleven years. In the meantime, being a natural
worker in wood or iron, he became a millwright, wagonmaker, and black-
smith, and opened shops which he still operates. He also studied surveying,
and in 1870 began its practice and still continues it. To aid a natural love
for investigation he has one of the best collections of scientific works in the
county. He was elected supervisor on the Republican ticket in 1875, since
which he has acted with Greenback organizations. His religious views are
with the Universalist faith.
Milo Berry is the son of Alonzo and the grandson of Jonathan Berry, of
Franklin county, who came from Vermont. Alonzo moved to Leicester, N. Y.,
about 1815, where Milo was born in 1830 and came with his parents to Hum-
phrey when two years old. Alonzo was a cooper by trade and made soon after
coming here 100 pine sap buckets for Russell Chapell, who had a large sugar-
bush in Sugartown. This job brought him $20 in cash. Mr. Berry married
Anis Leonard; children: Joel, who died in White Pigeon, Mich., in 1857;
Elmira, who died aged eighteen ; Lemira, who married Stephen S. Cole and
died in 1885 ; Alonzo, of Buffalo ; Edwin, of Minne30ta;and Milo. Milo learned
his father's trade and had a shop at Humphrey Center. He married Catharine
Stafford, of Ellicottville ; children : Ursula V., Frank T., Myron (married Mary
Consett, of Franklinville, who died in 1S89, leaving two children, Frank and
Earl), Addie (married Greeley Sweet, who died, and she married, second, James
Devine), Anna (Mrs. Frank Barker), Judson, and Ella. Milo Berry, always a
Republican, was first elected justice of the peace in 1 860 and has held the office
ever since, e.xcept in 1880. He has been town clerk four years, in 1881 and
1882 was justice of sessions, and was postmaster at Humphrey Center during
Harrison's administration. Frank T. Berry, son of Milo, was born in Hum-
phrey, July 4, 1853. When a young man he learned the trade of tool-dresser,
at which he worked seven yeais in Bradford, Pa., going there in 1875. Jan. i,
1882, he married Laura, daughter of Harvey A. Pierce, of Humphrey; chil-
dren: Beulahand Hazel. When twenty-one years old he held the office of
constable, which then paid $130 a year. He was elected supervisor in 1893.
Andrew J. Bozard is the son of Richard and the grandson of Christopher
Bozard, who came with his brother John from Pennsylvania and settled in
Humphrey about 183 1. These two pioneer settlers were of Scotch-Irish des-
cent and the eminence on which they located is still known as Bozard hill.
Richard married Eleanor Learn ; children: Henry M., Andrew j., Cyrus P.,
Barnard S. (died in Chicago), Ashbel L., Rebecca (Mrs. Harrison Newell),
Joseph, Laura (Mrs. Eliab Barber), and Judson O. Andrew J. was born in
Humphrey in 1832 and married, in 1861, Mrs. Sarah E. Pierce, daughter of
Alphonso Winters, who had two children, George and Kelley, by her first hus-
band. They have had one son, Alphonso. All three are dead, the latter two
dying in 1864. Mr. Bozard's farm of 150 acres comprises a part of the original
homestead. He is a Republican and has served a term as assessor.
Truman C. Bozard, eldest child of Cyrus P. and Julia (Pierce) Bozard,
was born in Humphrey m 1862 and was raised a farmer. In 1889 he opened
Town of Humphrey.
a store at Chapellsburg and was appointed postmaster May 15, 1891, serving
now his fifth year. In 1890 and 1891 he was elected town clerk, and during
the latter year built the store he now occupies. July 4, 1882, he married
Eva L., daughter of William Butler, of Humphrey. Children: Rose E.,
Grace B., Ruley M., and Floyd C. Cyrus P., son of Richard and grandson
of Christopher Bozard, was born in Humphrey in 1835. He is a farmer, but
has been a contractor and builder, merchant, and postmaster in Humphrey.
In 1861 he married Julia, daughter of Lyartus Pierce. Children: Truman C.,
Eddie H., and Blanche C. Mr. Bozard has been elected on the Republican
ticket five times as town clerk and is now serving his second term as justice.
Seneca H. Butler is the grandson of Patrick Butler, of Eairport, N. Y.,
whose .son Patrick came to East Otto and married Maria Spink; children:
Franklin, who was drowned while young; Louisa (Mrs. Charles H. Beebe), of
Humphrey Center, children Emma, Madalla, and William F.; and Seneca H.,
who was born in East Otto in 1848, became a farmer and grain thresher,
and married Rachel, daughter of David Wheeler, of Humphrey. They have
one child, Jennie. Patrick Butler died in 1852. Besides farming Mr. Butler
owns and runs the only cider-mill in town, has owned and run the store where
James Devine is, and for the past two years has kept a stock of merchandise
in his dwelling house at Humphrey Center.
George W. Chamberlain is the son of Harrison Chamberlain, who came to
Great Valley from Ohio about 1830 and was a nephew of Judge Benjamin
Chamberlain. Harrison was a superintendent of railroad construction, on the
Erie and other roads and now lives in Bradford, Pa. He married Barbara C,
daughter of Abel Burdick, a merchant and lumber dealer of Olean. They
had two sons: George W. and Benjamin A. Mrs. Chamberlain died in 1886.
George VV. was born in Great Valley in [85 i and learned the blacksmith's trade,
opening a shop in Randolph in 1871, then running shops in Salamanca and
Great Valley, and since 1887 at Humphrey Center. In 1874 he married
Hannah L., daughter of John B. Hininan, of Humphrey. Children: Frank-
lin D., Lloyd, Paris P. and Pearl H. (twins), and Goldie M. Mr. Chamberlain
has a great taste for reading, an active mind, and a vivid imagination that often
finds e.xpression in poetry.
Henry A. Chapman is the grandson of Noah and the son of Ichabod Chap-
man, who came to Humphrey from Cayuga county about 1838. He married
Rhoda Sherman; children: William (a soldier in the Civil war who died in
18S9), Julia, Electa, Henry A., George, Clara, Mary, Charles, Townsend (who
went to the war and was shot at the battle of Three Pines), Sarah, Helen, and
Josephine. Mr. Chapman died in 1866. Henry A. Chapman was born in Cay-
uga county in 1831, grew up a farmer, and in 1858 married Mary P. Meachum,
of Mansfield. Milo, the oldest of their two sons, married Lena Sherwood;
children: Daniel and Earl. Levi married Mary Oaks ; children: Harry and
William. Mr. Chapman bought his farm of 161 acres on Howe hill in 1858.
Cephas Childs, son of Cephas, was born in Dresden, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1824.
His mother's name was Eunice Spaulding; children: Eliza (married James
Miller), Donald, Minerva (married Joseph Miller), Simon J., James M., and
Cephas. Cephas, Sr., was killed by a falling tree when his youngest child was
ten days old. Mrs. Childs married, second, Nathan Mason, who brought the
family to Crawford county, Pa. Cephas, Jr., married, in 1848, Mary A. Guthrie,
who was born in Phelps, N. Y., in 1824. They settled in Humphrey, where they
have since lived (except four years in Salamanca), in 1852. Children: Betsey
736 History of Cattaraugus County.
B. (Mrs. Charles Fay), who has children Charles, Irvin B., and Edna L.: AI-
mon G., who married Nettie Wright and has one child, John C; and Phebe J.
(Mrs. Fred Pierce), whose children are Mary C, Roy H., and Earl. These
three families all live on adjoining farms. Cephas Childs enlisted in Jan.
1862, and served three years in the Civil war, fighting in the battles of Second
Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam, and Gettysburg. He has always been a
farmer and a Republican.
Henry S. Clark is the son of Hiram Clark, who was born in Chatham, Conn.,
in 1 801, married Achsah Arnold in 1825, and came with his family to Great
Valley in 1828. Children: Henry S., Mary (deceased), James, and Charles.
Henry S. Clark was born in Great Valley in 1830, was reared a farmer, and
married Catharine Foster in 1858. In t86i he enlisted in Co. A, 154th N. Y.
Vols., and was in the Army of the Potomac till the close of the war. He came
home with impaired health, for which he now receives a pension. Children:
Hiram married Alice Whitlock and has children Lloyd V., Eddie B., and Le-
lah J.; and Virgil H., born in 1866, a farmer with his father, married .Ella C.
Evans in 1888, and has one child, Burnell B. Evander Evans, father of Mrs.
Clark, was a soldier and died in service. Henr\' S. Clark has lived on his pres-
ent farm of 130 acres twenty- seven years. His wife died in 1871.
Stephen S. Cole, son of Rev. Benjamin and Rachel (Salisbury) Cole, was
born in Marlborough, Vt., in 1802. In 1822 he came from Phelps, N. Y.,
to Humphrey, where he had purchased eighty acres, to which he added until
he owned 400 acres. He early exerted a leading influence in the town and
county. He was first a Whigand then oneof the organizers of the Republican
party in this county in 1856, and took the stump for Fremont and afterward
for Lincoln, speaking in every town in the county. He was justice of the
peace about twenty years, was supervisor eleven years, and served as assem-
blyman in 185 I. He married Miss Lemira P. Berry, a native of Livingston
county. Children : Marvin S., Rosalia (Mrs. Eugene Reynolds), Helen L.
(Mrs. Albert I. McKoon), Delia A., and George \V. Marvin S. Cole was born
in Humphrey, Feb. 25, 1839, ^^'^s educated in the common schools and Rush-
ford Academy, enlisted in May, 1861, in Co. H, 37th N. Y. Vols., was pro-
moted orderly-sergeant, and mustered out in June, 1863. He began teaching
and was in the Olean schools seven years and principal of Olean Union School
and Academy five years and of Limestone Union School three years. Owing
to the partial failure of his sight he gave up teaching and w^ent to railroading,
being cashier at Eldred, Pa., two years. He came to Machias in August, 1883,
and has remained there since as joint station agent for the Western New York
& Pennsylvania railroad and the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad.
George C. De Golia, whose ancestor came from France during the French
and Indian war, was the son of James De Golia, of Prattsburg, N. Y., who was
born in 1801, came with his family in 1830 to McKean county, Pa., and
died in Smethport, Pa., in 1833. George C. moved the family to Bradford,
Pa., now De Golia. In 1847 his mother married Jacob Vader. George C.
worked in different places at his trade as carpenter and millwright. He was
born in 1821 and in 1849 married Rebecca Webb, who "died in Smethport, Pa.,
in 1850. In 1853 he married Electa L. Guthrie and in 1858 moved to Hum-
phrey, where he bought in 1864 the farm on which they have since lived. The
eldest of their three children, Andrew J., born in 1857, married Mary, daughter
of John Cross, in 1880, and settled in Humphrey. Children: Blossom, Budd,
Electa J., and John C. John A., born in 1859, ''ves with his parents, and
Town uf HuMniREV. ■ 737
George E., born in 1863, married Jennie Smallman, and is a traveling freight
agent for the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad. Mr. De Golia was
drafted in 1864 and sent a substitute. A Republican in politics he served one
term as assessor and was justice of the peace from 1861 to 1865.
James Devine is the son of James and Margaret (Hatton) Devine, who
came from Ireland to America about 1840 and settled in Humphrey in 1865.
Their children were: Mary, who married Thomas Kinney, of Humphrey, and
had six children; James; and Ellen (Mrs. Eugene Fee). James was born
Feb. 22, 1857, grew up on his father's farm, attended common school and the
Canandaigua Academy, taught school four terms, and was reporter for a time
on the Olcan Herald. From 1885 to 1887 he ran as mail agent from Hornells-
ville to Kent, O., in the discharge of which duties he was caught in a railroad
collision at West Salamanca in 1858, receiving injuries in his back that dis-
abled him for three years, for which the company paid him §2,500. In 1889
he bought the store at Humphrey Center, where he has been a merchant for
the past four years. In 1890 he married Adeline, daughter of Milo Berry ;
children ; Kittie and Margaret.
John W. Dickinson, son of John W., was born in London, England, and
received a college education in that city. After completing his studies he
determined to seek a home in the United States and came to New York city
and thence to Schenectady, where he resided a few years. He there married
Elizabeth Rowley, of that place, and both decided to make the almost un-
broken wilderness of Cattaraugus county their future home. They came to
the north part of Humphrey in 1826. He bought a farm in lower Sugartown,
built a log house and barn, and successfully proceeded to make for himself a
comfortable home. He built the first blacksmith shop in that region. He
often delivered orations on public occasions and was a fife-major in the War of
1812. He was a man of good morals and a thorough temperance advocate,
which in those early times was the exception, not the rule. He was elected
justice of the peace and held his courts where the wrangling of the pettifog-
gers was sometimes interrupted by the hooting of an owl or the screach of
some wild animal. He also taught a few terms of district and singing schools.
There were .seven children born to them, two of whom are living: Permelia
Derby in Franklinville and Christina Berry in Great Valley. The others were
Sarah T, Charles T., Abijah' A., Eliza A., and Harriet.
Matthew P. Dollard, son of Patrick R. and Alice (Griffin) Dollard, was
born in New York city, Nov. 15, 1838, and came with his father to Humphrey
in 1856. Patrick R. bought of Abram Wright the farm, which Matthew P.
now owns. Matthew married, in 1859, Margaret P. Byrne, who was born in
Watertown, N. Y., in 1843; children living: Alice (married John McCune and
has children John and Daniel), Margaret, John P. (married Mary Flynn and
has one child, Gertrude), Francis J., Helena, Edward, Stephen A., Philip,
Many A., Arastula, and Jane A. Two boys, Matthew and Patrick, died aged
twelve and eight and four other children died in infancy. Mr. Dollard has
been an efficient town officer and is now serving his sixteenth consecutive
term as assessor. He is a Democrat and a trustee of St. Pacificus church.
Dr. Henry W. Dye, an eclectic physician, was born in Boston, Erie county,
in 1816, read medicine with Drs. Emmons and Howe in Springville, and came
to Franklinville in 1849 ^"d to Humphrey in i860. He lived on the Five
Mile track and practiced in this town about two years. He went to Ashford
and thence to Salamanca, where he died in 1889.
93
73S History of Cattaraugus County.
Frank F. Ford is the son of Loren and the grandson of Jacob Ford, who
was born in Vermont in 1788, where his father, Isaiah Ford, had been an
early settler. Jacob married Abigail Waters in 1808 and came to Cattaraugus
county, settling in Franklinville when there were but three other families in
that town. Children: Russell, Samuel, Loren, Harriet, David, Daniel, Nathan,
Charles, Sarah, Permelia, and Mary. Loren was born in 1820 and married
Jerusha Salisbury; children: Ji.;dson, of Dlean ; Gatus, died aged eleven;
Frank F. ; and Sylvester. Loren Ford, always a farmer, came to Hinsdale in
1853, where he still lives. Frank F. Ford was born in New Hudson, Alle-
gany county, in 1851, and was raised a farmer. In 1872 he married Judith,
daughter of Rufus Foote, of Hinsdale, and the ne.xt year bought his present
farm of 195 acres in Humphrey, building the house in which he now lives in
1892. Children: Ernest, born in 1872; Clara, born in 1876, died in 1878; and
Glen G. C, born in 1884. A public spirited Republican he has served his
town as collector and highway commissioner.
John B. Guthrie, son of Almon and Betsey (Salisbury) and grandson of
Benjamin Guthrie, was born in Smyrna, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1821. His father
was born in the same town in 1799 and moved his family to Humphrey in
1824. Children: John B., Electa L., Mary A., Fanny E., Clarissa E., Edwin,
and Eliza R. He settled on Wright's creek, sold his farm to Foster B. Salis-
bury, and bought, lived, and died on land now owned by his son John B., who,
when twenty-two years old, bought the first part of his present homestead.
In 1849 he married Catharine V., daughter of Conrad Du Bois, of New Hud-
son, N. Y., whose grandfather was a French nobleman. She was born in
Ulster county in 1822. Children: Elizabeth (Mrs. Albert Armstrong); Al-
mon G. (married, in 1879. Mary Brown, of Great Valley); Electa L. (married
Edson Hale in 1880), died in 1892 ; and Conrad J., who married, in 1878, Car-
oline Pratt, of Kendall Creek, Pa.; children : Cora A. and Leslie C. John B.
Guthrie has been assessor three terms, overseer of the poor, highway commis-
sioner, constable, and collector, and a Republican since that party was or-
ganized. His father had an ashery in early times where he made black-salts,
which were called " Jackson money."
Edwin Guthrie, son of Almon and Betsey (Salisbury) Guthrie, was born
on the homestead in Humphrey, Sept. 29, 1829, and is probably the oldest
native of the town who still lives here. Betsey was the daughter of John
Salisbury, of Phelps, N. Y., and her mother was a sister of General Bannister.
After the common schools at home, and eighteen weeks at Hinsdale in 1847,
Edwin attended the Union School at Vienna at a time when it was broken
up by small-pox. When twenty-eight years old he married Mary S., daughter
of Elisha Mack, of Bath, N. Y. In 1858 he bought a part of the farm which
is still his home. Children: Eveline M. (Mrs. Spencer Whitney), Franklin S.,
Ida (deceased), Edwin (married Carrie G. Sill), Elisha W. (married Callie
Dunning), Josephine B., Allen L., and Burdette J. Mr. Guthrie, originally a
Republican, now a Prohibitionist, has served as commissioner of highways
and for two terms as justice of the peace. He built and owns Guthrie hall.
Freeman Hitchcock is the son of Shadrach Hitchcock, who came from
Rhode Island and settled in Fabius, N. Y. He married Betsey E. Coon ;
children: Hannah, Polly, Harriet, James, Shadrach, Huldah, Nancy, Elisha,
George, Betsey, Horace, and Freeman. Freeman Hitchcock was born in
1829, in P'abius, and when young came to Humphrey and lived a year with
his brother James, who came here early. About 1858 he bought his present
Town of Humph rev. • 739
farm on the Five Mile tract and in i860 he married Ann M., daughter of
Dr. Henry W. Dye, of Humphrey. Their first children were twins, George
and Isabel. The former, now of Humphrey, married Maggie McCune; chil-
dren: John, George, and Marian. Isabel married Sylvester Ford, of Hinsdale;
children: Lena and Leona. The next child, Myrtie, married Charles McWill-
iams, of Olean ; they have one child, Henry. Marion, their next child, died
when five years old. The others are Katie B., Bessie E., Merriam H., Will-
iam J., and Emma R.
Richard M. Leaning is the son of Richard Leaning, who married Mary
Newmarch and came from Lincolnshire, Eng., in 1830, and settled in Otsego
county. Children: Eliza, Elizabeth, William, John, Fanny, Mary, Rachel,
Richard M., Helen, Wallace, and Lucina. Richard M. was born in Otsego
county in 1834 and married, in 1853, Sarah, daughter of Theodore Stone, a
pioneer of Mansfield, in which town Richard was a farmer from 1862 to 1870,
when he bought his farm of 246 acres in Sugartown, where he now lives. Chil-
dren: Marsella (Mrs. James Murphy), deceased ; Emmagrue, died when four
years old ; Frank, died at the age of fifteen ; Emma, died when four years old ;
Nellie (Mrs. Charles K. Moore), whose children are Erton L., Earl, Ada, and
Anna; and Marsellus, of Ellicottville, whose children are Frank and Sarah.
Mr. Leaning, a Democrat, has served six years as assessor and in 1886 was
supervisor of Humphrey. He is a member of the Free Baptist church.
George P. Learn is the son of Joseph Learn, who came from Northampton
county. Pa., about 1825, and settled in the eastern part of Humphrey. He
married Mary Spraglc, of Northampton county. Children: Miles J., of Frank-
linville; Caleb, of Allegany; and George P., who was born in Humphrey in
1835. When Mr. Learn first came to town his nearest neighbors east or west
were three miles distant. Wild game was so plenty that he felt sure of shoot-
ing a deer whenever the family needed venison. He died in 1857 and his wife
in 1872. George P. married Julia, daughter of David Ely, of Franklinville,
in 1853. They have one child, William E., who married Bertha, daughter of
Eugene F. Pierce, of Humphrey. They settled at the Center and have one
child. Vera. George P. Learn, always a Republican, has filled most of the
town offices in Humphrey; he was supervisor in 1880, 1882, 1883, and 1884.
Leroy Litchfield is the son of Orange Litchfield, who was born in Bethany,
N. Y., in 1807, where he married Presina Greeno. Children: Harvey, Mary,
Hiram,' Leroy, Lucia, Emogene, and Rinaldo. In 1831 he removed to Ran-
dolph, where he still lives and where Leroy was born in 1838. The latter
learned his father's trade of blacksmithing, which he followed till 1862, when
he enlisted as first lieutenant in Co. H, 154th N. Y. Vols., and was in the bat-
tles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At the latter he was taken prisoner
and for seventeen months suffered the tortures of Belle Isle, Libby, Anderson-
ville. Savannah, and Milan prisons. Of sixteen comrade prisoners of Co. H
he was the only man who lived to rejoin his regiment, with which he served
till the close of the war. He married, in 1866, Carrie D., daughter of John and
Mary Cooper. Mr. Litchfield is now the only living representative in Hum-
phrey of the several Cooper families once so prominent and numerous here.
Since the war Mr. Litchfield has followed his trade at the Center except one
year, when he was a merchant and deputy postmaster. He has for the past
year and a half run a daily stage and carried the mail from Humphrey Center
to Great Valley Center.
" Danforth Marsh raised seven sons and two dauchters. Five of the sons —
74<5 History of Cattaraugus Count v.
John, Cyrus, Ezra, William, and Staley — served honorably through the Re-
bellion and all came home alive. Staley was shot through the body at Cedar
Mountain and is an invalid.
George B. Matteson was born in Pompey Hollow, N. Y., in 1834, from
whence his father, Francis Matteson, born in 1795, a son of Calvin, came in
1835 to Humphrey and died in 1862. Francis married Betsey Wickham.
Children : Leroy W., William, Mary, Sarah, Layuern, Nelson, Richard, Orde-
lia, and George B. The latter grew up trained to all kinds of farm work, lum-
bering, making shingles, and tended saw-mill in many towns in Pennsylvania.
He is one of the few living men who has cradled six acres of wheat or has
made from the log 2,000 shingles in a day. He married, in 1855, Eliza Ann
McWilliams; children: Alonzo (died young), Elmer, Amy (who married
Charles Welch, of Allegany, and has children Jennie, Lida, and Cora), John
(married Iva, daughter of Ashbel Bozard), Olive (married John Day and
has children Ella and Margueritte), and Olive (who died when eighteen years
old — ten days after her marriage to Robert McClueri. Mr. Matteson's second
marriage was to Roxania Talbot in 1882. He has lived on his present farm
nearly forty years, has been assessor, and is a buyer of farm produce.
Oscar L. McKay is the great-grandson of Burnett McKay, of Genesee
county, whose son Silas moved from Middlebury, X. Y., and settled in Mans-
field in 1825. Silas McKay was the father of a noted family of nine sons, the
eldest of whom, Liberius, the father of Oscar L., was born in Middlebury in
1819 and lived in Mansfield sixty-three years, dying there in 1888. By his first
wife, Huldah Ball, he had three children, who all died young. By his second
A\'ife, Susan Johnson, of Ashford, his children were Oscar L. (born in 1839),
Olive M., Martha A., Hanford, Eugene, and Louisa — all dead but the oldest
and the youngest. Oscar L. enlisted in 1861 and joined the army under Gen-
eral McClellan ; he was in the battle of Fair Oaks, was taken sick, and was
discharged in 1863. He came home and married, in 1863, Martha A., daughter
of Hiram Burroughs, of Mansfield. Children: Lucy J. (Mrs. Manley Chase),
whose children are Ethel M. and Ralph ; Grant D.; Glenn E.; aild Bernette E.
Mr. McKay has lived on his present farm in Humphrey for twenty years and
has served three terms on the Board of Excise.
Newton C. McKoon is the son of Daniel W. and the grandson of Martin
McKoon, of Vermont, whose father, of Scotch ancestry, was a lineal descend-
ant from Martin Luther. Martin McKoon married Rhoba, daughter of John
Williams, a noted Baptist preacher of Rhode Island and a descendant of
Roger Williams. The children of Martin and Rhoba McKoon were in the
si.xth generation from Roger Williams and in the twelfth generation from
Martin Luther. Daniel W. McKoon was born in Columbia, N. Y., in 181 1, and
married Jane Young, of the same place; children: Newton C, Cyrus, Mary
Jane, Albert, David, Helen, and Rhoba. He was a Free Baptist minister
and came to Cattaraugus county in 1857, where he preached in Little Valley,
Humphrey, and various other towns, and died in Olean in 1871. Newton C.
McKoon was born in Columbia, N. Y., in 1836 and came to Humphrey in
1859, settling on the farm in Sugartown that is stilL his home. In 1864 he
married Ann, daughter of Benjamin Crary, who came in 1847 from Tompkins
county to Sugartown, where he lived forty-three years and died in 1890. His
wife was Rhoda Howe; children: Lemie H., Ann, and Albert. Newton C.
was educated at Ellington Academy and taught school twenty-five terms.
He was school commissioner two terms from 1872 and from 1885, was town
Town of Humphrey. ■ 741
assessor in 1869, 1870, and 1871, and in connection with the management of
his farm has been a dealer in agricultural implements.
Mathias Mosman is the son of William Mosman, who was born in Ger-
many in 1801, came to America in 1S47, and settled in Erie county, where he
died in 1881. Mathias came to Humphrey in 1854 and worked by the month
for Rufus and Gilbert Sweet, buying of the latter fifty acres of land in i860.
In 1862 he married Mary E., daughter of James Ganung. Their eldest child,
William J., married Gertrude Wagner and has one child, Coral. Sarah A. and
Charles B. Mosman, the two younger children, are at home. In 1864 Mr.
Mosman enlisted in Co. A, 188th N.Y. Vols., and joined the Fifth Army Corps.
He was in the Weldon Raid, the first and second Hatcher's Run battles, and
was present at Lee's surrender. He was discharged at Arlington at the close
of the war. Originally a Republican he was one of ten men who organized
the Prohibition party in Cattaraugus county, to which he still belongs. He
bought his present farm of eighty acres in 1868 and built his new house in
1882. He was a member of the first Excise Board in Humphrey and has been
a deacon of the Baptist church fifteen years.
William S. O'Brien is the son of Daniel and Teresa (Devereux) O'Brien,
who came from Ireland and settled on Bozard hill in 1849. Children: Ann,
Eliza, Patrick, Matthew, James, Maria, and William S. The latter, born in
1850, married, in 1878, Nora M., daughter of Daniel Quirk, one of the early
settlers of Humphrey. William and his wife lived with his father till his death
in 1885, when he sold the Bozard hill homestead and bought and built on his
farm near Chapellsburg. Children : Daniel P., Francis J., William Leo, Ellen
T., Teresa, Vincent A., Stephen P., and Ruth M. Mr. O'Brien served as Dem-
ocratic supervisor in 1890, 1891, and 1892, and reduced the valuation $40,000.
Harvey A. Pierce is the son of Lyartus Pierce, who was born near Boston
in 1795, and the grandson of Caleb Pierce, who was born in Hancock, Mass.,
in 1768, came to Fabius, N. Y., and died in 1838. Lyartus married Catharine
Fosmer, of F"abius, and came to Humphrey in 1835, settling on Bozard hill on
lot 6. Children: Henry B., Hiram, Harrison, Angeline, Harvey W., Harlow,
Adeline, and Julia. Harvey was born in Fabius in 1830, was reared a farmer,
and married, in 1852, Mary, daughter of Charles C. Woodruff, of Humphrey;
children: P'remont C. (died at the age of seventeen), ¥xed F., Je.ssie (Mrs.
Samuel North), Laura (Mrs. Frank Berry), Charles S. (born May 16, 1870,
now a merchant at Humphrey and town clerk), and Mary L. (who died young).
Charles S. Pierce married Emma, daughter of Myron Canada, who died in
1872 from exposure in the army. H. A. Pierce bought on lot 14 in 1852 and
was a farmer for the next twenty years. In 1872 he opened a store at Chap-
ellsburg and three years later built the store which he kept till 1892, when
his son Charles S. became his partner, and he moved to his farm at the Cen-
ter. During all these years Mr. Pierce has been one of the most active busi-
ness men in town, and has served two years as town clerk, two terms as over-
seer of the poor, five full terms as justice, and as postmaster under Garfield.
Eugene F". Pierce is the son of Income S. Pierce, who came from Fabius,
N. Y., in 1836 and settled on the farm of 131 acres where his son now lives.
He married, in 1822, Louisa Barnard, of Fabius; children: William B., John
O. (deceased), Mary S. (Mrs. Samuel Sill), Urial J. (deceased), Ashbel A.,
Caroline A. (Mrs. Clinton Corthell), and Gordon C. and Jasper N. (both de-
ceased}. E. F. Pierce was born in Humphrey in 1844 and married Emeline
Linderman in 1865. Children: Bertha G. (Mrs. W. E. Learn), Charles A.,
742 History of Cattaraugus County.
Alonzo, Urial J., and Addie L. Mr. Pierce's father died in 1851 and his
mother in 1891. Besides farming he deals in butter, eggs, and farm produce.
Mrs. CaroHne C. Reed is the daughter of Dr. Augustus Crary (p. 125), whose
grandfather, William Crary, of Wallingford, \'t., was the son of William
Crary, of Scotch extraction, born in 1712, married Nancy Campbell, and died
in 1790. His son William, born in 1759, married Sarah Ann, daughter of
Benjamin Spencer, an eminent Quaker lawyer who lost r,ooo acres of land
and a large amount of live stock and household goods by command of Gen.
Ethan Allen during the Revolutionary war because he would not consent to
go to war himself, although he sent into the army all of his sons who were old
enough. William came to Dryden, N. Y., at an early day. His son Augus-
tus was born in Vermont in 1788, became a physician, married Priscilla Hale
in 1809, and came to Yorkshire in 1827 and to EUicottville in 1831. Children :
Caroline, Clark, Hale, Archibald, Jane, and Eugene, the latter and Mrs. Reed
being the only survivors. Caroline married Dr. Calvin Chickering in 1831,
who came to Humphrey in 1836, where he died in 1846. In 1847 she mar-
ried Dr. Virgil Reed, who practiced in Humphrey until his death in 1866.
Their only child, Frank Hamilton, born in 1849, ^li^d in 1876. Mrs. Reed
joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1839. ^'^ which she has been devot-
edly attached, giving to her own society over $4,000 and to the Methodist
Society in Franklinville §2,000. She was born in 1 810.
John A. Rider is the son of Henry Rider, of Massachusetts, who settled in
Buffalo in 1820 and married Hattie Lothridge. Children: Elbridge G., Will-
iam, Henry H., Roderick, and John A. — all dead but the last two. Henr)-
Rider was a carpenter and house builder, and his son John A. also grew up a
mechanic and became a ship carpenter. Buffalo, from 1835 to 1855, was cele-
brated for its ship yards, in which Mr. Rider worked on many noted boats,
among which were the Queen City, Niagara, Buffalo, City of Buffalo, and the
Wester/! Metropolis, all of them side-wheel steamers running to Chicago. He
married, in 1840, Melissa Jewett ; children: Agnes (Mrs. Jerome Morris),
Clara, and John A. Mr. Rider's second marriage was to Sarah Foy in 1866.
The same year he came to Humphrey and bought his present farm of 154
acres. They have one son, Egbert F., born in 1872. Mr. Rider was a mem-
ber of the Board of Health in Buffalo during the cholera season of 1858.
William J. Sherman is the son of Peter Castle Sherman, who was born in
Charlotte, Vt., and was a descendant of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence. Peter C. married Cynthia King, of Eng-
lish descent, who died in 1843. He died in 1865. William J. was born in
Mt. Pleasant, Pa., in 1830, and went to Honesdale,' Pa., in 1847, where he
learned the tinner's trade. In 1 850 he entered the employ of the Erie rail-
road as fireman on an engine. One daj' when the engineer was sick he drew
the first car-load of timber for the celebrated Portage bridge. In 1853 he be-
came an engineer, and left the Erie in 1855, went west, and was employed as
engineer on a portion of what is now the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy rail-
road in Illinois. On one of his regular trips, drawing a passenger train, his
engine sank in the Mississippi Bottom marsh, four miles from Burlington,
injuring him so that he was disabled for a year. It was five weeks before
the engine was raised from the mud. In 1861 he returned and ran a passen-
ger engine on the Erie until 1874, when he quit railroading. Since that time
he has been a farmer and a hotel keeper in Humphrey in the same hotel
opened b}' Russell Chapell more than half a century ago. Mr. Sherman is a
Town of Humph rev. ■ 743
very intelligent representative of the few remaining and fast decreasing force
of veteran Erie engineers, rich in experience of tlie early days of railroading.
He married, in 1853, Jane Tasker, of Little Valley, who died in 1863, leaving
a nephew as an adopted son, now Charles T. Sherman, of Evansville, Ind.
William J. Sherman's second marriage was in 1866 to Charlotte Morris, who
was born in Hinsdale in 1839. Children: L. Mary, Romaine A., William B.,
and Annette L. Mrs. Sherman is the only daughter of William S. and Phebe
P. Morris. William S. Morris was the son of Samuel and Charlotte (Mills)
Morris, of Cazenovia, N. Y. Mrs. Morris was the step-daughter of Jacob and
Phebe Shepard. She was born in 1803 in Schenectady, N. Y., and was mar-
riedin 18 19 to Edward Bryant, of Great Valley, where he died in 1823. Her
second marriage was to William S. Morris in 1828, who died in Humphrey in
1868, aged seventy-one years. His wife died in 1882, aged seventy-nine
years. Russell Chapell died in Humphrey in 1857, aged eighty-two years.
His wife Phebe died in 1863, aged eighty-three years.
Russel Stone is the son of Alexander and grandson of Alexander Stone,
both of Otsego county. His father married Nancy Utter and removed his
family to Warsaw, Livingston county, where Russel was born in 1819, and in
1833 he came to Cattaraugus county and settled in Mansfield. Children : Ma-
son, Nancy, Russel, Annis, Huldah, and Esther. Russel was a carpenter by
trade, married Harriet Coe, and settled in Humphrey in 185 1, where he has
since been a farmer. Of their children Benjamin, the eldest, entered the army
and died in the service; Albert married Mary Bacon in 1875 and has children
Truman and Blanche; Eleanor (Mrs. Gale Nudd), of Humphrey, married, first,
Milo Wilber, by whom she had one child, Gertrude; Chester married Elvira
Kennedy, who has one child, Clarence; Rose (Mrs. Martin Wilber), of Hum-
phrey, has one child, Forrest; Ida (Mrs. George Stimson) has children Hattie,
Jennie, Mabel, and Eloyd ; and Homer married Alice Olmsted, has one child,
Lewis, and resides in Yorkshire. Mr. Stone has lived on his present farm of
seventy acres since 1862. His wife died in 1875.
Rufus S. Sweet was the son of Samuel Sweet, who was born in Rhode Is-
land in 1794 and settled in Hartwick, N. Y., where he was foreman in a cotton
factory and a preacher in the Christian denomination. He married Hannah
Perry ; children : Gilbert C, Sylvester D., Susan S., Mary A., Rufus S., Abel
P., Maria E., and James J. In 1817 he removed to Erie county, N. Y., where
he died in 1863. Rufus Sweet, his father, was born in England in 1763 and
died in 1820. Rufus S. Sweet, born in Otsego county in 1826, married Betsey
Train, of Collins, N. Y., in 185 1, and in 1854 bought for $1,300 and settled on
350 acres of wild land in Humphrey, one hill of which is the highest point in
Cattaraugus county. He built a log house and in 1870 his present residence.
The best pine trees had been stolen for rails before he bought the land, but
from what were left he made and sold over half a million shingles. His near-
est neighbor was Richard Bozard. In i860 his brother, Gilbert C. Sweet, set-
tled on Cooper hill. Children: Patience S. (Mrs. W^illiam Reed), Henry G.
(married Adeline Berry and died in i860), Luella (Mrs. A. H. Manning), Sam-
uel (married Jennie Southwick and lives on the old homestead), and R. Lin-
coln (married Ola Sherwood). Mrs. Sweet was the daughter of Elisha Train,
who was born in Vermont in 1792, and married Lois Bowen, of Deerfield, Pa.
Their second son, William H. Train, came to Humphrey in 1876 and has
taught school in every district in town. Spencer, a younger son, lost his life
in the Rebellion. Originally a Republican Mr. Sweet is now a Prohibitionist
744 History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
and in religious faith he has always been a staunch Universahst. Gilbert C.
Sweet was supervisor of Humphrey in 1870 and 1872.
Charles Thomas was born in Ellicottville in 1828, where his father, Isaac
Thomas, from Albany, N. Y., settled in 1820, removing in 1829 to the farm
now owned by Newton C. McKoon in SugartoWn. He married Eunice
Chase, of Humphrey; children: Laura, George, Charles, Ira, Henry, Lucena,
Elizabeth, Jennette, and Shepard, of whom three are dead. Charles married,
in 1856, Sarah, daughter of Ichabod Chapman; children: Lillie S., Hattie E.
(Mrs. Otis Bowen, of Randolph, who has two children), Lillie (Mrs. Lewis
Bowen, who has five children), William W. (who died eight years old), and
MarkT. (married Ella Davis and has one child, Mildred). Charles Thomas, in
religious belief a Seventh Day Adventist and. in politics a Republican, has
been two terms overseer of the poor and five terms highway commissioner.
Stanley M. Whitlock is the son of William Whitlock, a soldier who was
shot in the army, and the grandson of Thomas Whitlock, who settled in Ischua
from Ithaca, N. Y., about 1830. William Whitlock married Eliza, daughter
of Dr. James Trowbridge; children: Euzetta (Mrs. Ernest Hollister), Stanley
M., Clara (Mrs. Lester Linderman), and Henry. Stanley Whitlock was born
in 1853, was reared on a farm, married Dora Linderman in 1877, and came to
Humphrey and settled on his present farm of eighty-four acres in 1879. Chil-
dren : Ray, Clair, and Bessie. Mr. Whitlock is active in town affairs and is
now filling the office of assessor.
Charles E. Whitney is the son of Joseph M. Whitney, of Penn Yan, N. Y.,
who came to Sardinia, N. Y., and in 1843 married Arabella H. Warner, of Ash-
ford. After living in East Otto and Ashford Hollow they settled in Great
Valley in 1853, where Mrs. Whitney died in 1865. She was born fn Keene,
N. H., a daughter of Jerry and Phcbe (Howe) Warner, of Scotch descent.
Their children were Charles E., Eliza F., Warner J., Sarah E., Julia A., Spen-
cer L., Fred M., Frank B.. and George. Charles E. was born in 1845, ''^ ^'if-
dinia, grew up on the farm with the usual common school advantages, and at
the age of seventeen enlisted in Co, I, 154th N. Y. Vols., and joined the Army
of the Potomac, fighting under McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, and Meade. In
the battle of Chancellorsville he was severely wounded in his left thigh, after
which he was captured and remained three days on the field, constantly under
fire, without food or medical attention. After two weeks' imprisonment and
eight months in the hospital he returned to his regiment and at Rocky Face
Ridge, Ga., in 1864, was again captured and confined in Andersonville and
other rebel prisons seven months, weighing but eighty-five pounds when he
came out. He did no more active duty, is still lame in his shattered thigh, and
receives a small pension. He married, in 1871, Sarah E., daughter of William
C. Haggerty, of Humphrey. They settled in Kansas, where he was postmas-
ter and justice of the peace ten years and also filled other town offices. Poor
health brought them back in 1883 to this town, where his father had settled
in 1866, and where he died in 1880. Children: Clara A. (Mrs. Frank H.
Maher), Julia E., Fred H. (died in Kansas), Marian E., and Fannie A. Mr.
Whitney has always been a Republican and is now justice of the peace.
Barber Wilber was born in Fabius, N. Y., in 1812, whither his father,
Freeman Wilber, removed at an early day from Rhode Island. Freeman was
a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married Mercy Kinyon ; their sons
were Kinyon, P"reeman, Alanson, Robert, Amasa, Nathan, and Barber, all of
whom came to Humphrey about 1830 and settled on the Five Mile tract,
Towx OF Leon. " 745
which is still largely peopled with their descendants. Barber VVilber married
Mary Bennett in 1840; children: Caroline (Mrs. David Raub, who has one
child, Nellie), Angeline, Milo, Maria, Corydon, Louisa, Stanley, and Olivia.
The latter married Alonzo Barber and has one son, Henry. Four of these eight
children — Angeline, Maria, Corydon, and Louisa — died in 1865, in one month,
of diphtheria. Of the remainder all except Mrs. Raub are living with their
father. When clearing his farm of 100 acres, on which Mr. Wilber has lived
for over half a century, he made black-salts and shingles.
CHAPTER XXXHL
HISTORY OF THE TOWX OF LEON.
LEON was erected into a township from Conewango on the 24th of April,
1832, and contains an area of 23,023 acres. It is described in the Hol-
land survey as town four, range nine, and is bounded on the north by
Dayton, on the east by New Albion, on the south by Conewango, and on the
west by Chautauqua county. The name is derived from the ancient kingdom
of Leon .in Spain and is claimed to have been given by James Waterhouse,
the first supervisor and one of the pioneers. The town is broken into low
hills except in the northwest corner, where the surface is level and marshy,
and through which the east branch of Conewango creek flows southwest-
erly. The headwaters of this stream are in New Albion, and after flowing
northwesterly through a part of Leon they unite in Dayton with a smaller
tributary and form the east branch of the Conewango. The only other
stream of note in the town is Mud creek, which rises in the eastern part, flows
westerly and southwesterly, and empties into Conewango creek in Conewango.
This was formerly called Butternut creek from the large number of Butternut
trees growing along its banks; the stream afforded numerous mill-sites, which
were extensively utilized in early days. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam,
and much of it is well adapted to farming purposes. It was originally cov-
ered with a fair growth of timber, most of which was used for fuel and build-
ing. Very little pine was found in quantities to make lumbering profitable.
The first permanent settlers in Leon were James Franklin and his son
James, who came from Monroe county in September, 1818, and located on lot
50. They erected a log house the same season. The son died in town in
1843. The same fall Abner Wise and his wife with their son Abner, Jr., set-
tled on lot 49. Mrs. Wise was the first white woman in the town; she died
aged seventy-seven. Mr. Wise, familiarly known as Captain Wise, died about
1838. With the Wises came Thomas W. Cheney, then fifteen years of age,
all from Otsego county. Cheney became a Reformed Methodist minister and
94
746 History of Cattaraugus County.
subsequently a Wesleyan, of which denomination he was at one time presid-
ing elder. His son T. Apoleon was a man of considerable learning and wrote
several books on geology.
Among the settlers of 1819 were Edmund Dudley, who was the first to
article land in the town, his being the only piece articled until 1822, and his
selection being the west part of lot 41 ; and Robert Durfee, who located on
parts of lots 50 and 57. In 1820 came Otis L. Durfee, a brother of Robert,
who, became a Baptist clergyman; Asa Franklin, who became the first inn
keeper; William Bartlett, a millwright who built many of the early mills; and
Alexander Oathout, John Bigler, Harlow Beach, Irenus Baldwin, William Mor-
rison, and Luman Coe. In 1821 the settlers were Nathaniel Cooper, Elisha
Cooper, Hazeltine Streeter, Eber Franklin, Richard Oathout (who taught the
first school and built the first frame building), Levi Sykes, A. McDonell,
Stephen Parish, John Battles, and others.
Between 1822 and 1830 came, among others, Ichabod Franklin, Whitman
Franklin, Oliver Pool, Philip Bigler, Alpheus Stearns, Rev. Ezra Amadon,
John N. Kierstead, Caleb Fairbanks, Norman Coe, Artemas Fairbanks, F"ul-
ler Gould, Samuel Daniels, David Ross, Zenas Barton, Salem Town, Benedict
Russell, Ebenezer Collar, Gustavus Warner, Gaylord and Ashbel Kellogg,
Dorus and Josephus Ingersoll, Justin Wells, Justin H. and James Wells (sons
of Justin), the Kendalls, Charles Kysor, and John Easton.
The population of the town in 1830 was 1,139; '"^ 185O1 '040; in 1870,
1,204; in 1890, 1,194. Most of the early settlers were poor in worldly goods,
but rich in energy, perseverance, and industry. It is probable that no part
of the Holland purchase was originall)'' settled by men with less available
means than the section of country embracing this and adjoining towns. The
first settlers made their living for the first year or two by boiling black-salts
from the ashes of the timber removed from the land, and the salts had to be
drawn on drays, usually by a yoke of bulls, to Fayette, now Silver Creek, or
to some other place where a market could be found; and after small clearings
had been made and a little grain raised there was no market for it except for
home consumption. About 1840 the inhabitants began to turn their attention
to dairying, which business has steadily increased to the present time, and
which is now the leading industry.
The first birth in the new town was that of Edward, a son of Edmund
Dudley, who was born July 26, 1820. The first marriage was that of Abner
W. Wise to Laura Davison in 1820; she lived in Conewango. Rev. Ezra
Amadon in 1823 erected the first frame barn, the second one being built in
1824 by Samuel Daniels. Richard Oathout in 1825 put up the first frame
house — a building intended for a store, but never occupied for that purpose.
The first death was that of Laura, a young child of John Fairbanks, in 1821 ;
the first death of an adult was that of widow Mercy Gould in 1824. Asa Frank-
lin opened the first tavern in 1822 and Ebenezer Collar built the first saw-mill
Town of Leon. " 747
on Mud creek in 1824. The first religious services were held at the house of
Abner Wise in 1820 by Rev. Daniel Hadley, a Baptist minister from Chautau-
qua county. The first physician in town was Samuel Daniels, a Thompsonian
practitioner. Dr. Joseph Wilson came in 1834 and in September, 1835, Dr.
Everett Stickney settled here to practice his profession. Dr. A. A. Hubbell
was one of the most noted physicians the town ever claimed as a resident.
Pliny L. Fox and John F. Mosher were prominent lawyers.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Amasa Green on iVIarch 5,
J833, and these officers were elected: James Waterhouse, supervisor; Eleazer
Slocum, town clerk ; John Easton, David B. Whiting, Thomas Noyes, asses-
sors; John Carpenter, collector; Joshua Fairbanks, Justin Wells, David
Sweet, John Cooper, justices of the peace ; William Kendall, Ahiman Ross,
Theophilus Fairbanks, highway commissioners; John Carpenter, Justin W.
Wells, Luther Kendall, constables ; John N. Kierstead and Ezra Amadon,
overseers of the poor; James Coe, sealer of weights. The supervisors, town
clerks, and justices of the peace have been as follows :
Siipen-imrf.-James Waterhouse, 183:3, 18:«; John Cooper, 1834, 183B. lStt-«, IKtJ: Gustavus Warner,
lSiT-3fl; Gaylord Kellogg, 181.5, laii; William H. Andrews, 184ti-47; John Lang, 1818-49; Ezra W. ^Cooper,
18.t0-.52 ; Ara Barton, 18or>-56 ; James Casten, 1857-58 ; Isaac N. Smith, 1859-60 ; William Fancher (resigned and
Harvey H. Holmes elected to fill vacancy), 1861; Edwin C. flurfee, 1862-64; John F. Mosher, 186.5-66, 1877;
Hermon V. IngersoU, 1867-68, 1874 ; Edgar Shannon, 1869-70, 1875, 1881-82 ; Thomas Canecn, 1871-72 ; John A.
Seekins, 187.3 ; James F. Town, 1876 ; Henry J. Trumbull, 1878-80. 1886; Albert T. Fancher, 188.3-85; Frank D.
Caneen, 1887-88 ; Cyrus Rboades, 1889-91 ; Francis A. Mosher, 1892-93.
Toim Cierfr.v-.-Eleazer Slocum, 18:«-34, 1839; Jabez Thompson. 183.5-36; John Cooper, 18:57-38; Nathaniel
Cooper, 1810 41 ; Harvey H. Holmes, 1842-48; William Hurd, 1849-.50, 1861-^3; George Shannon, 185L; Ahiman
Koss, 1852; Ellery Stone, 185.3-5.5; Anthony Day, 1856, 1858, 1860,1866; Ira R. Jones, 18.57; John Fancher, 18.59;
Kufus A. Kellogg, ISU; William O. Tyler, 186.5; Edgar Shannon, 1867-68 ; Henry J. Trumbull, 1869; H.J. V.
Smith, 1870; Edward W. Clark, 1871-72; Almon L. Day, 1873-76; John E. Caneen, 1877 79: Thomas Caneen,
18,S) 83; James -Ishdown, 1884 85; W. R. Murdock. 1886; M. J. Ackley, 1887-88: W. O. Harmon, 1889-93.
Juxticeii i)f the Peace. -1833, Joshua Fairbanks, Justin Wells, David Sweet, John Cooper; 1834, David
Sweet ; 183.5, Joshua Fairbanks ; 18:56, Frederick l^foyes ; 18:i7, Ashbel L. Kellogg ; 1838, William Randall ; 1839,
Xury Blodgett; 1840, Frederick Noyes, John Carpenter; 1841, Benjamin Southwick ; 1842, Michael Brenen-
stuhl; 181.3, Doruslngersoll; 1844, Frederick Noyes: 184.5, John Lang, Ashbel Kellogg; 1846, John Lang;
1817. Dorus IngersoU; 1848, Frederick Noyes; 1849, Corydon Morgan, John Carpenter; 1850, John B.Fair-
banks ; 1851, Dorus IngersoU ; 1852, John Rhodes ; 18.5.3, Corydon Morgan ; 18.54, Edwin C. Durfee ; 185.5, Har-
■*rison Judd : 1856, Leonard Clark ; 18.57. Almon L. Day ; 1858, David Lang, Moses McMillan ; 1850, Edwin C.
Durfee ; 18<in, Moses McMillan ; 1861, Almon L. Day ; 1862, David Lans, Leonard Clark ; 1863, William N. Her-
rick: 1864, Moses McMillan; 18»).5, Curtis Thompson; 1866, Miles Coe, David Lang; 1867, Moses McMillan;
1.868, E. C. Durfee, David Jones; 1869, Gabriel J. Wood: 1870, H. M. Hunt: 1871, H. V. IngersoU; 1872, David
Jones; 1873, Albert L. Pdlmer; 1874, Melville M. Evarts, Gilbert L. Mosher; 1875, George W. Press: 1876,
Marcus W. Cooper; 1877, Almon L. Day; 1878, William S. Easton; 1879, David Jones; 1880, Levi Blasdell,
M. W. Cooper; 1881, H. J. Trumbull; 1882, David Jones: 1883, Melvin J. Ackley: 1884. David Jones; 1885,
Richard IngersoU. H. J. Trumbull ; 1886, E. C. Durfee ; 1887, J. C. Green ; 1888, H. Milton Child ; 1889, H. J.
Trumbull; 1890, W. R. Murdock; 1891, J. C. Green; 1892, John F. Harrison; 189:5, Allen Potter.
A log school house, l6xi8 feet, was erected on the east part of lot 49 in
1822, and in this was taught that winter the first school in town, the teacher
being Richard Oathout. The next spring a school was taught at the Center
by Louis Grover and in the fall by Abigail Latham. The first school com-
missioners were Cyrus Daniels, Isaac Leach, and Collins Gibson, and the first
inspectors were Leonard Clark, Johnson Noyes, and Richard Oathout. With
the increase of population there has been a corresponding increase in the de-
gree of efficiency of the town's school system. The old log school houses have
74^ History of Cattaraugus County.
been succeeded by neat and tasty frame buildings. The two-story structure
at Leon Center was erected about 1877 at a cost of $2,000.
The first manufacturing industry established in Leon was a saw-mill placed
in operation on Mud creek in the summer of 1826 by Ebenezer Collar. This
was located at " The Hollow," and in 1828 became, with other interests, the
property of Johnson Noyes, who put in a run of stones for grinding grain.
Noyes also soon started a distillery and a wool-carding and cloth-dressing
establishment. About 1832 Jabez Thompson purchased these various inter-
ests of Noyes and the place became quite widely known as Leon Mills. Thomp-
son erected a grist-mill which for years has been the onK- one in town. In
1842 the dam was removed because of its causing an excessive overflow of
contiguous land and a race half a mile long constructed to conduct the water
to the mill. In 1838 Abner W. Wise built a saw-mill on Mud creek near the
great spring which finally became the property of Ezra Amadon and burned.
In consequence of the overflow the site had to be abandoned. About 1845
Amadon started another mill on the race a short distance west which was last
operated by Edwin C. Durfee.
Among others who erected saw-mills in the town were Daniel B. Whiting
in 1832; Matthew Franklin in 1845 ; Judd & Babcock in 1861 ; and Butcher &
Kysor in 1864. The Judd & Babcock mill was located at East Leon and was
operated by steam. It burned and in 1875 John A. Seekins moved some of
the machinery to Leon Center, where he manufactured lumber and ground
corn. This also burned in 1877.
Cheese factories were established in convenient localities as the develop-
ment of the dairying interests demanded and for two decades or more cheese
making has been the leading manufacturing industry of the town. Jenks &
Ross built a factory at East Leon and Hunt & Caneen another at Leon Cen-
ter both in 1866. The present number of factories in Leon is five, and these
receive the milk from 1,100 or 1,200 cows.
The oldest highway in the town is Riga street, so called from the fact that
many of its first settlers came from Riga, Monroe county. After the James-
town road was opened the principal travel was transferred to that thorough-
fare. In 1833 there were twenty-two road districts, the present number being
about twenty-seven. Railroad facilities are afforded at Pine Valley, Cherry-
Creek, Conewango, and Cattaraugus.
The first tavern opened in Leon was kept by Asa Franklin on the old
Kent road. In 1826 Luman Coe started another in a double log house which
he subsequently moved to a frame building. Amasa Green became an inn
keeper near Leon Mills about 1830 and in 1844 or 1845 Capt. William Fenton
opened another tavern on the Jamestown road which became a famous stop-
ping place for stages. Thomas Noyes had a hotel at the Center about 1834
which was used the longest and became the oldest hostelry in town. About
1837 John Cooper opened one which was later kept by Nathaniel Cooper.
Towx OF Leon. • 749
In 1827 was opened at Leon Mills by Johnson Noyes the first store in
town, and in 1830 Jabez Thompson started another at the same place in a
building erected for the purpose and afterward used for a barn. In those
days one of the chief articles sold was liquor. At Leon Center the first store
was opened in 1833 by James Dunlap and the second one was started in 1843
by Ira R. Jones and Porter Dudley. In this village Edgar Shannon, the
Coopers, and others were prominent merchants.
One of the most dastardly crimes ever committed in Cattaraugus county
occurred in this town in June, 1841, when Richard Brown and his wife were
murdered, the latter in the house and the former a short distance away. The
couple had been married but three weeks and lived in a log house on lot 20
some two miles east of the Center. The murderer was a man named Bouhall,
who was ostensibly one of the most active searchers for the criminal after the
deed had been discovered. He was arrested and taken to the jail at Ellicott-
ville, where, after several months, and despairing of escape, he confessed and
detailed the crime and hung himself with a towel to the post of the bedstead in
his cell. His object was to secure about §40 in money which the Browns had
in their possession. To get it he intended to break into the house while
both were away, but failing in this he first killed Mrs. Brown and then her
husband. To conceal the double crime he advanced the theory that Brown
had murdered his wife and left the country. The tragedy occurred on a Mon-
day, but did not become public until the following Sunday morning, when the
news was brought to Leon Center by Bouhall and others.
The first burial in Leon was made on lot 49 in 1821, the remains being those
of Laura, daughter of Capt. John Fairbanks. In the absence of a minister
the simple services on this occasion were conducted by Thomas Northrup, of
Conewango. The next burial occurred in 1823, being that of Henry, a young
son of Alpheus Stearns, who was scalded to death. The third burial was that
of widow Mercy Gould in 1824, also on lot 49, hers .being the first adult's
death in .the town. These interments led James Franklin to set aside and
inclose a half-acre plat for a graveyard. The Leon Center cemetery was next
opened and contains about an acre of ground. The East Leon Cemetery As-
sociation was organized March 18, 187S, with Richard Ingersoll, president, and
Cyrus IngersoU, secretary. Three-eights of an acre of land was purchased from
the farm of Ahimaaz Easton and the first burial made was a child of Richard'
Easton. Several removals from the cemetery in Dayton were subsequently
made to this burial place.
In the early settlement of the town the principal business place for what
was then the whole of Conewango was "The Hollow," on Mud creek, about
half a mile north of Rutledge. In 1830 it became the town's polling place. It
had an extensive water privilege, which was utilized for a saw-mill, a grist-mill,
and a fulling-mill ; there were also a distillery, an ashery, a hotel, and a grocery
store, all of which, except the hotel, were under the general supervision of John-
750 History of Cattaraugus County.
son Noyes, who was the controlling owner of the site. In 1836 the distilleries
were all closed in this town and in Conewango. The business interests sub-
sequently passed to the ownership of Jabez Thompson and the place took
the name of Leon Mills. At one time it was a lively business center, but its
activity was finally diverted to Leon Center (Leon postofifice), near the center
of the town. This village contains three church edifices, four general stores,
two wagon shops, one planing-mill and turning-lathe, one blacksmith shop, a
cheese factory, a school house, and about fifty dwellings. The postoffice here
was originally established at and bore the name of Leon Mills about 1835.
An early and probably the first postmaster was John Carpenter, who removed
to Leon Center about 1840 and took the office with him. The name was soon
afterward changed to Leon.
East Leon is a postoffice and hamlet in the northeast corner of the town
and contains a store, blacksmith shop, and a few houses. The first postoffice
in Leon was established as Pleasant Grove in the eastern part of the town,
with William Kendall as postmaster, who held the position until after 1840.
About this time it was changed to East Leon. Among its postmasters have
been Jonathan Waldron, Oliver Waldron, Ezekiel Seekins, Harrison Judd, and
William Seekins.
Peace Vale postoffice was established about 1862 with Ezekiel Butler as
postmaster. S. C. Green held the position from 1865 to 1 871, when the office
was discontinued.
In the war of the Rebellion the town of Leon furnished, in proportion to
its population, more soldiers than any town in the county and possibly in the
State. It is said that it furnished also the youngest soldier in the army —
Oren Kelsey, aged thirteen years. A comparatively complete list of those
who served, and also of those who participated in the Revolutionary war or
War of 1812 and subsequently became citizens here, is given in Chapter XV.
The earliest religious services held in Leon were of the Freewill Baptist
order, and the first meeting occurred at the house of Abner Wise, on lot 49, in
August, 1820, the preacher on this occasion and subsequently for two or three
years being Rev. Daniel Hadley from Gerry, Chautauqua county. The first
movement to organize a church was made by Rev. Ezra Amadon,a Reformed
Methodist minister and one of the original founders of that denomination at
■Readsboro, Vt., in 1814. It was constituted of seceders from the Methodist
Episcopal church who laid great stressor! faith and perfection of character
and the attainment of a higher degree of holiness. Elder Amadon came to
Leon with his family in February, 1822, and at once began preaching the
doctrines of the new order. In the following year a church was formed in the
southern part of the town with eight members. In his labors the elder
was greatly assisted by Thomas W. Cheney, a zealous young man and faithful
worker who was aftei-ward a minister in this church. The society continued to
flourish until at one time it had o\-er 100 communicants. In 1828 a church
Town of Lecjn. ■ 75'
edifice was erected on lot 49, which is thought by some to have been the first
frame church building in the county. It would seat 500 persons and was oc-
casionally used by other denominations. Up to about 1840 the ministers
succeeding Elder Amadon were Henry Amadon (son of Ezra), Thomas W.
Cheney, Eleazer Ewers, and Uriah S. Lembocker. In 1840 the Reformed
Methodists of the State invited or favored a union with the VVesleyans, but
in this the Leon church did not collectively agree. Dissensions ensued, and
the meeting house was abandoned and soon went to decay. The timbers, etc.,
were subsequently removed and no trace of its location remained.
In the north part of the town the missionary, John Spencer, held meetings
of the Congregational order in the school house prior to 1825. Most of his
followers, however, were Presbyterians. In 1823 Rev. Jonathan Blake, a min-
ister sent out by the Baptist Home Missionary Society, held services at the
dwelling of Robert Durfee and in the school house on lot 49. In the summer
of 1824 he organized a church of his denomination with ten members and
with Otis L. Durfee the first deacon. Mr. Durfee soon afterward removed to
Pennsylvania and became a minister. The society was too poor to sustain a
regular pastor and was scarcely able to maintain an organization. In 1834 a
revival occurred and the society became the First Baptist church of Leon. In
1840 a frame edifice was erected at Leon Center at a cost of $1,200. This
will seat 200 persons and is still used in a remodeled condition as a house of
worship, the property being valued at $1,500. The society has fifteen mem-
bers, with Rev. C. Boorman as pastor, and a Sunday school of thirty scholars.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Leon Center was organized Novem-
ber 23, 1835. Prior to this a class had been formed of which Simeon Harmon
was leader, and the meetings were frequently held at his house. The church
society was organized by twelve trustees and forty members, and Rev. John'
Scott was the first pastor. In 1836 a church edifice was erected, of wood, at
a cost of $600, and in 1858 this was thoroughly repaired and a belfry and bell
added. The present membership numbers thirty,- with Rev. Mr. Dunkle as
pastor, and connected is a Sunday school of forty scholars. The present
value of the church property is $2,000. In this connection it is appropriate
to note the formation of the first Sunday school in the town, which occurred
at an early period in the history of this church. This was superintended
during the summer by James Dunlap and discontinued upon the approach of
cold weather. David C. Brand, about 1855, was the first superintendent of a
Sunday school in the town that was continued throughout the year.
The Leon Free Methodist church was organized in the fall of 1874 with
six members by Rev. J. W. McAlpine. In 1876 the old school house in the
Center was purchased and used as a house of worship.
Soon after the distilleries in Leon and Conewango were discontinued this
town became an excellent field for the organization of temperance societies.
One of the first was Leon Division, No. 372, S. of T., which flourished for
752 History of Cattaraugus County.
several years. Bouquet Lodge, No. 728, I. O. G. T., was organized in 1868
with E. C. Durfee as the first W. C. T. At one time it had over 100 members.
Fancher Post, No. 310, G. A. R., was organized November 24, 1882, with
twenty members. It was named in honor of Capt. VVilham Fancher of Co.
K, 64th N. Y. Vols. The first officers were A. J. Eldridge, P. C. ; D. T.
Wood, S. V. C. ; B. F. Cunningham, J. V. C. ; James Ashdown, adjutant;
G. O. Gorsline, Q. M. The post has twenty members with these officers:
R. L. Barlow, P. C. ; Amos S. Smith, S. V. C. ; Patrick Foley, J. V. C. ;
E. W. Clark, adjutant; A. J. Eldridge, O. M.
The Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to Fancher Post. G. A. R., was or-
ganized in October, 1 891, with thirty-five members and these officers: Rozella
Barlow, president; Clem Eldridge, S. V. P. ; Kate Milliman. J. V. P.; Lucy
Cooper, secretary ; Lillian Tattle, treasurer.
Peter Ackler, a native of Germany, came to Persia while young and died
there at an advanced age. His children were Peter M., Willard, Henry,
Roxana, Betsey, and Keziah. Peter M. Ackler, born in Persia, as were also
his brothers and sisters, came to Leon in 1870. He married Mittie Randall ;
children : Albert, Prentice D., Alden, and Eldredge. Mr. Ackler married,
second, Claircena Franklin; children: Earl and Lemuel J. Eldredge Ackler
was born April 8, 1863, and June 25, 1890, married Lucy J. Hunt, of Leon.
Rev. Ezra Amadon was born in Berkshire county, Alass., about 1760 and
removed to Bennington county, Vt., about 1800. There he was one of
the moving spirits and original founders of the Reformed Methodist denomi-
tion in America, establishing a church of that faith a,t Readsboro in 1814. He
came to Leon in P^ebruary, 1822, and was the first to start the movement for
the organization of a Reformed Methodist church in the town, forming a body
of that belief in the spring of 1823. He moved to Waupun, Wis., in 1853,
where he died about i860; his family all removed to Wisconsin except Ezra,
his son, who died here in 1884, leaving a son, George, now li\ing in Leon.
David Barton, born in Massachusetts, March 2, 1768, came to Leon at an
early day, cleared a farm, and died Feb. 16, 1850. His wife was Susanna
Fairfield, a native of Massachusetts, and their children were David J., Gros-
vehor, Elizabeth B., Susan, Lucinda, EUiburgh, Zenas, Hiram, Thaddeus F.,
and Laura.
Fry Barton came to Leon in 1830. He was a son of Benjamin Barton, a
soldier of the Revolution. F"ry settled near Leon village, on a farm, and died
in 1872. His son Ara was supervisor of the town in 1855 and 1856, and was
otherwise prominent in local political and social affairs.
- Stephen Caneen was born in the Isle of Man and came to Black Rock,
N. Y., in 1824, where he died. His son Thomas was born in 1826 and came
to Leon in 1832, where he married Dolly Cooper, daughter of Elisha Cooper;
children: Dr. John E. (see page 141), Rose, and Frank D. Mr. Caneen has
been a general merchant in Leon since 1869. He has held various town offices,
being postmaster, assessor, town clerk, and collector several years each, and in
1871 and 1872 represented the town on the Board of Supervisors. His son
Frank D. was also supervisor in 1887 and 1888.
James Casten was a son of John and Jerusha (Gates) Casten. John Casten
served in the Revolutionary war and by trade was a tailor. He came to Col-
Town of Leox. • 753
lins, Erie county, where he died in 1843. James Casten, his son, was born
Sept. 25, 1801. In i85rhe became a resident of Leon and represented the
town on the Board of Supervisors in 1857 and 1858. He died on the Casten
homestead March 3, 18S8. Mr. Casten married Amanda Wheeler, who was
born July 16, 1802, and died Jan. 13, 1887; children: Ann R. (Mrs. S. VV.
Beardsley), James VV., John G., Ira L., Emily A. (Mrs. Butler R. Waite),
Mary J. (Mrs. W. H. Watson), William H., Eunice, and Stephen W. Will-
iam H. served in Co. B, 154th N.Y. Vols., and died July 4, 1865. Stephen W.
died Oct. 4, 1887, and James W. on Nov. 20, 1889.
William Clark, a soldier in the war of the Revolution, came to Leon in
1 83 1, but one year later removed to Cherry Creek, N. Y., where he died about
1840. His wife was Abigail Hudson, who died before the family's removal to
western New York. His son Hudson, born Jan. 27, 1784, married, in May,
181U, Lucy Marsh, and died in Cherry Creek in 1847. His children were
Leonard, Mary, Luther, Betsey, Adolphus, and Rebecca. Leonard Clark, on
Jan. 19, 1832, married Hannah Shannon, who died March 30, 1862; children:
Lucy R., Mariah L., Edward W., James W., and Alexina. Edward W. Clark
married Martha R. Kellogg; children: Henry E. and Ray Belle. For his
second wife he married Annie Hunt; children: Clyde C. and M. Leonard.
He enlisted Oct. i, 1861, in Co. K, 64th N. Y. Vols., as a musician. Leonard
Clark served as justice of the peace twelve years.
Lemuel Cook, born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., came to Perrysburg in
1832, where he died, as did also his wife, whose maiden name was Phebe
Shaw. Their son Noah married Annie, daughter of Rufus Wares, who died
in 1881; he is now living in Leon. Children: Phebe, Joel G., Eli'-ha H.,
Eloda, Myron J., and Marvin W. Myron J. Cook, born in Perrysburg, Dec.
10, 1840, married, March 9, 1870, Melissa, daughter of E. Bierce ; children:
Noah C., Annie B., and Marmaduke. Mr. Cook is now a farmer in Leon. •
Col. Sylvenus Cook was born in Tinmouth, Vt., and in 1813 came to
Collins, Erie county, where he died in 1883. He was an active participant in
the old State militia, whence he derived his title, being commissioned colonel
of the 198th Regiment along in the thirties. His wife was Nancy Phillips.
Their son Chauncey, born Aug. 5, 1840, married Melissa T. Potter, and died
in Leon, Feb. 15, 1891 ; children: Elmer, Ward A.. Eva L., and Elton A.
Ezra W. Cooper was at the time of his death, which occurred at Gowanda
on March 5, 1893, one of the oldest pioneers of Leon, and was a man univer-
sally respected. He was supervisor of the town in 1850, 1851, and 1852; he
was an upright man, and a Mason in all the name implies. His father,
Nathaniel Cooper, came into Leon in 1821 and with Daniel Dye articled the
whole of lot 45. Hedied June 26, 1855. Elisha Cooper, a brother of Nathan-
iel, was also an early settler of this town, where he died. John Cooper was
and for eight years — 1834, 1836, 1840-44, and 1853 — town supervisor.
Edmond Damon, son of Charles and Lucretia (Withington) Damon, was
born in Vermont, May 22, 1816, and came to Ellicottville in 1839 and to Con-
ewango in 1854, settling on the farm upon which he now resides. He mar-
ried Achsah Aldrich, of Canton, N. Y. ; children: Melzer, Arathusa L. (Mrs.
William T. Fenton), and Hiram A. Mr. Damon has been a man of remark-
able perseverance and energy. Several of his children are married and have
families, and all are highly respected. Hiram A. resides in Leon.
Edmund Dudley came in the spring of 1819 to Leon, where he died at
the age of ninety-two years. He was a wood mechanic and chair maker, and
95
754 History of Cattaraugus County.
reared a family of seven children, of whom Edward was the first white child
born in the town, his birth occurring July 26, 1820. Mr. Dudley was the first
to article a piece of land in Leon, his selection falling on a part of lot 41, on
which he built a shanty. He articled the land of the Holland Land Company
in the fall of 1 8 19, at Ellicott\'ille, exchanging for it half a barrel of whisky,
which was half the quantity he had with him at the time. He sold his land in
1843 ^""^ finally died in Rutledge.
John Durfee was born near Providence, R. I., and for a time was a resident
of Tolland, Conn., and of Schoharie county, N. Y. He subsequently removed
to Chautauqua county, where he died in 1817. His children were Robert,
Rhoda, Abner, John, David, Zephaniah, and Otis L. Robert Durfee came to
Mayville, N. Y., in 1812, removing thence to Leon in 1819, where he cleared a
farm and died in December, 1859. He was in the War of 1812. Otis L. Dur-
fee came to this town in 1820, but subsequently removed to Pennsylvania and
became a Baptist clergyman. Robert married Betsey Hollman, who bore him
one daughter, Abigail ; his second wife was Polly Cheney, who died in Leon
in 1S40, his children by her being Edwin C, Willard P., Cornelia M., and El-
vira L. Edwin C. Durfee was born Dec. 20, 1819, and married Mary Ann
Kountz, who was born Aug. i, 1822; children: Robert E., iNIary H., Helen,
Charles E., and Bertha. Mr. Durfee is one of the oldest and most respected
residents of the county. He was especially active in the cause ot the soldiers
and their widows of the Revolutionary and Mexican wars and the War of 1812,
and prior to 1S60 procured many bounties and pensions for those in the west-
ern part of the county. In politics he has been prominent, serving his town
in several minor capacities and as supervisor in 1862, 1863, and 1864. He was
influential in securing recruits for the town's quota in the Rebellion, and dur-
ing most of the time since the war he has filled the of^ce of justice of the
peace. He is a land surveyor and farmer, and resides on the homestead.
Abner Durfee, son of John, came to Leon in 1848, settling on a farm where
he died Sept. i, 1866. His wife was Ellathear Hix, who died in 1849; chil-
dren : Chase, Coomer, Olive, Abner, Melinda, Joseph, Nancy, "and Joseph P.
Joseph P. Durfee, born April 12, 1820, married, in 1857, Cybelia C. Goodrich,
and their children are Seymour, Eliza, Elmer, Mary, Chloe, Edwin, and Ada.
Mr. Durfee was a prominent farmer and resident of Leon, living on the farm
where he settled in 184S, where he died Feb. 13, 1893.
George W. Dye, son of Elisha, married, Nov. 25, 1865, Mrs. Lucinda Wells,
daughter of Abram Hodges (q. v.), who survives him, his death occurring in
Leon, July 19, 1880. He enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Cav. in the Rebellion.
His children were Elmer, Nettie G., Mary B., Blanch, Hattie, and Herman.
John Fairbanks, a native of Berkshire county, Mass., and a resident of
Vermont and of Pompey, N. Y., came to Conewango as a farmer and died
about 1836. His children were Joshua, John, Ellis, Caleb, Theophilus, Free-
man, Freeborn, Fletcher, Elijah J., Joseph, Alfred, Experience, and Susan.
Caleb married Rhoda Chapman and both died in Wisconsin ; children : Elmer,
Caleb, Ellis, Esther, Rosanna, and Josephine. Of these, Ellis Fairbanks was
born in Leon, Feb. 5, 1824; he married Lucinda J. Blanchard and has one
daughter, Julia, who married George Lowry and has a son, Emory ; she mar-
ried, second, Ezra Johnson. Ellis Fairbanks resides on the homestead in
Leon. Caleb was one of the first settlers at Leon Center. The family for
generations have evinced considerable skill as wood mechanics and builders.
Capt. William P""ancher was born June i, 1823, at German Flats, N. Y.,
Town of Leon. ' 755
and was a son of Enos Fancher, a farmer and blacksmith who died soon after
WilHam's birth. The son became a blacksmith and July 13, 1841, enlisted in
the regular army for five years, being discharged in July, 1846, as first sergeant
of Co. F, 2d U. S. Inf. During this period he served in Florida and in the
Mexican war and also as recruiting officer of the U. S. army. He re-enlisted
in the navy and served in the foreign service, and was discharged in 1850, after
which lie was a short time in the customs house. In 1S51 he came to Leon
to work for his brother, John Fancher, as a blacksmith, and soon afterward
the two purchased a farm. Captain Fancher, in Sept., 1852, married Lydia,
daughter of Thomas Mills; children: Evangeline (Mrs. A. A. Hubbell) and
Albert T. The latter was supervisor of Leon in 1883, 1884, and 1885. Mr.
Fancher enlisted Sept. 13, 1861, as captain of Co. K, 64th N. Y. Vols., and
served until March, 1862, when he was taken sick with typhoid fever, returned
home, and died May 24, 1862.
James Franklin and his son James, Jr., were the first permanent settlers
in the town of Leon, coming here from Monroe county in Sept., 1818. They
located on lot 50 and erected thereon the first log house in town. Both died
here and left many descendants.
Dr. John Green was a son of Asahel Green, who served as lieutenant and
afterward as captain in the Revolutionary war and died in Washington county,
N. Y., of which county Dr. John was a native. He moved to Leon in 1847
and married Sally Niles, by whom he had children Hannah, Lucy J.. Sally
Ann, Christina, VVilliam, Ransom, Asahel, and John C. John C. Green, born
May 21, 1830, married Melissa Vining, who has borne him these children :
Esther A., Rosa, Ellen, Mary, Franklin B., Henry, Clayton, Herbert, Deid-
rick, David, and Oren. Mr. Green enlisted in Co. K, 154th N. Y. Vols., and
was discharged June 27, 1865. He held several town offices, among them
being constable, collector, and postmaster; he was also deputy sheriff of Cat-
taraugus county. He died in April, 1893.
Abram Hodges, son of John, was born in New England and came to Collins,
N. Y.. with his father at an early day. He removed to Leon in 1848 and died
here in 1881. His wife, Rebecca, daughter of Hiram Hazzard, also died in
this town; children: George, Hiram, Rebecca, Riley, William, Amanda, Caro-
line, Eliza J., and Lucinda, now the widow of George W. Dye (q. v.). Lucinda
Hodges was born in Collins, February 7, 1839, and Dec. 29, 1857, married Al-
bert \V. Wells, of Leon, who died of fever in Fairfax hospital, Va., April 22,
1862. He served in Co. K, 64th N. Y. Vols., enlisting in the fall of 1861. They
had one daughter, Jennie A.
Capt. Horatio N. Hunt is a sort of Sherebiah and Annie (Reed) Hunt, and
was born in Hamilton, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1826. He married Catharine J. Mur-
dock on Feb. 21, 1844, who was born March 11, 1826, and came to Leon in
1847, where he is one of the oldest and most respected residents. Chil-
dren : Francelia, Ella M., Zylphianna, Everett H., and Mary E. Mr. Hunt
was prominent in organizing the first company of soldiers from Leon for the
Rebellion and was commissioned its first lieutenant, being promoted captain
May I, 1862, and major before the close of the war.
Josephus Ingersoll, son of Francis (died June 2, 1830) and Rachel (died June
29, 1846) Ingersoll, was born in Tioga county June 12, 1799, and came to Leon
about 1823. He removed to Dayton in 1848, where he died. His son Her-
mon V. was for three years — 1867, 1868, and 1874 — supervisor of Leon.
Eber Kelly came to Leon in 1828, settling on a farm on Town hill, where
756 History of Cattaraugus' County.
he died. His wife was Sally Griffin, who bore him these children: Benjamin,
Freeman, and Harriet. Benjamin Kelly came to this town with his father
and died herein 1843. He married Avis Smith, of New Albion; children:
Harriet, Eber E., Clinton D., Clarissa, Harriet, 2d, and Caroline. Clinton D.,
born Dec. 13, 1841, married, July l, 1868, Lizzie Shelmadine, and their chil-
dren are Benjamin, Alice, Rollin, George, and Clinton D. Mr. Kellj- enlisted
Sept. 28, 1861, in Co. B, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged Sept. 28, 1864.
Eber Kelly served in the 9th Cav. from 1864 until June, 1865.
John N. Kierstead served on Long Island in the War of 1S12 and came
to this town in 1823, where he died in 1879, being at the time of his death one
of the oldest residents in Leon. He has several descendants living in town.
Charles D. Kysor, born in Vermont, came to Leon in 1830 and cleared a
farm on what is known as Kysor hill. He married Sally Sweet and died in
1889; children: John, Perry O., Ezra, Archibald, Amos, and Nicholas. His
second wife was Polly Syckles, who bore him two children, Lois and Robert.
Perrv O. Kysor, a native of Vermont, was two years old when his parents
came to Leon. He married Caroline Mosher, daughter of Benjamin Alosher ;
children : Charles, Sarah, Prank, Alice, George, Maude, and Willis P. Willis
P. Kysor was born on Kysor hill Dec. 5, i860, and Dec. ii, 1882, he married
Lettie E. Longcore ; children: Alice IVI., Beulah J., Gilbert W., and Harley P.
Mr. Kysor is a progressive farmer and a dealer in cattle.
John Mosher was an early settler in New Albion, where he died in 1875.
Lizzie, his wife, bore him six children, viz. : George H., William P., Mary
Ann, Cordelia, Alfred P., and Reuben H. Mr. Mosher was supervisor of
New Albion in 1851 and 1852, and as a citizen and neighbor was highly re-
spected. William P. Mosher, born May 23, 1812, married Elizabeth Ellis,
who died Dec. 10, 1889; children: Albert H., Eva J., William E.,and Francis
A. The latter was born July 12, 1847. In 1865 he married Patheria Bur-
roughs, of New Albion, and their children are Emma J., Grace M., and Ger-
man E. A Republican in politics Mr. Moshei- was supervisor of the town of
New Albion in 1884 and 1885 and of Leon in 1892 and 1893. In these and
in other official capacities he has served with signal ability. Eva J. Mosher
married De Heart Horth in 1884 and resides in Leon.
William R. Murdock, son of William, is of Scotch descent and was born
Jan. 27, 1829. He married, in 1857, Sarah J. Ross, who was born in 1833;
children: Gertrude, Frank W., George M., and Alice M. Mr. Murdock has
taught school twenty-one years, has served efficiently in official capacities, and
is a writer of considerable ability.
Dudley Noyes, of Revolutionary service, came to Leon in 1829 and died
here in 1845 ; his wife was Sally Johnson, who died in 1850. Their son, John-
son Noyes, born Jan. 26, 1788, started the first store in the town, opening it
at " Leon Mills " in 1827. He also run a distillery, the first one in Leon.
William Potter, a native of Hoosick, N. Y., came to Leon while a young
man and married Basebee Waite ; children : Butler, Mary J., Allen, Melissa T.
(Mrs. Chauncey Cook, q. v.), Mercy, Ge'orge, Silas, and Peter. Mr. Potter
died in East Leon, March 8, 1875.
Enoch E. Rockwell, son of Joseph and Betsey fSykes) Rockwell, was born
in Hanover, Chautauqua county. May 6, 1834. In 1858 he married Sarah K.
Odell and their children were Eli, William A., and Merton J. The last
named was born May 5, 1863, and is a farmer in Leon. Mrs. Sarah K. Rock-
well is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Killborn) Odell.
Town of Leon. • 757
William Ross, a native of Oneida county, came to New Albion soon after
his marriage and died there at the age of sixty years. His children were
Welcome, Wiilard, Lovisa, Sarah, and Franklin. The latter was born June 12,
i809', and died May 28, (890. He married Lydia Lewis, of Rutledge, who
died in Conewango in March, 1892 ; children : Lovisa, William J., Welcome F.,
Lydia, Walter H., Martha, Marcia, and Frankie. Walter H. Ross, born in
New Albion in 1848, married, in 1874, Elnora R. Saunders, who was born in
Otto in 1855 ; they have one daughter, Mildred B. William J. and Welcome F.
Ross served in the Rebellion in Co. F, I54th-X. Y. Vols.
Samuel Shannon, a son of Samuel, who served in the Revolution, was
born in Vermont, came to Leon among the early settlers, and died here at the
age of seventy-five years. His children were Sally, George, Bishop, Lorenzo,
Harlow, Sally, 2d, Hannah, Alvira, and Serena. Lorenzo Shannon was born
in Vermont, and coming to Leon when an infant he made this town his life-
long home, dying here in 1880. He was thoroughly identified with the best
interests of the community and was ever a welcome visitor to the homes of a
large number of friends. Mr. Shannon married Martha A. Chapman, who
survives him, and who bore him these children: William B., Cyrus E., Theo-
docia A., Emory L., George A., and Kittie B.
Hon. Edgar Shannon was one of the most prominent men the town of Leon
ever claimed as a citizen. In politics he was a Republican, and his influence
in councils and conventions was both sought and feared. He held many pub-
lic offices and served his constituents with honor and fidelity. He was super-
visor of Leon in 1809, 1870, 1873, 18S1, and 1882, holding the position at the
time of his death; he served two terms (1876 and 1877) in the State Legisla-
ture. He was virtually banker for the town and a man whose counsel was
wise and discreet. He was a member of the Masons, of the United Work-
men, and of Post No. 310, G. A. R. Mr. Shannon enlisted Aug. i, 1862, in Co.
B, 154th N. Y. Vols., rose to the rank of first lieutenant, and was discharged
June 23, 1865. He died in Leon, Dec. 28, 1882.
He sleeps 'neath the clods of the valley at rest,
From war's mingled strife and commotion ;
No sorrow can rend his sightless breast,
Nor wake his patriot devotion.
Alvah Smith was an early settler of New Albion, where he cleared a farm,
and where he died in 1842. He married Clarissa Burchard, who died in 1858;
children : Charles, Amos, Lois, Amy, Avis, and Nancy. Charles Smith came
to Leon from New Albion, cleared a farm, and died in 1879. He married
Sarah Town, who died in Machias in 1876; children: Lovisa, Caroline, Amos
S., Henry W., Leroy, Monroe J., Matthew B., Royal R., Frank, Sarah, and
Fred. Amos S. Smith, born Sept. 2, 1838, married Janette M. Wautenpaugh,
of Conewango; children : Martha C, Clara A., Alvah A., Margaret M. (Mrs.
John Griffith), Bertha M.,'and Merrick B. Mr. Smith served in Co. B, 64th
N. Y. Vol. Inf., and re-enlisted in Co. K, 9th N. Y. Cav., serving in all twenty-
seven months. Henry W. Smith, brother of Amos S., served in Co. B, 64th
N. Y. Vols., and died in May, 1868.
Rev. Jonathan J. Trumbull, son of Jonathan, who served in the Revolu-
tionary war, came into Leon from Erie county and was one of the earliest
pastors of the Baptist church in the town. He finally died in the barracks at
Sacket's Harbor while in the U. S. service. Several of his descendants have
been worthy residents of the county; his grandson, the son of Henry J.. —
Claude C, — is the present keeper of the alms house at Machias, while Henry J.
75 8 History of Cattaraugus. County.
himself is serving his second term as county superintendent of the poor, hav-
ing been supervisor of Leon in 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1886. Henr}- J. and
several of his brothers were soldiers in the Rebellion.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HISTORY OF THE TG\YN OF LITTLE VALLEY.
LITTLE VALLEY was formed from the town of Perry and is the fourth
town organized in the county. It was set off by the legislative act
■ passed April 10, 1818, and at its formation included all the territory now
embraced in the towns of Leon, Conewango, Randolph, South Valley, Elko,
Cold Spring, Napoli, New Albion, Mansfield, Salamanca, Red House, and
Little Valley. This vast area has been sub-divided and reduced by the erec-
tion of other towns until it now contains only about three-fourths of town-
ship three in the seventh range of the Holland Land Company's survey, com-
prising 18,968 acres. Little Valley is bounded on the north by Mansfield, on
the east by Great Valley, on the south by Salamanca, and on the west by
Napoli, and lies a little southwest of the center of the county.
Like the surrounding towns the surface is hilly and elevated upland
divided by Little Valley creek (from which the town takes its name) into
two principal ridges. This creek, the principal stream of the town, flows
through this valley in nearly a due south direction and through the cen-
tral part of the town, and unites with the Allegheny at West Salamanca.
The summits of the highest hills are 500 or 600 feet above the creek. This
broad valley, extending entirely across the town, is beautiful and has a deep,
fertile soil. It was originally timbered with towering pines while the hills
were crowned with sturdy hemlocks and groves of hardwood.
One of the natural wonders of Cattaraugus county is situated in the forest
on lot 57, and is appropriately named Rock City. It is a nearly level plateau
on the top of a hill about 400 feet above the valley and 2,000 feet above tide-
water. The place is accessible from Little Valley and from Salamanca. At
the " city entrance " one descends for about ten feet an inclined plane four
feet wide and about thirty-five feet long, at the foot of which is an open court
or "public square." Here is a circular flat stone, raised about four feet
above the ground, from which innumerable streets, lanes, and alleys wind in
devious ways over an hundred acres. In a minute description of the place
Professor Hall, in his " Geology of New York," says : " The blocks of sand-
stone and conglomerate are widely scattered along the margin of the hill, and
as we approach the undisturbed parts of the rock they become more numer-
Town of Little Vallev. " 759
oils, and assume a regularity in arrangement which shows them to remain
nearly in their original relative position, except that the joints are widened
by the undermining of the rocks below and partly, perhaps, by the destruc-
tion of the rock itself. The whole presents an appearance like a cliff of harder
rock resting on a more destructible one below, which has been exposed to the
waves of the sea or large lakes. In some places, where the blocks are other-
wise closely arranged, there are large spaces where the masses have been re-
moved or disintegrated, presenting a fancied resemblance to court-yards or
squares in the midst of the numerous streets and alleys. The whole area oc-
cupied by the rock at this place is estimated at an hundred acres. H uge trees
standing upon almost barren rock, on the top of these immense blocks, have
sent their roots down the sides to the deep soil below, which thus supports
the growth above. The masses offer fine exhibitions of the diagonal lamina-
tion and contorted seams of iron ore. The rectangular blocks (composed of
pure white pebbles conglutinated) are from thirty to thirty-five feet in thick-
ness, and standing regularly arranged along the line of outcrop 'present an
imposing appearance and justify the application of the name it has received."
As early as 1807 Judge Benjamin Chamberlain and John Green had taken
a claim upon some land in Little Valley, situated upon the creek of the same
name, but abandoned it without materially improving it. About that time
David Powers, William Gillmore, Alpheus Bascom, and Luther Stewart came
to the vicinity and continued to n^ke improvements until the beginning of the
War of 1812. David Powers, for his own convenience and for that of his
neighbors, built a saw-mill. Fearing the continuation of the war would
totally stop the increase of the settlement they all moved away.
Hon. Stephen Crosby came to Little Valley in 1815, and to him and his
family belong the honor of being the first permanent settlers of the town. Mr.
Crosby cut his road through the woods from Franklinville. He was joined by
David Chase in 1817, who settled on lot 21. Benjamin Winship settled on the
same lot about that time. Other prominent early settlers were Enoch Chase,
cousin of David, and Henry Chase, cousin of both David and Enoch, who
settled on lot 23 in 1819. Lyman Lee came in 1821. He was not a native of
Massachusetts, as a former historian has asserted, but was born in Guilford,
Conn. Neither did Mrs. Lee bring apple seeds from Connecticut. She did
bring seeds from Bloomfield, Ontario county, whence she and Mr. Lee removed
to Little Valley. Noah Culver was another early settler who came a year or
two later. Simeon Smead and his brother Daniel were also early settlers.
James Stratton, a native of Athol, Mass., came to Little Valley in 1819 from
Erie county, where he had settled in 181 2. Asa and Lewis Sweetland came
from Genesee county and settled in town about 1828. Of all these early pio-
neers only Asa Sweetland survives.
Orril, daughter of Hon. Stephen Crosby, born March 16, 1817, was the first
white child born in town. Mr. Crosby was the first or one of the first justices
760 History ok CMTARAUGLrs C(juntv.
of the peace in Little Valley and officiated at the marriage of Gaius Wheaton
and Lefa Chase, which was Little Valley's first wedding. Enoch Chase, who
died in 1825, was the first adult's death in town. About 1820 Mr. Crosby
erected the first frame barn and about the same time Daniel Smead built the
first frame house. Alfred Ayres kept the first store a short distance below
the village. Abner Chase, Luther Doolittle, and Benjamin Johnson were pio-
neer inn keepers. Abner Chase, oldest son of Henry Chase, came to Little
Valley and settled with his father, who had preceded him six or eight years,
and resided on lot 23. Soon after Abner Chase settled there he built a large
frame house and larger barns and opened the place to the public as a tavern,
which he conducted twenty-five years. This house soon became widely known
for its loaded tables and good fires. Its old-fashioned fireplaces in winter
imparted a decided cheerfulness to the place and that old tavern was always
full. It was situated on the " main line from away down east to out west,"
and immense numbers of emigrants passed over the route in "white covered
wagons." Mr. Chase was an earnest admirer of " Old Hickory" and an ardent
Democrat. His sign-post was a huge hickory log with its rough, shaggy bark
left intact, and bore aloft an immense sign on which was inscribed in large
letters the single word, Temperance. Democrat and temperance were his
watch-words, and the many wordy wrangles in the old .reception room (not
barroom) should have settled matters of State.
The early settlers with their romantic fields of stumps called cleared land
could not have the common comforts of the life they had led in the homes
they had left. There was no money, and the only means to meet taxes was
to cut and pile the huge trees, burn them, save and leach the ashes, boil the
lye into black-salts, put them into a bag, sling it upon their shoulders, and
tramp on foot to market twenty or thirty miles away. Sweet herbs and gar-
den sage were substituted for tea, peas and the coffee-bean for coffee, and the
thorn-bush furnished the necessary pins and buttons. This condition soon
changed. Stores were opened and a barter trade established. The old log
houses disappeared and frame structures superseded them. The timid deer
were frequent visitors, bears and wolves were often seen, and sometimes at
night the pioneers were startled by the shrill scream of the panther.
William P. Ayres, son of the pioneer merchant, Alfred Ayres, says that in
the winter of 1848-49, when he and his father were returning by moonlight
from Salamanca, where they had marketed a load of hay, they were beset by
a pack of nine wolves. He was then a strong and courageous man of twenty-
one. His father, armed with a pitch-fork, occupied the front of the sled and
drove the horses. William, armed in like manner, guarded the rear. The
wolves attacked the team, but the snow was deep and they were trampled
down by the horses. Then the wolves made a rear attack and the fiercest
one leaped upon the sled. The young man gave the fork a vigorous thrust,
which plunged the tines into his enemy, and it retreated.
Town of Little Valley. . 761
It is a tradition and probably a fact that David Powers erected a small
saw-mill (the first in Little Valley) on Little Valley creek in 18 10. As the
neighborhood was deserted about 1812 very little is known about it. Other
mills some years later were built on the principal streams of the town. O. &
A. Brown built a steam saw-mill in the village in 1868 which was destroyed
by an explosion of steam in 1872. A mill of larger dime'nsions was soon built
on the site and was destroyed in like manner June 5, 1875, causing the tragic
death of David Brown, one of the proprietors, his four-year-old son, and the
fireman, James H. Weist. Horace Howe, the business man of the town at
that time, erected a grist-mill with five runs of stone and the best machinery.
Mr. Howe became involved in some way and the mill was sold to Silas Vin-
ton, of Gowanda, who removed it in 1873 to Hidi on Cattaraugus creek.
Provision was made for holding the first town meeting at the house of
Jared Benedict on the first Tuesday of March, 1819, by the Legislature which
passed the act of April 10, 181 8. The town has no records prior to March 4,
1823. The supervisors' journal of 1886, which purports to contain a list of all
the members of the Board for each year from the organization of the county
down to and including the year 1865, gives Royal Tefft as the supervisor of
Little Valley in 1819 and 1820 and Stephen Crosby in 1821 and 1822. The
town meeting in Little Valley in 1823 was held at the house of Enoch Chase,
and the following is a copy of its proceedings recorded in the clerk's office :
"The following are the pi-oceedings of a meetinjf of the inhabitants of Little Valley on Tuesday, the
fourth day of March, 1833, at the house of Enoch Chase, it being their annual town meeting.
"Balloted for and elected Simeon Smead, supervisor; ditto Guilson Morgan, town clerk; ditto Jona-
than Kinnicutt, Aaron Razy, Benjamin Winship, assessors ; ditto Gaius Wheaton, John A. Kinnicutt, Asa
Morgan, commissioners of highways; ditto David Chase, Benjamin Chambers, overseers of the poor; ditto
Nathaniel Fish, collector; ditto Simeon Smead, Aaron Kazy, Guilson Morgan, commissioners of common
schools ; ditto John A. Kinnicutt, William A. Hopkins, inspL ctors of schools ; ditto Kathaniel Fish, Lyman
Lee, Noel Hopkins, constables.
" Voted, to raise the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for the improvement of highways.
"Voted, that we raise twenty-five dollars to purchase seals of weights and measures.
" Voted, that we raise eight dollars to purchase town books with for the town of Little Valley.
"Moved and seconded and carried by vote that Stephen Crosby, Noah Culver, and Benjamin Hull be a
committee to lay out the burying ground, said Culver to fence s'd burying ground, and the s'd com-
missioners to audit the account of s'd Noah Culver. Said burying ground to be near Stephen Crosby's
house on the ridge east of s'd Crosby's house.
" Little Valley, March 4, ISZi [Attest] GcriLSON Morgan,
Town Clerk, as per
"Jacob Galloway."
The records of the annual town meeting held March i, 1825, contain the
following business item: "Voted that Smith A. Waterman and property be
sold at auction, to the lowest bidder; bid off by Robert Gay at twenty-four
dollars." The following are the principal town ofificers as far as obtainable:
Si(|<en)is«r8.-RoyalTetrt,1819-20; Stephen Crosby, 1821-22, 1843; Simeon Smead, 1834^26,1830-31,1833-36;
Ezra Canfield, 1827-29 ; Dimmick Marsh, 1833, 1850; Abner Chase, 1837 ; David Hathaway, 1838-10; Jonathan
Thompson, l&tl ; Cyrus S. Shepard, 1842; John L. Boardman, 1844, 1846, 1849; Horace Howe, 184,5, 18.55; Lu-
ther Heabody, 1847-48, 1851-52, 1858 ; Eliphalet Culver, 1853-54 ; Horace S. Huntley, 1856, 1862; Ellsha Puddy,
1857 ; Lyman Twomley, 1859, 1868 ; John Manley, 1860, 1867, 1870-74 ; Norman Wheaton, 1861 ; Stephen C. Green,
1863, 1865 ; Daniel Bucklin, 1864 ; Erastus N. Lee, 1866 ; Sidney S. Marsh, 1869 ; William W. Welch, 1875 ; Eu-
gene A. Nash, 1876 83, 1885, 1891-93 ; Isaac Winship, 1884 ; Charles Z. Lincoln, 1886-89 ; Gilbert L. Mosher, 1890.
Tou'rt CTpWf.i.— Guilson Morgan, 1824-25 ; Jacob Galloway, 1826-27; Stephen Crosby, 1828-29; Levi Godding,
1830-31; David Hathaway, 1832-35; Luther Peabody, 1836-47,1859; Converse H. Chase, 1848-51 ; Leander Strat-
96
762 History of Cattaraugus County.
ton, 1853, 18»4; Nathan C. Brown, IS53; Daniel Bucklin, 1855; O. E. Marsh, 1853; Alraon P. Kuisell, 1857; Jo-
seph H. Green, 1858; Joseph F.Thompson. lS60-Bl,18a)-66; Stephen C. Green, lStJ2; Sidney S. Marsh, 1863 Bt;
John Peabod y, ISfiT ; L. S. Whitney, ISriS ; A. H. Howe, lsti9 ; Enos C. Brooks, 1870 ; William W. Welch, 1871-73 ;
George Hilsle, 1871; C. M Nutting-. 1875; Lewis A. .McMillan, 1876; Dell Tuttlc, 1S77-.SO: J. K. Hermon, 1881 ;
W. C. Parker, 1882 8=3; S. L. Sweetland. 1884-80 ; George W. Fuller, 189U-9-'; James H. Wilson, 18H3.
Ju-itkes (if the Peace.— 1819, Stephen Crosby ; 1820, Royal TelTt. Milton B. CanBeld ; 1821. Stephen Crosby,
KoyalTeEft; 1822, Royal Tefft, Stephen Crosby; 1823, William A. Hopkins, A. Razy, Alson Leavenworth,
WalterThorp ; 1824, John A. Kinni^;utt, William A. Hopkins; 1825. Silas McKay ; 1826, S. Smead, Aaron Razy ;
1827, S. Crosby, Jacob Galloway. J. A. Kinnicutt, Simeon Smead; 1830, Dimmick Marsh, Abncr Chase,
Alfred Ayres, S. Smead; 1832. Asa Sweetland ; l.SiJ, Horatio Di.\, Eliohalef. Culver; 1834, Dimmick Marsh ;
1835, John Boardman ; 1.836, Horatio Dix; 1837. David Hathaway, Michael Puddy ; 1838, Eliphalet Culver;
1839, Dimmick Marsh. John Boardman; 1840. Nathan Crosby ; 1841, Harvey Eldridge; 1842, Eliphalet Culver;
1843, Dimmick Marsh, Edwin O. Locke; 1844, Nathan Boutelle ; 184.5, Thomas L. .\ewton, Ira Gaylord ; 1846,
Dimmick Marsh, Nathan Crosby; 1847, Harvey Eldridge; 1848, Lyman S. Pratt, Ellas Puddy ; 1849, Edwin O.
Locke, Thomas L. Newton; l^ij, Dimmick Marsh; 1851, H.C. Gaylord; 1852, Stephen C. Green, Alouzo L.
Ames, Fuller Bucklin ; 18.53, William P. Crawford ; 1854. Thomas S. Newton, Elisha Puddy ; 18.5.5, A. L. Ames,
N. C. Brown; 1856, Fuller Bucklin ; 1857, Elisha Puddy; 1858, Henry Hoyt; 18.59. Horace S. Hunt:ey; 18B0.
Alvin P. Russell ; 1861, George Town ; 1802, Henry Hoyt, Fuller Bucklin, E. J. Davis ; 1863, H. V. R. McKay ;
1864, Nathan Cosby; 186,5, Fuller Bucklin, Alonzo L. Ames; 1866, Henry Hoyt; 1867, Elisha Puddy; 1868,
E. A. Wheat ; 1869, Fuller liucklin. .M. X. Pratt ; 1870, Isaac Winship ; 1871, Elisha Puddy ; 1872, M. N. Pratt; 1873,
James Morris; 1874, Isaac Winship; 187.5. John Travis; 1876, Willard Gould; 1877, M. N. Pratt; 1878, VedderC.
Reynolds; 1879, Samuel Dunham : Iv^X Willard Gould, Albert B. Chase ; 18S1. M. N. Pratt; 1882, Albert B.
Chase ; 1.883, Stanley N. w hcaton : 1>84. Samuel Dunham ; 1885. Oliver L. Holcomb ; 1886. Albert B. Chase ; 1887,
Stanley N. Wheaton; 1888, Samuel Dunham; 18S9, Oliver L. Holcomb; 1890, Albert B.Chase; 1891, S. N.
Wheaton, D. Rouesteel; 1892, Kuhin H. Pratt; 189.3. Oliver L. Holcomb.
In 1890 Little Valley had a population of 1,274 and is divided into seven
common school districts, schools being maintained in all of them. There
were 346 children who attended school the past year and were taught by ten
teachers. The school buildings and sites are valued at $15,575. The assessed
valuation of the district is $518,219. The amount of public money received
from the State was §1.327.15; the amount raised for school purposes by local
taxation was §2,195.42.
The New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad runs through the town
along Little Valley creek, and has a station at Little Valley village.
Situated at the village of Little Valley is a neat and pretty cemetery
where are buried many of the town's pioneers, the first interment being that
of Herman Fisher. It is under the supervision of the Little Valley Rural
Cemetery Association, which was organized September 29, 1862.
The village of Little Valley is situated near the northwest corner of the
town on the creek and in the valley of the same name. The site is a smooth,
even plain sufficiently elevated to afford good drainage, and is hemme.d in by
high hills. This location has the appearance of having been the site of a vil-
lage centuries before it was the home of the present white man, and so far
back in the misty .past that the Indian has no. tradition of the beings who
built and occupied it. On the fair grounds in the northern part of the village
numerous arrowheads, finished and unfinished, have been found. The low-
land beyond, known as '"The Elms," the trees of which are of recent growth,
may have been and was probably a beautiful lake before the barrier of earth
opposite the fair grounds was washed away.
In 1851, at the completion of the Erie railroad, new life and enterprise
seemed to inspire the people of Cattaraugus county and Little Valley caught
Town of Little Valley. • 763
the general heart-throb of business and at once began to grow. Until then
the village was but a small hamlet. Horace Howe opened the first store in
the place about that time. He also opened his lan'ds for sale as village lots,
on the small creek in the west part of the village, and the same year Cyrus S.
Shepard offered lands for the same purpose down the valley on the east. The
growth of the village has since been steady and constant. In 1867 John
Manley donated the site of five acres to the county, and the new county
buildings were completed thereon in the spring of 1868. Since then Little
Valley has enjoyed the benefit and distinction of being the capital of Cattar-
augus county. The village has now a population of nearly 1,000, about a
dozen stores, three church edifices (Methodist, Congregational, and Roman
Catholic), a graded school building, the large cutlery shops, several hotels, a
fine opera house, a banking institution, the court house and jail, two mills,
shops, etc. The village was incorporated in May, 1876, and contains an area
of 640 acres. Since the incorporation its citizens have taken commendable
pride in improving it. About two or three acres of Mr. Manley's gift to the
county, in front of the court house, has been formed into a park and adorned
with trees. The town has also a small but pretty park in front of the opera
house. The village is abundantly supplied with pure spring water for the use
of families and for extinguishing fires.
Rock City Hotel is pleasantly and centrally located at the head of Rail-
road avenue in the village of Little Valley and has a frontage of ninety-eight
feet on Rock City street and seventy feet on Fair Oaks street. Its forty lodg-
ing rooms and the dining room are well lighted and airy. The property is
owned by J. C. Merow. Other hotels are the New Palace and the Burrell
House on Railroad avenue, the former a fine new brick structure handsomely
appointed and carefully kept. Anothergood one still is Drew's Hotel.
Little Valley Union Free School was organized in December, 1877, under
an act of the Legislature pa.ssed in 1864. Willard Gould, Cyrus A. Fuller,
Charles Z. Lincoln, William W. Henry, and Stephen C. Green were elected
the first Board of Trustees. The board chose Willard Gould as their presi-
dent and C. Z. Lincoln as clerk. The district has a commodious school house
and employs five teachers: George Waller, principal, assisted in the advanced
department by Miss Allie Park; in the intermediate department by Miss
Grace Rich asssisted by Mrs. George Waller; and in the primary department
by Miss Emma Williams. The number of pupils is from 150 to 180.
Crissey & Crissey have lately opened a banking house iathe Opera House
block and are doing a general banking business.
Elkdale is the new name of the h-imlet of Little Valley Center. It now
contains Elkdale postoffice, a school house, cheese factory, and the homes of
several enterprising farmers. It was early the "place of business" of the
town and contained stores, a hotel kept by Dr. Stillman Chase, and a church.
Early merchants were David Chase, Warren Weatherby, Edward S. Bryant.
764 History of Cattaraugus County.
William Adye, a native of Vermont, came to Napoli in his boyiiood. In
1870 he built a cooper shop and feed-mill in the village of Little Valley, on the
opposite bank of the site'of the old Howe grist-mill, which is now occupied
by the mills of his son Hiram. He conducted quite a business in coopering,
grindiiig feed, and making cider. He died in 1874 and was succeeded by his
brother Oscar. He in turn was succeeded in about a year by Hiram Adye, who
added both a saw-mill and planing-mill in 1879. In 1S85 Hiram bought the
Howe site, erected a new set of buildings, put in a forty horse-power boiler
and engine, and is now doing quite a flourishing business in sawing lumber,
planing and matching, making shingles, turning, grinding feed, and making
cider. In the spring of 1890 he sawed for Burton Brothers, of Connecticut,
manufacturers of levels, 105,000 cherry levels. The capacity of his saw-mill is
from 15,000 to 20,000 feet per day.
The Cattaraugus Cutlery Company was organized and incorporated under
the laws of the State of New York with a capital of §25,000. The company
has leased and controlled from thfee to five manufactories in the eastern
States and has headquarters and a repository for their goods at Little Val-
ley. They employ fourteen traveling salesmen and have in Little Valley a
large manufactory with modern and improved machinery and necessary ap-
pliances, which gives employment to 125 skilled workmen. The capital was
increased to §50,000 in 1888. The officers are elected annually by the Board
of Directors. This industry has added at least 100 to the population.
John F. Mack's steam saw-mills have a capacity of cutting 8,000 feet of
lumber per day. Connected is a planer and matcher, a moulding machine,
and a feed-mill with two runs of stone. At this mill is located the Kellogg
Washing Machine Company, which is manufacturing the duplex turbine
washing machine and employs twenty workmen.
The Mangle Roller Company is located near the railroad depot. Rollers
are turned from maple wood for the English market. This is a business car-
ried on only in winter.
The Freewill Baptist church, the first religious society of Little Valley
after the town's organization, was organized October 8, 1826, and was legally
incorporated June 15, 1839. Its first Board of Trustees was composed of
Lyman Lee, Abner Chase, Samuel Owen, Lyman Culver, Benjamin Winship,
Cyrus VV. Fuller, and Cyrus S. Shepard. The church edifice, a small wooden
structure, was erected nearly a mile below the village, and in it ser\'ices were
regularly held for several years by Elder R. M. Cary and others. For the
convenience of the greater number who then attended the little meeting house
it was removed to Little Valley Center, and there it was regularly used for
church service several years longer and until the church was unable on account
of removals and deaths to continue an organization. This church has long
since been an institution of the past and its historic edifice has been converted
into some secular use.
Town ob' Little Valley. . 765
The Methodist Episcopal church of Little Valley.* — Rev. Samuel Gregg,
in his " History of Methodism Within the Bounds of the Erie Conference,"
1873, says that "from 1796 up to 1 812 western New York was nominally within
the bounds of the Philadelphia Conference, though most of the time entirely
unoccupied. In 1808 a circuit was formed by that conference, called the
' Holland Purchase,' which embraced all of the State of New York west of
the Genesee river, to which the Rev. George Lane was appointed. He formed
a class and preached in the west part of Sheridan, Chautauqua county, in 1808,
which is sa-id to have been the beginning of Methodism in western New
York. The Genesee Conference was formed in 18 10 and embraced western
New York," but the Chautauqua circuit remained connected with the Ohio
Conference until 1820, when it was assigned to the Genesee Conference. The
Pittsburg Conference was organized in 1824 and included all of Chautauqua and
that part of Cattaraugus county west of a straight line drawn from the mouth
of Cattaraugus creek to " Olean Point." The remainder continued in the Gene-
see Conference. Little Valley was then in the Pittsburg Conference, which was
divided in 1836, the northern part being called the Erie Conference; and the
boundaries then given have remained substantially the same to this day.
Little Valley is in the e.xtreme northeastern part of the Erie Conference and
on the boundary line. Mr. Gregg says that a small class of six or eight mem-
bers was formed in the town of Napoli about 1820. It seems that there were
classes in Little Valley and vicinity at an early day. March 5, 1824, a certifi-
cate was filed in the county clerk's office incorporating the "First Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Little Valley." The certificate recites
that on the 5th of December, 1823, "a meeting of the male persons of full
age, being members and friends of the Methodist Episcopal church, was held
for the purpose of incorporating themselves as a religious society," at which
Levi Done and William A. Hopkins were chosen to preside. Benjamin Cham-
berlain and A. Smith Waterman were chosen trustees of the first class, John
A. Kinnicutt and William Kendall of the second class, and Jonathan Kinni-
cutt and Jeremiah Maybee of the third class. None of these persons except
Mr. Maybee lived within the present limits Little Valley; but this town
then embraced the present towns of New Albion, Mansfield, Little Valley,
Salamanca, and Red House. Where this organization was actually located
does not now appear; and it evidently was not the predecessor of the present
church at Little Valley. In the spring and summer of 1824 Rev. Andrew
Peck organized the "Conewango" circuit, which embraced "Conewango, Ken-
nedy's Mills, Randolph, Ellery, Little Valley, Napoli, and Cold Spring, at all
which places classes had been formed." In 1826 "Conewango" was merged in
the Chautauqua and Lake circuits. The Jamestown circuit was formed in
1828. In 1830 a circuit was formed called " Napoli and Smethport." This
was a large circuit, the extreme points being perhaps an hundred miles apart.
* Contributed by C. Z. Lincoln, Esq.
766 History of Cattaraugus County.
The next year Smethport was detached from Napoli and annexed to the
Youngsville circuit, Napoli remaining alone, with Rev. John K. Hallock,
preacher. Little Valley was within this circuit. In 1835 Randolph circuit
was established, but it does not appear in the conference minutes for 1839,
1840, 1 841, and 1842. In 1841 Rev. J. Demming reports that "three protracted
meetings had been held on the Napoli circuit, which resulted in the conver-
sion of 200 souls, one-half of whom had united with the Methodist Episcopal
church" Randolph was an appointment again in 1843, with E. J. L. Baker,
preacher, and this year Napoli had three preachers: D. Pritchard, Waldo W.
Luke, and John H. Tagg. Napoli was dropped in 1847 ^^^ ''^ territory an-
nexed to Randolph circuit. About 1825 a class was formed at " Brainard's." in
the eastern part of Napoli, not far from Little Valley village, and several
members of this class afterward became members of the church at Little Valley.
The class-book showing the names of members of this class in 1837, .Simeon S.
Brainard, leader, is still preserved among the records of the church at Little
Valley. In 1852 James H. Whallon was appointed presiding elder of the James-
town district and A. Burgess and Noble W. Jones were appointed preachers
for the Randolph circuit. Little Valley was within the bounds of this circuit
and in this year (1852) a class was formed at " Little Valley Depot," composed
of Levi Godding, Bersheba Godding, Jonathan Thompson, Susan Thompson,
Joseph Wing, Martha Francis, H. Applebee, Polly Foster, J. H. Shepson,
E. M. Shepson, Lucinda Taggart, Urania M. Twomley, A. Sherwood, Polly
Sherwood, Asa Swcetland, Jr., and Matilda Sweetland. Mr. Sweetland was
appointed leader. This was the origin of the present Methodist Episcopal
church of Little Valley. Mr. Sweetland, the veteran leader, is still living in
Little Valley and is the only survivor of that early class. The Randolph
preachers had charge of the work here for the first five years. Services were
held in the second story of the building now occupied by Scott Barker as a
hotel; also over George Hilsle's store and in the building now used by D. V.
Rundell as a drug store. There was a great revival in the winter of 1852-53,
beginning in a little prayer-meeting in the Barker building, and thirty-three
persons joined the class that winter, several still being members of the church.
In 1857 Little Valley was made a separate circuit, composed of several
classes, and Rev. John Akers was appointed preacher. The first quarterlj'
conference was held October 17, 1857, at Napoli ; Lester J. Worth, Jonathan
Thompson, Dr. Samuel S. Wilco.x, Henry Clark, and Lysander Whaley were
the stewards. Dr. Wilco.x was chosen recording steward. The committee
appointed to estimate the allowances to the preacher for the ensuing year
made a report fixing the amount at $400, as follows: traveling expenses
$17.39, ■'^"'^ $-^' discipline allowance $248; table, horse, and fuel $108.01.
This estimate was divided among the different classes as follows: Burbank's
$60. Napoli Center $60, Red House $40, Little Valley Depot §60, Bucktooth
§80, Lebanon $100. The following resolution was adopted : " Resol\-ed, That
Town of Little Valley. 767
the steward or leader of each class, on the first Sabbath after each quarterly
meeting, make a report to said class of the amount each person and class has
paid for the support of the gospel the preceding quarter." In 1858 the cir-
cuit embraced Worth's, Little Valley Depot, Burbank's, Pigeon Valley,
Napoli Center, Lebanon, Stryker's, Red House, Bay State, Hotchkiss Run,
and Bone Run, and the salary was $692. The circuit was evidently consid-
ered too large, for at the quarterly conference held at Little Valley, January
28, 1859, S. C. Green, steward from the "Depot " class, offered the following
resolution, which was adopted : " Resolved, That the interests of Methodism
will best be subserved on this circuit by a judicious division of the same."
The circuit was divided the next year.
July 27, 1858, the members of the society met at Odd Fellows hall to take
the necessary steps to effect an incorporation of the church. Rev. F. W.
Smith, the preacher in charge, and Luzon M. Botsford were chosen to pre-
side. A resolution was adopted to incorporate by the name of the " First
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Little Valley," and Luzon M.
Botsford, Lansing H. Wilcox, Asa Sweetland, Jr., Stephen C. Green, and Jon-
athan Thompson were elected trustees. The certificate of incorporation was
recorded in the county clerk's office December 30, 1858. In 1859 a meeting
house was erected by the society in the village of Little Valley and was dedi-
cated November 19th by Bishops Matthew Simpson and Edward R. Ames.
The society has worshiped in this house since that time. In the summer of
1878 a chapel was built connecting with the church and other extensive re-
pairs were made at an expense of $1,650, and the church was re-dedicated Aug-
ust 1st by Bishop Randolph S. Foster, assisted by Prof. Borden P. Bowne, of
Boston University. F"urther improvements were made in 1891 at an expense
of $600, and the church is now a pleasant and commodious place of worship.
The parsonage was built in 1866 by Hardy R. Finch, a wealthy member of
the church. He intended to ultimately convey it to the society. May 16,
1867, he made a contract with the trustees by which they agreed to pay Mr.
Finch $yo a year, for fifteen years, when he was to convey the property to
the society. Hedied before the expiration of the time fixed, but by his will
gave it to the church. In 1888 the house was enlarged and repaired at a cost
of $1,100, and it is said to be one of the best in the Jamestown district.
The most important office held by a layman in local societies is that of
recording steward ; he has charge of the records of the quarterly conference
and is ex-officio treasurer of the Board of Stewards. The following persons
have held this office since the organization of the society in 1857: 1857-58,
Samuel S. Wilcox; 1859-60, Stephen C. Green; 1861-63, Nathan C. Brown ;
1864, Henry C. Gaylord ; 1865-67, Nathan C. Brown; 1868-69, Emory A.
Anderson; 1870, Augustine W. Ferrin ; 1871, Archibald C. Merrick; 1872-75,
Samuel Merrick ; 1876-78, Charles Z. Lincoln; 1879, Samuel B. Densmore ;
1880, Byron L. Sprague ; 1881-89, Charles Z. Lincoln; and 1890-93, Emory
History of Cattaraugus County.
Sweetland. Since the organization of a separate class at " Little Valley
Depot" in 1853 the following preachers of the gospel ha\'e served upon
this charge: 1852-53, A. Burgess and Noble VV. Jones; 1853-54, George \V.
Chesbrough and D. C. Osborn ; 1854-55, Theodore D. Blinn and S. L. Mead ;
1855-56, J. Robinson and T. P.Warren; 1857, John Akers ; 1858, F. W. Smith
and John Akers; 1859-60, Alexander Barris ; 1861, E. A. Anderson and A. A.
Kellogg ; 1862-63, \V. W. Case : 1864-65, E. B. Cummings ; 1866, R. W. Scott ;
1867, C.W. Reeves ; 1868-69, John Akers ; 1870-71, Peter Burroughs; 1872-73,
E. Brown; 1874 75, W. B. Holt; 1876, J. H. Stoney ; 1877-79, James P.
Mills; 1880-82, B. F. Wade; 1883-85, Charles O. Mead; 1886, W. \V. Cush-
man ; 1887-88, Harvey M. Burns; 1889-90, William P. Murray; 1891-92,
Thomas W. Douglas, who is the preacher for the conference year ending Sep-
tember, 1893. The church has a membership of 137. The first Sunday school
was organized about 1853. The school now numbers 150 scholars. The
church also has two strong and efficient societies managed by ladies. It also
has a chapter of the Epworth League with a membership of seventy, which is
an important adjunct to the church. The following are the trustees of the
church in ofifice July, 1893 : Samuel A. Grove, Stephen R. Ridout, William C.
Bushnell, Marion J. Rich, and Samuel B. Densmore. The ofificers of the Ep-
worth League are : President, Ralph W. Holcomb ; secretary, Hattie E. Mer-
rill ; treasurer, Mrs. R. W. Holcomb ; with the following heads of departments :
Spiritual work, Rollin H. Pratt; mercy and help, Mrs. Mary E. Douglas;
literary work, Georgia M. Seekins ; social work, Gertrude Darrow. The church
believes that the children are the hope of the world, and it takes an especial
interest in their instruction. It has a branch of the Junior Epworth League
with a membership of ninety-five, which is a valuable auxiliary to the other
societies of the church ; the ofificers are : President, Gertrude Stacy ; secretary,
Grace Stephens ; treasurer, Cora Wiley. The officers of the Ladies' Aid So-
ciety are: President, Mrs. Mary J. Bowen ; vice-president, Mrs. Lillian C.
Grove ; secretary, Miss Minnie D. Twomley ; treasurer, Mrs. Lusette B. Lin-
coln. The officers of the Young Ladies' Aid Society are : President, Mrs.
Artie B. Holcomb; vice-president. Miss Georgia M. Seekins; secretary. Miss
Hattie E. Merrill; treasurer, Miss Gertrude Darrow.
The First Congregational church of Little Valley, located in the eastern
part of Little Valley village, was organized December 3, 1840, by Revs. Reu-
ben Willoughby and William Hall, with twelve members. Rev. Reuben
Willoughby was its first pastor. In 1854 the first and present house of wor-
ship was erected at a cost of §2.500. With the grounds it is valued at $3,000
and will seat 350 persons. The church has about 100 members, with Rev.
Mrs. E. C. Woodruff as pastor. The Sunday school has 125 scholars. De-
cember 3, 1890, the church celebrated its semi-centennial anniversary.
St. Michaelio Lutheran church (German), in the village of Little Valley,
was organized by Rev. Max Heyer in 1874 with about twelve members. Rev.
Town of Little Valley. . 769
A. O.-'Engel was the first pastor. In 1881 the congregation purchased the
abandoned xMasonic hall and fitted it up for a place of worship. The society
is now in a prosperous condition and has 140 communicants with 44 voting
members. Rev. E. J. Sander is pastor. The church edifice cost $1,000, its
present value, and will seat 125 people.
St. Mary's church (Roman Catholic) edifice in Little Valley village was
erected in 1874 by Rev. John Byron, priest of the parish of Salamanca, which
then included Little Valley. The building is 24x40 feet and cost $1,600.
This church is now a part of Randolph parish and service is held once each
month, the priest from Randolph officiating. This mission when organized
contained eight families; by removals and deaths there are now only three.
Cattaraugus Lodge, No. 239, F. & A. M., of Little Valley, was instituted
in January, 185 1. Meetings were first held in Howe's hall and later in Shep-
ard's hall, which was known as Masonic hall, where it flourished until it was
removed to Salamanca in 1875.
Little Valley Lodge, No. 377, L O. O. F., was instituted August 15, 1848,
on the petition of C. S. Shepard, Abner Chase, Horace Howe, D. H. Geron,
and Luther Peabody. Abner Chase was the first N. G. In 1850 the number
of the lodge was changed to 120. It existed until 1854, when it disbanded,
and the village was without an Odd Fellows lodge until June 7, 1893, when
it was re-organized by D. D. G. M. Millard N. Allen with nineteen members
and these officers: Harlow J. Crissey, N. G.; Dr. F. G. Barnes, V. G.; George
E. Drew, secretary; Henry Hart, treasurer; F. J. Strauss, financial secretary.
Little Valley Lodge, No. 47, A. O. U. W., was instituted December 29,
1876, with about twenty members. The first officers were Augustus Hoover,
P.M. VV.; Charles Z. Lincoln, M. W.; Samuel B. Densmore, foreman; Emory
Sweetland, R.; D. F. Rundell, F. The lodge now has twenty-two members.
Little Valley E. A. U. was instituted September 26, 1879, with twenty-four
members and these officers: Marion J. Rich, president; Mrs. M. L. Burrell,
vice-president; William Burrell, treasurer; Edgar M. Yates, secretary. It
now has thirty-eight members.
Fuller Post, No. 246, G. A. R., was organized November 4, 188 1, with
twenty-three members. The officers then elected were Col. Eugene A. Nash,
commander; Samuel Dunham, S. V. C; VVilber J. Smith, J. V. C; Dr. S. Z.
Fisher, surgeon; W. J. Markham, chaplain; L. A. Sprague, Q. M.; Samuel
Dunham, adjutant; F. M. Bailey, O. D. ; Bart Heath, G. The post now has
about fifty members with the following officers: Col. E. A. Nash, com-
mander; A. E. Darrow, S. V. C; Bart Heath, J. V. C; Martin Sigmian, adju-
tant ; Marcus Hall, surgeon.
F"air Oaks Council, No. 1266, Royal Arcanum, of Little Valley, was organ-
ized May I, 1890, with fifteen members. The first officers were: Mortimer
N. Pratt, regent ; George W. Fuller, secretary. There are now 30 mernbers.
The present officers of the Little Valley Political Equality Club are Mrs.
97
770 History of Cattaraugus County.
M. F. Lee, president; Emma Brown, vice-president; Ida Bedient, recordin^j
secretary; Almira Hall, corresponding secretary ; A. W. Reed, treasurer.
Alfred Ayres, born in Johnstown, N. Y., March 25, 1794, married Betsey
P. Parker, at Bloomfield, N. Y., who was born there March i, 1805. Settling
first in Bloomfield they moved in 1826 to Little Valley, where he bought of
Noel Hopkins a small piece of land on which the latter had cut the first trees
and built a log cabin. Ayres then gave Hopkins employment. Mr. Ayres
was a peddler of tinware and yankee notions, which he followed till about
1837. He bought furs of the Indians and also dealt in groceries several years.
Eventually he sold his grocery to C. S. Shepard, who conducted a larger mer-
cantile business. About 1837 he built the first saw-mill in the town north of
Little Valley Center and afterward gave his attention mainly to his farm of
250 acres. Mrs. Ayres died Jan. 25, 1851. In 1853 he married Elizabeth
Nevins, of Litchfield, Ohio, and in 1858 or 1859 ^^ sold his homestead and
removed to South Amherst, Ohio, where he resided nearly four years, when
he returned to Little Valley to live with his youngest daughter, Eliza Jane
(Mrs. Leonard Gowing), where he died of paralysis in Nov., 1884. His son,
William P. Ayres, was born on the homestead Aug. 14, 1827. In 1842 or
1843 he began to carry the mail on his father's contract from Little Valley
to Lodi (^now Gowanda), making the trip on horseback weekly for four years;
the next two years his route was semi-weekly by way of Lodi to Ellicottville.
On one occasion he was attacked by a huge panther, but his horse succeeded
in escaping the beast. The next day he joined some hunters and shot him.
Remaining with his father until they sold the homestead he soon afterward
married Julia Porter, of Little Valley, and settled on the farm which he re-
cently sold. Mrs. Ayres died Dec. 23, 1882. July 25, 1884, he married Elmina
P. Lawrence. They have one son. He died Aug. 7, 1893.
Nathaniel Bryant was born in Norwich, Mass., Oct. 6, 1794, and had a
good common school education. In 181 7 he and his brother, Freeman Bry-
ant, emigrated to the Holland purchase with one horse, and in Ellicottville
they attempted to make a settlement about a mile south of the village, but
were informed that the place was not in market. They then went to Toledo,
Ohio, where fever and ague raged severely. Returning to Ellicottville Na-
thaniel was employed by-the Holland Land Company in 1818 at $1 pc day,
and cut the timber from nearly the entire length of Washington street. The
stumps were cut level with the ground and the street was four rods wide.
In the spring of 1819 the brothers each located a farm on Bryant hill, which
was named in their honor. Freeman married Fannie Staunton, and two or
three years later settled in Great Valley, dying on a farm in Sugartown on
June I, 1826. Nathaniel married Sally, daughter of David Chase, Sr. He
cut his hay and threshed his grain by hand, and aided in supporting the Bap-
tist church, of which he and his wife were members. In 1841 he sold this
farm and purchased the homestead of his wife's deceased father, where both
died — Mrs. Bryant on April 10, 1875, and he on May 12, 1883. Children:
Edward S., Alvin C. (one of the first conductors on the Lake Shore railroad,
and who died Dec. 7, 1857), Lucy E. (Mrs. William Manley), Marium (who
married C. Van Etting and died in 1880, leaving two sons), Stillman N. (mar-
ried Wealthy Chase and died May 14, 1888), Harlow D., and Loverna W.
(Mrs. James Smith). Harlow D. Bryant has been commissioner of highways,
and on June 18, 1884, married Emma, daughter of Lewis Coit ; children: a
daughter and a son. (See also Bryant sketch in Ellicottville.)
Town of Little Valley. ' 771
David Burrell, son of Adonijah, was born in Otsego county in 1822 and
came to New Albion with his parents about 1828. Before he was twenty-one
he commenced dealing in live stock, which he shipped to Philadelphia and
New York. About 1854 or 1855 he conducted the Howe House in Little
Valley (the site of Rock City Hotel). His wife's health failed and he returned
to New Albion and resumed his live stock business, which he continued till
his death in March, 1876. He served his town several years as assessor. He
married Mary Ann, daughter of William M. Champlin, a pioneer of Napoli.
She died soon after they left the hotel, leaving two sons: William M. and
another who died at the age of twelve years. William M. was born on the
homestead and alternately had a home with his grandparents Burrell and
Champlin. He started in life a farmer. In the spring of 1885 he purchased
his present property, fitted it for a hotel, and named it the Burrell House.
John B. F. Champlin was born at Napoli on July 17, 1841. His paternal
ancestors were of Huguenot French origin, came to America in 1695, and set-
tled in Lebanon, Conn. The original name was Champlain, and Joseph
Champlain, who in 1808 discovered the lake that bears his name, was a remote
kinsman. His father, John B. Champlin, married Hannah, daughter of Smith
Cottrell, of South Kingston. John B. F. resided at the parental home until
the death of his mother, which occurred when he was fifteen years old. At
the age of thirteen he was a successful partner with his father and an older
brother dealing in cattle and sheep. At the age of sixteen he was the half-
owner of a fishing vessel and engaged in cod-fishing. At the end of the season
he disposed of his intere.st in this enterprise, returned to his native town, and
resumed the trade in live stock. He passed several winters in lumber camps
driving oxen, and after sixteen and a half years selling goods for one company
as its traveling salesman he embarked in the manufacture and sale of cutlery.
He organized the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company, of which he is president.
He is sagacious and enterprising in business, and has decided talents for me-
chanics and civil engineering. In 1882 his son Tint became his partner in bus-
iness. In 1879 he began and in 1880 completed his elegant brick opera house.
This he reserved for the free use of all religious societies.
James Chapman, born in Perth, Scotland, Nov. 16, 1829, was educated in
the English schools and learned the trade of black-smith. In July, 1853, he
came to America in a sailing vessel and as a journeyman he spent a year at
his trade in Peekskill, N. Y. Thence he went to Walton, Delaware county,
where he was engaged until the ensuing spring, when he came to Little Val-
ley, where he arrived March 16, 1855. June 5th he bought out his employer,
Joan Blackman, and conducted a blacksmithing business until 1877. In 1870
he purchased thirty acres on Rock City street and in 1878 became a farmer,
in 1887 he cut his farm into village lots, which sold rapidly. He has been a
member of the Congregational church since the summer of 1856, and has been
its deacon since 1869. April 2, 1856, he married Rachel Allison, who was
born in Scotland, Nov. 12, 1819, which country they visited in 1867.
Joseph Charlesworth, son of Nathan, was born near Manchester, England,
Feb. 17, 1840. His father was a cotton spinner by trade, and was foreman in
one of che large cotton factories in that city. In 1841 he came to America
with his oldest two sons and about a year afterward sent for his wife and four
remaining children. He worked at his trade in Lodi (now Gowanda) and in
Buffalo three or four years, and settled in Otto. He purchased a farm on
which he died in 1854. Joseph in 1861 enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols., and
772 History of Cattaraugus County.
participated in all the battles in which his regiment engaged. At the battle of
Gettysburg he received a shell-wound on the right side of his head, which
fractured his skull, and was confined in the hospital at Philadelphia nearly six
months, where he was an officer of the guard. He was appointed sergeant
and was discharged with the rank of orderly-sergeant. He was early entrusted
with the carrying of dispatches and reconnoitering. He was discharged Jan.
9, 1864, from Convalescent Camp, Va., upon a surgeon's certificate of disabil-
ity- Mr. Charlesworth has held several town offices. Jan. 20, 1864, he mar-
ried Ro.xanna Higbee, of New Albion; children: Fred, Jennie B. (Mrs. Homer
Beckwith), John, and Willie M.
David Chase was born in Petersham, Mass., Oct. 25, 1769. Lucy Gay, his
wife, was born in Dedham, ]\[ass., Sept. 14, 1771. They were married in
Massachusetts, where all their children were born. In 18 19 or 1820 they
came to Little Valley Center with a heavy wagon covered with sole-leather
and drawn by two yoke of oxen; they also had one horse. They settled on
125 acres of woodland — the farm on which his grandson, Harlow D. Bryant,
now resides. He erected a log house and barn, cleared the farm, erected a
second set of farm buildings, and died on the place July 20, 1841. Mrs. Chase
died Oct. 24, 1850. Mr. Chase was highly esteemed and widely known.
Children : Parney, who married, first, Jonathan Foster, the father of her son
Chester and daughter Lucy (Mrs. Leander Stratton), and, second, Asa Fur-
man, the father of six children, and died March 10, 1854; Alvin, who married
Polly Phillips, settled on a farm adjoining his father's a year or two before his
father came, raised nine children, and died July 27, 1873 ; Lefa, who married
Gains VVheaton and died Sept. 17, 1826; Sally, who married Nathaniel Bryant
and died April lo, 1875 ; Dr. Stillman, a practicing physician, settled first
in Little Valley Center, married Alzina Kelsey, owned a good farnj, removed
to Rochester, Minn., where he died Sept 5, i860, and has two sons living,
Kelsey and Albert; David, Jr., who married Mary Ann Clark, settled in Roch-
ester, Minn., had four children, was a dealer, built a large tenement block,
and died Aug. 18, 1875; and Cyrena, who married, first, Eli Day, the father
of her daughter Harriet (Mrs. John Markham), and, second, Hiram Davis,
who has bought and sold several farms, and whose son is a physician.
Henry Chase, son of Henry, a native of Massachusetts, was born about
1767 and removed with his family to Townshend, Vt. Henry,- Jr., married,
in Townshend, Irena Wheelock in 1788; children: Abner, Luther, Hiram,
Melinda, Wheelock, and Converse. Between 181 5 and 1820 Henry Chase and
his wife and their two sons, Wheelock and Converse, removed to Little Val-
ley. Their daughter Melinda, who had married Simeon Smead in Vermont,
settled in Little Valley at the same time. Mr. Smead became prominent in
the new town, was elected supervisor of Little Valley in 1823, and was re-
elected from time to time in all nine terms. Mr. Chase was a close observer
of all the weather signs, and always planted his crops in what he thought the
right phase of the moon. He was an original member of the Freewill Baptist
church. Their son, Abner Chase, was born in Townshend, Vt., in 1789, mar-
ried Mary Cox, of Pawlet, Vt., and settled in Saratoga county, where he manu-
factured woolen cloth. In 1825 he settled in Little Valley. Besides keeping
his hotel he was a farmer, an extensive lumberman, held several town offices,
and was appointed by the State to superintend the building of a highway
through the Indian reser\-ation along the Allegheny river. He had served as
a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a major in the State militia. He was
Town of Little Vallev. 773
supervisor of Little Valley in 1837. In 1852 he sold the homestead and re- j;;
moved to Ohio. A few years later he returned to Little Valley and had a . j;!;!
home with his daughter, Mrs. Daniel Bucklin, until his death in the fall of | tii
1863. His wife died in 1863. i |'
Wheelock Chase, fourth son of Henry, was born Aug. 2, 1800. He mar- j|;
ried Teresa Lyon in March, 1824, who was born in Wilbraham, Mass., June ')'
10, 1800. In the spring of 1825 they settled in the woods on Bucktooth run, iJ!'
where alone he built the first house. Mrs. Chase sewed for lumbermen to \h
buy -the few pounds of nails and panes of glais used in its construction.
They sold their improvements a year or two later and removed to their old
neighborhood. In 183 1 they made a permanent settlement half a mile south
of the homestead, where he died in 1845. Prior to 1831 he cleared a field
near the creek and his wife assisted in carrying 100 bushels of ashes from the
burnt timber to the bank of the stream to be made into black-salts. A sud-
den heavy rain caused the creek to overflow during the night and in the
morning they found their ashes swept away by the flood. Children : Malenda,
Irene, Randilla, Harriet, Abner W., and Estelle. Malenda married J. L.
Barton, of Mansfield, at the age of. thirty-two and died childless four years
later. She had taught thirty-two terms of school. Harriet married George
VV. Hotchkiss, of South Valley, in 1868, and died in 1875, leaving two sons.
Abner W. enlisted in the Rebellion in 1861 and died in Ale.xandria, April 21,
1862. Estelle married N. L. Barr, of Brocton, in Nov., 1865, and died in
Kansas, Oct. 10, 1879, leaving one child. Mrs. Chase (the motherj died May
26, 1880, in Little Valley village, where she had lived several years, and where
her daughters Irene and Randilla, the only survivors of the family, reside.
Converse H. Chase, youngest child of the pioneer Henry, was born in
Townshend, Vt., Feb. 17, 181 1. He came to Little Valley Center with his
parents and married Nancy Wheeler, Dec. 21, 1837, who was a native of
Massachusetts and a daughter of John Wheeler, who settled on the farm now
owned by Mrs. Sarah M. Hall. They sold their farm and lived with their
daughter, Mrs. Converse H. Chase. Mr. Chase died on Nov. 9, 1851. He
served as town clerk and assessor. Children: Byron D., born Nov. 5, 1838,
who with his brother Albert B. owns the homestead of 120 acres and the
Clement farm of sixty .acres, and who married Mrs. Mary A. (Nash) Howlett,
March 15, 1885; Wealthy A., born May 7, 1848, who married Stillman Br>--
ant, Jan. 8, 1861, a farmer, and died June 15, 1879; Hiram H., born Nov. 27,
1841, enlisted in Co. B, 9th N. Y. Cav., in 1861, and died at Clupper Court
House, Va., Aug. 8, 1862; Albert B., born Nov. 27, 1844, married Mary E.
Willsis ; and Mortimer D., born May 30, 1846, married Mary E. Evans..
Enoch Chase came to Little Valley from Vermont about the time that his
cousins David and Henry settled here. He died as early or before 1825. He
married his cousin, Abigail (Chase) Wheelock, a sister of Henry Chase. In
1837, with four of her sons and their families, she removed to Burlington,
Iowa. Simeon Smead, whose wife, Melinda Chase, had recently died, and his
brother Daniel, all Vermonters, went with them. Johnson Chase, the son
who remained, died a few years ago.
Stephen Crosby was born in 1788 in Dutchess county, N. Y. At Cazeno-
via, in 18 10, he married Hannah Holmes, who was born in 1790 at Keene,
N. H. Children: Columbus, born July 10, 1814, at Cazenovia, enlisted in the
Union army at Petersburg, 111., and died in the service at Mobile, Ala.; Orril, ■
born at Little Valley in 1817, the first white child born in the town, marriecl
774 History of Cattaraugus 'County.
Michael Puddy, and died in Michigan; Zillah, born at Httle Valley, 1819. and '^
now resides at Garnavillo, Iowa; and Ada, born at Little Valley in i82i.died 'r^i'
in Michigan. Stephen Crosby moved to Little Valley in 181 5 and cut his road *'
through the woods from Franklinville. As justice of the peace he officiated -
at the marriage of Gains Wheaton and Lefa Chase, which was Little Valley's
first wedding. He .was a devoted Christian pioneer, and for man}- years offi- ^i-
ciated as the only doctor, preacher, and lawyer in the settlement. When M
Cattaraugus county first became entitled to a representative in the Assembly 2^.
in 1823 he was elected to that office and was re-elected in 1830. ' ,^
Joseph Cullen, son of John, was born in Upton, Nottinghamshire, England, M".
May 16, 1838. His father was a farmer and came to America in iSii.and ■^i:
first settled in Monroe county. In 1856 he removed to Little Valley and ^i
located on the farm where his son Joseph now resides, and where he died Jan. W
17, 1876. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and was ^■
many years its class-leader. Joseph Cullen, his oldest son, remained at home 1^
until 1862, when, on Sept. 3d, he enlisted in Co. B, 154th X. Y. Vols., and was ^
discharged June 24, 1865. He participated in the battle of Chancellorsville Si
and in several skirmishes, marched with Sherman to the sea, and had a long 'W'
illness in the hospital at Patterson Park, Baltimore. He was also a prisoner M:
six weeks. He succeeded his father on the homestead. M,\
Adelberf E. Darrow, born in Pembroke, Genesee county, Sept. 13, 1S42, \^.
was educated in the common schools with a few terms in the academies, and ' ,^i'[
in June, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 129th N. Y. Inf., was transferred to the '^j
8th N. Y. H. A., and was discharged June 2, 1865, with the rank of orderly- ;%^;
sergeant. His regiment was in General Hancock's corps. After the v,-ar he ^.;
traveled in several western States and in the spring of 1S67 he located in Sal- fe
amanca, where he engaged in manufacturing lumber. While there he held
several town offices, and as highway commissioner he erected the iron bridge
across the Allegheny river. Mr. Darrow is a Republican. In the winter of 1884
and again he was postmaster of the Senate of the State Legislature, and had
pre\'iously held the office of deputy sheriff and under sheriff of Cattaraugus i^..
county each three years. In the fall of 1885 he received the nomination of W.,
his party for sheriff and was elected. At the close of this term he became a ^t
a member of the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company and one of its directors; he '^S
has served as its secretary and is new. its superintendent of construction. He "Mi
also served as chairman of the Republican County Committee in 1889 and '.-,^1
1890. Nov. 25, 1869, he married Mary N. King, of Salamanca, who was born ^*|
in Pembroke, N. Y. They have one daughter, Trtidia B. ^|
Elias Day, son of Erastus and Marian (Lee) Day, was born in Orleans '^%
county in July, 1827. When a child his parents settled in New Albion. Jan. .'Mi
I, 1850, he married Harriet Wing who was born in New Lisbon, Otsego county, :^|
March 18, 1834. They settled in Ngw Albion, where he died April 5, 18S0. .'Ml
Mr. Day was never robust in health, but was an enterprising farmer. He was :'^|
a member of the M. E. church thirty-two years and led the choir about as <^|
long. He was a Republican and was tax collector three terms. Children : '-^^
Albert, who married Hannah Heath and has two children, and Emma (Mrs.
Theodore Champlin), who has four children.
Capt. Samuel B. Densmore was born in Barre, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1833. At
the age of fifteen he entered a general store as clerk, where he remained until
he attained his majority. A year later he engaged in the business on his own -^j
account in Yates, Orleans county, where he was until 1S62, when he enlisted '" '
Town of Little Valley. . 775
on June 14th in Co. A, 129th N. Y. Inf. Aug. 25th he went to the front and
participated in all the battles of General Grant's army until the close of the
war. He was promoted from private to captain, and receiv-ed a gun-shot
wound in his . left shoulder in front of Petersburg, June 22, 1864. He was
captured at Reams's Station, Aug. 25, 1864, and confined in Libby, Dansville,
and Salisbury prisons six months. In 1863 his regiment became the 8th N. Y.
H. A., which was reduced by deaths, etc., from goo to 120 men. He returned
to mercantile pursuits in Little Valley in April, 1868, and is now engaged in
the railway mail service. In 1868 he married Helen M. Van Housen, of Cort-
land county ; they have two sons and a daughter.
John Drew, Sr., son of Elijah Drew, was born in Vermont and married
Nancy Hough, of Geneseo, N. Y., about 1822. He then settled in New Albion
on Drew hill, where he resided five or six years, when he sold -out to his
brother, Noah Drew, and commenced again on Drew flats, where he erected
another log cabin. Here he raised his children and here Mrs. Drew died Jan.
I, 1 87 1. He planted a good orchard, and built a good house in 1850. He
was commissioner of highways a number of years, and died April 15, 1880.
Children: John, born April 14, 1824, died Jan. 3, 1830; Isaac, born Dec. 13,
1S25, died Feb. 13, 1837; Abram, born Aug. 17, 1827, died Dec. 3, 1830;
John, Jr., born Nov. 23, 1830; Julia Ann, born Sept. 19, 1832, died July 19,
1852; Ira, born Feb. 23, 1835, residing with his only son, George E. Drew,
proprietor of the Exchange Hotel in Little Valley ; Henry, born July 17,
1837, died Jan. 15, 1883 ; Silas VVilber, born Aug. 10, 1840; Oscar F., born
Nov. 13, 1843; Clark, born Jan. 27, 1846; Francis Marion, born Dec. 31,
1847, a farmer in Salamanca and a soldier in the war for the Union ; Isaac Eu-
gene, born Jan. 15, 1849, <^i<^d Sept. 9, 1871 ; Angenette, born March 28, 1852.
Albert T. Fancher, son of Capt. William (see page 754) and Lydia (Mills)
Fancher, was born in Leon, Jan. 18, 1859. He was educated in the common
schools and in Chamberlain Institute, and at the age of eighteen formed a
partnership with Edgar Shannon, of Leon, under the firm name of Edgar
Shannon & Co., which continued in trade with two branch stores in the oil
regions of Pennsylvania the ensuing seven years. A Republican in politics he
represented his town on the Board of Supervisors three terms and in 1885 was
the nominee of his party for and was elected clerk of Cattaraugus county
He resides in Little Valley, owns a farm in Leon, and deals in real estate.
Judson H. Fisher was born in Napoli, March 5, 1838, and descends from
sturdy New England stock. His father, William Fisher, was born in Massa-
chusetts and came with his parents to Genesee county in his boyhood. About
1830 he came with an ox-team to Napoli and settled on a tract of 100 acres.
He died Oct. 10, 1889. In religion he was a Baptist and an ordained clergyman.
He preached regularly at a school house in " Pigeon Valley " ; he officiated
at numerous weddings and funerals, and was beloved and respected. ' He was
twice married and the father of six children, all of whom reside in the vicinity.
Judson H. Fisher, his oldest son, received a common school education and
remained on the homestead until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. H,
154th N. Y. Vols., and participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, where he
fought hard and gallantly and fell pierced with a minie-ball, which broke his
kneepan in three pieces. He lay in this condition fourteen days, suffering
terribly from pain, hunger, thirst, heat, exposure, and the mingled insults and
kindnesses of the enemy, when he was discovered by Union soldiers and sent
to the hospital, where the surgeons deemed amputation of the shattered leg
776 History ok Cattaraugus- County.
necessary. This he positively refused to allow, and alone, with his indomitable
strength and perseverance, he set the mangled member, which ultimatclv
healed, but never united. He is now a market gardener in Little Vallej'.
Jan. 17, 1866, he married Sarah Penney, of Mt. Hope, N. Y.; children: Anna
(Mrs. William F. Hall), Charles H., and Florence J.
Cyrus W. Fuller was born in Pawlet, Vt.. in March, 1800. When he was
twelve years old his parents removed to Elba, Genesee county, where he re-
sided until Feb., 1831. His father, John Fuller, served seven years in the
Revolution and was many years a pensioner. Cyrus W. came to Little Val-
ley with his wife and two children — Tryphena and Cyrus A. — in Feb., 1831, '
and settled on 100 acres with but three and a half acres cleared, which he pur-
chased of Noel H. Hopkins and the Holland Land Company. He soon after-
ward built a larger log house and a little later a framed addition in which he
conducted the first grocery store in the village of Little Valley. Mr. Fuller
often spoke in public meetings and as commissioner laid out most of the high-
ways. in town. He married Lucia Bristol, of Bethany, Genesee county,
daughter of Elijah Bristol. Five of their seven children attained maturity:
Tryphena (deceased), who married H. V. R. McKay; Carrie (deceased), who
married H. S. Huntley; Anson L., of Humphrey; Lura (deceased); and
Cyrus A., who was born Sept. 11. 1827. The latter succeeded his father on
the homestead, to which he has added until he now has a farm of 450 acres.
In the Rebellion he placed a substitute in the field who did service three
years. Mr. Fuller married Lydia A., daughter of Levi Godding, an early
pioneer who resided in Little Valley until his death, aged seventy-two years.
Children : Laura A. ( Mrs. B. L. Sprague), George W., and Nellie C. (Mrs. S. N.
WheatonV
Brevet-Col. Henry Van Aernani Fuller,'' oldest son of Benjamin and Ann
(Van Aernam) Fuller, was born in the village of Little Valley, Feb. 16, 1841.
He had two brothers and a sister. Benjamin C. was a soldier in the 37th N. Y.
Vols, and a clerk in the Interior Department; Nathan A. was paying teller in
the United States House of Representatives during the Forty-second, Forty-
third, Forty-fourth, and Forty-fifth Congresses. His grandfather, Edmund
Fuller, was the first settler in Randolph ; his father was among the earliest in
Little Valley. His mother, a lady of great intellectual strength, is the sister
of Hon. Henry Van Aernam, M. D. (see page 131). Henry V. Fuller ob-
tained his education in the common schools and at Fredonia and Randolph
Academies. Had he survived the war it was his intention to have devoted
himself to the legal profession. .A.t the age of seventeen he was employed by
Messrs. Bradley. Fay & Co., lumber manufacturers, to run rafts down the
Allegheny and Ohio rivers to Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and Louisville. He re-
mained their confidential agent until the beginning of the war, when, on Aug.
7, 1861, in a letter to his friend, Hon. John Manley, he said :
"Deeming it to be the dutj- of everj- young man in thet^e daj's of his country's peril tu render her
every help in his power, and that the mr'St effectual sei vice which can be ifiven is to volunteer to flarht her
battles, I am resolved to join those already in the fieid and stand by them in thisstruggle for the constitu-
tion and laws."
Young F'uUer entered the army a private in Co. F, 64th N. Y. Vols., on
Sept. 10, 1861, and at Elmira he was promoted orderly-sergeant. At the elec-
tion of line officers he was chosen second lieutenant and commissioned Dec.
lOth. After the battle of P'air Oaks he was promoted first lieutenant ]u\y 23,
*This sketch of the brave and gallant Colonel Fuller is condensed from a biography written b.v his
friend, Hon. John Manley.— Editor.
Town of Little Valley. Ill
1862. He passed through the Seven Days of the Peninsula, the Pope cam-
paign, Antietam., and Fredericksburg, and for meritorious service was promoted
captain Dec. 30, 1862. Chancellorsville was fought May 1st, 2d, and 3d; this
was followed, on the ist, 2d, and 3d of July, 1863, by the bloody battle of
Gettysburg, where, on the second day, Captain Fuller fell. His body was
recovered on the morning of July 4th, was conveyed to his home, and was
buried with militar}- honors. Under the authority of the laws of New York,
1865, the first brevet honor was bestowed by Gov. Fenton,that of brevet-colonel,
i)i nicinoriani, for Capt. Henry V. Fuller. Colonel Fuller was endowed with
superior mental powers. He possessed a manly physique, stood six feet high,
and had a handsome face, clear gray eyes, and brown hair.
'■ Dulce et decorum est pro patria mod."
Dec. 24, i860, he married Adelaide C, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lyman
Twomley, of Little Valley, a lady of culture and energy who has held the posi-
tion of postmistress several years. Their son, Henry Twomley Fuller, of
striking resemblance to his father, was born May 19, 1862. He is a druggist.
Hon. Stephen C. Green was born in Tompkins county Jan. i, 1828. In
1833 his father removed his family to Jamestown, where, at the age of six-
teen, Stephen was apprenticed to the printing business, which he pursued five
years. In 1849 he began his mercantile career, the scene of his operations
being mainly in Little Valley. Sept. 5, 1848, he married Laura Ann Thomp-
son, who died June 8, 1867, and Dec. 15, 1868, he married, second, Minnie
Courtney. Mr. Green has held most of the minor town ofTices and was
supervisor of Little Valley in 1863 and 1865. In 1865 he was elected superin-
tendent of the poor of Cattaraugus county and in 1868 was re-elected. In
1869 and again in 1870 he was elected to the State Legislature. He was the
first president of the village of Little Valley. In Dec, 1887, with B. B. Weber
and A. W. Ferrm. he bought the Olcan Times and continued its publication
under the name of S. C. Green & Co. until Feb., i8gi, when he retired and
the firm became Ferrin & Weber.
Marcus Hall, son of Horace, one of the four brothers who were among
the first settlers in the corners of Napoli, Randolph, Conewango, and Cold
Spring, now the village of East Randolph, was born in Napoli in 183 1. He
moved with his parents to the village of East Randolph when about twelve
years of age, where he supplemented his common school education by several
terms at East Randolph Seminary. Sept. 7, 1854, he married Almira M.,
daughter of Enos and Miranda Eddy, pioneers of Mansfield. Mr. Hall springs
from a line of noted mechanics and has carried on farming, wagon making,
and carpentering. Aug. 26, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 9th N. Y. Cav., and
served nearly two years, participating in the battles of Gettysburg, Boones-
borough, and others. His health failed in July, 1863, and he was sent to the
hospital in September, came home on sick-leave for ninety days, and returned
to his regiment at Christmas; he took a severe cold, was again confined in
the hospital, and was discharged as permanently disabled June 1 1, 1864. He
and Mrs. Hall have lived in the village of Little Valley the past eight years.
They own a farm in Mansfield, which is the home of their daughter, Lydia M.
(Mrs. John Sprague). Their daughter Ida May (Mrs. Serentus W. Bedient)
resides in the village of Little Valley. Mr. Bedient is a farmer and of the
firm of Fuller & Bedient, proprietors of a meat market.
Calvin Hall, born in Vermont in 1800, married Sarah Mosher, who was
born in Hoosick, N. Y., in 1801. They settled in Middlebury, N. Y., where
98
■78 History of Cattaraugus County.
their oldest two children were born. In the spring of 1832 they settled in
New Albion, where he served as justice of the peace twelve, years, presiding
during that period at numerous law suits. He was a farmer and a mason,
and died at the age of forty-four years. His wife died in 1851. Children:
Phebel^Mrs. Harrison Judd), of New Albion, who died Sept. 27, 1889; Calvin
E., born Jan. 22, 1826; and Lydia, born in New Albion, married A. Briggs, and
died in Dayton. Calvin E. Hall bought the homestead in New Albion and
married, Aug. 14, 1849, Sarah M. Watkins. They removed to Dayton, and
about three years later purchased another farm in New Albion and conducted
both. In 1868 they removed to a farm of 250 acres near Little Valley Center.
He sold his real estate to a son and daughter, and died Dec. 24, 1890. Si.x
children, five of whom grew to maturity: Mary (Mrs. Henry Gallagher) died
Sept. 10, 1889; Robert D., born in 1852, married Nettie Shafer, of Salamanca,
and resides in Dayton ; Adah E., born' in 1856, married C. O. Boutell, of Sala-
manca; Edmund C, born in i860, was a teacher, was principal of the Union
Free School in Allegany, was a law student at the time he was taken ill, and died
Sept. 10, 1867; and Drusa E., born in 1868, married Fred D. Smith.
Samuel C. Heath, born in Bowe, N. H., in Feb., 1803, married Lois Hyde,
a native of Vermont, and settled in Mansfield about 1828 in a log cabin roofed
with elm-bark, in which town they lived about thirty years. Mr. Heath died
in Machias in 18S1 ; Mrs. Heath died Jan. 17, 1885. He was a shoemaker, but
later in life gave his attention to his farm. Children: Calista, born May 22,
1828, widow of William Chichester; John, born July 13, 1830, married Phebe
Johnson, and is-a farmer living in the village of' Little V^alley; and Bart, born
May 31, 1832, married Lydia L. Antisdale. Bart Heath enlisted Sept. 24, 1861,
in Co. F, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged April 3, 1863, in consequence
of a shell-wound received at the battle of Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862. His
eldest daughter married Albert Day, of Little Valley. Mary married Lyman
Wing, of Little Valley, and Lois married Robert Tomes, of Great Valley.
William W. Henry, son of Sylvester, was born in Collins, Erie county,
April 18, 1837. At about the age of sixteen he began an apprenticeship at
the printer's trade with his brother, James T. Henry, then the editor of the
BJlicottville Unio)i. Completing his trade he was a journeyman until 1858,
when he established the Goivanda Reporter, a Democratic weekly on which
he and his partner, F. G. Stebbins, did all the work. He continued this until
the beginning of the Rebellion, when, in Oct., 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 64th
N. Y. Vols. He was promoted corporal and quartermaster-sergeant; in Oct.,
1862, was commissioned lieutenant; and immediately after the battle of Fred-
ericksburg was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was finally com-
pelled to resign on account of ill health and return to Gowanda, where he
resided until 1871 and represented his town on the Board of Supervisors two
years. He also served as town clerk, justice of the peace, and president of
the village. In Jan., 1871, he became under sheriff of Cattaraugus county,
sheriff, William M. Brown, and removed to Little Valley, where he has since
resided. He was the nominee of the Democratic party for the office of sheriff
in 1873 and was elected. In 1879, with C. F. Persons, he purchased the Olean
Record, a Greenback paper, and converted it into a Democratic organ with the
title of the Olean Democrat. In 1883 Mr. Henry was appointed inspector of
canals. In July, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Little Valley.
John Hickey was born in Canajoharie, N. Y., in 1794. He married Martha,
daughter of Nathan Howe, a pioneer of Great Valley, and settled first in
Town of Little Valley. . 779
Phelps, N. Y., where all his children were born. In 1843 he came with his
family to Little Valley, where he conducted a tavern on the site of the Rock-
City Hotel. He was a hotel keeper most of the time through his business
life, and died at the home of his daughter in 1887. He was married three
times. His first wife, the mother of all his children, died in March, 1852.
Marion F. Higbee was born in New Albion, Feb. 18, 1850. In 1867 he
commenced to learn the tinner's trade of Sidney Marsh in Little Valley and
in 1 87 1 he opened a store in the village. In 1876 he sold his business and
went to Wyoming county, where he, was in trade nine years. Eventually re-
rurning to Little Valley in July, 1890, he bought the store and stock of hard-
ware and groceries of S. A. Tuttle, and has since conducted the business.
George Hilsle, born in Alsace, France, in 1829, is descended from French
ancestors, but was educated in the German schools and in German language,
supplemented by two years in French. He learned the tailor's trade and. at
the age of seventeen came to America. In Canada and in Buffalo and in
other places he followed his trade as a journeyman, and in 1853 he located
permanently in Little Valley. He opened a store as a merchant tailor and
a few years later added ready-made clothing. During the last year or two of
the war he suspended business and bought a farm. In 1866 he again fitted
up his store. In 1868 he married Adelia Gibson, of Addison, N. Y. ; they
have two daughters and a son.
Oliver L. Holcomb was born in Oneida county April i, 1829. His father
settled in Madison count}', where he received a common school education.
In 1847 he commenced an apprenticeship in the jeweler's trade at Utica, and
in 1861 he settled permanently in Little Valley, where he opened a jewelry
store, which he has since continued. He cast his first vote for John C. Fre-
mont in 1856 at the organization of the Republican party and has voted for
each of the Republican presidential candidates since. He has been deputy
sheriff nine years and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace.
He has been crier of the courts several years and still holds that position.
Arthur H. Howe was born in Gowanda, Erie county, Oct. 7, 1843. ^'^
grandfather, Jaazaniah Howe, a native of Goshen, Mass., was a soldier in the
Revolution. His father, Zimri, the son of Jaazaniah. came to Lodi (now Go-
wanda) in 1825, and removed in 1858 to Cattaraugus in New Albion. He
died March 11, 1867, and his wife, Esther, March 13, 1878. In 1859 Arthur
H. Howe began his career in the county clerk's office under E. H. Southwick,
serving until 1864, when he enlisted in the 98th N. Y. S. N. G., which was
stationed at Elmira guarding prisoners. He was made deputy county clerk
in Jan., 1865, by S. C. Springer and Jan. i, 1868, by Enos C. Brooks. At
the expiration of this term he moved to Ellicottville and formed a mercantile
partnership with A. J. Adams, and Jan. i, 1874, returned to the county
clerk's office, being again made deputy by Col. E. A. Nash in July, 1875.
That same year he was nominated and elected clerk of the count)- on the
Republican ticket. Dec. 31, 1879, he married Harriet, daughter of C. J. Fox.
Samuel Howe, a native of Massachusetts and a son of Farley and Deborah
(Hulett) Howe, came with his father to Mansfield about 1830. Both were
farmers. Parley Howe died at the home of his son Samuel in Mansfield aged
seventy-six years. Children: Joseph, Samuel, Lemuel, Lura, Roby, and Sybil
(the only one now living). Samuel married Jane Manley, of Otto; children:
Sybil, Aurelius, Leonard, John, Nelson, Augustus, Martin, Franklin, Levi,
Alice. Franklin married Bertha P'oster, great-granddaughter of David Chase.
78o History of Cattaraugus County.
David Johnson, born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, in 1839, received a '^
common school education, learned the trade of harness making, and at the acre
of nineteen came to East Randolph, where he purchased a harness shop and
prosecuted the business about ten years. In 1868 he sold out and established
himself in Little Valley. He has also dealt extensively in hides, his purchases
sometimes amounting to $1,000 a week. Latterly he has occasionally contrib-
uted to the press on political and other subjects. He has served two terms
as trustee of the village. In Sept., 1858, a few months after he settled in
East Randolph, he returned to his native.county and married Sarah C. Wright,
of Norfolk, N. Y.; they have one surviving son, Charles E.
Lyman Lee was born in Guilford, Conn., in 1799. When seventeen or
eighteen years of age he came to Rochester, and Dec. 23, 1819, married Har-
riet Rathbun, who was born in Tioga county, Pa., in 1800. In March, 1821, :5
he settled in Little Valley on a lot of 100 acres where the cheese factory now
stands. He cleared a small plat, so^\■ed and planted, and set out a nursery of
apple and pear trees. In the fall of 1823 he exchanged farms with Stephen
Crosby and became the owner of 100 acres of land and the first frame building
in the town, where he died in 1851. Mrs. Lee survived until July 29, 1879.
Like other early settlers they experienced the hardships incident to pioneer
life. The nearest mill was at Cadizville, about twenty-five miles away. Soon
after he settled in Little Valley Mr. Lee broke his last axe, and to get it re-
paired he went on foot sixteen miles through the woods, which abounded with
wolves. Mr. Lee was overseer of the poor for thirty years and superintend-
ent of the Free Baptist Sunday school about as long. Children : a daughter
who died in infancy and another at the age of thirty-eight; Susan A. (Mrs.
C. S. Trevitt), of Washington, D. C: Emma, widow of O. E. Marsh; William
H., a carpenter in Corry, Pa.; Erastus N.; and Maurice L., of Olean.
Erastus N. Lee, born on the homestead Dec. 2, 1834, succeeded his father
on the farm, spent several seasons as a clerk in country stores, and has con-
ducted the double occupation of farmer and merchant. He has been a staunch
Republican since the organization of the party and was elected to the Board
of Supervisors in 1866. He is a decided temperance man and quite an anti-
quarian, and his collection of Indian relics, procured in his own vicinity,
. number several hundred specimens.
Charles G. Locke was born in Little Valley in 1850. His parents were
Edwin O. Locke and Mary M. Eish, daughter of the pioneer, Nathaniel Fish,
and the first white child born in Mansfield. Edwin O. died when Charles was
three years old and he was adopted by Augustus Galloway, who married his
aunt, Nancy Fish. Young Locke attended the common schools, the Ellicott-
ville Union Free School, and received valuable instruction in mathematics
from Mr. Galloway. He mastered civil engineering and surveying, and has ■'
followed it as a profession. Mr. Locke is a vivid descriptionist and a writer
of no mean ability. He also has a farm of 150 acres in Little V^alley Center. ''
He married Ella Foote. His only brother, Edwin A. Locke, is the author of i
several celebrated dramas and comedies.
John F. Mack was born of German parents in East Otto in 1854. He
commenced his business life as a cooper, and in the fall of 1879 bought a farm
of 133 acres in Little Valley. He is an excellent farmer and a careful mana-
ger, and a man highly respected in the community.
Hon. John Manley, son of Amasa, was born in Norridgewock, Me.. May
26, 1824. Like other farmer boys he spent his youth at the common schools,
Town of Little Valley. 781
where he obtained a good English education, and at labor on his father's farm.
In 1847 he married Elizabeth Bittues at Augusta, Me., and in 185 i removed
to Little Valley, where he engaged in farming, which avocation he continued
for a number of years, and gradually became an extensive landowner. He was
early and prominently identified in politics, and first cast his lot with the Whig
party. At the organization of the Republican party he became one of its
staunch supporters and took a leading part in its councils. He first entered
public life in i860 as the representative of Little Valley on the Board of Su-
pervisors and was re-elected almost unanimously for six more terms. In 1861
he was appointed clerk in the Department of the Interior under Secretary
Smith and served four years. In 1864 he was detailed as a special Indian
agent within the State of New York. In March, 1865, he was appointed mil-
itary secretary on the staff of Governor Fenton and held the position until
May, 1866. In the fall of 1872 he was elected to the Assembly from the Sec-
ond District of Cattaraugus county and was re-elected the ensuing fall. Mr.
Manley gained considerable eminence as an agriculturist, and was the efficient
president of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society seven years, being
also a member of the Executi\e Committee of the Agricultural Society of the
State of New York. He was a man of few professions. His religion as he
expressed it consisted in faith in the Supreme Being and an endeavor to do
right in all things. He was successful in winning the esteem of his fellowmen.
During the war he was especially active in the amelioration of the condition of
the soldiers in the field and in prison, visiting personally the camps and out-
posts; and at home he assisted materially in recruiting organizations for the
front. He was pre-eminently the soldier's friend. As a speaker and writer he
was fluent and comprehensive. His biographies of many of the local pioneers
and eminent citizens are preserved as monuments in the history of western
New York. For many years he was secretary of the County Agricultural
Society and his records of the proceedings of that body are exquisite models
of neatness and thoroughness. In the removal of the county seat to Little
Valley he was especially active ; according to the late Robert H. Shankland
he "stole it and tugged it over Fish hill in his carpet-bag." He was not with-
out his faults, but his name will live in history as representing one whose good
deeds were many and whose acts were acts of kindness. His widow, two
daughters, and a son survive him.
Lieut. William J. Markham was born in Great Valley, March 25, 1826.
His father, William Markham, was born in Manlius, Onondaga county. He
came to Cattaraugus county when twenty-two years old and married Rachel
Phillips, of Lyndon, theirs being the first marriage solemnized in that town.
He spent a year in Olean and then settled on a new farm in Great Valley.
In 1841 he came to Little Valley, remained six or seven years on a farm, sold
it, and returned to Great Valley, where he died in 1849. His son married
Sophronia Field in Nov., 1847, and settled on the farm where he now resides.
Sept. 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 9th N. Y. Cav., and Jan. i, 1864, re-enlisted
in Co. D of the same regiment, being commissioned second lieutenant and
discharged July 17, 1865. He was shot through the thigh at Brandy Station,
Va.; at Berryville, Va., the bones above his ankle were broken by a shell; at
Port Republic he received a stunning blow from a pistol on his head which
fractured his skull; and by the bursting of a shell he was made permanently
deaf. He is a farmer and an ordained clergyman in the Church of the United
Brethren. He is a Republican and has served as overseer of the poor eigh-
782 History of Cattaraugus • County.
teen years. Children: Ambrose W., of Franklinville; Charles E.; Fanny(Mrs.
Frank Cross), of Allegany; Frank M.; Edgar C; Clark F.; and VVillard J.
John H. Merow, born in Germany in 1823, came to America in 1858, and
.settled on a farm in the west part of this town, which he owned at the time
of his death, which occurred May 6, 1890, by being crushed by a heavy log
that accidentally rolled over him while he was assisting in building a log fence.
His wife survived him. They had four children.
Gilbert L. Mosher, son of Benjamin and Peace (Easton) Mosher was born
in Leon, Nov. 9, 1844. He was educated in the common schools, supple-
mented with a short attendance at Chamberlain Institute. He was justice
of the peace in Leon and Jan. i, 1877, he accepted the position of deputy
sheriff and jailor from George L. Winters, sheriff, and removed to Little Valley,
holding the position three years. In Nov., 1879, he was the nominee of the
Republican party for the office of sheriff and was elected. At the close of his
term he was appointed under sheriff by John Little, Jr., and served another three
years. Since then he has dealt in real estate, built several houses, and carried
on his farm. He has also dealt e.xtensively in horses and cattle. In i8go he
represented Little Valley as supervisor. He has always been a Republican
and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. In the fall of 1877 '""c
married Adell L. Herrick, of Gowanda, who died in 18S1 ; she" was the mother
ot his only son. In the fall of 1884 he married Agnes L. Toles, of Dansville,
who is the mother of his only daughter.
Nathan S. Niles, born in Connecticut in 18 10, was a blacksmith, and about
1832 came to Franklinville, where he opened a shop. In 1S34 he married
Huldah J. Nobles, who was born in Whitehall, N. Y., in 1818. March 5, 1840,
he settled in New Albion, erected a blacksmith shop, and carried on black-
smithing and farming. In 1861 he enlisted as the blacksmith for a company
in the gth N. Y. Cav. and died of pneumonia at Washington, D. C, Feb. 18.
1862, His widow resides on the homestead in New Albion. Children : Esther
(.Mrs. Hiram Salisbury), deceased ; Chauncey T.; Charles P., a soldier in the
late war who died in Virginia near Manassas Junction ; Maryette (Mrs. Adol-
phus Gowing), deceased ; Stephen M.; Mortimer A.; William F.; Gaylord, of
Salamanca; and Clarissa E. (Mrs. Richard Johnson).
Ernest Olday, a native of Germany, was born in 1842 and came to America
in 1867. He settled in Little Valley in 1870, where he commenced his trade
of carriage making. He cast his lot with the Republican party when he first
became a citizen and was commissioned postmaster in Sept., 1889. In Jan.,
1893, this office was promoted to third class and Mr. Olday was commissioned
postmaster for four years more, but in July was succeeded by W. W. Henry.
Will C. Parker, born in Machias, March 26, 1854, attended the common
schools and the Fredonia Normal School, and at the age of about nineteen he
commenced the tinner's trade, which he followed as clerk and journeyman
about four years. In Jan., 1879, he formed a partnership in the hardware
and grocery business with J. W. Sweetland. which continued about two years,
when he bought of his partner the hardware business which he continues.
Samuel Pratt came to Little Valley from Tinmouth, Vt., in 1-838, and spent
nearly a year in clearing fifteen or twenty of the seventy acres his son Lyman
S. had secured for him by contract from Nicholas Devereux. He erected a
log house and frame barn and \\as joined by his family in Sept., 1839. He
died May 15, 1856. Lyman S. Pratt was born in Hubbardton, Vt., Dec. 17,
1813. In 1841 he married Martha Smith, of Pittsford, came to Little Valley,
Town of Littlk Valley. • 783
built a house and opened a wagon shop in a part of it, and upon the death of
his father he purchased the homestead, carrying on also his carriage making
business. In 1864 he sold the homestead and removed to Randolph, where,
in 1866, he purchased and opened a wagon shop and continued about five
years. In the spring of 1877 he again settled in Little Valley, on Fair Oaks
street. Children: Mortimer N., Jerome L., and Alice (Mrs. Stephen Mark-
ham). Mortimer N. Pratt, born Jan. 28, 1845, attended the common schools
and graduated at Randolph Academy, and Nov. 14, L866, married Hattie
Huntley. At the age of seventeen he taught his first term of common school
and continued to teach thirteen consecutive winters. In Feb., 1867, he was
elected justice of the peace and held the office sixteen years. He served three
years as assessor and one year as justice of sessions. Jan. i, 1883, he was ap-
pointed by Sheriff John Little as his deputy. Jan. i, 1866, he was re-appointed
by Mr. Little's successor, A. E. Darrow. In Nov., 1888, he was the nominee
of his party and elected to the office of sheriff. He is a staunch Republican,
and has been continuously in office since he was twenty-two years of age.
Children: Robert H., his father's deputy; Arthur J., a plumber and tinsmith
in Little Valley; and Howard. Mr. Pratt owns a farm of 180 acres, which in-
cludes the original homestead of two acres where his father first settled in 1841.
Dwight F. Rundell, born in Harmony, Chautauqua county, Jan. 22, 1850,
received a common school education, and at the age of eighteen entered his
father's drug store, where he remained until he was twenty-five. In 1875 he
bought the drug store of Dr. D. P. Baker in Little Valley. Mr. Rundell is
one of the trustees of the village and an active citizen.
Marion J. Rich was born in New Albion, July 22, 1849. He taught a dis-
trict school one winter, and Dec. 30, 1869, married Caroline B. Sykes. The
next year he began mercantile business in the village of Cattaraugus and con-
tinued there until the autumn of 1876. He has been town clerk, was deputy
county clerk to Jan. i, 1877, until Jan. i, 1S80, and county clerk one term.
Roswell Roberts was born in Bristol, Conn., April 5, 1797. He married
Mercy Clark, a school teacher, who was born in Northampton, Mass., June 9,
1797. About 1824 or 1825 he came to Napoli, where he cleared a small plat,
erected a log cabin, and moved his family into it. He eventually gave the
homestead to his son, Albert W. Roberts, and died Sept. 25, 1879. Mrs.
Roberts died Aug. 23, 1869. Children; Adaline (Mrs. Artemas Wilson), born
April 15, 1822, died in Napoli; Hannah (Mrs. Hobart), born April 20, 1826:
Albert W.; and Abner L., of Derrick City, Pa., who was born Feb. 4, 1833.
Albert W. Roberts was born on the homestead May 31, 1828. He married
Melissa E. Smith, Oct. 14, 1850, who was born in Napoli, Aug. 20, 1830. He
was a farmer till 1885, when he removed to Little Valley.
Martin P. Sigman, born in Germany in 1844, emigrated to America with
his parents about 1847. His father, IVIartin Sigman, became a citizen soon
after he settled in New Albion. He had served his native country seven
years as a soldier. His oldest son enlisted at the age of seventeen, on Oct.
14, 1861, in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged in Oct., 1864. Mr.
Sigman was never in the hospital and was appointed corporal in 1863 and
promoted orderly-sergeant. Feb. 18, 1872, he married Armenia Russell and
has resided in Little Valley since June, 1888.
Wilbur J. Smith, son of William D. Smith, was born in Leon, July 4, 1842.
His father was a farmer and was born in Monroe county. He married Phebe
L. Brice and as early as 1835 settled on a farm in Leon. He first moved with
784 History of Cattaraugus County.
his wife into a log cabin and struggled to make a home of his 100 acres, which
he had paid for before he saw it at §1 per acre. He died in 1858. His old-
est son, Willard D. Smith, enlisted in the 37th N. Y. Vols, in April, 1861,
and was discharged for disability in August following. He re-enlisted in Octo-
ber of the same year in the looth N. Y. Vols., served as a non-commissioned
officer until Feb., 1864, and re-enlisted as a veteran for three years. May 16,
1864, at the battle of Drury's Bluff, he was wounded in the ankle, was cap-
tured, was confined in Andersonville prison till Jan., 1865, and died at Flor-
ence, S. C, Jan. 30, 1865. Wilbur J. enlisted in Sept., 1861, in the looth N.
Y. Vols., being mustered into service with his regiment in Dec, 1861. Nearly
all the time he was a non-commissioned officer and served as first sergeant
about two years. In 1863 he was commissioned second lieutenant, but was
not mustered. In Nov., 1863, he was granted a furlough of sixty days for
good conduct on the battlefield and especially for bravery at the siege of
Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863. Aug. 21, 1863, at a charge on rifle pits at Forts
Wagner and Gregg, he received a wound in his right thigh and still carries the
two small bullets he received at that time. In Sept., 1864, he was commis-
sioned adjutant of his regiment, but was not mustered in on account of
wounds which he received Oct. 27, 1864, while commanding his company on
the old battlefield of Fair Oaks. He was carried from this field to the Fly
Hospital, thence to Hampton Hospital, Va., and finally mustered out of service
in Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1865. He returned home and was so disabled that
he performed no business for three years. He then engaged in the insurance
business in company with F. B. McAvoy, of Otto. In Feb., 1869, he married
Lizzie Burger and lived] in Otto until 1873, \^ht;n he was appointed deputy
sheriff and settled in Little Valley, where he still resides. He was deputy
sheriff four years, when he again conducted an insurance business four or five
years and engaged in farming and in breeding and dealing in blooded horses.
Mr. Smith has been president of the village and has held nearly all the offices
of the corporation. Children: Clayton B.. born in 1871 ; Cora N., born in
1873; and Winnifred E., born in 1876.
James Stratton, born in Athol, Mass., in 1786, married Betsey, daughter
of Joshua Wheeler, and settled in Erie county in 1812, making the journey
with two yoke of o.xen in thirty days. In 1819 they removed to Little Val-
ley Center and settled on the farm now owned by Samuel Coo.k. Mr. Strat-
ton died in Aug., 1874, and Mrs. Stratton on Jan. 5, 1879. ^'''- Stratton was
industrious and enterprising and held several of the town offices. Children :
Leander, who settled first near his father and removed about 1874 to Tennes-
see ; Lorenzo, who married Sophia J. Hill, was a merchant in Cincinnati,
Ohio, a farmer on the homestead, domesticated a herd of elk, in 1868 bought
an extensive plantation in Tennessee, removed thither, built a saw-mill and
grist-mill and a fine residence, and died there in June, 1884; Luana, who mar-
ried Nathan C. Brown, a farmer in Little Valley Center, and moved in 1868
to Tennessee; Achsah, a teacher who died at the age of twenty years; Louisa,
who married Chester Foster, a farmer, and removed to Tennessee in 1875 ;
and Zebulon L., who married Martha Foy, settled and lived on the home-
stead eleven years, and removed to Whig street in April, 1865, where Mr.
Stratton died Aug. 16, 1889. He was a good scholar and a great reader.
Children: Edward A., who has taught twenty terms of school and is now a
teacher in Randolph, and Albert L., a teacher and farmer.
The Sweetland family in America trace their ancestry to the Pilgrim
Towx OF Little Vallev. . 785
fathers who came from England and settled in Massachusetts two or three
years after the landing of the Mayflozver. Asa Sweetland, Sr., a native of
Vermont, was born in 1784, married Tabitha Houghton, who was born Sept.
2, 1788, and came with four children to Elba, Genesee county, in 1816. In
1828 he removed to Little Valley and as early as 1831 all his children — three
sons and a daughter — were residing near him. Mr. Sweetland was a promi-
nent member of the M. E. church and served as class-leader until he resigned
on account of old age. He died March 8, 1867. His son. Rev. Lewis Sweet-
land, was born in Vermont, Jan. 2, 1810. He settled in the west, part of the
town, his homestead being owned by his heirs. For several years he was a
local preacher of the M. E. church. Later, and for many years, he was an
itinerant preacher of the Methodist Protestant church and died on his charge
Sept. 17, 1883. He married Lucilla Palmer; of his ten children only Emory,
Sophia and Maria (twins), and Orlando are living.
Asa Sweetland, Jr., born in Vermont, June 6, 1812, married Matilda
Fisher, March 8, 1832, whose father, William Fisher, was a pioneer of Little
Valley. They at once settled on the farm where he now lives. At that time
there was one habitation of the kind in sight and another on the site of the
present Rock City Hotel. Besides these three log cabins the entire territory
of the village was a forest. Both he and his wife were prominent members of
the M. E. church. He officiated as class-leader about twenty-five years and
has been a member over sixty-six years. Mrs. Sweetland died Dec. 18, 1887,
leaving one surviving daughter, Altheda (Mrs. Horace Hart). Mrs. Hart was
born, raised, married, and commenced housekeeping on the homestead, and
there her only child, Henry M., was born.
John Wesley Sweetland, son of Rev. Lewis, was born April 9, 1831. He
received a good English education and taught common schools in winter
many years. Jan. 4, 1854. he married Malvina !■". Short and about two years
after he bought forty acres of the homestead. In Sept., 1862, he enlisted in
Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols., and at Arlington Heights was attacked with fever
and sent to the hospital. On partial recovery he was retained as a helper in
the hospital, and remained in this position until discharged at the close of the
war. He then resumed farming. In 1876 he removed to the village and had
a position in .the county clerk's office. In the spring of 1879 he formed a
partnership with W. C. Parker as Sweetland &. Parker in the hardware trade.
A year or two later Mr. Sweetland bought Mr. Parker out and continued the
business alone until the spring of 1884, when his son, S. L. Sweetland, be-
came his partner as J. W. Sweetland & Son. He died Sept. 7, 1884.
S. L. Sweetland was burn in Batavia, Genesee county, Sept. 8, 1855.
When two years old his parents removed to Little Valley, where he has since
resided. His education was obtained in the common schools with two years
in Chamberlain Institute. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the
Cattaraugus Republican, where he was employed five years, and on the Brad-
ford Era one year. His father's health failed in 1833 and Lewis went
home and conducted his father's hardware and grocery store. Upon the
death of his father in 1884 his mother became his partner under the firm name
of S. L. Sweetland & Co. He was clerk of Little Valley from 1884 to 1889.
Jan. 4, 1878, he married Ella R. Bailey; children: Lee Wesley and S. L., Jr.
Emory Sweetland, son of Rev. Lewis, was born Oct. 14, 1835, married
Mary J., daughter of Zina Holdridge, and settled on a farm on the Bucktooth
road. He enlisted in Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols., and served the last three years
99
7^6 History of Cattaraugus County.
or the war, being discharged at Washington in 1865. The last year of his
service he was chief steward of Second DiYision, Twentieth Army Hospital..
Capt. William Travis, born in Saratoga county, Dec. 27, 1796, married
Sophia Buffington, of Saratoga, who was born in Kenebec county, Maine,
Oct. 15, 1803. They removed to Marcellus, N. Y., and in 1826 came to New
Albion, where he was a farmer and carpenter. He died Oct. 19, 1851. He
was justice of the peace several terms, and was noted as a successful pettifog-
ger in justice's court. In early life he was identified with the militia and was
promoted to captain. Of their four children the oldest, John Travis, was
born June 10, 1825, was raised in New Albion, and . Dec. 4, 1843, married
Anna M., daughter of Barrant Ten Eyck, a blacksmith and an early settler.
In 1856 he permanently settled in the village of Little Valley, where he has
since resided except about four years spent in Crawford county, Pa. While
in Little Valley he has been a farmer. They had twelve children, of whom
seven are living. Their oldest child, Nancy J. (Mrs. William H. Wilson), died
in Alabama, June 26, 1887. The other four died in infancy.
Edgar R. Vickery, son of Arvin R. Vickery, was born in Lysander, N. Y.,
Jan. 14, 1833. His father settled on a farm in New Albion in 1852, where
he remained until April, 1883, when he removed to Little Valley, where his
son and daughter Elizabeth and aged widow now reside. He died April 2,
1890. Edgar R. Vickery, on Sept. 3, 1861, enlisted in Co. I, 49th N. Y. Vols.,
and was mustered into service Sept. 6th. He participated in the battles of
Lewinsville, Va., Oct. 13, 1861 ; Watt's Creek, April i, 1862; Young's Mills,
April 4, 1862; siege of Yorktown from April 5 to May 4, 1862; Lee's Mills,
April 5 and 16; Williamsburg, May 5, 1862; Mechanicsville, May 26, 1892;
Golding's Farm, June 5, 1862; New Bridge, June 18, 1862; Seven Days' Bat-
tle commencing June 25, 1862; Garnett's Farm, June 27, and Garnett's and
Golding's Farm, June 28, 1862; Savage Station, June 29, 1862; White Oak
Swamp Bridge, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, July i, 1862; and Harrison's
Landing, July 3, 1862, where a bullet passed through his canteen and where
he received a bullet-wound in his right knee. He was sent to Judiciary Square
Hospital in Washington, D. C, July 7, 1862, was transferred to Newton Uni-
versity Hospital, Baltimore, Aug. 28, and was discharged Feb. 19, 1863, upon
a surgeon's certificate of disability. He returned to his home on Feb. 28th.
He is now a farmer in the village of Little Valley.
James H. Watson, born in Butler county. Pa., June 8, 1841, was raised a
farmer, was educated in the common schools, and April 24, 1861, enlisted in
Co. K, 8th Pa. Vols., being discharged July 29, 1861. The next morning he
enlisted in Co. E, 62d Pa. Vols., and was dated back on the muster roll July 4,
1861. He was discharged upon a surgeon's certificate of disability April 20,
1863. He again enlisted, but was rejected.
Gaius VVheaton was born in Worcester, Mass., in 1789 or 1790. About
1820 he came to Little Valley Center, locating on the farm owned by his son
Norman, the oldest person living who was born in the limits of the present
town. He married Lefa Chase, daughter of the pioneer, David Chase, and
brought his bride to his little frame house, and both remained on the place to
the close of their lives. She died in early life and was the mother of all his
children. He was afterward twice married. Mr. Wheaton was the first black-
smith in town and followed his trade several years. He held town offices, was
an active Free Mason, and a master of the lodge. He died in 1863. Chil-
dren: Hiram, who married, first, Mary Gibson, and second, Olive Bryant (the
Town of Machias. . 7S7
mother of two daughters), was a farmer first in Allegany and last in Ellicott-
ville, and was proprietor of a grist-mill in Allegany, where he died ; Norman,
born in 1823, resides on the homestead, has always been a farmer, was raised a
Democrat, but has been a Republican since the organization of the party, has
been supervisor, justice of the peace, and assessor, married Harriet Carver,
and has children Viola (Mrs. Frank Bailey) and Stanley N.; and Gaius, Jr.
Stanley N. Wheaton, born on the Wheaton homestead Dec. i, 1857, re-
ceived a good academic education, and at the age of sixteen commenced
teaching district schools and taught eight terms." At the same time he read
law and at the age of twenty-one was appointed deputy county clerk, serving
in that capacity about seven years and being clerk of the courts the last four
years. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar and in the fall of 1887 was elected
school commissioner of the Second District of Cattaraugus county, and was
re-elected to the office. In 1880 Mr. Wheaton married Nettie, daughter of
Cyrus A. Fuller and granddaughter of Cyrus W. Fuller.
Gaius Wheaton, Jr., was born Aug. 17, 1826, and is a farmer in Allegany.
He m.irried Sarah Kelly, of Little Valley, July 9, 1848, who was born Nov.
10, 1829, and died in Allegany, March 4, 1878. Sept. 6, 1882, he married, sec-
ond, Mrs. Malinda Green, who was born April 2, 1844. His children by his
first wife were Miranda, born June 11, 1851, married Benjamin C. Fuller (de-
ceased). Sept. 23, 1872; Florence, born May 15, 1856, married J. E. Barnes,
Jan. 16, 1878; Jessie H.,boru March i, 1863, married J. H. Haley, Oct. 6,
1882; and Allen G., born Dec. 8, 1865.
CHAPTER XXXV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MACHIAS.
A /T ACHIAS is situated in the northern part of the county and embraces
J_\'J[_ all of town five and the south tier of lots in town six in the fifth
range and the southwest corner lot in town six of the fourth range
of the Holland Land Company's survey, and contains an area of 25,890 acres.
It is bounded on the north by Yorkshire, on the east by Freedom and Farm-
ersville, on the south by Farmersville and Franklinville, and on the west by
Ellicottville and Ashford. It embraces a portion of the highland known as
the " dividing ridge," which forms a watershed of the Allegheny river and
Cattaraugus creek. ■ The outlet of Lime Lake is the largest stream of the
town, and this affords valuable water-power. Ischua creek has its rise in
Machias and flows in a southerly direction across the southwest part of Farm-
ersville, through Franklinville and Ischua, into Hinsdale, where it unites with
Oil creek. Lime Lake, in the northeast part of the town on the outskirts of
the village of Machias, is a beautiful and transparent body of water one, mile
by three-fourths in dimensions. This silvery little lakelet is a charming sum-
History of Cattaraugus -County.
mer resort. It derives its supply of pure water entirely from springs beneath
its surface, or is itself an immense spring, as it has no visible inlet, and its
outlet is a constant mill stream. The amount of ice harvested from its sur-
face in winters is enormous. This industry frequently gives employment to
300 men. The soil of the town is a gra\'elly loam intermixed with clay in
some parts, is strong, fertile, and when properly cultivated yields abundantly.
Maj. Timothy Butler, a native of Maine, who settled on lot 14 on Ischua
creek as early as 1813, is conceded to have been the first settler in Machias.
Others came soon after and were employed at first by the major. A young
man named Julius Underwood, in his employ, came with him and his famil}-.
Major Butler, it is said, possessed considerable means, employed help, and
made extensive improvements. He manufactured maple sugar from 1,400
trees. He conveyed the sap to his sugar camp by means of wooden conduct-
ors like the old-fashioned eaves-trough. He also constructed a distillery and
made rum from maple sugar. He removed to Napoli in 18 18 and was the first
settler in that town. Others who came from Maine soon after Major Butler
were Jeremiah Ballard and a Mr. Tiffany, who remained but a few years.
Jo.seph Kinne and his three sons came in 1815. Joseph Kinne, Jr., was one
of the early justices of the peace and a prominent man. Obadiah Vaughan,
John Morean, and Charles H. Biggs settled on lot 24 in 18 16. Charles Button,
a native of Vermont, came in 1817, as did also Elijah T. Ashcraft, with their
families, and were permanent and prominent in the new settlem.ent. In 1818
John Farrar, a veteran of the Revolution, settled upon the land previously
cultivated by Major Butler. He came from Massachusetts, but was a native
of New Hampshire. It is said of him that he attended the famous Boston
tea-party. His family consisted of himself, wife, and sons the late Wiggin M.,
George \V., Royal C, John, Jr., and daughter Asenath. The late venerable
Wiggin M. Farrar, twenty-one years of age in 18 18, said that at that time the
only families in Machias were the Kinnes, Vaughans, Ashcrafts, Buttons,.
Grovers, Biggses, Moreans, Bennetts, Philbricks, MaxsOTis, and Farrars. Allow-
ing the usual estimate of five individuals in each of the eleven families the
entire population of the town was only fifty-five. • In 1S30, by the census re-
port, the population had increased to 735 ; in 1840, 1,085 ; '" 1850. 1,342; in
i860, 1,275; '" 1870, 1,170: in 1880, 1,545; in 1890, 1,536.
Like other early settlements in western New York most of the pioneer
settlers in Machias came to the wilderness empty-handed ; they had little to
buy with and nothing to sell. But they had courage and industry, and were
soon able to raise enough to supply all their necessities. In 1823 Daniel
Potter erected a mill at the outlet of Lime Lake which served to reduce their
wheat and corn to meal without bolting it. This was the first grist-mill in
town. Andrew McBuzzell had preceded him and built the first saw-mill near
the site of the grist-mill in 1820. The first store was opened in 1822, also at
the foot of the lake, by Howard Peck and Alva Jefferson. Howard Peck at
Town of Machias. . 789
one time was a distiller. Joseph Kinne, Jr., was the first postmaster about
1827. Miss Amarilla Brown taught the, first school in the summer of 1820 in
the house of John Morean. The first school house was built about a mile
north of the village in 1827. Henry Davis, an insane man, was confined in it
and burned with it in 1830. This house was built of logs and in the windows
paper was substituted for glass. The first marriage was that contracted be-
tween Brigham Brown and Polly Mason in April, 1823. The first death was
that of a child of Julius Underwood. Rev. John Spencer, the Congregational
missionary from Connecticut, conducted the first religious service in town.
The first church was organized by the M. E. denomination in 1822.
-Wolves, an occasional panther, and bears in multitudes infested the heavy
forests of Machias when the first settlers came -in. Daniel Vaughan, ai
brother of Obediah, was a settler in 1818. He was a "mighty hunter" and a
successful bear-killer. He went into the forest accompanied by his dog and
armed with his rifle and a long, stout spear, and in one season dispatched fif-
teen of the shaggy brutes. He received a bounty for his bear scalps that
paid him well for the time he spent in hunting.
Machias was formed from Yorkshire by an act of the Legislature passed
April 16, 1827, and was enlarged in 1847 by annexing another tier of lots on
its northern boundary'. The new town held its first town meeting at the
house of Jeremiah Bennett on Tuesday, May 8, 1827, and elected these
officers : Supervisor, Howard Peck; town clerk, Nathan Follett; assessors,
"Willard Jefferson, Wiggin M. Farrar, Sylvester Carver; collector, Jeremiah
Bennett; commissioners of highways, Sheldon Holbrook, Samuel Bush, Isaac
Arnold ; overseers of the poor, Richard Loomis, Robert Hollister ; school com-
missioners, Wiggin M. Farrar, Willard Jefferson, Elijah Odell ; inspectors of
schools, Nathan Follett, Howard Peck, Wiggin M. Farrar; constables, Will-
iam Loomis, Jeremiah Bennett; sealer of weights and measures and of
leather, Howard Peck. Following is a list of the principal town officers;
Sui)e7TiS')r.'<.-Howard Peck, 1827-31; Willard Jefferson, 183J-33; Wiagin M. Farrar, 18*4 36, 1847-48, 1850 M;
Hensselaer Lamb, 1837-4(1,1846; Lyman Twomley, 1841-44; .Tededlah Kobmson, 1845; Joseph H. Wright, 1849;
HemanG. Button, 18.54, 1866; Jared A. Brewer, 1855-56; John Weir, 1857; Peter Van Dewater, 1858-59; Will-
iam Napier, 1860 61; Almerin L-^ek, 186^-64; Rutus L. Whitcher, 188'); Andrew L.Allen, 1867; Edwin Baker,
1868-74; Marvin Austin, 1875-76; Moses Jewell, 1877; George A. Stoneman, 1878-85, 1887; Elias Gould, 1886;
William J. Van Dewater, 18S8-91; JohnE. Euchner, 1893-93.
Tijicnatrto.— Nathan Follett, 1827-32, 1854, 1840; Seth Washburn, 1833; Lyman Twomley, 1835-37 ; Thomas
Clark, 18.38-39 ; Benjamin Shearer, 1841 ; Kensielaer Lamb, 1842; John Farrar, Jr., 1843; Rutus L. Whitcher,
1S44- 45, 1847-49 ; Joseph H. Wright, 1846 ; John Weir, 1850 51 ; Nathaniel M. Brown, 1852 ; C. A. Parker, 18.53 :
A. H. Peck, 1854-56; Daniel S. Tilden, 1857-62, 1865-66; Wesley Follett, 1863-64; George A. Stoneman, 1867,
1870-74'; P. M. Orne, 1868-69; Moses Jewell, 1875 ; Abner A. Smith, 1876, 1884 ; Henry S. Crandall, 1877 ; Stephen P.
Randall, 1878-83; I. E. Buck, 1885-86; O. W. Pierce, 1887; F. D. Wellington, 1888-93.
Jtistices 0/ the Pcocc— 1^7-30, Willard Jefferson ; 1830, Joseph Kinne, Jr., Elijah T. Ashcraft ; 1&31, Will-
ard Jeffei-son, George Sheldon : 18.32, William Loomis, Seymour Carpenter; 1833, Joseph Kinne, Jr. ; 1834,
William Loomis, Nathaniel Blackman ; 1835, Howard Peck, Israel S. Masters ; 1836, Rensselaer Lamb, New-
ton Hawes; 18.37, William Koscoe, Thomas Clark, Wiggin M. Farrar; 1838, Howard Peck; 1839, Rensselaer
Lamb, Lyman Twomley ; 1840, Wiggin M. Farrar ; 1841, Albert B. Stevens ; 1842, John Farrar, Jr., Sylvester
Carver; 184.3, Rensselaer Lamb: 1844, Lyman Twomley; 184.5, Albert B. Stevens; 1846, Simeon H. Watson;
1847, Rensselaer Lamb ; 1848. Lyman Twomley, Jasper Andrews ; 1849, William Roscoe, Almerin Leek ; 1850,
Jerome B. Jewell. William Roscoe ; 1851, Heman G. Button ; ia52, John Farrar, Jr. ; 1853, Jasper Andrews ;
18.54, Rufus L. Whitcher; ISK, Heman G. Button; ia56, Jasper Andrews; 1857, Andrew L. Allen; 18.58, Ed-
79° History of Cattaraugus COunty.
win Baker; 1859, Heman G. Button; 1860, Quinton Rogers; 1861, John Farrar, Jr. ; 1)<62. Edwin Baker; 18ii3,
George W. Blackman; 1864, Quinton Rogers, vindrew L. Allen ; 1865, Peter Van Dewater, A. M. Farrar; 18<i6,
Horace Brockway: 1867, Heman G. Button, Edwin Baker, Stephen S. Randall; 1858, Peter Va^i Dewater;
1869, Daniel C. Vaughan ; 1870, James M. Vclzy, Calvin Smith ; 1871, Heman G. Button, Kut'us L. Whitcher ;
1873, Rufus L. Whitcher; 187-1, James M. Velzy ; 1875, Heman G. Button, George A. Stoneman: 1S7G, Moses
.Tewell; 1877, Daniel S. Tilden; 1878, Omer Murphy; 1879, A. A. Smith; 1880, Edwin Baker: 1881, William
Van Dewater; 1883, William A. Joslyn ; 1883, Lyman Gould ; 1884, Edwin Baker; 1885, M. B. Fields: 18S),
J. E. Euchner; 1887, J. E. Euchner; 1888, Edwin Baker; 1889, M. B. Fields; 1890, William A. Joslyn: 1S91,
S. D. Brown ; 1892, Edwin Baker ; 1893, M. B. Fields.
Machias is an inland town and has no very large streams and but limited
water-power. The inhabitants are mainly engaged in farming. The soil and
climate are best adapted to growing grass, and the farmers achieve their best
results by keeping as many cows as their farms will support. Considerable
maple sugar is manufactured.
The highways of Machias are as well kept as those of other towns. The
Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad enters the town from Yorkshire
near the northeast corner and runs in nearly a south direction, crossing the
east line into Farmersville about a mile and a half north of the southeast cor-
ner. The Rochester branch of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad
enters Machias from the northeast corner and crosses the track of the Western
New York & Pennsylvania railroad at Machias Junction, where both have a
union station. It continues in a southwest course and crosses the south line
of the town about a mile east of its southwest corner. Machias paid toward
the construction of these roads $15,000 and §8,000 respectively.
The town is divided into fourteen common school districts and maintains
a school in each of them. Fifteen teachers were employed for the \-ear 1891-
92 and 446 children attended the schools, the aggregate attendance being
38,929 days. The school buildings and sites are valued at $8,010 ; the assessed
valuation of the property of the districts is $821,014. These districts received
from the State $1,715.22 and raised by local ta.x $2,311.09.
Machias village, situated on a plain in the northeast part of the township
about a mile northwest of Machias Junction and near Lime Lake, contains
three church edifices (Methodist Episcopal, Christian, and Wesleyan Metho-
dist), a good school house with two departments, one hotel, four or fi\e stores, -^|
several mechanics' shops, a postofifice (established' about 1827), three physi- "^
cians, one lawyer, and about 500 inhabitants. On the outskirts of the village ^
on one of the best farms in Cattaraugus county is the county alms house.
There are two cemeteries near the village. " The old burying ground,"
the resting place of many of the old pioneers of Machias, was dedicated by the
burial of Esther, daughter of Elijah T. Ashcraft, who died December 6, 1819.
This cemetery became the property of the town for the purpose of a burial
place in the summer of 18 19. It is located on suitable ground about one
mile east of the village. Maple Grove Cemetery is situated in a beautiful
grove of thrifty young maple trees about a half-mile west of the village. An
association was organized in accordance with statute law October 26. 1874, and
a plat of five acres was purchased and regularly laid out.
m.
To\YN OF MaCHIAS. " 79I
Lime Lake is a little hamlet at the foot of the lake of the same name. It
'is the location of the first store, the first mills, anJ the first and only wool-
carding and cloth-dressing establishment in Machias. It now contains a hotel,
a orist-mill, a saw-mill, a school house, and six or eight dwelling houses. Early
in the present year the new station of Odosagi was established on the Western
Xew York & Pennsylvania railroad. The name is of Indian origin and signi-
fies " clear spring water."
Machias Junction derives its name from the circumstance of its location
at the junction of the Western New York & Pennsylvania and the Buffalo,
Rochester & Pittsburg railroads. It contains the railroad station buildings,
a postoffice, hotel, one or two stores, school house, and a dozen dwellings.
Summit Station is situated in the southwest part- of Machias on the Roch-
ester branch of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad, and contains
Bird postoffice (established in January, 1888) and several families in its vicinity.
Lime Lake mills, the property of John E. Euchner, are located at the ham-
let of Lime Lake. They were erected by Foilett & Colgrove about 1835 on
the site where the first grist-mill was built by Daniel Potter in 1823. When
the building was erected it contained a custom grist-mill and a wool-carding
and cloth-dressing-mill. James Cummings next became owner and changed
the cloth-dressing-mill into a saw-mill about 1867. Later Gilbert Strong be-
came a half-owner under the firm name of Cummings & Strong. In 1873 Mr.
Cummings transferred his interest to Jacob Wurst and the firm of Strong &
Wurst was formed. In 1874 John E. Euchner succeeded Mr. Strong and the
firm was changed to Wurst & Euchner. In 1880 Paul Euchner succeeded
Mr. Wurst and the firm name was again changed and became Euchner Broth-
ers. In 1887 John E. Euchner became sole proprietor. The mills are supplied
with two runs of stone. The motive power is water supplied by Lime Lake.
The saw-miUis furnished with a circular saw and an edger, and has a capacity
for sawing 10,000 feet of lumber per day.
The Jewell & Van Dewater steam saw-mill at Bird postoffice and Summit
Station wasbuiltby themin 1881. The buildings were burned in 1884 and re-
built the same season. The mill was conducted by this company until the death
of Mr. Jewell in the fall of 1891. Since then Mr. Van Dewater has continued
the business alone. The power is steam furnished by a thirty horse-power en-
gine, and the mills have a capacity of io,oou feet of lumber per day. ■ Mr. Van
Dewater manufactures principally hardwood lumber and employs eight men.
He is also engaged with Henry Loener, of Rochester, in the manufacture of
lasts in the rough. Their manufactory is near the saw-mill a.t Summit Station.
Rock Spring cheese factory. No. 2, was built by S. A. Farrington in 1872.
It is now owned and operated by J. R. Holden. Its capacity is 450 cows.
Rock Spring cheese factory, No. 3, at Machias village, was built by J. R.
Holden, the present proprietor. Its capacity is 450 cows.
The Methodist Episcopal church in Machias was organized in 1822 with five
792 History of Cattaraugus County.
members. The meetings were held in the school house until 1839, .when the
Methodists, Christians, and entire community unitedly built the edifice now
the Christians' house of worship, and these denominations occupied the build-
ing in union until 1853, when the Methodists built their present church at an
expense of $2,500. Recently this society has beautified and greatly improved
the edifice by putting in stained glass windows, circular pews, and new car-
pets. The first pastor was Rev. i\Ir. Bronson. The church now has sixty
members under the pastoral care of Rev. J. F. Brown. The society has sold
the old parsonage and is building a new one at a cost of $1,500. The church
property is valued at $4,500. Connected is a Sunday school of 125 scholars.
The First Christian church of Machias, located in the village, was organized
July 21, 1827, by Joseph Bartlett with five members. In 1839 the society built
its present house of worship, a wooden structure capable of seating 400 peo-
ple. The original cost of the church edifice was $3,000; the present value
of the church property is §4,000. This society has been very prosperous and
now has ninety-seven members. The Sunday school has an enrollment of 167
members with ten teachers and five officers. The pastors 6f the church have
been Revs. Joseph Bartlett, Joseph Locke, Peter Cook, N. Perry, Warren
Skeels, Henry C. Davis, J. M. Field, Charles Clark, James Smith, Peter Cook,
J. M. Field, E. J. Burlingame, J. M. Field, and Alden Allen.
The VVesleyan Methodist church of Machias, located in the village, was
organized by Rev. B. F. Laughlin on September 26, 1888, with eleven mem-
bers. Rev. G. VV. Sibley was the first pastor. In 1S90 the present house of
worship, a wooden structure, was erected at a cost of $i,200. The church has
twenty members with Rev. C. H. Dow as pastor. The edifice has a seating
capacity of 275 people and connected is a Sunday school of twenty scholars.
Lodge No. 131, A. O. U.W., of Machias, was organized by D. D. G. M. VV.
James D. McVey, of Franklinville, February 18, 1878, with twenty-one mem-
bers. Wesley Follett was the first master workman ; Moses Jewell, recorder;
and William H. Howden, financier. By withdrawals, transfers, deaths, etc.,
only six of its members can claim charter distinction. The lodge has lost six
by death : R. B. Allen, J. L. Phillips, Rufus E. Cornwell, D. Augustus Wright,
Moses Jewell, and John Blackman. The member.-;hip now numbers 27.
Machias Council, No. 182, Royal Templars of Temperance, was organized
September 23, 1882, by Deputy P. L. McKillip, M. D., with twenty-four
members, of which number sixteen were beneficiary and eight honorary.
Hon. H. G. Button was elected the first select councilor; Austin M. Camp,
vice-councilor; and Susan R. Delmarter, recording secretary. But two
deaths in the beneficiary list have occurred, both of whom, Welcome Camp
and Dr. Thomas J. King, were charter members. At present it has ten bene-
ficiary and six honorary members.
Phillips Post, No. 329, G. A. R., was organized January 18, 1883, by Col.
W. H. Hicks, of Arcade, with si.xteen members. George A. Stoneman was the
Town of Machias. 793
first commander ; A. P. Adams, senior vice-commander ; and R. H. Kerr, adju-
tant. Only one of the charter members, Edwin D. Curtis, is dead. This was
the first post to be organized in northeastern Cattaraugus county and had
many members from adjoining towns, and its register has had as many as 155
names at one time. In 1887 several members formed a stock company, pro-
cured a charter, and erected a building which contains a hall large enough to
accommodate the post, and of which it has the perpetual free use. The post
has about fortj'-five members, many of the former members having withdrawn
to organize or join posts nearer home. George A. Stoneman is the present
commander; Elias Gould, senior vice-commander; and R. H. Kerr, adjutant.
Phillips Post received its name in honor of Norris Phillips, a veteran of the
late war from this town who was killed at Rocky Face Ridge, Va. The names
of the commanders in their order are G. A. Stoneman, Elias Gould, R. H.
Kerr, and G. A. Stoneman.
Machias Council, No. 52, Junior Order United American Mechanics, was
instituted March i^, 1893, with sixteen members. William A. Joselyn was
councilor; Prof. C. D. Day, vice-councilor; Dr. C. King, recording secretary.
Marvin Austin, son of Edwin A. and Polly (Smith) Austin, was born
April 3, 1833. His father, a native of Massachusetts, was born Oct. 8, 1806;
his mother was born Nov. 11, 1812. They were married Feb. 13, 1830, and
settled in Farmersville near the Machias line in 1832. In 1870 they removed
to Michigan. Both axe deceased, and their remains repose side by side in the
cemetery at Elton in Freedom. Marvin Austin has always been a farmer. He
has dealt largely in cattle, sheep, and swine, and for six years from 1883 was
a merchant in .Machias. He served the town on the Board of Supervisors
in 1875 and again in 1876 and has been postmaster. In Sept., 1854, he married
Angeline Knight, who was the mother of his daughter Georgieann, and who
died in Sept., 1865. He married A. Eliza Bailey on Nov. 5, 1868, and they
have one daughter, Lizzie.
Marcus Baker, son of Jonathan and Betsey (Beach) Baker, was born in
Litchfield, Conn., in 1802. In 1829 he married Permelia Sherwin in Madison
county and in 1842 they made a permanent settlement in Machias on the
farm where his son Edwin now resides. Mrs. Baker died in 1870 and Mr.
Baker in 1871. Edwin Baker, born in Cortland county in 1831, succeeded
his father on the homestead. He began teaching at the age of sixteen and
continued to teach in winter until he was forty. He has served his town as
supervisor seven consecutive years. He was town superintendent of schools
and has served as justice of the peace, except one term, since 1859. He
served as coroner one term and has been journal clerk of the Board of Super-
visors eleven consecutive years and was chairman of the board in 1872.
IraBessey was born in Rutland, Vt., about 1786. His parents came to
Pembroke, Genesee county, and a few years later Ira married Judith Jeffer-
son, who was born in Vermont, Aug. 11,1793. They settled there, where
their four children were born. They removed to Machias in Nov., 1831,
where Mr. Bessey died Oct. 15, 1833. Mrs. Bessey died Feb. 22, 1869. Will-
iam Bessey, their oldest son, born Dec. 16, 1816, raised the younger children
to mature years, bought the homestead, and has deeded one-half of it to his
son-in-law, Lyman Gould. Mr. Bessey married Harriet Hawkins, March 19,
!0O ■ ■
794 History of Cattaraugus' County.
1843. She was born in Otsego county, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1820, and died April
29, 1892. Children: Philena M., born Oct. 23, 1845, died May 25, 1858; and
Judith, born Dec. i, 1847, married Lyman Gould, Jan. 19, 1870. Mr. Bessey
has raised an adopted son, James Monroe Bessey, who married Eva Peet.
Jared Augustus Brewer, only son of Jacob T. and Esther' (Mclntyre)
Brewer, was born in New Berlin, N. Y., March 5, 181 1, and came with his
father to Farmersville in May, 1833, where Jacob T. died Feb. 23, 1850. In
1848 he moved to Machias, settling on the first deeded land in the town.
Mr. Brewer married, in 1830, Sybil E. Porter; children: Esther Eliza (Mrs.
J. E. K. Button), who was born Aug. 4, 1831, and died Jan. 7, 1872 ; and
Maria Jennett (Mrs. Luther A. Beckwith), who was born June 24, 1833, and
died Oct. 23, 1861. Mr. Brewer filled nearly all of the town offices and repre-
sented Machias as supervisor in 1855 and 1856.
Samuel Bush, son of John and Jane (Stroud) Bush, was born in Tomp-
kins county, Nov. 23, 1794. He spent a few years with his grandfather
Stroud, a prominent citizen of Stroudsburg. Pa., and married, in Tompkins
county, Sally Maria Marvin in Nov., 1817, where he settled as a farmer. In
March, 1824, he came with his family to Yorkshire (now Machias). He cleared
his farm of 160 acres, sold it, and removed to another, now in the \illage of
Machias. In a few years he owned 360 acres on the Frankjinville road, where
he died April 18, 1865. Mr. Bush was a prominent citizen and his quaint ex-
pressions are still remembered. He was first a Whig and then a staunch Re-
publican. He was buried on the same day Lincoln was laid to rest. Mrs.
Bush died on the homestead in Sept., 1867. They had twelve children and
raised nine to adult age; four are living: Elvire, widow of Hon. Andrew L.
Allen; Rhoda, widow of Franklin B. Wright; N. Maria (Mrs. P. N. Orne);
Jane (Mrs. T. N. Blighton) ; and Charles N., who died July 11, 1893.
Hon. Heman G. Button was born in Concord, N. Y., May i, 1816. His
father, Charles Button, a native of Vermont, came from Concord and settled
in Machias (then a part of Ischua) in April, 18 17. Since then Heman G. has
resided within the town, living here longer than any other citizen. His op-
portunities for an education being limited to the primitive common schools
his early acquirements in scholarship were quite meager, but he had ambition
and energy and by hard study at home he was qualified to teach a common
school. His father was an invalid and unable to labor from 1820 to 1832,
when he died. Heman G., at the age of nineteen, commenced to teach
school and continued fourteen winter terms, five of which he taught in his
village. He began business a farmer, which has been the leading occupation
of his life. He was first a Whig, but joined the Republican party at its or-
ganization, and was a steadfast supporter of the Union all through the Rebel-
lion. He was active in enlisting soldiers. In 1841 he was elected inspector
of common schools and served two years; he was town superintendent of
schools four years, served as highway commissioner and assessor, was justice
of the peace tvventy-four years and justice of sessions one term ; he repre-
sented Machias on the Board of Supervisors in 1854 and in 1866, and has
served Cattaraugus county as superintendent of the poor fourteen years and
as loan commissioner seven years, and has been notary public since 1878.
He was elected a member of Assembly in 1866. The late Judge Ten Broeck,
founder of Ten Broeck Free Academy in Franklinville, appointed Mr. Button
one of its trustees, which position he still holds. He has also served his town
as railroad commissioner, and has never been defeated at an election when a
Town of Machias. ■ 795
candidate for any office. Mr. Button is a man of more than ordinary ability.
He is a close reasoner, a ready conversationalist, and a well-informed man.
He is public spirited, and for years has exerted great influence in political
affairs. March 4, 1838, he married Jerusha Joslyn, of Machias, who died in
'iS;6. She was the mother of all his children: Daniel W. Kingsley, Millard
Fillmore, Naomi, Alvira L., Adell, and Ida. Nov. 27, 1856, he married Mrs.
Sarah M. (Prescott) Hall, widow of the late Flisha Hall, of Machias. She
was born Dec. 1 1, 1832, in Sanbornton, N. H., where her parents were born.
Jesse E. K. Button, son of Charles Button, the pioneer of Machias, was
born Feb. 13, 1824. His father died when Jesse was but eight years old. He
becran his life teaching in the common schools, which he continued several
vears, finally taking up farming as an avocation. He has served Machias as
superintendent of schools and as assessor and the county as superintendent
of the poor. His first wife, Eliza Brewer, was the mother of all his children
two sons, two daughters. His present wife is the widow of Adam Bessey.
Lyman Button, oldest son of Charles, was born July 28, 1808. and came to
Machias with his parents in 181 7. He succeeded his father on the homestead
and June 29, 1836, married Polly, daughter of Reuben Brown, a pioneer of
Freedom. He located about half a mile west of Elton,' where he and his wife
resided to the close of their lives. Mr. Button was always a farmer. He died
on March 18, 1859, and ^rs. Button on Nov. 16, 18S8. Children: Harvey,
who succeeded his father and died Feb. 5, 1889; Reuben C. (see page 649) ;
William H., born Nov. 14, i84i,<lied Nov. 24, 1845 ; Lyman, born Feb. 8, 1844,
died Jan. 1 1, 1848; David M., born May 4, 1849, commenced business in Frank-
linville as a dealer in furniture and an undertaker, was a liveryman in Allegany,
and in 1890 purchased the homestead; Caroline A., born Nov. 3, 1850, died
Sept. 18, 1888; and Jonas, born Feb. 12, 1853. Sept. 22, 1874. David M. mar-
ried Emily Adams, of Franklinville, who died Dec. 4, 1875, being the mother
of Andrew Lyman Button. She was a lady of culture and had been a teacher
in Ten Broeck Academy. March 20, 1878, he married Cora A. Thurber, of
Allegany; children: Winnie E., Flora Blanche, David Glenn, Ernest Leone.
Sylvester Carver, son of Samuel and Bersheba (Griswold) Carver, was
born in Sherburne, N. Y., April 17, 1796, married Lydia Locke, and settled in
Machias, where he had made a small clearing and built a log house on a lot of
120 acres. He had a warrantee deed of his farm. He was a good financier
and at one time he owned 390 acres of land. He was first a Whig and later a
Republican. He served as highway commissioner, overseer of the poor, and
assessor, and was prominent in the Christian church. Mrs. Carver died March
10, 1863, and Mr. Carver on Feb. 13, 1883. Si.x of their ten children attained
maturity: Harriet, Sylvester J., Lydia, Chester, Roxana, and Carthalo. The
latter, died June 7, 1865; he was a soldier in the Union army.
Clark D. Day, son of Hartson and Laura (Rice) Day, was born in Ashford,
May 7, 1852, was educated in the common schools and in Griffith Institute,
Springville, N. Y., and became a teacher, which vocation he followed thirty-
three terms. He has also been a farmer. A Democrat in politics he was
elected school commissioner of the First District of Cattaraugus county in
1890. He also served the town of Ashford as justice of the peace eight years.
Sept. I, 1874, he married Eva P. Remington, of Ashford, daughter of Beta C.
Remington. They have one daughter, Alice I., born March 16, 1882.
John E. Euchner was born in Holland, Erie county, and at the age of nine-
teen became a partner in a grocery store. In 1874 he exchanged this in part
History of Cattaraugus' County.
payment for a half-interest in Lime Lake mills, of which he is now sole owner.
Mr. Euchner is a Republican and was elected supervisor^ in 1892 and again in
1893. Jan. I, 1880, he married Eva Wright, who was accidentally drowned in
Lime Lake in May following. In March, 1883, he married Grace Little. Chil-
dren : Eva M., Willie, and an infant.
David H. Evans, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Edwards) Evans, was born
in Cardiganshire, Wales. April 22, 1847, was educated in the English and in
his native language, and beginning at the age of fourteen served three years at
the trade of a merchant. He then received a letter of recommendation from
his employer and went to Aberdan, Glamorganshire, where he was a clerk two
years and a half, when he was obliged to leave on account of ill health. In
the spring of 1869 he came to America and located in Centerville. N. Y., where
he labored for the farmers. He married, in Freedom, Mary James, also a na-
tive of Wales, and rented a farm in that town. Six years later he formed a
mercantile partnership with G. H. Beam at Hume under the firm name of
Evans& Beam. In March, 1887, with C. C. Newman, of Sandusky, he opened •
a general store in Machias, and Jan. i, 1892, purchased the interest of Mr.
Newman. As soon as possible he became a citizen of the United States and
joined the Republican party. Children : Willie I., John H., Anna E., Christ-
mas H., Sadie J., and Mamie B.
Wiggin M. P'arrar was born in New Hampshire, Feb. 14, 1797. His father,
John Farrar, was a farmer, inn keeper, and merchant, and the son was a sol-
dier in the War of 1812. The fam'ily came to New Berlin, N. Y., and thence
in 1 817 to Rochester, whence Wiggin, in 18 19, came with the family to Ma-
chias. After living on various tracts he purchased the homestead in 1828, on
which he spent his life. In 1826 he married Hannah Doolittle, who died
shortly afterward. In 1S28 he married Betsey Loomis. His father died in
1854. Wiggin Farrar was prominently identified with his town's affairs and
represented it on the Board of Supervisors several terms. He was also county
superintendent of the poor five years, and held nearly every town office. He
was a man of decided traits of character, and during his latter years became
totally deaf. His daughter married Dr. Thomas J. King (see page 146).
Rev. J. M. Field, born in Gainesville, N. Y., July 2, 1816, died in Machias,
Jan. 31, 1893. His early education was limited to the common schools. He
received his first license to preach Aug. 6, 1840, from Rev. O. F. Comfort,
presiding elder of the M. E. church. He then began a systematic course of
study and economized time by studying the English language while riding on
horseback to his appointments. He was a close student and eventually an
able scholar. After a ministry of three years in the M. E. church he preached
on a Wesleyan Methodist circuit one year and then united with the Christian
church, being ordained in that denomination at a special session of the New
York Western Christian Conference on Sept. 13, 1845. He was fifty-two
years in the ministry and over forty years pastor of the Christian church of
Machias — a longer pastorate with one church, except that of Rev. Moses Kid-
der, of Woodstock, Vt., than any other minister in the Christian denomina-
tion in America. In 1856 he joined the Erie Christian Conference and for
more than thirty years was the most popular preacher in that conference. He
often presided at its annual meetings. He preached over 1,000 funeral ser-
mons and married over 500 couples. He was loved by the ministry, by his
church, and by the entire community. As a preacher he was scriptural, spiritual,
earnest, clear, and positive. In stature he was tall, well proportioned, stood
Town of Machias. •' 797
erect, and presented a noble appearance in the pulpit. As a pastor he was a
shining example of all Christian virtues and continually labored to do good
in the homes of his parishoners and the whole community. Mr. Field mar-
ried, first, Adelia Carter, of Farmersville, Oct. 13, 1841. They had one child,
a son, who died at the age of four months. She died July 30, 1844. He mar-
ried, second, Celecta D. Clark, of Allen, N. Y., March 5, 1845, with whom he
lived nearly forty-seven years. To them were born five children, three sons
and a daughter of whom reached maturity. To Mrs. Celecta D. Field's cease-
less industry, excellent judgment, fervent piety, and loving devotion he owed
much of his success as a preacher and pastor, and now, at the age of sev-
enty years, the oldest member of the Machias church, she is passing the
peaceful evening of her life loved and honored.
Nathan Follett, son of John, was born in Rensselaer county April 19, 1802.
In 1822 he came to Cattaraugus county and was engaged as a salesman by
l^enry L. Baker and sold the first goods in Yorkshire at Yorkshire Corners,
usmg a portion of the barroom of the Williams tavern for a salesroom. In
1823 he came to Machias, where he spent the remainder of his life. Here he
entered the store of Peck & Jefferson, first merchants of Machias, located at
the foot of Lime Lake. In April, 1829, he married Clarissa, daughter of Daniel
Potter, who was born Dec. 8, 1805. They celebrated their golden wedding in
April, 1879. They settled at the outlet of the lake, where Mr. Follett built the
second grist-mill on the site of the first, with a wool-carding and cloth-dressing-
mill under the same roof, and managed the business about thirty years. He
died Aug. 17, 1S80; Mrs. Follett died Dec. 28, 1882. Children: Mary, Rath-
bun, William, Wesley, Fletcher, Melville, and Albert.
William Follett, born July 6, 1832, attended the common schools, and
July 5, 1855, married Margaret Cleary, of Machias, and settled on the Joslyn
farm, where he remained until 1857, when he accepted the position of keeper
of the County Alms House and Insane Asylum and farm attached, where he
remained, except two years, until April, 1891, when he resigned. He now
resides in the village in the house he erected in 1880. Mrs. Follett died April
25, 1864; children : Mary Grace (deceased); Dora (Mrs. Piatt Vinton), of
Gowanda ; and Nathan. Oct. 2, 1865, he married Emily, daughter of John
Velzy; children: Margaret (Mrs. O. W. Pierce), of Olean ; Edith (Mrs. Dr.
Cassar Smith), of F'armersville ; and Dr. William.
Frank D. Folts, son of Timothy and Mary E. (Frank) Folts, was born in
Ashford in 1839. Both his grandfathers were pioneers of that town. He re-
ceived his education in the common schools and in Springville Academy, and'
began business as a farmer and dealer in cattle. During the war he was an
extensive buyer of horses for the government, and the ensuing seventeen years
he dealt in marble and granite. In 1879 he built his first hotel at Machias
Junction, which was burned aboutas soon as finished in March, 1880. Ninety
days later his present hotel was built on the site. Mr. Folts was a merchant
six years, kept his hotel six years, was the postmaster of Leek postoffice seven
years, and was a census enumerator in 1892, and was also a farmer and has
nine tenement houses. Sept 11, 1861, he married Naomi M. Hopkins, of
Ashford, who at the age of twenty-one had taught common schools seventeen
terms. Children : Burdette E., conducting the Folts House, and Erton T.,
baggagemaster at Machias Junction.
Willard Jefferson, a native of Vermont, came to Machias at a very early
date and settled on the farm where the county alms house has since been
798 History of Cattaraugus County.
built. He was an enterprising man and became prominent in the early history
of the town. He was supervisor in 1832 and 1833. He sold his farm to the
county in 1833 and removed to Ohio, where he was again prominent, and died.
William A. Joslyn, son of James and Levina (Andrews) Joslyn, was born
in Darien, N. Y., April 14, 1847. His father was a native of Hanover, N. H.,
and came with his parents to Darien in 18 16. His mother was born in Colum-
bia county, N. Y., in 181 5 and went to Alexander with her parents about 18 18.
In Oct., 1849, William A. came with his parents to Machias and settled on the
farm on lots 20 and 21. James Joslyn was a justice of the peace in Darien
and assessor in Machias. He died in 1877 and his wife in 1874. William A.
Joslyn succeeded his father on the homestead. He is a Democrat, and in
1882 was elected justice of the peace, which position he has held continuously
to the present time. March 8, 1871, he married Emma J. Parker, of Machias:
children : Essie A., A. Jackson, Viola, James Ray, and Lilia M.
Almerin Leek, son of Abram, was born on Long Island, Dec. 5, 1805, and
married Mary Edwards, also a native of Long Island, who was born Dec. 8.
1805. They came to Machias in 1834 and settled on a farm three miles south
of the village, whence they subsequently removed to the village. Mrs. Leek
died July 26, 1838, and Mr. Leek married Asenath Farrar, who is also de-
ceased. Mr. Leek died in 1875. He was a member, class-leader, and steward
of the M. E. church and for years superintendent of the Sunday school. In
1862, 1863, and 1864 he represented Machias on the Board of Supervisors. He
was the father of five children ; only two are living : Lewis, born J uly 8, 1 832. a
farmer in Iowa, and Stephen E., born in Machias, Jan. 13, 1835. In Jan.,
1862, he enlisted in the iith N. Y. Cav. and served to the close of the war.
Returning from the war he resumed his trade of a harness maker. In 1864
he married Jane Gann, of Long Island.
Madam Lee-0-Netto, M. D., was born in Sherbrooke, Canada, while her
parents, who were native Senecas, were there on a visit. She was raised near
Salamanca and educated in Lenoxville and other schools, and to.ok a medical
course in Nelson Greene Medical College, where she was graduated about
1S68. She practiced five years with Dr. Brown, a celebrated surgeon and
physician of Sherbrooke, Canada. Her father, Kanistanaux, was also a
physician. Her grandfather, Natalac, was a chief of the Banikeen tribe.
About 1872 Madam Lee-O-Netto returned to western New York and has
successfully practiced her profession. She has a home in Machias, but travels
over several counties, and makes a specialty of chronic diseases of women.
Baltus A. Lingenfelter was born and raised in the Mohawk valley and mar-
ried there Rachel Brewer. He was a soldier in the W^ar of 1812 and a
farmer. His seven sons and oldest daughter were born in his native valley,
and about 1837 he settled on the farm where his son, James Lingenfelter, now
lives. He was over medium height, straight, broad-shouldered and muscular,
had blue eyes, a ruddy complexion, and was called a fine looking man. His
wife was a member of the Methodist church from the age of fourteen and he
was one of its regular supporters. He died in Dec, 1882; Mrs. Lingenfelter
died April 11, 1879. They had -thirteen children, of whom twelve attained ^
maturity. Their youngest son, James, was born June 29, 1833, and March
29, 1861, married Cordelia Wright. He enlisted in Co. I, 154th N. Y. Vols.,
in 1862, and- was discharged May 21, 1864, by reason of physical disability.
Since then he has engaged in farming and now owns the homestead. Chil-
dren: Ida M. (Mrs. G. B. Ruple), Ralph, Florence M., Mabel E., Isma I.
sa
Town of Machias. 799
Chester Locke, born July 25, 1804, in Wendell, Mass., came to Machias with
his father, Moses Locke, as early as 1824. His mother, Hannah Locke, had
died in Massachusetts. Chester bought 200 acres of woodland where his
daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Dudley Phillips) now lives. His father was a Rev-
olutionary soldier and died two or three years after their settlement here.
Chester Locke married Amelia Hollister in 1825. They were members of the
Christian church of Machias and Mrs. Locke was a member at its organiza-
tion. He had seven children. He died Oct. 8, 1884, and she March 15, 1882.
John Napier was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sept. 15, 1816. He des-
cends from that noted Napier family which has figured conspicuously in
Cjreat Britain for several centuries. His father was James Napier, born in
Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and his mother, Rachel (Michael) Napier,
was born in the adjoining parish, Gartly. They emigrated to Halifax, N. S.,
in 1816, and after twelve years returned with their family to Scotland. In 1834
John and an elder brother, William, landed in Halifax, removed to Windsor,
and a year later went to New York and soon afterward to Ouincy, Mass.,
where John worked three years at the stone-cutter's trade, becoming a iirst-
class journeyman. He worked on the James River canal in Virginia and went
to Scotland with his brother in the fall of 1838. The ne.xt spring they re-
turned to America, bringing their parents, whom they subsequently cared for.
They resumed work on the Erie canal, and in 1840 came to Hinsdale. While
there John visited Machias and took the contract to erect the stone house for
Samuel Butler, in which he now resides. In 1844 he went to Buffalo, but soon
removed to New London, Conn., and worked at Mill-Stone Point, six miles
from New London. After three months' service he was promoted foreman
over the sixty journeyman stone-cutters and from that time during his busi-
ness life was engaged as superintendent or contractor. In 1846 Mr. Napier
went to Lawrence, Mass., and was employed as foreman over tlie stone-cutters
in building the great dam across the Merrimac and the immense manufacto-
ries there. In 1848 he was employed on the aqueduct across the Genesee
river at Portageville. From that time until 1857 he was a contractor of ma-
sonry on the Genesee Valley and Erie canals in connection with his brothers
William, James, and George. In 1857 and 1858, with these brothers and their
brother-in-law, Charles Brodie, Mr. Napier was engaged in building the stone
work on the bridge spanning the Mississippi river at St. Paul. From i860
until 1864 he was superintendent of construction on the immense locks on the
Louisville & Portland canal at Louisville, Ky. The next two years he was
superintendent of masonry on the Louisville & Nashville railroad. In 1866
he with his brother "erected the Ten Broeck Free Academy at Franklinville.
In 1867 he obtained the contract to get the stone from the celebrated quarries
at Nauvoo, 111., for the U.S. government building at Springfield, 111. In 1868
the Napiers erected the county poor house in Machias. In July, 1868, Mr.
Napier became superintendent of the stone work of the State capitol at
Springfield, 111., which position he held until Dec, 1876. In 1869 he was
superintendent of the Grafton stone quarries on the Mississippi, forty miles
above St. Louis, for the building of the St. Louis bridge and water works,
and had from 250 to 300 men under his supervision. During this time also he
and his brothers built the masonry, trestling, and piling for sixty miles
on the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad from Machias to Empo-
rium. In 1878 they built the Springville & Sardinia narrow guage railroad.
Mr. Napier, his brothers, and Charles and Robert Brodie were at the same
8oo History of Cattaraugus County.
time engaged in bridging the Wabash and other streams on the New Albany-
Si; Salem and Toledo, Wabash & Western railroads.
Mr. Napier possesses indomitable energy and untiring industry\ For more
than forty years he was actively engaged in superintending the construction
of public works and other structures, many of which, among them the Har-
lem high bridge and the State capitol at Springfield, 111., will remain as per-
manent monuments of his mechanical skill. A Republican in politics he has
never had time to accept political preferment. His ambition has been in the
line of stone work and the perfection of his knowledge of constructive art.
April 13, 1845, he married Emeline T., daughter of Lyman Beebe; she was
born at Waterford, Conn., Dec. 16, 1827. Mrs. Napier died March 28. 1885.
Of their six children these survive: Margaret, born Feb. i, 1846, married
George L. Napier, April 13, 1875: Mary Isabella, born Sept. 19, 1848; and
James Allen, born March 23, 1862.
Henry Newton, son of Ethan A. Newton, was born in Jefferson county,
Dec. 26, 1819. He married, Aug. 14, 1842, Mary Hudson, who was born in
Saratoga county, Sept. 14, 1822. They first settled in Fowler, St. Lawrence
county, and came to Machias from Sardinia in 1851. Mr. Newton was a
farmer until Nov., 1861, when they enlisted in Co. K, 105th N. Y. Vols. The
father died of heart disease and the son of a gun-shot wound before he com-
pleted his eighteenth year. The mother with her own hands purchased and
made a home for herself, four sons, and four daughters, all of whom are living.
Stephen Orne, a native of Kennebunk, Maine, was born April 27, 1787,
married Mary Colby, Jan. 9. 1817, who was born in Boscowen, N. H., Oct. 31,
1791, and settled in a log cabin in Machias in 1821. He later removed to Ho-
mer and in 1838 they settled in Farmersville, where Mr. Orne died Jan. 3,
[840. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Orne died Oct. 6, i860, at
the home of tlieir son. Philander M. Orne, the only survivor of their four
sons. He has been engaged in cabinet work, farming, carpentering, and is
now conducting a wagon shop. He was born June 18, 1828.
Asa B. Parker, son of Silas and Abigail (Foster) Parker, was born in Ar-
cade, June 9, 1813, in the log house in which the family settled in 1810. His
parents were natives of Cavendish, \^t., where they were married, and where
their first two children were born. He was one of the most prominent men
of his town ; its first merchant, a justice of the peace about thirty years, sup-
ervisor, presided at numerous law suits, and officiated at many weddings.
He also did quite a law business in justice's courts and in drawing legal papers.
He reared ten sons and four daughters, all of whom survived him. Asa B.
Parker, at the age of twenty, began business for himself. He purchased on
credit seventy acres of heavy timbered land one mile east of Arcade. He
built a log cabin and Oct. 6, 1833, married Caroline E. West, who was born in
Groton, N. Y., May 22, 1815. In the spring of 1853, after clearing two farms
in Arcade, he settled in the west part of Machias on lot 63, where he now
owns a farm of 225 acres, of which he has cleared about 100. They have had
seven daughters and three sons. Mr. Parker early became prominent in the
militia and at the age of twenty was promoted from lieutenant to captain.
He served as commissioner of highways and since he came to Machias he has
been coroner nine years. Like his father he has practiced law in the lower
courts and has been extensively employed in collecting debts. 'He has also
dealt in horses, cattle, and wool.
P"rancis Smith, a native of Sligo, Ireland, was born in 1819. He read and
Town of Machias. . Soi
wrote both the Irish and English languages, and learned both wagon making
and dentistry. He came to America in 1847 °^ 1848, spent two or three years
in Canada, and about 1850 settled in Machias, where he died May 4, 1882.
Soon after he came to Machias he opened a shop in which he m.anufactured
wagons, carriages, and sleighs, and for many years extracted teeth for the
public. In 1858 he married Mary Killian, of Syracuse, who still resides on
the homestead. Children: Mrs. Anna M. Geveney, a teacher who has already
taught twenty-four terms; Dora S., widow of Francis Brissee and also a prom-
inent teacher; and Matthew F.
George A. Stoneman, son of Archibald and Angeline (Knight) Stoneman,
was born in Michigan City, Ind., April 13, 1844. His father died when
George was two years old, and his mother then removed to the neighborhood
of her relatives in Farmersville. About 1850 she settled with her son on the
lot in Machias where they still reside. Mr. Stoneman in Dec, 1861, enlisted
in Co. D, 105th N. Y. Vols., and went to the front in April, 1862. He partici-
pated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and
Cold Harbor. He was a prisoner twenty-four hours, was then paroled, and
several months later was exchanged. He was discharged as orderly-sergeant
March 5, 1865. He was influential in organizing Phillips Post, No. 329,
G. A. R., and has served as its commander five years. Since the war he has
been a mail contractor and a produce dealer. He is a staunch Republican
and has represented his town on the Board of Supervisors nine years.
Daniel S. Tilden, son of Samuel and Hannah (McKinstry) Tilden, was
born in Junius, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1826, and is of New England origin. His pa-
ternal grandfather was Jo.seph Tilden and his maternal grandfather was Paul
McKinstry. The latter served in the Revolutionary war and died in 1845,
being buried in Yorkshire near McKinstry hollow, so named in his honor. At
the age of eighteen Daniel S. Tilden began his mercantile life by traveling on
foot from house to house and selling goods. A year later he obtained ahorse
and cart and established a route over which he traveled six years. In 185 i
he settled in Machias as a merchant.
Daniel Vaughan came from Genesee county to Machias in 1821 or 1822
and settled in the north part of the town, where he took up a lot of wild land,
built a log house, cleared a piece of land, and set out an orchard. He had
eleven children, of whom two are living: William in Farmersville and Sarah
A. (Mrs. Porter Stebbins) in Michigan.
Joseph B. Wright, son of Gad Wright, was born in Oneida county and
raised in Gainesville, Wyoming county, where he married Nancy Lewis. In
1828 he settled on lot 53 in Machias, his abode being a shanty roofed with
troughs. Mr. Wright remained on his farm to the close of his life. Children :
Danford, Myron, Cleantha, Dennis, Mandana, Lafayette, and Pauline.
8o2 History of Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MANSFIELD.
MANSFIELD was erected from the town of Little Valley on the 23d of
February, 1830, and was orignally named Cecilius. By an act of the
Legislature passed April 21, 1831, the name was changed on June ist
of that year to Mansfield, which is derived from an English earl of the eigh-
teenth century. The town is described in the Holland survey as township
four, range seven, and contains an area of 24,821 acres. It is an interior town
lying a little northwest of the center of the county; its surface is broken and
irregular, its highest hills being in the southeast corner, where the altitude is
over 2,000 feet above sea level. The valleys consist of a gravelly loam and
are well adapted to farming and grazing. The soil on the uplands is a hard
clayey loam and also produces good crops. The chief industry is agriculture
with dairying as the principal branch. In this cheese making takes the lead.
The town is drained by the south branch of Cattaraugus creek and its small
tributaries. This stream flows northwesterly into Otto, where it unites with
the north branch and empties into Cattaraugus creek east of Gowanda. In
the south part of Mansfield are also the headwaters of Little Valley creek.
According to the observations and assertions of some of the earliest pio-
neers this locality was visited at a verj' early period by civilized people. Evi-
dences were discovered of trees having been tapped or marked many decades
before the first settlers came in. In one instance as many as 125 circles of
wood covered the marks of some edged tool. The theory has obtained that
at some remote date a party of Frenchmen penetrated the wilderness from
Canada, halted here and journeyed westward to the Ohio river.
In 18 1 8 Benjamin Chamberlain, Lothrop Vinton, Nathaniel Fish, Zira
Fenton, Edmund Kemp. Timothy Morgan, and Amos Morgan took contracts
for land on lots 10, 33, 40, and 57, but of this number only Amos and Timo-
thy Morgan and Nathaniel Fish became actual settlers, and of these three the
priority is accorded to Amos Morgan, who located on lot 33 in 18 18 and lived
there until 1825, when he removed to the north part of the town. He subse-
' quently emigrated to Ohio. Zira Fenton and his brother located on lot 40 in
1 8 19, but sooo abandoned their small improvement. Nathaniel Fish, from
Sandwich, Mass., settled on lot 10 on March i, 1819, on the hill which has
since borne his name, and here he opened the first tavern in Mansfield, which
became a noted rendezvous, especially for members 'f the militia in the early
days of general trainings, a few of which occurred :a the locality. Mr. Fish
Town of Mansfield. • 803
was a prominent man in the settlement and was the first collector elected in
the town, being chosen by the people of Cecilius. His son, Prince William
Fish, was one of the first justices and the first man married in town.
Josiah R. Hollister and his sons Josiah R., Jr., and Samuel L. settled on
lot 14 in 1821. josiah R., Sr., was a veteran of the Revolution and a settler
of Franklinville in 181 1 and of Great Valley in 1616. He died soon after his
settlement here. Josiah R., Jr., served in the War of 1812. Aaron Razy
also settled in town in 1821. Jacob B. Van Aernam and his son Abram were
the first settlers in the northwest part of Mansfield. They located there in
1822 and were followed in the fall by John Chapman and Samuel Harvey.
Among the settlers of 1823 were Sidney and Jarvis Walton, Abner and
Silas Wood, Daniel Wallace, Sylvanus Stebbins, and Stephen Sprague and his
son. In 1824 came Reuben Newton. From then until 1831 among the set-
tlers were Silas McKay (a soldier of 1812) and his sons Liverius, Cyrus G.,
Sylvester, John G., George C, Hiram V. R., and Daniel B.; Darius Warner
(supervisor in 1 849) ; George Delap and his sons N. G. and Sidney (who brought
in the first wagon and span of horses); Amasa Smith and his sons Stacy,
David, and Daniel ; and Sewell and Lucius Gunn, Erastus Brown, Asa R.
Keene, Nathaniel Walker, Roswell Ball and his son William, William and
Isaac Case, Gideon H. Willson (first supervisor), Oliver Tripp, Hosea Brown,
Timothy Gowen, Nathaniel Manley, John F. and Nelson Manley, Joshua Par-
melee and his son Erastus, James Huggins (who built the first grist-mill, and
about the same time a fulling and cloth-dressing-mill), Joseph Grififin, Jacob
and Cyru.'^ Galloway, Ezra Canfield, Andrew Gray, Truman Hinman and son
Peter C, Enos Eddy, David and Asher Skinner, Asel Satterlee, Linus Lattin,
Alexander Stone, Nathaniel M. Healey, James Puddy, William Travis, Peter
Brewer, Thomas G. Bailey, and Andrew Harmon.
After about 1825 the .settlement increased quite rapidly. In 1830 the pop-
ulation was 378; in 1850, 1,057: in 1870, 1,135; '" 1890, 1,022.
The first white child born in Mansfield was Mahala, daughter of Nathaniel
and Nancy Fish, on December 9, 1820, the first male child being Edwin, son
of Samuel L. Hollister, on February 5, 1822. Prince William Fish and Lois
Grover, the latter of Conewango, were the principals to the first marriage,
which occurred January i, 1824, the ceremony being performed by Aaron
Razy. The first log house and the first frame barn were built by Amos
Morgan, and the first frame house was erected by James L. Smith about 1835.
In 1868 Sidney N. Delap constructed the first brick house in town. The first
ashery was placed in operation at Union Corners about 1850 by Truman Hol-
lister and William H. Robinson, and the first postmaster was James Huggins
who kept the office at his mill about 1834. The first school was taught by
Lefa Chase in 1821 and the first school house was erected on the line between
Mansfield and New Albion in 1825, the first teacher therein being Polly Par-
melee. The first grist-mill was built in 1830 on lot 48 by James Huggins, and
8o4 History of Cattaraugus County.
the first saw-mill in 1831 on lot 23, on the south branch of Cattaraugus creek,
by Munson H. and George Clark. The first store was kept at Eddyville in
1848 by Thomas H. McKay. The first religious services were conducted by
Stephen Sprague at his own house, and the first church was organized by the
Baptists in 1828.
The first town meeting in Mansfield (then Cecilius) convened at the house
of Reuben Newton on Tuesday, March 2, 1830, and the following officers were
elected: Gideon H. Willson, supervisor; John F. Manley, town clerk; Na-
thaniel M. Healey and James Puddy, overseers of the poor; Nathaniel Fish,
collector; Samuel Harvey, Sylvanus Stebbins, and Enos Eddy, assessors;
William Case, Nathaniel Manley, and Amos Morgan, highway commissioners;
Joshua Parmelee, John Chapman, and Truman Hinman, commissioners of
common schools ; Gideon H. Willson, James Huggins, and Sylvanus Stebbins,
inspectors of common schools; Prince William Fish, Silas McKay, justices of
the peace; Nathaniel Fish, William Travis, and Hiram Stannard, constables;
Nathaniel Fish (No. i), Peter Brewer (No. 2), James Puddy (No. 3), Asher
Skinner (No. 4), Joseph Griffin (No. 5), Silas McKay (No. 6), Isaac Case (No.
7), George Delap (No. 8), Samuel Harvey (No. 9), Darius Warner (No. 10}, and
Peter C. Hinman (No. 11), overseers of highways. The ne.xt town meeting
was held at the dwelling of John F. Manley on the first Tuesday of March,
1831, being the first one after the town was known as Mansfield. The princi-
pal town officers have been as follows :
Superi'i«ors.-Gideon H. Willson, 1S30-3-'; Ezra Canfield, 1833 ; Samuel Harvey, 18*4 39, 1S43-44 ; James M.
Smith, 1MU«, lSo7-a9, 1S64-B5 ; Alansou \i. Head. 184.5; Elislia C. Eddy, 1846-48, 18.51-54 ; Darius Waiiier, 1849,
ISJt) ; Peter M. Stonebreaker, 1850, 1855 ; George Gray, 1800-61, 1867-73 ; Daniel I. Huntley, 18UJ-63 ; Horace S.
Huutley, 1866; Alvin Lattin, 1874 : Addison Sprague, 1875-77; Cliauncey Smith, 1878: Francis Larabee, 1879-
8:; ; G. H. Bowen, 1883-84; Harlan W. Smith, 1885-88; William H.Courter, 1889-90; Charles H. Davis, 1891-92 :
Hiram A. Johnson, 1893.
Town Claks.-Joha R Manley, 1S30-.32, 1845; Thomas G. Bailey, 1833; Jacob Galloway, 18.34; Gideon H.
Willson, iaT)-3'.i ; William H. Kobinson, 1840-44, 1846 ; Seneca R. Willson, 1847-48, 18.57-59 ; Jede liah A. Windsor,
1849-50; Peter Smith, 1851 ; George C. McKay, 18.52-5:!; Henry W. Eddy, 18:54-5.5, 1860-61 ; James L. Smith,
1856; Myron L. Newton, 1862-63; Morris W. Butterfield, 1864 ; M. K. Butterfleld, 1865; Edwin M. Bunn, 1866-
69, 188;j-84; William K. Burroughs, 1870; Alvin Lattin, 1871-72; G. W. G. Bowen, 1873 ; Harlan W. Smith,
1874-75; Charles G. Locke, 1876-77 ; G. H. Bowen, 1878-82; F. E. Woodruff, 1885; M. L. Eddv, 1886-87, 1889-90;
George L. Tinkcom, 1888; F. L. Morton, 1891-93.
Jusfices o/ Hie Ptirce.— 1830, Prince William Fish, Silas McKay; 1831, James Huggins; 1833, Oliver Tripp;
l83;i, Andrew Harmon, Thomas G. Bailey, Aaron W. Stebbins; 18.34. Linus Lattin, Willi.im Travis, Amasa
Smith; 1835, Lockwood D. Beardsley; 1836, Andrew Harmon; 1837, Linus Lattin, Silas McKay; 1838, B. B.
Coltou, Silas McKay; 1839, Luzon M. Botsford ; 1841), L. D. Beardsley, Joshua Parmelee ; 1841, S. S. Willson ;
1H42, Andrew Gray, Silas McKay; 1843, Cyrus G. McKay, Nathaniel Fish; 1844, Jam.-s L. Smith, William H.
Eddy, James Colwell ; 184.5, Cyrus G. M.:Kay; 1846, L. M. Botsford; 1847, Charles H. Barber; 1848, Peter
Bunn; 1849, Cyrus G. McKay; 18,50, L. M. Botsford; 1851, Seneca R. Willson; 1853, J. A. Windsor, C. L. But-
terfleld, Stephen B.Stone; 1853, Cyrus G. McKay; 18.54, James M. Willson; 1855, Chauncey L. Butterfleld,
George W.Brown; 1856, William H Eddy; ia57. Stephen B. Stone, James L. Smith ; 1858, George W. Brown:
1859, Chauncey L. Butterfleld ; 1860, William H. Robinson ; 1861, Stephen B. Stone, William H. Eddy ; 1862,
George W. Brown; 1863, William H. Kobinson; 1864, Horace S. Huntley; 1865, Stephen B. Stone, William
H. Eddy ; 1866, Linus Lattin ; 18»i7, Enos Schofield, Addison M. Smith, James L. Smith ; 1868, Francis Larabee ;
1869, George C. McKay ; 18711, James L. Smith, Zenas Butterfleld ; 1871, J- A. Windsor; 1872, Francis Larabee ;
1873, Robert B. Kidney; 1874, James L. Smith; 1875, J. A.Windsor; 1876, Francis Larabee; 1877, R. B. Kidney ;
1878, Edwin M. Bunn; 1879, J. A. Windsor; 1880, Francis Larabee ; 1881, G. VV. Bowen; 1882, G. W.G. Bowen;
18.8:^, L. Rogers; 1884, D. D. King; 1885. J. A. Windsor; 1886, M. J. Conklin; 1887, G. W. G Bowen; 1888, J. E.
Langhans; 1889, D. D. King; 1890, R. Burroughs, J. P. Barso; 1891, M. J. Conklin; 1892, C. W. Clark; 1893,
W. B. Smith.
M
Town of Mansfield. ' 805
Many of the town's dead have been interred at Little Valley, Ellicottville.
Otto, or in New Albion, but many also have received burials nearer home.
There is a cemetery at Union Corners, another on lot 71, and one on lot 33.
The first schqol teacher in Mansfield was Lefa Chase in 1821 and the first
school house was erected of logs in 1825 on the line between this town and
New Albion, the first teacher in it being Polly, daughter of Joshua Parmelee.
In time the log structures were superseded by neat frame school buildings,
and the school districts have been altered and increased in number as the set-
tlement of the town demanded. In point of efificiency the present schools of
Mansfield compare favorably with those of other towns in the county. In
1880 there were ten districts with a school house in each.
Rickertson Burlingame, of Ellicottville, surveyed and laid out the first
highway in town December 3, 1823, and described it thus : " Beginning at the
town line on the east bounds of lot 4, and extending in a generally northwest-
erly course six miles to the north bounds of the town two chains west of the
northwest corner of lot 48." The New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad
was completed through the extreme southwest corner of Mansfield in 1851,
but has no station in this town.
Eddyville (postoffice) is located in the north part of the town, on lot 39,
and contains two church edifices, a school house, a cheese factory, one store,
and about twenty dwellings. The original owner of the site was Jacob Gal-
loway, who erected the first log house; the first frame houses were built by
William H. and Levi Eddy, from whom the village received its name. The
first store, here, and the first in town, was opened in 1848 by Thos. H. McKay.
Maples (known also as Union Corners) is a hamlet situated in the northeast
part of Mansfield, principally on lot 23, and contains a store and postoffice,
two saw-mills, a school house, and about ten dwellings. Maples postoffice
was established in 1892 with Richard P. Hinman as postmaster. The first
settlers in this locality were Josiah R. and Samuel L. Hollister. In 1835
James L. Smith erected here the first frame building in Mansfield.
The cheese factory at "North Valley" was built in 1875 by Darius Bens-
ley and is now run by William Eddy. It receives the milk from 300 cows.
Frank Houghton erected a cheese factory at " Five Points" in 1888 which is
now operated by Sackett & Coe. A. S. Bartlett has a full-cream cheese fac-
tory in the ''Hencoop" neighborhood which was built by him in 1893.
The first religious services held in Mansfield were of the Baptist order and
occurred at the house of Stephen Sprague, who conducted this and many of
the subsequent meetings. Reuben Newton's was also a favorite place of
meeting. In 1828 the Baptists organized a church that was finally disbanded.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Mansfield, at Maples, was organized
with ten members in 1833 by Rev. Mr. Bronson, a circuit preacher, who be-
came the first pastor. The first meeting convened at the dwelling of Daniel
Smith. Their house ot worship was built in 1852, cost $700, and will seat
History of Cattaraugus County.
about 250 persons. At one time the society had about thirty-five members,
but its present number is comparatively small. Services are held occasionally
by Rev. Mr. White, of Ellicottville.
TheEddyville Universalist church was organized in 1850 by Rev. Gideon
S. Gowdy as the Mansfield and Otto Universalist Society. It originally had
forty-two members. Their house of worship was erected of wood in 1852,
cost about gi,ooo, and will seat 400 people. In 1873 the society was re-organ-
ized by Rev. O. B. Clark. At present it is without a pastor.
Enos Barrett was born in England, came to America, and died in Paw Paw,
Mich. Children : Granville, Charles, Angeline, Elmina, Sarah, and Abigail.
Granville Barrett was born in Paw Paw, Mich., July 12, 1842, and came to East
Otto in 1876, where he now resides. He married Salina Reed, of Aurora, 111.,
daughter of Sumner Reed, and his children are Flora, born Nov. 27, 1867;
Adelbert S., born May 15, 1868; and George, born March 4, 1870. Adelbert
S. Barrett married, March 8, 1892, Minnie Davis, daughter of Charles H. and
Eunice Davis, who was born Jan. 6, 1870. They have a daughter, Blanche
Genevieve, born Jan. i, 1893. He owns what is known as the Hencoop cheese
factory in the east part of the town.
De.xter Bartlett, a native of Vermont, came to Otto among the early set-
tlers and died there aged eighty years. His wife was Rachel Staples; chil-
dren: Sylvenus B., Nelson, Chloe, Drusilla, Sylvia, and Sarah. Sylvenus B.
Bartlett, born in Vermont, June 29, 1809, came to Otto with his parents and
removed thence to Mansfield, where he lived thirty-five years. He died in
Connecticut, March 13, 1888. He married Clarissa Benedict, who died in this
town ; children : Wilson, Nelson, Dexter, Sylvenus, Rachel Ann, Lucy J.,
Phebe, and Charles D. He married, second, Polly Hubbell ; children : Geor-
gia and Sarah. Charles D. Bartlett was bora in Otto, June 26, 1844, and in
April, 1865, married Minnie E. Woolf, who was born Dec. 13, 1847, a daughter
of Henry and Dora Woolf. Children: George L., born Oct. 12, 1867 ; Lottie A.,
born Nov. 16, 1869; and Sylvenus H., born May 26, 1875. • Lottie A. married
Elbert D., son of Staley Hinman ; children: Helma, born Aug. i, 1888, and
Lena L., born March 24, 1891. At a recent family reunion at Collins, Erie
county, there were 500 Bartlett families present.
Moses Bowen. born in Massachusetts, jMarch 12, 1752, served two years in
the Revolutionary war, and removed to Otsego county, where he was a farmer
and cooper, and where he died in June, 1830. His wife was Martha Bell, who
died there in 1824. Their son, iMoses Bowen, born in Massachusetts, Feb. 9,
1796, came to iVIansfield in 1830 and died here in 1882. His wife was Betsey
Hopkins, who was born May 21, 1797, died in 1862. Children: George W.G.,
born May 27, 1823 ; Emily M., born March 20, 1825; Sarah A., born May 20,
1827; Hopkins, born in Sept., 1829; Bird, born in 1832; Cyrus H., born in
April, 1834; Frank M., born in 1842; and Moses, born in 1844. George
W. G. married Lucinda Meacham, who died Dec. 8, 1863 ; children : George H.,
born Oct. 4, 1849; Sarah M., born Feb. 6, 1853; John M., born Oct. 25, 1858;
and Betsey, born Oct. 3, 1862. He married, second, Mrs. Lydia L. Harvey,
daughter of William H. and Sally Eddy; children: Fanny B., born. Oct. 21,
1865; Emily A., born June 6, 1867; Hattie L., born July 2, 1869; Mabel G.,
born Aug. 10, 1871 ; William H., born Aug. 25, 1873 ; Ida V., born March 16,
1876; Eddy L., born June 29, 1879; ^""^ Bessie L., born July i, 1883. Mr.
Bowen is a farmer and carpenter in Eddj-ville and has been justice of the
■M
Town of Mansfield. 807
peace thirty years, postmaster ten years, and a resident here sixty years.
Carl Brasch was born and died in Mecklenburg, Germany. He had five
children, of whom Christopher Brasch was born in Holstein, Germany, March
2, 1 8 14. He married Louisa Bealsealbt, and came to Mansfield, where he
still resides. Children: Dora Annie, Bertha, Henry, and John C. The latter
is a native of Holstein, Germany, being born there April 27, 1866, and came
to this town with his parents. March 3, 1885, he married Meda, daughter of
William and Adelia (Frank) Miles, who was born in East Otto in 1865. He
is a farmer in Mansfield on the Joseph Smith farm.
Erastus Brown, a native of Livingston county, came to Mansfield, where
he cleared a farm and died in i860. His wife was Polly Showertown, who
died here in Feb., 1876. Children: Sabrina, Melissa, Gilbert, Heman, Alvin,
Ansil J., and Levi P. Levi P. Brown was born in this town Nov. 17, 1834,
and March 12, 1859, married Chloe Black, who died Dec. 29, 1870; children:
George \V., born Jari. 13, i860; Charles E., born Sept. 13, 1861 ; Lucy, born
April 3, 186S; and Velma, born Dec. 23, 1870. He married, second, Emily
F., daughter of Franklin and Abigail Hinman, who was born July 23, 1837.
He is a farmer on the homestead. George W. Brown married Edith Smith
on April 2, 1885, and has one daughter, Chloe A. Lucy Brown married Ed-
win B. Jackett on Nov. 29, 1882.
Joseph Burchard, a native of Danbury, Conn., served in the War of 1812
and was present at the engagement at St. John's, Canada. He came to East
Otto before 1825 and died there Aug. 28, 1830 (see page 555;. His son
Amos, born in Danbury, Conn., Sept. 10, 1775, came to East Otto and died
Jan. 10, 1858. His wife, Betsey Estes, died July 10, 1862. Their daughter
Harriet E., born Nov. 28, 1820, married John Crosby, who died July 26, 1867.
Children: Jennie (Mrs. W. S. Lines) and Lucy (Mrs. Stephen C. Gillett).
Mrs. Crosby survives her husband and resides in Maples in this town.
James Butler was a very early settler in Cattaraugus county, being a resi-
dent of both Mansfield and Ellicottville. He died about 1866. One of his
sons, Allen D., lived in Mansfield and East Otto, and died in Red House in
March, 1888. Another son, T. P., was reared in the family of Joseph Smith,
an Englishman and an early settler of Mansfield. Mr. Smith died in Aug.,
1885, aged eighty-five. T. P. Butler is now a resident of Cold Spring.
Charles VV. Clark, son of William and Caroline (Stewart) Clark (see page
587), was born Dec. 17, 1845, and married Adelia E., daughter of Peter and
Rachel (Hazelton) Smith, who was born April 30, 1852. They have an adopted
son, Gilbert H.
Henry Cook, born in Norwich, Vt., June 14, 1800, married Betsey Hildreth,
and settled on a farm in Vermont, where their first three children were born.
About 1832 or 1833 they settled in a log cabin in the western part of Mans-
field on 160 acres of land. To support his young family he pursued his trade
of shoemaker, and subsequently added to the homestead until it contained
470 acres. He died at the home of his son Samuel in Little Valley, Nov. i,
1885. Mrs. Cook died in the fall of 1872. Children: Clarissa (Mrs. Hazen
Chamberlain), deceased; John H.; Samuel, born May 14, 1830, married Eliza-
beth, daughter of John Gage, settled on the homestead, and subsequently re-
moved to Little Valley; Annie (Mrs. Henry Farwell); Janette (Mrs. Robert
Davis); and Phebe (Mrs. Daniel Ayres), of Little Valley. Samuel Cook, of
Little Valley, sold the homestead in 1880 to his brother-in-law, Robert Davis,
and bought the Stratton farm of his wife's father, John Gage, containing 230
8o8 History of Cattaraugus County.
acres, which he still owns. He is a staunch Republican. Children: Minnie,
Alida, Bessie, Arthur, and Elizabeth. John H. Cook was born in Vermont,
Aug. 22, 1827, and came to Mansfield with his parents. Nov. 15, 1871, he mar-
ried Abigail M., daughter of Gideon H. Willson. They had one son, Samuel
W., born Feb. 6, 1875. He married, second, Saloma B., daughter of Hiram
and Caroline Horth, who was born Feb. 14, 1843. He owns and occupies the
farm cleared by William Case and an additional farm — a total of 300 acres.
Jonathan Courter was born in New Jersey, served in the War of 1812, re-
ceived a land warrant, and in 1832 came to Mansfield, where he-died in 1869.
He settled on lot 19. He married Elizabeth Thompson, who died in 1856.
Children : David, William, Alexander, Matilda, and Alanson. The latter was
born in Yates county. May 7, 1820, and married Diantha, daughter of Elias
Harvey, of Ellicottville. Children: Elizabeth, Alzina, Alexander, Jonathan,
William H., and Charles. William H. Courter was born May 17, 1850, and
April 6, 1873, married Sarah M. Bowen ; children: George, Frank, Mildred,
and Willie. Mr. Courter is a general merchant, has been postmaster nine years,
and served as supervisor in 1889 and 1890. Alanson Courter was commis-
sioner of highways eight years and died at the age of seventy-two. Mrs. Di-
antha Courter survives and lives in Eddyville.
Etsel Crandall, son of George and Diantha (Sutton) Crandall, was born
May 22, 1825, came to Mansfield in 185 1, and cleared the farm on which he
now resides. He married Mariette Conklin ; children: Joel J., Clara J., Brad-
ford G., Edith M., Rose A., Jay, John P., George, and Dr. Guy B. Joel J.
Crandall was si.x years school superintendent of Cattaraugus county and one
year president of the Jamestown Commercial College.
William Davis was born, lived, and died in Ireland. His son Robert came
to America and finally settled in Mansfield, where he still resides. He
married Mariah Keene; children: John, Joseph, Charles, Andrew, Hiram,
Catharine, Mary, Sarah, and Annie. Robert Davis served in Co. B, 154th
N. Y. Vols.; George served in the 64th N. Y. Vols.; and John ■ enlisted in a
Nebraska regiment. Hiram Davis married Flora Cross and has children Allen
and Florence. Andrew Davis has served three terms as assessor.
Stephen Ditcher, a native of Zurich, Germany, was born in 1809, came to
America in 1844, settled in Ashford, cleared a farm, and died about 1866.
He married Nancy Howe, of Germany, who died in Ashford in 1856. Chil-
dren: John, Stephen A., Philip, Christopher, David O., Carrie, Paul, and
James. Stephen A. Ditcher was born in Ashford, Dec. 23, 1844, and Dec. 18,
1873, he married Elsie A., daughter of Lorenzo H. and Angeline (Houghton)
Smith, of Mansfield. Children: Ashley S., Francis G., and Florence E. He
resides on the farm cleared by Lyrnan C. Taylor about 1839. Lorenzo H.
Smith came to Mansfield at the age of seventeen. He was born in Otsego
county in 1817. His wife died here in Jan., 1880. David O. Ditcher was
born Sept. 15, 1855, and Nov. 28, 1873, married Susie R. Millhollen. He
owns and operates the cheese factory in the north part of the town. This
was built in 1865 by M. S. Allen, and is one of the largest in the State. In
1888 it made 148 tons of cheese; in 1889, 151 tons; in 1890, 156 tons; and in
1891, 162 tons.
Enos Eddy, born in Rhode Island, June 6, 1774, came to Mansfield as a
very early settler, and removed to Chautauqua county in 1840. He married
Deborah Payne, of Rhode Island; children: Chloe, Lydia, Enos, Rachel,
Enos, 2d, Deborah, Joseph, Nathan, Sarah, Lillis, George, John, Elmira, and
Town of Mansfield. .• 809
Stephen. Enos Eddy, Jr., came to Mansfield about 1825 and died here in
1871. He married Miranda Stannard, who died Sept. 27, 1873. Children:
Roswell (died 1890), Betsey, Nathan, Amanda, John, Thomas, Almira, James,
and Sheldon P. The latter was born Dec. 17, 1822, married, April 15, 1850,
Helen Rhodes, and has had children Austin M., Medora E., Enos H., Otis
H., and Mina B. He is a farmer on the place he has occupied from birth, and
has served as overseer of the poor and town collector.
Levi Eddy, born in Utica, N. Y., came to Mansfield about 1828 and died
in 1841. He -served in the War of 1812. Children: Levi B., William H.,
Chauncey, Elisha and Eliza (twins), Lura, Westel, and Ruth A. William H.
Eddy, born March 9, 1807, came to Mansfield in Feb., 1843, ^^^ -'s said to
have been the first manufacturer of cheese boxes in Cattaraugus county. He
was also a carriage painter, served as justice of the peace several years, and
was long a postmaster and merchant at Eddyville, which was named in his
honor. He died May 5, 1871. His wife was Sally Trask, who was born in
Massachusetts, July 24, 1808. Children : Henry W., James W., Nancy L.,
Lydia L., Mary A., Frances, and Martha. James \V. t^ddy married Jane
Harvey; children: Leonard W., Byron M., Elma B., Elbert C, Clarence A.
Levi B. Eddy was born in Herkimer, N. Y., March 6, 1802, and died in
Mansfield Oct. 28, 1876. Children: Emily, Harriet, Amos, Aurilla, and Will-
iam. His wife died Sept 22, 1886. Enos Eddy, born in Herkimer, N. Y.,
Jan. 19, 1827, came to this town With his parents, and married Harriet Starr,
who died, and he married, second, Lura L Harvey. Children: Morris L.,
Elmer E., and Belle. Morris L. Eddy, born Jan. 14, 1857, married, Dec. 20,
1880, Lillian B. Reynolds, of Humphrey, and has one daughter, Harriet A.
He is a farmer near the hamlet of Eddyville.
Elisha C. Eddy, though dead before reaching the thirty-eighth anniversary
of his birth, accomplished more than most men in the longest lives. He re-
deemed what is one of the best farms in Mansfield from a swampy wilderness
and reared a large family of children. For eight terms he was supervisor,
holding the position at his death. He was born Aug. 18, 1818, and died May
14, 1856. Jan. 17, 1839^ he married Sally Vosburgh, who was born Sept. 25,
1819. Children: Ruth A., born Oct. 2'i, 1840, married Harvey Eastman;
Cornelia V., born Oct. 5, 1842, married Lieut. Alvin Lattin of the 9th N. Y.
Vol. Cav.; Ellen M., born Jan. 26, 1845, died Sept. 2, 1867 ; Martha D., born
May 30, 1848, married Hon. Solon S. Laing ; Alice R. (Mrs. Owen S. Laing),
of East Otto; Westel E., born June 2, 1854; and Laura E., born Sept. 18,
1856, married Edson F. Beach, and died Sept. 22, 1891.
Nathaniel Fish, of Sandwich, Mass., settled on lot 19 in Mansfield in
March, 18 19, where he soon opened his house as a tavern, and which locality
was named in his honor. He was the first collector of the town and otherwise
closely identified with its early interests. He raised nine children, of whom
but one, Mrs. Mary M. Gay, of Boston, Mass., survives. His only living des-
cendants in this county are his grandchildren C. G. Locke, of Little Valley,
and Nan and Lulu Galloway, of EUicottville.
William Folts, .son of Joseph and a native of Herkimer county, came to
Ashford with his father, who was one of the first blacksmiths and first settlers
in that town. William followed shoemaking and farming, and married Caro-.
line Riddle. Children : Mary (widow of George Tinkcom), Charles, Sarah
(deceased), Eliza (Mrs. Charles Goss), Morris, Ida (Mrs. John Hughey), and
George L.
8io History of Cattaraugus County.
Othniel Greene, a native of Long Island, served in the Revolutionary war
and drew a pension, and removed to Vermont, where he died. His wife was
Elizabeth Johnson. Their son Othniel, born in Vermont, Nov. 13, 1799, came
to Mansfield in Jan., 1850, where he died Dec. 27, 1886. He married Sophia
Miner, who died here in Jan., 1886. Children: Emmett, Horace, Sanford,
Lovisa, Charles, Lucinda, Othniel, William, Huldah, and Franklin. Othniel
enlisted in 1862 in Co. G, 154th N. Y. Vols., and starved to death in Libby
prison Aug. 7, 1863. Charles, born May 9, 1836, resides on the homestead.
Nov. 6, 1859, he married Louise Meacham, who was born March 18, 1S42, a
daughter of Daniel and Emily (Bowen) Meacham, of this town. Children:
Lucy, Othniel, America, Benjamin, and Bessie.
Harvey S. Green, son of Samuel, was born in Mansfield, June 24, 1837, and
died Oct. 27, 1871. Nov. 6, 1862, he married Fidelia Balcom, who was born
Nov. 3, 1832, and who survives him. Children : Bertie S., Carrie L., Elmer A.,
Clayton C. and Jessie M. Carrie L. married Otis H. Eddy and lives at Maples.
Joseph Balcom, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Fidelia Green, was a Rev-
olutionary soldier and attained the rank of colonel. His son Villeroy was born
in Templeton, Mass., and died in Villenova, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1868.
Samuel Harvey was born in Marcellus, N. Y., March 28, i8oi,the fourth in
a family of twelve children of Medad Harvey. Samuel came to Mansfield in
1823 and subsequently increased his original purchase of 300 acres to 1,100,
some of which was in adjoining towns. He married, Jan. 28, 1824, Mary
Reed, who 'was born in Massachusetts, April 13, 1802. Children: Mary J.
(Mrs. VV. D. Allen), Albert R., Samuel, Jr., and one who died in childhood.
Mr. Harvey was a Democrat, was justice of the peace, and was supervisor of
Mansfield eight years.
John Harvey married Theda Reed and both died in Otto, the latter in
July, 1889. Children: Hiram, Alfred, and Frank. Frank Harvey was born
in New Albion in March, 1843, ^^'^ married Josephine, daughter of James FL
and Sarah Smith; children: Luke, Charles, Addie, Arthur, Belle, Elmer, Flor-
ence, and Burt J. The latter was born March 3, 1867, and July 17, 1890, mar-
ried Mary Grube, who was born April 26, 1867. They have one daughter,
Helen A. Mr. Harvey is a farmer on the Huggins farm.
Frank C. Hinman, a native of Massachusetts, was born in 1802, came to
East Otto ab.out 1825, and died aged eighty-two. He married Abigail Thomp-
son ; children: Mariah, Mary, Byron, Emily, Emogene, Lorinda, Truman,
Francis, Seth, Matilda, Charles, Alice, and Richard P. The latter was born
in East Otto, July 23, 1853, and is liow a general merchant and postmaster at
Maples. He is in copartnership with F. L. Morton as Hinman & Morton.
Truman Hinman, son of Besill, who was born in Connecticut, came to
Marcellus, N. Y., and was accidentally killed, was born in Connecticut, came
to Mansfield in 1824, cleared portions of three farms, and died in East Otto
aged seventy-three. He married Parnal Graham and had. children Waite,
Peter C, Elisha, Ann, Polly, Hannah, Julia, Deforest M., Diantha L., Moses
B., Sarah Ann, and Staley C. Staley C. Hinman was born Feb. 6, 1829, and
Sept. 27, 1850, married Harriet A. Reed, of East Otto. Children: Lavantia
A., Alfred B., Stella D., and Elbert D. Isaac Reed, father of Mrs. Harriet A.~
Hinman, came to East Otto, cleared a farm, and died there aged seventy-four.
His wife, Phebe Holmes, died five years later aged seventy-three. Their
children were Harriet A., Martin V., Andrew J., Lucy, 1st, Lucy, 2d, Emery,
Lucina, Pearl, Cornelia, Sarah, and Louisa.
Town of Mansfield. . 8ii
Peter C. Hinman, son of Truman, came from Marcellus to Mansfield while
young and cleared what is known as the Hinman farm. He died Dec. 24,
1880, aged eighty-two. He married Berea Lamfear, who was born Jan. 3,
1803. Children: Julia Ann, Sylvester T., Eliza, Electa, Susan, Mary M.,
Harlan, William S., and Anson L. zAnson L. Hinman, born May 15, 1846,
married Mary E. Scott, and has one daughter, Mamie E. He resides on the
homestead. John H. Scott, father of Mrs. Mary E. Hinman, served in the
late war and died in service Oct. 22, 1S63.
Samuel L. Hollister was an early settler in Mansfield. He had ten chil-
dren, six of whom are living, but only one, Alson Hollister, of this town, in
the county. Edwin, son of Samuel, was the first white male child born in
Mansfield. Alson Hollister married Marcia, daughter of Stephen B. Stone ;
children: Homer, of Mansfield, and Lorsey E. (Mrs. George L. Folts), of
Great Valley.
Roswell Johnson, a native of Catskill, N. Y., was born in 1796, came to
Mansfield in 1850, and died in 1853. Of his sixteen children Stephen T.
Johnson was born in Oswego, N. Y., April 4, 1827, and came to Mansfield in
1853. ^^ married Achsah Beals ; children: Mary, Hiram A., Lewis D., My-
ron D., Fred, Martha, Emma, Nellie M., and Hattie. Hira.m A. Johnson was
born Oct. 18, 1857, and married Grace L.Grimes, Oct. 17, 1S82; children:
Beulah A. and Ralph D. Mr. Johnson is a farmer on the James Grimes farm.
He was elected supervisor of Mansfield in 1893, has taught district school
four years, and has served two years as collector. Stephen Johnson served in
Co. A, 1 88th N. Y. Vols.
Eleazer Larabee, a Revolutionary- soldier, came to East Otto in 1824 with
his wife and five sons — Thomas, Miner, Nathan," Ira, and Sidney, all married
except Sidney. Eleazer located land on lot 28. Thomas located on lot 27,
where the Stephen Laing farm now is in East Otto. Eleazer Larabee died in
East Otto in 1837. Thomas Larabee was born in Oneida county and served
in the War of 181 2, and drew a land warrant. He finally removed to Lake
county, III., in 1845, where hedied in 1857. He married Esther Babcbck, who
died in 1843. Children: Anson, Albert, Elmira, Thomas G., Sarah, Dolly,
Eliza, Francis, Hiram, and Deloss. Francis Larabee was born in East Otto,
Feb. II, 1828. Feb. 22, 1850, he married Emily, daughter of Levi B. Eddy.
He has served as supervisor four years and justice of the peace twelve years.
He was very active (with James Smith and A. S. Courter) in recruiting sol-
diers for the service and filling the town quotas. (See page 558.)
Silas McKay, son of Silas, was born in Pennsylvania, July 7, 1783, and
came to Mansfield in 1824. He served in the War of 181 2 from Genesee county
and died July 31, 1843. He married Sally, daughter of Jacob and Abigail
Galloway; children: Liverius, born June 7, 1809, died in June, 1888; Silas G.,
born Feb. 28, 1811, died May 3, 1893; Sylvester, born July 28, 1813, died
Jan. II, 1888; John J., born Sept. 2, 1816; Amos, born Jan. 19, 1819, died
March 4,1819; George C, born March 19, 1820; Hiram V. R., born March
5, 1822; Daniel B., born Feb. 27, 1824, died in 1890; Napoleon B., born
Sept. 13, 1826; and Thomas H., born July 3, 1830, died June 28, 1892.
George C. McKay married Margaret, daughter of Jacob J. and Margaret
(Weaver) Frank, who was born Feb. 18, 1821. Children: Nelson W., born
Feb. 27, 1849, died May i, 1862; Elbert C, born Jan. 24, 185 1, died May 18,
1862; Harlan E., born Feb. 10, 1853. died Feb. 27, 1854; Theresa A., born
July 6, 1858, died May 11, 1862; and Nelson C, born Aug 30, 1865, died Jan.
Si2 History of Cattaraugus County.
26, 1886. He is a farmer on the farm he cleared after coming to Mansfield in
1862. He served as justice of the pea'ce four years and town clerk two years.
Lyman Meacham, born in Scotland, came to Wyoming county and was
killed at Dunkirk. He married Betsey Goodspeed, who died in Mansfield.
Children: Hosea, Jeremiah, Elias, Milo, Daniel, Lydia, Janette, Lucy, and
Betsey. Elias Meacham was born Sept. 4, 1808, and came to Mansfield in
1832, where he died in 1891. He married Emily, daughter of John Eddy;
children: Lucinda, Mary Ann, Amanda M., Eliza C, Emily P., and Levi M.
L. M. married Betsey A., daughter of Joseph and Sarah A. (Bowen) Razy.
Lyman Morton, born in Vermont in 1806, came to Mansfield in 1836, and
finally removed to Iowa, where he died in 1883. Children : Leonora, Eveline,
Nel.son J., James, Thurman W., Albert B., Darius, and Mary. Nelson J. Mor-
ton, born July 7, 1830, married Frances L. Stowell; children : Frank L., Car-
rie B., and Ada G. and Eva M. (twins). Frank L. Morton is town clerk and
a general merchant at Maples.
William C. Rhoades, born in England, came to eastern New York before
the Revolutionary war, in which he participated as a soldier, and died in Ham-
ilton, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1809. His son Asahel, born March 16, 1809, came to
Napoli in 1836, where he died Sept. 13, 1880. He married Amelia Thayer;
children: Matilda J., Helen F., Susan F., Edward A., Sumner D., Mariah A.,
Cyrus, Otis D., William, Charles, and Uriah A. Susan F. Rhoades, born in
1829, married Hopkins Bowen; children; Luzern A. and George H. She
married, second, Albion P. Johnson, son of Joshua and Esther Johnson. Cyrus
Rhoades was supervisor of Napoli in 1885-86 and of Leon in 1889-91.
Charles P. Rice, son of Reuben and Hannah S. (Shattuck) Rice, was born
in St. Albans, Vt., July 2, 1835. His grandfather was a colonel in the war of
the Revolution and Reuben was a cabinet maker by trade. Charles P. came
to this town in Feb.. 1883. He married Lydia A. Lasher, of Nor^'ich, Pa.,
who died Sept. 18, 1876; children: Kittie L., Henry R., Claude R., and Ar-
thur F. He married, second, Julia A. Roeder, who died Aug. 27, 1890, chil-
dren: Guy W. and Frue L. His third wife is Prudence March. He enlisted
Aug. 13, 1 861, in Co. I, 4-2d Pa. Vols., participated at the battles of Cedar
Mountain, Cross Keys, South Mountain, Second Bull Run, and Antietam,
and was discharged in 1864.
James M. Smith, son of Amasa and Mercy (Burroughs) Smith, was born
in Marcellus, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1813. His father, a soldier in the War of 1812,
settled in Mansfield on lot 39 in 1828. He was justice of the peace as early
as 1834. He died Dec. 20, 1843; Mrs. Smith died Nov. 24, 1846. James M.
Smith received a common school education and three terms at the academy
at Springville, N. Y. He was a teacher several years. Sept. 27, 1840, he
married A. Alsina Strickland, of Otto, and engaged in farming. Mr. Smith
was a patriotic citizen and a politician. He was an old line Whig and later a
staunch Republican. He was elected supervisor of his town in 1840 and held
the office eight terms, and was clerk of the board in 1843. He was inspector
of common schools in 1840 and held the position until the office was abol-
ished. In 1853 he was elected superintendent of the poor of Cattaraugus
county and served three years. In i860 he represented his district in the
Legislature as member of the Assembly. Mr. Smith was an extensive reader
and a close thinker, a ready conversationalist, and a genial companion. He
died April 30, 1872. Mrs. Smith resides in the village of Cattaraugus. Their
children were Millie (Mrs. Elbert P. Cook), died Dec. 21, 1869; John, married
Towx OF Napoli. • 8n
Laura Strickland, settled in Kansas, and died there in 1888, leaving a widow
and six children who reside in Cattaraugus; and Alida (Mrs. Fred Makern).
Hezekiah Smith, a native of Rhode Island, came to Mansfield in 1830, and
followed his trade of carpenter, being also a farmer. Children : Clark, Lo-
renzo, Stephen, Russell, Althea, Cyrus, Polly, Ruth, and Mary. Clark Smith
became a reside-nt of Mansfield in 1837. His. son Sylvester C. served in the
Civil war in the 164th Cav. and had two horses shot from under him. Ste-
phen Smith was supervisor of Mansfield in 1855.
CHAPTER XXXVIL
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NAPOLI.
NAPOLI originally bore the name of Cold Spring, and as such it was
erected from Little Valley on the 23d of January, 1823. It then em-
braced towns one, two, and three of range eight. April 15, 1828, the
name was changed to Napoli and on March 20, 1837, the town of Cold Spring,
then embracing towns one and two, was set off, leaving Napoli with its pres-
ent area of 23,063 acres, and being de.scribed in the Holland survey as town-
ship three, range eight. It is bounded on the north by New Albion, on the
east by Little Valley and Salamanca, on the south bj^ Cold Spring, and on the
west by Conewango. An interior town lying west of the center of the
county it has considerable fine farming land. The surface is elevated and
broken into hills and valleys, many of the former being arable to their sum-
mits. The soil consists of clay and a fertile gravelly loam, and is well adapted
to grazing. It was originally covered with heavy forests, principally of hard-
wood, but nearly all of these have been cleared away to give place to verdant
pastures and cultivated fields.
The principal drainage is afforded by Cold Spring creek, which has its
source in the northern part of Napoli and flows southerly through the town
of Cold Spring into the Allegheny. This stream formerly afforded several
mill sites, a number of which were utilized in early days for saw-mills. It has
a few tributaries, consisting mainly of small brooks ; there are also a number
of brooks in the town which flow into Little Valley, Saw-Mill, and Elm creeks.
The first settler in Napoli was Maj. Timothy Butler, who was also the first
settler in Machias. He was a native of Maine and for a time lived in Onon-
daga county, N. Y., whence he came to Machias as early as 181 3, settling in
the Ischua valley. He had considerable means and was a leading pioneer.
He removed to Napoli in 1818 and settled on lot 27, a little eist of Napoli vil-
lage, a place which became a conspicuous pioneer landmark. He finally
moved to Virginia and thence to Indiana, where he died. The second white
8 14 History of Cattaraugus County.
settler was George Hill, who located on lot 29 in 1818. His was the first
orchard in Napoli. In 1819 came Sargeant Morrill, a Vermonter, who died
here in 1835 ; his wife died July 4, 1828. He settled on the Jamestown road,
and was the first deacon of the Congregational church. His son John carried
the first grist from this town to the Quaker mill at Cold Spring, cutting the
road as he went. Other settlers of 18 19 were Timothy Boardman on lot 43 ;
William Foy, whose son John A. was the first white child born in town ; Har-
vey Parmelee, on lot 51, for many years a class-leader in the M. E. church ;
Joshua Boardman on lot 42 ; Lyman Parmelee, brother of Harvey, on lot 52 ;
John Warner on lot 19; Harlow Butler on lot 51 ; Peter Beardsley on lot 38.
Among the settlers of 1820 were Loren Noble, Artemus Houghton (one
of the first deacons of the Congregational church). Dr. Phineas F. Noble (the
first physician and the first militia officer), Levi Stevens, Horace and Erastus
Hall, Walter Thorp (a good speaker and writer and many years justice and
supervisor), and Daniel S. and Levi P. Thorp. In 1821 came, among others,
Hubbard Latham, Leverett Richmond, Joseph Miller (who built the first
frame building), and John Moran. From then until about i 830 the settlers
were John L. Latham, Benjamin Hillman (who erected and opened the first
temperance tavern in the vicinity), Nathaniel Burbanks, Henry Earle, Nathan
Bennett, John and Ariel W^ellman, Sands Bouton (subsequently county clerk),
Andrew Green, Henry R. Finch, Stephen Curtis, Joseph Woodworth (a Rev-
olutionary soldier), Elijah Boardman, Moses Cook (the first merchant and the
first blacksmith), Ira Dunning (a Presbyterian minister), Oliver Paddock,
Wheeler Beardsley, Marshall Whitcomb, Jeduthan Seely and five sons (all
great hunters), Gordon Chesborough, Caleb Adye (a Revolutionary soldier),
Albert Merchant, Amos Merchant, Eastman Prescott (the first tavern keeper
and the first mail carrier from Randolph to Ellicottville), Ezekiel Fitch, Sam-
uel Healy, Hiram Freeman, Timothy Everett, Tunis Van Tassal (an inn
keeper), Jacob Lyon, William Palmer, Stephen and Reuben Wait, Asa May-
nard, Seneca Morton, Amasa P. Darling (a mason), Ambrose Waterman, Will-
iam J. Wilcox (a Congregational minister), William M. Champlin, Joseph
Morton, Amasa Bushnell, Daniel Nicholas, Ezra Glover,' Silas Miller, John
Champlin, Stephen Gladden^ Harvey Janes, Roswell Roberts, Jonas Glazier
(a Calvinist Baptist minister), John and Robert Balston, Amasa Booth, Rich-
ard Boardman, Loren Burroughs, David Brown, Austin Davis, and Calvin
Doolittle. The population in 1830 was 852: in 1850, 1,233; iri 1890, 962.
The first birth in Napoli was that of John A., son of William Foy, in
June, 1S20, and the first death was that of a son of Maj. Timothy Butler the
same year, the remains being the first interred in the cemetery at Napoli Cor-
ners. Joshua Boardman, the second person to die in town, died in 1821. Dr.
Phineas F. Noble and Statira Canfield were the first persons married, but they
repaired to Chautauqua county to have the ceremony performed. John Mor-
rill and Sophronia Seward (a cousin of Hon. William H. Seward) were the
Town of Napoli. • 815
principals in the town's first wedding, the ceremony being solemnized by Rev.
Ira Dunning in 1824. The first school was taught by Miss Fannie Boardman
in the summer of 1819 in the house of John Warner, and the first school
house was erected a year or two later on lot 42, the first teacher in it being
Phineas Noble. Joseph Miller erected on lot 22 in 1822 the first frame build-
ing (a barn) and Harvey Parmelee built on lot 51 in 1826 the first frame house
in town. Eastman Prescott, in 1831, became the first tavern keeper; Prescott
also carried the first mail between Randolph and Ellicottville. The first
store was opened in 1826 by Moses Cook. The first apple orchard was set
out in 1830 on lot 29 by George Hill, but the first apples are said to have
been raised on the premises of Horace Hall on lot 59 in 1823, and from these
he made a bottle of cider.
The first town meeting convened at the house of Henry Noble on the 1 1 th
of February, 1823, when these officers were chosen : Henry Noble, supervisor;
Daniel S. Thorp, town elerk ; Andrew D.Smith, Harvey Parmelee, and James
Bushnell, assessors; Elijah Boardman and Artemus Houghton, overseers of
the poor; Walter Thorp, William Foy, and Joseph Elkinton, highway com-
missioners; Andrew D. Smith, Harlow Butler, and Daniel S. Thorp, commis-
sioners of common schools; Heniy Noble, Harlow Butler, and Andrew D.
Smith, school inspectors ; Dr. Phineas F. Noble, constable and collector. At
this meeting $10 was voted as a bounty for wolf scalps and " spirituous liquors
are not to be sold on election days," and in 1826 every person was "subject to
a fine of $50 who shall suffer Canada thistles, white or yellow daisies, or Tory
weeds to grow on his lands or on the public highways adjoining the same,
after three days' notice of their presence." In 1825 wolf bounties were re-
duced to $5. The supervisors of the town have been as follows:
SiipeiTisoj.-c.- Henry Noble. 1825: Walter Thorp. 182-1-26, 1828:32, ia34-35; Timothy Everett, 1827: Parley
Marsh, 18;B, 1836; Benjamin H. Hillman, 1837: Orris Marsh, 1838-.3!!, 184:S-«, 1846-40, ia51-»i, 18.56-63, 186.i, 1871,
1878: John Milks, 1840: Ashbel Bushnell, 1841-42. 1861; Lewis P. Thorp, 1845 ; Araasa Bushnell, ia50; Joseph
Peaslee, 18.t5, 1866, 1876-77: George A. Gladden, 1*7, 1870, 187!(: Samuel Allen, 18<i8-69: A. T. Palmer, 1872-73;
Eben Sibley, 1874-75, 1880 : M. S. Kandall, 1881-84; Cyrus R. Rhoades, 1885-86; Spencer E. Hubbell, 1887-88 ; La-
fayette Glover, 1889-90 ; O. S. Booth. 1891-9:3.
Unlike many neighboring towns Napoli had no extensive lumber interests
to furnish lucrative employment to its sturdy pioneers. The forests consisted
mainly of hardwoods, yet they furnished more than enongh pine and hemlock
to supply the local demand. As soon, therefore, as the valleys were cleared
the attention of the inhabitants was principally engrossed in agriculture, and
mills were established and operated largely to supply their necessities. The
first saw-mill in town was erected by James Wait on Cold Spring creek about
1827. On this stream another was built by James Brown in 1830 and still
another by Lyman Giles about 1840. Following this a number of other saw-
mills have been started in convenient localities from time to time. Nathan
Bennett erected a tannery on lot 59 in 182 1 which he subsequently removed
to Napoli Corners, where it was finally purchased by Thomas Carter and
eventually discontinued.
8i6 History of Cattaraugus -County.
Dairying is carried on extensively; it has become the chief source of reve-
nue to the average farmer. Since about 1870 cheese manufacturing has been the
most important branch of this industry and cheese factories of large capacity
have been erected in convenient localities. Eben Sibley started one in 1870
and Anson Goodspeed another in 1875. Charles Darling erected the Spring
Valley factory in 1878. It is now owned by William T. Peaslee & Son. Ma-
ple sugar is also manufactured in considerable quantities.
The first highway in Napoli was surveyed by James McGlashan, April 22,
1823, and began " at a stake on the line between lots 34 and 35, in township
three, range eight, and in the center of the north and south road, near Timo-
thy Butler's; thence ran east eighteen chains; thence north to the Jamestown
road." Ten other roads were surveyed and laid out the same year. Along
or near the banks of Cold Spring creek, beginning at the Allegheny river, ran
an old Indian trail, which, before the settlers arrived, was merely a footpath.
It passed into New Albion and thence to Niagara Falls and Canada, and over
it Governor Blacksnake once made on foot a flying visit to Buffalo.
A school was taught in 1819 by Fannie Boardman and a year or two later
a log school house was erected on lot 42, the first teacher in it being Phineas
Noble. In 1823 school districts were formed and in 1824 these were subdi-
vided. In 1838 there were six whole and four fractional districts and the num-
ber of scholars was 420, the amount paid towards the maintenance of these
schools being $385.45. In 1892 the town had seven school districts, in which
the same number of teachers were employed, the aggregate attendance being
199 scholars. The valuation of the school property amounted to §3,305 and
the assessed valuation of the districts for school purposes $363,476. The
amount of money received from the State was $863.38 and from local taxa-
tion $1,168.59.
The first cemetery in town is that located at Napoli Corners, the land for
which was donated in 1820 by Maj. Timothy Butler, whose son was" the first
person buried therein. About 1859 ^^ association was formed which has
charge of the grounds. The Union Cemetery Association was organized July
15, 1844. Their burial plat is situated on lot 60 near Elm creek. A plat of
ground on lot 38 was set apart for burial purposes and donated by William
Champlin about 1845. The Maple Grove Cemetery was opened in 1836 with
Silas Miller and Nathaniel Burbanks as trustees. It is situated on lot 13.
Napoli, locally known as Napoli Corners, is the only village in town. It
is situated on lot 35, a little south of the center of the township, and contains
a postoffice, three churches, a school house, hotel, public hall, the usual com-
plement of stores, shops, etc., and about twenty dwellings. The postoffice
was established in 1827 with Timothy Everett as postmaster. Among his
successors have been Ashbel Bushnell, Orris Marsh, Silas Miller, George Shan-
non, Silas Earle, and A. T. Palmer. The first physician to locate in the town
was Dr. Phineas F. Noble, who settled here in 1820. Two other prominent
Town of Napoli. • 817
medical practitioners who lived at this place were Drs. Elijah Harmon and
Samuel S. Wilcox.
Owensburg was a postoffice established in the north part of the town about
1825 with Abel B. Hobart as postmaster, and the mail was carried by John A.
Kinnicutt. It vvas removed to the Seely neighborhood in 1827 and took the
name of Seelysburg with John Latham as postmaster, whose successors were
Amasa Bushnell, Cyrus Thatcher, Erastus L. Barrett, Lewis Thorp, and
Samuel Fairlee. Mr. Fairlee took the office to Elm creek in Conewango and
it was finally discontinued.
East Randolph, lying partly in the southwest corner of Napoli, will be
noticed at length in the chapter devoted to Randolph.
Religious services were held in Napoli by Rev. John Spencer, the Congre-
gational missionary from Connecticut, as early as 1821, in which year he or-
ganized here the First Congregational church of Cold Spring with these mem-
bers: Maj. Timothy Butler and wife, Dr. Phineas F. Noble and wife, William
Foy and wife, Nathan Bennett and wife, Harlow Butler, Peter Beardsley,
and Betsey Moran. The meeting organizing this society convened at the
dwelling of Timothy Boardnian, and Artemus Houghton and Sargeant Morrill
were chosen the first deacons. April 21, 1823, the "First Congregational
Society in the town of Cold Spring" was organized for the purpose of build-
ing a house of worship and in 1824 a log structure was erected on lot 42. In
1825 the society was dissolved and November 9, 1826, it was re-organized.
At this time it had twenty-one members; in 1834 they numbered 107. Octo-
ber 5, 1869, the name of the society was changed from Cold Spring to Napoli,
and as such it was legally incorporated. Their present church was built in
1870, cost about $4,000, will seat 300 people, and with the grounds, etc., is
valued at about $5,000. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Humphrey.
The First Baptist church of Napoli was organized with thirteen members in
1826. It is of Calvanistic belief. The first deacon was George Wait and the
first clerk was Philip Lyon. The first pastor was Rev. Jonathan Blake and
the first accession was Mrs. Gordon Chesborough. Two other early pastors
were Rev. W. Winsorand B. Brayman, and during the pastorate of the latter
a house of worship was erected at a cost of about $2,000, which is the present
value of the church property. It will seat 300 people. The Napoli Baptist
Society was organized January 21, 1840, and re-organized March 18, 1870. It
now has forty members, who are without a pastor.
A Freewill Baptist society was organized June 14, 1831, by Rev. Hiram
Whitcher, which, on J une 10, 1 848, became the First Freewill Baptist church of
East Randolph, in which village a house of worship was erected and opened in
1849. ^^ extended sketch of this church appears in Randolph town history.
On page 765 of this volume Charles Z. Lincoln, Esq., contributes a concise
sketch of early Methodism in southwestern Cattaraugus, which practically in-
cludes the history of the earliest classes in this town, then a part of Little
103
8i8 History of Cattaraugus County.
Valley. Rev. Samuel Gregg is authority for the statement that a small class
was formed in Napoli as early as 1820. This method of organization was con-
tinued until January 17, 1834, when the First Methodist Episcopal church of
Napoli was formed. From the best information at command it is evident that
this society was re-organized September 2, 1868, by Rev. J. S. Stocker with
about forty members. A house of worship was erected the same year, at a
cost of some $3,000, and dedicated by Rev. W. F. Day on January 14, 1869.
It will seat 300 people and with other property is valued at about $2,000.
The present pastor is Rev. J. Hamilton.
The Wesleyan Methodists have a regularly organized society, but at pres-
ent are without a settled pastor. Their property is valued at about $500.
Henry Allen was born in Rhode Island and 'came to Napoli at the age of
sixty years, remaining until his death aged ninety. Children : Henry, Whit-
man, Daniel, Amy, Louisa, and Samuel. Samuel Allen, born in Rhode Island
in 1809, married Susan Cottrell, who died here aged eighty-six. They had one
son, Samuel C. He married, second, Deborah Bryant, who died Feb. 4, 1880,
leaving a son, Ora. His third wife was Ida Chapman, by whom he has chil-
dren Norman M. and Henry. He resides on the homestead. Samuel Allen
served as supervisor of Napoli in 1868 and 1869. In his early manhood he was
a sea captain and after coming to Napoli he was a cattle drover and lumber-
man. He built the first foundry in East Randolph and ran it several years.
He finally removed to Salamanca, where he built a fine residence and died.
Rev. Thomas Arnold, born Nov. 21, 1802, came to Napoli in 1832. He
married, in 1821, Rebecca Ladow (born Nov. 28, 1803), and had born to him
eleven children : Betsey, Polly Ann, Jerome, Fidelia, Andrew, Susan, Lapan-
tha, Rachel (Mrs. Charles Morse), of Cold Spring, Mary, Lorinda, and Lizzie.
Mr. Arnold was a carpenter, farmer, and preacher. For over fifty years he
was a minister of the gospel. He died in Randolph, Aug. 2, 1883, and his wife
July 10, 1882. They left over seventy grandchildren.
Elijah Boardman was among the first settlers in Napoli, coming thence
from Otisco, N. Y., where he was born. He was a deacon of the Presbyterian
church at Napoli Corners, which society he was largely instrumental in organ-
izing. Children : Alanson, Mariah, Dolly, Timothy, and Nelson. Nelson
Boardman, a native of Otisco, was born in 1810, came to this town with his
parents, and died in Salamanca in 1884. His wife was Filena Janes, who sur-
vives him ; children : Alonzo, Virena, Sophronia, Alphonzo J., and Eleanor.
Alphonzo J. enlisted Aug. 17, 1861, in Co. B, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was dis-
charged in Sept., 1862. His mother's father, Jotham Pratt, served in the
Revolutionary war. Mr. Boardman was born in Napoli, Aug. 16, 1838, and
Dec. 25, 1863, married Martha Boardman, who died Aug. 14, 1888, leaving one
son, Frank. His second wife is Nellie Gray. He is a farmer.
Amasa Bushnell, son of Daniel Bushnell, who served on Washington's staff
in the Revolutionary war, was born in Granby, Conn., in 1765. Coming to
Napoli in 1826 he wielded a strong, healthy influence for good among the
pioneer settlers, and was both a farmer and a carpenter. He died in Aug.,
1841. His wife, Prudence Holcomb, died May i, 1858; children: Betsey,
Nancy, James, Josiah, Amasa, Prudence, Ashbel, Chauncey, Nancy, 2d, and
Elias. The last named married Sarah Newell, who was born in 181 2 ; chil-
dren : Harriet and Ella C. She died Nov. 4, 1861, and he married, second,
Town of Napoli. . 819
Cynthia Bennett ; children : Hattie and Nellie. Mr. Bushnell's brother Amasa
was supervisor of Napoli in 1850, and of this town Elias himself is one of its
oldest living residents. Another brother, Ashbel, was a popular citizen and an
active politician,, and represented the town on the Board of Supervisors in
1 841, 1842, and 1864. The two opened a store on Bushnell flats at an early
day, and alone' he started a hotel at the Corners in 1831.
Joseph Champlin, a soldier in the Revolution and in the War of 1812, was
killed in a railroad accident near Utica, N. Y. He was an active man and a
farmer, and reared seven children. Samuel Champlin, his son, a native of
Rhode Island, also served in the War of i8i2,\vasa farmer, and for over sixty
years was a prominent member of the Baptist church. Both he and his wife
(Betsey Babcock) died in Rhode Island. They had eight children, of whom
Erastus G., born Nov. 24, 1826, came to Napoli in i860. May 20, 1849, he
married Amy A. Kenyon, who was born April 30, 1S29; children: George and
Frank. The latter married Mary Morrill, who died March 1 1, 1892 ; his second
wife is Grace Folts. George married Emma Bushnell, and has been town clerk.
James Congdon, 3d, a farmer, a merchant, a Quaker, and a Revolutionary
soldier, was born and died in Rhode Island. His son Benjamin had four chil-
dren, of whom William H. K. Congdon came to Napoli in 1841. He was born
Sept. 12, 1818, and April 6, 1843. married Elizabeth M. Miller, who was born
Jan. I, 1826, a daughter of Joseph H. and Mariah (Boardman) Miller; chil-
dren: Benjamin F., Joseph M., William H., Florence M., Charles E., and Si-
las S. Joseph Miller came to this town in 1820. James G. Congdon, another
son of Benjamin, married Lucy M., daughter of Harmon Beers, and for
twenty-si.x j'ears has been a farmer on the Hillman farm.
Rufus Davenport settled in Conewango in 1829, where he died Jan. 10,
1884. He was a farmer and a shoemaker, a soldier of the War of 18 12, and a
son of William Davenport, a Vermonter. From his marriage with a daughter
of Simeon Hall these children were born: Ebenezer, Calvin, Betsey, William
C, Sylvia, George, Sally, Rufus, Xabbie, and Marshall, of whom William C,
born Nov. 30, 1814, came to Cattaraugus county with his father, and on No-
vember I, 1840, married Elnora Harvey, who was born Jan. 28, 1823. Chil-
dren: Ann, George, Perry, Rollin W., Frank P., and Bertie. Mr. Davenport
is a shoemaker and carpenter.
Samuel Foy was born in Vermont on Aug. 7, 1804. At the age of fifteen
he came with his mother to Napoli, where he cleared a farm near East Ran-
dolph village. There were at this time (in 1819) but three other families in
Napoli. In 1827 Mr. Foy married Harriet Morton, who died June 17, 1835,
leaving four children: Juliette, Martha, Ara, and Harriet. His second wife
was Nancy Huntington, who died April 28, 1882; the children by her were
Mary, Clarinda, Laura, Dorus, Emily, and Ella. He died Sept. 20, 1890. Ara
Foy was born June 7, 1833, and Oct. 16, 1856, married Clara Hall, who was
born in Randolph, Dec. 20, 1829; children: Louis, Mary, Joel H., and Edith.
Mr. Foy served in Co. E, 9th N. Y. Cav., and was discharged June 26, 1865.
John Frary was a native of New England and a soldier in the War of
1812. He came to Napoli in 1820, where he partially cleared three farms, and
died in 1857; his wife, Rachel Crooks, died here in 1865. Their son, John
Frary, preceded them to this town by one year and died Aug. 10, 1889. Several
descendants of the family still reside in the county.
Henry W. Glover, son of Ezra and Annie (Cook) Glover, died Aug. 14,
1873. His wife was Emily Lyon, whom he married Sept. 22, 1835. She was
820 History of Cattaraugus County.
a daughter of Abel and Nancy (Finney) Lyon, and was born in Milford, N. Y.,
March 4, 1822. Abel Lyon was a native of Woodstock, Conn., and came to
Napoli in 1840, dying finally at Salamanca at the age of eighty-nine years.
Besides Emily his children were Angeline, Walter, Moses, Elihu, Clarissa,
Giles, Ezra, Electa, Calista, Deloss, and Frederick. The children of Henry
W. and Emily Glover were Josephine (deceased), George W. L., James G.,
Emily V., Henry W. (deceased), Cora A., and Willie. James G. Glover mar-
ried Eva, daughter of Wilber Rose. Mrs. Emily Glover resides on the home-
stead. Lafayette Glover served as supervisor of Napoli in 1889 and 1890.
David Gray was born in the eastern part of the State on April 26, 1807,
came to Napoli soon after his marriage with Lorina Warner, and died May
10, 1845. He was an energetic man, a farmer, and a miller. Children : Bet-
sey C, Mary E., Nathan W., Samuel W^, George R., David O., Harriet A.,
and Eliza. George R. Gray was born Aug. 19, r839. •'^s "^ private he served
in Co. E, 154th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged in 1865. He married Sarah
R. Miner, July 3, 1866, who was born in Napoli, May 26, 1846, a daughter of
Eliel T. and Sarah E. Miner; children : Emily R., Nellie E., Bertha L., Lida M.
Esek Harris, son of Oliver, who died in Collins, N. Y., about 1835, was
born in Rutland county, Vt., March 4, 1800, and died in Collins in July, 1855.
His wife, Susan Pratt, died in 1856. Children: Edwin, Lurania, Erastus, Lu-
cinda, Cordelia, Betsey, Alice, Albert, and Warren S. Warren S. Harris, born
Aug. 5, 1824, married Jane M. Clark ; children : Charles C, Ursula E., Ralph M.,
Luella C, Edwin L., Myra A., Carrie E., and George E. He has resided for
seventeen years on the farm first settled by Peter Beardsley. Edwin L. Har-
ris married Jennie, daughter of H. P. Herrick, and has a daughter, Eva.
Thomas Hoxie was the son of a Quaker minister, Samuel by name, and
was born and died in Rhode Island. A son, Stephen, born March 16, 1814,
came to Napoli in 1839 ^"'^ '^^'^'^^ here Feb. 6, 1881. The year preceding his
arrival he married Mary Stanton ; children : Charles R., Sarah S., Mary E.,
John S., and Thomas S. The latter was born Jan. 4, 1851, and in 1869 mar-
ried Lydia E. Clark; children: Mary E., William S., and Rosa M. (deceased).
Benjamin Jones, a native of Wales, came to Monroe county at an early
day, and moved thence to Canada, where he died. Of his children Matthew
was born in Monroe county and in 18 16 married Lucy Baker, who died in
Canada ; children : Lucy, Mary, Henry, Lena, Magdalene, Phebe, Albert, Ly-
man, Harriet, Matthew, Anson, and Orren N. Orren N. Jones was born July
19, 1820. Oct. j8, 1842, he married Percy C. Frasier, of Ontario county, and
has been a farmer in Napoli twenty-seven years. Children ; William W.,
Lucy A., Harvey J., Clarissa F., Mary L., and William M.
Abram Lowe served in the War of i8i2 and came to Leon at an early
day, dying there in 1850. He married Catharine Bigler, who also died in
Leon. Children: Abram, Jr., Richard, Nicholas, Peter, and Polly. Peter
Lowe, born in Ovid, N. Y., in 1813, married Harriet Franklin; children: Ed-
ward, Abram, Manford, Polly, Betsey, Minerva, Delia, Ida, and James.
James Lowe was born Aug. 21, 1832, and March 13, 1858, married Almira
Fuller, who died May 7, i860, leaving a son, Emerson, born May 6, i860.
He married, second, Prutia Palmer, who died March 12, 1877; children : Mel-
vin R., Martin J., and Minnie A. His third wife is Mrs. Annie M. Lovvrey,
daughter of Ira Sibley.
Thomas Marsh was born June 27, 1754, in Douglass, Mass., where he died.
He had nine children, of whom Jesse was a Revolutionary soldier, enlisting
Town of Napoli. . 821
at the age of sixteen. Of the latter's eleven children Orris was born July 29,
1806, in Dover, Vt., and came to Napoli in 1832. He married Betsey E.
Eames, of Carroll, N. Y. ; children: Emily E., Fayette D., and H. Louise.
Emily E. married S. A. Newell and has three children. Mr. Marsh is the
only survivor of the Marsh family in Napoli, once so prominent in the town's
history. For nineteen years he was a merchant at the Corners and for three
terms served as postmaster; for twenty-three years he was supervisor of Na-
poli, serving from 1856 to 1863 consecutively, his first term being the year
1838 and his last one 1878. His brother, Parley Marsh, held the office for
this town in 1833 and 1836 and for Cold Spring in 1847. Orris Marsh, during
his active life, was one of the town's most influential citizens. In old age
and retired life he enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of
friends, and has the distinction of being third in extent of service in the list
of supervisors of the county;
Benjamin Milks was a son of John and Annie (Wait) Milks, early pioneers
and prominent citizens of Napoli. John Milks was supervisor of the town
in 1840. He came here from Cambridge, N. Y., when the county was a
wilderness, and, like others, reclaimed a portion to cultivated fields. The
widow of Benjamin Milks survives and makes her home on the original Milks
farm. She has several children settled who bear the family name with honor.
Prince Milks, son of Jonathan and a native of Washington county, was an
early settler in Napoli. He married Elizabeth Philbrick, of Cardiff, N. Y. ;
children: Luther P., Elizabeth, Frances, and Ruth. Mr. Milks died in Day-
ton in 1880. Luther P. was born in Cardiff and -came to this town in 18.50,
where he died Feb. 26, 1893. Nov. 22, 1859, he married Mary A. Williams,
who was born in Leon on July 23, 1839; children : Abbie, Archie B., William
A., and Olin R. Mrs. Milks survives and resides on the homestead.
Daniel Nicholas, son of Josiah and Nancy A. (Wilkinson) Nicholas and
grandson of Daniel, was born in Massachusetts, Nov. 24, 1800, came with his
parents to Henrietta, N. Y., where his father died Aug. 27, i82i,and removed
thence to Napoli in 1825. Here he died April 26, 1883. ]iy his wife, Lydia
Bishop, whose death occurred Sept. 2, 1859, he had these children : Daniel F.,
Josiah N., Jerry B., Mary A., Laura L., Sarah A., Lafayette W., Solomon F.,
Horace Y., Caroline S., Sarinda, and H. Estella. Daniel F. Nicholas, born
Dec. 5, 1819, came to this town with his father, and April 25, 1859, married
Fanny W. Hatch; children: Lydia M. and Emilie A. Solomon Nicholas, a
brother of the Daniel first named, was a colonel in the old State militia and a
prominent man in the ea^'ly settlement of Randolph. The family is des-
cended from F'rancis Nicholas, his being one of the seventeen families com-
posing the original colony at Stratford, Conn., in 1639.
Asa Palmer, after living many years in Genesee county, came to Napoli,
where he died about 1830, and where the death of his wife also occurred.
Children: Ru.ssell, William, Jason, Sally, Laura, Sophia, and Alma. William
Palmer came to this town in 1820 and died here in 1843. ^^'^ ^'^^ ^^^
Eunice Gray, who died in 1839. They reared three children A. T. Palmer
was supervisor of Napoli in 1872 and 1873.
John Peaslee, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., was one of the pioneer
settlers of Napoli who imparted to the young community a strength of char-
acter and energy that is still potent in the present generation. He was born
Oct. 7, 1779. He left many descendants who imbibed his sterling ciualitie« of
heart and mind, and transmitted them to their posterity. He died, on f he lo t
History of Cattaraugus County.
on which he settled, March 17, 1863. His wife died Dec. 20, 1857. A son,
Joseph Peaslee, was supervisor of Napoli in 1855, 1866, 1876, and 1877.
John Ropps was born in Plymouth, Mass., in 1799, of Scotch ancestry, and
when a mere lad served in the War of 1812-15. In 1855 he came to Cone-
wango, where he died aged fifty-nine, running a grist-mill on Elm creek three
years previously. He married Lucretia Hall, who died in Massachusetts ;
children : John D., William, Mary A., Phebe, Lewis H., Eleanor, and Mariah.
Lewis H. Ropps was born in Easton, Mass., June 30, 1837. Coming to Cone-
wango with his father in 1855 he married, June 15, 1859, Mary S. Gardner,
who was born in this town July 25, 1840 ; children : Annie J. and George W.
The latter was born Nov. 6, 1863, and in 1885 married Luella J. Hitchcock, a
native of Conewango. Their children are Ruth A., Lewis E., and Ellen B.
Lewis H. Ropps is a farmer and a carpenter. He is a breeder of fine Holstein-
Friesian cattle, having at the present time ten cows and one bull Macaulay,
all registered. In this specialty Mr. Ropps takes much laudable pride.
Charles Sibley, son of John and Esther (Bellamy) Sibley, was born July 4,
1 801, and married Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer Darling, who was born Feb.
15, 1798, and who died Feb. 21, 1885 ; children : Harriet, Sherman, Charlotte,
Amanda, Horace C, Orrin, Eben, Amenzo, and Judson. Judson Sibley was
born May 30, 1826, and Oct. i, 1850, married Ann E. Miller, who died June
26, 1889; children: Ella A. and Herbert. He married, second, Helen Wil-
cox. Charles Sibley came to this town in 1842 from Otsego county and died
Dec. 4, 1869. Eben Sibley, born July 20, 1831, served as supervisor of Napoli
in 1874, 1875, and 1880. Judson Sibley has served one term as superintend-
ent of common schools and has taught school twenty terms. Ira Sibley, a son
of John, married Polly Hazen ; children : Ira. Levi, Cyrus, Rhoda, and Edgar
and Edmond (twins). He married, second, Mrs. Maranda Gowen, daughter of
Stephen Sprague; children: Emily, Eliza J., Matilda, Annie M., and Susan.
Annie M. married James Lovvrey, who died in 1876.
Zalmon Smith, who was born, in Connecticut, died in 1846 in Enterprise,
Mo. His son Ira, born in Bridgeport, Conn., June 8, 1793, carhe to Randolph
in 1828, and died there in 1879. He married Eliza Wilcox in 1819 and had
born to him these children: Juliette, Janette, Myron, Ira, Elizabeth, Lucy,
Henry, Oren, and Zalmon. Zalmon Smith was born in Rochester, Dec. 26,
1822, and came to Napoli in 1855. In Sept., 1841, he married Mary, daughter
of Jotham Metcalf, of Conewango, and their children are David T., Ellen M.,
Emma A., Jotham M., Delia H., and Lillian E. Delia H. Smith married Orey
Wells, who died Oct. 7, t 881, leaving one son, Leo J. (deceased). She married,
second, Lewis Barber. Zalmon Smith enlisted Aug. 26, 1862, in Co. E, 9th
N. Y. Cav., and served to the close of the war. Lewis Barber enlisted Dec.
24, 1863, in Co. K, [4th N. Y. H. A., was wounded at Weldon Railroad, lost
his hearing at the mine explosion in front of Petersburg, and was discharged
Aug. 26, 1865. David T. Smith enlisted in Aug., 1861, in Co. E, 9th N. Y.
Cav., was wounded at Brandy Station, and was discharged in Aug., 1864. John
Ash, father of Mrs. Jotham Metcalf, was a Revolutionary soldier and Jotham
Metcalf served in the War of 1812.
Walter Thorp, son of David and Sarah (Morehouse) Thorp, was born Jan.
26, 1795, and died Nov. i, 1872. He represented Cold Spring (then including
Napoli) on the Board of Supervisors in 1824, 1825, and 1826, and Napoli from
1828 to 1S32 inclusive and again in 1834. The family were prominent settlers.
Jonathan J. Whipple, son of Joseph and Betsey (Finch) Whipple, married,
Town of New Albion. • 823
in 1 841; Susan Tracy, of New Albion ; children : Joseph, Porter, and George
W. George W. Whipple, born at Little Valley, June 21, 1842, married, Sept.
20, 1866, Mary S., daughter of James Gage, and has had children Ida I.,
Annie M., Asher P., Charles J., Hattie, and Pattie M. Annie M. married F.
Beardsley, of East Randolph. George W. Whipple enlisted Oct. 9, 1861, in
Co. F, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged Oct. 9, 1864. He was a prisoner
in Belle Isle six months and is now a pensioner. Jonathan J. Whipple was an
early settler in Little Valley, where he cleared a farm, and also another in Cold
Spring, and was extensively engaged in driving cattle-.
Ralph Williams, a descendant of Roger Williams and a native of Massa-
chusetts, came to Conewango in 1825, cleared a farm, and died at the home of
his son in Cold Spring in 1875. He married Sally Bishop, who died at Steam-
burgh also in 1875. Children: Alzerah, Bishop, Loren, William W., Alvah,
and Frederick R. The latter, born June 30, 1820, came to Napoli in 1857,
and the same year married Roena Burbanks, who died aged forty-three. He
married, second, Ophelia D. Sloan ; children : Ralph L. and Edith M. He is
a farmer on the place he has occupied thirty-two years, being the first settler
on Amos hill.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NEW ALBION.
NEW ALBION, the fourth township north from the south line of the
State, in range eight, contains 22,988 acres as surveyed by the Hol-
land Land Company. It was formed from Little Valley on Febru-
ary 23, 1830. A few years before this several pronninent families from Orleans
county had settled here and New Albion was named from Albion in the
county they had left. The surface of the town is high and hilly and occupies
a part of the "dividing ridge." From the summit of Tug hill a grand pano-
rama of the surrounding country is displayed and a distinct view of Lake Erie
can be had. The town is well watered by small brooks and by numerous
springs. The streams in the northern part flow into the south, branch of
Cattaraugus creek, while those in the southwestern part find an outlet into the
east branch of the Conewango. The soil is fertile and produces abundant crops
of excellent hay and furnishes fine pasturage, which is mainly consumed by
dairies. Remunerative crops of Indian corn and other grain are also raised.
Fi '^ is successfully cultivated and the manufacture of maple sugar receives
considerable attention. The town is bounded on the nortfi by Persia and
Otto, on the east by Mansfield, on the south by Napoli, on the west by Leon.
A squatter named Matthew Dimmick, who settled in 1818 on lot 57, is
credited with building the first shanty in New Albion for a white man's habi-
tation, but he did not remain long nor did he make much improvement on
824 History of Cattaraugus. County.
the place. James Goddard the same year settled on lot 9 and was the first
permanent settler in town. He opened his lug house as a tavern and kept
hotel until 1830. Robert Guy, from Otsego county in 1822, settled on the
main road to the west. He purchased the interest of David Hammond and
built a log house for a tavern. He was a prominent man. Judge Benjamin
Chamberlain resided on lot i in 1818. In 1824 he sold his improvements to
Leicester Tracy, the first supervisor of New Albion in 1830. Jonathan Kin-
nicutt settled on lot 18 the next year. He came from Montgomery county.
The same year David Hill came from the same county and settled on lot 18.
He later removed to Gowanda. Smith Waterman came about the same time,
settled on lot 25, sold to Robert Champlin, and moved to Perry. John A.
Kinnicutt came from Rensselaer county and settled on lot 18 on January 12,
1 82 1. The town was then a part of Little Valley and Mr. Kinnicutt was a
justice of the peace in that town ; he was the first town clerk of New Albion.
Other prominent settlers of the town from 182 1 to 1830 were Jeremiah May-
bee in 1822; Horace Snyder in 1825; William Buffington m 1826; William
Travis, a son-in-law, who settled near Mr. Buffington; John S. Harvey, who
had eighty acres of cleared land in 1838 and was then the largest farmer in
town; Isaac Rice, who was one of the first justices, and who mysteriously
disappeared while on a business trip down the Allegheny river; J. H. and
S. B. Herrick, who settled on lot 4 about 1826; and Robert Champlin on lot
33 the same year. Abram Day made a home on lot 34 and was keeper of the
light-house at Dunkirk in General Jackson's administration. Calvin Hartwell
came from Orleans county in 1826 and Calvin Rich from the same county in
1828. Mr. Rich was one of the most prominent men of the town. His
brother Arad settled near him. James and Warren Barnard came from the
same place. Charles Sibley, who settled on lot 44, built the first grist-mill in
town. The Ross and Payne families and Jacob Smith all came before 1830.
Nicholas Everts, James and Jonathan B. Jewell, Daniel H. Powell, and
Thomas J. Waters were all early pioneers of New Albion. Hon. Horace C.
Young settled on lot 41 in May, 1832. where he spent the rest .of his life.
Primitive saw-mills were constructed on the streams in different neighbor-
hoods which had water enough to run them. Matthew Nealy erected a mill in
1834 on a branch of Cattaraugus creek on lot 29. John Jones was the next
mill proprietor. William Kendall built a saw-mill on lot 35 quite early. This
was operated by Solomon G. Wright, who built for himself, near the mill, a
residence which was so unusual in shape and design that his neighbors called
it "Solomon's Temple," a name it still bears. Charles Sibley built the
first grist-mill in the town in 1836, on a branch of Conewango creek, which
served the settlers about twenty years. James Goddard kept the first tavern
on lot I. He is supposed to have opened his house to travelers as early as
1820. The first white children born in town were Robia A. and Avis C, twin
daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kinnicutt, in April, 1819. The first wed-
Town of New Albion. 825
ding was solemnized by a Methodist minister in 1824, the contracting parties
being Noel Hopkins and Sally Simmons. The first death in town was that of
a daughter of Noah Drew. James Goddard, who died in 1830, was the first
adult who departed this life in New Albion.
The first town meeting was held at the house of John A. Kinnicutt, March
2 and 3, 1830, and made choice of a full set of town ofificers : Leicester Tracy,
supervisor; John A. Kinnicutt, town clerk; John A. Kinnicutt, Isaac Rice,
Calvin Rich, Abram Day, justices of the peace; Josiah Pierce, Isaac Rice,
William Ross, assessors ; James Maybee, collector ; Timothy Guy, Noah Hig-
bee, Isaac P. Wood, James Maybee, constables; James Buffington, James
Williams, "Arad Rich, commissioners of highways; William Buffington, Will-
iam Higbee, Leicester Tracy, school commissioners ; Comfort E. Sumner, Cal-
vin Rich, John A. Kinnicutt, school inspectors; Robert Guy, Timothy Gowan,
overseers of the poor. The supervisors, town clerks, and justices of the peace
since 1830 are as follows:
SupciTi.foi-.s.— Leicester Tracy, 1830 ; Calvin Kich, 1631-36 ; John S. Harvey, 1837 ; Byron Graham, 1838-
42, l&tt : Horace C. Young, lS4;i. 1845-48 : William Buffington, Jr., 1849-50, im ; John Mosher, 1851-52 : Alson
Leavenworth, ia5:j-54 ; John P. Darling, 1855-56, 1858, 1860-61, 1863, 1865, 1867, 1875 ; Martin Hardenburg, 1&59 :
Hiram Kumsey, 1862; John Kinnicutt, 1861; Bolivar R. Lamb, 18«<), 1871 ; Horatio N. Babb, 1868 ; Eugene A.
Nash, 1869 70, 1873-74; T. L. Ten Eyck, 1872: Sylvester W. Cox, 1876; Gilbert Milks, 1877 ; Wilber ./. Manley,
1878-79; Herbert C. Rich, 18>iO-81 ; A. E. Snyder, ]aS2-83; Francis M. .Mosher, 18*t-a5; George Lattin, 1886-87;
San ford F. Burger, 1888-89; Charles J. Rich, JfflO; D. H. Carroll, 1891-92; William E. Mosher, 1893.
Tdwn CItrtfs.— John A. Kinnicutt, 1830-34, 1836 4.5, 1847-48; Thomas J. Waters, 1835; Josiah Whitcomb,
1816; Reuben J. Waters, 18t9-.52; Charh s Kendall, 1853; John Cooper, 18.54; Whitney Jewell, 1855; Hiram
Ramsey, 1856-.57, 1859, 1866-67; L. H. Multbie, 18.58, 1860; Elisha L. Johnson, 1861-&5, 1868-69; Hiram N. Her-
rick, 1870; William C. Mdxson, 1871; Ezra Hunton, 1872-74; Marion J. Kich, 1875-76; George Hunton, 1877;
Tompkins L. Ten Eyck, 1878; Daniel E. Powell, 1879; Ara E. Mosher, 1880 82; Sanford F. Burger, 18.83-86;
Walton F. Andrews, 1887-88; Orlando White, 1889 ; Hollen W. Rich, 1890 91, 1893; J. H. Sigman, 1892.
Jusdccs I)/ (he Pence— 1831, Comfort E.Sumner, Linus Sutliff; 1832, Isaac Rice; 1833, Charles Sibley, Cal-
vin Hall ; WM, Horace C. Young ; 18.35, John A. Kinnicutt, Calvin Hall ; 1836, Abram Matteson ; 1837, John
Mosher, Adonijah Burrell ; 18:38, John A. Kinnicutt, William Travis,' Robert Young ; 1839, Arad Rich ; 1840,
Calvin Hall; 1841, Solomon G. Wright; 1842, John A. Kinnicutt; 184.3, SethLane; 1844, Melzer Jones,. Arad
Rich ; 1845, William D. Cornell, Harrison Judd ; 1846, Levi W. Boardman ; 1847, John A. Kinnicutt ; 1848
Harrison Judd, Solomon G. Wright ; 1849, William D. Cornell ; 1850, Arad Rich ; 1851, Orrin Tubbs, Levi W.
Boardman; 18.52, Pliny L. Fox, Asa I'ranklin; 18.5:1, Warren liernard; 18.54, Beuteh Tarbox ; 185,5, John A.
Kinnicutt, Arad Kich, Jason Huntley; 18.56. Alson Leavenworth; 1857, Asa Pritchard, Allen Campbell ; 18.58,
William C. Mills, Melzer Jones; 18.59, John A. Kinnicutt, Zirari Howe, Daniel B'own; 1860, Jared Puddy;
1861, Arad Rich ; 1862, George Hunton ; 186:f, George A. Payne ; 1864, George Straight ; 1865, Arad Kich ; 1866,
Wilber F. Kinnicutt, George Hunton, Elias L. Matteson ; 1867, John A. Kinnicutt, John Russell; 1868, Truman
Mattock ; 1869, James H. Rider ; 1870, George Hunton ; 1871, Edwin Davis ; 1872, William P. Pflueger ; 1873,
Salmon L. Johnson; 1874, George Hunton; 1875, Edwin Davis; 1876, Salmon L. Johnson; 1877, George
Straight; 1878, George Hunton; 1879, Edwin Davis; 1880, Salmon L. Johnson, Myron Cookj 1881, George
Straight. Albert J. Eddy ; 1882, George Hunton ; 188:5, J. L. Higbee ;1884, Albert Eddy ; 1885, George Straight ;
1886, Edgar E. Waite ; 1887, George Hunton ; 1888, Albert Eddy ; 1889, Henry A. Locke ; 1890, Edgar E. Waite ;
1891, L. H. Northrup; 1892, Albert Eddy; 1893, Lewis W. Morgan.
The first settlers in this town largely preferred the hills to the valleys and
the first highways were made on the highlands. The old Chautauqua road is
an apt illustration. The early inhabitants on Snyder hill cut a road several
miles through the woods to a saw-mill in Skinner hollow. As the settlements
progressed roads have been opened in all parts of the town and are kept in
good condition. The Erie railroad, completed in 185 1, traverses the eastern
part of New Albion and has a station at Cattaraugus.
Schools were taught in New Albion several years before it was set off from
104
826 History of Cattaraugus 'County.
Little Valley. The first one was kept in the summer of 1823 by John Allen.
Francis Winchester taught one in the Buffington neighborhood in 1826. In
1830 the town had a population of 380 ; in 1850, 1,633 : '" ^^jo, 1,487; in 1890,
1,858. In 1892 there were seven school districts and schools were maintained
in each of them, and were taught by twelve teachers. The aggregate attend-
ance was 509. The school buildings and sites were valued at $19,100 ; the as-
sessed value of the districts was $637,835. The amount of public money
received from the State was $1,679.56 and by local tax $5,012.46.
Cattaraugus, the principal village of New Albion, is situated in the north-
ern part of the town about eight miles north of Little Valley. The business
part of the village is located on the hillside facing the southeast. As late as
1830 the entire site was a dense forest. In May, 1851, the railroad was com-
pleted and a station erected. The farm of Joseph Plumb embraced the terri-
tory, which he forever dedicated to temperance by inserting in the conveyance
of the lots which he had platted for the village a prohibitory clause, by the
terms of which the title is forfeited if intoxicating liquors are sold as a bever-
age on the premises and the property reverts to Mr. Plumb or his heirs.
After several years had elapsed a Mr. Tubbs began to openly sell liquors
on his property. Mr. Plumb entreated him to desist, but in vain. Plumb
commenced a suit to recover his lot, which was stubbornly contested by Tubbs
and his abettors to the Court of Appeals, where the decisions of the lower
courts in favor of Mr. Plumb were affirmed. Mr. Plumb magnanimously
deeded the reverted property to the family of Mr. Tubbs, who had involved
himself in debt in the struggle. Simultaneous with the building of the depot
was opened the store of Mr. Elliott and the faithful coadjutor of Mr. Plumb,
S. L. Johnson. A hotel was also opened to the public by William Buffing-
ton. In the same year M. F. Maltbie came and established business in the
manufacture and sale of clothing. The firm of Darling & Wilson opened a
general store in the fall of 1852. Other early merchants were Hiram Rumsey,
A. E. Leavenworth, L. D. Botsford, James Ferris, and Nathaniel Christie.
The village now contains three general stores, a hardware store, a jewelry
store, a drug store, two groceries, two merchant tailoring establishments, a
harness shop, two carriage shops, several dealers of various kinds, one weekly
> newspaper, a tannery, an edged-tool manufactory, a barrel and stave factory
and flouring-mill, a tin and sheet-iron manufactory, three lawyers, two physi
cians, a Union Free School and Academy, five churches, a bank, telegraph,
telephone, and express offices, two or three hotels, the usual complement of
shops, artisans, etc., and a population in 1890 of 878. The village is incorpor-
ated and the present ofificers are William Easton, president ; Fred Rich and
John Osborn, trustees ; Danford Rich, collector; F. E. Johnson, treasurer.
The postofSce was established with S. L. Johnson as postmaster in 1S51, and
in October, 1877, became a money order office. Cattaraugus has had one
sweeping cyclone and three fires. The severest fire occurred Sept. 5, 1S89.
%.-.
Town of New Albion. . 827
The Bank of Cattaraugus was organized as a private bank in 1882 and each
co-partner is individually liable. At its organization the bank had a paid up
capital of $11,000, which has been increased to §22,000. The first officers
were O. F. Beach, president; C. Moench, vice-president; H. E. Greene, cashier.
The present officers are S. S. Laing, president ; C. Moench, vice-president;
F. E. Johnson, cashier. The stockholders represent $400,000 capital. This
institution was re-organized as a State bank March 30, 1892.
The Cattaraugus Union Free School and Academy was organized from
school district No. i October 29, 1878. The first Board of Education — Rev.
J. L. Higbee, Dr. T. L. De Nike, Frank S. Oakes, Christopher Moench, and
John S. Gibbs— was awake to the advantages of education of the children of
their village and at once adopted a policy to make the school it was found-
ing an institution where the young might be thoroughly prepared to enter
any college in the country. At the opening of the school there were only 175
children of school age residing in the district and but three teachers were em-
ployed. The number of children has increased to 325 and the number of
teachers to seven. In 1888 the academic department was inaugurated and
placed under the supervision of the Regents of the University of the State of
New York. The first class graduated in 1891: Nellie Ethel Rich, Inez P.
Rich, L. Lena Lattin, and Clarence B. Farrar. A much larger class gradu-
ated the year following. During the school year of 1892-93 there were 300
pupils enrolled. Two students of the year are entitled to Regents' classical
diplomas and si.x to graduation. Thirty-nine non-resident pupils were in at-
tendance. In 1887 an imposing, well built, and convenient brick school
building was erected, which was burned February 20, 1893. The remainder of
the term was taught in rooms temporarily fitted up and the school was closed
but one day. The district soon unanimously voted the sum of $18,000 with
which to rebuild and refurnish, with library and apparatus, a new brick struc-
ture, which will be completed in time for the fall term. The site is situated
on high ground and surrounded by a beautiful maple grove.
Liberty Park Cemetery Association was incorporated Februar>- i, 1892,
with these officers: Albert Ten Eyck, president ; William Pflueger, vice-presi-
dent; D. W. Keeler, secretary; R. H. Maltbie, treasurer. The cemetery is
situated within the limits of the village and embraces about five acres, which
have been used as a burial place for some years. The present trustees are
J. H. Jewell, D. W. Keeler, O. C. Rich, and A. F. Sigman.
The little post village of New Albion, formerly known as H'orth's Corners,
is situated near the geographical center of the township and was for many
years the only business place in the town. It contains the hotel erected by
Erastus Horth, who kept the house many years and was succeeded by Thad
Cornell. Since then it has had numerous landlords. For many years the vil-
lage has maintained two stores, a saw-mill, and a cheese factory. Besides these
it now contains one church edifice and a population of about 100. Since the
§28 History of Cattaraugus County.
advent of the Erie railroad its business interests have materially decreased.
The postoffice was established as early as 1833 and the mail is now received
daily by carrier from Cattaraugus.
The Cattaraugus tannery in Cattaraugus village, the property of C. Aloench,
was originally built by Martin Hartenburg in 185 1. It was then a small con-
cern operated by two men. June 29, 1S65, Mr. Moench purchased it, several
times enlarged and improved it, and in June, 1888, the entire plant e.xcept the
dr}- house was consumed by fire. Mr. Moench immediately rebuilt and had
the present commodious building ready to resume business the ensuing Octo-
ber. The main building is 250x60 feet and the dry house is 1 10.X40 feet and
four stories high. A second dry house is used for finishing upper leather.
The business has been conducted by the firm of C. Moench & Son since July
I, 1SS9. From 1865 to 1880 the firm name was C. Moench & Co., and con-
sisted of C. Moench, of Cattaraugus, and Charles A. Gaensslen and Matthias
Gaensslen, of Chicago. From then until 1889 C. Moench conducted the busi-
ness alone. They now employ seventy-five men and are building an addition
to the tannery which will double its present capacity.
Ten Eyck Edge Tool Company, in Cattaraugus, was incorporated under
the laws of the State of New York on April 6, 18S3, and had their shops
erected and opened for business in July following. The officers at the organ-
ization were E. L. Johnson, president; L. H. Northrup, secretary; H. E.
Greene, treasurer ; Albert Ten Eyck, superintendent. The plant was consumed
by fire January 24, 1890, and immediately rebuilt, enlarged, and ready to re-
sume business in April. The company commenced with a capital of §20,000.
Their plant covers an area of 200.X40 feet, besides a convenient office and stor-
age building. The motive power is generated by an eighty horse-power boiler.
They manufacture axes, broada.xes, hatchets, and adzes, and employ fifty men.
Their annual output averages §50,000. The present officers are H. W. Hin-
man, president ; L. H. Northrup, secretary, treasurer, and manager; Albert
Ten Eyck, superintendent.
The Cattaraugus mills are located on Mill street on the railroad. The
motive power is furnished by an eighty horse-power engine. This plant com-
bines a grist-mill with two runs of stone, a circular saw-mill, planers and
matchers, machinery for the manufacture of barrels, and a shingle-mill, and
employs to twenty-five men. The mills are OAvned by S. L. & E. L. Johnson.
George M. Davis's saw-mill at New Albion was erected by Waite & Davis
in the fall of 1889 near the site of a mill built by Daniel Hawkins in 1873.
The property passed to Mr. Davis in 1879. Two mills have been burned on
the site, the last one being consumed in 1888. Mr. Davis is sole owner. • The
motive power is steam and the capacity is 12,000 feet of lumber per day.
The Methodist Episcopal denomination was the first religious societj- to
hold regular meetings in town. As early as 1 827 a Methodist class was formed
on Snyder hill by Rev. Joseph S. Barria, a preacher on the F'orest\ille circuit.
Town of New Albion.
The meetings were held at Horace Snyder's house — he being one of the mem-
bers of the class — until Calvin Rich settled there in 1S2S and built a larger log
house, when they convened at his dwelling the ensuing twenty years. The
quarterly meetings were sometimes held in barns. In 1S32 a Methodist
class was^ormed at Horth's Corners, now New Albion. This class now con-
tains twenty-five members and holds regular service in the Free Methodist
church alternate Sundays. Rev. O. G. iMcEntire, of Cattaraugus, is pastor.
January 8, 1S57, the Cattaraugus Methodist Episcopal Society was incor-
porated and Arad Rich, L. D. Botsford, Spencer Rich, Danford Rich, and
Ephraim Ford were chosen trustees. Their present church edifice was erected
in the village of Cattaraugus at a cost of §2,500. The Methodist class on
Snyder hill formed the nucleus of this church. In l S77 the title of the society
was changed to the '' Methodist Episcopal Society of the village of Cattarau-
gus." The house of worship has been enlarged and much improved and now
has a seating capacity for 500 persons. Anson Smith donated to the society a
fine parsonage with ample grounds, valued at §2,000, and Mary Rich has also
made it a valuable gift. The whole property is valued at §6.000. The church
now has 150 members and over 40 probationers with Rev. O. G. McEntire
as pastor. The large Sunday school is regularly attended.
A Freewill Baptist society was organized in the eastern part of the town
about 1840, which held meetings in the school house of the neighborhood
eight or ten years and disbanded.
The Christians organized a society simultaneously with the Freewill Bap-
tists and held their meetings in a log school house northeast of the village of
Cattaraugus, near the corner of the town. It existed only a few years.
The VVesleyan Methodist church of Cattaraugus was organized by Rev.
F. M. Mosher on March 8, 1880, with nine members. Rev. Mr. JMosher be-
came the first pastor. In 1880 the present house of worship was erected at a
cost of §1,000. The church now has si.xty-two members with Rev. S. Bedford
as pastor. The present value of the church property is §2,500. The edifice
will seat 200 people. The Sunday school has fifty-si.x scholars.
St. John's Lutheran church, located in the village of Cattaraugus, was
organized January- i, 1886, by Rev. W. E. Rommell, who was the first pastor.
It then consisted of twenty members and has increased to forty-two. In 1888
the first and present church edifice was erected of wood and has a seating
capacity for 350 persons. The church property is valued at §3,000. Rev. Lew
Ulmer is the present pastor. The Sunday school is attended by 15 or 20
scholars with William Pflueger as president and William Dietrich as secretary-.
The Free Methodist church, located in the village of New Albion, was or-
ganized in 1884 by Rev. Thomas Slocum with eight or nine members. The
church edifice was built of wood and dedicated July 4, 1S85, and will seat 140
people. The membership in 1892 was only three with si.x probationers. The
pastor was Rev. Joseph Thompson, of Cattaraugus. The Union Sunday school
St,o History of Cattaraugus County.
has forty-five scholars and seven teachers with Miss Ellen Bonard as superin-
tendent.
The Free Methodist church of North America, located in Cattaraugus vil-
lage, was organized in 1878 by Rev. Mr. Essex, who was its first pastor. It
originally had nine members, the present number being thirty-si.x with nine
probationers. The present pastor is Rev. G. M. Allen. In 1880 the society
erected their first and present house of worship at a cost of §1,500; this with
the grounds is valued at §1,200. This church maintains a Sunday school.
"St: Mary's church (Roman Catholic), of Cattaraugus, was incorporated De-
cember 12, 1863, the trustees being Rt. Rev. John Timon, Bishop of Buffalo;
Rev. F. N. Lester, vicar-general; Rev. John Baudenelli, pastor, residing at
Dunkirk; and Stephen O'Donnell and John Gordon, lay members. A plain
church edifice was erected. It is now a part of Dayton parish and Rev. Father
Nash is the parish priest.
Cattaraugus Lodge, No. 56, A. O. U. W., was instituted January 10, 1877.
The first officers were Thomas Babb, P. M. .W.; George P. Walters, M. W.;
William A. Co.x, F.; M. F. Leno.x, R. It now has thirty-five members.
Glen Lodge, No. 888, Knights of Honor, was instituted January 31, 1878,
with about thirty members. Thomas Babb was elected dictator and W. W.
Terry secretary. The present membership is thirty.
The Adams family in America are of English origin. Their ancestors set-
tled in Ouincy, Mass., in 1630. Henry Adams was the father of John Adams,
the second president of the United States. John Adams was the father of
John Ouincy Adams, "the old man eloquent" and also president. His son,
Charles Francis Adams, was the father of Charles Francis Adams, Jr. Henry
Adams, son of David, was born in Johnstown, N. Y., July 18, 1804, and was
a lineal descendant of Henry, of Quincy, Mass. Oct. 6, 1831, he married
Belinda Cowen, in Hanover, N. Y. She was born in Martinsburgh, Lewis
county, Nov. 17, 1806. Her father was a minuteman in the War of 1812.
Mr. Adams was a farmer in Hanover until the spring of 1837, when he re-
moved to Snyder hill in New Albion, where he died April 11, 18S5. He was
employed in digging the Erie canal, and he and his wife early united with
the M. E. church. He was first an old line Whig and later a Republican.
Mrs. Adams survives at the age of over eighty-five years. Children : Jane Ann,
born June 28, 1832, died May 4, 1850; Marcellus, born Feb. 5, 1834, of Stur-
gis, Mich.; Martha M. (Mrs. Job Benson), of New Albion, died in 1876; Mar-
cena, born Aug. 20, 1838, married Hiram H. Luce, Oct. 23, 1856, who died
in April, 1862, at Fortress Monroe; Persis J., born Jan. 17, 1841, married
George W. Webster, of Big Rapids. Mich.; Marquis Dela, born March 23,
I S43, married Mrs. Alice (Crowell) Jaquay, and remains on the homestead;
and John H., born Aug. 29, 1845, ^ farmer in Tyrone, Mich.
John G. Ackerman, son of John G. and Barbara (Benlare) Ackerman, was
born in Concord, N. Y., May 2, 1856. His parents were born in Germany,
where they were married. They came to America when Buffalo was a small
city. The father died when John G. was seventeen and the latter removed
from Hdmburg to Otto very soon after. There he learned the tailor's trade.
In the spring of 1886 he came to Cattaraugus and became a merchant tailor.
Town of New Albion. . 8^1
Horatio Babb, born in Barrington, N. H., May 19, 18 12, married, Oct. 28,
1833, Mary A. DeMerritt, of Dover, N. H., and first settled with his parents
where his oldest son, Leander E., was born March 20, 1835. He went to Bos-
ton in 1835 and in 1836 to Baltimore, and was later a merchant in New York.
In 1844 he resided in Steuben county. He was actively engaged in the con-
struction of the Erie railroad and removed to Alfred Center, Allegany county.
In May, 185 1, he came to Cattaraugus as station agent, which position he
filled to the close of his life excepting the time' he spent in the army. In
1 861 he enlisted in the 64th N. Y. Vols, and served as regimental quarter-
master until he resigned on account of ill health. He returned to his posi-
tion and died Nov. 12, 1871. For many years he served as trustee of the vil-
lage school and was supervisor of New Albion in 1868. Mrs. Babb died Dec.
8, 1886. Children: Leander E., of Chicago; Mertia D. (Mrs. J. H. Warren),
died Aug. 5, 1871 ; M. Elizabeth and H. Sue, who reside on the homestead;
Thomas and Albert H., of Chicago; Ben L., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Belle,
widow of H. M. Herrick.
Stephen Bemis, son of Stephen and Clarissa (Huntley) Bemis, was born in
Vermont, April 7, 1799.. removed with his parents to the Holland purchase,
and Feb. 21, 1821, married Sally Smith, who was born Nov. 19, 1802. In
1829 they came to New Albion and settled on the farm now owned by their
son Alonzo. They were active members of the M. E. church. Mr. Bemis
died April 30, 1863; Mrs. Bemis died June 19, 1881. Children: Lucius, born
in Middlebury, N. Y., July 26, 1823; Nancy (Mrs. George Booth), born Jan.
19, 1825 ; Minerva (Mrs. Rufus Town), born July 18, 1827; Alonzo, born Feb.
I, 1832, married Alpharetta Taylor, May 5, 1877, has one daughter, Rosa May,
born Feb. 2, 1879, '^'^^ resides on the homestead; and Sarah, born Oct. i,
1842, died aged ten months. Alonzo Bemis, soon after he was twenty-one,
assumed the heavy debt against the old home, supported his parents to the
close of their lives, and has added to his' farm until he now has iio acres.
Helen Elizabeth Black, eldest daughter of Willis M. and Mariette An-
drews, was born at East Otto, July 18, 1842. May 6, i860, she married Will-
iam W. Morey, son of Barton Morey, one of East Otto's pioneers. William
W. Morey enlisted in April, 1861, in Co. I, 37th N. Y. Vols., dying while in
the service at Annapolis, Md., May 26, 1862. Thus widowed so young by
ruthless war she took up the burden of life as a school teacher. Feb. 7, 1872,
she married Charles Black, who was also a volunteer in the military service of
the United States, and who died at New Albion, Aug. 8, 1877. Though
twice a widow and childless, her pleasant home is a favorite gathering place.
Harry Blakely, born in Marcellus, N. Y., May 3, 1792, died July 26, 1837.
He was a natural mechanic, but spent his life as a farmer. He married, in
Forestville, Fanny Clough, who was born in 1800. About 1822 he purchased
one hundred acres on the Gowanda road in Persia, then a part of Perrysburg,
and a year or two later cleared several acres. He returned to Forestville, and
in 1826, with a pair of steers and a cart of his own construction, in which was
loaded his household goods and family, he came to Cattaraugus county. Mr.
Blakely was one of the prominent men of his town and held many of the
prominent offices. He died on the place where he first settled. Mrs. Blakely
survived until 1844. Children: Justus, born Sept. 26, 1821; Hiram, born
April I, 1826; Welthy, born May 2, 1828, married Hiram Vincent, of Persia,
deceased; Harriet, born in 1831, married Darius Danley; Darwin, born in
1833, died in 1834; and Otsy O., born in 1836, married James Crandall.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Hiram Blakely gained a good English education and began his business life
a farmer. He was also a skillful carpenter and cabinet maker, and placed
in operation the first planing-mill and cider-mill in Cattaraugus. With his
sons and sons-in-law he manufactured thousands of dollars worth of furniture
and erected eight houses in Cattaraugus village. He married Fidelia, daugh-
ter of Eldridge and Eunice Eddy, of Persia, Feb. 1 1, 1844. She was the mother
of Ermina J. and Edgar E. She died in Dec, 1849. March 31, 1850, he mar-
ried Laura Freeborn, of Persia ; children : Charles F., Lelia A., Elson J., L.
Rosella, Frank N., Walter V., and R. Ernest. Mr. Blakely died May 13, 1893.
H. Frank Blood, son of John, was born in Arcade, N. Y., April 30, 1847.
He received a good English education, which he finished at Arcade Academy.
His father was a farmer and blacksmith, and he assisted in both avocations
until he became twenty-three, when he commenced cheese making and the
year following became a butter and cheese buyer. In 1877 he purchased a
half-interest in the general mercantile business of S. F. Mann in Arcade under
the firm name of Mann & Blood. Two years later he sold this interest and
the firm opened a store in Franklinville, of which Mr. Blood had entire charge.
About 1881 he purchased the interest of Mr. Mann and became sole proprie-
tor. In 1889 he began the erection of his large brick block in the village of
Cattaraugus, to which he moved his stock of goods. Mr. Blood is a member
of the Board of Education.
Levi W. Boardman was a son of Ephraim and Sarah (Spencer) Boardman,
natives of Connecticut who married there. Ephraim was a colonel in the
Revolutionary war ; his wife's father, John Spencer, was a captain. Levi W.,
born in Otsego county, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1809, married, Feb. 7, 1831, Araminta
D. Chapin. He settled there as a farmer, where four of his children were born.
In the fall of 1844 he settled a little north of the village of New Albion, where
he died July 20, 1891. Mrs. Boardman died Feb. .5, 1880. He was justice of
the peace eight years. Children: Albert E., born Jan. 25, 1832; Isaac H.,
born June 14, 1835 ; Maria T., born Dec. 30, 1836; Francis D., born Sept. 26,
1840; and Thomas W., born Feb. 21, 1847. Francis D. Boardman came to
New Albion with his parents, and in July, 1859, married Cynthia B. Garfield,
a relative of the late President Garfield. Sept. 2, 1861, he enlisted in the 9th
N. Y. Cav. and in December was confined by rheumatism in the regimental
hospital at Camp Fenton, remaining until Feb., 1862, when he was sent to the
hospital in Washington and discharged April 9, 1862. He receives a pension.
Mrs. Boardman died March 28, 1873. March 28, 1874, he married Mrs. Isabel
W., widow of James A. Garfield, of Buffalo county. Neb.; children : Carrie E.,
Ernest L., and Glenn F. Mr. Boardman was a pioneer in Buffalo county, Neb.,
from 1870 until 1881. He served on the first grand jury of that county and was
a member of the grand or petit jury of each succeeding court until he left the
State. Isaac H. Boardman married Lucy C. Powell, of New Albion, March
17, 1861. In 1863 he settled where he now resides. Sept. 2, 1864, he enlisted
in the 13th N. Y. H. A. and was discharged June 2i, 1865. He has served as
highway commissioner and on the Board of E.xcise.
Sanford F. Burger, son of Andrew Burger, of Otto, was born in Olean,
March 15, i860. He attended the common schools and finished his education
in Oberlin College, Ohio. He taught two terms of district school, the first
one in Otto at the age of thirteen. His father was a cabinet maker, and from
him he learned his trade. In 18S0 he came to Cattaraugus and engaged as
clerk with Oakes & Calver, dealers in cheese factory goods and manufacturers
Town of New Albion. ' S33
of scale board. He succeeded Mr. Calver in the business and the firm became
Oakes & Burger. Mr. Burger is a staunch Republican. In 1882 he was elected
clerk of New Albion and held the position five consecutive years. In 1888 he
was chosen supervisor and was re-elected in 1889. He has also been president
of Cattaraugus village two years and is now superintendent of the village
water works and chief of the fire department. December 27, 1885, he married
Ell Goldsborough, daughter of Dr. Levi Goldsborough (see page 161).
Ebenezer Carey, born in O.xford, Maine, Jan. 25, 1806, went at the age of
eighteen to reside in Massachusetts, and married, in Waltham, Susan Wyman,
Jan. I, 1834, who was born Nov. 8, 1814. Mr. Carey was a carpenter and set-
tled in Waltham, where he followed his trade until 1843, when he came with
his family to Napoli, arriving July i8th, and there followed carpentering and
building. Some years later he bought a farm, and two years before his death
he rented it and had a home with his son, Charles H. Carey, in New Albion,
where he died July 19, 1886. He was a natural mathematician. Children:
Suel H., born in Massachusetts, enlisted in the Union army, and died in the
hospital at Alexandria, Feb. 11, 1862; George, born in Napoli, Feb. 27, 1843,
enlisted in Aug., 1863, in Co. C, 13th N. Y. H. A., served to the close of th^
war, resumed farming, married, Jan. i, 1868, Melissa M., daughter of Addison
and Mary Kenyon, and settled on the homestead of her grandfather, Jere-
miah Ke'nyon; Adelaide, born in Napoli in March, 1845, Sied in 1876; and
Charles H., born April 8, 1848. Dec. 31, 1869, Charles H. Carey, married Elsie
A., daughter of Hudson Day and granddaughter of Erastus Day, an early set-
tler of New Albion. They settled on the homestead of her father. Children :
Herbert S., of Limestone, Grace A., and Alice M.
Daniel H. Carroll, son of John, was born in New Albion, Aug. i, 1858. His
father was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, emigrated to America about
1S45, and is a farmer in the southeast part of this town. Daniel H., at the age
of nineteen, commenced to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he foUovvS,
and is also dealing in carriages, sleighs, and agricultural implements. Mr.
Mosher is connected with him in the carriage and coal trade. In politics Mr.
Carroll is a Democrat and was supervisor of New Albion in 1891 and 1892.
May I, 1888, he married Catherine Lundergan. They have one daughter.
Robert Champlin, born in Rhode Island, Feb. 20, 1773, married, on New-
port Island, Mary Moore. They resided in Rhode Island on the old Cham-
plain farm and finally removed to Westchester county, N. Y., and thence came
to Alexander in 1812. In 1828 he came to New Albion, settled on lot 33, and
died on the place now owned by his son Robert on lot 9. In early manhood
he was a sailor on a merchant ship. His sons were William M.; Asa, who
died at the age of twelve years: Robert, Jr., born Feb. 24, 1810; Jesse, a car-
riage maker in East Randolph; George, who removed to Wisconsin and died
in 1889; Dudley, a farmer and mechanic in Salamanca; and William M., who
came from Genesee county a year prior to hjs brothers and settled near the
center of Napoli. Hannah, daughter of Robert Champlin, Sr., married Alanson
Boardman and settled in Napoli. Mr. Boardman was a blacksmith. They
removed to Wisconsin and thence to Iowa, where they died. Mary married
John Merrill and settled in Batavia. Lydia married Thomas J. Williams, first
settled in New Albion, and died in Minnesota. Sarah married Erastus Wy-
man and resides near Chicago. Armenia married Harvey Metcalf, is a widow,
and resides on Elm creek in Conewango.
Robert Champlin, Jr., came to New Albion in 1827 and contracted for
105
834 History of Cattaraugus County.
150 acres on lot 33 and 50 acres adjoining on lot 25 for himself, his mother,
and his brother George. His brother sold out an.d removed west. About
1837 he married Ursula Gilliland and settled on lot 9, where James Goddard,
the first permanent settler in town, located in 1818. The place then contained
130 acres. Mr. Champlin added to it until he had 600 acres. Children:
William M., Theodore, and John. William M., born Nov. 10, 1840, married
Eva S. Hanson, June 22, 1885 ; children: Mary and Leland. Theodore, born
Jan. 12, 1842, married Emma Day, Jan. I, 1880; children: Willie R., Bessie
May, Grover C, and Jesse T. John, born Oct. 4, 1844, married Cora Glover
in Dec, 1882; children: Alson and Robert Clayton. These brothers jointly
own the homestead of 600 acres, a cheese factory receiving the milk of 400
cows, and give .some attention to breeding horses.
Russel A. Cooper, born in Andover, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1844, was a hard-
ware merchant in Aiken, Pa., in the fall of 1878, and in 1881 he removed to
Cattaraugus and opened a hardware store which was burned in the fire of
Sept. 5, 1888. He soon resumed business and in Feb., i88g, he sold to J. H.
Jewell & Sons. April 23, 1891, he purchased the grocery stock of J. A. An-
drews. Dec. 16, 1879, he married Theresa Merz, of Jamestown, and they have
one son, Willie R. Mr. Cooper has served as president of Cattaraugus village
two terms and on the Board of Education seven years.
Dennis Crowley, a native of Ireland, came to America in early manhood,
married Ellen Mulcahy in Ellicottville. and since 1851 has resided in Cattar-
augas. When he came here he assisted in building the depot, and was after-
ward employed as a trackman. He finally became baggagemaster, which
position he still holds. Mrs. Crowley died May 22, 1890. They had fourteen
children, of whom a daughter and four sons are living: Julia, P. E., J. J.,
T. W., and D. R.
John P. Darling, son of Rufus and Prudy (Lee) Darling, was born in Berk-
shire county, Mass., Feb. 25, 1815. His father was a farmer who settled in
Lenox, N. Y., in 1818 and removed thence to Otto in 1824. He died in 1828,
aged forty-seven years. Mrs. Darling survived until July, 1873, aged eighty-
si.x; years. She was remarkable as a lady of rare abilities of mind and noble
qualities of heart. John P. Darling received a common school education. In
the spring of 1831 he became a raftsman on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers.
In the fall he went to Grand Island in the Niagara river and spent most of
the winter chopping cord-wood. He labored for the farmers in Otto a large
portion of the time until 1834, when he became a clerk in the store of C. B.
Allen in Otto village, where he remained until 1838, when he formed a part-
nership with William F. Elliott and continued in trade until 1848, when he
conducted business alone. In 1851 he established a branch store in the vil-
lage of Cattaraugus and in 1853 he removed thither with his entire business.
Here he was in mercantile trade until 1856, when he retired. In early life ho
cast his lot with the Whig party and was a subscriber for the Neiv York
Tribune from its first issue to the close of his life. He was intensely " Free
Soil." In 1856 he took the stump for General Fremont and was ever after-
ward a staunch Republican. Mr. Darling, besides other town offices, was
supervisor of Otto in 1845, 1846, and 1847 and of New Albion nine terms be-
tween 1855 and 1875. He was chairman of the board in i860 and 1861 and at
the special session held in March, 1867. -In 1850 he was appointed postmaster
and held the office through President Fillmore's administration. In 1851 he
was elected treasurer of Cattaraugus county and served three years. In the
Town of New Albion.
fall of 1856 he was elected to the State Senate by a majority of S,ooo to fill
the remainder of the unexpired term of Hon. Roderick White, who died in
the preceding spring. He was renominated in the succeeding fall and re-
elected. In the spring of 1864 he was appointed State assessor and resigned
the position a year after. Senator Darling is a conspicuous example of a
self-made man. As a business man he was methodical, cautious, and careful.
He was an indomitable worker. As a politician he was honorable, a success-
ful organizer, impressed his friends with the feasibility of his plans, and was
a natural leader. Mr. Darling died June 17, 1882. Mrs. Darling survived
until Feb. 15, ^889.
Joseph A. Davis, born June 1, 1819, was a son of Rev. Eber Davis, a
preacher of the M. E. church and a pioneer on the place now owned by his
grandsons, Emory W. and Adelbert D. Davis. Joseph A. Davis was also a
local preacher. His brother John was thirty years a Methodist minister and
member of conference. Joseph A. married Electa Lyon, Nov. 29, 1842, and
succeeded to the homestead, which has never been out of the possession of
the Davis family. Children: Giles C, born July 18, 1844; Wilbur P\, born May
10, 1846, died June 21, 1849: Wilber F., 2d, born Sept. 17, 1850; Emory \V.,
born Nov. 23, 1854; and Adelbert D. and Adella (twins), born Jan. 17, 1858.
Adelladied Sept. 17, 1858. Adelbert D. married, June 17, 1879, IdaM. Horth,
who was born Nov. 2, 1856, a daughter of Alexander Horth. He was first a
cheese maker, then a farmer four years, a merchant three years, and since a
farmer, and has served as inspector of elections four years. He owns jointly
with his brother Emory the Davis homestead, which was first settled by his
grandfather, Capt. Joseph Davis, a veteran of the Revolutionary war and also
a preacher. He has two sons and two daughters.
James Dawson, born in Ireland, Feb. i, 1802, married Dorothy Widhouse.
who was born June 17, 1803. Their oldest son was born in Ireland about
1825. In 1828 he came to America in a sailing vessel. They landed in Que-
bec, remained in Canada two or three years, removed to Boston, Mass., and
thence to Windsor, Vt. They came with teams to Albany or Troy and thence
by the Erie canal to Buffalo and finally to New Albion, where they arrived
Oct. 19, 1841, settling on the place now occupied by P. Herrick, where he
cleared 100 acres. He early became a citizen of the United States, joined the
Whig party, and became a staunch Republican. In June, 1862, he enlisted
in the army for two years. He died Dec. 12, 1864, and Mrs. Dawson on
Dec. 14, 1877. Children: Henry, a wagon maker in Gowanda ; James, who
married Ellen Hill, of Gowanda, and was killed by the cars in Dunkirk, Dec.
27, 1869; Alexander E.; Rose A. (Mrs. Ralph Howe); and Mary J. (Mrs. Si-
las Vinton), of Gowanda. Alexander E. Dawson, born in Boston, July 10.
1835, came to New Albion with his parents in 1841. March 28, 1861, he mar-
ried M. Caroline Little and began life as a mechanic. Sept. 2, 1864, he enlisted
in Co. D, 9th N. Y. Cav., and was discharged June i, 1865. He is a musician
and a teacher. Children : Eva (Mrs. W. Collins) ; James Albert, who married
Winnie Sanders ; Charles A.; and Henry E.
Abraham Day was born in Massachusetts in 1800. His father, himself,
and younger brother enlisted as musicians in the Seminole war. He was a
celebrated drummer and was promoted to drum-major. At the. close of the
war he went home with General Jackson as his errand-boy and remained with
him until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He married Joanna, daugh-
ter of Robert Guy, in Broome county, N. Y., and in June, 1822, came to New
836 History of Cattaraugus' County.
Albion and settled on the homestead of Horace C. Young^, where he was a
farmer until about 1830, when he received the appointment of keeper of the
light-house at Dunkirk from General Jackson, which position he held until
1841. He resigned and returned to New Albion and again engaged in farm-
ing. He was commissioner of highways several years and located many of
the roads in his town. He owned a farm of 170 acres. Mrs. Day died May
4, 1876. Children: Laura A. (deceased); Abraham R., who married Serepta
Phillips, and died in 1890, leaving a widow and two sons, who reside on the
homestead; Clarendon Guy, born Nov. 6, 1832, in Dunkirk, settled July 10,
1870, on the Day homestead, which he manages; Thomas (deceased); Jeffer-
son D.; Emelirle J. (Mrs. Francis Bigelow), deceased ; and Lottie M., a teacher.
Clarendon G. Day resides in the village of New Albion. He is a Democrat
and has been assessor and the nominee of his party for supervisor. He has
one daughter.
Erastus Day, son of Noah and Ann (Loomis) Day, was born March 4, 1787,
married Marion Lee in 181 2, and was an early settler and farmer of New Al-
bion. He was a lineal descendant of John Day, of Hartford, Conn., whose
father, Robert Day, came to America in April, 1634. He first settled in New-
town (now Cambridge), Mass. In 1639 he was a resident of Hartford, Conn.,
and was one of the first settlers of that place. The children of Erastus Day
were Asahel, born June 4, 1813; Eli, born May 10, 1815; Hudson, born Aug.
28, 1 8 16; Wealthy, born July 11, 1818; Orrin, born Jan. 10, 182 1 ; and Elias, born
July 18, 1827. Orrin Day married Brooksanna Jones, of Cattaraugus, in 1845,
who was born in Milford, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1825. Her father, Moses J. Jones, re-
moved from Otsego county and settled in New Albion in F"eb., 1835. Orrin
Day was a farmer and teamster and succeeded his father on the homestead,
where he died in 1868. Children: Alviii C, born April 18, 1848, deceased;
Frances E., born Aug. 3, 1851; Estella and Rosella (twins), born Sept. 17,
1857; Rosella, died in Jan., 1878 ; Estella (Mrs. John Merow), of Little Valley;
and George B., born Aug. 20, 1862.
Richard C. Dunn, son of John and Mary (Welch) Dunn, was born in Lyn-
don, Sept. 3, 1856, was educated in the common schools and Franklinville
Academy, and commenced his business life in Lyndon as a cheese maker. A
year later he purchased and conducted two factories in Cuba, N. Y., and fol-
lowed the business in all about ten years. He came to Cattaraugus in the
spring of 1890 and has since conducted the excellent Cattaraugus House, con-
nected with which is a good livery owned and managed by M. S. Storum.
John Easton, whose father came from England, was born in or near the
city of New York. Between the ages of twelve and twenty-six he followed
the seas as a sailor, attaining the position of mate. He married Sarah Tat-
terson, on Long Island, and in 1830 came to Leon from Middlebury, N. Y.,
settling there where his grandson, Richard Easton, now lives, and where he
died aged eighty-four years. His youngest son, Erasmus Easton, was born in
Middlebury, Dec. 24, 1822. He chopped, logged, and cleared land, and in 1842
married Olive Chapman. He resided on the homestead a year and for five
years has resided on a farm near the northwest corner of New Albion. Mrs.
Easton died Dec. 9, 1889, aged seventy-nine. Children: Marvin, Polly, Mary,
Elizabeth, Lucretia, Albert, William, and Sarah.
William N. Ells was born at Cherry Creek, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1843. He en-
listed in Co. K, 9th N. Y. Cav., Oct 14, 1861, and re-enlisted in the same or-
ganization Jan. 2, 1864, being always with his companj- except when he was in
Town of New Albion. • 837
the hospital for a sabre wound on his head and a shot through his right arm,
both received at the battle of Brandy Station, Va., Aug. i, 1863. He was
discharged July 17, 1865, and now receives a pension. Dec. 5, 1866, he mar-
ried Phebe A. Cole, of Cattaraugus, who was born in Hamburg, Erie county,
June 30, 1845.- Children: William H. and Charles E.
William Epley, of German ancestry, was born in Steuben county, July 12,
1828, and reared in Livingston county. At the age of twenty-one he went to
Rochester, where he was a clerk in several wholesale houses about ten years.
He was in Michigan until 1864, when he enlisted in the 12th Mich. Vet. Inf. Vols,
and was discharged Sept. 31, 1865. He was first sent to Camp Blair at Jack-
son, Mich., and two hours after his arrival was detailed as a clerk at the head-
quarters of the colonel, where he was retained four or five months. He then
joined his regiment in Arkansas and continued a clerk until he was discharged.
In 1880 he settled in Cattaraugus, where he has a merchant tailoring business.
T. J. Farrar, son of G. W. Farrar, was born in Machias, July 26, 1844, was
raised a farmer, learned the carpenter's trade, and was several years a dry
goods clerk. Jan. i, 1874, he became a partner with S. L. & E. L. Johnson
under the firm name of Johnson & Farrar. Three years later Mr. Farrar
established an insurance business known as the Cattaraugus Insurance Agency.
In April, 1890. he sold this and has since been engaged in the sale of real
estate, in which he has had large transactions, mainly in Buffalo. March 3,
1874, he married Maria Hawkins, of Buffalo; they have a son, Clarence B.,
born Nov. 27, 1874. The family has recently removed to Buffalo.
W. W. Garlock, son of William M. and Eliza A. (Smith) Garlock, was
born in East Otto, Sept 4, i860. His paternal grandparents were natives of
Germany. His father was born in America and early learned the trade of
shoemaking. He served in the late war and after his discharge went to
Michigan, where he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. His
maternal ancestor, Amasa Smith, was a pioneer of Mansfield, where he set-
tled in 1828. His grandfather, Welcome Smith, was born in Marcellus and
his grandmother was the sister of the pioneer doctor and county judge, Dr.
Alson Leavenworth. W. W. Garlock, whose mother died when he was ten
years old, had a home with his grandmother, who had married her second
husband. Rev. Clark Holmes, of Cattaraugus. In Feb., 1878, he opened a
photographic studio in the village. He holds a certificate from the Photogra-
phers' Association of America conferring upon him the title of professional
photographer. Aug. 12, 1879, ^e married Carrie A., daughter of F. J. Keeler.
She died March 12, 1891, and left a daughter, M. Spray, born June 12, 1886.
Frank B. Gould was educated in the public schools of Dunkirk and in
Waterford Academy in Pennsylvania. He learned the tinner's trade and in
1872 came to Cattaraugus, where the same year he married Sarah R., daugh-
ter of Danford Rich. He entered the employ of Oakes & Elliott, where he
has since been engaged, having the business charge of the establishment.
Robert Guy was born of Irish parents in 1774. He married Laura Stick-
ney in Otsego county. They resided near Ogdensburg, N. Y., at the time of
the War of 18 12. They were in Broome county as early as 18 16 and removed
thence to New Albion in 1821, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
They settled in a log house on lot 33. Mr. Guy died June 10, 185 1, and Mrs.
Guy on March 19, 1856. He was a Jacksonian Democrat and liberal in his
religious views. He was one of the first to open his house as a tavern.
Children : Joanna (Mrs. Abraham Day); Timothy P., who was twice married,
838 History of Cattaraugus County.
settled on the homestead, and left a son, Robert E. ; Emily (Mrs. Ira Vala-
iant) ; Laura; Emily (Mrs. Kimball Chase), deceased ; Almira (Mrs. Hiram
Barton), deceased ; and Himan, who removed to Iowa and died.
Samuel B. Herrick, of English descent and of New England parentage, was
born Dec. 8, 1781, married Mary Bosseller in Montgomery county, who was
born there Nov. 29, 1782, and first settled in Sennett, N. Y. In the spring of
1830 Mrs. Herrick with her children came to New Albion and settled on thirty
acres of lot 12. Mr. Herrick was a carpenter and builder and remained in
Sennett to complete some work, and joined his family in December following.
He added to the thirty acres 100 more and followed his trade. Mr. Herrick
died at the age of eighty-two. Mrs, Herrick died later at the age of eighty.
Children: Charlotte, Larry, Esther, Jeremiah H., John R., Fanny, Stephen M.,
George, and Elisha.
Jeremiah H. Herrick was born in Sennett, N. Y., March 8, 1820, and came
to New Albion with the family in 1830. Dec. 24, 1845, he married Eunice B.,
daughter of Joshua Parmelee, a pioneer of Mansfield. She was born in Spaf-
ford, Onondaga county. July 26, 1822. They settled on seventy-five acres
adjoining the homestead on lot 4, and finally, by additions, had a farm of 180
acres. In the fall of 1869 he presented his oldest son the home, on lot 4, and
settled where he now resides. He has been assessor twelve years. Children :
Judson;Theodocia, died March 5, 1866; Fred B., who married Eureka Horning.
William Higbee, a native of Connecticut, married Hannah Hopkins in Turin,
N. Y., where several of his children were born. About 1827 he removed from
Barre, Orleans county, to New Albion and settled on Snyder hill where W. V.
Payne now lives. He had four sons and three daughters, all of whom, except
his youngest son, settled in the neighborhood. In early life he was a
sailor. He was passionately fond of hunting in his old age, and on one of his
excursions he gathered a quantity of Lobelia seeds and tried their medicinal
qualities on himself. After a hearty vomiting e.xercise he threw the remainder
in the fire. He died aged eighty-five years. His son Sanford was a preacher
and resided on the homestead. Noah H igbee also moved to New Albion about
the same rime his father came and was a farmer. He married Harriet Luce.
Jerome L. Higbee, son of Noah and Harriet (Luce) Higbee, was born. in |^
New Albion, Feb. 16, 1839, and was raised a farmer. At the age of seven- -^
teen he became strongly impressed with a desire to obtain an education. He .fe'
attended the schools of Cattaraugus and Govvanda and Fredonia Academy,
and entered the preparatory department of Hillsdale College, in Michigan, in ,.5
the spring of i860, graduating therefrom as A. B. in 1866. Three years later ^
he received the honorary degree of A.M. From the time he commenced his jj-;^
studies he sustained himself by teaching. After graduating he was two years ^
engaged as a teacher. In the spring of 1869 he commenced the study of law ^
in the office of Col. E. A. Nash at Cattaraugus. He married Martha, daughter
of N. Christie, and at the solicitation of his wife and her father he became a
merchant under the firm name of Christie & Higbee. He was elected school
commissioner and served three years. Abciut 1874 he entered the ministry
of the Freewill Baptist church and was the pastor of the church at Cherry
Creek one year. He spent the year 1875 in New York as business managei"
of i\\Q Baptist Union and preached there occasionally. In 1876-77 he was the
pastor of the Freewill Baptist church at Hamlet, Chautauqua county. At
the same time he taught a select school as he had at Cherry Creek. He also
continued his mercantile business and for about three years he had an interest
'%
Town of New Albion. " 839
in an additional store in Randolph and lived there. From Hamlet he returned
to Cattaraugus, where he attended to his mercantile business until 1884. Be-
sides constructing his own house he has erected in his village twelve or fifteen
other buildings. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and in 1891 was the nomi-
nee of his party in his district for State senator.
Levi Hill came to Napoli from Chenango county at a very early day. He
cleared a farm and set out one of the first orchards in that town, and resided
there as late as 1833, when he removed to New Albion, where he was a farmer,
and where he died in 1864. He married Philena Morey ; children: Gardner,
Alexander, Clark, Eunice, Clarissa, Jerome, and Sarah. Late in his life his
wife died and he married widow Ruth A. Drew. His son, Gardner Hill, was
born in Chenango county, Dec. 12, 1821. Oct. 24, 1845, he married Matilda A.,
daughter of John A. Kinnicutt, and settled in New Albion as a farmer. He
died March i, 1854; children: Leroy N., born Dec. 11, 1846, married Martha
J. Johnson, of Conewango, was a farmer until Nov., 1884, and since then has
conducted a general store in the village of New Albion ; Lucius D., born
March 25, 1849, ^ merchant of Conewango; Ellen S., born May 2, 1852, mar-
ried Thomas V. Boardman, deceased; and Charles G., born July 24, 1854.
Simeon B. Hinman, born in Rutland, Vt., Aug. 1 1, 1800, came to East Otto
in 1824. Mr. Hinman married, in Aurora, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1826, Keziah Bullis,
who was born in Bennington, Vt., June 24, 1806, a daughter of Benjamin and
Rachel (Hoyt) Bullis. Mr. Bullis was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. Hin-
man, with the aid of his industrious sons, paid for his farm, built good build-
ings, and accumulated a competency. He was a prominent citizen, and both
were members of the M. E. church. Mr. Hinman died March 28, 1890. His
widow resides in Otto village. Her youngest daughter, Rachel J., widow of
Hiram Dewey, resides with her. They had eight children : Adaline (Mrs. Oscar
F. Beach), of East Otto ; Lucy, who died aged twenty-four ; Hoyt W.; Lyman
H., resides in Marshalltown, Iowa; Millard F., of East Otto; Benjamin B., of
Hinsdale; Rachel; and Marshall L., ex-mayor of Dunkirk, and secretary and
treasurer of the Brooks Locomotive Works. Hoyt W. Hinman, born in East
Otto, Feb. 5, 1831, began life laboring by the month for his neighbor, E. A.
Rice. Three years later he located on a farm of 200 acres in Iowa, which he
owned five years, when he exchanged it for a farm of 150 acres in Otto, which
he still owns. In the fall of 1869 he removed to Cattaraugus village, and the
past eighteen years has been an extensive buyer of butter and cheese. He
purchased the Dr. Leavenworth estate of five acres and has given the house
and one acre to his only child, Hattie (Mrs. C. R. Rich). He is a large .stock-
holder and a director of the Bank of Cattaraugus, the largest stockholder and
president of the Ten Eyck Edge Tool Company, and owns several village lots.
Mr. Hinman is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church and a singer
in the choir. Oct. 23, 1856, he married Sylvania F., daughter of Salem Ed-
munds, of East Otto, a native of Massachusetts.
Hadley S. Horth, son of Benjamin, a pioneer of New Albion, was born, on
the farm where his father settled, Oct. 1 1, 1845. He enlisted in the 72d N. Y.
Vols., Oct. 18, 1861, and re-enlisted as a veteran in Dec, 1863, serving nearly
four years. The first two years he was always on duty. Afterward his health
became much impaired and for total disability he was sent to the general hos-
pital and thence to his home. Returning to his regiment he was made a pris-
oner in 1865 and paroled three days later. Nov. i, 1868, he married Maggie,
daughter of James Kilby, Sr. Children : Ernest, Louis, and Hattie.
840 History of Cattaraugus County.
Doriis Ingersoll, a native of Washington county, was born in 1801. In
1825 he removed from Middlebury, N. Y,,and subsequently to Leon. He was
a prominent pioneer and held several town offices, being justice of the peace
many years. He married Sarah Easton, of Middlebury, and had five sons and
five daughters. Mr. Ingersoll died in 18S1 and Mrs. Ingersoll in 1866. Their
son, Denzil Ingersoll, born in 1843, married Jennette Brown, of Boston, Erie
county, in 1866, who was born there in 1847, ^"d settled on the homestead in
Leon. In the fall of 1875 they removed to their present home in New Albion.
Thomas Jewell, the progenitor of a numerous race in America, was prob-
ably born in England about 1600. The name was written Jule, Joyell, Jewel,
and then Jewell. The first authentic account of him is in the early part of
1639, and shows that he then had a wife and one child. He received a grant
of land the 24th day of the 2d month, 1639, of four acres for three heads
— 12 acres — upon the covenant of three shillings per acre, located on the
" Mount " near Boston, Mass. The " Mount" was Mt. Woolaston, first settled
in 1625 and incorporated as Braintree in 1640. He was a miller. His sons
were Thomas, Joseph, and Nathaniel. Joseph, born April 24, 1642, first lived in
Charlestown and conducted the ferry between that place and Boston, and his
son Joseph assisted him ; when about fifty years old he removed to Stow and
there owned a grist-mill, which for years (as late as 181 5 at least) went by the
name of " Jewell's mill." This old mill-site was as late as i860 occupied by a
carpet factory and the stream is the dividing line between Sudbury and Stow.
He died at about the age of ninety-four. His second wife, Isabel, lived to be
over 163. His son Joseph, born in June, 1673, was married, in Boston, to Mary
Morris by Rev. Cotton Mather, Sept. 14, 1704, and died in Dudley, Mass., in
1766. Nathaniel, his son, married Elizabeth Webster, March 20, 1739, and died
in Dudley, Mass., in 1782. John IMorris Jewell, his son, born Sept. 4, 1739,
married Sarah Pratt, and died in Cherry Valley, N. Y., March 20, 1828. He
raised quite a large family. His son Jared, born March 8, 1780, married Esther
Burrell, and died Dec. 26, 1820. His sons were James, Jonathan, Osborn, and
Jared (who died in infancy). James Jewell came to New Albion from West-
ford, N. Y., about 1831. Jan. 20, 1836, he married Hannah Guy.
Jonathan Jewell married Amanda Denton in Otsego county Oct. 27, 1825.
In 1832 he came to New Albion and located a farm on lot 53. He died April
13, 1887; Mrs. Jewell died Feb. 18, 1886. Children: John D., born Dec. 7,
1829, died Dec. 15, 1854, in Auburn, N. Y., where he was keeper in the State's
prison; Hannah, born in 1832, died in 1834; and James H., born Sept. 23,
1836, received an education in the common schools and Randolph Academy,
and in June, 1854, married Jane Henderson, of Otisco, N. Y. James H. Jew-
ell began life as a live stock buyer and farmer, which business he continued
several years. Since 1873 he has been an extensive dealer in cheese and is
also the senior member of the firm of J. K. Jewell & Sons, of Cattaraugus,
dealers in hardware and crockery. Mr. Jewell is a Democrat, and has been
assessor nine years and was postmaster of Cattaraugus through Cleveland's
first administration. His sons are Frank D. and William N.
Osborn Jewell, born Feb. 25, 1810, married Electa Russell, Sept. 24, 1849,
and was a merchant in Buffalo. His son John R., born in Buffalo, married,
in New Albion, Harriet E., daughter of George Benson, and has spent his life
as a seaman. He has passed through all the grades from the cook's helper to
master, and still holds an American and British shipmaster's certificate.
Salmon L. Johnson was born in Cortland (then Homer), N. Y., April 6,
, Town of New Albion. • 841
18 18. In 1824 his parents removed to Fredonia, in 1825 to Ellicottville, and
in 1826 to Ashford, where his father practiced his profession as a physician
until 1846, when he removed to Otto and died there in 1870. S. L. becarne
a clerk at the age of eighteen. He received an academic education and
taught a district school one winter (1840-41). In 1841 he became a partner of
his uncle, David B. Jewell, as a general merchant in Ashford. In 1844 this
partnership dissolved and in 1845 he became a partner in a like business in
Otto with the late William F. Elliott. In 1851 this firm established an addi-
tional store in Cattaraugus, and shipped their first goods from Dunkirk on a
construction train before the railroad was formally opened. There were
then only four small framed houses within the present incorporation of Cat-
taraugus village. In religion he is a Presbyterian, but is a regular attendant
of the M. E. church. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He was influ-
ential in establishing the postoffice at Cattaraugus in 1851 and was its first
postmaster, serving as such about fifteen years. He was three terms justice
of the peace, and it was at his suggestion that Mr. Plumb decided to insert in
all his deeds conveying his lands in Cattaraugus village the clause forever pro-
hibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors on the premises conveyed. Several
years afterward a petition was circulated praying Mr. Plumb to rescind this
prohibitory article and Mr. Johnson was the only one who refused to sign it.
May 12, 1861, he married Lucy E., daughter of Zane A. Hamilton, who was
born Aug. 5, 1828.
Elisha L. Johnson was born in Ellicottville, May 10, 1828. His father,
Elisha Johnson, was a physician of the old school and a graduate of Geneva
Medical College. The son received his education in common schools and in
Fredonia Academy. In 1845 he began to learn the moulder's trade at Fredonia
and alternately persued his studies in the academy. In 1850 he was a journey-
man moulder in Gowanda and in 1851 in Buffalo. In the spring of 1852 he
entered the store of his brother in Cattaraugus as a clerk. In 1856 or 1857
the partnership of S. L. & E. L. Johnson was formed for the sale of general
merchandise, which continued until the great fire. In 1866 the firm became
the joint owners with O. W. Howe of the Cattaraugus mills, of which, in 1868,
the Johnsons became sole owners, and which E. L. has since conducted. Mr.
Johnson has served as town clerk several years. He married, first, Malvina
Bugbee, of Gowanda, who was the mother of both his children: Mary (Mrs.
S. J. Benedict) and Grace B. (Mrs. Charles J. Rich, Jr.). Mrs. Johnson died
in Oct., 1886, and in June, 1889, he married Mrs. Emily, widow of Rev. L. H.
Bugbee, D. D.
Melzar Jones, born in Washington, Vt., Jan. 18, 1807, came to Candor,
N. Y., in 1813, where his father, John Jones, was a pioneer. He was a manu-
facturer of pine lumber at the age of twenty-one, and in 1838 he settled on a
farm of 53 acres on lot 5 in New Albion. About 1864, on account of failing
health, he removed to Cattaraugus village. He assisted in building the school
building and the M. E. church, and was present and helped raise the first
frame building and sat on the first jury at a justice court. He was elected a
justice of the peace, but refused to accept the ofifice; he has served as asses-
sor seven years. In Sept., 1826, he married Tabitha Jones, who was born
March 29, 1807, and died March 23, 1875; children: Hiram A., Chauncey M.,
Colby, Ansel M., and Melzar B. The latter was born on the homestead Oct.
1, 1841. He finished his education at Hillsdale College in Michigan and in
1863 took a commercial course in the office of the president of Bryant &
106
S42 History of Cattaraugus Coujs'ty.
Stratton's Commercial College in Buffalo. He then took charge of the theo-
retical department of the institution and was next a merchant in Ellicott-
viile with \V. A. Bosworth. In Aug., 1864, he enlisted in the army and served
five months. He then resumed teaching. Feb. 22, 1865, he married Jennie
A. Frasier, of Ellicottville, and settled on the homestead. Ten years later he
came to the village of Cattaraugus and is now the proprietor of the Cattarau-
gus Marble Works. He has two sons and two daughters. The daughters
are Emma M. (Mrs. Charles Smith) and Jessie.
The Kinnicutt familj' in America is of Scotch origin and is descended from
Roger Kinnicutt, who early emigrated to Rhode Island. John Anson Kinni-
cutt, born in Pittstown, R. I., in 1800, came from Livingston county, N. Y.,
to New Albion on Jan. 12, 1821, and brought his wife, Sophronia Chapel, and
their child to his shanty on lot i8. He was prominent in the early settle-
ment of Little Valley and in the town of New Albion. At the organization
of this town he was elected its clerk and held the ofifice seventeen years. He
was also justice of the peace in Little Valley and in New Albion forty years.
He had five sons and five daughters. Their son, John Albertus Kinnicutt,
was born in Jan., 1828, and was elected supervisor in 1864, the last year of the
civil war, when the amounts levied in the county reached hundreds of thous-
ands. The board held si.x sessions during that year. He married, in 185 1,
Helen, daughter of Benjamin Horth, who was the mother of his sons An-
son C, Bion P. (died aged thirty-three), and Robert A. In 1874 Mr. Kinni-
cutt married Nellie Ropps, of East Randolph; children: Norman N. and
Nora A. (twins).
Jehiel Lamb, son of David, was born in Vermont, March 3, 1787, married
Lois Varnum, Jan. i, I'Sio, who was born Jan. 2, 1789, and settled in Warrens-
burg, N. Y. In 1829 they came to Otto with two yoke of oxen and a heavy
wagon followed by their single cow, making the journey in twenty-one days.
They settled in " North Otto." He was a member of the M. E. church and
was class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday school. About 1836
he sold his improvements and removed to Mansfield, where he died Jan.
30, 1870. Mrs. Lamb died Jan. 12, 1856. They had nine' children. Their
youngest son, Bolivar R. Lamb, was born July 6, 1830, and has always been a
farmer. Oct. 17, 1853, he married Mary E. Barnard, of New Albion, and pur-
chased the homestead of Warren Barnard, his wife's father, where she was
born Feb. 20, 1834, and where they still reside. He is in sympathy with the
I\Iethodists and a worker in the Sunday school. He served as supervisor in
1866 and 1871. He has one daughter, Effie M., born June 6, 1865, the wife
of Rev. W. W. Manning.
Earl M. Lewis, son of George and Mary J. (Flynn) Lewis, was born in
Freedom (q. v.). He was a clerk in the store of E. W. Weed & Co., of York-
shire Center, and is now engaged with H. F. Blood in Cattaraugus. He is a
member of the M. E. church and a teacher in the Sabbath school. His ma-
ternal grandfather. Rev. William H. Flynn, was a clergyman of the Freewill
Baptist church about thirty years. When he retired from active work as a
preacher he settled in Cattaraugus, where he spent about twenty years. Kc
now resides at Yorkshire Center with his daughter, Mrs. Lewis, widow of
George Lewis. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in Feb., 1890.
Lucius H. Maltbie, born in Weedsport, N. Y., in Jan., 1828, lost his father
at the age of five years, and his mother and stepfather, Mr. Rose, settled in
Otto about 1837, where Lucius H. learned the trade of tailor of his older
Town of New Albion. . 845
brother. In 185 i he came to Cattaraugus, built a shop of boards, and began
business as a merchant tailor. About 1878 he changed to groceries. In 1881
he added a line of drugs and medicines. He was appointed postmaster under
General Grant and held the position seven years. He has served as town
clerk. In Oct., 18.56, he married Kerrella, daughter of Charles Brown, of For-
estville. She died March 29, 1888. Children : Ralph H., Burt L., Bertha A.
Nathaniel Manley, son of Jesse and Betsey (French) Manley, was born in
Dummerston, Vt., June 29, 1817. June 22, 1832, his father and family arrived
Mansfield and were fourteen days making the journey. Mr. Manley was a
man of good education, had taught school, and had served as selectman in
Vermont. He died in 1862 and Mrs. Manley in 1849. Nathaniel Manley, on
Dec. 4, 1842, married Mary Vosburgh, of Schuyler, N. Y., and succeeded his
father on the homestead. He has been for many years an extensive buyer of
butter and cheese. He was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. Mrs.
Manley died April 26, 1887. Children : Martin H., VVilber J., Emmett F., and
Jennie (Mrs. F"rank WoodwardV
Wilbcr J. Manley, born March 9, 1847. was educated in the common schools,
in Jamestown Union School, Randolph Academy, and Bryant & Stratton's
Commercial College in Buffalo, and April 27, 1871, married Henrietta, daugh-
ter of Angus McDuffie, of Otto. In 1870 he began buying butter and cheese,
which business he has since followed, except the years 1882, 1883, and 1884,
when he pursued farming. In politics he is a Republican, and he held the
office of supervisor of New Albion in 1878 and 1879, has served three terms as
a member of the school board, and has been president of the village. Chil-
dren : Robert E. and Roscoe.
Christopher Moench, son of Christian, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany,
June 22, 1835, and was apprenticed to the trade of tanning from 1849 until
1853. He then came to America and found employment at his trade in Ver-
sailles with Mr. Green. He was next a journeyman in the employ of Wal-
ter Webster, of Gowanda, until Sept.. 1861, when he bought out his employer
and formed a co-partnership with F. Agle, which continued under the firm
name of C. Moench & Agle till May, 1865, when Mr. Moench sold his inter-
est to his partner and purchased the Cattaraugus tannery. In October follow-
ing he organized the company of C. Moench & Co., which continued until
1880. He conducted the business alone until July i, 1889. when the present
firm of C. Moench & Son was formed. At the organization of the Bank of
Cattaraugus he was elected vice-president, which position he has since held.
He has served several years as a member of the school board. June 29, 1865,
he married Caroline Dietrich, of Hamburg, Erie county ; children : Henry L.,
Amelia L., Carrie A., Hattie F.. George E., Dora C, Alice M., and Harmon F.
■John Mosher, son of John, was born in Hoosick, N. Y., married Eliza Pot-
ter, and settled in Middlebury, N. Y. In the spring of 1827 he removed to
New Albion and settled where his youngest son, Reuben H. Mosher, lived.
He took an article for 300 acres, which .is all in the hands of his sons and
grandsons. He was a prominent and influential citizen and held several town
offices. He was supervisor in 1851 and 1852. He died Feb. 9, 1874. Mrs.
Mosher died May 13, 1886. Children who lived to mature years: George H.,
a farmer, who settled in the northwest corner of New Albion and died there ;
Mary A., widow of George Sibley, of Great Valley ; William P., who married
Elizabeth Ellis (died Dec. 10, 1889), settled on the south half of the home-
stead, and has served as assessor nine years; Cordelia (Mrs. J. Parmelee) ; Alfred
844 History of Cattaraugus County.
T., born Sept. 18, 1827, married Ann Babcock (died Sept. 5, i86o), settled on
a farm adjoining the homestead, where he now resides, and about 1864 mar-
ried Susan Milk; and Reuben H. Reuben H. Mosherwas born Aug. 16, 1834,
and always lived on the homestead. He died Jan. 19, 1893. He married
Betsey' Lowe. He was assessor three years. "No man more completely en-
joyed the confidence and respect of the people than did Reuben H enry Mosher.
He was rich in honest thoughts, and his self-respect raised him above receiv-
ing or bestowing flattery. He chose to pass for what he was — a plain, out-
spoken, and deserving man. In his business relations his word was a bond,
which was sacredly kept. In his family he was considerate and kind. His
friendship lived through adversity and was highly prized by his neighbors."
Children: Ara E., Frank H., and De Lora J. Ara E. Mosher, born on the
homestead, was first a clerk, and succeeded T. L. De Nike as a druggist
in Cattaraugus in 1879. He was twice burned out. He is now manufac-
turing a horse tonic which is rapidly gaining in favor. He is also dealer in
farm implements and is associated with D. H. Carroll in the sale of carriages
and coal. In Sept., 1879, he married Gertrude E. iVIurdock, of Leon.
Luther Herbert Northrup, son of David and Keziah (Town) Northrup,
was born in Otto, Feb. 12, 1854. At the age of ten his father died and his
mother removed to the village of Cattaraugus. He became a clerk in a gen-
eral store and began his first business enterprise at the age of eighteen as a
dealer in ready-made clothing under the firm name of Maltbie & Northrup,
and later as Hoag & Northrup, general merchants. In 1879 he ^^'^^ ^ member
of the Cerbat Mining Company and spent two years in Arizona. He has also
been a railroad station agent and an insurance agent. He is a stockholder,
secretary, and treasurer of the Ten Eyck Edge Tool Companj-, and president
of the Board of Education and a magistrate of New Albion. Oct. 8, 1878, he
married Addie, daughter of Oscar F. Beach, of East Otto. Children : Anna,
Arthur B., and Kate.
Frank S. Oakes, son of Nichols and Mary (Rich) Oakes, was born in Ar-
cade, N. Y., Dec. 26, 1844. Raised a farmer, he was educated in the common
schools and had a few terms at a select school at Yorkshire Center, and at
the age of twenty began learning the tinner's trade in Otto. In the spring of
1869 he came to Cattaraugus. In 1873 he had invented and patented his fam
ous Common-Sense milk pan and then formed a partnership with M. G. Ell-
iott for their manufacture, which continued four years.. He has since been
engaged in the manufacture of everything in the line of cheese factory and
creamery supplies, the present firm being Oakes & Burger (S. F". Burger, q. v.).
Mr. Oakes has been a member of the school board over thirteen years. Sept.
II, 1872, he married Jennie Calver and has two sons and a daughter.
John W. Osborn, son of Roderick and Mary A. (Harwick) Osborn, was
born in Farmersville, Jan. 11, 1851, where his father, a native of Windham,
N. Y., settled in early manhood. He married Mar}- A. Harwick, of Center-
.ville, N. Y., and died in Farmersville Center in 1874. John VV. was a cheese
maker for twelve years, beginning with one factory and increasing the num-
ber to five. He also bought cheese, which business he has largely pursued
the past eight years, but deals as well in butter and fanners' produce. Under
a contract with Joseph R. Peebles's Sons Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, he ar-
ranged with J. Gainpp, of East Otto, to make a cheese of mammoth size.
This is described on page 556. May 23, 1873, Mr. Osborn married Mary L.
Evans. They have one daughter, Nellie A., born Dec. 6. 1875.
Town of New Albion. '■ 845
Harrison Payne, son of Stephen Payne, was born in the town of
Pompey, N. Y., July 17, 1800, and removed with his father to Barre, N. Y.,
where he married Abigail, daughter of Joseph Luce, and settled as a farmer.
In 1829 he removed to Snyder hill in New Albion, where he died Aug. 19,
1867. He was an old line Whig and afterward a Republican, and was poor-
master, highway commissioner, and assessor. He was early a member of the
M. E. church. His wife died in May, 1868. Children: Nathan W. ; William
v., born May 26, 1826, marri^ Martha Park, of Bradford county. Pa., and re-
sides on the Sanford Higbee farm; George A.; Betsey, widow of Smith Phil-
lips, of Randolph; Judson S.; Stephen; Joseph W.; Nelson F.; Harrison,
Jr.; and Lorenzo R. William V. Payne is a Republican and has five chil-
dren: Amanda E. (Mrs. Warren Hillebert), of Dayton; Helen Victoria, an
artist; Judson H. ; Mary A. (Mrs. Burt Allen.) of Persia; and Ida B. Lo-
renzo R. Payne, born on Snyder hill Feb. 6, 1843, married, Nov. 3, 1867, Lana
E., daughter of John Herrick, and .settled on the Erastus Horth farm. In
Sept., 1861, he enlisted in the 64th N. V. Vols, and served until June 17,
1864, when he was made prisoner. He was confined in Anderson ville prison
until e.xchanged Dtc. 16, 1864. At the first bittle of Fredericksburg, Dec.
13, 1862, he received a wound in his left leg from a minie-ball, which confined
him in the hospital two months. Children : Maud D., Lee J., and three who
died in infancy.
"Thomas Pepperdine, of the Parish of Scopwick, bachelor, and Mary But-
ler, of this parish, spinster, were married in this church, by Banns, with the
consent of parents, this sixteenth day of March in the year one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-four, by me, Samuel Winship, curate of Bucking-
ton. This marriage was solemnized between us. [Signed] Thomas Pepper-
dine, Mary Butler. In the presence of William Butler, Joseph Thorpe." — From
Parish Register, Buekington, Coiotty and Dioeese of Lineolit, England. In 1827
Mr. and Mrs. Pepperdine, with their first born son, William, emigrated to
America in a sailing vessel and landed in New York after a voyage of thirteen
weeks. They came to Rochester, where Mrs. Pepperdine died six weeks
later. Whilst he and his wife were very ill in Rochester he was robbed of
Cjuite a quantity of valuable merchandise, consisting of silks and linen. On
his recovery he spent a year in Syracuse, where he married Mary Rich, and
in Nov., 1828, they came to New Albion and located on Snyder hill. He
moved twice after he first settled, and died in the south part of the town.
He was a local preacher of the Methodist church. William Pepperdine, born
in Lincolnshire, England, April 13, 1825, came to America with his parents,
and Dec. 29, 1844, married Harriet, daughter of Calvin Rich. About 1864
he began dealing in live stock, which he followed nearly fifteen years.
Mclvin N. Pepperdine, son of William, was born in Cattaraugus village,
Aug. 26, 1852, received a good English education, and Jan. 6, 1876, married
Chloe R., daughter of Joseph Bates, and settled where he now resides. He is
also dealing in cattle, sheep, and hogs. He is a staunch Republican and has
been assessor. Children: Emma M. and Merle E.
William Pflueger, born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1838, came at the age
of fourteen to America in a sailing vessel. He came to Dunkirk, where
one of his uncles resided, and became a farm laborer. In 1856 he removed to
Ne\v Albion and in 1858 he married Catherine, daughter of Martin Sigman.
He became a citizen of the United States at the age of twenty-one and in
Aug., 1862, enlisted in Co. B, 154th N. Y. Vols. He never missed a roll-call until
846 History of Cattaraugus County.
May 2, 1863, when at the battle of Chancellorsville he received a severe wound
in the left leg, which caused a compound fracture of the bone. He was taken
off the field a prisoner and paroled May i6th, when he was transferred to the
Union hospital and his wounds dressed for the first time. He was discharged
in Dec. following. For twenty-five years he then had charge of the saw-mill
of S. L. & E. L. Johnson.
Henry Phillips, born in Otsego county, Feb. 29, 1788, married Susannah
Smith, in Lenox, N. Y., in Dec, 1820, who was Jaorn there May 20, 1806. As
early as 1832 he settled in New Albion on Snyder hill, where Frank Luce
now lives. He died in New Albion in the spring of i860. Mrs. Phillips died
October 18, 1875. Of their seven sons and three daughters only three sons
are now living: George, the oldest, born May 18, 1821 ; William M., born Aug.
15, 1830; and Andrew J.
Jacob Phillips, son of Henry, was born in Niagara, N. Y., Nov. 4, 1828.
April I, 1852, he married Harriet, daughter of Rev. Alanson Kingsley. They
first located on Snyder hill. In 1873 they settled in Cattaraugus, where Mr.
Phillips died June 8, 1883. He was a skillful carpenter and builder.
John S. Phillips, son of Henry, was born in Barre, N. Y., March 5, 1825.
He labored by the month for a time and Dec. 31, 1855, he married Betsey M.,
daughter of Harrison Payne, and became a farmer on Snyder hill. He died
at East Randolph in June, 1890, leaving to each of his three sons a good farm.
Children: Elmer, Frank E., and Fred M.
Andrew J. Phillips, born in New Albion, April 20, 1836, married, Aug. 8,
1857, Sarah C. Frederick, of Johnstown, N. Y., where they first .settled. He
enlisted from Johnstown in the fall of 1861 in Co. E, 44th N. Y. Vols., and
served until he was discharged on account of illness in 1863. Since regaining
his health he has been a carpenter and painter in Cattaraugus.
Asa Pritchard, son of Nathan and Olive (Sloan) Pritchard, was born in
Lenox, N. Y., Aug. 30, 18 15. His grandfather, a native of England, settled
first in Connecticut, where his son Nathan and most of his family were born.
He removed to Georgetown about 1795, where he was one of the earliest pio-
neers. He was a farmer and frequently a town officer. He resided in George-
town to the close of his long life, aged nearly ninety. His son Nathan was
born Dec. 16, 1785, and with his wife was a pioneer of Lenox, N. Y. In 1832
he removed to Evans (now Brant), Erie county, where he died in Aug., 1871.
His wife survived until May, 1877. Their son, Asa Pritchard, in 1856 re-
moved to the farm on Snyder hill on which he now resides. He added to
his farm until it contained 342 acres, which he finally sold to his youngest
son. He is a Republican and has served as justice of the peace four years and
assessor three years. June 4, 1840, he married Hannah Wood, who was born
in Eden, Erie county, Feb. 22, 1821. They celebrated their golden wedding
June 4, 1890. Children: Cyrenius A., of Ellington,- Chautauqua county;
John VV., who died of heart disease May 14, i88g; Amos L., of Leon ; Will-
iam J., of Leon ; and Edwin C, who resides on the homestead. They also
have seventeen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Calvin Rich was born in Windham, Vt., Nov. 7, 1790, where he married
Hannah Olmstead, a native of Ridgefield, Conn., who was born May 21, 178S.
About 1821 he removed to Barre, N. Y., and settled at the hamlet named in
honor of his family, " Rich's Corners." In Dec, 1828, became with his family
to New Albion, where he died Jan. 6, 1862. Mrs. Rich survived until July
21, 1881. Mr. Rich was a prominent citizen and almost constantly in some
Town of New Albion. . 847
town office. He was elected supervisor at the second town meeting and held
the office six consecutive years. He and his wife were Methodists and in
their large log house were held many church services and quarterly meetings.
He was class-leader and steward during nearly the whole of his residence
in town. He also taught school in early life. Children : Heman, born Sept.
24, 181 1, of Cattaraugus; Justus O., born Aug. 28, 1813, a clergyman of .the
M. E. church and many years a presiding elder, now residing in Farmington,
Minn.; Zalmon, born March 2, 1816, a farmer and a local preacher, died in
Dayton, July 28, 1884; Bela and Milla (twins), born Nov. 29, i8i8— Bela
served in the 64th N. Y. Vols., and died Sept. 22, 1862, on Cranie Island, and
Milla (Mrs. Gile Johnson) died march 20, 1858, in Dayton; Lorinda, born
April 13, 1821, married Ephraim Ford (deceased); Harriet, born Aug. 27,
1823, married William Fepperdine, and died Feb. 18, 1868; Calvin, born July
12, 1826; and Charles J. Charles J. Rich, born May 15, 1829, on the home-
stead, which he owns and where he has always resided, married, June 5, 1849,
Lucy A. Freeborn, of Cattaraugus, who died Feb. 27, 1891. Mr. Rich has
aKvays been a farmer, but has dealt largely in live stock and farming imple-
ments, and was interested with his sons about fourteen years in the hardware
business. He served his town on the Board of Supervisors in 1890. Chil-
dren: Herbert C, for fourteen years a merchant in Cattaraugus, now an ex-
tensive lumberman in Pennsylvania, and supervisor of New Albion in 1880
and 1S81 ; Burdett A. (see page 402); Clayton R., of Cattaraugus, and a mer-
chant of Gardeau, Pa.; Fred L. and Milla M. (Mrs. H. B. Easton).
Bela Rich married Almyra, daughter of Horace Snyder, the pioneer. He
was a farmer and justice of the peace and officiated at several weddings, and
was a member, steward, and class-leader of the M. E. church. Children: Or-
savell M., who married A. L. Babcock and resides in Cattaraugus ; O. Monroe,
who died at the age of eighteen ; Olin G., proprietor of the Cattaraugus House
and a real estate dealer in Buffalo; and OdcU C.,who married Florilla Burton
and has been ten years a grocer in Cattaraugus. Olin G. Rich was born in
Persia in 1849. After his father's and an older brother's death he managed
the farm which his mother still owns. At the age of twenty-two he engaged
in the oil business in Clarion county, Pa. He has been proprietor of a hotel
the past thirteen years and is now engaged in the sale of real estate in Buffalo.
Nov. 25, 1889, he lost his hotel, the Cattaraugus House, by fire. In Dec,
1871, he. married Eva A. Andrews, a music teacher of considerable talent.
Calvin Rich, son of Calvin, came to New Albion with his parents, and al-
ternately worked on his father's farm and attended the common schools. He
married, March 8, 1846, Malinda Sherman, who was born in Barre, Orleans
county. May i, 1826. They settled on a farm half a mile north of Cattaraugus,
and in June, 1856, removed to the farm he now occupies on Snyder hill. Mr.
Rich is an active member of the M. E. church and has been class-leader about
thirty-five years. His wife, who was the mother of his children, died Sept. 25,
1885. April 15, 1887, he married Mrs. Harriet (Kingsley) Phillips, niece of
Rev. Bishop Kingsley and daughter of Rev. Alanson Kingsley. His children
were Emma (Mrs. J. B. Johnson), of Clymer, Chautauqua county, who was
born Jan. 9, 1849, ^"^ died Sept. 3, 1888; Wallace O., born June 17, 1852;
Elton S., born Sept. 26, 1854, a physician in Kennedy, N. Y.; and Truman H.,
born Nov. 26, i860.
Arad Rich, born Oct. 6, 1797, married, March 21, 1816, Nancy Olmstead.
In Dec, 1828, he and his brother Calvin and their families removed from
S48 History of Cattaraugus County.
Barre, N. Y., to New Albion. He took an active part in town affairs and like
his brother held several offices. He served as justice of the peace from Jan.
I, 1840, until his death Feb. 26, 1869, except one year, and in that time he
presided at numerous law suits and weddings. He and his wife were consis-
tent members of the M. E. church. Mrs. Rich died April 24, 1878. Children :
Leonard, born Dec. 20, 1816; Almeda, born Jan. 2, 1818; Danford, born Feb.
3, 1821 ; Joseph, born June 6, 1823, died Aug. 16, 1851 ; Joshua, born July 3,
1825, died June 5, 1891 ; Phebe A., born June 22, 1830; Lewis J., born June
4, 1833, died Feb. 2, 1856; Amanda C, born May 20, 1837, died April 24, 1878.
Leonard Rich, son of Arad, came to New Albion with his parents in 1828.
He was born in Lake Pleasant, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1816, and has always been a
farmer. Jan. 8, 1837, he married Betsey Sherman, who was the mother of five
sons. He began on a farm and in 1866 removed to the village of Cattaraugus.
Mrs. Rich died in Nov., 1850. In 1857 he married Mrs. Mary Buffington.
Hiram B. Rich, third son of Leonard, was born Aug. 28, 1842, and supple-
mented his education with a few terms at Randolph Academy. He taught
common school one term, and became a dealer in live stock. Dec. 21, 1S65,
he married Mary, daughter of Philip Rich, and has since been both a farmer
and live stock dealer. He has been village trustee and assessor. Mrs. Rich,
the mother of his two daughters, died Aug. 14, 1875. Sept. 21, 1876, he mar-
ried Ella, daughter of William Pepperdine, and has one son. Both are mem-
bers of the M. E. church, of which he has been steward and trustee 11 years.
William Frank Rich, fourth son of Leonard, was born May 26, 1844. He
taught eight winter terms of school and May 16, 1868, married Ellen M.,
daughter of Henry and Sally A. Lawrence, of New Albion. Mr. and Mrs.
Rich first settled in Persia. Both are members of the Wesleyan Methodist
church. He produces and buys cream which he ships to Buffalo and Brad-
ford. Children: Ida A., born May 25, 1869, married Edward C. label, a part-
ner with his father-in-law; Bertha M., born June 27, 1875 ; and Grace I., born
June I, 1877.
Danford Rich, second son of Arad, settled where Moses Sherman now
lives, where he resided about twenty-five years. After another year spent as
a farmer he has since been an extensive dealer in butter and eggs. In April,
1839, ^'^ married Mary Sherman, who was the mother of all his children, of
whom only Ira Orson and Sarah (Mrs. F. D. Gould), are living. Mrs. Rich died
Aug. 31, 1875. In Dec, 1875, he married Mrs. Clara A., widow of Dr. Daniel
Gould, of Dunkirk.
Charles James Rich, oldest son of James H. and Emma E. (Johnson) Rich,
was born in Persia, June 15, 1863. Losing his father at the age of two years
he had a home with his grandfather, Jesse Johnson, of Perrysburg, as did also
his mother and infant brother, Hollen W. Charles J., at seventeen, became a
merchant's clerk. In the spring of 1884 he engaged with Elwood & Co., of Buf- .
falo, as traveling salesman. In 1887 he formed a partnership with his^only
brother, Hollen W., under the firm name of Rich Brothers, and opened a gen-
" eral store in Cattaraugus, which was burned Sept. 5, 1889. They immediately
resumed trade and have more than doubled their business. Feb. 27, 1888,
Charles J. Rich married Grace B., youngest daughter of E. L. Johnson. Hol-
len W. Rich, born in Persia, Aug. 3, 1865, at about the age of eighteen became
a clerk in Cattaraugus and later in Jamestown, and in 1887 formed with
Charles J. the firm of Rich Brothers. Mr. Rich is serving his third term as
town clerk. Feb. 14, 1886, he married Gertrude, daughter of N. W. Payne.
Town of New Albion. .' 849
John Sanders, born in Argyle, Washington county, July 8, 1808, removed
with his parents to Hannibal, N. Y., and married there Mary Crawford, Feb.
14, 1833, who was born in Washington county, Jan. i, 1815. He came to Otto
and settled on a farm of 100 acres which he purchased of the Holland Land
Company. He was a blacksmith, but after coming to Otto he followed farm-
ing entirely, and finally exchanged his place for a large farm near by. In
Sept., 1 861, he enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols., served about a year, and was
disabled by rheumatism and discharged ; but before his papers reached him
he was with his regiment and going into battle on the field of Antietam, where
he received a severe gun-shot wound. He went to the hospital and upon
recovery joined his regiment again, participated in the battles of Gettysburg,
Chancellorsville, and others, and was dischaged in Oct., 1864. He died greatly
respected. Children: John J., who married Marj- L. Galloway, of Hannibal,
N. Y., has a farm of 334 acres in Otto, and resides in Cattaraugus village;
Mary J. (Mrs. Martin Dermontj; Lucinda (Mrs. Charles Wilder); Nettie (Mrs.
Franiv Wilder); James C, who married Cora Ackley; and Walter, who mar-
ried Mary James and died July 18, 1878, his wife dying in 1877.
James A. Saunders, son of Benjamin and Rosanna (Bates) Saunders, was
born in Collins, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1846. His father was a blacksmith and was
born in Vermont. His mother's family came from Massachusetts. In March,
f862, he enlisted in Co. A, 64th N. Y. Vols., and served three years, being
discharged in March, 1865, as first sergeant. He participated in the battles
of Fair Oaks (where he received and still carries a bullet in his left shoulder),
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Auburn Hill, Bristoe
Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania (where he received a
shell wound on his right foot), siege of Petersburg, Ream's Station, and
Hatcher's Run. He returned to Gowanda and resumed his trade of moulder.
He went to Pennsylvania in 1866 and became an expert driller of oil wells.
The past four years he has been an extensive jobber in Cattaraugus county
in drilling water wells. Dec. 8, 1869, he married Alice F., daughter of
Joshua Rich, and has one daughter, Winnifred A. (Mrs. James A. Davison).
Charles B. Scudder, D.D.S., son of Buel, was born in Randolph, Jan. 29,
1858, and was educated in Chamberlain Institute. Oct. i, 1887, he entered
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated as a
D.D.S. June 26, 1890. Oct. 20, 1890, he commenced the practice of dentistry
in the village of Cattaraugus, where he still resides.
Hiram Sherman came to New Albion from Orleans county about 1828
and settled on Snyder hill. His first wife was a Lawrence and the mother of
si.x children: Ira'L., Moses S., Mary, Fannie, Malinda, and Martha. In 1845
he married Phebe, daughter of Justus Hall; children : Albert L. ; Alvin H., a
harness maker at Dayton ; and Lucy, widow of Frank Prince, of Cattaraugus.
Mr. Sherman died Aug. i, i860, aged sixty-four. Albert L. Sherman was
born in New Albion, April 20, 1847. June 12, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F, 65th
N. Y. Vols., and participated in six general engagements. March 25, 1865,
he was slightly wounded at the battle of Fort Stedman and April 2, 1865,
, was severely wounded before Petersburg and Richmond. He was discharged
at York, Pa., June 16, 1865. He learned harness making and spent nine years
railroading. Since 1878 he has manufactured harnesses and dealt in horse
furnishing goods in Cattaraugus. He has served as constable several years
and is now commissioner of highways. April 1, 1867, he married Clara,
daughter of Jerry Buffington, and has a daughter, Hattie.
107
S50 History of Cattaraugus County.
John H. Sigman, son of Martin, was born in New Albion, Nov. 23, 1850.
Martin Sigman, a native of Germany, was a skillful stone cutter who learned
his trade in his native country. In constructing the Erie railroad he was em-
ployed to cut the stone for the culverts and bridges. He settled on a farm in
the central part of New Albion, where he was both a farmer and stone cut-
ter, and where he died Sept. 29, 1872. His widow owns the homestead and
resides in Cattaraugus village. John H. Sigman received a good English
education and followed farming while his father lived and until 1880, when he
removed to Cattaraugus and engaged in general mercantile trade. Oct. 19,
1882, he married Laura Crampton, of Cattaraugus, and has one son, Fred
Irvin, born Jan. il, 1889.
Fred C. Small, born in Germany, June 14, 1833, married Sophia Krager,
emigrated to America, and arrived in New Albion, July 14, 1861, where he
owns the Hudson Day farm. Children: Fred J., a cheese maker in Ellicott-
ville ; Mar>-, of Little Valley; Carrie; and William F., a graduate of Chamber-
lain Institute class of 1891. He has taught school and in politics is a staunch
and active Republican.
Jacob Smith, born March 21, 1809, came to New Albion about 1830, and
settled on Snyder hill. In his lifetime he cleared in all 400 or 500 acres of
land, and died on the farm now occupied by his son James R. He was inter-
ested in the political affairs of his town and county and was a member of the
M. E. church. Dec. 22, 1830, he married Delaney Rich, who was born May
14, 1816, and died Dec. 22, 1864. Children: Catherine, born June 30, 1832,
married George A. Payne; Charles M., born June 25, 1834, a physician in
Evansville, Wis., and a volunteer surgeon in the Civil war; James R., born
Jan. 10, 1836; Judson, born April 29, 1841 ; Arvilla, born Dec. 13, 1843, mar-
ried C. M. Rumsey; Mary R. (Mrs. Rev. C. M. Pullin), born May 23, 1848;
and Matilda D., born Oct. 13, 1855, married Orson Rich. Judson Smith re-
mained with his father until his death March 13, 1879. July 4, 1865, he mar-
ried Martha A., daughter of Danford Rich, who died June 10, 1882. Dec. 24,
1884, he married Lucy A. Lee, and they have two daughters and one son.
Horace Snyder, born in Onondaga county March 21, 1803, received a good
English education and commenced life as a pioneer in 1825 in New Albion,
where his son Ambrose E. now lives, on Snyder hill, named in his honor.
He died Nov. 14, 1890. He stood full six feet tall, was broad shouldered and
athletic, enterprising, and a man of influence. May 3, 1827, he married Olive
Kellogg, with whom he lived fifty-three years. She died July 11, 1882. Chil-
dren: Horace, born Aug. 2, 1831, died May 24, 1834; Serepta, born Jan. 18,
1828, died June 20, i860; Marsella, born July 25, 1839, died April 19, i86o;
and Ambrose E., born Feb. 6, 1843. The latter received an academic educa-
tion and in the fall of 1866 became a law student in the office of Frank A.
Newell, Esq., of Gowanda, being admitted to the bar of this State in Oct.,
1869. In May following he accompanied the firm of Chamberlain & Newell
to Emporia, Kas., where he practiced his profession a year. He then became
the partner of Mr. Newell and was in Waseca, Minn., about a year. In 1873
he returned to his home on Snyder hill, where he now resides. Mr. Snyder,^
like his father, is a Democrat, and was elected supervisor in 1882 and 1883.
Feb. 16, 1873, he married Phebe, daughter of George Howard, of Persia; they
have one son, Ralph H., born Aug. 31, 1883.
Albert Ten Eyck was born in Sharon, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1841, and a month
later his father, Barrent J., settled in the valley just outside of the present
Town of New Albion. - 851
corporation of Cattaraugus. He was a farmer and formerly an axe-maker in
Cohoes, where he assisted in constructing the first axe factory in that city. He
subsequently removed to the farm of his son Abram, in Mansfield, where he
died about 1869. Albert Ten Eyck went to Cohoes, where he learned the
business of axe-making, and in 1876 he organized the Ten Eyck A.xe Manufac-
turing Company. Aug. 27, 1881, his plant was destroyed by fire. April 6,
1883, he was instrumental in organizing the Ten Eyck Edge Tool Company,
of which he has since been superintendent and manager. He served on the
Board of Education four years and as a trustee of the village three years. In
1864 he married Lucy M. Swartz, of Cohoes. Children: Fred R., Lottie M.,
and Loren F.
Albert Tuller, born in North East, Pa., May 6, 1837, received a common
school education and in 1856 entered the freight department of the Lake
.Shore railroad. He learned telegraphy and in 1857 assumed the position of
operator at North East, which he held until 1861, and was then stationed at
Beividere, N. Y., until June 13, 1872. He then accepted the position of station
agent at Cattaraugus, which he has since occupied, being also express agent.
Jan. 19, 1859, he married Caroline Burden ; children : Maurice and Bessie.
John Van Aernam, son of Jacob, was born about 18 14 and came to Man.s-
field with his parents when a lad. He married Martha Ethridge, of Mansfield,
and first settled on a farm. Later he was the proprietor of the old Salamanca
Hotel in West Salamanca. About 1849 ^^ vvent to California, where he was
an extensive farmer and a hotel keeper, and where he' died in 1863. His old-
est son, Wallace S., born about 1842, joined his father in California in the
spring of 1863, was proprietor of a mail route, and was killed with his escrot
by a band of Indians a year or two later. Frank Van Aernam, youngest son
of John, was born in Mansfield, March 14, 1846. In the fall of 1862 he went
out with the iS4th N. Y. Vols, as the helper of his uncle, the regimental sur-
geon. Dr. Henry Van Aernam. He remained several months. In 1864 he
enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Cav. and was discharged at the close of the war. Dec.
21, 1865, he married Jane Johnson, of Mansfield, and was a farmer until 1887,
when he settled in Cattaraugus and became proprietor of a meat market. He
has five children.
Stephen Waite was a son of Rev. William Waite, a Baptist clergyman
who went from Rhode Island to Little White Creek, Washington county, and
spent his life there preaching the gospel. Stephen came to Napoli and set-
tled at the geographical center of the town in 1824. His sons were Isaac,
George, Reuben, Peleg, James, William, and Oliver; his daughters were Sarah,
Anna, Virtue, and Delilah. The sons of Isaac are Martin, in Wisconsin;
David, in Easton, Washington county; Jonathan, died in Leon; George, in
Collins, N. Y.; Isaac, died in Michigan ; Benjamin, died in Leon in 1891 ; and
Butler, in Iowa. His daughters were Bathsheba, died in Leon; Mary Ann,
resides in Machias ; and Jane, lives in Leon. George had no family. Reu-
ben's sons are Thomas, a farmer, a soldier in the Civil war, and resides in Cold
Spring; Alexander L., a farmer, also a soldier in the Rebellion, and resides in
Napoli; Worden B., a farmer in Napoli and a soldier for the Union; and War-
ren W., also a soldier, and a farmer in Kansas. His daughters are Jemimah
and Almedia. The sons of Peleg are Stephen, deceased, who served in the
late war and died of disability ; James, a farmer in New Albion ; Zina, a farmer
who died in New Albion ; George, a soldier, now a farmer in Napoli ; Peleg, a
farmer in New Albion ; and Orrin, a soldier, now a farmer in Napoli. His
852 History of Cattaraugus County.
only living daughter is Delilah (Mrs. Eli Ellis), of Little Valley. The sons of
James are Guerdon, a mechanic in Michigan; Amasa, a soldier, deceased;
James, a soldier, now a farmer in Napoli ; and Noah, a soldier, now a farmer
in Chautauqua county. His daughters were Nancy, deceased: Hannah, de-
ceased; Sarah, deceased; and Emily (Mrs. Montonye), of Napoli, who resides
on the homestead. The sons of William were Bartimus, died in Napoli; Har-
vey, died in New York city; and Adelbert, of Salamanca. His daughter
Maria died in Wyoming county. The sons of Oliver are Isaac, a soldier and
farmer living in Iowa; John, a soldier, now a farmer in Cherry Creek ; and
Oliver, who went to the Black Hills and has- not since been heard from. His
daughters were Virtue, deceased; Abbie (Mrs. P. Wyman), of Salamanca;
Catherine, deceased ; and Almina, deceased.
Peleg Waite, son of Stephen, was born in Washington county and came
to Napoli with his family in 1824. He married Jane Buchanan and settled
on the farm now occupied by his son Orrin, where he died aged about eighty
years. Mrs. Waite died at the age of about seventy-eight. Peleg Waite, Jr.,
was born on the homestead Sept. 11, 1838, and Jan. 13, 1864, married Theo-
dosia, daughter of Sanford Iligbee, a lady who has woven thousands of
yards of carpet and as high as 1,200 yards in a single year. They settled on
a farm in Napoli and two years later removed to Snyder hill. Children : Em-
ma (Mrs. Edwin Pritchard), John H., Fenton E., and Horace L.
Zina W^aite, son of Peleg and Jane (Buchanan) Waite, was born in Napoli,
March 28, 1831, married Lucinda A., daughter of Jesse and Susan (Wright)
Wilber, Aug. i, 1852, who was born Dec. 4, 1831, and settled in Napoli, where
he was a farmer until March i, 1869, when he moved onto a farm of 200 acres
purchased of John A. Kinnicutt two miles west of New Albion. In Nov.,
1874, he sold this and removed to a smaller farm near the village of New Al-
bion, where he died July 9, 1884. Mr. Waite enlisted twice in the service of
his country, but was rejected on account of disability after being three months
in the service and on drill at Black Rock. Mrs. Waite died iVIarch 20,
1885. Children : Darwin D., born June 18, 1856, a cheese maker ; and Edgar E.,
born Aug. 19, 1859. The latter was educated at Chamberlain Institute and
at the age of nineteen he taught his first term of district school, teaching in
all nine terms. At the age of twenty-two he was elected inspector of election
and in 1886 was chosen justice of the peace, being the trial justice of his vil-
lage. March 11, 1883, he married Adda M., daughter of George Horth ;
they have one son, Harold, born Dec. 7, 1885.
Orlando White, son of George W., was born in Irving, Chautauqua county,
July 29, 1845, was graduated from the Gowanda Academy in June, 1861, and
in Sept., 1 861, went with Dr. George W. Barr, surgeon of the 64th N. Y. Regt.,
as his helper. About seven months later he returned to Gowanda and en-
gaged in the printing office of the Gowanda Reporter, where he remained until
Aug. 1 1, 1862. He enlisted in Co. K, 154th N. Y. Vols., and served until July
I, 1865. He participated in nine battles and several skirmishes, and escaped
with a single wound which he received May 30, 1864, after which he was
assigned to the quartermaster's office in Louisville, Ky. Completing his trade
as a printer he has since followed that avocation, being now engaged on the
Cattaraugus Times. He was editor and publisher of the Lyndon Record m
Michigan from Feb., 1878, to May, 1880, and was town clerk of New Albion
in 1889. Oct. 23, 1873, he married Delia Lowe, of Leon ; they have three sons
and two daughters.
Town of New Albion. . ■ 853
Frank Woodward, born in Gowanda, Erie county, Jan. 20, 1855, came when
about ten years old with his parents to Dunkirk, where he remained until
July, 1876.' He attended the High School and learned the trade of jeweler,
and in 1875 spent about nine months in Coudersport, Pa. Prior to this he
was a traveling salesman three years. In July, 1876, he came to Cattaraugus
and opened a jewelry store. After the fire of Oct. 22, t88i, he bought his
present lot, on which he erected a frame store which was burned Sept. 5, 1888.
He immediately rebuilt and resumed business Dec. 15th. Feb. 25, 1880, he
married Jennie M., daughter of N. Manley, of Cattaraugus, a pioneer of Mans-
field. They have one son.
Hon. Horace C.Young, son of Henry Young, Jr., was born in Fenner,
N. Y., Aug. 28, 1806. His father was born in Martha's Vineyard in 1775.
His grandfather, Henry Young, Sr., was a native of Scotland, emigrated to
Martha's Vineyard, and married there Lydia Ross. He was a graduate of
Edinburgh University and a teacher most'of his life. His mother, Philena
Kellogg, was a native ot Williamstown, Mass. The family emigrated from
Williamstovvn to Fenner, where Henry Young died in March, 1852, and his
wife in 1865. Horace C. Young assisted his father as an architect and builder,
and Jan. 19, 1831, he married Laura P., daughter of Gideon and Barbara
Walker, a native of Whiting, Vt. Her father lost his life at Fort Niagara in
the War of 1812. la the spring of 1832 Mr. Young removed to New Albion,
where he purchased the "improvements" on 58^ acres of land. The only
building was a log shanty, roofed with bark and without a door or window.
During the remainder of his life he carried on both his farm and the busi-
ness of architect and builder. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1833
and supervisor in 1843, '845, 1846, and 1847. In the fall of 1848 he was elected
to the Assembly and re-elected in the fall of 1849. He was State senator in
1862 and 1863, was school commissioner ten years, and was assessor and
commissioner of deeds about four years. Mr. Young was a man of more than
ordinary ability. He began his political life a Whig and joined the Republi-
can party at its organization. He was liberal in his religious opinions and was
well known as honorable and in no sense aristocratic. He was a thorough
temperance man and a friend of the young. He was often an administrator
in settling estates. Every good enterprise met his hearty support. He died
May 19, 1879. Mi's- Young survived until May 18, 1890, aged nearly eighty-
three. Children: Helen P. (Mrs. George H. Bailey), of Cbicago, deceased;
Laura P. (Mrs. E. Y. Arnold), of Ellicottville ; Caroline E., a teacher ; Louise
E. (Mrs. David Stevens), of Conevvango ; Mary Z. (Mrs. F. C. Techentien),
of New Albion ; and H. Olin, who married Mary J. Marsh and is a lawyer in
Ishpeming, Mich.
854 History of Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
history of the town and city of olean.
OLEAN, the mother of all the towns in Cattaraugus county, is co-equal
with the county in age and extent, as both were formed by the legis-
lative act of March ii, 1808, which created the county of Cattaraugus
from the territory of Genesee county and also the town of Olean, which em-
braced the whole of this county. The old town of Ischua was formed from
the northern half of Olean in 18 12. In 18 14 the town of Perry was formed
from the western parts of Olean and Ischua, reducing Olean to the territory
now embraced in the towns of Portville, Olean, Allegany, Carrolton, Great
Valley, Humphrey, Hinsdale, and Ischua. In 1818 Olean lost half its remain-
ing territory by the erection of Great Valley, which then included what are
now the towns of Great Valley, Carrolton, Allegany, and Humphrey. Hins-
dale, including the present town of Ischua, was taken off in 1820 and Port-
ville was formed in 1837, which reduced Olean to its present size and form,
and which embraces all of town one and the south half of town two, range
four, of the Holland Company's survey, covering an area of 21,846 acres.
The purchase by Maj. Adam Hoops of 20,000 acres from the Holland
Land Company, embracing the territory of the village and lands adjoining,
has been described in Chapter IX. In 1804 Robert Hoops, a brother of
Adam, came to Olean in the interest of the latter and erected a log house in
what is now East Olean. It stood near the bank of the river.and the location
was long known as Olean Point. Nearly ninety years ago this little habita-
tion was in a trackless forest, and it was then the center of the high hopes of
its proprietor. In his imagination he saw a city rise on the plain in the midst
of a populous and well-cultivated country ; he saw the waters in the river's
full banks plowed by busy steamers and other craft ; he saw the forests melt
away and manufactories and mercantile industries spring up as if by magic;
in fact he saw a populous and prosperous city. All this has happened, except
that the "iron horse" is a substitute for the navigation of the too small but
beautiful Allegheny. The city has appeared; its merchandise, its manufac-
tures, its fine educational buildings and public library, its costly churches, its
palatial residences — all are here. The result is but the expansion of the en-
terprise and energy of the pioneer who built the log cabin in the unbroken
forest on the banks of the Allegheny.
Olean, situated at the head of navigation of the Allegheny river and on
the line of emigrant travel to the west, grew rapidly at first. Emigrants from
Town and City of Olean. • 855 .
the eastern part of this State, and from New England, en route to tlie far
west, came to this place to avail themselves of the cheap and easy transporta-
tion offered (5v\ board the numerous flat-boats and rafts of lumber which annu-
ally descended the river until the completion of the Erie canal. There was a
time after the river was cleared of ice, and before its ebb, when it transported
men, families, rafts, etc., successfully to their destination. Emigrants arriving
in Olean before this were obliged to wait for the tide. The venerable O. P.
Boardman, the last surviving witness of those stirring times, states that peo-
ple to the number of 2,000 atone time congregated here waiting the "moving
of the waters." Then the inns and "old boat-house" overflowed; every
nook and corner was filled ; even shanties of boards were made to shelter the
great crowd. ■ This was a harvest for the taverns and such as had space in their
houses to rent and provisions to sell. Flour brought $25 per barrel and pork
S50. The expectations of the villagers rose higher than their flooded river,
and all were sanguine that the little village would outgrow or rival Buff'alo.
But alas! the shining ignis fatuus disappeared about the time of the comple-
tion of the Erie canal, and only shone again for a short time upon the com-
pletion of the Genesee canal, when the people again thought they saw a pros-
pect of making the Allegheny in connection with their canal (now abandoned)
a mighty thoroughfare or outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. The people's last
hope in this chimerical scheme died of inanition and the town relapsed into a
somnolent condition; with all its "natural advantages" it was outstripped in
population by several of its sister towns in the county.
In 1825 the entire town, including Hinsdale and Ischua, had a population
of only 404; in 1830,561; in 1840, without Hinsdale and Ischua, 638; in 1850,
899; in 1870, 2,668; in 1880,6,575; in 1890, 11,507. Olean is now a city with
excellent banks, the best of school buildings, several fine churches, a good
city hall, an unfaihng supply of pure water, electric lights and street cars, and
a well-organized fire department.
The following interesting reminiscences are from the fluent and graphic
pen of the late Hon. James G. Johnson, one of Olean's pioneers and most re-
.spected citizens. No historical data of the town and vicinity can excel it for
accuracy and intrinsic value :
The allusion to, and extracts from, an old estray copy of the Hamilton Re-
corder, which appeared in the Times a few weeks since, afforded me great
pleasure in re-perusal. Old times, scenes, friends, and acquaintances came
vividly back to mind with all the spirit and surroundings of early days. In
fancy I again saw " the old boys " who first settled and afterward made Olean
Point famous as a " tough little town." I again saw, as it were, Coudery the
sedate, steady-going man of thirty years or upwards, and Smead, the rollick-
ing, devil-may-care young fellow of perhaps twenty-two, full of sport and wit.
And there were Sylvanus Russell, Willis Thrall, Jehiel Boardman, Walter
Wood, Hoyt Webb, Luman Rice, Israel Curtis, the sheriff Deforest, and a
score of others, brave, sturdy pioneers, ready for hard work, adventure, or any-
856 History of Cattaraugus County.
thing which might occur. They are all gone now, and the boy who used to
look up to them with awe and listened with admiration to their " yarns " and
exploits has grown to be himself an older man than they, well along to the
close of the pilgrimage which has ended with them. In thinking of those early
days and settlers, and of the many interesting and often ludicrous scenes which
were enacted on the very ground over which we daily tread, and of which so
many of the present residents of Glean are blissfully ignorant, it seems to have
become a duty for me to snatch some of the principal scenes and actors from
the oblivion into which they are rapidly drifting.
The first permanent settlement anywhere within 100 miles ofOlean was at
Almond in 1796. It was made by a half-dozen emigrants from Luzerne county,
Pa., two of whom were Moses and Benjamin Van Campen, uncle and father
of George Van Campen, well known as an active citizen and present proprie-
tor of the Olean House who comes naturally to this business, his father having
started the first hotel in the country at Almond in 1805. The next nearest
settlement was that of John King;, a Philadelphia Quaker, who with his family
and, for those days, quite a retinue of servants, in 1798, settled on the Oswayo
creek and on the present site of Ceres, Pa. At the same time another Quaker
settlement was established on Tunesassa creek (Quaker run) in Elko. Both
these settlements were made under the auspices of the " Society of Friends, of
Philadelphia," and were devoted to the aid and benefit of the Indians.
In Nov., 1803, Benjamin Van Campen, then twenty-four years old, was
sent by Adam Hoops and David Heuston to make an examination of the
lands in this vicinity. He made his headquarters at King's, on Oswayo creek,
and spent two months in making his examination, encountering many hard-
ships from the severity of the weather. His son, George Van Campen, Sr.,
has now in his possession the compass used by his father to shape his course
through the then almost impassible forests. It is a simple brass box, two and
one-half inches in diameter, and its needle is as sensitive and true to the pole
as it undoubtedly was then. On the favorable report of young Van Campen
Hoops and Heuston purchased of the Holland Land Company a tract of
20,000 acres and in the spring of 1803 Enos Kellogg was sent here to locate
and survey the tract. In the summer of 1S04 Robert Hoops, a brother of
Adam, came here as agent of the lands, and built him a double log house on
a small bench of ground on the river bank, almost exactly in the rear of the
present Martin farm buildings. I can remember it as a little old, tumble-down
log house surrounded by a small, young orchard, some of whose trees are
still standing. Early in 1806 Hoops was joined by John and Cornelias Brooks,
Willis Thrall, William Shepard, and James Green, who located near him.
The next winter Thrall and Shepard erected a saw-mill on Olean creek, three
miles above its mouth, on what is now known as the Van Dusen farm. The
first lumber cut in the county was at this mill, and the first raft was made up
in the spring of 1807 ^"d run down the creek and river by Bibbins FoUett,
Jedediah Strong, and Dr. Bradley. This mill was of primitive construction,
having a single upright saw, yet for many years it was actively engaged and
did good duty as late as 1830 and perhaps a few j-ears later. Cornelius Brooks
purchased a farm two miles north of this village, the same which is now owned
and occupied by his heirs. John Brooks remained here but a short time and
removed to Cincinnati. William Shepard purchased the farm now occupied
by William B. Shepard, and died and was buried thereon Sept. 21, 1809. His
was the first death in the county. Olean Shepard, his daughter, was the first
Wl
Town and Cijy of Olean. • 857
white female child born in the county, the date of her birth being May 22,
1807. She is living in Buffalo, the widow of a Mr. Butts. James Green
moved to and built a saw-mill on Haskel creek about 1809, but sold out and
moved to Great Valley, where he died. His son " Wats John " was a some-
what famous character.
In the spring of 1808 James G. Johnson (my father), Sylvanus Russell,
and another man named Follett, I think, came to Olean ; my father was from
Canandaigua and Russell from Angelica. Sylvanus Russell was the first man
married in Angelica, his wife's maiden name being Esther Van Wickle and
the event occurring in 1805. He afterward kept a tavern on the site of the
present residence of George Chamberlain and was father of the venerable Mrs.
Seymour Bouton, now residing at Allegany. My brother, Marcus Hamilton
Johnson, was born Oct. 4, 1809, and was the first white male child born in
Olean. My father died early in 181 1, a few weeks before my birth, and was
the first person buried in our present beautiful cemetery. Jedediah Strong
married William Shepard's widow and died while on a trip down the river
about 1823. Bibbins "Follett died in Hinsdale in 1809. Willis Thrall lived
here till 1823-24, when he started for Rochester to sell a splendid span of
black horses he had raised here, and was taken sick at Mendon, Monroe
county, and died suddenly.
When the village was first laid out it was called " Hamilton " in honor of
the then great and popular statesman, Alexander Hamilton, but the local des-
ignation of "Olean Point" was generally used, and in course of time sup-
planted the name of Hamilton. There never was any formal change of names,
the substitution of one for the other being made by common custom and con-
sent. I think the first semi-official abandonment of Hamilton and adoption
of Olean was in the authorized village map published in 1836.
The first court held in the county was here in Olean, the first sitting be-
ing July 3, 1817. Timothy H. Porter was the first judge and James Brooks,
Ashbel Freeman, and Francis Green were associate or county judges, as they
were then called. The same year the county was organized Sylvanus Russell
opened the first inn on the site of the present residence of Judge Bolles,
from whence, about 1819, he removed to the site of George Chamberlain's resi-
dence. The house grew to be very popular with the better class of travelers
and in later years was a favorite resort. In 1809 Robert Hoops built a grist-
mill at the mouth of Olean creek. It was a frame building about 24x32 feet
and two stories high. It had but a smgle run of stone, yet for about twenty
years it did all the grinding of grain for the entire population. It ceased oper-
ations about 1828, when another mill was built on the site of the present
Martin's mills. This mill eventually burned down and was rebuilt in its pres-
ent form in 1857.
Robert Hoops died in 1816 in reduced circumstances. His brother being
unable to make payments on the lands purchased here they reverted finally
to the Holland Land Company, and by virtue of a mortgage thereon were re-
sold to Beardsley and Ebenezer Norton, who sent an agent here to take
charge. Many of the purchasers of original town lots had to pay over again
at least a part of the stipulated purchase money. On the whole, however,
the owners were quite lenient and the matter was adjusted amicably. After
the death of Hoops his housekeeper, an old maid named Nancy Furbelow,
lived in an old log house nearly upon the site of the present school house ad-
joining the public square. Being old, and left totally unprovided for, after the
108
S58 History of Catjaraugus' County.
death of Hoops she for several years became a charge upon the town — the
first pauper of the county. She was removed about i8ig and for nearly
twenty years lived with a family near the State line, the cost of her living be-
ing annually paid by the town. The log house she occupied here was after-
ward used as a school house.
Levi Gregory opened the first store in Olean in 181 1. His store was situ-
ated on what is now the Baptist church lot. For some years Gregory pros-
pered and did well. He built and lived in the house now owned and occupied
by C. V. B. Barse. His store now forms the rear part of the residence of
• Seth Warren. S"me time during the latter part of 1818 Gregory's finances
became disturbed, and after much unavailing effort the sheriff sought him on
a civil process, but Gregory successfully barricaded himself in his house and
the officer could not get at him. On Sunday morning, however, he came
boldly out, took a boat, and hired several men to row him beyond the State
line before the day expired. In those days this was the favorite route for all
who desired to escape from the hands of justice and too pressing creditors in
the eastern States, and it was a very common event for" pursued and pursuers
to go hunting through the town, and taking a boat hasten down the river.
When the chase was close and hot the pursuing parties frequently engaged
the reservation Indians to overtake the fic;eing culprits with their light, swift
canoes, and it was woe to the luckless wight who fell into their clutches. Im-
prisonment for debt was then in vogue, and it was to escape this that so many
tied tiie country for their own if not their country's good.
Between the years 181 1 and 1819 the town or village of Hamilton became
pretty well filled with settlers, as they were then called, and a considerable
village had grown up in the forest, which still surrounded it on every side.
The Alleghen\- river was then the great thoroughfare between the east and
Ohio, which was then the Great West. It is impossible forme to fi.x the date
of each arrival, but on my return with my mother in the fall of 1819 we found
here Ebenezer Reed, who was one of the first settlers of what is now the
town of Franklinville, and who with his numerous family was keeping the
"Old Boat-House." Andrew Northrup, Ebenezer Lockwood, Odel Lock-
wood, Hoyt Webb, Josiah Tracy, G. W. Warner, F. S. Martin, Timothy H.
Porter, John A. Bryan, Henry Bryan, Levi Gregory, Jacob Downing, David
Bockes, Dr. Xormati Smith, Dr. Bennett, Luman Rice, Samuel and James
Brunson, James Atkins, Walter Wood, Martin Morrell, Horatio and Amos
Orton, William Stilwell, D. D. Aiken, H. L. Osborn, Parson Thrall, Henry
Miller, David Jones, M. B. Canfield, Robert Hinds, Zachariah Oosterhoudt,
John Boardman, James Lockwood, Baxter Wilmarth, Henry L. Kingsbury,
and ma"ny others were residents of the village and engaged in business.
I am still writing of the scenes and actors of 1819-20, when what is now
the town of Allegany was called " Five Mile Run " and for all practical pur-
poses was a part of Olean. Ebenezer Reed had built and was occupying a
house on one of the four corners embraced in the lower part of the present
village. Amos R. Orton lived a mile up the creek, where the Henry Chamber-
lain place now is. Isaac Eggieston, who died a few years since in Allegany,
then lived on the farm now owned by Sylvester J. Horton ; Andrew L.Allen
lived on the Sweeter farm and David Orton on the farm now owned by H. W.
McClure. Hiram Wood and, soon after him, James Knapp lived near where
the Wilsey farm now is. Amos and David Orton and Andrew Allen were
finally proselyted by the Mormons and left the country, going to Kirtland,
Town and City of Olean..
Ohio, the rendezvous and first settlement of Joseph Smith and his followers.
Some years later the people of Olean became well acquainted with Mormonism
and the Mormons, as it was by " the river route " all eastern proselytes shipped
to the camps of the faithful. With the exception of small clearings made by
the above named settlers, between Olean and Chapell hill was a dense forest.
In 1822 James'Strong removed with his family to the farm now owned by his
son James. In a few years that valley contained the best farming lands in the
country. Sally Strong was the first woman married in Allegany, that event
occurring in 1825,
Walter Wood, who advertised the young negroes for sale in a copy of the
Recorder in 1819, lived where Richard King now resides and had an old-
fashioned tannery, not quite so large as Jewett & Keating's, on the edge of
the swamp, but what is now considered low ground. The building was about
30x40 feet. Wood left one night by the water route just ahead of his credi-
tors, who seemed exceedingly anxious to bid him good-bye. There was a thick
alder swamp, perhaps fifteen to twenty rods wide, running parallel with the
river and westerly from the canal bridge, down below Fifth street, and strange
as it may now seem there was once a good corduroy road across it at the lower
end of our present Union street. I remember that one day an old she-bear
and two cubs were discovered playing near the edge of this swamp, and the
discovery produced considerable excitement in that vicinity. Men assembled,
guns loaded, dogs called out, and a formidable hunting party speedily organ-
ized for an attack. They were pursued into the swamp and the old bear and
one of the cubs were finally killed near where the pottery now stands. I tasted'
some of the steak that night and must confess that I have never since " hank-
ered " very much for bear meat.
" Uncle Billy Nelson" was a peculiar character, being a bachelor and a
Scotch-Irishman, the only native of the green isle in the place. He was a very
intelligent man, well known, and respected by everybody. He boarded with
Sylvanus Russell, and on one St. Patrick's day, having no compatriots or sym-
pythizers with his national holiday, he celebrated it alone in grand style,
marching down the center of the street, bearing an improvised green flag, and
winding up the day with the usual ceremonies and observances. He died,
and was buried, I think, with Masonic rites. At that early day there was a
flourishing lodge here, and I can distinctly remember an imposing celebration
of St. John's day when Luman Rice kept the hotel which now forms a part of
the Olean House.
Sylvanus Russell, who kept a tavern where George Chamberlain resides,
was a man of very marked characteristics, prominent among the be.st men of the
day, prompt, active, decided, and exceedingly resolute, especially in his ad-
herence to his opinions. An anecdote, formerly related with much gusto,
fully illustrates the man. Benjamin Seeley, a large, strong, bony, active, la-
boring young man, had just come to Olean, and among other things in which
he excelled was the then not uncommon art of chopping cord-wood. He
boarded with Russell and soon engaged with him to chop some wood at a
given price per cord, board included. After breakfast each morning Seeley
would take his axe and go to the woods, now a part of the public square and
to and beyond the Episcopal church. Returning for dinner he would always
spend the afternoon playing checkers in the barroom, then a favorite and
common practice. After a week or ten days of this kind of work Russell be-
came uneasy and surly. He was sure Seeley was not fairly earning his board.
86o History of Cattaraugus County.
Accordingly, one afternoon when Seeley was seating himself to his regular
pastime Russell approached him and roughly said : " Young man, I think it
about time we measured up what little wood you have cut and have a settle-
ment." " All right," answered Seeley, quietly, and out to the woods they
went. ■ After they had taken dimensions of the various piles they returned to
the tavern and figured up the total. To Russell's surprise he found that Seeley
had cut an average of three cords per day! Without hesitation he handed
him the balance due and then said : " Young man, you can leave now ; I '11 be
d — d if I '11 have a man around me that will put up three cords of wood a day
and spend half of the time playing checkers in the house 1" Seeley had to
leave. Russell died, I believe, somewhere about 1840. Fourof his daughters
and two sons are living. Three daughters lu'e in this county — two near Elli-
cottville and Mrs. Bouton at Allegany ; the oldest daughter is living in Michi-
gan ; one of the sons lives at Farmcrsville and the other has some time been a
resident of Cincinnati.
In the spring of 1820 a serious accident occurred that sent a shock through
the little community, from which it did not recover in a long time. Four men
started down the river in a small boat, intending to go to Ehicottville to attend
a sitting of the County Court. The usual route was down the river to Great
Valley, and thence up the creek to the then county capital. One of the party
was Dr. Bennett; another was, I think, Jeremiah Osborne; another was Jo-
seph Lockwood ; and the fourth was a young emigrant named Kibbey, whose
family preceded him in a flat-boat down the river on their way to Ohio. How
the accident occurred was never positively known, but it was generally sup-
posed that in going down the river — it occurred near Plum Orchard bend —
their boat became entangled in an old tree-top, was upset, and the whole party
drowned. The bodies of Dr. Bennett, Osborne, and Kibbey were recovered
after long search, but that of Lockwood was never found. The three were
buried and their remains still lie in our village cemetery. Originally a wooden
slab or board was set up at the head of each grave, and the name, age, and cir-
cumstances of death was painted thereon. In time these planks rotted away,
were buried in the earth, and for a long time lay flat on the grave of the man
whose name it commemorated. Two of them finally disappeared, but the
third was reset; of this nothing is left but a weather-beaten plank, rounded
at the top, having on one side some ridges and elevations slightly suggestive
of lines and letters.
There were also living within the limits of the village Jehiel Boardman
(on the farm now occupied by his son, O. P. Boardman), James and Cornelius
Brooks, Col. Luke Goodspeed, Erastus Thrall, Samuel Barrows, Nathaniel
Seeley, David N. Huntley, Martin Freeman, James Strong, and others, all
scattered along the banks of Olean creek for about three miles up, or to Thrall
& Shepard's mill. Ebenezer Reed kept a tavern at what was then known as
the " Boat-House Landing," where F"ourth street now intersects the river
directly below the residence of H. B. Davis. Reed had also a long, low wooden
building containing fourteen or sixteen rooms, all on the ground floor, which
he rented to emigrant families. The boat house, from which the landing-
place took its name, was a large building .set directly on the bank of the river
and between it and the tavern. In this boat house Reed made and from it
launched into the river boats sold to emigrants. These boats were of the
cheap, flat-bottom order, usually twelve and sixteen feet wide and from
twenty-five to fifty feet in length. Reed was at that time considered one of
Town and City of Olean. . 86 1
the richest men, if not the richest man, in the town. He lived to be very old
and became greatly reduced in property. I have often heard him wish he
could die, and, in fact, he always seemed angry because he could not. Hav-
ing lost everything — property, family, friends, and even his taste of food — he
could see no further use in living.
Zachariah Oosterhoudt, father of Samuel Oosterhoudt, lived just west of
Reed's tavern and collection of buildings. John Boardman, who lately died
at Randolph, lived just below Oosterhoudt and there kept a small store. A
decided frontier character was David Jones, a bachelor who lived and kept a
grocery just above Reed's corner. Jones was a mighty hunter — in some re-
spects ; he always was well provided with hounds for running deer, which he
both used and lent for the chase of that plentiful game. He was always ac-
companied, wherever he went, by the old mother and seven or eight young
whelps, all frisking, and yelping, and playing around him. People were always
informed of Jones's intended visit by the noise of this band. Jones had a
curious taste — for it could not be called spite, friend and foe being treated
alike— of giving his dogs the "front names" of prominent citizens in the vil-
lage and adjoining country. Thus I remember one was called "Tim" after
Hon. Timothy H. Porter; another " Henr\-" after Henry Bryan; another
after Lawyer Canfield; and so on till dogs or men gave out. Each dog was
trained to respond promptly when his name was called, and the performance
often created much amusement. Davy and his pack of hounds disappeared
in time, but where they went I have no idea, except, perhaps, it was to " Davy
Jones's Locker."
Henry Miller, who afterward removed to Angelica and was a justice of the
peace at that place many years, lived in a frame building on the bank of the
river about thirty rods below where the bridge now stands. Chester Vib-
bard also kept a grocery on the river bank almost exactly where the bridge
now stands. My impressions are that it was a hard place, but I may be some-
what prejudiced, as it was there, and at the hands of Vibbard and the crowd
which frequented his grocery, that I suffered my first great personal affront.
I was then a boy about nine years of age and the fortunate possessor of a
black wool hat, which in those days was looked upon and regarded by the
boys as a badge of almost aristocratic distinction. Consequently I was very
choice and proud of it. I was cruising along the river bank in front of Vib-
bard's one day, when the crowd swooped suddenly down upon me and took
forcible possession of my cherished hat. For three hours they used it for the
detestable purpose of "shaking coppers for drinks" and when I regained it
somehow it seemed to be contaminated.
The road from Olean via Chapell hill and Ellicottville to Buffalo was opened
about the year 1828, and a good portion of the expense was borne by the
Holland Land Company. Dr. Andrew Mead acted as agent for the company
in the location and construction of the road. The present route over Chapell
hill was first looked out and marked through the woods by him. The State
road was first opened, barely wide enough for the clear passage of a wagon,
through to the State line below Cold Spring as early as 18 13 or '14. It was
laid out by three commissioners appointed by the State, viz.: Jedediah Strong,
of Olean, Moses Van Campen, of Angelica, and a Mr. Hulburt. The road
ran nearly the entire length of the reservation and then branched off toward
and terminated at Lake Erie. Most of it soon became impassable, mainly
from trees falling across the track, and as it was used mostly by Indians these
862 History of Cattaraugus County.
were never removed. An Indian, I believe, was never known to cut a fallen
tree out of his road, but if it happened to be a larger one than he could drive
over he would spend much time in cutting smaller trees and saplings and pil-
ing them up on either side of the larger obstacle until he had rriade a sort of
bridge oyer it. About 1840 a tax was levied on the Indian lands by the Board
of Supervisors, commissioners were appointed, and a very good road was laid
out the entire length of the reservation in this county. The expense of the
road was about $40,000. The well known "Wats John" Green was one of
the commissioners engaged in the laying out and construction of this road.
The tax became a bone of contention between the State and county authori-
ties, and it has only been within the past few years that the State finally
relieved the county from further trouble and responsibility. This was accom-
plished, I believe, mainly through the efforts of Hon. N. M. Allen, of Dayton.
In the decade between 1820 and 1830 a weekly mail was carried between
Olean and Buffalo by Peter Sampson, who regularly made his appearance here
Saturday nights. This service was afterward increased to three times per
week and so continued until 1851, when the mail was carried to Great Valley
and then transferred to the Erie railway. Calvin Abbott also carried a
weekly mail from Olean to Moscow for a number of years prior to and in the
early part of that decade. From about 1828 to 1832 Stephen Olney carried
a mail once a week between this place and Warren, Pa. Saturday night, also,
was sure to find him here, though he made the trip through the woods on
foot, carrying his slightly filled sack thrown across his shoulders. Moses
Harvey, who now lives at Hinsdale, was another mail carrier in those days.
He was then a sturdy young Pennsylvania German whose route terminated
at Jersey Shore, Pa. For a long term of years he carried his mail sixty miles
through a wilderness, devoid of a single inhabitant. Midway on his route he
had a station house and stable in one, where himself and horse remained
over night on each trip. The late John Magee, of Steuben County Bank
memory, together with his brothers, T. J. and Hugh Magee, were the first
contractors for carrying the eastern mail between Olean and Bath in stages.
I can well remember, in the twenties, of seeing Hugh Magee, then a young
man, acting as driver of one of these stages. He afterward mairied the widow
of the drowned Joseph Lockwood. There was still another weekly mail route
between here and Belleforte, Pa. This went by way of Smethport and for a
long time supplied that place. The principal routes of travel from the east
to the west led to Olean and thence by the river. One of these routes was
from Canandaigua through Geneseo, Moscow, Perry, Pike, Rushford, Cuba,
and Hinsdale; another was through Dansville, Almond, Angelica, Friendship,
Cuba, and Hinsdale. There was also a turnpike road beginning at Bath and
terminating at Hinsdale, which was a toll road, and within my recollection
there was a toll gate on it at what was then known as the Howe farm, two
and a half miles above Hinsdale. As early as 1825-26 there was an under-
ground route between the eastern slave States and Canada, which was traveled
principally by colored persons of both se.xes, and one of the branches of this
mysterious route passed through Olean and was well patronized for many
years.
Some passengers by this route in 1828 were the cause of the first tarring
and feathering operation which occurred in this vicinity.- One day four stal-
wart young colored men came to Martin's hotel asking for something to eat
and information concerning the route to Canada. Some dinner was prepared
Town and Citv of Olean. 863
for them and while they were in the kitchen eating two white F. F. V.'s rode
up on horseback, accompanied by a great strapping fellow, mounted on a
mule, whom they hired for a guide. He was well known here as the teamster
of James L. Gillis,*a merchant at Ridgway, who at that time drew all his sup-
plies through Olean on wagons. To the F. F. V.'s inquiries concerning the
colored men Martin replied that he had seen them but a short time before,
and advised them to hurry on toward Buffalo by the road leading through
Allegany. Thinking they were close upon their prey they started off at full
speed, and were gone about two hours, during which the colored gentlemen
were safely provided for on the premises of the late Judge James Brooks,
whose house, during his lifetime, was known as the " Methodist Tavern " and
" House of Refuge " for all unfortunates. After going some four miles the
pursuing party learned from some men who were at work on the road that
they were on the wrong track, and retraced their steps. They wanted to stop
overnight with Martin, but in consequence of some remarks used by them, or
for some other reason, he refused to keep them and they went down to Rus-
sell's. After getting a little steamed up their teamster guide came up town
and began blowing and telling what the F. F. V.'s were going to do. Unfor-
tunately for himself he kept this up till after dark, when Henry Garner, a
Kentucky fugitive, with two or three others of the same stamp, were provided
with a bucket of tar and a feather pillow, which were speedily added to the
CLiticular adornment of Gillis's teamster. He made his way back to Russell's,
where his employers spent most of the night in cleaning him off so he could
get home. The next Sunday morning, as I was returning from a solitary bath
in the Olean creek, I met him on his mule going at full run with an open dirk-
knife in his hand. As he passed I noticed that one side of his head was still
covered with tar and feathers. He never drove Mr. Gillis's team through here
again.
Anna Carpenter, then a young unmarried woman, afterward the mother of
the late Mrs. Mcintosh, began a school in Oct., 1819, in an old log house near
where now is the well just above George Chamberlain's furnace. The next
year Lewis Seymour taught school in a building belonging to Sylvanus Rus-
sell, which had been before used as a bakery. This school of Seymour's, I
think, was a private enterprise of Sylvanus Russell's. Seymour afterward
taught in a building near and in the rear of where James Kelsey's house now
stands. James Adkins, always called " Judge" Adkins, then lived on the old
Hoops place. Near the house was a circular mound, probably twenty-five
feet across and some three or four feet in height. Here the school-boys used
to dig out stone arrowheads, glass beads, and other Indian relics. I do not
remember that any bones were found in these juvenile explorations, yet the
general supposition was that at some time there had been a battle fought
near by, and according to Indian custom the dead had been gathered up and
friend and foe consigned to the common heap, which, being-deeply covered
with earth, formed the mound. Robert Hinds then lived in a log house
where Stanley Martin's house now stands. He kept a grocery store where
B. P. Crosby now resides. Hinds had previously kept a tavern on what is
now the Bela Norton farm. Adkins and Hinds both " took the chute" down
the river with their families. Adkins went to Cincinnati and Hinds, some-
• James L. Gillis was afterward one of the persons who stood trial at Canandaigua for the abduction of
Mortfan, author of the book pretending to be an exposition of Masonic secrets. He was acquitted, and af-
terward moved to California.
864 History of Cattaraugus County.
where to the great northwest. Among the names I have not previously men-
tioned is that of Paul Black, who lived in a log house situated on the spot
where Dr. Whitney now lives. Without Paul the town could scarcely have
flourished and made growth, as he was a brick mason. His masterpieces were
those immense fireplaces and chimneys which were so famous in those days
alike for their size and generous warmth and hospitalit}-. Two of these mon-
uments of the olden time and Paul's handiwork and skill are still in existence :
one in the old rear part of the Penfield house, facing the southwest corner of
the public square; the other chimney is in the old Northrup house, now occu-
pied by colored Sarah Johnson. These "grand' chimneys — and they were
grand, too, in many ways — were built up from a carefully prepared, solid
ground foundation, usually in the exact geographical center of the house;
the)' were always constructed on the Masonic principle of an oblong square,
being about 5x10 feet at the base and for about half their height, when they
were " drawn in " or contracted so that the portion which projected through the
ridge of the roof was 3x33^^ feet square. On the ground floor, on both of the
long sides of the square, were huge fireplaces, generally four feet long, four
feet high, and one and one-half feet deep. These were not placed in the mid-
dle of the architectural pile, but rather at one side, the remaining portion be-
ing occui^ied b}- a " bake-oven," which was heated by filling it with wood, the
embers being remo\-ed before the articles to be baked were placed therein.
Through the medium of one of these chimneys was once pla}-ed a practi-
cal joke on Henry Bryan, the lawyer, who was one of the half-dozen jokers
u ho were e\er on the alert to amuse themselves and the town. Two worthy
confreres of Bryan were Judge Timothy Porter and H. L. Osborne, a "mer-
chant tailor." Bryan was a bachelor and roomed in his office, which stood on
the present site of A. Adams's store and boasted one of Paul Black's famous
chimneys with two deep fireplaces. In 1822 a man came along putting in
what he called "patent fireplaces," which, when fitted into one of Paul's large
fireplaces, made a tremendous draft and almost drew the vvood from the and-
irons. Brj'an saw one operate and was determined to have it. He put one
in his front office, finished it, and started a fire just at night, and piled up the
wood on the hearth, where it burned without a particle of smoke escaping
into the room. After enjoying the improvement for some time he closed his
office and went for his supper to the hotel then kept by F. S. Martin. At
the supper table his exultations were so great that he could not keej) from
boasting of his new fireplace and insisted that all who were there should go
across the street and look at his magnificent fire. A baker's dozen accom-
panied him, and with the pride of an emperor Bryan applied the key and
flung the door wide open. Judge of the astonishment of himself and party
when an immense volume of blinding smoke burst forth ! Bryan rushed in to
put out the fire, but quickly came out nearly suffocated, much to the amuse-
ment of the crowd, who laughed and shouted long and loud, while Bryan
danced around like a madman and filled the air with curses and malediction
on chimneys, builders, and patent fireplaces in particular. Finding that none
of the smoke went into the chimney Bryan became frantic; seizing a pair of
tongs he threw the fire all out of the door, strangling, weeping, and cursing at
every breath, whilst his unsympathizing friends laughed and jeered at his
rage and discomfiture. He then procured a crowbar and never stopped till
the patent fireplace was entirely torn out and every brick hurled into the
street. Tired, sore, and mad beyond conception he crept into his cold bed
Town and City of Olean." 865
and shivered till morning. He arose early, and after viewing and cursing the
debris he took a look up the dark throat of the huge chimney. The darkness
was such as to send him tearing out of the ofifice, and getting a ladder he was
soon on the roof. There he found a wide board cut to the size of, and laid
across, the top of the chimney! It soon became known that while Bryan was
at supper Judge Timothy Porter and the tailor Osborne had secretly caused
the fearful turmoil and trouble. Bryan was too mad to say anything for
days. He cleared the rubbish out of his office and thereafter read Blackstone
and cracked jokes upon the old Paul Black fireplace. It was never meddled
with again till it was torn down many years afterward.
Aunt Sarah Johnson was originally the " property " of a wealthy family
living in Baltimore. At one time, and I think not long after her arrival here,
she was housekeeper for and had charge of the bachelor hall of Dr. Andrew
Mead. He was well qualified to meet the cares and responsibilities devolved
upon him in the treatment of a terrible epidemic, typhus fever, which prevailed
to an alarming extent throughout this entire region during the whole of one
year and a portion of the next. In fact, almost the entire population were
prostrated with the disease at one time, and the good doctor's daily ride em-
braced a circuit of fifteen to twenty miles around. Scarcely a house but had
one case, and in many there were two and three and in some even four cases
of the disease at one time. Of course there were many deaths, but I now
only remember those of Col. Luke Goodspeed, Seymour Bouton, father of
Seymour Bouton, of Allegany, and the first wife of Ebenezer Reed.
Ebenezer Lockwood was sheriff in 1822 and at one time owned the mills
and lands now known as the Homer property. Afterward and about 1832-33
he became the landlord of the hotel now the Olean House. For many years
he was partially blind, owing to severe inflammation of the eyes. He finally re-
moved to Iowa. Odel Lockwood, who was in the business with his brother
Joseph until the latter's death, returned to New York and for many years
thereafter was a member of the firm of White, Lockwood & Co. Josiah Tracy,
a clerk with De Forest & Co., was, I think, one of the best looking young men
I ever saw. He went to Painesville, Ohio, where he engaged in business for
himself, and finally became a prominent merchant D. D. Aiken was another
attache of De Forest's store. I think he returned to New Berlin, Chenango
county, when De Forest retired from business here and returned thither and
eventually became a merchant there. De Forest's son, William, was then a
boy of about my own age, who became an efficient officer in the regular army.
Hoty Webb, another merchant who advertised liberally in the Hamilton
Recorder, had his store where Barse & Co.'s hardware store now stands. Him
I remember as a man of middle age, a sedate, steady man, and one of the few
who at that time gave religious matters any attention and was prominent in
maintaining public worship. For a time services were held in his store cham-
ber. There was also a Sunday school held there, and I have a vivid recollec-
tion of being one of the many boys who unwillingly attended.
The first and for many years the only religious services held in this place
were conducted by itinerant Methodist preachers, whose home was mainly on
horseback, and whose entire wardrobe and religious outfit was contained in a
pair of weather-stained saddlebags. The first church society in Olean was or-
ganized by Rev. Mr. Stone, a Congregational minister, who previously lived at
or near Livonia. He came to this place and began his labors in 1822-23. The
Rev. Mr. Stone was a second cousin of my mother, and my stepfather, Anson
109
History of Cattaraugus -County.
King, and Ahijah C. Warren, father of Seth W. Warren, were deacons of the
church and presided at the services for many years. IVIinister Stone used to
goto Miligrove and other points up the river and hold meetings, and some
such men as the Hewitts, of Miligrove, sustained him. He only remained here
a couple of years, and I presume all the records of the church were lost when
Deacon King left here in 1828.
Masten Morrill, a very candid, honest man, lived in a large frame house
standing where Schenkel's marble works now are. The house was a great barn-
like structure, which was blown down by the great hurricane of 1834. Mor-
rill was a justice of the peace and administered justice after the good old
primitive style. A very good story used to be told of him which fairly illus-
trates the absence of red tape and formality which largely prevailed among
our old-time Solons. Some creditor of Morrill's, who lived out of town,
called one day to urge the payment of a certain promissory note held by him,
and which was overdue. Morrill could not pay. The creditor was urgent
and pressing, and finally threatened to sue. To save payment of costs, etc.,
Morrill proposed to his creditor that he should enter judgment against him-
self upon his own docket and proceed to collect the amount of himself by
regular and due course of law. After a full discussion of the merits and ad-
vantages of the plan the proposition was accepted and Morrill actually issued
a summons against himself, had it properly served by an ofificer, judgment
was entered, an execution issued, and his property was sold by James Bron-
son, then a constable, who turned the proceeds over to the hands of Justice
Morrill for the benefit of the creditor. Morrill afterward removed to Napoli,
.where he died. He left a large family.
My own impressions, coupled with the most reliable information I can ob-
tain, lead me to conclude that the first brick made in Olean for the purpose
of sale were manufactured by a man named Nichols, and that his yard was
located very nearly where now is the canal basin. Jehiel Boardman also made
a lot of brick for his own use on his farm somewhere about 18 16-17. There
was then a long bridge extending across the low ground lying between the
south end of Merritt's warehouse and the north end of the canal basin. This
bridge was constructed in the ordinary manner, of heavy timbers and plank,
and was elevated some eight or ten feet above the ground. It was for many
years the favorite promenade and lounging-place for the town on warm moon-
light nights, and many tender episodes, ludicrous incidents, and sharp trades,
besides other things, had their origin or culmination there. In after years,
in 1823-24, the bridge was torn down and the timber and plank laid snug and
straight on the ground and covered with at least two feet of earth, making a
high turnpike. Its remains were incorporated in the west bank of the canal.
William Stilwell, house carpenter and joiner and father of Mrs. J. F.
Gleason, of this place, then owned and lived in a house situated on the site
lately occupied by what was known as the Petroleum House, burned down in
1867. I can remember him well as a tall, straight, athletic man, a rapid
talker, always full of energy and activity, and a thorough master of his busi-
ness. He came here from Westchester county and after remaining a few years
removed to Franklinville, where he died. There were here in 1820 three
brothers, Penuel, Samuel, and Kibbee McCluer. Penuel was married and had
a family. He was either an agent or in some way interested in one of those
general Yankee peddling organizations which then sprang into existence and
in an exceedingly short time overran the entire country. Samuel McCluer
Town and City of Olean. • 867
was a bachelor merchant who kept a store on the site of John Steyner's store.
The venerable H. W. McClure, now living near Allegany, was then a youth
of promise and clerked for him a year or two. Kibbee McCluer remained and
afterward married Emily, a sister of O. P. Boardman, and died a few years
later, leaving two young daughters, of whom Mrs. W. B. Pierce was one.
David Bockes came here from Albany with Jacob Downing and a few years
later engaged in business with H. L. Osborne, " the perpetual joker," under
the firm name of Osborne & Bockes. In addition to their mercantile business
they also purchased and ran lumber down the river. They continued in part-
nership some si.x or seven years, when Bockes married and soon after began
hotel keeping in a frame building situated where the Moore House is now
kept, and remained there until he became the owner of a mill and lands on
Haskel creek, when he removed thither and lived there until his death. He
had a remarkable memory, especially for national political evtnts. He had
great aptitude for the management and transaction of general business. His
family consisted of his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
Seymour Bouton, who died at this place in 1821, came, I think, from West-
chester county and first settled at Ischua Center in an early day, he being the
first or one of the first settlers in that town, Amos Pitcher locating there soon
after his arrival. As I remember him Bouton was a very active, energetic,
resolute, unconquerable man ; enterprising and untiring in every labor he un-
dertook he soon cleared up the flat at Ischua and kept a tavern there several
years. He also cleared up another farm just over the hill toward Franklin-
ville. The two large barns, which were the only buildings on it for many
years, will be remembered by every old settler, as they stood there alone and
were notable landmarks. His descendants were five sons and two daughters,
of whom three sons and one daughter are still living. John B. Taylor, father
of Lemuel and Tracy Taylor (both of whom died a few years since), came
here from Rhode Island in 1817 and remained until his death. His eldest
son, Cyrus, went west, and Ruth, his eldest daughter, was the first wife of
Deacon Aaron J. Allen. The youngest daughter, widow Sarah Ann Wright,
is the only living member of the family and resides in this place. There were
also living here three brothers Clark, respectively named Barak E., Sanford,
and James R. They were more or less engaged in lumbering, as was every-
body else in those days. Barak E. was the father of Mrs. John L. Smith, of
Portville, and died in Burton (now Allegany). James R. settled upon and
cleared up the farm now owned by Charles Learn, just below Allegany vil-
lage, where he died. Sanford never married and recently was living near
Clarion river in Pennsylvania. Benjamin Seeley married in Allegany county,
lived here a few years, and then suddenly took the chute down the river,
never returning or being heard of afterward. He left a wife and two daugh-
ters here who subsequently returned to their relatives in Allegany county.
There was also a lady here who I think is entitled to notice. Her name
was Mary A. Brising, an adopted daughter of one of the F. F.'s of Geneva,
from which place she came to Olean. She taught a private school for severSl
years, was well educated, and was highly respected for her talent, virtues, and
variable disposition. That she was not speedily transformed into a house-
keeper by some one of the wife-needy pioneers was probably attributable to
the fact that she was of an uncertain age, very deaf, and fully six feet in
height. Horatio Orton, for some time postmaster here, finally became a wid-
ower, and in his loneliness discovered her many good qualities, and after some
History of Cattaraugus County.
practice he found sufficient strength of voice to express his desire to make
her Mrs. O. No. 2. Some of the wags of the day asserted that he used a lad-
der and a speaking trumpet on that important occasion. She Hved here until
Orton's death, after which she moved to Chautauqua county, where she died. '
James Bronson, who married a daughter of Pardon Thrall and sister of
Willis and Erastus Thrall, went west as early as 1823-24, as did also Erastus
Thrall some twenty-five years later, when he removed to Michigan. Samuel
Bronson, father of Mrs. Samuel Oosterhoudt, owned and lived on the lot on
State street now occupied by Milton Fobes. He resided there until some
thirty years since, when he removed to Ohio, where he died. For many years
he v^'as one of the principal pilots employed in running rafts down the river.
In those days this was considered a position of much dignity, and to be a pilot
of a raft was the very summit of many young men's ambition. George La
Rue, a son-in-law of Ebenezer Reed, I think succeeded him in keeping the old
Boat-House Tavern. He kept it for several years.
At the time of which I am writing all that portion of the town lying be-
tween State and Barry streets on one side and the creek and river on the
other had never been cleared of timber except the pine, consequently the
ground was covered with logs, tops, and fallen timber, grown up with under-
brush. The body of land was then owned bv F. A. Norton, who leased it for
four years to F. S. Martin, the consideration being that the latter should clear
and cultivate it within that time. Martin cleared a tract as far south as Hen-
ley street, the balance remaining untouched for many years afterward. I do
not remember that he did this work himself, but think he contracted it to
Tunis and Buch, and William Bennett, who now lives near Cuba village. At
the same time, and on the same terms, G. E. Warner cleared some ten or
twelve acres in the northwest portion of the present town. He began at the
Presbyterian church corner, going west as far as Fourth street and north
to what is now Wayne street. These Jobs were taken and done more
for the sake of clearing up around the town than for any expected profit.
While Martin's job of clearing was in progress there occurred the first case of
small-pox in Olean of which I have any recollection. A man named George
Sylvester, who had come up the river from Pittsburg but a short time before,
was the victim. I well remember, the terrible fright which the intelligence of
his sickness with the horrible disease occasioned in the community. Many
people left the place, and stood not on the method of their going, but left at
once. Sylvester recovered, however, and no one else was afflicted with the
disease. Where is now the public square was then a "chopping" covered
with the usual debris of brush, tops, logs, chips, stumps, etc. These were
cleared off in 1823 by Samuel Barrows and Erastus Thrall; William B. Shep-
ard was engaged with them.
A somewhat noted character in those days was " Old Malinda,' as she was
called by everybody — a very large, fat woman of the colored persuasion. I
think she came here from Albany with Jacob Downing and for a time offici-
ated as his cook. She was here a number of years after he left, living in a
cheap sort of shanty near the old Boat House, sorhetimes keeping a few board-
ers and at other times taking in work. In a wordy dispute, or badinage, I
think it was generally conceded she was more than equal to the occasion or
the individual, and I distinctly remember that very few cared for or sought a
second encounter with her.
Andrew A. Norton, who is now living with his son-in-law in the city of
Town and City of Olean. • 869
Elmira, was, during the times of which I have been writing (1820-25), a pros-
perous and very popular merchant in AngeHca, Allegany county. He was
then a young man in the very prime of his manhood, full of humor and mirth,
and an inveterate talker, notwithstanding his impediment of speech, which
caused him to stutter fearfully, especially when temporarily excited. Benja-
min Jones, father of Homer Jones, now living in Allegany, then lived on the
farm now owned by Andrew Archibald. He died early, leaving two sons.
His brother, Ebenezer Jones, is well remembered by every old settler for his
peculiarities. He was a bachelor, and like most every one else dealt in and
shipped lumber down the river. He eventually married, retired from lumber-
ing, and settled in Allegany, where he died.
Dennis Warner, father of Colonel Warner, settled on and for some years
owned the farm now occupied by the operations of Gordon's mills. He also
died early, leaving two sons and one daughter. In reviving my recollections
of this property the name of Truman Parker has occurred for the first time in
a number of years. My impression is that he also lived on the Warner place
for a number of years. He was a man of sterling worth, honest, reliable, and
industrious, yet possessed of constitutional peculiarities which gave many of
his proceedings an e.xtremely eccentric character. His feelings were very
susceptible of surrounding influences, while his emotion betrayed a keen sensi-
bility of everything that was fine, delicate, and beautiful. Yet there was
nothing in his general appearance which would indicate such a peculiar mental
organization. In his younger days he had been an ardent teacher of sacred
music, for which he had a great liking. When he came to town he would
sometimes drink just enough to moderately e.xcite his feelings and awaken a
flood of old memories and predilections. At such times he would invariably
ask for a singing book and a bass viol, which would always be furnished him.
For two or three hours he would play and sing all the good old sacred tunes
he ever knew. His music was harmonious, pleasing, and affecting. He
seemed oblivious to all around, and borne away on the wings of his wild im-
agination he rehearsed and re-enacted the scenes of which he sung. When
singing pathetic passages his voice would be full of pathos and tender feeling,
while unrestricted tears of fullest sympathy would freely course down his
weather-stained cheeks. While listening to his touching renditions more
hand-backs and handkerchiefs than my own were constantly in requisition, for
it would have been iL most obdurate heart indeed which could remain unmoved
during his soulful performances. He was a carpenter by trade, and once told
me he drew his chest of tools on a hand-sled of his own manufacture from
Washington county to Olean. He lived to an advanced age. Reuben Lam-
berton came here from Canandaigua as early as 1816-17. Previously he had
kept a hotel or " tavern " on the ground lately occupied by the celebrated
Blossom House in that village. After his arrival here he entered into part-
nership with Allen Rice in operating a saw-mill on the Weston mill property.
Lamberton was very upright, conscientious, an active worker, and full of en-
terprise, but not remarkably successful in business. Neither was his compre-
hension of intention and meanings of an unusual order. He could talk the
longest with the least reason or meaning of any man I ever knew.
There were four of the Rice brothers — George, Justus, Allen, and Luman,
all large, powerful men, full of enterprise and energy. George settled seven
or eight miles this side of Smethport, where he built the usual saw-mill and
cleared a fine farm on the flats surrounding the junction of a smaller stream
8/0 History of Cattaraugus- County.
with Potato creek. He lived thereon until his death, leaving a large family to
succeed him. Justus came here from Whitehall on Lake Champlain, and
settled upon and cleared a large farm in Eldred near where Benton's saw-mill
is now located. In after years there came a radical change in his manners and
mode of life. He became a convert of the Methodists and in a few years a
preacher, and was widely known as " Father Rice," a devoted disciple and
prominent leader of that denomination. He lived to an unusually good old
age. Luman Rice was probably more generally known, and to a later period,
than any of his brothers, from the fact that he was a prominent public citizen
during his entire life in this town. My first knowledge of him was as the sec-
ond landlord of the old Hamilton Hotel, now incorporated in the Olean House.
He bought out Horatio Orton early in 1819, kept hotel here about three years,
when he went to Portville, and built a tavern there in 1823. This house was
burned down two or three years later, the fire destroying nearly everything
Rice owned in the shape of personal property. As an instance of the deep,
practical sympathy and open-handed liberality of the early settlers in cases of
suffering and necessity I am proud to state that the people turned out, and
by joint labor and contributions soon rebuilt Rice's house, never ceasing until
it' was entirely enclosed. I well remember seeing F. S. Martin driving his
team up there day after day loaded with carpenters and other voluntary work-
men on Rice's new building. With the exception of a few years spent in Cin-
cinnati as an incipient lumber merchant Rice lived and kept tavern, sold
merchandise, and dabbled in lumber until his age and infirmities com-
pelled him to relinquish all business. He was the father of Mrs. O. P. Board-
man, of this town, of Mrs. Alfred Wright, and of Andrew D. Rice, the post-
master at Portville. The next I remember of Allen Rice after the failure of
his and Lamberton's lumbering enterprise was of his boring for salt in Potter
county, where he succeeded in manufacturing a considerable quantity of very
fair quality. Lack of proper facilities for conducting his business, and the lo-
cation of his wells and works in a dense and almost impenetrable forest, oper-
ated strongly against the profitableness of his venture, and he finally abandoned
it and went to Ohio and on the river opposite Wheeling, W. Va., where he re-
engaged in salt making, at which, I believe, he continued until his death.
George Rice, another brother, came here several years later than the others
and died after living here but a few years. He was the father of Mrs. William
B. Shepard and Mrs. F. V. Oviatt.
William Bagley and Ransom Bartlett were two large, strong, athletic young
men who worked about the Rice and Lamberton mill. I have heard Bagley
tell as a fact that they went into the woods one winter morning, cut down
their trees, and sawed, by count, 100 pine logs, making nearly 40,000 feet of
boards. This was acknowledged to be a great feat, even in those days when
he was the best man who could do the most work. Bagley for a few years
was a merchant, but not succeeding very well he became a farmer, owning the
Samuel Oosterhoudt place. He went to Ohio, where he died. Bartlett mar-
ried a daughter of John Conrad, then at Hinsdale, and settled on Haskel
creek, building the first saw-mill on the present road to Portville. I think he
died at Pirtsburg of cholera in 1832. Daniel Weymouth succeeded Philip
Culp in the ownership of the mill on the river opposite Weston's, and retained
possession of it until a high flood lifted it from its foundations and carried it
bodily down the river. It lodged it the mill-race nine miles below here, where
Weymouth despoiled it of all its iron work and left it to its fate. It is my
Town and City of Olean. 871
impression that this occurred in the fall of 1835 ; I distinctly recollect seeing
the building float past here, right side up and in good condition. Weymouth
was a man thoroughly respected for his simple honesty and perfect confidence
in all his friends. His first wife left him during the iVIormon excitement, tak-
ing with her their only child. She went to Cincinnati on a visit to some friends,
who were not only tainted with, but converted to, the new ism, and went with
them to Nauvoo and joined the band without giving him any intimation of
her intentions. After years of sincere regret for her conduct, and innumerable
and unavailing attempts to obtain possession of his child, he married a Miss
Quick, of Portville, and died in that place.
The late John Fobes, father of Milton B. and George Fobes, I think came
here from Buffalo as earlj- as 1820. He at that time regarded Olean and its
vicinity as a more promising location for a young man than Buffalo. And he
was not alone in this opinion, either, for I remember to have heard the late
F. S. Martin state that previous to his coming here in 18 19 he was for a long
time undecided in his mind whether to come here or locate in Buffalo. He
visited both places, carefully studied the natural advantages of each, and finally
decided in favor of "Olean Point." Mr. Fobes first settled and had a trading
establishment on the Mersereau place, but a year or two afterward he pur-
chased some land just over the Pennsylvania line and removed to it. He there
built and operated a steam saw-mill and also conducted a general store, which
occupied the site of the mill now owned by his sons. He lived and operated
there for many years, and was one of the most prominent men in McKean
county, being county commissioner for a long time. In 1832 he became a
partner with Henry Bryan, who had been for some time engaged in mercan-
tile business there. Still later he formed a partnership with Nicholas Van
W'ickle and continued in that business until about 1 84S, when he removed here
and continued merchandising until his death, which occurred in i860. He
built the Fobes House (now called Moore House) about 1850. I also remem-
ber that while acting as a merchant in later years his favorite pastime was the
making of o.\-bows and axe-handles, at which he was very expert, and his
matuifactures of these articles were eagerly sought and considered superior to
any others made or sold here. Mr. Fobes was a man of sterling integrity.
I do not remember with certainty what became of Judge A. V. P. Mills
and family, who lived on Oswayo creek near the present Smith's mills. His
son and partner, Samuel Mills, who married Anna Carpenter, I think died in
Natchez on the Mississippi river, whither he had gone with a raft of lumber.
He left a son and two daughters. Israel Curtis, the first sheriff of this county,
first settled and lived upon the farm now known as the Scott farm, two miles
this side of the village of Hinsdale. He left here as early as 1825, and I think
before, but where he went or what became of him afterward I cannot say.
Edward Riggs, with his mother, kept tavern on the present Bela Norton
homestead. He afterward went to Kentucky and his mother removed into
the village. In 1820-21 Joshua Weeks lived on what is now known as the
Horace Smith farm. He left here soon after, and was succeeded by Hiram
Thrall, son of Willis Thrall, who died there young, leaving one son. Jede-
diah Strong, who married the widow of Shepard, mother of William B. Shep-
ard, then owned and lived on the Webster farm. She survived several years
after his death and died at that place about 1833. Joshua Van Dusen, James
Hepburn, Ahijah C. Warren, Ephraim Simmons, and Seth Simmons, his
father, all came here I think in 1821-22 and first settled in this village. Van
8/2 History of Cattaraugus County.
Dusen started a chair shop, which, for those days, was quite a large establish-
ment and a great stroke of enterprise. It was located where 5. R. Homer
now lives, nearly in the rear of the Union street depot. My recollection is
that he manufactured exclusively one kind of chair, which used to be called
the Windsor chair. It was made with a solid wood bottom and was very
popular. He remained here a few years and removed to Chautauqua county,
where he figured quite prominently for several years. James Hepburn suc-
ceeded Van Dusen in the chair business. He was then quite a young man,
and soon after establishing himself he married a daughter of Seth Simmons
and sister of " Eph." He remained here until somewhere about 1840, when
he moved to Ohio and subsequently removed still farther west. Deacon
Ahijah C. Warren, who was also a son-in-law of Seth Simmons and the father
of Seth Warren, was a man possessed of greater mental equilibrium and physi-
cal activity and endurance, both combined in the happiest degree, than any
man I remember to have known. He could adapt himself to any place, as-
semblage, or circumstance without any apparent effort or being in the least
disconcerted. He made himself conspicuously useful anywhere, and was
equally at ease whether in conference, prayer meeting, as counsel in a justice's
court, at a barn-frame raising, or running a steam engine. He was master of
all he undertook, and was a kind-hearted, useful, impulsive, go-ahead member
of the community. He also removed to Ohio somewhere between 1845 ^"d
1848 and lived there until his death a few years later. Seth Simmons was a
carpenter by trade and in 1822-23, with his son Ephraim, built a frame school J
house on the site of the present State street school building. This building ■,,
was afterward removed and is now a dwelling house located on the east side [
of Barry street and owned by Levi Carter. Simmons lived, I remember, in
1834, in a house standing on the site now occupied by the dwelling of Mrs. -^
R. White. It was blown down by the great tornado of that year. Simmons "*'
was lying sick in bed at the time, but was scarcely injured. He died a little k
more than a year afterward. M
With the diminishment of through or down the river emigration business M-
began to grow dull here, and many who had lived here long, and had never M
previously thought of such a thing, began to be filled with a desire to emi- ^^
grate, and in turn passed down the river, as had thousands before them, to W,
return no more. Affairs then began to assume a new shape. When it was S
no longer profitable to shelter or sustain emigrants new industries were sought ;^f^
out, and the civilization and settlement which had been almost exclusively 0:
concentrated at this point became quite rapidly diffused. Settlements and -S;'
improvements which had been confined to the vicinity of the river and large
inflowing streams began to extend back into the valleys and spread out on the
hillsides, and on the final triumphant completion of the Erie canal in 1825 a
new channel for the still increasing stream of emigration was opened and this '-
region of country was left to its own resources for development. Notwith-
standing this serious diversion of travel, and the more serious withdrawal of
the ready money which emigrants scattered freely for traveling expenses and
outfits, the same strong spirit of enterprise and self-reliance wliich first brought
and sustained our early settlers here rendered them equal to the emergency
and carried them over the many difficulties which ever beset a change of occu-
pation and resources. There was very little repining over the unlooked for
and irretrievable loss of business and custom. None thought of giving up,
but resolutely set to work to create new sources of employment and revenue. ■
st.i
Town and Citv of Oleax. 8;^
In the Hamilton Recorder, the first paper published in Olean, dated Oc-
tober 2, 1819, are the following advertisements:
"HAMILTON HOTEL REMOVAL.
"■The subscriber having purchased the tavera stand lately owned by H. Ortou, ou the northwest corner
of the public square, Avould respectfully inform the public that he has remOTed to said stand and is fittin;;
up the new house for the entertainment of travelers; where he expects in a few days to afford good ac-
commodations on the most reasonable terms; and assures all who may please to favor him with their
custom, that no pains shall be spared on his part to render their stay at his house as comfortable as his
situation in so new a country will admit. Luman Rice.
" Hamilton, June 9, 1819."
"ENTERTAINMENT.
" The subscriber, innkeeper at the bridge which crosses Olean creek, hidf a mile north of the village of
Hamilton (Glean Point), has for the accommodation of families, teamsters, and the public generally, good
fall feed, hay, and oats and other conveniences on terms as fbllows : A horse kept at grass one night, 12>a
cents. A horse kept at hay one night, Scents. Oats fed at night in stable, 50 cents.
" For the accommodation of emigrants he has for sale potatoes at 50 cents a bushel, bread or flour at
five cents a pound, and common soap at si.x cenfia quart. Also on hand and will be furnishel at short
notice, boats of any length under 30 feet and 8 feet wide, with oars ready for immediate use, at 50c.
per foot. Si.xteen-foot skiffs sold at from three to five dollars each; and for the convenience of those who
may wish to build rather than buy ready-made boats, he has timber and plank for sale. He will repair
wagons and sleighs when requested ; and intends to deal honestly with all who may please him with their
custom. Jehiel Boardman.
"Olean, September 10, 1819."
The first of these advertisements was inserted by the father of Mrs. O. P.
Boardman and the other by the father of Mr. O. P. Boardman. The Hamil-
ton House of 1819 is a portion of the present Olean House, and Jehiel Board-
man's tavern then stood on or very near the site of O. P. Boardman's brick
edifice in Boardmanville.
About thirty minutes past three o'clock in the afternoon of March 20,
1834, the inhabitants of Olean observed an unusual appearance in a cloud
hanging. over the hills two and a half miles southwest of their village. It was
approaching toward them in a straight line with a rapid swirling motion and
an ominous sound. It had the form of an immense inverted cone, with its
apex resting on the earth. Approaching with terrific rapidity it whirled into.
ruin everything in its path — eighty rods wide. Forests were prostrated,
buildings totally demolished, and strong fences swept away. So complete
was the devastation that scarcely a vestige of habitation or vegetation re-
mained. The cyclone kept its course to the northeast, struck the outer edge
of Friendship village in Allegany county, where it killed one man and de-
stroyed several buildings, and finally ended its swath of destruction, forty
miles long, in Steuben county. Its line is known as "Windfall."
No town in the county has been favored with more and better facilities for
transportation than has Olean. To the pioneers the Allegheny river was an
important route to market and the west. In 185 1 the New York & Erie
railroad was completed and opened. If this had followed the original survey
the depot would have been located about where the Root & Keating tannery
now stands. On July 3, 1872, what is now the Buffalo division of the West-
ern New York & Pennsylvania railroad was opened to Olean and subsequently
through to Oil City, Pa. The main line of this road runs along the south side
of the Allegheny, passes through Olean, and proceeds along the bed or banks
8/4 History of Cattaraugus County.
of the abandoned Genesee canal to Rochester. Besides these the Olean, Brad-
ford & Warren narrow gauge railroad, owned by the Western New York &
Pennsylvania, runs southwest into Pennsylvania, and the Lackawanna & Pitts-
burCT narrow gauge railroad, which runs to Bolivar, Allegany county.
In the act of the Legislature passed March 1 1, i8oS, erecting the county of
Cattaraugus and the town of Olean, it was specified that the first town meet-
in"- should be held at the house of Joseph McCluer, who was then located at
•' McCluer Settlement," now in the town of F'ranklinville. Probably no rec-
ords of this meeting are in existence, as none can be found. The subjoined
contains the names of all the supervisors and town clerks in Olean since 1809
and all the justices of the peace since 1830, when the office became elective :
SHj)cmV.)rj-.— .lames Green, 1800-10; Cornelius Brooks, 18111-', 18U-ir>; Xathaa Hortoii, 18i;>; Israel Cur-
tis, 1810-17, ISJ) : Seymour Boutun. 1818: Ebenezer LockwooJ, IslH, 18:.'l-2-J ; David Bockes, 18-':j-24, IS-"!) ; .VI-
len Kice, 18i'). 18iT; Samuel Burrows, 182tj, 1828; Frederick S. Martin, 18:XI-31, WM, 1838; David Day, 18:e-
*i. 1837, 1848-4H: Elkanali Day, 18;i9, 1841-42. 184T, 18.5ii ; .lames G. .Tolinson, 1^0, 184;i-4.'); Uoderick White.
184ii; Daniel Hieko.x, IS.W ; Samuel Oosterlioudt, 18.51; Paul Heed, 18.1.'; Liirabert Whitney, 18.B-54 ; .John
Foties, 18.V): Abram Merritt, 1857 ; Gcorso S. Mcintosh, is.j.8, is.'^); Frederick Crocker, l.«.'iO; Joseph H. Por-
ter. 18)10; .Tames T. Henry, 18C1, LSti-titi ; E. H. G. Mcacham, \SiVZ; Fred Eaton, 18i£! W; Salmon Shaw, 1807;
Uussell Martin, 18t;8-0'.i ; Frank L Stnwell, 1870; Hiram C. Miller, 1871; Levi liirrett, 1.S72; Charles W. Phil-
lips, 1873, 1870, 1878; Calvin S. StowcU, 1874-75, 1882-85 ; Samuel H. Bradley, 1877, 1.870 ; .Tohn A. Taylor, L'Wl ;
Enos C. Brooks. 1880 ; Marcus B. Jewell, 1887-9--' ; Henry K. White, 1S03.
Tdirn nrri,-.--.— David McCluer, 180'.>;.(ohn Brooks, 1810-1-'; Cornelius Brook?, ispi : Sylvanus Russell.
1814, 1825-20, ISi!!-:?.! ; Silas KniRht, lSl.5-10; Horatio (Jrton, 1817-ls; Timothy H. Porter. 18p.i, 1.^21 ; (iri^wold
E. Warner, 1820, 1822-24 ; David Bockcs, 1827-28 ; Evert Kussell, 1840 ; William W. Penlield, l.'<4l-43 ; John Uus-
sell, 1814; Ansel Adams, 1815; Homer C. Blakesley, 1840; Julius K. Smith. l-S47-4'.i ; Henry Milham, 18.50;
Hiram G. Cook. 1851 ; David Day. 1852 ; Joseph L. Savage, 18.53; Christopher Whitney. 18.54 ; Lyman Pack-
ard,18.55; John Fohes. 1850; Johu.P. Osborne, 1.8.57 ; James F.Joluison, 18.58; Fred E;iton, 1S.5!1 ; H. Harper
Pheli'S, 1.8UO-01 ; Lambert S. Wliitncy. isr^.' ; William A. Corastock, 18(V); Jamc's Kelsey, IsiU; .Moi-;fan Mer-
ritt, 1805 ; Edward J. Finn, \»K ; C. S. Cleveland, 1807 ; E. A. Adams, 180.s ; Calviii S. Stowell, l.'^O'.i ; Elias M.
.luhnson, 1870; John Smith, l.'<71-74; H. W. [tu^'yr, 1875 ; W. D. Chamberliu, 1870; G. H. Phelps, 1877-78: Fred
L. Eaton, 1870 .^O; W. D. Parker, l.'sSl-,S2; M. II. Jewell, l.ss;i-S.5 ; E. J. McKay. l^'^J ; H.F.Lee. lss7;L.T.
M ud^'C, 1H8.S ; Thom.is Troy, 188y '.W ; Henry Doiuielly, 18!U ; W. C. Albrecht, l>'.i2 ; D. W. Seeloy, ].s;i;j.
.Jiisth-i:i III' thr /'i nee. —Jonathan Moore, ISiO; Joseph Crandall. James Bowers, ISiri; John W. Barton.
Anilrew Mead, 18:i:i; J. Moore, Geor^'c Pinkerton, HfH; Timothy H. Porter, David Day, 1.SJ5: Wm. Wales,
18:iO : Harvey .May, 18;i7 ; Lambert Whitney, James Brooks, 183.8 ; T. H. Porter, l-c!9 ; Lambert Whitney, 1.S40 ;
.lolui S. Bert'e. 1841 ; A. .Mead. David Day, 1842 ; T. H. Porter, 184:! ; Wm. L. Stork, 1S44 ; Jam s Brooks, 1845 ;
Caleb Smith, Christopher Whitney, l.*40; D. Day. Wm. W. Penfield.l->47; W.W. Penfield, 1,*4.S; W. W. PenHeld,
Christopher Whitney, 1840; A. J. Mosos, 18.50: Olcott P. Boardman, Paul Keed, W51 ; L. Whitney, 1S52; Lam -
bert Whitui'y, 18.5:!; John Fobes. 18.54; Elkanah Day, 1855; Abram Merritt, 18.5ii; John S. Shaw, l.s.>8 ; Lam-
bert Whitney, 185H; E. H. G. Meacham, 18t;0 ; Nathan P. Wilco.t, 1801; John S. Shaw, 1S02; Henry Johnson,
1803 ; E. H. G. .Meacham, 1.804 ; L. H. Kelsey, 1805 ; J. F. Johnson, l.-*Ofi ; Martin Carr, l.~*7 ; William EUithorpe,
18*V8 ; Daniel Collins, 1809 ; James F.Johnson, 1870; Lyman Lattimer, 1871; Martin Carr, 1.872; L. H. Kelsey,
187:i; John S. Shaw, 1874 ; James F. Johnson, 1875 ; Martin Carr, 1.870; M. A. Dod^e, 1877; Enos C. .Brooks,
1.S78; James F.Johnson, Daniel Hall. 1879; Daniel Hall, 18)<0; Chandler S. Dwinells, 1881 ; Henry McKinley.
18S2 ; Enos C. Brooks, 1883 ; J. P. Caldwell, 18.<4 ; W. V. Smith, 18.85 ; W. P. Mcintosh, 1886 ; Henry McKinley,
W. D. Parker, 1887 ; Fred L. Eaton, 1888; W. V. Smith, 1889; W". D. Parker, ISW; Henry McKinley, mn ;
Albertus Xorton, 1892 ; W. J. Derrijr, J. W. Sloane, G. P. Card, C. M. Malby, 1893.
In l88o the town had eighteen road districts. In 1882 the number was
nineteen, which has since remained the same. The iron bridge across the Al-
le<Theny river at Olean was built in 1889 at a total cost to the town of §15,728.-
61, which included the expense of constructing a temporary structure to take
the place of the wooden bridge which was badly damaged and partially de-
stroyed by high water in the early summer of 18S9.
Olean village was incorporated in 1854 under the general act passed by
the Legislature in 1847, and the territory embraced was as follows: Beginning
Town and City of Olean. • 875
at the north bank of the Allegheny river at the south end of Fifteenth street,
as described on a map of the village of Olean made by T. J. Gorsline, running
thence north on the east line of said street seventy-five chains and eleven links
to the north line of township number one in the fourth range of the Holland
Land Company's purchase, thence east on the said north line ninety-two
chains and one hundred and twenty-eight links to the west bank of the Olean
creek, thence southerly following the west bank of said creek to the north
bunk of the Allegheny river, thence westerly along said river to the place of
beginning. The trustees elected at the first meeting of the village were
Lambert Whitney, C. V. B. Barse, Charles H. Thyng, and John K. Com-
stock ; Enos C. Brooks was appointed clerk. The village continued to exist
under this charter until April i, 1858, when the original charter was superseded
by an amended or new one granted by a special act of the Legislature. The
charter was amended, consolidated, and revised from time to time until it re-
ceived its last revision April 28, 1882. The "presidents and clerks since 1872
have been as follows :
PiaikIfiit.-<.—T. H. Myrick, 1872; C. V. B. B;irse, 1873-74; Charles W. Phillips, 1875; Dr. John L. Edrly,
1876-78; Kred K. Eaton, 1879-80; H. W. Chambeilin, 1881; Dr. J. V. D. Co lu, 1883; H. .VI Ernst, 1883; A. T.
Eaton, 18.Si; James K. Van Carapen, 1885; T. C. Lewis, 1886-87 ; Charles E. Turner, 1888-89 ; Calvni S. Stowell,
1890; J. H. Luther, 1891 ; Charles H. Rockwood, 1892: Charles E. Turner, 189.3.
Clerku ami Atturney.'i.—A. F. Carter, 1872; J. C. Townsend, 1873, resisned and J. R. Townsend appointed,
who also resigned and C. Z. Lincoln appointed; J. U. Jewell, 1874; Myron A. Dodge, 1875; Frederick W.
Kruse, 1876; F. A. Scott, 1877, resigned and George H. Phelps appointed; GeogeA. Scott, 1878, resigned and
Enos C. Itrooks appointed; Enos C. Brooks, 1879-80; F. W. Kruse, 1881-83, resigned and M. B. Jewell ap-
pointed ; M. B. Jewell, 1884, resigned and Fred L. Eaton appointed ; Fred L. Eaton, 1885-93 ; M. B. Jew-
ell, 1893.
February 23, 1885, a resolution was adopted by the village Board of Trus-
tees authorizing the petitioning of the State Legislature to grant the privilege
of constituting a commission of public buildings, said petition to be an amend-
ment to the village charter. This commission was to have charge of the
building. The petition was granted and the first members were James F.
Johnson, Dr. Melville C. FoUett, and E. M. Johnson. Up to this date there
had been issued $20,000 in bonds, bearing 4}^ per cent, interest, for the con-
struction of the city building. August 27, 1892, $65,000 in bonds were sold
to aid in providing funds for laying the brick pavement on Union street.
The village continued with its last amended charter until the session of
the State Legislature in the winter of 1892-93, when a charter, which had
been carefully prepared by a committee of ten citizens appointed for that pur-
pose, of which Hon. F. W. Kruse was chairman, was granted, which incorpo-
rated the village of Olean into the city of Olean, April 25, 1893, with the
boundaries unchanged. The city contains six wards, and in 1890 the United
States census reported the population of Olean village to be 7,358. By an
enumeration made in May and J une, 1 893, it was found that the city had 8,131
inhabitants and with the suburbs 12,461. At the meeting in May of the vot-
ers for their final vote either to reject or adopt the city charter it was accepted
by an overwhelming majority. The municipal government was put into ac-
^7^ History of Cattaraugus County.
tive operation by the election of the following executive officers : Mayor,
Charles E. Turner; supervisors, M. B. Jewell (first and fifth wards), J. V. D.
Coon, M. D. (second and third wards), and William M. Irish (fourth and sixth
wards);' Board of Aldermen consists of George Ball, Albert A. Swartz, Will-
iam Quigley, Hon. F. W. Kruse, Fred Tarbell, C. P. Luther, Hiram Dean,
A. J. Williams, Thomas Dolan, Charles Scheiterle, W. A. Ward, and Thomas
Jordan; clerk, W. V. Smith; A. T. Eaton, treasurer; M. B. Jewell, attorney.
According to the records at Washington the Olean postoffice was estab-
lished May 23, 1 8 16, with Philo Cleveland as postmaster. Horatio Orton was
appointed November 10, 1817, and among his successors were Sylvanus Rus-
sell, D. Swain, Henry Bryan, F. S. Martin, David Day, O. P. Boardman,
Henry W. Fish, Rufus L. Page, James G. Johnson and George N. and Mil-
ton B. Fobes. The present incumbent is W. R. Page. The free delivery sys-
tem was inaugurated October i, 1888.
The first fire organization in the village of Olean. occurred September 17,
1856, when the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company v.as formed with J. A.
Petrie, foreman; William B- Barse, first assistant ; J. F. Johnson, second assist-
ant; H. Harper Phelps, secretary; W. P. Wilco.x, treasurer. Mr. Phelps
finally met his death in a fire while trying to save his library. In 1865 this
company disbanded. The Fountain Hose Company was organized August 2,
i860, and has since continued an active existence, the present foreman being
J. H. Sigel. The Eagle Engine Company, No. i, was organized in 1857 with
forty members. Upon the completion of the present system of water works
this company disbanded. The Acme Hose Company, No. 3; had a brief ex-
istence, being disorganized a few years since. The Citizen Hose Company,
No. 2, was organized June' 24, 1879; the present foreman is C. H. Martin.
The Chamberlin Hook and Ladder Company, No. i, is mainly a re-organiza-
tion of the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, No. i,in February, 1883; the
foreman for 1893 is F. L. Vanderhoof. The Luther Hose Company, No. 4, was
formed December 9, 1881, and its present foreman is Dascom Allen. This and
the Chamberlin Company have developed e.xcellent running teams. The Barse
Hose Company, No. 5, was organized September 28, 1883. The foreman is
D. McMillen. The Turner Hose Company, No. 6, was formed January 14,
1889. Patrick Brown is foreman. The Olean Fire Police was organized and
incorporated April 14, 1887, with about thirty-five citizen members. The
present captain is John A. Brendall. The fire department has a total of 225
volunteer members, and each company is well equipped. In January, 1881, a
Silsby steam engine was purchased, but since the inception of the present
water system the hose alone has been sufificient. The chiefs since the organ-
ization of the present fire department, December 27, 1877, have been as fol-
lows: W. H. Mandeville, 1878-80; S. H. Bradley, 1881 ; W. D. Hatch, 1882-
83; W. H. Simpson, 1884-85, 1889; W. D. Moore, 1886; F. C. Mayer, 1887;
C. P. Luther, 18SS, 1890-91 ; J. H. Powers, 1892; W. C. Albrecht, 1893.
Town and City of Olean. . 877
Olean has been visited by a few disastrous conflagrations, the most seri-
ous ones occurring January 15, 1866, when the loss aggregated about $250,-
000, and March 10, 1868, when $60,000 worth of property was burned.
Some years prior to 1882 Whitney Brothers (R. M. and James O.) put in
a small system of water works, pumping the water from Olean creek directly
into the mains, which were small and short. A few hydrants were placed in
position, but so limited was the supply of water these proved almost useless
in case of fire. In 1882 the citizens decided upon municipal ownership of the
proposed system, which was organized and placed in operation that year and
the next. In 1882 the village was bonded for $75,000 for this purpose. A
Board of Water Commissioners was created, the first members being William
M. Irish, A. H. Abbey, and H. W. Moore. The water is pumped from
a series of eight wells into a reservoir 252 feet above and on the south side of
the river, and thence distributed throughout the nearly thirteen miles of
mains. Connected with these are ninety-eight hydrants. The reservoir has
a storage capacity of 2,500,000 gallons. The present Water Board consists of
F. L. Stedman, H. D. Bennie, and J. B. Smith. The first superintendent and
general manager appointed was L. E. Chapin, who was succeeded in 1885 by
the present incumbent, John Z. Le Fevre.
The first local fiduciary institution was the " Bank of Olean," which was
in existence in 1841 with S. J. Powers as president and D. S. Moore as assist-
ant cashier. It was a State bank, but when it was organized and discontinued
can not be ascertained. Probably the only piece of currency of this concern
now in existence is a well preserved one-dollar bill, bearing the above title
and official names, countersigned by State Comptroller \V. Leonard, in the
possession of A. T. Eaton, cashier of the First National Bank of Olean, who
also possesses some script, unsigned, of Stovvell, Chamberlain & Company's
b^nk. Rufus Hatch, in 1848, established the " Butchers' and Drovers' Bank,"
of which George W. Smith was the local representative, the headquarters of
the concern being in Buffalo. This was not a very efficient fiduciary institu-
tion and it soon abandoned its operations.
In 1869 the citizens of Olean and vicinity were greatly in need of a godd
banking concern and much influence was exerted to induce neighboring capi-
talists to locate here and start a good bank. Accordingly, in October,
1870, the Bank of Olean was established in quarters over what is now Dr. J.
V. D. Coon's drug store by parties connected with the Cuba Banking Com-
pany. This was in reality a branch of that institution. It was a co-partner-
ship organization with William F. Wheeler, president ; Nelson S. Butler, vice-
president ; and L. F. Lawton, cashier. The organizers were desirous of
establishing a National bank, but at that time the State had its legal quota of
National bank circulation. To accomplish their design they conceived the
plan of buying up, through metropolitan banks, the circulation of National
banks of the State which had gone into liquidation and out of business, fre-
History of Cattaraugus County.
quently paying liberal premiums for it. The script thus purchased was forJ^
warded to Washington and exchanged for new circulation. From this shrewd^
transaction a charter was obtained for the First National Bank of Olean, which
was the first National bank organized in Cattaraugus county. This bank was
organized in September, 1871, with these stockholders: William F. Wheeler
J. E. Dusenbury, Samuel Oosterhoudt, James G. Johnson, Nelson S. Butler,
David H. Bolles, L. F. Lawton, Asher W. Miner, A. J. Wellman, John B.
Cole, S. W. Cole, J. O. Jordan, H. A. Mead, Thomas Case. W. P. Stevens,
V. Perry Carter, and G. S. Mcintosh. The" first officers were William F.
Wheeler, president; Nelson S. Butler, vice-president; L. F". Lawton, cashier.
The bank is known on the " Official Roster" at Washington as No. 1887. It
has maintained an unbroken record of progress. The capita! stock was §100,-
000, which has been unaltered. It now has a surplus fund and undivided
profits aggregating $135,000. The total resources of the bank amount to
$750,000. Since its organization it has paid semi-annual dividends with but
four exceptions. William F. Wheeler remained president until his death June
6, 1892. In July following J. E. Dusenbury was elected to the vacancy and
W. E. Wheeler was elected vice-president. N. S. Butler served as vice-presi-
dent until 1885, when he was succeeded by J. E. Dusenbury, who held the
position until 1892. A. T. Eaton, the present cashier, entered the bank at its
organization as book-keeper and was promoted teller November 2, 1S71, assist-
ant cashier July 18, 1883, and succeeded Mr. Lawton as cashier Jul)- 14, 1885.
C. D. Judd is assistant cashier. The present Board of Directors is composed
of J. E. Dusenbury, \V. E. Wheeler, A. T. Eaton, C. D. Judd, J. F. Johnson,
E. M. Johnson, and E. G. Dusenbury. For a number of years the bank was a
government repositorj-. September 12, 1891, the institution renewed its char-
ter for twenty years longer as a National bank under the provisions of the act
of July 12, 1882. Its present two-story brick building was erected in 1874,
when it was removed thither from the home of its immediate predecessor, the
Bank of Olean.
About 1869 C. V. B. Barse, with his son and partner, took nine-tenths of
the stock of the State Bank of Olean, which was regularly organized and be-
gan business in the summer of 1870 with a paid up capita! of $100,000. The
first and only officers of this bank were C. V. B. Barse, president ; Henry S.
Morris, vice-president: Mills W. Barse, cashier; and R. O. Smith and Hon.
Charles S. Cary, with the officers of the bank, directors. The bank was suc-
cessfully managed by its president and gained a high standing. Its affairs
were closed up December 31, 1877, and from it was organized the Exchange
National Bank of Olean on January :, 1878, with the original capital of $100-
000 and the same officers and Board of Directors. The capital has since been
increased to $125,000. C. V. B. Barse continued as president until his death
in November, 1885, when, on the 21st, his son, Mills W. Barse, was elected to
the position and Frank L. Bartlett became and still is cashier. Mr. Morris
Town and City of Olean. - 879
moved to California for his health and on January 12, 1886, George V. For-
man was elected vice-president. Charles D. Clarke is assistant cashier. The
directors are Mills W. Barse, George V. Forman, F. L. Bartlett, N. V. V.
Franchot, G. Howard Strong, D. C. Le Fevre, and Hon. C. S. Cary. The
surplus in March; 1893, was $250,000 and undivided profits $65,000. No div-
idends were declared until the surplus had aggregated twice the amount of
the capital ; since then dividends have been declared regularly. According
to reliable authority this institution stands nineteenth in the list of National
banks in the State. At its organization the bank occupied quarters across the
street from where it is now located. In 1880 its present elegant and impos-
ing brick block was erected at a cost of $35,000.
The Olean Safe Deposit Company was organized under State laws in 1890
by the stockholders of the Exchange National Bank of Olean as trustees. Its
capital was $10,000. A handsome steel and iron vault was erected in the rear
of the Exchange National Bank building.
The present prosperity of the town and city of Olean practically dates
from the beginning of the development of the oil interests in southwestern
New York and northern Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania fields, of whose
product a greater quantity is stored at Olean than at any other place, are the
largest and most important in the world. The discovery of oil may be said
to properly date back only thirty-five years, although prior to the advent of
the whites in this section the Seneca Indians gathered it by means of hemlock
boughs from springs, upon the surface of which it appeared. This was called
Seneca oil and was used by the Indians, and later by the white settlers, for
medicinal purposes. These springs resulted from the oil rock appearing or
coming so near the surface as to allow its product to escape through water
channels. They were first found along the present Oil creek in Pennsylvania,
and one now e.xists near' the village of Cuba, N. Y. In 1859 Col. E. L. Drake
drilled the pioneer well near Titusville, Pa. Oil was found at a depth of
seventy feet and a hitherto unknown source of wealth discovered to the
world. In i860, with 2,000 oil wells begun, the oil fever became universal.
Towns and cities sprang up as by magic, full fledged, and with all the ways
of a metropolis. Fortunes were made quickly and fortunes as quickly lost.
With petroleum at §10 per barrel in 1864 the wild-cat drill was swiftly plied,
opening up and defining new territories. The excitement continued for some
time, but gradually the production of petroleum settled into legitimate busi-
ness channels, as the fast increasing production rendered the product less
valuable. Most oil lands are leased from their owners, at so much cash bonus
per acre and a one-eighth or one-fourth royalty of all the oil produced.
About 1873 J- H. Dilks organized the Olean Petroleum Company (Lim-
ited), a concern composed of eastern capitalists. The construction of a pipe
line was commenced and stations erected at convenient intervals to New York
city, the western terminal being Olean village, and on Thanksgiving day,
88o History of Cattaraugus County.
1874, the first oil was pumped through the pipes fourteen and one-fourth miles.
This was a two-inch pipe, and was subsequently superseded by one three-inch
and one four-inch pipe. This was the inception of one of the leading indus-
tries in southwestern Cattaraugus and practically the nucleus of the present,
extensive establishments centering in Olean. In 1876 the Olean Petroleum
Company was succeeded by the Empire Transportation Company, which also
controlled the Empire Pipe Line, and this in 1877 passed into the hands of
the Standard Oil Company.
The oil developments in the immediate vicinity of the city of Olean com-
menced about 1876, when the Allegany Oil Company put down an oil well on
the premises of J. G. and E. M. Johnson in Allegany. They obtained a pay-
ing well, and immediately afterward the local boom commenced.
Standard Oil Company of New York; Acme Works, Olean. — In 1877 a
small refinery was erected at Olean by Wing, Wilbur & Co. There was but
one still, the entire capacity of the works being a little less than 200 barrels
of crude oil daily. In 1878 the property was purchased by the Acme Oil
Company of Pennsylvania. They at once added two more stills, with appa-
ratus in connection, increasing the capacity to upwards of 500 barrels daily.
In 1879 twelve more stills were added, increasing the capacity to about 2,300
barrels. Some three years after five more stills were added, and then again
in 1885 another block of five stills was erected, until now the daily consump-
tion of crude oil is 4,600 barrels. With the increased number of stills there
has been an increase of apparatus corresponding — tanks, agitators, pumps,
condensers, loading racks, lines, etc. So extensive is this plant that for its
successful operation mechanics of various trades are required — boiler makers,
brick-layers, carpenters, pipe-fitters, etc.; these, with the labor necessary in
refining, aggregate employees to the number of about 175. In 1880 an exten-_
sive barrel factory was erected. When working in full force 3,500 barrels are ^
made daily. Some 300 m.en are then employed in this department, and there
is a daily consumption of 63,000 oak staves and 30,000 pounds of hoop iron.
The barrels are used exclusively for refined petroleum, the larger part of
them being required for the business of the refinery. The refineries at Buf-
falo and Rochester are in part supplied with barrels from this factory. H. L.
Gerstenberger is superintendent. In 1880 there was also erected a filling or
shipping station. Here the barrels are prepared to receive the oil, the prepa-
ration consisting of a coat of glue on the inside and the painting of the out-
side. The color uniformly held to is a blue body and a white head. This
style of painting has made the American oil barrel conspicuous the world
over. This department, when working in full force, gives employment to
about 125 hands.
In addition to the stills, and also necessary to the work, are immense
condensing tanks, constructed of iron and filled with iron pipes, through
which the vapors of the oil are passed in the course of refining. The princi- ,
Town and City of Olean. • 88 1
pal and most important process of refining is distillation. In order to secure
the desired results perfect condensation is necessary. These condensing tanks
surrounding the pipes referred to are filled with cold water. When stills are
run a constant supply is necessary, and at these works in the twenty-four hours,
for condensing, for boilers, and for other purposes, about 30,000 barrels of
cold water are necessary. The plant is favorably situated in this particular,
as from the ground an abundant supply of cold water can be secured, the
temperature of which when pumped is about 48°.
It has been noticed that the principal process in the refining of petroleum
is distillation, but beyond this is required manipulation in connection with
sulphuric acid and caustic lyes; this is for the purpose of bleaching and puri-
fying beyond what can be secured by distilling. At the still the separation
of the different products is secured, such as gasoline, naphtha, water white oil,
standard white oil, paraffine oils, etc. One of the products of petroleum is
coke, almost a pure carbon and used extensively, almost exclusively, in the
manufacturing of carbon points for electric lights.
The products of petroleum are now so numerous that it is almost impossi-
ble to give a statement of them in detail. For the arts, for manufacturing
and domestic purposes, it has become invaluable. To many readers the minu-
tia; of manufacturing would be interesting, but the space allotted here will
not permit of such description. In connection with the stills, besides the con-
densing tanks, and necessary for the extensive work at this refinery, there are
eighty-four other iron tanks used for the storage of the different products,
and of necessity in caring for the various products in the process of refining ;
these vary in capacity from 500 barrels to 35,000 and from 25 to 90 feet in
diameter. There are about thirty steam pumps in use for the pumping of
water and for conveying the different products from point to point.
This extensive plant occupies fifty-three acres of land, situated at the junc-
tion of the Western New York & Pennsylvania and the New York, Lake Erie
& Western railroads, and exteriding across the Erie road to the north.. The
works have been in almost constant operation from 1879 to the present
date and have added largely to the prosperity attending the city during that
time. Since 1879 William M. Irish has been the general manager. He has
for his assistant J. E. Eggleston ; D. R. Laughlin is superintendent. This es-
tablishment is now a part of the great Standard Oil Company.
The Olean Chemical Company was organized about 1881. It is a branch
of the Graselli Chemical Company with headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. In
Olean the company manufactures sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids, aqua
ammonia, etc. This industry employs twenty-five men.
The Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company (Limited) manufactures lubricating
oils, 300° fire test, refined, and various distillates from petroleum, of which they
consume about 250,000 barrels per year. The company owning the plant are
Pennsylvania capitalists.
Ill
882 History of Cattaraugus County.
The Vegetable Oil Company is represented here by E. R. and F. R.
Ackerman and William White. The oil manufactured is. intended as a substi-
tute for linseed oil.
The education of the youth of the pioneers at Olean Point was the first
public interest that engaged the attention of its inhabitants. A log school
house was erected and a teacher employed. In a little time the common
schools became an institution of the State, received her fostering care, and
grew in favor and importance with the people until they were equal to the re-
quirements of the town. About 1851 the " Olean Academy Association" was
organized and was incorporated by the Regents on April 1 1, 1853. The first
Board of Trustees was composed of Judge James H. Brooks, Olcott P. Board-
man, Judge Frederick S. Martin, Dr. Lambert Whitney, Henry Dusenbury,
Abraham Merritt, John Fobes, and Rev. Sylvester Cowles. Of this noble
band only the venerable O. P. Boardman and Dr. Whitney survive. This
Board of Trustees erected a suitable building and opened it for the admission
of students with Prof. J. A. Woodruff as principal. The school edifice burned
in 1857 and was at once rebuilt, and " Olean Academy " flourished until it was
sold to Union School District No. i in 1868, when it was discontinued.
Its immediate successor was the academic department of the Olean Union
Free School and Academy. Pursuant to a call of twenty-four inhabitants of
School District No. i,of Olean, and in accordance with the provisions of chap-
ter 555 of the laws of 1864, a meeting was held in the town hall October 3,
1 868, at which, by a vote of 97 to 3, Olean Union Free School District No. i
was organized. The sum of $2,000 was ordered to be raised by tax for the
purchase of " Olean Academy " property. Such was the beginning of Olean's
present school system. The territory of the school district is divided into six
sub-districts with a school building in each. These buildings comprise three
brick and three wooden structures. Their sites cover nearly .seven and one-
half acres. The estimated valuation of the.se buildings and sites aggregates
$144,500. The school board has done away with the antiquated furniture and
all the buildings are now furnished with single desks. The Union School Li-
brary contains 3,016 volumes, valued, with its fi.xtures, at $3,000, and includes
several standard encyclopedia's. The school population of the district as
enumerated in June, 1892, was 3,005. Of this number 1,639 were enrolled in
the public schools and 579 in the parochial and private schools, making a total
of 2,218 scholars who were attending some school. Thirty-seven teachers,
are employed with Fox Holden, A.M. and LL.B., as superintendent. On the
recommendation of the late superintendent. Prof. A. B. Davis, of more room
to accommodate the students of the High School, building No. I, the location
of the old academy, has been enlarged at an expense of $25,600 and the High
School removed to it from building No. 3.
St. Mary's Parochial School (Roman Catholic) was established in 1889 by
Rev. J.J. Hamel. The present three-story frame school building was erected
Town and City of Olean. ■ 88 3
at a cost of $10,000, and school was opened in the fall of 1890. On the same
lot, which is now valued at $5,000, was erected also in 1889 a two-story frame
convent building to accommodate the Sisters of Mercy, who have charge of
the school, supplying it with eight teachers. The total value of these two
buildings, including the lot, is about $20,000. The school has an average at-
tendance of about 450 pupils.
Westbrook Commercial College was founded in 1S82 at Mansfield, Pa., by
Prof. E. D. Westbrook, its present principal and proprietor, who removed the
institution to Olean in 1886. In founding the school it was the aim and am-
bition of the proprietor to establish a commercial college of the highest grade.
The standard for graduates is high, and includes an extended and very thor-
ough course, including commercial forms and book-keeping, stenography^
telegraphy, etc. There are no class recitations. The college rooms are models
of convenience and adaptability.
About 1870 General Haupt, of Philadelphia, placed an old bill against a
Cattaraugus county resident in the hands of F. H- Myrick, of Olean, for col-
lection, which proved so unexpectedly profitable' that the general offered $50
as a nucleus of a library fund to the first local library which could show a per-
manent organization. Accordingly, in May, 1871, the Olean Library- Associ-
ation was formed by about twenty members, who contributed $10 each.
Messrs. Jewett and Root contributed $50 each and shortly afterward Mr.
Myrick turned over the $50 for General Haupt. Other minor sums were sub-
scribed, and altogether a fund of about $500 was realized, which was e.xpended
in the necessary furniture and some 200 volumes. From its organization
until 1888 the association received twelve life members. The library was
moved about from time to time, occupying the stores of J. G. Pelton and J. P.
Hastings, a room over Smith's drug store, the Exchange Bank, and the Oos-
terhoudt building. January 12, 1888, the following letter was received from
George V. Forman :
"To K. W. Higt,'ins, Esq., president, Mrs. A.J. Thompson, Mrs. J. B. Jewell, Mrs. Georsje T. Keith,
George S. Ramsey, N. V. V. Franchot, Esq., and Charles Gillingham. Esq., managers of the Olean Library
Association : ' .
•'Appreciating the good work you tave been doing and your earnest efforts on behalf of your Library
Association, I am disposed to try to assist you by a conveyance for a library building of the property
formerly used by me for an office in this place on the following conditions :
" 1st. That you have your association duly and properly incorporated so that it can hold real estate.
"2d. That it shall be held exclusively for the purpose of a library and reading room, and none other.
" 3d. That no right or power shall accompany it for you or your successors to mortgage or encumber
the property.
" 4th. That I can be assured of your further and future interest in this matter, and that you will make
all reasonable and proper efforts to endow the same by such donations as those friendly are disposed to
give you. _
"On these conditions being complied with I am gladly willing to deed you the property at any time
designated by you. Tours sincerely, George V. Fobman."
Besides this property, located at 85 Union street, Mr. Forman also con-
tributed $1,000 in cash to the endowment fund, which finally reached the sum
of nearly $7,000, and with the subsequent contribution from the Ladies' Li-
brary Endowment Society the necessary $8,000 was raised, which still remains
884 History of Cattaraugus County.
as a perpetual endowment fund. The library was chartered January 2i, 1888,
and on April 2, 1889, it was moved to its present quarters. The present offi-
cers are Charles Gillingham, president ; N. V. V. Franchot, vice-president ;
Miss Emma Homer, secretary ; W. H. Mandeville, treasurer; Miss Ella P.
Hazlett, librarian.
Robert Hoops, about 1807, gave to the town a plat of three acres for the
interment of the dead, and the first person buried in these grounds was James
G. Johnson in 181 1-. This spot contains the remains of many of Clean's most
prominent pioneers.
The Mount View Cemetery Association was organized by George V. For-
man, Mills W. Barse, Charles S. Cary, Frank L. Bartlett, Charles D. Clarke,
James L. Connelly, and Frank Rumsey, who met at the Exchange National
Bank building in 0,lean on the lOth of June, 1S89, for the purpose. The num-
ber of trustees was fixed at six and the first board consisted of George V. For-
man and Frank L. Bartlett, three years ; Charles S. Cary and Charles D.
Clarke, two years; and Mills W. Barse and Frank Rumsey, one year. The
name " Mount View Cemetery " was unanimously chosen for the burial grounds,
which are situated near the south bank of the Allegheny river on a sufficient
elevation to insure good drainage. The cemetery contains forty-five acres
and is well adapted by nature for the purpose to which it is dedicated.
The Olean Board of Trade was organized October 6, 1887, and at one time
was very active in fostering and promoting the village's interests, but latterly
has evinced only a moderate carefulness in sustaining present industries. The
present officers are Dr. J. V. D. Coon, president; S. S. Bullis, William M.
Irish, and C. S. Cary, vice-presidents; E. E. Alderman, acting secretary.
The Olean Building, Loan, and Savings Association was organized in 1892
and began business on February 1st of that year. It is the only local insti-
tution of its kind and has acquired a substantial standing in the community.
Its first and present officers are James F. Johnson, president; Dr. J. V. D.
Coon, vice-president ; E. E. Alderman, secretary; F. W. Higgins, treasurer;
F. W. Kruse, attorney ; directors, James F. Johnson, J. V. D. Coon, E. E.
Alderman, F. VV. Higgins, F. W. Kruse, N. V. V. Franchot, W. O. Curtiss,
G. H. Strong, and J. B. Frawley.
The Olean Street Railway Company was organized as a stock concern April
5, 1880, with the following Board of Directors: M. B. Fobes, president and
superintendent; E. M. Johnson, secretary; and P. O. Smith, D. C. Conklin, ^
C. S. Cary, William M. Irish, and James K. Van Campen. The Union street
line, covering a distance of 7,750 feet of track, was laid and opened for travel,
in the fall of 1880. In the fall of 1891 the State street road was constructed.!
The two lines have been equipped with horse cars until this present summer,'
when the electric system and new electric cars were placed in operation over^
both routes. The present Board of Directors consists of John Fobes, G. H.
Strong, Thomas Gilligan, Dr. J. V. D. Coon, M. W. Barse, H. C. Morris, and
Town and City of Olean.
C. S. Gary, of whom John Fobes is president and superintendent and G. H.
Strong is secretary. The completed new line extends from the Erie depot
through Union street and State street to the village of Allegany.
The Keystone Gas Gompany was organized in 1880 by J. N. Pew, J. B.
Bradley, and E. O. Emerson, and was granted a franchise on December 23d
of that year to lay gas mains in the streets. It was afterward made a stock
concern and is ofificered now by E. O. Emerson, president; J. N. Pew, secre-
tary and treasurer; and J. A. Johnson, local manager. The supply is natural
gas derived from McKean county. Pa., forty miles distant, and is consumed
both here and in Allegany. This company received its first contract from,
the village October 29, 1883, to supply it with gas lamps and lights.
The Olean Electric Light and Power Gompany was organized in February,
1888, with Dr. J. V. D. Goon, president; William M. Irish, vice-president;
A. I. Williams, secretary; Frank L. Bartlett, treasurer; and Dr. J. V. D. Goon,
William M. Irish, N. V. V. Franchot, James Kelsey, Dr. U. C. Follett, G. S.
Stowell, and F. W. Higgins, directors. The present officers are N. V. V.
Franchot, president; Dr. J. V. D. Goon, vice-president; George Fobes, secre-
tary and general manager; Frank L. Bartlett, treasurer; and N. V. V. Fran-
chot, Dr. J. V. D. Goon, William M. Irish, Dr. M. G. Follett, F. W. Kruse,
Howard H. G. Strong, and George Fobes, directors. The company was orig-
inally capitalized at $25,000, which has since been increased to $35,000. It
started with three dynamos, two of which were of 30 arc and one of 650 in-
candescent lamp power. The present equipment consists of two dynamos of
60 arc and two of 750 incandescent lamp power, run by two 225 horse-power
engines and two boilers of 100 horse-power each. They also have a general
station equipment, and all is enclosed by a two-story brick building on Union
street. Electricity is furnished for forty-three arc lights for the village and
sixty-five for commercial establishments and about 1,500 incandescent lamps
are wired. The company employs six men and uses natural gas for fuel.
The Western Insurance Gompany was organized January 22, 1853, and
continued until December, 1855, when its business was discontinued.
The Empire State Mutual Live Stock Insurance Gompany was incorpor-
ated with headquarters at Olean on June i, 1890, by J. M. Homer, president ;
W. S. Turner, vice-president; John Sloane, secretary; and M. T. Page, treas-
urer. The first policy was issued June 2d. The same officers have since
been annually re-elected.
One of the leading manufacturing industries in Olean is tanning leather.
The first establishment started for this purpose was the primitive tannery of
Walter Wood's, mentioned in Mr. Johnson's reminiscences. The one now-
owned by Levi Barrett was built by Kelly & Lenham, of Boston, in 1859. I"
1866 it passed into the hands of Mr. Barrett, who was burned out in i87i,but
at once rebuilt. The plant was also destroyed by fire in 1883. The capacity
is 18,000 or 20,000 sides of dry leather per year.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Root & Keating's hemlock sole leather tannery was started by Jewett &
Root in 1864 with its present capacity— 90,000 sides of sole leather annually.
The works cover about 100 acres and some fifty men are employed. About
1874 Mr. Jewett withdrew and Mr. Keating, son-in-law of Mr. Root, was ad-
mitted to partnership under the firm name of Root & Keating. Mr. Root
died in September, 1892, and in January, 1893, Mr. Keating retired, but the
firm name remains the same, the business being carried on in the interest of
the Root heirs. The works are operated by steam-power.
Wright, Clark & Company's sole leather tannery is situated on the Port-
ville road, on the east side of Olean creek, and on the Western New York &
Pennsylvania railroad. The company was organized in 1886 and built their
plant and began business in 1887. Their output is 200 sides of finished sole
leather per day, which requires 3,000 or 4,000 cords of bark annually. The
bark is mainly obtained in McKean county. Pa. They employ forty men.
James & William P. Pierce erected in 1887 one of the largest buff-leather
tanneries in the State. Their daily capacity is 500 sides and the firm is capi-
talized at $250,000. They employ 150 hands. Lewis Perry is superintendent.
William C. A. Ouirin's tannery was constructed by Mr. Quirin, the propri-
etor, in the summer of 1888 and opened for the manufacture of calf skins in
October following. A year and a half later he changed to heavy skins and
sold his leather in the rough. In 1891 he began finishing his leather on the
premises, and now turns out grain leather of fine quality. His tannery con-
sumes 3,000 cords of bark annually and gives employment to sixty men. Mr.
Quirin is a native of Tioga county, N. Y., and early learned the trade of tan-
ning from his father. J. G. Quirin.
Lee, Claflin & Co.'s tannery was started in 1888. About 140 workmen are
employed.
Hubbard and Blake established their upper leather tannery in Olean in
1889. It has a large capacity and employs about 150 hands.
In 1856 Charles Dotterweich erected a small brewery on the corner of
Henley and Second streets with an annual output of about 1,000 barrels of
beer. It gave employment to three or four men. His plant was several
times destroyed by fire and as often rebuilt, and was finally enlarged to 4,000
barrels. He died in 1885 and his widow and sons conducted it until her death
in 1888, when their son John became the manager of the business and en-
larged it to about 8,000 barrels annually. It is now the property of the Dot-
terweich Brewing Company, who are constructing a nearly all new brick plant
with facilities for producing from 15,000 to 20,000 barrels of beer annually.
John. Dotterweich is the president and all his brothers have an interest in the
business. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dotterweich now living are George, a
prominent groceryman in Glean ; John, the president of the Dotterweich Brew-
ing Company ; Rudolph, manager of the bottling department; Herman, a
book-keeper; Adolph, a member; and Mary (Mrs. Langford Rogers).
Town and City of Olean.
The Olean Cart Company (Limited) established business in the fall of
1888 and about two years later removed to Kentucky. Another similar and
important industry' was conducted several years by W. H. & D. C. Conkiin.
The Olean potterj' was started about 1852 by Isaac H. Wands and conducted
by him till 1872, after which it had several proprietors. In October, 1877,
James H. Brooks became owner, he succeeding Johnson & Knapp. The
works were burned and never rebuilt. The Olean Toothpick Company was
organized by E. C. Hart and.F. L. Gleason in 1887.
The Olean Glass Company was established in 1887. S. W. Pancoast is pres-
ident, T. H. Pancoast is secretary, and V. W. Pancoast is treasurer. The
principal article manufactured is bottles of various kinds.
The Olean Heading Company at East Olean is owned by the Richard
Grant Company, of Nevv York city, and managed by F. E. Vosburg. From
fifteen to twenty men are employed and flat barrel-heads, etc., are manufactured.
The Pennsylvania Lumber Storage Company was organized in April, i88g,
by S. S. Bullis, who was its first president. The capital stock aggregated $52,-
000, which remains unchanged. The first secretary was M. P. Dunbar and
the treasurer was J. J. Newman. The company has large storage yards at
Olean and Bradford, and handles from 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumber
annually. The present officers are F. VV. Kruse, president ; S. S. Bullis, vice-
president ; F. L. Bartlett, treasurer ; and F. L. Stowell, secretary and auditor.
The Olean Hardwood Company was organized in February, 1893, with this
Board of Directors: J. R. Droney, president; J. C. French, vice-president;
F. N. Hoffman, secretary and treasurer ; B. H. Parkhurst, and J. H. Tate.
The company has a yard in Olean and mills in Pennsylvania. The Olean
Lumber Company was organized in 1889 and discontinued business in 1892.
The Sole Leather Pad Company has been in operation since 1875, when the
concern began the manufacture of their famous sole leather pad. In 1881 they
began to make gig, track, and coupe saddles. The manager is G. E. Ramsey.
D. S. Abbott established his present foundry and machine shop in 1879.
He was previously in the saw-mill business. He manufactures saw-mill ma-
chinery, lath-mills, etc., and does general machine work.
The Myrick Foundry and Machine Company was formed in 1888 by
C. W. Green and Alfred Tothill, of Scranton, Pa. This establishment was pre-
viously known as the Olean Machine Shop and Foundry and was started in
1854 by Smith & McClure, who failed in 1857, and the property passed to
C. V. B. Barse, who sold it to Eastman & Myrick. This firm dissolved in
1864 and another organized as Myrick Brothers & Co.
The Carley Heating Company was organized in the spring of 1889 by O. F.
Carley, F. L. Gleason, F. W. Abrams, and W. M. Abrams, Jr. They employ
six men and manufacture tan liquor heaters and coolers, rotary and leach
pumps, brass castings, and a general line of tannery supplies.
The International Steam Power Company was incorporated in 1891 and be-
History of Cattaraugus County.
gan business in 1892, and is managed by H. W. Moore. The goods, manufac-
tured underpatent. of October i6, 1888, consist of steam and hot water heaters.
W. D. Moore's planing-mill and lumber yard was established by him in
1883. From 1885 to 1889 he had as a partner W. H. Beers under the firm
name' of Moore & Beers, but aside from this he has conducted the business
alone. He employs some thirty men. In connection with this Mr. Moore
carries on an extensive building and contracting business, and has erected
many of the finer structures in Olean.
Charles Gillingham started the Olean Sash Factory in 1865 and for many
years did an extensive business under the firm name of Gillingham & Co.,
which in 1891 was succeeded by Gillingham & Son. The business was discon-
tinued in the spring of 1893. In August, 1867, Mr. Bagnall was accidentally
killed in this factory while working at a circular saw.
The Luther Manufacturing Company, successor to J. H. Luther & Sons,
is owned and conducted by G. H. and C. P. Luther, sons of J. H. Luther, by
whom the establishment was founded. They manufacture gas and water reg-
ulators, agitators, engines, and boilers.
F. J. Arey & Co. established the business of manufacturing prepared shoe
stock in April, 1892, and now employ about fifty hands.
The Hollis Spring Company, of which H. W. Moore is manager, was or-
ganized in 1886 with a capital of $10,000. The company manufactures mainly
the " Ram's-Horn " spring for carriages, etc.
The Wilson roller blind works at North Olean are owned by J. G. Wilson
and managed by Percy H. Wilson.
Olean has two brick yards, both located in East Olean. Terra cotta and
pressed brick are also manufactured.
The Olean Hub factory was started by L. S. Whitney in 1874. In 1875
R. M. Whitney, a brother, became a partner and in July, 1878, the proprieter.
The Chamberlin Manufacturing Company had its inception in 1848, when
George Chamberlin established a small concern for themanufacture of stump-
pullers. Both these and ditching plows are now made.
Reed, Martin & Co.'s carriage and sleigh manufactory was established
about 1847 by H. W. Moore. In 1881 it was entirely destroyed by fire and
at once rebuilt, the firm then being H. W. Moore & Co., which continued
until 1888. The business is now conducted by W. B. Reed, G. S. Martin,
O. D. Underwood, and M. Se.xton, Jr., under the name of Reed, Martin & Co.
The Acme Milling Company was organized in 1882 by Frank Chesbro and
Frank S. Oosterhoudt and succeeded the firm of Frank Chesbro & Co. The
present concern is the largest of its kind in the county. They manufacture
several brands of flour and grind large quantities of feed and meal.
David P. Godfrey & Sons (O. W. and F. N.) are proprietors of the Pleas-
ant Valley Holstein Stock and Dairy Farm. They are breeders of full-blood
Holstein cattle.
Town and Citv of Olean. 889
Religious services were held in Olean several years prior to 1820 by itiner-
ant Methodist preachers, as described in Mr. Johnson's reminiscences. The
Olean circuit was formed in July, 1S19, and Reuben A. Aylesworth was ap-
pointed minister in charge. This remained a separate circuit until the sum-
mer of 1S23, when it was merged with Friendship and the two called Friend-
ship circuit. In 1824 this became a part of the Rushford circuit and in 1829
it was again annexed to Friendship, where the first quarterly meeting was
held July i8th of that year. In October, 1S34, this circuit was divided and on
the 26th the first quarterly meeting of the Olean circuit convened at Bolivar.
In 1835 it was again annexed to Friendship, but in 1836 it once more became
a separate circuit and since remained so. Portville was set off from the Olean
charge in September, 1852. The first sermon said to have been preached in
Olean by a Methodist minister was on September 23, 1809, the occasion being
the funeral of William Shepard. The preacher was Josiah Bullard.
September 25, 1836, a class was organized in Olean by Rev. Abram C. Du
Bois with twenty-two members. Indeed this was the date of organization of
the First Methodist Episcopal church of Olean, whose first church edifice was
a frame structure erected in 1852 on the site of the present handsome Gothic
edifice on Union street, which was built in 1881 and cost §26,000, the present
value of the church property, including a frame store, being $38,000. -The
edifice will seat about 800 people and the society now has 450 members with
Rev. C. V. Wilson as pastor. The Sunday school has 500 scholars. The pres-
ent parsonage was exchanged for another in 1 88 1 and is valued at §4,500.
The Second Methodist Episcopal church of Olean, originally a mission of
the First M. E. church, was organized in 1889 by Rev. R. C. Grames with
ninety members, the present number being about 200. Rev. D. C. Hunting-
ton was the first pastor. The society has two frame church edifices, one
on Ninth street and the other in East Olean. The former was erected in
18S0, will seat 400 people, and cost §3,500. The East Olean edifice was built
in 1886 at a cost of §2,000 and will seat 200 persons. The entire church prop-
erty is valued at about §6,500. Two Sunday schools are maintained.
The presiding elder's residence is owned by the Olean district of the Gen-
esee Conference and is valued at §4,500.
The following is condensed from an historical sermon preached December
22, 1879, ^^ ^^^ dedication of the present edifice of the First Presbyterian
church, by the pastor, Rev. Henry M. Curtis : " In 1809 the Rev. John Spencer,
traveling as a missionary, conducted some of the earliest religious services in
Olean. He preached here from time to time and laid the foundation of this
church, the organization of which was effected under the Rev. William Stone
on August 22, 1822, in the chamber of Hoyt Webb's store, located on the
present site of the hardware store of C. V. B. Barse & Co. It was one of the
churches which constituted the Presbytery of Angelica on November 28, 1828.
Anson King, Ahijah C. Warren, and Dr. Norman Smith were the first rul-
113
Sqp History of Cattaraugus County.
ing elders. A Sunday school under the care of Josiah Tracy had been in
existence for a considerable time before this. After a time, owing to the re-
moval from town of several of the leading members, the actual existence of
the church was in abeyance till 1838, when a Presbyterian organization was
again formed with Rev. Reuben Willoughby as pastor and Henry Dusenbury
and Erastus E. Piatt as elders. For about a year the services were held in
the house of Judge Adkins, who with about ten others constituted the mem-
bership. In 1839 ^ P^'"'^ of '^he present lot was acquired. On it was a wagon
shop, which, on being repaired and fitted up, was used as a church for many
years. In 1840 a bell was hung in its steeple and is supposd to be the first
in this section. In 1841 a legal organization under the revised statutes of
the State of New York was effected under the title of the " Society of the
First Presbyterian Church of Olean." This is its legal designation today.
In 1856 the main part of the present church was built at a cost of §6,000, and
in 1878, the church being too small for the congregation, it was enlarged and
beautified. The Sunday school room and parlors were added at this time.
The church's property has been acquired at. various times till now it owns,
with the parsonage, a lot on Laurens street and another on Second street.
The membership is about 265. The Sunday school has 260 scholars. The
value of the property is $25,000.
Among the beautiful church edifices in Olean is that of St. Stephen's
Episcopal,* which, in an established work on church architecture, is classed as
one of the hundred n\Q.5t beautiful church edifices in America. Episcopal
church services were first held in Olean (then called Hamilton) in 1829 in a
building where. religious bodies often assembled. But these few worshipers
did not incorporate themselves as a church corporation until February 22,
1830, when, pursuant to a notice given at the public worship on the Sunday
previous by the ofificiating clergyman, Rev. William W. Bostwick, a mission-
ary who held occasional services here, a meeting was held by the members of
this denomination for the purpose of incorporation under an act entitled "An
Act to provide for the Incorporation of Religious Societies," at which meet-
ing the Rev. Mr. Bostwick, William W. Penfield, and David Day were elected
to certify the proceedings of the meeting in conjunction with the minutes;
Horatio Orton and Ebenezer Lockvvood at the same time were elected war-
dens; Sylvanus Russell, William W. Penfield, David Day, David Bockes,
William Lowe, Nathaniel Goodspeed, Henry Stephens, and Horatio Osborne
were elected vestrymen. Easter Monday was fixed upon for the annual elec-
tion of wardens and vestrymen. In 1832 Seymour Bouton was elected
warden to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of Horatio Orton. This was
the first death which occurred among the officers of the parish. During the
same year a class of ten persons was presented to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Onder-
donk for confirmation, this being the first confirmation ever held in this
* By Charles P. Moulton, Esq.
Town and City of Olean.
parish. The persons who received the Holy Rite were Evert Russell, Nich-
olas Van Wickle, Ebenezer Lockwood, Esther Russell. Sarah Lockwood,
Sarah Day, Jane Russell, Elizabeth Goodspeed, Harriet Goodspeed.and Susan
Kelson. The first person baptized was Harriet Goodspeed, February 17, 1829.
The first marriage in the parish was on October 26, 1831, David Day and
Sarah Goodspeed being the contracting parties. July 28, 1836, the land upon
which the church stands was donated by Frederick S. Norton, a large land-
owner in Olean, who also subscribed $100 toward the erection of a church
thereon. During February, 1836, a meeting of the parishioners was held in
order to devise means to erect a suitable house of worship. The congregation
was small, means were limited, and the undertaking seemed desperate, but
nevertheless it was voted that a suitable house of worship be erected. A
building committee consisting of David Day, Henry Bryan, Nicholas Van
Wickle. and Frederick S. Martin was appointed, a subscription paper circulated,
and after tireless efforts the requisite amount was raised, and on the 5th of
August, 1836, they entered into a contract with Samuel Budd, of Angelica,
N. Y., to erect the building, the same being completed in January, 1839.
During the same year the officers of the parish adopted as their corporate
seal the eagle side of a twenty-five-cent piece. The church being entirely free
from debt it was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. William H. De Lancy, D.D.
In 1840 delegates were elected to attend the convention of the Diocese of
Western New York held in Buffalo, this being the first representation of this
parish in the church council. In 1842 acommittee was appointed to purchase
the church bell. In 1865 the parish met with a great loss in the death of
Hon. Frederick S. Martin, in whom the clergy found a firm friend, and whose
sound advice was of inestimable value. In 1834 the Rev. Thomas Morris be-
came the finst clergyman. He was followed by Revs. Humphrey Hollis in
1842, N. F. Bruce, Moses E. Wilson, Charles -E. Beardsley, William A. Lord,
George W. Dunbar, McDonald, H. H. Loring, Henry Strong, Charles T.
Seibt, Charles J. Machin, S. D. Boorum, M. B. Benton, J. J. Andrew, and
James W. Ashton, D.D., the present incumbent. As the congregation in-
creased the necessity of a more commodious house of worship presented itself.
A subscription paper was circulated and the necessary amount to erect
the beautiful stone edifice was raised, the corner-stone of which was laid Aug-
ust 6, 1888. This occupies the site of the old frame church building. The
new structure was consecrated June 17, 1890, by the Rt. Rev. A. C. Co^ce,
D.D., and cost about $29,000. It will seat 500 people, and with all other
church property is valued at about $45,500. The society has 250 members
and a Sunday school of 200 scholars.
The nucleus of the Baptist denomination in Olean is found in a confer-
ence class organized as early as 1830 by Rev. Eliab Going, the first Baptist
preacher in this locality. Rev. Mr. Tillinghast vvas the first resident pastor,
being appointed in 1839, '^"d he was succeeded two years later by Rev. Ben-
892 History of Cattaraugus County.
jamin Thomas, who remained until the society was disbanded in 1843. The^
church was re-organized with about twenty members in 1846 by Rev. Samuel v
W. Titus, who was installed the first pastor, the corporate name of the society '
being the First Baptist church of Olean. One of the oldest, if not the oldest, '
surviving members of this church is Dr. Lambert Whitney, who for nearly fifty :
years has been an active worker in its councils. After a pastorate of five years '
Rev. Mr. Titus was succeeded by Rev. Robert Fisher, among whose succes-
sors were Revs. Tilly, Stowell, Farr, Tower. Mudge, Olney, Brown, Dox,
McClyment, and Smith, the present pastor being Rev. F. R. Fowler. The first
house of worship was an old wooden store building donated to the society in
1848 by Dr. Andrew Mead. In i860 this building was destroyed by fire and .''
thepresent stone and brick edifice erected on South street. This, with subse- '■?'
quent additions and repairs, has cost the society about $30,000 and with other
property is now valued at $45,000. It will seat 500 persons. The society has
about 300 members and a large Sunday school.
The German Evangelical Immanuel Lutheran church, on the corner of
Laurens and Fourth streets, was organized January 2, 1855, by Rev. Adam
Ernst, with thirty members. The first pastor was Rev. I. H. Doerman and
the first house of worship, a frame structure, was erected in 1S59 '^^ ^ cost of
$2,100. The present church edifice was built of wood in 18S7, cost §6,000,
will seat 300 persons, and with other property is now valued at about $10,000.
The society has over 200 members and a Sunday school of ninety scholars, to
whom instruction is given in both German and English.
Zion's Evangelical church, on the corner of Thirteenth and Washington
streets, was organized in 1874 by Rev. L. Witt, the first pastor. Their house
of worship, a frame edifice, was erected in 1879 and cost about $1,400; the
church property, including grounds and parsonage, is valued at $4,100. The
building will seat 150 people, and the society has about fifty members and a
Sunday school of fifty scholars.
St. Mary of the Angels Roman Catholic church was organized in 1850 with
forty members by Father Doran, the first pastor. Until 1876 services were
held weekly by Franciscan Fathers from Allegany, but in that year Rev. J. J.
Hamel was appointed resident priest by Bishop S. V. Ryan, and he has since
officiated in that capacity. Their church edifice was erected of wood in i860
and enlarged in 1877 ^^^ '879> 'ts present seating capacity being 900 persons.
It originally cost $3,000 and is how valued, including'grounds, rectory, etc., at
$20,000 The parish has 2,500 members and a Sunday school of 500 scholars.
The A. M. E. church was organized in the spring of 1879 ^y Rev. Mr. Col-
lins, the first pastor, the first resident pastor, however, being Rev. Mr. Thomp-
son. Their first church edifice was erected of wood in 1880 and in 1890 mo\ed
back and intended for a parsonage, but has never been used for that purpose.
In the winter of 1890-91 the present frame building was erected and the two
structures and lot are valued at about $2,500. The Sunday school has an av-
Town and City of Olean. . 893
erage attendance of fifty scholars. The present pastor is Rev. Woodruff Post.
The First Congregational church of Olean was organized by its first and
present pastor, Rev. James H. McKee, on February 9, 1889, with twenty-nine
members, which number has since been- increased to about ninety. The first
services were held in a hall and afterward in the Y. M. C. A. rooms. Their
present frame edifice was erected in 1891 and dedicated on May 6th of that
year. The frame work of this structure was formerly the first Episcopal
church building in Olean. It cost the Congregationalists about $4,000; the
lot cost $4,500. With a frame parsonage adjoining the present value of the
church property is about $12,000. The Sunday school has an average attend-
ance of fifty scholars under the pastor as superintendent, who is also president
of the Cattaraugus County Sunday School Association.
A Swedish church society was legally organized in 1892 with about thirty
members, who are supplied by pastors from neighboring towns. They hold
occasional services in the basement of the Lutheran church.
A Union church edifice was erected of wood in East Olean in 1892, and is
valued, including lot, at about $1,200. The Sunday school held here has about
100 scholars with Miss M. V. Morse as superintendent.
The Y. M. C. A. chapel at the corner of Elm and Walnut streets in north
Olean was built for a Sunday school building to accommodate residents of
that part of the village, but is not connected with the Young Men's Christian
Association. The average attendance of the Sunday school is fifty-six; the
superintendent is Milton G. Butler.
October 12, 1885, a preliminary meeting was held at the residence of Dr.
C. H. Bartlett for the purpose of organizing a Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation. The prominent citizens quickly and substantially responded and on
November 25th the present Young Men's Christian Association of Olean was
regularly organized with six directors and these managers : P. B. Griffin, pres-
ident; L. F. Lawton, first vice-president; Charles P. Moulton, second vice-
president; W. B. Reed, recording secretary; M. W. Barse, treasurer. Rooms
were leased and furnished in the Duke block, which has since been the asso-
ciation's home. E. R. Sidell was employed as general secretary. The presi-
dents to 1891 were Dr. J. E. K. Morris, 1887; Lewis Perry, 1890; S. W. Pan-
coast, 1891. The general secretaries for the same period were Irving B. Bris-
tol, August, 1886; Charles H. Dodd, April, 1887 ; William H. Manning, Jan-
uary, 1888; Charles G. Cady, October, 1888 ; William Riach (acting), July,
1890; J. W. Keller, November, 1890. In 1891 the Board of Managers con-
sisted of S. W. Pancoast, president ; H. L. Gerstenberger, first vice-president ;
B. U. Taylor, second vice-president ; Fred Revels, recording secretary ; W. L.
Pelton, treasurer. In July, 1891, these and the Board of Directors resigned to
six individuals composing a new Board of Directors and the following mana-
gers to fill their unexpired terms: Henry Gillett, president; J. E. Eggleston,
first vice-president; E. E. Taggart, second vice-president; A. P. Arnold, sec-
History of Cattaraugus. County.
retary ; F. L. Taylor, treasurer. At the annual meeting in January, 1892, all-
were re-elected. J. W. Plant became general secretary in November, iSqi'
and in April, 1893, resigned. J. W. Keller is temporarily acting in that capac-|
ity. The officers are A. D. Peck, presi'dent ; C. W. Evans, first vice-president •]
H. F. Davis, second vice-president ; A. P. Arnold, recording secretary ; E. G.
VVeinhauer, treasurer ; and E. S. Jackson, J. E. Eggleston, Henry Gillett, J. W.l
Kelley, A. D. Cobb, and C. W. Evans, directors. The present membership;
is 170. The association has a well-equipped gymnasium and excellent bath'
rooms. It receives from various sources about $2,000 annually. Mrs. Helen
M. Lawton has lately given $1,000 as a nucleus for a building fund.
The first Masonic organization in Cattaraugus county was Hamiltonl
Lodge, No. 274, of Free and Accepted Masons, which was chartered January
22, 1817, and ceased to exist during the anti-Masonic excitement or Morgan
episode ; its lights were extinguished and the sacred volume upon its altar was
forever closed. The records, furniture, and jewels became the property of
Olean Lodge, but were destroyed by fire some thirty years ago. It is said
that the lodge had a large amount of money, which was given to the town.
In 1822 the officers were: Walter Wood, worshipful master; James Adkins,
senior warden; Amos R. Orton, junior warden ; Andrew B. Horton, treasurer;
John A. Bryan, secretary.
March 20, 1852, a dispensation was issued for the erection of Olean Lodge,
No. 252, F. & A. M., Most Worshipful Oscar Coles being grand master and
James W. Powell the grand secretary. The brethren petitioning for the dis-
pensation were Fredericks. Martin, David Bockes, Thomas Lockwood, David
Bennie, Waldo A. Blossom, H. F. Lighton, David McCormick, Willis M.
Howe, Emory Wood, David Day, R. L. Page, E. B. Andrews, John Barse,
John Conrad, James Brooks, James L. Savage, and W. Wood. Andrew
Mead was named as master, David Bockes as senior warden, and James Brooks
as junior warden. A warrant containing the names of these officers was
granted to the lodge June 5, 1852. The first meeting under the dispensation
was held April ist and the records show that the by-laws of Hamilton Lodge
were adopted. Six petitions for membership were received at that meeting.
The name of Russell Martin headed the list. The first to sign the by-laws
was H. D. Bennie. The first communication was held August 12. 1852, and
the first officers were Andrew Mead, W. M.; David Bockes, S. W.; Edwin B.
Ar.drews, J. W.; David Day, secretary; Aaron I. Allen, treasurer; James L.
Savage, S. D.; L. C. Hathaway, J. .D.; John Barse and D. Hamilton Bennie,
stewards; Julius R. Smith, tiler. In 1863 the lodge room was destroyed by
fire and for a time the lodge met in Mr. Bennie's bedroom, which was then in
the old Merritt warehouse. The new charter is dated June 6, 1863. The
lodge now has 270 members. The masters have been as follows:
Maulers.— Anilrew Mead, 1S."j2 ; Russeil Martin, 185:! ; David Day, IS.'U; Richard Kinfe', 1K.»; H. D. Bennie,
1856,1858-185!); C. H. Titus, IKT : N. P. Wilcox, 1860. lSf.2; G.W.Norton, 1861, 18K3-a5; .7. T. Henry, 1866-67:
F. L. Stowell, 186«; John S. Shaw, 186a; M. B. Fobes, 1870; Hugh Morton, 1871-72; E. A. Homer, 1873-74; C. H.
1
Town and City of Olean. . 895
Emerson, 1S75-76 ; L. F. Moore, 1877-78 ; M. Southeron, 1879-80 ; Dr. John L. Eddy. 1881-83, 188B : Caleb S.
Hanks, 1883 ; John A. Taylor, 1884 ; C. S. Stowell, 1885 ; \V. V. Smith, 1887 ; John Slo.ine,18SS-89 ; J. A. Barhydt,
1800 ; J. Arthur Corbin, 1891 ; Eugene A. Russell, 1893.
Olean Chapter, No. 150, R. A. M., was organized March 26, 1855; it was
burned out and February 3, 1859, ^ "^w charter was issued. The first officers
were John A. Aiken, H. P.; Russell Martin, -king; David Day, scribe. T 'e
present membership is 170. The high priests have been as follows:
High Priests— John A. Aiken, 1855 ; David Day, lSb6 ; Richard King, 1857 ; no record, 18.58 ; N. P. Wilcox,
18-59; H. D. Bennie, 1860-61 ; no record, 1862-6:3; J. S. Shaw, 1864 67, 1874: John B. Shaw, 1868; F. L. Stowell,"
1869-70 ; 51. B. Fobes, 1871-72, 1878-79 ; C. S. Stowell, 1873 ; E. M. Johnson, 1875-76 ; E. A. Homer, 1877 ; L. Dur-
keo, 1880-81 ; L. M. Crake, 1882 ; L. F. Moore, 1883-85 ; C. S. Hanks. 1886 ; Martin Southeron, 1887-88 ; William
V. Smith, 1889-90 ; William L. Myrick, 1891 ; John Sloane, 1893 : Albert A. Swartz, 1893.
St. John's Commandery, No. 24, K. T., was organized February 8, 1856, at
Wellsville, and was moved to Olean about 1863. Its present membership is
about 370. Following are the eminent commanders since 1856:
Eminent Comma)!((e?».— Hiram York, 1856; no record, 1857-58; James M. Mott, 1S59; no record, 1860-K3;
F. L. Stowell, 1864-67 ; John B. Shaw, 1868-70 ; C. T. Chamberlain. 1871 ; W. A. Baldwin, 1872-73; E. D. Love-
ridjfe, 1874-76 ; M. B. Fobes, 1877-78 ; M. W. Barse, 1879-80 ; E. M. Johnson, 1881-82; C. S.Stowell, 18S3-84 ; H. M.
Ernst, 1885 ; L. F. Moore. 1886 ; C. S. Hanks, 1887; Frank W. Higgins, 18{^-89; Martin Southeron, 1890; Dr.
John L. Eddy, 1891-92.
Grand Council, No. 33, Royal and Select Masters, was organized February
2, 1869, and now has about seventy members. The first thrice illustrious mas-
ter was John S.Shaw. This lodge for a number of years was inactive; in 1881
it was re-organized and its thrice illustrious masters since then have been as
follows: C. S. Stowell, August 17, 1881 ; George W. Norton, 1882; John A.
Taylor, 1883-84; C. S. Hanks, 1885-87; Martin Southeron, 1888; W. L. My-
rick, 1889-90; J. A. Corbin, 1891 ; A. A. Swartz, 1892; J. K. Palmer, 1893.
Olean Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, was organized
September 17, 1891, with nineteen charter members, by C. S. Hanks, with Caleb
S. Hanks as thrice potent grand master; W. L. McGowan, Hiram of Tyre
deputy grand master ; Enos B. Sage, venerable senior grand warden ; Andrew
J. Emerson, venerable junior grand warden. It now has about fifty-five
members with these officers: J. A. Corbin, T. P. G. M.; M. Southeron,
D. G. M.; G. H. Burdick, V. S. G. W.; E. F. Halliday, V. J. G. W.
Olean Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite,
was organized by C. S. Hanks on September 17, 1891, with nineteen members
and these officers: Calvin S. Stowell, most equitable sovereign prince grand
master; Frank W. Higgins, grand high priest deputy grand master; W. L.
McGowan, senior grand warden ; A. W. Georgia, junior grand warden. It
now has about fifty-five members. The officers are D. E. Barrows, M. E. S.
P. G. M..; A. A. Swartz, G. H. P. D. G. M.; A. W. Georgia, M. E. S. G. W. ;
E. F. HaUiday, M. E. J. G. W.
Electa Chapter, No. 84, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized by Mar-
tin Southeron, June 3, 1891, with forty-si.x members and with Martin South-
■ eron as W. P.; Mrs. Kate Williams, W. M.; Mrs. Sarah A. Turner, A. M. It
now has about 170 members. ' . . . '
896 History of Cattaraugus County.
Light of the West Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., (colored,) was organized
April 17, 1888, with seven members, and worked under a dispensation until
May 4, 1889, when a charter was received. The first officers were T. J.
Sanders, W. M.; T. H. Barnes, S. W. ; Wallace Virginia, J. W. The present
membership is twelve.
In 1892 the erection of the present handsome brick Masonic temple was
commenced, the corner-stone being laid on Tuesday, September 27, Anno
Domini 1892, Anno Lucis (the year of light) 5892. The dimensions are 70
feet on Union street, 108 feet deep, and five stories high in front and four
back. It contains one of the largest and finest halls in the State. The total
cost was about $50,000. The building committee consisted of E. M. Johnson,
F. W. Higgins, J. Arthur Corbin, A. T. Eaton, G. H. Strong, and F. E.Tyler.
The superintendent was Martin Soiitheron.
A lodge of the I. O. O. F. was organized and chartered in Olean about
1 85 1 with some forty members, but its records were burned with those of the
Masons in 1863, which. caused its dissolution. Olean Lodge, No. 471, was
chartered August 22, 1878. The present membership is about 220. Alle-
gheny Encampment, No. 102, I. O. O. F., was organized at Salamanca and
chartered there February 27, 1884. Enthusiasm lagged to such an extent
that their charter was recalled and transferred to a similar organization in
Olean, which now has about eighty-five members. Banner Lodge, No. 112,
Daughters of Rebekah, au.xiliary to the I. O. O. F., was chartered November
2, 1 888, with thirty-two members, the present number being sixty-three. The
I. O. O. F. own the building they occupy, having bought it since its erection.
Olean City Club was organized December 22, 1883, with thirty-five mem-
bers and N. V. V. Franchot, president; S. H. Bradley, vice-president; J. A.
Taylor, secretary ; and H. M. Ernst, treasurer. The club has always had
rooms in the Exchange Bank building and is the only purely social club or-
ganization in the city. The present membership numbers about sixty.
The 'Olean Athletic Association was organized May 12, 1887, with about
seventy-five members, which now number 125. The present officers are Thomas
Troy, president; A. T. Eaton, vice-president; George A. Borden, secretary;
F. L. Blakeslee, treasurer. The association leased five acres of land inside the
corporation and fitted it up for athletic purposes.
The Young Men's Hebrew Association was organized December 21, 1883,
with sixteen members, to meet the needs, both religiously and socially, of the
Jewish residents of Olean. The first officers were H.-W. Marcus, president;
Max I. Fischer, vice-president ; Simon Reich, secretary ; David Harris, treas-
urer. A Sunday school was organized and religious services are held during
the Hebrew holidays. There are now twenty-seven members with these offi-
cers : M. Ruslander, president ; C. Cohn, vice-president ; H. W. Marcus, secre-
tary; H. J. Harris, treasurer.
The Olean W. C. T. U. was organized in 1882 and chartered in July, 1892,
m
Town axd Citv of Glean. 897
the original membership being about sixty, which now numbers eighty-five.
The officers are Miss Dora Coss, president; Mrs. L. J. Whitcomb, recording
sec'y ; Mrs. D. S. Abbott, corresponding sec'y ; Mrs. J. Douglass, treasurer.
The G. D. Bayard Post, No. 222, G. A. R., was organized with twenty-
nine charter mernbers. The J. L. Eddy Encampment, Sons of Veterans, had
an existence of about two years. The L. Y. Miller Camp, No. 186, Sons of
Veterans, was organized in March, 1891, with about thirty members, its pres-
ent number, and these officers: W. D. Parker, captain; Charles Barber, lieu-
tenant; J. G. Neill, quartermaster; C. H. Rafferty, first sergeant. The
officers for 1893 are the same except lieutenant, who is F. Z. Oakley.
St. Mary's Branch, No. 53, C. M. B. A., was chartered March 9, 1881, with
about fifteen members, which now number 150. St. Mary's Branch, No. 12,
L. C. B. A., was organized and chartered April 9, 1890.
D. S. Abbott, inventor and manufacturer of saw-mill machinery, was born
in Ischua, July i, 1838. He removed to Olean when sixteen, perfected him-
self in mechanics, and has long been doing a profitable business in the manu-
facture of his inventions. He makes lath-mills, lath-packers and trimmers,
slab-slashers, shingle-machines, shingle-jointers, drag-saw machines, shingle-
bolters, etc. Mr. Abbott is a Prohibitionist and was the candidate of that
party for sheriff in the election of 1888.
I. E. Ackerly, a native of Kennedy, Chautauqua county, was reared on the
farm and in early life clerked in stores, and at the age of eighteen began tele-
graphing, which he followed until 1870, being a year or two train dispatcher.
Becoming acquainted with the oil country and the oil business he was finally
appointed agent for the Pennsylvania Transit, a pipe-line concern, and shortly
afterward was promoted superintendent of all the company's lines, which posi-
tion he resigned in 1877. Since 1872 Mr. Ackerly has been engaged largely
in the oil business alone. He is a prominent Mason.
Ansel Adams, son of Thomas and Anna (Thorp) Adams, was born in Oak
Hill, Greene county, July 16, 1804, and married, March 4, 1835, Ruth A.,
daughter of Benjamin Nichols, of Windsor, N. Y. In 1838 they came to
Olcan, where he died in 1886. In 1839 he was chosen deacon of St. Stephen's
Episcopal church and for some time was its senior warden. For a number of
years he was prominently engaged in dealing in real estate and merchandise,
and left at his death a widow and three children, the latter being Edgar A.,
Norman E., and George A., all born in Olean.
E. E. Alderman is a native of Portville, where his early life was passed as
a student and clerk. He was born May 4, 1858, and in November, 1887, came
to Olean, where he associated himself with L. F. Lawton and has since been
engaged in the real estate business under the firm name of E. E. Alderman &
Co. Mr. Alderman has been secretary and treasurer of the Buffalo Street
Land Company, secretary of the Olean Building, Loan, and Savings Associa-
tion, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trade. He
has always taken a leading part in the political affairs of the county, and has
been treasurer of the Cattaraugus County Republican Committee.
Henry G. Allen, son of Stephen and Mary A. (Sheldon) Allen, was born in ,
Allegany, May 2, 1838. He began business as a lumberman. He volunteered
in Co. A, 85th N. Y. Vols., July 16, 1861, and served until Nov. 24, 1862, when
he re-enlisted in Co. L, 4th U. S. Artillery, for three years, and was discharged
113
H98 History of Cattaraugus County.
at the close of his term of service. March 21, 1S66, he married Mary A.,
daughter of Samuel Oosterhoudt. He has since been a farmer in Olean, a
lumber merchant in Portsmouth, Ohio, a lumberman and coal dealer in Rex-
ford, Pa., from 1878 to 1881, and postmaster there from 1881 until he resigned in
1885. Since then he has resided in Olean, with a winter residence in Florida.
Clarence E. Andrews, son of George and Charlotte (Stoddard) Andrews,
was born in Busti, N. Y., Dec. i, 1849. ^'^ paternal grandfather, a native of
Vermont, was one of the first settlers of Busti, and held a captain's commis-
sion and led his company against the Indians, who afterward recognized him
as their special friend. His maternal grandfather, Rev. A. A. Stoddard, also
a native of Vermont, was a prominent pioneer Baptist minister, whose son,
Rev. I. J. Stoddard, now of Iowa, was one of the first Baptist missionaries to
India, where he labored about twenty years. George Andrews is a farmer
and still resides in Busti. C. E. Andrews finished an academic education at
Jamestown Academy. At the age of eighteen he became a book-keeper in
Minnesota, where he spent two years. He next spent tv/elve or thirteen years
as a traveling salesman. In July, 1882, he purchased the furniture store of
A. Blake and has since been one of Olean's energetic business men. Mr. An-
drews is a member of the Board of Trade and of the Baptist church, and a
Republican. In Jan., 1874, he married Augusta F. Campbell, of Busti.
Rev. James William Ashton, D.D., rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal
church, was born in Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 1843. His father was Daniel R.
Ashton, who for many years was a well-known teacher, and his mother was
Elizabeth Josiah Marsh, a woman of aristocratic type descended from one of
the old Revolutionary families. His grandfather. Colonel Marsh was com-
mander of a regiment of the Pennsylvania line and an aide-de-camp of General
Washington during the battle of Princeton. The early years of his life were
spent under the parental roof, and at the age of sixteen he entered the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania. While there the Civil war broke out and the mili-
tary spirit which he inherited from his forefathers was quickened by the patri-
otic and spartan-like disposition of his mother, who inspired him with high and
noble aims of life. When the first gun of the Rebellion was fired all the
patriotic impulses of his nature were stirred and he desired to offer his serv-
ices as a volunteer soldier, but in consideration of his studies and his imma-
ture^ age it was deemed best to wait. In the meantime his soldierly spirit
was not at rest, for he was a member of the University Light Infantry Com-
pany. In 1862 he laid aside his academic gown and nobly took his place with
the brave men who were fighting for the preservation of the Union. By
appointment of Governor Curtin he received a commission as first lieutenant
of Co. C, 157th Pa. Vols. His first military duty was discharged in the neigh-
borhood of the city, where he recruited a number of men, and at Fort Dela-
ware Bay, where for a time he acted as post adjutant and learned the science
of war, the drill, discipline, and tactics. For some time he was drill-master of a
large part of the garrison of the fort, when there were thousands of Confeder-
ate prisoners there. Active service, however, was what he sought and he
was soon engaged in the neighborhood of Washington and on the line of the
Orange & Alexandria railroad in Fairfax county, Va., where he built a block-
house to protect the road against the raids of rebel cavalry under Rosser and
Mosby. He was with General Grant at the front in the spring of 1864 and
fought in several engagements, and on the 28th of July he received a severe
wound in the right scapula, which, along with other and almost fatal disabilities
Town and City of Olean.
incurred in the line of duty, obtained for him an honorable discharge. He
experienced keen regret at being compelled to leave the army, but when
health and strength permitted he proceeded to carry out his long-cherished
ambition of being a Christian minister. His forefathers on both sides had
been members of the -Church of England and of the Protestant Episcopal
church in this country, but from circumstances which occurred before his
birth some members of his family had drifted into the Baptist church, and in
its principles he was reared and at the age of fourteen was received into fel-
lowship. He studied for the ministry first in the Episcopal Divinity School
in Philadelphia and then in the Baptist Theological Seminary in Newton,
Mass. He prepared some young men for college, among the number two
who have distinguished themselves as clergymen, and for months he lectured
to a large class of wounded and disabled soldiers at the Government hospital,
for which service he was liberally compensated by Miss Elizabeth Biddle, of
Philadelphia. After graduating at Newton his first charge in the Baptist
church was at VVaterford, N. Y., and his second the Central Baptist church of
Norwich, Conn. In 1871 he resigned from the ministry and membership of
the Baptist denomination and was admitted to Holy Orders in the Episcopal
church, being confirmed and ordained deacon and priest by the Rt. Rev. Will-
iam Bacon Stevens, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, in old
Christ church, Philadelphia, a singular coincidence being that, when he stood
in front of the chancel, he was immediately above the grave of some of his
ancestors, who had once been prominently identified with that church. In
this change of religious opinions and ecclesiastical connections Dr. Ashton
was governed entirely by the highest principles of conscientiousness, and from a
profound belief that in the Episcopal church he could best ser\-e his Lord and
Master. In the Episcopal ministry Dr. Ashton has been rector of the Church
of Our Merciful Saviour (now the Annunciation), Philadelphia, where he
labored for six years, after which he was rector of Grace church in the same
city. In April, 1883, he became rector of St. Stephen's church in Olean,
which position he still holds, it being the longest rectorship in the history of
the parish. He took charge of the church at a time when its condition was
one of feebleness, and by the strength of his high persona! character, coupled
with the faculty of organization which he possesses, its condition is now one
of strength and influence, not only in the community, but also in the Diocese
of Western New York. The elegant and costly new stone edifice which oc-
cupies a commanding position overlooking the park has been built and paid
for during his rectorship. As a pulpit orator Dr. Ashton has rare gifts. Not
only in the' church, but also in the community, is his influence and strong
!)crsonality felt. He received the degree of Master of Arts from his alma
mater and the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Hobart College. He is also
a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society.
G. W. Delmar Baird was born in Ripley, N. Y., Sept. 16, 1847. Receiving
his education at the Quincy High School and serving an apprenticeship as a
painter, he came to Olean in October, 1877, and entered the employ of the
Empire Freight Line, of which he has been for some time its chief clerk, hav-
ing also served as clerk of the Board of Education and treasurer of the First
M. E. church. Mr. Baird married, Nov. 11, 1868, H. Amelia, daughter of
Kester Tracy, of Ripley.
Erasmus Barrows, who was born in Freedom on Februar}- 11, 1834, was a
resident of Olean about twenty-five years, a portion of which time he practiced
900 History of Cattaraugus County.
dentistry. He married, Aug. 30, 1859, Ellen T., daughter of William B. She.pard.
Mr. Shepard's father was an early settler of the county and William B. died
aged seventy-three on the farm where he was born. Dr. Barrows died in
Olean, April 27, 1882.
David E. Barrows, D.D.S., nephew of Dr. Erasmus Barrows, was born in
Arcade, N. Y., in 1855. Commencing the study of dentistr3' with his father
when eighteen he practiced with him until 1883, when he came to Olean,
where he has since followed his profession. He is a thorough student and is
regarded as an expert, having successfully treated many difficult cases in den-
tal surgery. Dr. Barrows married, in 1880, Nettie, daughter of Francis K.
Davis, of Yorkshire.
Hon. C. V. B. Barse. born in Manchester, Ontario county, Dec. 11, 1 817, re-
ceived his education in the common schools and in Penn Van Academy, and
began business as a clerk in a hardware store. On attaining his majoritv he
embarked in general merchandise business in Franklinville, where he remained
until 1 85 1, when he removed to Olean, where he had established a branch store
in 1848. In 1864, with H.S. Morris, he established a hardware store at Bay City,
which was continued five years. His son, Mills W. Barse, was for four years
his representative there. In 1868 he was nominated and elected to the State
Legislature. He was the founder of the State Bank of Olean in 1870, which
was changed in 1878 to the Exchange National Bank. Mr. Barse was the only
president of these banks until his death in 1885. He was also the first canal
inspector at Olean in 1857. Sept. 7, 1841, he married Mary H., daughter of
Aaron Wade, a farmer of Franklinville; children: Francis L., born June 20,
1 844, married D. C. Lefevre, of Albany ; Mills W., born Dec. 6, 1 846 ; and Will-
iam C, deceased.
Frank L. Bartlett was born in Belfast, Allegany county, September 25,
1859, was educated in the common schools and at Friendship Academy, and
began his business career in the First National Bank of Cuba. In 18S0 he
entered the Exchange National Bank of Olean, when the late Hon. C. V. B.
Barse was its active head, and later became assistant cashier. Upon M r. Barse's
death in 1885 Mills W. Barse was made president and Mr. Bartlett was pro-
moted cashier, a position he has since ably filled. He has been chairman of
the Executive Committee of the Board of Trade, treasurer of the Electric
Light and Power Company, treasurer of the village, and director, secretary,
and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Lumber Storage Company. In all of these
positions Mr. Bartlett has exhibited a wonderful executive ability. His deci-
sions are quick, but are wrought with sound judgment,, and in all transactions
he evinces a keen, shrewd penetration.
John L. Baxter, son of John W., was born in Olean, June 21, 1832, and
two years later removed with his parents to Friendship, N. Y., where the
father died in 1863. The son married Ellen Phalen, of St. John's, Ireland, in
1863, and in 1881 located permanently in Olean, where he engaged in the mill-
ing business. Mr. Baxter is a Democrat in politics.
C. E. and G. F. Bell (twins), sons of Nathaniel D. and Rebecca (Davidson)
Bell, were born in New Hudson, N. Y., in 1854. They received an academic
education in Friendship and were farmers until they attained their majority.
They began a commercial business at Kane, Pa., in the fall of 1876. In 1880
they removed to the oil country near Bradford and there engaged in produc-
ing oil and selling goods until the fall of 1888, when they settled as dry goods
merchants in Olean. The firm of Bell Brothers has recently- purchased the
Town and Citv of Olean. ■ 901
store property formerly known as the Butler store and re-constructed it into
one of the finest equipped dry goods stores in southwestern New York. They
employ twenty-five clerks. C. E. Bell married a daughter of John Sell, of
Warren, Pa., in 1886, and had one son, born April 6, 1889. Mrs. Bell died
March 3, 1892, in the thirtieth year of her age.
Norman Birge, son of John, was born in Coventry, N. Y., July 7, 1816.
His father was a carpenter and a soldier in the War of 1812. Norman Birge
received a common school education and was a clerk and an apprentice to the
trade of harness making. In March, 1839, he settled permanently in Olean
and opened a shop for the manufacture of harnesses, in which he was actively
engaged until his death in 1892. Dr. Whitney says: " Mr. Birge is distinguished
as being the owner of the first buggy in Olean." In 1853 Mr. Birge married
Sarah Barney, a'native of Vermont, and their only daughter, Jennette, is the
wife of Fred B. Humphrey, whose children are Grace and James.
Jason S. Bishop, son of Levi and Sarah (Higgins) Bishop, was born in
Hume, N. Y., SepL 27, 1835. His father was a blacksmith and died in 1847,
when the family removed to a farm. In 1857 Jason S. went to Kansas, but
a year later returned and engaged in the sale of groceries from the spring of
1859 ^° 1861. He was next a farmer in Granger and Hume until 1874 and
then a merchant in Fillmore until 1879, when he settled in Olean, where he
has since resided. He purchased twenty-seven acres of the Martin farm and
platted it into village lots, which he has been engaged in selling. He is senior
member of the firm of J. S. Bishop & Son, general merchants, and has also
been. engaged in the oil business. He has served three years on the Board of
Education and was a prominent member of the building committee in con-
structing the State Street Academy. He was one of the largest contributors
to secure the location of the Quirin tannery in Olean. July 30, 1861, he mar-
ried Mary S. Minard. Children living: George L., born Dec. 20, 1863, junior
member of the firm of J. S. Bishop & Son; and Sarah, born May 15, 1865, wife
of S. I. Haas, an architect in Los Angeles, Cal.
Adoniram Blake was born in Milton, Vt., July i, 1824, and when fifteen
years of age moved with his parents to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he
attended the St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam. His father, John B., a
native of New Hampshire, died in 1840. After completing his education
young Blake began the study of dentistry in Albion, Orleans county, which
profession he subsequently practiced fifteen years, traveling on a circuit with
headquarters at Buffalo, and in i860 located permanently in Olean, where he
formed a partnership with N. S. Butler in the dry goods business. Three
years later he bought the stock of F. R. Eaton, taking as a partner in this en-
terprise L. W. Gifford. He sold his interest in this store three years after-
ward to Bradley Faunce and devoted his attention to his hardware trade,
which he had previously established as the second establishment of the kind
in Olean, and which he sold in 1880, repurchasing it, however, in 1885 and
forming a partnership with W. S. Wilkinson under the firm name of Blake &
Wilkinson. In 1874 he built Blake's Opera House at a cost of over $20,cxx),
at that time the finest block in the county. In 1858 Dr. Blake married
Anna M. Bigelow, of Sardinia, N. Y. Dr. Blake served many years on the
Board of Education and the Board of Village Trustees.
Manley A. Blakeslee, born in Perry ville, N. Y., April 4, 1824, came to Olean
in 1847, and for three years taught school and clerked. In 1851 he opened the
first drug and book store in Olean, which he continued until 1886, except the
902 History of Cattaraugus County.
years 1863 and 1864. Mr. Blakeslee is now a surveyor. While in trade as a
merchant he was three times burned out.
Conrad J. Blessing, son of John and Apoleno (Shelling) Blessing, was born
in Allegany, May 2, 1861. He lost his father while yet a lad and was early
apprenticed at the blacksmith trade. He began business for himself in his
native town about 1880. In 1882 or 1883 he came to Olean and purchased a
shop, which was burned, and erected another on the site. He gives his entire
attention to horseshoeing. In 1882 he married Huldah Bacon, of Allegany.
Elijah C. Blighton was born in Machias, Feb. 24, 1849. His father was
Thomas N. Blighton, a carpenter and joiner by trade, who died there June 9,
1 861, after residing in the town some fifteen years. Receiving a commercial
education at Arcade, N. Y., Elijah C. married, in 1873, Ida C. Bargay, of Con-
cord,'Erie county, who died Nov. 14, 1884; he married, second, Minnie A.
Bargay, in 1886. Locating in Olean in 1875, in the furniture establishment of
Hoyt & Oosterhoudt, he began business for himself in 1880 as undertaker.
The boardman family of America largely descends from Samuel Boreman,
an Englishman of prominence, who came to Ipswich, Mass., in 1637, and in
1640 permanently settled in Wethersfield, Conn. He was a man of education
and property, and his descendants in every generation have held high posi-
tions in both church and State.* A log-book of Timothy Boardman, kept on
the Colonial privateer Oliver Croviwell \n 1778, giving much of value of earh'
tim.es and also a biography of the author. Rev. Samuel VV. Boardman, D.D.,
was published by the Rutland County Historical Society in 1885. The intro-
duction by the secretary of that society says: "The Boardmans are all known
as a strictly industrious, upright, religious, scholarly race."
Jehiel Boardman (5) was born at Bolton, Conn., Sept. 30, 1761. Emigrat-
ing to Norwich, Vt., with his parents in childhood he, while yet in early
youth, commenced active life as a soldier in the Revolutionary army. After
the war he became a merchant and lumberman at Norwich, where, in 1789, he
married Sally Hatch. In 1794 the glittering reports that came to him con-
cerning the " Western Reserve" (which was just offering itself to civilized oc-
cupancy) caused him to take a journey thither. His route was on foot from
Norwich to Philadelphia and Pittsburg, finishing his journey to Cincinnati on
a government boat loaded with corn. Here General Wayne was drilling his
m'en preparatory to the famous battle with the Indians at Miami. f Mr.
Boardman returned to Norwich with the intention of emigrating to the West-
ern Reserve, but was prevented by the opposition of friends and the dangers
and hardships of the journey. In 1799 he removed to Derby, Vt., a few
miles from the Canada line. Here he cleared up a farm, commenced lumber-
ing, and subsequently engaged in merchandising. In 1813 he decided to
move to the Ohio country. His family then consisted of seven children. The
long and tedious journey was made with his own teams, taking with him his
household goods. They reached Olean early in 1814, then the head of navi-
gation on the Allegheny, and where boats-were fitted out for going down the
river. Pleased with the advantages Olean offered Mr. Boardman decided to
settle here, purchased land on the north side of Olean creek (the present site
of Boardmanville), and began to clear and make a home in the dense pine for-
*The name was spelled Borman and Boreman until 17ia, when it became Bordman and later Boardman.
The line from Samuel to Jehiel is Samuel (1), Nathaniel (:3), Nathaniel (3), Nathaniel (4), Jehiel (.'>).
+ The land where Cincinnati now stands was then selling- for $1 an acre, and one mile back from the
river it brought but twenty-five cents an acre.
tSTT^O^i
c-lo^yt^^k^i.^^^
Town and City ok Olean.
est, building a log house, in which he lived while clearing and improving his
land. In 1817 he .built a large frame barn 34x54 feet and in 1818 erected a
commodious frame dwelling 32x44 feet. These buildings were built by hand,
as there was no machine work in those days, and they are yet in use, the
house now standing on First avenue in Boardmanville. Jehiel Boardman was
a man well calculated by disposition and inclination for a pioneer. He was
energetic, industrious, and scrupulously honest, and for the score of years he
lived in the newly-settled town of Olean his influence was greatly felt and
duly appreciated by his fellow citizens. He resided'in the home he had built
until his death, July 27, 1834. His wife survived him seven years.
Olcott P. Boardman (6), youngest son of Jehiel and Sally (Hatch) Boardman,
was born at Derby, Vt., March 28, 18 10, and came with his parents to Olean.
His childhood days were passed in the pioneer's home, and amid the labors
and privations incident to that life he attained a manhood vigorous in the
sturdy characteristics which make the worthy man. His school education was
necessarily limited, but he made good use of the opportunities afforded, and
when nineteen years of age became clerk for Hon. F. S. Martin ; his next em-
ployer was G. E. Warren, a lumber dealer of Pittsburg. He passed the spring
and summer seasons in that city and the winters in the Upper Allegany,
where he bought lumber. When twenty-two years old he re-purchased the
old homestead (his father having lost his title by the bankruptcy of Hoops)
from F. A. Norton, who had become land proprietor of this portion of '"Hoops' s
purchase." In 1833 Mr. Boardman made very many improvements on the
homestead, but during the great tornado of March 20, 1834, his unfinished
barn was devastated, his house greatly injured, and of his 200 acres of timber
hardly a tree was left standing. This disaster, although destroying most of
his property, did not discourage him, and he rebuilt and repaired the build-
ings which were occupied by his parents. From this time until 1849 he was
successfully engaged in lumbering, supplying the markets of the cities on the
Ohio ri\;er from the pineries of the Allegheny and its tributaries. In 1849
Mr. Boardman remodeled the homestead and made it his home. In 1867 he
selected and made extensive purchases of land (covered with valuable timber)
in the fertile Red River valley of Minnesota. In 1871 the first iron bridge in
town was built over Olean creek at Boardmanville by Mr. Boardman, then high-
way commissioner, despite great opposition. Boardmanville, comprising
about thirty acres of the Boardman farm, was platted in 1878. Over five
acres was given to streets fifty feet wide and avenues forty feet wide. The
lots were 50.X120 feet in size. The first sale of lots was made and buildings
erected in the fall of 1879. The deeds have a clause prohibiting forever the
sale of intoxicating liquors. There are now more than 100 good horhes with
a population of over 500 people in Boardmanville, showing the results of a
wise and liberal policy of dealing and the benefit of the prohibition of the
liquor traffic. In Nov., 1883, he moved into his fine brick residence, which
he commenced to build in Sept., 1882, on the old homestead site, personally
superintending its construction, and here he now resides with his wife and
granddaughter amid its lovely surroundings awaiting the Master's call.
Mr. Boardman married, October 3, 1833, Marcia P., daughter of Luman
Rice, a prominent pioneer and business man of Olean. Their son, Luman Ol-
cott Boardman, born at Olean, Dec. 16, 1835, married Emeline C, daughter of
Joshua N. Bartlett, of Olean. He died Sept. 11, 1881. Mrs. Emeline C.
Boardman died June I, 1889. Their children were Marcia Rice, born at Olean,
904 History of Cattaraugus County.
and Olcott P., who died Aug. i, 1871. Mr. Boardman has ever been an im-
portant factor in the civil business of the town. In 1838 he was elected jus-
tice of the peace at Portville, where he was then a resident. In 1851 he was
elected justice of the peace at Olean ; he was postmaster from 1849 to 1853,
toll collector on the Genesee Valley canal at Olean from i860 to 1862, assist-
ant a.ssessor of United States internal revenue from 1862 to 1866, has also
served as town assessor, for years has been a prominent and useful member of
the Board of Education, and in many positions of trust has done admirable
service. Mr. Boardman i?; a strong temperance worker and has been a consci-
entious member of the Presbyterian church for more than half a century. He
is a careful and methodical man of business, who has done much service to
the community in responsible positions. He stands in the front rank of prog-
ress, and the active influence of both himself and estimable wife has been
freely given to causes working for the betterment of humanity.
John H. Bradner, the general manager of the large dry goods establish-
ment of George B. Adams & Co., is a native of Orange county, and during his
residence in Olean has acquired an enviable reputation for hoviest dealing,
strict integrity, and uprightness.
William H. Conklin moved from his native town (Greenfield, Saratoga
county) to Wyoming county in the fall of 1824. In 1843 he removed to the
village of Castile, where he established business as a blacksmith and wagon
maker, which he moved to Olean in i860. Here he has carried on business
under the firm name of W. H. & D. C. Conklin, manufacturing wagons which
have acquired a wide reputation. Mr. Conklin is one of the leading citizens
of Olean. He is esteemed as a man of substantial worth.
James V. D. Coon, M. D. (see also page 157), has doubtless the longest
presidential record of any man in Cattaraugus county. Prominent among
the Olean organizations of which he has held the position of presiding otificer,
or of which he is president at the present time, are the Board of Trade since
its formation in 1888, the Board of Education, the village, the Electric Light
and Power Companj-, and the Building, Loan, and Savings Association. He
has also held other important public positions, being coroner three years, and
in all these various capacities Dr. Coon has evinced a broad and liberal mind,
absolute integrity, and an intimate knowledge of parliamentary practices. He
is an energetic Republican and a worthy Mason.
Spencer S. Bullis was born in Aurora, N. Y., in 1846, and when twenty
years old was engaged in the lumber business in that town, going from there
to Port Allegany, Pa., with his brother, and as Bullis Brothers operated there
for five years, when they bought the Fobes mills near State Line, establishing
there the town known as Bullis Mills, and also about the same time building
the large mills at Carrolton, both of which are still producing large amounts of
lumber. His personal lumber interests are conducted under the head of the
Allegany Lumber Company (Limited). It was in 1884 that the various lum-
bermen of Olean and vicinity formed what is called the United Lumber Com-
pany (Limited), which was finally succeeded by the Pennsylvania Lumber
Storage Company, of which Mr. Bullis was made general manager, and which
does business from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. Mr. Bullis purchased large
tracts along the Red House, Quaker Run, Sugar Creek, and Willow Creek
valleys, containing some 40,000 acres and tributary to the Allegany & Kinzua
railroad. Mr. Bullis is a central figure in the lumber transactions of northern
Pennsylvania. He is the executive officer of all his business enterprises. Y
Town and City of Olean. 905
George Charaberlin, son of Moses and Anna (Piatt) Chamberlin, was born
in Franklinville, Aug. 11, 1821, and was one of a family of fourteen children,
eleven of. whom grew to maturity. George at the age of twenty-one went
on foot to Massachusetts with his cousin, Arad W^oodruff, for the purpose of
perfecting a brick-making machine. He remained there about a year without
successfully completing the invention, when he left it to his cousin and re-
turned the same way to Cattaraugus county. He next became a millwright,
and invented, patented, and perfected a rope-making machine and sold the
right for $5,000. About 1S48 he came to Olean, where he spent the remainder
of his life. Here he established a foundry and machine shop which he contin-
ued as a custom and job establishment until he completed and patented his
stump-pulling machine, the manufacture and sale of which gave employment
to ten men. This business he conducted till his death Oct. 17, 1884. He was
a pillar of the Methodist church and its steward and trustee. Feb. 4, 1846, he
married Clarissa Clark, who was born June 6. 1825, and who died Nov. 6, 1866 ;
children : Henry VV., Lewis G., and Ella V.
Henry VV. Chamberlin, born March 2, 1S47, received a business education in
Buffalo, engaged with his father in manufacturing his stump-pulling machines,
and was a member of the Chamberlin Manufacturing Company until Feb. 24,
1 888, when he became the sole owner of the business and conducted it alone
until his death Nov. 9, 1889. The business is continued by Mr. Chamberlin's
widow and by Edward Troy, who had long served as book-keeper. Mr. Cham-
berlin was president of Olean village and a member of the Board of Educa-
tion. June 9, 1870, he married Emma O. Northrup, of Onondaga county, and
they had one daughter, Clara N. Lewis G. Chamberlin was born April 20,
1851, and became a partner in the Chamberlin Manufacturing Company in
1875, where he was engaged until P^b., 188S, when he sold his interest to his
brother and engaged in the real estate business and in manufacturing dyna-
mite in Chattanooga, Tenn. He died in Olean, Nov. 16, 1891. May 22, 1877,
he married Patience S. Pierce, of Ischua; children : George L., born Feb. 26,
1878, and C. Husted, born Feb. 9, 1885.
Andrew B. Clark, a native of Rushford. N. Y., was born in 1847 and came
to Olean with his parents when he was seven years old. Receiving a good
business education he first learned the carpenter's trade and after building
the shops, etc., for James H. Luther he began with the latter the trade of
pattern making, which he still follows. Aug. 8, 1868, Mr. Clark married Car-
rie S. Hardy, of Rushford, Allegany county.
John Coast was born in Venango county. Pa., in 1825. His early business
operations consisted of manufacturing iron and fire-brick; he was a pioneer
in the oil development, being one of the first to engage in the business, and
having since successfully followed it, operating in all the fields. Before pipe
lines were established Mr. Coast shipped the oil down the river in barges.
With his sons F. T. and J. VV. he has conducted an extensive oil business and
pushed to a successful issue many other enterprises of note.
Sam H. Coon, the city and associate editor of the Olean Daily and
Weekly Times, has been a resident of Olean about seven years, during which
time he has thoroughly identified himself with the material interests of the
city. Mr. Coon was born at Ashaway, R. L, and at an early age went to
Wisconsin, where his youth was spent. He learned the printer's trade in a
country newspaper office in Wisconsin, and attended school at Albion (Wis.)
Academy and Alfred (N. Y.) University. He began his newspaper experi-
114
:3PrJ
9o6 History of Cattaraugus County.
ence with Ferrin & Weber on the Cattaraugus Rcpuhlicaji.- Mr. Coon has a
wide acquaintance in journaHsm and is regarded as a versatile writer.
John W. Downs was born in Wellsville, Allegan}^ county, July 4, 1862,
and came to Olean in 1S77 '" ^^^e interests of Bullis Brothers, which firm was
soon afterward merged into the Allegany Lumber Company, with whom Mr.
Downs continues as superintendent of the lumber department.
Patrick J. Duffy, born in Ireland, July 9, 1850, became a merchant tailor
in Olean in 1880. In May, 1879, he married Mary E. Le Strange, of Penn-
sylvania. He is a highly respected citizen and a careful business man.
Joseph Duke, son of William and Elizabeth (Cokayne) Duke, natives of
England who emigrated to America about 1829, was born in Conklin, N. Y;,
April 23, 1836. In 1841 the family removed to Scio, N. Y., and July 3, 1866,
he married Emily Reaser at Hammondsport, N. Y. He settled in McKean
county. Pa., with his brothers, and built up the village of Duke's Center,
named 'in their honor. They bought quite extensively of cheap lands and
when it was discovered that they were situated in the Bradford oil belt large
parcels were sold. They were also extensive lumber dealers and manufactur-
ers. In the spring of 1875 William and Joseph Duke went to Bradford and
opened there the first lumber yard. Later they bought extensively lands
which proved to be good oil territory. Joseph Duke was a director in the
Bradford National Bank and when Bradford became a city he was nominated
by the Republicans for mayor, but declined the honor. He was for years in-
timately connected with Olean and decided to make it his home. He removed
hither and purchased one of the most eligible sites in town, upon which he com-
menced the erection of a fine residence, but died Dec. 25, 1884. The Bradford Oil
Exchange, of which he was a member, convened at once, appointed a committee
of five members who attended his funeral, and adopted resolutions, in which
were these words: "In his death this Exchange loses a member whose quiet,
unobtrusive life was a synonym of all the attributes which adorn life and make
man respected." Mrs. Duke resides in Olean. Children: Joseph Hanford,
born Dec. 25, 186S, of Corry, Pa., and Myron J., born Dec. 3, 1875.
John Duke, son of William and a native of Corbettsville, N. Y., was born
April 14, 1832. After his father's death in 1848 he remained with his mother
until he attained his majority, when he became a millwright, which, with farm-
ing and lumbering, he followed the ensuing twenty years. About 1868, with
his brothers Thomas, Joseph, and Charles, he removed from Scio to McKean
county. Pa., and settled in the hamlet now known as Duke's Center, where he
continued his old occupation until 1878, when he commenced oil operations
by sinking two wells on his own lands, which have since constantly produced
oil. In 1881 he came to Olean and built a beautiful residence and a brick
block on Union street which bears his name. He is also interested in real
estate, and is identified with the denomination of Disciples of Christ at Duke's
Center, to which he gave the grounds and most of the funds for the erection
of the church edifice of the First Church of Christ, and also planned and laid
out the Duke's Center Cemetery. Mr. Duke married Nancy J., daughter of
Joseph Morgan, of Scio. They have an adopted son, William C. Duke, a
farmer at Duke's Center, who married Ella Pierce and has sons John G.,
G. Wellington, and Daniel.
Fred R. Eaton, born in Springville, N. Y., July 24, 1833, was educated in
Springville Academy, and in 1856 became interested in mercantile business in
Olean, but for two years thereafter remained personally in Buffalo, acting as
Town and City of Olean. . 907
under-sheriff under his father-in-law, Orrin T. Lockwood. In 1858 he removes
with his family to Olean and was an active merchant here thirty years. Dur-
ing that time his stores were burned four different times and upon two occa-
sions the less was total. During his business career he built fourteen stored
on Union street between State and Laurens, two of which are now standing,
all the others having been burned. There are now standing in the city eleven
dwelling houses which were also built by him. In politics Mr. Eaton has
always been a Republican, and as such was elected supervisor of Olean in 1863
and 1864. As a member of the town board during the war he successfully re-
sisted an attempt to repudiate town bonds issued to resident volunteers for
the purpose of keeping the quota full. In 1879 Mr. Eaton was elected presi-
dent of the village and re-elected in 1880. In 1886 business called him to Du-
luth, Minn., where he has since spent most of his time.
A. T. Eaton was born in Cuba, N. Y. and has spent most of his life in
banking institutions. After residing a number of years in the west he returned
to Cuba, where he entered a bank as collection clerk. When a branch of that
bank was established in Olean Mr. Eaton removed to this city, where he has
since July, 1885, been cashier of the First National Bank. Mr. Eaton is an
active member of the fire department, has been a member cSf the Executive
Committee of the Board of Trade, and has served as a member of the common
council, being president of that body in 1884. In public life and in private,
in business and in social capacities, he is a thorough gentleman and possesses
a wide degree of confidence and esteem.
Andrew J. Emerson was born in Allen, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1856, and married
Lula Allen, of the same place, who was born Dec. 3, 1855; children: Susie and
Grace. Mr. Emerson came to Olean in 1886 and shortly afterward established
his present business of manufacturing marble and granite monuments.
James Farley was born in Havana, Schuyler county, Aug. 6, 1856, and at
the age of seventeen located in Olean, where he has since resided. Feb. 8,
1882, he opened the Buffalo House, which he still conducts as a hotel. July
2, 1878, Mr. Farley married Anna M. Lambeck, of Olean. A Democrat in
politics he was elected alderman from his (the 3d) ward in 1887.
Jacob Fix, born in Batavia, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1868, located in Olean as a
baker and confectioner in 1886. He has built up a profitable business and a
good reputation, and enjoys the respect of a large circle of friends.
N. V. V. Franchot was born in Morris, Otsego county, Aug. 21, 1855, and
attended and was graduated from the Union School at Schenectady and from
Union College in 1875. He began business in Millerstown, Pa., but removed
to Olean, Sept. i, 1S78, where he has since resided. His operations have
been principally in producing petroleum in connection with the firm of
Franchot Brothers, of which he was the senior and active member. He is
interested in the Tidewater Pipe-Line Company, in some valuable mines in
Canada, and in real estate in Washington and Olean. Mr. Franchot was chair-
man of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trade its first year. He
stands high in the councils of the Republican party, and as a business man
and citizen is energetic, progressive, and com'petent.
John B. Frawley, born in Owego, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1845, began learning his
trade of tinsmith in Syracuse in 1863 and located in Olean in 1879, establish-
ing himself in the hardware business, which he still follows. May 29, 1872,
he married Margaret E. Roach, of Owego. Mr. Frawley was for some time
a member of the Board of Education.
9oi5 History of Cattaraugus County.
Gallagher Brothers, sons of James Gallagher, came to Olean in 1878 and
engaged in the manufacture and sale of nitro-glycerine and dynamite, and
did a large business in the Bradford, West Virginia, and Ohio oil fields, where
they torpedoed successfully hundreds of wells. James E. Gallagher, the
senior brother, is the patentee of the valuable " Explosive Weight," which will
explode a torpedo or other explosive at any depth and 2,000 feet underwater.
Charles Gillingham, a native of England, came to this country in 1852,
when twenty-six years of age, locating at once in Olean. Being a carpenter
by trade he soon began contracting and has since successfully followed that
line of business. In 1865, after the great fire, he started the Olean Sash Fac-
tory. Mr. Gillingham has built many public buildings, among them the
Chamberlain Institute and Dow's Bank at Randolph, St. Bonaventure's Col-
lege at Allegany, First M. E. church and Alumni hall of Ingham University
at Le Roy, and the Exchange National Bank and the Methodist, Baptist, and
Episcopal churches in Olean. Although naturally of a quiet temperament he
is relied upon for active work in all philanthropic measures. He is a staunch
Republican and a fearless temperance advocate, is a director of the Forman
Library Association, and the oldest member in point of service of the Board
of Education. Perhaps his greatest efforts outside of business ha\e been in
the line of church work. He has long been a member and supporter of the
Methodist church of Olean, being for many years superintendent of the Sun-
day school, and occupying various other official positions.
David P. Godfrey, son of Joel and Permelia (Peck) Godfrey, was born in
West Bloomfield, N. Y., Sept. i, 1813, and in the spring of 1827 came with his
father to Yankee hill in Ischua. In Dec, 1829, they removed to Pleasant val-
ley in Olean, about two miles north of the village. In 1834 he purciiased his
first 100 acres of wild land of Frederick A. Norton, paid for it, and added to
it from time to time until he had nearly 300 acres. He has aided in building
the local school house and two church edifices for the Methodists, of which
church he is a member and trustee. In 1841 he married Abigail Bouton, by
whom he had one son, Elisaph D., born in Jan., 1842. He enlisted in the
154th N. Y. Vols, and received a gun-shot wound at the battle of Chancel-
lorsville. Upon recovery he was transferred to the War Department, where he
remained until 1868. Four years later he was again employed by the govern-
ment, which he has continuously served to the present time, being now in the
Pension Department as traveling agent. He married Amanda Hicks; children
living: Carrie (Mrs. Charles Oosterhoudt) ; Orrin W.and Frank N., of the firm of
D. P. Godfrey & Sons, farmers, breeders of full blood Holstem cattle, and milk
dealers, who reside on the homestead; I. Mulvin, a farmer in Portville; Elmer
M., express messenger; and Fred W., aphotographer in Olean. Mrs. Godfrey
died April 9, 1891. Orrin W. Godfrey, born on the farm where he now resides,
Jan. 30, 1849, was educated in the common school of his district and in Olean
Academy, and has always been a farmer. May 24, 1871, he married Frances H.,
daughter of John A. and Elizabeth C. (Tubbs) Olds, of Smethport, Pa., who were
pioneers of McKean county. Children : Mina A. and Myra E. (twins), born
Aug. 15, 1873, and Elizabeth A., born Sept. 13, 1888. Frank N. Godfrey, also
born on the homestead, June 29, 1852, married, Sept. 22, 1886, Helen .A. Van
Dusen, of Olean, and has one daughter, Ruth A., born April i, 1889.
Henry Hastings, son of Barnabas and Permelia (F"o.x) Hastings, was born
in Cortland county Dec. 5, 1828. In 1836 his parents removed to Sardinia,
N. Y., and his mother died in September following. At the age of fifteen he
Town and City of Olean. . 909
began working in summer and attending school in winter, and learned the car-
penter's trade in Ontario county, where he resided about five years. In the
fall of [851 he came to Olean, where he has since resided. He has been a
carpenter and builder nearly forty years, and is also a farmer on lot 3. Mr.
Hastings has been highway commissioner four years and with his colleagues in
office built the -first iron bridge in Olean. He also served as assessor one
term. Sept. 20, 1855, he married Sarah, daughter of the pioneer, William B.
Shepard; children: Fred B., born Sept. 28, 1856; Ellen S., born Sept. 14,
1858 ; Wm. H.,born Jan. i, 1874; Frank E., born Jan. i, i866,died Nov.2, 1876.
Michael J. Haugh was born in Ireland, Aug. 15, 1853, came with his
parents to America when seven years of age, and finally learned the trade of
stone cutter, which he followed several years. Locating in Olean in 1879 he
established his present bottling works, being also a dealer in ice, and meeting
in all his business enterprises with excellent success. June 12, 1881, he mar-
ried Margaret McGuinn, of Weston's Mills.
Joseph Heilbrunn, a native of Germany, was born May 17, 1848, immi-
grated to America in 1866, and located in Olean in 1880, where he started a
small business in peddlers' supplies, which he has constantly increased in vol-
ume to the present proportions. His wife is Rosa Ro.senbaum, whom he
married in October, 1880.
Orin T. Higgins was born in Centerville, Allegany county, Aug. 14, 1826.
He successfully followed the mercantile business for many years in Allegany
county and was engaged in banking and other commercial enterprises, through
which he amassed an ample fortune. Mr. Higgins latterly gave his entire at-
tention to his extensive timber' and real estate interests, principally in Michi-
gan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He was president of the Higgins Land Com-
pany and treasurer of the Olean Land Company, and was one of the largest
individual owners of white pine timbered lands in the United States. He
had also extensive real estate interests in this city. He died March 3, 1890.
Frank \Y. Higgins was born at Rushford in 1856. His schooling was fin-
ished at the Riverview Military Academy on the Hudson, after which, at the
age of twenty, he went into trade in Michigan. In 1879 he came to Olean
and took the active management of the business of Higgins, Blodgett & Co.,
who at that time were running a number of stores in the oil country and in
Allegany and Wyoming counties. He now devotes most of his time to west-
ern land interests. An active Republican, he has been chairman of the
County Committee, and was a member from the 34th Congressional District
to the Chicago convention of 1888. He did effective work upon the stump
during the campaign of that year and is among the recognized leaders of his
party in this part of the State. His name is spoken of as a candidate of his
party for a State senator. He is president of the Forman Library Associa-
tion, has been eminent commander of St. John's Commandery, K. T., was a
member of the St. Stephen's church building committee, and a member of the
Executive Committee of the Board of Trade.
George J. Holly, born in Ceres, Allegany county, in i860, married, in 1881
Emily R., daughter of Dewitt C. Allen, of Allentown, Allegany county. He
is a member of the 43d Separate Company and his wife is a dealer in hair
goods, etc., in Olean. Her father, who died in 1864, was a prominent resident
of Allegany county, holding several important offices and being extensively
engaged in business enterprises.
Samuel R. Homer was born in Lowell, Mass., Feb. i, 1817, and died in
9IO History of Cattaraugus County.
Olean,, March 20, 1889. Mr. Homer came to Olean about the time of the
construction of the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad in 1851, with
which he was prominently connected, being the superintendent of construction
of the telegraph lines from Jersey City westward to Little Valley. Upon the
completion of the road he took charge of the dining-room at the Olean station,
which he conducted many years. With the exception of about two years Mr.
Homer has been continuously a resident of Olean since 185 1. In 1859 ^^ be-
came associated with ex-Governor Horatio Seymour in the lumber business in
this town, and the two were jointly the owners for many years of a large tract
of real estate north of the city. Their partnership relations were dissolved
about 1880, but their personal relations remained of the most close and inti-
mate character until the death of the ex-governor. Until the advancing j-ears.
brought feeble health Mr. Homer was actively engaged in business enterprises,
in which he was successful in a marked degree. He had led an upright, hon-
orable, and useful life. He generously placed at the disposal of the Board of
Trade valuable and desirable tracts of land, was prominently connected with
the Masonic bodies of the city, and was one of the early members of St. John's
Commandery, K. T. He married, Nov. 13, 1845, Sarah A. Clark; children
residing in Olean : Eugene A., George D., and James M. George D. Homer
was born in Piermont, N. H., July 27, 1849, and with his brothers is a farmer
and stockbreeder. James M. Homer, born in Olean, April 3, 1852, married,
September 20, 1883, Hattie D. Root, of Bolivar, N. Y. Eugene A. Homer is
the Olean agent for the American Express Company.
William Hutchings, an Englishman by birth and parentage, was born in
1 85 1, came to America, locating in Armstrong county, Pa., in 1869, where he
was engaged in the oil business, and in 18S3 settled in Olean, where he opened
the Genesee House. In 1881 he married Eva Sutton, of Greece City, Pa.
William M. Irish, general local manager of the Standard Oil Company,
was born at Fair Haven, Mass., July 3, 1829, served as clerk in the customs
office at New Bedford during the administration of Pierce and Buchanan, and
in 1 861 engaged in the petroleum oil refining business at that place, being
made superintendent of the New Bedford Oil Company, which was one of
the first to engage in refining petroleum. In 1865 Mr. Irish came to the oil
country and became the superintendent and treasurer of the Wamsutta Oil
Company, which was located on Oil creek. In 1872 he became the superin-
tendent of the Octave Refining Company at Titusville, remaining withth at
company until it was sold to the Acme Refining Company in 1876. Mr. Irish
came to this city in May, 1876, taking the position of general manager of the
Acme Works, which position he has since held. In point of years of experi-
ence he is one of the oldest oil refiners in the country, and has acquired a
thorough and intimate practical and scientific knowledge of the business. His
opinions on the various branches of oil refining are recognized as high author-
ity, and he is frequently called upon as an expert. He was a member of the
school board and city council of Titusville for several years, a member of the
Board of Education of this city nearly eight years, being president of the
board a considerable part of the time, and was president of the first Board of
Water Commissioners in Olean, during which administration the works were
constructed. He was appointed by Governor Cleveland a member of the
Board of Directors of the State Insane Asylum at Buffalo and was re-appointed
by Governor Hill. Mr. Irish is one of the directors of the Olean Electric
Light and Power Company, vice-president of the Board of Trade, and actively
Town and City of Olean. • 911
interested in the growth and advancement of the town. He is now president
of the Board of Health and one of the supervisors of the city.
Edward S. Jackson, son of Dr. Thomas S. and Sarah A. (Percival) Jackson,
was born in Portville, Oct. 13, 1859, "^^'^s educated in the public schools, com-
menced the study of dentistry in 1878, and was graduated from the Pennsyl-
vania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia in the spring of 1887. He
at once settled in Olean for the practice of his profession, where he is still en-
gaged. He is a member of the Eighth District Dental Society of the State
of New York and a member and a steward of the First M. E. church of Olean.
June 5, 1881, he married Carrie M., daughter of Dr. L. M. Raub, of Bolivar ;•
children : Albert H. and Lewis E.
James G. Johnson, of English descent, came from Canandaigua to Olean
(then known as Hamilton) in 1808 and commenced the first settlement within
the corporate limits of the present city. He was immediately joined by
Sylvarius Russell and Bibbins Follett. Mr. Johnson died early in 181 1. At
his death his widow, whose maiden name was Sophia Stone, of Scotch parent-
age and on her mother's side a descendant of the Dudley family, returned to
her father's house in Bloomfield, Ontario county, where her son, James G.
Johnson, who was given his father's name, was born Sept. 13, 1811. Mrs.
Johnson remained with her father until 18 19, when she returned to Olean.
About this time James G., Jr., commenced attending school, which he con-
tinued two years, after which his school days were limited to the winter
season, and were discontinued when he reached the age of thirteen. At the
age of fourteen he left home and for eight months was clerk in a store at
Centervillc. He then entered the store of Ebenezer Lockwood in Olean,
where he remained two years, when Mr. Lockwood discontinued business.
He was next a clerk with William Bagley. In 1831 he entered the store of
the late Judge Martin at a salary of $10 per month and board and washing.
Prior to this he had a stated salary with Osborne & Bockes a few months.
Young Johnson continued in the employ of Judge Martin five years, when he
became a partner under the firm name of Martin & Johnson, which partner-
ship was continued nine years. In 1846 he removed to Allegany, where he
had previously bought a tract of timber land and a saw-mill, and engaged in
the manufacture and sale of lumber and also carried on a mercantile business.
In company with Eleazar Harmon, of Ellicottville, he platted into lots and
sold the grounds where the village of Allegany has since been built. In 1854,
with Gilbert Palen, he built and operated the sole-leather tannery afterward
owned by the late J. B. Strong. In 1862, at the suggestion of the late Hon.
R. E. Fenton, then member of Congress, he was commissioned by President
Lincoln captain and assistant quartermaster, and assigned to duty in the Army
of the Potomac. He saw the battle of South Mountain and Antietam and
was with the army under General McClellan and General Burnside in its
march to Fredericksburg. He was stationed at Aquia creek in the winter of
1863-64 and subsequently at Harrisburg, where he remained on duty until the
close of the war. For meritorious service he was promoted to the rank of
colonel of volunteers. He returned to Olean with his health impaired, but
again established an extensive mercantile business, which he continued some
years and resigned it to his sons. He was active in the formation of the First
National Bank of Olean, of which he was one of it's directors. He was con-
vinced that Olean and Allegany were within the Bradford oil belt, and he so
impressed others with his convictions that they, with him, formed a company
912 History of Cattaraugus County.
and sunk the first oil wells in both these towns, on land leased by him to the
company. Colonel Johnson was first a Whig and an active worker in that
party's ranks. He was nominated by his party in 1848 for the State Legisla-
ture and was elected. His brother, Marcus H. Johnson, who was residing in
the Second District of this county, was nominated the same year by the
Democrats and elected over the Whig nominee. In the fall of 1849 his party
nominated and elected him county clerk. In 1871 he was appointed post-
master of Olean and filled the position until 1877. He was also supervisor of
Olean in 1840, 1843, 1844, and 1845 ^nd of Allegany in 1855.
Elisha M. Johnson, son of James G., was born June 13, 1844. With his
brother Marcus H., under the firm name of Johnson Brothers, he carried on
for many years an extensive grocery and produce trade. Marcus H. died in
1876 and Elisha M. became an oil producer. He was elected to the Legisla-
ture in 1880 and in 1883-84 was a member of the Republican State Committee.
Sept. 2, 1874, he married Cornelia Harriet Jackson, of Avon, N. Y.
James F. Johnson, a native of Lisle, N. Y., was born Nov. 3, 183 1, was for
three years succeeding 185 i a miner in California, and in 1855 located in Olean,
where he has been a justice of the peace about twenty years, conducting also
an extensive real estate business. He was deputy sheriff six years. In 1856
he married Mary E., daughter of Dr. John Mason, of Mercer, Pa.
Julius P. Johnson was born March 18, 1847, '" Darien, Genesee county,
spent two years at and was graduated in 1863 from the Poughkeepsie Business
College, and in 186S located in Olean, where he has since followed the avoca-
tion of book-keeper, being also an expert accountant. Aug. 18, 1868, he mar-
ried Lodema E. Carr, of Byron, Genesee county. Their daughter Nellie S. is
a graduate of the Olean Higli School and a book-keeper by profession. Mr.
Johnson is a staunch Democrat.
James M. Johnson, son of James S. and Sarah (Root) Johnson, was born
in Ellicottville, April 29, 1856, was educated in the Ellicottville Union Free
School and by e.x-District Attorney G. M. Rider and District Attorney J. H.
Waring, and was a clerk in the postoffice of his native town two years, after
which he became assistant at Hinsdale. Two years later he was employed
in a general store in Franklinville. In 1881 he formed a partnership with
the late Samuel Oosterhoudt in the shoe business. Mr. Oosterhoudt died in
the fall of 1884, when Mr. Johnson sold to the estate of his partner. He soon
after purchased the store of L. Latimer & Co. and has since continued the shoe
business alone. He is also interested with a partner in a similar store in
Jamestown. He is a member of the Board of Trade, and as a Republican has
represented Olean in the county conventions and on the Republican County
Committee. In Jan., 1884, he married Anna S., only child of N. S. Goodwin,
of Olean. They have two daughters.
Will J. Kerr, a native of Liverpool, England, came to America in 1868 and
to Olean in 1886, where, about 1888, he commenced the jewelry business, in
which he has been eminently successful and maintains an excellent reputation.
M. L. Lee, youngest son of Lyman (see page 780), was born in Little Val-
ley, Feb. 15, 1839, ^"ci has been in the employ of the Erie railroad over thirty
years. In the fall of i860 he married Jane E., daughter of Stephen Aldrich,
of Little Valley, and Oct. 23, 1875, became station agent for the Erie at Olean.
Stillman E. Lewis, son of Caleb and Joanna (Wade) Lewis, was born in
Farmersville, Feb. 25, 1845. His father became a settler there in 1832 and
cleared a farm where he died in 1856. Mrs. Lewis died in 1861. Stillman
Town and Citv of Olean. . 913
Lewis received his education in the common schools and in the academy at
Arcade. In August, 1863, he enlisted under Capt. G. Fred Potter in Co. C,
13th N. Y. H. M. A., and was promoted orderly to the regimental surgeon
and later was hospital steward with headquarters at Portsmouth, Va. He
was discharged in July, 1865. In 1869 he began the profession of dentistr)-
in Cuba, N. Y.^ where he was in practice until 1876, when he went to Elmira
and remained until 1877. He came to Olean in 1878, where he has since prac-
ticed. In 1871 he married Julia A. Huntley, of Angelica, who died in 1873,
being the mother of their son Stanley H. In 1877 he married Jennie M.
Hastings, of Cuba; children : Maud H. and Lina W.
John Little was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 18 18, and coming to Amer-
ica settled in Franklinville in 1843, where he held the office of postmaster
from June, 1861, until his death Jan. 27, 1886. His son John was born there
Jan. I, 1847, and in the fall of 1882 was elected sheriff of the county, which
caused his removal to Little Valley, and at the expiration of his term of
office removed to Olean, where he was subsequently appointed under sheriff.
In 1870 he married a daughter of Hon. William McVey.
Thomas Lockwood came to Olean with his brother, Hon. Ebenezer Lock-
wood, about 1806. He was a lumberman and raftsman, and one of the prom-
inent pioneers of the county. He resided in Olean some thirty or forty years,
and about 1850 removed to Hinsdale and settled on a farm on Olean creek,
where he spent the remainder of his life. He was supervisor of Olean from
1819 to 1822 inclusive. His son, James M. Lockwood, married Cora E. Hall.
He enlisted in the U. S. navy in 1864 and was discharged a year later.
James H. Luther, born in North Scituate, R. I., June 27, 1826, came with his
father Peleg to New Hartford, Oneida county, in 1828, but in 1847 returned to
Providence, R. I., to complete his trade of machinist. In 1865 he began the man-
ufacture of oil tools in Petroleum Center, Pa., moved thence in 1872 to Karns
City, Pa., and in 1880 came to Olean, where he established a foundry and ma-
chine shop under the firm name of J. H. Luther & Sons, the sons being
George H. and Charles P. Upon the death of the father the firm became
J. H. Luther's Sons and is now the Luther Manufacturing Company. Mr.
Luther married, in 1853, Mary A. Stephenson, of Ansonia, Conn. The Lu-
thers — father and sons — have been prominent in the material growth of Olean,
particularly in the development of the fire department.
William H. Mandeville, son of John D. and Susan (Pomeroy) MandeviUe,
was born in Millport, N. Y., in 1841. He spent his early boyhood in New
York city and his youth in Belmont, N. Y., where he was educated. After a
clerkship in a general store of five years he began, in 1863, the business of fire
insurance, which he has since continued. In 1865, in company with his father,
the senior member of the firm of J. D. Mandeville & Son, he came to Olean
and established the first agency of the kind in Cattaraugus county. He has
been a commissioned insurance agent a longer period than any other man in
western New York. He is now the senior member of the firm of W. H. Man-
deville & Co. Since he came to Olean he has paid in losses to the insured
more than $i,ooo,cxxD. Aug. 22, 1872, he married Helen L. Eastman and has
one son, born in Oct., 1875.
Rudolph Mayer was born in 1827 in Baden Baden, Germany, where he
early engaged in business as a butcher and dealer in meats. He married A-
Goodsell, and in 1855 they came to America and joined his brother. Max
Mayer, in Olean, who had preceded him four or five years. He formed a
IJ5
914 History of Cattaraugus County.
partnership with his brother in a meat market, and about i860 estabHshed a
market of his own on Union street, where he was in business until the fire of
of Jan., 1865, when his market was destroyed. He removed to State street
in i87rand continued in business until his death April 21, 1876. . Mr. Mayer
was a pillar of the Catholic church and one of the foremost in aiding to build
their church edifice. Frederick C. Mayer, his son, succeeded his father in the
meat market. April 28, 1881, he married Anna Grear, of Olean, and has three
sons and a daughter.
John H. McCormick is a son of Peter McCormick, who came to Olean in
1850, followed farming, was well known throughout the county, and died here
Aug. 13, 1888. John H. was born in Olean, Sept. 11, 1856, received a thor-
ough business education, and May 28, 1884, married Maggie McClorey, of
FranklinviUe. He has been engaged in the wholesale wine and liquor business.
John W. Meloy, born in Greene, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1834, was educated at the
Franklin and Binghamton Acadmies and entered the law of^ce of Morris &
Tompkins, where he remained until 1854,' when his father removed to EUi-
cottville and engaged in mercantile business, where young Meloy assisted him
until 1859, \\hen hs was employed in the banking of^ce of Stanley Martin in
Olean. In June, i860, he married Frances J., daughter of Dr. Thomas J, Will-
iams, of Ellicottville. In 1863 he was appointed assistant superintendent of
the Nashville, Decatur, and Stevenson lines of U. S. military railroads with head-
quarters at Nashville, Tenn. Subsequently the Chattanooga, Knoxville, and
Atlanta lines were added to his charge, and these were almost exclusively used
in transporting troops and army supplies to General Sherman. When the
march from Atlanta to the sea was begun Mr. Meloy was called to assist in
opening the railroads through North Carolina. As soon as the war closed he
returned home and was a short time in mercantile business in Jamestown.
Returning to Portville in 1865 he engaged in the grocery and provision trade
and in buying and shipping lumber. For a number of years he was also in
the banking and exchange business. Since 1883 he has had a grocery in Olean.
George N. Moore, son of Isaac and Mercy (Jones) Moore, was born in
Bucks county. Pa., Jan. 10, 1827. At the age of sixteen he left home and be-
gan to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. At the age of twenty-five he
became a contractor and builder. In 1854 he went to Minneapolis and prose-
cuted his business through the disadvantages of the year 1857. In i860 he
returned to Bucks county, where he remained until 1865, when he settled in
Oil City, where he was a contractor and builder and a dealer in lumber until
1879. H^ was then an oil producer in the Bradford fields and removed to Olean,
where he has since resided. Jan. 10, 1876, he married Kate C. Stanton, who
was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Her paternal grandfather was Judge Samuel
Stanton, of Wayne county. Pa.; her maternal grandfather was Elihu Chad-
wick, of New Jersey, a colonel in the Revolution. Children : Clarence Stan-
ton, born March 19, 1877, and Eva May, born March 19, 1879.
W. D. Moore, a Canadian by birth, born May i, 1847, '" 1864 removed to
St. Lawrence county and si.x years later to Weston's Mills ; in 1875 he came
to Olean and engaged in building and contracting. In 1881 he entered into
partne'rship with Charles Gillingham and established the Olean Sash and Blind
Factory, which was continued until the buildings were destroyed by fire. Mr.
Moore built the Moore block in Union street and his factory in Wayne street
in 1883. In 1884, by the failure of other parties, he had a stock of furniture
precipitated upon his hands, and since then has also conducted a large furni-
Town and City of Olean. " 915
ture trade. He has been active in many suburban real estate transactions.
Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic bodies and has occupied every office
in the fire department from pipem.an to chief. He is also a member of the
Executive Committee of the Board of Trade.
Alexander W. Nelson was born in Dunbar, Scotland, Feb. 14, 1852. His
parents, Walter and Elizabeth (Watt) Nelson, emigrated to America in 1857
and settled in Lockport, N. Y. He was a farmer until he was eighteen, when
he became a railroad employee and a conductor at the age of twenty, which he
continued until 1889, when he settled in Olean, where he has since been pro-
prietor of and conducted a steam laundry. In 1880 he married Clara Stevens,
of Lockport, who died in 1886, being the mother of two children, of whom
Clara W. is living. In 1888 he married Jennie M. Williams, of Jackson, Mich.
Frank H. Oakleaf was born in 1852 in Brooklyn, where his early life was
spent, removing finally to Titusville, Pa., where he learned the jeweler's trade.
Coming to Olean in 1874 he was for a number of years engaged in the jew-
elry business with Fred R. Eaton, and subsequently became connected with
the book and stationery trade, which he still follows, having added to it a line
of wall papers and house decorating goods. Mr. Oakleaf is a member of the
Board of Trade. In 1882 he married Jennie Y. Bickford, of Nashua, N. H.
Samuel Oosterhoudt, son of Zachariah and Polly (Reed) Oosterhoudt,
was born in Franklinville, March 28, 1813, and received his literary education
in the common schools. The family removed to Olean in 1817, where Mr.
Oosterhoudt learned the blacksmith's trade. When about twenty-three he
opened a shop in Olean and used the first money he earned to obtain a deed
for his father and mother of the homestead farm. Dec. 20, 1838, he mar-
ried Mary, daughter of Samuel Bronson and granddaughter of Cornelius
Brooks. Mr. Oosterhoudt died Nov. 12, 1884; Mrs. Oosterhoudt died June
16, 1890. He followed his trade four years, when he changed to manufactur-
ing and dealing in lumber, which grew to an immense business and required
a small army of men. He began a systematic course of building, erecting
business blocks and residences, being the pioneer in that direction and prob-
ably doing more than any other in building up Olean. He was a financier of
more than ordinary ability and was a successful business man. He was a Re-
publican and served as sheriff, supervisor, town auditor, and assessor. He
possessed a harmonious character and was distinguished for his sterling integ-
rity, his honorable dealing, and the modesty with which he bestowed a bount-
iful charity. He was especially the advisor and friend of young men and set
many on the road to prosperity. Children: two who died in infancy; Mary
Alice (Mrs. H. G. Allen), born May 23, 1845; Samuel Francis, born Dec. 12,
1847; and Eva Elizabeth, born Nov. 15, 1852, married J. B. Smith, a druggist,
and has one son, Samuel E., born Sept. 24, 1879. All reside in Olean.
Major G. B. Overton, born in Athens, Pa., Jan. 9, 1825, was educated at
Lafiiyette College and afterward studied law in his father's office at Towanda,
Pa. He was a lineal descendant of George Clymer, one of the framers of the
constitution of the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Major Overton was for sixteen years in the service of the Bingham
estate (of which he was an heir) and for eight years was sub-agent for the
counties of Elk, Potter, and McKean, Pa. '^hile holding this office he mar-
ried Maria Wilmot, a sister of the Hon. David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania. In
i860 he was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago and voted for
the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. At the beginning of the Rebellion he
gi6 History of Cattaraugus County.
was chosen captain of a company of the ist Pa. Rifles (Bucktails). Later he
was appointed captain of the 14th U. S. Inf., and served in the various battles
of the Army of the Potomac. While on the staff of Gen. George E. Sykes
at Chancellorsville Major Overton was wounded just above the knee by a can-
ister ball. After carrying the ball for twenty-five years it was extracted by
Dr. Mudge, of Olean, and was found to weigh over three ounces. Major
Overton held three commissions — captain, brevet major, and lieutenant-col-
onel. Soon after the war he resigned his commission in the army, and in
1869 was appointed receiver of the Utah Land District. After holding this
office eight years he was tendered the position of register in the land office at
Fair Play, Col., which he declined, and returned east. In 1880 he came to
Olean, where he has since resided.
Wilson R. Page is a son of Rufiis L. Page (deceased), for thirty-five years
a respected resident of Olean, and was born here Dec. 29, 1854. Obtaining
his education at Andover and Yale he married, Feb. 21, 1881, Nellie F. Brett,
of Olean, and was appointed postmaster by President Arthur and re-appointed
by President Harrison. Mr. Page is an energetic, public spirited citizen, a
thorough business man, and a prominent factor in local politics.
Erastus Parker, son of Robert and Betsey (Brooks) Parker, was born in
Orleans county, Vt., Aug. 16, 1S07. His father was a Revolutionary soldier.
His mother died in Essex, Vt., and in 1813 the family settled in Clinton
county, N. Y. At the age of seventeen he went to Ohio and subsequently to
Michigan, Indiana, and Chautauqua county, N. Y. In 1848 he removed with
his family to Olean and settled on the south bank of the Allegheny, where he
still resides. Aided by his sons John B. and Allen he also bought with his
son-in-law, Asa F. Burlingame, a tract of timber land and they were quite ex-
tensive lumbermen. Mr. Parker is a Republican and has been for fifteen years
overseer of the poor. Aug. 31, 1828, he married Marra Bartlett in Michigan.
She was born in New Hampshire, March 27, 1808. Children : Emeline (Mrs.
Asa Burlingame); John B., born July 26, 1832, married, in Jan., 1859, Sarah
N. Van Valkenburg, of Olean, and has five sons and a daughter; Allen (de-
ceased), born March 22, 1834, married Emma Lott (deceased), and had a son
and two daughters; Laura, born April 2, 1836, the widow of John Nelson ;
Alinda (Mrs. Addie Randall); Electa, born Aug. i, 1843, married \Vm. Farr.
William Walter Penfield, born in Portland, Conn., March 19, 1796, married
Permelia L. H. Russell, April 10, 1817, who was born in Canajoharie, N. Y.,
March 14, 1799. They settled in Allegany county, ^v■here he was a farmer and
tanner with his wife's father, Samuel M. Russell, until 1827, when he removed
to Olean, where he built and conducted a tannery (the first permanent one in
the place). He manufactured both sole and upper leather and conducted a
large shoe shop, and employed about fifteen men. He was the landlord of the
Olean House at the time of the construction of the Genesee Valley canal.
He was always a Democrat and in religion a steadfast Episcopalian. He was
one of the organizers of St. Stephen's church and for years one of its vestry-
men. He died Oct. 10, 1873.
William B. Pierce, who was born in Fabius, Onondaga county, April 16,
1824, came to Olean in 1848 and followed his trade of carpenter and builder
for a number of years, and in 1856 engaged in the grocery business. He sub-
sequently became a dealer in coal, lime, etc., and at one time was one of the
oldest business men in town. Feb. 11, 1850, Mr. Pierce married Eveline L.
McCluer, of Olean, a niece of O. P. Boardman.
Town and City of Olean. . 917
Ormel W. Pierce was born in Machias, Feb. 9, 1866. His father, John S.
Pierce, was a native of Franklinville, of which town his grandfather, William
Pierce, was an early settler and an extensive land proprietor. Ormel W.
Pierce came to Olean in 1887 and established business as a manufacturer of
galvanized iron cornice, making the first goods in this line in Cattaraugus
county. Dec. 22, 1887, Mr. Pierce married Margaret, daughter of William
Follett, of Machias.
John W. Pratt, son of Aaron S. Pratt, a native of Vermont, was born in
Edwards, St. Lawrence county, April 14, 1849. ^^ completed his education
at F'riendship Academy and taught the village schools of Bolivar and Little
Genesee six consecutive terms. His home was then in Bolivar, to which place his
parents had removed in 1866. At a competitive examination in the fall of 1872
he received the State free scholarship at Cornell University and entered that
institution, but the change from active labor to a student's life brought on ill-
ness and he was obliged to abandon a collegiate course. Since the spring of
1878 he has resided in Olean, where he has been engaged in the grocery trade.
He has been a member of the Methodist church since 1879 and Sunday school
superintendent, trustee, and treasurer several years. He was a member of
the sch(3ol board. three years. While treasurer of his church he collected and
paid the large debt on the edifice. Aug. 27, 1879, he married Elnora I. Hoslej^,
of Olean, and has two daughters.
Charles ¥. Repp, son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Wolfinger) Repp, was
born in Scranton, Pa., June 6, 1866. In 1886 he was traveling agent for the
Grand Union Tea Company, and in 1887 settled in Olean and opened a retail
store for the sale of that company's goods. In the few years Mr. Repp has
resided in Olean he has gained a high reputation. In 1891 he married Martha
Hart, of Williamsport, Pa.
The firm of Riley & Wands (Millard F. Riley and Charles R. Wands) is
one energetically engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery trade. Both
members have served long in mercantile pursuits. The retail store was estab-
lished in 1882 and the wholesale in 1887. They have been largely interested
in Olean real estate, and in all their enterprises have been signally successful.
Charles A. Shaffer wa.?born in Cuba, N. V., Oct. 9, 185 1. In March, 1878,
he came to Olean and a year later was appointed by the village council a po-
liceman. He was promoted chief in March, 1887, and still holds that position,
having won the promotion by arresting the famous John L. Sullivan in Olean.
May 12, 1870, he married Emily P. Brown, of Hinsdale ; children : Belle and
Joseph Francis.
Jacob H. Shanbucher was born in Liberty, Pa., March 22, [843, spent the
early part of his life with his father in farming and lumbering, and at the out-
break of the Rebellion enlisted in the 207th Pa. Vols, as second lieutenant,
being mustered out as first lieutenant at the close of the war. He appren-
ticed himself to the trade of harness making and in 1865 located at Williams-
port, Pa., where he was a clothier and merchant tailor. In 1874 he commenced
keeping hotel in Olean — the Option- House. In 1868 he married Sarah A.
Herring, of Brooklyn.
William Shepard was born April 7, 1773. He came to Olean with his
brother-in-law, Willis Thrall, and the two purchased quite a tract of wild land
on both sides of Olean creek. He married Elizabeth Hinman. Children:
Olean, the first white child born in the town, May 22, 1807; and William B.,
born Oct. 21, 1808. Mr. Shepard died Sept. 21, 1809. Mrs. Shepard married
91 8 History of Cattaraugus County.
Jedediah Strong, who died June 25, 1828; Mrs. Strong died Oct. 4, 1830.
Olean and William B. Shepard were married simultaneously in the old school
house in their district Feb. n, 1S33 : Olean married Rev. William Butt, a
Methodist clergyman, and William B. married Miss Sophia Rice, of Cortland
county, and remained on the homestead, where he died Dec. 30, 1883. At an
early age he was an Allegheny river pilot and made many trips to Pittsburg.
Mr. Shepard was a prominent citizen. He was early identified with the mill,
tary interests of Olean and was commissioned captain. He was an active
Methodist, of which church he was many years a member and trustee. He
was a Whig and a Republican at the organization of that party. His children
are Sarah, born Aug. 5, 1835, married Henry Hastings, Sept. 20, 1855 ; Ellen ;
Mary; and William E.
W. H. Simpson was born in Pittsburg, Pa. His early life was spent in
Buffalo, where he learned the plumbing business, with particular reference to
sanitation. He came to Olean in 1879 ^^^ established business, which in-
creased as the town grew, and in which he has been very successful. He has
been an active man in town affairs, was excise commissioner one term, an
ofificer of the fire department nine years, and was four years its chief engineer.
The present efificiency of the department is largely due to Mr. Simpson's
efforts and he still takes an active interest in the affairs of the firemen.
John Sloane was born in Pilltown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, Aug. 6, 1852.
Until nearly eighteen years of age he attended the National school of his na-
tive village and after that was employed in the office of Malcomson Brothers,
the great linen and cotton manufacturers having mills at Belfast, Clonmel,
Carrick-on-Suir, and Portlaw. He remained with them about two years, when
he resigned and came to America, thus realizing the ambition of his boyhood
to visit the New World. He arrived in New York city July il, 1872. From
there he went to Buffalo, where he resided five and a half years, during which
time he was employed at Dun & Co.s Mercantile Agency and later at the
Lake Shore & Alichigan Southern freight office. In Aug., 1879, he came to
Olean as assistant to the agent of the Western New York & Pennsylvania rail-
road. In 1880 he was appointed agent at Port Allegany, Pa., but becoming
dissatisfied with railroad business and the position he then occupied he re-
signed and returned to Olean, where lie has since resided. His first emplo}--
ment was in the Acme Milling Company as book-keeper, where he remained
six years. He then entered into partnership with Nicholas Hotton, of Port-
ville, and built the Empire Feed-Mills at North Olean, which he operated
three years and sold to the Acme Milling Company. Since then he has been
engaged in the wholesale grain and mill-feed business. His industry has been
untiring and his ambition to make the most of his opportunities has placed
him at the' forefront of every enterprise in which he has taken a hand. If he
could not succeed in one undertaking he would not hesitate to accept the in-
evitable and to push on to something better, until now he is a recognized rep-
resentative of the progressive business interests of this city. He has been
active in many other departments. In St. Stephen's church, of which for eight ^
years he has been a warden, his services as lay reader, superintendent of the
Sunday school, secretary of the Guild, and a member of many important com-
mittees of the vestry have been invaluable. He is a member of various socie-
ties and orders, in all of which he has held high positions : Master of Olean
Lodge, No. 252, F". & A. M.; high priest of Olean Chapter, No. 150, Royal
Arch Masons; prelate of St. John's Commandery, No. 24, K. T.; and deputy
Town and Citv of Oleax. • 919
district grand master of the counties of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua ; in the
A. O. U. W. and Knights of Honor his voice is often heard upon important
occasions when wit, wisdom, and eloquence are required to arouse the inter-
est and enthusiasm of an audience. After a recent visit to Ireland he de-
livered an instructive lecture upon the old country, and while in Ireland he
enlightened his countrymen by lecturing upon the institutions of America.
He has sympathized with the struggles of the Home Rule party in his native
land, and on one occasion he had tlae honor to address the constituency of its
late distinguis.hed leader, Mr. Parnell, in company with the latter. He is a
Republican and chairman of the executive committee of the local organization.
John B. Smith was born in Pike, Wyoming county, and in early life went
to Wisconsin, where his youth was spent in school and in learning the print-
er's trade. For two years he was a salesman in the establishment of Marshall,
Field & Co. in Chicago, and subsequently engaged in the dry goods business
in Rockford, 111. Mr. Smith served one year on the village Board of Trustees,
and has taken an active interest in every progressive public movement. He
was for a time editorially connected with the Olcaii Record ; he is now en-
gaged in the drug business. Sept. 19, 1S77, he married Eva E., daughter of
Samuel Oosterhoudt, and has one son, Samuel E., born Sept. 14, 1879.
David L. Smith was born in Cameron, N. Y., May i, 1835, and came to
Olean in 1865, engaging in the business of harness making, which he still fol-
lows. Sept. I, 1 86 1, he enlisted in the ist N. Y. Light Artillery and was mus-
tered out as first lieutenant June 23, 1865. Oct. 7, 1867, he married Emma
M., daughter of the late Rufus L. Page, of Olean. Mr. Smith speaks with
some pride of his participation in Sherman's march to the sea and earned his
commission as lieutenant for brave and heroic service on April 9, 1862, near
Warwick Court House, Va.
Norman M. Smith is a son of Julius R. Smith, whose father. Dr. Norman,
came to Olean about 18 14 (see Medical Chapter), and whose only descendants
residing here are the son above named and Adeline P. Norman M. was born
in Olean, Feb. 29, 1856, and for some time has been transfer agent for the
American Express Company. The family has been prominent in Olean.
Calvin S. Stowell was born at Friendship, N. Y., April 11, 1844, where he
received his education and lived until 1864, when he came to Olean as clerk
for the late N. S. Butler, and has since resided here with the exception of two
years spent in the lower oil fields during the oil excitement of '66. He was
under sheriff and followed mercantile pursuits until he accepted the tellership
of the Exchange National Bank, which position he held six years. Mr. Stow-
ell was supervisor of Olean in 1873-74 and for five years subsequent to 1881,
resigning the position to accept the office of postmaster tendered him by
President Cleveland. He served his town with fidelity and was honored with
the appointment as a member of the commissions to purchase the armory site
and to audit the accounts of the county superintendent. He is a member
and has at various times presided over all the Masonic bodies. Mr. Stowell
is a Democrat and a prominent member of the Board of Trade.
Fred R. Tarbell, son of Dana O. and Frances M. (Wilder) Tarbell, of New
England origin, was born iip Farmersville, Dec. 20, 1863, and received his edu-
cation in Ten Broeck Free Academy. His father was a farmer and- now re-
sides in Olean. Fred R. became a telegraph operator at the age of fourteen and
has followed that avocation to the present time. He now has charge of the
ofifice of the Postal Cable Telegraph Company at Olean.
920 History of Cattaraugus County.
B. U. Taylor, son of the late Rev. Alexander Taylor, a noted and well-
■ known Baptist clergyman, was born in Maine, September ii, 1S54, and in his
early manhood served three years as apprentice with Rumery, Maxwell &
Grant, one of the largest manufacturing firms in Boston, Mass., during which
time he received instructions under Prof. Demming in the special branches re-
lating to his line of business. He is one of the leading contractors and build-
ers of Olean, and has given special attention to the setting of boilers, being a
known authority on all matters pertaining to boiler setting, and has made also
a special study to so construct an oven that it would successfully burn wet
tan-bark and sawdust. Nearly every tannery company in this section of
country can testify to the able and efficient manner in which he has succeeded
in this special branch of business.
Frank P. Thyng, a native of Perry, N. Y., was born Aug. g, 1820. His
parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Oilman) Thyng, were born in New Hampshire
and were pioneers on Silver hill in Perry. They had eleven children, of whom
Frank P. was the youngest. Sept. 7, 184S, he married Sarah E., daughter of
Uriah and Sarah (Patch) Rose, of Centerville. Her father was a soldier in
the War of 1812 and her grandfather served in the Revolution. They settled
on a farm in Centerville and in 1852 removed to Olean, where he was a gen-
eral merchant until Aug., 1862, when he was burned out. He then began a
trade in oil operators' supplies. He built flat-boats, loaded them with farm
produce and supplies, and floated them down the Allegheny river to the first
oil field in the vicinity of Oil City. He was an oil operator and dealer and
bought and sold oil wells. Mr. Thyng is a Republican. His children are:
Eugenia, born Aug. 9, 1849, married Rev. T. S. Leonard, a Baptist clergyman;
Elmont W., born in March, 1854, died aged nineteen; and Capt. Culver G.,
born Dec. 25, 1857.
Capt. C. G. Thyng, born the last week of 1857, is a native of Olean. He
was early thrown upon his own resources, and his great energy, activity, and
venturesome spirit carried him into the stirring life of the oil country at the
age of fourteen. There he was successively a pumper, tool-dresser, ganger,
well-driller, torpedoer, and scout. He was in the employ of the Bradford Oil
Company in 1876-78. In 1879 ^''^ ^^^'^ correspondent for several newspapers
and was also engaged in the torpedo business. He was in the oil-well supply
trade from 1881 to 1883 and also an oil operator. In 1883 he became the
head of the firm of C. G. Thyng & Co., oil producers. Captain Thyng is still
an oil producer and now has a third-interest in a mining company with a capi-
tal of $1,000,000 which is operating in North Carolina. He is a member of
the Board of Trade and captain of the 43d Separate Company N. G. S. N. Y.
of Olean, having served as such since its organization, March 17, 1887.
Edward Troy, born in Olean, March 13, 1853, received his education in the
public schools and began business as book-keeper and superintendent for the
Chamberlin Manufacturing Company in 1881. Since March, 1890, he has
been a member of the company and is its business manager. This concern is
still engaged in the manufacture of the celebrated Chamberlin screw stump-
puller. Mr. Troy is a Republican.
Charles Edgar Turner was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 23, 1849. He was
educated in the public schools and at the age of sixteen began the trade of M
machinist, after acquiring which he became a fireman and afterward a loco-
motive engineer, which he followed until 1877, vvhen he came to Olean and
took charge of the mechanical department of the O. B. VV. narrow guage rail-
Town and Citv of Olean. 921
road, then ni construction. He is now the master mechanic of the Olean shops
of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Turner
was elected president of the village in 18S8 and held the position two consec-
utive terms. At the organization of the city he was elected mayor. He is
president of the Olean branch of the National Loan Association and a mem-
ber of the Masonic orders up to the commandery.
Hon. Ceorge Van Campen descended from ancient and distinguished Hol-
land ancestry, many of whom served their country in military and educational
capacities. John Aerensen Van Campen, farmer, the first of the name to
come to America, settled in New York (then Amsterdam) in the year 165S
and was soon followed by others of his family. By 1750 several descendants
lived in this State, in New Jersey, in Pennsylvania, and in Delaware, and all
became more or less prominent, especially as Indian fighters. Cornelius Van
Campen was killed by the Indians on his farm in Pennsylvania. Of his six
sons and four daughters was Benjamin, the father of George. George Van
Campen was born Nov. 13, 1817. His maternal grandfather, George Saunders,
and great-grandfather, Hezekiah Saunders, both served in the Revolution.
From about 1836 until 1842 he conducted the postal service his father had or-
ganized in parts of Allegany, Steuben, and Livingston counties in 1826, and
Dec. 25, 1843, identified himself in mercantile business in Randolph. In 185 1
he exchanged his real estate for timber lands in Allegany, whither he removed.
March l, 1869. he came to Olean, where he immediately became identified
with the business and social interests. Aug. 4, 1847, he married Sophia T.,
daughter of Anson and Sophia King; children: James King, born in 185 i ;
George, Jr., born in 1854; Benjamin, born in 1866; Josephine Maria, born in
1868 ; and four daughters who died early. In 1863 Mr. Van Campen was ap-
pointed special consul to Liege, Belgium, and in 1867 was elected a member
of the constitutional convention.
Blanchard B. Weber is a son of Matthew and Betsey (Hemstreet) Weber
and was born in Ashford, April 16, 1S48. Educated in the public schools and
in Griffith Institute in Springville, N. Y., he entered the office of the Cattar-
augus Republican in 1871 as assistant business manager and learned also the
trade of printer. Jan. i, 1873, he purchased of his brother-in-law, A. W. Fer-
rin, a half-interest in that newspaper (see page 96), with whom and with which
he has since been associated. Dec. i, 1887, with A. W. Ferrin and S. C.
Green, he became connected with the publication of the Olean Times, the firm
being S. C. Green & Co., but since Feb., 1891, it has been styled Ferrin &
Weber. In all his newspaper enterprises Mr. Weber has acted mainly in a
business capacity, and to his excellent judgment and shrewd management is
largely due the fact that each has proven comparatively successful. He is an
active member of the Congregational church.
Christopher Whitney was a descendant of three brothers Whitney who
came to America in 1749 and settled at Southold, L. I., whence, in 1765, he
moved to Norwalk, Conn. He moved to Tinmouth, Vt., about 1781, where
his son Christopher, Jr., was born Nov. 12, 1782, and married Rhoda Wilder.
They moved to Locke, N. Y., about 1805, and thence to Homer, N. Y., about
181 1, where he resided till 1826 or 1827, when he moved to Hinsdale, where
he was a farmer. After some years spent in Hinsdale and Allegany he moved
to Olean about 1839. He was justice of the peace over twenty years. He
died in 1866 in Allegany. He had twelve children, of whom Olive, Noah,
Rufus, and John are living.
116
922 History of Cattaraugcs County.
Russell M. Whitney, second son of Dr. Lambert Whitney, was born in
Olean, April 6, 1838. With the exception of seven years in the U. S. army
his life has been spent in Olean. In June, 1867, he married Lydia S.Smith, of
Northampton, N. Y. He is an extensive manufacturer of wagon hubs. Like
his father Mr. Whitney is a respected citizen and prominent in political affairs.
Henry Williams, son of George and Catherine (Griffith) Williams, was born
in Pittsburg, Pa., in Sept., 1853. He received an academic education and taught
three terms of district school. At the age of twenty he became a dealer in
musical instruments in Scio, X. Y. In 1882 he settled in Olean, where he has
since continued his trade, having added to it the sale of sewing machines.
Mr. Williams married, in September, 1880, Emma, daughter of his partner,
Henry Weaver, who was associated with him until he died in March, 1889.
They have four sons.
George L. Winters, son of Alonzo, was born in Tecumseh, Mich., April
13, 1838, started in life as a school teacher, and upon the breaking out of the
war enlisted in Co. C, 154th X. Y. Vols. For meritorious service he rose
rapidly to the rank of captain and was wounded in the arm at Gettysburg,
where he was taken prisoner and subsequently had his arm amputated by a
Confederate surgeon. March i, 1865, he married Margaret Z., daughter of
John and Mary Pierce, of Ischua, who survived him. Mr. Winters was
elected sheriff of Cattaraugus county in 1876 and made a most efficient
officer. He was always a Republican and a highly respected citizen, and was
influential in political affairs in county, district, and State. He studied law
and was admitted to the bar, but on account of ill-health never practiced his
profession. Mr. Winters died in Olean, June 8, 1889.
-George Nathan Wood was born in Starkey, Yates county, Nov. 11, 1857,
and died in Olean, Sept. 25, 1S87. He was the eldest son of Elisha Wood.
When ten years of age his parents moved with their family to Burlingame,
Kan., where young Wood resided until 1876, when he came to Olean and en- '
tered the Times printing office, then owned by his uncle, George Dickinson.
In April, 1883, Mr. Wood became business manager of the Titnes, which was
then owned and conducted by a stock company, and through his individual
efforts the paper was placed on a substantial business basis. In Sept., 1884,
he purchased the plant and became editor and proprietor, and almost imme-
diately acquired a high rank among the inland journalists of the State. Mr.
Wood was conscientious, enterprising, progressive, and careful ; as a citizen /;
he was public spirited and closely identified with the material prosperity of . 4"
Olean, giving to every beneficial enterprise a hearty and unstinted support, '?■
but scathingly rebuked all corrupt schemes for personal or political aggran- S;
dizement. Though he died scarcely thirty years of age he had acquired a :i^,
reputation and a character as an honorable, upright man, as a kind friend and -^k,
neighbor, as an exemplary son, husband, and father that is seldom equalled. .|^.
Aug. 25, 1880, Mr. Wood married Nellie B., daughter of J. H. Smith, of Ran- ^|
dolph and subsequently of Olean, who bore him three daughters. ,^
Willard C. Wood, of the firm of W. C. Wood & Co., job printers, was born 1^,
in Starkey, Yates county, in 1867. He learned the printing business of his '^
brother, George N. Wood, late editor and proprietor of the Okan Times. He ;;.|..
was employed after the latter's decease in the Times office until the spring of ^
1891. April 10, 1S91, he opened his job printing establishment on Union ^^
street, where he executes job, book, commercial, and law printing. ^
William A. Wright was born in Eldred, Pa., in 1842 and cameto Olean in ^
Town of Otto. - 923
1889, where he has since been a dealer in hay, grain, carriages, and agricultural
implements. He married Orsevelle Stull and has had born to him three chil-
dren, Fred C, Walter W. (deceased), and Bertha.
John W. Yard, a native of Irwin, Pa., was born Sept. 15, 1835, came to
this place in 1879, '^^'^ has been eminently successful in his profession of
architect and builder. May 26, 1870, he married Sarah C. Buoy, of Milton,
Pa., who was born Sept. 18, 1838, and their children are James B., born March
14, 1871; William H.. born June 7, 1872; Grace, born Dec. 24, 1874; and
Blanche, born Dec. 14, 1878.
Peter A. Young, born in Rathboneville, Steuben county, April 9, 1851,
located in Bradford, Pa., in 1876, and engaged in the business of producing
oil. In 1 88 1 he removed to Olean and established himself as a wholesale
dealer in wines and liquors, retaining his oil interests, however, until 1884.
CHAPTER XL.^
IILSTORV OF THE TOWN OF OTTO.
OTTO, the twelfth town formed in the county, was taken from Perrys-
burg on January 29, 1823. and at that time comprised, besides Otto,
nearly all of the towns of Persia and East Otto and a part of Ashford.
That part of the town lying west of the south branch of Cattaraugus creek,
which constitutes most of the town of Persia, was re-annexed to Perrysburg
the same year. The portion lying east of Connoirtoirauley creek was annexed
to Ashford on April 13, 1835. November 30, 1854, East Otto was taken from
the eastern part, leaving Otto with its present area of 20,104 acres, its boun-
daries being as follows: Collins, in Erie county, on the north with the main
branch of the Cattaraugus the dividing line. East Otto on the east, Mansfield and
New Albion on the south, and Persia on the west Between Persia and Otto
runs the south branch of Cattaraugus creek, which unites with the main stream
at the northwest corner of the town. This and the Connoirtoirauley are rapid
streams, running in many places between almost perpendicular banks of rock
rising to the height of from 200 to 300 feet. The western part of the town is
the most elevated, being 1,200 feet above Lake Erie, and from this elevation,
when the atmosphere is clear. Lake Erie is plainly seen, and a beautiful pan-
orama of the surrounding country is brought to view on every side. From
this point the ground gradually descends in an easterly direction to the low,
swampy land lying partly in this town and partly in East Otto. Much of this
ground has in later years been subdued and converted into rich farming land.
Most of the soil in town is best adapted to dairying purposes, and farmers
* By Ralph Dewey.
924 History of Cattaraugus County.
with but few exceptions are engaged in that occupation. There are in the
town seven cheese factories, the largest two belonging to P. F. Jark's combina-
tion, two to the Ross combination, one to J. Dorsey, one to E. T. Ryder, and
one a union factory. These in 1892 received the milk of 2,325 cows and
manufactured 833,000 pounds of cheese. There are also several farm dairies
manufacturing cheese or creamery butter. Good crops of grain of various
kinds are also produced and considerable attention is given to fruit, apples
being the principal crop relied upon, which, in good fruit seasons, brings quite
a large income to the town.
The first settlement made in Otto was in the north part in what is known
as Zoar valley on the banks of Cattaraugus creek. The rich bottom land.^ of
the valley attracted the attention of settlers as early as 1810. Among those
who settled about that period were Joseph Bartlett, who came from Canada ;
Joseph Adams and his son Blinn, from Madison county ; and Gen. Phineas Orr,
from New Hampshire. It is said that settlers by the name of Hyde and Aus-
tin came about the same time, but remained only a few years. It is a question
as to which one of these was the first actual settler, but all were here prior to
or in 1813. In 1 8 14 Samuel Hill came from Allegany county and located in
the valley, comingdown Cattaraugus creek in a canoe with his family, which
consisted of himself, wife, and five children. He became a permanent resi-
dent in the valley, but lived most of the time on the north side of the creek
in Erie county. His youngest son, Joseph, who was three years old at the
time of the voyage down the creek, is still, with his family, a resident of the
town. The first settlement in the town outside of Zoar was made by Ephraim
Brown on the farm now owned by Henry Bull, this being probably about
1816 or 1817. He came from Cortland county. From this time onward the
town became more rapidly settled. In 1818 three brothers, Isaac, Benjamin,
and Stephen Ballard, came from Vermont and articled 360 acres of land about
two miles north of Otto village, where Benjamin lived many years. His son,
G. W. Ballard, 2d, now resides on the homestead. In 18 19 Adam Ballard
came from Oswego county and settled on the farm on which his grandson,
Truman Ballard, now lives. There are quite a number of the descendants of
the Ballards residing in town, but the pioneer fathers have " passed over to the
other shore." About the same time the Ballards settled here Joseph and
Wadsworth Foster came from Washington county and located on the farm on
which Albert Foster, son of Joseph, now lives. Almond Foster, a son of
Wadsworth, lives near Otto village. Ira Waterman, from Cortland, N. Y.,
was located in town in 1819 and the same year William Cook and Mason
Hicks were settlers in the valley of Zoar. Joseph Allen, a brother of Hon.
Uan Allen, of Gowanda, settled in the southeast part of Otto in 1819. He
had previously lived in the valle\' of Cattaraugus creek in East Otto, where he
located in 1809 o'' iSio. He was justice of the peace sixteen years and super-
\'isor one year. Isaac Skinner settled in 1819 in what has since been known
Town of Otto. . 925
as Skinner hollow. He built a ,savv-mill here in 1823, and the first grist-mill
in town was erected here soon after. In 1820 Abel M. Butler, of Oswego
county, located near what is known as the Beverly school house. He was the
first justice of the peace in Otto and on the organization of the town in 1823
was elected the first supervisor, which office he held three successive years.
Hervey Butler, a brother of Abel, came also in 1820 and lived in town
most of the time until his death. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and
died at the residence of his son, James Butler, in Otto village, November 14,
1881, aged nearly eighty-eight. This son James was born January 27, 1S24.
and is now the oldest person living in town who was born here. Luther Town,
from Madison county, settled here in 1821. C. B. Parkinson came from
Springville, Erie county, in 1821 and in 1822 built a saw-mill in what is now
Otto village, it being the first mill erected in town. In 1822 Allen Bates, the
father of Mrs. Darius Babcock, settled in the north part of the town, and Alex-
ander Little came from Madison county. Little had five sons. Being a
blacksmith by trade he erected the first blacksmith shop in town. His grand-
son, Milton Little, lives in Otto village. Davis Benedict, of Monroe county,
settled here in 1822 and the same year Shed rick and Edwin Farnsworth
located near the south border of the town. Farnsworth built the first frame
dwelling in Otto. In 1823 Robert McDuffie came from Montgomery count}-
and settled on the farm now owned by H. W. Hinman. His son Angus and
daughter, Mrs. I. Woolf, live in Otto village. James Barber located where
his son James M. now lives. Otis and Peter Guile, from Vermont, were here
as soon as this and the same year came Moses Boone from Onondaga county,
as did also Ephraim Greene from Wayne county. In 1823 came Simeon
Waterman, Alpheus Harwood, Henry Willets, and David and William Blais-
dell. Among the settlers who came about this time and the years soon fol-
lowing were Bela Tarbo.x, Russell D. Gibson, Hosea Merrithew, Isaiah Tar-
box, Alvin Plumb, Mary Price, and Stephen Rogers, who built the first grist-
mill in Otto village, but not the first in town, there being one in Skinner hol-
low ; he also erected the first tavern in town. Vine Plumb kept the first store
in Otto about half a mile north of the village and built the first frame dwell-
ing house in the village, where he was a resident about fifty-seven years. He
died in this town in 188 1. Daniel Botsford, the father of Marvin S. and
Wiley S., came from Connecticut. Nelson and James C. Green came from
Wayne county and David McMaster from Montgomery county. Ichabod
Harding was located in the western part, and Stephen Crane had a tannery in
Skinner hollow, perhaps the first in town. John Ferris, Matthew Parkinson,
John Cotrael, John C. Cross, and John T. Ferris came from Schoharie county ;
Dexter Bartlett, the father of Nelson Bartlett, from Vermont ; and Caleb
Lewis from Washington county. Champlain Babcock, whose sons Darius,
Delotus, and Darwin yet live in town, came from Vermont. Charles H.
Morris, of Washington county, settled where his son Edgar M. now lives,
926 History of Cattaraugus County.
where he resided until his death in 1866. Sylvester M. Cox, from Onondaga
county, located on the farm now owned by his grandson, Carlton Derby.
Silas Cook, the father of Theodore, came from Vermont and settled in Zoar
valley. James Borden and Levingston Cross were from Schoharie county.
Mr. Borden built a tannery in the village in 1827. The building was demol-
ished by the tornado in i860, was rebuilt, and in 1872 was destroyed by fire.
Mr. Cross carried on a door, sash, and blind factory in the village many years.
He died in 1883. Mr. Borden died in 1850. William Cross, a brother of
Levingston, came about the same time.
Peter Karker settled a little west of the village on land now owned by
A. L. Stebbins. Many anecdotes are told respecting " Uncle Peter." He
was of German descent, a constituent and conscientious member of the Pres-
byterian church, but from early habit it seemed impossible for him to entirely
keep from swearing. This was indulged in to such an extent that the church
authorities thought some reproof necessar}- and he was accordingly summoned
to trial, on the day of which he was at work for Mr. Harvey, whom he in-
formed at noon that he could not work that afternoon. Harvey said: "Why,
what is the matter. Uncle Peter?" " Oh, I is got to have a church trial dis
afternoon." " What are they going to try you for, Uncle Peter?" " Dej- is
goin' to try me for swearin', but, by G — tl I is just so goot a man as Elder
Doolittle any day." Bliss Loomis, the father of Col. H. C. and Nelson Loomis,
came from Vermont. Justus Scott, the father of Judge A. D. Scott, settled
in the southeast part of the town on land now owned by his heirs. Roswell
Knowlton had a custom mill and carding machine in Otto village in 1829; it
is claimed there was one in Skinner hollow prior to this. H. W. Ingraham,
a soldier in the War of 1812. came from Rensselaer county and settled where
his son Simeon now lives. Ira Root, another soldier of 1812, settled where
his son, Charles A. Root, now resides. W. F. Elliott was one of the early mer-
chants in the village. John Strickland came from Otsego county and located
on the farm which has for many years been owned by his son, W. H. Strickland.
More particular mention is made of a number of the foregoing, as well as
of others not here named, in subsequent pages of this chapter. With but
very few exceptions the pioneer settlers of the town have " passed on to that
bourne from whence no traveler returns," and but few realize the hardships
and privations endured by those who felled the forests and labored in season
and out for scores of years to bring the land to that state of cultivation and
prosperity which now surrounds us on every side.
The valley of Zoar, whose productive soil first attracted the attention of
the early settlers in this section, has within a few years been again brought
more prominently into notice by the discovery- of oil and gas. Twelve wells
have been drilled in the vicinity and a strong flow of gas has been found in
most of them, and three are connected with pipe-line to Buffalo. A number
of others are utilized by individuals residing in the locality. Oil has also been
Town of Otto. . 927
found in considerable quantities in some of the wells, but owing to the low
price and the large supply in other fields no measures have yet been taken to
save the product and the flowing wells have been plugged. Nearly all the
land covering quite a section of country in the vicinity of the valley is under
lease to oil companies. For from thirty to forty years the inhabitants suffered
much inconvenience as well as loss in time and expense and some deaths by
drowning for want of a bridge across Cattaraugus creek. It was thought that
it was almost impossible to confine the stream in a permanent channel for any
length of time on account of the looseness of the soil and the strong current
which sweeps through the valley during the heavy freshets, which often occur.
But in 1892 a substantial iron bridge was completed and spans the creek in a
place where there is good reason to expect the stream will continue to run
many years. There is located in the valley" a circular steam saw-mill belong-
ing to A. J. Setter. Joel Perkins has also a steam circular mill in Skinner
hollow and George Green has a saw-mill and grist-mill run by water-power in
the southeast part of the town.
The first school house in town was a log structure erected of logs on lot 14
in the spring of 1823, and in that supimer Job Austin was teacher. There are
now eight school districts in the town, to which was apportioned $1,129.95
school moneys in 1892. The village school employs two teachers. There is
a public cemetery in the village, another near the center of the town opposite
the north church, and another still in the western part near J. M. Barber's.
The town was named in honor of Jacob S. Otto and the first town meeting
was held at the house of Ephraim Brown on the second Tuesday in February,
1823, when these officers were chosen: Abel M. Butler, supervisor; Tyler M.
Beach, town clerk; Ira Waterman, Asaph Silsby, Luther Town, assessors;
Samuel Tuthill, Benjamin Austin, overseers of the poor ; Willis Boutwell,
Jabez Hull. Ira Waterman, Harvey Butler, commissioners of common schools;
Samuel Tuthill, Joseph Foster, school inspectors ; Davis Benedict, Justus Bar-
tholomew, Ira Waterman, highway commissioners. The principal town offi-
cers have been as follows :
SiipcmVns.-Abel M. Butler, iaJi-2T; John T. Ferria, lf2»-29 ; Joseph jilleu, 1830; Elijah A. Rice, 1831;
Nelson Green, 1S32-36; Constant D AUen, lKlT-38; Nelson Green, 1839-W; John P. Darling, 184.>-47; John
Lainif, lWS-50; James C. Green, 1851-52, 1S«T; William F. Elliott, 18.5.3-55; Charles H. Morris, ia56, 1858; Levi
Goldsborough, 1857; William E. Hunt, 1859-60, 18B2-e6, 18U8-69 ; David T. Gibson, 18ei; Ralph Dewey, 1870-74;
Simeon v. Pool, 1875-77 ; Asa Ross, 1878; Dan B. Allen, 1879-85 ; Thomas B. Soule, 18«<i-8i) ; David N. Brown,
1890; Thomas B. Soule, 1891-93.
Town aer/c,-.-Tyler M. Beach, 1823-25 ; Vine Plumb, 1826-37 ; Elijah Dresser, 1838, 1842 ; John P. Darlinjr,
18:19-41. 1843; John C. Carpenter, 1844-48; William F. Elliott, 184S-49; William Rumsey, 18.50; Julius B. Maltbie.
18.51.18.56: S. B. Thompson, 1852-54; William E. Hunt, 1855; Carlton H. Colrael, 1857-5S; Ephraim C. Elliott,
1859; Thomas L. Rogers, 1860-67 ; Elisha Duke, 1868-71, 1876, 1885; Ale.xander A. Courter, 1872; Benjamin G.
Greeu, 1873-75 ; Thomas B. Soule, 1877-81 ; Baxter J. Cotrael, 1882 ; Charles J. Ferris, 18Sa 84; Gel E. Wood, 1886 ;
Morris W. Butterfield, 1887; Elliott J. Oakes, 1888, 1890; George M. Brown, 1889; Fremont C. Laing, 1891;
William S. Aust, 1892.
Justices of the Peace were elected first in 1827 and classed as follows : Asahel Hill, one year; John T. Fer-
ris, two years ; Samuel Tuthill, three years; Abraham L. Gibbs, four years. After that they were elected
in the following order: Joseph Allen, Ozi M. Goodale, Joseph Foster, Asa Leland, Isaac Ma.son, Arnold
Bentley, Joseph Allen, Joseph Foster, Daniel Pratt, Selleck St. John, Sylvester Pierce, Hugh Orr, Asa Le-
. land. Homer J. Wooden, Elijah A. Rice, Joseph Foster, Joseph Allen, John Wilcox, Selleck St. John,
928 History of Cattaraugus County.
Philander Griffiths, Conrad Vosburg-, Joseph Allen, John C. Carpenter, Sellock St. John, Samuel C. Everts,
Tyler M. Beach, Joseph yoster, Orson Couhrau, Arnold Bentloy, Homer J. Wooden, Conrad Vosburg,
SelleckSt. John, George W. Harvey, Joseph Foster, Homer J. Wooden, David T. Gibson, Miles M. Moore,
Julius B. Maltbie, Phipps Lake, Oliver Dake, Henry Bull, Orson Cochran, Ralph Dewey, Walter H. Strick-
land. James C. Green, Oliver Dake, Phipps Lake, Orson Cochran, Ralph Dewey, George Parkinson, Albert
Hemstreet, Orson Cochran, Oliver Dake, Ralph Dewey, John A. Losee, Justus Scott, David T. Gibson,
Phipps Lake, Walter H. Strickland, Orson Cochran, John T. Newman, Walter H. Strickland, Phipps Lake,
Franklin Keeler, Orson Cochran. Nathan Larabee, Darwin C. Babcock, David T. Gibson, Cnarles E. Pi att,
Dan B. Allen, Charles E. Pratt, Albert Foster, Phipps Lake, Orson Cochran, Edgar M. Morris, Charles E.
Pratt, Ira Briggs, Borden J. Goodell, Edg.ir M. Morris, Charles J. Ferris, Ale.viander A. Courter, Edgar M.
Morris, Albert Foster, Alexander A. Courter, Ralph Dewey, Edward T. Kyder, Henry Gold, Charles A.
O'Brien, Henry Gold, Jacob E. Hanson.
Otto village (formerly Waverly) is situated in the south part of the town
on the south branch of Cattaraugus creek, and contains about 400 inhabitants.
The only postoffice in town is located here. There are in the village twelve
stores, a grist-mill with three runs of stone and a woolen-mill with two sets of
machinery and 750 spindles (both of which are propelled by water-power), a
saw-mill, a cheese-box factory, an iron foundry and machine shop, a cabinet
shop in connection with a furniture store and undertaking establishment, two
blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, a harness shop, a meat market, two hotels,
and three church edifices. On the 30th of May, i860, the village was nearly
all destroyed by a tornado. The terrible experiences of that occasion are yet
vividly remembered by the older citizens who then resided here. It was about
four o'clock in the afternoon when a dark funnel-shaped cloud was seen rap-
idly approaching from a southwesterly direction, and as it drew nearer it had
the appearance of vast num'bers of birds flying swiftly in circles high in the
air. These objects proved to be fragments of buildings, furniture, huge
branches of trees, etc., which the cyclone had gathered in its course. It struck
the village with a terrific roar. The first house in its track was occupied by a
Mr. Pike. Mrs. Pike and si.x children were in the dwelling, which was com-
pletely demolished and scattered in all directions, the sitting-room floor with
carpet on it being found several rods distant on the opposite side of the street.
None of the inmates of the house were seriously injured. The woolen-mill of
.Allen & Gibson was about one-fourth of a mile from Pike's house and in
it were a full complement of hands, who saw the storm approaching and en-
deavored to escape. The roof with the upper story of the building was car-
ried away, but the only fatal casualty was the fatal injury of Bfadford Bur-
roughs, the foreman, who was the last to leave the mill, he being struck by a
piece of flying timber and dying a few minutes later. A number of others who
had escaped from the building were lifted from the ground and carried some
distance, but were finally left in different places without serious injury. Very
few buildings in the v^illage escaped some damage; many of them were en-
tirely destroyed. For many years the place bore the marks of the storm.
The first settlement in the village was made in 1822, perhaps a year earlier,
by C. B. Parkinson. Others soon followed, and in 1822 Parkinson built the
first saw-mill in town just below where now stands the flouring-mill of D. N.
Brown. A grist-mill was built by Stephen Rogers in 1828 and a tannery the
Town of Otto. • g2g
same year by James Borden. Among the business men of the village who
have died were Rosvvell Knovvlton, Vine Plumb, William F. Elliott, John P.
Darling, Constant B. Allen, Ephraim C. Elliott, William E. Hunt, David T.
Gibson, Selleck St. John, James Borden, Garrison Ballard, W. D. Allen, Elisha
Shippy, Davis Benedict, Jacob Slingerland, S. P. Ferris, C. N. Wilber, and An-
drew Burger. Among those yet living who have once been prominent in
business here are J. P. Cotrael, H. S. Cotrael, J. B. Maltbie, B. J. Ward, E. J.
Oakes, and W. C. Runnals.
The most authentic data extant points to the probability that services of
the Christian denomination were the first religious exercises held in Otto, and
these were conducted, tradition tells us, by a Rev. Mr. Bartlett, but no
society was organized. At an early date John Griffith formed an M. E. class
at the house of Caleb Lewis. This class was composed of five members
under Daniel Botsford as leader, and from it was organized in 1826 the -Meth-
odist Episcopal church of North Otto by John Griffith, with seven members,
the first pastors being William Hoag and John Wiley. The first quarterl\-
meeting was held in Luther Sprague's barn in 1832. In 1836 the society
erected a frame edifice, the first in the town. This was replaced in 1870 by
the present neat frame structure, which cost $1,800 and will seat 250 persons,
and which was dedicated in October, 1870, by Rev. C. D. Burlingame. The
present value of this church property is $2,100. The society has twenty-five
members with Rev. B. R. Germer as pastor and a Sunday school during the
summer of about thirty scholars.
The Otto M. E. church had its inception in a class formed in 1836 with
four members as a branch of the church of North Otto. The early meetings
were conducted by Rev. Ira Bronson. The present frame church edifice was
erected in 1854, cost $5,000, will seat 400 people, and with the grounds, etc.,
is valued at $4,500. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Bayard and the present
one is Rev. B. R. Germer. The society has a membership of thirty and a
Sunday school of fifty scholars under James Tarbox as superintendent.
The First Congregational church of Otto was organized October 18, 1828,
by Rev. William J. Wilcox, at the house of Sylvanus Parkinson, the original
members being Sylvanus and Hannah Parkinson, Peter and Margaret Karger,
Catharine Parkinson, Abigail Cox, Caroline Plumb, Rebecca Borden, Jeremiah
Spaulding, Tyler Spaulding, and Jane Cotrael; Cyrus Randall was admitted
the following day and no others for a year. Rev. Mr. Wilcox was the first
pastor and Sylvanus Parkinson and Jeremiah Spaulding the first ruling elders.
Mr. Parkinson was also chosen delegate to the Presbytery of Buffalo held in
that city in January, 1829, when the church was admitted to that body. At
the organization the society adopted the name " First Presbyterian Church of
Otto," which remained until December 31, 1859, when it was changed to its
present title. In 1830 the membership numbered sixteen and in 1840 it was
forty-five. September 21, 1858, W. W. Norton was ordained pastor, his prede-
i'7
930 History of Cattaraugus County.
cessors, besides Rev. Mr. Wilcox, being Rev. Daniel T. Condee, Sylvester
Cowles, Miles Doolittle, Aaron Van W'ormer, Royal Tvvitchell, S. J. Orton, and
Josiah Baldwin. The first house of worship, a wooden edifice still in use,
was erected in 1861 and dedicated on October 30th of that year. It cost
$3,000, will seat 300 persons, and with other property is now valued at §5,000.
The society has thirty-four members with Rev. Albert W. Terry as pastor.
The Sunday school has about eighty scholars.
The First Lutheran (Emanuel'sl church, German Evangelical, of Otto, was
organized November 14, 1875, \\"ith sixty-four members, by Rev. K. Boesch,
and was re-organized in 1880 by Rew A. Krafft. The first pastor was Rev.
F. Boesch. Their house of worship, a frame structure, was built in 1876, ded-
icated November 12th, and enlarged in 1888, the original cost of the edifice
being $2,700. It will seat 260 persons, and with the grounds, parsonage, and
a school house is valued at about $4,500. The society has a voting mem-
bership of seventy-two; communicants, 245 ; the pastor is Rev. E. J. Sander.
The young confirmed receive instruction in catechism every Sunday.
The Second Baptist church of Otto was organized with eighteen members
in December, 1831, the first pastor being Rev. A. Wells in 1833. The society
reported to the association for the last time in 1839, when they had fifty-seven
members. It finally disbanded. Xo church edifice was ever erected.
Clinton F. Paige Lodge, No. 620, F. & A. M., was constituted June 15,
1867. The first officers were Ralph Djwey, master; Phipps Lake, S. W.
The present officers are Frederick Truby, master; O. F. Barber, S. W.; Wal-
ter Tafft, J. W.; Ernest H. Truby, treasurer; T. B. Soule, secretary. The
lodge is in a prosperous condition and has a membership of 106.
Otto Lodge, No. 386, I. O. O. F".. was instituted August 22, 1848, with
these officers: G. S. Gowdy, N. G.; P. L. Fox, V. G.; W. H. Eddy, secretary;
E.G. Eddy, treasurer. December 1, 1850, the number was changed to 137.
In November, 1853, '^ was moved to Cattaraugus, where its first officers were
P. L. Fox, N. G.; E. C. Elliott, V. G.; A. P. Woodruff, secretary; L. H.
Malton, treasurer. It was disbanded December 18, 1854, and re-organized
March 31, i860, at Otto, the officers then being T. D. Gibson, N. G.; J. B.
Maltbie, V. G.; E. C. Elliott, secretary- ; Isaac Austin, treasurer. November
15, 1869, the lodge was again and finally disbanded, the last officers being
James Ferris, N. G.; George Sherman, V. G.; E. D. Smallman. secretary ;
Ralph Dewey, treasurer.
The W. T. Wickham Post, No. 655, G. A. R., was instituted in April, 1892.
It has a membership of 23. Charles A. O'Brien is the present commander.
Otto Union, No. 236, E. A. U., was instituted February 9, 1881. Fred-
erick Truby is president and Mrs. Celia Oakes is secretary. The present mem-
bership is forty-six.
Otto Grange, No. 381, Patrons of Husbandry, was chartered April 5, 1876.
Lately they have held no meetings.
Town of Oiio. . 93'
Hawthorne Lodge, No. 654, 1. O. G. T., has recently been re-organized with
Rev. B. R. Germeras chief templar and Miss Mabel Pierce as secretary.
A society of the W. C. T. U. was organized August 19, US84, with twenty-
eight members. Mrs. S. Ann F. Allen \vas its first president. The present
membership is twenty-one, with Miss Jennie Cotrael as president and Miss
Dora Peterson as secretary.
Constant B. Allen was born in Locke, N. V., Sept. 2, 1805. His ancestry
is traced back seven or eight generations to tlie early settlement of New Lng-
land, where they immigraLed "from Wales. Both his grandfathers were active
participants with the Green Mountain Boys at the time of Burgoyne s inva-
sion. Captain Constant Barney, his maternal grandfather, being one ot tour
rangers who multiplied themselves into as many platoons and stationing
themselves on either side of the road during the night intercepted a banc ot
seventeen tories on their way to join Burgoyne, compelling them to surrender.
His father, Hon. Dan Allen, was born June 30, 17S0, and m young manhood
left his native State (Vermont), settling in Cayuga county, N. Y., wlience in
1813 he moved to the then wilderness in the north part of the town of Persia
(q. v.). He was the father of thirteen children. Constant B. being the oldest
and at the tim.e of his arrival in this county seven years of age. At the age
of nineteen he had obtained an education enabling him to teach school
which occupation he followed two years. Also about this time he attended
two terms in academic schools. It was his purpose to follow the legal pro-
fession, but after reading law with Albert G. Burke, Esq., of Gowanda some
months, he wa.s, on account of failing eyesight, compelled to relinquish that
design. In 1833 he came to Otto and for twenty years carried on a success-
ful mercantile trade, engaging also quite extensively in the manufacture ot
pearlash. In 1841 he purchased the Otto woolen-mills and carried on the
manufacture of woolen goods till 1867, part of the time in company with
D. F. Gibson. In 1867 their mill was burned and Mr. Allen retired from ac-
tive business life, except to look after his estate, consisting of several dairy farms.
In Feb., 1836, he married Miss B. C. Brown, who died in Jan., 1844; children :
Col. Dan B. Allen, of the 154th N. Y. VoLs., and Esther (Mrs. S. V. Pool) in
Nov., 1852, Mr. Allen married S. Ann French. Mr. Allen was a man of de
cided convictions and an ardent supporter of the anti-slavery and temperance
causes. He died Oct. 11, 1883.
Col. Dan B. Allen (see also page 370';, in July and Aug., 1862 raised a
company in the 154th N. Y. Vol. Inf. and was mustered into the U. b. service
at Jamestown, Sept. 26th, as captain of Co. B. In Feb., 1863, he was pro-
moted major and in June, 1863, became lieutenant-colonel. He vvas engaged
in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and
Peach Tree Creek, and in the siege of Atlanta. He was taken sick at Atlanta
and sent to the hospital, and resigned his commission on account of illness in
Oct., 1864. For gallantry at Gettysburg he was brevetted colonel. Sept 9,
1878, he married Louisa McCoy, of Ellicottville, and has resided in Otto for
the last fifteen years. '
Peter Aust was born in Eden, Erie county, Nov. 21, 1844. His father,
Nicholas Aust, came from Lottringen, France, about 1833, and bought of a
pretended land company in Buffalo a piece of wild land in Eden, for which he
had to go to Batavia and pay for the second time. Peter's education was
mostly in the German language. In 1866 he came to Otto. For sixteen
93- History of Cattaraugus County.
years he was engaged in farming and has for ten years kept a meat market in
the village. He married, in 1869, Mary, daughter of John Kern, of Eden.
They have four sons and one daughter. The oldest son, William, has been
town clerk.
James Austin was born in Washington county, N. Y., Dec. 5, 181 1. In 1820
his father, Benjamin Austin, started for the Holland purchase with a span of
horses and wagon, his wife, seven sons, a sister of his wife, and his household
goods. He arrived in Otto on Dec. 5th and located on a farm near the center
of the town, which is now owned by his grandson, Levi Austin. He was a sol-
dier in the War of 1812 and died in 1852. But two of the seven sons who came
to Otto in 1820 are living. James, the only one residing in town, has always
lived here. Jan. 15, 1835, he married Hannah, daughter of Peter Ingraham.
Children: Cornelia A. (Mrs. Lucien Botsford), of Wisconsin; Benjamin, of
New Albion ; John, of Ohio ; and Phineas, who enlisted in Co. K, 64th N. Y.
Vols., while a lad, and at Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864, was wounded in the hip,
from the effects of which he died ten days later in Army Square hospital,
Washington. They have living with them a grandson, Simeon Austin.
Isaac D. Bailey was born in Persia, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1820. His father, Asa Bai-
ley, came to that town in 1812. The mother of Isaac D. died when he was quite
young, and when ten years old he came to Otto to live with Captain Corning
and this town has ever since been his home. He married, in 1844, Rachel Pop-
ple, and in 185 i took up his residence in the village, being by trade a carpen-
ter. Mr. Bailey's house stood in the path of the great tornado of May 30,
i860. He was away. Mrs. Bailey saw the storm approaching, and at the same
time four or five of the neighbor's children going home from school rushed
into the house. She got them and two of her own children into the cellar just
as the cyclone struck the dwelling, lifting it from its foundations and carrying
Mrs. Bailey and her youngest child with it several rods, where the house was
dashed to pieces, but Mrs. Bailey and her child escaped with slight injuries.
Mr. Bailey's pocket-book containing, among other things, one twenty and one
one-dollar gold piece was in a pocket of a coat hanging in the house. After
the storm had passed some neighbors in looking over the ruins found the
pocket-book on the ground with its contents intact except the gold pieces.
There was a hole in the pocket-book, as smooth as though cut by a knife,
wliere the gold had evidently escaped. In the spring of 1871, eleven years
afterward, Mr. Bailey was passing over the ground where his furniture had
been scattered, v.-hen,. to his astonishment, he saw the edge of his twenty-dol-
lar piece peeping out of the ground. Mr. Bailey rebuilt on the old founda-
tion the house in which he still resides. Mrs. Bailey died April 4, 1874, and
Dec. 30th of the same year he married Mrs. Lucinda E. Burroughs. By his
first wife he had one daughter. Mrs. Sarah Wright, of Kenyonville, N. Y., and
one son, Albert H. Bailey, of Mt. Jewett, Pa. Mrs. Bailey has one daughter
by her first husband.
James Myron Barber was born in Palmyra, N. Y., April 10, 1823. In June
of the same year his father, James Barber, started with a yoke of o.xen and
wagon, his wife, two young daughters, and son James M. for the Holland
purchase. He came by way of Buffalo and thence through the Cattaraugus
Indian reservation, camping on the reservation by their wagon one night.
In the morning the oxen had strayed away and while the husband was hunting
for them the wife was nearly distracted with fear, as the Indians and squaws
gathered around the wason, examinin"' its contents, and talking: and gesticu-
Town of Otto.
lating in their strange manner about her "little papoose." They arrived in
Otto safely and settled on the farm on which James M. now lives. Mrs. Bar-
ber, on one occasion, left her little girls in their log house, which had for a door
simply a blanket, while she ran through the woods to a neighbors. On her
return she saw a large bear leaving the house, but found her children un-
harmed. In 1848 James M. married Nancy Parkinson, and has had three
sons and two daughters, of whom two daughters and one son are deceased.
Mr. Barber has served as highway commissioner twenty-three years.
Nelson Bartlett, one of a family of two sons and six daughters born to
Dexter Bartlett, was born in Rutland, Vt., June 28, 1813. Dexter Bartlett
with his family left Vermont in 1825, coming to Buffalo on the first boat
which came through after the canal was finished. The Bartlett family are
conspicuous in the annals of American history. Josiah Bartlett was the sec-
ond name signed to the Declaration of Independence, and from the family to
which he belonged have descended the numerous race of Bartletts scattered
throughout the Union. They hold annual family reunions, two or three hav-
ing been held in the neighboring town of Collins, where quite a number of
the descendants reside. On these occasions hundreds are assembled together
and interesting reminiscences related. Nelson Bartlett was but twelve years
old when his father settled in Otto and he well remembers the privations the
early settlers underwent. In 1838 he bought an article of twenty-five acres of
land in the western part of the town, which he still owns, and which is now
increased to a farm of 276 acres. That same year he married Aroline, daughter
of Davis Benedict, another of the pioneers who came into the town in 1822.
They have three sons and one daughter, all married. One son, Judson C,
was in the 64th N. Y. Vols, three years. In 1870 he bought a pleasant resi-
dence in Otto village. He has served his town as an ofificer in the past and
was again elected an assessor for three years in Feb., 1893.
Marvin S. Botsford was born in Burlington, Conn., Aug. 5, 1818. His
father, Daniel Botsford, was born in 1782 and in 1825 moved to Otto, his fam-
ily then consisting of his wife, three sons, and three daughters. He made the
long journey from Connecticut with a horse and wagon, property at that time
seldom seen in Otto. He inherited the vigor and hardihood of his Revolu-
tionary sires and died aged nearly ninety-three. He was for many years a
prominent member of the M. E. church in Otto. Marvin S. Botsford was
educated in the district schools and has always followed farming, buying
seventy-five acres of land in the northwest part of the town when twenty-two
years old. To this he has since added till he now has a farm of 222 acres.
He married, first, Hannah Bartlett, who died five years after. March 29, 1853,
he married, second, Mrs. Phebe Irish King. In 1868 he purchased twenty
acres of land about half a mile north of Otto village and built a fine residence
and out buildings, where he has since resided. By his second marriage he has
a daughter, Anna, wife of Prof. John Henry Comstock, of Cornell University.
Wiley S. Botsford, youngest son of Daniel, was born in Otto, March 3,
1827, married, Nov. 9, 1846, Eliza M., daughter of Adam Ballard, of Otto, and
bought of his father the farm on which he was born, which has since remained
in his possession, and which now contains 180 acres. In 1873 he moved from
this farm to one he purchased a short distance north of Otto village, where he
resided till his death. He had two daughters: Urana U. (Mrs. George J.
Sherman) and Leonora (Mrs. Walter Tafft). For many years Mr. Botsford
and his wife had the care of his father, who died in 1876 aged ninety-four.
934 History of Cattaraugus County.
Mr. Botsford died Nov. 26, 1892, and was buried on the 29th with Masonic
honors, he having been for twenty-five years an honored member of that order.
David N. Brown's parents came from Vermont to Attica, N. Y., about
1819, and there David N. was born May 9, 1822. While he was quite youno-
they removed to Persia in this count}', where his opportunities for obtaining
an education were limited to a few terms in a district school. When fourteen
he commenced learning the cabinet maker's trade, clothing himself out of his
salary of $22 per year and improving his mind by study as opportunity offered.
When twenty years old he became a clerk in a store with the privilege of
attending a select school a term during the winters. At the age of twenty-
two he entered into trade on his own account in Gowanda, where he carried
on business twelve years. In the fire of 1856 his store with most of the busi-
ness places in Gowanda was burned. He did not again engage in mercan-
tile trade, but continued to reside in Gowanda till 1861, being eight years
postmaster and serving the town of Persia as supervisor two years. In 1861
he moved to Collins, Erie county, and for ten years was a farmer. In 1871
Mr. Brown becaine a resident of Otto, purchasing the grist-mill property in
the village and selling his farm in Collins in part payment for the same. He
married, first, in [844, Caroline, daughterof Titus Roberts. of Gowanda, whodied
in 1868. He married, second, in June, 1872, Lucy A. Rutterfield. He had
one son and four daughters by his first marriage (all of whom are married)
and by his second marriage he had two daughters. In politics Mr. Brown has
always been a Democrat, in which party his influence is felt throughout this
senatorial district. He has served as supervisor of Otto three years.
Dolphus S. Brown was born in Cheshire, Mass., Sept. 15, 1830. His grand-
father came from England prior to the Revolution and was a soldier in the
patriot army during that struggle. In 1852 D. S. came to Chautauqua county,
where, on January i, 1854, he married Mary J. Foley, and taking up his resi-
dence in Fredonia he was for a number of years engaged running a wagon dis-
tributing paper throughout western New York and northern Pennsylvania.
In 1864 he moved toOtto and with the exception of a shoit residence in Cat-
taraugus he has resided here since. For nine or ten years he ran the stage
from Otto to Cattaraugus. He has been constable fifteen years, collector
twelve years, and deputy sheriff nine years, Mr. Brown has buried four chil-
dren and July 19, 1888, Mrs. Brown's death occurred. His other children are:
Glen, of Jamestown, N. Y.; Mrs. Charles Barber, of East Ot1:o ; and Mrs.
Floyd Barber, of Otto. 4
Perus Bull was born in Otto, April 26, 1836. William Bull, his father,
came from Hartford, N. Y., in 1835 and settled on the farm on which Perus
was born, where he resided till his death in 1891, aged eighty-one. He had
four sons and three daughters, of whom only two survived him, viz.: Henry,
the oldest, who lives in the village, and Perus, the youngest, who since his
birth has lived on the homestead. June 30, 1863, Perus married Belinda,
daughter of Theodore Coo'k one of the early settlers in Otto. The grand-
father of Perus Bull was a soldier in the War of 1812 and came to Otto some
time after William Bull settled here, where he died. Perus Bull has served as
assessor three terms.
Andrew Burger, born in Bavaria, Germany, Feb. 27, 1819, learned there
the trade of cabinet maker, and in 1849 emigrated to America, coming at once
to Buffalo, where for a short time he worked at his trade, and where, on the
27th of Jan., 1850, he married Louisa Truby. Soon afterward he moved to
Town of Otto. . 935
Springville, N. Y., and subsequently lived in Ellicottville and Olean. In 1864
he came to Otto and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which
he carried on till his death Jan. 17. 1885. He left besides his widow one
daughter, Mrs. F. Smith, of Allegany, and two sons, J. Henry and S. F.
J. Henry Burger was born April 15, i85i,in Springville, N. Y. His education
was confined mainly to English branches in common schools. He has followed
the occupation of his father, working with him till his death, and since then
carrying on the business himself. He married, Aug. 13, 1878, Flora, adopted
daughter of James Butler, an old resident of this town.
George Cain, born in Charleston, N. Y., July 7, 1832, was about three
three years old when his father, Seth Cain, came to Cattaraugus county, set-
tling first in New Albion and afterward in Otto, where he was engaged in
farm.ing and in the lumber business, living some of the time in Otto and a
part of the time in New Albion till 1864, when he removed to the west, where
he died. George married Melissa A. Curtis, Feb. 25, 1863. A. B. Curtis, her
father, was one of the early settlers of the town. In 1866 they spent some
months in the west v/ith a view to locating a home, but finally returned to
Otto, where he bought the homestead farm of Mrs. Cain's mother and resided
here till 1884, when he sold his property in Otto and moved to Hampton,
Minn. They have one son, Seth, and one daughter, Eliza.
Samuel Charlesworth, born in England, July 6, 1832, is one of a family of,
ten children — six born in England and four in America. His father, Nathan
Charlesworth, came to this county in 1841. He was a cotton spinner by trdde
and after coming to America he worked some years in woolen-mills. He
came to Otto in 1845 '^'^^1 died here in 1853. Samuel has made this town his
home since he was eleven years of age. He married, May 14, 1857, Eleanor,
daughter of Kelscy Ballard, who came here in the early settlement of the
town. In June, 1864, his wife and only child (a daughter of nearly five years)
died within a period of one week. He married Lucinda Ballard, a sister of
his first wife, Jan. i, 1867. They have three daughters and one son. One
daughter, E. Maude, is the wife of Carlton Foster.
iVIark Colvin was born in New Albion, Nov. g, 1840. His father, Noah
Colvin, came from Vermont among the early settlers, stopping first in Otto,
but soon moving to New Albion, where he lived till 1857, when he removed to
Humphrey, where he died in 1873, aged seventy-four. He had five sons and
four daughters. In the summer of 1864 Mark enlisted in Co. D, 9th N. Y.
Vet. Cav., and was mustered in Sept. 2d and sent to remount camp, Md.
Dec. 10th he. was sent to Winchester and assigned to his company, moved
thence to Lowitsville, and from there started on the Gordonsville raid. He
was with the troops who took Fort Woodstock. On returning his horse gave
out and he was again sent to remount camp, where he drew an untamed horse,
which he mounted, and while endeavoring to get him in line the animal reared
and fell over back across his rider, the corner of the saddle hitting Mark's left
hip and dislocating the cap. By some assistance he returned to Winchester
that night, but the next morning he was hardly able to move; he.was ordered
to the hospital, but refused to go, and did guard duty about six weeks before
he could mount his horse. After that he did picket duty in Virginia till his
discharge June i, 1865. July 5, 1865, he married Julia A., daughter of Darius
Babcock, one of the early settlers in Otto. Three years later thej' moved to
East Otto, where they remained fourteen years, when they returned to this
town. They have one son, Bert B., and one daughter, Cecile R.
936 History of Cattaraugus County.
John Cotrael, now the oldest male resident in the town of Otto, was born in
Dutchess county, June ig, iSoi. By the death of both his parents he was
left an orphan before his earliest recollection, and when fourteen he went to
Schoharie county, where he lived twelve years. When twenty-four years old
he married Jane Parkinson and on the first of Jan., 1827, with his wife and
infant son, he started for the Holland purchase with horses and sleigh, arriv-
ing in Otto, Jan. II, 1827. He soon bought an article of 200 acres of wild
land, of which he afterward sold 100 acres. Mr. Cotrael has continued on the
same farm to the present time. He has had five sons and two daughters. In
1874 his wife died and since then his daughter, Mrs. \V. C. Runnals, has cared
for him. Mr. Cotrael has ever been a man of the strictest integrity and an
ardent supporter of temperance and sobriety.
Jonathan P. Cotrael, the oldest son of John, was born in Schoharie countv,
Jan. 23, 1825. When he was about two years old his father moved to Otto,
settling about one mile east of the village. In 1845 he commenced working
at the carpenter's trade, which he followed ten years. In 1853 he entered
into partnership with H. S. Cotrael in the mercantile trade, which he continued
ten years. In 1863 he engaged in the hardware business, continuing therein
till 1877, when he retired from mercantile trade and since then gavehisattention
to settling up his business affairs and looking after his farming interests. In
March, 1855, he married Lida Becker. Their only living child, Jennie E., is a
young lady of rare attainments in music and painting. He died in 1893.
Baxter J. Cotrael, youngest son of John, was born March 29, 1845, ^"d in
addition to the village school privileges he made a specialty of penmanship,
in which art he became proficient. At the age of twenty-one he engaged as
clerk in the store of J. P. & H. S. Cotrael. When twenty-seven he entered
into partnership with J . P. Cotrael in the hardware trade and five years later
bought the latter's interest. On the i8th of May, 1876, he married Carrie R.,
daughter of D. N. Brown.
Sylvester. M. Cox was born in Onondaga county July 7, 1807, and moved
to Otto in 1825, settling near the village. He was both a farmer and a black-
smith, and acquired a large property. One of his daughters married Judge
Allen D. Scott, with whom he spent his declining years. He held several
town offices and in 1876 was supervisor of New Albion, in which town he
resided for a time.
Silas B. Cross's grandfather and father came from Schoharie county and
located about one mile east of the village in 1827. At that time Levingston
Cross, the father of S. B., had not attained his majority, but had previously
learned the carpenter's trade. He worked on the grist-mill that was building
in the village the year they arrived. He subsequently married and located in
the village and carried on a door, sash, and blind factory till his death in 1883,
aged seventy-three. He was a noted drummer in the famous Otto military
band and was an ardent advocate of the temperance cause for many years.
Silas B. Cross, born March 14, 1837, received his education in the village
school and commenced teaching at an early age, teaching in all thirty-eight
terms. In 1872 he received a teacher's certificate from the State Department
of Public Instruction. He enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Cav., Sept. 9, 1864, and
received his discharge June 22, 1865, while in the hospital at Little York, Pa.
June 24, 1873, he married AUie, daughter of James C. Green ; she died April
18, 1892. He has two sons, Ralph and Neal.
Oliver Dake, born Dec. 27, 18 13, in Penfield, N. Y., is the youngest and
Town of Otto. 937
only survivor of twelve children born to Augustus and Eunice Dake. In
1832 he came with his father to Otto and settled on the farm on which he
now lives. Mr. Dake married Olive Parkinson, March 8, 1840, who died
March 23, i860. Nov. 30, 1862, he married Adaline Mirick. By his first wife
he had two sons and one daughter. His oldest son, Elisha, now assists in
carrying on his large dairy farm. Mr. Dake comes from a long-lived family.
He has been elected to several responsible offices.
Carlton E. Derby, only son of Charles F. and Sarah Derby and grandson
of S. M. Cox, was born in Persia, April 18, 1853, and traces his ancestry to the
Derbys of Vermont, where they actively participated in the struggle for
American Independence. Dec. 30, 1875, he married Elizabeth, daughter of
Nicholas Beaver, of Collins, N. Y. In Feb., 1881, he purchased the homestead
farm of his grandfather, S. M. Cox, in Otto, consisting of 526 acres, where he
has since resided. He manufactures his milk into cheese and butter, keep-
ing from sixty to seventy cows. By the will of Mr. Cox, who was one of the
pioneer settlers of Otto and for many years a prominent citizen and large land-
owner, and whose death occurred July 20, 1889, he was appointed executor of
the estate, which he still manages. He has one son.
Ralph Dewey.* — The name of Dewey was originally De Ewes. They went
from French Flanders into England in the reign of Henry VIII., when the
name was Dewes, and Simeon Deues was erected a baronet of Stow Hall
about 1629. The first of the name to come to America was Thomas Dewey,
who came from Sandwich, Kent, England, on the ship Lion's Whelp, and
landed in Boston, Mass., in May, 1630. He settled in Dorchester, Mass., in
1633, and removed to Windsor, Conn., about 1638. March 22, 1638 or 1639,
he married widow P"rances Clark. He held various positions, such as juror
and deputy to the General Court. He died and was buried at Windsor, Conn.,
April 27, 1648, leaving five children. Thomas Dewey, of the fifth or sixth
generation from Thomas, was born in Tolland county, Conn., Aug. 20, 1747.
His son, Elijah Dewey, born in Tolland county, Feb. 18, 1782, married Me-
hitable Buck, who was also born in Tolland county, July 2, 1789, daughter of
a Revolutionary soldier. They removed to Madison county, N. Y., where
their son, Ralph Dewey, was born June 25, 1820, and came with his parents to
Perrysburg in 1829. Oct. 29, 1843, he m.arried Caroline L., daughter of Charles
Blackney, one of the earliest settlers in Perrysburg. In i860 they settled in
Otto village, where he owned and operated an iron foundry forty years. Mr.
Dewey is a prominent citizen of his town and a man of high character, a mem-
ber of the Methodist church, and a staunch Republican. He served his town
as supervisor five consecutive terms from 1870 to 1875, and will enter upon his
seventh term as justice of the peace Jan. i, 1894. Children : Eliza (Mrs. A. D.
Lake), of Gowanda; Plorence (Mrs. H. L. Goodrich), of Madison county;
George C, of Dunkirk ; S. Clara (Mrs. C. D. Soule), of Otto; William C, of
Concordia, Kan.; Luman R., of Chicago; C. Bertell, of Jamestown; Carrie F.
William Eddy was born in Mansfield in 1836, his father, Levi B. Eddy,
being one of three brothers who were among the early settlers of that town,
and from whom the hamlet of Eddyville derived its name. In 1862 he mar-
ried Polly A., daughter of J. H. Goodrich, of East Otto. Mrs. Eddy is one of
a family of nineteen children; the mother of all is still living. In 1869 Mr.
Eddy purchased a farm in the southeast part of the town, where he has con-
tinued to reside. He has one son and one daughter, both of whom are married.
* Contributed.
118
93^ . History of Cattaraugus 'County.
John Facklam emigrated from Germany in 1858, settling in Collins, N. Y.,
where Henry F., the oldest of three sons, was born Jan. 14, 1859, ^"d his
brothers a few years later. The father and his family moved to Otto in 1872
and in 1878 purchased a dairy farm of 208 acres. Moving onto it in Jan.,
1879, he lived but about one year after this, leaving the sons with their mother
to care for the farm, which they have continued to the present time. In 1887
Henry F. commenced dealing in farm implements and fertilizers. His busi-
ness increasing he removed in 1889 to the village and opened a farm imple-
ment establishment, keeping also a stock of wagons, carriages, etc., to which
he has since added a general stock of hardware. In boyhood he attended both
English and German schools, thus becoming proficient in each language. He
married, Nov. 28. 1882, Mina, daughter of Joseph Dankert, and has two daugh-
ters and one son.
Sheldon Foster, born Sept. 20, 1831, in Otto, is the second son of Joseph
Foster, who settled here in 181 8, and who for fifty-six years was an honored
citizen of the town, dying at the age of seventy-five on the same farm on
which he first located. Sheldon's school privileges were such as the common
schools of the period afforded. He married, March 29, 1853, Betsey, daughter
of William Bull, of Otto. He resided in Collins. Erie count}', till 1857, when
he returned to Otto and settled on the farm on which he now resides. Dec.
14, 1S68, Mrs. Foster died, leaving a daughter and a son. The daughter,
Mary, is now the wife of F. L. Mattocks, a marble dealer in Gowanda. The
son, C. J. Foster, is married to a daughter of Samuel Charlesworth and lives
on the homestead. Much of the time since Mr. Foster last settled in town he
has held official positions, being two years town auditor, twelve years assessor,
and twelve years commissioner of highways.
Albert Foster was born in Otto, Oct. 14, 1836. Joseph Foster, his father,
came from Hartford, N. Y., in 18 17, lived in Collins one year, and in 1818
came to Otto and articled the farm on which Albert was born, and where he
continued to reside till his death in 1874, aged seventy-five. He was justice
of the peace sixteen years, was one of the original members of the M. E. church
in 1826, and for a number of years kept a record of the meetings with the name
of the minister and the te.xt preached'from, which is now an heirloom in pos-
session of his son, Albert Foster, who has always lived on the homestead.
Jan. 3, i860, Albert Foster married Julia F., daughter of Stephen Soule and
sister of T. B. Soule. For several years they had the care of his aged mother,
who died in 1883, aged eighty-two. Children : Clarence P., a stenographer in
Buffalo; Ollie (Mrs. Austin Webster); and Herbert and Lutie.
Henry Gold was born in Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, April 10, 1826.
His father died when he was five years old and at an early age he commenced
supporting himself by working as a laborer in his native country. In 1856 he
married Anna MoUer and in Germany two sons were born to them. In 186&
he emigrated to America, settling in East Otto, where he hired out as a farm
laborer and followed that occupation until 1874, when he purchased a farm of
120 acres in the southeast part of Otto, where he now resides. In 1873 his
first wife died and he married, second, Dora Wolff in 1874. By his first mar-
riage he had three sons and by his second he has had one daughter and two
sons. His children are educated both in German and English. He has been
twice elected justice of the peace.
James C. Green came to Otto in 1825. He was born May 22, 1807, in
Macedon, N. Y. In 1830 he married Maria McMasters and settled on a farm
Towx OF Otto. ■ 939
of 250 acres in the north part of the town, where for sixty-two years he has
continued to Hve. He has had three sons and three daughters, only two of
whom are now Hving : James H., the oldest, and Sarah M. (Mrs. Waldo G.
Ross). His second son, Ephraim C, enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols., in
1 86 1, and was killed at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. In Dec, 1888,
his wife died. His only remaining daughter, Mrs. W. G. Ross, now cares for
him. Mr. Green was supervisor of Otto in 185 1, 1S52, 1855, and 1867.
Jacob E. Hanson was born in Ashford, Dec. 26, 185 1. His father came
into that town among the early settlers. When fourteen years old Jacob
commenced work in a cheese factory and for twenty-four years he followed
the occupation of cheese manufacturer. In 1887 he married Catharine Ayers,
of Otto, he being at the time proprietor of a cheese factory in this town, where
he has since resided. They have three sons. He was elected justice of the
peace in 1892 for a full term. In March, 1892, he sold his factory interests
and has since been engaged with F. C. Laing in the real estate business.
Frank J. Harvey, youngest of three sons of John S. and Thedey Har\ey,
was born in New Albion, March i, 1843, '^'^ parents coming to that town
from Onondaga county in 1827. For many years John S. Harvey was a
prominent and highly respected citizen of the county. He was supervisor of
New Albion in 1837. In 1861 he moved to Otto, where he had. purchased a
large farm and erected a fine residence where his son Frank J. now resides.
He died Feb. i, 1871, aged sixty-si.x. His wife (Thedey Reed) survived him
until July 18, 18S9, aged eighty-four. In the division of the estate the Otto
farm came into the possession of Frank J., and to him and his wife was left
the care of his aged mother. In his youth he attended Chamberlain Institute
two years and also received a diploma from Bryant & Stratton's Business Col-
lege in Buffalo. He married, March 22, 1866, L.Josephine, daughter of James
M. Smith, of Randolph. They have four sons and three daughters li\-ing.
John A. Harvey, only son of Alfred B. Harvey, was born Nov. 3, 1869, in
New Albion, on the homestead farm where his grandfather, John S. Harvey,
settled. He attended the village school in Otto, the Union School in Ran-
dolph, si.K terms in Chamberlain Institute, and one year in the Rochester
Business University. When twenty years of age he entered a drug store as
clerk, which occupation he followed till Nov.. 1891. when he purchased the
drug store of B. L. Maltbie in Otto village, entering into partnership with Mr.
Maltbie under the firm name of J A. Harvey & Co. Mr. Harvey is a young
man of excellent social, moral, and business qualifications.
Joseph Hill was born in Nunda, N. Y., March 17, 181 1. His father, Samuel
Hill, was one of the very early settlers in Otto, locating in the valley of Zoar
in 1814. He came down Cattaraugus creek in a canoe. There were then but
two other families in town, both living in the valley. Bears and wolves were
seen in great abundance and game and fish were plenty. In one season Sam-
uel killed si.xteen bears and Joseph himself was a successful hunter. Jan. 22,
1835, he married Catherine, daughter of Abram Hemstreet, of Ashford. The
same year he bought the article of fifty acres of land, a part of the farm on
which he now lives. He took his wife and furniture on an ox-sled and his axe .
on his shoulder and starting for their future home he cut his road to his farm,
where he had a log house partly built. Their present residence stands on the
same ground on which their first log house was built and their small farm has.
been increased to about 400 acres. Children : Nathan, of Ohio, and Winfield.
Jehiel Hill, brother of Joseph, was for many years prominent in military
940 History of Cattaraugus County.
circles, rising from the office of lieutenant to tliat of general. Joseph is
equally as prominent as a musician and noted especially as a fifer. At the
head of the Otto Rifle Company he led the troops to the parade ground at
the general trainings in the village of Lodi (now Gowanda).
Simeon B. Hinman traced his ancestry back to the commonwealth in Eng-
land. Sergeant Edward Hinman was an officer in the bodyguard of Charlesl.
After the overthrow and execution of King Charles, about 1650, Sergeant
Edward Hinman was found in New England, where he soon became one of
the prominent citizens of those times. From him the numerous Hinmans in
America have descended, and many of them have filled important positions in
the history of New England. The records show that Simeon B. Hinman is
one of the lineal descendants of Sergeant Edward.- Born in Rutland county,
Vt., Aug. II, 1800, he married, in 1826, Keziah BuUis, a native of Vermont,
who died in Otto village April 10, 1893. (See page 839).
Hon. William E. Hunt descends from Puritan stock, his father. Ward
Hunt, having moved from Connecticut to Brandon, Vt., in the early part of
the present century where William E. was born Sept. 20, 1822. When ten
years of age his father came to Perrysburg. Besides the common school priv-
ileges William E. attended two terms at Fredonia Academy. In 185 1 he
came to Otto and engaged in mercantile business, which he followed twenty-
three years, and was also for many years an extensive buyer of dairy products
for New York houses. In 1866 he was elected member of Assembly on the
Republican ticket by a majority of 1,160. He represented his town on the
Board of Supervisors nine years, was postmaster of Otto twenty-four years,
and performed all his public duties with fidelityand strict integrity. Jan. 15,
1853, he rnarried Betsey H. Vosburg; children: two who died in infancy, and
Mrs. Arthur Andrews, of Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. Hunt some years ago re-
tired from active business and invested considerable of his means in real
estate. He died March 23, 1889. ^'^''s- Hunt survives him.
Alexander Ingraham was born in Pittstown, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1823. His
father, H. W. Ingraham, was a soldier in the War of 1812- and came to Otto in
1 826, where he articled fifty acres of wild land, to which he subsequently added
more. He had six sons and two daughters and died in 1870, aged seventy-
two. Alexander, the oldest of these children, has always resided in the town.
In 1855 he married Sally Austin. They have one son and one daughter. Mr.
Ingraham, a few years ago, saw two young girls drowned while attempting to
ford Cattaraugus creek, and afterward was more determined than ever to have
a bridge over the stream, which was built in 1892.
Simeon M. Ingraham was born in Pittstown, N. Y., July 7, 1828, and came
with his father, H. W. Ingraham, to Otto, settling on the farm on which he
now lives. He enlisted in Co. K, 64th N. Y. Vol. Inf., in the fall of 1861. and
at Fair Oaks was struck by three rebel bullets, one of which would probably
have proved fatal had not the ball struck his wallet, which contained papers
and money. After the battle he found more than forty bullet-holes in his
rubber blanket, which was caused by its being rolled up. He passed through
the Seven Days' Fight, was at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam,
where he was again slightly wounded, and at Fredericksburg, where he was
more seriously wounded, the ball passing through his cartridge box and belt
and striking a rib bone. He was at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg and was
shot through the left hand July 2, 1863. With this wound he was in the hos-
pital till into November, when he again joined his regiment. He \\'as in the
Town of Otto. . 941
battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, in the latter of which he received
a severe bayonet wound in one knee and was confined in the hospital till Sep-
tember, when he again joined his regiment in front of Petersburg and had
command of his company as first sergeant till the expiration of his term of serv-
ice. He married Rosina Babcock in Feb., 1857. They resided in Leon and
New Albion till the death of his father in 1870, when he bought out the heirs
and removed to the homestead in Otto. Their only child, a daughter, died in
infancy and May 13, 1886, his wife's death occurred.
P. F. Jark was born in Holstein, Germany, Nov. 13, 1837. His father was
a farm laborer and P. F. followed the same occupation until thirty years of
age, when he emigrated to America and soon after commenced cheese making
for F. D. Stebbins in Mansfield. In 1877 he purchased the cheese factory at
decided that in a few years he purchased the large factory in the village and
Scott's Corners in Otto, where he then resided. His success in this was so
other factories in iMansfield, and is now one of the largest manufacturers of
cheese in this section of country. In Dec, 1871,' he married and has five
daughters and one son. The daughters are liberally educated, the oldest,
Augusta, being an accomplished teacher'of music.
Fremont C. Laing, born in East Otto, July 6, 185 i, is a son of Stephen
Laing (see page 558), and received a thorough education in Forestville Acad-
emy, Griffith Institute, and Fredonia Normal school. He commenced
teaching school at the age of seventeen, and taught eight terms. For four
years prior to 1879 he ^^^^ engaged in mercantile business in East Otto.
and in March, 1879, ^e moved to the village and started one of the most pros-
perous general stores in this section of country, which business he still
continues. He hasengaged quite e.xtensively in dealing in Buffalo real estate.
In politics a Democrat he was elected to office by a large majority in a Repub-
lican town and for four years was postmaster of Otto. On the 6th of P"eb.,
1873, he married Inez R., daughter of W. C. Runnals, of East Otto, and has
one son, Cecil D., and one daughter. Vera M.
Frank P. Lake was born in Otto village Nov. 13, 1858, and is a son of
Capt. Phipps Lake, M. D. (see page 162). The youngest of five children he
received his education in the graded school of Otto and here he has always
resided. He is an expert painter and decorator. Aug. 8, 1883, he married
Carrie J., daughter of Rev. A. H. Johnson, a clergyman of the M. E. church,
then holding a pastorate in Otto. They have one son and two daughters.
Bliss Loomis, father of Henry C. and Nelson Loomis, came from Benning-
ton, Vt., in 1826, stopping first in Otto village, but in 1828 locating on the
farm now owned by Nelson, where he died. Nelson was born on this farm
April 13, 1838, and was one of the first from this town to enlist in the Rebel-
lion. May 13, 1861, he enlisted and June 7th was mustered into Co. I. 37th
N. Y. Vol. Inf., for two years. The regiment took the same route through
Baltimore as the Massachusetts regiment did April 19th, but were unmolested
.save by "secesh slang." He was in the first battle of Bull Run and after that
did guard and police duty in and about Ale.xandria and Washington till the
spring of 1862. He was in the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Williams-
burg, Fair Oaks, and Seven Days' Fight, and between Richmond and Harri-
son's Landing was taken sick and sent to the hospital on David's Island, from
which he was discharged in November, 1862. He has preserved a complete
record of the scenes and events through which he passed from day to day from
the time he enlisted tillhe arrived home. He married, Dec. 31, 1869, Eveline,
942 History of Cattaraugus County.
daugHter of Simeon Skeels, of Otto, and has always resided on the homestead.
He has two sons: Mark, who married, June 2, 189T, Minnie D. Stannard, and
Gu3'. Henry C, the elder brother of Nelson Loomis, was first lieutenant in
Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vol. Inf., lieutenant-colonel in the 154th Regt., was pro-
moted to brigadier-general, and now lives in Kansas.
John A. Losee, born in Watertown, N. Y., Aug. 7, 18 18, attended the
common schools and two terms at the Watertown Academy, and married
Martha A. Skeels in 1838. He came to Otto in 1847, purchasing a large farm
in the central part of the town. Since 1865 he has resided in the village, his
father living with him till his death in 1888 at the age of ninety years. Their
oldest son, Sullivan B., was killed June i, 1S62, in the battle of Fair Oaks,
while acting lieutenant in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols. His younger brother, a
member of the same company with his son, died from exposure and sickness
soon after the battle. They have one son and one daughter living and buried
a married daughter some years ago. He has held several town offices.
James C. Mercer was born in Oneida county. X. Y., Oct. 22, 1833. His
father, James Mercer, emigrated fl'om England about 1820, and came from
Oneida county to East Otto when James C. was two j-ears old. When twenty-
one the son became a carpenter and joiner and followed that occupation
twenty-two years. For the past si.xteen years he has been engaged in raising
and dealing in Percheron Norman horses and is now the owner of the famous
horse Imperial, the champion long-mane horse of the world, and the wonder
of all beholders wherever exhibited. He has also other noted horses of the
same breed. Jan. 15, 1861, he married Emerette C, daughter of Benjamin
Ballard, of Otto. In 1865 Mr. Mercer came to Otto village, where he has since
resided. They have one son, William F., a graduate of Chamberlain Insti-
tute, Randolph, and of Hillsdale College in Michigan. He has been a teacher
in high schools several years and is now principal of Waterford Academy,
Waterford, Pa., and is also superintendent of public schools in that town.
Charles A. 0T3rien, born in Canada, March 7, 1843, came in 1859 to Otto,
where he worked at painting about two years. May 1 1, 1861, he enlisted in Co.
H, 37th N. Y. Vols., for two years, being the first volunteer from the town of
Otto to answer the call of President Lincoln for troops. Reaching Washington
about the first of June he was in the first battle of Bull Run, the siege of Yoik-
town, the battles of Williamsburg, F"air Oaks, and Seven Days' Fight, and on
the 30th of June, 1862, was wounded and taken prisoner. He was two weeks
in Libby prison and two months on Belle Island, when he was paroled, and in
October was exchanged and joined his regiment. He was in the battles of
Fredericksburg and ChancellorsviUe and was mustered out June 23, 1863. He
re-enlisted Aug. 13, 1863, in Co. H, 14th N. Y. H. A., and was mustered in
as fourth sergeant on Staten Island. He was acting orderly with a detachment
of men in City Hall park. New York, from Dec. 4, 1863, till April, 1864, when
he joined the Ninth Army Corps, being promoted color-sergeant. About
the 1st of May he was made sergeant-major and participated in the battles of
the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna River, Cold Harbor,
Tolopotomoy Creek, Petersburg, the mine explosion, and Weldon Railroad,
and was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to Co. M. He served in
the battles of Pegram Farm, Hacher's Run, Fort Steadman, and Fort Haskell,
making in all nineteen regular battles in which he was engaged. For gallantry
in the battles of Forts Steadman and Haskell he was brevctted first lieutenant
in the U. S. Vols, by the presiderit and was commissioned first lieutenant by
2™,.
Town of Otto. . 945
the governor of New York. He was mustered out Sept. 26, 1865. IVIr. O'Brien
married, first, July 13, 1865, Mrs. Jennette S. Losee, whose first husband was
killed at the battle of Fair Oaks. She died Aug. 28, 1878. He married, sec-
ond, Mrs. Emma Brown, Nov. 16, 1880. By his first marriage he had three
daughters and by the second two daughters and one son. He is an acting
justice of the peace.
Charles E. Pratt was born Oct. 10, 1838, in East Otto, his father, Darius
Pratt, being one of the pioneers of that town, settling there about 1820, where
he resided till his death. Jan. i, i860, Charles E. married Mary E., daughter
of Stephen Purdy, of Otto. In Aug., 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 9th N. Y.Cav.,
and about the ist of December the regiment joined General Sheridan's army
in the Shenandoah valley. He was in the Gordonsville raid and two days
without food ; was in the cavalry dash at Perryville, where his horse stumbled
in attempting to jump a ditch and he received an injury to his hip, from which
he never recovered; and received his discharge at Winchester, Va., in 1865.
Settling in the north part of Otto he has since resided there. He has two
sons : Ernest, who is married and has a family, and Claude, living at home.
Mr. Pratt has been elected to several official positions.
Thomas L. Rogers was born in New York city, June 4, 181 8, and when nine
years old his father died. In 1829 he came with his mother to Otto and has
ever since made this town his home. For a number of years he carried on a
chair manufactory. He married, Sept. 10, 1840, Mary E., daughter of John
Cross, who settled in Otto in 1827, coming here from Schoharie county, where
Mary E. was born Feb. 12, 1824. They have four sons and one daughter, all
of whom are married. Stephen H., the oldest, enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y.
Yol. Inf., in Aug., i86i,and was promoted to sergeant. He was in the battles
of Fair Oaks, Seven Days' Fight, Fredericksburg, ChanccUorsville, and Cold
Harbor, and was wounded at the first battle of Petersburg. He was mustered
out at the end of his three years' service and is now living in Montana. Two of
the sons are engineers on the Erie railway and the daughter lives in Salamanca.
Mr. Rogers was town clerk eight years.
George J. Sherman, son of David, was born in Collins, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1842.
In 1859 ^^^ came with his father to Otto. Jan. i, 1863. he married Urana U.,
oldest daughter of W. S. Botsford. She was born in Otto, April 10, 1848.
They commenced housekeeping on the farm of her father, where they have
ever since resided. They have two daughters and one son, the daughters be-
ing Mrs. Adrian Root and Mrs. Simeon Botsford. The son, Wiley B., lives
at home. Mr. Sherman's aged mother has lived with them several years.
Leroy Shippy, born May 21, 1836, in Otto, is the second of five sons of
Elisha Shippy, one of the early settlers of the town. All these five sons were
soldiers in the Union army during the Rebellion. Augustus A., the oldest,
was killed at Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., while color-sergeant and was the fifth
man shot as one after the other they siezed the colors of the 154th N. Y. Vols.
Leroy was the first of these sons to enlist. He was mustered in Sept. 16,
1861, in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was shot through the left arm at the
battle of Fair Oaks, June 2, 1862, his file-leader dropping dead at the same
instant. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where he
was shot through the right hand July 2, 1863. He was mustered out in the
fall of 1864 and returned to his home in Otto, where he has since resided.
In 1869 he married-Mrs. Sabrina Barse.
Edward Smallman was born in Queens county, Ireland, Feb. 17, 1840.
944 History of Cattaraugus County.
His father, Richard Smallman, died when Edward wa5 four years old. At the
age of sixteen the latter commenced a five years' apprenticeship at the shoe-
maker's trade. In 1861 he emigrated to America, landing in New York on
Aug. I2th, and Aug. 12, 1862, enlisted in Co. I, 20th Conn. Vol. Inf. He was
assigned to the Twelfth Army Corps in the Army of the Potomac and was in
the battle of ChancellorsviUe, where he was wounded in the head and taken
prisoner. He was in Richmond three weeks, when he was paroled and sent
to parole camp near Alexandria. In Sept., 1863. he was exchanged and
joined his regiment at Murfreesborough, Tenn. He participated in the battles
of Resaca, Cassville, Peach Tree Creek, and siege of Atlanta, his being the
first picket line which entered that city. He was at the capture of Savannah,
in the battles of Averysville and Bentonsvillc, and was present when John.ston
surrendered at Raleigh. He was mustered out at New Haven, Conn., June
27, 1865. He came to Otto in Aug., 1865, and worked twenty years at his
trade, and has since then been clerk in the store of F. C. Laing, having had
charge of the business since Mr. Laing moved to Buffalo. Nov. 14, 1867, he
married Margarette Mandeville. They have one daughter, Mrs. Mary V.
Foster, living in the village, and one son, Frank E.
Thomas B. Soule was born in Otto, Oct. 6, 1846. his father, Stephen Soule,
coming from Collins, N. Y., a few years previous. His opportunities for
schooling were the common schools and one term in Chamberlain Institute.
He was for a few years employed as clerk in the store of \V. E. Hunt in Otto
and for four years carried on the mercantile business himself. For the last
twelve years he has been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in
company with C. B. Pierce in Pierce's woolen-mills in Otto. He has served
four years as town clerk and is now serving his sixth year as supervisor, being
also the present postmaster. Oct. 9. 1872, he married S. Clara, daughter of
Ralph Dewey. They have two sons and one daughter. The oldest son,
Ralph, is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy R. R. in Chicago.
Anson L. Stebbins was born in Granby, Mass., Dec. 8, 1825. His father,
Aaron W. Stebbins, moved from Massachusetts to Vermont after the birth of
Anson L. and thence to Mansfield in 1832, coming the entire distance with one
horse and wagon. He settled »n a farm which remained in his possession till
his death in 1888, aged ninety-one. Anson L. married. Oct. 24, 1849, Mary,
daughter of S. W. Harris. In 1855 he settled in Otto on a farm just west of
the village. Children: Edwin D., a blacksmith in Otto village; InaA. (Mrs.
B. J. Armstrong), who resides on a farm ; and Ida C. (Mrs. J. D. Armstrong),
of Salamanca. Mr. Stebbins has held several offices of trust.
Walter H. Strickland was born in Watertown, Conn., Feb. 4, 1816. His
grandfather, Samuel Strickland, was an officer in the American army during
the Revolutionary war, and was born in 1744 and died in 1826. His father,
John Strickland, was born July 25, 1783, and died Oct. 19, 1S41. In 1828 he
moved from Connecticut to Oneonta, N. Y., and in 1832 came to Otto, settling
on fifty acres of land now included in the farm of \V. H. Strickland. He had
five daughters and two sons. Since the death of his father Walter H. has
continued in possession of the original farm and has added to it till the place
now includes 350 acres. Mr. Strickland had an academic education and at
the age of nineteen he commenced teaching school, which he followed fifteen
years, holding a life certificate, but on account of^lung difficulty was obliged to
relinquish teaching and give his attention to farming. In 1836 he was one of
the first members of the M. E. church in the village and is now the only one
Town of Otto. - 94S
of that little band living. Mr. Strickland married, first, Statira, daughter of
Hon. Dan Allen, of Govvanda, July 13, 1843. She died Dec. 16, 1852. By
this marriage he had two sons and one daughter, of whom the oldest son,
John, and daughter, Mrs. Laura Smith, are still living; the other son, Dan A.,
died in May, 1882. In Jan., 1854, he married Mrs. Maryette B. Hunt ; they
have one son, Channing W., and two daughters deceased.
J. N. Tolman, born Aug. 27, 1827, in Evans, N. Y., moved in 1868 to
Otto, purchasing of Edmund Palmer about 400 acres of land in the Zoar valley,
where he has since resided, carrying on a large dairying business and raising
extensive crops of grain. Mr. Tolman, with others in the valley, has worked
industriously to secure the construction of a permanent bridge across Cattar-
gus creek, which was built in 1892. In 1858 he married Eugenia Bundy ; they
have two sons and three daughters.
Frederick Truby, the oldest of three Truby brothers residing in the vil-
lage of Otto, was born in Weidenhausen, Germany, on the 6th of May, 1835.
His father died when he was ten years old and at the age of sixteen, by the
death of his mother, he was left an orphan. In 1852 he decided to. seek a
home in America, and landing in New York in the fall of that year he came
in February following to Ellicottville, where he commenced learning the cab-
inet maker's trade with William E. Harrison, for whom he worked most of
the time till the spring of 1863, when he went to Germany to settle the paren-
tal estate. His father had been proprietor of a shoe store and manufactory.
Returning to America in the fall he came to Otto, where he has since resided,
being engaged in the cabinet and carpentering business until 1866. In 1858
he received his citizenship papers and in the fall of 1864 he was drafted into
the service, but put a substitute into the army. In 1866, in company with
his brother John, he opened a clothing and manufacturing establishment
under the firm name of F. & J. Truby. John was a practical tailor and the
brothers have continued their business over twenty-five years, their sales ex-
tending to all parts of the surrounding country. In [868 Mr. Truby was
elected overseer of the poor and re-elected twelve successive terms. In 1880
he received the nomination of superintendent of the poor of Cattaraugus
county on the Republican ticket and was elected. He was re-elected in 1883
and 1886, holding the office nine successive years. April 29, 1866, F. and J.
Truby married, respectively, Christine and Minnie Ackerman. Frederick's
children are one daughter, who died when one and a half years old ; Lutie ;
Willard F., a graduate of Chamberlain Institute and now a student in Cornell
University; and Jessie.
Ernest H. Truby was born in Weidenhausen, Germany, Dec. 7, 1843. His
parents both died before he was eight years old and at fifteen he commenced
learning the shoemaker's trade. When nineteen he emigrated to America,
landing in New York, Oct. 15, 1862, and six days after commenced work at
his trade for D. M. Lockridge in Otto village. In 1863 he entered into part-
nership with William Heppner in the boot and shoe business. In 1865 he
purchased Heppner's interest and has since continued alone. In July, 1887,
his store and residence were destroyed by fire, but in Feb., 1888, he had ready
for occupancy a commodious brick building where his former store stood.
Mr. Truby married, June i, 1868, Minnie Truby, and they have two sons.
For twelve years he has held the office of overseer of the poor, being elected
several times without opposition.
George H. Wayne was born in Rochester, N. Y., Aug. 11, 1845. His par-
119
946 History of Cattaraugus County,
ents emigrated from Germany. In 1861 he attended the University of Roch-
ester a few months, but enlisted in Co. E, looth N. Y. Vol. Inf., and joined
McClellan's army at Fortress Monroe. He was in the battles of Williams-
burg, Fair Oaks, and Seven Days' Fight, and was wounded at Deep Bottom
and lay in the hospital three months. After recovering he wa.s at the taking
of Folly Island, Morris Island, in the charge on Fort Wagner, and was wounded
on Morris Island by the e.xplosion of a shell. He was in Captain Payne's e.x-
pedition of twelve men to spike cannon at Fort Johnson. He was mustered
out in Buffalo in Dec, 1864. Mr. Wayne came to East Otto in 1873 ^"d for
fourteen years carried on a wagon shop and blacksmithing business. In Jan.,
1887, his shops with a large stock were burned. In Nov., 1887, he came to Otto
village, where he has since been doing a blacksmith business. In 1873 he
married Lotilda Smith; they have two daughters.
James T. Wickham was born in Orleans county, N. Y., April 14, 1843, '1"^
when about ten years old his father, James Wickham, with his family came to
East Otto. In 1861 James T. enlisted in Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols. For several
weeks. he was nearly blind with inflammation of the eyes while in Camp Fen-
ton. He was in the siege of Yorktown and arrived at Williamsburg just at
the close of that battle. He was slightly wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks,
was in the Seven Days' Fight, and was sent to the hospital at Fortress Mon-
roe, thence to New York, and from there to his home. After about si.v
weeks he returned to his regiment at South Mountain. After the battle
of Antietam he was sent to the hospital, transferred to the Veteran Reserve
Corps, and assigned to provost duty till his term of service e.xpired. He con-
tracted disease in the early part of his service, from which he has never recov-
ered. Nov. 14, 1864, he married Helen S. Griffith. For about twelve years
he has been agent for Smith & Jones, of Utica, dealers in dairy supplies.
CHAPTER XLI.
history of the town of I'ERKVSBURG.
PERRYSBURG, located in the e.xtreme northwest part of the county,
was originally called Perry, after Commodore Oliver H. Perry, the hero
of Lake Erie. It was organized April 13, 18 14, at which time it in-
cluded the western half of the county, now formed into three tiers of town-
ships— sixteen towns in all. By an act of the Legislature passed April 10,
181 8, the town was divided and the northern part was called Perrysburg,
which then included, with its present territory, the towns of Dayton, Persia,
Otto, and East Otto. The remaining part of the former territory of Perry,
which now constitutes twelve towns, was called Little Valley. Another divis-
ion of the town was made January 29, 1823, when the territory of Otto and
East Otto was taken off and formed the town of Otto. A third reduction
was made February 7, 1835, when Persia and Dayton were taken off, leaving
Town of Perrysburg. 947
the town of Perrysburg with its present area of 18,328 acres, which has
been divided into forty-nine lots. A small portion of the north and east parts
of the town are included within the Cattaraugus Indian reservation.
Through the southern-central part of the town, running northwest and
southeast, lies the "dividing ridge" or " height of land," which forms a water-
shed for the Allegheny river and Lakes Erie and Ontario. The drainage is
mainly afforded by streams flowing north and northeast into Cattaraugus
creek, which flows northwesterly and westerly between Perrysburg and Erie
county and affords both mill sites and picturesque scenerv. The largest of
these brooks is Big Indian creek. A few streams flowing south and west also
have their source in the southwestern corner of the town. The surface is
elevated nearly 1,000 feet above Lake Erie and from some points a magnifi-
cent panorama is unfolded to the beholder. The soil is composed of clay and
gravelly loam and is very fertile. It is especially adapted to the production
of gra.ss and corn. Within the past decade a number of large vineyards have
been started northwest of Perrysburg village, and these have proven unusually
profitable. It has been asserted by competent authority that some of the
finest grapes produced in the famous Chautauqua grape belt have been grown
in this town, which lies on the e.xtreme northeast corner of that justly cele-
brated district. Both the soil and climate substantiate the belief that this
industry in Perry.sburg is in its infancy and susceptible of vast development.
The town was originally covered with heavy growths of deciduous trees
and considerable pine, nearly all of which have been converted into lumber,
principally for local consumption. An excellent quality of building stone is
also found in some localities. Aside from the grape industry- the inhabitants
are largely engaged in farming and dairying.
In 1818 the present town of Perrysburg had forty-nine landowners, some
of whom articled tracts as early as 181 5, though all of them never became
actual settlers. The most authentic data obtainable gives the honor usually
accorded the first settler to John Clark, who came with his family in 1815. His
wife for several months was the only white woman in the town, and she did
the baking for all her neighbors. About 18 16 Clark opened a tavern, but a few
years later went west. Also in 1815 came Phineas Spencer, one of the first
school commissioners, who died September 30, 1839. Of those who became
settlers in 1 8 16 were Hugh Campbell on lot 9; William Cooper, who brought
his bride hither a few years afterward ; Truman Edwards, brother-in-law of
Cooper; Daniel Johnson ; Simeon Waterman, at whose house was frequently
held the early town meetings, and who was chosen the first town clerk; Ralph
Griswold; and Stephen Crocker, the first to introduce improved farming im-
plements in the town. Among those who came in 1817 were Alanson Dewey,
Ephraim Walker, Abel Jolles, George Flower, and Samuel K. Strickland. Fol-
lowing these came Abram and Jonathan G. Rugg, John and Daniel Prosser,
Benjamin Waterman, John Dawley, Daniel Brand, Joseph Putney, John Ha-
948 History of Cattaraugus" County.
ven, Charles Blackney, Thomas Townsend, Elijah Wells, John and David Par-
ker, Noah Cook, John Eaton, and John Haven.
Like other pioneers the early settlers of Perrysburg were poor in worldly
goods, but they were constituted by nature to successfully convert the wilder-
ness into productive farms and pleasant homes. They transmitted to their
posterity the sterling traits of New England thrift and character. Many of
those named as well as other prominent settlers will be noticed in subsequent
pages of this chapter. The population of Perrysburg in 1820 was 835; in
1830, 2,440; in 1840, five years after the last territorial reduction of the town,
1,660; in 1870, 1,313; in 1890, 1,112.
The first frame building was erected on lot 5 by Stephen Whitcomb. The
first death was that of a Mrs. Brand about 1820. John Clark and Benjamin
Waterman each opened taverns in 1816, the former on lot 28 and the latter
near Gowanda. The first school was taught in 1819 by Olive Barton. An
early if not the earliest saw-mill was placed in operation on lot 44 in 1820 by
Isaac Balcom. Two years later E. A. Foote had another on Mill brook which
at one time was equipped with a run of stone for grinding.
October 27, 1816, at a. special town meeting held at the house of Simeon
Waterman, Silas Nash, Timothy M. Shaw, and Dan Allen were designated as
suitable justices of the peace. At this meeting Benjamin Waterman was
town clerk ; Simeon Waterman was chosen moderator. At the annual town
meeting the ne.xt year, which convened at the same place, Silas Nash was
moderator and these officers were chosen : Silas Nash, supervisor; Benjamin
Waterman, town clerk; Ahaz Allen, James P. Pitcher, John V. King, and Dan
Allen, assessors; Simeon Bunce, Truman Edwards, and Ira Waterman, high-
way commissioners ; Simeon Bunce and Ahaz Allen, overseers of the poor; ,/
Dan Allen, John Clark, and John Waterford, fence viewers ; Phineas Spencer, j^
Dan Allen, and Truman Edwards, commissioners of common schools ; Benja- r^
min Waterman, Elnathan Finch, and Timothy M. Shaw, school inspectors. ~^_
The supervisors, town clerks, and justices of the peace of the town of Perrys- 'S
burg have been as follows: .^'
SuperrL-airx.— Silas Xash, 1818-21 ; Phineas Spencer, 1S22-23; Don S. Downer, 1834-26; Joseph Kejea, 183T- ^
29 ; Timothy M . Shaw, 183n ; Truman Edwards, 18.31-32, 1856-57 ; Mark W. Fletcher, 18.33-34 ; Isaac Hull, 183.'i- 'SjJ;
3fi; William Cooper, ia37 4tl; Daniel Prosser, 1841^7; James Kirkland, 1848-52; William Knowlton, 1853-55 ; "'v
Elisha Brown, 18.58-62 ; Samuel L. Titus, 1863 ; Kansom L. Blackmer, 1864 ; Frederick E. De Wolf, 1865, 1872-74 ; -^
David F. Moody, 1866-71, 187B; James M.Pettit, 1875; Reuben White, 1877-79; A. iLDeLong, 1880-81; Henry B. '^i
Gray, 1882; Alfred Clark. 1883; D. N. Parker, 1884; Albert D. Lake, 1885-87; K. P. Johnson, 1888; Henry C. 'M'
Gay lord, 1889-90; L. H. Wood, 1891-93. -^
Tdith a^r/;*.— Phineas Spencer, 1818-21; Joseph Keyes. 1822-28; John G. McKee, 1827-28 ; Samuel Starr, 'y^'
1829-32,1835-38; Franklin Day, 1833-34; Ablal Titus, 1839-44, 1846; Truman Hinman, 1845; Alexander H. ^^
Parker, 1847-48; Harvey C. Kurd, 1849; R. K. Davis, 1850; Nathaniel W. Hurd, 1851-55; Waldron Cooper, '^
1856-57 ; D. W. Cooper, 18.58 ; Samuel L. Titus, 1859-60, 1867 ; Frank Campbell, 1861 ; Frank H. Chadwick, 1862- '^^g
63; Le Roy Atwood, 1864; William L. Haven, 1865; A. M. De Lonsf, 1866, 1868; Alfred Clark, 1869; L. J. *'|§;
Southworth, 1870-72; Courtland H. Shaw, 1873-77, 1880 ; D. A. Slawson, 1878-79, 1881 ; R. P. Johnson, 1882-84; "^
C. C. Ranney, 1885-88; B. H. Graves, 1889-93. "^
JuMcfs of the Peace.-1819, Silas Nash, Dan Allen, Elisha Wood ; 1820-21. no record ; 1822. Phineas Spencer, .-^
Renjarain Waterman : 1823-24, no record ; 1825, Hugh Campbell; 1826-29, no record: 1830, Truman Edwards; '^
1.S31, Luther Allen: 1332, AmasaL. Chaffee; 183:!, Daniel C. McMillan; 18.34, Reuben Ward; 1835, Truman Ed- ^|^
wards, A. Spraijue, James Kirkland, Chester Goss; 1836, Riley S. Shepard ; 1837, A. Sprague ; 1838, Ablal
Town of Perrvsburg. 949
Titus; Eber M. Pettit; 1839, Reuben Ward; ISW, Lester Wood ; 1841, Abial Titus: 1S42, Truman Edwards;
li^a, .(ohn Toucej- ; 1844, Lester Wood ; 1845, Riley S. Shepard : 1846, David Sanders ; 1847, John Toucey ; 1848,
.Tonathan Wood; 1849, Benjamin Cooper; ISJO, David Sanders; 1851, John Toucey; 1852, Elisha Brown;
13.T3, Benjamin Cooper: 1854, David Sanders ; 1855, Adney Hall: 1856. Elisha Brown; 1^57, R. L. Blackmer ;
1858, David Sanders; 185!), John Toucey; 1860. Adney Hall, Elisha Brown; 1861, Benjamin Cooper; 1862,
David Sanders; 1863, Georgre G. Beebe ; 1864. Elisha Brown ; 1865, David F. Moody; 1866, Newton ?lawson ;
1867, George G. Beebe; 1868. De Forest N. Parker; 1869, David F. Moody; 1870, Newton Slawson, Elisha
Brown ; 1871, Jonathan G. Rug-g ; 1872, David F. Moody ; 1873, J. G. Rug-g- ; 1874, Newton Slawson ; 1875, Wilber
H. Merrill : 1876, Elisha Brown ; 1877, Ira W. Hawley, David F. Moody; 1878, John E. Hall; 1879, John Hall.
George F. Parker ; 1880. Ira Hawley; 1881, D. F. Moody ; 1882. those elected did not riualil'y; 1883, George
F. Parker, George W. Press ; 1884, same as 1882 ; 1885, J. M. Matthewson, William H. Sanders ; 1886, G. W.
Press ; 1887. G. F. Parker, H. F. Shaw. W. H. Sanders ; 1888. W. H. Sanders ; 1889, William Cooper : 1890, A. P.
nawley ;1891, E.J. Hogle ; 1892, William H. Sanders; 189:?, William Cooper.
East and west through the village of Perrysburg runs one of the oldest
roads in this part of the county. It was laid out by the Holland Land Com-
pany and along its line the first settlers located. In some portions of the
town the roads were formerly corduroyed. The highways of the present day
are kept in comparatively good condition. The Erie railroad, completed in
185 1, traverses the "dividing ridge" and has a station at Perrysburg village.
There are cemeteries on lot 3, lot 17, lot 15, and lot 43. The last mentioned
contains many of the first interments in town.
The town has long been noted for the manufacture of large quantities of
excellent butter and cheese. The butter industry is carried on chiefly by pri-
vate dairymen. The cheese factories are doing a good business. The Dewey
factory, on lot i, in the southeast part of the town, is run by Mrs. Lucinda
A. Johnson, of Collins, Erie county, and produces about 50,000 pounds a year.
The Scotch factory in the village was built in 1865 by A. Brainard and is now
run by Robert McCuffin, Sr., and produces about 150,000 pounds of cheese
per annum. The Tichnor factory, one mile south of Versailes, is also oper-
ated by Robert McCuffin, Sr., and makes 50,000 pounds of cheese annually.
In 1820 Perrysburg was divided into seven school districts, in only two of
which schools were maintained. In 1836, one year after the town's territory
was reduced for the last time, there were nine whole and four fractional dis-
tricts and the cost of maintaining the schools aggregated $573.26. In 1892
the town had nine school districts, in each of which a school was maintained,
which were attended by 261 scholars and taught by ten teachers. The
value of buildings and sites is $7,750. The assessed valuation of the districts
is $412,755; the amount of school money received from the State was $1,343.-
58 and the amount raised by local tax $1,466.80.
Perrysburg is the oldest and largest village in the town and is located on
the Erie railway, in the southern part, at the corners of lots 11, 12, 19, and 20.
Its present population is 350. It has a commodious church edifice, a fine
school building erected in 1880 at an expense of $4,500, a postoffice, telegraph,
telephone, and express ofifices, two stores, a blacksmith and wagon shop, tin
shop, grist-mill, saw-mill and grape-basket manufactory, cheese factory, hotel,
public hall, cooper shop, and a millinery store. The soil about the village is
fertile and well adapted to grazing, farming, and fruit growing. At the west
950 History of Cattaraugus County.
end is a fifty-acre vineyard owned by Orrin Knowiton & Son. The site of the
village was originally owned by William Cooper and Elisha Ward. The first
public house was a log building opened about 1821 by Elisha Ward. On the
same site he erected the upright part of the present hotel in 1828. The fol-
lowing landlords have succeeded him : Ira A. Torry, John G. McGee, Chan-
cellor Campbell, Russell Briggs, Chancellor Campbell again from 1852 to 1883,
Frank Campbell, George Vosburg, and Warren Hall. An opposition tavern
was erected at an early day by Isaac Shaw a little above on the same street.
This house was kept for many years b}' William Cooper, Sr.. and became one
of the best known stands in the county — so much so that the village was Ion"
well known as " Cooper's Corners." In later j-ears this ha? become a tene-
ment house. A third tavern, known as the Palmer House and near to the
depot, was kept for a time, but long since closed, leaving the Campbell House
the only one in the place. The first store was opened in 1827 by Cook &
Pelton in the house since known as the Dr. Gray residence, across the street
from the Cooper House. Among the later merchants have been Hooker &
Gardner, A. Clark, Nathan Blackney, R. L. Blackmer, F. S. Royce, A. M.
De Long, Ranney & Campbell, L. J. Nutting, and O. A. Mulkin. Orrin
Clark and his sons Alfred and Julius opened a store one door above the Camp-
bell House about 1858, where they continued for twenty-five years. Then
for the next two years the store was conducted by Johnson & Bullock.
Since 1885 it has been the firm of Johnson & Graves. In 1893 C. iVI. Garnett
& Sons opened a store in the Crouse building. The postoffice was established
about 1830 with William Cooper as postmaster, which office he held till after
1840. Later postmasters have been members of the Blackney and Clark fam-
ilies, and W. E. Bullock, J. M. Campbell, R. P. Johnson, and B. H. Graves.
Dr. H. T. B. Gray was the first physician located in the place.
The Ferrysburg Agricultural Works and Woodenware Manufactory were
destroyed by fire in 1882 and the Sprague &"Tichnor grist and lumber
mills in 1883. The former were established about i860 by Russell Briggs
and after 1866 were operated many years by W. R. Briggs. After be-
ing burned they were soon rebuilt by Pelton Brothers and operated as a
saw and shingle-mill, to which has since been adde'd a planer and matcher and
also a grape-basket manufactory. The establishment is now owned and oper-
ated by Warren Hall, The grist and feed-mill at Perrysburg was built in
1887 by Knapp & Campbell at a cost of $3,000. Since 1890 it has been run
by Knapp & Pelton. It is operated by steam-power and is the only grist-mill
inthe south part of the town. East of the village, at an early day, was lo-
cated a small tannery. Phineas Spencer also had a distillery and other settlers
operated asheries while the forests were being cleared away.
Versailles is a pleasantly located village on the south bank of Cattaraugus
creek, about five miles north of Perrysburg and si.x miles northwest of Go-
wanda. The stream here makes a rapid descent, affording good water-power
Town" of Perrvshlro. . 951
for ordinary milling purposes. The village contains a postoffice, four stores,
two church edifices, hotel, saw-mill, grist-mill, and a population of about 200.
About 1835 a grist-rhill was erected by Lee & Barker and was much patronized
when water failed at other points. A second grist-mill was erected soon after by
the Nortons, below the first mill and on the same race, but trouble sprang up
between the two parties and the mill was never finished. It stood till 1872, when
it was destroyed by fire. The first mill was destroyed by fire about 1858 while
under the ownership of Norton & Green. Upon its site another grist-mill of
large capacity was erected about 1859 ^^y Slew & Popple. This, also, was
burned about 1875. Soon afterward another was built on the same site by -
Saxe & Austin and sold to William Merrill. In 1887 the mill was again de-
stroyed by fire. The site was then bought b\- Warren Hall, who rebuilt the
mill and still continues to operate it. Several saw-mills and lumber manufac-
tories were built and operated when lumber was plenty and in great demand,
but all have ceased operations, save one known as the Hanford & Cook saw-
mill, which yet does a small business.
The first store in Versailles was opened by Benjamin Rathbone, who be-
gan business about the time the first mills were built, and he carried on his
trade in connection with the lumber business. Hamilton & Barker were
among the early storekeepers and among the later ones have been Julius
Horton, Norton & Slew, F. E. De Wolf, D. X. Parker, and H. Chapman.
Those now in business are William & H. J. Merrill, E. Brown & Son, and
Charles N. Ubel. The first public house in Versailles was kept by J. Sher-
man and since him have been the following landlords: Mr. Walker, George
Tichnor, H. Swift, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Willey, Allen Parker, S. Hinds, and
Charles Hinds, Jr. The postoffice was established about 1840, A. H. Barker
being the first postmaster. Subsequent officials have been C. F. Norton,
¥. E. De Wolf, Henry Hugaboom, D. N. Parker, E. Brown, L. N. Bunce, and
W. W. Merrill. About 1830 General Barker, of P'redonia, put up a tannery
and began business. This tannery was afteward torn down and enlarged by
R. Green, who ran it by steam and did a large business until burned out in
i860. In 1 86 1 L. Palmer & Son erected a tannery in the southern part of the
village and for a time did an extensive business, but ceased operations about
1887. Levi Palmer & Son are extensively engaged in gardening. They also
operate large greenhouses.
West Ferrysburg is a postoffice in the western part of the town, three-
quarters of a mile from the Chautauqua county line, and was established Octo-
ber 8, 1 891, with Ellen R. Hall as postmaster, who still holds the position.
In 1819, five years after the organization of the town, the Methodist Epis-
copal church set up her standard upon its soil. For years the church was
without a meeting-house or parsonage for many miles around and religious
services were held at private houses, in school houses and barns, and in groves.
From 1819 to 1829 the circuit which included Ferrysburg was very large and
952 History of Cattaraugus County.
seems to have had no headquarters only as the ministers could arrange yearly
conferences for themselves. From 1829 to 1849 Perrysburg belonged to the
Forest\ille circuit, but from 1849 to ^^''^ present time the town has constituted
a circuit in and of itself. At times it has had as many as six preaching places;
now it has but three : Perrysburg, West Perrysburg, and Versailles. At each
of these places is a neat and comfortable house of worship and at Perrysburg
is also a good parsonage. In 1849, according to the records of a quarterly
meeting held in Perrysburg village, there were five classes in town, and the
leaders of these were Charles Blackney, Benjamin Parkman, Isaac Dawley,
George Kirkland, and John Waters. November 9, 1853, the Methodist Epis-
copal church of Perrysburg was legally incorporated. A frame church edifice
was erected about this time at a cost of $1,200 and was dedicated by Presid-
ing Elder W. F. Wilson on February 8, 1854. This has been subsequently
repaired, will now seat 300 persons, and with the grounds, parsonage, etc., is
valued at about $3,500. This society has thirty-three members and a Sunday
school of si.xty scholars. Rev. Miller Fording is pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Versailles was organized January 26,
1842, with Philander Porter, Lester Wood, and Martin Lindsley as trustees.
Uniting with the Baptists the two denominations erected a frame house of
worship the same year, in which meetings were held until 1878, when their
own present edifice was built at a cost of $2,500. It will seat 200 people and
is valued, with the grounds, etc., at about $3,000. The society has twenty-one
members under Rev. Miller F"ording, of Perrysburg, as pastor. The Sunday
school connected has thirty scholars.
The Methodist Episcopal church of West Perrysburg is the oldest body of
this denomination in town. A class of eight or ten members was formed in
1822 and continued to hold services until December 19, 1851, when the " Rugg
Society of the Methodist Episcopal church " was incorporated with Stephen
R. Hall, C. A. Rugg, and John R. Dawley as trustees. In 1852 a frame edi-
fice was erected on lot 38 which will seat 300 persons and is now valued, in-
cluding grounds, etc., at about $i,8oo. Rev. Miller Fording is pastor. The
Sunday school has forty scholars.
The following preachers have served the Perrysburg charge: In 1819,
Robert C. Hatton and Benjamin P. Hill; 1820, John Summerville ; 1821,
Nathaniel Reederand Ira Bronson ; 1822, Richard Wright and Sylvester Cary ;
1S23, Parker Buell and Richard Wright; 1824, Josiah Keyes ; 1825, Henry
Knapp and John Scott; 1826, Job Wilson and John P. Kent; 1827, J. S.
Barris and Zachariah Ragan ; 1828, J. S. Barris and Samuel Ayers; 1829,
James Gilmore and A. Plimpton; 1830, Daniel Preston and S. E. Babcock ;
1831, John Robinson and Nelson Henry ; 1832, J. K. Hallock and I. H. Tack-
itt ; 1834, H. Luce and S. Gregg; 1835, L. Rodgers, I. H. Tackitt, and Darius
Smith ; 1836, J. Deming and Darius Smith; 1837, T. Goodwin and M. Hill;
1838, Samuel Gregg and H. J. Moore ; 1839, T. Stowe and E. J. L. Baker ;
Town of Perrvsburg. . 953
1840. J. O. Rich, T. Stowe, and J. Flower ; 1841, D. Smith and D. Pritchard ;
1842, \V. B. Lloyd; 1843-44, N. Norton; 1845, W. S. Warrallo and T. H.
Cummings; 1846, J. Uncles and S. C. Churchill; 1847, A. Burgess and I.
Blackford ; 1848, J. E. Chapin and J. N. Henry ; 1849, I- H. Tackitt ; 1850-
51, I. Scofield; 1852, R. L. Blackmer ; 1853, Moses Elkins ; 1854, A. Norton ;
1855, J. Robinson; 1856, J. B. Hammond; 1857-58, S. N. Warner; 1859, E-
Hull; 1860-61, Joseph Allen; 1862-63, W. W. Warner; 186465, J. R.
Shearer; 1866-67, A. A. Horton ; 1868, J. W. Davis; 1869-72, J. March;
1872-73, J. Shields; 1874-77, N. W. Jones: 1877, E- Brown; 1878, J. W.
Smith: 1879, S. M. Clark ; 1880-81, W. B. Holt ; 1882, A. H. Bowers ; 1883,
A. S. Dobbs; 1884, J. C. Ridout ; 1885-88, L. A. Chapin; 1888-89, W. Hol-
lister : 1890-93, Miller Fording.
The Baptist church was legally organized at Versailles, November 19,
1 82 1, by the election of Rufus Watson, Phineas Spencer, Benjamin Wa-
terman, John Clark, and Dan Allen as trustees. By this act the society be-
came the first church politic in Perrysburg and secured to themselves the
forty acres of land known as lot 25, which the Holland Land Company had
proposed to give to the first religious society legally organized in the town.
The Methodists had preceded them two or more years, but had not become
a body politic. Several years passed before a parsonage was built and the
society received a regular pastor. The first was Rev. Sheldon N. Smith in
1838. Subsequent pastors have been Revs. D. Piatt, Salmon Horton, M. T.
Wadsward, T. T. Horton, Nathan Wood, J. C. Allison, and J. A. Pickard, the
latter leaving about 1878. The society, having no church edifice, held their
services in the Methodist churches and school houses. About 1878 their
parsonage was destroyed by fire and as the membership of the church num-
bered but fifteen the land was soon after sold, the society disbanded, and the
membership removed to Gowanda, joining the Baptist church of that place.
The First Congregational church of Versailles was incorporated February
3, 1846, and for a few years meetings were held in school houses. Its mem-
bership was small and the organization was maintained for only a brief period.
Andrew Bennett, a native of Dutchess county, came to Hanover, N. Y.,
soon after his marriage to Catharine Hiller, who died in Versailles aged eighty.
His only son, John L., born June 13, 1837, married Caroline Toucey, Sept. 6,
i860. She was a daughter of John Toucey and was born in 1840. Children :
Cozella, Luella, Ludelia, and Nettie. Mr. Bennett enlisted in 1862 in the 9th
N. Y. Cav. and was discharged Feb. 4, 1863. He has resided in Versailles
twenty-eight years. Ludelia Bennett married, Feb. 28, 1889, Adam Schmill.
Nettie married Bartlett A. Press in Jan., 1889, and also resides in Versailles.
John Toucey, a native of Connecticutt, came to Perrysburg in 1823 and died
in 1868. Children: Eunice, Hannah, Helen, Martin, Jane, Caroline, Franklin,
Sylvia, Susan, Sarah, and Milton J.
Eldad Blackney came to Perrysburg and cleared a farm near the village.
He married Sally Cross; children: Charles, William, Nathan, Lewis P., Asa.
Eldad, Jr., Belinda, Caroline, Julia, Sally, Sarah, Esther, Clarissa, and Delia.
120
954 History of Cattaraugus Chuxtv.
Lewis P. Blackney was born in New Lebanon, N. Y.. May 30, 181 1, and came
here at the age of eleven. July 14, 1835, he married Catharine, daughter of
Isaac and Abigail Rugg. She was born Jan. 28, 1814. and died Jan. 18, 1822.
Children : William W., Oscar C, Maryette G., Julia M., (3rlina A., Orlando L.,
Aurelia R., Charles O., and Lillian C. Charles O. Blackney married Carrie,
daughter of William and Alice (Knapp) Sanders, and is a farmer on the Isaac
Rugg farm. Maryette G. married Warren R. Hall, son of John E. and Jane
(Rose) Hall. He was born Feb. 18, 1845, ^^id is a farmer near " Ruggtown."
Ebenezer Blake, son of John, came to Concord, X. V., in 1830 and subse-
cjuently removed to Orleans county, where he died. He was present as a
musician at the hanging in Buffalo of the three Thayers, who murdered a man
in 1825 because of a debt he owed them. His wife was Sophronia Griswold.
Their son Harry, born Jan. 26, 1835, married, July 24, i860, Jennie L. Crumb,
who died Oct. 17, 1875. Julius Crumb, her father, married Cornelia Strickland
on April 22, 1832. Mr. Blake's second wife is Martha J. Allen. His children
are Addison, Ella L., Frank D., and Le Verrne C. Addison died July 5, 1889.
Nathaniel Blasdell, born in Vermont, came to Dayton in 1818 and cleared
a farm at what is now Markham, where he died. He married Sarah Josly ;
children : John, William, Nathaniel, David J., Sarah. Abigail, Mercy, Lydia,
and Caroline. David J. Blasdell was born in Milton, Vt., Dec. 16, 1804, and
came to Dayton with his parents. He subsequently removed to Perrysburg,
where he died March 4, 1875. He married Lucinda Allen, of Gowanda, Jan.
15, 1826; children: Dan A., Lewis N., Homer J., Morris C, Milton N., He-
man N., and Esther M. His widow lives on the homestead in this town.
Hugh Campbell, son of William, was born in Albany, N. Y., and came to
Perrysburg about 18 16, where he cleared u^hat is now the Hiird farm. At
the time of his arrival he had eight children: Chancellor, Rice, Walter, Colin,
Susan, Emma, Charlotte, and Janette. He was prominent in the early settle-
ment, served as justice of the peace several years, and died in 1874. He
cleared two other farms in Cattaraugus county and another one still in Michi-
gan. Chancellor Campbell, born Aug. 28, 18 10, married Ann. daughter of
Russell Briggs, who died F"eb. 18, 1884. Children: Ellen, I'rank, Eliza, James,
and James M. The latter was born Sept. 2, 1845, 'i''"^' ^^^Y 4- 1869, married
Minerva, daughter of Simon and Martha P'rancis; children: Clara A., I'anny
E., and Helen M. Pie is a farmer near the village.
F"rank Campbell was born Vch. 14, 1838. June 20, i860, he married Caro-
line M., daughter of John and Jessie Vosburg. She was born Aug. 10, 1840.
Children: Jennie, Charles W., Arthur J., and Clarence H. Aug. 8, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols., was discharged Oct. 1 1, 1864, and is now a
pensioner. His paternal ancestor, Hugh Campbell, participated in the battle
of Sacket's Plarbor in the War of 181 2.
William Cooper was born in Stillwater, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1793, and came to
Perrysburg in 1817, settling on what is now known as the Campbell farm near
the village. He was a prominent man in the new town and represented it five
years on the Board of Supervisors. Children : William, James, Robert, Ben-
jamin, Peter, Hannah, Sarah, and Nancy. He died Dec. 31, 1872. He founded
the first district school in town and was influential in early religious affairs.
Isaac Edwards was of Welsh origin and was born in Connecticut. His
father was a Revolutionary captain and a participant in the War of 1812; in
the latter conflict the son was present with his father at Plattsburgh. Tru-
man Edwards, son of Isaac, was born in Greenfield, N. Y., and came to Per-
Town of Perrysburg. ■ 955
rysburg in 1S17, cleared a farm, and died in 1874. He married Eliza Parkman,
who died Oct. 2, 1876. Children: Julia, Esther, Frederick, James, and Ed-
ward M. Mr. Edwards was supervisor of Perrysburg five terms. Edward M.
Edwards, born July 4, 1829. married Harriet Southworth, who bore him one
son, Truman. He married, second, Nov. 21, 1869, Esther Cadwell, and their
children are Elida M., Forest T., Belle, and Elgin M. He is a farmer on the
homestead. James A. Edwards was born July 21, 1837, and married Amanda,
daughter of \V. and Charlotte Ells. He married, second, Ellen, daughter of
David and Roxy Church. His children are Maryette and Amanda by his first
wife and Cora and Clara by his second. He is a farmer on the homestead.
Lester Graves came to this town in 1826 and cleared the farm now owned
by Alvin R. Graves. He was a native of Massachusetts and died here in
1868. His wife died Feb. 28, 1863. Children: Alvin, Charles F., Cornelia,
Mary Ann, and George. Charles F. Graves Was born March 19, 1825, and
died March 15, 1890. Sept. 11, 1854, he married Melissa Atwell, who was
born Aug. 17.1833. Children: Burt H., born Nov. 9, 1855 ; Cora Estella, born
July 10, 1857; Nora E. (Mrs. Frank E. Haight), born Nov. 26, 1859, died
June 17, 1884; Lottie W. (Mrs. George E. Waller), born Aug. 26. i860;,
Edith, born June 8, 1867; and George R., born Oct. 24, 1869. Burt H.
Graves married Jennie B. Stillson and his children are Byron L., Bessie S.,
and Charles L. He is a member of the firm of Johnson & Graves, is post-
master, and since 1889 has been town clerk. Alvin R. Graves was born Oct.
14, 1818, and married, Sept. 10, 1843, Sarah E., daughter of Lathrop and Olive
Mills. They have one daughter, Mary A., born Dec. 19, 1847, ^^''i" married,
Feb. 7, 1876. Oscar Hubbart, who was born in Leon in 1845; children: Mabel
G. and Nellie L. Mr. Graves has resided on his present farm sixty-eight years.
John Haven, son of Elkanah, was born in Framingham, Alass., Nov. 9,
1774, came to Perrysburg in March, 1820, cleared a farm, and died March 21,
1829. He married Mary Lowe, who died Jan. 2, 1853. Children: John, Phi-
lander L., Mar\- F., Philena, Julia, Ebenezer, George, and W. L. W. L. Haven
was born Nov. 14, 1819, at Concord, N. Y., and Feb. 24, 1850, married Emily
F. Clark, who was born at Perry, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1825, and who died April 13,
1889. Mr. Ha\en is a retired farmer and is engaged in the insurance business.
Benjamin Hayward, a native of Scipio, N. Y., was an early settler of Free-
dom, where he died. His children were Charles, Hannah, Phebe, Walter, Ar-
menia, Susanna, Benjamin, and Asa K. Asa K. Hayward, born in Scipio,
Aug. 30,1819, married, Oct. 11, 1857, Harriet A., daughter of Elisha and Ma-
riah Tichnor, who was born in this town Sept. 4, 183 1. Mr. Hayward died
April 28, 1884. Children: Elisha B., A. J., Nora M., Elsie A., and Fred M.
Mrs. Harriet A. Haj-ward survives and occupies the homestead. Elisha Tich-
nor was born in Canada West and came to Perrysburg in 1847, where he died
Dec. 18, 1884. He married Mariah Clough, who died here in 1864. His chil-
dren were Harriet A., George, John, Joseph, Lewis, Elisha, EurettaA., Chris-
tine E., Benjamin, and Francis.
John Hooker, a native of Brandon, Vt., came to Perrysburg while young
and was the first permanent settler on the Hooker farm, where he died about
i860. Children: John, Daniel, Abigail, Mary Ann, Lois, Fanny, and Harriet.
John Hooker, Jr., was born in Brandon, Sept. 5, 1806, and died here June 24,
1888. He married Philena, daughter of James Waterman, who was born Dec.
27, 1813, and who died here Aug. 26, 1883 ; children : Helen M., Benjamin F.,
Huldah A., James L., Hull M., John R., Harriet L, Lois, Newel P.„ Dora,
956 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
Elva A., and Warren B. All were born in Perrysbarg. Hull M. Hooker was
killed at Malvern Hill in 1862 while serving as a member of Co. H,44th N. Y.
Vols. Warren B. Hooker is a prominent lawyer in Fredonia and since 1890 a
Republican representative in Congress. John R. and Elva A. Hooker occupy
the homestead of their grandfather.
Jacob Hooker, a native of Massachusetts, came to this town in 1834 and
cleared the farm on which he died in i860. His wife was Doris Fife, who died
in 1880. Children: Mindwell, Jane, Emma, Spicer, and Susan. Spicer Hooker
was born, in Goshen, Vt., in May, 1832. He married Elizabeth Cadwell ;
children : Byron J., Carrie, Hull, Cora, Ellen, Clyde, and Lizzie. Byron J.,
born Aug. 10, 1857, married, Feb. 14, 1883, Jennie, daughter of Harvey and
Cornelia (Graves) Hurd.
Gilbert Hoyt, the son of a Revolutionary soldier, came to Gowanda about
1830 as a wagon maker, and died at the Indian mission aged ninety years.
He married Prudence Sheldon, who also died at the mission at the age of
seventy. Children : Sheldon, Seth, John G., Ann, and Martha. John G. Hoyt,
born in Vermont, Ocr. 26, 1827, came to Cattaraugus county with his parents
and married Sarah McCollister. He now resides in Buffalo and follows the
profession of architect and bridge builder. Children: Richard, John G., Jr.,
Charles, Emma P., Harriet, Jesse, Maud, Grace, Ann, and Theodore. John G.
Hoyt, Jr., was born in Buffalo in 1852 and is now a farmer near Versailles.
Peter Ingraham, a native of Rensselaer county, died in Otto at the age of
eighty.. His wife was Sybil Woolman, who died in Leon. Children: Hum-
phrey, Hartman S., Peter, Annie, Lucina, and Hannah M. Hartman S. In-
graham was born in Rensselaer county and died in Wisconsin. His wife was
Catharine Purdy and their children were Peter W., Electa, Jane, John R.,
Sybil. Lucina, Charles, Adelbert, Gilbert, and Loretta. John R. Ingraham
was born in Otto, Nov. 9, 1833. Feb. 19, i860, he married Charlotte Burke,
who was born April 29, 1843. He has been a farmer in Perrysburg nearly
fifteen years. George Burke, the father of Mrs. Charlotte Ingraham, was born
in Otsego county, where he died in 1844. His wife was Mariah Crumb, who
was born Sept. 19, 181 5, and died July 30, 1882.
Abel Jolles, born in Saratoga county, came to Perrysburg soon after his
marriage and settled on the farm on which he died aged seventy years. He
married Mariah West; children : Laura, Betsey, Phebe, Warren, and Warner.
Warren Jolles was born in Perrysburg, July 13, 1832, and in 1869 married
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas S. and Matilda M. (Ayres) Morrell. Children :
Burton W., Elbert G., Earl W., Ara A., and Angle M. Mrs. Elizabeth Jolles
survives her husband. Her widowed mother, Matilda M. Morrell, also sur-
vives and lives with Mrs. Jolles in Dayton.
Schuyler Marvin, son of Jeffrey, was born in Orange county in 1806 and
married Elizabeth Bertholf. Coming to Perrysburg in 1855 he died here in
1878, having had born to him these children : Sarah, Dewitt, Martha, James B.,
Seth, Mary, and Lawrence. James B. Marvin was born in Erie county, Feb.
27, 1837, and Jan. 26, 1867, married Hester A. Watkins, of Pembroke, N. Y.,
by whom he had one daughter, P"lorence A. His second wife was Lydia E.
Robbins, who was born in Persia, a daughter of Elhanan W. Allen. They
have one daughter, Mary L. He is a farmer in Perrysburg, where he has re-
sided since 1855. Mary Marvin, daughter of Jeffrey, married Cyrus E. Christ-
ian and has one daughter, Ruth E. Floi ice Marvin married Daniel Wagner
and has one daughter, Alice.
Town ok Perrvsburc;. 957
Abel Mattoon, a New Englaiider by birth, served in the Revolutionary
war and early settled in Hanover. N. Y., whence he removed to Perrysburg,
and finally to Wayne county, Ind., where he died. . In all these places he was
a typical pioneer. Children : Philip, Sylvenus, Lydia, Hannah, Aurilla, and
Abel. Abel Mattoon was born in Warren county, X. Y., moved to Perrys-
burg, and was killed in 1827 at the raising of a log house. He married Mary
Livingston ; children : Clara. Jeremiah, Samuel, Schuyler, Polly, Lydia, Syl-
vester, John, Rebecca, Margaret, Ellen, and Sylvenus. The latter was born
March 18. 1816, and married. May 15, 1842, Jane T. Gardner, who died in Nov.,
1887. Children : Jane A., James K., Henry J., Ella F.. and William T. Will-
iam T. Mattoon, born April 9, 1853, married Mary Ward, and his children are
Bernice G. and Ida B. He is a farmer, mason, and cheese maker in Perrys-
burg. Sylvenus Mattoon participated in the Dutch Hill war in 1845.
Francis Maynard, son of Francis and Margaret Alaynard, was born in New
Haven, Vt., July 4, 1834. F'eb. 20, 1854, he married Jane Forbes, of Canada,
and his children are Ellen and Richard. Richard Maynard was born Sept. 15,
1861, and Feb. 11, 1887, he married Emma Lilly, by whom he has one son,
Francis, born March 20, 1890. Father and son are farmers on the same farm.
Alexander McAdams was born, lived, and died in Scotland. James Mc-
Adams, his son, was born in that country in i8lOand died there July 14, 1880.
His son George M. was born Dec. 11, 1857, in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and
came to Perrysburg on March i, 1883. Feb. 13, 1889, he married Cora A. Bor-
den, daughter of Warren and Ellen M. (Campbell) Borden, and has one daugh-
ter, F'anny C. Warren Borden was a son of Hiram and was one of the early
settlers of Perrysburg. He died in 1885.
George A. Mitchell was born in England, Sept. i, 1836, and died in Cherry
Creek, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1892. His only son, Frank G. Mitchell, was born in
Millport, N. Y., May 18, 1856, and March 16, 1880, married Ellen B. Johnson,
of Perrysburg. Children : Carey T., Ethel J., and Edith L. Mr. Mitchell re-
sides in Perrysburg and is a dealer in real estate in Buffalo.
Norton Mulkin, son of John and Sarah (Lovejoyi Mulkin, was born in
Hanover, N. Y., and now resides in Perrysburg. He married Lovina Still-
well, who was born Nov. 23, 1833, in EUisburgh, N. Y.; children: Norton, Jr.,
Archie, Sarah, Milton, Alfred M., Morris H., Maud E., and Ona A. Ona A.
Mulkin was born March 16, 1862, and Jan. 14, 1886, married Ida, daughter of
Jasper W. and Jennie (Mitchell) Seeley. Children : Ona A., Jr., and Jesse M.
He is a general merchant in Perrysburg village. Alfred M. Mulkin was born
April 27, 1864. Norton Mulkin is now a resident of \'ersailles. Maude mar-
ried Seth Williston and resides in Perrysburg. William M. Mulkin served in
the Civil war from Michigan. Erastus Mulkin served in the 49th N. Y. Vols,
and was promoted first lieutenant. John Stilhvell and Ona A. Stillwell en-
listed in the 64th N. Y. Vols., the latter attaining the rank of first lieutenant
and being killed at Gettysburg.
Daniel Newcomb, son of Dea. Daniel and Electa I Day) Newcomb, was
born April 27, 181 5, in Vermont. By trade a tanner and ciarrier he eventually
became a farmer and came to Perrysburg, where he died F"eb. 7, 1881. He
married Terressa J., daughter of Allen and Jane Sweet; children: Daniel,
Martha J., William D., Martin L., Caroline E., and Daniel L. Mrs. Newcomb
survives and resides with her son on the homestead. Allen Sweet died in this
town aged eighty, as did also his wife Nov. 10, 1876. Her maiden name was
Jane Saunders.
95^ History of Cattaraugus County.
John Parker, a native of Rhode Island, served at Valley Forge in the Rev-
olutionary war and died at the age of about ninety. He married twice and
his children were John, David D., Joseph, Hannah, Freelove, Annis, Lucy, and
Olive. David D. Parker was born in Rupert, Vt., Jan. 17, 1791. Cotni'ng to
Perrysburg in 1822, after serving in the War of 1812, he cleared two farms and
died Dec. 9, 1875, his children being Mariah H., Olive R., Convis D., Thomas ¥.,
Salem T., Salem P., De Forest N., Eugene L. and Josephine L. (twins),
Mary C, and Myron M. The last named was born May 24, 1824, and mar-
ried Lydia Knapp. Children : Allen C, Spencer B., Capitola, and Salem E.
He has been assessor twelve years and is a farmer near Versailles. Allen C.
Parker married Mrs. Euretta Chapnr-.an, daughter of Elisha Tichnor, and is a
hotel keeper in the same village.
De Forest N. Parker was born in this town Dec. 5, 1832. Nov. 17, 1863,
he married Mary E., daughter of William and Hannah Tichnor; children:
Gertrude M., Remington H., and Edith. Mr. Parker was deputy provost-
marshal at Dunkirk during the Rebellion and since 1887 has resided in Buffalo,
being by occupation a commercial traveler. He was supervisor of Perrysburg
two years and justice of the peace four years.
John Parker, son of John, who was a son of John, came to Hanover, N. Y.,
in 1812, and died in Perrysburg in 1859. ^^ came to this town in 1830.
His wife was Eunice, daughter of Peter Parker; children: David C, Mary P.,
John, Seth, George F., James, Ezra A., Ann, and Edwin. George F". Parker,
born in 1821, married Catharine Taylor, and has one son, Cassius M., born in
[852, who married Adelle Day and had one daughter. George F". served in
the Rebellion in Co. B, 72d X. Y. Inf., and was wounded at Williamsburg.
He was transferred to Co. E, loth N. Y. Vet. Reserve Corps, and was dis-
charged June 20, 1864. He re-enlisted Oct. 7, 1864, in Co. I, 87th N. Y. Vol.
Inf., and served until the war closed. He was elected coroner in 1872 and
served fifteen consecuti\e years. He has been justice of the peace since 1879
and is now notary public.
Ezra A. Parker was born Feb. 23, 1829. P"eb. 3, 1853, he married Amy
Wheeler, who died July i. 1890. Children: Mary, Hiram W., Myra, S. Ar-
villa, Cora L., and Ezra X. Mr. Parker served in Co. C, 145th Pa. Vols, and
died at Harper's Ferry, Va.. Nov. 23, 1863, of typhoid fever. His daughter
Myra occupies the Hiram Wheeler homestead at Versailles.
Taber Pelton, a native of Massachusetts, came to Perrysburg at an earlj-
day and died on the Pelton homestead aged fifty-seven. He married Rosina
Moore. Children: Taber, Lura, Ishmer, Sarah A., Asenath, Ethimer, Will-
iam, Elder, Orpha, Mary, Betsey, and Osmyn. The latter was born in Massa-
chusetts in 1803 and came to this town with his parents, where he died in
1883. He married Samantha Nichols and his children were Orrett L., Simon,
Marvin, Irinda, Normanda N., Philetns, Egbert, Lemon and Tyler (twinsj,
Orpha, Jerome, and Nathan P. Lemon N. Pelton, son of Osmyn, married
Phebe A. Flower, and is a member of the firm of Knapp & Pelton, proprie-
tors of the grist-mill at Perrysburg. Taber Pelton, Jr., married Mary, daugh-
ter of Lemuel Minor, and had one child, Caleb M., born May 30, 1835. Caleb
M. married Mercy A. Kilborn ; children : John, Mary, William, Wallace, Mark
S., Burt H., and Lura. His second wife is Flora B. Coon. Lemuel Minor
was a native of Norwich, Conn., and served seven years and seven months as
drum-major in the Revolution, being pressed into the service and discharged
personally by Washington. He came to Perrysburg in 1820 and cleared a
iow'N UK Perrvshurg. 959
farm he purchased with his pension rnoney. At the time of his death, in
Dec, 1848, he was the oldest man in town, his age being ninety-eight. He
married Susan Button and his children were Lemuel, Clara, Charlotte, Mary.
Dr. James Pettit was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1776, lived in Onondaga
county, -and finally settled in Frednnia, N. Y., where he died in 1847. His
son Eber M. was born in Fabius, N. Y., May 3, 1801, and married Euretta
Sweet ; children : Helen E., Harriet, Fred, and James M. James M. Pettit
was born Jan. 13, 1833, and married Sarah E. Hall; children : Eber M., Fred,
Helen, and Sarah. He enlisted in Aug., 1861, in Co. A, 64th N. Y. Vols., and
was promoted captain July 2, 1863. He was wounded at Gettysburg by a
minie-ball in the back of the neck and discharged in Dec, 1863. Mr. Pettit
was supervisor of Perrysburg one term and for several years succeeding 1870
a general merchant, being also a dealer in botanic drugs. He studied in Ke-
nosha, Wis., was admitted to the bar in 1859, ^^'■'' resides in Fredonia, N. Y.
Elihu Russell, son of Jonathan and Zerviah (Howland) Russell, was born
in Bristol, Mass., in 1804, and came to Collins, Erie county, with his parents.
He eventually settled in Perrysburg and died in Gowanda, Nov. 12, 1874. He
married Dinah Sisson, who died in Collins, July 3, 1867. Children: Ruth,
Elizabeth, Lucy, Sylvia, and Sophia. The latter married Ezekiel Press and
resides in Gowanda, as does also Ruth, who was born July 21, 1836.
Elijah Shepard, a native of Massachusetts, came to Perrysburg among the
early settlers and located on what is now the Chester Moore farm. He sub-
sequently removed to Fon du Lac, Wis., where he died aged ninety-five.
Children : Riley, Jane, Manson, Joseph, Selinda, Norman, Sylvester A., David,
and Olive. Sylvester A. Shepard was born in 1829 and died in 1874. He
married Eliza Moore ; children: Willis and Eugene. Eugene Shepard married
Mary Doud ; children : Willis and Ida. Olive Shepard married a Mr. Killips,
who was killed in a saw-mill in Wisconsin. Chester Moore, the father of Mrs.
Eliza Shepard, wasborn in Massachusetts and came to Perrysburg after his
marriage, settling on a farm when there were but two houses between Go-
wanda and Nashville. He died in 185 i.
Ebcnezer Slawson was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1795, and died in
Hanover, N. Y., in 1877. His father, Ebenezer, was a tailor by trade and a
farmer and served seven years in the Revolutionary war, dying in Yates
county in Jan., 1820. His wife was Lydia Nash. Ebenezer, Jr., married Bet-
sey Carr, who died in this town in 1859. Children: Samuel, Melissa, Eliza,
Daniel, Caroline, John, and Silas N. Silas N. Slawson was born in Yates
county, July 7, 1814. March 10, 1836, he married Temperance L. Hopper.
Children: Newton, Temperance A., and Samuel E. The latter was born in
Hanover, N. Y., May 12, 1850, and married Inez Parsell, Sept. 17, 1873. Si-
las N. Slawson married, second, Alice I. Frink, June 4, 1885. Newton Slaw-
son died in April, 1883. He married Rose C. Brown. He was several years a
teacher, twelve years a justice of the peace, and was deputy sheriff at the time
of his death. Silas N. was superintendent of schools in Hanover, Chautauqua
county, and town superintendent and commissioner of sch'ools in Perrysburg.
He was one of three delegates from this locality to Philadelphia to organize
the U. S. Teachers' Association, and has taught school over twenty years.
Lilly Stafford, son of Lilly and Tirzah (Wood) Stafford, was an early set-
tler of Collins, Erie county, where he die.d. His son Timothy R. was born
April 14, 1826, and Jan. 4, 1865, married Elnora Dimon; children: Nora and
Dana L. He has in his possession the coat of arms of the Stafford family
960 History of Cattaraugus County.
hande'd down from his great-grandfather, of England. Lilly Stafford, Sr., was
a silver and gunsmith by trade and passed his life in Massachusetts. Leander
Stafford, son of Lilly, Jr., was born May 9, 1824. Dec. 25, 1852, he married
Laura Ansley ; children : Asher C. and Lilly J., both of whom are married.
Leander Stafford is now a retired farmer residing in Gowanda.
Samuel Starr, a native of Danbury, Conn., was one of the earliest settlers
near the village of Perrysburg, where he died and was buried, and the week
following his demise he received from the government a land warrant for serv-
ices in the Revolutionary war, in v/hich he served at the battle of Bunker
Hill. His wife was Catharine Keeler, who was born on the Hudson, and his
children were Orville, Noah, William, Ezra, John, Edwin, Zeborah, Sally,
Catharine, and Anna M. Orville was born in Connecticut, came to this town
with his father, and died in 1865. He married Minerva Coburn, who died in
1871 ; children : John S., Helen, and Phebe C. Phebe C. Starr was born in
Dayton, Jan. 15, 1834, and May 30. 1856, married Anson J. Bailey, who died
the same year. She married, second. Porter Millhollen, who died six years
afterward, leaving one son, Orville, v\'ho now resides with his mother in Perrys-
burg. She married for her third husband Marion Chaffee, who served in Co.
E, 4th Vt. Vols., and died in the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, O., May ;6, 1891.
Samuel K. Strickland was born in Otsego county March 15, 1800, and came
to Perrysburg in 18 16, whence he subsequently removed to Dayton, where he
died aged seventy-six. He served in the War of 18 12 and was at the batlle
of Plattsburgh. He married Permelia Waltz, who died in Dayton in 1863.
Children : Robert O., Chester D., Mary Ann, Fayette, Jane, John N., .Matilda,
George F., Mercy, Samuel H., and Mirenus W. Chester D. Strickland was
born Oct. 18, 181 8. April 3, 1845, h'^ married Emeline A. Nash, who was born
May I, 1826, and died July 8, 1884, a daughter of Silas and Sally (Bunce)
Nash, early settlers of Dayton. Children : Silas L, Alice, Clorine ]\L, Elva P.,
P'loraJ., Dillon D., L. May, and C. Douglass. Mr. Strickland served in Co.
K, 154th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged Oct. 31, 1863. At the battle of
Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison four days.
George F. Strickland was born Sept. 30, 1829. In 185 1 he married Matilda
Wells, who was born in Dayton in 1839. They have one daughter, Mary J.
(Mrs. Egbert D. Hall). Peter Waltz, the father of Mrs. Permelia Strickland,
served seven yeai^s and ninemonths in the Revolutionary war and drew a pen-
sion, which was subsequently paid to his widow until her death.
Thomas Townsend was born in Dutchess county, lived for a time in Penn
Yan, N. Y., and finally came to Perrysburg, where he died Nov. 17, 1858.
His wife was Polly Cross; children: Luther A., Sally, Abbie, Harriet C, and
John R. The last named was born in Penn Yan, March 3, 1823, and married,
June 17, 1852, S. Arvilla, daughter of Ralph and Maria (Cole) Johnson, of
Dayton, who survives him, residing on the homestead. Ralph Johnson was
born in Stafford, Conn., April 3, 1797. came to Dayton in 1815, and died Jan.
II, 1 87 1. He was the first postmaster in Dayton, ior several years its town
clerk and supervisor, and one of its earliest inn keepers.
James Van Schoonhoven, son of Henry, an early settler in Hanover, N. Y.,
was born in Schoharie county Aug. 24, 1794, and died Sept. 2, 1865. His son
Richard B. was born in Aug., 1837, and married, Dec. 1 1, 1858, Mary E. Snow,
who died July 8, 1877 ^ children : Ruby D., James F., Charles R., and Ethelyn J.
He married, second, Mrs. Elene C. Newton, Jan. 11, 1880. Catharine P., sister
of Richard B., married Lewis Snow and resides in this town. James Van
Town of pERRVsBURf;. 961
Schoonhoven was one of the first settlers in Chautauqua county to manufac-
ture scythe snathes, which he made by hand.
John Vosburg, son of Isaac and Mary (Kellogg) Vosburg, was born in
Sheffield, Mass., Aug. 28, 1800, and died Feb. 26, 1873. In 1823 he married
Betsey B. Fillmore, who died May 31, 1846. Children : Mary J., Charles,
William F"., Laura S., Franklin B., Annette, George L., Caroline M., Norton N.
Harry, and Sydna J. George h, Vosburg, born May i, 1838, married, April
5, 1859, Eliza A., daughter of Chancellor and Ann (Briggs) Campbell, and has
children John C. and Annette. The latter married George B. Ward and has
children Laura S., Harry, and Mary A. John C. Vosburg married Clara Ar-
nold. Cyrus Fillmore, the father of Mrs. Betsey B. Vosburg, served seven
years in the Revolution, drew a pension, and died at Collins, N. Y., Feb. 14,
1847. George L. Vosburg was a constable in Gowanda fourteen years, deputy
sheriff two years, and conducted the stage and livery business of Gowanda
twelve years.
Elijah Wells, son of Elijah, who served in the war of the Revolution, was
born in Conway, Mass., and came to Perrysburg in 18 19, settling on a farm
near the center of the town, where he died Ma^rch 8, 1825. He married Mercy
Hopkins, daughter of Seth, a Revolutionary soldier; she died here aged sixty-
nine. Children: John, Dexter, Elijah, Luther, Clarissa, Thomas H. Thomas
H. Wells was born in Conway, Mass., Feb. 16, 1809. Coming to Perrysburg
with his parents in 1819 he married, March 16, 1828, Betsey Shannon, who was
born Oct. 2, 1809. Children: Warren, Ada,line, Marian D., Mercy J., and
Florinda. He is now a farmer on the homestead and enjoys the distinction of
being one of the oldest men in town. Warren Wells, born Oct, 22, 1832,
married Julia Crowell and has children Ellie A., Flora A., Grant E., Thomas
¥., and Harley E. Marian D. married Leonard Darling, Jan. 1, 1856, and
has children Willie H., Addie D., and Elmer L, Mr. Darling was killed at
the Second Bull Run, Aug. 27, 1862, while serving in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols.,
in which he enlisted Sept. 15, 1861.
Lemuel H. Wood was born July 6, 1844, ^ son of Joseph and Sally (Hicks)
Wood, and is now a farmer. He has been supervisor of Perrysburg since
1891 and has also served as assessor and highway commissioner. He married
Alice ¥., daughter of Egbert and Cynthia (Davis) Ostrander, who was born
April 29, 1846. Joseph Wood was a native of Vermont, served in the War
of 1812, and removed from Saratoga, N. Y., to Silver Creek, whence he finally
came to this town, where he cleared a farm at " Ruggtown " and died in 1866.
Children: Joseph D., William, Ami, Dudley, Vashta, Betsey, Polly, Sarah F.,
Russell, and Lemuel H. Russell Wood served in the Ellsworth Zouaves and
died at his home in 1864.
Homer Woodin was born in Bristol, Conn., July 6, 1806. March 10, 1829,
he married Vashti Beckwith, who was born in Burlington, Conn., May 14,
1805. In Nov. following they joined Luzon Botsford in Otto, whose wife
Polly was Mrs. Woodin's sister. He purchased the improvements of Harvey
Butler, for which he paid S300 cash. He then went to the land office in
Ellicottville and paid §25, and received a new contract. His land cost him,
besides the S300 paid for the improvements, $1.25 per acre. About 1850 he
traded this farm for another of 400 acres known as the Stephen Soule place.
About 1857 he left this farm to his sons William and Martin H., and bought
the farm of Warren Allen, containing 330 acres, where he resided until 1869,
when he purchased a home containing thirty acres adjoining, where he resided
962 History of Cattaraugus County.
the remainder of his life. After Mr. Woodin located in Perrysburg he en-
gaged in dealing in butter and cheese, and it is said of him that he bought
more cheese and handled more money at that time than any other man in the
county. He was first a Whig and later a staunch Republican. He served as
assessor and justice of the peace many years, but when his party nominated
him assemblyman he refused to accept. Mr. Woodin died Dec. 12, 1875.
Mrs. Woodin survives him and resides in the village of Dayton.
Homer E. Woodin, son of William and Abi (Derby) Woodin and grandson
of Homer, was born in Otto, July 8, i860. Feb. 23, 1877, he married a daugh-
ter of Elijah Hawkins, of Persia ; children : Inez M., born Nov. 23, 1S79, died
Oct. 16, 1890, and Homer E., born Dec. 27, 1889. He is a farmer on the Vos-
burg farm, where he has lived fifteen years. Elijah Hawkins was born in Ver-
mont, Nov. 10, 181 5, and died Jan. 9, 1878. His wife, Roxana Ackley, was
born in Persia, Sept. 27. 1828.
Charles Zimmerman, son of Michael, married, in Denmark, Europe. Mary,
daughter of John IVIathias Hink, a distiller and brewer. They came to Amer-
ica in 1854 and to Perrysburg in 1881, where he died Sept. 20, 1872. Chil-
dren : F"red, Charles. Amelia, and Henrietta. Fred Zimmerman married
Amelia Durand and has children Mamie, Laura, and Bessie. Henrietta is a
talented musician and Fred is musical director in the Girard avenue theater,
Philadelphia. Charles also holds a similar position in a traveling troupe.
CHAPTER XLII.
HISTORY (IK •IIIK Ti)\\X OF I'KRSIA.
PERSL'V lies in the northwest part of the coLint\' ami covers an area of
13,296 acres. It is irregular in form and embraces some of the most
rugged uplands in northwestern Cattaraugus. Its east and north bound-
ary lines are washed by the waters of the south branch and the main stream of
the Cattaraugus, into which flow several small tributaries, which afiord e.xcel-
lent drainage. There are a number of good mill sites, which in early daws were
extensively and profitably utilized. The soil of the town is compose-d mainly
of clay and gravelly or sandy loam and is very fertile. Many of the elevations
attain a height of 600 feet above Lake Erie, and in several localities the scen-
ery is picturesque, even roinantic.
■ The dense forests long afforded lucrative employment to the early settlers.
Mills were erected and manufacturing was carried on quite profitably until the
warm rays of the sun could penetrate the soil and aid in converting it into
cultivated fields. Agriculture then engaged the attention of the inhabitants
and has ever since been their chief industry. Dairying in recent years has de-
veloped into an important branch of the average farmer's occupation. The
business of raising hops was also once attempted.
Town of Persia. - 963
The early settlement of the town is embraced in ihe following posthumous
narrative prepared expressly for this chapter by the late Hon. William H.
Stuart, of Gowanda :
The historical and oriental name by which the town of Persia is known
was given it more than twenty-five years after its dense forests had been pen-
etrated and the sun allowed to shine upon its virgin soil. Prior to 1817 a vase
region of land now embraced in other towns of Cattaraugus county was known
by the town name first as Olean, next as Perry, and subsequently as Perrys-
burg, and remained unchanged until 1835, when Luther Allen, Chester Howe,
Albert G. Burke, Truman Edwards, Ralph Johnson, Amasa L. Chaffee, and
others joined in a petition to the Board of Supervisors for a division of Per-
rysburg into two or more towns.' The result was a sub-division on Februar_\-
7th erecting two new towns (Dayton and Persia) and leaving the mother town
of Perrysburg to yet rejoice in her honored historic name, with new bound-
aries, all of \\-hich ha\'e remained unchanged until the present day. Fifty-
five years have made their annual circuit since this new-born town was chris-
tened with a name so suggestive of antiquated opulence; and as all of those
above mentioned who took part in the transaction have long since been gath-
ered to the home of their fathers I have made diligent search for the name of
the happy g(id-father, and have been thus far unable to locate him. In 1810
Turner Aldrich, with a family of sons and daughters, came from Connecticut
and took up 707 acres of land covering both sides of Cattaraugus creek, com-
y^rising a large portion of the present village of Gowanda. He built a log-
house on the east side of the creek and commenced to phop and clear the
land for a home. Soon after, Ahaz Allen came from Lancaster, Erie county,
with a view of buying lands on the creek for milling purposes, and finding the
Aldriches just ahead of him he continued his way a mile farther up and
located 300 acres of land covering both sides of the creek at Hidi.
In those years, when the whole country was an unbroken wilderness, it
was difficult to say which was the best location for a new comer to settle upon
with a view of inaking it his permanent home. The broad flats of Zoar,
with their rich soil and magnificent timber, offered grand inducements to the
pioneer to go there and locate, and in company \.ith Peter Pratt, a neighbor
of his in Lancaster, Mr. Allen made his first pitch in Zoar, where he li\-ed a
year or two prior to his coming to Persia. Not finding the opportunities so
propitious as anticipated for damming the Cattaraugus with any degree of
safety he concluded to remove, soon as practicable, down below where the shore
and bed of the stream were rock-bound, and where a more permanent founda-
tion for dams and mills were offered to the pioneer, whose ambition was to
utilize the power that nature had furnished for the conversion of those mag-
nificent pines, oaks, black-walnuts, hemlocks, and other timber that so densely
covered the hills and valleys of the Cattaraugus creek at this point into
lumber. There was a man by the name of John Russel jiving in Concord
(VVillink at that time) whom he engaged to go down and erect a log house
and remain in it until the following spring, when, with his wife and babe, less
than a year old, he would come to take possession and relieve him of further
duties. Accordingly in May, 1812, Mr. Allen with his wife and infant son in
her arms embarked in a canoe at the head of the flats in Zoar, and sailed
down with the current of the stream to the mansion prepared for him by Mr.
Russel at Hidi, where they arrived in safety after a few hours' voyage down
the turbulent Cattaraugus. Mr. Russel received them with hearty congratu-
964 History of Cattaraugus County.
lations on their safe arrival, and for the first time a white family had taken up
their residence in what is now the town of Persia.
John Russel continued to work for Mr. Allen that year, and together they
made quite an opening on the flats around their humble cabin. But, as war
had been declared between the United States and Great Britain, and hostili-
ties already commenced upon the border, a draft was made by the provost-
marshal upon all the able-bodied men of the State. Mr. Allen was a victim
to the wheel of fortune upon its first turn, and was drafted as a militiaman
in the service of his country. They were alone in the woods, surrounded b\-
the perils of life among wild beasts and Indians of questionable friendship in
close proximity, and their only v.hite neighbor more than a mile below on the
other side of the creek. Mrs. Allen was but nineteen years old and her old-
est son, Norman, was not far from one year. Under these circumstances Mr.
Allen concluded that his duty was to protect his wife and child from harm
first, and then give to his country all the aid possible in defence of her mari-
time rights upon the high seas and the maintenance of our God-given nation-
ality. Mr. Russel had thus far been of valuable service to him, and fully
comprehending the dilemma in which Mr. Allen was placed he proffered his
service as a substitute for a small consideration. Mr. Allen thanked him for
his kind offer and engaged him to take his place in the ranks of the soldiers by
giving him twice the amount of his proposition. He was to report for duty
at Canandaigua, for which place he soon left, and was there sworn into service
and was forever thereafter lost sight of by Mr. Allen, as he never returned or
was heard of more.
In 1814 Thomas and Edwin Fariisworth came from the central part of the
State and took up the farm lying between the Allen and Aldrich purchase,
upon which they built a log house, which was the first house erected in the
original boundary of Lodi on the Cattaraugus county side of the creek ; it
stood a little south of the old red house subsequently built by Thomas Farns-
worth, in which he raised a large family, and when ripe in years breathed
his last within the precinct of those walls, in which the greater part of his
life had been spent. About this time Col. Benjamin Waterman came from
Vermont and took up the land lying north and west of the Aldrich pur-
chase, on the flats, a part of which are now embraced in the corporate lines
of the village, and built a double log house near to where Thatcher brook
empties into Cattaraugus creek. He built a stockade or corral around his
house as a safeguard for his hogs cattle, and sheep at night against the rav-
ages of wild beasts that infested these forests in large numbers and were con-
tinually committing depredations upon the hog-pens and sheep-folds of the
first settlers. Mr. Waterman's family consisted of a wife, three daughters,
and one son, all small children. Other children were born to them and grew
to manhood and womanhood, all of whom have died or moved away, e.xcept
one, the relict of the late S. C. Springer, who yet remains among us an old
lady of over eighty years.
There are incidents in the history of individuals which, if not well under-
stood, sometimes are magnified and perverted into falsehood by designing
persons whereby personal gain is looked for as a reward for their perfidy.
Such a case occurred in 1823, when two persons in this vicinity were nominated
for member of Assembly, one by the Democratic party, the other by the
Whigs. The life and history of both individuals are so closely interwoven
with Gowanda that nothing but an impartial record should go down to poster-
Town of Persia. . 965
ity with truth exalted and falsehood disproved. Therefore I will nothing ex-
tenuate, but give facts based upon my own knowledge as formed after thor-
ough investigation. It was currently circulated by the Democrats of that
campaign that Col. Benjamin Waterman was the party who surrendered
James Bird to the provost-marshal at Buffalo in 1S14 and received a reward
which the government authorities had offered for his capture as a deserter
from the service at Erie, Pa. It was said that he was taken to Erie, tried by
court-marshal, found guilty, and shot that fall, greatly lamented by all who
knew him. There was an old song written at that time entitled " James Bird,"
which was very popular and so pathetic that it reached the hearts of all who
heard it, and brought down the vengeance and ire upon his supposed deliverer
for paltry gain. This song was published and circulated by an insurance
company four or five years ago, and in the circular was an extract of a letter
written by John Henry, who said that he sat up with Colonel Waterman the
night of his death, and after the old man had breathed his last he felt a great
relief of mind, knowing as he did that the deceased was the person who was
responsible for the death of the gallant James Bird, unjustly shot for desertion
at Erie, Pa. I have talked with many people about the guilt or innocence of
the accused and have invariably found public opinion divided on the subject
with not a scintilla of evidence other than hearsay to substantiate the unjust
charge made against our late townsman. But like other falsehoods that have
been repeated until believed to be true by credulous and unthinking people,
this story had its origin in a circumstance which occurred in the Waterman
family in the first years of their advent into this place. There was a young
man by the name of Gray, an acquaintance of the family in Vermont, who
followed them here and hired out to work for Colonel Waterman on the farm.
He continued there until the fall of the year, when all of a sudden he came up
missing. His whereabouts were unknown to the family, and as he had never
manifested dissatisfaction or a disposition to leave his strange actions were as
much of a mystery to them as to others, who freely made comments and of-
fered suggestions on the probable cause of his leaving. It was ascertained
that Mr. Gray had received no compensation for his service, which led people
to believe that there was a design on the part of Colonel Waterman to get rid
of him, and when the sad event of James Bird's death reached here the wag-
ging tongue of gossip circulated the story that Gray was the assumed name of
Bird, who had come to escape the vigilance of martial law and the eye of de-
tection of the officers ever on the alert for deserters. Circumstances corrob-
orated the truth of the report, and for three years it was veritably believed
and passed upon as a current fact, Mr. Waterman's statement to the contrary
notwithstanding. Three years thereafter, on a beautiful summer's day, the
illusion was dispelled by Mr. Gray returning as unexpectedly as he had left.
The news of his return spread rapidly among the neighbors, and he was not
infrequently interviewed on the subject of what caused him to leave so unceri-
moniously three years before, but he refused to inform his interlocutors of the
whys and wherefores of the case, which he said did not belong to the public,
and was only a private affair between him and one of the older members of
the family. But the fiat had gone forth, and the foul aspersions on the good
name of Mr. Waterman had become so deep rooted that even positive proof
of his innocence was not sufficient to obliterate the cloud upon his character
which he carried with him to his dying day.
Colonel Waterman was a leader of men in those days and led an active
966 History of Cattaraugus County.
life among the people. In addition to chopping and clearing his land he kept !
the first tavern in the place, which was then only, known as Perr\-sburg. Sol-
omon Dunham built the first hotel at the head of Main street in 1824. It
was burned to ashes in [845. .The Albro family owned and occupied the
house when burned. The first line of stages between Aldrich Mills and Buf-
falo was established by Col. Benjamin Waterman. His route for the first few
years was by Hidi, where the first bridge across Cattaraugus creek was built
and remained until 1830, four years after.the main bridge at Lodi was com-
pleted. The Hidi bridge was erected in 1816 and remained standing until
condemned as unsafe and torn down in 1830, never to be rebuilt. In 1814
Mr. Allen employed help and dug the first race at Hidi and built the first
dam on Cattaraugus creek. He little knew the element he had to combat,
when the stream was swollen to full banks and swept down with irresistible
force at the rate of eight or ten miles an hour. Consequently the labor on
his dam, which occupied nearly three months, was swept away in the fall
freshet. Profiting by the experience of his first attempt, the following year
he built another dam, the m.odel of which was the conception of his own
masterly brain. In this structure the elements found their match and were
held in abeyance from that year until now (1893"). Most of the original tim-
bers are still extant and form the barrier that turns the tide which propels the
machinery on the race below. Mr. Allen said they were digging the mill-race
at the time of the bombardment of P'ort Erie and could distinctly hear the
booming of the cannon each day — Aug. 15, 16, and 17, 1814, when the fort
capitulated and was blown up. Not knowing the result of tiie conflict they
were in dread suspense for more than a week, when an Indian from the reser-
\-ation who was there gave them full particulars of the fight.
While the Indians were friendly and never molested the white settlers, yet
nearly every day some of them might be seen lingering around and watching
with distrustful eyes the encroachment of civilization that would eventual!}-
despoil them of their best hunting grounds. The dense forests bordering on
Cattaraugus creek were prolific of all kinds of wild game, and within sixty
rods from the head of the race was a deer-lick, where, in the evening, the
timid deer would come to slake their thirst and occasionally one paid the
forfeit with his life for his boldness. O.Ktcams were indispensable to tht
pioneer, and Mr. Allen had provided himself with two heavy yoke of oxer
which he purchased in Clarence hollow, Erie county. He improvised a slif
from the crotch of a tree and at the Lancaster mill bought four bags of corr
meal and one of wheat flour,- and hauled them through the woods (most o
the'way by marked trees) to his new house on the Cattaraugus. The firs
year (18 12) he chopped and cleared about ten acres of land, which he plantec
to corn and potatoes the ne.xt season. I have often heard him say that tha
was the heaviest crop he ever saw grow upon the same amount of land. Bu
the coons and bears were destructive neighbors, as they ijiade sad depredj
tions on the outskirts adjoining the forest. One night during the followin
winter a large bear took from the pen a hog which weighed over 100 pound
and made off with him as if he were a pigmy. The hog objected to th
unceremonious' intrusion and squealed as hog never squealed before, an^
aroused the men, who immediately went to the rescue. The men and dogs
pressed so hard upon bruin that he was compelled to drop his victim and
hasten to his seclusion, but the hog was so scared by the bear's rough iiand-
ling that on the following day they cut his throat and dres.sed him for the
ToWxV OF Persia. . 967
family's use. On the same day the men improvised a dead-fall by a heavy
log raised to an angle of about a quarter-pitch and held up by a figure four,
and bated with the lungs and entrails of the hog. The trap was set at the
upper edge of the flats on the trail of the bear the night before. Bruin stop-
ped to regale himself that night and, to his surprise, felt something drop that
held him in its deadly embrace until life was extinct. He proved to be a
large one and weighed over 300 pounds. They were not troubled thereafter
in this immediate vicinity with bears. Wolves occasionally approached the
clearing at night and raised a dismal howl, but their timidity (unless very
hungry) prevented them from a near approach to the cabin of the settler.
I will here relate an incident of the killing of the last wolf seen in this
town. In Dec, 1846, I was taking Mrs. N. H. Allen to her father's home
three miles south. It was about nine o'clock A.M. and \vc had nearly reached
the top of the hill on the road from Hidi, when a large woU came from the
woods below and crossed the road not over ten rods in front of us. I put my
horses to their best speed to the place of destination and returned speedily
home to inform of what I had seen. Three Nimrods, N. H., T. P., and Aha/.
Allen, Jr., took their rifles and started in immediate pursuit. The track was
fresh and they had no trouble in following the wolf through Dayton until they
reached the Conewango swamp, where they were obliged to leave him for the
night. The youngest two of the party abandoned the chase, but N. H., more
plucky than the rest, went to the home of Aras Nash, living nearby, father of
Colonel Nash, of Little Valley, and put up for the night. Mr. Nash was an
old hunter and joined Mr. Allen ne.xt morning. They took the track which
they left the night before, and followed on until they found where he had re-
gailed himself on some small animal. They pressed forsvard with renewed
courage, and before night liad the pleasure of seeing him in the distance, mak-
ing from them on a slow gallop, seemingly tired from being followed so closely.
That night they took refuge in a farm house near by, but at daylight were
again on his track, and soon came upon the spot where he, too, had accepted
rest. Throughout the day his footprints were so visible in the ?now that they
could make rapid progress, which kept the wolf continually on the alert to
avoid them, and allowed of no opportunity for him to forage in quest of some-
thing to appease his growing appetite. In this way they followed him from
Monday until F"riday, when they came suddenly upon him, and before he
could make his escape a ball from Mr. Nash's unerring rifle brought him down.
As nothing had been heard of Mr. Allen since leaving home a great anxiety
prevailed as to his whereabouts. But on Saturday Allen and Nash arriveci in
Lodi, bringing with them the carcass of a large wolf, the trophy of their suc-
cessful chase, and the villagers gathered around and congratulated them on
their prowess and capture of this wily enemy of the sheep-fold. The bounty
paid for wolf scalps at that time was $25 or §30, which was awarded them.
When the saw-mill was completed at Hidi it was run day and night to
supply the demand for lumber. This was the head-center of business, and
others came in with a view to the building up of a village. Achilles Akin es-
tablished the first blacksmith shop and for a few years did a thriving business.
Dan Allen, brother of Ahaz, but tw^o years his senior, came from Cayuga
county and settled at Hidi in 1816. His family consisted of a wife and six
children; They went into a log house just below where the mill now stands.
The first frame house erected in Persia was built the previous year and is yet
regarded as a comfortable residence. It stands on the hill on the road west
968 History uf Cattaraugus Countv,
of Hidi and is now owned by Seler Snyder. Ahaz Allen built this house and
lived in it until 1820, when he gave a deed conveying the same and about 100
acres of land to his brother Dan as a settlement of co-partnership between them.
Uncle Dan, as he was familiarly called bv everybody in this vicinity, lived
and raised thirteen sons and daughters in this domicile. Six or seven of the
youngest were born there and seven of the girls were married in this house, and
not until 1842 had death in\aded the sanctity of those premises, when Laura,
their eighth child, sickened and died aged twenty years. The next death
occurred in 1853, when the venerable father, ripe in years, fell before the sickle
of the grim reaper and was buried in the Gowanda Cemetery on Buffalo street.
For many years Uncle Dan kept tavern and entertained travelers in this house,
and long before Phoeni.x Lodge of Free Masons was thought of the fraternity
held secret conclave within its walls. The old Free Masons of the surround-
ing country met here on stipulated occasions and held their lodge meetings,
after which a banquet followed of the most convivial character. In iSig
Uncle Dan Allen was elected supervisor of Perrysburg, which was one of the
first towns of Cattaraugus county at that time and embraced a large area of
territory since made into other towns, one of which is Persia. Phineas Spen-
cer was appointed one of three commissioners to build the first county clerk's
office at EUicottville in 1823 and the same year was elected member of As-
sembly for this county. On Sept. T5, 1813, a new comer was announced at
Hidi and welcomed to the family of Ahaz Allen as the first child born of white
parents in Perrysburg or Persia. She was christened Caroline and lived to be
twenty-three years of age, when consumption terminated the life of one be-
loved by all who knew hei'.
Ichabod Harding and Asahel Camp settled at Hidi in 1819; two years later
they established the first wool-carding and cloth-dressing business in this vi-
cinity. This industry was indispensable to the farmers, who raised sheep and
took their wool to the carding machine and had it con\erted into rolls, from
which the good housewife and daughters spun it into yarn and wove it into
flannel on a hand loom, after which it was sent to the cloth-dresser, fulled,
colored, knapped, sheared, and pressed, and then was called fulled cloth and
ready to be made into the wearing apparel of the family. Every household
of the farmer had its spinning wheel and some of them had two or three. It
will be remembered that as late as 1843 full-cloth was regarded as legal tender
for services performed by the day laborer, and there are those among us yet
living who tell of chopping cord-wood in the center of Gowanda for twenty-
five cents per cord and taking full-cloth at $1 per yard for their pay.
Nathaniel Whitcomb, one of the most eccentric characters and well known
in this vicinity until a few years since, came to Hidi in 1817 from Vermont,
the place of his birth. He engaged his services to Dan Alien and served him
faithfully for over ten years (like Jacob of old), having in view one of his
daughters, whom he hoped to win by merit of incessant toil and frugality to
become his wife, but the girl could not see it in that way and he remained a
bachelor until 1832, when he married Jane Darby, with whom he lived about
twenty-five years, when death took her from him, but leaving to him two
daughters and a son. They had buried two children and when his wife died
he had three marble slabs placed at the head of their graves. Upon that com-
memorating his wife was this epitaph : " Father and mother, the sun shines
bright and clear out of Gen. George Washington's fog; we 'v gained our improve-
ments; oh, my God, how little we "reverence him." Carved upon the top of
Town of Persia. - 969
one is a lamb reposing in death ; epitaph: "The lamb that was slain now lives
again to intercede for me." Upon the other is carved a dove ; the epitaph
underneath is: " My love, my dove, is taken away from this world's hope and
fear, and left her father in a hell of a cheer." These strange, uncouth epitaphs
are purely characteristic of the author and only appreciable by those who
knew him. He lived to be ninety-three years of age and died in Hidi on the
1 8th of June, 1884. It was his request that his remains be not taken to any
church to be exhibited nor any minister preach hell or damnation over him
when dead, for he had enough of that when living. He had been ground
down and rubbed hard by a set of scofferous cusses all his life, and as evidence
of his appreciation of them he would have for a monument at the head of his
grave a grindstone with about half its width in the ground and on the upper
rim these words engraved in plain letters: " Grind on, ye cusses." In justice
to his memory I think some of his friends ought to carry out his wish, as such
a memento would convey to future generations the unique characteristics of
one of the pioneers of Persia.
In 1817 Jacob Balcom with a family of sons and daughters came to Hidi and
the next year moved onto the land now known as Darby flats, two miles above
on Cattaraugus creek, where the south branch empties into the main stream.
There were evidences that civilization had preceded them, as they found
apple trees growing there planted by unknown hands years before. Some of
those trees yet remain standing and have acquired a growth of nine feet in
circumference around the trunk. The road into Otto via Little's mills was
cut through the breakers by Ahaz Allen in 1830. Prior to that time there
was a path from Darby flats after fording the south branch up the breakers,
where pedestrians in the early settlement found their way into East Otto and
Ashford. In the fall of 1826 Thomas Dutton, a resident of Lodi, passing this
way with the view of going to Ashford, was drowned. The next spring his
remains were found among the floodwood at the head of a small island some
100 rods below. The coroner, Ahaz Allen, held an inquest on the body, but
the remains were so badly decomposed that it was impossible to determine
whether he came to his death by violence or by accidental drowning. When
he left Lodi he had §400 on his person and a silver watch, and as neither money
nor watch were found with him it was the prevailing opinion that he met his
death by the hand of some unknown assassin. He was buried on the upper
end of the flats near the south branch, where a rude stone slab marks the spot
where his ashes repose, and where picnicers from the village resort every year
and hold high carnival. The Balcoms sold out to Nathaniel Whitcomb and
moved west in 1834.
There is a tract of land embracing about 2,000 acres known as " Point
Peter." It is bounded on the east by the south branch and main body of
Cattaraugus creek and on the west by the Point -Peter brook, which empties
into the main stream (half a mile from Hidi) from a narrow gorge with high
rock cliffs on either side, which rise to a hundred feet and form a narrow bar-
rier between the two streams. In the state of primitive nature this was one
of the most picturesque scenes known in the country, and sixty years ago was
a favorite resort for young men and maidens of the village to while away the
pleasant hours of a summer's day 'neath the evergreen foliage of the hemlock,
which the sun's warm rays never dared to penetrate. It has often been asked,
and never been answered of late, by whom or what was the origin of this un-
couth name, " Point Peter," given to this part of the town. There are few now
970 History of Cattaraugus County
living who can vouch for the truth of what I write on this subject. No white
man had explored this unknown region until six months after Mr. Allen set-
tled at Hidi. At that time a young man named Peter worked for him. Un-
like his employer he had some religious scruples against working on the
Sabbath ; therefore, while all the others put in their time without regard to
a day of rest, he would spend Sundays in reading and rambling around the
vicinity. It was on one of these Sundays that he wandered up the hill and
followed along the top of the bank until he reached the high declivity sepa-
rating the two streams, the one running east and the other west with only
this narrow barrier between, rising on either side to a hundred feet above the
water. He followed along this dizzy height and found an elbow where the
brook struck the rocks and turned to a right angle, and flowed on smooth
rock along the west side and then around the projecting angle, and to return
on the east side, where it empties into Cattaraugus creek. By following on a
few rods farther he found the passage narrowed to about a foot in width at
the summit, with loo feet at the base, where the brook rippled on either side
and made him feel that one misstep on either side would send him from time
ot eternity. When he returned at night and told of his wonderful discovery
all parties agreed that his name should be perpetuated as an explorer, and
from that day to this it has been called " Point Peter." The hands of the mound
builders or those of some pre-historic race were visible just above on a level
plateau of land, where an intrenchment had been thrown up in the shape of a
horseshoe surrounding three or four acres of land with the opening on the
breakers 200 feet above Cattaraugus creek. The trench surrounding this fort
was from four to six feet deep, with the dirt thrown upon the inside, which
had the appearance of quite a formidable barrier against the enemy when
completed. That the structure was over a thousand years old is proven by
the growth of trees standing upon the ridge where they had grown after the
ground had been thrown up. Pine trees four feet through grew upon these
ramparts when the pioneer commenced the work of subjugation, and after
70 years of plowing and harrowing scarcely a trace of the old fort is sf en.
In 1830 a road was made following the creek from Hidi to the hill, where
it ascended to where the highway descends and crosses Point Peter brook,
and thence to where it crosses the south branch into Otto. Prior to that
period the only road to and from that region of country crossed the gulf
nearly half a mile south from the corner where the cheese factory now stands.
A few years later a new school house was built at the top of the hill on the
road to Point Peter. It was the seat of learning for all the farmers living
three miles south and also for all the families of Hidi and vicinity. From
this little red school house eminated business and professional men who have
made their mark in the world and who would do honor to the best college in
the land. The school district was divided and the old red school house sold
and metamorphosed into a dwelling some forty years ago.
In those years the people were more frugal of time than in the present age
and compelled the school teachers to work at least five days and a half each
week in the school room. Therefore it was optional with the teachers whether
they closed the school Saturday at noon or kept all day and closed the next
week on Friday evening. In 1818 there was a sufficient number of families
settled at Hidi to demand a teacher for the instruction of the children. There-
fore Enoch Frye, of Concord, was engaged, and is credited with teaching
the first school in the town of Persia. There was an itinerant minister of the
1 OWN OF I'ERSIA. 9/ 1
Freewill Baptist persuasion by the name of Elnathan Finch who held relig-
ious service from house to house as early as 1815 and a few years thereafter.
After the old red school house was built meetings were held in it as long as
it remained a school building, and all religious denominations were represented
here by their ministers occasionally, and in the fall of 1840 a Mormon preacher
held a series of meetings here with a view of making proselytes to his faith
and join them at Kirtland, Ohio. There was quite a settlement of Mormons
in Dayton, headed by a man named Nickerson, who was mstrumental in hav-
ing their prophets, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Brigham Young, hold
a series of meetings in the old school house which stood on Buffalo street
where the Straub carriage factory now stands. They held their meetings even-
ings for a week, but made no converts. The citizens complained that they
were allowed to preach their absurd doctrine in their midst, and some people
went so far as to preach tar and feathers and other means of driving them
from the place. This occurred in 1834 or 1835.
As late as 1820 there were but three log buildings west of the Cattaraugus
creek, below Hidi — one built by Merrill Aldrich stood down on Water street
below the present Riverside House; Col. Benjamin Waterman's farther down
the creek; and Thomas Farnsworth's up the creek near where the railroad
bridge crosses. On the east side was Turner Aldrich, Sr., who came here in
1 8 10 and located lands covering both sides of the stream to the extent of 707
acres. . He had three sons and three daughters, and most of them gro\vn to
maturity. His first clearing was made where the old Eagle tavern now stands.
There was an indiscriminate slaughter made of the timber in order that the
sun and showers might penetrate the soil and vegetate the cereals necessary
for their sustenance. The following year a bountiful crop of corn and pota-
toes was the reward of their first year's labor. Mr. Aldrich conceived the idea
of building a saw-mill somewhere upon his premises as a means of working up
the valuable timber into lumber and supply the growing demand for it. His
ideas were carried out and a saw-mill built nearly opposite the Eagle tavern,
and the waters of the Grannis brook carried in troughs made of basswood
logs hollowed out for the purpose and laid along on the top of the ground to
the mill. It was a primitive affair and did not realize the expectation of the
projector, as only in freshets was there sufficient water to propel it at all. An
eccentric character of those times described the mill as a " demnition queer
thing." He said on turning the water on the wheel it would start up, splash
the saw-gate up and down three or four times, and then stop stock still. After
the water had been replenished it would be repeated until after an incredible
long period it would saw through the log. " It was enough to try the patience
of Job," said the narrator, "and in its girations seem to say 'Quaker, Quaker,
Quaker, damn ye.' " Those words were proverbial for many years among the
old settlers, but have become obsolete and only remembered by the venerable
George Southwick, now in his eighty-third year.
A growing necessity finally compelled the Aldriches to sell a part of their
lands to others of progressive spirit. In those days steam -was an unknown
agency, but where nature had formed a good water-power the artisan' and me-
chanic hastened to apply their skill in the building of wheels to propel the
machinery of the various industries. The rapidly flowing Cattaraugus was re-
garded as the best locality for the building of mills, factories, and foundries
west of the Genesee river at Rochester, and hence the early commencement at
this place. For the first ten or fifteen years little progress was made other
972 History of Cattaraugus County.
than preparing the way for those of more enterprise that were to follow. And
not until 1823, when Joseph and Ralph Plumb came here and established
themselves in business, was anything done to rival the flourishing little hamlet
one mile above, where were then a saw-mill, a grist-mill, and a wool-carding
and cloth-dressing factory in full operation. The Aldriches had put up a
grist-mill on the present site of the Romer Brothers' axe factory, but on ac-
count of a poor dam and small race it did not supply the demands of the pub-
lic, and another drawback was the want of a bridge across the creek that the
farmers of Dayton and Perrysburg might avail themselves of milling privileges
on the other side of the stream. A man named Barto was employed and
built the first bridge across the creek at Aldrich Mills. It was a good, sub-
stantial structure of the kind with an abutment in the center to support the
two spans of fifty feet each, and stood about six rods above the present bridge.
There was a crib built around the center abutment and filled up with stone to
insure its safety, but the next spring when the ice in the creek moved out in a
freshet it arose so high and came down with such velocity that the bridge was
but a pigmy to resist its irresistible force. As near as I can ascertain that
bridge was built in 1820 and, however much was the necessity, there was no
talk of repeating the experiment until one could be made to reach across with
a single span and thereby obviate all danger from high water, ice, or drift-
wood. In April, 1826, the Legislature passed an act authorizing a few of the
towns of Cattaraugus and Erie counties to erect a bridge across Cattaraugus
creek at Lodi, chargeable to the taxable property of said towns, and Phineas
Spencer, Ralph Plumb, and Benjamin Waterman were appointed commission-
ers to carry the same into effect. In July of that year these commissioners
entered into a contract with Ahaz Allen and Edwin Farnsworth to build the
bridge and have it completed by the first of January, 1827.
The architects of the plan were Brown, Sturdevant & Marvin ; the master
mechanics were Henry Classon and Sylvanus Parkinson. The contract called
for abutments on each side of the creek to be composed of white-oak timber,
flattened and dovetailed together at the end, and thirty feet face on the creek.
The bridge had two archways, one on each side of the center arch, and the
whole to be covered, shingled, and sided up with pine clapboards. The ap-
proaches were to be filled with stone, and when accepted by the commission-
ers the contracting parties were to receive $1,200 as full compensation. While
the work of building was in progress the commissioners changed the plan of
the abutments from wood to stone, for which they agreed to use their influence
to have the Boards of Supervisors of the two counties raise $300 extra. The
contractors allowed the change to be made, but they never received a
dollar over and above the §1,200 in the original contract for their work. The
bridge was the pride of Lodi and admired by all who passed through it for
years. I well remember the first time I crossed it fifty-three years ago. I
looked upon it with wonder and pronounced it the grandest bridge I had ever
seen. A duplicate of that structure as turned over to the commissioners when
completed could not be erected today for much less' if any than $10,000. Then
the hills and valleys were covered with a magnificent growth of pine, oak,
whitewood, black walnut, cherry, hemlock, and other hardwoods. Men of
stout hearts and willing hands were ready to work for a mere pittance com-
pared with the price of labor today — to chop, drive ox-teams, and do common
manual labor from daylight in the morning until dark at night for from §6 to
$8 a month and the best mechanics for from four to si.x shillings per day.
J^,
Town of Persia. 973
It was said of Ahaz Allen that he never engaged in any undertaking but
one which he did not accomplish. Old John Thatcher used to relate a story
of him which was characteristic of his indomitable will power. There was a
scarcity of potatoes in this vicinity one spring and Thatcher proposed to Uncle
Ahaz that they go up into Zoarand buy a canoe-load and float down the stream
with them to Hidi. They succeeded among the Fryes and Pratts in getting
a canoe and filling it as full as practicable for safety with potatoes. They
both stepped in, Uncle Ahaz took the paddle and stern as commander, and
Thatcher as passenger, seated amidship. They glided smoothly along until
they got down to General Hill's tavern, when they disembarked and were
welcomed by the general, who was a very courteous host and a good conver-
sationalist. They thought it would not be courteous to "throw a stone into
the bar," as was said of those stopping at taverns without taking a- drink, and
so they took two a piece and paid the general a shilling and started to leave,
but the general cried out: " Hold on, boys, now for 'Auld Lang Syne'; take
a drink with me." They took another drink and departed with a hearty
God-speed from the general. The balance of the voyage was through more
turbulent waters, but their courage was heightened by their visit with the
general and so they pursued their journey fearlessly and with safety until they
struck a narrow gorge, where the waters rushed down with a breakneck speed
into a deep eddy. A tree at this point had partly careened over and with its
limbs swept the rushing tide. Coming upon it so suddenly there was no way
of avoiding it, and so they laid as low as possible, hoping the limbs would
bend and let them pass under. But the limbs refused to bend, and they were
the next minute turned bottom-side up, their potatoes given to the fish, and
the two men struggling to save themselves. Thatcher was a good swimmer
and got out all right, and looked around for Ahaz. "At first I did not see
him," says Thatcher, " but in a^few seconds I looked a little below and saw
him crawling out on all fours. He held the paddle in a firm grip, and when
he had straightened up he said: 'Well, John, I have saved so much, what
have you done?' ' Barely saved myself,' I replied, 'but the canoe and the
potatoes have gone to the devil and we are in a pretty fix to go back to our
families without any.' 'Yes, yes, John, I understand all about that, but I
don't care a cuss for the canoe nor the potatoes, and,\vhat distresses' me is
I hate to be beat.'
The Plumbs brought with them a stock of general merchandise, which
they opened up to the public nearly opposite to where the Eagle House
stands on Perry street. They were the only merchants in this vicinity. The
Aldriches availed themselves of buying goods on credit until their indebted-
ness became so large that they were obliged to sell to the Plumbs. Soon as
the Plumbs got full possession of the water-power they commenced to build
and to utilize the water for all practicable industries. The first thing to be
done was to supplant the brush dam with a good and substantial one, and to
this end Ahaz Allen was engaged to superintend its construction. The dam
then built, nearly seventy years ago, still turns the water into the race.
In 18 1 5 Daniel Wheeler came here and engaged his service to Turner
Aldrich. He worked for him until he (Aldrich) sold to the Plumbs, when
they settled and Mr. Aldrich gave him a deed of the land next to the town
line on Main street, where he afterward put up the house now standing on
the west side of Thatcher brook and occupied by the relict of the late Halsey
Stearns. Hosea Stewart, Subina Adams, and James West came about the
974 History of Cattaraugus County.
same time, and soon after Park Daily, Timothy Smith, and John Strong fol-
lowed. David Brand bought the first farm east of the village in 1815, owned
now by the Torrance estate, and put up a log house and lived in it until he
sold out to Ralph Plumb and moved into Dayton sometime in the thirties.
Amasa L. Chaffee and Alvin Bugby came from Attica, Genesee county, in
1823. They brought their families with them and for want of a better place
took up their residence in the garret of the old mill on Main street, where
they remained until they erected buildings of their own on the west side of
the creek. They were young men who had married sisters. Soon they pur-
chased a water privilege of the Plumbs and erected a wool-carding and cloth-
dressing factory on the north side of Main street opposite the mill. They
continued together in business a few years, when Mr. Bugby sold his interest
to Asahel Camp. The firm of Chaffee & Camp did a lucrative business until
sometime in the thirties, when Mr. Chaffee sold out to Ralph Plumb and en-
gaged in mercantile business on the west side of the creek. The dairy busi-
ness, so prevalent in western New York at this time, was then in embryo, but
every farmer had a flock of sheep, and as there was no cash market for wool
nearer than Buffalo, Plumb &: Camp conceived the idea of btiilding a woolen
factory for the purpose of manufacturing wool into cloth. They erected a
large three-stury building with an attic and put in the most approved
machinery for every department, and when completed it was a model insti-
tution and gave an impetus to business in Lodi heretofore unknown. The
expense incurred a large indebtedness and Mr. Camp had no resources to
meet these obligations. Mr. Plumb proposed that they dissolve the co-part-
nership and Mr. Camp was obliged to accede. Mr. Plumb, evidently think-
ing the property would easily fall into his hands, made an extremely low
offer. Mr. Camp saw at a glance that the opportunity of his life was before
him. He soon found a farmer over in Chautauqua county by the name of
Smith, who furnished the necessary collateral, and thence for many years the
firm of Camp & Smith continued to do business together, Mr. Camp being
the manager. When the great fire of April 30, 1856, swept it out of e.Kistence
Mr. Camp was sole owner.
In 1823 Phineas Spencer, li\ing fi\e miles west in what is now Perrysburg,
was elected a member of the Legislature and the same year was appointed
one of three commissioners to build the first county clerk's office at EUicott-
ville. After Mr. Spencer returned from the Legislature in the spring of 1824
he moved his family down to Aldrich Mills and located on the premises now
owned by Mrs. Gardner and the bo.x factory of M. T. Hill, where he ' first
built an ashery and afterward a distillery. Other families came that. year and
settled on both sides of the creek, business began to boom and the people
began to feel the need of a new name for the village. That fall a meeting of
the citizens was called and the historic name of Lodi was given it by Ahaz
Allen after other names had been discussed and discarded. Noah Cook, now-
over ninety years old and living in Perrysburg, related to me last year (1892')
the story of that meeting. He said that he was running the saw-mill for
Uncle Ahaz, and after the meeting the old gentleman said: " LTpon my sug-
gestion they christened the new-born village Lodi." Then said Mr. Cook :
"If that is Lodi, this must be Hidi," since which time the little hamlet one
mile above Gowanda has borne that original name.
In 1826 Phineas Spencer purchased goods in New York and established
the first mercantile house on the west side of the creek. His store was on
Town of Persia. . 975
the lot on which the Hooker block now stands, where he continued to do bus-
iness until his death September 30, 1839, when only forty-five years of age.
He was a man of liberal views and a large and generous heart. His eldest
daughter, Adelia, married the late Francis S. Root, of Buffalo, in 1839, ^'^"^ 's
yet living. Maria, his second daughter, married Gideon Webster in 1840, but
died a few years after. Franklin Spencer married Rachel, only daughter of
Zebedee McComber, in 1843. I" '855 he went to Chicago and engaged in the
hardware business, where he died November i, 1890, aged nearly seventy -one
years. William Spencer remained and carried on a general mercantile busi-
ness in the Plumb block until 1869. His residence on the corner of Main and
Church streets, which he had erected a few years before, was sold to the late
Enoch Taylor, whose widow and daughter still occupy the premises. Mr.
Spencer died at the residence of his son in Buffalo some ten years ago. R. P.
Spencer married Laura Camp and moved west long years ago, and resides at
Lansing, Iowa. In 1833 Phineas Spencer bought the mill property at Hidi
of Ahaz Allen and subsequently turned the same over to New York merchants
as collateral security for a large indebtedness. At that time there were two
saw-mills and one grist-mill embraced in the property and all doing a flourish-
ing business. But in the June freshet of 1841 the head gates of the race gave
way under the heavy pressure of water, which swept away the bridges and
overflowed the bank at the mills, carrying away the embankment down to the
smooth rock and leaving the mills high and dry. On the race above where
now stands the tannery of Gaensslen Brothers was the woolen factory leased by
Haviland & Stuart. After the water subsided the last named firm put a dam
across the race at the factory and also a bridge, and was soon doing business
as usual. But they closed up that year and for a few subsequent years there
was no business done there except in the saw-mill on a second dam below the
present one, where the creek turns at nearly right angles some fifty rods be-
low. That dam and mill have long since disappeared and not a vestige of
either is left. In 1843 the Hidi mill property was sold on a mortgage held
by Ahaz Allen and purchased by' Judge Howe. A few years later James
Locke bought the same and erected a fine flouring-mill on the site of the pres-
ent one. His son-in-law, Albert Eaton, had the management of the same for
a few years, when he bought out Mr. Locke and continued there until he
failed and moved to Denver, Col. A. F. Conger hired the property of the as-
signee. James Locke, and was running it successfully when it was burned some-
time in the sixties. Silas Vinton, of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, pur-
chased the property and moved the Howe mill from Little Valley and put it
upon the old foundation, and when completed it was one of the best mills in
the county. After a few years Mr. Vinton engaged in the mercantile business
and sold his interest at Hidi to his son, F. C. Vinton, who ran it successfully
a few years, when, like its predecessor, it was consumed by fire. Alanson
Derby was the next man to buy the property and erected the mill now stand-
ing on the foundation of those gone before.
In 1824 Stephen Taylor came to Hidi with his family and bought a lot
upon which he erected a large frame with the view of going into the mercan-
, tile business. The building was not completed and the frame remained stand-
ing until it was pulled down from fear that it would be blown down. Mr.
Taylor had a large family of daughters and his building was called the seraglio,
while he bore the euphonious title of " the Old Bashaw." Robert and Styles
A. Torrance came to Hidi in 1825. Robert married one of the Taylor girls,
976 History of Cattarau(;us County.
by whom he had two sons : the late Morgan Torrance and Styles, now living at
Ellicottville. Soon after coming here the Torrances got possession of the
wool-carding business and were successful in building up a good trade. A few
years thereafter, in company with Ahaz Allen, they put in machinery neces-
sary for manufacturing woolen goods, which was continued under various
firms until some time in the fifties, when the machinery was sold and the build-
ing converted into a tannery under the control of VVeiser & Gaensslen. This
firm continued about ten years, when Mr. Weiser sold to the Gaensslens, since
which time the present firm of Gaensslen Brothers has owned and done a large
business here and in Cleveland, Ohio.
Alvah Plumb, better know in those years as " Lord Plumb," moved to Hidi
ill 1824. He was a blacksmith by trade, and for want of a better anvil at first
hammered out his irons on a large, hard stone. But this primitive instrument
of necessity was soon superseded by a good iron anvil, when the stroke of his
hammer was heard early and late forging out a livelihood for his si.x sons and
one daughter.
In 1826 Ahaz Allen drove a horse team to Mount Clemens, Mich., and
brought back with him his brother-in-law and family, Styles Tprrance. The
late C. C. Torrance was then but one year old and youngest of the family.
They settled at Hidi, where the youngest of the family grew to maturity, and
where the parents, when ripe in years, died, and sleep in the old cemetery on
the hill west of the village. As late as 1830 there was a dense wilderness
lying south of Hidi, extending many miles up Point Peter brook. In 1S2S or
1829 a bear made occasional visits (under cover of night) to the edge of the
clearing at the upper end of the flats, where in a little rivulet he turned o\'er
stones in search of craw-fish. The evidence of his bearship was suflicient to
warrant Uncle Styles (an old trapper) in having a large steel trap made from
some old worn-out saws, of which " Lord Plumb " was the artist, and when
completed it was pronounced of sufficient, strength to hold any living animal.
A short piece of log chain was attached to the trap and fastened to a green
beach log weighing at least 100 pounds, and the trap and clog were imbeded in
the rivulet. Uncle Styles retired to await results. Sometime during the fol-
lowing night or early morn brujn sought his accustomed haunt and began at
once to overturn the stones in the rivulet in search of the succulent crabs.
At the first pass he made with his paw the jaws of the trap closed on the
tender flesh and held it in its unrelenting grasp. Finding his efforts to release
himself fruitless bruin started down the rivulet, dragging the trap and clog
with him. About twenty rods below he started up the hill and for over a mile
continued on his course, until at last, on lands of Norman Allen, he was discov-
ered by his pursuers. A man by the name of Balcom owning a large mastiff
dog was the first to arrive, and considering his dog worthy to cope with bruin
in his crippled condition at once set him on, but bruin with one blow laid the
mastiff lifeless at his feet, which so enraged Balcom that a bullet from his rifle
killed the beast. That was the last bear ever seen at -large roaming the forests
of the town of Persia. The carcass tipped the scales at 400 pounds.
E. W. Henry came to Lodi in 1828 and commenced selling goods in a
store next the creek and close to the bridge on the south side of Main street.
In 1829 he married Phoebe, daughter of Colonel Waterman. A fevvyears later
he bought a lot on Water street, built the house next below the Riverside
Hotel, and lived there a number of years. Subsequently he sold and bought
at the terminus of Main street. Two years after he sold again and moved
Town of Peksia. 977
back into Persia at the foot of Church street, where he Hved in 1840. He
put up an ashery and did a large business in potash, which was then the only
commodity that brought ready cash. At the formation of the present Union
School District he donated the land upon which the first school house was
built by Jasper Waterman, which was burned in 1872. He died here in No-
vember, 1873. In the fire of 1856 his store at the east of the bridge was burned.
Porter Welch came to Lodi 1831 and engaged in mercantile business with
George W. White. They continued a few years together, and he afterward
formed a co-partnership with A. L. Chaffee for two or three years. For the
last thirty years of his life he was alone. He married in 1834 and died in 1874.
It was the purpose of Mr. Stuart, the author of the foregoing account of
the early settlement of Persia, to continue this interesting narrative down to
about 1850, but his sudden death on June 30, 1893, cut his labors short. It is
quite probable that much valuable history which was made during the re-
mainder of the period he intended to cover is lost in oblivion. From his many
fragmentary notes, however, is gathered much of the data which forms the
foundation of large portions of the succeeding pages of this chapter.
As already stated the town of Persia was formed from Perrysburg on the
7th of February, 1835. The town records were entirely destroyed in the great
fire in Gowanda of April 30, 1856, and hence it is impossible to give the offi-
cers elected at the first town meeting. The supervisors have been as follows:
Suvervmii-f!.-Esek B. Nash, I8a.')-3<1, ISiO, 18-U, IKlii-tS; John Thatcher, 1837-33,1840-41.1845; George W.
White, 1842 ; Seth Field, 184:! ; A. L. ChaCfee, 184ft, laW ; L. N. Gardner, 18.50 : Hiram Palmer, iail-52 ; Levi W.
Strope, ia>4: David N.Brown, 1855-5« : Lemuel S. Jenlss, ia")r-68 ; William W. Henry, 18(39-70; Aaron F.
Bennett, 1871-72; Charles W. Blackney, 1873-74 ; Silas Vinton, 1875-77, 187n-80; Keuben Ross, 1878; Ward
Hooker, 1881-82; B. L.Kimble, 1883-»4; Franlc C. Vinton, 188.5-87.1889-91; J. H. Schaack, 1888 ; Frank L. Mat-
tocks, 1891-03.
Outside the village of Gowanda two cemeteries were set off by the early
settlers for the burial of their dead — one on lot 50 and the other on lot 54.
Another was also laid out on lot 16 and for the care of this the Persia Ceme-
tery Association was formed November 29, 1852, of which Norman H. Allen
was the first secretary. The cemetery in Gowanda village is a large and tastily
arranged plat and contains the remains of many of the town's most illustrious
citizens. On the north side of the creek is Pine Hill Cemetery, which comprises
about twelve acres and is controlled by an Erie county organization.
One of the oldest highways in Persia runs along Thatcher brook, on the
west side of the town, and in early days was known far and near as the James-
town road. It was extensively used by stages and emigrants between Buffalo
and Jamestown and the west. The present roads are kept in comparatively
good condition. The Buffalo & Southwestern division of the Erie railroad
traverses the northwest part of the town nearly parallel^-with this highway
and has a station on the Cattaraugus county side of the creek. For this road,
which was completed in July, 1875, the town issued bonds to the amount of
$29,000. The original line of 'the Erie railway enters Persia at the southeast
corner, on lot 25, and runs northwest and west into Dayton, where it has a
junction at that village with the Buffalo & Southwestern. On lot 60, near the
123
97'"^ History of Cattaraugus County.
hamlet of Persia, is "Allen's Switch." The road has no station in this town.
Gowanda is one of the prettiest villages in Cattaraugus county. Situated
on Cattaraugus creek, in a beautiful valley bordered on nearly all sides by high
hills, cut in two by the turbulent waters of a stream which furnishes almost
constant water-power, and adjacent to some of the most picturesque and ro-
mantic scenery in western New York it has natural advantages unexcelled by
any similar village in the State. Within an hour's ride of Buffalo, James-
town, or Salamanca its transportation facilities are all that could be desired,
while its geographical location is unusually healthful and attractive. Prob-
ably owing to the fact that it lies partly in Erie and partly in Cattaraugus
county its political and social interests are somewhat divided and prevent its
being thoroughly identified with either corporate organization. The site was
first settled on the Erie county side by Turner Aldrich and other represent-
atives of the Society of Friends. Mr. Turner early made improvements,
from which fact the .settlement was known as Aldrich Mills. It was subse-
quently changed in 1826 to Lodi and finally, in 1848, became Gowanda, a
name given it by Judge Chester Howe. The designation is an Indian word
signifying "beautiful place among the hills." Turner Aldrich, Jr.'s, wife was
Nancy Collins, after whom the town of Collins in Erie county was named.
She was the first white woman to come to Gowanda. While the village was
known as Lodi the following persons were residents and their names were oft
repeated in rhyme :
Mr. Day and .Mr. Knight,
.Mr. Black and Mr. White,
Mr. Starr and Mr. Moon,
Mr. Fox and .Mr. t'oon.
The village was incorporated August i, 1848, on a petition to the Cattar-
augus County Court dated April 24th of that year. The special election de-
cided in favor of incorporation by seventy-five to si.xteen, the corporate limits
inclosing 746 acres of land situated on both sides of the creek. September
23, 1848, the first election was held and these officers chosen: Seth Field,
James Locke, Francis Peacock, Daniel C. Amsden, and Harlow Crandall,
trustees; Hiram Palmer, Amasa L. Chaffee, and Samuel Aiken, assessors;
Joseph J. Benton, James H. McMillan, and George S. Hickox, street commis-
sioners; Samuel C. Springer, clerk; William H. Murphy, collector; E. W.
Henry, treasurer; Brazilla Coon, constable; James Locke, president Board of
Trustees. The village was again incorporated in July, 1878, and the boundaries
extended to include Hidi. The first election under this charter occurred
September 2d, when these officers were chosen : Silas Vinton, president ;
J. Brown, John Kammerer, and B. L. Kimble, trustees; Wells Fuller, secretary;
T. F. Kingsley, treasurer. The present officers are: Silas Vinton, president;
H. R. Gaensslen, trustee, two years, M. F. Hill, one year, M. M. McGuire,
one year; W. H. Bard, treasurer; F. C. Crawford, collector. The population
is about 2,500. . "
Town of Persia. 979
The first postoffice established here was in about 1820 and was known as
Aldrich Mills. Its name was changed in 1822 to Lodi with Col. Benjannin
Waterman as postmaster, and in 1827 the office was discontinued. The mail
was then received at Collins until about 1830, when the postoffice of West
Lodi was established on the Cattaraugus county side of the creek with Phin-
eas Spencer as postmaster. The name was changed to Persia in 1835 and in
1848 it became Gowanda. July i, 1872, it became a money-order office.
Since the chapter on the press of the county was printed in this volume
the Gowanda Leader has been established by Clarence Van Alstyne, editor
and publisher. The first number made its appearance June 15, 1893. It is
issued every Thursday.
The village has been visited with several disastrous conflagrations, but
each time it has "risen from the ashes" with commendable energy. April 30,
1856, a fire originated on the Erie county side, communicated across the creek
by means of the wooden bridge, and destroyed every business place but
one and many residences in both localities. In October, 1875, all the business
blocks on the Cattaraugus county side from Water street to Judge Wood-
bury s office were burned. Another destructive fire occurred July i, 1893,
which burned about $20,000 worth of property, consisting of seven or eight
blocks beginning with the Commercial Hotel and running southwest along
Jamestown street. July 27, 1857, a sudden freshet in Thatcher brook car-
ried away three houses and caused considerable other damage. The village
has a well organized fire department.
The first school in town was taught at Hidi by Enoch Frye in the winter
of 1817-18. In 1829, a school district comprising a large territory having been
organized, it was decided "to secure a site for a school house within forty
rods of Dr. Merritt's place." This was purchased for $25 of Alvin Bugby and
a frame structure erected upon it at a cost of §125. It is said that Solomon
Dunham painted it Venetian red and the cornice white. The first school was
taught in the building by a Mr.'Leland in the winter of 1829-30 and the next
term by Chester Howe. In 1845 ^ school house was built on the Erie county
side on the "pine lot " purchased of E. W. Henry, and in it A. G. Love was
the first teacher. The town now has six school districts, in each of which a
school is maintained, which, in 1892, were attended by 514 scholars and taught
by thirteen teachers. The total value of buildings and sites is $17,075 and the
assessed valuation of the districts aggregates §976,310. The money received
from the State in 1892 amounted to $2,121.04, by local tax $4,016.26.
In 1862 the Gowanda district school was placed under- the supervision of
the Regents of the University of the State of New York and remained so until
December 6, 1866, when the Gowanda Union School and Academy was organ-
ized, the first Board of Education being composed of Joseph H. Plumb, Da-
vid N. Brown, Nicholas Schaack, Herman Kelley, F. A. Newell, A. W. Popple,
William H. Stuart, L. S. Jenks, and C. C. Torrance; of these Mr. Brown was
980 History of Cattaraugus County.
president and Mr. Stuart was secretary. The academic department was form-
ally opened in December, 1866, with Dr. Holcomb as principal. August 9,
1874, the school building was burned and for several years school was held in
the Welch block. October 26, 1875, at a meeting held for the purpose, it was
decided to rebuild on the old site and the present handsome brick structure
was erected by Silas Vinton and first occupied in the fall of 1877. The acad-
emy has six departments: Academic, first grammar, second grammar, inter-
mediate, first primary, and second primary. It contains a fine library and a
well-equipped laboratory. In 1888 a bequest of $1,000 was received from the
late C. C. Torrance, Esq., as a permanent fund, the proceeds to be awarded in
cash prizes of $40 and $20 ever}' June to two members of the graduating class.
The school is under the visitation of the Regents. The Board of Education
in 1892 was composed of J. E. Van Deusen, George W. Scott, John Kammerer,
A. C. Stafford, S. C. Torrance, .Silas Vinton ; J. E. Van Deusen, president ; C. S.
Rowland, clerk; F. E. Bard, treasurer; G. C. Carpenter, collector. The fac-
ulty for 1892-93 is as follows: Charles A. Black, A.M., principal and superin-
tendent; Mrs. Charles A. Black, preceptress; Miss Nellie J. Lake, assistant;
Nettie J. Ransom, Miss Virginia E. Conger, Miss Georgia M. Maltbie, Miss
Lillian Ribbel, Miss Dora W. Chaffe, teachers.
The Lodi Library Association was legally organized June 18, 1827, with
H. M. Parker, Norton Davison, Solon Spencer, Ira C. Titus, J. Hill, Constant
B. Allen, and Solomon Dunham as trustees. Aside from this it is believed there
was no visible existence of the institution. The Mary Spencer Library was
founded in 1886. It comprises about 1,500 volumes and has a home in the
basement of the First Presbyterian church.
The Bank of Gowanda was organized in January, 1890, with a capital stock
of §30,000. The officers were Albert Gaensslen, president; J. E. Van Deu-
sen, vice-president ; W. H. Bard, cashier; F. E. Bard, assistant cashier. The
present officers are the same except Vice-President Van Deusen, who has
been succeeded by Edgar E. Shaw. The directors are A. Gaensslen, W. H.
Bard, S. H. Arnold, A. C. Stafford, W. P. Sherman, F. J. Blackmon, F. E.
Bard, and E. A. Shaw.
Gaensslen Brothers have a large sole-leather tannery at Hidi which was
established on a small scale in 1853. August 2, 1862, it was destroyed by
fire, but was immediately rebuilt. It was again burned September 11, 1889,
and now has a capacity of 25,000 sides of sole leather annually. They employ
twenty-five or thirty men. William Owen's tannery was started in 1859 ^^^
came into his possession June i, 1890. He turns out about 12,000 sides of
leather per annum.
The Gowanda Preserving Company was organized in 1882 by Silas Vinton,
Dr. C. C. Johnson, and Milan J. Bronson. Mr. Vinton was treasurer and busi-
ness manager. The company completed its plant in 1882 in time to commence
business in July, canning vegetables and fruits. In the fall of 1890 the con-
Town of Persia.
cern sold to the Govvanda Canning Company, the present proprietors. The
Gowanda Fruit and Vegetable Evaporating Company (J. E. Van Deusen,
O. B. Van Deusen, and E. O. Press) has an establishment opposite the depot
with a drying capacity of 400 bushels of apples daily.
The Gowanda Printing and Manufacturing Company's establishment is
located on Water street and was organized in April, 1892. The company
does job printing and manufactures paper boxes. The officers are S. H. Ar-
nold, president; R. E. Moss, vice-president; O. B. Van Deusen, secretary and
reasurer; P. H. Horton, superintendent. The nucleus of this concern was
established mainly by John J. Horton, who for a few years conducted quite
an extensive show printing business and only recently removed it to Cleve-
land, Ohio.
The Gowanda Agricultural Works are owned and operated by A. C. and
S. G. Keyes, who have conducted the business since 1885. The manufactory
was started by James Locke in 1832 and for many years prior to 1885 "^^'^s
carried on by Sellew & Popple. The present company manufactures various
kinds of agricultural implements and employs a large force of skilled me-
chanics. ¥. D. Hall began the manufacture of pumps in 1882 on the Cattar-
augus county side, succeeding to the business of A. & H. Adams, who had
a similar establishment on the Erie county side of the creek. George W.
Howard started his present business in 1884. He manufactures artistic wood-
work. Millen T. Hill has a large cheese-box factory and G. C. Carpenter
manufactures wooden cisterns, screen doors, sash, etc.
Romer Brothers Manufacturing Company, located on the Erie county side,
has a large establishment for the manufacture of axes. The business was
started in 1876 and now employs about seventy-five men. Charles Kenngott's
glue manufactory was established by him in 1868. He produces about 20,000
pounds of glue annually. The Gowanda Brick Company, composed of Messrs.
Radigan and Conroe, was organized in March, 1890. Frank L. Mattocks
owns large marble and granite works and Robert A. Kennicutt has a mineral
water manufactory which he started in 1885. D. B. Forbush carries on a
sash, door, and blind factory which was established by his father, Lester C.
Forbush, in 1855 ; the present proprietor obtained control in April, 1890.
Alanson Derby's grist-mill at Hidi was built by him in 1889. It is run by
water-power and has three runs of stone and a double set of rollers. . Sax &
Shepflin's roller flour-mill was started in 1885. It has twelve sets of rollers.
L. P. Dean has a saw and planing-mili which was burned in 1882 and rebuilt
the same year. There are several other minor industries'which lend a large
degree of business activity to this thrifty village. Gowanda has also two or
three good hotels, an opera house, and the usual complement of physicians,
lawyers, merchants, dealers, artisans, etc.
Persia postoffice was established in 1863 with Elbridge Eddy as postmaster.
The office is located near "Allen's Switch " on lot 60.
9b2 History of Cattaraugus County.
Charles A. Facklam's cheese factory, in School District No. 5, was erected
in the spring of 1889. The output is about 1 10,000 pounds of cheese annually.
It appears that several years elapsed from the date of Turner Aldrich's
settlement on the Erie county side of the creek before religious services we're
held in the pioneer community. The first preacher to visit the locality was
Rev. Elnathan Finch in 181 5 and 18 16. He was of the Freewill Baptist per-
suasion, but apparently effected no permanent organization. Even the length
of his stay or the frequency of his visitations can not be ascertained.
The First Presbyterian church of Gowanda had its inception in services
of that denomination held as early as 1826 by Joseph Plumb, who organized
a Sunday school that year. The Presbyterian Society of Lodi was organized
April 8, 1828, by Rev. M. P. Squire, with eleven members, over whom the
first pastor was Rev. E. J. Gillett. A house of worship was erected of wood
in 1832 and was burned February 13, 1842. The same year a second edifice
was erected on the old foundation, and was remodeled and enlarged in 1886.
It cost SlO.OOO, will seat 300 people, and with other property is valued at
$15,000. The society has about ninety members under the pastoral care of
Rev. F. H. Coffran. The Sunday school has 140 scholars.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Gowanda was incorporated Sep-
tember 28, 1 83 1, being the outgrowth of a small class organized a few years
before. The organizer of the society was Rev. Mr. Tacket, who is supposed
to have also been the first pastor. Services were first held in a school house
which stood a few yards from the present church edifice, and the first house
of worship was erected in 1834-35, during the pastorate of Rev. William Bab-
cock, who was the first to preach in the new building. The present church
was built of stone, brick, and wood in 1887-88 at a cost of $13,000; the entire
property is now valued at §15,000. The edifice will seat 400 persons. The
society has about lOO members with Rev. C. H. Norris as pastor, and also sus-
tains a large Sunday school. The early records of this church were burned
in the great fire of 1856.
The Seventh Day Baptist church of Persia was organized at the log house
of Oliver Babcock, June 8, 1832, by Elder Joel Green, a traveling preacher of
that denomination. The orignal membership numbered eight persons. Mr.
Green was soon followed by Rev. Walter B. Gillett and he by Rev. Nathan V.
Hull, who subsequently became connected with Alfred University in Alle-
gany county. These two men did more towards the building up of the church
than any one who came after them. It was said by a wit of the time "that
most of the members were only converted to Brother Hull, and when he went
they went." He was a man of remarkable traits of character. Dr. Thomas E.
Babcock followed as pastor and he was succeeded by Alexander Campbell, L.
Crandall, Roy Green, Henry Green, and L. M. Cotrell. The society owned a
large log school house across the highway from where the "Seventh Day"
school now stands and still own the land upon which it stood. This was torn
Town of Persia.
down in 1856. The organization, which at one time had nearly 200 members,
became defunct October 26, 1852. In 1846 a large portion of the membership
moved to Wisconsin and not a few to Allegany coun>ty.
The First Free Methodist church in Gowanda was organized April 18, 1865,
by Titus Roberts, with fifty members, the first pastor being Rev. J. B. Free-
land. In [865 a frame house of worship was erected at a cost of $2,500. It will
seat 250 persons and with the grounds, etc., is valued at $3,000. The society
has twelve or fifteen members with Rev. E. C. Best as pastor, and connected is
a Sunday school.
The Evangelical Lutheran church in Gowanda was organized in 1887 by
Rev. I. Heiniger, of Dunkirk, N. Y., with twelve members. Rev. William Pos-
sin was the first pastor. A frame church edifice was erected in 1888 at a cost
of §2,200, and with the grounds, etc., is now valued at $3,000. It will seat 200
persons. The society has fifty members with Rev. Louis Ulmer as pastor.
Connected is a Sunday school of about fifty scholars.
The Perrysburg Baptist church of Gowanda had its inception in a similar
organization near Versailles. It was formed here in June, 1888, by a council
of churches, with less than twenty members, over whom Rev. R. H. Colby be-
came the first pastor. A frame house of worship was erected the same year
at a cost of $3,000, the present value of the church property being $4,000.
The edifice will seat 300 people and the society has about seventy members
with Rev. C. J. Pendelton as pastor. They maintain two Sunday schools.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church was organized with 100 members in
1888 by Father P. Vincent, who became the first pastor. In 1888 a frame
church edifice was erected at an expense of $2,oooand with a seating capacity
of 200 persons. The church property is valued at about $2,600. The parish
has 180 communicants under the pastoral charge of Rev. Father J. Nash as
resident priest. Connected is a prosperous Sunday school.
Phcenix Lodge, No. 262, F. & A. M., was instituted under a dispensation
December 8, 1851, and legally chartered June 16, 1852. The first officers
were Elias Hall, W. M.; W. S. Herrick, S. W.; David D. Parker, J. W.; James
Locke, S. D.; Samuel Aikens, J. D.; A. L. Chaffee, secretary. At one time
it had over 100 members.
Relief Lodge, No. 328, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 13, 1847, and
its number changed to 511 on December i, 1850. It was re-organized Janu-
ary 8, 1884, by C. D. Tuttle, D. D. G. M. The first officers were WilHam
Peacock, N. G.; P. J. Dudny, V. G.; J. P. Romer, secretaryj N. Romer, treas.
Darby Post, No. 359, G. A. R., Gowanda, was organized March 27, 1883,
and its first officers were mustered in April i8th, viz. : Col. Thomas J. Parker,
commander ; Lewis W. Henry, S. V. C; William Young, J. V. C; S. H.Arn-
old, adjutant ; Jesse L. Walker, Q. M.; Joseph T. Matthews, O. D.; Charles
Wilber, O. G.; James Kavanaugh, sergeant ; John Hurdley, Q. M.-S. Besides
these there were thirteen charter members. The post was named in honor of
984 History of Cattaraugus County.
Capt. Albert Darby of Co. A, 64th N. Y. Vol. Inf., who died from wounds re-
ceived at Chancellorsville.
Peter Ackler, born on the Mohawk river, married Abigail Gibbs in Rush,
N. Y. He was a farmer and in 1824 came to Persia and settled on lot 59.
He subsequently settled permanently on the farm where his son Henry F.
now lives. This farm was located on the old Indian trail. He had three sons
and four daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. Ackler died on the homestead
in the spring of 185 1. His oldest son, Willard, born in Rush, N. Y., April 8,
1823, came to Persia with his parents and has since been a resident of this
town. In 1850 he married Betsey Crandall. In 1851 he purchased the Cran-
dall homestead.
Ira W. Ackley, born in Lancaster, N. Y., in 1806, married Mary Seabrook,
a descendant of the English family who settled Seabrook Island, South Caro-
lina. He early settled in Hidi, and being a millwright assisted Ahaz Allen
in building the first saw-mill there. Soon after he purchased 100 acres of
woodland on lot 57, where his son John S. now lives. The place he chose for
his home was near a large spring, which was evidently a resort of the Indians.
The present proprietor has found numerous arrowheads, stone a.ves, and stone
implements for skinning game, a stone rasp, and other curiosities. Mr. Ack-
ley was elected to several town offices. He was deputized by Sheriff White to
call out the militia and went with them to the Dutch Hill war. He joined the
Emigrant Aid Society of Massachusetts at the time of border rufifian troubles
in Kansas and was one of the original founders of the city of Lawrence, and
was also the millwright in building the first mill in that city. He died where
his daughter, Mrs. Alverson, now lives in 1888. Mrs. Ackley died about 1875.
Children: Orlando A.; Melissa E. (Mrs. Alverson): John Seabrook, who mar-
ried Alzina, daughter of William Crandall, of Persia : Thomas B. (deceased) ;
and Mary, widow of Luther N. Wells.
Orlando A. Ackley was born in Hidi, July 7, 1S31. Jan. i, 1856, he mar-
ried Elizabeth Silliman, and in i860 located on the farm where Samuel Averill
settled. On this he has found numerous arrowheads and tomahawks, etc.
Mr. Ackley is a prominent Democrat, and has served as highway commis-
sioner twelve consecutive years and as overseer of the poor four years. Mrs.
Ackley died Feb. 3, 1892. Children: Ira W., born in 1861, and Denver D.,
born in 1870.
Ahaz Allen was born at W^arwick, Mass., May 7, 1782, and died May 29,
1864. Oct. 13, 1808, at Lancaster, N. Y., he married Sibyl Hibbard, who died
July 2, 1876. Mr. Allen and his family were the first white settlers in the
town of Persia. They located at Hidi in Maj-, 1S12. He was a typical pio-
neer and became prominent in local affairs. He carried on large business
operations, employing more or less help, and took aii active interest ill every-
thing conducive to the growth of the young community. He had a family of
twelve children, of whom Caroline was the first white child born in town, her
birth occurring Sept. 15, 1813. Dan Allen, a brother of Ahaz, was born
June 30, 1780, and died in Sept.. 1853. He settled in Hidi in 1816, and in
1 8 19 was supervisor of the town of Perrysburg.
Norman Hibbard Allen was born Aug. 22, 181 1, near what is known as
Zoar. He was the second child of Ahaz and Sibyl (Hibbard) Allen. At the age
of eighteen he commenced teaching school in Cattaraugus and Erie counties,
which he continued winters until 1835; the last school he taught in this vicinity
was in the town of Perrysburg in the winter of 1834-35 and numbered eighty
Town of Persia. _ 985
pupils. In June, 1835, he removed to Michigan, where he became a carpen-
ter and joiner, which business he continued until the spring of 1836, when he
was called back to this town by the sickness and death of his sister Caroline.
In May, 1837, he returned again to Michigan, where he remained until about
the close of 1839, when he settled on a farm in Persia on lot 56, and has con-
tinued farming to the present time, now living on lot 8, town 6, range 8.
Nov. 29, 1846, he married Roanna, daughter of J. C. and Catharine R. Bab-
cock, of this town, who died March 2, 1863. Children: Millard N. ; Norman
B. ; and Harmony R., born July 29, 1856, married Edward M. Bartlett, a
farmer of Fredonia, Chautauqua county. Norman H. Allen was a Whig in
politics until the formation of the Republican party, with which he has since
been identified. His second marriage (Oct. 25, 1864') was with Phebe, daugh-
ter of Lilly and Elizabeth (Russell) Stafford, a native of Collins, Erie county,
who was born Oct. 5, 1820; her parents were from Dartmouth, Mass. They
occupy the same farm and house purchased by Mr. Allen in 1850.
Truman P. Allen, son of Ahaz, was born at Hidi, Nov. 10, 1819. April 18,
1843, he married Janette J., daughter of Abel and Fanny (Sturdevant) With-
erell. For one year he carried on a portion of his father's farm on shares and
in the fall of 1843 moved onto a farm of fifty-six acres on lot 8 which was given
to him by his father. Here he remained until 1S57, '" the meantime having
built upon it one of the finest farm houses in the town. In 1857 he removed to
Michigan and located some 1,200 or 1,500 acres of land in Oceana county and
jYz acres in Grand Rapids. Feb. i, 1858, on account of fever and ague, he
returned and settled again on a farm at Point Peter. His business has always
been farming and dealing in real estate. Children : The first child, born Feb.
14, 1844, died when four days old; Eliza S., born Aug. 4, 1845, married Dar-
win C. Griswold, of Sheridan, N. Y., who died Sept. 9, 1870, and she married,
second, L. W. JoUs, of Collins, Erie county; Freeman 5., born Feb. i, 1849,
married, July 5, 1871, Lucy Burch, of South Haven; Gilbert W., born June 15,
1854, married Frances Hartman, Dec. 7, 1876, and resides on a farm on lot 17 ;
Alzona V., born Nov. 16, 1859, married George Erdle, of Sheridan, N. Y.; and
Arthur R., born March 17, 1863, drowned in Cattaraugus creek June 25, 1874.
The mother died Nov. 18, 1870. Mr. Allen married, second, Jennie L.
Wheeler, of Richmond, N. H., Oct. 18, 1874. Politically Mr. Allen was a strong
abolitionist; since 1854 he has been principally identified with the Republican
party. He is the oldest person now living in Gowanda who was born in what
is now that village. He has ever been a strong anti-slavery and anti-liquor
advocate and favors equal suffrage irrespective of color, race, or sex. He also
believes that no one can rightfully own real estate: "it should be as free to all
human kind as the air, the water, or the sunlight, yet each should own what-
ever improvements he may have caused to be put on a limited amount of land."
Capt. Benjamin J. Allen, a native of Connecticut, came to Persia about
1830 and settled at Allen's Switch near what is now Persia postoffice, where
his grandson, Bert Allen, now lives. In early life he took an active interest
in military affairs and held the of^ce of captain. He was justice of the peace
and overseer of the poor . He was an inveterate joker and a witty story-
teller, and left behind him many trite sayings. He married Sally Prentiss, of
Massachusetts, who died July 14, 1869. Children: Morgan, who died in Kan-
sas; Alpheus, who died in childhood;^ Sarah E. (widow of Johnson Merrill),
who resides in the west part of Dayton; and Pearl S., born on the homestead
in Feb., 1839, ^^'^o with his sister resides near Wesley postof^ce
124
986 History of Cattaraugus County.
Millard N. Allen was born Sept. 23, 1847, ^t Point Peter, in a log house
where his father, Norman H. Allen, first resided. He attended the district
schools of his native town, the Gowanda Union School, and the Fredonia
Academy one term in the last year of that institution, and also Eastman's
Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He was a clerk for T. Catlin, of
Newburgh, X. Y., eight months, and in 1S70 became a clerk in the store of
Hard & Hughes, of Dunkirk, but a few months later went into the freight office
of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad at Dunkirk and afterward
at Brocton, remaining about three years in both offices. July 23, 1874, he
married Eliza M., daughter of the late Lyman Bennett, of this town, and lo-
cated permanently in Gowanda in the drug and book business, being now in
company with his brother Norman B. The business was begun by them June
I. 1873. Hehasone son, Arthur B., born April 8, 1881. At the re-organizing
of Relief Lodge, No. 51 1, of Odd P'ellows at Gowanda, Jan. 8, 1884, h^' was
one of the new members and became an active worker, rising step by step till
he passed the chairs, and on Aug. 18, 1892, was appointed district deputy
grand master of the county of Cattaraugus, being re-appointed at the session
of Aug. 24, 1893, at New York. During his first year in this position he in-
stituted throe new lodges of the order: Franklin villc, No. 643, West Valley,
No. 665, and Little Valley, No. 671, as against three lodges instituted during
the nine years preceding. He has been a regular attendant of the Grand
Lodge as a representative during the last five years.
Norman B. Allen, son of Norman H., was born in Persia, June 29, 1851.
He was educated in the common schools and had two terms in the Union
Free School in Gowanda. At the age of nineteen he entered a drug store and
after about two years' experience in Gowanda and in Pennsylvania he opened
in the spring of 1873 a drug store in Gowanda in company with his brother,
Millard N. Allen, under the firm name of N. B. Allen & Co. About two years
later the name was changed to Allen Brothers. Aug. 26, 1872, he married
Ella A., daughter of the late Samuel C. Springer, of Gowanda. They have
one son, Walter S., born Nov. 20, 1875.
Anson E. Alverson, son of Emory and Mary A. (Strong) Alverson, was
born in Gerr\-, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1832. His grandfather, James R. Alverson, a
soldier in the War of 1812 and a native of Connecticut, came to Gerry from
\'ermont at a very early day. He held town offices and raised a large family.
Plmory Alverson, born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1806, married Mary Ann,
daughter of Gilbert Strong, about 1830. In 1836 he removed to Gowanda
and purchased a manufactory for making pails and tubs. In 1850 he ex-
changed this for the old Point Peter farm. In 1856 he joined his son Anson
E. in Lawrence, Kan., and died in Clay county. Kan., in 1881. Mrs. Alver-
son died in 1857. Anson E. Alverson finished his education in the academy
at Ellington, N. Y. April 26, 1852, he married Melissa, daughter of Ira W.
and Mary (Seabrook) Ackley, and settled on the homestead, when he went to .
Lawrence, Kan., and joined the Emigrant Aid Society from Massachusetts,
being one of the 107 founders of that settlement. "' In the summer of 1859 he
and his father made an overland trip to Denver, Col., with four o.x-teams.
Mr. Alverson is a natural mechanic and assisted his father-in-law as a mill-
wright. In i860 he returned to this county and settled in Cattaraugus village.
In July, 1 861, he enlisted in Co. A, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged Feb.
23, 1863, for disability. He served as private, corporal, and sergeant. In
Oct., 1863, he went to the oil regions of Rouseville, Pa., where he was a
Town of Persia. . 987
laborer, a well-driller, and an oil producer until 1875. He then removed to
Cattaraugus. In 1888 he visited Virginia, Chicago, Duluth, and Washington
territory, where he remained four years. He is now a farmer just outside the
corporation of Gowanda. Mr. Alverson served as highway commissioner of
New Albion in 1883 and built the first iron bridge in that town. Children:
Rollin A., born in 1853, died in Lawrence in Aug., 1855; Mary U., born in
1856, married Thomas Babb, of Cattaraugus, and resides in Chicago; Corlin
E., born in i860; George S., born in 1864; Nathan A., born in Dec, 1869;
and Chanley VV., born in 1875.
John Armes, born in Canada, near Vermont, May 13, 1788, married Cath-
erine Rhoades, and settled first in Genesee county. He removed to Napoli
in 1 83 1, where he died Nov. 26, 1867. Mrs. Armes died March 7, 1865. Chil-
dren : Justus R., who died in Wisconsin ; Luther W., who married Maryette M.
Rhoades, Nov. 23, 1850, settled on the homestead, and died April 11, 1891 ;
William, who died in Pennsylvania; Emily (Mrs. John Foran), who died in
Wisconsin; Clarinda (Mrs. William Allen), of Minnesota; Martha; Eusebia,
of Jackson, Minn.; and Nelson E., who emigrated to Minnesota, married there
a Miss Brooks, and was a soldier in the Civil war.
Victor C. Armes, son of Eusebia (Armes) Allen, was born in Napoli and
was adopted by his uncle, Luther Armes. At the age of fifteen he entered
Chamberlain Institute, where he was a student about four years. He then
went to Minnesota, where he engaged as a teacher. Returning a year later
he taught the ensuing seven years in district and graded schools, and in Feb.,
1885, he purchased the drug business of Dr. J. S. Shugert and subsequently
the drug stock of T. N. Kingsley (deceased). Aug. 5, 1881, he married^Cora,
daughter of Marcus Ellsworth. Children: Max, Gertrude, Maud, and Harry.
John C. Babcock, a native of Rhode Island, was born Nov. 14, 1782. He
married Catherine Reinhardt, April 15, 1813, who was born Nov. 14, 1792.
He was a sailor on a merchant vessel and about the time of his marriage he
settled in Schoharie county, where he was superintendent of a turnpike con-
necting Cherry Valley with Albany. In 1824 he removed with his wife and
three children to Cattaraugus county and settled in Persia. Mr. Babcock
opened his log cabin as a tavern. He was widely known, influential and
prominent, and served as overseer of the poor several years. He died on his
farm March 12, 1850. Mrs. Babcock died .May 21, 1838. Children: Louisa,
Roanna, and John R., who were born in Schoharie county, and Horace, who was
born on the homestead. (For sketch of Dr. Horace Babcock see page 167.)
Oliver C. Babcock was born in Brobkfield, N. Y., June 8, 1807, and died
Dec. 26, 1886. Nov. 10, 1827, he married Emma Langworthy, who was born
in Bridgewater, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1806. Mr. Babcock's parents were born in
Rhode Island. They were very superstitious, the mother especially, and
these false conceptions were early instilled into the young mind of the son.
He was taught that witches prowled around nights and plied their nefarious
trades in the air and in the stillness of the household. In consequence he
went from one extreme to the other and throughout life retained many of the
fallacies he imbibed in childhood. Nevertheless he possessed sterling traits
of character and an indomitable perseverance. He kept Saturday as the
sabbath in accordance with his honest convictions and during its existence
was one of the foremost members of the Seventh Day Baptist church in Persia.
He had fifteen children, one of whom is George C, still living in town. An-
other is Francis M., who was born in Brookfield, Dec. 8, 1828, and was edu-
988 History of Cattaraugus County.
cated in the common schools in the Seventh Day settlement. A natural me-
chanic he became a carpenter and millwright and followed those avocations
until about 1866; afterward he was a farmer. In 1871 he settled on the farm
where his son Oliver C. now lives, where he died May 31. 18S2. Jan. i, 1854,
he m.arried Avilda Babcock, a native of Pennsylvania, who survives him.
Their only child, Oliver C, married Flora A. Cook, of Forestville, N. Y.,
March 16, 1879, »rid settled on the homestead.
Robert Buchan was born in Ontario, Canada, Feb. 6, 1S50. He served an
apprenticeship at the baker's trade in Fergus, Canada, and in 1870 removed
to Buffalo, where he worked for George Mugridge & Son thirteen years. In
1889 he started a bakery at North Evans, Erie county, which he carried on
until September, 1890, when he came to Gowanda and commenced the same
business. Jan. 7, 1874, he married Annie L. Heron, of Maxwell, Gray county.
Can. Children: Charles A., born July 9, 1876; Robert J., born June 14, 1878;
Florence A., born Oct. 25, 1882; Frank W., born April 5, 1885 ; Lucy L., who
died in 1889; and Thomas W., who died in i8go.
Amasa L. Chaffee, a native of Rutland, Vt., was born Nov. 28, 1797. Aug.
24, 1819, he married Lydia Wade Nichols, who was born May 3, 1802, and who
died July 3, 1879. I" 1820, after a short residence in Attica, N. Y., he came to
Gowanda and in company with his brother-in-law. Alvin Bugby, erected a
wool-carding and cloth-dressing-mill, which he conducted until 1831. He was
also distinguished as the first inhabitant of Gowanda who built a brick chimney
in his house. He was elected justice of the peace of Perrysburg and held the
position in Perrysburg and Persia most of the time until 1843. He also con-
ducted a book-store and sold flour, which in 1837 brought Si4 per barrel. In
1838 he began a general mercantile business, which he conducted to the
close of his life. He was a fifer-soldier in the War of 1812 and always inter-
ested in military affairs, being captain of militia. In 1849 ^^'^^ again in 1853
he represented Persia on the Board of Supervisors. He was an active mem-
ber of the Methodist church and in politics was first a Democrat, but joined
the Republican party at its organization. Mr. Chaffee died Dec. ^, 1869. Chil-
dren : Lydia A. (Mrs. Dr. David E. Ellis), of Belvidere, 111.; Amasa W. W. ;
James H., of Jamestown ; and Charles W., Newton A., i\Iary H., of Gowanda.
Amasa W. W. Chaffee, born at Aldrich Mills, Perrysburg (now Gowanda),
July 21, 1826, was educated in his father's store, and at the age of twenty-one
was admitted a partner with his father under the firm name of A. L. Chaffee
& Son. Since then he has been constantly in mercantile business in Gowanda
or engaged as a commercial traveler. July 3, 1848, he married Jane M.,
daughter of Harlow and Freelove (Fancher) Crandall, of Sandy Hill, N. Y.
Children: Marvin W., born March 12, 1851, died in Nov., 1852; Clarence M.,
born Nov. 23, 1853, married Helen Osborn, of Girard, Ohio, and is a member
of the firm of Snyder, Chaffee & Co., of Columbus, Ohio; Vernon E., born
Dec. 9, 1859, "^ied Dec. 12, 1876; and an adopted child, born Sept. i, 1873.
Charles Warren Chaffee, born July 15, 1837, received his education in the
common schools and in his father's store, where he was engaged from the age
of eighteen years until he was about twenty-six. For five years he was the
general agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Company for Cattaraugus county
and a part of Erie county. In 1872 and 1873 he was the traveling agent of
the company. He was next with the Howe Sewing Machine Company until
they failed. In 1874 he v\'as traveling salesman for Kingsbury, Abbott & Hu-
lett, of New York. In 1876 he was engaged with O. P. Ramsdell & Co. and
Town of Persia. . 989
eighteen months later with Chase & Comstock, both of Buffalo. After two
years he accepted an offer from E. C. Hazzard & Co., of New York, and trav-
eled for them until 1885. He was then in the employment of Berry, Wisner,
Lehman & Co. until 1890, when he was engaged as traveling agent for the Life
and Reserve Life Insurance Company, of Buffalo. He has also been engaged
with other concerns. June 21, i860, he married Lydia A., daughter of Homer
and Vashti (Beckwith) Woodin ; children: Ida Elnora, born Sept. 27, 1862,
died July 17, 1865; William Wallace, born Sept. 25, 1864; and Dora Woodin,
born July 20, 1870.
Newton A. Chaffee was born Aug. 31, 1841. Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in
the 154th N. Y. Vols, and Aug. 29th the regiment was in active service as a
part of the Eleventh Army Corps. He was at the battles of Chanccllorsville
and Gettysburg and marched with General Sherman's army to the sea. He
was quartermaster-sergeant eighteen months, after which he was detailed to
corps headquarters, where he served until he was discharged June 20, 1865.
He is a member of Darby Post, G. A. R., and has served as its commander.
From March 20, 1868, to Sept., 1883, he was a merchant at Dayton, and was
also postmaster and loan commissioner. He returned to Gowanda and formed
a partnership with his brother, A. W. W. Chaffee, as merchant tailors, which
closed in F"eb., 1891. June 6, 1866, he married Luna, daughter of Homerand
Vashti Woodin. They have an only daughter, Lorena, born Aug. 19, 1867.
Elisha Darby, son of Daniel and Abigail' (Sawyer) Darby, was born near
Salem, Mass., March 20, 1790. He married Dolly Calkins, of Arlington, Vt.,
daughter of John Calkins, a soldier in the Revolution. Elias Haskell Darby,
uncle of Elisha Darby, rendered distinguished service to his country by lending
money to the government and aiding in restoring American commerce. He
also established an institution for the education of seamen in the U. S. navy.
Daniel Darby was a captain and led his company in the struggle for independ-
ence. Elisha Darby, in 1828, moved with his wife and five children to this
town, settling on lots 5 and 6 at the junction of the north and south branches
of Cattaraugus creek. Hepurchasecl the improvementsof Ephraim Rolf, who
succeeded Walter Morehouse, the first and original settler on the place. Mr.
Darby died June 11, 1872; Mrs. Darby died April i, 1870. Children: Almira
(Mrs. Asahel Hulett), who died in Dayton ; Harriet Jane (Mrs. Nathaniel
Whitcomb), who died in Gowanda; Olive E. (Mrs. Alfred Herrick), who died
in New Albion ; Charles F.; Abi S. (Mrs. Colin Campbell), of Perrysburg ;
and Amelia, who died aged six years. Charles F. Darby, born Aug. 2-j, 1822,
taught seven wintersof school, and married, Aug. 26, 1849, Sarah M., daughter
of Sylvester M. Co.x, of Otto. He settled on the homestead on Darby flats,
which he still owns. Children: Sylvester, deceased ; Carlton E., who married
Lizzie Beaver; Carrie S. (Mrs. Addison Austin), of Otto; and Nellie S.
H. W. Dorsey was born in Port au Prince, Hayti, June 7, 1840, where he
lived until Dec. 26, i860, when he embarked on a coasting vessel bound for
Porto Rico, arriving Jan. 13, 1861. Remaining there until the 20th of the
same month he embarked on the three-masted schooner Mobile for the United
States and arrived at New Orleans, La., on Feb. 14th. Mardi Gras was being
celebrated. Meeting no one who spoke Spanish, and not being able to speak
English, he found himself a veritable stranger in a strange land and unable to
prosecute the search he had undertaken to find his father, mother, and sister,
who had left Hayti in 1856, and whom he had not heard from since. His father
had held an important office in the Haytian government, but with many others
990 History of Cattaraugu-s County.
allowed himself to become a victim to his ambition and in 1855 found his army
of insurgents defeated, his property confiscated, and a price set upon his capture
and delivery to the Bayez government. He fled, taking his wife and daugh-
ter, and the son, being away at school, knew nothing of their flight until some
time afterward. As soon as H. \V. could make himself understood he began
making inquiries for Sir Allen De Orsey, the name by which his father was
known at home. He inserted an advertisement in the New Orleans papers,
but immediately after Fort Sumter was captured and the Rebellion begun.
The city was blockaded until Butler came, and the first mails brought a copy
of the Nezv York Tribune, in which he found an answer to his advertisement,
wherein he learned that his father was living with his family at Montrose, Pa.
He was given transportation to New York city by the steamer Merriniac and
was soon reunited with the family. He soon became imbued with the spirit
of war and after President Lincoln's proclamation of emancipation enlisted
and served until mustered out Oct. 25, 1863. His parents having died during
his term of service he had his only sister to care for and after placing her at
the Davenport Institute in Elmira, N. Y., he came to Gowanda in Oct., 1869.
Albert Gaensslen was born in W'urtemberg, Germany, March 18, 1828. In
June, 1849, he came to America and was employed at his trade in Hamburg,
Erie county, three years. In 1852 he began business for himself in Hidi by
converting the old woolen-mill into an upper-leather tannery. He began the
trade of tanner and currier in Germany at the age of fourteen. He is a mem-
ber of the present firm of Gaensslen Brothers. Mr. Gaensslen is a worthy
and respected citizen, is a Democrat in politics, has served as justice of
the peace, and has been excise commissioner sixteen years. He is also presi-
dent of the Bank of Gowanda. May 20, 1852, he married Eve Federspad and
has one son living, Henry Gaensslen, born May 20, 1855, who, in 1879, mar-
ried Frances Storms, of Buffalo, by whom he has a daughter. Harmony A.,
and a son, Albert A.
Frank D. Hall, born in Penysburg, Sept. 8, 1855, is a son of Stephen R.
and Ann J. (Ostrander) Hall. Stephen R. was born in Chautauqua county
and his wife in Perrysburg. Frank D. attended the academy at Forestville
and afterward engaged with Brown & Cole, proprietors of the Adams pump
works at Gowanda, remaining with them two years, when he became a mem-
ber of the firm as Brown, Cole & Co. Three years later he purchased the
business and removed it to the Cattaraugus county side, where he still car-
ries it on. He married, Nov. 28, 1S77, ^^^a M., daughter of Silas Titus.
Children : Ethel M., born July 31, 1880; Edith A!, born Nov. 21, 1881 ; and
S. Rolland, born April 25, 1890.
Calvin Hartwell, born about 1797, married Minerva, daughter of William
Higbee, a pioneer of New Albion (q. v.). About 1828 he came from Albion,
Orleans county, to Snyder hill in New Albion with his wife and two
children. He eventually sold his farm and about 1850 bought a par-
tially improved one in Skinner hollow in Peisia-, where he died April
I, 1861. Mrs. Hartwell died in Cattaraugus, Nov. 7, 1884. Mr. Hart-
well served in the War of 1812. Children: Sophronia (Mrs. Charles Luce),
who died in Adrian, Mich.; Mary D., deceased; Laura (Mrs. Merritt Rich),
who died in Persia; Russell S.; Daniel, of Wisconsin; Almedia (Mrs. Richard
Ingersoll), of Leon; Almira (Mrs. Lorenzo Perkins), who died in Orleans
county ; and Alvira (Mrs. Horace Snyder), of Buffalo. Russell S. Hartwell
was born Feb. 20, 1832, was a carpenter until twenty-seven years of age, and
Town of Persia. _ 991
in 1858 bought a farm in Persia, where he resided four years, when he sold
and bought another in Leon, where he resided. eight months. He sold again
and bought in Dayton, where he was a farmer another year, and in 1866 he
purchased his pres&nt home in Persia. He also resided in Cattaraugus thir-
teen years. He married, in Dec, i860, Rachel M. Ingersoll, who died Sept.
17, 1879. Dec. 27, 1882, he married Mrs. Mary McCoUister, who has borne
him a son and a daughter. He is a Democrat and has been highway com-
missioner in New Albion and overseer of the poor and highway commissioner
in Persia.
Millen T. Hill was born in Geneseo, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1818. His grandfather
came from Scotland and settled in Rhode Island, and afterward removed to
Genesee county. An uncle of his mother, one Macmillan by name, bearing
the title in his native country (Scotland) of Lord Sterling, was a member of
the court-martial which tried and sentenced Major Andre. At the age of two
years Millen T. Hill came to Cattaraugus county with his parents, who settled
in what is now New Albion. Mr. Hill came to Lodi in 1827 and has been a res-
ident of what is now the village of Gowanda ever since he learned the trade of
cabinet maker in Lodi, which business he carried on many years. Afterward
for a numberof years he carried on the lumber business, purchasing a saw-mill on
Thatcher brook which had been built by Phineas Spencer. In 1856 he began
manufacturing cheese boxes. He married Patience, daughter of Willard and
Ruth (Sisson) Slocum. They have one daughter, Jane, who married Jesse
Walker, who, in July, 1889, fell from a building and died three weeks later.
George W. Howard was born in Norfolk county, England, in 1840. In
1856 he immigrated to this country, settling first in Gowanda, where he has
since made his home. In 1868 he married Mary A., daughter of J. S. Pierce,
of Persia. Her father removed to this county from Schoharie county, N. Y.,
and was a native of Bennington, Vt. George W. Howard has children P'rank,
Arthur, Georgie, Blanche, Bessie, Beatrice, Myrtle, and Hazel. In Sept.,
1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 64th N. Y. Vol. Inf., from Gowanda, and was after-
ward transferred to the regimental band. He served in Hancock's Second
Army Corps until discharged at the expiration of his three years' term of serv-
ice. He has been commander of Darby Post, No. 359, G. A. R.
Lemuel S. Jenks, born in Covington, N. Y., about 181 5, early became a
teacher of common schools, and subsequently received the appointment and
served as a guard in the prison at Auburn. He became a partner with Will-
iam Sunderland, of Auburn, and sold dry goods and Yankee notions from his
own conveyance on the road, which he continued until about the time of the
completion of the Erie railroad in 1851. In 1840 he married Marietta Wal-
dron, of Scipio, and soon after settled in Gowanda. He was supervisor of
Persia from 1857 to 1868 inclusive.
August T. Johnson, born in Sweden in 1854, emigrated to America in
1872, and labored with the farmers seven years. From 1879 ^° '^9- ^e was
engaged as a clerk in mercantile business. Feb. 10, 1892, he opened a gro-
cery store in Gowanda, where he is now engaged. Feb. -.14, 1882, he married
Jennie, daughter of Rev. Harvey Totman, of Cassadaga, N. Y. Children :
Floyd H., Elden V., and Edna Johanna.
John Kammerer, born in Baden, Germany, July 21, 1832, spent his boy-
hood in attending school and assisting in his father's grist-mill and brick-yard.
At the age of seventeen he went to New Brezek, France, engaging as clerk in
a general store and remaining two years, until the breaking out of the French
yy-; HiMuRV OF Cattaraugus County.
Revolution. He returned to Baden, where, in 1852, he was drafted into the
German army. He had six brothers and one sister. Four of the brothers
were conscripted. John Kammerer remained in the service three months,
when he came to the United States, landing in New Yoriv city in the fall of
1852. A few months later he removed to Buffalo, where he learned the trade
of tinsmith. In 1856 he removed to Hamburg, Erie county, where he worked
as a journeyman. In 1861 he started a tinware store and hardware trade at
Langford, carrying on the bu.siness until 1868, when he removed to Gowanda
and bought out the hardware business of J. H. Chaflee. In 1871 he sold this
to C. H. Rich & Co., but bought it back again one year afterward, and since
then he has carried on the business in the same store. In 1858 he married
Regina Federspiel, a native of Buffalo, whose parents came to this country
from Loraine, France. Children : 'Frank W., born in August, 1859, married
Jennie, daughter of James W'ilber, of Collins Center; Mary, born in 1861, inar-
ried F. P. Boeschat, of Buffalo; and Tillie, born in 1864, married 'C. F. Rollin-
son. He has been for several years a member of the Board of Education.
Robert A. Kennicott was born in New Albion, July 5, 1863 (see page 842).
He attended school in Chicago, his father having removed to that city. In
1877 the family returned to this county, where he attended the Chamberlain
Institute at Randolph. In 1SS3 he established a grocery trade at New Albion,
which he carried on two years. In 1885 he removed to Gowanda and com-
menced the manufacture of mineral waters, which business he still continues.
He married, June 20, 1883, Cora, daughter of T. M. Whipple, of Little
Valley. They have a son, Harry, born Jan. 2, 1885.
Alan.son C. Keyes was born in Ludlow, Mass., Oct. 3, 1822. When nine
years of age he removed with his parents to Ellicottville. His father located
on a farm in Otto, where he remained twenty years, removing thence to Alle-
gany. In 1847 Alanson went into the store of James Nutting in Randolph
as a clerk, remaining until 1850, when he married Harriet Thompson, of Gran-
ville, N. Y., and formed a partnership with A. G. Dow in the hardware trade
and manufacture of tinware in Ellicottville, which partnership continued one
year. From Ellicottville .Mr. Keyes removed to Allegany and commenced
the same business on his own account, remaining until 1883, when he removed
to Fredonia. In 1885 he removed to Gowanda and purchased the foundry
and machine shops known as the Gowanda Agricultural Works, which he car-
ries on in company with his son Samuel G. Besides this son, who was born
Jan. 26, 1856, his children are Zelia (Mrs. Benjamin H. Green); Cora G. ; Al-
fred C, who married Hannah, daughter of James Hermance; and Truman D.,
superintendent of the Gowanda Agricultural Works. Samuel G. Keyes
married Jennie Phelps and in 1876 he engaged in the hardware and oil
well supply business at Four Mile one year. He then spent a short time at
the Albany Law School, after which he engaged with the Oil Well Supply
Company (Limited), of Bradford, Pa., as book-keeper, and refmained eighteen
months. In 1881 he became cashier of Dow, Fullager & Coleman's Bank at
Bradford, where he remained until 1884. In 1885. 'he became correspond-
ent for the First National Bank of Bradford and continued until 1887, when
he went to Mankato, Kan., and organized the First National Bank of Man-
kato ; he was its cashier until July 1, 1890, when he came to Gowanda.
Alexander Little, a native of Vermont, removed to Otto from Nelson,
N. Y.. in 1822, the journey by horse and o.x-teams occupying more than two
weeks. Mr. Little's familv then consisted of five sons and two daughters :
Margaret, Thomas, Harvey, Nelson, Milton, Lewis, and Jane. Margaret mar-
ried Thomas Beverly and lived in Otto many years, removing to Gowanda,
where both died. Thomas married Sarah Frye, of Collins, N. Y., a farmer
who died July ii, 1890; her death occurred July 12, 1878. Harvey married
Urania Borsford in Feb., 1836, and engaged in farming on forty acres of land
in Otto, but ten years later removed to Toronto, Canada, where he learned
the trade of millwright, which he carried on three years, when he returned to
Otto and resumed farming. After the death of his wife in 1843 he again took
up the business of a millwright on the Allegheny river, building a number of
new mills and rebuilding many others. In 1849 '^^ married Sarah M. Randall,
a native of Madison county. By his first marriage two children were born :
Catharine M., who married Ezra Fames, who died in Nov., 1889, and Eliza J.,
who married E. T. McCutcheon and resides on the homestead in Otto. In
1869 Mr. Little removed to Gowanda, where he has since lived in retirement.
Nelson Little was engaged in the real estate business in Buffalo, where he died
about 1864. Milton and Lewis emigrated to California and both died in Mon-
terey. Jane married Marvin Wheat, a lawyer, of Cayuga county, who settled
in St. Antonio, Texas. Since the first year of the Rebellion he has not been
heard from. Mrs. Wheat still lives in St. Antonio. Alexander Little's wife
was Catharine McKinney, who died in Feb., 1873. He died in 1852.
James Locke was born near Moravia, N. V., Jan. 16, 1802. His father dipa
when he was five years old, leaving a widow and eight children wholly depend-
ent for support upon their own scant earnings. The early years of his life
were consequenty passed in a continued struggle with want. His entire at-
tendance at school was less then six months, but he was taught to read and
write by an elder brother, and when sixteen years old had acquired a fair com-
mon school education. He early developed a taste for the English classics,
which he retained all his life, and few men in his locality were more conversant
than he with the standard works of the language. Having served an appren-
ticeship with Allan Wood, of Sempronius, and mastered the carpenter's trade
he was selected by Isaac W. Skinner when only twenty-two years of age to go
to what was then known as Skinner hollow and build a giist-mill. Having
finished this in the winter of 1824-25 he was engaged for a time as a journey-
man at Buffalo, and in March, 1826, proceeded to Gowanda, then Lodi, where
he bought some land of Thomas Farnsworth and erected a small foundry. He
married, the following year, Lucinda, daughter of Philip Wheeler. A few years
later Mr. Locke erected a larger establishment upon the site of the present
foundry, where he carried on business for a time in connection with the late
John L. Vosbuig. Having been compelled by ill health to choose a different
occupation he subsequently engaged in mercantile business with Amasa L.
ChafTee and later with Clark White. Upon the death of Mr. White he retired
from active business for a few years, but in 1853 erected a grist-mill and saw-
mill about a mile south of Gowanda upon the property since purchased by Silas
Vinton. In 1859 ^^ disposed of this and never afterward engaged actively in
business affairs. Mr. Locke was one of the men peculiar to^his day and gen-
eration. He was a strict Presbyterian in belief and long connected with that
church ; an earnest temperance man, obeying the law and willing to act in en-
forcing obedience by others; decided in hfs ideas, prompt and energetic in
action, intolerant of wrong,-of sterling integrity, just in his dealings, sound in
judgment, he had the confidence of the community. He died Aug. 27, 1872.
Lucius T. Luce, born in Barre, N. Y., April 13, 1813, married Mary Eliza-
125
994 History of Cattaraugus County.
beth Benson in Wyoming county, and in 1857 settled on the old Harrison
Payne farm. He was a farmer in New Albion, Dayton, Persia, Little Valley,
and Salamanca, and eventually gave his property to his son Obadiah, with
whom he died in Dayton, Feb. 18, 1890. He was a member of the M. E.
church. Mrs. Luce survives and resides in Dayton. E. Augustus Luce, their
fourth child, was born in Washington county, March 6, 1846, and Aug. 22, 1864,
enlisted in Co. A, 13th N. Y. H. A. He was in five general engagements and
at the final evacuation of Petersburg. He was discharged Aug. 23, 1865. He
was confined in the hospital six weeks with typhoid fever. Since his return
he has been engaged in farming, market gardening, and fruit growing. Aug.
23, 186S, he married Esther A. Pickett, of Salamanca; children: Charles H.,
Joseph N., and Mary Luetta.
Frank L. Mattocks was born in Gerry, Chautauqua county, May 26, 1851,
a son of Truman and Mary E. (Marsh) Mattocks. His father carried on the
granite and marble business many years, first in Buffalo and afterward in El-
lington, Chautauqua county. He removed to Cattaraugus, where Frank L.
commenced the business and worked with his father from the age of fifteen
until twenty-four. Oct. 12, 1874, he married Mary H., daughter of Sheldon
Foster, of Otto, and located at Gowanda, where he established his present
granite and marble monumental works. His children are Eugene, born in
Dec, 1885; Bessie, born in Dec, 1887; and Edna, born in Oct., 1889. Mr.
Mattocks has served his town as supervisor since 1892.
Esek B. Nash was born in Herkimer county in Feb., 1800. In 1824 he
settled in the southwest part of Persia on lot 59. He v/as a very prominent
man and represented Persia on the Board of Supervisors for a long term of
years, and also held other important town offices. Mr. Nash and his wife were
members of the M. E. church and he was class-leader over forty years. He
taught school in early life. About 182 1 he married Marcella Brayton, of Po-
land, Herkimer county, and died on the homestead June 8, 1874. Mrs. Na^h
died June i, 1879. Children: Ansel A., of Pine Valley; Almerin E., who
died about 1603; Elvinton A., of Buffalo; and Oramon L, owner of a part of
the homestead. May 13, 1862, the latter married Helen Sackett, of Cattarau-
gus, and settled on the farm where they now reside; children: Grace L.,
Miimie E., Georgia H., and Gertrude B. Mrs. Nash was a teacher and all her
daughters e.xcept the youngest have followed the same calling.
Edward Overfield was born in this town Dec. 16, 1864. His parents were
John and Carrie (Krohns) Overfield. Mr. Overfield, Sr., carried on a boot and
shoe business in Gowanda many years. Edward Overfield for a number of
years was a commercial traveler for B. T. Babbitt. He married Carrie M.
Reppard, of Hamburg, Erie county, and in 1889 purchased the Union Hotel
now conducted by John Cooper.
Thomas J. Parker, a native of Junius, Seneca county, was born Aug. 17,
1813. In 1823 he removed with his parents to Hamburg, Erie county, where
he lived until 1830, when he came to Lodi, now Gowanda. His first business
here was an apprenticeship to the tailor's trade with his brother, Francis B.
Parker. After three years he assumed the business and carried it on until
1 861, when he entered the army as colonel of the 64th N. Y. Vol. Inf. The
64th Regiment was organized in 1853 with Thomas J. Parker as colonel, and
at the breaking out of the Rebellion Colonel Parker addressed a communica
• tion to the adjutant-general of tHe State, tendering the services of the organi
zation, which were duly accepted. On the 28th of August Colonel Parker pro
Town of Persia. . 995
ceeded to Elmira, where he was assigned enlistment quarters by General Van
Valkenburgh at barrack No. 3. On the 25th of November he was commis-
sioned by Governor Edwin D. Morgan colonel of the 64th Regt. N. Y. S.
Vols, with rank from Nov. 13, 1861. The regiment was ordered to the front
on the loth of Dec, 1861, and on' the 13th Colonel Parker was, by special or-
ders, constituted provisional brigade commander of the 64th, 57th, 85th, 89th,
and one Massachusetts regiment. On the 7th of Jan., 1862, the 64th was
transferred to Gen. O. O. Howard's brigade of Richardson's division of Sum-
ner Corps. A full account of the 64th Regiment will be found in Chapter XV.
The Olean Advertiser of June 19, 1862, anent the battle of Fair Oaks, says:
■' Colonel Parker has shown himself to be a brave, intrepid commander, and his abilities were acknowl-
edged on the field of battle by being assigned to the command of the First Brigade of General Richardson s
division. Captain Kenwick is hearty and emphatic in his praises of Colonel Parker for coolness, courage,
and military skill upon the battlefield. He savs Colonel Parker has no superiors and few equals in the divi-
sion to which he is attached for all the re-iuisites of a competent leader. The men of the 61th won tor
themselves at Fair Oaks the thanks of their fommanding officers and covered themselves with honor, ine
county of Cattaraugus, through her stalwart sons in ihis regiment, has with her best blood written upon
our nation's history her abhorrence of this wicked, devilish rebellion. The men of the 64th will do tneir
duty. All honor to the glorious 64th: AU honor to its commanding officer, Col. T. J. Parker :
Sept. 2, 1841, Colonel Parker married Lavina H., daughter of Stephen
Hooker, of Perrysburg. They had si.x children: Ellen L., born Feb. 15, 1843,
who married Mortimer VV. Stuart, of Gowanda ; Loretta A., born Feb. 20,
1845, who married Lafayette Van Ostrand, of Buffalo; Clara A., born Nov. 11,
1847, died Sept. 14, 1848; Marcus W., born July 15, 1849, who married Jose-
phine Hughes, and resides in Chicago; Henry A., born Oct. 10, 1856, died
Dec. 3, 1861 ; and George W., born June 30, 1863, of Silver Creek, who mar-
ried Alice Graves. Colonel Parker held the office of justice of the peace for
Persia from 1852 for thirty years. He was deputy county clerk from March
6, 1871, for three years under William VV. Welch, and in the Legislature of
1872-73 he was deputy clerk of the Assembly. No man now living in Cat-
taraugus county has been longer or more prominently identified with military
affairs than has Colonel Parker. From the interesting period of general train-
ings to long after the Rebellion he was active in almost ever}^ movement.
Dorus Payne, son of Stephen and Sally (Angell) Payne, was born July 10,
1805. He married Catherine Smith, June 10, 1829, and soon after came to
Cattaraugus county and settled on Snyder hill in New Albion. In 1840 he
sold his farm and moved to the farm now occupied by his son, Sheldon A.
Payne, in Persia, where he died April_6, 1890. Mrs. Payne died Oct. 16, 1889.
Children: Nancy Emeline, born Sept. 27, 1832, married Henry F. Ackler,
June ID, 1855, deceased ; Clarissa M., born April 13, 1839, married Gilbert
Milk, and resides in New Albion; William H. H., born Sept. 13, 1844, died
July 4, 1848; Alvira D., born May 12, 1848, married, June 9, 1879, Z. T. Jenks,
and resides at Allen's Switch in Persia; Electa T., born April 28, 1850, mar-
ried Judson Hcrrick, and resides in Binghamton ; and Sheldon A., born March
3, 1835. In 1854 the latter went across the isthmus to California and was a
miner until the Rebellion broke out in 1861, when he enlisted in the 6th Cal.
Vols., being discharged in Dec, 1865. He was wounded by.a minie-ball Aug.
7, 1864. In March, 1877, he returned and resides on the homestead.
Charles S. Phelps, son of Dudley (see page 440), was born in Allegany,
Oct. 31, 1858, was educated in the public schools and at Alfred University in
Allegany county, and taught school in Broome and Cattaraugus counties
three years. In 1878 he entered the drug store of Dr. A. W. Bullock at Alle-
gany. In 1 88 1 he engaged in the same business with Moore & Smith, of
Dunkirk, where he remained five months. From there he went to Olean with
996 History of Cattaraugus County.
J. B. Smith, druggist. Jan. i, 1884, he became a partner with Dr. J. V. D.
Coon at Olean, and a year and a half later he removed to Govvanda and pur-
chased the drug business of Clark & Horton, which he still continues. Jan. \ 3,
1885, he married Carrie D., daughter of Dr. J. V. D. Coon. Children: Paula
M., born Feb. 25, 1886, and Helen C, born Oct. 28, 1888.
William H. Press was born in Nunda, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1830, where he resided
with his parents until 1834, when they removed to Erie, Pa. Seven years
afterward the family removed to Persia, where William H. has since resided.
He was a farmer and dealer in horses until 1871, when he removed to Collins,
Erie county, and settled within the corporation of Gowanda. He continued
farming and dealing in horses until May, 1888, when he started the business
of undertaker in the Erie county portion of the village. Nov. 6, 1850, he mar-
ried Harriet, daughter of Amos Pearsons, of Collins ; children : May, born
May I, 1852 ; Ida, born May 6, 1857; and an adopted son, Bartlett.
Joseph Rich, born in Onondaga county about 1801, married there Phebe
Snyder, and there their first five children were born. In 1825 they came to
the south part of Persia, where their primitive log-house was warmed by a
Dutch fireplace. Mr. Rich died aged sixty-three; Mrs. Rich survived him
about three years. Children: Susan, who died aged ten ; Merritt, a farmer on
the homestead; Leonard (deceased) ; Abbott (deceased) ; Mary (Mrs. Hum-
phrey), who died in Iowa; Amanda (Mrs. James Easterly), of Cattaraugus;
Betsey (Mrs. Alson Brownell), of Persia; Wilder, and Wilber (twins); and
James H. James H. Rich, born Dec. 19, 1839, \\'as a farmer on the homestead,
and July 10, 1862, married Emma E., daughter of Jesse Johnson, who was
born Aug. 8, 1845. Mr. Rich came to an untimely death by being thrown
from a loaded wagon Oct. 24, 1865.
Leander Ridout was born Oct. 25, 1836, and was raised a farmer. Feb. 8,
1863, he married Esther, daughter of Augustus Snyder. In 1864 they settled
in Persia and in 1866 he purchased the farm at Snyder's corners where he still
resides. Mrs. Ridout died Jan. 20, 1890. June 8, 1891, he married Clara Pulse.
Nicholas Schaack, a native of Luxemburg, Germany, emigrated to Amer-
ica when nineteen years of age and settled in Langford, N. Y., where with his
brother he opened a merchant tailoring establishment in 1847. In 1850 he
removed to Gowanda and was a journeyman tailor employed by Samuel War-
ner until 1856. He then removed to Berlin, Wis., where he pursued his trade.
About 1862 he returned to Gowanda, and was a partner of Jonathan Potter.
In 1870 Mr. Potter retired and in 1872 Mr. Schaack and A. W. W.Chaffee con-
solidated their business under the firm name of Chaffee & Schaack. In 1877 his
son, Joseph H. Schaack, purchased the interest of Mr. Chaffee and was with
him until the death of the father Aug. 25, 1880. In 1854 Mr. Schaack married
Eve, daughter of Adam Toepp. of Langford, N. Y. ; she died in July, 1885.
Children: Joseph H., born in May, 1856, who married, Oct. 4, 1876, Ada,
daughter of William A. P"ish, of Gowanda, and has children Helen (born in
April, 1881) and Ralph (born in 1883); Emma M., born in i860, who married
I. R. Leonard, of Gowanda; and Albert G., bornin 1867, a dry goods mer-
chant who began business in Oct., 1886. In Oct., 1890, the latter sold his
goods to his brother-in-law, I. R. Leonard, and was a clerk in Buffalo until
Aug., 1891. In October following he re-opened his present dry goods store.
Joseph H. Schaack was supervisor of Persia in 1888.
William T. Smallwood, a native of York, England, came with his parents
to this country when four years of age and settled in northern Pennsylvania,
Town ok Persia. 997
whence he subsequently removed to Wyoming county, N. Y., where he and
his wife both died. WiUiam T. Smallwood came to Gowanda at an early date,
and in company with Titus Roberts carried on an extensive tannery several
years. He was afterward engaged in the boot and shoe business until his
death in 1871. His wife was Flol-illa, daughter of Titus Roberts, who died in
187S. Children : Charles and Freddie (who died in infancy), Mary C, and
William R. The latter was born Jan. 26, 1856, and June 27, 1878, he married
Blanche, daughter of Dr. Horace Babcock. Mr. Smallwood is of a very in-
genious turn of mind and invented and manufactured an eight-day sixteen-dial
clock, which he finished Sept. i, 1886.
George Snyder married a Miss Kelley and with his family settled in the
south part of Persia in 1825. He died in Sept., 1844. Hs was oneof the most
prominent of the early settlers. Augustus Snyder, his son, was born May 5,
1806, came to New Albion with his father, and with his brothers Horace, Ben-
jamin, and Harry settled on Snyder hill, which was named in their honor. He
subsequently sold out and in 1846 removed to the place where his son Horace
now lives, where he died Nov. 17, 1872. April 4, 1832, he married Ann, daugh-
ter of Jacob Rich, who was born Feb. 3, 1814, and who died Dec. 31, 1890.
Mr. Snyder served as justice of the peace from about 1856 until his death.
Children : Elliott, Esther, Homer, and Emogene. Elliott was born on Snyder
hill April 30, 1833, was educated in the common schools and at Gowanda Acad-
emy, and has been a farmer and dealer in cattle and horses. He is also
breeding fine horses and cattle for market. He is a Democrat and has served
as assessor, highway commissioner, and justice of the peace. March 6, 1871,
he married Mary, daughter of Almond Brown, of Mansfield.
Hon. William Henry Stuart was a son of Warren and Mary Ann (Wol-
cott) Stuart and was born in Chaumont, Jefferson county. May 2, 1820. In his
veins ran the proudest blood Scotland ever knew and among his ancestors were
a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a governor of Connecticut.
His brothers and sisters were Elisha S., Roger Wolcott, and Samuel M. and Es-
ther, Adeline, Maria, and Amelia. Mr. Stuart's education was limited to the
common schools, but he early developed a passion for literature which he
retained throughout his life. By a wide range of reading and careful obser-
\ation he stored his capacious mind and retentive memory with lore beyond
the ken of the average college graduate. He went to Michigan in 1830 and
remained a year, when he returned to Rochester and worked a year in a print-
ing office. Going again to Michigan in 1834 he went to work on a farm
owned by a relative, receiving forty acres of land for a year's labor. Return-
ing east he acquired the mysteries of woolen manufacturing and eventually
established himself in that business. With hi.s brother Samuel he engaged in
woolen manufacturing in Wheatland, Monroe county, where he remained a
few years, when, in 1840, he and his brother removed hither and established a
woolen factory in Gowanda, then Lodi. Here he married, Jan. 27, 1842, Bar-
bara Allen, daughter of Ahaz Allen, the pioneer of Hidi. She was born Oct.
2, 1822, and died Sept. 14, 1861, having borne five children": Eber, who died
Oct. 2, 1858; Maude, who died Feb. 2, 1881 ; Alice (Mrs. Charles Blackney),
of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Cora (Mrs. Constantine Blackney), of Gowanda; and
Glenn D., of Kalamazoo, Mich. Mr. Stuart married, second, July i, 1863,
Mrs. Jane (Popple) Davis, of Collins, Erie county, who survives him. He
was engaged in farming at Collins and at Hidi during the life of his first wife
and moved to Gowanda village in 1863, where he resided until his death on
998 History of Cattaraugus County.
June 30, 1893. He was always intensely and actively interested in politics.
In 1865-66 he was librarian of the State Senate and in 1869 was elected mem-
ber of Assembly, where he served one term. Shortly afterward he was
appointed postmaster of Govvanda, which position he held five years. He
was frequently a delegate to conventions and was one of the best posted men
on county, State, and National politics in New York State. Originally a lib-
eral Democrat he joined the Republicans in i860 and was thereafter a staunch
supporter of the principles of that party. He was also a Mason. Mr. Stuart's
mind was of a decidedly literary bent. Had he devoted himself to literature
he would have taken a high rank in that profession. Many of his productions
were heavily fraught with historical data, and his political articles commanded
wide influence. For forty years he contributed regularly to the local news-
paper, of which he had at one time full editorial charge. As a poet he
wielded a graceful pen and drank often at the Pierian spring. He possessed
a phenomenally retentive memory and a great love for his fellow man. He
was charitable, kind hearted, and honest and commanded the respect and
confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
Stiles Clay Torrance, son of Stiles A. and Lydia C. (Southwick) Torrance,
was born at Hidi, Nov. 22, 1843, and worked on his father's farm at Point
Peter until sixteen years of age. In i860 he went to Tinker's Creek, Ohio,
and engaged in raising broom corn and the manufacture of brooms, which he
carried on two years. Aug. 1 1, 1862, he enlisted in the 103d Ohio Vol. Inf. for
three years. He was in the siege of Knoxville and with Sherman in his cam-
paign from Chattanooga to Atlanta. After the regiment reached Atlanta the
Twenty-third Corps, with which the 103d was connected, fell back to Nash-
ville. After the battle at Nashville the Twenty-third, under command of Gen-
eral Schofield, was transferred to Fort Fisher and from that point fought their
way up the Cape Fear river to Wilmington, whence they were transferred to
Newberne. Thence they fought to Goldsborough, up the cape, and to Salis-
bury, where they received their discharge. Afte the close of the war Mr. Tor-
rance was engaged in farming one year and then went to Wyoming territory
and spent a year and a half in gold mining, returning to this State via California
and the isthmus. Nov. 22, 1S71, he married Myra S., daughter of William
and Rachel (Healey) ^Srnith, of Collins, Erie county. Children : Stiles A.,
born Sept. 10, 1872; William M., born April 4, 1874, graduated from Go-
wanda Academy at the age of fourteen; Lucy, born April 14, 1876; Chester,
born Dec. 7, 1877; Rachel, born Aug. 15, 1886; a child born July 27, 1890.
Oliver B. Van Deusen was born in Sprout Brook, N. Y., Feb. i, 1825. His
father, a native of Great Barrington, Mass., possessed a large farm, carried
on the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business, and had a large saw-mill.
Oliver B., when nine years of age, went to live with his brother at Pike, Wyom-
ing county, making the journey by wagon and afterward a number of other
trips by the Erie canal before the building of the New York Central railroad.
Six years afterward he returned to the homestead. -He attended the district
schools and the Cherry Valley Academy and taught'in the schools of his neigh-
borhood until 1 85 1. January 2d of that year he married Barbara, daughter of
David C. Winne, of Cherry Valley, and with his wife removed to Pike and
cai'ried on a large business in the manufacture of lumber, sash, doors, blinds,
and cooperage until 1866, when he rented his factory and removed to Roch-
ester, where he engaged in the manufacture of iron planes one year. In 1867
he again returned to Pike, engaging in general merchandising and also pur-
Town uf Persia.
999
chased one of the first creameries in Wyoming county. He continued the
mercantile business until 1877, when he engaged in farming. In 1880 he sold
the store. In 1881 he removed to Gowanda, clerking one year for Harry N.
Hooker. In 1882 he engaged in the coal trade with his son, J. E. Van Deusen,
which they carried on together until 1887. He was also a partner in the Gowanda
Fruit Evaporating Company. In 1887 he purchased the interest of Henry
Machmer, of the firm of Machmer & Yaw, merchant tailors. Children : James
Eugene; Kittie Arabella (deceased); Carrie E., born Dec. 11, 1861, who mar-
ried Palmer H. Horton ; and Allen W., born Nov. 24, 1866.
James Eugene Van Deusen was born at East Pike, N. Y. , Sept. 22, 1851.
In 1866 he removed with his parents to Rochester, where he attended the
public schools. Returning in 1867 to East Pike he entered his father's store
as clerk, and in 1869 he went to Allegany as clerk in the office of the Erie
railway. Here he remained until 1871, when he accepted the position of agent
for the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad at South Wales, Erie
county. Eleven months later he was given the agency at Holland on the
same road and in 1873 he accepted the position of agent of the Buffalo &
Southwestern railroad at North Collins, Erie county, and afterward at Law-
ton's, Collins, and Gowanda, where he has held the position since Oct. 24,
1874. Mr. Van Deusen married Ella M.. daughter of Harry N. Hooker, of
Gowanda. Children : Harry H., born July 9, 1876; George B., born Sept. 20,
1878 ; Ward W., born Nov. 25, 18S0; and Julia E., born March 4, 1889. Mr.
Van Deusen has been president of the village, vice-president of the Bank
of Gowanda, president of the Board of Education, a trustee of the Presbyte-
rian church, one of the original promoters of the Gowanda Water Works Com-
pany, and a member of the Gowanda Fruit Evaporating Company and the
Gowanda Printing and Manufacturing Company.
Silas Vinton was born in Villenova, Chautauqua county, April 20, 1824.
He was the son of John Vinton, who came into western New York in 18 10
from Massachusetts and settled in Villenova in 1812, and died in 1829, leav-
ing a widow and si.x children. His mother was a daughter of William Welch,
of Connecticut, who was a Baptist preacher and preached on one charge for
sixty-five years, commencing at twenty-one ; he died aged eighty-six. The
mother did all in her power to give her children an education and Silas left
home when fourteen years of age to work one year for his clothes and three
months' schooling. At the age of nineteen he commenced teaching and taught
six terms. At the age of twenty-four he married Louisa A. Carr, of Cherry
Creek, who was the mother of Frank C. and J. Piatt Vinton, now of Gowanda.
He resided in Rock county. Wis., from 1846 to 1850, and was superintendent
of schools while there four years. He then returned to Cherry Creek', where
he entered into mercantile business. He was elected superintendent of schools
and served six years, was chosen supervisor of the town for five years and was
chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Chautauqua county the last term,
and was postmaster at Cherry Creek ten years. In 1874 he moved to Gowanda
and has served Persia on the Board of Supervisors five years". He was one of
the directors of the Buffalo & Southwestern railroad during its construction,
and received and still holds the first pass issued by the officers of the road.
He has been engaged in mercantile business over thirty years. He has been
the contractor and builder of a great many of the large buildings in Chautau-
qua and Cattaraugus counties, having built the Chautauqua county insane
asylums, poor house, and barns at a cost of nearly $60,000, the insane asylum
His'i\)KV OF Cattakaugus County.
at Machias, the Cattaraugus county jail at Little Valley, and many of the
largest and best buildings at Gowanda. He married, second, in 1884, Miss
Mary Dawson, of Gowanda. Frank C. has been supervisor of Persia six years.
William W. Welch was born in Gowanda, Nov. 25. 1835. He married
Frances E. Swift, July 5, i860, and was clerk of Cattaraugus county one term
beginning Jan. i, 1871. He was also supervisor of Little Valley in 1875. He
has served in public capacities with eminent abilit}'. The family has been
prominent in the history of northwestern Cattaraugus as well as in Gowanda,
and in every position its members have been distinguished citizens.
Martin H. Woodin, son of Homer and Vashti (Beckwith) Woodin, was
born in Otto, Sept. i, i83i,and received such educational advantages as the
primitive schools of his district afforded. He has always been a farmer and
owns a farm in Leon, where he lived twenty years. He is a staunch Republi-
can. Sept. 17, 1856, he married Ruth S., daughter of Hiram and Mahala
Pratt, of Otto. Children; Jenni"e, born in 1858, married William Garven, and
resides on the homestead in Leon ; and Claribell, born in 1869.
CHAPTER XLHL
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF I'ORTVILLE.
PORTVILLE is situated in the southeast corner of the county and is
bounded on the north by Hinsdale, on the east by Allegany county,
on the south by Pennsylvania, and on the west by Olean. Its terri-
tory is comprised in township i and the south half of township 2 of the third
grane of the Holland purchase, and contains an area of 23,106 acres. It is
drained by the Allegheny river and its tributary brooks. Of these Oswayo
creek enters the town from Pennsylvania and flows northeasterly ; Dodge
creek from the east empties into the river at Portvilie village; and Haskel
creek from the north enters the river near Weston's Mills. Wolf run, in the
northeastern part and tributary to Haskel creek, is a considerable stream.
The Allegheny river enters the town about midway on its southern boundary
and flows north and northwesterly through a broad and beautiful valley.
The surface of the town is hilly and rough except the valleys along the
streams, which are level and very fertile. On the highlands in the northern
part the soil is susceptible of profitable cultivation, but in the southeastern
part it is so mountainous and broken that it has few inhabitants. Its highest
hills are from 500 to 600 feet above the valleys.
As near as can be ascertained William, Asahel, and Rufus Pinkerton were
the first permanent settlers in Portvilie. William, the most prominent of
these brothers, settled on the east bank of the Allegheny just below the
mouth of Oswayo creek in 1809, and built a saw-mill the next year on the
Town f)F PORTVTLI.E.
creek about forty rods below the site of Smith's mills. Asahel and Rufus re-
moved farther west in 1819. William remained and died in town. Contracts
for land in township i were made by the Pinkertons, John Young, Jacob
Swartz, Daniel Edwards, John Holdrich, Simeon Munson, Samuel Todd,
Richard Prayer, Isaac Phelps, Ira Higgins, Daniel Church, Daniel McKay,
Reuben Clark, and James Green in 1806, but we are unable to learn of a set-
tlement being made in Portville earlier than 1809. Gideon Haskel and his
brother-in-law, Mr. Hill, came in 1810 and settled in the western part of the
town on the creek which bears Mr. Haskel's name. They built a saw-mill on
this stream a short distance above, where the railroad crosses, the same year.
The next year Mr. Haskel built a frame house, the first one erected in town.
John Morris came in 18 13 and was the first settler on the site of the vil-
lage of Portville. He removed from Olean, where he had arrived in 181 1, an
unsettled young man and a native of Rhode Island. He was an adventurer
who had been on Bla'nnerhasset's Island with Aaron Burr and had served in
General Shelby's command of Kentuckians in Mad Anthony's campaign
against the Indians. In 1814 his son, Rev. Dexter Morris, was born, his birth
being the first in Portville of which there is any record. Mr. Morris soon sold
his improvements to the Dodges and joined his wife's people in Ohio. He
returned again to the valley of the Allegheny river and opened a tavern, and,
as his son said of him, "kept tavern all along the Allegheny river from Olean
to Pittsburg." The Dodge brothers came the same year, and from them
Dodge creek received its name.
Allen Rice was a resident of Portville as early as 1818, as he built the first
dam across the Allegheny river at Weston's Mills in that year. Dennis War-
ner came from Ontario county to Olean in 1816 and was a salesman for Judge
Martin in his store until 1819, when he became the owner of a saw-mill on
the opposite bank of the river from that of Allen Rice's, which was furnished
water-power from the same dam. Luman Rice, a brother of Allen, settled in
Olean in 1817 and was there a hotel keeper until about 1822, when he removed
to Portville. Joel, Jonathan, Enoch, and Alpheus Wakefield settled in 1832
on Haskel creek in the northwest part of the town, and became thrifty
farmers and prominent townsmen. Alpheus was supervisor of Portville in
1839-42 and 1850. Several representatives of this family reside in the neigh-
borhood. Rodolphus Scott and Alfred Dodge settled in th"e vicinity about the
same time. The settlement of the town increased very slowly until after the ad-
vent of Wheeler, Dusenbury& Co. in 1834-35. Mr. Dusenburyand Mr. Wheeler
were then young and very enterprising and gave employment to a large
force of men. At that time there was little or no attention given to the Sab-
bath day, and with very few exceptions everybody drank-whisky. They de-
termined to raise the standard of morals, and for a period of over forty
years the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage has been prohibited by law
in the town.
126
History of Cattaraugus Couxtv.
Portville remained a part of Olean until April 27, 1837, when, by act of
the Legislature, that part of Olean composed of township i and the south
half of township 2 of range three was erected into the town of Portville.
March 6, 1838, the first town meeting was held at the house of Luman Rice
in the village of Portville. The meeting was called to order by William
Wales, a justice of the peace. Luman Rice was chosen moderator and Isaac
Senter and Harvey D. May were poll clerks. The meeting then adjourned to
the district school house and there elected the first set of officers : Supervisor,
Luman Rice; town clerk, Addison J. Wheeler; assessors, Lemuel Smith, Har-
vey D. May, Alpheus Wakefield ; commissioners of highways, Ezra May,
Smith Parish, Joseph Crandall; collector, Henry T. Leighton; constables,
Charles C. Jewell, Henry T. Leighton, Harlow M. Hopkins; commissioners
of common schools, Henry Dusenbury, Walter Ray, Darius Wheeler; inspec-
tors of common schools, Lemuel Smith, Harvey D. May, Ambrose P. Willard ;
justices of the peace. Smith Parish, Stanton H. Laing, Olcott P. Boardman ;
sealer of weights and measures, Addison J. Wheeler; overseers of highways,
Henry Terry, Albert Burdick, Clark Lillibridge, Gardner Coon, Amos Sco-
field, Barzilla Scofield, Rodolphus Scott; overseers of the poor, Isaac Senter,
John Conrad. The principal town officers have been as follows :
Supcrvimrs.—Lumaa KicP, 1838; Alpheus Wakefield, 183n-42, 18.ii1; Henry nusenbury, 18«-4-t, l«iii, WrU-
54, 18.')7; John Meddaug-h, 184.5; David Bockes, 1847, l&il ; Lemuel Smith, 1848; Henry T. Leighton, 1840;
Smith Parish, 1802; Samuel J. Mersereau, 18."m-.5«; Lewis D. Warner. 18.58-61, lSti!)-73, 1879; G. T. Lowry, 18tJ3 ;
John G. Mersereau, 18(i3; John E. Dusenbury, 1864(18, 1874-78; Martin Link, 1880-81; William E. Wheeler,
1882-80, 1888 ; Frank E. Tyler, 1887, 1890; W. B. Mersereau, 1889, 1891-93.
ToicH CVtiVis.— Addison J. Wheeler, 18:S8 ; Isaac Senter, 1839-40, 1842 ; Addison J. Wheeler, 1841 ; Harlow M.
Hopkins, 1843; William Wales, 1844-60; Oi-son S. Keyes, 1861; Henry C. Scofield, 1862-64 ; J. M. Copp, 1865;
John H. Warden, 1866-76 ; H. J. Crandall, 1877-93.
JuKtiees of the Peace.— Smith Parish, Stanton H. Laing, Olcott P. Boardman, 1838; Isaac Senter, Lu-
man Rice, 1839; William Wales, David Coon, 1840; James II. Barnes, Darius Wheeler, 1841 ; John Meddaugh,
Thomas Shelly, 1842; Smith Parish, David Itockes, 1843; William Wales, Charles C.Jewell, 1844; James K.
Barnes, 1845; Alpheus Wakefield, 1846; David Bockes, Leonard Anson, 1847; William Wales, Harlow M.
Hopkins, 1848; John Meddaugh 1849; Harlow M. Hopkins, 1800; Norman Wheaton, 1851; Willis M. Howe,
18.52; Mark Comstock, William Wales, 1853; John L. Smith, Harlow .M. Hopkins, Lewis D. Warner, 1854;
John Sanderson, 18.55; Willis M. Howe, Joseph Crandall, 18.56; Lewis D. Warner, Willis M. Howe, Adam T.
Warden, 18.57; Lewis D. Warner, Willis M. Howe, Andrew D. Kice, 18.58; Adam T. Warden, Asa E. Halbert,
Oliver B. Langworthy, 18.59; Guy T. Lowry, 1860; Oliver B. Langworthy, 1861; Lewis D. Warner, 1862;
Adam T. Warden, Atwood Fales, 186:3; Schuyler M. Gaston, 18tU; Oliver B. Langworthy, 1865; Atwood
Fales, William E. Hornblower, 1866 ; Mark Comstock, Allen Sherman, 1867; S. M. Gaston. Adam T. Warden,
Willis M. Howe, 1868; William E. Hornblower, Guy T. Lowry, 1869; Henry Conrad, 1870; Guy T. Lowry.
Lewis D. Warner, 1871; Schuyler M. Gaston, H. D. Bennie, 1872; H. B. Smith, W. W. Weston, 1873 ; A. G.
Packard, .Tacob Bedford, 1874; Guy T. Lowry, Lewis D. Warner, 1875 ; E. M. Bedford, 1876; John Millgate,
1877 ; A. G. Packard, 1878 ; Guy T. Lowry, 1878 to 1887, 1889 to 1893 ; Oliver B. Langworthy, 1878 to 1893 ; A. G.
Packard, 1880 to 1884 ; A. J. Armstrong, 1882 to 1886; De.\ter Wakefield, 1887 to 1890; R. F. Main, 1887 to 1889 ;
N. C. Hitchcock, 1888 to 1893 ; H. C. Holcomb, 1892 to 1893.
Like the other townships situated in the valley of the Allegheny river
Portville has been a lumber town, and being located at or near the head of
navigation by rafts it became something of a port, hence the name of the
village, which became the name of the township when it was set off from
Olean in 1837. Lumber manufacturing, mainly of hemlock, is quite extensively
carried on at the present time by Mersereau & Co., at Gordon's mills, and at
Weston's Mills. The output, though somewhat diminished, is still high in the
Town of Portville.
millions of feet. Agriculture receives the attention of the people along the
valleys of the river and Haskel creek and their tributaries.
The only thoroughfare which entered the town of Portville until 1856 or
1857 was the Allegheny river. The Genesee Valley canal was completed to
Olean in 1856, and by the great energy and influence of the late Hon. John G.
Mersereau, who devoted his time and talents to its accomplishment, the canal
was extended to the little hamlet of Mill Grove, which gave to Portville quite
an advantage over Olean in the carrying trade until it was abandoned in 1878.
In 1874 the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad was completed and
this gives to the inhabitants good transportation facilities.
The village of Portville is situated southeast of the center of the town, on
the Western New York & Peimsylvania railroad, at the mouth of Dodge creek,
on the Allegheny river, and on the Lackawanna & Pittsburg (narrow gauge)
railroad. It is a pleasant village of 600 or 800 inhabitants and contains the
immense tannery of the Wheelers and Dusenburys, the lumber mills of Merser-
eau & Co., two churches, three hotels, a Union Free School, a postoffice, seven
or eight stores, and the usual complement of mechanics.
Mill Grove is a hamlet on the river and on the railroad one mile south of
Portville. The Genesee Valley canal terminated at this place. Jonathan
Dodge owned the site in 1820.
Main Settlement is the name of a neighborhood in the southeastern part
of the town, where the Seventh Day Baptist church is located. It was named
in honor of its early settler, James S. Main. It contains, besides the church,
a school house, about a dozen dwellings, and a station on the narrow gauge
railroad. Near nere is Carroll postoffice, which was established June 17, 1892,
with A. Van Brunt as postmaster.
Weston's Mills is a post village on the Allegheny river and Western New
York & Pennsylvania and Lackawanna & Pittsburg railroads. It was founded
by the Weston brothers in 185 1 and built on the site of Allegany village, plotted
by Allen Rice, which neve'r appeared except on paper. Since the Weston
brothers came here and prosecuted their immense lumber business it has grown
gradually until it now contains a population of 450. The manufacturing in-
terests are Weston Brothers' lumber-mills and a kindling-wood manufactory
conducted by Ezer Borst. It also contains a neat Union church, a general
store, a school house, a blacksmith shop, and the necessary mechanics.
Portville is divided into ten school districts with a school house in each.
The schools the past year were attended by 587 scholars. The entire e.xpense
of maintenance was $5,155.62. The valuation of property taxable for school
purposes is $610,309 and the school houses and sites are valued at $9,815.
The Portville Union Free School was organized August 17, 1881. The
first Board of Trustees was composed of J. E. Dusenbury, W. E. Wheeler,
E. M. Bedford, Wallace Sibley, and L. D. Warner. In March, 1882, the aca-
demic department was organized and placed under the supervision of the Re-
I004 History of Cattaraugus County.
gents of the University of the State. The large wooden school building has
recently been repaired and repainted. The library contains about 8oo vol-
umes. The school is attended by about 250 pupils. The principals since the
organization have been Elbert Place, 1881 ; R. C. Lennon from 1882 to June,
1883; Miss Christina Lennon to June, 1885; and W. H.Smith since 1885.
The present trustees are J. E. Dusenbury, William E. Wheeler, H. J. Cran-
dall, J. H. Fairchild, and L. D. Warner; the teachers are W. H. Smith (prin-
cipal), Julia Flint, Mamie Meddaugh, and Effie Flint.
The Portville leather manufactory, the great industry of the town, had its
inception in 1849, \\'hen Mark Comstock erected upon its site a tannery with a
capacity of 500 hides per year. This was operated by Mr. Comstock for six
years, when C. K. Wright was his partner two years and then became sole
owner. In 185S Mr. Wright rebuilt and enlarged the works, applied steam-
power, and manufactured 10,000 hides annually. He continued the business,
and most of the time with partners, until 1887. In 18G2 the firm of Wright
& Munson enlarged the capacity to 20,000 hides per j'ear. In 1870 the firm
of William F. Wheeler & Co. succeeded J. & H. H. Clark, and was associated
with Mr. Wright under the firm name of Wright, Wheeler & Co. This firm
soon after admitted as partners B. F. Thompson & Co., of Boston, Mass., the
firm name now being William F. Wheeler & Co., Mr. Wright having retired
in 1886. In 1875 the tannery was again enlarged and the business increased
to 40,000 sides of finished leather annually. Previous to this the finishing
had been done in Boston. They tan and finish 2,000 sides weekly and also
finish 1,600 sides per week at their tannery in Hickory, Pa. The firm em-
ploys 150 men. The members of the company, the sons of Henry Dusen-
bury and William F. Wheeler, have, besides their tanneries, extensive timber
lands and lumber business in Pennsylvania, are bankers in 01ean,and are large
oil producers.
The Portville mflls were built by J. H. Fairchild, the present proprietor,
in 1884 in Portville village. The motive power is steam and the mill con-
tains three runs of stone. The capacity is 500 bushels of grain per day. He
also has a steam shingle-mill which turns out 500,000 shingles annually.
Hotton Brothers' warehouse and feed-mill were erected by them in 1891
on the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad in Portville village. The
former has a storage capacity of 20,000 bushels of grain. The firm also con-
ducts a general grocery store.
Gordon's mills are located a mile and a quarter riorthwest of Portville vil-
lage on the Allegheny river. The first mills were built on the site in 1867
by Luther Gordon and entirely rebuilt in 1885. The motive power is steam.
The capacity is 30,000 feet of lumber daily. About 25 men are employed.
The A- Weston Lumber Company's mills are situated in the village of
Weston's Mills, on the Allegheny, which furnishes a part of the motive power.
The firm built a dam across the Alleghenv and an entire new mill, on or near
Town" of Portville. . " 1005
the site of the mill erected by Allen Rice, in 185 1-52. A few years later they
added planing and matching and shingle-mills, and =till later a circular saw
for sawing dimension timber. They also have a kindling-wood factory, which
utilizes the waste from the saws. The yearly output ranges from 10,000,000
to 17,000,000 feet of lumber. They employ from 100 to 150 men.
The E. Borst Wood Company, of Weston's Mills, manufactures kindling
wood from refuse timber. The mills contain fifteen presses and give employ-
ment to twelve men. Ezer Borst is the proprietor.
In 1829 the Holland Land Company deeded to the Methodist Episcopa
church 100 acres of land, being the south part of lot 7, township one, range
three. This deed is now in the possession of C. W. Van Wart. The trustees
named in it were James Brooks, Darrar Swain, Luman Rice, Dennis Warner,
and Dennis Lamberton. A society was formed in 183 1 which consisted of
Smith Parish, Joshua T. Mason, John Wolcott, Delia Wright, Olive McCor-
mick, Clarissa Warner, Marcia Boardman, and Amy Dodge and two sisters.
The only survivor of this little band is Mrs. Delia Wright. Meetings were
held in the .school house near Gordon's mills with Smith Parish as class-leader,
and later at this place and also at Mill Grove, where Mrs. Samuel Smith acted
as class-leader. The church was duly incorporated December 23, 18/^/]^ and
in 1846 a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,500 and with a seatin'^
capacity of 450. The same edifice is still in use and with the grounds, etc., is
valued at $6,000. The society has 135 members under the pastoral charge of
Rev. J. W. Barnett. The Sunday school has 164 scholars.
The First Presbyterian church of Portville, in the Presbytery of Buffalo,
was organized June 17, 1849, ^^ '^ meeting of which Rev. Sylvester Cowles was
moderator and Asa E. Halbert was clerk. The first members were Henry and
Caroline Dusenbury, William F. and Flora Wheeler, Adam T. Warden, Lu-
cinda Comstock, William and Mary Ann Larabee, Gilman and Lucy Sander-
son, and Caroline Gleason. Henry Dusenbury and A. T. Warden were elected
elders. The Lord's Supper was first celebrated September 9, 1849, by Rev.
Mr. Hammond, of Angelica. The first pastor, Rev. Sylvester Cowles, began
his ministry as early as June, 1850, and continued until February, 1853. The
next pastor. Rev. J. A. Woodruff, remained nearly two years and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. C. Kidder, who was here about eight months. In 1856 Rev.
E. H. Taylor came and remained about two years. In October, 1858, Rev.
I. G. Ogden assumed the pastorate and officiated nine years, being succeeded
by Rev. O. Myrick, who remained a year and a half. Rev. J-. E. Tinker came
in the spring of P870 and officiated until April 3, 1881. The next pastor was
Rev. F. W. Fisher, who remained until October 23, 1885, and was succeeded
by the present one. Rev. Samuel W. Clark. April i, 1886, there were ninety-
two members, the present number being 202. The first clerk of the church was
A. T. Warden, whose successors were Henry Dusenbury, H. M. Hopkins,
C. K. Wright, Rev. J. E. Tinker, and Rev. F. W. Fisher. Since October 23,
ioo6 History of Cattaraugus County.
1885, E. G. Dusenbury has kept the records. The elders are William F.
Wheeler, C. K. Wright, E. G. Dusenbury, and William Holden. The church
edifice was built of wood, completed, and dedicated November 25, 1852, by
Rev. Sylvester Covvles. It was remodeled in 1873 at a cost of $5,000. In
1883 the building v/as beautified with stained glass memorial windows — one for
Mrs. William F. Wheeler, contributed by her children, one by the children of
Mr. and Mi's. Henry Dusenbury for their parents, and one for John G. Merser-
eau by his grandchildren. The organ was then presented to the chuich by
Hon. William F. Wheeler and the Dusenbury brothers, who also were to the
expense of having the church frescoed, and with the aid of the Young Ladies'
Missionary Society contributed the bell. From 1881 to 1890 this church con-
tributed for all purposes $35,410. The Sunday school has 175 members. ,
The Seventh Day Baptist church of Portville, situated in Main Settlement,
was organized in 1862 by Rev. J. C. West, with twenty members. The societ}-
met for worship in the school house of the neighborhood for several years.
They now have a neat house of worship.
The Union church edifice at Weston's Mills was built by subscription in
1891. The building is of wood, cost about $2,000, and has a seating capacity
of 225 persons. It is elegant in proportion and finely finished, and seated
with foldingchairs. The society is undenominational, but is regularly supplied
with preaching by the Methodist clergyman at Port\ille. The Sunday school
has 120 pupils with W'allace Weston as superintendent. The church is con-
trolled by a board of three trustees, the present ones being Wallace Weston
(chairman), William H. Petty, and James Hollands.
Portville Lodge, No. 578, F. & A. M,, was organized in January, iS65,and
chartered June 9, 1866. The first officers were Wilson Collins, M.; M. B.
Bennie, S. W. ; Massena Langdon, j. W. ; T. S. Jackson, treasurer; Henry C.
Scofield, secretary. Among the past masters have been M. B. Bennie, Schuy-
ler M. Gaston, John H. Warden, Lewis D. Warner, John Hendy, Ezer Burst,
and E. M. Bedford. A chapter of the Eastern Star was organized on the
13th of July, 1893
Portville Lodge, No. 170, A. O. U. W., was instituted Aug. 28, 187S, with
twenty-five members and Wallace Sibley as P. M. W.
H. VV. Wessel Post, No. 85, G. A. R., was organized January 20, 1879, ^^''^^h
thirty-six members. The first officers were Martin Link, commander ; E. M.
Bedford, S. V. C. ; William Holden, J. V. C. ; Cornelius Fitz Patrick, adjutant ;
G. T. Dennis, chaplain ; R. V. King, O. D. ; Jacob Both, O. G. It now has a
membership of fifty-four. The officers are William Holden, C. ; James H.
Fairchild, S. V. C. ; W. H. Skiver, J. V. C. ; H. C. Mills, surgeon ; L. D.
Warner, adjutant; Jacob Both, chaplain; L. E. Carr, O. D. ; John L. Brooks,
O. G. ; Joel A. Burdick. O. M. The post has two auxiliary organizations, viz.:
Col. L. D. Warner Camp, No. 23, Sons of Veterans, and a Woman's Relief
Corps. ;
TuWX OF I'OKTVII.I.K. 1007
John R. Archibald, son of Andrew and Jenette (Rea) Archibald, natives
of Scotland, was born in Tompkins county Feb. 11, 1S22. His mother died
when he was three weeks old and he was raised by his uncle, James Ray. In
1838 he came to Portville and worked for his cousin. Walter Ray, a lumber-
man at Mill Grove. In 1840 he was a sawyer for John Meddaugh and con-
tinued with him nine or ten years, making yearly trips as a pilot down the
Allegheny. In 1S54 he commenced business as a lumberman. In 1862 he
was a dealer in groceries with his nephew, John Archibald, and became sole
proprietor of their business two years later, continuing as a merchant fifteen
years. In 1874 he purchased a steam mill with a daily capacity of 25,000
feet of lumber. He stocked and operated this from January until June 14th,
when it burned with 800,000 feet of lumber, which was a total loss. Since
1880 he has given his attention to his farm and real estate. He has always
been a Democrat and has been a nominee for supervisor, and served as asses-
sor three years. In Sept., 1846, he married Fanny, daughter of John Med-
daugh, who was the mother of all his children : Walter B., Emma G., James,
and Frances H. (Mrs. William Hill). Mrs. Archibald died March 20, i88g,
and Oct. 16, 1891, he married Nancy Meddaugh.
Ezra M. Bedford, son of Jacob arid Marilla (Wright) Bedford, was born in
Rushford, N. Y., Jan. 16, 1837. The family is of English origin and came to
Portville in 1851, settling in the east part of the town. Ezra M. has been
both a farmer and a lumber manufacturer. In Jan., 1876, he opened a gro-
cery store in Portville, which he conducted until 1882. In 1886 he bought the
site of his present building of William F. Wheeler & Co. and placed his store
on the foundation of the establishment formerly owned by J. E. Dusenbury,
where he is still engaged in general trade. Mr. Bedtord has served as justice
of the peace, assessor, and commissioner of highways. Dec. 24, 1863, he
married Ellen Deming, of Genesee, Allegany county, and has one son. Mr.
Bedford enlisted in the 85th N. Y. Vols., served through the Peninsula cam-
paign, and was discharged on account of disability in 1862.
Ezer Borst was born in Middleburgh, N. Y., in 1832. In 1857 he came to
Weston's Mills and engaged as a contractor in the manufacture of staves and
lath for Weston Brothers, where he employed from twenty to twenty-four
men. He still contmues the business with ten or twelve hands. In the
spring of 1888 he instituted the "Borst Wood Company" and began the man-
ufacture of kindling wood, which he still carries on. In 1854 he married Miss
A. M. Kinney, of Nelson, Pa. Their children are Jabez W. ; James H., of
Havvley, Minn. ; Charles H.; Morris (deceased); Kate (Mrs. -A. J. Crannell),
of Weston's Mills; and Russel L. Jabez W. is superintendent of the Wood
Company, and C. H. and R. L. have each a position in this manufactory.
Mr. Borst married his second wife in 1872; she died in 1874; and in 1885 he
married Mrs. L. A. Kinney, who is the mother of his daughter Libbie.
Albert G. Burdick came from De Ruyter, N. Y., to Portville in 1837. In
1838 he married Cynthia E., daughter of Capt. Matthew M. Crandall, and
settled where his son, A. O. Burdick, now lives. He annujilly went down the
river as a raftsman, and served as constable several years. His sons Daniel
C, Joel A., Matthew K., and Addison O. served in the Civil war. Joel A.
was a prisoner in Andersonville over seven months. All came home at the
close of the war and all are living. Daniel C. Burdick was born Feb. 22, 1838.
In 1862 he enlisted in Go. A., 85th N. Y. Vols., joined his regiment at Suffolk,
Va., and was discharged at the close of the war. He participated in seventeen
ioo8 History of Cattaraugus Countv.
battles. May 20, 1861, he married Laura J. Sanford, of Ceres, N. Y. On his
return from the war he joined his wife in Main Settlement, and has since been
a citizen of Portville, except two years he spent in Steuben county. They
have one son, Adelbert E. Mr. Burdick served as constable six years.
Benjamin S. Cohvell, of English origin, is a son of Smith and Louisa
(McGee) Colwell. His father, a native of Rhode Island, was born Feb. 20,
1801 ; his mother, of Scotch descent, died in Portville in June, 1882, aged
eighty-one. His father died Jan. 2, 1888. In 1810 the parents of Smith Col-
well removed to Plymouth, Chenango county, where he assisted in clearing
land. In 1824 he was married and settled on a part of the homestead. In
1841'the family removed to Addison, Steuben county, where Benjamin S. Col-
well began his business life. He was a lumber jobber for Abijah Weston and
the late John G. Mersereau in the south part of Chenango county, and in
Lindley, Steuben county, until 1856, when he removed to Portville and since
then has been interested in the lumber business in this town, in Pennsylvania,
and in Harrisville and Manistique, Mich. He is also interested in car man-
ufacturing at Knoxville, Tenn., and in the Kelley Lamp Works of Rochester,
N..Y. In 1845 l''e married Sally M. Orr, of Addison, who died Aug. 5, 1864.
She was the mother of all his children : George W., born in May, 1846, a capable
and prominent business man, a manufacturer of lumber, and a merchant ;
Marion O., born Jan. 2, 1850, married D. E. Storms; Carrie L., born May 9,
i860, the wife of Dr. D. W. Mitchell ; and Carrie Belle, a graduate of the El-
mira Female College and a teacher.
Mark Comstock, son of Joseph L. and Nancy (Fox) Comstock, was born
in Beekmantown, N. Y., in June, 18 16. When about eighteen he started on
foot for the western country. At Ogdensburg he boarded a steamboat and
passed up the St. Lawrence river, through Lake Ontario to Ontario Beach,
and thence to Rochester. From there he went to Buffalo and in 1837 or 1838
came to Portville, where he still resides. . He was in the employ of Dusen-
bury, Wheeler & Co. as a jobber sawing their lumber until about 1848, when
he built the first tannery in Portville and began tanning upper and sole leather
in 1849. He purchased stock of his own and tanned hides and skins on halves
for the farmers. He had several partners, and in [855 he sold his half-interest
to his then partner, C. K. Wright. Mr. Comstock has since been dealing in
real estate and groceries and engaged in farming. He has served as assessor
thirteen years and as highway commissioner several terms. In 1840 he mar-
ried Lucinda Robinson, a member of the Presbyterian church, who died Feb.
19, 1892. Children: five sons died in infancy ; Nancy (Mrs. Dr. Young); Ellen.
Joseph Crandall, son of Luke and Martha (Maxson) Crandall, was born
near Providence, R. I., May 2, 1794, and soon after attaining his majority he
removed to Georgetown, N. Y. He married Susan P. Main in Feb., 1820,
who was born in Stonington, Conn., Feb. 17, 1800. In 1830 he moved with
his wife and six children to Portville and settled on lot 10, where William
Atherton • had built a saw-mill in 1810. He engaged in farming and stock
raising, having brought with him a flock of .sheep and half a dozen horses.
He was elected justice of the peace, but refused to qualify, and was an organ-
izer and one of the first trustees of the Methodist church. He died March
19, 1870; Mrs. Crandall died Jan. 9, 1882. They had twelve children, eight of
whom are living. The first, Russel A. Crandall, born Jan. 9, 1821, came to
Portville with his parents and has since resided here. He had one term at the
academy and became a farmer and a pilot on the river. He married Mary
Town of Portville. _ 1009
Jacobs, Feb. 18, 1846, who was born in Caledonia, N. Y., March 2, 1822. They
settled on a part of the homestead, where they still reside. Mr. Crandall is
one of Portville's oldest residents and a pillar of the Methodist church, which
he has long served as trustee. He has also been assessor twenty-three con-
secutive years. Children : J. Henry, Hyanthus O., Adell V. C. (Mrs. C. B.
McDowell), and Minnie A. (Mrs. E. E. Alderman).
Joseph Henry Crandall, son of Russel A-, was born April 11, 1847, and was
educated in the common schools and in Chamberlain Institute, earning the
money to pay his expenses by measuring bark. He taught a district school
two winter terms and in 1868 engaged as a clerk in the store of J. M. Copp
at Portville. Sept. 26, 1871, he became the partner of his employer under
the firm name of J. M. Copp & Co., and subsequently conducted the business
alone. He was burned out in 1875 and again in 1S85. He conducted two
branch stores, one of dry goods and the other of groceries, in Rexford when
oil was produced there. Both were consumed by fire on the same day in 1880.-
Since then he has given his attention to his business in Portville. He is also
a farmer and breeder of pure blood registered Oxforddown sheep. Mr. Cran-
dall has always been a Republican and has served as town clerk since 1877.
He married Minnie Saunders Main and has one daughter, Ethel M., born
Dec. 29, 1876.
Henry Dusenbury, son of John and Ruth (Sands) Dusenbury, was born in
Hancock, Delaware county, J\Iay 5, 1801. In 1815 his father with his family
moved to Windsor, Broome county. Henry was soon employed by his father
as a clerk, and early conducted mercantile and lumbering business on his own
account. In 1828 he went to Deposit and remained there engaged in the same
lines until 1834. Here he became the senior member of the firm of "Dusen-
bury, Wheeler, May & Co.", formed to conduct lumbering on the upper
Allegany. This firm purchased at first a tract of 1,500 acres on Dodge
creek (Portville) with a saw-mill containing three upright saws. Mr. Dusen-
bury came to look after its operations. The important duties and responsi-
bilities devolving on him were discharged with rare acumen, and, during his
business life of many years, he ever manifested his capability to safely and
prosperously conduct important affairs. This company began operations in
lumbering with this mill, established a store, ran their lumber to market down
the Allegany and Ohio rivers, bought extensive tracts of timber lands in and
about Portville and in Pennsylvania, built modern mills of great capacity, and
has contributed to the prosperity of this section to the present by annually
giving employment to a large number of men in their lumbering operations,
tanneries, oil fields, etc. In inaugurating and conducting these enterprises
Mr. Dusenbury was a potent factor. No detail of the business escaped his
attention, no contracts were made that were not fulfilled to the letter, and
none of this company's paper was ever protested. Mr. Dusenbury was en-
dowed with penetration, sagacity, and integrity. He was methodical, accu-
rate, prompt, and reliable. His word was as good as a bon '. He took time
to investigate and decide every enterprise, but when a project was decided
upon he pushed it to completion with energy and zeal.
Mr. Dusenbury was an old-time Whig and joined the Republican party at
its organization. He was a firm believer in and an ardent advocate of the
distinguishing principle of the old Whig party: "Protection to American
industries." He was a diligent reader, well informed in political history,
and was an able and dangerous opponent in political discussions. He repre-
127
History of Cattarau(;u.s County.
sented the town of Portville six years on the Board of Supervisors of Cattarau-
gus county and his party in numerous conventions. In 1831 Mr. Dusenbury
united with the Presbyterian church of Deposit and was a consistent Chris-
tian through life. When he came to Portville there was practically no Sab-
bath, and into.xicating liquors were used freely in conducting business. Mr.
Dusenbury and Mr. Wheeler from the first had the understanding that their
company was to do business on Christian principles. They took their stand
as Christian men not to break the Sabbath themselves and not to furnish rum
in getting their lumber to market if it had to rot on the banks of the river.
Mr. Dusenbury was not a bigoted sectarian, but recognized all genuine Chris-
tians as his brothers in Christ. He was instrumental with others in organizing
the Presbyterian church of Olean in 1838 and was one of its elders and regular
attendants until 1849, when he, with W. ¥. Wheeler, by their means and in-
fluence effected the establishment of the Presbyterian church at Portville,
which he generously supported and guided with his counsel as an officiating
elder to the close of his life. He was very charitable, and contributed liber-
ally to various benevolent objects regularly each year. He died in June, i860.
In 1827 Mr. Dusenbury married Miss Caroline Butler, an estimable Christian
lady, a kind friend, devoted wife, and an affectionate and faithful mother.
Mrs. Dusenbury survived her husband, dying in February, 1871. Their chil-
dren were Catherine (who married Allan Sheldon, at one time a wholesale
merchant in company with Hon. Zach Chandler and now a banker in Detroit,
Mich.); Elizabeth (the wife of Rev. J. H.Vincent, D. D., a distinguished
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church ; their son George is the present
business manager of the Chautauqua Assembly); Henry (died at the age of
twenty-two years); John E. ; William A. (born in 1838, married Miss Helen
Truesdell, of Belfast, N. Y., and died in August, 1890; his widow and three
sons survive him ; he was a man of good business abilities, careful, economical,
and successful ; he was a merchant with his brothers, but later removed to
Pennsylvania, conducted their mills at Tionesta, and engaged in large lum-
bering operations); Edgar G. (born in October, 1841, was in mercantile busi-
ness with his brothers, and is now giving his attention to the large tannery at
Portville — the Portville Tanning Company; he is an efficient businessman,
and possesses great firmness and executive ability ; he is also an earnest and
working Christian and an elder of the Presbyterian church) ; and Caroline
(resides in Buffalo).
John E. Dusenbury was born in Portville, then a part of Olean, June 10,
1836. He received a practical business education from his father and an aca-
demic education at Binghamton Academy. He was early taught that honest
labor is man's mission in life. He commenced his active business life as a mer-
chant, the successor of Dusenbury, Wheeler & Co. He inherited many of the
characteristics of his father which brought financial success to his business
undertakings, and at his death was specially fitted to take his place in the
operations of this firm. Mr. Dusenbury appointed his sons John E. and Will-
iam A. executors and trustees of his estate, and the business has continued
uninterruptedly to the present with but a change in name of firm. This now
includes John E. and Edgar G. Dusenbury (sons of Henry Dusenbury) and
Nelson P. and William E. Wheeler (sons of Hon. William F. Wheeler). Their
business consists of lumbering operations near Portville and in Pennsylvania,
development of their oil territory, and in tanning. John E. Dusenbury is an
able financier. He was vice-president of the First National Bank of Olean
.^.^..^
Town of Portville. . ion
until June, 1892, when he succeeded Hon. William F. Wheeler as president.
He is a real estate manager, an oil producer, and a general adviser in manifold
business affairs. As a recreation he is breeding trotting horses of the finest
strains to be obtained in the United States. Mr. Dusenbury has been an un-
swerving Republican all his political life, has served his town on the Board of
Supervisors ten years, and taken prominent part in numerous conventions.
He is an industrious, persevering, and successful manufacturer, a courteous
gentleman, a genial companion and friend, deserves and enjoys a large circle
of appreciative acquaintance, and ranks worthily among the representative
men of Cattaraugus countv.
J. H. Fairchild, son of' John F. and Sarah (Hoyt) Fairchild, was born in
Rochester, July 28, 1841. The family went to Livingston county about 1849
and he removed thence to Belfast, Allegany county. In Jan., 1863, he en-
listed in Co. E, 93d N. Y. Vols., and served to the close of the war. In 1864,
at the battle of the Wilderness, he received a severe wound from a minie-ball,
which passed through his left hip and confined him in the hospital a year.
He was discharged June 10, 1865. Since 1875 he has resided in Portville,
where he is proprietor of a grist-mill, and a dealer in flour, feed, and grain.
Three of his brothers were also soldiers. In 1868 he married Rosalia Petty,
of New Hudson, N. Y., and they have five sons and three daughters.
Thomas Grierson, a native of Dumfries, Scotland, came to America in
1 860 and settled in Otto, whence in 1861 he removed to Portville, where he
followed his trade as a miller and was also a farmer. He died about 1866.
His wife was Agnes, daughter of James and Mary McOuenn. Children:
William, James, Alexander, Robert, Mary, Geanie, John, Janet, Thomas, and
Joseph. Mrs. Grierson died in 1848.
William Holden, the son of James and Christianna Holden, was born in
St. Helen's, Lancashire, England, June 2, 1843. His parents emigrated to
America and landed in New York on June i, 1856, and settled in Buffalo,
where William learned the trade of tanning. Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co.
D, i6th N. Y. Vols., and was promoted to first lieutenant, his commission be-
ing dated July 23, 1863. W^hen discharged in 1865 he ranked as lieutenant.
He received a severe wound at the siege of Port Hudson and another on the
border of Texas. With his regiment he returned north and participated in
the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. At the close of
the war, returning home to Buffalo, he resumed his trade and in Dec, 1868,
settled in Olean, where he remained five years. Since then he has lived in
Portville, where he has been engaged in the grocery trade. In the spring of
1889 he was commissioned postmaster of Portville. He is a member of the
Presbyterian church and one of its elders. He married Henrietta Toomer, of
Buffalo, in Sept., 1865, and they have a son and four daughters.
Nicholas Hotton, born in Germany, July 18, 1858, emigrated to America
with his parents in 1861 and in 1869 came to Portville, where he has since re-
sided except about four years spent mainly in Clymer, Chautauqua county.
In 1876 he became a clerk for Mark Comstock, in 1882 a partner, and in 1883
succeeded to the business. In 1886 his brother, Anthony W. Hotton, became
his partner and the present firm of Hotton Brothers was formed. In 1886 he
built a feed-mill in Olean, which was conducted by Hotton & Sloane until 1890,
when Mr. Hotton sold it to the Acme Milling Campany. Mr. Hotton is a
member of the Presbyterian church. June 11, 1885, he married Louise Bon-
sack, of Portville; children: Harold J. and Nicholas, Jr.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Anthony VV. Hotton, born in Patterson, N. J., April 12, 1863, came to Port-
ville with his parents in 1869 and became an employee of the Portville Tan-
ning Company for six years. In the summer of 1883 he entered his brother's
store as a clerk and in 1886 became a member of the present firm of Hotton
Brothers. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Peter Keyes, Jr., was born in Pittsfield, Vt., Sept. 4, 1S09. His parents
removed to Eagle, N. Y., in 181 5, where he died aged eighty-two years. His
homestead is still owned by his descendants. His oldest son, Peter Keyes,
Jr., married Hannah Blossom in Portage, N. Y., April i, 1832. She was born
in Pike, N. Y., Dec. 29, 181 1. Mr. Keyes was a lumber manufacturer in Port-
age eight years. In 1840 he moved to Portville, where he built a saw-mill on
Deer creek and followed lumbering in company with the late Smith Parish
over thirty years. In 1844 he was one of the organizers of the M. E. church
and was elected one of its five trustees, serving either as trustee or steward
nearly all the rest of his life. He died Jan. 9, 1867. Mrs. Keyes survived until
March 10, 1889. Children: Myron Peter, born Dec. iS, 1835; Orson S., born
March 2, 1838, began preparation for the ministry, was postmaster of Port-
ville, a druggist with Dr. Jackson, a soldier in the Union army, and a prisoner
in Andersonville, where he died; and Abby, born June 22, 1843, who married
Prof. H. E. Dickinson. Myron Peter Keyes was reared a farmer and lumber-
man. He married Eusebia Dickinson, of Whitney's Point, N. Y., Nov. 8,
1855, and has followed his father's occupation. He is a staunch Republican.
Children: Herbert F., Norton E., and Leona E.
' Oliver B. Langworthy, son of Asa and Ruth C. (Crandall) Langworthy,
was born in Coventry, R. I., Sept. 2, 1823. At the age of eight he removed
with his family from North Stonington, Conn., to Genesee, Allegany county,
where he remained until he became twenty-one. In the fall of 1847 he came
to Main Settlement in Portville, where he has since resided. A raftsman thirty-
nine years he ran lumber as a jobber to most of the ports along the Allegheny
and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. He also purchased and had manufactured
lumber on his own account. He v/as a carpenter by trade, and now attends to
his farm. He has served as a magistrate a long term of years. Feb. 8, 1848,
he married Happy I. Maxson ; children : Byron A., born Aug. 9, 1851 ; Eva-
line A., born Sept. 7, 1855, died Aug. 16, 1883; Alice O., born June 12, 1861,
married W. J. Haight, of Olean ; and PVed O., born May 24, 1870.
Eugene Leavens, son of Royal and Mary (Davis) Leavens, was born at
Glens Falls, N. Y., Aug. 26, 1829. His grandfather, Hezekiah Leavens, a na-
tive of France, married a German lady. They were Huguenot Protestants and
fled to America from Romish persecution. They were of the old school and
practiced a dignified, stately politeness. He was a merchant at Glens Falls,
where he and his wife both died in 1834. Royal Leavens, the father of Eu-
gene, was a self-taught scholar and master of the Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French,
German, and English languages. He was for years a teacher and a magistrate,
and also followed mercantile pursuits. He died aged fifty-five. Eugene
Leavens, three years after his father's death, began alternately laboring in
summer and attending school in winter. Mr. Leavens became expert as a
riverman. In Sept., 185 1, he came to Portville and entered the employ of
Weston & Mersereau. He soonbecame an expert in managing their machin-
ery and saws and in June, 1854, took entire charge of the establishment, which
he conducted until Feb., 1857. He then executed a contract with Dusen-
bury, Wheeler & Co. to deliver on the banks of Tioncsta creek in Pennsylva-
Town of Portville.
nia at least 3,000,000 feet of lumber per year for three years. In i860 he re-
turned to Portville, where he had a half-interest in the grocery of Weston &
Mersereau and again took charge of the mills. In Nov., 1867, he became a
partner in the entire business under the firm name of Weston, Mersereau &
Co. In 1889 the Westons retired and since then the business has been con-
ducted by William B. Mersereau and Mr. Leavens, the firm being Mersereau
& Co. The output of these mills is 12,000,000 or 15,000,000 feet of lumber
annually. In Nov., 1851, Mr. Leavens married Charlotte, daughter of William
Davis, of Glens Falls. Children : Helen Emily (.Mrs. W. B. Mersereau) ;
Edith R. (Mrs. R. C. McLennan) ; and Frederick, who died aged fifteen. Mrs.
Leavens died April 19, 1888.
Sheffield B. Main, son of Dewey and Lucinda i Colgrove) Main, was born in
Stonington, Conn., March 22, 1788. He married, in 1818, Emily, daughter of
Dea. Jared Stillman, and with five children they came from Chenango county
to Portville in 1833, settling on the farm on which his son, James S. Main,
now lives. At intervals he engaged in carpentering and piloting rafts to War-
ren, Pa. The settlement took his name, which it still bears. He was com-
missioner of highways and a deacon of the Seventh Day Baptist church,
which he aided to organize. He died Feb. 23, 1S7S. Mrs. Main died in 1854.
They had five daughters and one son. James S. .Main, born in Lincoln, N. Y.,
June 9, 1824, in early life was also a river pilot. Aug. 28, 1847, he married L.
Malvina Hamilton, who was born in Hornby, Steuben county, in 1829. Her
father, Seymour Hamilton, was a pioneer of Portville. Mr. Main was a sol-
dier in the Union army. Both are members of the Seventh Day Baptist
church. Their adopted daughter is the wife of Henry J. Crandall.
Milton M. Main, son of Dewey, was born in Connecticut, March 6, 1802.
March 23, 1823, he married Theda C. Carpenter, of De Ruyter, N. Y., who was
born in Chatham, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1804. About 1829 Mr. Main removed to
Friendship, where he resided until March, 1831. when they settled in Portville.
He was for several years a riverman. The neighborhood soon organized a
school, which was taught by Keziah Carpenter, sister of Mrs. Main. Mr. Main
died Feb. 17, 1878. Mrs. Main survives. "Aunt Theda," as she is familiarly
called, has been a member of the M. E. church nearly .seventy years. Of their
ten children eight attained mature age and si.x are now living. Two of the sons
served in the late war, one, William O., dying in Andersonville prison. Riley
F. Main, the youngest of the family, resides in Portville village and owns the
homestead. He married Julia E. Flinn, of Belfast, N. Y.
Archibald McDougald, of Scotch descent, was born in Ontario, Canada,
June 28, 1840. In 1859 he came to Portville, where he has since resided. He
engaged with Wright, Thompson & Bingham, tanners, and was in their em-
ploy in all about twelve years. The past ten years he has conducted a meat
market. He served as constable thirteen years and has been ta.x collector
five years. Jan. 18, 1862, he married Eliza, daughter of the late William
Wales, Esq. Children: Ellen E. (Mrs. A. Holcomb) and Archibald W.
Hon. John G. Mersereau, son of Joshua Mersereau, was born in Guilford,
Chenango county, Sept. 23, 1799. He descended from good French Hugue-
not stock. The first of his race in America was an officer of rank in the French
army, who had ventured to defend his faith against the imputation of a Rom-
ish priest and fled for refuge to the United States and settled on Staten Island.
The grandfather of Mr. Mersereau won an honorable distinction in the Revo-
lutionary service as a commissary. Washington, Lafayette, and other emi-
IOI4 History of Cattaraugus County.
nent soldiers and statesmen of that time esteemed him highly. Washington
was frequently a guest at his home on Staten Island. Mr. Mersereau passed
his early years in his native town and there commenced his business career as
a manufacturer of lumber. He pursued this vocation through life faithfully,
energetically, and successfully. His first operations were on the headwaters
of the Susquehanna, later in Steuben county, and in Tioga county. Pa. In
1850 he removed to Portville, which was his home until his death Aug. 10,
1883. Mr. Alersereau was a progressive business man, and believed that the
best machinery and the best facilities for manufacturing would make the best
goods and insure the best returns, and was prompt in adopting them. He.
with Weston Brothers, built the mills in which they placed the first gang-saws
operated on the waters of the Allegany. Mr. Mersereau was characterized
by sterling integrity, rare sagacity, e.xecutive ability, and great benevolence.
He would severely reprove a delinquent in rugged English ; a half-hour later
he would bestow upon him favor to the extent of his ability. He was a patri-
otic citizen and decided in his political convictions. He first cast his lot with
the Whig party, was one of the first to join the Republican organization, and
was ever after a valiant soldier in all its battles. He was never an aspirant
for office or political place, but while a resident of Steuben county he was
twice elected to the Legislature, where his strength of character won for him
the regard of Thurlow Weed, A. B. Dickinson, other prominent members
of his own party, and of all with whom he came in contact. He was super-
visor of Portville in 1863. To him more than to any other man is due the
extension of the Genesee Valley canal from Olean to Portville. Mr. Merser-
eau was a member of the Presbyterian church from his early manhood and a
thorough Christian. Religion was not with him merely a belief in a creed,
but a life to lead, and was shown in liberal charities to the needy, tenderness
to the afflicted, care for the sick, and the unbounded love of his noble nature
for all mankind. Mr. Mersereau was twice married. His first wife, Miss Julia
Redfield, was the mother of his children. They were Almira, Harriet (Mrs.
W. W. Weston), and Samuel.
Samuel Mersereau was born in Guilford, Chenango county, Oct. 6, 1823.
His early business training, which was of more than ordinary value, was ac-
quired in the banking house of that eminent banker and business man, Gen.
John Magee, at Bath, where he remained some years. He resided later in
Lindley, where he served as supervisor. In 1849 became to Portville, engaged
in lumbering with his father, and pursued this business until his premature
death Oct. 7, 1857, at the age of thirty-four years, serving in various town
offices, among them supervisor, with great acceptability. He married Esther
Butts'", of Rome; she died April 18, 1855, aged thirty-one years. They had
three children : Almira, who married Hon. W. E. Wheeler (their children are
William, John, Eleanor, Lawrence); William B. (a prominent manufacturer
of Portville, who is now representing the town as supervisor for the fourth
time; he married Helen E. Leavens, of Portville, and their children are Edith,
Esther (deceased), Roland, Eugene, Egbert, and Harrison); and John D., who
resides at Manistique, Mich., where he is connected with the extensive lumber
*She was a descendant of the liistoric Gov. William Bradford, wiio, born in Yorkshire, Eu;jland, in 158!),
cast in his lot with the Pilgr irns, and was one of that immortal band of Muytiitwer passcnfrers that landed
at Plymouth, Mass., in December, 1620. He was high in the counsels of the leaders of the colony, and held
with digniiv and acceptation the important olficeof governor of Plymouth Colony for thirty-one j-ears, dy-
ing, surrounded by hmiors, in Plymouth, May 9, lfi57. His history of the colony shows his grroatscholarshi))
and erudition, and is a treasured volume.
Town of Portvili.e. . 1015
operations of the Chicago Lumbering Company and the Weston Lumber
Company; the financial management of the large business of these firms is
conducted by him and A. J. Fox. Mr. Mersereau is in charge of the ofifice.
His wife was Nellie Coleman, of Ann Arbor, Mich. They have one daughter,
Irene.
The Mersereau family has in the past as well as the present been entrusted
with the administration of the civil affairs of Portville ; by its interest in a
large business it has added to the progress and welfare of the community ; by
its well-known integrity, and the carrying out of principles which trend to the
right, it has been an important factor in the prosperity of this eminently intel-
ligent village.
Ashley G. Packard was born in Naples, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1824. His father, a
small farmer and tanner, removed to Tioga county, Pa., when Ashley G. was
two years old, where he died about 1840. At the age of twenty the son came
to Portville and has since resided in the town or near vicinity. His paternal
ancestor, Samuel Packard, emigrated from England and landed at Old Col-
ony, Mass., Aug. 10, 1638. His mother, Rebecca (Rose) Packard, was born in
Connecticut, Oct. 13, 1795. Her mother, a Webster, was a cousin of Daniel
Webster and is still living in Tioga county, Pa., where an annual reunion of
her descendants is attended by five generations. Both of Mr. Packard's
grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers and four of his brothers did service
in the Rebellion. Mr. Packard was a raftsman thirty-six consecutive years,
for thirty of which he was a pilot. Since then he has been a farmer. He has
served as justice of the peace eight years and also as assessor. Dec. 31, 1847,
he married Virtue V., daughter of Capt. Matthew M.Crandall. She was born
in Cortland county, Oct. 7, 1824. Their only child, Berdett A. Packard, born
Nov. I, 1848, married Ella Lewis, and now resides in Tombstone, Arizona.
Hon. Smith Parish, son of Jeremiah and Piety (Abbott) Parish, was born in
Stockbridge, Vt., Oct. 29, 1804. His father,-a native of Connecticut, was a sol-
dier in the Re\'olutionary war and married in 1787. In 1807 he removed with
his family from Stockbridge to Cherry Valley, N. Y. In 1818 he settled in
Luzerne, N. Y. At the age of fourteen Smith Parish lost his mother, and in
■ Aug., 1819, he started on foot with a companion for the Holland purchase.
Late in the fall he returned and in the spring of 1820 persuaded his fathei to
come, and, again on foot, they traveled to Farmersville, where they joined his
brother, and where his father settled. For the ne.xt ten years Smith resided
alternately in Cattaraugus county, in Luzerne, and in Chittenden county, Vt.
In the spring of 1829 he went to Quebec on a raft of timber. In May, 1830,
he visited Olean and in October ensuing came to Portville. In 1834 he bought
[,000 acres of pine timber land. Prior to this he had been engaged as a lum-
berman, jobber, pilot, and dealer. June 17, 1834, he married Catherine Wales,
and was a lumberman until 1841, when he sold his property to William Smith
and removed to Portville village, where he resided until his death. He was here
a large dealer in lumber, shingles, and merchandise, and a pillar of the M. E.
church, of which he was one of the founders. Mr. Parish was elected a justice
of the peace at the first town meeting of Portville in 1838. He was supervisor
in 1852 and member of Assembly in 1864.
David L. Parish, oldest son of Hon. Smith Parish, was born in Portville,
passed his youth at school and in the store, and at the age of twenty-seven
engaged in dealing in lumber and shingles. In 1871 or 1872 he entered mer-
cantile business. He was burned out in 1875, rebuilt two years later, and
ioi6 History of Cattaraugus County.
again lost heavily in the conflagration of 1885. He rebuilt at once and com-
pleted the first permanent building after the fire. A Republican in politics
he has steadily refused to accept office. June 20, 1867, he married Alary R.
Thomas, of Bolivar, N. Y. ; children : Smith and Edna.
John A. Peckham, son of Hiram, was born in 1842 in Clarksville, Allegany
county, whither his parents had removed from Connecticut, their native State,
about 1830, settling on a tract of 700 acres, where they lived to more than three-
score and ten years. Mr. Peckham held several important town offices. They
raised nine sons and five daughters. Their son, John A. Peckham, enlisted as
a musician in the iS4th N. Y. Vols. He was mustered in Aug., 1862, and dis-
charged at the close of the war. He was in seventy-four battles and skirmishes
and marched to Atlanta with General Sherman. He was wounded five times,
had typhoid fever, typhoid pneumonia, and varioloid. In 1865 he married Ma-
rinda Moore, of Georgia, and after the war settled in Portville, where he still
resides. He has been a sawyer, but is now a stone mason. Mrs. Peckham died
in Sept., 1873, being the mother of all his children : John H., born in May,
1866; Florence A., born in 1868, died aged nine years: H. Franklin, born in
Feb., 1872; Evalina, born in Aug., 1873. In 1874 he married Nancy J. Castle.
David Persing, son of John and Elizabeth (Garretson) Persing, was born in
Columbia county. Pa., Dec. 17, 1822. Raised a farmer he began his business
life as a lumberman on Pine creek in Tioga county, Pa., and followed this
avocation until 1864, most of the time conducting also a farm. In 1857 ^^
bought a farm in Genesee, Allegany county, which he still owns. In 1880 he
retired and settled in Portville, where he now resides. It was discovered that
his farm was good oil territory and since then he has been an oil producer.
Sept. 15, 1850, he married Lurana L. Stanton, of Otselic, N.Y.; children: Will-
iam D., of Clarksville, N. Y.; Freeman S.; Cora B., widow of George W'.Gibby ;
and McClellan L., of Kalamazoo, Mich. P"reeman S. Persing, born in Ceres,
Pa., Feb. 11, 1858, receved an academic education and taught common schools
severalterms. In 1879 he settled in Portville, when he engaged in the hard-
ware business. July 3, 1878, he married Mary M. Lewis, of Genesee.
Luman Rice, a native of Glastonbury, Conn., was born Jan. 18, 1787. He
settled in Olean in 18 18 and kept the old tavern built partly of logs, with a
framed wing at either end. The next year he purchased the unfinished tavern
now a part of the Olean House, finished and opened it to the public, and re-
mained its landlord until 1822, when he removed to Portville, where he be-
came the owner of 300 acres of land embraced in the south part of the village.
He opened his house on the river as a tavern and later built a commodious
hotel on a more eligible site which was burned and rebuilt. Besides conduct-
ing his tavern he was a lumberman and a farmer. In 1844 he went to Cincin-
nati and with Judge Chamberlain opened a lumberyard. In 1849 ^^ returned
to Portville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a prominent
citizen and the first supervisor of this town. Dec. 2, 18 10, Mr. Rice was mar-
ried, in Homer, N. Y. Children: Delia A. (Mrs. Alfred Wright); Marcia P.
(Mrs. O. P. Boardman) ; Luman E., who married Sally Harrison, of Cincin-
nati ; Ambrew D., who married Sarah S. Smith ; Harriet L. (Mrs. Smith), of
New Orleans; Susan B. (Mrs. John D. Park), of Cincinnati ; and Malvene M.
(Mrs. Harvey Scovil), of Chicago.
Ambrew D. Rice was born in Olean, Feb. 11, 1820. He went to Portville
with his parents in 1822, where he has since resided except about four years
spent as a lumberman in Michigan. He erected a saw-mill on Weymouth
/
Town of Poktville. 1017
creek in 1849, which was the first in the southeast part of the county with
steam as a motive power. Lumbering has been the leading occupation of his
life. Mr. Rice is now a farmer and a druggist with his sons Herman L. and
Butler H., under the firm name of A. D. Rice & Sons. He was appointed
postmaster by General Grant and held the position about sixteen years. July
26, 1850, he married Sarah S., daughter of Lemuel Smith. Children : The
sons mentioned and Harriet E. Herman L. Rice was born in Portville, Jan.
16, 1852. He was a druggist's clerk in Rochesterand Chicago seven years and
is the inventor of several patent medicines of value. Since 1875 he has been
a member of the firm of A. D. Rice & Sons.
Rodney A. Shattuck, born in Oswego county, N. V., April 24, 1852, spent
most of his youth in Wayne and Cayuga counties. In Dec, 1883, he came to
Portville and engaged in manufacturing boots and shoes. About 1887 he
opened a small store, where he manufactured and sold ready-made work. In
the spring of 1889 he formed a partnership in the shoe trade with B. S. Col-
well under the firm name of R. A. Shattuck & Co. Mr. Shattuck is also an
excellent musician and since he has resided in Portville he has been the leader
of Shattuck's Orchestra. Sept. 8, 1878, he married Lucy Allen, of Stockbridge,
N. Y., and has a daughter and a son.
\V. Hazleton Smith, A.B., son of Peter and Rachel (Plazleton) Smith, was
born in Mansfield, March 28, i860. His father was a pioneer farmer and the
son attended the" common schools, the village school in Little Valley, and the
Ten Broeck Pree Academy, from which latter institution he was graduated in
1880. He taught alternately in the districts schools while he pursued his
academic course and in 1880-81 was principal of the Ellicottville Union
School. He entered Cornell University, from which he was graduated with
the degree of A.B. in the class of 1885. In the fall of that year he became
the principal of the Portville Union School, which position he has since held.
During his vacation at the close of his first year he had charge of the depart-
ment of English literature at Round Lake and now holds a like position in
the summer school at Silver Lake. In Jan., 1889, he issued the first number
of the Educator, of which he is the founder, proprietor, editor, and publisher.
The paper is devoted to current history, science, and literature. Its circula-
tion extends to every State in the Union and its subscription list exceeds
20,000. Aug. 18, 1886, he married Catherine B. Graves, of Franklinville.
Frank E. Tyler was born in Rushford, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1848, and was
reared in Attica, N. Y. In 1870 he arrived in Portville with $20.50 in his
pocket, and this he unfortunately dropped into the Allegheny river. He at
once went to work for his uncle, Luther Gordon, as a laborer, and three
years later was made sole manager of his large lumber business, which position
he still holds. He also purchased timber lands and mills in Michigan, where
he had large interests. At the same time he was engaged in producing oil
in the Bradford field. He has been for several years and still is a partner
with E. M. Bedford in mercantile business and is also a director of the First
National Bank of Brockport, N. Y. Mr. Tyler in politics is a Democrat and
represented his town on the Board of Supervisors in 1887 ''"d 1890. In 1875
he married Mary J., daughter of the late Adam T. Warden, of Portville;
children: Gertrude E., born in 1876, and Frank E., Jr., born in 1888.
Charles W. Van Wart, son of William and Mercy (Carpenter) Van Wart,
was born in Johnstown, N. Y., May 21, 1832. His parents removed to Black
Creek when he was a small boy and thence they went to Michigan in 1844,
128
ioi8 History of Cattaraugus .County.
where his mother died in 1846. They soon after returned to Black Creek,
where his father married Polly Alexander. In Nov., 1847, they settled in
Portville, where Charles W. has since resided. He became an equal partner
at the blacksmith's trade with the late Adam T. Warden, which partnership
continued twenty years, when Mr. Warden withdrew and Mr. Van Wart has
since conducted the business alone. In politics' a Republican he has served
his town as constable and collector and is now a member of the Board of
Health. In religion a Methodist he has been a member of that church the
past forty-five years and has served as one of its stewards twenty-five years.
He has also represented his church as a layman every fourth year since lay-
men were admitted to the General Conference. In June, 1850, he married
Rachel Phillips, of Portville; their only living child, Kate, married Herbert F.
Keyes, a blacksmith with Mr. Van Wart.
William Wales, a native of Vermont, was born Dec. 28, 1796, married Eliza
West, of Allegany. Aug. 7, 1839, ^^ho was born Nov. 10, 1S18, and about
1840 came to Portville and entered the employ of Smith Parish. He began
business for himself keeping the hotel erected by Luman Rice and later he
conducted a grocery store till near the close of his life. He died in Feb., 1861.
Mrs. Wales died March 6, 1882. Mr. Wales was elected justice of the peace
in 1S40, served twelve consecutive years, and was again elected in 1853. He
served as town clerk from 1844 to i860 and was postmaster of Portville many
years during his residence here. He was a member of the Methodist chilrch.
His oldest daughter, Eliza, born Aug. 13, 1840, is the wife of Archibald Mc-
Dougald, of Portville.
Adam T. Warden, born in Scotland in 1806, married there Elizabeth Hen-
derson. He was a boiler maker by trade and removed to England and thence
to Germany during an agitation among the trade unionists. In 1841 he emi-
grated to America and engaged in blacksmithing. About 1848 he came to
Portville, where he died April 19, 1891. His son, John H. Warden, was born
in Hamburg, Germany, in Feb., 1841. He came to Portville with his parents
and learned of his father the trade of blacksmith. He subsequently became
a harness maker and started in that business about 1865. In Dec, 1879, be-
sides his harness business, he had a half-interest with his father in a furniture
store and undertaking establishment. In Dec, 1886, he purchased his father's
interest and has since conducted the business alone. He served as town clerk
eleven years and was postmaster of Portville during Cleveland's first adminis-
tration. Mr. Warden married Miss M. P. Smith, of Portville; children: Grace
E. (Mrs. H. Watts) and Maggie A.
Dennis Warner was born in Phelps, Ontario county, July 13, 1799, and was
descended from New England stock. His grandfather, Dea. Jesse Warner, at
a very early day emigrated from Connecticut to Phelps, where he bought a
large tract of land at the nominal price of eighteen cents per acre and sub-
sequently gave to each of his boys a farm of fair dimensions. Deacon Warner
died at the great age of ninety-si.x years. Dennis Warner resided in Phelps
until he was'eighteen, when he went to Olean and entered the store of Judge
F. S. Martin as a clerk. Feb. 8, 1820, he married Miss Clarissa Andrews, a
niece of the pioneer, Luman Rice. She was born in Homer, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1801.
Soon after their marriage they settled on the southern bank of the Allegany,
opposite where the village of Weston's Mills is situated. Mr. Warner pur-
chased a saw-mill and engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. Allen
Rice owned a saw-mill across the river, and both mills were furnished power
J s ^^
a^L^c-n.
Town of Portville. ■ 1019
by the same dam. Mr. Warner died in Pittsburg, Pa., April 21, 1826, on one
of his trips to that place to market his lumber. He was an active and promi-
nent young man of pleasing address, and served the town of Olean efficiently
in town offices. After Mr. Warner's death Mrs. Warner fought the battle of
life for herself and three children for many years until her children were of an
age to lend her a helping hand. She died in 1850 at the home of her daughter
in Gloversville, N. Y.
Col. Lewis D. Warner, oldest son of Dennis Warner, was born in the home
on the AUegai.y in 1822. He was early accustomed to labor and deprivations,
and when old enough was bound out as an apprentice to leain the tanning and
currying business, in which he endured so hard a life of service that even now
he regrets he did not run away. At the close of his apprenticeship, and
at the age of twenty-one, he received a decent suit of clothes, his first pair of
boots, and $6 in cash. In the fall of 1845 he returned to Portville. where he
■has since resided. He was several years in the employ of Smith Parish and
made an annual trip down the river. About 1854 he began business as a car-
penter and joiner, which trade, with rafting, he carried on until 1862. His
patriotism then impelled him to serve his country as a soldier. Accordingly
he recruited a company and went to the seat of war as captain of Co. C, 154th
N. Y. Vols. This regiment was organized in Jamestown, N. Y., and trans-
ferred to Virginia in October of that year. " From that time until the first of
May," Colonel Warner says, "we did a large amount of marching and coun-
ter-marching, but were in no engagement. May 2d, at Chancellorsville, we were
a part of the Eleventh Corps, the record of which is well understood by read-
ers of war history. The most unfortunate thing about the 154th was that we
had not learned to run when we ought to have done so. The regimental loss
on that day was over 200 in killed and wounded. Our next engagement was
at Gettysburg, where the losses were heavy. The remainder of the summer
we were with the Army of the Potomac. The following autumn the Eleventh
and Twelfth Corps were transferred to the west. Our first work was relieving
the army shut up in Chattanooga. We took an active part in the battles of
Chattanooga and Mission Ridge and then marched to the relief of Knoxville.
Returning to Lookout Valley we remained in winter quarters until the com-
mencement of the Atlanta campaign of 1864, and participated in nearly all
the battles and skirmishes incident to that campaign, which closed with the
occupation of Atlanta. In the organization of the march to Savannah our
corps (the Twentieth) formed a part of the left wing of the army. In that
and the march northeast through the Carolinas and until the close of the war
we were ever present for duty. After Johnston's surrender we started home,
marching all the way to VV^ashington, where we were mustered out and sent
home, arriving there about the 1st of July, 1865.' Colonel Warner was commis-
sioned captain in Aug.. 1862; major in May, 1863; lieutenant-colonel in Sept.,
1864; and colonel in Jan., 1865. With the exception of two short periods,
when the regiment was in winter quarters, he was with his command continu-
ously during its term of service ; except sixteen months, during which he held
the rank ot major, he was in command of and responsible for the regiment,
and was never accused of cowardice. He was always ready and present to
lead his command, never flinched from any duty, and a truer, braver, soldier
never drew a sword, and it is the unanimous testimony of his comrades that
he never knew ffar. Since his return he has followed his trade with the ex-
ception of a si.x years' clerkship in the office of We.ston, Mersereau & Co.
History of Cattaraugus County.
and a year and a half in the county clerk's office. He has also had political
honors. He has served as supervisor of Portville ten terms, has filled the
office of justice of the peace nearly twenty years, and has been inspector of
elections about fifteen years. Colonel Warner is modest and extremely unas-
suming, a true patriot devoted to his country, is one of Portville's most hon-
ored citizens, and a leading representative war hero of Cattaraugus county.
In July, 1893, at the unveiling of the statue erected by the State of New York
at Gettysburg to the memory of the New York soldiers who participated in
the battle. Colonel Warner was marshal of the Second Division, Eleventh
Army Corps. In Dec, 1857, he married Mi.ss Mary M. Cossitt, of Pompey,
N. Y., and their surviving children are three sons and a daughter, all married.
William Wallace Weston. — The student of early American history can not
have failed to notice the connection of the English Westons with the early
settlement of this country. Thomas Weston, of Bristol, Eng., was one of the
London "merchant adventurers" who fitted out the Mnyfloiver in 1620. He-
and others of the name were prominent in Virginia settlements and in that of
Massachusetts Colony. The Westons of this county, however, come not of
this stock, but descend from the Scotch branch of the family, the paternal
grandfather of William Wallace We.ston coming to Warren county in this
State from Edinburgh, Scotland, when a lad, with one John Ferguson. He
passed his life in Warren county, marrying and having a family of si.v children,
of whom James D. was one of the younger. James D. Weston became an
extensive lumberman on the upper Hudson and its tributaries, and brought
his sons up to be fully acquainted with all departments of lumbering. He
married Lela Adams, a descendant of the early Massachusetts Warrens and
Adamses so conspicuous in Revolutionary day.* Her father, Abijah Adams,
was a native of Connecticut and one of a family of twelve children, each
measuring six feet and upwards in height. He was an ensign in the Revo-
lution, and was once sick for six weeks with the measles in the forests of Long
Island encompassed by British soldiers. After his recovery, as he was an ex-
pert swimmer, he escaped from captivity by swimming the Sound and dodg-
ing the cannon shot of the English squadron by diving. After the Revolu-
tion he conducted a pottery of the red-clay ware then in use for some years,
but later removed to Luzerne in Warren county, this State, where he en-
gaged in lumbering during his active life. His died aged eighty-two years.
William Wallace Weston, son of James D. and Lela (Adams) Weston, was
born in Warren county, March 4, 1 830, received an academic education, and
like his immediate ancestors became a lumberman. In 1849 he was connected
with the lumber company (Fox, Weston & Bronson) at Painted Post, Steuben
county, of which his older brother, Abijah, was a member. In 1850 he came
to the Allegany valley the junior member of the firm of Weston Brothers
(A., O., and W. W. Weston), who, in company with John G. Mersereau, pur-
chased a small mill at the mouth of the Oswayo, remodeled it, and brought
eastern methods and the gang-saw to the complete revolution of lumbering
methods in this section. This was the commencement of their operations
here and the next year they began to build a mill at Weston's Mills, where a
small village has been evolved by their operations. From 1850 to the pres-
ent writing (1893) Mr. Weston has actively devoted himself to the interests
of Weston Brothers located in this vicinity, and today is as energetic and vig-
orous as many a younger man. His brother Orren has been connected with
him for many years until the enormous growth of their western business de-
m.Feriuism'lU-
Town of Portville.
manded his removal to Tonawanda about 1887. In or about 1850 the firm of
Weston, Mersereaii & Co. also was formed by the Weston Brothers and John
G. Mersereau. This firm and its successors (Weston Brothers retiring in 1888)
has had an extensive and prosperous career. The operations of the W'eston
Brothers have been and are extensive. They have manufactured here large
quantities of lumber and have owned large areas of land in this vicinity and
northern Pennsylvania. They now, with others, own over 200,000 acres of
valuable pine lands in the northern peninsula of Michigan, where they have
mills producing annually 80,000.000 feet of lumber. Their headquarters are
at Manistique, where they control the Chicago Lumbering Company, the
Weston Lumber Company, the White Marble Lime Company, and the
Weston Furnace Company — all extensive in their operations. Commencing
life with limited capital, but thorough knowledge of their business, their
-;agacious foresight led them into purchases of large tracts of timber land
which rapidly appreciated in value. Their operations at Weston's Mills now
consist of mills with 80,000 feet daily production (which employ from 100 to
120 men), planing-mills, shingle-mills, etc., and a general store doing an annual
business of $40,000. The firm is now "A. Weston Lumber Comany," an in-
corporation organized in Jan., 1892. Weston's Mills postofifice was established
in 1873 with W. W. Weston as postmaster, rie still holds the position. Mr.
Weston has shrunk from political position sedulously through life, but as a
matter of duty served his town five years as commissioner of highways. He
is a public spirited and esteemed citizen and an honorable business man. One
of his neighbors and friends with whom he has extensive business transactions
says of him: "An honester 'man does not live." He is kindly and pleasant
in his manners, a strong friend, a generous neighbor, an agreeable companion,
and an ardent Republican who keeps himself thoroughly informed on all
the matters of the day. May 3, 1858, he married Harriet, daughter of Hon.
John G. Mersereau. Their only son, Wallace, was born Sept. 15, 1862; he
married Emma Kintcel and they have two children, Edith H. and Dorothy
V. He has a financial interest in the firm, is secretary of "A. Weston Lum-
ber Company," and is in charge of the ofifice at Weston's Mills.
Hon. William F. Wheeler'^ was born in June, 181 1, in the town of Han-
cock, Delaware county, N. Y. He was the son of William Wheeler, a native
of New London, Conn. The elder William Wheeler lived for some years in
Blandford, Mass., and when twenty-one years old came from there to Han-
cock with three brothers. They had no capital, but purchased pine timber,
built a cabin on the bank of the Delaware river, and began the business of
lumbering. They cut the trees, hauled them to the river-bank, and " run "
them in rafts to Philadelphia. Their first raft was " stove," as raftsmen say ;
that is, broken to pieces and lost. This did not discourage them. They
came back without money, but with good credit, and at once began getting
out more timber. William Wheeler piloted the next raft himself and it went
safely to Philadelphia. He continued in this branch of- the lumbering busi-
ness ten years, when he married Eleanor Knox, of Blandford, built a mill, and
manufactured lumber for the Philadelphia market. In 1813 the family moved
to Deposit (then called Cook House from the Indian name, Kookoose) in
Delaware county. Here young William F. Wheeler spent a happy boyhood
of work and play in company with his four brothers and two sisters. He
could ride a- slab either side up on the river, or a horse without saddle or
* By Miss Lilla C. Wheeler.
History of Cattaraugus County.
bridle. When fifteen years old he went to Philadelphia on his father's lumber
and acquired a fondness for rafts and the life of a lumberman. When ready
to return his father gave him his choice: to ride home by way of New York
or to walk home and save his money. He. chose the latter way and walked
home with other young men. His father owned mills and timber on the
Starucca creek, fourteen miles from Deposit. Here the son enjoyed taking
charge of men at work getting in logs in winter and piling lumber in summer.
This kind of occupation did not fit him well for the quieter life of a farmer,
for which his father intended him. In April, 1833, he was placed in charge of
a large farm belonging to his father in Greene. Chenango county, but though
he worked hard he was always thinking of pine trees, saw-mills, and rafts.
Hearing of great forests of pine timber in the valley of the Allegany river,
he studied maps and statistics of this region with his father and others and
decided that this was the only source of lumber supply for the whole valley of
the Mississippi. The elder William Wheeler (always called " Deacon
Wheeler") and "Deacon" Ezra May (also of Deposit) went to the Allegany
river to look the ground over. They bought 1,500 acres of pine timber and a
saw-mill on Dodge creek in what is now the town of Portville, then a part of
Olean. On their return to Deposit a company was formed consisting of Ezra
May, William Wheeler, William F. Wheeler, Henry Dusenbury, Edgar Greg-
ory, and Russell Kelsey, the firm name being Dusenbury, Wheeler, May &
Co. The purpose of the company was to buy more land, build a store, and,
in time, do a large lumbering business. This plan was carried out. At the
end of a year Mr. Kelsey sold his interest in the firm to Henry Van Bergen,
of Cincinnati. Every member of the new firm was an experienced and prac-
tical lumberman. It was their avowed purpose not only to do business in an
energetic and thorough manner, but also to e.xert a strong moral and Chris-
tian influence in the community where they lived. .
In February of 1834 William F. Wheeler first came to the new place of
business, making the journey by stage to Friendship and walking the remain-
ing seventeen miles. Life in the wild forests of tiie Allegany was very dif-
ferent from that along the more settled shores of the Delaware. Nothing like
a Christian Sabbath was known in the region to which the young man had
■ come. His first Sunday was spent in the saw-mill looking out upon the water
pouring over the dam and thinking of home and the friends he had left. The
partners in Deposit had made a contract with a builder to put up the new
store. It was to be built and raised without the use of liquor. This was
difficult to accomplish, for no substantial building had ever been raised in
that vicinity without liquor being provided for the men. Deacon May had
come, and both he and William F. Wheeler determined that in this case no
liquor should be furnished. Their builder said they could never find men to
raise it, and they replied: -'Then let the timber rot on the ground." The
timber was heavy and the building could. not be raised without many men.
Mr. Wheeler rode on horseback for six miles, calling on men to come to a
" cold water raising." The men laughed and said they had never heard of
such a thing. But they came and the building was raised. It was then said:
"There must be liquor in it to treat the customers," for this was the universal
practice all along the river. But in this also the strict principles of the firm
prevailed, and no liquor has ever been sold upon their property. The first
lumber they produced (pine lumber of good quality) was sold in Pittsburg at
^.75 a thousand feet, and they were obliged to take horses for part of the
Town of Portville.
payment. This price made them a loss of more than a dollar on a thousand
feet. The prospect was gloomy: prices were low; the new firm was in debt ;
and it was necessary to buy more land in order to succeed. But their courage
never failed. At this time mail reached them only once a week, the post-
ofifice being first in Olean and afterward in Mill Grove. Religious services
were held in Mr. Wheeler's dining room; and in 1836 the firm built a little
school house, which was also used for a church. Sometimes a Methodist and
sometimes a Presbyterian was the minister. At one time they engaged a
Seventh Day Baptist to work at rolling logs through the week and preaching
Sundays, and they paid him the same price for both kinds of work. ■ Previous
to this Mr. Wheeler had been in the habit of riding on horseback to Olean
and attending service held in an upper room in a house then owned by David
Day, afterward by C. V. B. Barse, and now, in 1892, by F. W. Higgins. The
Rev. Mr. Morris, an Episcopal clergyman from EllicottviUe, conducted these
services, which were; not held at regular intervals.
The mercantile business was conducted chiefly by Mr. Dusenbury. Mr.
Wheeler said of him : " Mr. Dusenbury was a thorough-going, upright business
man, well fitted for the position he occupied. Conscientious in every act, re-
liable as the sun, he watched every need and development of our busmess, and
his stability gave success to the firm. We were well fitted to work together,
as each possessed qualities lacking in the other." Their custom was to make
all indebtedness payable on the first day of July without interest, and they
never failed to meet the payments at that time. This promptness kept their
credit good. The banking business was all done at Bath in Steuben county,
seventy miles away, that being the nearest bank. In 1837 they opened a lum-
ber yard in Cincinnati ; and about a year afterward they purchased 4,000 acres
of pine timber and a mill on Tionesta creek in Forest county, Pa. To make
this purchase Mr. Wheeler made a long journey on horseback through the for-
ests with snow six inches deep. After riding thirty-six miles the first after-
noon he spent the night in a log house and pushed on the next day by a path
through the woods,, there being no road. When the path came to an end he
followed the creek, in which he rode for about eight miles. Reaching the
property he examined the timber and secured the land, having to go to F"rank-
lin to draw the necessary papers. He then returned on horseback through
the woods to his home. He had promised to make a cash payment of $8,000
(then a very large amount) within thirty days. Reaching Portville after his
ride of 150 miles from Franklin he changed his horse for a fresh one and
rode on to Bath without taking rest. Here he obtained some money and then
rode on to Deposit to see his father and obtain the rest. He made the jour-
ney of 200 miles in four days from the time of leaving Portville. They soon
purchased more property in Pennsylvania, where they have continued the
lumbering business to the present time.
In 1839 ^^- Wheeler married Miss Flora Atkins, daughter of Judge Q. F.
Atkins, of Cleveland,. Ohio, then living in Olean. She was a most devout
member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wheeler himself had united with
the Presbyterian church in Deposit at the age of twenty years. As there was
no Presbyterian church in Cattaraugus county it was thought best to organize
one in Olean, it being a central point. This was done in 1838, both Mr.
Wheeler and Mr. Dusenbury being active in its organization, which took place
in the house occupied by Judge Atkins. Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Dusenbury
with their families attended church regularly in Olean until the formation of
I024 History of Cattaraugus County.
the Portville church, services at first being held in a wagon shop purchased
for a church. In 1849 ^ Presbyterian church was organized in' Portville and
Mr. Dusenbury and Mr. Wheeler were prominent among its founders. Serv-
ices were here held first in a school house and afterward in the Methodist
church. In 1852 the Presbyterian church building in Portville was erected.
For eight years Mr. Wheeler was superintendent of the Sunday school and for
several years he was the sole trustee of the public school. In 1850 Mrs.
Wheeler died, leaving three children: Nelson P., Egbert (William E.), and
Augusta (Mrs. E. A. Skinner), two having died. In 1851 Mr. Wheeler, of
Deposit, died, and in the following year William F. Wheeler married Miss
Marilla Clarke, of Peacham, Vt., a wife in every way worthy of him, and who
survives him. Of this marriage there was but one child, a daughter, Lilla C.
After the death of Mr. Dusenbury in i860 Mr. Wheeler, with his two sons and
the three sons of Mr. Dusenbury, continued the business under the name of
William F. Wheeler & Co. This establishment has not remained merely a
firm of lumbermen ; its business has e.vtended in many important and different
directions, and through all their varied and complicated transactions the most
kindly relations have always existed between the members of the firm, and
their trust in each other's integrity and honor has remained unbroken.
In i860 Mr. Wheeler was elected an elder in the Presbyterian church.
When in 1871 the First National Bank of Clean was organized (it being the
first National bank in the county) Mr. Wheeler was elected president and
held this office continuously until his death. In 1879 ^^ was elected to the
State Legislature, but refused to be a second time a candidate. He always
took a deep interest in politics and was pronounced and out.spoken in his
opinions; at first one of the early Whig party, afterward a strong and active
Republican. He was always public spirited and generous, taking an interest
in all enterprises for the good of his own and neighboring towns. One of his
greatest pleasures was in making a benevolent use of his means. His gifts
were not confined to his own church or his own denomination. The churches
of his own'village and (with a single exception) all tiiose of Olean have. re-
ceived aid from him. The different churches of Deposit his (early home), and
of the regions in Pennsylvania and in Michigan where his property lay, have
received substantial tokens of his generosity. Many a poor student, strug-
gling toward an education, has found his hand stretched out to help. The
children of the Orphans' Home at Randolph for years have had abundant
cause to thank him. His abounding cheerfulness, his hearty friendliness, his
sound judgment, and his wise counsels have blessed many who needed a
friend. He retained his strength of mind and his vigor of body to a remarka-
ble degree into old age. He continued to ride on horseback until he was
eighty years old, and he took pleasure in driving a pair of spirited horses of
his own raising until within a few weeks of his death. On the 6th of June,
1892, a few days before his eighty-first birthday, and surrounded by his wife
and children, Mr. Wheeler died a: his home in Portville, where he had spent
his long and useful life.
Hon. Nelson P. Wheeler, son of Hon. William F. Wheeler, was born in
Portville in Nov., 1841. He was educated in the academies of Olean, Deposit,
and Homer, is a member of the firms of the Wheelers and Dusenburys, and
with his family resides in Tidioute, Pa. He has had charge of the largo lum-
bering and tanning interests of Wheeler & Dusenbury and Wheeler, Dusen-
bury & Co., and went to Pennsylvania in 1870. Mr. Wheeler is an elder of the
'>ry£^g^^,_.^-.rUrr.
Town of Portville. - 1025
Presbyterian church and in 1879 ^e was a RepubHcan representative in the
State Legislature. In 1877 he married Rachel A. Smith, of Cincinnati. They
have three sons and two daughters.
Hon. William Egbert Wheeler, son of the late Hon. William F. Wheeler,
was born in Portville, Nov. 21, 1843. ^^ prepared for college in Deposit and
Homer, N. Y., and entered the sophomore class of Hamilton College in 1863,
where he remained one year. He then entered the junior class of Yale Col-
lege and was graduated in the class of 1866. After leaving college he became
interested in the long established firms composed of the Wheelers and the
Uusenburys, of Portville. In 1870 they began the manufacture of leather in
Portville, where he has charge, and in 1878 they began the production of oil,
in which also he is still engaged. Mr. Wheeler is a director and the vice-presi-
dent of the P^irst National Bank of Olean and a director of the National Bank
of W' estficld, N. Y. He has always been a Republican and was a member of
the County Committee of his party in 1884, has attended several State conven-
tions, and has been a member of the school board many years. He was super-
visor of Portville from 1882 to 1886 inclusive and again in 1888; was elected
to the Assembly from the First District of Cattaraugus county in Nov., 1891,
and was re-elected by the whole county in Nov., 1892. In 1875 he married
Allie E. Mersereau, granddaughter of Hon. John G. Mersereau. They have
three sons and a daughter.
Darius Wheeler, born in Newfane, Vt., March 8, 1801, moved with his
father and family in 1813 or 1814 to Hoosick, N. Y., thence to Greene, N. Y.,
in 1819, and finally to Genesee flats in Nunda (now Hume), Allegany county,
in 1820, where his parents spent the remainder of their lives. In the fall of
183 1, with his brother-in-law, Elijah Elmer, he came to Portville on a tour of
observation. In 1832 he settled here permanently. Messrs. Wheeler and
Elmer purchased of Griswold Warner a saw-mill on the site of Mersereau & Co.'s
mills, and a large tract of timber land, and Mr. Wheeler was an extensive
lumberman in the firms of Wheeler & Elmer, Wheeler & Smith, and Wheeler
& Holly until 1850, when he sold to Weston, Mersereau & Co. and afterward
gave his attention to farming. He died Nov. 6, 1877. He served as assessor
and was otherwise prominent in town affairs. He married Isabel Jacobs, Jan.
6, 1834, who died in 1883. Children: Franklin, born Dec. 6, 1834; Ruth
(Mrs. P>ank Bell), born Jan. 21, 1837; Samuel J., born June i, 1842; and
Augustus H., born July 20, 1846.
Charles Knapp Wright. — The historian considers that he is performing a
duty to posterity when he uses his pen to give a sketch of the character,
struggles, difficulties, and successes of the men of the pioneer period of our
ci\'ilization, and presenting for its perusal the reasons of their successes, founded
as they are on sterling qualities of head and heart. Conspicuous among the
early business men of Portville, an active force in all that goes to make up
the better elements of community, and a liberal, popular, yet unostentatious
citizen, we find Charles K. Wright. He is of English ancestry, which has
come down through generations of New England representatives to New
York State. His father, James Wright, a lumberman, located in Delaware
county, where by his first wife he had eight children. In i8i4he removed to
Eldred, then Ceres, Allegany county, and by his second wife, Urania Holiday,
had these children : Alfred, John H., George P., Eliza A.(Mrs. George Craiidall),
Hiram E., Caroline A. (Mrs. Edward Percival), Charles K., and Albert J.
Charles K. was born July 10, 1825, and was six years old when his father died.
129
I026 History of Cattaraugus County.
Work on the farm and attendance at pioneer schools occupied him until he was
twelve years old. He then remained on the farm with his mother and brother
William until he was seventeen, then worked as a farm hand elsewhere nearly
two years, and in 1843 came to Portviile to learn the wagon maker's trade,
and worked two years, receiving $6 a month as wages. He then started in
business on his own account, but in nine months' time was seized with in-
flammatory rheumatism, which ultimately settled in his chest and has made
him a life-long sufferer. Having no inherited wealth he exhausted his frugal
savings in the year and a half he was prostrated by his disease, and as soon as
he could do any labor he engaged with Dusenbury, Wheeler & Co. as clerk in
their store, receiving $5 a month for the fir.st year. During this year he saved
one-half his salary. The ne.xt two years he was paid $15 a month and in this
time he saved $300. His disease again unfitting him for labor he expended
his money in a \-ain attempt to recover his health by a residence on the Atlan-
tic coast 'of New England. He returned to Portviile in 1848 in circumstances
that would dishearten many men.
In broken health and with only §5 as his entire capital the outlook was
not promising. He had, however, become known to the people as a reliable,
temperate, and religious man, worthy of trust and confidence, and Hon. Smith
Parish, a leading lumberman, offered to stock a store if Mr. Wright would be-
come his partner and conduct it, his services to be equivalent to Mr. Parish's
capital. This offer was gladly accepted, the store* was erected under Mr.
Wright's supervision, and was conducted successfully by him for five years,
when his health again failed and compelled him to sell his interest. Mr.
Wright now became a pioneer tanner. Mark Comstock was running a small
tannery in which he was tanning 500 hides annually. P'oreseeing that a rapid
increase of this industry could be made Mr. Wright bought one-half of the
tannery. After two years, becoming thoroughly conversant with the busi-
ness, and Mr. Comstock not being sanguine enough to believe in its extension,
Mr. Wright bought the whole plant and enlarged it to a capacity of 10,000
hides a year. In 1S57 B. F. Thompson & Co., of Boston, became partners,
and continued as such until 1861. For the next two years Mr. Wright ran
the business alone, but in 1863 J. & H. H. Clark, of Keokuk, Iowa, purchased
an interest, and the tannery was enlarged to produce 30,000 hides annually.
In 1870 the Clarks sold to William F. Wheeler & Co. and another enlarge-
ment was made, increasing the output to 52,000 hides annually. In 1887 Mr.
Wright sold his share of the tannery to his partners. The same year, in com-
pany with James E. and N. E. Clark, of Keokuk, Iowa, he established and
built the tannery at East Olean of a capacity of 32,000 hides yearly of " Union
Crop Sole Leather." Here he was very successful in business. May i, 1893,
the firm was merged in the U. S. Leather Company.
Under tne religious care of his mother Mr. Wright became a Sabbath
school scholar at a very early age, and has, from that time, interested himself
in Sabbath school work, and since he has lived in Portviile has been either
teacher or superintendent. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church
for over thirty years and has been an " elder " for many years. He was a
commissioner in attendance at the General Assembly that met at Portland,
Oregon, in 1893, and has frequently been a delegate to the Presbytery.
While living at Eldred, and at the age of ten or twelve, he joined the old
Washingtonian Temperance Society, and from that time he has been actively
* This stood on the site of David L. Parish's hardware store.
^
Town of Randolph. . 1027
connected with some temperance organization. In politics he has been an
unswerving Whig and Republican, but never sought office, and has taken the
Royal Arch degree in Free Masonry and the Encampment degree in Odd
Fellowship. He married, May 26, 185 1, Mary M. Bennie. iVIr. Wright has
fought the battle of life courageously and with success ; he is beloved and re-
spected by all good citizens for his sterling qualities and worth ; and the ex-
ample of his life is a valuable lesson to the aspiring youth of today and com-
ing time, as it shows that true Christian character united with courage and
energy is the key-note of honorable success.
Alfred Wright, son of James, was born in Colchester, X. Y., June 3, 1809.
In 1813 the family removed to Eldred. In early youth he was bound out as
an apprentice to the trade of carpenter and joiner in Smethport, Pa., where he
served until he became twenty-one. He then prosecuted his trade in Olean
and Portville. Feb. 4, 1834, he married Delilah A., daughter of the late Lu-
man Rice. He settled permanently in Portville in 183S, where he died Oct. 8,
1888. Many edifices that were burned in the fire of 1875 were monuments to
his skill and industry, and several yet remain. Mr. Wright was a member of
the Methodist church and one of its trustees. He had one daughter, Martha
A., widow of Levi W. Simpson.
CHAPTER XLIV,
HISTORY of the town of KANDOr.l'H.
RANDOLPH* was formed from Conewango on February 21, 1826, and
included the territory embraced in townships i and 2 of the ninth range
of the Holland Land Company's survey. April 2, 1847, nearly all of
what is now South Valley was taken off, reducing the territory of Randolph
to township 2, comprising its present area of 23,040 acres. It lies in the west-
ern tier of towns and is bounded on the nqrth by Conewango, on the east by
Cold Spring, on the south by South Valley, and on the west by Chautauqua
county. The southwestern part of the town is broken and hilly ; the northern
and eastern part is nearly level, being an extension of the Conewango flats.
Its streams are rather small, the largest being the Little Conewango, which
flows nearly west through the eastern and level part of the town. Its tribu-
taries are Mill creek and Dry and Rogers brooks. The rivulets of the south-
ern part of Randolph drain into the Allegheny through South Valley. A soil
composed mainly of clay predominates in the lower lands, while in the higher
regions is found a clayey and graVelly loam, which is generally quite fertile.
The lowlands and foot-hills were originally covered with a dense forest of
* The name Randolph was suggested by Timothy M. Torrance, one of the committee appointed for the
purpose, and was adopted in honor of the great statesman, John lUindolph.
I028 History of Cattaraugus County.
towering pine trees, and other parts of the town supported a vigorous growth
of hardwood and hemlock. These forests have to a great extent disappeared,
and instead fine crops of grass and grain are annually harvested. Since the
advent of the railroads dairying is the leading pursuit of the farmers.
The first settlement of the town was made by Edmund Fuller on lot 31 in
1820. Mr. Fuller was accompanied by Howard Fuller and came from Oneida
county. They bargained for an extensive tract of wild land. Edmund sold
his interest to Thomas Harvey in 1822, and both of the Fullers removed west.
Edmund returned in a few years and settled in Little Valley. Samuel J.
York came a year after the Fullers and located on lot 55. His brother Jere-
miah came in 1823, settled in the same locality, and became the first super-
visor of the town three years later. Jacob Vandamaker came in 1821 and
settled near Fuller. His son John J., born the next year, is credited with be-
ing the first child born in the town. In 1822 H. S. Latham, brother of C. H.
Latham, who has resided in the town since 1840, settled on five acres near
Fuller's and built the first frame house in Randolph. He also commenced to
build a small tannery, but sold to Thomas Harvey before completion. Harvey,
who succeeded Fuller, was a man of ability and enterprise in settling the new
neighborhood. He had si.x daughtersand several sons. Two of the daughters
married soon after, one David Salisbury, the other Clement Russell in 1824.
Their marriages were the first in town.
Benjamin Clark came in 1823 and built the second frame house in Ran-
dolph. In it he kept a tavern and a store until r830; he sold it to Joel Scud-
derand removed to Pennsylvania. Otis Hitchcock came in 1823 and lived until
June, 1873. Solomon Nichols came from Monroe county in January, 1823.
He "articled" 120 acres, which he paid for in 12 years. David Hodges, who
came with Nichols, was the first who received a deed of land in town. Nichols
possessed a military spirit and rose from captain to the rank of colonel. Elisha
R. and Josiah Cook, who both served in the War of i8i2,camein 1823. James
Powell, his brother Dennis, and the Macapes family came the same year, as
did also the Sample family and Timothy Torrance. Uriah D. Wood came in
1824 and Zebedee Woodworth about the .same time. Sylvester Caswell and
Darius Bowen came from Monroe county and Abraham G. Bush from Ontario
county in 1825. Bush was supervisor of Randolph in 1836. He conducted
several large business enterprises and died in 1863. The Helms family came
as early as 1825. Chauncey C. Helms was supervisor in 1834'and 1835 and
died in November, 1866. Daniel Dixon came from Genesee county about
1833 and is said to have sold the first store goods in East Randolph. John N.
Angle was a prominent early settler who came in 1830. Samuel Ewing came
in 1831. Ezekiel Scudder, a Revolutionary soldier, came in 1827 and died
here. Several of his sons settled in town. David Thurston came in 1829 and is
still living. The Draper family and Gilbert Gorsline came about the same time.
Asahel Crowley came from Mt. Holley in 1831 and his brother Addison in
Town of Randolph. • 1029
1835. They were merchants and lumbermen. Hon. Marcus H. Johnson, who
was born in Olean, October 21, 1809, the third white child born in the county,
has resided in Randolph village since 1843. About the same time Hon. A. G.
Dow became a citizen and still resides here. His brother Amos has been a
long time resident of East Randolph.
By virtue of the act of the Legislature passed February i, 1826, the first
town meeting was held March 7, 1826, and the following officers were elected:
Supervisor, Jeremiah York ; town clerk, Andrew D. Smith ; assessors, Zebedee
Woodworth, Benjamin Clark, Solomon Nichols; collector, A. G. Bush; con-
stable. Comfort Gillette; commissioners of highways, Frederick Sample,
Abraham Kierstead, Alfred Smith ; overseers of the poor, James Powe41,
Timothy Torrance; commissioners of common schools, Jerial Smith, H. S.
Latham, Otis Hitchcock; inspectors of common schools, Andrew D. Smith,
Henry Booth, Albert Helms. The principal town officers have been as follows :
Supt')iii«wx.— Jeremiah York, ISai; Thomas Harvey, 1827-28; Zebedee Woodworth, ]82fl-;«, 1837, 1843;
Samuel Ewing-, 18X3, 1&38, 1840; Chauncey C. Helms, 18:34-35: Abraham G. Bush, 18;3fi; John Sample, 1839;
Horace Ewing, 1841-42; Horace H. Holt, 1844: Addison Crowley, 184.5-48, 18r>4; Marcus H. Johnson, 1847;
Enfield Leach, 184.'<-49; A. G. Dow, 1850-51, 185:3, 18,56-.5i), 18(i2, 1867; Spencer Scudder, 1852: William K. Miller,
ia">5 ; rtenjamin McClean, 18ti0-61 ; Amos Dow, 186:!; Samuel Scudder, 18U4 -6U, 1871-74 ; Rodney K. Crowley,
18fi8-6fl ; James C. Johnson, 1870; David T. Smith, 1875, 1879 ; Erastus S. Insrersoll, 1876-78, 18.80, 1884 86; David
S. Swan, 1881 ; Herbert C. Uich, 1882; O. H. Willard, 1883; Charles VV. Terry, 1887-91: J. E. Hazard, 1892-93.
Ti>ini Oerfcii.— Andrew D. Smith, 1826-28; Abraham G. Hush. 1829, 1834; Renjamia Clark, 1830; Chauncey
C. Helms, 18.31 ; Jerial Smith, 1832; Joel Scudder, 1833; Samuel Ewinsf, 18:35; H. D. Swan, 1836-37; Horace H.
Holt, 1838-39 ; T. S. Sheldon, 1840, 1842 ; Dwight Durkee, 1841 ; Robert Owen, Jr., 184:3 ; Simeon Fisher, 1844-52 ;
W. Boardman. IS'kS; Porter Sheldon, 1854; H. K. Van Rensselaer, 185'), 1861, 186:3; John C. Pierce, 1856-!)7 ;
It. F. Morris, 1858; Austin Woodruff, 1859; Daniel W. Guernsey, 1860; John E. Roj,'-crs, 1862; C. .M. Chase,
1864; L. H.Carter, 1865; Charles P. lusersoU, 1886 67; John White, 180.8; W. L. Carter, 1869; James C. Knapp,
1870; A. P. Knapp, 1871 ; Edj?ar O. Wrijrht, 1872 : John E. Leach, 1873-75 ; E. J. Boyle, 1876; C. VV. Morgan',
1877-78; Daniel A. Sackrider, 1879-84; S. A. Holbrook, 1885 ; B. G. Casler, 1886 ; O. H. Willard, 1887 ; L. W.
Rich, 1.H88-93.
JuMUea of the i-'citi.— Benjamin Woodworth, Thomas Harvey, Chauncey C. Helraes, John Sample, 1827 ;
.lerial Smith, 1830; John Sample, 1831; Benjamin Woodworth, 18:32; Abraham G. Bush, 183:5; Horace D.
Swan, JXU; Horace King, 1835; Benjamin Woodworth, Hillis Marsh, 18:36; Resolved Sears, 1.^37 ; John Sam-
ple, 1838 ; Horace D. Swan, Abraham G. Bush, Cornelius N. Ballou, 18:39 ; Benjamin Woodworth, 1840 ; Simeon
Fisher, 1841; Spencer Scudder, 1842; Merinus Van Vlack, 1843; Abraham G. Bush, 1844; Henry L. Perry,
1815; Spencer Scudder, 1846; Merinus Van Vlack, 1847; Albert G. Dow, 1848; William K. Miller, 1849; Spen-
cer Scudder, 18.50; Alviu Lyman, 18.51; A. G. Dow, 18.')2; William K. Miller, 185:3; Spencer Scudder, 18.54;
Norman Brown, 1855; Rufus Crowley. Amos Dow, ISaii; William K. Miller, J. C. Knapp, 18.57; Spencer
Scudder, 1858; James C. Knapp, 18.59 ; Edwin McManus, 1860; Rodney R. Crowley, 1861; Joseph E. Weeden,
18<J2 ; James C. Knapp, 186:3 ; Edwin McManus, 1864 ; H. K. Van Rensselaer, 1865 ; Rodney K. Crowley, Charles
R. Dean, 1866; Erastus S. Ingersoll, 1867; Edwin McManus, Elias L. Matteson, 1868; Enos L. Southwick, '
Q. L. Guernsey, l.'^9; John Archer, 1870; E. L. Matteson, J. V. Goodwill, 1871 ; Rodney R. Crowley, William
Miller, 1872; ISenjamin F. Congdon, 1873; C. VV. Terry, 1874 ; J. C. Knapp, 1875 ; E. L. Matteson, 1876 ; William
Armstrong, 1877; Elias L. Matteson, vvilliam Armstronir, Benjamin F. Congdon, 1878; William Armstrong,
Benjamin F. Congdon, Elias L. Matteson, j. E. Hazard, 1879 ; Joseph E. Hazard, William Armstrong, Marcus
H. Johnson, 1880; D. S. Swan, M. H. Johnson, William Armstrong, J. E. Hazard, 1881 ; J. E. Hazard, M. H.
Johnson, U. S. Swan, 1882; J. E. Hazard, M. H. Johnson, J. C. Hurd, D. S. Swan, 188:3; J. C. Hurd, M. H.
Johnson, J. E. Hazard, D. S. Swan, 1884; J. E. Hazard, M. H. Johnson, J. C. Knapp, J. C. Hurd, 1885; M. H.
Johnson, J. C. Hurd, J. C. Knapp, J. E. Hazard, 188(5 ; J. E. Hazard, M. H. Johnson, J. C.Knapp, J. C. Hurd
1887 ; J. E. Hazard, M. H. Johnson, J. C. Hurd, J. C. Knapp, 1888 ; J. E. Hazard, Marcus H. Johnson, J. C.
Hurd, J. C. Knapp, 1889; J. E. Hazard, J. C. Hurd, M. H. Johnson, D. C. Reilly, 1890; J. E. Hazard, M. H.
Johnson, D. C. Reilly, J. C. Hurd, 1891 ; J. E. Hazard, D. C. Reilly, M. H. Johnson, J. C. Hurd, 1892 ; Marcus
H. Johnson, D. A. Sackrider, J. C. Hurd, J. C. Sheldon, 189:3.
The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad (locally known as the
"Nypano"), completed in 1871 under the name of the Atlantic & Great West-
ern railroad, enters the town from Cold Spring, traverses across the northeast
I030 History of Cattaraugu-s County.
corner through the village of Randolph, where it has a depot, and entering
Conewango makes a detour to the west into Randolph again, whence it passes
into Chautauqua county. This is the main thoroughfare of the county as
well as the town, and is now a part of the Erie lines.
The Randolph Cemetery Association was organized October 13, 1874, bv
Asahel and Addison Crowley, Enfield Leach, Porter Sheldon, James C.
Knapp, Melzor R. Pingrey, Sylvester C. May, Alexander Sheldon, A. G.
Dow, Spencer Scudder, Alexander Wentworth, Rufus Crowley, Marvin Ben-!
nett, William P. Loomer, and John L. Douglas, the first Board of Trustees
being Spencer C. Scudder, Jos. E. VVeeden, Abraham V. Doxstader, Benson
Archer, Alexander Wentworth, Frederick Larkin, Albert G. Dow, Addison
Crowley, and Enfield Leach. The old town burial ground, situated west of
Dry brook, was enlarged by the purchase of several acres contiguous and now
contains some fine monuments. The East Randolph Cemetery Association was
organized February 15, 1853, its incorporators being Samuel Barrows, Benja-
min Chamberlain, A. G. Otis, H. Helms, C. C. Helms, A. Helms, Ziba Hovey,
A. J. Hovey, A. Lyman, A. C. Merrill, H. Hall, C. Davenport, E. Holdridge,
S. G. Frisbie, William Lockwood, G. L. Ostrom, A. S. Payne, William Foy,
S. Deland, and W. K. Miller. The first Board of Trustees was composed of
Benjamin Chamberlain, A. C. Merrill, Samuel Barrows, Enoch Holdridge.
Chauncey C. Helms, and Enoch Jenkins. The association purchased suita-
ble grounds in the western part of the village of East Randolph, where lie the
remains of Judge Benjamin Chamberlain and many other notable pioneers.
The town of Randolph in 1830 had a population of 776; in 1850, 1,606:
in 1870, 2,167; in 1890, 2,448. In 1892 it had eleven school districts, in each"
of which a school was maintained, the number of scholars attending being
632. These were taught by fifteen teachers. The school houses, including
sites, are worth $16,350. The assessed valuation of the property of the dis-
tricts is $721,174. The amount expended for schools was $4,883.65.
The beautiful village of Randolph is situated on the west side of Little
Conewango creek in the north part of the town. The site is a plain suffi-
ciently elevated and inclined towards the brook to secure good drainage, and
is surrounded by fertile and well-tilled farms. The Conewango valley here
spreads out to the extent of several thousand acres. A. G. Bush, an early set-
tler, said: " In 1823, as I stood upon one of the Napoli hills which overlooks the
Little Conewango valley, the great pine forest which presented itself to view
was the most splendid scene I ever beheld." The locality has lost its wildness,
but none of its beauty. This is the location of Chamberlain Institute.and a
good railroad depot ; there are also Congregational, Methodist, Baptist, Epis-
copal, and Roman Catholic churches, a commodious school building, numerous
handsome business blocks and stores, a bank, hotels, several manufacturing
establishments, shops, etc., and a population of 1,200. The village water
works afford a constant supply of pure water and the streets are lighted with
Town of Randolph. • 1031
electricity. Randolph became an incorporated village by a special act of the
Legislature passed May 21, 1867. The first election was held April 7, 1868,
and these officers were chosen: Warren Dow, president; Charles P. Adams,
James C. Knapp, Charles F. Hedman, Matthew R. Cheney, and David S.
Swan, trustees; Charles P. Ingersoll, Addison Crowley, and Ladwick H. Car-
ter, assessors; Alexander VVentworth, clerk; Albert Marsh, collector; Eras-
tus S. Ingersoll, treasurer ; Lafayette Carter, fire warden. The officers elected
in 1893 are Charles W. Terry, president; O. H. Scudder (one year) and James
White (two years), trustees ; J. A. Crowley, treasurer; H. D. Litchfield, collec-
tor; W. L. Rathbone, water commissioner. The Randolph postoffice was
established about 1830 with A. G. Bush as postmaster. October i, 1867, it
became a money order office ; it now issues international money orders.
East Randolph is a pleasant post village situated in the corners of four
towns — Randolph, Conewango, Napoli, and Cold Spring. The larger part is
in the northeast corner of Randolph. The place lies on Elm creek and on a'
permanent mill stream. (formed by springs) known as Mill creek. Sidewalks
and omnibuses connect it with Randolph, and the boundary lines meet about
half way between the two villages. This village contains several fine resi-
dences, Methodist and Union church edifices, a school house, a fine brick
hotel, a foundry and machine shop, a State bank, Hall's wood manufacturing
shops, and ten or twelve stores. The village is furnished with a good water
system. The postoffice was established in 1850 with Merrick Nutting as the
first postmaster. It issues money orders.
Bowen is a postoffice three miles south of Randolph village. The office
was established in April, 1892, with E. W. Burley as postmaster, who still
holds the position.
The Randolph Eclectic Medical College was organized and formally opened
in the fall of 1848, the prime movers in the project being Dr. Frederick Lar-
kin. Dr. A. H. Davis, and Dr. B. S. Heath. T. S. Sheldon was president of
the Board of Trustees, and the faculty was composed of Dr. J. R. Bush, Dr.
C. J. Kenworthy, Dr. S. H. Potter, Dr. B. S. Heath, Dr. Frederick Larkin,
Dr. A. H. Davis, and J. E. Weeden, Esq. Forty students registered at the
first term and the institution seemed to promise a successful career, but a feel-
ing of jealousy culminated in its removal to Syracuse, N. Y., where it flour-
ished for several years, being finally merged into an eclectic college in New
York city.
Early in 1848 the Randolph Academy Association was organized with these
trustees: Dr. Alson Leavenworth, Samuel Barrows, Merrick Nutting, Albert
G. Dow, Addison Crowley, Joseph E. Weeden, and Thaddeus S. Sheldon.
The summit of the hill between Randolph and East Randolph was agreed
upon as a location for the building. Six acres of land were purchased of A. G.
Bush and Zebedee Woodworth, and there the academy building was after-
ward erected. The deed is dated June 26, 1848, and during its existence the
HiSTOKV OF Cattaraugus County.
institution was known as the Randolph Academy and Female Seminary.
Funds were raised by the sale of shares of stock at $25 a share; 132 persons
purchased, of which number 93 took one share each; 215 shares were sold,
amounting to $5,375. In 1S49 Joseph Ditto, a man of large experience as a
builder, drafted a plan of a building and proposed to erect and complete it for
$5,000, the structure to be 80 feet long, 44 feet wide, and three stories high.
The proposition was accepted and during 1850 it was nearly completed in time
for the fall term of school. The trustees engaged Prof. Samuel G. Love, then of
Gowanda, for principal. The first term opened in August, 1850, with 184 stu-
dents. December 19, 1850, an application was made to the Board of Regents
that the academy might be incorporated and become subject to their visita-
tion, and that Benjamin Chamberlain, Merrick Nutting, Da-vid Benson, Thad-
deus S. Sheldon, Albert G. Dow, Addison Crowley, Joseph E. VVeeden,
Spencer Scudder, Samuel Ewing, Samuel Barrows, William K. Miller, and
Rufus Crowley be trustees of the Randolph Academy Association. The
application was approved and the charter bears date January 24, 1851. Of the
twelve trustees named only three are living, viz.: Joseph E. Weeden, Addison
Crowley, and Albert G. Dow. The principals succeeding Prof. S. G. Love,
who remained three years and now resides in Jamestown, N. Y., were Rev. T.
Durland, A. M., 1853-54; Henry S. Welton, A. M., 1854-55 ; Rev. J. W. B.
Clark, A. M., 1855-57; Rev. William H. Mar.sh, A. M., [857-58; Rev. O. L.
Gibson, A. M., 1858-59; Professor Love, again, 1859-64; Rev. Charles H.
Holloway, A. M., 1864-65; Erastus Crosby, A. M., 1865-66.
Among the incorporators of the Randolph Academy, and the first and only
president of its Board of Trustees, was Judge Benjamin Chamberlain. He
had been a contributor to this institution and to Allegheny College to the ex-
tent of nearly $100,000, and had always manifested a deep interest in the suc-
cess of this school. His health declining and having no children he expressed
a desire in 1865 of doing something for the academy, and mainly through the
efforts of Rev. A. S. Dobbs, then a Methodist Episcopal clergyman in Ran-
dolph, the judge made the following proposition : If the stockholders of the
academy would consent to a change of the name from Randolph Academy
Association to Chamberlain Institute, and the citizens would purchase a cer-
tain piece of land adjoining the institution comprising about twenty acres and
have it conveyed to Chamberlain Institute, and secure the passage of a law by
the Legislature by which the Erie Annual Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal church should thereafter elect the trustees, he would furnish to the
trustees so elected $50,000 to erect a boarding hall for the institution, and
would endow it liberally by his will. The requirements were all complied
with, and in July, 1866, the conference elected as their first board the follow-
ing trustees : Benjamin Chamberlain, A. G. Dow, C. R. Dean, William K.
Miller, H. K. Van Rensselaer, Rev. A. S. Dobbs, E. S. Ingersoll, J. C. Knapp,
J. G. Johnson, R. R. Crowley, E. McManus, Rev. G. W. Maltby, and Rev.
t iia.\ii;i;ri.ain txs'iTrL'TL:.
'^jtf'^ "mm """'"^
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mw mm iiim jjjj (1,1,1 1„„[ 2 e JM r Til
kTi rk.(lW>>.T r^tfSftv^ r^^&'-^TT
WESTERN NEW YORK HUME FOR HOMELESS AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
Town of Randolph. ■ 1033
M. Norton. To a building committee of this board $50,000 was paid by Judge
Chamberlain and the erection of a building soon commenced. It was of brick,
140x40 feet, three and four stories high, with an ell, 40x60 feet, three stories
high. Judge Chamberlain died February 10, 1868. The building was not
finished until some months afterward. By his will he left an endowment to the
institution of $400,000, but the courts decided after long litigation that parts
of the will were invalid. Only about $45,000 was received, and that in bonds
and mortgages. On March 16, 1872, si.x years after the name Chamberlain
Institute was adopted, the boarding hall, including the library, cabinet, furni-
ture, etc., was burned, but was rebuilt within twelve months, the building
committee being E. S. Ingersoll, Stephen Burlingame, William M. Brown,
Frank Hovey, and J. H. Chaffee. The institution now has an aggregate
wealth of $113,061.40 as per last report to the Board of Regents. The prin-
cipals have been as follows: Erastus Crosby, A.M., 1866-67; Rev. A. S.
Dobb.s, A.M., D.D., 1867-68; Ruggles E. Post, A.M., 1868-70; Rev. James
T. Edwards, A.M., D.D., 1870-1893 ; Rev. E. A. Bishop, A.M., 1893. In 1887
the ell erected in 1864 was enlarged at an expense of about $3,000. The pres-
ent Board of Trustees is composed as follows: William H. Henderson, presi-
dent ; E. Holdridge, vice-president ; Henry K. Van Rensselaer, secretary ;
Erastus S. Ingersoll, treasurer ; W. P. Bignell, D.D., Dr. T. L. Flood, Rev. B. F.
Wade, Rev. H. H. Moore, D.D., Rev. J. A. Krumer, D.D., Rev. A. A. Hor-
ton, B. R. Johnson, J. V. Goodwill, and A. G. Dow. The Chamberlain Chimes
is published at intervals by the students.
The Western New York Home for Homeless and Dependent Children is
situated about midway between the villages of Randolph and East Randolph.
It had its inception in the mind of Rev. Charles Strong, chaplain of Sing Sing
prison in 1876. While there his attention was directed to the neglected and
vagrant children of the criminal classes, and he determined to found a home in
a rural neighborhood, away from the tempting influences of crowded cities,
where the unfortunate little orphans and homeless waifs could be properly
educated into good citizens. He had the hearty co-operation of several
benevolent citizens and made his plan practical by opening his own house to
receive these little unfortunates September 29, 1877, when the " Home" was
founded by the admission of two little boys. A society was soon formed,
which made the institution permanent, among its first members being Will-
iam H. Henderson, Asahel Crowley, C. P. Adams, R. R. Crowley, T. E.
Adams, Nelson Saunders, Addison Crowley, L. H. Carter, Norman M. Allen,
and forty other citizens of Cattaraugus county. Mr. Strong was encouraged
by subscriptions and continued his work without compensation for himself or
family. In two years they were caring for thirty or forty children. In 1880
the buildings were destroyed by fire. An effort was immediately made to re-
build, but the struggle to obtain necessary funds was hard. When Mr.
Strong was about to give up the project in despair Charles Merrill, of Ran-
130
1034 History of Cattaraugus County.
dolph, came to the rescue with his characteristic zeal, energy, and tact and
the institution was again opened May i, 1882, with six children as inmates.
Miss Celia Bennett, from Oakfield Seminar^', is the matron of the institution.
Thenumberof children in the Home on October i, 1892, was 115. There were
twenty-five adopted during the year. Most of the children are between the
ages of five and ten years. Under five they are adopted about as fast as they
are admitted. It is unsectarian; Sunday is religiously observed, always with
a Sunday school inside the Home and sometimes by visiting a neighboring
church. The institution depends entirely upon private contributions and the
aid of various societies. The Home is a brick building, three stories above
the basement, with broad verandas on three sides. A brick school building
has just been completed at a cost of $10,000. The officers of the Board of
Trustees are William H. Henderson, president; Norman M. Allen, vice-presi-
dent; Charles Merrill, secretary, treasurer, and superintendent: George V.
Forman, chairman finance committee; M.C. Hawley, M.D., is house physician.
Apparently the first banking business executed in Randolph was trans-
acted by A. G. Dow, who established a private bank in February, i860. In
1866 he erected a building in which to conduct his business, and in iS^S took
his son into partnership under the firm name of A. G. Dow & Son. This con-
tinued until 1880. T. J. Chamberlain conducted a banking business in East
Randolph about three years succeeding 1870.
The State Bank of Randolph was organized July i, 1874, with a capital of
$65,000; January 1, 1877, this was increased to $100,000. The original stock-
holders were Charles P. Adams, Nelson Saunders, R. R. Crowley, Alexander
VVentworth, Thomas J. Wheeler, Addison Crowley, Melvin A. Crowley, J. C.
Hurd, Anna E. Lee, Robert Carson, William H. Henderson, Asahel Crowley,
and A. L. Kellogg. The first ofificers were Thomas J. Wheeler, president;
Addison Crowley, vice-president; and Charles P. Adams, cashier. In 1892
Addison Crowley was president.
The People's State Bank of East Randolph was organized in July, 1891,
with a capital of $50,000. The Board of Directors is composed of S. J. Benedict,
Thomas L. Ostrom, M. V. Benson, William H. Henderson, and William E.
Searle. The officers are M. V. Benson, president, and William E. Searle, cashier.
Thomas Harvey built the first saw-mill in Randolph on Dry brook in 1823.
This was as well the first manufactory of any kind. It was abandoned after a
dozen years for lack of power, as Dry brook in the summer season entirely
disappears. Walter Crowley erected a saw-mill on Battle creek, lot 30, to cut
the pine in the locality. Soon afterward Abraham G. Bush built a mill at the
village on the Little Conewango, which he and Zebedee Woodworth success-
fully operated thirty years. The countr}' round about was then a forest of
splendid pine trees, some of which are described by those still living who saw
them as having attained a height of 225 feet. In 1866 a new mill was erected
on this site and in 1870 Enfield Leach (yet a merchant of Randolph) became
Town of Randolph.
interested in it. The mill was further enlarged and scroll-sawing and planing
were added. This establishment was known as the Red Lion mills. In 1872
the manufacture of handles was commenced and to turn the additional ma-
chinery steam was employed as an auxiliary to the water-power. The mills
were then two stories high and more than 100 feet long. In 1874 they were
destroyed by fire, and the pine timber being all exhausted were never rebuilt.
A steam saw-mill was built in 1856 by four mutes from the State asylum. It
had a capacity of 4,000 feet per day. In 1874 Gibbs's handle manufactory was
erected in theyillage with steam as the motive power. It was capable of turn-
ing out a car-load of handles daily. This industry has long been abandoned.
Willard & Sawtell's Champion milk-vats were patented March 20, 1872, and a"
manufactory was established on Alain street in 1873 by Willard & Hammond.
They manufactured yearly 200 to 300 sets and continued until a better patent
was obtained about 1880.
The Elko Mining, Milling, and Manufacturing Company was organized
July 8, 1892, with a capital stock of $125,000. Its directors are C. P. Vedder,
George Z. Erwin, H. J. Coggshall, A. C. Wade, J. S. Whipple, J. E. Hazard,
and W. C. Hazard. The officers are C. P. Vedder, president; J. E. Hazard,
vice-president and general manager; and J. S. Whipple, secretary and treasurer.
This company has a large plant, furnished with the best machinery, situated -
in Randolph village. Their paint mines are located in the township of Elko,
hence the name. They produce four distinct kinds of paint mineral, all of
which unite perfectly with linseed oil. They manufacture house paints in
21 different colors, a wood-filler for furniture, and rough-stuff for carriage work.
The Randolph Furniture Works, a company organized for the manufacture
of furniture, was incorporated in the fall of 1891 with a capital stock of $12,000
and the following directors: Silas L. King, George E. Seager, D. D. Lock-
wood, Sarah Lockwood, William H. Henderson, Charles C. Sheldon, and
C. W. Terry. William H. Henderson was elected president ; Silas L. King,
vice-president; D. D. Lockwood, secretary ; Charles C. Sheldon, Silas L. King,
and George E. Seager, building committee. Land was purchased and the
foundation commenced in early winter; the next year the plant was com-
pleted. The product is shipped to ail parts of the United States.
The East Randolph tanner^' is located on Elm creek in the village of
East Randolph. Frank Williams purchased the plant in the fall of i88g and
conducted it until his removal to Randolph in June, 1890, when he enlarged it by
erecting new buildings. The present output is 1,200 sides per week. Seven-
teen men are employed and the tannery consumes 2,500 cords of bark per
year. Mr. Williams came to Randolph in the fall of 1889, an entire stranger,
and has become one of the leading citizens of the place.
The Randolph grist-mills were erected by Judge Benjamin Chamberlain
and F. G. Otis and the first grist was ground therein January i, 1856. The}-
were opened mainly to supply the lumbermen with flourto feed their army of
1036 History of Cattaraugus County.
laborers and teams. The Luna Lumber Company alone received a ton of feed
per day and large quantities of flour. The mills passed through the hands of
several owners until 1881, when William F. Moore became half-owner and Jan-
uary I, 1889, Hon. Enoch Holdridge acquired the other half. Mr. Moore has
had the control and management since he became proprietor. He was super-
intendent of the Dexterville mills at Jamestown fifteen years. Thomas Smith's
feed and grist-mills and woodworking shop, in the village of Randolph, is
leased by J. L. Woodmancy, who conducts a general custom business. E. &
E. D. Holdridge's mills are located on Hall's brook on the site of the first
grist-mill of East Randolph, erected in 1824, by Philemon Hall. The motive
power is furnished by the brook, which is formed from springs a mile distant
and constitutes one of the most reliable water-powers in the county. The mills
are three stories high, have three runs of stone, and do an extensive business.
The East Randolph foundry and machine shops are located on the site of
a small foundry erected about 1848 by Nutting & McCollister, who were
succeeded in 1855 by Samuel Allen. In August, 1857, Mr. Benedict, the
present proprietor, with three others, comprising the Randolph Steam Engine
Company, purchased the property and manufactured stationary engines and
mill machinery. September 17, 1863, the shops were consumed by fire. They
were immediately rebuilt by Benedict & Lake, who operated them until 1873.
In December, 1873, Mr. Benedict became sole owner and has given his atten-
tion mainly to the manufacture of stationary and portable engines and boilers
for mills. The works were partially burned again in April, 1888, but at once
rebuilt by Mr. Benedict in an enlarged form.
Jeffords's steam mills are loca'ted on the Erie railroad and are conducted by
Freedom L. Jeffords, the proprietor. The motive power is steam and the
capacity is 20,000 feet of lumber per day. Cars are run to the mills and loaded
directly from the saws. Moore's steam mills in the southeast part of the town
are owned and operated by Wesley Moore. They were built by Isaac Hotchkiss
in 1867. The capacity is 10,000 feet of lumber per day. Burley's steam saw-
mills on Dry brook in " Bowenville " are owned by Charles W. Burley. He also
does planing and matching and deals in rough and dressed lumber. Morton's
shops for the manufacture of shingles, staves, and cooper work are located on
the north branch of Hall's brook and were built by Capt. Amos Hall, who used
them for the manufacture of furniture. In 1873 L. L. Morton purchased the
plant of Enoch Holdridge and converted it into a cooperage and continued
the manufacture of shingles and staves. The steam saw-mill, planing-mill, and
cider-mill, located on Hall's brook in East Randolph, were originally built bj-
Capt. Amos Hall. In 1865 J. F. Stewart purchased the property and in 1878
was succeeded by his son, A. A. Stewart, who is now the sole proprietor. He
has added to the buildings, put in a planing-mill, and enlarged the cider-mill.
He uses both steam and water-power. James H. Berray's mills in Randolph
village manufactures shingles and barrel staves and are operated b)' steam-
Town of Randolph.
power. Mr. Berray al.so manufactures cider and jelly. E. Hall & Co.'s sash,
door, and blind factory is located in East Randolph on Hall's brook, which
furnishes the motive power. The first building on the site was a wool-carding-
mill erected by Jonathan Wood at a very early date. The present building
was built about 1858 by Hall Brothers. In 1862 Erastus Hall became the sole
owner. It is now conducted by him and his sons Lyman and Milo.
F. Butcher & Son's woolen factory and carding-mill in East Randolph is
operated by steam-power and manufactures all-wool stocking yarns and flan-
nels and does wool-carding, cloth-dressing, and general custom work.
William E. Smith & Co., of New York city, are proprietors of a combina-
tion of nine cheese factories. Two of these are in Randolph and one- in Leon.
The others are in Chautauqua county. All are under the management of
D. H. Thompson, of Randolph, as superintendent.
The Randolph Driving Park Association was organized August. 14, 1872,
with a capital of $4,000. A plat of twenty-five acres was fitted up, but in
1874 the whole was merged into an agricultural organization.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Randolph was legally instituted De-
cember 16, 1830. A meeting house was put up a few years later, but was left
unfinished. In 1840 the building was moved from Fifth avenue to a site near
where it now stands. In 1858 it was placed on the present foundation and
enlarged. In 1865 it was completed and dedicated and the same year the
parsonage was built. Recently it has been repaired and furnished with opera
house seats, and will seat 350 people. The church property is worth §4,500.
The society has eighty members with Rev. S. M. Sartwell as pastor. The
Sunday school has 50 pupils; Miss Martha Van Rensselaer is superintendent.
The Regular Baptist church of Randolph was organized with eleven mem-
bers July 13, 1825, by Rev. Jonathan Blake, a missionary of the State Board
of Massachusetts, who was installed the first pastor. In 1845 the present
house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected at a cost of $2,200. It
will seat 300 persons and with the grounds, etc., is valued at $3,000. The
society now has sixty-three members with Rev. John L. Bailey as pastor,
and connected is a Sunday school of fifty-four scholars. Since its organiza-
tion this church has had a total membership of 495. Rev. B. C. VVilloughby,
the pastor from 1842 to 1847 and now eighty-seven years of age, still resides
within the parish.
The Freewill Baptist church of Napoli was formed June 14, 1831, by Rev.
Hiram Whitcher, with nine members. Several accessions occurred during
that summer, among others being two young women, Sally Tewksbury and
Anna Babcock, who proclaimed their conversion at a meeting held on the
evening of August 4th, and were baptised immediately afterward, at midnight,
in Cold Spring creek. On the 15th following Jotham Metcalf was chosen the
first deacon and Freeman Dart the first clerk. Meetings were held in various
places in Napoli and Conewango until the summer of 1848, when the society
1038 History of Cattaraugus County.
decided to have a house of worship, and for that purpose the First Freewill
Baptist church of East Randolph was organized on June loth. A church edi-
fice was erected that year and first occupied on February 10, 1849. Some
years afterward the society became enfeebled and finally suspended service en-
tirely, the house being then used by various denominations. In 1865 it was
seriously damaged by a flood and soon abandoned. It stood, however, in a
partly demolished condition until 1874, when, on September 9th, a Board of
Trustees, consisting of Aaron B. Fox, Jonathan C. Hurd, Jerome Higbee, and
Franklin C. Hovey, was elected, funds were collected, and the edifice was re-
paired at a cost of $[,000. It will seat 300 persons. The property is valued
at $2,500. The building was opened to all denominations and remains a
union house of worship.
The First Congregational church of Randolph was organized January 7,
1836, by Rev. Sylvester Cowles, at' the house of Dr. Luther P. Cowles, who
was chosen the first clerk. The original members were Abel C. Ward, Justin
C. Marsh, Levi Steel, Harry Marsh, Louis A. Marsh, William Ransom, Polly
Ransom, Joseph Hamilton, Sanford Holbrook, Luther P. Cowles, Sarah W.
Draper, Zebediah Pierce, Martha Pierce, Samuel Wadsworth, and Louis A.
Hatfield. Since 1840 the church has-been connected with the Association of
Western New York. Rev. Justin C. Marsh was the first pastor. The first
church edifice was built of wood and completed in 1849. The present brick
church was erected in 1889. Hon. A. G. Dow contributed more than one-half
of the cost of its construction. The church property is valued at $10,000.
About 100 children attend the Sunday school ; W. C. Myres is superintendent.
The Methodist Episcopal church of East Randolph was organized in 1839
with eleven members by Rev. Alexander Barris, who was its first pastor. The
church edifice was erected of wood in 185 i. The value of the property, in-
cluding buildings and grounds, is $5,500. The edifice will seat 350 persons.
The society has ninety members. The Sunday school has eighty scholars.
St. Patrick's (Roman Catholici church was organized by Rev. Father Mc-
Kenna in 1854 with about thirty members. In the fall of 1876 the present
house of worship was completed at a cost of $2,200. Rev. Father Byrnes was
doubtless the first pastor; Rev. Michael Sullivan is the present resident priest.
This church, with South Vallej- and Little Valley, forms a mission, which is
under the spiritual care of Father Cunningham who ofificiates at stated ap-
pointments at all these places. The membership in Randolph is about 380,
in South Valley 180, and in Little Valley about 45.
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, in the south part of the'town,
was organized in 1867 with si.x members. The house of worship (Otterbein
chapel) was erected in 1886 at a cost of $950 and will seat 200 persons. Its
present value is $1,150. The society has seventy-four members with Rev. H.
Bedow as pastor. The Sunday school has sixty scholars.
Grace Protestant Episcopal church of Randolph existed as early as i860
Town of Randolph. , 1039
and held services regularly once each month. It was re-organized in 1881 and
the church edifice was erected in 1879. Rev. E. C. Cowan was the rector from
November 5, 1880, to April 2, 1883. The church was without services the
ensuing five years. Rev. Noble Palmer, the present rector, has officiated
since September 16, 1888. The church includes twenty-six families and
28 communicant's. The property is valued at $6,000. The wardens are C. P.
Adams and Edwin McMarius. The Sunday school has 22 pupils.
Elm Creek Lodge, No. 359, F. & A. M., was instituted at East Randolph
in 1852. Its charter members were Samuel Barrows, Benjamin Chamberlain,
David Ward, Rufus Davenport, A. B. Parsons, Edwin McManus, and Isaac
L. Ostrom. The officers were Edwin McManus, M. ; Samuel Barrows, S. W. ;
David Ward, J. W. In 1864 the lodge was removed to Randolph village. In
1874 the hall, Regalia, and records were destroyed by fire. The lodge now
owns the rooms it occupies and its present officers are William L. Alexander,
W. M'. ; Leland D. Van Rensselaer, secretary ; George E. Seager, treasurer.
The membership numbers 104.
Randolph Lodge, No. 341, I. O. O. P., was instituted February 15, 1848,
and re-organized July 4, 1850, as No. 64, and again re-organized April 26, 1876,
as No. 448, its present numerical designation. The first officers were P. S.
Sheldon, N. G. ; J. T. Fosdict, V. G. ; Spencer Scudder, secretary; C. S.
Green, treasurer.
Conewango Lodge, No. 340, I. O. O. F., was instituted at East Randolph,
July 1 1, 1850. with N. G. Otis as N. G. It was disbanded December 24, 1855,
and re-organized August 8, 1871, as No. 282, with these officers: Clark Mc-
CoUister, F. G. ; F. C. Hovey, V. G.; L. L. Hall, sec'y; S. C. F"aulkner, treas.
Oasis Lodge, No. 154, A. O. U. W., was instituted May 9, 1878, with
twenty-eight members. The first officers were Clark D. Brown, P. M. W. ;
Charles C. Sheldon, M. W. ; Frank S. Thorp, S. ; David T. Smith, O. The
present M. W. is R. R. Crowley.
D. E. Higgins Post, No. 297, G. A. R., was chartered October 6, 1882.
Benjamin G. Casler was the first commander. His successors have been David
T. Smith, George W. Watkiiis, Zalmon Smith, Norton M. Miller, and Charles
W. Brown. The post has eighty-eight members and its officers are Rodney
Crowley, commander; John Hammond, S. V. C. ; Horace H. F'rench, J. V C. ;
Charles Osgood, adjutant; Charles W. Terry, quartermaster; Rev. John L.
Bailey, chaplain.
Randolph Union, No. 569, E. A. U., was organized February 26, 1887, with
sixty-five members and with O. A.Tompkins, M. D.,as president ; Mrs. O. A.
Tompkins, secretary ; and D. C. Adams, treasurer. The present number of
members is fifty-seven.
Orange Abbey, born in Vermont about 1802, came to Randolph from
Onondaga county when young and located where L. Carter now lives. He
contracted to cut the pine timber growing on the grounds surrounding Cham-
I040 History of Cattaraug-us County.
berlain Institute. He subsequently sold out and located where -Allen Archer
now lives. He married Mary, daughter of Joseph Stanley. He sold his
place to Reuben Archer and settled on a farm given to his wife by her father
and now owned by his son, Jefferson M. Abbey. He died in Oct., 1877.
Mrs. Abbey survived until April, 189O.
Charles P. Adams, son of Edwin and China (Phelps) Adams, was born
in Greene, N. Y.. Dec. 3, 1825, received a common school education, and in
1844 began as a clerk in a general store at Fredonia. He finally settled in
Randolph and opened a store with William H. Camp under the firm name of
Camp & Adams. About a year afterward he bought the interest of his part-
ner and conducted a general mercantile business alone until 1866, when his
brother became a partner, which relation continued until 1874, when he sold
to his brother and was instrumental in organizing the State Bank of Randolph,
having held the position of cashier continuously ever since. Aug. 31, 1852, he
married Cornelia F., daughter of Judge John Crane, of Fredonia. Children:
Frances M. (Mrs. H. R. Lewis) and Douglas C. Douglas C. Adams was
born May 31, 1864, received his education at Chamberlain Institute, and is a
hardware dealer in Randolph. Sept. 15, 1SS8, he married B. M., daughter of
O. B. Cravens.
Theodore E. Adams, brother of Charles P., was born in Corydon, Pa., Oct.
26, 1839. became a clerk in a general store in Fredonia at the age of fourteen,
and later he spent several terms at Ellington Academy. In 1857 he came to
Randolph and was his brother's clerk until 1865, when he became a partner
under the name of C. P. Adams & Co. Since 1874 he has continued alone.
Dec. 14, 1S65, he married Mary L.. daughter of Asahel Crowley. Children:
Theodora (Mrs. William D. Rathbone), Percy C, and Florence C.
Frank W. Adams was born in Livingston county, Sept. 28, 1842. He was
graduated at the "Old Round House" in Le Roy, N. Y., and commenced the
sale of dry goods there in 1863 in the firm of Morgan & Adams. In 1880 he
sold out and went to Jamestown, N. Y., where he continued in the firm of
Scofield & Adams until 1887. He then became a general merchant at East
Randolph in the firm of Adams & Bassett and is now conducting the business
alone. Aug. 9, 1871, he married Irene Carpenter, of Le Roy. They have two
sons and a daughter.
William L. Alexander, son of William and Margaret (McLeod) Alexander,
was born in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 10, 1856, and is of Scotch
descent. He attended Toronto University, and^ received his pharmaceutical
education in the Albany Medical College. He b'ecame deputy recorder in Mc-
Kean county. Pa., which position he held about seven years. He studied med-
icine, and in March, 188;, came to Randolph and purchased the drug and sta-
tionery business of D. F. Rundall, which he still continues. He is a trustee of
the village. Sept. 12, 1883, he married Minnie Collar, of Smethport, Pa. They
have two sons.
John N. Angle was born Feb. i, 1795, and married, March 1 1, 1817, Betsey
Clark, who was born Oct. 9, 1797. Children: Nicholas, Eleanor, Almira A.
(Mrs. Anthony Covert), Mary E. (Mrs. Elisha Brace), Nancy M., Emily, Lu-
cinda, and Phebe J. Mr. Angle came to Randolph about 1828. He was
assessor and prominent in town affairs. At one time he owned and operated
a shingle-mill where Freedom L. Jeffords now is. For a short time he resided
in Michigan, but returned thence to Cold Spring, where he died aged 85.
Benson Archer came to Randolph from Henrietta, N. Y., in 1824, and re-
Town of Randolph. ' 1041
sided about two years on lot 48, whence he removed to 100 acres on lot 2i,
now known as the Archer district. He was a river pilot and made frequent
trips down the river and also in harvest-time went on foot to Monroe county
to labor in the harvest fields He and his wife were members of the Baptist
church and he was its deacon many years. He also served several terms as
poormaster. Deacon Archer died instantly of apoplexy Nov. 5, 1871. Mrs.
Archer died as suddenly in 1874. They had twelve children. Reuben Archer,
their oldest son, was born in Henrietta, N. Y., April 7, 1822, and came to
Randolph, attended the common schools, and married Narcissa, daughter of
Sylvester Caswell, Sept. 21, 1848. He eventually owned the homestead in
addition to his own home, altogether some 350 acres. He was highway com-
missioner and died Sept. 21, 1876. His widow resides with her only son,
Allen Archer. They also had one daughter, Etta (Mrs. Russell Brace), who
resides on the homestead. Allen Archer was born Sept. 7, 1854, was edu-
cated in Chamberlain Institute, and April 26, 1888, married Maggie William-
son. He is his father's successor on the homestead and has added to it until
his farm now contains 240 acres. He is a breeder of high grade Durham and
Holstein cattle and Shropshire and Oxforddown sheep.
John Archer, son of Deacon Benson, was born Nov. 18, 1833, was edu-
cated in the common schools and Randolph Academy, and became a teacher.
Jan. 21, i860, he married Mary J., daughter of Warren H. Reeves, of Ono-
ville, and settled on the farm where Mrs. Archer now resides. He dealt in
butter and served as school commissioner of the Second District of Cattarau-
gus county three years, and was superintendent of Indian schools of the Alle-
gany and Cattaraugus Indian reservations about seven years, holding the posi-
tion at the time of his death May 4, 1881. He was a magistrate four years
and in politics was a staunch Republican, serving frequently in county
conventions. Of his six children five are living: Anson B., of Conewango ;
Lewis J., of Corydon, Pa.; M. Bertha (Mrs. Herbert H. Shepherd), of Fredo-
nia; Roy R. ; and Carrie B.
Joshua C. Atwood, son of Joshua and Elsie Atwood, was born in Hillsbor-
ough, N. Y., July 16, 1838. In 1840 his parents emigrated to Kiantone, Chau-
tauqua county. His father was a shoemaker and continued the trade fourteen
years. He was also a stone cutter in Boston. In 1852'he removed to Ran-
dolph and located where Joshua C. now lives, and followed both stone
cutting and farmmg. Mr. Atwood died Nov. 14, 1881. Mrs. Atwood died
ten years later. Joshua C. Atwood learned the stone cutter's trade of his
father, but was obliged to abandon it on account of weak lungs. He is now
engaged in farming. He is serving his sixth consecutive year as assessor of
Randolph. July 6, 1859, he married Kate Buck, of Cold Spring, and has two
sons and two daughters. Mrs. Atwood died April 16, 1887.
Charles Barber, son of Oliver, emigrated first to Westfield, N. Y., and thence
to Randolph in 1833, marrying the same year Diana Miles, by whom he had
nine children. Mr. Barber died Jan. 31, 1893. His widow resides with a son
in Conewango.
S. J. Benedict was born in Danbury, Conn., May 3, 1838. He lost his
father at the age of nine years and in early youth began to support himself.
H e educated himself in the common schools and in Danbury, Conn., and served
as an apprentice to the trade of machinist in New Haven, Conn. In 1857 he
came to East Randolph and began the manufacture of steam engines, boilers,
and machinery, which he still continues.
13'
I042 History of Cattaraugus County.
Henry L. Berray, son of Seth and Anna (Goodrich) Berray,- was born in
Walton, N. Y., June 21, 1812. He is the thirteenth and only surviving child
of sixteen children. He came to Randolph with his parents in 1836 from Vic-
tor, N. Y., and settled with them on lot 47, where he has since resided. His
father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, a brick and stone mason by
trade, and died May 14, 1847. The mother survived until Oct. 8, i860. Henry
L. married Rumina Scudder, Oct. 3, 1837, and has always been a farmer. He
has served as magistrate and assessor. They had twelve children, of whom
ten grew to maturity. One son served in the Rebellion. They celebrated
the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage Oct. 3, 1887. They have, living,
forty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Their son, James H. Ber-
ray, was born July 22, 1850. Oct. 15, 1872, he married Ellen E. Blood, of
Cold Spring, and March 11, 1874, settled in the village of Randolph, where
he is extensively engaged in the manufacture of shingles, slack barrel staves,
and cider and apple jelly. He is a Republican in politics and has served as
constable. He has six children ; another died in childhood.
William M. Brown, son of William M., Sr., a native of Connecticut and fi-
nally a settler of both South Valley and Cold Spring, dying in the latter town
May 3, 1863, was born in Portland, Chautauqua county, Dec. 18, 1830. He
early became identified with lumbering enterprises in southwestern New York
and subsequently and recently has been quite extensively interested in oil op-
erations. When a partnership existing between his brother Norman and him-
self was dissolved he acquired the sole title to a tract of land in Cold Spring,
where he pursued farming and lumbering for several years. In 1852 he estab-
lished a mercantile trade there, which he continued eighteen months. Sept.
13, 1855, he married Emeline M., daughter of Madison Woodworth, of Cold
Spring, and has had four children. Mr. Brown was elected sheriff of Cattar-
augus county in 1870 and for six years was supervisor of Cold Spring.
Charles W. Burley, born in Oswego county, March 20, 1858, removed with
his parents to Connecticut and in 1S78 the family came to Randolph. With
an older brother he purchased of David Abbey the mills now known as the
Ikirlcy mills, under the firm name of Burley Brothers. They rebuilt the plant
and put in steam-power. C. W. bought the interest of his brother in Aug., 1890,
and now conducts the business alone, and with Frank Williams, of East Ran-
dolph, has purchased a tract of 640 acres of timber land. He also conducts
a grocery store. In May, 1886, he married Cora S., daughter of Alonzo Cas-
well; children: Adah and Blanche (twins) and Ona.
Hezekiah O. Burt, son of Nathan and Rebecca (Healy) Burt, was born in
Conewango, Dec. 2, 1823. His father settled in Conewango in 1821 and was a
farmer there until his death in 1837. At the age of twenty-four H. O. began
the trade of carpenter and joiner and later he was an expert millwright, and
built numerous saw-mills along the Allegheny and its tributaries. Sept. 10,
1861, he married Mary Card, who was the mother of his only son, Frank C, a
farmer in Conewango. In 1863 he settled on his farm, a portion of which he
purchased when he was twenty-three years old, and now has 370 acres. Mrs.
Burt died in Nov., 1865. Jan. 10, 1870, he married Mrs. Minerva Phillips,
daughter of John Fenton, of South Valley; they had one daughter, Mary,
born Dec. 19, 1870. In 1873 ^'f''- Kurt and his family returned to East Ran-
dolph, where he has since resided. He also deals in oil territory and conducts
a store in the oil regions. He has been president of the Cattaraugus County
Agricultural Society two terms and was its vice-president and director.
Town of Randolph. . • 1043
Frederick Butcher, senior member of the firm of F. Butcher & Son, was
born in Ashburton, Devonshire, Eng., in 1835, came to America with his
mother in 185 1, and learned the trade of clothier of Daniel Hazeltine at
Jamestown. In Feb., 1864, he enlisted in the 112th N. Y. Regt. and was
mustered in as a musician in the brigade band of the 4th Brigade, First Divis-
ion, 24th Army Corps, and was discharged Aug. 14, 1865, in Richmond, Va.
In June, 1877, he bought the woolen-mills at East Randolph of E. Holdridge
and has since then been engaged in manufacturing woolen goods with his son
Fred D. Mr. Butcher is a good musician and teacher of cornet bands and is
the leader of the East Randolph band. In Jan., 1856, he married Almira L.
Newton. Children: Fred D., Myrta M. (Mrs. H. J. Ellsworth), Leo Newton.
Elroy V. Carpenter, son of Warren, was born in Lyndon, N. Y., June 3,
1857. He was educated in Ten Broeck Free Academy and began his business
life teaching in the common schools, which he continued eight terms. In 1884
he became a member of the firm of W. Carpenter & Sons, proprietors of the
Carpenter combination of five cheese factories. He has charge of factory No.
2 in Randolph. In company with his brothers Thomas and Samuel he is also
engaged in breeding trotting horses. Oct. 6, 1880, he married Arabelle,
daughter of Jason Adams, of Farmersville. They have two daughters.
Robert Carson, born in Bellefonte, Pa., May 31, 1825, was raised in Akron,
Ohio, began his business life as a grocer's clerk at the age of twelve years,
and when twenty he traveled and sold gun-powder six ensuing years. In 1850
he went overland to the gold fields of California, where he remained seven-
teen years. In 1870 he came to Cattaraugus county, where for several years
he was a merchant in Steamburgh and Red House. He has resided the past
eighteen years in Randolph. In March, 1850, he married Emma Johnson,
who was the mother of his son, Robert A. Carson. Mrs. Carson died in Cali-
fornia in 1856. In 1858 he married Catherine E. Wooster, of California; chil-
dren: Blanche, Paul, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and Philip.
Thomas Carter was born in Connecticut in 1797. In childhood he removed
with his parents to Onondaga county, N. Y. His father was a tanner in
Fabius, and about 1840 removed to Randolph, where he died in 1854. Thomas
Carter learned the trade of tanner of his father, and married, in Amber, Abi
Hotchkiss. In 1824 he removed to the present site of the village of Cherry
Creek and erected a tannery, the second one built in Chautauqua county. In
1827 he sold his property in Cherry- Creek and removed to Napoli Corners,
where he purchased the improvements, including a primitive tannery, of Mr.
Bennett and was a leading business man in Napoli until 1854. He enlarged
his tannery, which he sold in 1847 to the original builder, Mr. Bennett, and
gradually became a farmer. He was also one of the earliest merchants of the
town. In 1854 he sold his large farm and removed to a farm near Oberlin,
Ohio. Since the death of his wife about 1865 he has retired from business
and now resides in Riceville, Pa. Ladwick H. Carter, son of Thomas, was
born in Otisco, Onondaga county, Jan. 18, 1824, and removed with his parents
to Cherry Creek in March following. Reared in Napoli he spent his youth
attending the common school and in grinding bark in his father's tannery, and
finished his education at the Fredonia Academy. In 1854 he removed to
Randolph and engaged in mercantile business until 1873, being also an exten-
sive dealer in lumber. He now gives his attention to his farming interests
and also deals in real estate. May 22, 1848, he married Jane A. Perry, of Cen-
terville, Pa., who was the mother of all his children: Mary E. (Mrs. William
1044 History of Cattaraugus County.
C. Myres), Gertrude A. (Mrs. Frank Strunk), Frank P. (deceased), Jennie J.
(Mrs. P. H. McConnell), Harriet S. (Mrs. Charles Bentley, who died July i6,
1889), Carrie Belle (Mrs. J. Clayton Macapes), and Kitty Jane (Mrs. Harry C.
Evans). Mrs. Carter died April 9, 1887. March 3, 1890, Mr. Carter married
Ellen, daughter of Henry Van Rensselaer, of Randolph.
Joseph Caswell, born in Henrietta, Monroe county, married there Julia,
daughter of John Cook, and there his oldest two children were born. In March,
1826, he came to Randolph with his family and settled on the farm now occu-
pied by Ogden Scudder within the village corporation. Shortly afterward he
sold his claim and made a permanent settlement on Sample hill, where he
died. He and his wife were members of the M. E. church. Their son Alonzo,
born Feb. 4, 1822, in Henrietta, came to Randolph at the age of four years
and has always resided here. In Feb., 1856, he married Samantha Newton,
who died two years later. March 22, 1859, he married Lapantha S. Arnold,
of Napoli, who is the mother of his only daughter, Cora S., who married C. W.
Burley. Mr. Caswell served six years as assessor and is a farmer on the Jack-
son Sample homestead, where the first white child was born in town.
Jeremiah \V. Chapman, son of Welcome, a pioneer of Conewango, was
born about one and a half miles northeast of the \'illage of Conewango, April
22, 1850. Raised a farmer he was educated in the district school and in Cham-
berlain Institute, and Sept. 9, 1870, he married Mary De Land and settled on
a farm in his native town, where he resided until 1877, when he removed to
East Randolph. Children : William D., Nettie O., Grace L., and Herbert L.
Jesse Champlin came to Randolph at the age of ten years. A family sketch
appears on page 833.
Elisha R. Cook, born in Williamstown, Mass., in 1799, married, first, Lydia
E. Arnold, and soon after settled in the west part of Randolph in what is
known as the Cook district. In the sprmg of 1S21 his brother Josiah came on
foot from Rochester and located a farm in the neighborhood. The next
spring Elisha R. came on, cleared a small patch, planted it with potatoes, built
a log cabin, and returned to Rochester. In July, 1822, he brought his wife and
household goods from Rochester with an ox-team and sled. Mrs. Cook died
in 1824, leaving an infant daughter, now Mrs. Nancy Saxton. His father and
step-mother joined him soon after and in 1831 he married Mary Newton, a
native of Vermont. He was a staunch Democrat and died Nov. 19, 1887.
Mrs. Cook died Oct. 3, 1881. Children: James Henry, who died in infancy;
Russel M., born in Dec, 1834, 'iiarried Phebe Kortright, and settled where he
now resides; and George W., born Oct. 15, 1837, married, June 8, 1859, Sarah,
daughter of Hiram Griswold, of Randolph, succeeded his father on the home-
stead— children: Nellie E. (who died aged twenty-six), Lottie (Mrs. George
Timmerman), Frank A., and Leo. Mr. Cook is a Democrat, an F. & A. Mason,
and a member of the A. O. U. W.
Miles C. Cornwell, son of Levinus and grandson of Benjamin Cornwell,
who came from England to America and settled in New England, was born
Jan. 12, 1831, in Sardinia, N. Y. Benjamin Cornwell was a peddler. His son
Levinus settled in Concord, Erie county, and was a tanner and currier in
Springville. He next located in Sardinia, where he built a grist-mill, which
was completely wrecked by sinking into quick-sand. He finally abandoned
milling and returned to his trade of shoemaking, and was also a farmer. He
died in Sardinia about 1879. Miles C. was first a carriage maker, and soon set-
tled in Springville, where he prosecuted his trade several years. He was in
Town of Randoi.ph. . 1045
Hamburg about three years, and in 1876 he came to Randolph and formed a
copartnership with his son, Eugene Cornwell, under the firm name of M. C.
Cornwell & Son. Eugene, his only son, was born in Sardinia, N. Y., Nov. 25,
1854, married Ella C. Hull, in March, 1876, and has two daughters..
Dr. John N. Cowen, son of John M. and Rachel (Seager) Cowen, was born
in Conewango, Dec. 23, 1854. Educated in the common school and at Cham-
berlain Institute, he was a student four years in the University of Michigan
and was graduated from the Dental Department of that institution in 1878
with the degree D.D. 5. He commenced the practice of his profession at East
Randolph the next fall and in 1884 he settled in the village of Randolph,
where he now resides. Dr. Cowen has served on the village Board of Trus-
tees and is one of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Randolph. Oct. 23,
1881, he married Mrs. Emma F. Crowley, daughter of John Fenton. She died
July 2, 1886.
Sylvester Cowles, D.D., son of Amos and Dolly (Ford) Cowles, was born
in Otisco, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1804. He was graduated from Hamilton College
with the degree of A.B. in 1828, and was ordained by the Onondaga Pres-
bytery on Sept. 5, 1831, after a theological course in Auburn Theological
Seminary. He at once began an active ministry in Napoli and continued his
labors in Cattaraugus county about half a centurj'. He preached in many of
the towns, and organized churches iit Randolph, Olean, Portville, and other
villages. His alma mater, Hamilton College, honored him with the degree of
D.D. in 1874. He was an advocate of temperance and was fond of the natural
sciences, especially of geology, of which he gathered a valuable cabinet. He
was three times married and died in Randolph about 1890.
George Coy was born in Vermont, April 3, 1799. Feb. 27, 1823, he mar-
ried Esther Tanner, a native of Massachusetts, who was born Feb. 12, 1798.
Soon afterward he came to Cortland, N. Y., where he resided twelve years. In
the fall of 1S36 he came to Randolph and settled on the farm now owned by
George Boyle. In 1865 he removed to this village, where he died June 19,
1868. Mrs. Coy died Sept. 3, 1873. Children: Harriet (Mrs. H. N. Fenton),
Corinth (Mrs. George VVoodworth), Mrs. Emily Hiller, Emily M. (Mrs.
Hollis Marsh), Rosette (Mrs. J. Z. Wanamaker), Andrew (deceased), and
Frances (deceased).
Orvan B. Cravens was born in Crawford county. Pa., May 21, 1835. His
father was an expert weaver, and settled on a farm in Randolph, Pa., where
he carried on the double occupation of weaver and farmer and was also an
auctioneer. He died aged forty-five. Orvan B., at the age of twenty-one,
bought the homestead. In Oct., 1862, he enlisted in the 169th Pa. Militia,
was discharged in July, 1863, re-enlisted in the 83d Pa. Vols, in March, 1864,
and was discharged in July, 1865. He was in the Fifth Corps of the Army
of the Potomac and participated in many of its battles. He received a flesh-
wound from three buck-shot in his left arm May 8, 1864, which incapacitated
him until Aug. ist. In the fall of 1865 he went to Petroleum Center and en-
gaged in oil producing. In 1871 he began dealing in oil property, which busi-
ness -he still continues. In Oct., 1880, he became a citizen of Randolph,
where he still resides. In Sept., 1859, ^e married Jane Lyon, of Lyon's Hol-
low, Pa. She died in Jan., 1865, and in Nov., 1867, he married Mrs. Eliza
Oaks; children: Mittee (Mrs. Douglas C. Adams), Hattie S., and Orris D.
Isaiah Cross, born in Grafton, N. H., in 1812, came to Randolph with his
parents in 1828 or 1830. He purchased a home, where is wife now resides, in
1046 History of Cattaraugus County.
1837, where he died June 23, 1885. Jan. 17, 1838, he married Sally Niles
She died in Feb., 1876, and was the mother of eleven children. Aug. 7, 1877,
he married Mrs. Mary (Griffin) Waite, and they had one daughter.
Asa B. Cross, son of Isaiah, was born Feb. 22, 1867, and when 22 went to
Nebraska, where he was a farmer and dealer in real estate about two years.
Jime 5, 1884, he married Verie, daughter of Alfred Price, of Randolph, and
settled on the farm where they now live.
The Crowley family in Randolph are of New England ancestry. Walter
and Mary (Todd) Crowley were born in Attleboro, Mass., came with their
parents to Vermont while that State was known as New Hampshire Grants,
and settled in Mt. Holly, cleared a farm, and raised four sons and three daugh-
ters, all of whom eventually came to Randolph. Asahel, their son, born in
Mt. Holly, Feb. 14, 1809, came to this town in 1831, where he still resides.
The ensuing two winters he taught common schools, being also a lumberman.
In 1833 he engaged in merchandizing. In 1835 his brother Addison came from
Vermont and in 1836 joined him in business with Joseph Stanley. They
conducted a general mercantile trade, erected a large store, and were the larg-
est dealers of the place. They also dealt extensively in cattle and lumber.
Mr. Stanley retired from the firm about four years later, and subsequently
their brother Alvin became a partner. They also manufactured lumber, which
they rafted to market down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. The}^ established
a lumber yard at Cincinnati, of which Alvin had charge. They drove cattle
to the eastern markets and were e.xtensive farmers and builders. Asahel
Crowley had charge outside while Addison conducted the store. Asahel Crow-
ley married Clarissa M. Johnson, of Mt. Holly, in 1836. She was born May
3, 18 1 5. Mr. Crowley has seconded all the enterprises for promoting the
interests of the town : the bank, the Randolph Academy, the Home for Home-
less Children, the railroad, and other institutions.
Addison Crowley came to Randolph in 1835 from Mt. Holly, Vt., where
he was born March 8, 181 1. He taught in the common schools and in 1836
joined in business with his brother Asahel and Joseph Stanley. Addison was
interested in the organization of Randolph Academy and a liberal contributor
to its stock. He was one of the original incorporators of the Bank of Ran-
dolph, was its first vice-president, and is now its president. He also gave his
aid and influence to establish the Western New York Home for Homeless and
Dependent Children. Now a staunch Republican he was first a Whig and the
first year he was in Randolph he cast the only Whig vote in town. In 1855
he called the first Republican caucus held in Randolph and was the only one
in attendance. In 1840 he subscribed for Horace Greeley's " Log Cabin ' and
has had the jVfzv York Tribune continually since its first issue. He was super-
visor in 1846, 1847, and 1854. In 1849 he was sheriff of the county and again
in 1855. He was appointed by President Lincoln postmaster at Randolph
and immediately resigned the position when Andrew Johnson assumed the
presidency. He was a trustee and treasurer of Randolph Academy. Jan. 10,
1839, he married Mary E. Shattuck, of Warren, Pa., who was the mother of
his daughter Ella M., who married B. G. Casler, of Randolph. She was also
mother of his son Melvin A. (deceased). Mrs. Crowley died in Nov., 1843, and
in May, 185 1, he married Arvilla M. Champlin, of Napoli ; of their seven chil-
dren four are living: Addie M. (Mrs. Erie W. Fenton), Kate S. (Mrs. Walter
B. Saunders), Jerome A., and Libbie E. Mrs. Crowley died Oct. 24, 1887.
M. Johnson Crowley, son of Asahel, \\-as born in Randolph, Aug. 3, 1841.
Town of Randolph. . 1047
He attended Randolph e bedemy and assisted his father as a lumberman, cattle
dealer, and farmer. HAcagan business as a merchant in company with A.
Wentworth, Esq., at Little Valley, in the fall of i860. In the spring of 1861
they removed the store to Randolph, where Mr. Crowley enlisted in the 64th
N. Y. Vols, and was mustered in Sept. 17, 1861, as first corporal of Co. B,
being discharged Dec. 30, 1861, upon a surgeon's certificate of disability.
He was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Cleveland,
Ohio, in May, 1863, and became his father's partner in the lumber and cattle
business, but again enlisted in the same company and regiment Feb. 14, 1865,
being detailed on special duty in Elmira. Joining his regiment in April he
received a warrant to rank as first sergeant of Co. B from March i, 1865, and
was transferred to the 194th N. Y. Vols, as second lieutenant, but was after-
ward commissioned first lieutenant and quartermaster of his old regiment, the
64th. He was discharged at Alexandria with the 64th July 15, 1865. He re-
sumed lumber and cattle dealing with his father and alone until 1875, when he
retired from active business. Aug. 29, 1865, he married M. Addie, daughter
of W. F. Weed, of Franklin ville. Their son William A. died Dec. 14, 1877.
Hon. Rufus Crowley was born in Rutland county, Vt., July 25, 1800.
He was a captain of militia, a merchant, and member of the Vermont Legis-
lature. In 1 841 he removed to Yorkshire, where he was in the mercantile
business with Lorenzo D. Cobb, now of Buffalo, most of the time for seven
years. In 1847 he was elected to the Legislature by the Whigs. In 1848 lie
removed to Randolph, where he resided until his death in 1872. In 1857
he was again elected to the Legislature by the Republicans. For many years
he was secretary of the Board of Trustees of Randolph Academy.
Maj. Osmond N. De.xter, a native of Connecticut, came from Dexterville,
Chautauqua county, to Randolph at an early day and erected a blacksmith
and trip-hammer shop on Dry brook in company with his brothers Edward and
F'rederick, and manufactured a.xes, hoes, and forks. Later he removed to the
farm now owned by his sons Marcus M. and Henry B., and there erected a
shop in company with his brother Frederick. They carried on a general
business in blacksmithing and farming. Later they divided the farm and
Major Osmond N. continued the business alone. He died in Feb., 1872.
Mr. Dexter was a superior mechanic, an extensive reader, a Democrat, and
quite a politician. He early took an interest in military affairs and rose
through all the grades to major, hence his title. He married Rozilla, daughter
of Joel Scudder, who died in July, 1881. Children: Frances M. (Mrs. J. Bux-
ton), Albert, Isophene (Mrs. Warren Abbey), Marcus, Henry. Marcus Dex-
ter was born in Randolph, Feb. 19, 1854, was educated in the common schools,
and Jan. 16, 1882, he married Bertha Spaulding, of Randolph. He settled on
the homestead in company with his brother Henry and is engaged in farming.
Homer Dixon, youngest son of Daniel, was born in East Randolph, May
12, 1837. He was a natural mechanic and followed the trade of carpenter.
In i860 he embarked in the grocery trade, in which he is still engaged. In
Oct., 1867, he married Justina Green ; children: Mary E. and John Leonard.
Mrs. Dixon died Nov. 3, 1874, and Oct. 12, 1888, he married Mrs. Martha
(Davis) Warren, daughter of Rev. Austin Davis. Mrs. Dixon was a resident
of Washington eighteen years and much of the time a clerk in the Treasury
Department. Miss Mary E. Davis is a painter and a portrait artist of more
than ordinary ability.
Andrew J. Dixon, son of Daniel, was born in East Randolph, Feb. 15, 1830.
1048 History of Cattaraugus County.
He, too, is a natural mechanic and began business about 1848 asa carpenter
and joiner, which has been his life work. Many of the finest residences in
East Randolph are monuments to his skill as an architect and builder.
Albert Gallatin Dow was born in Plainfield, Cheshire county, N. H., Aug.
16, 180S, and was the eighth of the ten children born to Solomon and Phebe
Dow. The family soon removed to Hartland, Vt., and from there in 1816 to
Pembroke, Genesee county, N. Y. Here his boyhood days were spent, his ex-
perience in no wise differing" from that common to pioneer life. Educational
advantages were few, the labor required was severe and exhausting, the fare
was plain and the clothing scanty, but these external disadvantages and dis-
comforts and privations laid the sure foundations of industry, economy, and
self-reliance upon which the superstruction of a successful life has been built.
The common school in the log house and three months' attendance at a private
school afforded the only training received by him outside the home circle dur-
ing the ten years spent by him in Pembroke. His father died Nov. 9, 1822,
and soon thereafter, in his fifteenth year, he began the battle of life upon his
own account and commenced the business career which has continued uninter-
ruptedly for seventy years. After leaving Pembroke he resided in Batavia,
Genesee county, one year, and thence removed to Panama in Chautauqua
county, where he remained about six months. In 1827 he removed to Silver
Creek, which he made his home for about nineteen years. In 1845 he removed
to Randolph, where he has since resided continuously for a period of forty-
seven years. At Silver Creek he first engaged in shoemaking, which trade he
had previously learned, and continued in this occupation for nearly fourteen
years. In Jan., 1840, then in his thirty-second year, he entered the hardware
business, having George S. Earnham as a copartner. This partnership con-
tinued about a year and on its dissolution Mr. Dow conducted a hardware
store at Sinclairville about a year and a half. In the fall of 1842 he resumed
the same business at Silver Creek in copartnership with Horatio N. Earnham
and this continued until his removal to Randolph in 1845. I" '^43 he opened
a dry goods store at Randolph, his nephew, James Nutting, being associated
with him. This store they conducted as copartners until 1851. Upon his
removal to Randolph in 1845 he opened a hardware store in that village. He
continued in this business until 1863, associating his son Warren as a copartner
in i860. In i860' he established a private banking business, which, after his
retirement from the hardware trade, occupied his entire attention until 1880,
when it was discontinued. In October, 1875, his son Charles M. became a
partner in the banking business, which from that time until its discontinuance
was conducted under the firm name of A. G. Dow & Son. In 1881 he organ-
ized the Salamanca National Bank at Salamanca, being its principal stock-
holder and first president, holding that office until his resignation in April,
i8go. Since that time he has continued a director of this institution, but has
not been otherwise actively engaged in business except to supervise and guard
his investments. Such is the brief history of an unusually long and remark-
ably successful business career. A fine fortune has been accumulated from
the slow gains of legitimate business. There has been no sudden rise followed
by an equally quick collapse. A steady growth in prosperity has been the
result of close application, unremitting industry, sure judgment, and undoubted
integrity. Pre-eminently a careful and prudent man, Mr. Dow has always
shown a broadmindedness and generosity of disposition which have won the
respect and admiration of those who know him best.
Town of Randoli'ii. - 1049
Mr. Dow has found opportunity in the midst of engrossing business -cares
to' interest himself in public affairs and to discharge faithfully and well the
duties of various public offices. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat
until the war of the Rebellion sundered his party ties. Since 1861 he has
found his convictions best represented in the principles of the Republican
party, and for upwards of thirty years he has been an active and unswerv-
ing member of that organization. He was early elected to local office at Sil-
ver Creek and commencing in 1848 he was for eight j^ears a justice of the peace
at Randolph. He has served as supervisor of the town ten years and in 1863
and 1S64 served in the Legislature as member of Assembly from the Second
District of Cattaraugus county. In 1873 he was elected State senator in the
Thirty-second District, composed of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties,
and served as such one term (1874-75). In all of these positions he displayed
the good sense, broad judgment, and faithful devotion to duty which charac-
terized him in private affairs. In 1850 Mr. Dow joined his neighbors in organ-
izing Randolph Academy, which, continuing under that name until 1866, was
then changed to Chamberlain Institute, and has been for upwards of forty
years a great power in the intellectual and moral development of western New
York. He was one of the original trustees of this school and has held that
office uninterruptedly to the present time. He has taken an active part in
religious work. In Silver Creek he united with the Presbyterian church. Upon
removing to Randolph he joined the Congregational church of that village,
has never dissolved his relation therewith, and has served it in various official
capacities. Oct. 4. 1829, shortly after completing his twenty-first year, Mr.
Dow married Freelove, daughter of VVheaton Mason, of Batavia. To them
were born five children : James, born July i, 1830 (deceased); Warren, born Jan.
15, 1833; Sarah, born Jan. 22, 1837 (deceased); Mary (Mrs. James G. Johnson),
born June 13, 1842; Albert G., Jr., born April 17, 1844. Mrs. Dow died Aug.
21, 1847, ^ind April 23, 1850, Mr. Dow married her sister Lydia A. This union
C(5ntinucd upwards of forty years and afforded a home life of rare happiness.
Mrs. Dow possessed a strong and winning personality, which gaveher great influ-
ence over her surroundings. At once tender and forceful, unassuming, and yet
full of courage and resources, she gave herself without stint to the service and
happiness of others. To remarkable executive faculty she joined the happy
power of stimulating others to action. Kind by natural impulse, her unosten-
tatious charities were regulated by such good sense they never demoralized
the recipients. Interested in all good works, she exerted a strong influence
for truth and right living, and her gracious memory will never depart from the
hearts of those who knew her. Her sad and untimely death, June 11, 1891,
was occasioned by an accident at a railway crossing near her home in the village
of Randolph. To this marriage was given one son, Charles M., who was born
Aug. I, 1853, and upon arriving at majority engaged in banking with his father.
He organized the Jamestown National Bank in 1888 and has been the president
of that institution from its beginning.
A plain and temperate mode of living has brought Mr. Dow the reward of
long life and his eighty-sixth year finds him in good physical health accompanied
by unabated mental vigor. He is quietly enjoying the prosperity won by
long years of industry, sagacity, and integrity. Throughout his long life he
has been plain, unassuming, actuated by honorable motives, sincere in all his
dealings, a strong friend, a kind neighbor, and an upright citizen. He has
been pre-eminently a just man. Starting in life with no advantages except
132
History of Cattaraugus County.
such as flow from health and inherent integrity, his indomitable purpose to
accompHsh the tasks set before him, but only by right and honorable means,
has achieved fortune and brought him what he values more — the respect of
the community in which he lives and the friendship of all classes.
Amos Dow, born in Hartland, Vt., May 22, 181 1, came to Pembroke, N. Y.,
with his parents in 1816, where his father died in 1822 and his mother in 1826.
After the age of twelve he supported himself and thus early learned self-reli-
ance. At the age of eighteen he opened a shoe shop at Silver Creek. In 1838
he was proprietor of a tannery and shoe shop combined. In 1846, having pre-
viously sold his tannery, he changed to mercantile business. He served in
Silver Creek as commissioner of schools and about five years as justice of the
peace. From 1855 ^o'' eighteen years he was a merchant in East Randolph.
In 1872 he purchased the private bank of Thomas Chamberlain, which he con-
tinued until the fall of 1891. In 1863 he represented Randolph on the Board
of Supervisors. In his long and extensive dealing with men his established
reputation for sterling integrity is beyond a doubt. In politics he is a staunch
Republican and is liberal in his religious sentiments. In 1827 he married
Eliza A. Gates, by whom he had five children.
Abraham V. Doxstader was born in Johnstown, N. Y., came to this town
in Nov., 1836, and cleared a farm of 260 acres. He has been a man of push
and perseverance and has contributed liberally to church, educational, and
charitable objects. In the retirement of old age he enjoys in his present home
in Randolph village the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends. He
married Ann Veeder, who died Nov. 25, 1881. Children: Sarah C, Margaret,
Alida, George A., and Loraine (deceased).
The Eddy family in America is of English origin and descended from two
brothers who came from England in 1630 and settled in Rhode Island. The
race in the United States are distinguished as preachers of the gospel. Wal-
ton Almy Eddy, son of Job and Fanny (Winslow) Eddy, was born in Middle-
field, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1821. Job Edcly, son of Zephaniah, was born in Rhode
Island, Doc. 6, 1780, and moved with his family to Otsego county m 1794.
He married, in Otsego county, Fanny Winslow, June 3, 1810, who was born
Feb. 17, 1789. He was a farmer and in the fall of 1825 moved to Cherry Creek,
Chautauqua county, where he was a pioneer. He died Feb. 6, 1866. His first
wife was mother of his si.x children, who are all living e.xcept the oldest, Bar-
ton Eddy. Mrs. Eddy died Yeh. 10, 1836. Walton A. Eddy became a car-
riage maker. March 15, 1843, he married Sarah M., daughter of Thomas Berry,
of Cherry Creek. In August following he settled in Waukegan, III., where he
opened a shop and prosecuted his trade about four years. He settled in
Randolph in 1858, where he has since resided. Mr. Eddy has been a carriage
manufacturer and inventor and patentee of several parts for carriages. He
devoted his time for seven years to manufacturing a patent carriage seat, his
own invention. About 1870, with his son, F. J. Eddy, he built a side-wheel
steamboat and launched it on the Allegheny at Cold Spring, christening it the
IV. A. Eddy. They ran the steamer down the river, jumped the eight-foot
dam at Corydon, Pa., and landed it at I ronton, Ohio, where they sold it. In
1874 he built another. The Randolph, si.xty feet long, in company with C. C.
Sheldon (his son-in-law) and his son, and sold it in Louisville, Ky. The same
season E. C. Topliff and Chauncey Harding built a similar steamer. The Cat-
taraugus, which they sold on the Ohio river in West Virginia. Mr. Eddy is
now serving his third term as overseer of the poor. Children: James D., born
Town of Randolph. - 105 1
in Illinois, died in infancy: Evaline, born in Illinois, Dec. 28, 1845, married
George Lake; Clara, born Jan. 24, 1849, ^^ Cherry Creek, married Edward
L. Phillips (deceased); Fanny and Job (twins), born Nov. i, 185 1, at Cherry
Creek — Fanny married Charles C. Sheldon and Job married Ella VValkup; and
Janette B., born in Randolph, Oct. 31, 1863.
Hon. James T. Edwards, D.D., LL.D.,* was born in Barnegat, Ocean
county, N. J., Jan. 6, 1838. His parents were influential, well-to-do people, and
among his large connection are many names of men whose influence has been
felt as a power in moulding the character of society and the church. James
Edwards, his great-grandfather, fought with Washington at the time of Brad-
dock's defeat and during the whole of the Revolutionary' war, in which he was
severely wounded. His parents were Job and Susanna Edwards. The former
was known as an eloquent local preacher and twice served as a member of the
State Legislature. The latter was a woman of unusual force of character and
in her earlier years was a teacher. She made sacrifices to give her son a lib-
eral education and always warmly sympathized with his aims. Dr. Edwards
prepared for college at Pennington Seminary in New Jersey and graduated
from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., in i860. After graduation
he filled the chair of natural science in Amenia Seminary in Dutchess county,
N. Y. Having served one year in this institution he took charge of the same
department in East Greenwich Academy in Rhode Island. The study of law
had many attractions for him, and he decided to make that his profession.
Arrangements were made for him to enter the office of Hon. William L. Day-
ton, of Trenton, N. J., but Mr. Dayton was shortly afterward sent as minister
to the court of France. The professor's plans were thus frustrated, and befo.re
any new arrangement was made he found the work of teaching so congenial
that the idea of practicing law was permanently abandoned. His favorite de-
partments of instruction were the sciences and belles-lettres, and to this work
he devoted himself with an unfailing enthusiasm which was contagious and
inspiring. Besides training his classes in the lecture-room he was constantly
delivering addresses before institutes and teachers' associations throughout
the State. For a long time he was a member of the Executive Committee of
the State Teachers' Association and at the time of his leaving Rhode Island
was its president. He married, in 1862, Miss Emma A. Baker, daughter of
Rev. Charles Baker, who by her varied accomplishments and unfailing interest
in his studies and work has been to him a " helpmeet " indeed. They have
three daughters: Grace, Laura, and Florence; the first named is the wife of
S. Winsor Baker, of Jamestown, N. Y.
In the fall of 1862 Professor Edwards enlisted as a private in the ist R. I.
Vols., but immediately received from Governor Sprague a commission as
second lieutenant, and was soon after elected first lieutenant of a company
composed of members of the Young Men's Christian Association of Provi-
dence. Afterward he was made adjutant of the parole camp near Alexandria,
Va. While in this position he rendered valuable service by his humane
treatment of the paroled prisoners, who, when he entered upon his duties,
were being shamefully neglected. Upon leaving the army he was elected
principal of the seminary at East Greenwich. For more than sixty years this
school had done excellent work in educating the youth of Rhode Island and
other States, but a burdensome debt of $22,000 had for a long time. hung over
it to the great annoyance of its friends. Through Professor Edwards's earnest
* By Dr. Theodore L. Flood, editor of the Chautawjxtan.
1052 History of Cattaraugus County.
efforts the entire debt was lifted by subscription. In addition to his duties
as principal of the seminary he was elected and served as State senator when
he was twenty-six years old, being the youngest member of that body. Dur-
ing this session he distinguished himself as a ready debater in an exciting dis-
cussion upon the militar},- record and expenditures of the State during the
war of the Rebellion. He was elected to the Senate the second time arid
also chosen presidential elector on the ticket which elected General Grant for
his first term, and stumped the State in his support. Professor Edwards
took an active part in the discussion of this fifteenth amendment, which was
carried in the Senate, but defeated in the House, at this session. He was
elected the third time to the Senate and made chairman of the Committee on
Education. During this session the temperance question was. pressed to the
front and legislators were compelled to give it attention, whether in sympa-
thy with the cause or not. The professor was an earnest advocate of a pro-
hibitory bill which was triumphantly carried in the Senate, but failed to be-
come a law because of its defeat in the House. He also took an active part
in the establishment of the first Normal school in the State. During this
session he made a speech upon the "just limitations of the pardoning power "
which attracted general attention and exercised a marked influence in effect-
ing a wholesome reform in the use of that prerogative by the governor of
Rhode Island.
In 1870 Professor Edwards moved to this State to take charge of Chamber-
lain 'Institute at Randolph. In 1872 its brick boarding hall, erected at a cost of
$50,000, was destroyed by fire, being insured for only $10,000. Through the
exertions of Professor Edwards and the liberality of its friends it was rebuilt
by subscription in less than a year, and stands in its beautiful proportions,
free from debt. In 1876 Allegheny College at MeadviUe, Pa., conferred the
degree of D.D. upon the professor and in 1890 he was made Doctor of Laws.
He continued at the head of Chamberlain Institute for the long period of
twenty-two years, resigning in 1892. During this time 6,000 students were in
attendance; 450 graduated from its several departments; and more than 500
certificates were recei\ed from the Regents of the State University. There
was an average attendance for si.\ty-three terms of 167 students whose aver-
age age for the whole time was seventeen and one-tenth years. Probably
there is not a town in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties which does not
contain representatives from this old school. Its patronage during the admin-
istration of Dr. Edwards was drawn from quite an extended area, often em-
bracing several States. In the educational gatherings of this section Dr.
Edwards has long been a familiar figure, often lecturing, dedicating school build-
ings, and engaging in kindred work. As a minister he has preached fre-
quently, being especially called upon for anniversaries, church dedications, and
funerals. He has been twice elected delegate to the " General Conference,"
the lawmaking body of the i\I. E. church, and three times reserve delegate.
Dr. Edwards is an ardent. lover of the natural sciences and has endeavored
to make these studies of practical value in this region by discussing, at agri-
cultural fairs, farmers' institutes, and conventions, their principles as applied
to agriculture. He built the first silo in southwestern New York and showed
the wholesomeness and utility of ensilage. He is the author of numerous
published addresses and of two volumes entitled respectively " The Grass
Family" and "The Silva of Chautauqua Lake." Dr. Edwards has been iden-
tified with the great Chautauqua movement from its beginning, for most of
,J
Town of Randolph. . 105;
the time in the three-fold capacity of trustee, professor, and lecturer. For
nine years he has had charge of the department of physics and chemistry in
the College of Liberal Arts. In the fall of 1891 he was nominated by "cer-
tificate" as senator from the Thirty-second District, in accordance with a law
passed in 1890 permitting a nomination of senator on the presentation to the
secretary of State of the certified names under oath of 500 voters desiring
such nomination. Seven hundred and fifty names were forwarded and the
nomination was endorsed by a People's convention which met in Jamestown
and by the regular Democratic convention held the same day. He was
elected by over 1,000 majority. As chairman of the Committee on Education
during the last session he was influential in passing three important bills
which bear his name, viz.: The "University bill," covering all the higher
education in the State; the "Library bill," which appropriates $55,000 annu-
ally to school and township free libraries; and the "School Commissioner
bill," which allows women to vote for school commissioners. Dr. Edwards is
a many-sided man and the people instinctively regard him as their man. It
can not be said that he is a politician. Positions have sought him. He has
been called to places of trust by the people because they judged him fitted
by intelligence, a broad statesmanship, purity of life, executive abilities, and
eloquence as a public speaker to represent them as a lawmaker. He has
always taken an active part in public affairs and held the theory that every
citizen who enjoys the blessings of a free government should be willing to
bear his share of its responsibilities. He is an attractive, scholarly speaker,
with an agreeable voice well balanced by a graceful delivery, and always re-
ceives a hearty welcome whenever he appears in the pulpit or upon the plat-
form. Senator Edwards, in addition to his duties as legislator, holds the posi-
tion of extension secretary of the Chautauqua system of education.*
Herbert J. Ellsworth, son of Stiles B. and Victoria (Jenks) Ellsworth (see
page 514), born in Conewango, June 23, 1865, received his education in Cham-
berlain Institute, and commenced business as a salesman in his father's store.
A Democrat in politics he was elected town clerk of Conewango when he cast
his first vote and was postmaster there in 1887, at the age of twenty-two.
May 1 1, 1891, he began business in East Randolph in the sale of groceries and
crockery. Jan. 10, 1888, he married Myrta, daughter of F. Butcher.
Samuel Ewing was born in New Jersey in 1788. He served an apprentice-
ship at coach making and married Margaret Morford. He removed to Roch-
ester as early as 18 16 and later resided in Victor several years. About 1830
he came to Randolph and settled on the east line of the town where Joseph
Macapes now lives. He was first an old line Whig and later a Democrat, and
was an active politician. He was supervisor, assessor, highway commissioner,
and town superintendent of schools and served two years as county superin-
tendent of schools. He also served as justice of the peace and assessor in
Ontario county. He practiced land surveying in Cattaraugus county. Mrs.
Ewing died in Jan., 1881, and Mr. Ewing in Jan., 1885. His son Joel was
born Maich 31, 1830, married a daughter of George Williams, and is also a
land surveyor.
Simeon Fisher, born in Wardsboro, Vt., in 1793, came to Randolph in the
fall of 1839 ^nd engaged in the manufacture of chairs, being the first in that
* Dr. Edwards, since this sketch was written, has been appointfd president of the McDonough School
for Boys at Baltimore, Md., founded in 1875 by John McDonough, who left .?1,(XK),000 to educate poor boys.
The professor took charge of this institution in August, 1893, and makes his home there.
I054 History of Cattaraugus County.
line in Randolph. He continued till his death in 1854. He was -a member of
the Presbyterian church and several years a magistrate and town clerk. His
oldest child, Lucy Celinda, born in 1817, married Orton Nutting in 1839.
Davis B. Foskit, born in Madison county, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1808. removed
with his parents to Homer, N. V., and in the fall of 1827 came to Randolph,
where he was a farmer and lumberman. About 1834 he married Sally Cross.
Dallas Foy, son of David, was born in Poland, N. Y., July 29, 1844. Edu-
cated in the common schools and Randolph Academy he was reared a farmer,
and Aug. 21, 1864, he enlisted in Co. G, 13th N. Y. H. A. Joining his regi-
ment near Portsmouth, Va., he did garrison duty until the close of the war,
and was discharged June 22, 1865. Feb. 15, 1882, he married Rose S., daugh-
ter of Ansell Goodspeed, and settled on a farm in Randolph. They have a son
and a daughter.
Horace H. French, son of Harrison and Almira (Sweeney) French, was
born in Russell, Pa., May 16, 1835. His father was born in Hopkinton, N. H.,
and came to Chautauqua, N. Y. His mother was born in Mas.sachusetts. He
began business as a merchant and lumberman in East Randolph and engaged
in the latter occupation at Cold Spring in 1859. He enlisted in Co. F, 64th
N. Y. Vols., Aug. 20, 1 861, and was promoted sergeant. He was disabled by
illness and served as a recruiting officer with headquarters at his home in East
Randolph. He participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, where a shell
bruised his shoulder. At Gettysburg he lost his right arm by a wound from a
minie-ball, which caused its amputation, and was in the hospital about eight
months, being discharged Jan. 28. 1S64. He was orderiy-sergeant when he
was wounded and after his discharge was commissioned (brevet) second lieu-
tenant by Gov. R. E. Fenton. Upon his return in February he was elected
collector and constable of Randolph and has served six years as deputy sheriff
of Cattaraugus county. He has been an extensive operator in oil. March
28, i860, he married Mary S., daughter of Archibald C. Merrill, of East Ran-
dolph. They had an only daughter, Mabel V., who died March 9, 1S82.
Ephraim F. Giles was born in Pawlet, Vt., May 18, 1815. He married
Maria Jenks, of Schroon, Essex county, N. Y., Jan. i, 1842. March 27, 1843,
he came to Randolph and was " the village blacksmith" thirty-one years.
Since then he has not pursued any regular avocation. Mr. Giles has a remark-
ably retentive memory and is especially prominent for orginality and eccen-
tricity. He is an independent thinker. During his forty-eight years' residence
here he has visited Jamestown only twice. East Randolph, one and a half
miles away, but four times, has never been in Steamburgh, has never seen the
Allegheny river, and has never rode on any of the railroads in Cattaraugus
county. In his younger days he had the reputation of being a first-class wag,
and was never known to be outdone in stories of the Baron Munchausen
kind. He has been the author of half a dozen such books that have never
been printed. On one of his four visits to East Randolph he purchased a
broom of E. McManus, agreeing to pay for it the ne.xt time he came to his
store. He did not visit that village for years and not until Mr. McManus
had left it. Now at nearly four-score years he is a oracle on the events which
have transpired in Randolph since he came here. His mind is clear and his
health is good. Mrs. Giles died Dec. 8, 1S59. Children: Lydia M. (Mrs.
C. S. Edwards), of Syracuse : James M. ; Delia, widow of Adelbert Gates, who
died of disabilities incurred in the Civil war; Agnes (Mrs. W. F". Ingraham),
of Jamestown ; and Walter F., a popular salesman in Randolph.
Town of Randolph. - 1055
Ansell Goodspeed was born in Warsaw, N. Y., April 9, 1828. His father,
Oliver Goodspeed, was a farmer. At nineteen years of age Ansell was an ap-
prentice to the trade of tanner and currier. In 1851 he married Phebe Craw-
ford, of Java, N. Y., who was the mother of a son and a daughter. In 1856 he
removed to Napoli, where he was a farmer three years. He then removed to
East Randolph and resumed his trade as a currier. In 1878 he bought a
small farm in Randolph (Mud Creek district), where he has since been a
farmer. He served Napoli as assessor. Mrs. Goodspeed died March 24,
1880. Oct. 30, 1883, he married Mrs. Cordelia (Rice) VVait.
Gilbert O. Gorsline, born in New Haven, Vt., in 1810, removed at the age
of nine years to Salt Point (now Syracuse), N. Y., and resided with an older
brother about a year, when the latter died. He was apprenticed to the trades
of tanner and currier and shoemaker and in 1829 came to Randolph and pur-
chased the Latham tannery (the first erected in town), where he carried on
all his trades until about 1836. He was then a lumberman in Napoli (now
Cold Spring) about three years and ran his lumber down the Allegheny and
Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. He started the first raft from the bridge over the
Little Conewango at Randolph village. In 1839 he became a farmer in the
Cook neighborhood in Randolph. He subsequently sold that and settled on
the farm his son Wallace now occupies. Mr. Gorsline has been highway com-
missioner, assessor, school commissioner, and constable. Feb. i, 1829, he
married Adaline R., daughter of William Seeley, of Batavia, N. Y. Children:
William Wallace, born Feb. 18, 1836; and Gilbert O., Jr., born July 3, 1839.
The latter enlisted as a musician in the Civil war in April, 1861, was clerk for
Colonel McCunn, was drill-sergeant of the post at Elmira, went to the front
with the 35th N. Y. Inf., and after the first battle of Bull Run was on the
staff of General Wadsworth as bugle-major. He was transferred to the staff
of General Patrick and also served on the staffs of Generals Pope, McDowell,
King, and Hooker, and was wounded at the battle of Antietam. After his
wound had healed he re-enlistcd and served as a musician on a gunboat
about two years and was discharged at the close of the war. He is now a
farmer. Sept. 6, 1868, he married Marguerette Hallenback, who was the
mother of all his children — three sons and one daughter. She died May 6,
1883. May 4, 1886, he married Mrs. Eva Dawson, of Cattaraugus. *
Philemon Hall, born in Guilford, Conn., about 1772, was a cook in the
Revolutionary war. He married in his native town Mary Parmalee and a
year or two later removed with an ox-team and sled to Bloomfield, N. Y., and
located on his father's claim of 150 acres given to him for service in the Revo-
lutionary war. He was there a farmer and later a hotel keeper in Bloomfield
village, where he was burned out. In 1820 he settled in the southwest corner
of Napoli. In 1822 he built a saw-mill on the location now occupied by the
grist-mill of Enoch Holdridge. About 1824 he built a grist-mill on the same
dam and near the saw-mill. He brought the few irons from Bloomfield and
the mill-stones were wrought from a pebble rock in Great Valley. Mr. Hall
carried on quite a business. He died in 1857 and was succeeded by his sons
Joel, Horace, Amos, and Erastus, of whom only Erastus, an octogenarian, is
living. He was born in Bloomfield, N. Y., May 24, 1809, ^^'^ '^ a natural
mechanic. As a millwright he has built numerous mills in western New
York and in Canada. He invented and patented a shingle-mill, and is now
the senior member of the firm of E. Hall & Co. In Sept., 1827, he married
Emeline Rathbone, who has been his helpful companion sixty-four years.
1056 History of Cattaraugus County.
Children : Lyman, Milo, Henry, Philander (a soldier in the Civil war), and
Mary (deceased, who married Jefferson, a nephew of Judge Chamberlain.
Amos A. Hall, son of Horace and grandson of Philemon Hall, was born in
Napoli, May 24, 1837, one of twelve children. Sept. 4, i860, he married Fran-
ces Jones. In Aug., 1862, with three brothers, he enlisted in Co. E, 9th N. Y.
Cav. Oct. I, 1863, he received a severe wound from a minie-ball in his right
knee joint and amputation of his leg was necessary. He was transferred to
the general hospital at Central Park, where he remained until he was dis-
charged Aug. 23, 1864. In 1865 Hon. Enoch Holdridge, postmaster of East
Randolph, resigned in favor of Mr. Hall, who held the position until displaced
by Grover Cleveland. During this service he became a jeweler and afterward
conducted a jewelry store sixteen years. His wife and son Lewis C. succeeded
him. He died April 4, 1888. Children : Fred A., of the firm of Hall & Wat-
ers, harness makers in East Randolph, Lewis C, Cora L., George W., and
Charles P. Hall Brothers (Lewis C. and George W.) are clothing dealers.
John Hammond, son of Jared and Hannah (Bennett) Hammond, was born
in Ridgebury, Pa., Nov. 17, 1832. His father, a native of Connecticut, was a
farmer. His mother was born in Pennsylvania. John was raised a farmer and
enlisted in Co. G, 171st Pa. Vols., in Oct., 1862. He joined his regiment at
Suffolk, Va., and was discharged as corporal Aug. 8, 1863. In June, 1864, he
settled permanently in Randolph, where he has since been a druggist, tin-
smith, and manufacturer and dealer in the Willard & Hammond Champion
milk-pan. Since discontinuing the latter business he has been engaged in pro-
ducing oil in McKean county, Pa. May 5, 1880, he married Harriet Hanson,
of Gloversville, N. Y. ; they have one son, Re.x.
Chauncey C. Helms and his brother, Christopher C. Helms, came from
Monroe county, N. Y., to East Randolph and built a saw-mill and grist-mill.
They contracted for several hundred acres of wild land and also had a pearl
and pot ashery in operation before 1830. Christopher C. died in 1830 and
Chauncey C. conducted the business alone. In 1832 he built another dam
farther down and put up a double saw-mill. He was a leading merchant
many years, an extensive dealer in lumber and cattle, a man of great influence,
and was supervisor of Randolph in 1834 and 1835. He died in Nov., 1866.
By'Von and Christopher C. Helms, sons of Christopher C, early became lum-
bermen and Byron was a competent river pilot. Later they were manufac-
turers and dealers in lumber and were partners in lumbering and farming,
which they conducted twenty-two years. Byron Helms is now proprietor of
the Commercial House. Christopher C. is a farmer, liveryman, and owns the
Brooklyn House.
Albert Helms, a native of Otsego county and the oldest of thirteen chil-
dren, was born June 13, 1796. At the age of si.xteen he was a soldier in the
War of 1812 and was present at the battle of Sacket's Harbor. He married
Asenath, sister of Freedom Jeffords. In 1826 he came from Rush, N. Y., to
East Randolph, where he resided until his death Feb. 28, 1889. When he
settled here he purchased a tract of wild land and at once began to convert
the pine trees into lumber. He was also for years a merchant and a manufac-
turer of potash and pearlash. Late in life he was a farmer. Mr. Helms had
three children by each of his three wives: Mortimer A., Emily A., Romina
L., Asenath M.,' Eunice R., Mary A., Adelbert H., Cordelia, and Gaylord.
Adelbert H. Helms was born in East Randolph, where he now lives, Nov. 22,
1842. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. G, 9th N. Y. Cav., and served to the close
Town of Randolph. , 1057
of the war. He is a carriage and ornamental painter, grainer, and sign writer.
Recently he has done some fine landscape painting. He is a trustee of the
village, to which position he was elected in 1888, and is the secretary- of the
Board of Water Commissioners. May i, 1865, he married Eliza J., daughter
of Channcey C. Helms. They have one son, Clair A., born July 6, 1S77.
T. Frank Hines, born in Evans, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1844, early learned the tin-
smith's trade, and served in the Union army three months. He followed his
trade as a journeyman eighteen years. In 1880 he opened a general hard-
ware store in East Randolph, which he continued a year and a half, when he
sold and came to Randolph. In 1885 he bought the tin shop of his employer,
George Mason, and a year later purchased the general hardware store of B. G.
Caslcr, which he conducted alone until Sept., 1888. He then formed a part-
nership with C. W. Terry under the firm name of Terry & Hines. In May,
1890, he purchased the interest of Mr. Terry. In Feb., 1874, he married Ida
Wheeler, and had three children. Mrs. Hines died Sept. 25, 1887.
The Hobart family in America is of English origin and descended from
Edmund Hobart, who landed at Charlestown, Mass., in 1633. Abel Bradford
Hobart, of the eighth generation from England, and a son of William, was
born in Potter, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1798. He married, in East Bloomfield, Feb. 6,
1822, Marana, daughter of Thaddeus and Elizabeth (Doud) Stanley. She
was born in Goshen, Conn., July 2, 1796, and died in Randolph, May 3. 1872.
Soon after his marriage he removed to Phelps, N. Y.. where he carried on the
business of tanning 'leather about five years. He moved thence to Xapoli,
wnere he resided twenty years. He lived in Carroll, N. Y., three years and
in Randolph twenty-two years. Here he was a deacon of the Congregational
church fifteen years, when he resigned. For many years he was employed as
colporteur in the distribution of Bibles. He died at Le Roy, N. Y.. while
on a visit, Sept. 6, 1871. Children: Homer Harrowby, Elizabeth H. (widow
of Florentine F. Mighells), Harlton S., Ellen E., Helen Wooster, Huidah M.,
Harlow D. S., and Howland Bancroft.
Hon. Enoch Holdridge, eldest son of Rev. Price and Lydia (Robinson)
Holdridge, was born in Nelson, N. Y., Aug. 29, 18 18. His father, a pioneer
preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, settled in Napoli in 1832. He
traveled hundreds of miles through forests, storms, and sunshine. Enoch came
to East Randolph in 1838 and worked for Capt. Amos Hall one year at $12 per
month, and continued with him about fifteen years, transacting a large amount
of business along the Allegheny, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers. He has been
engaged on his own account in lumbering, farming, and merchandizing, and
now owns with his son Ernest D. the "upper grist-mill" in East Randolph,
located on the site of the first grist-mill of the place erected by Philemon Hall
in 1824. Mr. Holdridge also has a half-interest in the Randolph mills in East
Randolph village. He married Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary May-
bee. She is the mother of his three children: Josie, born Feb. 22, 1846, wife
of Rev. W. W. Wood worth ; Gertrude, born April 26, 1849, died Dec. 27, 1852 ;
and Ernest D., born May 20, 1856. The latter was educated in Chamberlain
Institute, engaged in teaching, and began the study of law, but was obliged to
abandon it on account of ill-health. Enoch Holdridge was first a Whig and
joined the Republican party at its organization. He has received many politi-
cal honors. He has served the town of Conewango as justice of the peace
twenty-one years, supervisor eight years, and in 1872 was member of Assem-
bly. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster of East Randolph, and voluntarily
133
105S History of Cattaraugus County.
resigned in 1865 in favor of the veteran soldier, A. A. Hall, who, lost a leg in
battle. He has served as a trustee of Randolph Academy and at the organi-
zation of Chamberlain Institute was elected trustee, which position he still
holds. He has been an efficient, honorable, and upright man and officer.
George Hubbard, son of William C. and grandson of Dr. H. H. Hubbard,
of Springville, N. Y., was born in Randolph, May 6, 1854. His mother was
Adaliza, daughter of Daniel Thurston, one of the pioneers of Randolph. Nov.
5, 1879, he married Isabel L., daughter of Orris McCuIlough, of Evans, N. Y.,
and settled on a farm. He also manufactures and deals in lumber and wood.
Spencer E. Hubbell, son of Eli and Mary (Huxley) Hubbell, was born on
the Hubbell homestead Nov. 7, 1844. His father was a pioneer of Cone-
wango. In the spring of 1863 he removed with his parents to Randolph and
was a student in Chamberlain Institute until he was graduated in 1867. He
began business as a merchant in Randolph village, but abandoned it about
1870 on account of failing health. In 1867 he married Maryette E., daughter
of Abel Merchant, one of the first pioneers of Napoli. When he left his store
in Randolph he purchased the Merchant homestead of his father-in-law and
added to it fifty-five acres, making a farm of 220 acres, which he still owns.
He removed to it and remained there until Dec, 1888, when he purchased a
stock of general merchandise of Adams & Co. in East Randolph, where he is
now a merchant. Mr. Hubbell was secretary and treasurer of the Axeville
cheese factory six years and treasurer and salesman of Spring Valley factory
six years. He served Napoli as supervisor in 1887 and 1888, and held several
minor town offices. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He is a member
of the M. E. church, superintendent of the Sunday school at Napoli, and is
now a steward and trustee of the church of East Randolph.
William B. Hughes, son of Isaac B. and Sarah (Hindman) Hughes, was
born in Jefferson county, Pa., Dec. 11, 1847. His father was a farmer. He
learned harness making, and manufactured and dealt in harnesses, horse
furnishing goods, etc., until the fall of 1890. He enlisted in the Union army
in 1864 and was discharged at the close of his term of enlistment. He has
always been a Republican and an active worker in that party. He was prom-
inent in East Randolph, where he resided twenty years, and was elected one
of the Board of Trustees when the village was incorporated. In the Repub-
lican county convention held in Sept., 1891, he was the nominee for sheriff and
was elected by a majority of 1,450 votes. Feb. 22, 1872, he married Sarah
Davis, of Mansfield, daughter of Robert Davis.
Jonathan C. Hurd, born in Bridport, Vt., March 24, 1824, received a good
English education, and began business as a clerk in a general store. In 1845
he came to East Randolph, where he has since resided. He purchased a tract
of pine timbered land and engaged in lumbering four years. In 1847 he was
elected constable, which kept him employed until 1853. In 1853 he opened
the first drug store in East Randolph with his brother-in-law. Dr. A. B. Par-
sons, and has been a druggist most of the time since. Mr. Hurd was origin-
ally an old line Whig and joined the Republican party at its organization.
He was deputy sheriff eight years. From 1870 till 1877 he was in the dry
goods trade in East Randolph, and thence removed the business to Sawyer
City, Pa., where he still continues a general store. He has also bought largely
of farmers' live stock, and produce. In 1871 he was one of the organizers of
the State Bank of Randolph, and has been most of the time one of its direct-
ors. He is a member of the Congregational church of his village. -
Town of Randolph. ' 1059
Hon. Erastus S. In'gersoll. son of Peter and Lois M. (Smith) Ingersotl, was
born in Ellington, N. Y., on fehe 24th of April, 1837. He obtained his educa-
tion in the common schools and in Ellington Academy and taught district
schools from T856 till i860. He began merchandizing at Cattaraugus in i860
and continued until 1865; since then he has been a merchant in Randolph,
and since 1880 has had a branch store at Kennedy, N. Y. He has always been
a Republican and has several times represented his district as a delegate at
State conventions. He has served seven years as supervisor of Randolph, was
trustee of Chamberlain Institute twenty years and three years president of
its Board of Trustees, and chairman of a committee to erect a building in
place of the one burned in 1872. He was the chairman of a committee to
erect the buildings for the Western New York Home and has since been one
of its trustees ; he has been several times president and trustee of the village of
Randolph. Mr. Ingersoll was elected to the Assembly of the State Legislat-
ure in 1 886 and served on the Committees on Claims, Indian Affairs, and Joint
Library. He was re-nominated for the position by acclamation and elected
by a plurality of 756 votes. He was placed on the Committee of Ways and
Means, was chairman of the Committee of Roads and Bridges, and a member of
the Committees on Public Health and Joint Library. Aug. 22, i860, he mar-
ried Lizzie J., daughter of X. Christie, Esq., of Cattaraugus. Children : N.
Christie, born May g, 1868, and Ralph E., born July 19, 1877.
Liberty Jefferds, son of Matthew and Salla (Helms) Jefferds, v/as born in
Rush, N. Y., April 18, 1813. His father died in 1819 and his mother removed
to East Randolph during his boyhood. He married, first; a daughter of
Robert Helms, who was the mother of his son Lucian, a lumberman in Shef-
field, Pa. His second wife was a daughter of Eldred Bentley, of Chautauqua
county. Mr. Jefferds settled in East Randolph and was there engaged many
years in manufacturing and dealing in pine lumber and hand-made pine shingles,
which he rafted down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. Later he was a farmer
ancyumberman in Randolph and Cold Spring about twenty years. He now
resictes with his son, Lyman Jefferds, in Tyrone, Pa. Mrs. Jefferds died Nov.
30, 1887. Children: Cordelia (Mrs. Joseph Arnold); Freedom L., born in
Randolph, Dec. 23, 1838: .Marcus, of Pennsylvania; Delilah (Mrs. Charles
Kirkpatrick) ; Lyman ; and Lydia (Mrs. Marion Pickard). Freedom L. Jef-
ferds was raised a farmer and lumberman. Sept. 13, 1863, he married Clarinda,
daughter of Samuel Foy, an early settler of Napoli. Mr. Jefferds now owns
and conducts the Jefferds steam mills near the east line of this town, where
he manufactures annually from two to three million feet of lumber. He also
conducts a farm of fifty acres.
Freedom Jefferds was a native of Monroe county, N. Y., and one of a
large family of children. His father was a prominent man in that county,
being familiarly known as Judge Jefferds. Freedom Jefferds, one of the
younger sons, married, in 1848, Lurancy D. Willard, of Attica, N. Y., and
soon after settled in East Randolph, where Mr. Jefferds was engaged in the
mercantile business in company with Horace H. Holt, the firm name being
Holt & Jefferds. In 1848, having been in partnership with Mr. Holt since
1840, Mr. Jefferds sold his interest in the store to Merrick Nutting and soon
moved onto a tract of timber land in Cold Spring, where the village of Steam-
burgh now stands. Large mills were at once erected. Lumbering was fol-
lowed as a business for a number of years and the land upon which he had
settled in a few years developed into a splendid farm, where he resided until
io6o History of Cattaraugus County.
his death. Mr. Jefferds followed this line more or less during t"he remainder
of his life, farming being looked upon by him as an unremunerative " side
issue." The lumber, as fast as sawed, was drawn to the Allegheny river and
there rafted and run to Cincinnati for market. Freedom Jefferds was one of
the most prominent men in the town of Cold Spring and well known through-
out the county ; he was an ardent Democrat and never neglected an oppor-
tunity to further the interests of his party, though he was in no sense a poli-
tician ; he was active in educational interests; measures for the material
improvement of the town always met with his hearty approval, and if financial
aid was needed in the furtherance of any project his name was always found
at the top of the subscription list. He gave lands upon which to build a hotel
and stores in Steamburgh and subscribed liberally toward the erection of suit-
able buildings. He was one of the original stockholders in the Randolph
Academy and Female Seminary, and freely gave a right of way across his farm
to the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company and materially aided that
corporation in the building of their line. J. C. Calhoun, the auditor of the
Railroad Company, was a close friend of Mr. Jefferds and a frequent guest at
his home. During the war he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Union
cause and was largely instrumental in causing resolutions to be passed author-
izing money to be raised for volunteers and to provide means for the support
of their families ; the action of the town authorized bounties of from $150 to
$600 per man. Mr. Jefferds represented the town of Cold Spring on the
Board of Supervisors in 1856, 1857, i860, and 1863.- He was a charter mem-
ber of Conevvango Lodge, No. 340, I. O. O. F., instituted at East Randolph
in 1850. In the latter years of his life he was agent for the Devereu.x Land
Company and disposed of large quantities of land held by that company in
Cold Spring and surrounding towns. He was a man of many friends, of im-
perturbable good nature, and a practical joke was one of his chief enjoyments.
His old-time friends, to this day, relate many a lively story of his pranks and
side-splitting escapades. He was charitable to a fault and many a poor family
has cause to bless the liberal heart and hand of Freedom Jefferds. He was not
a church member, though he contributed liberally to the church, and was never
known to use an oath. He succeeded in obtaininga competency and had about
concluded to retire from actual business, but while yet full of plans for the
future welfare of his family, and the consideration for his own comfort, he was
stricken with an incurable disease, and, suffering much pain, he passed away
in the prime of his manhood, leaving a widow and four children surviving him.
Owel M. Jefferds, son of Freedom and Lurancy D. (Willard) Jefferds, was
born in Steamburgh, Feb. 20, 1854, received his education in Chamberlain In-
stitute, and commenced business as a druggist in East Randolph, where he
was engaged five years. He was teller of the State Bank of Randolph five
years until Sept., 1887. He was railway postal clerk from Hornellsville to
New York from Sept., 1888, until May i, 1890, when he resigned to accept the
position of editor of the Cmtrant at Randolph. In Aug., 1877, he married
Emma J. Harding, of East Randolph; children: Lamont A. and Wynne I.
Marcus Hamilton Johnson, son of James G. and Sophia (Stone) Johnson
and brother of Hon. James G. Johnson, was born in Olcan, Oct. 21, 1809, and
is credited with being the first white male child born within the limits of the
city of Olean. Through his long business career he was a merchant in
Ellicottville and Randolph. He was supervisor of Randolph in 1847, was ap-
pointed treasurer of Cattaraugus county by the Board of Supervisors in 1841
Town of Randolph. " 1061
and again in 1842, was elected to the Assembly in the fall of 1843 ^"^ re-
elected in 1847, 3"d ^^'^s appointed in 1855 United States Indian agent for
the State of New York and held the office four years. Feb. 12, 1833, he mar-
ried Sophronia Willoughby and has had one son, James G., an attorney in
Randolph.
Bela R. Johnson, son of Gile and Millie (Rich) Johnson, was born in Day-
ton, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1843, was educated in the common schools supplemented
with a few terms in the academies, and in 1873 located in East Randolph and
opened a general hardware store, which he still continues. He is a staunch
Republican and has served Conewango as supervisor two terms, justice of the
peace four years, and for over ten years has been a trustee of Chamberlain
Institute. He is a member of the M. E. church, its recording secretary,
trustee, and class-leader, and has served as superintendent of the Sunday sciiool
a longtime. Dec. 30, 1868, he married Bettie Wheeler. They have two sons.
Harvey L. Jones, son of Abner P. and Lydia (Seabury) Jones, vvas born
in Poland, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1832. His father was a native of Vermont and a
carpenter and joiner by trade. His mother was born in Rhode Island.
Abner P. removed with his family to Cold Spring in 1835, where Harvey L.
spent his youth attending the common schools and learning the blacksmith's
trade. At the age of eighteen he became a pilot on the Allegheny and Ohio
rivers, which business he continued for more than twenty-five years. He was
also a mason. About [846 he came to Randolph. In 1854 he was elected
constable and continued in office until 1S61. He was appointed deputy sher-
iff in 1857 and served about two years. At the first call for ti-oops he enlisted
in Co. B, 64th N. Y. Vols., and went to the front as first lieutenant; owing to
the illness of the captain he commanded his company and was commissioned
captain in Jan., 1862. Because of the disability of his superior officers he com-
manded the 64th Regt. after the battle of Fredericksburg until he was dis-
charged Jan. II, 1863. He escaped with two slight wounds, one received
at Fair Oaks, the other at Antietam. He served as constable, policeman,
deputy sheriff under SheriiT Welch, and deputy U. S. marshal. In Feb.,
1859, he married Cordelia, daughter of Mason Sheldon, who was born in
Clear Creek, Chautauqua county. Their children were Addie L. (Mrs. Horace
L. Greene), Genevieve S. (Mrs. Charles W. Clapp), Howard H., Ida G., and
one deceased.
Nathan Keech, a native of Otsego county, removed with his parents to
Augusta, Oneida county, when he was seven years old, where he married Ma-
tilda Case. He removed with his bride to Randolph about 1828 and first set-
tled on what is now known as the Nickerson farm. He was quite a dealer in
real estate, and frequently sold his improvements. After about three years
he returned to Augusta and remained there until 1861, when he returned and
bought a farm on the south line of Conewango, now known as the Dix farm.
He sold this to his son, Esau P. Keech, and removed to an improved farm on
the Jamestown road and finally to the place now owned by his son Esau P.,
in Randolph, where he died about 1874. He had ten children, six of whom
attained maturity. Esau P. Keech, born in Augusta, N. Y., in 1835, married
Mary Emogene Marole in 1859. Previous to this he spent three years in gold
mines in California. In 1861 he settled on a farm in Conewango and in 1863
became a farmer in Canada. Returning about 1868 to Conewango he settled
in 1882 where he now lives. He has been an indomitable worker and has
chopped hundreds of cords of fire-wood.
io6;
History of Cattaraugus County.
Frederick Larkin, M.D., son of Edmund, was born in Thompson, Conn.,
Feb. 12, 1814. His father was a
skillful physician and surgeon in
Thompson. The son was edu-
cated in the common schools and
studied medicine with his father,
but mechanical work being more
congenial he abandoned the medi-
cal profession and learned the
watchmaker's trade. He opened a
jewelry store which he conducted
about twenty-five years. He came
from Chautauqua county to Ran-
dolph in 1841. , Since coming to
Randolph he has been an exten-
sive dealer in real estate and
quite a manufacturer and shipper
of lumber. Fifteen buildings in
the village erected directly or in-
directly by him are standing wit-
nesses of his industry and energy.
He is a man of fine scientific at-
tainments and a member of the
American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science. He filled
the chair of professor of physi-
ology in the Randolph Eclectic Medical College, which was afterward merged
into the New York Central Eclectic Medical College at Syracuse, which insti-
tution conferred upon him the honorary degree of M.D. The doctor is an
able and eloquent lecturer on scientific subjects, and possesses a special liking
for physiology and archaeology. He wields an able and racy pen and has
written numerous logical articles on science and several on religious questions.
He is not considered "orthodo.x" b\- the clergy. He is versatile and lucid,
and has a happy, manner in communicating information to others.
Frederick Larkin, "^r., was born in Ran(-loli)h, Dec. 25, 185S. He attended
the public schools and Chamberlain Institute and was an apprentice at the
watchmaker's trade with his father. In 1S79 he opened a jewelry store. As
a memento of his handicraft he lias made from the crude material a watch,
constructing all its parts with such tools as are found in an ordinary jeweler's
shop. June 2, 1887, he married Kittie M. Hovey, of East Randolph.
Enfield Leach was born in Genesee coLinty, Sept. 12, 1816. In 1822 he
came with his parents to Randolph. In the fall of 1S36 he taught school in
the "red school house" near Joel Scudder's tavern and was next engaged in
Livingston county two and a half years. Since returning to Randolph he has
led an active business life. He has been a merchant and an extensive dealer
in lumber with partners and alone most (jf the time since the fall of 1839. ^^
the fall of 1842 he married Mary A., daughter of Zebedee VVoodworth.
John E. Leach, son of Enfield and Mar}- A. (Woodworth) Leach, was born
in Randolph, Sept. 15, 1849. received '"^ education at Randolph Academy,
and commenced business as a clerk at the age of fifteen. He was superintend-
ent of Indian schools for the Allegany and Cattaraugus reservations in 1883,
Town of Randolph. , 1063
1884, and 1885. In the spring of 1886 he was appointed inspector of postoffi-
ces, which position he held until the fall of 1889. In Dec, 1875, he received
the appointment of kitchen keeper at Sing Sing prison from Capt. R. R.Crow-
ley, inspector of State prisons, and served until Feb. 22, 1877. In the spring
o{ 1 868 he was special agent of the Erie canal with headquarters at Tona-
wanda, and served one year. He was early town clerk of Randolph several
years. In Aug., 1890, he succeeded his father as a general merchant. April
26, 1870, he married Ida, daughter of Buel Scudder, of Randolph. Children:
Charles B., born March 2, 1871, and John B., born June 14, 1881.
William Lee, of Scotch-Irish origin, and son of Col. Edward Lee, of the
British Army, was born in New Bliss, Ireland, in 1824. He came to America
when quite young and began an extensive business as a railroad contractor,
early developing great ability as a manager of laboring men. He so organ-
ized his men that none excelled him in pushing work to rapid completion. He
was a bold contractor and after successfully completing several large railroad
jobs he was appointed superintendent of construction of the Atlantic & Great
Western railroad. He had resided in Sidney, Ohio, fifteen years and removed
thence to Randolph in 1866. He owned a controling interest in the town of
Leetonia, which was named in his honor. Mr. Lee, during his residence of si.x
years in Randolph, endeared himself to the people, and was distinguished for
his great energy and force of character and for his social qualities and kind
hospitality. He died Feb. 9, 1872. He married Anna Wallace, in Perrysburg,
Ohio, June 2, 1S56. They have two sons and two daughters: Edward" Wal-
lace Lee, a prominent physician in Omaha, Neb.; James B. Lee, a member of
the Ogalalla Cattle Company, who resides at Ross, Wyoming ; Elva Lee, a
student in Bryn-Mawr Female College; and Ellie Lee, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Lee, having decided to make Randolph her future home, erected a pala-
tial residence and is interested in all the improvements of the village.
Deacon Alvin Lyman, son of Jabez and Lois (Johnson) Lyman, was born
in Royalton, Vt., Oct. 20, 1809. Feb. 12, 1832, he married Eleanor, daugh-
ter of Amos and Lydia (Whitcomb) Huntington, of Bethel, Vt., who was
born Jan. 7, 1813, and settled on a farm in Bethel. In 1835 they removed to
Napoli. Apout 1841 they settled in East Randolph, where Mr. Lyman had
built a good residence. In the fall of 1868 they removed to the farm within
the limits of Randolph village now owned by their soii, Capt. J. H. Lyman,
and now reside on Jamestown street. Mr. Lyman was a millwright and
farm.er and followed both avocations. Both were members of the P'reewill
Baptist church of East Randolph, of which he was a deacon twelve or thirteen
years. He also served this town as justice of the peace and assessor and was
a highway comipissioner in Napoli. Four of their seven children died in
childhood; those living are Joel H., Mary E., and Helen A. J. H. Lyman,
born in Randolph, May 11, 1845, enlisted in Aug., 1861, in the 9th N. Y. Cav.,
and served with the Army of the Potomac and with General Sheridan in the
Shenandoah Valley. At the battle of Port Republic he was shot through his
right leg by a musket ball. He was mustered out as quartermaster-sergeant
in Nov., 1864, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the 7th U. S. Inf.
in April, 1866. He served until July, 1866, at Governor's Island as recruiting
ofificer and was then ordered to Florida to join his regiment. He was made
adjutant-general on Gen. J. G. Foster's staff in Sept., 1866, and served in that
capacity and commanded his company until 1870, and resigned as captain in
1871. Since then he has resided in Elmira, N. Y., and in Randolph.
1064 History of Cattaraugus County.
Major Miicapes was born about 1798 and came to Randolph, about 1825,
locating within the limits of the village on land now owned by A. G. Dow
and his son Charles. He reared two sons and two daughters and died on the
homestead in May, 1883. Mrs. Macapes died in Feb., 1883. Their oldest
child, Emily, the wife of James Turner, is the only one of the family who re-
sides in Randolph.
Harry Marsh, a native of Oblong, Conn., born May 29, 17S7, removed with
his parents to Bristol, N. Y., in his childhood. He served in the War of 1812,
and married, July 13, 1814, Louisa King. They settled in Randolph in 1829
on Sample hill. About 1859 he retired to Randolph village, where he died
July 26, 1875. Mrs. Marsh survived until Jan. 14, 1887. Mr. Marsh was a
deacon of the Congregational church from its organization until old age, and
being a strong advocate of temperance he raised the first frame building in
town without the use of intoxicating liquor. Of his eleven children ten grew
to maturity and seven are still living. The youngest son, Albert Marsh, was
born in Randolph, Feb. 15, 1831, and followed farming until Aug., 1861, when
he enlisted in Co. B, 64th N. Y. Vols., and served until May 12, 1S64, when,
at the battle of the Wilderness, after capturing the flag of the 44th Va. Regt.,
he received a wound in his back and a severe shell-wound in his right leg,
which made amputation necessary at the thigh. For this he was promoted
second lieutenant. He has been collector a number of years and postmaster
about three years. He and his sister, Delia A. Marsh, have a home in Ran-
dolph village. Lieutenant Marsh was voted the best soldier of IVis company
and received the prize of $100 therefor as pledged by Alexander Sheldon.
George Marsh, oldest son of Deacon Harry, was born in East Bloomfield,
N. Y., July 30, 1817. In Jan., 1829, he came to Randolph with his parents.
At the age of twenty-two he began business as a lumberman in Cold Spring
(now Elko). He was a lumberman for thirty years and in 1S62 added a feed-
mill to his saw-mill. In 1870 he removed to Kansas, where he was engaged
in farming seven years. Since then he has resided in Randolph. He was first
an Abolitionist and at one election he cast the only vote of his party in town.
He has been a Republican since the organization of that party. Aug. 25,
1840, he married Almira Wadsworth, of Cortland, N. Y. They have had
eleven children. Their oldest son, Duane W., enlisted in Co. A, 154th N. Y.
Vols., July 24, 1862, was taken prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, July 2,
1863, confined on Belle Island, transferred to the rebel hospital on account of
illness, and was paroled and sent to the Union hospital at Annapolis, where
he died Aug. 23, 1863. George, their youngest son, resides in Randolph.
Mollis Marsh, son of Hollis and Polly (Scudder) Marsh, was born in Kian-
tone, N. Y., Aug. 30, 1837. This branch of the Marsh family is of Welsh
origin and is descended from three brothers, one of whom settled in Maine,
one in New Hampshire, and the other, the great-grandfather of Hollis, second,
in Vermont. His grandfather, Joseph Marsh, came from Vermont and settled
at the " forks," the confluence of the Little Conewango with Conewango
creek, about 1830. He was a farmer. Some time in the forties he removed
to Michigan, where he died. His son Hollis married Polly Scudder, taught
school, and later engaged in merchandizing in Randolph in company with
A. G. Bush. He died of pneumonia in May, 1837. Hollis Marsh, his son, born
after his father's death, was reared a farmer, and in Oct., 1861, enlisted in Co.
E, 9th N. Y. Cav. At Washington he was ill with pneumonia, was sent to
the hospital, and was discharged an invalid. Dec. 15, 185S, he married Ellen
Town of Raxdolph. , 1065
M. Coy, of Randolph. The last ten years he has been secretary and super-
intendent of Randolph Cemetery. They have a son and a daughter.
Otis Marsh, son of H'iram H.,\vasborn in Sinclairville, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1838.
His father, a miller, went to California by the overland route at the time of
the gold e.xcitement and died there. Otis enlisted in Co. C, 9th N. Y. Cav., in
Sept., 1 861, and served to the close of the war, re-enlisting as a veteran in the
same company and regiment. He has three children.
Aaron D. Mclntyre was born in Villenova, July 10, 1S36. His mother,
Sophronia Smith, who married Justin Mclntyre, is yet living, and her mother,
now ninety-si.x, is a pensioner of the War of 1812. Aaron D. learned the tan-
ner's trade at Silver Creek and settled in East Randolph about 1865, where he
was employed in the tannery. In 1874 he came to Randolph village, where
he still resides, and where he is now a beekeeper. Sept. 4, 1862, he married
Addie Pike; children: Ida S. (Mrs. Jacob Huntley), George, and Nellie O.
(Mrs. Charles Tubbs). Mrs. Mclntyre died Nov. 8^ 1888.
Edwin McManus was born in Hanover, N. Y., March 29, 1825. His
father, Joseph McManus, was a farmer. His grandfather, Christopher Mc-
jVIanus, served in the war for our independence and his father served in the
War of 1812. His ancestors were of Scotch-Irish descent. Edwin McManus
was a school teacher for two years and then entered the general store of
George Hopkins, of Villenova, as a clerk. Two years later he was sent by Mr.
Hopkins to Cherry Creek to take charge of a branch store, which he con-
ducted about two years. In 1865, in company with his brother-in-law, Sidney
U. Main, of Batavia, he came to Randolph from East Randolph and opened
a drug store. In 1880 Mr. Main retired from the firm and was succeeded by
Edwin P. McManus, the firm name being E. McManus & Son. This ceased
in 1882 by the death of the junior member. Since then Mr. McManus has
conducted the business alone. At the organization of the Episcopal church
he was elected its treasurer and one of its wardens, which positions he has
since held. He aided in establishing the present system of water works and
was influential in erecting the Union School building. First an old line Whig
he has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He has served
three consecutive terms as justice of the peace and was the trial justice of the
town. He married Sophronia Pingrey ; children: Edwin P. and Cora Belle.
Isaac Merrill, born in Connecticut, April 14, 1879, came from Westmore-
land, N. Y., in 1 82 1, and settled on lot 54 in Cold Spring, where he resided
until approaching old age. He died Oct. 18, 1858. He married Rebecca
Benedict, Jan. 31, 1804. She was born in Connecticut, March 11, 1781. Chil-
dren : Isaac Newton, born Sept. 3. 1807; Joseph M., born June 9, 1809;
Lucyette, born June 15, 181 1 ; Archibald Croswell, born Dec. 3, 1812 ; Albert
Nelson, born Dec. 15, 1814; James Henry, Aug. 22, 1817 ; and Burr Squires
and Mary Squires (twins), born Jan. 25, 1819. Archibald Croswell Merrill
came to Cattaraugus county with his parents. At the age of thirteen he was
apprenticed to Daniel Hazeltine, of Jamestown, to the clothier's trade.- He
supplemented his common school education with a few terms at Allegheny
College in Pennsylvania. In 1837 he married Emily C. Goodwin, of James-
town. In 1838 he came to East Randolph and in 1841 removed to Concord,
Ohio, and established business as a cloth-dresser and wool-carder. Eight years
later he returned to East Randolph, where he was a merchant, farmer,
postmaster, and assessor many years. He was a member of the M. E. church
from 1 83 1 and all of the time ofificiated as class-leader. He was also a steward
134
io66 History of Cattaraugus County.
and trustee, and for twenty-five years was a trustee of Chamberlain Institute.
He died in East Randolph, July 19, 1885. His widow survives and resides
with her son, Marcus F. Merrill. Children: Mary 'S., Marcus F., Lucyette'
(Mrs. Van M. Benson, deceased), and Clara C. Marcus Fenton Merrill was
born in East Randolph. July 7, 1840, was educated in the common schools
and Randolph Academy, and enlisted in Co. E, gth N. Y. Cav., Oct. 7, 1861,
being discharged Oct. 27, '1864. He was engaged with his father as a clothier
until the spring of 1S66. when he went to Chicago, where he was a dealer in
flourand feed, an express messenger, and a carpenter and joiner. He married
there, in 1868, Mrs. Mary M. (De Lap) Washburn. In 1870 he returned to
Randolph, where, with his father, he was a furniture dealer and undertaker.
He continues as the successor of the firm and is now postmaster of East Ran-
dolph. He is a prominent member of the M. E. church, a trustee, stf^ward,
and class-leader. As a soldier he was commissary of his company.
Florentine F. Mighells, a descendant from a Norwegian family, was born
in Lima, N. Y., in 1806. He married, at Lancaster, Nov. 3, 1830, Sophronia
D. Dopkins, who was born at Hoosick, N. Y., Oct. 5, 1809. Soon afterward
he settled in Burford, Canada West, where five of his children were born, and
where he was proprietor of a flouring-mill and saw-mill. Between 1838 and
1840 he removed to Ellery, N. Y., where he was a farmer until about 1S45,
when he located in Randolph village and engaged in general merchandise
trade. He also owned a tract of timber land comprising the whole of lot 35
and a part of lot 36, containing 525 acres, and built the first saw-mill in " Bow-
enville," the one now owned by Charles W. Burley. He spent over fouryears
in California and when he returned he settled on this property where his widow
and youngest son now reside, and where he conducted quite a large lumber
business. He was a member of the M. E. church and one of its stewards. Mrs.
Mighells died in Randolph, March 6, 1851, being the mother of ten children.
Dec. 28, 1859, '^'- married Mrs. Elizabeth H. (Hobart) Howe, who survives him ;
children: Sophronia (Mrs. Morse), Ellen (Mrs. Abbey). Eldora (Mrs. Nelson
Dewey), and Elliot C.
Florentine C. Mighells, son of Florentine F., was born in Ellery, N. Y.,
Jan. I, 1842. He early became a lumberman and farmer. He enlisted in the
64th N. Y. Vols., Aug. 17, i86i,and at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862,
he received a gun-shot wound in his right ankle. He was in the hospital
from Sept. 17, 1862, until April 21, 1863. Nov. 15, iS65,he married Rhoda
A. Waters, of Conewango, and settled on 100 acres given him by his father.
Wesley Moore, son of Frederick, was born in Kiantone, Chautauqua
county, in 1837, and removed with his father to South Valley at the age of
seven, where he resided until 1867. In the fall of 1866 he married Abigail
Hotchkiss, of South Valley, and the ne.xt spring removed to his present
location and began the manufacture of lumber, becoming possessor of the en-
tire property in 1873. He is engaged in manufacturing butter and breeding
Jersey cows. Mr. Moore resides in Jamestown and has resigned his farm
affairs to his only son, Eugene, who married Sylvia Henninger.
Patrick L. Moore was born in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1853. In 1S68 he was
an apprentice at the blacksmith's trade with Andrew Armstrong in Randolph.
About 1875 he opened a shop for himself in Randolph and a few years later
added a wagon shop, being now in partnership with Henry Piper. Mr. Moore
has been an extensive trader and dealer in horses and early studied their physi-
ology. In 1887 he took a course in the Veterinary College of New York city.
Town of Randolph. • 1067
Louis L. Morton, son of Stutley, was born in Poland, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1842,
and Dec. 5, 1861, enlisted in Co. B, I2th N. Y. Vols. He was disabled by
rheumatism and discharged Jan. 2, 1863. Feb. 8, 1869. he married Adda M.
Monroe and in 1873 settled where he now resides in East Randolph, where
he manufactures shingles, staves, etc. Children: Robert L. and Harry J.
Chauncey Myers, son of Frederick, was born in Smithfield, N. Y., Jan. 6,
1814. His grandfather, a native of Germany, emigrated to New Jersey, where
the father of Chauncey was born. In 1S42 Chauncey Myers settled in Cone-
wango and was there a farmer and lumberman about twenty-five years. He
served four years as poormaster, and was first a Deniocrat, then a Free Soil
Democrat, and a Republican when that party was organized. About 1867 he
removed to Randolph, where he also engaged in farming. About 1873 he
sold his farm to his son and retired from active business. In 1838 he mar-
ried Melissa Chaffee, of Smithfield, who was born on an adjoining farm in the
same month and year and attended the same school. They had five children,
of whom William C. is the only one who lived to adult age. Mrs. Myers died
Jan. 8, 1S83. William C. Myers was born in Conewango, Aug. 2, 1845, and
finished his education at Randolph Academy. He began business as a farmer
and continued that avocation until 1889, when he became a furniture dealer
and undertaker. In Nov., 1889, he took a full course in the United States
College of Embalming of New York city, from which he was graduated.
Sept. 20, 1870, he married Mary E., daughter of L. H. Carter, of Randolph,
and has three sons and two daughters.
Isaac L. Ostrom, born in Saratoga, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1794, early learned the
carpenter's trade, and at the age of twenty-one went. to Forestville, Chautau-
qua county, where he married Dorcas Farnham, Dec. 13, 1821. She was born
in New Hampshire, Oct. 30, 1799. In 1839 they removed to Villenova and
about 1848 settled in East Randolph, where he died Nov. 4, 1870. Mrs. O.s-
trom died Feb. 23, 1864. Mr. Ostrom was a competent mechanic and jobber
and builder. Many buildings now standing in the locations where he resided
are examples of his skill and industry. He was one of the charter members of
Elm Creek Lodge, F. & A. M., now Randolph Lodge, No. 359. He was a mem-
ber of the M. E. church and served as cla.ss-leader and steward. Children : Irvin
F., born Dec. 21, 1822, died in California; Jane, born Sept. 3, 1824 (Mrs. T. H.
Searle), of Villenova, N. Y.; William, born Oct. 15, 1826, died in California;
Aurelia, born April 17, 1830, widow of Solomon D. Nutting; Thomas L., born
Feb. 1, 1837; and Rush H., born Aug, i, 1839, served in the 37th N. Y. Vols.,
and was discharged for disability. Thomas L. Ostrom was educated in Cham-
berlain Institute, began business as a clerk at the age of eighteen with J. C.
Hurd, enlisted in Co. D, 14th N. Y. Inf., May 17, 1861, was promoted second
lieutenant, and was discharged May 22, 1863, at Utica. In 1875 he and his
nephew, W. E. Searle, organized the firm of Ostrom & Searle in East Ran-
dolph, for the sale of general merchandise, which continued until 1887. May
7, 1861, he married Helen M., daughter of Dr. Aaron Long, of Long''s Cor-
ners, now Corfu, N. Y. They have an only daughter. Bertha, born in May, 1 863.
The Palmer family in America is descended from Walter and Abraham
Palmer, brothers, who landed in Charlestown, Mass., in 1629. Warren Palmer
is the seventh generation and is descended from Walter. He was born in Col-
umbus, Chenango county, Aug. 26, 1806. He married Eliza Rhodes, a native
of Rhode Island, Sept.'27, 1827, and followed the trade of mason in his native
town until 1841, when he was a farmer in Gerry, N. Y. Three or four years
io68 History of Cattaraugu's County.
later he was a merchant in Ellington. In 1849 ^^ settled permanently in the
west part of Randolph on the farm where his son, Guernsey Palmer, now re-
sides. He was a prominent business man and quite an extensive dealer in
wool. He died in Jan., 1886. Children: William, born in 1828 : Polly, born in
1833, married Freeman E. Sample in 1853 ; Charles, born in 1835 : Emily, born
in 1837, married D. L. Merritt ; Maria, born in 1841, married A. D. Sample;
and Guernsey, born Jan. 5, 1844. The latter attended the academies at Ell-
ington and Randolph, and Oct. 17, 1876, married Etta J., daughter of R. S.
Howe, a native of Gowanda. They settled on the homestead, where he has
always been a farmer. Children: Ray H. and Ralph H.
Zebediah Pierce, born in Brattleboro, Vt., Nov. 3, 1795, came in Nov., 1835,
to Randolph, and in 1836 settled in the village on Jamestown street, where his
son John C. now resides. He was a carpenter and joiner and his first job was
in assisting in finishing the joiner work of the old Scudder House, which is
still occupied and is known as the Union House. He built several other
buildings still standing, including the homestead, which are monuments of his
handicraft. He died March 3, 1849. He was a member of the Congregational
church and one of its deacons. He married, in Mt. Holly, Martha Crowley,
Dec. 4, 1823, who was born July I, 1804. Mrs. Pierce survived until Aug. 9,
1853. She was an exemplary Christian lady and their house was aUvaj-s open
to the clergymen of all denominations. Children: Sally P. (Mrs. C. S. Greeiie),
of Portsmouth, Ohio; Mary Roxana (Mrs. Austin Woodruff), of Randolph,
died in 1856; John Crowley, born in Mt. Holly, Vt., June i, 1S29; Addison,
born in 1834, married, Oct. 2, 1856, Lucetta Jones, and died May 16, 1890; and
W. Duane, born in 1839, married Mary May, and died July 8, 1889. John C.
Pierce married Marion A., daughter of Aaron Pingrey, June 16, 1857. She
was born in Mt. Holly, March 16, 1835, and came to Randolph with her par-
ents in Dec, 1840. He spent his youth in the employ of his uncles, A. & A.
Crowley and A. Crowley & Co. In 1854 with Jerome Champlin, he bought
the mercantile property of the Crowleys and together conducted a general
store one year. Mr. Pierce then purchased the interest of his partner and con-
tinued the business three years longer, when his health failed and he has since
dealt in cattle and cultivated his farm. He has been a Republican since the
organization of the party. He was town clerk, constable, and collector a
number of years, deputy sheriff, and assessor. He has an onl\- daughter,
Grace Adele, born June 7, 1858, a poet and writer of marked ability.
Eli B. Pierce, born in Lyons, N. Y., Aug. 30, 1822, married, Nov. 18, 1856,
Eliza A. Chamberlain, who was born Jul}' 25, 1832. She was the adopted
daughter of Judge Benjamin Chamberlain, and was graduated from Phipps
Union Female Seminary, of Albion, N. Y. Soon after his marriage Mr. Pierce
established himself in East Randolph as a merchant tailor and later engaged
in the grocery business. He died May 5, 1890. Children: Tibbets C, born
Sept. 6, 1857, ^V'lS graduated from the commercial department of Chamberlain
Institute; and Lucy B., born Jan. 16, 1864, was graduated from Chamberlain
Institute, and married George W. Roberts.
Henry G. Piper was born in Newfield, N. Y., in 1854. At the age of six-
teen he began business on his own account and in the fall of 1874 came to
Randolph, where he learned the trade of blacksmith, which has been his avo-
cation. In 1886 he became a partner with P. L. Moore under the firm name
of Moore & Piper. Dec. 25, 1880; he married MissH. E. VV'eegar. They have
one daushter.
Town of Randolph. . 1069
Meletiah H. Price, son of Meletiah and Hannah (Grow) Price, was born in
Cortland county, N. Y., Dec. i, 1808. He settled with his father where
Steamburgh now is about 1827, on a tract of pine land of some 250 acres,
which included the entire village. They were iumbennen, and despairing of
ever making a farm of the claim M. H. exchanged it for a farm partly cleared
in Conewango now owned by A. Pope and R. Deland. He removed to it
about 1838 and his father died there about 1850. About 1856 he sold this
farm and went to Wisconsin, but returned in the following fall, and eventually
bought a farm on lot 17 in Randolph, which he sold finally and removed to
South Valley, where he died Feb. 12, 1879. ^^ married Lucinda Potter,
of Cold Spring, May 15, 1833, ^^'ho was born in Connecticut, March [4, 1815.
They had nine children. Their oldest son, Alfred B. Price, was born in Cone-
wango, Oct. 7, 1838, and enlisted in the 64th N. Y. Vols, in April, 1861, but
the quota being filled he was rejected. In Aug., 1S61, he enlisted in Co. C, 9th
N. Y. Cav., and at Westfield was attacked with typhoid fever, for which he
was sent to the hospital and thence discharged. Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in
Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols., and participated in all the battles of his regiment,
being discharged at Elmira, June 21, 1865. July 27, 1865, he married Ellen,
daughter of Zalmon and Mary (Metcalf) Smith, of Napoli. Mr. Price has been
a farmer and lumberman in Randolph. Children : Minnie (Mrs. Alfred Dray-
ton), Verie (Mrs. A. B. Cross), Nora (Mrs. T. S. Lane), and Zalmon. The
latter married Lillie Abbey, and is a farmer with his father.
James Rathbone, son of Philander and Cynthia (Van Brunt) Rathbone,
was born in Albany, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1826. He moved with his parents to
Abbott's Corners, N. Y., where he remained until he attained his majority.
He spent several years as a clerk and began business as a merchant with his
father in Sinclairville, Chautauqua county. Later he was there associated
with others. In 1875 he removed with his family to Randolph and for two
years conducted business in Red House and Forestville. In 1877 he opened
a grocery store in Randolph, which he continued until his death, Feb. 14.-
1886. Feb. 5, 1856, he married Mary A. Spiking, of Sinclairville. His son,
William L. Rathbone, succeeded his father in business.
Charles C. Rich, son of Zalmon and Julia A. (Young) Rich, was born in
Persia, July 18, 1851. His father wasa farmer. Charles C. began business as
a clerk in a general store in Cattaraugus. In 1872 he came to Randolph and
opened a hardware store in company with his brother, H. Clarence Rich, the
firm being styled Rich Brothers. This continued until Oct., 1880, when the
business was divided, C. C. Rich taking the furniture part and H. C. Rich the
hardware. Charles C. continued alone until his health failed. In 1883 he
purchased the opera block and resumed trade. In 1884 his brother William
H. became his partner, which continued until Feb., 1890, when William
H. sold his interest to William Myres. Mr. Rich is a stockholder and a di-
rector of the Randolph State Bank. In June, 1874, he married Louise,
daughter of John Fenton. She died in 1881. In Nov., 1883, he married
Eugenia A. Searles. H. C. Rich was supervisor of Randolph in 1882.
William Rogers, born in Salem, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1807, removed with his
parents to Cortland county when he was eight years old, and married, in Cin-
cinnatus, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1830, Hannah Wiles. He was a farmer there until
1836, when he removed to Randolph, rented a farm four years, and in the
spring of 1840 permanently settled on the place he still owns on lot 28. Mrs.
Rogers died Dec. 12, 1865, and in 1873 he left the homestead and has since
lojo History of Cattaraugus County.
resided with his oldest son, George Rogers. Children: George, born Feb. 19,
183 1 ; Giles, of Sheridan, N. Y. ; Gilbert, a soldier in the Union army; Jane
(Mrs. Alfred Sample), of Kennedy, N. Y. ; and Jerome, who died at the battle
of Malvern Hill. George Rogers began business as a lumberman and manu-
factured e.xtensively hand-made pine shingles. Oct. 7, 1856, he married
Emily, daughter of DavisB. Foskit, and settled where they now reside.
Frederick Sample settled on Sample hill in 1823 and was soon after joined
by his brothers Samuel, John, Jackson, and Jacob. The neighborhood of
this colony of the Sample family soon became known as Sample hill, which
name it still bears. John Sample was born in Herkimer county; N. Y., April
21, 1797. Dec. 5, 1819, he married Betsey Sheffer, who died July 21, 1822,
being the mother of his daughter Margery. In 1825 he came to Randolph
and located on lot 63. He returned to his home and Nov. 2, 1S26, married
Mary Hess. Mr. Sample had a good educaltion for his day and taught several
terms of common school. He was assessor, supervisor, and magistrate a long
term of years. He died March 4, 1873. Mrs. Sample died June 29, 1890.
Freeman E. Sample, oldest son of John, was born on the homestead in
1828. He married Polly Palmer in 1853 ^"d settled on eighty-five acres of
land in Poland, where he died July 9, 1889. He was an ambitious scholar,
received a good academic education, began teaching when sixteen years old,
and taught in winters until he was twenty-five. He became prominently
identified with the Patrons of Husbandry and was a worthy member of Union
Grange, No. 244, of Jamestown. He was supervisor at the time of his death.
Children : Erie H. and Ethel E. ^
Jacob Sample settled on Sample hill in 1823, where his son Andrew J. now
lives. He was born May 13, 1808, and married Clarinda Hoyt, Jan. 8, 1827,
who was born Sept. 5, 1804. Mr. Sample died Jan. 7, 1870, and Mrs. Sample
Aug. 14, 1870. Of their eleven children five are living. The youngest, An-
drew J. Sample, was born on the homestead April 24, 1849, where he has
always resided, having succeeded his father by buying the interests of his
brothers and sisters. Jan. 5, 1871, he married Laura, daughter of Lucius
Dewey. Children: Clayton L., born Nov. 7, 1872; Lelia V., born Aug. 31,
1875 ; ^'id Viola A., born April 10, 1882.
Ezekiel Scudder, a native of Massachusetts and a Revolutionary soldier,
married Cynthia Gould, of that State, where his first child, Marvin, was born.
With his family he came to Victor, N. Y., where he was one of the earliest
settlers. He remained there a quarter of a century, cleared a farm, built and
operated a grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a carding and cloth-dressing-mill, and
thence removed to Phelps, where he was a farmer. In 1827 he came to Ran-
dolph and settled on lot 14, where the widow of John Archer now lives. He
died on lot 55. Children : Marvin, Joel, Laura, Calvin, Malana, Betsey, Enos,
Roena, Clarissa, and Freeman.
Capt. Marvin Scudder, son of Ezekiel, was born in Albany county, N. Y.,
Oct. 31, 1791. He married Deborah Boughton in Victor, N. Y., Nov. 12. 1812 ;
she died Dec. 26, 1862. He died Dec. 14, 1871. Mr. Scudder settled on a
farm in Victor and was also proprietor of a saw-mill. He was captain of a
militia company in the War of 1812. In 1832 he came with his family to
Randolph and located where the Park block now stands, and there opened his
house to the public. Later he built the hostelry now the Central House and
conducted it as Scudder's Hotel. About 1840 he went to Michigan and Ohio.
Returning to Randolph he condiicted a general store and his farm. He and
Town of Randolph. - 1071
his wife died in Oneida, 111. Buel Scudder, his son, born in Victor, Jan-. 22,
1816, married Almira Huntington in N-apoIi, May 17, 1842, and settled on
Cold Spring street about a half-mile south of the village. He has resided on
his present farm since 1869. Mrs. Scudder died Sept. 24, 1889.
Joel Scudder, son of Ezekiel, was born in Victor, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1793. He
served in the War of 1812, married Hannah Cronk, and engaged in farming.
In 1830 they moved to Randolph, where he bought the Benjamin Clark farm,
which included the grounds occupied by the railroad depot, and about two
years later opened his house as a tavern. About seven years later he removed
to Carroll, Chautauqua county, where he resided ten years and kept hoteL
Returning to Randolph he followed farming until his death March 3, 1866, his
wife dying the same day, both being buried in the same coffin. Of their six
sons and four daughters six are living: Polly, widow of Nathan L. Sears;
Rumina (Mrs. Henry L. Berray) ; Joel, of Kiantone, N. Y. ; Elizabeth, widow
of Hon. Reuben E. Fenton, of Jamestown, N. Y. ; Albert; and Lester. John
Dempster Scudder, son of Joel, enlisted in the Civil war and was killed in
battle in 1865. Lester Scudder, the youngest son of Joel, was born in Ran-
dolph, Sept. 21, 1833, and inherited the homestead, which he still owns. Feb.
15, 1 866, he married Alida C, youngest daughter of Adam Dockstader, and
has one son, Frank L.
Spencer Scudder, son of Marvin, was born in Victor, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1814.
Oct. 3, 1836, he married Caroline Salisbury in Randolph. Children: Egbert
M., Ogden H., Ambrose S., and Adaline A. He married, second, Ann Loux,
of Ellery, N. Y., who was the mother of his son A. Hamilton. Mr. Scudder
died in Galesburg, 111., Sept. 29, 1878. He was a justice of the peace twenty
consecutive years and w£ts supervisor in 1852.
Hon. Samuel Scudder, son of Joel, was born in Randolph, April 3, 1830.
He received his education in Chamberlain Institute, and was engaged in
farming, in the lumber business, and in the production of oil. A staunch Re-
publican he represented his town as supervisor seven years and was elected to
the Assembly in 1875. June 28, 1853, he married Amanda M. Gould. Chil-
dren : James T., born in 1855; Jennie E., died in infancy; Bertie, died aged
eighteen ; and Genevieve P. Mr. Scudder died Aug. 7, 1883.
Ogden H. Scudder, son of Spencer, was born in Randolph, Nov. 23, 1838,
attended the common schools and Randolph Academy, and in 1859 went to
Illinois. In Aug., 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 89th 111. Vols. He participated
in the battles of Chickamaugua, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, and
Resaca, was captured at New Hope Church, May 27, 1864, and sent to Ander-
sonville prison, to Charleston, and to F"lorence, and was paroled at City Point,
March 2, 1865. He was discharged June 2, 1865. On his return he was a
conductor on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad until 1876 and on
the Bradford & Eldred railroad from 1876 until 1880. Since then he has been
a farmer and breeder of registered Holstein cattle. Aug. 20, 1868, he mar-
mied Antoinette, daughter of Dr. O. Guernsey, and has a son and a daughter.
Alvin L. Scudder, son of Buel, wes born in Randolph, Sept. 8, 1843. He
was educated in Randolph Academy, has followed farming as an avocation,
and has also dealt in cattle. He now resides in Randolph village. May 30,
1864, he married Lodema M., daughter of John F"enton, of South Valley.
They had an only daughter, Lizzie Lodema, born in Randolph, June 7, 1868.
She married, Feb. 4, 1891, Fletcher Goodwill, of Buffalo. Mrs. Scudder died
Sept 19, 1868. Jan. 6, 1874, he married Addie E. York, of Meadville, Pa.
10/2 History of Cattaraugus County.
Hector Seager was born in Simsbury, Conn., March 14, 1793. In 181 3*
he emigrated to Phelps, Ontario county. He began business as a school
teacher. Nov. 14, 1813, he married Sally, daughter of Captain Woodard. In
1831 he removed to Conewango and settled on the old Chautauqua road, his
being one of the two settlements in that town. He died Aug. 16, 1859.
Mrs. Seager died Sept. 15, 1857- Mr. Seager was supervisor and often did
conveyancing. He was a member of the Methodist church and for years a
class-leader. He had eight children, si.K of whom were born in Phelps and
two in Conewango. Their youngest son, George E. Seager, born Feb. 6, 1833,
now residing in Randolph, owns the homestead. In 1874 he removed to
Randolph to better conduct his large business in butter and cheese, which he
began in 1870. In 1884 he was elected village trustee and was influential in
establishing the present water works, negotiating the bonds, and being super-
intendent of construction. In 18S6 he was elected president of the village
and held the position four years. April 15, 1858, he married Ruth C. Myers,
of Conewango; children: Minnie L., a graduate of Allegheny College, of
Meadville, Pa., and now the preceptress of the Union Free School of Ran-
dolph; and Frank L. Mrs. Seager died in Aug., 1869. In 1871 he married
Nettie Bigelow, of Conewango.
William E. Searle, son of Tyler H. and Jane (Ostrom) Searle, was born in
Villenova, Chautauqua county, in 1850, was educated in the common schools
and in Forestville Academy, and commenced business as a clerk in the gen-
eral store of Amos Dow & Son. He was also a traveling salesman, and in
1876 he formed a partnership with his uncle, Thomas L. Ostrom, in a general
merchandise trade in East Randolph, where they continued until 1877. At
the organization of the State Bank of East Randolph Mr. Searle was chosen
cashier, which position he now holds. April 19, 1877, he married Lelia W.,
daughter of H. J. Woodford. They have a son and a daughter.
Thaddeus Spencer Sheldon was born March 3, 1818, in Rupert, Vt. His
mother died when he was about nine years old. In 1836 he came to Ran-
dolph and soon developed business talents of the highest order. His store
was the place of exchange for every kind of commodity produced by the
farmers. He was prosperous and accumulated a fair fortune. He was a leader
in all public enterprises for the improvement of his town. He was one of the
founders of Randolph Academy and ne.xt to Judge Chamberlain was the larg-
est contributor to its establishment. He also contributed largely to the erec-
tion of the churches and to all benevolent enterprises of the town. ' He was
deeply interested in the construction of the 'railroad. Mr. Sheldon married,
May 4, 1839, ^^- Rosetta Crowley, who died March 4, 1847. ^ov. 16, 1847, he
married Agnes E. Calhoun, who is the mother of all his children, and who sur-
vives. Mr. Sheldon died July 17, 1868. Their son, Charles C. Sheldon, born
in Randolph, Aug. 17, 1848, began business as a salesman for A. & A. Crowley
when ten years old and is now a merchant in his native village. Nov. 22, 1870,
he married Fanny, daughter of W. A. Eddy; children: James C, born Nov.
10, 1871 : and Charles E., born Feb. 16, 1874. Their daughter A. R. married
Charles Merrill, secretary of the Home for Homeless Children, president of the
village, and station agent. Their other son, Thaddeus S., was born Jan. 9,
1859, served five years in the regular army, and was an ambulance driver two
years longer. The past six years he has been a salesman in the store of his
brother C. C. In Feb., 1887, he married Abbie L. Rogers, of Salamanca.
Ira Smith came to Randolph about 1830 and removed in 1847 to Cone-
Town of Randolph. . ib/-
wango, where he died Aug. 7, 1879. ^'^ wife, EHza Wilcox, bore him ten chil-
dren, of whom Zalmon lives in Napoli and Jeannette (Mrs. D. M. Metcalf), in
Cold Spring.
Isaac C. Stanley, born in 1820, came to Randolph with his father from
Cortland county, N. Y., about 1831. His father, Joseph Stanley, settled where
his grandson, Jefferson Abbey, now lives. Mr. Stanley was a prominent set-
tler and gave each of his seven children a farm. Isaac C. Stanley married, first,
Eleanor Kierstead, who was the mother of his sons Luther and Joseph. She
died in March, 1850. In May, 185 1, he married Julia Mills, of Cherry Creek:
children : Ellen S. (Mrs. L. J. Dewey), ; and Addison C, born in 1854. a farmer
on the homestead. Isaac C. Stanley died in April, 1875. Addison C. is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a VV. M., and in June, 1891, was a
delegate to the Grand Lodge held in New York city.
Arthur A. Stewart, son of J. P., was born in Randolph in 1854. Educated
in the public schools he began business as proprietor of the mill which he now
owns and conducts, the capacity of which he has at least increased three-fold.
In Sept., 1890, he married Mrs. A. M. (Reed) Zibble.
Edwin Stone, born in Erownvillc, N. Y., June 24, 1831, began business as
a carpenter at the age of eighteen years. In the fall of 1850 he came to Con-
ewango. Nov. 17, 1851, he married Orlantha Priscilla, daughter of Gains
Wood, and settled as a farmer in Rutledge. Mr. Stone has 37 acres in the
village of Randolph, where he has resided since the spring of 1876. He has
been a dealer in real estate, has built and renewed several farm buildings, and
built and conducted a cheese factory two years. In Sept., 1864, he enlisted
in the Rebellion, and was discharged June 23, 1865. While moving a build-
ing at the company quarters a roof fell upon his head, which fractured his
skull and incapacitated him from further duty. Children: Frank A., who
married Emma HoUenbeck, of Leon; and Minnie.
Horace D. Swan came from Madison county, N. Y., to East Randolph as
early as 1827, and there built the first iron foundry in town, which he and
his partner, James Pease, conducted about a year, trading his interest for a
saw-mill in Cold Spring. He conducted a lumber business two or three years,
and was a resident and merchant in Randolph, where he was also justice of
the peace five or si.x years from 1832. Returning to Cold Spring he was a
farmer and served as supervisor from 1839 to 1842 inclusive, and also kept a
country hotel. He finally became a farmer in Napoli, and died at Oil City,
Pa., while marketing produce, aged sixty-two. He married, in Madison county,
Polly Salisbury, who was born in 1800, and who survived until Dec, 1878.
Of their five sons four are living: James A., of Dakota; Daniel S. ; and
Alonzo F. and Horace D., of Napoli. Daniel S. Swan, born in Villenova,
Chautauqua county, June 23, 1829, was a clerk in a country store at the age
of seventeen, and six years later opened a store in company with Deacon
Allen in Cold Spring, where he was engaged two years. He then removed to
East Randolph and opened a general store. In 1867 he removed to Ran-
dolph, where he has since resided. He was a merchant about five years, a
lumberman four years, and has run a large number of lumber rafts down the
river. Since 1877 he has engaged largely in producing oil. A staunch Dem-
ocrat, he has been supervisor, justice of the peace, and overseer of the poor.
In 1864 he married Lizzie M., daughter of Andrew P. White, of Ellington,
Chautauqua county. Children: Eva M., Agnes W. (deceased), Lizzie M.
(died July i, 1886), and Arthur W. (born in 1880).
135
I074 History of Cattaraugus County.
Charles W. Terry, son of William A., was born in Franklinville, March 25,
1846. At the age of eight years his parents removed to Sugar Grove, Pa.
At the age of fourteen he was employed by a Mr. Clark in the lower oil field
and at fifteen was sent to Blossburg, Pa., to superintend the sinking of a test
oil well. In 1861 he enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Cav., but was rejected on ac-
count of age and size and not having permission of his parents. In 1862 his
parents moved to Conewango, and Charles attended school at what is now
called Chamberlain Institute, walking about four miles night and morning.
In Aug., 1864, he enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Cav., and was with Sheridan on
his raid from Winchester to Appomattox. After being discharged he again
attended school at Chamberlain Institute, and received a State Regents' cer-
tificate as an academic scholar in Nov., 1867. In the winter of 1869 he was
one of the teachers in Chamberlain Institute under Professor Post, and had
charge of the common English department and advanced classes in arithme-
tic, algebra, and geometry. In 1S6S he engaged in the drug business with
J. C. Hurd at East Randolph as clerk, and continued in the business as clerk
and proprietor till 1876. Hb married Adelle M., daughter of A. B. Fox, of
East Randolph, Feb. 19, 1870. They had one son, Leland B., born July 3,
1874. In F"eb., 1875, IVIr. Terry was elected justice of the peace in Randolph
for four years. In the fall of the same year he moved into Conewango and
the next spring was elected town clerk. In Feb., 1877, he was appointed jus-
tice of the peace for one year and was elected for four years from Jan. 1,
1878, and in Feb., 1881, was re-elected for four years more. In 1876 he en-
tered the office of M. V. Benson at East Randolph and read law three years.
June I, 1877, he was appointed by the collector of internal revenue at
Buffalo deputy collector for the counties of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus,
and held the position till July i, 18S2. In 1877 he was elected journal clerk
of the Board of Supervisors, and was re-elected continuously till the fall of
1882, when he was elected county clerk for three years. At the expiration of
his term as county clerk he moved to Randolph and in the spring of 1887
was elected supervisor of the town, and has been re-elected each succeeding
year, being the present incumbent of that office. He has always taken a lively
interest in politics, is an ardent Republican, and has been several years a
member and secretary of the Republican County Committee.
Dominicus Thoma was born in Baden, Germany, July 21, 1815. In 1832
he emigrated to America in a sailing vessel. Sept. i, 1833, he came to East
Randolph from Montgomery county, and was engaged in the sale of German
clocks. until 1841. In Dec, 1839, ^e married Mary E. Smith. About a year
later he settled on a farm in Randolph, where he resided about three years,
In the fall of 1844 he removed to Fredonia, N. Y., where he was engaged in
manufacturing and dealing in lumber until the fall of 1857. He then returned
to East Randolph, and with three others purchased the foundry and machine
shop then standing on the site now occupied by S. J. Benedict's establish-
ment. Three years later he sold to his partners, and opened a grocery store,
which he continued five years. Since then he has been a sawyer. He has
served several years as town clerk of Conewango. Children: Marion, widow
of C. E. Hall; A. Jennie (Mrs. Frank Barber); Blanche E. ; and R. Adaline
(Mrs. Manly D. Milks). In Oct., 1840, he received his naturalization papers
from Judge Benjamin Chamberlain, and cast his first ballot in November fol-
lowing for Martin Van Buren. In 1856 he joined the Republican party.
D. Hart Thompson, youngest child and only son of Jabez and Clarissa
Town of Randolph. 1075
(Curtis) Thompson, was born in Leon in 1848. His parents were natives of
Connecticut and settled in Leon about 1830. Jabez bought cattle and drove
them to eastern markets, and owned and conducted a grist-mill, distillery,
general store, and a farm of 400 or 500 acres. He subsequently removed to
Randolph and retired from business. He died in March, 1891. Mrs. Thomp-
son died in June, 1888. D. Hart Thompson began business as a merchant
in Leon. He removed to Sinclairville, where he continued his mercantile ca-
reer ten years. In 1882 he came to Randolph, where he was a merchant two
or three years. Since then he has been engaged with William E. Smith &
Co., of New York, in buying cheese. The last two years he has also superin-
tended their combination of cheese factories. ,
Daniel Thurston was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Oct. 20. 1809. His
father died about 18 14 and he resided with his mother until twenty years of
age. when, in 1829, he came to Randolph and purchased fifty acres of wood-
land on lot 38. April 7, 1831, he married Lodensy Torrance, who was born
Oct. II, 1810, in Bristol. N. Y., and died May 21, 1891.
The Torrence family in America is of Scotch-Irish origin and descends
from Thomas Torrence, who was father of Samuel, whose son Timothy M.
was born in Bristol, Conn., Sept. 6, 1786. When young he removed to Hen-
rietta, N. Y., where he married Zervinia Hitchcock, and where he settled as a
farmer. In Feb., 1824, he removed to Randolph with a heavy sled and two
yoke of o.xen, bringing his wife and four children. He lived in a log shanty
on lot 46, where his g+andson, Joel B. Torrence, now resides. His farm con-
tained 230 acres of solid woodland. He held several town offices. Being one
of a committee appointed to name the town he suggested "Randolph" in
honor of John Randolph. He was a devoted Christian and for many years
was a member of the Baptist church. He died in Aug., 1871. Mrs. Torrence
died in September of the same year. They had twelve children, of whom
eight attained mature age: Seymour, of Michigan; Lodensy (Mrs. Daniel
Thurston), died May 21, 1891 ; Permelia (Mrs. A. Stedman), died in May,
1891; Garwood M.; Lovisa (Mrs. Philander Phillips) ; Romeda (Mrs. William
Phillips); Olive (Mrs. C. Woodworth); and Fanny (Mrs. William Kent).
Garwood M. Torrence was born in Henrietta, N. Y., Aug. 4, 18 14. He
married Persis, daughter of Dea. Joel Bassett, of Napoli, who was born April
5, 1817. He settled in life as a farmer and eventually owned the homestead,
and died June 16, 188^. Mrs. Torrence died Oct. 2, 1890.. Children: Joel B. ;
Lucy C, born March 7, 1841. married William H. Cross; Emeline L., born
Nov. 15, 1843, married Benjamin Boyington ; Mitchell T., born July 3, 1845;
Carrie P. (Mrs. Jam.es H. Foster) ; Mary M.(Mrs. David Babcock) ; and Rena
V. (Mrs. Anderson Gilbert). Joel B. Torrence, born Oct. 28, 1839, resides on
the homestead. He had a few terms at Randolph Academy and Sept. 6, 1862,
enlisted in Co. H, 154th N. Y. Vols., being discharged June 11, 1865. Oct.
13, 1869, he married Ella Wallace, of Perrysburg, Ohio, who died May 23,
1873. Sept. 25, 1876, he married Hattie Churchill, of Ellington, N. Y., daugh-
ter of Cullen Churchill, a pioneer of that town. Mitchell T. Torrence married
Sarah J. Cross, of Randolph. Dec. 11, 1863, he enlisted in Co. H, 14th N. Y.
H. A., was confined in the hospital with typhus fever three months in the
summer of 1864, and was discharged Aug. 26, 1865. In 1867 he settled on the
farm where he now resides, and where he also deals in cattle, fruit, and poul-
try. He has four sons and two daughters.
Thomas Turner, born in O.xford, England, in 1803, came to America in
1076 History of Cattaraugu's County.
March, 1852, and the next June married Elizabeth Jones. He settled in the
village of Randolph, where he died in 1878. Mrs. Turner resides in Franklin,
Pa. Children: Mary, of Oakland, Pa.; John E., born in 1856, a butcher and
dealer in meats ; Sarah (Mrs. John Benson, Jr.), of Napoli ; Rachel (Mrs.
Charles Munson), of Spokane Falls, Wash. ; Susan (Mrs. Harry Parmour), of
Indianapolis, Ind. ; Thomas E., a butcher with his brother John E. ; and
Joseph, of Jamestown. Thomas was a landscape and market gardener.
Thomas Turner, a native of Ireland, was born Jan. 25, 1S29, came to Ran-
dolph in 1850, and married, that year, Anna Searle. He was a farmer and died
Feb. 19, 1891. Children: Ellen (Mrs. J. Hackett), deceased; Richard (de-
ceased); Anna (Mrs. P. L. Moore); Martha (Mrs. E. Butler); Thomas J.; Jo-
seph C, of Leon ; and Melvin, John, Ida V., and Eva K. Thomas.J. Turner
is a farmer on the Knox place and also deals in horses. He resides in Ran-
dolph village, where he has served as street commissioner. Feb. 13, 1890, he
married Celia Hodgkiss.
Henry K. Van Rensselaer, son of Dr. D. S. Van Rensselaer (see page 174),
was born in Otisco, N. Y., March 12, 1820. He received an academic educa-
tion and commenced business as a merchant. He has been a farmer and for
the last twenty-five years has been engaged in the insurance business. Orig-
inally a Democrat he joined the Republican party at its organization, and has
been a trustee of Chamberlain Institute continuously since its inception in
1866, serving most of the time as secretary of the board. In 1842 he married
Eliza C. Scudder, who was the mother of his daughter, Mrs. L. H. Carter. Mrs.
Van Rensselaer died in 1850. April 23, 1857, he married Miss A. A.Owen;
children living: Leland D., a partner in the insurance business with his father;
Mattie, a teacher; and Henry Herbert, an electrician.
Lieiit. George \V. VVatkins, son of Lyman and Abigail (Jordan) Watkins,
was born in Bethany, N. Y., June 27, 1821. His father was a native of Ver-
mont and his mother of Maine. In 1834 the family came from Titusville, Pa.,
to Napoli. His father was a blacksmith, and at Napoli Center he opened a
shop which he conducted about two years, when he returned to Pleasantville,
Pa., where he died. George W. remained in Cattaraugus county. Feh. 8,
1842, he married Alvira, daughter of Nathan Snow, of Conewango. He fol-
lowed his father's trade until the Rebellion broke out, when he began to fill
up Co. B, 64th Regt. N. Y. State Militia. Mr. VVatkins went to the front as
orderly-sergeant, was promoted first lieutenant, and discharged June 18, 1863,
for disability. He was in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettys-
burg, and Chancellorsville. He now resides in the village of East Randolph.
Four of his six children are living: Lucelia V. (Mrs. Lafayette .Weeden),
Deloss, Lucetta(Mrs. Oliver Phillips), and Myrtle.
Davis Williams, son of Solomon and Sally (Olin) Williams, was born Jan.
16, 1800, and died in East Randolph, Oct. 7, 1890. He married Juna, daugh-
ter of Jason and Huldah (Wright) Blackmer; she was born June 18, 1803. Ja-
son Blackmer was a son of Samuel, who was a son of Samuel, New Englanders,
and died in Bennington, Vt., March 9, 1849. ^^^ children of Davis Williams
were Sophia B., Huldah J.,Aarah A., Norman D., Abigail P., Mary A., RoUin
B., and Saraette M. Mr. Williams was a pioneer of Cattaraugus county, and
resided in Leon, Otto, and East Randolph villages. His wife survives him.
The Willoughby family in America trace their ancestry back as far as the
eleventh or twelfth century. Their record in the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
describes them as descendants of Sir John de Willoughby, a Norman knight.
Town of Randolph. . 1077
Tracing from him through a Hneage of lordships we find George Willoughby,
the seventh baron in the line of descent, who was doubtless the father of
Joseph Willoughby, who was born in 1691. " Being a young man of great in-
telligence, master of the fine arts, expert in fencing, a charming musician, and
of pleasing address, he was a great favorite of Queen Anne, reigning sovereign
of England, and was chosen by her one of her ' Life Guards.* " " The Lord
Chamberlain attempting to enter the Queen's bed-chamber dishonorably, he
resented the indignity, fought the Lord Chamberlain, and slew him. Instead
of being executed for murder he was banished from the Kingdom about 1714,
and went to Carthagenia, South America, where he resided about two years.
He then emigrated to Norwich, Conn., and settled there. Later he removed
to Northville and settled on a farm, where he died in 175 i." Bliss Willoughby,
his oldest son, was born in 1721, and married, second, Rosanna Cole in 1771
or 1772. He had .settled in Shaftsbury, Vt. He preached the gospel and was
also a magistrate and government surveyor, and surveyed a large portion of
the southern part of Vermont. He was sent to England to ask religious tol-
eration of the Queen and accomplished the object. With a large number of
"New Lights," as adherents of his creed were styled, he became a Baptist.
He died Sept. 27, 1807. His son Bliss was born and lived on the Shaftsbury
homestead, where his son. Rev. Bli.ss C. Willoughby, was born Jan. 23, 1807.
When the latter attained the age of twenty he came to Sheridan Center, N. Y.,
where he resided three years. In 1830 he settled in Rutledge, where, in 1831,
he experienced conversion to Christ and where, in 1832, he married Joanna M.
Fitch, who died Dec. 10, 1S88, aged eighty-one. Children: one died in child-,
hood ; a daughter died Feb. 4, 1886; and Albert F., born in Rutledge in Con-
ewang(j, Sept. 3, 1833. Rev. Mr. Willoughby, a few years after his con\-crsion,
placed himself under the able tutelage of Rev. William Arthur, father of the
late President Chester A. Arthur, then pastor of the Baptist church of Perry,
N. Y. He afterward attended the academy in Wyoming and soon after was
licensed to preach. He was ordained July 27, 1841, and has been pastor of
the following churches: Clear Creek, Cherry Creek, Randolph, Kennedy, Fre-
donia, Rutledge, Eden, Warren (Pa.~), Meadville and Pleasantville (Pa.), Sin-
clairville, and Union City (Pa.). He closed his regular pastoral labors with the
church at Randolph. Since then he has supplied the church of Xapoli two
seasons and still occasionally preaches a sermon. Nov. 8, 1890, he married
Mrs. L. D. Barr, of Cranberry, Pa.
Oscar C. Wood, son of Gaius and grandson of Gen. Seth Wood, an early
settler of Cunewango, was born there April 16, 1844. In Nov., 1863, he mar-
ried Rosetta L., daughter of William Snow, and settled on a farm of 175
acres, which he sold nine years later and bought in East Randolph the farm
he now owns. He was proprietor of five creameries from 1873 until 1885, in
which he manufactured both butter and cheese, his sal-es from one factory in
1873 aggregating $60,000. Since Sept., 1887, he has conducted a hotel in
East Randolph. His hostelry was burned May 14, 1888, and he has since
erected a handsome brick structure on the site. In connection he has a
livery stable. He has served as constable several years.
Capt. Samuel Woodford, born in Connecticut in 1784, married there Phebe
Fillmore, cousin of Millard Fillmore. In 183 1 they were farming in Ellicott-
ville and June 10, 1837, they settled on a farm in Napoli a short distance from
the corporation of East Randolph. This they sold and came to the village
of East Randolph, where he died Jan. 10, 1857. He served in the War of
lO/S History of Cattaraugus County.
1812 under Gen. William Henry Harrison and led his company as captain at
the battles of Lundy's Lane, Kingston, and others. He served as commis-
sioner of highways in Ellicottville and Napoli. He and his wife were mem-
bers of the Baptist church. She died May 13, 1867. Of their eleven children
five are living: N. S., Cyrus Fillmore, John V., Emily S. (widow of David
Woodin). and Henry J. Henry J. Woodford was born in Ellicottville, March
4, 1833. He was proprietor of the Half-way House between Randolph and
Little Valley and subsequently of the East Randolph House, which he con-
ducted with a livery about fifteen years. Since then he has been engaged in
the hardware business, in oil speculation, and in dealing in real estate. He
has also bought and sold many high blooded horses. He owns the famous
horse " Barnum," long "king of the turf." Mr. Woodford married Sarah J.
Whittaker, a native of Vermont, Aug. 6, 1853. Children: Elva Augusta,
Lelia W. {Mrs. W. E. Searle). Bertie (died Feb. 4, 1857), Frank McClellan.
Austin Woodruff, born in Aurora, N.Y., July 6, 1820, was educated in the
academy at Aurora. His father, a farmer and lumberman, died Jan. 14, 1838.
He was a clerk in a store in Machias a year, and then returned home and man-
aged the farm and saw-mill until 1844, when, with his brother, Henry Seymour
Woodruff, he opened a general store in York.shire. In 1846 and 1847 ^^^ ^^as
proprietor of the Globe Hotel in Yorkshire. Li 1849 Austin came to Ran-
dolph, where he still resides. Here he has been a merchant and a dealer in live
stock. Originally a Whig he joined the Republican party at its organization,
and has been assistant re\'enue assessor several years, resigning the position in
fa\-or of Capt. F. C. Jones, a veteran of the war; he was also for six months in
the Pension Bureau at Washington. He has served a number of years as
assessor of this town and was long a trustee of Randolph Cemetery.
Capt. Zebedee Woodworth was born in Ren.ssclaerville, N, Y., May 14,
1779. His father removed with his family to Fenner, N. Y., and in 1S25 Zeb-
edee came to Randolph and settled on Sample hill. Later in his life he re-
moved to the village and gave his attention to his lumber business. He filled
most of the town offices, being supervisor six years, and in the militia rose to
the rank of captain. Captain Woodworth died Nov. 25, 1867, the day of the
fifty-second anniversary of his settlement in Randolph. Children : Mary A.
(Mrs. E. Leach), George, Sophia W. (Mrs. S.. Holbrook), deceased, Charles,
Spencer, and Susan (Mrs. Bemis!, deceased. George Woodworth was born in
Madison county, Jan. 14, 1823. He has principally followed farming, but has
also manufactured and dealt in lumber and for forty-five years was a dealer in
cattle. Mr. Woodworth now resides in Randolph village and has retired from
active business. In Sept., 1846, he married Miss C. Coy. Children: Mina
(Mrs. Henry Seymour); Lewis, who married Cora Pierce, and is a farmer and
deputy sheriff; and Flora (Airs. Frank Elliott.)
Towx OF Red House. . 1079
CHAPTER XLV.
HISTORY OK THE TOWN OF RED HOUSE.
RED HOUSE was erected from Salamanca on the 23d of November, 1S68,
and comprises all of township i and about one-half of township 2 in
range seven of the Holland survey. It is bounded on the north by Sal-
amanca, on the east by Carrolton, on the south by Pennsylvania, and on the
west by Cold Spring and Elko, and contains an area of 36,392 acres. The
name is derived from a raftsmen's house which was painted red, and which
stood on the bank of the Allegheny at the mouth of Red House creek. In the
days of rafting it was quite a celebrated resort, but the name and characteris-
tics of its proprietor have passed into oblivion, and the structure itself has
long since disappeared. The name of the color of the building was first applied
to the eddy in the creek, then to the stream, and finally to the town.
Lying upon the south border of the county, a little west of the center, the
surface of this town is not unlike that of adjacent territory, but its location in
the best timbered section of southwestern New York affords to the inhabit-
ants an employment suggestive of earlier times of frontier activity. Broken
into a mountainous upland its highest summits reach an altitude of some 800
feet above the Allegheny river, which flows through the northwest corner and
has as tributaries Red House creek and Saw-Mill run. The soil of the low-
lands is composed of a sandy loam, which gradually becomes admi.Kcd with
clay towards the elevations. The best farming lands in the town are included
within the Allegany Indian reservation, which lies on either side of the river
and inhabited almost entirely by Indians. Aside from this Red House con-
tains very little territory devoted to agriculture. Portions of the town are still
in a wilderness condition. Lumbering yet forms the chief industry of the
people, and in this connection no township in the county exceeds this in
quantity or quality.
The first settler in Red House was Darius Frink. He was born in Sterl-
ing, Conn., removed to Carroll, Chautauqua county, in 1826, and in 1827 lo-
cated permanently on the creek near the Allegheny. For a number of years
he was the only white resident of the town. His grandson James was super-
visor of Red House in 1886. Nelson Frink, the father of James, was a life-long
citizen and representative farmer. James Rosenberry, the second settler,
came in 1837 and located on lot 31. He had previously lived in Great Valley
and Salamanca. Other pioneer settlers were Lysander Whaley, Caleb Owens
(who was subsequently murdered in Steamburgh), Howard Fuller, Elijah
loSo History of Cattaraugus County.
Pease, Hubbard Clark, Richard Wright, William Coan, Abner Thomas,
Richard Burgett, Sylvester Dunbar, Marcus Frisbie, Stephen Carr, Francis
Strickland, George Decker, and David and Ezekiel R. Kelley.
The first town meeting was held February 23, 1869, when these officers
were chosen : Francis Strickland, supervisor ; T. E. Bristol, town clerk; D. A.
Scouten, John Sharp, F. F. Deyo.S. D. Woodford, justices of the peace ; Ab-
ner Brown, commissioner of highways; Nelson Frink, E. R. Kelley, Francis
Strickland, assessors; Daniel Carr, collector ; J. C. Wright, overseer of the
poor ; Albert Sheffield, William Critchell, Daniel C^Irr, William Backus, S. F.
Pease, constables. The supervisors have been as follows :
Skpocisdi-s.— Francis Strickland, 1869; Howard Fuller, Jr., 1870, 1879-81, 1883-84 : Richard Burgett, 1871 ;
Clark W. Bosworth, 1872, 1876 ; E. K. Kelley, 1873-74 ; S. D. Woodford, 1875 ; Elias C. Jlclntcjsh, 1877, 1885 ; La-
fayette I. Darliny, 1878 ; B. L. Grover, 1882; James Frink, 1886; Frank A. Burgett, 1887-93.
It was not until 185 l that a school house was built in the town, and in it
Caroline Barnes was the first teacher. This building was erected on the Lit-
tle Red House creek. In 1892 there were six school districts, in each of
which a school was maintained; there werq 211 scholars, who were under the
instruction of si.x teachers. The value of the school buildings and sites was
$1,560, while the assessed valuation of the districts for school purposes ag-
gregated $267,765. The amount of money received from the State was
S768.89 and by local ta.x $184.26. The population of Red House in 1890 was
1,156 against 487 in 1880.
Anent the subject of facilitating travel the most important matter con-
sidered after the organization of the town was the construction of a substan-
tial bridge across the Allegheny. In 1869 the supervisor was authorized to
issue bonds not to exceed $6,ooo. October 15, 1870, the sum of §1,000 was
voted by the town to build the approaches and during the session of the
Legislature that winter Hudson Ansley, Esq., succeeded in securing an ap-
propriation of $3,000 from the State to aid in constructing the bridge. The
structure is over 500 feet long and spans the river near Red House station.
The expense to the town was defrayed by a tax of seven cents per acre on
the lands of its citizens. A similar bridge was erected on this site in i860.
The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad crosses the northwest corner
of the town, traversing the north bank of the river, and has a station here
known as Red House. Along the south side of the Allegheny runs the
Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad, on which is Shongo station,
nearly opposite that of Red House, and near it is the northern terminal of
the Allegany & Kinzua railroad, which traverses the west edge of the town
and runs into Pennsylvania, having a single station, Freck's, in this township.
This latter road is operated mainly for the transportation of lumber.
Red House, the principal village or hamlet in the town, is situated wholly
on the Indian reservation, on the Allegheny river, and on the New York,
Pennsylvania & Ohio (Erie) railroad. It contains two or three hotels, stores.
Town of Red Ho.usk. . loSi
a postoffice, and a scattered collection of dwellings. The postofficevvas estab-
lished in 1869 with Theodore Bristol as postmaster. Richard Burgett erected
a tavern here in 1871.
'Freck's is a postoffice on the Allegany & Kinzua railroad, in the southwest
part of the town, and was established a couple of years ago to accommodate
the lumbermen of that locality. Here were located the immense saw-mills of
H. C. Freck & Co., after whom the office was named. These mills were
burned May 7, 1893. Their capacity was 20,000,000 feet of lumber per month.
The loss was estimated at about $20,000.
Hall's is a postoffice on lot 14, town i, and on the highway running from
Red House to Limestone. It was established January 20, 1893, with E. J.
Hall as postmaster. Mail is received daily from Red House.
The first saw-mill in town was erected on the Little Red House in 1849 ^ly
Marsh & Frisbie. In 1853 another was built on the same stream by the Bay
State Lumber Company, who owned 20,000 acres of timber land in the south
part of the town, and who also opened the first store here. Other large
saw-mills, prior to 1875, were put up and operated by James Appleby, John
Sharp, Francis Strickland, A. H. Reynolds, Clark VV. Bosworth, and J. F.
Eighmc. Darling & Gibbs built a handle factory in 1873 on lot iS. A few
attempts have been made to produce oil, but these can not be regarded as
successful.
The first religious society organized in town v\as formed by the Methodists,
December 2, i86o. The United Brethren and the Baptists also held services
soon afterward. The principal work in this direction, however, has been of a
missionary character, the meetings being convened mainly in school houses.
The Burgett family in Red House have been among the town's most
prominent and enterprising citizens. Richard Burgett opened a hotel in the
village in 1871 and the same year was elected supervisor. Frank A. Burgett
has held the office by re-election since 1887.
Darius Frink, the first permanent settler in Red House, was a native of
Sterling, Conn., and for one year was a resident of Carroll, Chautauqua
county. In 1828 he came to this town, where for many years he was the only
white inhabitant. During the last few years of his life he lived on lot 18 in
town 2, where his son James subsequently resided. The latter has served
his town in official capacities, being supervisor in 1886. Nelson, his brother,
lived and died in town.
Howard Fuller settled first in Randolph, then in Pennsylvania, and in
1839 in Cold Spring, whence he subsequently removed to Red House. He
was a prominent pioneer and long carried on an extensive mercantile and
lumbering business. He was supervisor of Cold Spring four years and held
other local offices. His son Howard, Jr., served as supervisor of Red House
in 1870, from 1879 to 1881, in 1883, and in 1884. He came here in 1858.
James Rosenberry was born in Butler county, Pa., and became the second
permanent settler in Red House, locating on lot 31 in 1837. He went to
Great Valley in 1815 and thence to Salamanca in 1816, where he lived until
his removal hither. He died here, the oldest man in town.
136
io82 History f*F Cattakaucius County.
CHAPTER XLVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SALAMANCA.
SALAMANCA, including the present town of Red House, was formed
from Little Valley on the igth of November, 1854, with the name of
Bucktooth, and embraced all of townships i and 2 and about one-fourth
of township 3 in the seventh range of the Holland Land Company's survey.
The name was changed in 1862 to Salamanca in honor of Senor Salamanca, a
Spanish banker and a large owner of stock in the Atlantic & Great Western
railroad, who had visited the town a short time before. The territory re-
mained with its boundaries unchanged until the town of Red House was taken
off in 1868, from the southern part, which reduced the area of Salamanca to
11,827 acres, leaving it the smallest town in the county.
It is an interior township situated south of the center of the county, and
is bounded on the north by Little Valley, on the east by Great Valley, on the
south by Red House, and on the west by Cold Spring and Napoli. The sur-
face is very hilly except the valley of the Allegheny river and the valleys of
its tributaries. The principal stream is the Allegheny, which enters the town
about midway on the east line and flows nearly west about four miles, when
it turns south and flows into Red House. Its principal affluents in this town
are Newton run, Little Valley creek, and Bucktooth and Saw-Mill runs. When
lumbering was a leading business these streams afforded good water-power.
Since the timber has been exhausted their mill-sites have been abandoned.
The soil in the valleys is very fertile, while the hills, where not too rough for
cultivation, produce paying crops of grass, oats, potatoes, and apples.
Owing to the fact that most of the land in town fit for profitable tillage is
embraced in the Indian reservation Salamanca was not early settled by white
men. A few pioneers located on Little Valley creek. John Parr came about
1830; John Boutell was one of the earliest; and Leicester J. Worth came in
1834. James Rosenberry is credited as the first settler and is said to have
come in 181 5 and located on lot 9, where he made slight improvements and
moved farther up the valley. In 1837 he settled in Red House, the second
settler in that town, where he cleared a farm, and where he died. He was
born in Butler county, Pa., November 21, 1797. James Green was an early
settler, but did not remain long in the town. John L. Boardman came in
1836 and settled on the reservation where the village of West Salamanca has
since been built. He was one of the party who navigated the Allegheny
river from Pittsburg to Olean Point in a flat-bottom stern-wheel steamer.
Tuwx OF Salamanca. ' 1083
Mr. Boardman resided here until 1870, when he removed to Randolph, \vhere
he died in 1874. He was supervisor of Little Valley in 1844, 1845, ^"d 1849
and of Salamanca (then Bucktooth) from 1855 to 1858 inclusive. .Other early
settlers were William P. Crawford, Adam Johnson, R. C. Brainard, and Absa-
lom Smith ; Thomas L. Newton, who settled on Newton run ; the Wright
families who located in the northern part of the town ; George Hill, who
settled on Saw-Mill run ; and George W. Drake, who located on Bucktooth run.
The magnificent pine forest on the reservation was an irresistible attrac-
tion to white men and many of the "squatter" order, encouraged by the Ind-
ians, who had an insatiable appetite for whisky, in direct violation of the law
settled temporarily among them, exchanged " fire-water " and some provisions
for their towering pine trees, and cut and floated them to saw-mills down the
river. Jesse T. Fosdick states that an annual farce was enacted by the sheriff
by removing all white people from the reservation. This the sheriff accom-
plished by taking a family at a load, by the shortest route, to the line of the
reservation, repeating his journeys until he had treated all the squatters to a
ride. This usually kept them off the reservation for a half-hour! For several
years this was continued, and thus the supremacy of the law was maintained !
The first town meeting was held by authority of an act of the Board of
Supervisors of Cattaraugus county erecting the town of Bucktooth, passed
November 19, 1854, and convened at the house of John Boardman, February
27, 1855, the following officers being elected : John Boardman, supervisor;
G. W. Drake, town clerk: Russel Granger, Willard E. Fellows, Marcus Frisbie,
Warren Wright, justices of the peace; William P. Crawford, Lysander Wha-
ley, Richard Jaquish, assessors: Peter S. Monfort, collector; John Parr, town
sealer ; Christopher Cross, James Rosenberry, Thomas L. Newton, commis-
sioners of highways; Charles W. McMillan, Peter S. Monfort, George Cross,
Abner Thomas, constables; John C. Cross, Leicester J. Worth, overseers of
the poor ; H. V. McKay, superintendent of common schools: William P.
Crawford, poundmaster. The principal town officers have been as follows :
S»ijcri'is(;)-.s.— John BoarJman, Isv; ."ii-; E. P. Parks, l&M-til); David Harrower, 18C1, 1««3; Warren Wright,
lS«i ; E. C. TopIitC, 1804-(« ; Hudson Ansley, l.y>i, 18f>S 70, 1880-81, 1891 ; Jesse T. Fosdick, 1867 ; John Hill, 1871-
72; H.O. Wait, 1873-75; S. H. Brainard, 187t>-77; J.J. O'Donneli, 1878-79; O. S. Vreeland, 1883-86; Fred Still-
man, 1887-88; Carey D. Davie, 188y-!«J ; James S. Whipple, 18!)2-93.
Town Clerhn.—G. W. Drake, rs5<i-.>^, isei ; A. V. Tullcr, 185!) 60; John Nelson, 1862-65; Hiram L. Thompson,
1866-67; Timothy O'Brien, 1868-72; S. H. Brainard, 1873; James H. Palmer, 1874; R. Hevenor, 1875; Charles
Jenks, 1876 : Jacob l^utterfuss, 1877-81 ; Park Stevens, 1882-83 ; George McClary, 1881 ; J. W. Mulcay, 18^5, 1888-
89; Fred Stillman, 188tJ-87 ; Samuel Jlcilullin. 18'J0-93.
JuMces iif the Ptact.— Josiah P. Wright, Richard Wright, 1856; James Rosenberry, Alphonso Ames, 1857;
-W. H. Payne, G. W. Drake, 1858; George E. Noble, 18.59; H. H. Currier, Luther Cram, Clark Wheeler, Ab-
ner Miller, 1860; H. E. Fellows, William Franklin, Samuel Boyer, Luther Cram, 18f)l ; S. Boyer, H. C. Brain-
ard, Nelson Frink, 1862; W. H. Payne, A. A. Pixley, A. B. Rice, 1863; Patrick Shafer, 1864; Willard E. Fel-
lows, David W. Kelley, 1865; John P. Line*. William T.Clark, 1866 ; S. D. Woodford, Peter Frank, 1867 ; A. A.
Pi.\ley. 1868 ; H. M. Seymour, Samuel Dunham, 1869; Albert Hosley, 1870; Charles Gallagher, W. B. Evans,
Patrick Shafer, 1871; Charles E. Gallagher. 1872; H. M.Seymour, 1873; John J. O'Donnell, 1874; W. B. Evans,
1875; Charles E. Gallagher, 1876; A. Hosley, 1877; A. A. Pixley, A. L. Brainard, 1878; A. A. Pixley. 1879; .
Samuel Taylor, 1880; James S. Whipple, E. S. Griswold, 1881 ; A. A. Pi.xley, 1882; William H. Crandall, 1883 ;
Samuel Taylor, 1884 ; James O. Spencer. 1885; T- H. Doud. 1886; William H. Crandall, 1887; Silas H. Sey-
mour, 1888 ; James O. Spencer, 1889; Thomas H. Doud, 1890 ; William H. Crandall, 1891 ; Silas H. Seymour,
1892 ; James O. Spencer, 1893.
io84 History of Cattaraugus' County.
A State road was constructed in 1837, which extended through the Indian
reservation, following the river near its north bank. Thi.s highway was the
first thoroughfare in the town. About this time John Boardman established
a ferry at Bucktooth Mills, where he also had a store and tavern. His building
was built partly of logs and partly of frame, and is now the only landmark left
to indicate the location. An appropriation to improve roads and bridges was
ordered by the first town meeting in 1855. And since then the town has been
liberal in providing for good highways. The first bridge spanning the Alle-
gheny river was constructed in i860. It stood on the site of the present iron
structure at the head of Main street in Salamanca. It was replaced by a sec-
ond one, of wood, in 1869, at a cost of $8,000. This was repaired in 1877 at
an expense of $3,200, and was finally superseded by the present beautiful and
substantial iron bridge. The iron bridge at West Salamanca was built over
the Main branch of the Allegheny in 1876. This contained four spans and
aggregated more than 500 feet in length ; the remaining 200 feet of the struc-
ture was of wood, and the whole cost nearly $13,000. In the winter of 1893
the wooden portions were replaced by new iron spans, making the bridge 700
feet long, and reaching continuously from the east to the west bank of the
river. The new section is 538 feet long and cost $16,000, which sum included
the removal and erection of one of the old spans across Little Valley
creek at West Salamanca. The New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad,
completed in 185 i, enters the town from Great Valley and passes down the
north side of the Allegheny river to the village of West Salamanca, where it
turns northward and follows up Little Valley creek. The New York, Penn-
sylvania & Ohio railroad enters Salamanca from Red House and follows up
the Allegheny to its terminus at the village, where it connects with and is
now a part of the Erie lines. The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad
makes a detour from Kill Buck to Salamanca village, and leaves the town at
the line of Great Valley. The Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad
enters Salamanca from Great Valley, on the south side of the Allegheny river,
and leaves the town at the Red House line.
In 1855 Salamanca had a population of 453 ; in 1870, 1,881 ; in 1880,3,498:
in 1890, 4,572. In 1892 the town had five school districts, and maintained a
school in each of them. Twenty-five teachers were employed, and 1,158 chil-'
dren attended school. The school houses and sites were valued at $48,858.
The assessed valuation of the districts was $950,848. The total expense of
maintaining the schools was $17,922.53.
West Salamanca, the oldest village in town, is situated on the Allegheny
river at the mouth of Little Valley creek, and is a station on the Erie and
New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroads. The place was known as Buck-
tooth until 1862, and gave its name to the town at its erection from Little
Valley in 1855. It received the name of Salamanca in 1862 and of West
Salamanca in 1873. It was the only railroad station in town until 1863 and
Town of Salamanca. 1085
was originally the junction of the Erie and New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio
railroads, which had here turntables, shops, and engine houses. But suffi-
cient grounds for railroad purposes could not be leased except at exorbitant
rates, and the whole was removed to an unoccupied site a mile and a half east,
which was rented of the Indians, and without their knowledge or intention
the village of Salamanca was founded. John Boardman, the first to engage
in business in West Salamanca, opened a small store near the river in 1836
and had a trade with the Indians. William P. Crawford had a grocery store
near his residence about 1845. I" i860 John Hill opened the first general
store. He was succeeded by W. F. Hallock in 1877 and the store was burned
in 1878. The "People's store" was occupied by Senear & Nelson in 1864.
Other merchants were Hevenor & Buck and Hevenor Brothers. Among the
several thrifty merchants now in the village are J. S. Beers, a long-time jew-
eler, and J. J. McKay, a merchant and his father's successor as manager of
the stock-yards. The village of West Salamanca was incorporated in 1884
with Richard J. McKay as the first president. The two villages meet ; West
Salamanca lies almost entirely within the reservation. Its real estate is
legally held by valid leases from the Seneca Nation. Its population is about
500. It contains three churches (Methodist, Baptist, and United Brethren),
a Union School, six or eight stores, three or four hotels, and a postoffice
established in 1840 with John Boardman as postmaster.
Salamanca village is situated on the Allegheny river, eight miles south-
easterly from the county seat, and on four railroad lines, viz.: The Erie, the
New York, Penn.sylvania & Ohio, the Western New York & Pennsylvania,
and the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg. On account of its superior railroad
advantages the Board of Supervisors of Cattaraugus County, at their annual
session in November, 1892, voted to remove the county seat hither, but to
legalize the removal the resolution must be ratified by a majority of the voters
of the county in November of the present year. The village lies wholly
within the Indian reservation and has grown to its present size and impor-
tance since the location here of the union depot and railroad shops in 1863.
Legal occupancy of the land is vested in and authorized by a system of leases
as detailed in Chapter V. of this volume. Under the present system the real
estate titles are almost equal to a fee simple. The village now has a popula-
tion of about 4,000. The principal streets have sufficient sewers to afford
good drainage, an adequate water system is in operation, and electricity is
employed for lighting. It has a Union Free School, several church edifices, a
number of commodious brick business blocks and handsome residences, good
hotels, etc.
The village of Salamanca was incorporated, by a vote of the inhabitants,
at an election held August 30, 1878. Of the two hundred and fifty-six votes
cast only twenty-three were against incorporation. At the first election under
the charter, held October 5, 1878' the following officers were elected: O. S.
io86 History of Cattaraugus County.
Vreeland, president; C. O. Day, E. O'Brien, and William Bartlett, trustees;
James McGuire, treasurer ; Phineas Stevens, collector ; and Carey D. Davie
(appointed), clerk. The village has a well-equipped volunteer fire depart-
ment, the officers of which are: R. H. Carew, chief; F. C. Chesley, first
assistant; Frederick Eckhart, second assistant; E. B. Fitzgerald, secretary ;
H. C. Little, treasurer.
The Salamanca Union Free School was established under the Regents of
the University of the State of New York, October 12, 1875, the first trustees
being F. B. Mills, E. H. Space, John Keenan, Ira McKibben, C. E. Gallagher,
John Nelson, A. Hosley, W. G. Hevenor, and T. A. Heller. The board was
organized by electing A. Hosley, president : C. E. Gallagher, clerk ; O. B. Se-
near, collector; J. B. Shaw, treasurer. G. L. Weeks was the first principal of
the school. Three buildings are now occupied for school purposes. The one
on Maple street, the central school house, erected in 1884, is a large and hand-
some brick structure, J"] by 1 10 feet, having two stories and a basement. An
e.xtensive circulating and reference library is connected with this building, as
are also large zoological and geological collections for the use of classes. In
the physical and chemical laboratories are found every facility in the way of
instruments and apparatus. The building is well lighted, is heated with
steam, and has a seating capacity for 800 students. It cost §35,000. The New-
ton run division is in a handsome frame structure, 30 by 50 feet, and two sto-
ries high. It is surmounted with a belfry, cost $2,800, has accommodations
for 160 pupils, and was first occupied in 1S75. The school on the south side
of the river is known as the South Side school. This is a building two stories
high, of brick, and cost something over $2,000. It has a seating capacity for
150 pupils. The school registration for 1891-92 was 961, the number of pupils
of school age in the village being over 1,000. Of these 60 are at Newton run,
1 10 at the South Side school, and the remainder are at the central building
on Maple street. There is an average daily attendance in all the schools of
about 700. The principals of the Union Free School have been G. L. Weeks,
E. B. Vreeland, E. L. Blanchard, R. H. Bowles, T. B. Dates, A. B. Davis, A. H.
Sage, Henry A. Balcom, H. H. Snell, and J. H. Carfrey. The first Regents'
credentials seem to have been awarded during the principalship of E. B. Vree-
land. Since that time the attendance has increased with the rapid growth of
the village and credentials in large numbers have been awarded of the higher
certificates and diplomas. The schools are now under the principalship of
J. H. Carfrey, assisted by eighteen teachers, and are supported at a cost of
$11,000. The present officers of the Board of Education are as follows: Pres-
ident, M. W. Frank; clerk. Miss Alice Pickett; treasurer, E. F. Hoy; collec-
tor, B. E. Phillips.
Wildwood Cemetery Association was organized in 1881 with Thomas A.
Heller, president; O. S. Vreeland, secretary; A. H. Krieger, treasurer. The
association purchased a tract of twenty-two acres and gave it the name of
Town of SAI.A^rA^,x•A. _ 10S7
Wildwood Cemetery. It is situated near the north bank of the Allegheny
river, about three-fourths of a mile east of the business part of the village.
The First National Bank of Salamanca was organized by the election of
the following Board of Directors on April 15, 18S0: Edward H. Space, War-
ren W. Wellman, William T. Fish, Asher W. Miner, J. P. Colgrove, Henry O.
Wait, William G. Hevenor, Hudson Ansley, Abijah J. Wellman, Richard J.
McKay, and Christian F. Nies. The officers chosen were Edward H. Space,
president ; J. P. Colgrove, vice-president : and Warren W. Wellman, cashier.
Mr. Space resigned as president and H. O. Wait was elected to the position
in January, 1881. In July, 1885, Edwin F. Hoy was elected assistant cashier.
The capital is $50,000 and the stockholders receive a semi-annual dividend of
from five to six per cent.
The Salamanca National Bank was organized December 26, 1881, by A. G.
Dow, of Randolph, the stockholders being Albert G. Dow, .Daniel S. Swan,
James G. Johnson, Warren Dow, Charles M. Dow, David B. Packer, and Natt
W. Davis. The capital stock was §50,000. The Board of Directors consisted
of Albert G. Dow, Warren Dow, Charles M. Dow, Daniel S. Swan, and James
G. Johnson, who chose Albert G. Dow, president ; Charles M. Dow, vice-
president ; and Warren Dow, cashier. The bank was opened for business in
January, 1882, in a small one-story building on the site now occupied by the
Becker-Maney building. March i, 1882, Warren Dow resigned as cashier and
Hiram Fosdickwas appointed to the position, which he has since held. April
I, 1882, Mr. Dow individually commenced the erection of the plesent bank
building, which was completed and occupied by the institution in November
following. January 9, 1883, the property was purchased for $5,500. April i,
1889, A. G. Dow resigned as president and the late Richard J. McKay was
elected to the position. In August, 1891, the office of president was again
. made vacant by the death of Mr. McKay and September i, 1891, E. B. Vree-
land was chosen to the position, which he continues to fill.
The West Salamanca live-stock yards were established in 1872 by W. H.
Westinghouse, of Salamanca, and W. D. Talcott, of Silver Creek, N. Y., and
operated by them until 1876, when R. J. McKay assumed the management for
H. J. Miner, of Dunkirk. June i, 1882, Mr. McKay acquired the sole charge
by lease and August i, 1883, took in as partner Hon. John B. McPherson, of
New Jersey. The yards are extensively patronized as a resting and feeding
place between Chicago and New York.
The Salamanca tannery was purchased in November, 1888, by the present
proprietors, James Horton & Co., of George Williams. The firm is composed
of James Horton, H. H. Crary, Walter Horton, E. G. Davidge, W. G. Garrett,
and L. R. Johnson, all practical tanners. F. W. Simmons is the general super-
intendent. There are eight buildings well equipped and substantially built.
The output is 500 sides of Union Crop sole leather per day. The tannery con-
sumes about 12,000 cords of bark yearly and gives employment to eighty-five
io8S History of Cattaraugus County.
men. In 1863 a tannery was first erected on this site and was successively op-
erated by Curtis & Demming, Curtis & Williams, C. H. & G. L. Williams. The
resent firm removed the old buildings and erected the plant now in operation.
The Salamanca Iron Works are located on the south side of the Allegheny
and near the tracks of the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad. ■ The
plant was erected in 1885 by S. H. Lego & Son, who conducted business until
May 15, 1891, when it was purchased by T. L. De Nike, H. G. Forbes, and
H. F. McCann. Four months later Mr. McCann became sole proprietor.
November i, 1891. E. D. Van Etten purchased an equal interest with Mr. Mc-
Cann and the business has since been conducted by these men. They manu-
facture castings, iron columns, mill machinery, etc., making a specialty of a
machine for grinding matcher heads in planing-mills. They also do repairing
and deal in boilers, oils, belting, and mill supplies.
The "Hemlock Mills," situated on the south bank of the Allegheny, are
operated by steam and have a capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber in twenty-four
hours. They belong to the estate of James G. Fitts and occupy the site of a
saw-mill erected by John Green. In 1856 the site became the property of the
Tuna Lumber Company, composed of S. W. Bradley, David Harrower, Anthony
Fay, and a Mr. Barker. They removed the old mill and built another for
water-power. This was burned in 1863, was rebuilt by them, and was finally
owned by S. W. Bradley. At his death about 1868 the property was trans-
ferred to Hall & Whitmore. In 1883 it passed to the firm of Fitts & Kent.
The Weaver Lumber Company, of Rochester, has a lumber manufacturing
plant in Salamanca on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad. The su-
perintendent is H. G. Osborne. This concern succeeded W. J. Osborne Co.,
who built the mills in 1888.
The .Salamanca steam grist-mill was built by George W. Hagadorn and
completed in December, 1876. Since December, 1883, the property has been
owned by Mrs. G. W. Hagadorn and is now conducted by R. H. Hoag & Co.
The motive power is steam and the capacity is si.xty bushels of feed per hour.
The Sowl Milling Company's City mills were built in 1887 by Sowl, Stevens
& Co. The Salamanca Steam Laundry was established by M. D. Chase in
1883, passed through several hands, and finally became the property of Charles
Nies and L. J. Parker.
The Salamanca Embroidery Company (limited) erected a brick building,
30.\;90 feet, near the eastern limits of the incorporation, in 1883. In 1886 the
plant was rented by Ferdinand Breuschwyler, who conducted it nearly a year,
when he returned to his native country, Switzerland. Jacob Huberlin was
manager a year, when Mr. Breuschwyler returned and has since been either
manager or proprietor. He does embroidery in chenille, silk, and cotton, and
gives employment to thirty-five hands.
The Salamanca Gas Company was organized June i, 1886, with a capital
stock of $50,000. The officers are Daniel O'Day, president ; G. W. Colton,
Town of Salamanca. • . 10S9
treasurer; D. N. Payne, general manager; Mr. Ryan, superintendent. They
supply the village with natural gas for fuel and artificial gas for light through
fifteen miles of street mains.
I. M. Crawford and wife, in the spring of 1886, erected a small conservatory
for the purpose of growing bulbs and house plants. This ultimately evolved
their present business and establishment, known as the South Side Greenhouses.
E. W. Very & Son are proprietors of the Salamanca Marble and Granite
Works, one of the largest establishments of the kind in Cattaraugus county.
They deal in all of the leading varieties of granite and American and foreign
marble, and also contract for building stone and flagging for sidewalks.
The Indian Congregational church, organized by Rev. Charles Potter,
erected a house of worship a few miles below Salamanca on the Allegheny in
1858, and for several years enjoyed the labors of Rev. William Hall, the long-
time missionary among the Indians. The First Baptist church of Bucktooth
was formed among the Indians in 1858 by Rev. N. Smith. May 22, i860, the
body was incorporated and the same year a church edifice was erected at a
cost of $1,200. It was built a few miles below West Salamanca and would
seat 200 persons. In 1874 a native Seneca, A. D. Blinkley, was ordained
pastor and Peter Sundown was elected deacon. ,
Episcopal services were held in West Salamanca as early as 1863 by Rev.
P. P. Kidder, then rector of St. John's church of Ellicottville, which resulted
in the organization of St. Mary's church at West Salamanca in 1865, repre-
sented by twenty-five families and a membership of thirty-four. A house of
worship was erected and was first occupied November 19, 1865. J. H. Water-
bury, its organizer, was the first rector; Jesse T. Fosdick and John Hill, war-
dens. The society continued to worship in this house until 1875, when the
edifice was sold to the Methodists of the place and since then the society has
worshiped in Salamanca. They erected the frame church on Wildwood
avenue in 1877. The removal of the church was occasioned by the removal
of business following the removal of the railroad depot and shops from West
Salamanca to Salamanca. The church property, including buildings and
grounds, is valued at $5,500. The membership is 200 with Rex. T. A. Parnell
as rector. The Sunday school has sixty-five scholars.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Salamanca was organized and
incorporated February 10, 1873, with H. O. Wait, S. S. Palmer, and George
B. Stebbins as trustees, and with twenty-three members. The church edifice
was completed and dedicated January 11, 1874. Rev. J. E. Brown had
preached to a small audience prior to the organization. The first pastor
(1873) was Rev. L. L. Luce. The church now has 171 members with Rev.
Azara C. Spencer as pastor. The house of worship cost $4,000 and with the
grounds and other property is now valued at $5,000. It will seat 450 people.
The Sunday school has 150 pupils with Mrs. A. C. Fisher as superintendent.
The West Salamanca Methodist Episcopal church is a part of tlie parish
137
logo History of Cattaraugus County.
of the M. E. church of Salamanca and attended by the same pastor. It was
organized in 1875 by Rev. H. H. Moore. April 2, 1875, the edifice erected
by the society of St. Mary's Episcopal church was purchased and has since
been the church of the Methodist people of the West village. The property
is valued at $1,500. The building has a seating capacity of 200 persons. It
has thirty-five members and a Sunday school of 125 scholars. Rev. A. C.
Spencer as pastor.
The First Baptist church of Salamanca was organized March 3, 1873, by
Rev. G. W. Varnum, with twelve members, and was formally recognized by a
council composed of neighboring churches July :^, 1873. On that day the
church edifice was dedicated, which cost $2,300, much of which was contrib-
uted by the first deacon of the church, Samuel Learned. Elder D. E. Burt
was the first pastor. The present number of members is ninety-five. W. W.
Wellman, K. Kelsey, and J. L. Sowl are trustees. The present pastor is J. W.
Millard. The church has a seating capacity of 300 people. The property is
valued at $3,000. The Sunday school is attended by 100 pupils under R. C.
Hinkley as superintendent.
The First Congregational church of Salamanca was organized March 11,
1875, by Rev. J. D. Stewart, who called a council of neighboring Congrega-
tional churches to assist him. The membership then consisted of twenty-
seven persons and Rev. Mr. Stewart became their first pastor. The society
met for worship in the Baptist church until the church edifice on River street
was completed in 1876. This structure is a part of the present edifice. In
1887 a brick front was erected. The church was re-seated and will now seat 300
persons. The property is valued at $6,200. Rev. C. H. Crawford succeeded
Rev. J. D. Stewart and since 1878 the pastors have been Rev. H. M. Higley,
Rev. Robert Sharp, Rev. W. D. Henry, Rev. G. E. Soper, Rev. H. M. Alt-
man, Rev. Mrs. Guernsey (wife of Rev. H. E.), and the present one, Rev.
M. L. Dalton, who began his pastorate May i, 1891. The membership is 103.
The Sunday school has 230 pupils with an average attendance of 140. A. W.
Ferrin has been superintendent since May i, 1883.
In 1850 a few Catholic families moved into the town of Salamanca and
settled on the line of the Erie railroad. Soon after Father McKeevers, from
Ellicottville, visited them and attended to their spiritual wants. For some
years priests from Ellicottville and later from Jamestown occasionally said
mass and administered the sacraments in private houses and in public halls.
In 1862 a frame church edifice, 32x50 feet, was erected just beyond the reser-
vation limits at West Salamanca. Rev. Patricio Burns was the first pastor
and attended it once a month from Jamestown, where he resided. The parish
had grown to a membership of about 300 and the needs of a resident priest were
felt. Soon after the erection of the church a parsonage was built and the en-
tire property was valued at $3,000. Rev. Father McMullen was the first resi-
dent pastor, and the Catholic people of Little Valley and Great Valley were
Town of Salamanca. - 1091
identified as members of his parish. The priests ' who followed Father. Mc-
Mullen were Fathers Wagner, Bloomer, and Baxter, each remaining but a
short time. In 1870 Rev. John Byron was placed in charge and in 1875
leased land on West River street in Salamanca on which, in the following
year, he erected St. John's church. A suitable building near the church was
purchased for a parsonage. In 1882 the Catholic population of the town had
so largely increased that St. John's church was no longer suitable and the
present edifice, St. Patrick's church, was erected at a cost of about $18,000.
It is a brick structure and one of the finest church edifices in the county. Un-
der the supervision of Father Byron a frame church was erected in the village
of Little Valley and also one at Kill Buck in the town of Great Valley. The
church at Little Valley is now attended from Randolph. The one at Kill
Buck is no longer used, the people in that vicinity attending service at St.
Patrick's in Salamanca. Father Byron worked hard and well in Salamanca.
He died May 31, 1889. He was succeeded in the parish by Rev. M. P. Con-
nery, a priest of the Buffalo diocese. He remained in the charge about eight
months, and was succeeded by Rev. P. Berkery, who commenced his charge
of the parish May i, 1890. In 1892 a parochial school building was erected
at a cost of about $10,000. The parochial residence was given up to the Sis-
ters of St. Joseph from Buffalo, who have charge of the school, as a convent,
and the Space place across the street from the church was purchased as a
home for the priest. St. Patrick's Parochial School was opened September 5,
1892, with 200 children and five teachers. It now has about 275 scholars.
The Church of the Holy Cross (Polish Roman Catholic), of Salamanca, was
organized August 5, 1893, with about 350 members. The corner-stone of
their church edifice on Broad street was laid September 3d with appropriate
ceremonies. The priest in charge is F"ather Besinski, a Polander. It is the
intention to found very soon a parochial school, in which the Polish children
can be taught in their native language.
The Free Methodist church on Academy street is under the pastorship of
Rev. G. S. Chamberlain. It has a flourishing Sunday school.
Cattaraugus Lodge, No. 239, F. &. A. M., was instituted at Little Valley
under a dispensation granted in 185010 Benjamin Chamberlain, Staley N.
Clarke, Samuel Barrows, Solomon S. Childs, Gaius Wheaton, Luther Pea-
body, Israel Day, Moses Beecher, Smith Finch, and Ira Gaylord. The first
ofificers were Ira Gaylord, M.; Benjamin Chamberlain, S. W.; and Luther Pea-
body, J. W. The lodge received its charter in June, 185 1. The meetings
were held at Little Valley until December, 1873, when the lodge was removed
to Salamanca. It is now in a flourishing condition. The officers are George
B. Abbott, M.; Edward F. Norton, S. W.; Henry C. Whitlock, J. W.; Andrew
H. Krieger, treasurer; Ernest D. Van Etten, secretary.
Salamanca Chapter, No. 266, R. A. M., was instituted under a dispensation
granted March 6, 1872, to John B. Shaw, H. P.; E. H. Space, K.; and compan-
1092 History of Cattaraugus County.
ions Chase, Whipple, Krieger, Brainard, Waterman, Griffin, Wait, Elliott,
Hevenor, Henderson, 0!Donnell, and Farquharson. The chapter was char-
tered about a year later. The principal officers in 1893 are Thomas A. Heller,
H. P.; Otis B. Fullam, K.; Isaac Brown, S.; Andrew H. Krieger, treasurer;
William C. Hirchert, secretary.
Salamanca Commandery, No. 62, K. T., was chartered in the spring of 1893.
It was organized under a dispensation of the Grand Commandery of this State
a year previous. Its principal officers are E. B. Vreeland, C; Henry O. Wait,
G.; William L. Alexander, C. G.; Frank W. Simmons, P.; William G. Hevenor,
treasurer; William C. Hirchert, recorder.
Salamanca Lodge, No. 501, I. 0.0. F., was instituted June 17, 1882. The
first officers were W. C. Palmer, N. G.; S. A. Beckwith, V. G.; A. H. Forman,
secretary; Daniel Folts, treasurer. It now has 153 members.
Salamanca Encampment, No. 124, I. O. O. F., has forty-eight members.
The officers are W. H. Agnew, C. P.; H. W. Berry, S. ; Fred Stillman, treas.
Star Union, No. 336, E. A. U., was organized March 22, 1879. ^^ now has
155 members. Salamanca Lodge, No. 37, A. O. U. W., was instituted Septem-
ber 7, 1876, with thirty-si.x members.
Sherwood Post, No. 380, G. A. R., was organized September i, 1891, with
about thirty members and the following officers : Jerome Brownell, com-
mander; J. A. Andrews, senior vice-commander; Samuel C. Shirley, junior
vice-commander ; Rev. M. F. Trippe, chaplain. The present membership
numbers ninety-si.K with the same officers first elected. Connected is a Wom-
an's Relief Corps, of which Mrs. Alice Markell is president, and Krieger
Camp, Sons of Veterans, of which George S. Beckwith is commander.
Forest Council, No. 24, Home Circle, was organized in January, 1880,
with twenty members. Seneca Council, No. 258, Royal Arcanum, was or-
ganized February 17, 1879, with seventeen members. Banner Lodge, No.
314, K. of H., was instituted June 28, 1876, with fifteen members. Division
No. 2, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized March 19, 1893, with
thirty-five members. Salamanca Union of the W. C. T. U. is officered in
1893 by Mrs. M. Hubbard, president; Mrs. J. Pa.xton, Mrs. E. Saxton, Mrs..
B. M. Dalton, and Mrs. Mary Pa3nie, vice-presidents; Mrs. E. R. Jones, re-
cording secretary; Mrs. Dell Spaulding, treasurer. The union meets every
Friday in a hall controlled by the Salamanca Reading Room Association.
Jerome A. Andrews, the second child of Willis M. and Mariette Andrews,
was born at East Otto, Jan. 6, 1839, and married Emma Lattin, daughter of
Linus Lattin, of Mansfield, Sept. 23, 1868. Their children are Bret, born
Feb. 5, 1 87 1, married Fannie, daughter of A. F. Benson, of Cattaraugus, Jan.
28, 1893; Neil, born Dec. 27, 1874, a law student in Buffalo; and Max, born
Julv 4, 1884. Jerome A. remained on the farm till April, 1861, when he en-
listed in Co. I, 37th N. Y. Vols., in which he served as private and sergeant
through all the hard-fought battles during his term of enlistment, re-enlisting
in 1865 as veteran and first lieutenant. Immediately subsequent to the fall
Town of Salamanca. , 1093
of the Confederacy he engaged in the sale of general rnerchandise with his
brother G. W. at East Otto, continuing until 1869, when he went to New
Albion, where he was postmaster, and subsequently removing to Cattaraugus,
where he engaged in the same business. Thence he went to Salamanca and
engaged in the hardware trade with Hon. S. S. Laing, which business he still
follows with his oldest son Bret as J. A. Andrews & Son. He is prominent in
G. A. R. circles and has been several times commander of E. A. Andrews
Post, No. 287, which was named for his brother, and has also been a delegate
to State and National encampments. He is now an aid-de-camp on the staff
of the department commander of the State of New York. (See also p. 552.)
James S. Beers's father, Benjamin Beers, and mother, Sarah Osterbank,
were natives of Connecticut. He was born in Westchester county, N. Y., in
1816, and settled in Little Valley in 1850, whence he removed to West Sala-
manca in the fall of 1864, where he still resides. His leading life occupation
has been that of a jeweler.
Stephen A. Beckwith, born in Fredonia, N. Y., Aug. 5, 1837, attended the
common schools, and at the age of eighteen began the trade of a carriage
painter. May 17, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 37th N. Y. Vols., was mustered
in June 7, 1861, and was discharged June 22, 1863. He was at the first battle
of Bull Run, served in the Peninsula campaign, and was at Chancellorsville.
In Jan., 1862, he was detailed on recruiting service and. spent about three
months in New York city. At Fair Oaks he had an attack of typhoid fever
and was sent in a delirious condition to the hospital on David's Island. Re-
turning to his regiment he participated in the battle of Fredericksburg and at
the close of the war returned home with the rank of sergeant. He married,
Oct. 19, 1864, Philopene Sell. In the fall of 1875 he removed to Salamanca,
where he is engaged in the manufacture, repair, and sale of carriages. He is
a member of Sherwood Post, No. 380, and has two sons and two daughters.
Jerome Brownell was born in Perrington, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1843. -A-ug. 8,
1862, he enlisted in Co. E, io8th N. Y. Vols., and fought his first battle at An-
tietam, Sept. 17, 1862. He was also at Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg,
where he was struck by bullets five times and received a severe wound in his
right shoulder. After recovering he went into the Second Brigade brass band
as a musician in the Veteran Reserve Corps and was discharged July 25, 1865.
He was then a miller in several places until 1880, when he settled in Sala-
manca, where he now resides, and where he is an engineer. He is now serving
his second term as commander of Sherwood Post, No. 380, G. A. R. March
21, 1866. he married Patience A. Furlow. Children: James C. and Willard J.
Homer E. Crandall, son of Ira C. and Sarah J. (Duncan) Crandall, was
born in Mansfield in 1863. About 1873 his father, who had been a farmer in
Napoli, removed to the village of Cattaraugus, where he engaged in mercan-
tile business. Homer E. attended the public schools and Chamberlain Insti-
tute, and at the age of fourteen began teaching common schools and taught
five terms. He then entered a drug store in Randolph. In- 1882 he came to
Salamanca, where he remained a year with Dr. C. P. Colgrove and the late
Dr. Day. In 1883 he entered the New York College of Pharmacy and was
graduated therefrom in 1884. For one year he was in New York in charge of
the prescription department in Murray Hill pharmacy and then returned to
Salamanca as a clerk in the Palace drug store. At the death of , Dr. Day he
became his successor. April 26, 1888, he married Nellie V. Pickett.
William P. Crawford, son of Judge William and Nancy (Reed) Crawford,
1094 History of Cattaraugus County.
was born in Emlenton, Pa., March 15, 1810. His father was a prominent citi-
zen of Venango county and held the ofifice of judge. William P. came to
Cattaraugus county in the fall of 1832, and engaged in cutting and hauling
pine timber to the saw-mills. In the spring he ran a raft to Pittsburg and \\'as
thenceforward a river pilot until the railroad was completed. About 18397
with Jonathan Thompson, Robert Miles, and John McCullough, he built the
Bucktooth mills on the south bank of the Allegheny river, about one mile be-
low West Salamanca. Around these mills sprung up a little hamlet of about
twenty families, which was the first within the town of Salamanca. He bought
quite extensively of the timber of the Indians on the reservation and of the
white settlers. In 1841 he married Catherine S.. daughter of Luther Badger,
also a pioneer of Bucktooth Mills. In the fall of 1847 he moved his family
to the homestead, where he died Feb. 25, 1891. He succeeded John Board-
man as postmaster about 1852 and held the position twenty-two years. He
held most of the important offices of the town and in politics was first a Whig
and later a Republican. He was often a delegate to political con\'entions.
Westbrook L. Davenport, son of Cyrinius and Cornelia (Lownsberry) Dav-
enport, was born in W^awarsing. N. Y., April 3, 1846. He began life as a
driver for his father on the Delaware & Hudson canal, his father being propri-
etor of two canal boats. In Dec, 1863, he enlisted in Co. G, 56th N. Y. Vols.,
and served until the close of the war. He recei\ed a gun-shot wound in his
foot at the battle of Honey Hill near Charleston, S. C. In the springof 1871
he settled in Salamanca and became an emplo}-ce of the Erie railroad, being
now assistant cashier of the freight department. .Mr. Davenport is a staunch
Republican and has been adjutant of Sherwood Post, No. 380, G. A. R. Oct.
17, 1S75, he married M. Etta, daughter of H. \'. B. Barker, of Cuba, N. Y.
They have two son? and a daughter.
Charles A. Doty was born in Geneseo, N. Y., July 25, i860. His father,
W^illiam H. Doty, was a customs house officer in New York city, where the
family resided several years. He learned the trade of harness making and in
1882 came to Salamanca, where he still resides. In May, 1885, he purchased
a harness business and has since conducted a thriving trade. He married
Mary L., daughter of Henry Johnson, of Salamanca, and has one son. His
uncle, Lockwood L. Doty, was Governor Morgan's private secretary and the
editor of the Livingston Republican.
Benjamin F. Eaton, son of Ira and Priscilla (McKecn) Eaton, was born in
Colden, N. Y., Dec. 22, 1843. His father was a native of New Hampshire and
of English descent. His mother was also born in New Hampshire and was of
Scotch ancestry. He supplemented his public school education with a term
at Griffith Institute in Springville. He spent fifteen years in the west, princi-
pally in Iowa, engaged in stock-raising and farming. Returning to his native
State in Feb., 1882, he spent two years in farming in Springville and in 1884
settled in Salamanca, where he is still engaged in merchandizing. In Jan.,
1879, he married Anna Maloney, of West Valley. Children: Albert R., Mabel
Blanche, Franklin J., and Viva J.
William T. Fish, son of Joseph and Lucia (Fields) Fish, was born in Tioga
county, Pa., in 1836, early learned the shoemaker's trade, and entered filestore
of his brother at Kill Buck as a clerk. When his brother sold to Charles
Burnside Mr. Fish was placed in charge of the store and all of Mr. Burnside's
book-keeping. Two years later he was admitted to partnership in the store
under the firm name of W. T. Fish & Co. Two years afterward they built
Town of Salamanca. - 1095
the first store in Salamanca and opened it for trade in the spring of 1865, A
year later Mr. Fish purchased the interest of Mr. Burnside and has since con-
ducted business alone. In the great fire in 1880 his store and stock were de-
stroyed. He immediately rebuilt his present brick block. In 1880 he was in-
fluential in organizing the First National Bank of Salamanca and has since
been one of its directors. He is a staunch Republican and has often served
as a delegate to conventions. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and
was six years a member of the Board of Education. In 1862 he married Mary
J. Brace, of Dunkirk, N. Y. Children : William J., Charles A., and Minnie C.
James G. Fitts, son of Isaac and Nancy (Bayley) Fitts, natives of South-
ampton, Mass., was born in Dorchester, N. H., Nov. 30, 1829. His father,
a pioneer farmer, removed to Dorchester in i8i2or 1813. He began business
as a carpenter and was engaged near Boston about four years. In 1856 he
came to Cattaraugus county and engaged in manufacturing lumber by con-
tract for Blake, Ehvell & Co., of Kill Buck, where he remained until 1869,
when he settled in Salamanca (then Bucktoothi. He assumed the manage-
ment of the Hemlock mills under contract with Hall & Whitmore to saw all
the pine timber on a tract of 7,000 or 8,ooo acres. This employed him thir-
teen years. During this time Mr. Fitts manufactured an aggregate of 50,-
000,000 feet of pine and a large quantity of hemlock lumber and gave em-
ployment to fifty or sixty men. In 1883 he became, with Alonzo M. Kent,
proprietor of the Hemlock mills. Mr. Fitts also divided a tract of seventy-
five acres into village lots. His brother, Ephraim Fitts, was supervisor of
Great Valley in 1885. In Feb., 1861, he married Mary C. Gillies, of Scotch
descent, who was born on the Atlantic ocean in 1843. He died April 2, 1893.
Hiram Fosdick, son of Samuel and Caroline (Humphrey) Fosdick, was
born in Erie county, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1827, and was reared in Youngstown,
Niagara county. He became a tailor and when eighteen went to Michigan,
where he remained five years as a journeyman. He also learned of his father
the trade of carpenter and in 1849 settled in Randolph, where he resumed his
trade as a tailor, which he conducted several years. On account of impaired
health he took up the business of carpenter, which he continued until i860,
when he became the book-keeper and salesman for A. G. Dow, then dealing
in hardware. In Feb., 1863, he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was citi-
zen clerk in the post quartermaster's department. In December he returned
to Randolph and had charge of Hon. A. G. Dow's banking business in his
absence as member of Assembly. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Dow bought a
hardware business in East Randolph and made Mr. Fosdick his equal partner.
In 1865 that business was closed up and consolidated with Warren Dow's
stock of hardware in Randolph and the combined store was conducted under
the firm name of Dow & Fosdick until 1868, when the business was sold.
April I, 1869, he again entered Mr. Dow's banking office, where he remained
until Oct., 1875, when he had a position with the State Bank of Randolph,
where he was employed until he resigned March i, 1882, to accept the position
of cashier of the Salamanca National Bank, which position he has since filled.
In 1866 Mr. Fosdick married Helen Windsor, of York, N. Y.
Charles E. Gallagher was born of Irish parentage in Little Valley, June
15, 1849, W'ls educated in the common schools and in Randolph Academy,
studied law with Hudson Ansley and others, and had charge of the law ofifice
of Judge Lamb and C. P. Vedder in Salamanca about two years, but never
made application for admission to the bar. His sight became impaired and
1096 History of Cattaraugus County.
for a while he was totally blind. Partially recovering he opened a hardware
and grocery store in Salamanca and is now engaged in the sale of hardware,
agricultural' implements, carriages, and sleighs, and as a contractor and builder.
Frank H. Gardner was born in Salamanca, Feb. 3. 1862. He is the son of
C. S. Gardner and received a good business education in Cleveland, Ohio,
after which he learned the printer's trade in his native village. He married
Annie Coyle, Oct. 27, 1884, and has three children.
C. R. Gibson has resided in Salamanca several years. He built the opera
house in 1890, on the site of the one erected by Fitts & Ansley, and has re-
cently metamorphosed it into stores. He is a wholesale dealer in wines and
liquors and one of the substantial men of the village.
Noble H. Gillespie, a native of the North of Ireland and of Scotch descent,
was. born May 3, 1859, emigrated to America in the spring of 1880, and set-
tled in Chicago, where he was engaged in the meat packing establishment of
Fowler Brothers, who sent him to Salamanca in 1881 to superintend their
refrigerator department. He was their agent alternately in Chicago and Sala-
manca until 1889, since which time he has been a permanent resident here
and is now engaged in the harness business. Oct. 28, 1886, he married Emma,
daughter of A. H. Krieger.
Rev. William Hall, son of Ephraim, was born in Dracut, Mass., Sept. 20,
1808. His father settled in Hanover, N. Y., in 1810. At the age of twenty-
six he was ordained a minister of the Congregational church. Oct. 22, 1834,
he married Emeline Gaylord and the next day came with his bride to the Alle-
gany reservation and located at Bucktooth Mills as an Indian missionary to
the Seneca Nation. In May following his house was burned and one Indian
boy perished in the flames. He then removed to Old Town in South Valley,
where he labored as an Indian missionary, being sustained by the American
Board of Foreign Missions, and had very little intercourse with white people
for twenty years. E.xcept about ten years which he spent as a home missionary
in London, Mich., he labored constantly as a Christian minister with the Sen-
eca Indians. In 1878 he was placed on the retired list, but he has continually
preached to his Indian congregation. He resides in West Salamanca. His
life work has been one of great hardship and self-denial. Feb. 17, 1882, his
wife died ; of three sons and three daughters three are living: Silas C, Mrs.
Lydia S. Halleck, and Mrs. Clarissa Peabody. Nov. 24, i8gu Mr. Hall mar-
ried Mrs. Sophia M. (Phillips), widow of Sylvester Cowles, D.D., of Randolph.
Robert H. Hoag, son of Alexander and Margaret (Brown) Hoag, was born in
County Entran, North of Ireland, in 1842, of Scotch ancestry, and came to
America with his parents, a brother, and three sisters in 1846, spending three
years in the city of New York, where Alexander was engaged as a stone mason.
The family settled in 1849 '"^ Humphrey, whence, in 1876, he removed to Sal-
amanca, where he still resides. Robert H. Hoag enlisted Oct. 2, 1861, in Co.
I, 37th N. Y. Vols., participated in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines,
and siege of Richmond, and was discharged for disability. In 1880 he settled
in Salamanca and since 1884 has been the business manager of the firm of
R. H. Hoag & Co. He is a member of Sherwood Post, G. A. R.
James C. Keating, son of John and Ellen (Carran) Keating, was born in
Hanover, N. Y., April 18, 1856. He learned telegraphj^ and was employed by
the Erie Railroad Company from the age of seventeen until 1879. ^^ ^°^'
ducted the Union House in Olean in 1880 and was again a telegraph operator
until the fall of 1882. He then settled in Salamanca and conducted a restaur-
/
Town of Salamanca. , 1097
ant. In 1890 he erected Hotel Keating and opened it to the public Jan. i,
1891. He has one of the best hotels in Cattaraugus county.
Truman Kelsey, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Carver) Kelsey, was born in
Smyrna, N. Y., June 30, 1801. Jan. 27, 1825, he married Laura Olin, who was
born in Vermont, Feb. 25, 1807. In 1825 they settled in Great Valley one
mile west of Peth, where Mrs. Kelsey died Oct. 27, 1856. Soon afterward Mr.
Kelsey went to Delevan, Wis., where he died. He held most of the town
offices and was many years a justice of the peace. He had six sons and seven
daughters, of whom one son died in infancy.
Kathalo Kelsey, the third son of Truman, was born on the homestead in
Great Valley, Dec. 25, 1830, and was educated in the common schools, in the
Ellicottville Union School, and in Olean Academy, and began business as a
teamster in the lumber woods. He also taught district schools in winter and
with his brother Samuel bought the homestead, which for several years they
conducted, having also an extensive nursery of fruit trees, shrubs, etc. From
1868 to 1873 he was a farmer in Kansas. Returning to Cattaraugus county
he settled in 1875 in Salamanca, where he has since followed the professions of
civil engineering and land surveying. Sept. 2, 1861, he married Agnes Flint,
of Great Valley, and has five children. They belong to the Baptist church.
Hon. Solon S. Laing, son of John (see page 557), was born in East Otto
in 1847 and was educated in the common schools and in the Buffalo Commer-
cial College. In 1870 he began business as a hardware dealer in his native
town, where he carried on trade eighteen years. He is now of the firm of
Laing & Andrews, hardware dealers in Salamanca. Mr. Laing is a prominent
Democrat and represented East Otto on the Board of Supervisors in 1884,
1885, 1889, and 1890, was sixteen years a member and two years chairman of
the Democratic County Committee, and several times represented his district
in State conventions. He was postmaster of East Otto several years, cashier
of the Bank of Cattaraugus some time, and for five years has been president
of that institution. He was elected member of Assembly in 1891 and was
placed on the Committee of Ways and Means, of Agriculture, and of Indian
Affairs. In the spring of 1892 he removed to Salamanca, where he now resides.
In the fall of 1870 he married Martha D. Eddy, of Mansfield, and has a son
and a daughter.
John D. McDonell, born in Ottawa, Canada, in the year 1826, was edu-
cated in the public schools and academies, was a clerk in his uncle's general
store and lumber camps, and began business as a merchant in his native city
(then Bytown), where he remained until 1856, when he came to this State. In
1859 h^ became a clerk for the Erie railroad and in 1866 settled in Salamanca.
Since 1888 he has conducted a news, book, and stationery business. He is of
staunch Highland Scotch descent and inherits many native characteristics.
Richard J. McKay, of Scotch descent, was born in Mansfield, April 23,
1842. His great-great-grandfather, Elkenny McKay, emigrated to America
from Edinburgh, Scotland, about 1725. His father was one of the well-known
McKay family of nine brothers. Richard J., in Aug., 1863, enlisted in the
13th N. Y. H. A., but was rejected by the examining surgeon. He began
business as a butcher and dealer in meat in West Salamanca in 1863. With
and without partners he dealt extensively until 1864 in horses, cattle, and
sheep, which he shipped to eastern markets and later to the Pennsylvania oil
regions, and produced oil near Titusville, where he had a packing and whole-
sale pork and beef market in 1871. In 1874 he began buying dead and crip-
138
logS History of Cattaraugus County.
pled -stock in the West Salamanca stock yards and soon made this a very
profitable business. In 1876 he was made cashier of the stock yards and a
year later became general manager. In 1882 he leased the yards and in 1883
Hon. John R. McPherson associated in business with him. and the yards were
enlarged and the business reached huge proportions. Mr. .McKav was elected
the first president of the village of West Salamanca in 1S84 and became a
director of the First National Bank of Salamanca in April. 18S0, resigning the
position in July, 1889. He was elected president of the Salamanca National
Bank in April, i88g, and held the position at the time of his death. When
Mr. McKay became president of the bank the management of the stock
yards was given to his son, John J. McKay, who has since conducted the
business. Mr. McKay died in Aug., 1891.
Peter Messinger, born in Baden, Germany, June 5. 1S31, was there a
drafted soldier at the age of twenty-one and served in the German army until
1855. Without leave nf absence he emigrated to America in a sailing vessel,
which wassi.x weeks crossing the Atlantic. He arrived in Kill Buck, Sept. 20,
1855, and on the 24th engaged as a laborer in the "Hemlock mills." Aug.
12, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 154th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged June 21,
1S65. He participated in the battles of Chancellors\-ille and of Gettysburg,
where he was taken prisoner and confined in the southern prisons until March
I, .1865, when he was paroled and taken to the Union hospital, whence he was
sent home on a furlough and was finally discharged at Elmira. In Sept.,
1 87 1, he entered the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western railroad, and
since 1872 has been local car inspector for the Erie railroad. He is a member
of Sherwood Post, No. 380, G. A. R. July 9, 1857, he married Catherine
Bachmann, of Germany ; children: Carl H., born June 4, 1858; Cora M., born
May 29, 1S66; and Emma, born Sept. 30, 1868.
The Miller Brothers(E. H. and H. J.), dealers in wallpapers, window shades,
etc., who employ constantly a corps of skilled workman in paper hanging and
painting, have been located in Salamanca since 1881. Their enterprise has be-
come one of the leading industries of the town.
Charles Neis, born in Prussia, Germany, in 1S48, received a substantial ed-
ucation in the public schools of his native country, and in 1867 emigrated to
America and joined his sister, Mrs. Krieger, in Salamanca, where he still re-
sides. He began business as a journeyman cabinet maker and soon establshed
a trade of his own. About 1876 he engaged in dealing in real estate and be-
came also an extensive builder on his own lands, having completed in Sala-
manca the new Neis block at a cost of about $25,000. He also erected the
brick block on the corner of Main and Maple streets and besides has built
numerous hotels and dwelling houses in Salamanca and in Bradford, Pa. He
has been trustee and treasurer of the village and was one of the founders and
continuously a director of the First National Bank. In the spring of 1878 he
married Emma Coast, of Olean, and has five sons and two daughters.
John J. Nichols, son of John and Ann (Seeley) Nichols, was born in War-
saw, N. Y., May 16, 1843, and was reared a farmer. Oct. 29, 1861, he en-
listed in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Vols., and was discharged with the rank of ser-
geant Oct. 29, 1864. He participated in all the battles of his regiment until
his discharge, and at the Wilderness was under fire everj- day from May 6
until July 30, 1864.
E. F. Norton is engaged in the sale of watches, clocks, and jewelry in Sala-
manca, and is a man of high character and sound business principles.
Town of Salamanxa. . 1099
John O'Brien, born June 22, 1859, '" Limestone, attended the schools of
Salamanca and his native town, followed railroading for a time, and finally
settled permanently in Salamanca, where he conducts a billiard parlor. May
13, 1885, he married Ettie, daughter of W. M. Sullivan.
William C. Palmer, son of Amos N. and Mary (Barber) Palmer, was born
in Hopkinton, R. I., in 1833. At the age of eighteen he became a clerk in a
general store and in 1871 came to East Randolph as a dealer in groceries,
where he remained in trade until 1877, when he established the same business
in Salamanca, where he still resides. About 1S88 he formed a partnership
with Thomas P. Jones under the firm name of Palmer & Jones. They also
have a large store in Bradford, Pa. In 1856 he married Sarah J. Watson,, of
South Kingston, R. I., and they have had three sons and five daughters; one
of the daughters and all the sons are deceased ; those living are Eveline
(Mrs. A. P. Sprague), Media (Mrs. Benjamin Watson), Susie, and Ruby.
J. Davis Palmer, born in Lindley, N. Y., May 31, 1850, came to Sala-
manca in the fall of i86g and purchased the interest of Robert H. Walker in
a grocery business in which Mr. Walker was a partner with James H. Palmer,
brother of J. D. He was a merchant with his brother three or four years
under the firm name of Palmer Brothers, and was a clerk in the express office
under A. M. Chase from 1874 until 1879, ^^hen he became express messenger,
which position he still holds. His brother formed a partnership with Hev-
enor Brothers, sold to them, and afterward was a driiggist, which business
he continued until his death Dec. 6, 1874. J. D. Palmer married Emma,
daughter of Daniel Hale, of Olean ; children: Arthur D. (who married Anna
Smith, of Newark, N. Y., and has one daughteri. Ralph H., Estelle, and Alma.
Daniel H. and Otis H. Patterson, oldest and youngest sons of Robert and
Charlotte (Howe) Patterson, are natives of Great Valley. They began busi-
ness as lumbermen, which has always been their avocation. They built their
mills in Salamanca village, on the Allegheny river, in the fall of 1880 and be-
gan sawing lumber Jan. 6, 1881. They manufacture annually from 5,000,000
to 6,000,000 feet. Robert Patterson v.as born in Center township, Butler
county. Pa., Dec. 3, 1800. Their grandfather was a native of Cumberland
county. Pa., was a farmer, and died in Butler county, Pa., in 1847. Their
great-grandfather emigrated from Scotland at an early day and settled in
Cumberland county. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was
killed. Robert Patterson settled in Great Valley in 1827, where he was a lum-
berman, hotel keeper, and farmer. He cast his first presidential vote for
Henry Clay and after the formation of the Republican party he labored for
its Miccess. He was a Presbyterian. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are deceased.
I*" rank A. Reeves, of West Salamanca, son of George W. (see page 501),
was born Nov. 30, 1857. He was a student in Chamberlain Institute five years
and commenced teaching public schools before he was seventeen years of age,
teaching in all twenty-eight terms. In 1877 he was principal of the Union
School of West Salamanca, was principal of the graded school of Columbus,
Pa., two years, and then engaged in general merchandizing. He was burned
out in Sept., 1889, and is now conducting a grocery store. In June, 1889, he
was appointed postmaster of West Salamanca, which position he still holds.
He has also .served as trustee of the village. March 27, 1879, ^^ married Nel-
lie J. Childs, of West Sakimanca.
Elisha Reynolds was born in Savoy, Mass., Dec. 10, 18 16, and in 1844 mar-
ried Maria, sister of Hon. Commodore P. Vedder. For many years he resided
tioo History of Cattaraugus County.
in Franklinville, but latterly lived in Salamanca with his son, Vedder C. Rey-
olds, where he died May 19, 1893. His wife died in Franklinville, March 4,
1884. All their six children survive them. (See page 400.)
Oscar B. Senear, son of George W., was born in Milford, N. Y., Dec. 15,
1 83 1, removed with his parents to Ellicottville in 1833, and became a salesman
in a general store. In 1857 he was admitted a partner with one of his em-
ployers, Francis Green, Jr., in mercantile and lumber business, in which he has
alone and with others been engaged to the present time. He is a staunch
Republican and in Great Valley and Salamanca has held several town offices.
He was deputy sheriff from 1873 to 1876.
James O. Spencer, son of Col. James O. and Triphena (Chamberlain) Spen-
cer, was born in Cuba, N. Y., April 28, 1844. His father was a pioneer of Cuba,
where he built a frame house and the first good hotel. He was supervisor for
fourteen or fifteen consecutive years and was colonel of the militia. His
mother was a sister of Judge Benjamin Chamberlain, in whose family James
O. was reared. May 16, [861, he enlisted in Co. H, 37th N. Y. Vols., served
his term of enlistment, and re-enlisted in Co. D, 179th N. Y. Vols., and served
to the close of the war, being discharged July 30, 1865. He was duty-sergeant
of Co. H and first sergeant of Co. D, and participated in twenty battles, escap-
ing without a wound. Mr. Spencer was captured in front of Petersburg in
July, 1864, and was confined in prison ten months, being released on parole in
June, 1S65. He studied law at East Randolph with Jenkins & Goodwill sev-
eral months, removed to Portageville, N. Y., where he pursued his law studies
with E. Townsend over a year and served as justice of the peace, and in 1879
removed to Salamanca, where he still resides. He is serving his second term
as justice of the peace of Salamanca and is police justice of West Salamanca.
He served as justice of sessions in 1890 and was the Democratic nominee for
member of Assembly in the fall of 1890. He is president of the Board of Ed-
ucation of West Salamanca. July 4, 1872, he married Arvilla D. Metcalf, of
Randolph. Children: John J., born May 4, 1873, entered the law office of
Ansley & Davis at the age of fourteen ; George B. Mc, born July 12, 1876, a
law student with Judge Vreeland since 1880; Armenia T., born in Oct., 1881.
George Shedd, son of John D., was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 19,
1836. April 22, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 3d Ohio Vols., while on a visit in
Hamilton, Ohio, and was discharged at the e.Kpiration of his three months'
term of enlistment. Sept. 4, i85i, he enlisted as sergeant in Co. F, 69th Ohio
Vols., and in the battle of StonI; River at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1863,
he received a severe wound from a six-pound solid shot, which carried away
the upper part of his right shoulder. He was discharged for disability Sept.
13, 1863. Nov. 5, 1863, he received the commission of lieutenant-colonel of
Ohio State Militia and was assigned to duty on the borders of Ohio and Ken-
tucky, where his regiment did duty, and where he served out his term of five
years, being mustered out of service near the close of the year 1867. Colonel
Shedd returned to Hamilton and served on the police force until the spring
of 1870, when he removed to his native town and resumed the trade of har-
ness making, which he had commenced before he entered the army. Two
years later he removed to Randolph, where he prosecuted his trade eight
years, serving two years of the time on the police force. Jan. i, 1882, he set-
tled in Salamanca, where he is engaged in harness manufacturing. Two broth-
ers of Colonel Shedd were soldiers in Co. D, 35th Ohio Vols., and both died
of wounds. Sept. 13, 1862, he married Mary E. Carr, of Hamilton, Ohio. Their
Town of Salamanca.
only son, Albert, born March 27, 1864, enlisted in the fegular army in "Sept.,
1886, has served a terna of five years in the 5th United States Regulars, and
ten days after his discharge he re-enlisted for five years more. He is now sta-
tioned with his regiment in New Orleans.
Fred Stillman, born in Dunkirk, N. Y., Oct. 20, 1854, received his educa-
tion in his native village, and being the oldest of the family the support of his
mother and a younger brother and sister fell upon him after his father's
death. He learned the cabinet maker's trade in Dunkirk, and in Aug., 1876,
he began business as a furniture dealer in Salamanca. In 1888 he sold this
business and is now the only undertaker in the town. He was supervisor of
Salamanca in 1887 and 1888 and is now one of the county coroners and a
member of the Board of Education.
Alonzo L. Stratton, only son of Leander and Lucy (Foster) Stratton, was
born at Little Valley Center, Feb. 22, 1836, where, until he was thirty-three
years of age, he was engaged in farming on the homestead which his grand-
father .settled about 1824. In 1869 he located on a farm on Saw-Mill run,
which he still owns, residing in West Salamanca. He has been a dealer in
musical instruments, a fire insurance agent, and is now a salesman in the store
of J. J. McKay. Aug. 18, 1862, he married Frances Kilbourn, a native of
Hartford, Conn., who was born in 1840. Children : Ella (Mrs. Watson Eddy),
Delbert, and Charles.
Bennett E. Tobias, son of Julius and Elizabeth (French) Tobias, was born
in Grove, N. Y. His grandfather, Asa Tobias, was one of the first settlers in
Geneva, N. Y. His father was a farmer and lumberman. Beginning at the
age of fifteen he spent seven years in the oil regions of Titusville, Pa., as a
well driller. In 1865 he drilled a test well for a New York company in Steam-
burgh. He next drilled five wells for the United States Oil Company at Pit-
hole. In 1869 he began operating in oil in Little Colorado, Pa. In Dec, 1883,
he came to Salamanca, where he still resides, and where he is serving his third
year as assessor. In 1869 he married Nellie Clark, of Allegheny city. Pa., who
died in Nov., 1879, being the mother of two daughters. In 1882 Mr. Tobias
married Mrs. Ely, of Altoona, Pa.
Philip J. Velie, born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1804, was employed by
the Green Bay Fur Company and later he settled at Cold Spring, near Bath,
N. Y., where he had charge of a paper-mill. In Hammondsport he managed
a warehouse and was next in Oramel, Allegany county, a lumberman. About
1858 he went to Olean, where he was a wholesale merchant. In 1863 he came
to Salamanca and opened a boarding house and later kept the American
House. Mr. Velie was deputy sheriff in Steuben county and held several of
the town offices in Salamanca. He died in Dec, 1884. Children : Jacob W.,
a graduate of the Geneva Medical College, subsequently manager of the Acad-
emy of Science in Chicago, and now with his brother Arunah A. proprietor
of a museum in St. Joseph, Mich.; Benjamin W., of Elgin. 111.; Charles, of
East Saginaw, Mich.; Elisha W. ; James B. ; Mrs. T. Bidwell and Mrs. J.
Welts, of Salamanca; Mrs. J. D. Pease, of Corning, N. Y. ; and Mrs. J. Rog-
ers, of Burlingame, Kan. Elisha W. Velie was born near Bath, N. Y., in 1836
and commenced business in Olean as a boatman on the Genesee Valley canal
in company with his brother Charles. They manufactured potash in Wethers-
field, \Vyoming county, where he married Susan Narmore in 186 1. In 1863
he came to Salamanca, where he still resides. Here he has been a sawyer, a
carpenter, a car-builder, and the past two years assistant foreman of the rail-
History of Cattaraugus County.
road shops. James B. Velie resides in Salamanca and is first assistant in the
express office at the Erie depot.
Edward B. Vreeland, a son of Simon and Jerusha (Butterfield) Vreeland
and a brother of Judge Ohver S. Vreeland, is a native of Cuba, N, Y., and
was born Dec. 7, 1857. He received his education in the public schools and
in Friendship Academy, and moved to Salamanca in 1871. He was a teacher
several years, five of which he was principal of Salamanca Union Free School,
and by his influence an academic department was instituted under his admin-
istration. He studied law while teaching, and was admitted to the bar in
1880, but has never practiced. He commenced the insurance business in 1880,
which he has since continued. He was active in the re-organization of the
Salamanca National Bank, was one of its directors in 1881, and was elected its
president in Sept., i8gi, which position he still holds. He was appointed
postmaster of Salamanca by President Harrison in April, 1889, and held the
position until July i, 1893. He is an active Republican, a speaker of ability,
and takes the stump in presidential campaigns. In 1880 he married Almira,
daughter of J. O. Price, of Friendship. They have three children.
Col. Henry O. Wait, son of Christian and Rachel ( Briggs) Wait, was born
in Owego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1840. His father was an extensive lumberman on
the Susquehanna river and rafted his products of long shingles and staves
to Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Later he was a farmer. He was a native
of Half Moon, N. Y., and went to Owego with his father and family, who
located an extensive tract of wild land and gave each of his five sons a farm
in the neighborhood of Wait's Settlement, a hamlet so named in their honor.
Mrs. Wait died Jan. 16, 1868. Mr. Wait died June 15, 18S3, aged eighty-two.
Henry O. Wait enlisted April 28, 1861, in Co. K, 26th X. Y. Vols., and served
with distinction to the close of his term of enlistment. He immediately re-
entered the U. S. service and served until he was again mustered out at the
close of the war. He was promoted to colonel, was present at the first and
second battles of Bull Run, Antietam, Cedar Mountain, and several others,
and was with General Sherman in his march to the sea. In the fall of 1865
he came to Salamanca and was in the ticket department of the Erie and At-
lantic & Great Western railroads about eighteen years. Colonel Wait was
supervisor of Salamanca in 1873, 1874, and 1875, and was elected treasurer of
Cattaraugus county in the fall of 1878 and has since continuously held that
position. At the organization of the First National Bank of Salamanca, May
15, 1880, he was elected vice-president and in Jan., 1881, was chosen president,
which office he still holds. Mr. Wait is a member of the G. A. R. and of all
the Masonic organizations to Knight Templar, including the 32d degree.
May 6, 1864, he married Belle, only child of David Kirkpatrick, of Cuba,
N. Y., a lady of great executive ability and a talented musician.
Warren W. Wellman, son of Jonas, was born in Friendship, N. Y., June
28, 1833. He received an academic education and at the age of twenty com-
menced a mercantile career in Little Genesee. In June, 1861, he returned to
Friendship and engaged in the combined business of banking and merchandiz-
ing. In Dec, 1863, he settled in Brockwayville, Pa., where he was a merchant
about fifteen years. In 1 880 he accepted the office of cashier of the First
National Bank of Salamanca, which position he still holds. In Dec, i860, he
married M. Elvira Crandall, of Little Genesee, and has three daughters.
John Wheeler, a native of New Salem, Mass., married Rhoda Osgood, in
his native town, where his eight children were born. His father was a soldier
m
Town of South Valley.
in the Revolutionary war and was detailed with about 800 " picked men "and
sharpshooters who captured General Burgoyne's provision train and trans-
ferred it to the American camp ; he was also present when Burgoyne surrend-
ered. In 1833 John Wheeler removed from Massachusetts to Gainesville, N. Y.,
and about 1835 came to Little Valley, settling in the south part of that town
on the place he bought of James Rosenberry. His house he opened as a tem-
perance tavern and in it the town meetings were frequently held. He later
owned 280 acres. He also built a good saw-mill on Little Valley creek on the
farm where his youngest son, George Wheeler, now resides. In religion he
favored the Presbyterian denomination and in politics was a Whig. He was
a farmer and lumberman and died June i, 1862. Mrs. Wheeler survived until
April 18, 1868. George Wheeler, their youngest child, was born in New
Salem, Sept. 6, 1827, came with his parents to Cattaraugus county, and when
twenty-one became a farm laborer. July4, 1854, he married Nancy A., daugh-
ter of Rufus C. Brainard, and settled on a farm on lot 10 on the line between
Salamanca and Little Valley. He now resides on the same lot, but just across
the highway from his first purchase, and has always been a farmer. He is also
a natural mechanic and the patentee of a bee hive. In politics he is a Repub-
lican and is a member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Chil-
dren: Clark, Viola H. (Mrs. Erastus Winship), Charles S., and Ida C.
CHAPTER XLVII. .
HISTORY OF THE TOWS OF SOUTH YALLEY.
SOUTH VALLEY was formed from" Randolph and Cold Spring, April 2,
1847, ^"<i iri 1848 another portion of the last named town was annexed.
November 26, i8go, Elko was taken off, leaving South Valley with its
present area of 37,749 acres. It is the southwestern town of Cattaraugus
county and is bounded on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by Chau-
tauqua county, on the north by Randolph, and on the east by Elko, and com-
prises town one of the eighth range and a small portion of town one of the
ninth range of the Holland survey. The erection of the town of South Valley
was due largely to the exertions of Warren H. Reeves, one of its early settlers
and foremost citizens. The surface is broken into high hills amounting almost
to mountains, very few of which are susceptible of cultivation. The valleys
are deep and narrow, but fertile, producing hay, grain, and fruit abundantly.
The soil on the hills is of a slaty and clayey nature, and recent investiga-
tions lead to the belief that some of it could be profitably utilized in the man-
ufacture of mineral paint. In the valleys or lowlands a rich, gravelly loam
mixed with some clay prevails. The best land lies along the Allegheny river
and within the Indian reservation. Scarcely any of this has been cleared.
The township was originally covered with a fine growth of pine and hemlock,
1 104 History of Cattaraugus County.
most of which has been cut off and manufactured into lumber, leaving a sec
ond growth of deciduous trees. As an evidence of the fine quality of pine
which once constituted the dense forests of South Valley it is related that two
masts, 1 10 and 115 feet long respectively, were cut out between 1840 and 1850
to furnish spars for a war vessel building in Pittsburg. The town is drained
by the Allegheny river and its tributaries. The river enters the eastern edge
near the center and flowing southwesterly passes into the State of Pennsyl-
vania near the southeast corner, traversing the center of the Indian reserva-
tion. Its principal accessions on the west side are Pierce, Bone, Saw-Mill, and
State Line runs, all having easterly and southeasterly courses. Hotchkiss
run, which has its source in Elko, empties into the Allegheny in the eastern
part of this town. The Peter Crouse creek, so called from Peter Crouse, an
early character among the Indians, is the only tributary on the east side of
the river. Nearly all these streams afford good water-power, but most of the
mill sites have been abandoned.
The first landowners in town, in 1821, were Alexander Van Horn, George
W. Fenton, Reuben Owens, Joseph Russell, William Sprague, and Matthias
Bone. There is no evidence, however, that any of these ever became actual
settlers. The first settlement was doubtless made by Ephraim Morrison in
1825, on lot 5, where Abel A. Wilcox now lives. Here he kept a tavern, the
first one in the town. David Cargill came this same year, but a few months
later, and settled on the farm now owned by Warren L. Reeves. He moved
to Warren county. Pa., where he died. Their houses were of frame, a st,ory
and a half high, and in outward appearance were nearly alike. Other early
settlers, the dates of whose coming can not be ascertained, but who lived here
in 1832, were Roswell Fenton, Ira Green, Stephen Hadley, Benjamin Marsh,
Smith Ott, Samuel Ross, William Springer, and Merritt Hotchkiss. These
were all on the west side of the river. 'On the east side, in this town, John
Crooks, from Pennsylvania, and Jonas Genung were the earliest settlers.
The Pierce and Bone families were early comers, settling on the streams to'
which were applied their respective names. John I. Stryker in 1835 settled
on lot 21. He was a native of New Jersey, and prominent here in town af-
fairs. Two sons, Jasper B. and John M., were long-time residents of the
neighborhood, the former occupying for many years the homestead. Mr.
Stryker built a large and expensive grist-mill, — the first one in South Val-
ley,—the frame of which is still standing. He died here about 1870. Stephen
P. Wilcox was also an early settler. Warren H. Reeves came in 1837 and
settled on the farm where his son Warren L. now resides. Mr. Reeves was
one of the most prominent men the town ever had. He was foremost in de-
veloping its resources, giving liberally of both time and money for the ad-
vancement of its educational, agricultural, and lumberirtg interests, and was
all his life a representative citizen. David Moore located here in 183S and
Frederick K. Moore in 1840. Others of this family were also early settlers.
Town of South Valley.. 1105
Benjamin Mason, still living, settled on lot ij, and David Tucker, also still liv-
ing, on lot 35. On State Line run a Mr. Grover was the first settler. Besides
those already noticed the early comers to Onoville were E. P. Haley, James
Akin, and William C. Webber. Mr. Akin built and run the first hotel in Ono-
ville after it became a village. He died in California. Richard L. Stone, now
of Buffalo, came from Saratoga county in 1S48. He was a well known citi-
zen, taking considerable interest in town affairs. Frederick Aldrich, Jr., who
settled in Cold Spring in 1838, came here in 1857. The Wilco.x family were
early settlers, and have always been prominent and respected citizens. Peter
Murphy was doubtless the foremost Catholic resident at an early day. In his
house on Saw-Mill run was celebrated the first mass in town. He donated
land for the Catholic cemetery, a plat he had long used for private burials.
One of the foremost of the early Indians was John Pierce, who was a good
farmer and built a fine frame house, which long commanded attention for its
stateliness and excellent finish. His last male descendant, Abel Pierce, was
drowned in the Allegheny river in 1891. Peter Crouse, a German, was cap-
tured when seven years old, by the Indians, on the Monongahela in Pennsyl-
vania, and adopted into their tribe. He was short in stature, and both ener-
getic and enterprising. He settled at an early day at the mouth of the stream
known by his name, where he died. He was the progenitor of a large family,
of whom many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren yet live, and tell
with pleasure of their ancestor's remarkable career. He was a farmer, but
during a greater part of his life turned his attention to hunting and trapping,
in which he became an expert. Governor Blacksnake, " The Nephew," the
war chief of the Senecas, a relative of Cornplanter, and a nephew of Red
Jacket, lived, it is claimed, in this town some time. This triumvirate were
Indian councillors at different periods.
The first town meeting was held May 4, 1847. Warren H. Reeves, being
appointed by the act erecting the town of South Valley, presided, and Arad
Rich and John F. Fenton acted as moderators. William I. Reeves was chosen
clerk of the meeting. These officers were elected : John Crooks, supervisor;
Frederick K. Moore, town clerk ; Arad Rich, John Covell, and Warren H.
Reeves, justices of the peace; Patrick Quinn, Samuel Wilder, and Arad Rich,
assessors; Chauncey Carrier, superintendent of common schools; John F.
Fenton, John I. Stryker, and Leonard Barton, commissioners of highways;
John D. Woodward, collector; Warren H. Reeves and "Albert M. Thornton,
overseers of the poor ; -Amos B. Chapman and James Moore, inspectors of
election ; J. D. Woodward, William D. Johnson, Asher Barton, constables.
In 1876, during the incumbency of Gideon Caskey as supervisor, the town
was bonded for $500 to repair Quaker bridge, then within the limits of South
Valley. These bonds as well as all other indebtedness have recently been
paid off, leaving the township free from debt. The first game constable,
Charles Barton, was elected in 1879. ^"^ ^^^^ ^ resolution was adopted au-
.139
History of Cattaraugus County.
thorizing the purchase of Frank Tovviisend's suspension bridge across the
Allegheny between Onoville and the switch of the Western New York &
Pennsylvania railroad. This bridge was built by Mr. Townsend and opened
for travel in the fall of 1884, tolls being charged until it passed into the pos-
session of the town. It is 508 feet long with a roadway twelve feet wide, and
at first was supported by two galvanized wire cables. There are seven spans,
and the abutments are on spiles, three to each pier. The first winter after
the bridge was constructed one of the cables gave way at the anchorage, pre-
cipitating a team, driver, and sleigh-load of bark into the river. All were res-
cued. In the spring of 1891 a cable parted, letting a sleigh-load of ties, the
driver, and team into the water, and for this accident the town paid §1 12.50
damages. The bridge was repaired at a cost of about §1,600. The town, on
July 5, 1886, authorized the highway commissioners to keep the approaches
in good condition and a special meeting on March 29, 1888, appropriated
S350 for repairs. The principal town officers have been as follows:
Siipcri'i.siir.-.— .lohn Crooks, 1H17-50, 18o:i-'U ; Stephen P. Wilcox, ISSl-M, 18.'>7 ; Saraiicl Pliillips, IfCw .Vi ;
n;ivi(l Tufkcr, lS-'>?. WiT-TO; Leonard li;irton, 1S.')!I ;.Iolin F. Fenton, lf<»)-fi4 ; Austin .1. Morria6n, 18ii.'>-i»i. 1S81-
W, I«W; E. C. Topliff. 1^71; William H. Aldriuli, 187-'; Warren L. Keeves, 187:), 18'.)l-ni: Gideon Caskcy, 1871-
811 ; Abel A. Wik-o.v. l»-»>-8U ; Arthur lirooks, 18!):!.
Tntrn (,'(i')A^.— Freileriuk K. Moore, 18-t7-.")l) : .John Convers, 1831 ; Edson Green, 18."i2 (moveil away and
E. I). Fenton appointetl to fill vacancy) ; Clark It. White, 185:3-").") (naoved west in 18.V) ami Warren L. Keeves
wius appointed) ; Warren L. Keeves, 185(i-.57, 18.")n-on, ]8«:i, lH(i.j-67, 18(i3, 187-', 18St>-87, 1800 ; Stephen P. Wilco.x,
18.")8, 18()1; William H. Aldrich, ISfi:! ; George W. Keeves, ISW (moved away and his brother Warren L. was
appointed ijin t<iii.f : Albert G. liiirton, 18li.H; Najioleon U. Wilcox, 1870 ; Frederick Aldrich, 1871 ; Kichard
L. Stone, 187:i ; Epbraim Palmer, 1871-8."; ; David .M. Tucker, 1888-89 ; Abel A. Wilcox, 18!il-9.'5.
Ju.ilice.n iif the p.. Hf.— 1-817, Arad Kich, John Covell, Warren H. Reeves ; 1818, Uufus C. lirainard, Chester
IJarton ; 18111. K.C. Brainard, J. Covell, Leonard Rarton ; 18ri(), W. H. Reeves, J. Covell, J. D. Woodward ; 1S.51,
Ariel Wellman :l.St', R.C. Brainard, Wra. C. Webber ;185;t, Wm. D. Johnson, L. liartoQ ; 18.')!, J. Covell, Elzi
Fla^'!,', W. H. Reeves ; lf-'«, W. H. Reeves, Asa Phillips * ; 18.')ii, A. W. Ncedham, 1. Bilker • ; 18.')7, H. Morrison *,
R. L. Stone, Elzi Fla^i-^': I.S")8, Jackson Sample *, Corydon Holmes; 18.")», W. H. Reeves, .VIonzo Norton, Jed-
ediah Miller*; ISiW. Stephen P. Wilcox », Charles Fuller*; INil, R. L.Stone. William L. .Mai-sh*; INK, Alonzo
Norton, William L. Marsh*; 18tkJ, Robert Johnson*; 18(11, William L. Marsh*, Harrison .Morrison*; ISIJ.5,
W. H. Reeves, Corydon Holmes, William L. Marsh * ; 18t)i!, Asher Blisj, Leonard lUrton. John F. Fenton » ;
1807, .-^sher Bliss, Fre«lerick Aldrich, Corydon Holmes ; I8ti8, Corydon Holmes ; 18t)'j, Frederick Aldrich ; 1870,
Arza O. Stone ; 1871, David G. Bliss * ; 187^, Corydon Holmes, Asher Bliss ; 1873, James Freeman ; 1871, Fred-
erick Aldrich, L. L. Moore*; 187.>, Asher Bliss, William W.Moore*; 1376, Corydon Holmes, S. M. Bliss;
1877, James Freeman: ls78, Frederick Aldrich, Asa Flag}?*; 1879, S. M. Bliss, H. D.Johnston*; 18813, Charles
Fuller *, Ransom Dennison * ; 1881, Asher Bliss, Elzi Flasg : 188-'. J. P. Ferrin, Peter Durning, J. H. Covell * ;
188:3, J. H. Covell * ; 1>*1. Peter Durning:. Warren L. Keeves * ; 188."), Peter Burning, A. W. Day ; 1886, David
Flagg, H. D. Johnston * : 1887, Thomas Crisman *, Frederick Aldrich, David Snover*: 1888, John P. Ferrin,
Thomas Crisman *; is«9, Peter Durning, Sullivan Vollentine*; 1890, Robert Hattenbaugh, Frederick Aid-
rich, David Flagg; ISil. Henry Earl, Matthew Murphy, Josiah Hotchkiss, Ernest Brown * ; 1892, George P.
Brown, John Laughlin. Jr.*
With perhaps one or two exceptions there is no town in the county so
destitute of even passable roads as was South Valley up to a dozen years ago.
The clayey nature of the soil, the few scattering inhabitants, the dense growth
of forests, all combined to make good road building a difficult task. Thou-
sands of dollars in time and money have been expended in bridges and grad-
ing only to be washed away by the annual freshets. Within the last decade
improvements of a substantial character have been the rule, until now the
highways compare quite favorably with those of the neighboring towns. The
» Did not qualify.
Town of South Valley.' . no;
first road put through the town is that on the reservation following" the
west bank of the Allegheny river. It was built and for many years kept in
repair by the State. Warren H. Reeves contributed sufficient funds — $90 —
to cut a road up Saw-Mill run to Frewsburg, Chautauqua county. In 1848
twelve road districts were formed; 1849 there were thirteen; in 1850, seven-
teen; in 1855, eighteen; m 1865, nineteen; in 1869, twenty-two; in 1872,
twenty-five; in 1877, twenty-six; in 1881, twenty-seven; in 1891, twenty.
About i860 Albert Barton erected a wire ferry across the river a little below
the mouth of Saw-Mill run. A flat-boat was rigged to this wire by ropes and
pulleys and so manipulated as to employ the current of the stream for motive
power. Mr. Barton was succeeded by S. M. Bliss, who operated it until the
bridge was constructed in 1884. A ferry of the same character was built
about 1882 near the mouth of State Line run-, about half a mile above the
Pennsylvania line, by Holt & McCabe, who still run it. Gideon Caskey put
up a private ferry near the confluence of Bone run with the Allegheny, which
was abandoned several years ago.
In 1882 the Western New .York & Pennsylvania railroad was built along
the east side of the Allegheny river on the Indian reservation. No depot has
been erected. The company put in a siding east of Onoville, where trains
stop regularly, and one near the State line, called Ouinn's switch.
South Valley, until recent years, has been a great lumber town. Its dense
forests of tall pines and hemlocks have long afforded employment to the
lumberman, the manufacturer, and the shipper, many of whom accumulated
considerable wealth, but the industrious woodman's a.xe has generally been
superseded by the farmer's plow, leaving the territory little else than a
sparcely settled agricultural district. A few saw-mills yet remain, remnants of
a former activity. Nearly all the inhabitants have at one time or another en-
gaged in lumbering of some kind, many of them having passed through the
experience of logging and rafting, floating huge bulks down the river to Pitts-
burg and the west. The first mill erected in the town was built for the
Indians at a very early day on the west bank of the Allegheny a short dis-
tance below Saw-Mill run. Evidences of this mill can still be seen.
Ira Green put up a mill on lot 12 on Saw-Mill run. Smith Ott, in 1830,
erected another on lot 21, which afterward became the property of the Stry-
ker family. In 1846 Patrick Quinn erected a saw-mill on lot 30, the site on
which David Walsh operated one many years later. About 1850 Whitman &
Newman built a mill on lot 45, later owned by David Tucker. The same year
Stephen P. Wilcox and James Akin erected a saw-mill on lot 46. Quinn &
Murphy put up another on lot 28, which later was owned by A. & A. Crowley,
and finally by James Murphy. Richard Orr built one on the same lot, which
was afterward converted into a steam mill by Baker & Whitney and later
operated by J. Brannon. On lot 43 Fenton, Frew & Scowden built a steam
mill which was finally removed. On lot 51 were located William Wyman's
: iio8 History of Cattaraugus County.
'] saw and shingle-mills and the shingle-mills of Willard Littlefield and Mark
I Murphy. On this branch was also the steam shingle-mill of Curtis Hardino-.
rj which was changed to water-power with an over-shot wheel. Other mill-
I owners here were Henry Samson, Kilborn & Whitney, Brannon Brothers, Gid-
I eon Caskey, Elijah Akin, Frank Wyman, Marcus Murphy, and Kyle Burch.
i Arthur Brooks built a steam shingle-mill in 1889 and a planing-mill in 1891,
■ which he still operates. Barnard Laughlin and Oliver Guernsey have steam
shingle-mills and John Burch a steam saw and shingle-mill. John Burgett has
J. a steam saw-mill in "Brown hollow" near Onoville. Still another saw-mill is
i located at the forks of Saw-Mill run.
) On Bone run Roswell Fenton erected a saw-mill about 1835 on lot i, which
I was rebuilt by A. M. Thornton and later operated by Wheeler & Aldrich.
j Frederick K. Moore put up another on lot 6 in 1845 'I'ld the next year John
I F. Fenton, on lot 14, built and operated a large saw and shingle-mill until 1873,
I when Gideon Caskey bought it, converting it into a steam mill and using the
I water-power to operate a stave factory. Mr. Caskey moved it to the conflu-
I ence of the Phillips branch with Bone run, whpre it was enlarged and run until
I the spring of 18S9, when it was abandoned. The building is still standing,
j This was the largest mill ever erected in the north part of the town. John F.
' Fenton, in 1837, put up on lot 32 a saw-mill which was later abandoned, and
j on lot 41 Isaac L. Smith had a steam mill. On lot 15 H. A. Phillips built a
j saw and shingle-mill, which became the property of A. Colburn, and the
I Fenton Mill Company operated a shingle-mill near by. Other millowners on
I Bone run were Patrick Smith, W. H. H. Fenton, Sylvester Covell & Brother,
I Comfort Hall, George Cowen, and Lorenzo Martin. L. Vollentine has a steam
I saw-mill on Phillips branch which was formerly a shingle-mill. Amasa Birt in
j 1892 built a steam factory on for sawing out grape-basket covers and bottoms.
J On Pierce run B. Kent & Co. operated a saw-mill on lot 9 for some time.
! Subsequent owners were a Mr. McNall and Dudley Kenison. It is now owned
by Arnold Bentley, who converted it into a steam mill and saws both shingles
and boards. Lewis Shrader built a steam saw and shingle-mill in 18S9 and
still operates it. The largest saw-mill ever erected in South Valley was built
on the west side of the Allegheny, three-fourths of a mile above the State line,
by Guy C. Irvine in 1841 and operated by him until 1855. He constructed a
dam across the river and carried the water through a raceway over half a mile
to the mill. He claimed to have built this dam in five days and prided himself
on performing such an astonishing feat. At a point under the mill where the
water left the race and fell into the river was a convenient fish trap where
quantities offish were captured. The mill was furnished with two drawways,
a gang of fourteen saws, and three single saws, giving it an immense capacity.
The mill fell into Indian hands after the lease expired and finally rotted away.
John I. Stryker, in 1857, built a grist-mill on lot 21, on Saw-Mill run, which
was run by water-power and contained a bolt and three runs of stone. The
Town of South Valley. " 1109
raceway is nearly a half-mile in length and was excavated by donation. -The
mill never paid and the machinery was finally taken to Pennsylvania. Its last
owner here was TheronDailey. The building, though somewhat delapidated,
is still standing, a family landmark and the only grist-rriill ever erected in town.
A. J. Hotchkiss has a wagon and blacksmith shop and a cider-mill on Pierce
run. Schultz Brothers started a cheese factory in Onoville about 1882. But-
ter making was later added, the factory being run in all two years, when it was
converted into a hotel and finally burned. The Onoville cheese factory was
built in the spring of 1891 by O. H., Ira, and Calvin Marsh. The following
fall O. H. Marsh disposed of his interest to his brothers, who now operate it.
It is of frame, two stories high, and has a capacity of about 150 cows.
Owing to the fact that South Valley is contiguous to the great oil fields
of Pennsylvania there has been more or less speculation as to the probability
of discovering oil in the town, and as a test five wells were sunk one after an-
other in the last dozen years. In none of them were even evidences of oil
ever discovered. The first well was put down on lot 9 on Pierce run. Then
two were sunk on Saw-Mill run in 1 881, on lots 43 and 34, followed by -^ third
in 1891 on lot 12. The latter produced gas, but it has never been utilized.
The last well was sunk in 1892, on Pierce run, to a depth of about 2,600 feet.
The Indians formerly buried their dead in various places along the river
and the early white settlers either used private burial grounds or made their
interments in Corydon, Pa., or Randolph. Isaac Hotchkiss had a small plat
of ground on Pierce run which he devoted to this purpose, the last burial be-
ing made there about i860. It is now a cultivated field. One of the earliest
burial places in South Valley was that used by the Stryker family on a por-
tion of what is now the Warren L. Reeves farm. This plat has long since
been abandoned, yet the spot, though not cared for, is kept sacred to those
who sleep beneath its sod. Peter Murphy early started a private cemetery
on his farm on lot 28, on Saw-Mill run, which he and other Catholics used in
common till 1867, when he donated it to the Catholic church. About an acre
of ground is inclosed, and this is the only regular cemetery in town.
Onoville is the only village in South Valley and was formerly an important
point for the lumber trade. It is said that every lumberman carried from
here a jug of liquor when he went into the woods to work, and on this account
the place was locally known for many years as " Jugville." In 1859, when the
postoffice was established, the hamlet received its present name, but not until
after considerable casting about for an appropriate term. A meeting was
called for this purpose and name after name was proposed, but none could be
agreed upon. Each was declined with the remark: "Oh, no, that will not
do." Finally the wag of the village, William C. Webber, who had listened to
the several names in silence, sarcastically suggested : " Well, call it oh, no,
ville, then, and be done with it." This unique term pleased the people and it
was immediately adopted with a modified orthography — Onoville. The vil-
History of Cattaraugus County.
I lage is situated in the southern part of the town, on Saw-Mill run, about a
1 half-mile west of the Allegheny. The first store was opened by John Con-
I vers soon after 1840. In the building in which he traded the following have
I also carried on mercantile business: Warren H. Reeves, Warren L. Reeves,
1 Frederick Aldrich, David Tucker, William Worth, and Fred N. Aldrich.
Richard L. Stone was another merchant in a store near by. Daniel Zibble at
one time was in trade on the reservation. The present store keepers are Seitz
Brothers and B. J. McLindon. Ephraim Morrison was the first inn keeper in
; . South Valley. He had a public house in Onoville about 1830 on land now
;^" occupied by the dwelling of Abel A. Wilcox. James Akin built a tavern in
1 1848, conducted it a few years, and finally went to California, where he died,
John P. Ferrin was a later hotel keeper. His hostelry burned about 1883 with
the dwelling house of Daniel Zibble. C. M. Phillips still later kept the "Ex-
change Hotel and Sutherland House." This property was burned November
I 8, 1892. On this site some years before^ a blacksmith shop was destro\-ed by
I fire and the family of George Champlin, living overhead at the time, had a
narrow escape. Onoville now contains one general store, one hardware store,
two blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, a cheese factory, a small hotel, a Catholic
, church, a graded school, a postoffice, and about fifteen dwellings. The post-
office was established about 1859 with Erasmus D. Fenton as the first post-
master. Since him the postmasters have been William H. Aldrich, Stephen
P. Wilcox, David Tucker, Richard L. Stone, B. J. McLindon, and Sullivan W.
VoUentine. In the summer of 1891 the offlce was burned.
The first school district was formed in 1829 and embraced all of what is
now South Valley and Elko, but the first record of a school meeting was on
March 8, 1838, and this speaks of the district as No. 1 1, then under the town
of Randolph. The first school house, a log one, was erected in Onoville on
land now occupied by Benjamin Brown. Of the meeting on March 8th John I.
Stryker was chosen moderator and Warren H. Reeves, John I. Stryker, and
Ephraim Morrison, trustees. It was decided to buy the school house and lot
just mentioned and erect thereon a new frame building. There were twenty-
five children, school was kept four months, and the teacher received $48.50.
In 1839 there were twenty-eight scholars under sixteen years of age. A li-
brary then was both necessary and obligatory, and the one belonging to this
district contained nine volumes. In 1840 there were twenty-four; in 1843,
thirty-six. The text books used in 1843, according to the records, were the
"Elementary Spelling Book," the "American Preceptor," the "English
Reader," " History of the United States," the "New Testament," " Dabol's
Arithmetic," and the " History of Columbus." The most prominent individ-
ual in pioneer schools here was Warren H. Reeves. Through him the first
school of any importance was established ; with his own funds he paid and
boarded the teacher for some time. In 1886 the Ononville graded school
house was erected at a cost of about $1,600, on a lot previousl}- used for school
Town of South Valley.
purposes. The building committee consisted of Warren L. Reeves, Abel- A.
Wilcox, and Jasper B. Stryker. It is a handsome frame structure, two stories
high, capable of accommodating 130 scholars, or 65 in each room. The town
has four school districts, with a school house in each, which were taught in
1892 by five teachers. The value of the buildings and sites is ^3,910 and the
assessed valuation of the districts aggregates $102,438. The amount received
from the State was $571.84 and by local tax $1,150.67.
It is quite probable that the first religious services held in town were those
conducted by the Methodists, though no regular church organization of that
denomination has been effected. Members of the Presbyterian denomination
worshiped for many years at a mission of that faith at Old Town, where
a church edifice was erected. The Methodists still hold services in the school
house in Onoville every alternate Sunday, the present pastor being Rev.
William Calhoun, of Corydon, Pa. There is a class of 15 members.
For many years Catholic services were held in private houses by Father
McKenna, a Franciscan brother from Allegany. His visits occurred every
six months. The first mass was celebrated by him in Peter Murphy's dwell-
ing on Saw-Mill run. In 1874 a church edifice was erected in Onoville under
Bishop Ryan, the priest in charge being Father J. J. Baxter. The parish
then comprised about twenty-eight families. The priests prior to Father
Baxter's pastorship were, besides Father McKenna, Fathers McKeever, Burns,
Miller, McMullin, Cahill, and Bloomer. Subsequent to Father Baxter were
Fathers Richard R. Coyle, J. J. Roach, Thomas Ledworth, William Morrison,
Frank Burns, L. VV. Murphy, and John Cunningham, the present priest.
During Father Coyle's incumbency the parish, which up to that time had been
in the Jamestown charge, was set off. to Randolph, where it has since re-
mained and is known as St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. They have the
only church edifice in town. The building was originally 24x40 feet in size, but
an addition on the rear in 1891 gives it its present dimensions of 24x65 feet.
The lot was donated by Napoleon R. Wilcox. The total cost of the build-
ing was about $1,800. It was formally dedicated in 1877. The structure is of
frame, with a tower in front sixty-five feet high, and will seat about 200 per-
sons. The trustees are Abel A. Wilcox and B. J. McLindon.
Religious services of a missionary character have been held on the Indian
reservation from time to time, but within the limits of South Valley no church
edifice was erected until recently. In the fall of 1891 the corner-stone of the
Presbyterian church was laid on the east side of the Allegheny a few rods
from the bridge. The building is a frame structure and was dedicated Sep-
tember 12, 1893. The missionary in charge is Rev. M. F. Trippe.
A Wesleyan Methodist Society was organized in Onoville in July, 1892,
by William A. Backus, a licentiate from Cold Spring, with 20 members.
The Union Veterans' Union was organized about 1889, the first and only
commander being Harrison Covell. None but soldiers in actual service three
History of Cattaraugus County.
years or more were eligible to membership, which numbered twenty-eight. It
existed about a year and went down, and the Spencer Whipple Post, G. A. R.,
was instituted in 1891. This has some seventeen members.
Gideon Caskey, for seven years town supervisor, and at one time one of the
leading lumber manufacturers of southwestern Cattaraugus, was born in Wor-
cester, O., Nov. 29, 1833, came to South Valley on the 4th of March, 1857, and
died at Moreland, Ky., Nov. i, 1889. He built several saw-mills and manufac-
tured for himself or on contract millions of feet of lumber. He was liberal,
kind-hearted, and enterprising. His wife's parents, Leonard and Evelina
(Fargo) Barton, emigrated from. Carroll, Chautauqua county, to Elko in 1838.
John Convers came to this town about 1840. He was a carpenter and
joiner by trade, kept the first store in Onoville, and did the work of erecting
the first school house. His wife was Charlotte Doane, anearly school teacher.
Their son Abner T., a millwright and carpenter, died here in 1874. Another
son, Henry E., was for many years a pilot on the Allegheny river.
John D. Eddy came to South Valley from Chautauqua county in 1874 and
settled on Bone run, where he died in April, 1881. His children were Floyd
S. and Lulie (Mrs. Wallace Milks, of Napoli). Floyd S. Eddy, born July 4,
1859, came here with his father and has always been a farmer on Bone run.
He has served as collector and school trustee and has held other minor town
offices. By his wife, Lyde F"leming, of Reidsburg, Pa., he has four children:
Ernest C., Annie, John, and Lillie.
John F. P'enton, son of George W. and Elsie (Owen) Fenton, was born in
Carroll, Chautauqua county, Oct. 30, 1816. He was a brother of Hon. Reu-
ben E. Fenton, of Jamestown, governor and statesman, and was the most
conspicuous resident South Valley ever had. Receiving a common school
education he embarked quite extensively in lumbering before attaining his
majority, investing his profits in timber lands in the county and ultimately
acquiring a vast tract near the .Allegheny, for which he was once offered $250,-
000. He engaged largely in manufacturing and rafting, in which he continued
until his death Sept. 10, 1869. His wife died Jan. 22, 1874. A Republican
in politics he was supervisor uf South Valley from i860 to 1864 inclusive and
held also the offices of assessor and highway coriimissioner.
Benjamin Mason, the oldest man now living in South Valley, was born
Oct. 7, 1801, in Rutland, Vt. He came to Randolph in 1825 and to this
town in 1847, following lumbering for many years. He has served as assessor,
school trustee, and commissioner of highways. By his first wife, Polly Akin,
his children were Olive (deceased): Mary Ann (deceased); Jane A. (Mrs.
William Tobcy) ; Reuben (killed in a shingle-mill); Alonzo (deceased); Lo-
renzo (deceased) ; Rev. Benjamin, Jr., of Pennsylvania; Melissa, of Kansas;
Chauncey, of Chautauqua county ; and Annette( deceased). His second wife
was Mrs. James Whelpley, of South Valley, and their only child is De For-
est, who lives in Onoville, and with whom Mr. Mason now resides. De For-
est Mason married a daughter of John Convers.
Warren H. Reeves was born June 26, 1797, came to South Valley
(then Randolph) in the spring of 1837, and died at Kent's Corners in April,
1866. He was a farmer and lumberman, and during his entire residence 'in •.
South Valley was the town's most energetic and exemplary citizen. He was
a justice of the peace over thirty years and a class-leader in the M. E. church
the greater part of his life. To him belongs the honor of establishing the
first school of any importance in what is now South Valley, with his own
Town of South Valley. • 1113
funds erecting the school house and hiring and boarding the teacher. He also
contributed $90 (the sole contribution) to cut a road through the forests from
Onoville to Frewsburg in Chautauqua county. His first wife, Laura Beecher
(born in April, 1797, died in 1854), bore him these children: William I., born
July 28, 1820, of Columbus, Pa.; Eliza A. (Mrs. William Johnson), born in
Jan., 1826, of Russellville, Pa.; George W. (see page 501) ; Warren L. ; Ben-
jamin, born in Dec, 1832, died in Feb., 1891 ; Daniel T. (seepage 501); Laura
(Mrs. Benjamin Marsh), of East Randolph; and Mary J. (Mrs. John Archer),
of East Randolph. Mr. Reeves's second wife, Mrs. Mary Crofoot, now living
in Leon, bore him two children: Charles W., born in 1855, died in March,
1881, and Ransom, born in July, i860, now of Pittsburg, Pa.
Warren L. Reeves, born April 7, 1830, has lived in South Valley since
seven years of age. He now occupies the homestead and has made it one of
the finest places in the town. For fourteen years he has been town clerk and
for three years supervisor. He has held every office within the gift of his
townsmen. He married Electa T., daughter of Daniel Thurston, a very early
settler of Randolph; children: Asa VV., of Salamanca; Edwin A., of Joliet,
111.; Mary E. (Mrs. Dr. R. B. Parks), of East Jamestown, N. Y.; Alden P.
(deceased;; and L. Belle.
Charles Sample, one of the representative citizens and a leading farmer of
South Valley, is connected with the family of Sample, of Sample hill, in
Randolph (q. v.).
R. L. Stone, living in the homestead at Onoville, was born on August
22, 1814, at Ballston Spa, N. Y. Losing his parents during his early boyhood
he was obliged to make his own way up to manhood. At the age of twenty-
seven he located at Frewsburg, N. Y., where he married, two years later,
Elizabeth L. Thayer, both being school teachers. In 1849 they moved into
South Valley and soon became prominent in the educational interests of the
new town. For twenty years Mr. Stone served as school trustee, nearly the
entire time being the sole occupant of that office in his school district. For
about the same time he was justice of the peace and for one term was justice
of sessions for the county. He was an ardent Republican and active in
political affairs. For fifteen years he was postmaster of the only postofifice in
South Valley. He had five daughters and three sons.
The first of the Wilcox family to come to South Valley was Mrs. Abel
Wilcox and her five sons in 1847 — Abel, Jr., Napoleon R., Rodney H., Mar-
vin, and Marshall. All were prominent in the history of the town, many of
them and their descendants holding offices of trust and responsibility. Abel
died June 3, 1850. His only child, Abel A., married a daughter of Barnard
Murphy. He was supervisor of South Valley in 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1889
and is now town clerk. (Mr. Murphy settled on Saw-Mill run in 1849 ^'^^
died there Nov. 11, 1886. His children were Ann, Patrick, Bridget E., Mat-
thew, Michael, Margaret E., and James S.) Napoleon R. Wilcox served his
town in various capacities. Rodney H. was constable and collector several
years. A daughter of Mrs. Abel Wilcox married James Akin, who settled
here in 1844. He died in California. Ransom D. Wilcox, of the third gener-
ation from Mrs. Abel Wilcox, is a substantial farmer, residing in the village
of Onoville. Stephen P. Wilcox, another member of this family, was an
early and prominent settler, serving as supervisor, town clerk, etc. Until re--
cently the name was spelled Willcox, but the present representatives of the
family have adopted the modern orthography, Wilcox,
140
1114 History o?^ Cattaraugus County.
CHAPTER XLVni.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF YORKSHIRE.*
YORKSHIRE was formed from Ischua by an act of the State Legislature
passed on the 1 3th of April, 1 820, and originally comprised that part of the
Holland survey known as towns five and six of range five. Lots 1, 8,
16, and 24, lying south of Cattaraugus creek in town seven, range five, belonged
to Sardinia, Erie county, and upon the circumstances of their annexation to
Yorkshire hangs an interesting tale. Proctor Williams occupied lot i and
made a large quantity of maple sugar, which he sold to a Mr. Moffit, of Ischua,
who found it badly adulterated with meal. As Williams lived in Erie county
it was difficult to reach him by law, so Mr. Moffit, through a member of the
Legislature from Cattaraugus county, had an act passed setting off the four
lots from Sardinia to Yorkshire, which brought Williams within the jurisdic-
tion of our county courts. Moffit got his damages.
Town five was set off as Machias on the i6th of April, 1827. In 1844 the
west tier of lots in Freedom was annexed to Yorkshire and in 1847 the south
tier of lots was taken from this town and added to Machias, leaving Yorkshire
with its present area of 23,580 acres. It is bounded on the north by Erie and
Wyoming counties, on the east by Freedom and Wyoming county, on the
south by Machias, and on the west by Ashfordand Erie county. The surface
is undulating and hilly, but the hills are of easy grade, are largely cultivated,
and afford the best of pasturage. The soil is rich and productive. The low-
lands are composed of a gravelly loam and the uplands of clay. The hills and
valleys were originally covered with a heavy growth of maple, beech, basswood,
elm, and hemlock, of which maple predominated. The chief industry is the
dairy business ; the shipments of butter and cheese from this section are large.
The drainage is afforded by Cattaraugus creek and its south branch and their
small tributaries. The surface slopes northwardly except a small part of the
southwest corner, which bears to the west.
The first settlers of Yorkshire compared favorably with all the pioneers of
western New York. They were a hardy, honest, and energetic class, who
came here prepared to endure fatigue and hunger and cold to subdue the
wilderness and build homes for themselves and their children. That they
well performed their mission the well-stocked farms and substantial buildings
of today furnish ample proof. There were no society lines in their day, and
* In the preparation of the history of this town we are under obligations for the valuable assistance of
E. D. Norton, Esq.— Editor.
Town of Yorkshire.
no man built on his pedigree, but muscle, endurance, and hard knocks
counted. They were necessarily unselfish, for they were mutually dependent.
If a log house was to be put up the settlers for miles around turned out and
gave a day to the business.
The first settlers in the town of Yorkshire were doubtless Benjamin Felch
and Bethuel Bishop, who located here in 1810. Felch became a prominent
citizen, held several town offices, was supervisor for five years, and removed
to Wisconsin in 1840. His son Alson was born in June, 1813, and eventually
became a prominent resident of Racine, Wis. Mr. Bishop died here in 1818.
William, a brother of Benjamin Felch, came to the town soon after 18 10.
This year came also Thomas Dow, the first blacksmith, and his son Benjamin;
Isaac Williams the first settler on the site of Yorkshire Corners; Isaac, Jr.,
Albert, and Proctor Williams, sons of Isaac; and John Brown. Isaac Will-
iams, Sr., in 18 14 built the first saw-mill and grist-mill on Cattaraugus creek
and in 1820 erected the first frame house in town. Two years later this was
opened by his son Proctor as a tavern. The settlers between 18 10 and 1820,
as far as ascertained, were Solomon Clark and son Solomon, David and
Chauncey Clark, Luther Thompson, Benjamin Thompson, James Bojxe (the
first settler on the site of West Yorkshire), John Pierce, James and Ezekiel
Smith, Edward Bump, Robert Steele, Samuel G. Sutton, Jacob Cochran, James
Haines, David Haynes and sons Daniel B. and James A., Colonel Hibbard,
Samuel Silliman, Daniel W. Cheney, Joseph Pierce (who started a primitive
distillery), Josiah Hatkes, John Ward, John Moffit, Alvah Wilson, George
Barnes, Benjamin Thompson, John C. Marston, Warren Worden. Samuel
Metcalf, James Marston, Girah Phinney and sons Girah, Jr., and Orrin, John
and Henry Smith, Stephen Langmade, and Ezekiel Pingrcy. During the
V* next decade (1820-30) came Alfred and Abram Howell, David and Henry I.
Paddock, George Graham, Abel Gordon, Mason Smith, William Campbell,
Samuel King, Robert Nickless, Samuel Davis, John Harmon, Stephen Hollis-
ter, William Wattles, Carpenter Bull, Luther Wheeler, David Putnam, Caleb
Turner, Israel Thornton, Elihu HoUister, Obadiah Weeks, James Ray,
Richard Thornton, Asa Willard, Dr. Augustus Crary, Benjamin Packard,
Lewis Marsh, Rev. Solon Pierce, Lewis M. Fisk, Weaver G. Fisk, Reuben
Smith, Henry L. Baker, and Dr. Patterson.
Robert Steele was the first collector, one of the first three justices of the
peace, and supervisor five years. At his house, while he was boarding with
his tenant, David Haynes, was held the first town meeting in 1821. Sam-
uel G. Sutton, who .settled at the forks of the creek, was the first supervisor,
surveyor, and portmaster, the first postoffice being established at his house
about 1825. Colonel Hibbard had been a soldier in the War of 1812. In
1824 he started mills and a distillery at the Corners, and for some years trans-
acted a large business. Mason Smith was the original owner of most of the
site of the village of Yorkshire Center, making the first clearing thereon in
iii6 History of Cattaraugus County.
|| 1821. He erected the same year the first frame barn in town. With Abel
■ft Gordon he also built the first house, a log structure, at the Center. Ben-
'U - jamin Packard put up the first brick dwelling in 1824; this was used as a
,V^ ^ hotel for several years. Lewis M. Fisk settled at West Yorkshire, where he
j'l established the first carding-mill in town. Henry L. Baker opened the first
'•.| store in 1822, his goods being displayed in the barroom of Proctor Williams's
■^ tavern at the Corners.
J The act organizing the town (April 13, 1820) provided for the holding of
i| the first town meeting at the dwelling of Robert Steele on Tuesday, March 6,
il 1821, when the following officers were elected: Samuel G. Sutton, supervisor;
';| Joshua Daniels, town clerk; Elijah T. Ashcraft, Benjamin Felch, and Jacob
I Cochran, assessors; Robert Steele, collector; Joseph Kinney and Edward
J Bump, overseers of the poor; Joseph Kinney, Jr., Robert Steele, and Warren
^ ■ Worden, constables; Benjamin Felch, Elisha Brown, and Joseph Pierce, high-
,'| way commissioners; Samuel G. Sutton, Benjamin Felch, and Charles H.
'1 R'ggs, commissioners of common schools; Robert Steele, Samuel Silliman,
I and William Gowen, school inspectors; Robert Steele, Obadiah Vaughan, Jr.,
'i and David Clark, poundmasters; Elijah T. Ashcraft, Robert Steele, and Will-
]i inm Warner, justices of the peace. Tiie supervisors, town clerks, and justices
:1 of the peace have been as follows:
•; 6'i(jjfn-Mors.— Samuel C.Suttoa, IS:.'l-±;; Itfujaiuiii Felch, 18:XJu'."), ls:.T, ISU ; Howiii-a Peck, ISit] ; Robert
i Steele, IS^'i-lfvlO, 1S32-:SJ; Solomon Love. 1S:M; George Graham, lSi.'>, I341-4;i, l!<+'.l-53, Iftili; Lewis Marsh, 183t>-
i 40; Seth K.Crittenden, ISB-ti, 1347-+^; George S. Collins, lS4ii : Lorenzo D. Cobb, l»o4, 180'.) ; Joseph H.
^ Wriifht. 1&V)-.')T, ISM: Erasciis Daily, ls.>?-o'.i: Charles T. Lowileii, ISiJl ; Perry Howe, lsitj-(j3 ; Edwin >I.
;'• Pierce, lsG5-ti6 ; Aldis Spring, ISBT-tiS : Dwight J. Wood worth, 1S70 ; Elliott A. Cobb, 1S71-72; Solomon Howe,
.:'; 1S7:J, 1876 ; Gershom S. Kowley, 1874-75; Charles H. Miller, 1877-78, 18S3-80, 1893 ; Chester C. Pingrey, 1879-80 ;
•' Walter Graham, 1881-82; Elgene W. Kead, 1590-91 ; David D. Smith, ISK.
.1^ ■ Tou-n CUrAs.— Joshua Daniels, 1821-i'. ; Nathan Follett, IMIi ; George Graham, 1827-:)3 ; Daniel Kich. 18:54 ;
I Paschal P. Whitney, ISii, 18.51; Benjamin Packard, 18:it)-37. 1841; George W. Thomas, 183.S ; John Willey,
,j' 18:i9; Lafayette Mai-sh, IMO, I842-H; Artemus Spring, 184'); Solomon Love, 1846; Charles T. Lowden, 1847-48;
George W. Bailey, ISin-M, IHt'-.W, 1857; Joseph H. Wright, 18.54, 18.59, 18«iJ-(>5, 1867-71 ; Stephen Holmes. 1855-
I 58 ; Nathan T. Thomas, ISM; George W. Whiting, 1800-61 ; Truman Cole, 18W ; John B. Foote, l'<6o-66 ; H. M.
Pomeroy, 1872 ; William L. Whitman, 1^7:5-74; Walter W. Cheney, 1873; Chester C. Pingrey, 1876-78 ; Frank
A. Howell, 1870 ; Charles S. Persons, 18.y.r, 18S1-S^ ; Nelson Smith, 1881 ; L. J. Cheney, 1882 ; A. J. Wiltse, 188.3 ;
Deward S. Churchill, 1889-90 ; Myron E. Fisher. 1^91 ; Dennis E. Arnold, 1892-9-3 (upon the death of Mr. Arn-
old in June, 1803, W. G. Woodworth was appointed to fill vacancy).
Justice.i(>f the Peficc— Elijah T. .Ashcraft, William Warner, Kobert Steele, 1821 ; George Graham, 1827 ;
Augustus Crary, 1828; Barnard Wood, ls29; Arunah Hibbard, 1830; George Graham, 1831; Barnard Wood.
Ueuben HoUister, 1832; Robert Steele, 1833; Arunah Hibbard, 1834; George Graham, 183.5; Miles Carter.
1830; Ira Bishop, 1837; Samuel G. Sutton, l!>»; George Graham, 18.39; Miles Carter, 1840; Joseph Metcalf,
1841; Solomon Love, Samuel G. Sutton, 1812; George Graham, 1*4:?; Kufus Crowley, 1844; Henry String-
ham, 1845 ; Samuel G. Sutton, 1846 ; George G raham, 1847 ; Solomon Lincoln, James R. Barnes, 1848 ; Charles
T. Lowden, 1849; Aldis Spring, 1850; Samuel Persons, 1851 ; Solomon Lincoln, Isaac White, 18J2; Charles T.
Lowden. 18.53 ; William W. King, 18&4; Samuel Crooker, 18.55; Lorenzo D. Cobb, Is.iac White, 1856; .loseph H.
Wright, 1857; Aldis Spring, Hiram Thornton. 1858; Isaac White, 18.59; Lorenzo D. Cobb, 18ti0; Buel G.
Smith, 1861 ; Aldis Spring, I8ti2 ; Isaac White, l-»3; Lorenzo D. Cobb, 1864; Buel G. Smith, 1805 ; Aldis Spring.
1866; Stephen Rich, 1867; Lorenzo D. Cobb, 1868; Buel G. Smith, 1869; William W. King, 1870; William B.
Stacey, 1871 ; George Williams, 1872; Stephen Kich, G. W. Tapple, 1873; Earl SUliman, Henry L. .Marsh, 1874 ;
Buel a. Smith, Eugene M. Whitney. 1873 ; Hiram G. Blood, Warren Worden, 1876 ; William C. Smith, 1877 ;
William W. King, 1878; Buel G.Smith, 1879; Hiram Blood, 1880; William C. Smith, 1881; Fred Silliman, 1882 ;
Buel G. Smith, David D. Smith, William W. King, 18S:i; Octavius P. Vedder, 1884: William C. Smith, 1885 ;
William W. King, 1886; Buel G. Smith, 1887; Henry L. Marsh, W. F. Persons, 1888; C. S. Persons, 1889; Fred
Silliman. 1890; C. S. PersDns, 1891; John Wurtenburg, 18if2; H. W. Blighton, 189:1.
■ ' In 182 1 Yorkshire had thirteen road districts and since then the highways
Town of Yorkshire. 1117
have been kept in comparatively good condition. In 1825 the town passed
the following resolution : " Aney Person Drawing lumber acrost aney Bridge
in the Town of Yorkshire, with a chain, without aney Carriage under it, shall
pay the sum of One Dollar for every such offence." The Western New York
& Pennsylvania railroad traverses the eastern part of the town and passes
through the villages of Yorkshire Center (Delevan postoffice) and Yorkshire
Corners. For the construction of this road the town voted $18,000.
The population of Yorkshire in 1830 was 823 ; in 1850, 2,010; in 1870,
1,575; in 1880, 1,784; in 1890, 1,723. The first school in town was taught by
Daniel Davis in i8i5,at the Corners, in a log school house roofed with bark.
This primitive institution stood a little east of the village on what is now the
Wilber place. Mr. Davis came to Arcade, N. Y., in 18 10 and a few years later
to this town, where he taught school three years. April 24, 1822, Jacob
Cochran, Samuel G. Sutton, and Wiggin M. Farrar, school commissioners,
reported one school district (No. 4) in the town entitled to school moneys,
which amounted that year to $12. In 1892 there were nine school districts
attended by 403 children and taught by eleven teachers. The assessed valu-
ation of the districts was §665,945 and the value of the buildings and sites
aggregated $5,025. The amount of money received from the State for school
purposes was §1,593.48 and by local tax $1,349.65. In 1892 a fine brick school
building was erected in Yorkshire Corners, and the district in which it is lo-
cated was recently organized into the Delevan Union School District with
a full Board of Education, the first term opening in September, 1893.
Yorkshire Center (Delevan postoffice), the business center of the town, is
situated on the outlet of Lime Lake and on the south branch of Cattaraugus
creek. Since the building of the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad
it has had a steady, healthy growth and is now a business and shipping point
for a large region, of country. Its present population is 525. It contains
Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, W'esleyan Methodist, and Universalist churches,
four general stores, two grocery stores, one drug store, two hardware stores,
two milliner stores, two photograph galleries, a bakery, one jeweler, one fur-
niture store, a harness shop, two shoe shops, two barber shops, two meat
markets, two blacksmith shops, one ladder factory, a wagon shop, a printing
office, one dentist, a creamerj-, one hotel, a union school, and a postoffice.
The books of the merchants show a trade of $114,000 for 1892. The cream-
ery was started here in the spring of 1893. A system of water works was
completed and in operation in 1891. The water is brought from a large
spring one mile west of the village, at an elevation of 140 feet above Main
street level. There is also an efficient fire department. Grounds have been
purchased and the work commenced for a lumber yard and planing-mill near
the depot. The south branch of Cattaraugus creek affords ample water-
power for manufacturing purposes and is now utilized for the operation of
one saw-mill, a cheese-box factory, a shingle-mill, a flour and feed-mill, aud
iiiS History of Cattaraugus County.
the electric light plant now being established for lighting the village. The
postoffice, which for years was known as Yorkshire Center, was changed in
1892 to Delevan. It issues money orders.
Yorkshire Corners (Yorkshire postofifice) is beautifully located in the north-
east corner of the town, one mile from the Western New York & Pennsylvania
railroad, on the south bank of Cattaraugus creeJ-:, and contains two churches,
two grocery stores, a saw-mill and grist-rnill, a foundry, one harness shop, a
wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, one, cheese factory, a tin shop, a cider-mill,
hotel, graded school, and about 300 inhabitants.
West Yorkshire is a hamlet and postoffice on Cattaraugus creek near the
center of the north border of the town, and contains a saw-mill, cheese factory,
blacksmith shop, a store, and about ten dwellings.
■| ' From the most authentic data obtainable it appears that the Methodists
•| organized a class as early as 1814 or 1815. Elder Judah Babcock held P^ree-
I will Baptist services at the dwellings of Lsaac Williams and Benjamin Felch
I about 1 817. The First Baptist church of Yorkshire was organized at the Center
on the 13th of May, 1855, by Rev. E. W. Bliss with .seventeen members. The
right hand of fellowship was extended on June 6th at a council of ministers
^ and churches, and the first deacons were Erastus Wheatley and M. S. Durfee.
I The church edifice'was erected and dedicated December 9, 1856, and cost
■A $2,000. It has recently been repaired and modernized and will now seat 350
V people. The first pastor was Rev. William J. Kermott, a licentiate.
The Universalist church of Yorkshire was formed at the Yorkshire Center
school house January 3, 1856, with twenty-two members, by Rev. Gideon S.
Gowdy, who became the first pastor. The legal organization of the society
was deferred until 1858, with twenty-three members, and in this year, in con-
i nection with the Methodists, they built a church edifice. They still maintain
an organization, but at present have no church services.
I The Methodist Episcopal church of Yorkshire was organized at the Center
i by Rev. S. G. Hammond in 1857 as a part of the Machias charge and in 1873
I as an independent church. It was again placed on the Machias charge in
j - 1877, where it remained until about 1880, when it was once more made an in-
dependent church with a memSership of thirty-five. The present number of
• members is seventy. The house of worship was erected in 1858 by the Meth-
! odist and Universalist societies as a union edifice. It cost $2,500 and will
; seat 350 people.
The Wesleyan Methodist church of Yorkshire Center was organized and-
• the church building erected in 1884. The membership is small, but they have
supported most of the time a resident minister.
The First Free Methodist church of Yorkshire was organized at Yorkshire
, Corners, June 8, 1868, by Rev. Henry Hornsby, with fourteen members. The
first pastor was Rev. William R. Cusick. The same year the society bought
and remodeled the wooden building used by the Odd Fellows,, at a cost of
Town of Yorkshire. • 1119
$1,800, and dedicated it for their use. It will seat 200 persons. The mem-
bership is 20. Rev. Norman Martin is pastor. Connected is a Sunday school.
In 1865 Rev. Clinton Colgrove. originally a Baptist, held a series of meet-
ings of the Advent persuasion in the school house at Yorkshire Corners. In
1868, with Revs. William A. Fenn and Jonas Wendell, hp organized the Ad-
vent church of Yorkshire with sixty-three members, and remained their
pastor until 1875. A church edifice was built in 1869 at a cost of $3,000. It
will seat about 300 persons.
Yorkshire Center Lodge, No 616, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 16,
1891, by D. D. G. M. Orson E. Helms, the first officers being Rev. E. B. 01m-
stead, N. G.; W. F. Persons, V. G.; Dr. F. Krehbiel, secretary; William J.
Strong, treas. An I. O. O. F. lodge formerly flourished at Yorkshire Corners.
Ira Bishop, son of John and Dorcas (Hawkins) Bishop, was born in Will-
iamsburg, Mass. In 1797 he settled in Otsego, N. Y., where he lived until
1831, when he moved to Yorkshire with an ox-team, bringing his wife and
five children and settling on the farm now owned by his son, Amasa H.
Bishop. He took up 160 acres of land, which he cleared. He taught school
and was justice of the peace for several years'. He married Margaret Babbit,
of Otsego. Children: Maryette, Dorcas, Palmyra, Reuben B., Miranda M.,
John D., Sarah A., Amasa H., and Romelia E. He died in 1866 and his wife
in 1879. Amasa H. Bishop was born March 19, 1837, and has always been a
farmer, being also for a brief time a teacher. He married Keturah, daughter
of Levi Howell, of Jerseyville, Canada, and settled on the homestead. His
son Levi L. married Jennie E., daughter of Morris Jones, of Freedom.
Carpenter Bull, a native of Vermont, came to Yorkshire in 1825 and set-
tled on the farm now owned by his son Abel. He was a veterinary surgeon
and traveled over a large area of the country in the practice of his profession.
He married Mariah, daughter of Edward Bump, and had fourteen children.
Harlcy Bump, son of Lail, was born in Vermont in 1801. In 1828 he mar-
ried a daughter of Alphcus Harmon, of Yorkshire, and in 1830 settled
on the farm now owned by David Quackenbush. He always remained a resi-
dent of the town and was a farmer. Children : George R., Lewis L., and
Sallie S. (Mrs. Lucas StudleyV Mrs. Bump died Feb. 8, 1863. Mr. Bump
died in 1872. George R. Bump was born March 18, 1834. Aug. 17, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols., was wounded and is a pensioner, and was
mustered out in 1864. He married Lucinda E., daughter of Asahel and
Mary (Reynolds) Taylor; children: Edward L., George H., Asahel T., Guy A.
Ray Card, a native of Rhode Island, came to Yorkshire in 1837 or 1838
and settled on the farm his son Jerry now owns, where he lived and died.
He had ten children.
Daniel W. Cheney, a native of Ashford, Conn., was descended from good
old Puritan stock, his ancestors having come from England with the early Pil-
grim Fathers. He emigrated from Connecticut to Essex county, N. Y., but
after a brief stay he went into Vermont for a time. Thinking that he could
better his condition by a return to New York he located in what is now the
town of Machias in the year 1808. He resided here a short time,- then removed
about five miles farther north and took up land on the old " town line "road,
in what is now the town of Yorkshire. Here he passed the remainder of his
days, dying in 1837. He left the reputation of being an upright, industrious-
II20 History of Cattaraugus County.
citizen, enjoying the esteem and confidence of all his acquaintances. His wife
survived him but a few years. There were born to him eleven children, nine
of whom attained manhood and womanhood. All of these are dead but one.
Wells Cheney, who still lives with an only daughter, Nancy, in Delevan, and is
an intelligent old gentleman in his 86th year, full of reminiscences of the past.
John Cheney, the second son of Daniel W was born in 1S13 in the limits
of the town of Machias. In his early manhood he succeeded in accumulating
a sufficient amount of money to purchase and partially pay for the farm
already taken up by his father. In 1840 he married Sarah Ann Hodges, who
helped him accumulate a large property. For the next few years, until 1856,
he passed his time partly in New York State and partly in Pennsylvania,
where for a time he run a large lumber mill. Finally returning to New York
he settled upon his farm, remaining there till within a few months of his
death. He was public spirited, honorable, and highly esteemed. He was one
of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal church in Delevan, a liberal sup-
porter and member of it, and one of its trustees for nearly a quarter of a cen-
tury. He died in 1881 at his residence in the village of Delevan. His widow
still lives at the same place. Never taking any active part in politics, he was
yet greatly interested in public affairs, usually voting with the Republican
partv. He was for several terms elected one of the assessors of the town.
Besides his widow seven children survive him : Clark A., a farmer in York-
shire; Walter W., an oil operator of Bradford, Pa.; Irene E. Crooker, living
with her husband at Franklinville ; Francis J., principal of the State Normal
and Training School, Cortland, N. Y.; George H., in business in Boston,
:' Mass.; Lyman J., postal clerk on the W. N. Y. & P. railroad.
Francis J. Cheney was born near Warren, Pa., in June, 1848, third son of
)| John and Sarah Ann Cheney. In 1856 he came with his parents to York-
II shire. Here he worked on the farm until he was twenty years old, attending
II the district school winter and summer as far as the farm work would permit.
i He early manifested a wish to go to college, and in this he was encouraged by
his parents. By attending a neighboring academy at Arcade, N. Y., during
the fall term, teaching a district school in the winter, and working on the
farm through the spring and summer, he finally obtained a part of the neces-
sary means and preparation for college, and entered Syracuse University in
1868, while it was yet Genesee College, graduating in 1872. After graduation
he was professor of mathematics in the Northern New York Conference Sem-
inary, Antwerp, N. Y., for two terms. In March, 1873, he was elected prin-
cipal of Dryden Union School, Dryden, Tompkins county, N. Y. Here he
remained seven years, resigning his position in June, 1880. He had studied
law, was admitted to practice, and intended, at this time, to enter upon the
profession of law, when he received a letter from a member of the Board
of Education of Kingston Free Academy, Kingston, N. Y., asking him to
consider the proposition of becoming its principal. The result of the corres-
pondence was that he became principal of this school at a salary of $2,000.
In 1882 he was asked to take a professorship in Syracuse University, but
the Kingston Board of Education held out such inducements to retain him
as to influence him to stay. In 1888 he was elected superintendent of schools
in Olean, N. Y. Again the Board of Education at Kingston so strongly de-
sired him to remain that he declined this attractive position. In June, 1889,
he received the degree of Ph.D. from Syracuse University, on examination.
In 1890 he was unanimously elected inspector of high schools and academies
/h{2y].^^Oc^
Town of Yorkshire.
of New York by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.
This position he accepted, and entered upon his duties in September of the
same year. He held this important of^ce one year, when he was appointed
principal of the State Normal and Training School, Cortland, N. Y. Having
been confirmed as principal by the State superintendent of public instruc-
tion he resigned the office of inspector to accept this desirable and useful po-
sition, which he still holds, finding in it an agreeable field of activity and use-
fulness. In July, 1873, he married Lydia H., daughter of Buel G. Smith, of
Delevan, N. Y. Not a little of his success is due to the well directed help-
fulness of his intelligent and clear headed wife. But 45 years of age, in per-
fect health, it would seem that many years of usefulness are still before him.
Salmon Clark, son of Salmon, and a native of Vermont, settled in York-
shire on the farm now owned by Seymour King at an early day. Some years
later he moved onto what is now a part of the Isaac Beach estate, where he
died. He had seven children. His daughter, Polly C. Clark, married John
Hinman, a native of Vermont and a son of James. John Hinman settled in
Yorkshire in 183 1 and in 1838 removed to Great Valley, where his wife died
in 1852. He died in [866. They had thirteen children.
Capt. Danforth Daggett, son of Ebenezer, was born in Massachusetts, came
to Yorkshire in 1830, and engaged in farming. He married Sarah Snow;
children : Nelson, Phebe, Mary, and Franklin B.
Hiram Goo came to Ashford from Schuyler, N. Y., about 1821 and carried
on the trades of carpenter and millwright. He married Elizabeth Hufstader,
of Ashford, where he resided about thirty years. He finally moved to York-
shire, where he died. His wife lives with her daughter Elvira. Children: Eliza,
Mary Ann, Corsand, J. F., Amy, Almira, Elvira, Hiram, Catharine, Charles T.
George Graham was born in Concord, N. H., Oct. 5, 1801, a son of Asa
Graham, who, about 1820, came to Yorkshire with his son, but never became
a settler here. George located in town and in a few years returned to Con-
cord, N. H., where he married, Jan. 13, 1825, Lucia Thorn, whom he at once
brought to his home in Cattaraugus county. She died March 7, 1871, and
Feb. 12, 1873, his death occurred. Children: Joseph C, born Oct. 14, 1825;
Flora Taylor, deceased ; Sarah L., born Sept. 32, 1826 ; Rozilla A., born June
8, 1828, married J. F. Jackman, Feb. 20, 1851; Racb .1 M., born Nov. 14,
1830; John C, born Jan. 15, 1833, married Teressa Jacobs, Dec. 15, 1861 ;
George H. ; Lucia E., born March 14, 1837, married Solomon Howe, Oct. 7,
1869; Walter A., born April 30, 1839, married Altie E. Nye, Sept. 29, 1866;
Mary J., born Feb. 4, 1842, died Jan. 20, 1845 : a"d Mary L., born May 15,
1844. Mr. Graham was first a Whig and later a Republican, and was super-
visor of Yorkshire nine terms and justice of the peace twenty-four years. He
also held other town offices. George H. Graham, born March 5, 1835, mar-
ried Ellen M. Morse, March 24, 1861, and is a farmer near Delevan. He was
supervisor in 1881-82 and, like his father, is a representative citizen.
Lucius Hall, an early settler in this town, was born March 27, 1807. He
had sixteen children, forty grandchildren, and tweniy-five great-grandchil-
dren. He enlisted in Co. G, 78th N. Y. Vols., and took three of his boys with
him : Harvey C. and Wyman in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols., and Alfred in Co. G,
78th N. Y. Vols. He died July 27, 1887. Harvey C. Hall, son of Lucius, was
born in Alexander, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1840. When he was eight years of age his
father moved to Yorkshire. In Sept., 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 44th N. Y.
Vols., was shot in the left shoulder at the battle of Laurel Hill, and was mus-
141
History of Cattaraugus County.
tered out in 1864. He married Jane, daughter of Chester and Clarissa (Moon)
Ashcraft ; children: Lottie M. (Mrs. Sheldon Eastland) and George H.
John Harmon, a native of Rupert, Vt., came to Yorkshire in 1823 with his
father, Alpheus, who settled upon the farm now owned by Ethan Harmon.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Luther and Lucy Wheeler, and had seven
children, of whom two are now living in this town: Mrs. John Bishop and
Ethan (on the homestead). The latter married Sarepta, daughter of Stephen
and Angeline Randall, of Machias, and has one child, Howard E.
' Solomon Howe was a grandson of Moses Howe, a Revolutionary soldier.
His father, Aaron, was born in New Hampshire, and after residing elsewhere
in this State he finally settled in Cattaraugus county, where he died in 1836.
His wife died March 6, 1870. Solomon was born in Groton, N. Y., May 4,
1818, and came to Yorkshire with his parents in 1830. He married, in 1845,
Minerva Gould, who died June 27, 1865. Oct. 7, 1869. he married Lucia E.,
daughter of George Graham, of this town, who bore him two children: Or-
moncl and Minerva. Mr. Howe was supervisor of Yorkshire in 1873 and again
in 1876, and also held other town offices. He was the Democratic nominee to
the Assembly in i86g, but was defeated by George X. West: in 1872 he was
a candidate on the same ticket for county superintendent of the poor.
Samuel King came from Darien, Genesee county, to Machias in 1823,
bringing his wife, Sabra A. Winslow, and six children with an ox-team. He
articled 100 acres of land, built a log house, and set out an orchard, and three
years later traded it for 137 acres in Yorkshire, where he reared his family.
His wife died in 1864 and he in 1876. Children: B. Franklin, Clarissa, Ste-
phen \V., Simeon K., Solomon J., Angeline, Frederick W., Samuel S., Lydia
A., Almari, and Betsey. Those living are Solomon J. in Farmersville, Clarissa
(Mrs. Lyman Joslin) in Yorkshire, and Almari (Mrs. L. Rogers') in Freedom.
Charles King, son of Reuben, was born in Alexander, X.Y., and in 1838 set-
tled on the farm in Yorkshire now owned by his son Marvin D., where he
died. He was a farmer and held several important town offices. He married
Clara Sherman, by whom he had four children. His second wife was Betsey
Williams, who bore him four children. Flis son William W., now living at
West Yorkshire, came to the town in 1840. He married Harriet P., daughter
of Harry House, and has one child living, Mrs. Minnie M. Walpole.-
Seymour King, son of Alvah and Hannah (Carney) King, was born in Sar-
dinia, N. Y., Feb. 25, 1830. In i860 he married Ann Eliza, daughter of Rob-
ert and Martha Steele, and settled on the place where he now resides. Chil-
dren : Frank S., Manley E., Ernest R., and Mertie E. (Mrs. L. Conger). His
wife died in 1872 and he married, second, Sarah Silliman. He has been asses-
sor several years and by occupation is a farmer and an apiarist.
The Langmades were among the first settlers in this town. Stephen
Langmade settled here as early as 18 10 with the Dows. They came from
Vermont. Later his brother, Dr. William Langmade, came in. The doctor
was in the War of i8i2and reared thirteen children, all of whom attained
manhood. Solomon, another brother, was in the War of 1812 and lived to
the age of ninety-nine years and eight months, dying in 1892. Dr. Langmade,
was the father of A. J. Langmade, who served three years and six months in
Co. K, lOSth N. Y. Vols., and in- Co. K, 94th N. Y. Vols., spending six months
of the time in rebel prisons. Laura A., daughter of Daniel Davis, the first
scnool teacher in Yorkshire, was the wife of Dr. Langmade. She was one of
the pupils of tlie first three years of school taught in town.
Town of Yorkshire.
Berena Olthof came from Ibergun, Holland, and located in this town in
1850. He was a shoemaker by trade, but the later years of his life were de-
voted mainly to farming. Six years he spent in Holland in the army. Shortl}^
after his removal to this place he married Elizabeth Vanderlick, also of Hol-
land. Five children were born to them, three of whom are living — one son
and two daughters. Mr. Olthof died in 1884. His gon Henry B. and
widowed mother occupy the homestead two miles south of Yorkshire Center.
Mr. Olthof was a good citizen, just and honorable in his dealings, very de-
cided in his opinions, both political and religious, and his mind, once made up,
like the laws of the Medes and Persians, was not subject to change.
John Ferryman came to Yorkshire about 1S34. His son, A. Ferryman,
came at the same time and settled on the farm now owned by A. Fhinney.
He died in South Wales, Erie county. He married Elizabeth HoUovvay and
had seven children, of whom only one is living in town: Green Ferryman,
who married Emeline Bigelow. The latter enlisted in Co. K, 105th N. Y. Vols.,
and served three years. He was wounded at the battle near Petersburg and
was in most all the engagements of the regiment. His children living are Lo-
vina and Adda.
Ezekiel Pierce was born in Fenfieid, Monroe county, in 1809, and came to
Yorksiiire in 1825. In 1840 he purchased a farm one mile south of the Center,
which he occupied until his death, which occurred in 1892. Mr. Fierce was a
fair type of the early settlers : a man of strict integrity, true to his friends,
ever ready to reach out a helping hand to the needy, and in his death the com-
munity lost a good citizen. Mrs. Pierce's father, Richard Thornton, built the
first sawmill in this town, the one now owned by Goo & Bastion in Delevan.
Alpheus Stone, a native of Meudon, Mass., came to Yorkshire in 1S30 and
settled on the farm now owned by Fred Silliman, where he lived several years.
He afterward moved to Yorkshire Center and resided with his daughter, Mrs.
N. T.Thomas, and died Dec. 4, 1878. His wife, Sinda (Carter) Stone, died
July 18, 1865. He was a mason by trade and had two sons (both dead) and
one daughter (Loretta, now Mrs. X. T. Thomas). He served in the War of
l8i2 and drew a pension several years.
John Strong was born of Dutch parentage in old Fort Herkimer in 1800
and came from Mohawk, N. Y., in 1850 and settled on a farm now in York-
shire Center village limits. He was a blacksmith by trade, but devoted a part
of his time to farming. He had three sons and two daughters, four of whom
reside in the Center and one (a daughter) in Iowa. He died in 1869. Two
of the sons, William and Darius, occupy the homestead. This house is said
to be the first frame building erected in the village limits. It has been added
to in recent years, but the original is still in good condition. It dates back
nearly seventy years. There is a story connected with the building of this
dwelling which is well worth telling. It was built by a man named Paddock.
When partly completed he ran short of funds, and being something of a sport
and the owner of a fast horse he got up a scheme to " do up " the sporting men
at the races soon to come off at Rochester. His wife was privy to it. They
started for Rochester a day or two before the races, and at the outskirts of the
town he left his wife to drive in later, while he went to the horsemen's head-
quarters on foot. Paddock could get drunk on occasion or he could feign
drunkenness so perfectly as to deceive the elect, and that is just what he did
on this occasion ; and steadying himself against the bar he offered to bet $100
that he could take the first horse that came along the street and beat anything
1 124 History of Cattaraugus County.
they had. It did not take long to arrange such a bet as that and Paddock
was on the street waiting for a horse which, as pre-arranged, soon came along.
The wpman was naturally very indignant for being stopped on the street by
a drunken man, but the promise of a good dinner and $5 settled it and the
horse was secured. Whether the Rochester sports ever found out the full
extent of the joke played on them was never learned, but that sorry looking
horse, hitched to an old democrat wagon, was really one of the fleetest racers
in western New York, and Paddock returned to Yorkshire with a load of nails
and glass to finish his house.
Thomas Thomas, a native of Mendon, Mass., came here in 1836 and set-
tled at West Yorkshire, where he worked at shoemaking for his son George
W., who carried on tanning and shoemaking. He died Aug. 2, i860. His
wife, Sabria (Thwing), died Nov. 26, 1835. He had six sons and a daughter.
N. T. Thomas, came to West Yorkshire in 1837 and worked for his brother
G. W. at shoemaking. He married Loretta Stone and has one child, Eme-
line S. (Mrs. B. F. Darte).
George W. Thomas, son of Thomas Thomas, came to West Yorkshire and
erected a tannery and carried on that and shoemaking forty years. He mar-
ried Priscilla C, daughter of John Hinman, and had six children. He died
at Yorkshire Corners in 1892.
Joseph G. Thomas, son of Thomas Thomas, settled in Yorkshire in 1836.
He was a farmer and married Martha R., daughter of John and Millie Steele.
Of his four children three are living: George R., Bertha B., and Lula A. (Mrs.
Baxter Sovereign).
Caleb Turner, son of William, was born in Westfield, Mass., Dec. 22, 1808.
In 1826 he came to Yorkshire and settled on the farm where he now resides.
He is said to be the only one now living in town who articled the land from
the Holland Land Company. He married Polly Paddock, by whom he has
had five children, three of whom are living : Orson O., George C, and Mary O.
He married, second, Mrs. Algera Austin, by wliom he has seven children :
William D., Edwin O., Harvey R., Waller S., Cory B., Franklin I., and Emma J.
Obadiah Weeks, son of Roland, was born in New Salem, Mass., in 1794.
He married Jerusha Herriott, of Great Bend, Pa., and in 1822 moved to York-
shire and settled on a farm now owned by William Burns. Here he died July
4, 1872. His wife died Nov. 21, 1869. Of their five children two are living:
Mary H., of Franklinville, and Riley, of Yorkshire Center. Tiie latter married
Clarissa, daughter of .Stephen S. Langmade, and has four children : Ina B.,
Netta E., Grant W., and John A.
Luther Wheeler, a native of Danbury, Conn., came to Yorkshire in 1823
and settled on the farm now owned by J. W. Nourse. He married Lacy
Arundel and had nine children, of whom only Mrs. John Harmon is living.
George H. Whiting came to this town in 1840. He was living in York-
shire in i860, when, on the 29th of July, one of the most horrible murders
ever known in western New York was committed. Ann Wheat, whose maiden ,
name was Ann Dvvinell, was murdered by James Wheat, her husband, and
Salmon Wheat, her father-in-law.
Isaac Williams came from Vermont and took up 300 acres of land where
Yorkshire Corners now stands, where he built the first frame house in town
and where his son Proctor kept the first hotel. He also built the first saw and
grist-mill on Cattaraugus creek in 18 14. He afterward removed to Aurora,
N. Y., where he worked at the cooper's trade, and thence returned to Ash-
Town of Ischua. 1125
ford. Albert Williams, son of Isaac, was born in Vermont,, came to Yorks.hire,
married Melinda Sackett, moved to Ashford about 1833, ^^^ settled where
Richard Williams now lives. Children: Richard, Aurilla, Riley, Isaac, Har-
vey A., Eliza, and Peter. *
CHAPTER XLIX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ISCHUA.
ISCHUA of today and the original town of Ischua in Cattaraugus county
never had a territorial connection. The old township of the name em-
braced lands whose south line forms the north bounds of the present
organization, or, more definitely, all that part of the county lying north of the
line running east and west between the third and fourth tiers of lots of the
Holland Land Company's survey. The present town of Ischua was erected
from Hinsdale on the 7th of February, 1846, and until March 27, 1855, was
known as Ri'a: Since the latter date its territory has been designated Isclnia,
an Indian name which had previously been applied to the principal stream of
eastern Cattaraugus. The township lies upon the east side of the county, in
ranges three and four, and comprises the most of towns three in these
ranges of the Holland survey. It has an area of 20,540 acres and is bounded
on the north by Franklinville and Lyndon, on the east b}' Allegany county
and Hinsdale, on the south by Hinsdale, and on the west by Humphrey.
Its surface is undulating and hilly, the highest elevation reaching a height
of 600 feet above the valleys. The soil is mainly clay covered with a thin
layer of mold and gravelly loam. Several quarries of good building stone
exist. The principal drainage is afforded by Ischua creek, which flows south-
easterly through nearly the center of the town, acquiring in its course several
small tributaries. In the southwest corner of the town are the headwaters of
Five Mile run.
The earliest settlers of Ischua were Abram M. Farwell and Seymour Bou-
ton. The former was born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1780, and came to western
New York during the War of 1812, on foot, as a peddler, selling such goods
as he could carry to defray his expenses. His real business was probably to
see the country with a view of locating, for he explored Cattaraugus county.
Taking a fancy to the region of Ischua creek he selected lot 45 for a home,
to which he brought his wife and seven children in 18 15 and became a farmer
and the founder of the town. Seymour Bouton, who came from Westchester
county, N. Y., is said to have visited this region as early as 1809. He located
two miles north of the village of Ischua in 1812, and removed to a point one
History of Cattaraugus County.
mile from Franklinville village in 1 8 14, removing thence in 1816 to what is
now Ischua village, of which he was the pioneer settler. He remained in
town, only five years, removing to Olean in 1 821, where he died the same
year, aged thirty-nine years. It thus appears that i\Ir. Farwell was the first
permanent settler. Jonathan Davis, from Boston, Mass., came in 18 17 and
the same year came William Kimball and Amos Pitcher. Air. Davis was an
early and a consistent temperance man. He had a heavy building to raise,
and gave out that no liquor would be furnished. The report was started that
it could not be raised without grog, but all the temperance men far and near
turned out and put it up without any trouble. The rum drinkers were
silenced. George H. Miner, about 1823, was the first settler on Yankee hill;
Joel Godfrey was the next and he was followed in 1S25 by David Hibner and
Horace Guild. These four all came from Lima, Livingston county. Stephen
Graves, from Worcester, Mass., came in 1827 and Frederick Carpenter, from
Warren, Mass., in 1831. Benjamin Townsend brought his family from Attica,
N. Y., in 1829, and was the first brick maker in Ischua.
On Dutch hill Jacob and George Learn and Peter Frantz were the pio-
neers in 1823, all from Pennsylvania. Elisha Terry, from Cortland county,
N. Y., came in 1825 ; Joseph and David Raub, from New Jersey, and William
Corthell, from Tompkins county, N. Y., settled here in 1S26; Peter S. Carmer,
John Wagner, and George HoUister, all from Tompkins county, came in
1827 ; Benjamin Osgood, from Washington county, N. V., located in 183 1, and
Simon C. Mallory, from Columbia county, N. Y., in 1836. Jacob Howe, Byne
Brown, and Joseph Conrad were also early settlers on Dutch hill. Charles,
William, and John Raub owned and ran a distillery on Dutch hill which stood
near the place where C. T. Washburn now resides. Anthony Caswell, from
Rhode Island, settled in 1824 on the farm now the property of his son, Charles
J. Caswell. The following record of Mr. Caswell's marriage introduces an-
other early comer who held the county office of justice of the peace — Charles
C. Hatch. He came from Chenango county, N. Y., and settled in 1826 on
the farm now the home of his son, Hiram F. Hatch:
"Married by the undersigned. Justice of tbe Peace of Hinsdale, intlic county of Cattaraugus, on the
third of March. 16M, Mr. Anthony Caswell, aged twenty-four years, to Miss Sally Lockwood, aged eight-
een years, both residents of Hinsdali.'. Anthony a farmer and Sally a spinster.
" Attested by Joseph Lockwood aud Lockwood, residents of Hinsdale.
■• Charles C. Hatch,
"Ju.-ifite of the Peace."
The Lockwoods — John, Major, and Joseph — were from Vermont and had
all settled near Anthony Caswell's before 1829. Silas P. Otto, from Pennsyl-
vania, came in 1835. Stephen W. Abbott, son of Salmon Abbott, of Susque-
hanna, Pa., settled on the eastern border of the town at an early day and the
locality and.postoffice both bear the name of Abbott's. Kniffen Willson,
from Chenango county, N. Y., settled a mile and a half west of Abbott in 1831,
and gave the land for the school house, and also for- the ceinetery, in which he
was buried in 1862, both of which still bear his name.
Town of Ischua. ■ 1127
The first school in Ischua was kept in A. H. FarwelTs, barn, in 1825, by
Caroline Putnam. A school house was being built at the time and it became
necessary to go into it when it was first enclosed. To keep the children com-
fortable Mr. Farwell took a big cauldron kettle into the school room and filled
it with coals. Dr. Trowbridge succeeded Miss Putnam and was the first
school master. The first religious services were held in Mr. Farwell's house
by Rev. John Spencer in 1825. The imperative need of a grist-mill was sup-
plied by Justin Cook and Josiah Cole in 1829. The first store keepers were
Stevens & Lawrence; Jonathan H. Lyon was the next, he being followed by
William Richardson, Nelson Chapin, Gideon Searl, Isaac Fuller, and Henry
Chamberlin. The latter sold in 1870 to Erastus Chamberlin and he in 1883
to his brother, Wales Chamberlin, who is still in business. Smith & Haynes
traded from 1871 to 1874 and R. E. Gardner from 1876 until succeeded by
Arthur Moon & Co.
The first town meeting was held at Eleazer Densmore's tavern February
24, 1846, at which Frederick Carpenter was elected supervisor; Isaac N.
Fuller, town clerk; Philo Burlingame, superintendent of schools; William S.
Pitcher, Simon C. Mallory. and A. L. Barnard, assessors; and Morgan I.
Titus, Frederick Carpenter, Charles C. Hatch, and Hiram L. Seavy, justices
of the peace. The principal town officers have been as follows:
Si(pcri-i«)(s.- Frederick Carpenter, 1846 48, 1850, 18.5;; -5.5, 1857, 1S60, IStiS, 1867, 18C9-n: Jo aathaa Davis, 1849;
Hazen Chamberlin, 1851, 1874, 1^7ti; C. G. Chamberlin, 1858; Philo Bjrlini-.ime. 1853, 18S8; Benjamin C. Town-
send, 18.50; Henry Chamberlin, 1861-63, 1864; William Smith, IS63; George Utter, 1866; James A. Haynes,
1873; Henry C. Farwell, 1873, 1875; S. R. Sherlock, 1877; Kansnm Terry, 1878; Jason P. Kathbun, 1879 ; John. L.
Adams, 1880; Elam T. Seward, 1881, 1891-9-2; O.W. Chamberlin, 1883 83; CnarlesC. Baxter, 18S4, 1888-90; D. W.
Odell, 1885; Fred L. Carpenter, 1886-87; Albert Babcock, 1893.
Town CJcrte.— Isaac \. Fuller, 1846 ; S. Botts. 1847 ; Neri Taylor. 1848, 1853 ; .\buor Smith, 1849-50 ; William
S. Pitcher, 1851 ; Samuel Conrad, 1853; H. Chamberlin, 1854; Alonzo Guild, 185'); Alonzo F. Smith, 1856-57;
William Smith, 1858; Lymiin Slocum, 1859; William H. Smith, 186); Anson Densraorc, 1861-63, 1877-79, 1883,
1888; William Densmore, 186:3; A. It. Thornton, I81M-60, 1875-76, 1880-81, 188:J; Benjamin Bacon, 1866; J. E.
Pettingill, 1867-<J8: D. C. Corthell. 1869-70; B. C. Towusend, 1871-73; Wesley Lewis, 1873; Wallace Sibley, 1874 ;
George W. Lynde, 1884, 1889-90 ; Wales Chamberlin, 188.5-87, 1891-93.
Juxlicciof (he Peace.— ] 846, Morgan I. Titus, C C. Hatch, Frederick. Carpenter, Harvey L. Seavy ; 1848,
Philo Burlingame ;.1849, Samuel Searl ; 18,50, Frederick Carpenter, Charles C. Hatch ; 1851, Frederick Carpen-
ter ; 1853, Philo Burlingame ; 185:3, Neri Taylor, J. Sheldon; 1851, Gardner Sheldon, Benjamin Townsend;
18.55, Frederick Carpenter; 18.56, Stephen Morris; 18.57, B. C. Carpenter, Henry Chamberlin; 18.58, Gardner
Sheldon ; 18.59, Frederick Carpenter ; 1860, C. C. Hatch; 1861, B. C. Townsend ; 1863, S. I(. Sherlock ; 1863, Philo
Burlingame ; 1864, Amos S, Bristol ; 1885, B. C. Townsend ; 1866. Daniel B. Haynes; 1867, S. R. Sherlock ; 1868,
Amos Bristol ; 1869, B. C. Townsend ; 1870, N. Pierce ; 1871, S. K. Sherlock ; 1873, William P, Guild ; 1873, B. C.
Townsend ; 1874, K. Chamberlin ; 1875, S. R. Sherlock; 1876, F. Carpenter; 1877, J, L. Adams; 1878, H. C. Far-
well; 1879, F. Carpenter; 1880, Nathan Learn; 1881, K. C. Gardner: 1883. T. P. Guild; 188.3, C, C. Ba.xter; 1884,
J. L. Adams; 1885, Erastus Chamberlin; 1886, William P. Guild; 1887, Frank Osborne; 1888, B.C. Townsend;
1889, R. E. Gardner; 1890, W. P. Guild; 1891, E. E. Bacon; 1893, E. Chamberlin; 1893. Clement B. Conklin.
The chief industry of the inhabitants of the town is farming, with dairy-
ing as the leading branch. The milk from the numerous dairies is principally
manufactured into cheese, there being three or four cheese factories, the first
of which was built at Abbott's about 1873 by I. N. Sheldon. In 1890 Ab-
bott's union factory was built by the patrons of the old establishment at a
cost of $2,200. In 1892 this manufactured 170,000 pounds of cheese. The
ofificers are John Watson, president; John Mabey, secretary; Timothy O.
Regan, Chauncey W. Roat, and Frank Abbott, trustees. Willson factory, No.
1128 History of Cattaraugus County.
1, was built by Kniffen Willson in 1885, on his farm, and Willson factory, No.
2, was erected in 1S91 on A. M. Farwell's land by his son, Quincy A. Willson.
Each factory is making about 100,000 pounds of cheese per year. The farm-
ers also have a large surplus of hay, which is next to their dairy products in
point of revenue. Large crops of potatoes and oats are also produced. The
total valuation of real estate in 1892 was $342,780; value of personal property,
$18,250; value of railroads, $79,045; value of telegraph lines, etc., $4,190.
The total ta.x levy was but $2,454.60. July 3, 1872, the Western New York
& Pennsylvania railroad was formally opened through the town, and for its
construction bonds were issued to the amount of $10,000, which have all been
paid. The road has a station at the village of Ischua.
Ground for the cemetery at Ischua village was given by Benjamin Town-
send in 1842. Amos Pitcher had formerly owned it and was buried there in
1832. Maple Grove Cemetery was donated by Jacob Learn. Mary Raub
was the first person buried therein. The land for the Abbott burying ground
was given by Stephen W. Abbott.
The settlement of Ischua village was begun by Seymour Bouton in 18 16.
The site was located on a thoroughfare of travel that soon required a public
house, which was opened and kept by Mr. Bouton, who left in 1821. He was
succeeded by Amos Pitcher. In 1829 the place supported two hotels, Eleazer
Densmore keeping the other. At the time of the Dutch Hill war Gideon
Searl kept the tavern in the village. He was succeeded by Anson Densmore,.
who sold the property to John J. La Fever about 1866. He continued it as
a public house till his death in 1872, since which time his son, Frank D. La
Fever, has occupied the place for a dwelling and a grocery. Some of the early
industries in or near Ischua village were a foundry on Luzern Williams's farm,
where plows, sleigh-shoes, and other castings were made by Mr. Stoddard
from about 1832 till he had to abandon the business on account of the diffi-
culty in getting iron, after which the building was used for a school house; a
hat factory belonging to W. S. Pitcher; a tannery operated by Edwin McKee
from 1835 to 1855 on land now covered by William Pettingall's place ; a brick
yard opened by Benjamin Townsend in 1829 on ground now owned by Will-
iam Osgood, which ran till 1848; an ashery on what is now Henry Farwell's
farm, which had to cease for want of water; and another ashery which was
built by Nelson Chapin and Jonas M. Brown just south of the present Baptist
church about 1834, and operated by the builders till 1844, Isaac Carpenter
till 1848, Nathaniel Rowley, James Warring, Seymour Woodruff, William S.
Pitcher, and Frederick Carpenter, who had a grocery store in connection with
it. Anson Densmore owned it next and in 1865 sold it to Lyman M. Thorn-
ton, who run it one year, about which time ashes became too scarce to con-
tinue the business. He sold it and engaged at his present location in the gro-
cery trade. A remarkable storm which seemed to be the meeting of three
separate cloud gatherings occurred August 13, 1866, at Ischua village. The
Town of Ischua. 1129
rain poured for three and a half hours, and ran from the hills north of thg vil-
lage down Mill street in a torrent that carried Mr. Thornton's store clear into
Ischua creek. The first postoffice was established as West Hinsdale, October 2,
1828, changed to Rice, April 28, 1848, and again changed to Ischua, July 31,
1855. The first postmaster at Ischua was Seymour Bouton. Amos Pitcher
was the next, and he also carried the mail on horseback each way between
Hinsdale and Franklinville. In 1829 John Magee, of Bath, Steuben county,
ran a stage route from Bath to Olean, which passed through Hinsdale. Will-
iam S. Pitcher, son of Amos, was the postmaster and was succeeded by Henry
Chamberlin, B. C. Tovvnsend, Eleazer Densmore, William Smith, B. C. Town-
send again. Ransom Terry, William Sibley, R. E. Gardner, Lyman Thornton,
and the present incumbent, Frank D. La Fever.
Abbott's is a postofifice on the county line and contains the Methodist
church, Howard Otto's store, the union cheese factory, and Charles C. Wil-
bur's blacksmith shop. J. B. Swift has a store across the road in Allegany
county, but Mr. Otto was the first store keeper and has been postmaster since
1888. Betsey S. Wilbur was the first postmaster. The office was established
January i, 1883.
In 1880 Ischua had a population of 935 and in 1890 this had decreased to
S53. In 1892 the town had eight school districts with a school house in each,
taught during the year by eight teachers, and attended by 168 pupils. The
value of the school buildings and sites is $3,320 and the assessed valuation of
the property in the town for school purposes aggregates $391,764. The
money received from the State was $941.87 and that obtained by local tax
amounted to $638.64,
The Methodist Episcopal church of Ischua was organized December28, 1827,
and was the first religious organization in town. The first trustees were Will-
iam S. Pitcher, Daniel A. Ferris, and Abner Smith.' Their house of worship, a
wooden structure, was erected in 1861 at a cost of $1,500; the present value
of the church property is $2,000. The building will seat 300 persons. The
society has twenty-five members under the pastoral care of Rev. J. M. Leach.
They have a prosperous Sunday school. About 1827 this society secured of
the Holland Land Company the gospel lot as a gift to the first church organ-
ized in town. They held it until the erection of their edifice in 1861, when
it was sold for $600; the present owners are Burlingame and Farwell.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Abbott's, near the county line, was
organized about 1868. Their wooden house of worship was built in 1879,
cost $800, will seat 200 people, and with the site, etc., is valued at $1,000.
The land was leased to the society by Stephen W. Abbott. The present pas-
tor is Rev. H. L. Feathers. A Sunday school is maintained during the sum-
mer months. The nucleus of this society originated in the organization at
Abbott s of a Wesleyan Methodist class about i860, of which S. R. Sherlock,
of Franklinville, was leader.
142
History of Cattaraugus County.
The First Baptist church of Ischua was organized August lo, 187S, by Rev.
Reuben Cherryman, the first pastor, with twenty-one members. Their house
of worship was built of wood in 1886 and will seat 200 persons. It cost $1,500
and with the grounds, etc., is valued at $1,860. The society has seventy
members under Rev. A. Dewar as pastor. The Sunday school has forty-five
pupils. Prior to the organization of this church Baptist meetings were held
in the village school house. In 1836, while it was a branch of the Scott's Cor-
ners charge, a covenant meeting was held and the room was warmed by an
open fireplace. Within an hour after the people had gone the building
caught fire and was burned to the ground. There was good evidence that
the fire was left in a careless manner and it was plain that the Baptists were
responsible for the loss. The school district offered to settle for $100, but the
society refused to pay and the matter was settled by the courts, which gave a
judgment of $200 and costs, which were paid by the Scott's Corners church.
Rev. Eliab Going was the minister at this time.
The Free Methodist church of Dutch hill was organized by Rev. O. O.
Bacon with four members in 1867. The house of worship was erected of
wood in 1 87 1 at a cost of $800. It will seat 250 persons and with other prop-
erty is valued at $600. There are now fifteen members, who have services
every two weeks, the pastor being Rev. Mr. Manning, of Hinsdale.
Fair Oaks Post, No. 16, G. A. R., was organized July 6, 1887, with these
officers: Robert E. Gardner, commander; Lyman M. Thornton, S. V. ;
Allen Williams, J. V.; George P. Williams, adjutant; Ransom Terry, M. D.,
surgeon; Stephen Osgood, chaplain; Walter Chase, Q. M.; William W. Os-
good, O. D.; Gideon L. Patterson, O. G.; Samuel W. Hoag, S. M.; Royal
Colvin, O. M.-S. Besides these officers there were nine more charter mem-
bers. The present membership is twenty. The commander is Joseph Learn.
Lodge No. 179, A. O. U. W., was instituted October 21, 1878, with four-
teen members. Dr. Ransom Terry was P. M. W.; B. B. Hinman, M. W.;
John Haight, recorder; C. C. Baxter, financier; and Fayette Searls, receiver.
The present P. M. VV. is F. Kenfield. The membership is twenty-two. Dur-
ing its 15 years of existence the lodge has not lost a single member by death.
Charles C. Baxter is the son of John W. (born in 1792), grandson of John
(born in 1760), and great-grandson of Petit Baxter (born in 1732), whose father,
John Baxter, born about 1700, lived in Westchester county, N. Y. The an-
cestor of the Baxter family, Capt. John Baxter, came from England in 1664
in command of a company of Irish volunteers, and received for his services a
grant of Throgg's Neck. John, the son of Petit, entered the Revolutionary
army at the age of sixteen and was wounded by a tory named Underhill.
With twenty-four others he was sent to a hospital in New York city, where
the small-pox broke out, and he was one of only six survivors. Hisson John W.
came to Allegany county in 1820, where he was a millwright, and died there
in 1862. He married, in 18 14, Mary McQueen, in Montgomery county, N.Y.;
children : Dorcas, Henry, James, Richard, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, David, John L.,
Phebe, and Charles C. Charles C. Baxter was born in 1840 in Friendship. He
Town of Ischua. 1151
was reared a lumberman and learned the millwright's trade. Leaving home
when twenty-one years old he worked twelve years in Pennsylvania cutting
lumber and building mills. In 1874 he came to Ischua and entered the grist
and carding-mill which he now owns and operates. In 1862 he married Ore-
anna Sherwood; children : Mary, who married Dennis C. Couell and died in
1889 in Buffalo, leaving children Grace, William, and Ellen; William C; and
Mina (Mrs. William Merrit), of Friend.ship ; they have one child, Percy. Mr.
Baxter married, second, in 1872, Mary J. McCormick; children : James, Katie,
Florence, John, Lorena, and Robert H. He married his third wife in 1888;
children : Jason and Norman. He has always been an active Republican,
serving the town as auditor, justice of the peace one term, and as supervisor
in 1884 and 1888-90. His son William C. is a railroad conductor in Me.xico.
Eben R. Carmer is the son of Peter S. Carmer, who came from Dryden,
N. Y., and settled on Dutch hill in Ischua in 1827, where Dr. Hillman now
lives. He married Margaret Spriggle, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1802.
Children : Jacob, w'ho went west and died there; Cyrus, of Hinsdale; Eben R.;
Maranda A., who died when thirteen years old ; Eli (deceased) ; and Peter, of
Wisconsin. Eben R. Carmer, born in 1831, has always been a farmer except
the period from 1857 to 1869 spent in Minnesota and Wisconsin in lumbering.
In 1886 he married Clarissa, daughter of Abram Farwell, of Ischua. Mr.
Carmer was elected assessor on the Republican ticket in the spring of 1893.
His mother, the oldest person in Ischua, is living in his family aged 91 years.
Frederick Carpenter is the son of Frederick Carpenter, of Rhode Island,
who settled in Warren, Mass., where he married Eunice Burroughs. Children:
Isaac, Eunice, Lucy, Laura, Calista, Mary, Eliza, Frederick, David, Sidney,
Hannah, and Charles. Mr. Carpenter died there aged fifty-six and his wife at
the age of ninety-six. Frederick was born in Warren, Nov. 4, 1804, and came
to Franklinville in 1821. Isaac, Lucy, Eunice, David, and Laura Carpenter
had already settled in Franklinville and Farmersville. Frederick had fifty
cents in money left, which he paid Flavel Patridge, who kept a small store
at Franklinville, towards a new axe, which cost $2.50. He began chopping
cord-wood at fifty or seventy-five cents per day. He can now count more
than 200 acres of woodland in Franklinville, Machias, and Ischua which he
has chopped over since that time. In 1831 he bought the first forty acres of
his present farm, paying $4 an acre, and on it he has lived sixty-two years,
buying in the meantime 145 acres more. In 1829 he married Elsie, daughter
of David Hibner; children : David, who died twenty-one years old ; James and
Sidney, of Stevens Point, Wis.; Ruth E. (Mrs. Noah Sherwood), of Ischua;
Frederick L., who married Delilia, daughter of C. G. Chamberlin, of Ischua;
Sarah E. (Mrs. William McStay), of Lyndon; Levi P., who died in i860;
Eunice S. (Mrs. William Wharton), of Nebraska; Spencer R., who died in
1862; Caroline (Mrs. Richard Durham), of Nebraska; and Charles E., who
died in i860. Mrs. Carpenter died in 1882. With the exception of two or
three years in the ashery and mercantile business Mr. Carpenter has always
been a farmer. In 1835 he was first elected justice of the peace and, although
resigning twice, has since served nearly forty years. He served four years as
supervisor of Hinsdale and was the first supervisor of Ischua (then Rice), hold-
ing the office in all nineteen years. When young he made two trips on the
Erie canal between Buffalo and Albany and is one of the few men living who
saw the three Thayers hung in Buffalo. Frederick L. Carpenter resides on
the homestead in Ischua, which town he has served two terms as supervisor.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Charles Justus Caswell lives on the old farm on which his father, Anthony
Caswell, settled in 1824. Anthony was born in Rhode Island, lived a while in
Connecticut, went thence to Charleston, S. C, and returned the same year to
Schenectady, N. Y., where he worked on the construction of the Erie canal
in 1823 and 1824. The first cabin he built caught fire one day, burning his
entire outfit, including his highly-prized rifle. This so discouraged him that
he decided to leave, but his friend, Tibbetts Chamberlin, of Cuba, N. Y.,
persuaded him to stay by helping him to whatever he needed to start anew,
and he continued to live alone in the woods four years. Then he ran Tibbetts
Chamberlin's still in Cuba for a while and in 1829 married Sally, daughter of
Justus Lockwood, of Lyndon. Children: Sarah S., who died young ; Juliette
E. (Mrs. Lewis Snyder), of Lyndon ; Rensselaer J., of Franklinville ; Horace A.,
who died aged twenty-one; Calvin T. ; George G. and George M., who both
died young ; Charles J. ; Decimal W. ; and Mary A. and John S., who both died
of diphtheria. Charles J., born in 1846, enlisted in 1864 in Co. D, 13th N. Y.
H. A. In 1 868 he married Electa A., daughter of James Davis, of Caneadea,
N. Y. Children : Eugene, Frankie (deceased), Francis R., Myra A., Dow E.
William and Rebecca Chamberlin both descended from English families.
They came to Hinsdale from Barton, Vt., traveling the long, cold route in the
winter of i8i5-;6with a canvas-covered sleigh drawn by a yoke of oxen. Much
of the way they were compelled to hitch one o.x ahead of the other in tandem
style to pass the deep and drifted snow, arriving in Feb., 18 16. Accompany-
ing them were Ira A. and Cornelius G. Chamberlin, who were then nine and
seven years of age, who took turns driving the white-faced cow, which supplied
them with milk on their journey. Hazen and William were the other and
younger members of the family on that trip. Henry and Candace M. were
born to them after their arrival. They first settled on what is now the Hor-
ace Smith farm. William afterward removed his family within the limits of
what is now Ischua, where he was killed in 1824 while raising a bridge over
the creek near where E. F. Davis now lives. The eldest sons, Ira A. and Cor-
nelius G., together with their mother, contracted from the land office the farm
afterward owned b\" Cornelius G. Ira A. was born in Barton, Vt., in 1807.
He married Susan, daughter of Abram M. Farwell ; children : Candace L.,
Ophelia D., Loren I., Andrew J., Adaline C, Hazen E., Emily C, CarolineG.,
and L. A. Mr. Chamberlin removed to Hinsdale village, where he died in
1889. Cornelius G. Chamberlin was born in Barton, Vt., in 1809, and married,
in 1835, Hulda, daughter of Eleazer Densmore, of Ischua. Children : Rosalie
(deceased), William W., Erastus, Franklin H., Wales, Phebe E., and Finace.
Mr. Chamberlin died in Ischua in 1892. He was regarded throughout all his
mature years as one of the most sagacious, capable, and successful business
men in his section of Cattaraugus county. His widow lives in Ischua village.
Their son Erastus was born in Ischua, and was raised a farmer with a common
school education. From 1859 ^^ '§65 he was a clerk in Henry Chamberlin's
store, and then spent five years in the oil regions — at Pithole and other points.
In 1870 he bought Henry Chamberlin's store and residence in Ischua village,
where he was a merchant till 1883, when he sold to his brother, Wales Cham-
berlin. Since then he has been a farmer and real estate and agricultural im-
plement dealer. For several years he was justice of the peace and has had
almost the experience and practice of a professional lawyer. He married, in
1 87 1, Grace, daughter of Robert Reid, of Franklinville. Children : Gertie,
born in 1873; Robert, deceased; and Floyd, born in 1892. Mr. Chamberlin
Town of Ischua. 1133
is a Democrat in politics. Cornelius G., Hazen, and Henry have each repre-
sented Ischua on the Board of Supervisors of Cattaraugus county.
Walter Chase is the son of Elias Chase, who lived in Vermont, where he
married Rachel Taylor; children: Elzina, Van Buren, Alfred, Walter, Ed-
mund, Asa, and Cynthia. Walter was born in Fletcher, Franklin county, Vt.
In 1861 he enlisted in Co. H, 2d Vt. Vols., was mustered into the Army of the
Potomac, was at the battles of first Bull Run, Fair Oaks, and Malvern Hill,
where he was taken sick and sent to the hospital. In 1863 he re-enlisted and
participated in the battle of the Wilderness, was sixteen days under fire at
Spotsylvania, and received a shot in his left leg at Cold Harbor. He served
also in other battles, including Petersburg, and was discharged in 1865. In
1866 he married Florence Hill and settled in Ischua; children: Alfred, who
married Dora Trowbridge and has one child, Florence; Mettie (Mrs. Albert
Trowbridge), of Ischua; Luther; Francis; Jesse; and Etta. Soon after the
war Mr. Chase's health declined and he has not walked a step in four years.
Frederick Cline is the son of Seymour Cline, who came from Oxford, N. Y.,
in 1840 and settled on lots 22 and 30. He died in 1856. He married Lovina
Bennett; children: Frederick; Edward, who married Minerva Hill and lived
and died in Ischua; and Augusta (Mrs. Gilbert Wheeler), of Ischua. At the
age of twenty-one Frederick, who was born in 1829, left home and bought a
farm on lot 30, adding to it until he had over 400 acres, and lived on it twenty-
one years. He married, in 1853, Almira, daughter of Elisha Terry, of Ischua;
children: Terry E., born in 1861, and John W., born in 1873, died in 1875. In
1876 Mr. Cline moved to Ischua village, where he has been a dealer in lumber,
live stock, and farm produce. He has served three years as assessor, one term
as commissioner of highways, and is now a member of the Excise Board.
Milo Cole is a son of Casey and a grandson of Freeman Cole, of Crawford
county, Pa. The children of Casey and Nancy Cole were Amanda, Prudentia,
Arvilla, Philena, Olive, Parker (a soldier), Alvira, Milo, Amelia, and Bela (also
a soldier). Milo was born m Augusta, N. Y., in 1820, and married, in 1843,
Eliza Marks, of Perry, N. Y., where his father then lived; children: Mary
(Mrs. Herbert Strong), of Friendship, N. Y.; Sidney, of Crawford county. Pa.;
Alice ; Amanda L. (Mrs. George S. Waldron), of Ischua, who has children
George H. and Grace E.; and William, of Bradford, Pa. Mr. Waldron enlisted
in the 9th H. A. and fought in twenty-one battles, including the Wilderness,
Harper's Ferry, Lookout Mountain, and Gettysburg. He captured a battle
flag at Farmerstown, Pa. Milo Cole came to Ischua in 1854 and bought 130
acres of land on which he still lives.
Abram Farwell is a son of Abram M. Farwell, the pioneer, who was
born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1780, and settled in Ischua in 1815. He mar-
ried, in 1800, Lydia Jackson, who was born in Brookline, Mass., in 1780.
Children: Sarah, born in 1801 ; Thaddeus, 1803; John H., 1805; James, 1807;
Susan, 1809; Abram, 181 1; Lydia, 1813; Mary A., 181 5; Adeline, 18 17 (the
first white girl born in Ischua) ;• and Catharine, 1819. Abram M. built the
first saw-mill in town, was a lumberman and farmer, and died in 1868; his
wife died in 1874. Abram was reared in the pursuits his father followed and
in 1835 he married Sarah, daughter of John E. Wright, of German Flats,
N. Y., who was born in London, Eng., in 18 18. Children: Levi, of Ischua;
Abigail, born June 13, 1838, died May 28, i860; Jonathan, born July 22, 1840,
died June 13, 1841 ; Clarissa A., born April 30, 1843, married Evan Carmer,
March 9, 1887 ; Helen N., born July 15, 1846, married Addison Shafer, March
1 1 34 History of Cattaraugus County.
13, 1874, and has one son, Abram ; Jonathan D., born April [, 1849, married
Alice Thrall, Jan. i, 1872, and has two daughters, Dora and Clara; Edmund
M., born March 26, 1851, died Feb. 9, 1857 ; Ephraim M.,born April 13, 1853,
died Feb. 9, 1857 ; Sophia, born March 29, 1855. married Lovinus Karn, March
9, 1882, and has children Sarah, Orrin, Levi, and Helen ; Abbie, born Dec. 23,
1865, married Churchille Woolhiser, Nov. 3, 1S83, and has two children. Glen
and Blanche. All were born on the place where he now lives excepting Levi,
who was born on his own farm.
Levi Farwell, son of Abram and grandson of Abram M., was born in
Ischua, March 21, 1836, and was reared on and now owns the farm his grand-
father settled in 1815. April 29, 1873, Levi married Frances, daughter of
Amos G. Hamilton, of Ischua; children: Sadie and Mary. The homestead
contains 350 acres and includes the site of the pioneer saw-mill. It is the
most historic farm in Ischua.
John A. Frederick is the son of Thomas Frederick, who married Anna
Robbins and settled at Port Allegany, Pa. Children: Matilda, Mary, George,
John A., William, Adelbert, Clyde, and Kear. John A. was born July 26,
1859, and has followed farming the past four years in Ischua. His father
died in 1881 at BuUis Mills, Pa., where his mother now lives.
William P. Guild is a son of Horace Guild, who was born in Chelsea,
Mass., in 1794, the son of Israel and Rhoda (Graves) Guild. John, the ances-
tor, was born in England in 1616 and settled in Dedham, Mass., in 1636.
Horace Guild came to Goshen, N. Y., where he married, in 18 19, Desire
Owen; children: Alonzo and Desire. He married, second, in 1823, Rhoda
Parker, widow of Lyman Hall, of Lima, N. Y., and in 1825 they came to
Ischua. Their children were Charles L.; Sarah A., who was born in 1826 and
married William Munger, of Lima, in 1849, \vho came to Ischua and died in
Michigan: Rhoda; Edmund C. ; Willis M.; Harriet I.; and William P. Hor-
ace and his brothers Joseph, Levi, and George were all mechanics in Ischua and
put up many of the first frame buildings in town ; they also erected a saw-
mill on Ischua creek between the Farwell and Chambcrlin bridges. George
was one of the builders of Amherst College. Charles L. was sergeant in Co.
C, 154th N. Y. Vols., was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, and died in the hos-
pital. Willis was killed at Chancellorsville. Edmund, the third soldier
brother, escaped serious injury and returned home at the close of the war.
In 1850 Horace went to California, where he v\orked at his trade and in the
mines, receiving from §12 to §16 per day. In 1864 he returned home and
spent the remainder of his life on the farm of 100 acres which cost him §200
in 1825. He died there in 1885. W^illiam P., his son, still owns and lives on
the homestead, where he was born in 1839. ^^ 1863 he married Lucy M.,
daughter of William B. Thomas, of Ashford ; children: Grace (Mrs. C. C.
Chittenden), of Cadillac, Mich., who has children Ralph and Robert; Charles
W.. a physician in Harriman, Tenn.; Glen, who died when three years old ;
William P.; and Bessie, who died when two vyears of age. Mr. Guild has
been town collector, justice of the peace, and justice of sessions.
Major Hackett early settled in Ischua on Yankee hill. Stephen K. Hack-
ett, his son, was born Oct. 23, 1810, and married, June 17, 1841, Mary E.
Williams, of Black Creek, Allegany county, who was born March 8, 1822, and
died Jan. 10, 185 i. He resided in town until about 1856, when he moved to
Wisconsin. Children : Eunice L., George S., Stephen L., Mariah L., Hannah S.
Amos G. Hamilton is a son of Benjamin Hamilton and a grandson of Will-
Town of Isciiua. 1135
iam Hamilton, a Revolutionary soldier who participated in the battle of the
Narrows on the Susquehanna river and at Tioga Point, and whose father, of
Scotch descent, was killed by the Indians. Benjamin was born in Sussex
county, N. J., in 1792. He married Rachel Gardner, and after the birth of their
children Charles and Cornelius removed to Tompkins county, N. Y., where
William, Phebe, Maria, Amos G., and Laurentine were born. He afterward
lived in Cattaraugus county. Amos G. was born in 1824 in.Dix, Steuben
county, and in 1848 married Elizabeth L. Beverly, of Chemung county. He
came in i8;;o to Ischua, where he bought 170 acres on Hamilton hill, paying
from S3. 50 to §10 per acre. Children : Frankie D. (Mrs. Levi Farwell) ; Maria
(Mrs. Willard R. Lacey), of New Hudson, N. Y. ; Mary I. (Mrs. C. F. Moul-
ton), who has children Louis H. and Karl T. ; John G., who married Stella
C. Snyder, settled in Cuba, and has children Russell J., Roy G., Louisa L., and
Ralph P. ; Carrie(Mrs. J. L. Prosser). of Duluth, Minn. ; and Lottie, who died
voung. Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton died in 1889. She and her husband were
members of the Baptist church in Cuba. Originally a Republican, and always
an anti-slavery and a temperance man, he is now a Prohibitionist.
Charles Hatch is a son of Charles C. Hatch, who was born in Hillsdale,
N. Y., in 1798, whence his father, John Hatch, moved in 1812 to Oxford,
Chenango county. Charles C. married, in 1822, Anna Knapp, of Norwich, N. Y.,
whose mother was a Rathbon, of Rhode Island. Children : Charles, born in Ox-
ford, May 26, 1823 ; Mary A., born in Oxford, Feb. 7, 1825, now Mrs. Edwin A.
Hull, of Scott's Corners; John, born in Ischua, March 13, 1827, died in 1829;
George, born Feb. 13, 1829, was a Baptist minister, and died in Cherry Valley,
Ohio, Oct. 26, 1889; Harriet N., born Feb. 25, 1831, died July 13, 1863; John
R., born March 25, 1833. a blacksmith in Ashtabula county, Ohio; Hiram F.,
born Feb. 24, 1835; Eliza, born Feb. 18, 1837, now Mrs. W. Phillips, of
Fredonia, N. Y. ; VVashington, born March 11, 1839, of Salamanca ; Sarah E.,
born Oct. 12, 1841, a trained nurse in New York city; and Arvilla, born June
27, 1845, now Mrs. Eli Rockwell, of Scott's Corners. Charles Hatch was
reared a farmer and lumberman and bought, in 1846, 100 acres of pine timber,
now part of Levi Farwell's farm, from which he cut in four years 1,000,000 feet
of lumber, which was sawed at Farwell's mill. In 1857 he bought fifty acres
of his present farm. April 29, 1858, he married Candace L. Chamberlin ; chil-
dren : Judson VV., of Franklinville ; Orpha J. (Mrs. Burdett Parker), of Hins-
dale, who has children J udson, Roy, Earl and Pearl (twins), and Bert; Addie O.
(Mrs. Arthur E. Loder), of Ischua, who has one child, Ethel; and Nellie, a
school teacher in Colorado. Mrs. Hatch died Oct. 16, 1869, and Charles mar-
ried, second, Mary A. Mosman, Oct. 18, 1870; children: Charles C, Grace (a
school teacher;, and Ray. Mr. Hatch was highway commissioner when the
most important iron bridges in town were built. Originally a Republican he
has taken the Nezv York Tribune over thirty years, but is now a pronounced
advocate of Farmers' Alliance views.
David Hibner, father of Michael Hibner, was born in Germany and settled
in Peekskill, N. Y. David studied medicine, learned carving and gilding in
New York city, and settled in Lima, N. Y., where he married Susanna Parker,
of Bloomfield, N. Y. Children: Michael, Joseph, David, Philip, William,
George, Elsie (Mrs. Frederick Carpenter), and Betsey. Joseph Hibner, born
in Penfield, N. Y., in 1814, came to Ischua with his father in 1825, the latter
being one of the first settlers on Yankee hill. The son still lives on the
homestead. In 1840 he married Aseneth Fitch. Amelia, the eldest of their
1 1 36 History of Cattaraugus County.
two children, married Elam T. Seward, of Ischua. Dayton M., born in 1854,
married Eliza, daughter of David Hibner, and remains with 'his father, a
farmer. Mrs. Joseph Hibner died in 1865 and his second wife was Angeline
French; children: Dayton and Angie (Mrs. A. Lowe).
Samuel VV. Hoag is a son of Elisha Hoag, who was born in Lansing,
N. Y., in 1807, and who came to Lyndon in 183 1, where he married Anna
Wood the same year. Children: Elijah, of Lyndon; Phebe A. (Mrs. Uriah
C. Aynes), of Dakota; Samuel \V.; Israel, of Ischua; and John O., who mar-
ried Margaret Vincent, and lives in Cuba, N. Y. Elisha Hoag was active in
military affairs, holding a lieutenant's commission, and was an assessor nine
years. He died in 1892 and his wife in 1864. Samuel W. Hoag was born in
Lyndon in 1836, left home in 1S56, and worked by the month at farming six
years. In 1864 he enlisted in the 13th N. Y. H. A. and served six months in
Virginia, six months in North Carolina, and three at Portsmouth, Va. His
.brother John O. was in the same regiment. Returning home he married, in
1867, Mary L., daughter of Simon C. Mallory, of Ischua. They first settled
in Rushford, N. Y., removing to Ischua in 1871, and purchasing his present
farm of 219 acres in 1883.
William Henry Isamon is a son of George and a grandson of John Isamon,
of Allegany county, N. Y. George Isamon married Catharine Gross, by whom
he had ten children. His son William Henry came to Ischua in 1869, and
in 1877 married Fannie Lavarney. Children: Maud C, Emmet M., and
Charles H. W. Mr. Isamon is a farmer on Dutch hill and has belonged to the
Farmers' Alliance since its organization ; before that he was a Greenbacker.
Deforest E. Johnson, born in Lapier, N. Y., in i860, came with his father
to Ischua in-1871, where he married Mamie, daughter of George P. Williams,
in 1884. They have two children: Lloyd and Ralph. In 1886 he settled in
Hinsdale and kept a meat market two years, when he built his present store
and added a stock of general merchandize. Mr. Johnson is also town clerk.
His father, Harris Johnson, resides in Ischua. Harris's grandfather was Har-
ris Johnson, of Burlington, N. Y., where his father, also named Harris, was
born in 1802 and married Lucy C. Dauchy in 1824; children: Lodusky G.,
Thomas D., Lucy E., Walter R., and Harris. The latter was born in 1835
and married Emily Roat, of Broome county, N. Y., in 1857. They settled in
Lapier, N. Y., and came to Lyndon in 1865 and to Ischua in 1871, buying their
present farm of 512 acres in 1880. They now keep a dairy of 80 cows. The
winter Mr. Johnson was married he chopped in the town of Virgil 200 cords
of wood for thirty-one cents a cord — cutting ten cords of hemlock wood in
two days. In 1877 he went to Bradford, Pa., and run a store for a while.
Harris and Emily Johnson have three children: Deforest E., Flora M. (Mrs.
Berdell Burlingame, whose children are Harris and Ina F.), and Fannie E.
Solomon Kenfield, son of John, was born in Massachusetts, Nov. 4, 1822.
His father moved to Camden, N. Y., and thence to Naples, N. Y., where he
married Ruth Streeter in 1844. In Nov., 1845, hs moved to Ischua and set-
tled on the farm now owned by M. A. Kenfield, his son. Children: Felton, a
farmer adjoining the homestead; Lucina R. L. (Mrs. William Allen), of Far-
mersville; and M. A. The latter was born Aug. 20, 1847. Sept, i, 1868, he
married Lydia J., daughter of S. R. and Prudenda A. (Morgan) Williams, and
settled on the hdm.estead, which he now owns. Children: Lucy L. (Mrs. J.
Deeley), Emma O., John S., and Harriet L.
Frank D. La Fever is a son of John J., whose father was Deacon L. F.
Town of Ischua. 1137
La Fever, of Dundee, N. Y. John J. La Fever came to .Cattaraugus county
about 1820 aiid settled at Haskel flats. He married Maria Cowdry, of
Geneva, N. Y. Children: Samuel, Frank D., George, Mortimer, Sarah, and
Louisa. He was a farmer and for several years opened his house for a hotel.
About the close of the war he came to Ischua and bought Anson Densmore's
hotel, which he kept till his death in 1872. It is now the property of his son
Frank D. Frank D. La Fever was born in Hinsdale in 1836 and was reared
on a farm. In 1864 he went on the road selling door bells, which he followed
till the death of his father, when he closed the hotel and opened the grocery
and store business which he has followed for twenty-five years. He is serving
his second year as postmaster. He married, in 1873, Susie, daughter of L.
Badger, of Allegany: children: Bertha, Josephine (deceased), and Frances.
Thomas Learn is a son of Jacob and the grandson of John Learn, who
was born in Northampton county. Pa., and lived near the Pocono mountains,
twenty miles from Easton, where his father and an uncle wfcre killed by the
Indians during the Revolutionary war. Jacob Learn, who was born in 1793
and served in the War of 1812, married Catharine Moyer; children: Thomas,
Lavina, John, Peter, Margaret, Jacob, Reuben, Alburtus, and Morris. All
were born in Ischua except Thomas and Lavina. Jacob and his brother
George came to Ischua in 1823 and were the first settlers on Dutch hill.
Thomas Learn was born in 18 19, and was reared a farmer and lumberman.
In 1844 he married Rachel, daughter of James Shafer, of Cuba, N. Y., and has
settled in Hinsdale. Children : Joseph L., who married Sarah Babcock and has
children Ernest E. and Rosa A.; John R.; Peter J., who married Esther Sher-
lock; Edwin A.; Walter L., who married Elizabeth Osgood and has children
Daisy, Lulu M., Robert, and Harrison; Florence (Mrs. Thomas Shafer), who
has one child, Guy C: and William C, who married Hattie Wilber, lives in
Humphrey, and has children Glen W., Calvin T., Clyde, Nellie, Lena, and
Florence M. Thomas Learn enlisted in the Civil war in 1861, served under
McClellan, and lost his right arm in the battle of Seven Pines. He was dis-
charged in 1862. His son Joseph L. went to the front after his father was
disabled and served through the war, receiving a gun-shot wound in his
neck in a cavalry charge. Thomas Learn also had three brothers in the war
— Jacob (who died in New Orleans), Morris, and John. Mr. Learn lived in
Olean and peddled glassware, clothing, dry goods, and silks twenty years.
One day near Keating, Pa., himself and his son John R., each with a wagon of
valuable goods, were attacked in a piece of woods by three robbers. Thomas
knocked two of them down with a stone and the third ran into the woods.
Mr. Learn has a farm of 300 acres, has been town collector, and sold plows
over ten years.
Nathan B. Learn is a son of George Learn, one of the pioneers who cut the
first road from Ischua to Dutch hill in 1823, having only one dollar in money
and his team when he settled there on the farm his son now owns. George
Learn married Fanny Spriggle ; children : Samuel, Evan, Nathan B., Joseph,
Mary A., Fanny, and Lydia. Nathan B. was born in 1830. In 1855 he mar-
ried Orvilla, daughter of David Cooper, of Hinsdale, and settled in Humphrey.
Children : Orlando C, who married Rosalia Morris ; Edna A. (Mrs. Learider
Yates), of Ischua, who has children Mabel and Lewis ; Emmett G., who mar-
rien Lou Quinby and has one child, Maud ; Clara (Mrs. C. G. Smiley), of Olean,
whose children are Glessner A. and Granger M. ; and Edgar E., who married Rosa
A., daughter of Joseph Learn. Mr. Learn has a couple of old-time relics of
143
iijti History of Cattaraugus County.
rare interest: one is a powerful steel bear trap still in working order, the other
a well preserved anvil which weighs 236 pounds and has the date 1749 on
its side. Both were brought by his father from Pennsylvania. While in
Humphrey Mr. Learn, a Democrat in politics, served four years as collector
and four years as assessor, and since his removal to Ischua in i860 has been
highway commissioner, justice of the peace, and assessor.
Alonzo Linderman is the son of Nicholas Linderman, who came about
1833 from Tompkins county, N. Y., to Humphrey, and settled on Bozard hill,
whe.e he died in 1887, aged eighty-four. He married Rebecca Whitlock, of
Ithaca, N. Y. ; children : John, Ezekiel, Orson, Alonzo, Mary, Lester, and Emma
and Addie (twins). Alonzo was born in 1838 and married, in 1865, Lucinda,
daughter of Jacob Searl, of Franklinville, when he bought the farm and settled
where he now lives, on the Five Mile tract. Lewelon, their oldest child, mar-
ried Nancy Conrad, and is now in Oswego, N. Y. The four younger children,
Ora A., Edgar, Frank, and Merton, are at home. In 1891 Mr. Linderman
built on his farm a steam saw-mill of thirty-five horse-power, in which are
three circular saws and a shingle-mill. This is the only saw-mill in Ischua and
cuts 200,000 feet of lumber per year.
Charles L. Mallory is a son of Simon C. Mallory, who was born in Hills-
dale, N. Y., in 1S04, and came to Franklinville in 1815 with his father, who
was a lumberman, and who died in Cincinnati, where he had gone with a raft.
Simon C. married, in 1828, Sophronia McNall ; children : Melissa, John O.,
Sarah A., Sanford S., Edwin VV., Charles L., Mary L., Candis, and Lydia M.
He came to Ischua in 1836 and in 1846 belonged to the first board of town
assessors. He bought a farm on Yankee hill, which now belongs to his son,
Charles L. Mallory. The latter was born in 1840 and became a carpenter as
well as a farmer, and has been a contractor and builder in this and adjoining
towns till within the past three years. In 1889 he bought his present farm of
139 acres in the village. His house was burned in 1890, when he immediately
built his present dwelling. Mr. Mallory married, in 1883, Anna, daughter of
John Taylor, of Ischua. Children: Charlie L., Ira S., Lloyd, Bert E., Cecil
E.,and Hazel G. He was highway commissioner in 1884.
Andrew J. Morris is the son of Thomas Morris, who was born in Franklin-
ville in 1812, whose father, Thomas Morris, then a merchant, was appointed
judge by Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins about 1814, and was supervisor in 1881
and 1819. Thomas, Jr., was reared a farmer, and settled in Ischua on the
place now owned by Eldridge Morris in 1833. He married Fanny, daughter
of John Learn ; children: John, Louisa, Andrew J., and Eldridge. Andrew J.
was born in Ischua in 1849 ^^^^ '" 1872 built a steam saw and shingle-mill on
the homestead and run it six years. In 1882 he exchanged the works for
those of greater capacity and built, in company with Frank Fitch, a new saw
and grist-mill at Humphrey's switch, buying his partner's interest the next
year and adding planing and matching machinery. In 1889 he exchanged
with Frank Fitch the mill property for his present farm of 197 acres in Frank-
linville. In 1874 Andrew J. Morris married C. Emma, daughter of Asaph Fitch,
of Franklinville. They have one child, Mabel A. Besides his farming inter-
ests Mr. Morris deals in lumber and live stock.
William M. Morris, who lives at the head of the Five Mile tract, is a son of
Neely Morris, whose father, Thomas Morris, settled as a merchant in Frank-
linville about 1810, and whose children were John, born in 1802 ; Esther, 1804;
Neely, 1807; Eli, 1809; Thomas, 1812; and Sarah, 1814. Judge Morris moved
Town of Ischua. 1139
to Ischua in 1825 and settled on land now the property and home of his
grandson William M. Neely Morris married Elizabeth Raub, who was born
in New Jersey in 1799, and settled on the home farm. Children: Cordelia,
born in 1830, married Miles J. Learn; John, born in 1831, died young; Eli,
born in 1833; William M., born in 1835 ; Mary, born in 1839, married James
Barnard; and Melvin, deceased. William M. Morris married, in 1855, Eme-
line, daughter of Peter Miller, of Hinsdale. They have one child, Rosalia,
born in 1856, who married Orlando C. Learn in 1888 and has children Clifford
and Baby.
Eldridge Morris is the grandson of Judge Thomas Morris, the pioneer. His
father, Thomas Morris, settled on the farm Eldridge now owns. The latter
was born in Ischua in 185 i. In 1880 he married Hannah, daughter of Julius
A. McClune; children: George E., Arthur J., Ada M., Mamie V., and Sarah.
His mother died in 1889 and his father in 1890. Julius A. McClune, Mrs.
Morris's father, was a soldier under General Banks in the Rebellion.
Richmond S. Nichols is a son of James Nichols, who came from Vermont
to Chenango county, N. Y., and married Mary Ireland. Richmond S., their
fifth child, was born in 1834, came to Ischua in 1867, and was a farmer. He
married Eliza Pike, his first wife, in 1861, and Sarah E. Wickwire, his second,
in 1871. Children: Charles B., Grace, and Robert R. In 1885 he married,
third, Flora Gilbert. He opened a hotel in Ischua in 1876 and in 1878 built
the hotel he has since occupied.
Howard Otto is a son of Silas P. Otto and a grandson of Joseph Otto, of
Farmer's Valley, Pa. Silas P., a general wood worker and painter, came to
Ischua in 1835 and married Hannah Stickland, of Lyndon ; children : Sart-
well, Joseph, Emma, Amelia, and Howard. The latter was born in 1847 and
when sixteen enlisted in Co. K, 22d N. Y. Cav., serving in the Shenandoah
valley. He was in the battles from Winchester to Cedar Creek, was on the
left of the turnpike helping to stop stragglers when General Sheridan arrived
there the day of his famous ride, was in the fight at Waynesborough, when
the Second Brigade captured 1,300 rebels, and saw General Sheridan throw
his arms around Custer in admiration of his splendid work. He was discharged
in Aug., 1865^ In 1870 he married Rose, daughter of Daniel Emery, of Bel-
fast, N. Y. 'Children: Burna and Jessie. Mr. Otto came to Abbott's in 1877,
where he has been a merchant since 1880 and postmaster since 1888.
Gideon L. Patterson is a son of Porter and a grandson of Joseph Patter-
son, a soldier in the War of 18 12, who came from Whitehall, Washington
county, to Lyndon in 1816, where his son Porter was born that year. Porter
married Abigail Lewis; children: Joseph (a soldier, who died at Elmira,
N. Y.); Isaac A. (who died in Andersonville prison), Gideon L., Jeptha D., Be-
thiah, Phebe L., Abigail (Mrs. George Williams), Laura, John VV., Justus
G., and Aaron A. Gideon L. Patterson was born in 1844^ and enlisted in
1862 in Co. K, 136th N. Y. Vols.. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville
and Gettysburg and then fought in seventeen engagements under General
Thomas. Since the war he has been a painter.
Peter Raub, living in the town of Hinsdale, near the south line of Ischua,
is the son of Joseph Raub, who came from New Jersey to Cattaraugus county
about 1826 and settled near the Free Methodist church in Ischua. He mar-
ried Anna Swartz; children: Peter, George W., Mary E. (Mrs. Stephen A.
Mott), of Olean, and George VV. The latter married Catharine Grimes and
lives in Greenville, Mich. Peter was reared a farmer and married Fanny S.,
1 140 History of Cattaraugus County.
daughter of George Learn; children: Olive C.,, who died aged .five years, and
Lillie, who lived to be twenty-two years old.
Elam T. Seward, son of Alpheus and grandson of Elarn Sew^ard, of Orange
county, N. Y., was born in Indian Town, 111., in 1843, where his father, who
was born in 1810, died in 1846. His mother, born in Salem, Mass., who was
Allie Townsend before her marriage in 1832, came with her two sons, Tilly G.
and Elam T., to Ischua soon after her husband's death, where she married
Abram Lewis in 1854. They had one child, Frank. Tilly G. died at the age
of twenty-six. Elam T. followed farming till 1876, when he opened his pres-
ent blacksmith shop. He married, in 1865, Aurelia, daughter of David Hib-
ner, of Ischua. Children: Neola, Lena H.(Mrs. Claude F. Townsend), Emma
A., and Tilly A. The latter has learned the blacksmith's trade and works
with his father. Mr. Seward as a Democrat was elected highway commis-
sioner in 1877 and held that office five years. He was excise commissioner
three years and was elected supervisor in 1881, 1891, and 1892.
William Riley Terry is a son of Elisha and a grandson of Freeman Terry,
of Terryville, Conn., whose father was a minister and lost his life as a soldier
in the Revolutionary war when Freeman was eight years old. Freeman came
to Homer, N. Y., where Elisha was born ip 1802. In 1825 Elisha Terry came
to Ischua and settled on Dutch hill. His wife was Ainy Hawley, of Homer;
children: Jane, Caroline, Elmira. Ransom, and Zell. William R. was born in
1829, in Franklinville, and in 1859 married Rebecca A. Adams; children:
Willie, Elisha, and Ella (Mrs. J. C. Ticnor). He married, second, in 1881, Mrs.
Belle (Morris) Lewis. They have one child, Annie Belle. Mr. Terry's farm
of 380 acres cost him $25 per acre in 1868.
Lyman W. Thornton is a son of Alonzo R. Thornton, who came from
Waterloo, N. Y., and married Phebe Stewart, of Yorkshire. Phebe, their only
child, married Stephen Osgood, of Ischua. Mr. Thornton's second wife, Ade-
line, was a sister of his first ; children: Lucy, Melinda, Lyman M., Zylpha A.,
and John. Alonzo was a shoemaker in Ischua many years and died here in
1886. Lyman M. was born in Yorkshire in 1846. He enlisted in 1862 in the
154th N. Y. Vols, and was in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and
Lookout Mountain. Soon after the latter he was taken sick. At the close of
the war he bought the ashery of Anson Densmore, run it a year, and sold it. In
1865 he married Delina A.," daughter of James Chase, of Lyndon; children:
Frank C, of Lschua ; Mildred (Mrs. Morris D. Williams), of Salamanca; and
Fred G. Mrs. Thornton died in 1874 and he married, second, Mrs. Ann E.
Moon, whose son Archie D. has been his partner in general mercantile busi-
ness for several years under the firm name of A. D. Moon & Co.
Benjamin C. Townsend is a son of Benjamin and a grandson of Isaac
Townsend, who came from Massachusetts to Attica, N. Y., in 1796, wiiere he
was a tanner, merchant, miller, and brickmaker. He died in 1843. His son
Benjamin was born in New Salem, Mass., in 1777, and married there Ada
Page. They came to Attica in 1826 and thence to Ischua in 1829. Here he
was the first brickmaker in town. He died in 1856 and his wife in 1868.
Children-: Zebina, Philo, Sally, Chester P., Sophia, Marilla, and Benjamin C.
The latter was born in New Salem, Mass., in 1821, and was reared a farmer
and brickmaker. He was a trader from 1866 to 1872. In 1852 he was elected
justice of the peace and served twenty-four consecutive years, and one term
since; he has been town clerk, supervisor, and postmaster several terms —
twenty 3'ears in all. In 1852 B. C. Townsend married Hestyra. daughter of
Town of Ischua. 1141
Benjamin Bacon, of Friendship; children: Annie (Mrs. Frank Brown), who
has one child, Clara; Clara and Chester, who died young; Cora (Mrs. Fred
D. Shervvin) ; and Claude F.. who was born in 1863. Claude F. became a
telegraph operator, which he followed twelve years at various ofifices on the
Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad, the last seven years at Chaffee,
where he was also agent. In 1872 he bought G. L. Patterson's hardware
business in Ischua and still conducts it. In 1886 he married Lena H., daugh-
ter of E. T. Sewaru, of Ischua. They have one child, Ethel.
Alpheus M. Trowbridge is a son of Dr. James Trowbridge (see page 137),
who was born in Worcester. Mass., in 1795, and whose father's name was
William. Dr. Trowbridge came to Franklinville in 1817 and later to Ischua,
being the first physician and the first school master in town. He married
Olive Sackett, of Connecticut; children: Clarissa, Achsah, James, William,
Charles, Alpheus M., Eliza, Edwin, and Adner. He moved from Ischua to
Hinsdale and from there in 1S29 to Ohio, thence to Spring Prairie, Wis., where
he died in 1849. Alpheus M. was born in Little Valley, N. Y., in 1828. In
1853 l^c married Elizabeth Whitlock and settled in Ischua. Children: Fran-
celia (Mrs. William Shipmani. of Humphrey; Alice (Mrs. Edwin Shipman) ;
Edwin, who married Rosa Mathewson; Charles, who died when twenty-seven
years old ; and Albert, who married, in 1886, Nettie Chase; children: Guy
A. and Walter C. Mrs. Trowbridge died in 1890, and Mr. Trowbridge mar-
ried, second, Mrs. Caroline Myrick, daughter of Caleb Barber, of Ischua.
Calvin T. Washburn is a son of Ira Washburn, whose father lived in Vermont
and served in the Revolutionary war. Ira Washburn settled in Vandalia in
this county as a lumberman. He married an adopted daughter of Benjamin
Chamberlain, the father of Judge Chamberlain; children: Lucy (Mrs. Wing),
of Hinsdale; Calvin T. ; Sarah: George; and Eunice — all born in Vandalia.
Calvin T., who was born in 1834. married Carrie A. Bennett in i860, and settled
in Cuba, N. Y. George Wallace, their eldest child, is now a miner of large ex-
perience in British Columbia, and Charles O., the next, is a miner in the State
of Washington. The two younger children, Calvin T. and John, are at home.
Mr. Washburn came to Ischua in 1876 and bought his present farm of 180
acres. Two years later he was elected on the Republican ticket as assessor
and served by re-elections fifteen consecutive years.
William H. Wilbur is a son of Abner and Abigail (Benton) Wilbur and a
grandson of Joseph Wilbur, who came from Connecticut (where he was born
in 1781) to Cortland county, X. Y., and thence to Ischua in 1850, where he
died in 1865. Abner Wilbur was born in 1802 and married Miss Allen, of
Cortland county. His second wife was Mrs. Abigail B. Munsell; children:
Isaac, deceased ; Clarissa (Mrs. Charles Wagner); William H.; Thomas C, a
veteran soldier and now a blacksmith at Abbott's; Chauncey C, a soldier
who died in 1865; Mary M. (Mrs. William Sherlock); and Arthur L. The
latter, born in Willet, Cortland county, in 1847, married, in 1865, Hannah J.,
daughter of Samuel D. Wood, of Ischua; children: George H. and Willie H.
William H. Wilbur was born in Willet, N. Y., in 1836, and is now a farmer on
the homestead in Ischua. He married, in 1893, Mrs. Ruth E. Sherwood,
daughter of Frederick Carpenter, of Ischua.
Mrs. A. E. Willson is the widow of Adelbert Willson, whose father, Kniffen
Willson, was born in 1785 and came in 1831 from New Berlin, N. Y., to Ischua.
He bought here a half section of land and another half section in Hinsdale.
Kniffen was a pioneer in that part of the town. He gave the land for the
1 142 History of Catta'raugus County.
W illson cemetery, in which his remains were interred, and the lot for the school
house just west of it, known as the Willson district. Kniffen married, first
when about twenty years old. His first child, Nehemiah, was born in 1806;
his other children were Caroline, Mary, Narcissa E., Benjamin, David, Marinda,
Susanna, Nelson, and Ruth M. His second wife was Hannah Fitch ; children:
Charlotte, Durand F., Urben, Adelbert, Urben K., Ambrosia H., and Le
Grand P. Adelbert was born in Ischua in 1841 and married, in 1867, Anna
E., daughter of John C. Adams, of Cuba, N. Y. John C. Adams was a son of
Prosper Adams, of Portage, N. Y., whose father, Jesse Adams, of Pawlet, Vt.,
was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Willson's mother, Eunice F. Robinson, was
the granddaughter of Capt. Ephraim Robinson, also of the Revolutionary
army. The children of Adelbert and Anna E. Willson were : Ouincy A., born
in 1872, now manager of the farm and the Willson cheese factories; Urben J.,
born in 1872, died young ; and Lucy A., born in 1885, died when one year old.
Adelbert Willson died in 1885.
CHAPTER L.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LYNDON.
LYNDON was originally included within the old town of Ischua, which was
erected from Olean in 1812. By subsequent divisions this extensive
territory was reduced, and March 3, 1824, the remainder of the town
was officially designated Franklinville, which then comprised the present towns
of Franklinville and Lyndon. The township of Lyndon was set off January
24, 1829, and is described in the Holland survey as all of town four, range
three, and the east part of town four, range four. It covers an area of 21,107
acres and is bounded on the north by Farmersville, on the east by Allegany
county, on the south by Ischua, and on the west by Franklinville. April 7,
1S57, the name of the town was changed to Elgin, but the next year, on April
i6th, the original name Lyndon was restored.
The surface is broken into hills and uplands, some of the former reaching
a height of 500 feet above the Allegheny river. The principal elevation lies
near the center of the town and e.xtends north and south. On the east are
the headwaters of Oil creek, while on the west are those of tributaries of
Ischua creek. These small branches form the drainage of the town. The
soil is mainly clay, covered with a light vegetable mold upon the hills and a
gravelly loam in the valleys. The inhabitants of Lyndon are mainlj' engaged
in farming and dairying. , Abundant crops of all kinds of farm produce are
grown. There are a number of factories, which manufacture large quantities
of milk into cheese and butter, bringing to the husbandman his chief revenue.
The first settlement in Lyndon was made in 1808 by Solomon Rawson and
Town of Lyndon. 1143
his brother William. They came with their wives from' Pennsylvania and lo-
cated near the head of Oil creek on lots 6 and 7 in this town, cutting their
road up from Cuba and settling on what afterward became the Olean road.
The site of their location has long been known by their family name. To
Solomon Rawson in August, 1809, was born a daughter, Natilla, the first white
birth in town. A little later came Seth Markham and his brothers David and
Jeptha with their father, James, from Connecticut. In 181 1 James Markham
died, his being the first death in Lyndon. Thenceforward for several years
no settlements appear to have been made, and for some time the dwellings of
these two families sheltered travelers and emigrants to the west. Solomon
Rawson and Seth Markham had a deer lick at which they caught a bear in one
of their traps. One night Mr. Rawson went into the woods to find his cow.
Instead he found a bear that chased him up a tree, where he remained till
long after dark before he dared venture down. Rawson was a prosperous
man, became deacon in the church, and was supervisor in 1830 and 1835. He
accumulated money and indulged in a silver service for table use, which a thief
one night carried off together with some surplus cash. Solomon Rawson and
the Markhams were preceded in contracting for land in the town by James
Brooks, to whom the Holland Land Company issued a contract in 1806.
Paul Crandall was an early settler. Ezra Brockway came from Connecticut
in 1818. It thus appears that the pioneers of Lyndon settled in the eastern
part. Nicholas Melrose, from Scotland, settled in the western part of the
town about 1820. Of course there were others, but of their names and rec-
ords little is known. Cyrus Porter and Edmund Stone were early comers,
the latter coming from Madison county in 1821. Joshua Frary came about
1820. In 1824 Elijah Lake, Eben Lake, and Michael Vincent settled in the
south part of the town. They came from Cayuga county. In 1825 William
Little and Abel Hicks came in ; Isaac Newton and Benjamin Newton came
in the year 1825 or 1826. Linnus French and brother .settled in the
south part of the town in 1826. Orrin Upson, Thomas Ashton and cousin,
and Arby Morris and family were also early comers. Dr. Hayden and three
other families settled In the north part of the town the same year (1826).
About 1826 or 1827 William Petit and family settled near the Haydens and
were the cause of a sad affair. A young man from Canada, deaf and dumb,
named Franklin, came to Ischua to see a young couple, both mutes, by the
name of Coonrad. Returning home he lost his way and called at Petit's
house for information. He rapped at the door and they asked what was
wanted, but he kept, rapping. Petit was of a nervous temperament and it is said
that some family troubles had made him apprehensive and suspicious of night
visitors. Fearing danger he took his gun and fired, killing Franklin. Petit
was tried and acquitted. He lived where Daniel Goss now resides. Dr. Fell,
who had a son Benjamin, also a physician, lived where James Scott now is.
Deacon Hammond and the De La Martyrs came in 1839. Judge Elias Hop-
1 144 History of Cattaraugus County.
kins came from Biith, Steuben county, in 1824, and settled on a, part of the
present William Little farm. His son Elias came in 1846 and in 1849 sold
seventy-five acres to William Little at $18 per acre. Henry Morris, born in
Rockville, Conn., came from Baldwinsville, N. Y., and settled on the farm
still the home of his widow and her son, John W. Spofford. Mr. Morris was a
prominent citizen of Lyndon. He was the first supervisor of the town and
filled that office seven years, the last time in 1859. ^'^ brother, Arby Morris,
came a little later and was chosen supervisor in 1845 ^""J 185 i. Mrs. Thomas
Spofi'"ord was Henry Morris's third wife. His first wife and two young chil-
dren were buried north of the house.
The first tavern was kept by William Rawson between 1820 and 1830,
when he was succeeded by Elkany Bates, who came to Rawson before 1830
and continued the hotel until about 1850. Jacob S. Nottingham, a native of
Kingston, N. Y., who first settled in Allegany county, brought his wife and
children Simeon, William H., Elmina, Seth, Phineas, and Diana to Lyndon
in 1828. William Little, from Scotland,- settled at the Center in 1S30. Ste-
phen Graves, from Jefferson county, N. Y., came the same year to the west-
ern part of the town. Elisha Hoag came in 1831 from Washington county,
N. Y., and Henry Goss, from England, in 1832, as did also Aaron 'Bissell,
from Vermont, who settled at Elgin, where his son William now lives. He
was supervisor in 1849 and '^SO- I" 1833 Richard Little came from England
and settled where his son John now resides. He was a contractor and builder
and was supervisor of Lyndon from 1867 to 1871 inclusive. The same year
Josiah Kent came from England, Andrew Currie from Scotland, and Matthew
Straight from Madison county, N. Y. Selah Clark, from Madison county,
came in 1834; Robert Camp from Otsego county; Thomas Day from Eng-
land; and William Maxwell, from Scotland, in 1835. The latter still lives
where he first located. Nelson Metcalf came from Herkimer county and
Joseph S. Allen from Ireland and his son John from Steuben county in 1836;
Andrew Carter and his son William, William Dunn, and Colin McLennan,
all from Scotland, came in 1837; Phineas Case and his son Luke, from Tioga,
county, and James R. Thompson, from Greene county, in 1839; Joseph Gene
from Massachusetts, Edmund Stone from Oneida county, Samuel Wood from
Tompkins county, and Joseph Johnson from Liverpool, N. Y., in 1841 ;
George Davidson from Scotland, Hawley Pratt and his son Charles from Rut-
land county, Vt., and William Morton, in 1842; Mrs. Thomas Spofford and
her sons James P. and John W. from Herkimer county, N. Y., Matthew
Mitchell from Scotland, and Sylvanus Bennett from Massachusetts in 1843 :
Elias, son of Judge Hopkins, and Allen Myward, from Warsaw, N. Y., in
1846 ; James Scott from Scotland in 1847, still living on the farm he bougnt
in 1848; and Chauncey Adams, from Yates county, in 1848. Dunckn Camp-
bell, a teacher from Washington county, was store keeper and postmaster at
Elgin till his death in 1881 ; his daughter Bella M. is now postmaster there.
Town of Lyndon. 1145
John Livingston came from Caledonia, N. Y., in 1851 and William McStay
from Ireland in 1854.
The first marriage occurred March i, 1815, being that of William Mark-
ham and Rachel Phillips. The first school was taught in 181 5 by Sally Os-
boirie near Rawson. The first saw-mill was built in 1843. It stood on land
now owned by Edwin Case and belonged to Jason Sherman. Another saw-
mill, erected by Willard Gould about i860, stood on the land now owned by
John Straight. Charles Gillman opened the first store in 1827. The first
religious services were conducted by a Presbyterian at the house of Seth
Markham in 1810. About 1830 a remarkable cake of maple sugar was made
in this neighborhood by Myron Sumner, near where William McStay 's barn
now stands. It filled a big potash kettle and weighed 1,000 pounds. Sumner
took it to Buffalo, where it created much curiosity. John Frary, who lived
where his grandson, Arden M. Frary, now resides, and Seth Markham, who
lived where James Spencer now does, gave in 1835 the land for the burying
ground at Rawson.
The first town meeting was held at the dwelling of Samuel Gleason, March
5, 1829, when these officers were chosen: Supervisor, Henry Morris; town
clerk, Hezekiah Lippitt; assessors, Peter C. Lane, Orrin Upson, and Ezra
Brockway; collector, Charles Gillman; overseers of the poor, Solomon Raw-
son and John Warren; commissioners of highways, John Lippitt, John Frary,
and Thomas Ashton ; constables, Charles Gillman and James Clark; commis-
sioners of common schools, Russell D. Jones, John Warren, and Augustus N.
Hayden; inspectors of common schools, Hezekiah Lippitt, Orrin Upson, and
Henry Morris; justices of the peace (elected in November, 1829), Hezekiah
Lippitt, Peter C. Lane, Ezra Brockway, and Orrin Upson. The supervisors
of Lyndon have been as follows:
Supcri'isurs.— Henry Morris, lS-'9, 1837-38,18-40-41, 1853, laW; SolomoQ Rawson, 1830, 18:55; Ezra Brockway,
1831-34, 1836; William Frary, 18.30; Henry Stringham, IS-t.'; John Warren, 184.3-44; Arby Morris, 1845, IWl ;
Orrin Upson, 184e-48; Aaron Bissell, 1849-50; Edmunl Stone, 1352; Josiah Q. Perry, 1854-58, 1872; Charles
Thompson, 1860-61; James K. Thompson, 1862-63; Willard Gould, 1864-66; Richard Liitle, 1867-71; Thomas
Davis, 1873-74; A. L. Turnbull, 1875-80; Arden M. Frary, 1881-83, 1886; James J. Maxwell, 1884-85; Robert
. Maxwell, 1887-90; Milo D. Farwell, 1891 ; George W. Hogg, 1892-93.
In i88o Lyndon had a population of 831, which in 1890 was 677. In 1892
the town had six school districts and the same number of school houses,
■attended during the year by 157 children, who were taught by six teachers.
The buildings and sites are valuerd at $2,795, while the districts are assessed
for school purposes at $315,202. The money received from the State was
$730.80 and from local taxation $563.07.
Elgin is a postoffice and hamlet in the center of the town whose name in
1857 was officially given to the .township for a JDrief period. The place now
contains a church, school house, a store^ one blacksmith shop, a shoe shop,
and a small cluster of houses. The postoffice was established here in 1826
with a Mr. Hopkins as postmaster, and apparently the office was long known
144
1 140 History of Cattaraugus County.
as Hopki)is.'" The first mail was carried through Lyndon that year by a Mr.
Shaw, his route running from Angelica to Franklinville. The settlement at
Elgin and vicinity is often referred to as Lyndon Center.
Rawson is a postal hamlet near the northeast corner of the town, lying
partly in Allegany county. It derives its name from Lyndon's pioneer, Sol-
omon Rawson. It contains a few business establishments, a postofifice, and a
-.mall group of dwellings. Anent this settlement the " Pioneer History of
Western New York," in 1850, says: "The traveler who passes over the road
from Rushford to Cuba will have his attention arrested soon after he first
strikes the headwaters of Oil creek by a cluster of neat farm buildings in the
center of a highly-cultivated farm, the whole nestling in rural quiet amid the
surrounding hills. It is where the venerable pioneer of Lyndon first broke
into the wilderness, and he still lives to enjoy the rewards of his early toils
and privations."
The Elgin cheese factory, located one-half mile north of the Center, was
started over twenty years ago by Richard Little. The present owners are
John Little, Thomas Day, and Joseph ^litchell. The output is about 100,-
000 pounds of cheese annually. The Abbott cheese factory, No. 2, was
moved from Ischua in 1892 to the south part of this town. It is owned by
Mrs. I. N. Sheldon, of Cuba, N. Y., and during the season of 1892 manufac-
tured 135,000 pounds of cheese.
The first religious services in Lyndon were held in 1810, at the house of
Seth Markham, by Rev. Robert Hubbard, a Presbyterian missionary. At the
same dwelling was organized in 1816 the first religious society in town. This
was the Freewill Baptist church of Lyndon and the organizers were Revs.
Abraham and Jeremiah Folsom, missionaries. One of the first deacons was
Solomon Rawson and the first pastor was Rev. I'homas Pratt. Their house of
worship was erected in 1839 '*''"^ cost §1,200. The society now has 35 mem-
bers, but no pastor. The church edifice, with a seating capacity of 280, is
valued, with the grounds, etc., at $1,400. A Sunday school is maintained
during the summer months.
The United Presbyterian church in Lyndon had its inception in a series of
meetings held in a log school house at London Center in 1835 by Rev. John
White, an Associate Reformed minister from Seneca county. Rev. Mr. Irvin
also preached the same year and in 1836 Rev. William Howden was appointed
to labor in the charge then embracing Franklinville, EUicottville, Lyndon,
P'reedom, and Cuba. He remained until 1848, preaching one year for the
New-School Presbyterians at Franklinville. A small frame church edifice was
erected at Elgin in 1838, and February 29, 1840, Rev. Mr. Howden organized
a church society with thirty members. Rev. D. C. McVean, then a licentiate,
succeeded Mr. Howden, preaching his first sermon in Lyndon the first Sunday
"♦Lyndon, taken from Franklinville in 1829; from Albany 377 and from EUicottville, east, 20 miles. Hop-
kins is a postoflBce. Pop. 628."— Historical Collcctiimsnf the State of New York, 181,6.
Town of Lvxdox. i 147
in July, 1849, ^"d being ordained pastor January 29, 1850. Tliis congregation
was then under the care of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Caledonia.
Mr. McVean remained its pastor until September6, 1865. In 1852 their present
edifice was erected at a cost of $1,800. The union of the "Associate" and
" Associate Reformed " churches occurred at Pittsburg, Pa., May 25, 1858, the
united body being styled the United Presbyterian church of North America,,
and since then the Lyndon church has been under the United Presbytery of
Caledonia. In 1867 several members of this church were dismissed to form a
similar body in Franklinville (page 642). The minister succeeding Mr.
McVean was Rev. Robert Gregg Campbell, who was ordained and installed
pastor of the church September i, 1870, and administered to their spiritual
wants until 1880, his successor being Rev. James Dugeon Lyttle, who was in-
stalled June 2, 1881, and remained until 1886, when he resigned and was suc-
ceeded in 1887 by Rev. J. L. Thompson. The church lot was purchased of
Richard Little for $25. Their edifice will seat 27J people and with other
property is valued at $2,000. The society has seventy-five members and a
flourishing Sunday school.
John Allen is the son of Joseph S. Allen, who was born in Ireland in 1792,
and who was the son of John Allen. Joseph S. came to America as a soldier
in the British army during the War of 181 2, from which he deserted near the
Canada line. He first settled in Washington county, N. Y., and married
Nancy Heist in 1818; children: John; Henr}- H., born in 1821 was drafted
and paid $300, went to Virginia, and died there; Mary H., born in 1823, mar-
ried George W. Matthews, of Reading, N. Y., who went to Richmond county,
Wis., and had children Charles A., George W., John W.; Joseph, born in 1825 ;
Nancy, born in 1828, who married Jeptha Scott and had children Charles
and Myra; Sarah, born in 1831, who married Matthew Swift; and Daniel,
who married Grace Grover and had one child, Alice. John Allen was born in
Reading, N. Y., in the year 1819, and came with his father to Tyrone, N. Y.,
and thence— in 1836 to Lyndon, and settled on the farm now owned by
Robert Maxwell. About 1840 John Allen bought the farm of 180 acres now
the properfy of his nephew, John \V. Matthews, where he lived till 1893.
Mr. Allen has never married and with a handsome competence spends his
time with his relatives. John W. Matthews came to Lyndon in 1891, mar-
ried Eugenie Carpenter, of Waukesha, Wis., in 1892, and settled on the John
Allen farm. His mother died in'1889.
Aaron'Bissell was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1805. He early came to Ty-
rone, N. Y., where he resided three or four years, and where he married Deli-
lah Pullin. As early as 1830 he removed with his wife to Lyndon and settled
on a wood lot of about 100 acres, the farm upon which his son William now
resides. He was a good financier and was noted as a breeder of good cattle,
horses, and sheep. In early life he was interested in military affairs and rose
to the position of captain. He was supervisor several terms and magistrate
for many years. He died in Dec, 1878. Mrs. Bissell died on the homestead
Oct. 28, 1883. They had'ten children, of whom five are living.
Ezra M. Brockway is the grandson of Ezra Brockway, of Connecticut, who
married Lydia Jones in 1817 and came to Lyndon in 1818. He bought 174
acres of land at $2.50 per acre. Children: Ezra, Horace, Laura, Martha, Ru-
ri4S History of Cattaraugus County.
fus, Herman, and Leonard. Ezra, born in 1820, married, in 1841, Amy
Straight, who was born in Smithfield, N. Y., in 1818 ; children : Tacy A.,who
married Samuel Howard, of Franklinville, and Ezra M.,who was born in 1848.
In 1869 Ezra M. married Ellen Thrall; children : Bertie, who married James
Spencer, of Lyndon ; Hermon ; Phronie B. ; and Bulla E. ^Lzra Brockway
died in 1848. He was a member of the Free Baptist church and prominent in
town affairs. Ezra M. is a farmer on the homestead, deals in live stock, has
been constable five years, collector two years, and highway commissioner.
Chester F. Camp is the son of Robert Camp, of Otsego county, N. Y., and
the grandson of Benjamin Camp, who lived to be 103 years old. Robert Camp
married Harriet Tiffany ; children : George (who went into the army and was
killed at Pittsburg Landing), Mary, Eliza Ann. Chester F., Welcome, and Har-
riet. Robert Camp brought his family to Centerville, N. Y., and about 1835
bought of Amos Pettit, for $3.50 per acre, the farm Chester F. now owns.
The latter married, in 1850, Cordelia A., daughter of John Miller, of New
Hudson. Their eldest child, De Los, is a traveling agent for the Buckeye
Mower and Reaper Company. He married Emma Elwood ; children : Mary,
Flora. Maggie, and Cora:. Flora, the youngest of their two children, married
William Salisbury, of Buffalo ; children: Willie and Sadie. Mr. Camp .spends
a portion of his time traveling for a fertilizer company. He is quite a collector
of Indian relics, finding a good many on his own and neighboring farms.
Edward N. Case, son of Thomas and Betsey (Melrose) Case, of Franklin-
ville, was born in Lyndon, Dec. 9, 1849. ^^ was reared on the farm and at-
tended Franklinville Academy. In 1875 he married Lizzie E., daughter of
William McStay. They have one child, Ralph E. Mr. Case is a large dairy
farmer on the homestead of 233 acres, where he was born. He built in 1887
the finest barn in Lyndon and one of the best in Cattaraugus county.
Decimal W. Caswell is the son of Anthony Caswell, the early settler, whose
father, Allen, was of German extraction. Their experiences as pioneers fre-
quentlv furnished material for thrilling stories. When out hunting the nights
were often so dark in the woods that they could not find their way home and
would camp out. The morning light often disclosed the fact that they were
less than a half-mile from home. It was a frequent experience that the straw
in, their beds had to be fed to the cow or oxen to get through the long cold
spring. Decimal W. Caswell was born in 1847 and has always been a farmer.
In 1872 he married Orlinda Roach ; children : Archi. T., Medie M., Merl.A.,
Darwin \V., Lora, Mary A., and John.
George P. Clark is the son of Selah Clark, of Onondaga county, N. Y., who
married Mary McDonald and was the father of three children : Harriet M.,
Sophia R., and George P. (who was born in 1823). Selah Clark came to Lyn-
don in 1S34 and paid §151.25 for the farm of 1 10 acres which George P. now
owns. The latter, in 1853, married Electa Burr; children: Charles, who mar-
ried Martha Marble and died aged thirty, leaving one child, Ellie ; Plffigene
(Mrs. Harlow Goss); Ruth; Essel ; Homer, of Farmersville ; Addie ; and
Courtland. Mr. Clark's father died in 1878 and his mother in 1883. He has
always been a farmer and now keeps a dairy of sixteen cows.
Anson Clement is the son of Sewell and the grandson of Timothy Clem-
ent, of Montreal, Canada. Sewell Clement went to Vermont and came thence
in 1843 ^° Pike, N.'Y., where he. settled and spent the remainder of his life as
a farmer. He married Aseneth Dean, from Connecticut ; children : Stillman,
who married Adeline P"uller, of Rutland county, Vt.. settled in P'ranklinville,
Town of Lyndon. 1149
and has nine children ; Sewell, of Pike, who married Relief Brown and has
seven children ; Louisa (Mrs. Porter Miller), of Pike, who died in 1887 ; Almira
(Mrs. Thomas Eckenson), of Pike, who died in 1888; Timothy, who married
Mary VVaite, of Lyndon, and died there; Anson; Jesse, who married Mrs.
Timothy Clement and lives in Farmersville ; and Susan, who married Wash-
ington Whitney, of Pike, and has three children. Anson Clement was born
in 1827 and has always been a farmer. He enlisted in 1861 and entered the
Army jf the Potomac. He was in the battles of Second Bull Run, Antietam,
Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and the Wilderness, and was
discharged in 1865. He settled the next year on the farm he now owns.
George H. Davidson is the son of George and Gene Davidson, who were
born in Scotland, came to America in 1842, and settled on the farm now the
home of their son. Of their six children Jessie, John, and Alexander were
born in Scotland and George H., Mary A., and Margaret J. in Lyndon. George
H., born in 1843, became a soldier in 1862 and was taken prisoner at Gettys-
burg. Of his army experiences he says : " I was taken to Belle Isle prison,
where 9,000 men were confined on four acres of ground. We got so poor as
we drew nearer and nearer to death by starvation and exposure that we had
to dig a little trench in the ground when we lay down at night for our hip
bones to rest in. It was winter and we lay close together, spoon fashion, to
keep warm. One night Loren Phillips sang out ' right-face,' which was an
order to turn over, for when one turned all the rest of that squad had to turn
also. One of us asked what was the matter. ' I can't stand these lice any
longer; I am willing they should have a square meal, but when they get full and
bite off chunks and throw them at 'each other it 's beyond endurance,' was
the reply. His humor was hardly an exaggeration. Many a time we walked
most of the night to keep from freezing. I actually lost 100 pounds of flesh
— from 190 to ninety — and then went one day and lay down with the sick
ones and smuggled myself into the hospital, whence I had the good luck to be
exchanged. I was the only one out of fifty in one ward of the hospital who
lived." After recuperating Mr. Davidson returned to Chattanooga and was
at the battle of Nashville. Since the war he has been a farmer, except a year
in a foundry in Cuba and keeping a store at Rawson from 1886 to 1893. In
1870 he mJrried Mary A. Whiteright ; children : John A., Genie, and Jessie.
Mr. Davidson was elected assessor in 1889 and is now president of the Rawson
Farmers' Alliance.
Thomas Day, son of Robert, of Lincolnshire, England, was born in Mint-
ing, Eng., May 12, 1805. -^t the age of twenty-three he came to this country and
settled in Pittsford, Monroe county, where he remained about seven years.
In 1835 he came to Lyndon. In 1834 he married Dorothy Smart, of Dean,
England. Children: Justina E. ; Brice, who died in the army; Mary Jane
(Mrs. Allan Williams), of Ischua; Lucy Ann (Mrs. Ira Westbrook), of Mis-
souri; Elisha, of Michigan ; Thomas Benjamin, of Port Allegany, Pa.; Car-
olina C. (Mrs. Charles Wesley Persons), of Jamestown, N. Y. ; Julia A. (Mrs.
Alfred Smith), who died in 1879; ^^^^1 Eupheme (Mrs. Gustavus Lane), of Cen-
terville, Allegany county.. Mr. Day died in March, 1893.
Arden M. Frary is the grandson of John Frary, who came with his family
from Madison county, N. Y., in 1817, bringing all their goods on an ox-cart,
and settled on 145 acres of land, on which his son Joshua was born in 1820,
and which is now the property of Arden M. Joshua Frary married, in 1846,
Mary A., daughter of David Higbee, of Onondaga county, N.Y. ; children:
1 150 History of Cattaraugus County.
Lovina J., who died young, and Arden M., who was born in 1847. He at-
tended the common schools and Rushford Academy, and finally became an
expert in cheese making. He made cheese in Rawson in 1873-74, at Elgin
four years, and was running a factory in Allegany in 1879, when cheese ran
down to five cents a pound. Besides fanning, to which he returned in 1881,
he still gives his attention to marketing cheese. A Republican in politics he
served as supervisor in 1881, 1882, 1883, and 1886. He married, in 1876,
Bridget Nolan ; children : Irvin M., Mary, Hattie, and Ruth (who died when
five years old). Joshua Frary was active and prominent in miHtary affairs and
was captain and lieutenant-colonel. He died in 1849.
John Gillman and Isabella Randolph, his wife, emigrated from New Jersey
to Cambridge, N. Y., where their son Charles was born Feb. 9, 1803. The
family removed thence to Otisco, Onondaga county, in 181 1, and May i, 1824,
started for Cattaraugus county. They arrived at Angelica a few days after
Howe was executed, and after crossing the Genesee river they came to Raw-
son settlernent and thence to the center of what is now Lyndon. A few days
before Elias Hopkins and Charles Howell had arrived and claimed to be agents
for the Holland Land Company. Charles Gillman and Henry Morris exam-
ined every lot in town. Morris selected a lot in the east part, purchased 300
acres, and Gillman took 200 acres adjoining him on the west, tlie latter paying
$150 towards the deed the two agents were to procure. But this agreement
Hopkins and Howell never fulfilled. About a year after the family's arrival
Mrs. Gilliman died and her husband followed her in Feb., 1835, at Otisco,
N. Y. In 1832 Charles Gillman began a mercantile business in Rushford,
Allegany county, and Oct. 11, 1832, he married Julia Elmer, of Hume, N. Y.
He removed to Rochester in 1864, to Washington, D. C, in [869, to New
York in 1876, and to Olean in 1887. where he still resides.
Daniel Goss is the son of Henry Goss, who was born in Lincolnshire, Eng-
land, in 1796, who married Mary Wood, and who came to America in 1832,
settling in Lyndon on the farm now owned by his son Daniel, which cost him
$250 for 100 acres. Children : John, Charles, Joseph, George, David, and
Daniel. The latter was born at Little Linford, England, in 1827. Daniel
learned the carpenter's trade. In 1849 he married Savannah Nichols; chil-
dren : James, a miller in Franklinville, who married Sarah Reese, and has one
child, Nellie; Elizabeth (Mrs. Alexander McCall), of Franklinville; Harlow,
who married EPfie Clark and has children Earl, Bessie, Ruth, and Ethel ;
Mary (Mrs. William Currie), whose children are Afton. Alexander, Frank D.,
Gerrald, and Mary; and Haydon, who married Jennie Gould and lives in
Franklinville. Mr. and Mrs. Goss at the time of their marriage settled on the
homestead, which now contains 185 acres. Since i860 he has done consider-
able blacksmithing and wagon repairing.
Elija'n Hoag is the grandson of Elijah Hoag, of Vermont, who came to
Lansing, N. Y., where his son Elisha was born in 1807. Elisha married Anna
Wood, of Enfield, N. Y., in 1831. The same year he came to Lyndon and set-
tled on the farm now owned by Charles Lockwood, where he lived sixty-one
years and died in 1892. Children: Elijah, Phebe A., Samuel W., Israel (who
married Amelia Ingalls, of Cuba, settled in Ischua in 1865, and has children
Alice M. and Lizzie), and John O. Elisha Hoag held the offices of assessor
and highway commissioner several terms each. His son Elijah was born in
Lyndon in 183 1 and has always been a farmer. In 1855 he married Sarah E.,
daughter of David Hedding. of Ischua, who was born in.Germany. After
Towx OF Lyndon-.
four years' residence in Wisconsin they returned and bought their present
farm on the county line, paying §20 per acre for it. They have one child,
Orson A., who was born in Wisconsin in 1856. He has taught school several
terms and in 1890 served as poormaster.
William Little is a son of Richard and a grandson of William Little, of
Castle Douglas, Scotland, who was a contractor and engineer, and who went
to England, where he married Elizabeth Stedman. Cliildren: William, Rich-
ard, Jane, James G., Mary, Elizabeth, and Isabel. Richard was born in
Whitby, England, in 1795, and removed to Castle Douglas, Scotland, where
he became a house joiner. He married Agnes McConnochie ; children: Isa-
bel, Elizabeth, William, John, Richard, and James. The latter died at sea
during the passage of the family to America in 1833. Richard Little brought
his family to Lyndon in August of that year and settled on the farm his son
John now owns. His brother William had come to Philadelphia about 1820
and to Lyndon some ten years later. William had also learned his father's
trade and become a contractor and builder, and the two soon became widely
known, doing work singly or together in Buffalo, Rochester, Olean, Rushford,
Cuba, Arcade, Franklinville, and many other places. Richard Little died in
1858. His son has been an active builder until within a few years. William
Little married, in 1869, Mrs. Eunice L. Fox, daughter of Horatio N. Waldo,
of Arcade, N. Y. Children : Agnes (who died when one year old), Richard W.,
Rachel E., Agnes E., and James R. Richard Little was supervisor of Lyn-
don from 1867 to 1871 inclusive. WilUiam Little was originally a Republican,
but is now a staunch Farmers' Alliance supporter.
James J. Maxwell, son of James, was born in 1852. James married Jane
Tait, of Kirkpatrick, Dunham, Scotland, in 1841 ; children : John and James J.
The latter married, in 1881, Mary M. Scott and has children Alfred, Frank S.,
and Ella Jane. Mr. Maxwell was supervisor of Lyndon in 1884 and 1885,
assessor one term, and census enumerator in 1890.
William Ma.xwell, son of John, was born near Dumfries, Scotland, May 13,
1814. When nineteen he came to America, settling in Lyndon about 1835.
Dec. 29, 1846, he married Margaret Johnson, of Franklinville, and had two
sons : Robert, a farmer in Lyndon, and John William, a civil engineer and
president and general manager of the Lima Steel Company, of Lima, Ohio.
Mr. Maxwell was commissioner of highways three terms. His son Robert has
been supervisor. Robert Ma.xwell married, in 1872, Isabella A. Mitchell.
Children : Margaret, John, and Anna G.
Colin McLennan, son of Roderick, of Scotland, was born June 11, 181 1.
Coming to America in 1835 he lived in various places in New England and
New Jersey and about 1837 came to Lyndon, where he purchased the farm he
still occupies. June 15, 1849, ^e married Ann Frazer, of Scotland; children:
Anna (Mrs. William Johnson); Hon. Peter B., of Syracuse, N. Y., justice of
the Supreme Court ; Christina; John, a lawyer of Syracuse, N. Y. ; Roderick
C, a physician in Syracuse ; and Donald T., a lawyer in Syracuse. This is
one of the most prominent families the town ever claimed as citizens.
William McStay, son of John McStay,,was born in Ireland in 1826. In
1847 he came alone to Wheatland, Monroe county, N. Y., and in 185 1 mar-
ried Mary McCreedy. He came in 1854 to Lyndon. Children: Lizzie (Mrs.
Edward Case), who has one child, Ralph; Mary (Mrs. Eben Wildrick), whose
children are Ethel and Georgie ; Emma (Mrs. John Maybee), whose children
are Ray and Paul; John, of Tioga, Pa.; James, of Franklinville; and Jennie.
History of Cattaraugus County.
Mr. McStay married, second, in i88i, iVIrs. Samuel Scott, daughter of Fred
Carpenter, of Ischua. In 1865 he was drafted and went to' the front in Co. D,
96th N. Y. Vols., serving on the James river and in Tennessee.
Gilbert Metcalf is the son of Nelson, the grandson of Levi, and the great-
grandson of Nathan Metcalf, who moved from Vermont to Salisbury, N. Y.,
where his son Levi was born in 1792. Levi married Diana Van Steinberg, by
whom he had one child. Nelson, born in 18 14. Nelson Metcalf came to Lyn-
don in 1836 and married, in 1837, Sophronia Porter; children: Nelson, born
in 1843, married Orsevilla Hall, and has children Sophronia, Anna, Fred, and
George; Gilbert; and Frank, who, in 1870, married Maggie McGeorge, lives in
Eric county, and has five children. Gilbert Metcalf was born in 1848 and was
reared a farmer. In 1868 he married Maria, daughter of Gilbert Wood, of
Lyndon ; children : Viola, Phebe, and Luella. Besides managing his farm he
has given considerable attention to the oil business. He owns six wells in
Little Genesee and leases new territory. He is also an agent for wind-mills.
Manscl Newman, son of Thomas Newman, an old resident of Vermont,
was born in Henrietta, Monroe county, N. Y., March 19, 1816. He came to
Cuba, Allegany county, in 1824, where he remained about thirty years. He
married Fanny Winchel, of Lyndon, who died about 1838; children: Alzina
and Mary Ann, both deceased. About 1840 he married Dealy Jenks, also of
Lyndon, who died in 1872 ; children: Sarah Jane, widow of Emory Bozworth,
of Allegany county ; James Otis, of Cuba; Mary L., who died in 1889; Thomas
M., of Randolph; William L.; and George W. In 1856 he married, third,
Adeline Munger, who lived in Cuba, and who died in 1872; children: Newell,
Eunice J. (Mrs. De Lancy F"ord), Emma A. (Mrs. Alonzo Warner), and
Nancy, who died in 1878. March 5, 1876, he married Anna Baker, of Alle-
gany county, who died in 1892. Mr. Newman died in 1891.
Josiah Q. Perry, son of Ebenezer, was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., Nov.
12, 1812. In 1840 he married Emily M. Knickerbocker, of Rushford, N. Y.;
children: Egbert F., of Lyndon, and Addice PL., of Belfast, N. Y. In 1845
Mr. Perry brought his family hither and bought his present farm of 200 acres
of Lorentis Salisbury, of Franklinville, for $6 per acre. It had been held for
a higher price by men in New York city, who expected the Erie railway
would pass through Rawson. Mr. Perry was one of the builders of the first
cheese factory in Cuba in 1865 and made cheese there two or three years.
This was the second in this section, the Rushford factory being the first. He
was first elected supervisor of Lyndon in 1854 and served five consecutive
years, and again in 1872, and was several terms assessor and justice of the
pr^ace. His son, Egbert F. Perry, born in 1844, remains on the farm with his
father. He married, in 1875, Jennie B. Dunn, of Lyndon; children: Lelia
B., Lottie M., Bessie G., Hortense, Leslie, and Josephine. Mr. Perry has
been collector and assessor.
Jeremiah Pratt, Jr., son of Jeremiah, was born in Burlington, N. Y., and
came with his family to Lyndon in 1843, settling on the farm where Chester
Camp now resides. He died in 1853. Children: William H., T. C, E. O.,
E. F., Harriet A. (Mrs. R. L. Thompson), and Albert A. Edward F. was
killed Sept. 4, 1864, near Berryville, Va.
Chancy W. Roat is a son of Hiram W. Roat, who was born in Orange
county, N. Y., and came to Lyndon in 1865, paying $2,000 for the 85-acre
farm which Chancy W. now occupies. Hiram W. married Fannie Luce,
of Tompkins county; children: Theodore, Sarah A., Emily, Chancy W.,
Towx OF Lyndon. 115;
Orlando, Orlinda, and Leetta. Chancy W. was born in 1853 in Ithaca, N. Y.,
and married, in 1872, Adeline Snyder, of Lyndon. . Children: Ella and Nora.
Mr. Roat has always been a farmer, residing on the homestead since 1882.
He has been constable and collector in Lyndon, and is a trustee in the Ab-
bott cheese factory. His mother died in 1892.
James Scott is a son of John and Mary (McKenzie) Scott, of Dumfries,
Scotland. Of their six children — Agnes, John, Robert, James, Margaret, and
William T.— all but John and Robert came to Lyndon. Agnes came about
1844; her husband, William Morton, had come a year or two earlier. James
came in 1847 ^'''d bought, in 1848, 100 acres of his present 200-acre farm at $6
an acre. He learned the ship carpenter's trade in England and has been a
house carpenter here in addition to farming. He married Mary Nelson in
1852; children: Jennet (Mrs. Robert Stinson), of Ohio ; John, who died aged
twenty-three; Robert, who married Elizabeth Snyder and has children Ruth
and Mabel; Mary (Mrs. James Maxwell), who has children Alfred, Frank, and
Ella J.; and Nelson, of Wyoming, who married Lydia Hood. In 1870 Mr.
Scott married, second, Mary Henderson; children: William H., George B.,
and Richard L. The springs which supply the water for the village of Frank-
linville are on Mr. Scott's farm; the works were built in 1891. Mr. Scott has
served as highway commissioner, seven years as town clerk, and is now an ex-
cise commissioner. In 1864 he enlisted and served under Admiral Porter on
the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers. He belongs to Alanson Crosby Post,
G. A. R., and since 1882 has been an elder in the United Presbyterian church
in Lyndon. His father, John Scott, who came here in 1854, died in 1869.
John W. Spofford is a son of Thomas and a grandson of John B. Spofford,
of Brocket's Bridge, N. Y. Thomas married Julia McKinney, from Connec-
ticut; children: James P., who married Susan McVeigh, of Franklinville, and
now lives in Jersey City; and John W., born in 1837. Thomas Spofford died
in 1839, and his widow and her two sons came to Rushford, N. Y., the same
year. In 1843 ■''he married Henry Morris, of Lyndon, who had settled in
1824 on the farm now her home and the home of her son John W. Henry
Morris, from Connecticut, married, first, Sarah Northrup and second Isabella
Gillman, by whom he had two children: Orra (Mrs. Cyrus Gordon), of Rush-
ford, N. Y., and Lucy (Mrs. Walter De La Martyr), deceased. Mr. Morris
was elected in 1829 the first supervisor of Lyndon, and again in 1837, 1838,
1840, 1841, 1853, and in 1859. Near a spring on his farm the Indians had a
favorite camping ground, where they gathered as late as 1835.
Dewitt C. Stone is a son of Edmund Stone, of Madison county, N. Y., who
was born in 1800 and came to Farmersville in 1821. His wife was Sally
Pierce; children: Jennett, Jonathan O., Maranda O., Dewitt C, Sarah A., and
William F. Mrs. Stone died and he married, second, Rebecca Worthington;
children: Priscilla, James M., Lucy, Mary, and Edmund. James M. enlisted
in the army and received a bullet wound in his leg at Winchester. Edmund
enli.sted in th6 64th Regt. and was killed at Gettysburg. Dewitt C. was born
in 1830. He became a carpenter and builder, at which trade he has worked
most of the time for the past thirty years. In 1853 he married Harriet R.,
daughter of John B. Smith, of Herkimer county; children: Frank, who mar-
ried Nancy Newcomb and has one child, Floyd; and Fred L., who married
Cora Dye and has one child, Clayton. Edmund Stone was justice of the
peace several years and in 1852 was elected supervisor of Lyndon. Dewitt C.
Stone has been highway commissioner, assessor, and justice of the peace.
145
1154 History of Cattaraugus County.
James R. Thompson is a son of John and grandson of Robert Thompson,
of Genesee county, N. Y. John married Sarah Deyo ; children : James R.,
Nathan, Caroline, Rebecca E., Marlin D., John S., Andrew J., Sarah M., Cath-
arine, and George W. James R. was born in 1817, came to Lyndon in 1839,
and married Sally A. Fargo in 1842; children : Addison S.; John E., born in
1845, enlisted in the Civil war, and died in service; David, of Rushford ; and
Frank E., who died aged three years. Addison S. was born in 1843, enlisted,
in the army in 1861, re-enlisted in the field in Co. E,.5th N. Y. Cav., and had
three horses shot from under him. He married Eunice McKaigue ; children :
Robert E., John, and Mary. He is an e.xpert cheese maker. Always a Repub-
lican he served his Assembly district in the Legislatures of 1890 and 1891.
Mrs. Sally (Fargo) Thompson died in 1853, and he married, second, Mrs. Sarah
A. Frary in 1856; children: Estella, Frank, Charles, Adella, and Dennella.
James R. Thompson was supervisor of Lyndon in 1862 and 1863.
Milton F. Thompson, .son of Hiram, was born April 29, 1844, in Utica,
N. Y. Aug. 5, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 117th N. Y. Vols., and was with
the regiment till his discharge June 8, 1865. Jan. 6, 1866, he came to Frank-
linville. In 1867 he married Emma M., daughter of John and Eliza A.
(Morehouse) Stevenson. In 1868 he moved to Farmersville, where he resided
till 1869, when he removed to Sardinia, N. Y., where he resided eight years.
He came to Lyndon in 1877.
CHAPTER LI.
Ari'ENUix — ADinrioNs, i;ic.
IN THE seventeenth line from the bottom of page 66: Chester Howe was
elected county judge in November, 1850, instead of " 1851," as printed.
On page 199, in second line of "Note," read Hon. George A. S. Crooker
instead of " Crocker."
On page 254, in the seventh line from the bottom, read 1683, etc., instead
of " 1685."
On page 259, in the fourth line after the first paragraph, read: The act
took effect but for two years, etc., instead of "ten years."
On page 309, tenth line from bottom, read William B. Rochester instead
of "William A."
On page 439, third paragraph from the top, read McMahon instead of
" McMahan."
FARMERSVILLE.
William Henry (page 614). — Mrs. Henry died July 22, 1893; Mr. Henry's
death occurred about two weeks afterward.
Appendix. 1155
great valley.
Town C7cr/cs.— Marcus Leonaid, 18+1: Daniel Farringion. 1S42-44, 184l)-47: James Nelson, 1&45; William J.
Nelson. 1848-50; 1853; Henry Heath, 1851, 1854, 1856-.i7; John Palmer, 185:!; John Montgomery, 1855; Andrews
I.. Norton, 1858 ; George J. Witherell, 1859, 1875-76, 1878, 1880-81 : Oscar B. Senear, 1860-61 : C. M. Barker, 186:.' ;
David Leslie, 186:i; Jeremiah Frank, 1864-65; Henry D. Didcock, 1866-67 ; Myron W. Hicks, 1868, 1882; Walter
E. Phelps, 1869-70; S. M. Blood, 1871; Michael H. Cullinan, 1872-74; Frank Quiler, 1877; C. T. Jenks, 1879;
George J. Witherell, Jr., 1883-85; William 8. Morton, 1886-90; .\r. T. Rj-an, 1891-93.
Jiisfices o/ Hie Pface.— 1841, John Green, Jeremy Wooster; 1S42, Daniel Farrington ; 1843, Truman Kel-
sey; 1844, Charles Ward; 184.5, George T. Barkley; 1846, Daniel Farrington, Alexander Chambers; 1847,
Horace Fox; 1848, Arza Searl; 1849, Joseph H. Mudgett; livirt, William Scoby, Andrews L. Norton; 1851,
Joseph Miller, John Palmer; 1852, Arunah Ward; 18>3, Daniel Farrington, Henry Heath; 1854, Alexander
Chambers, Le Roy Chamberlain, Colby Chamberlain; 1K», Charles Pierce, John Montgomery; 1856, Will-
iam Barker, Henry Heath; 1857, Le Roy Chamberlain, Sherman Sibley; 1858, William C. Hubbard; 1859
Jeremiah Frank, Henry Heath r 1860, Arunah Ward; 1861, William J. Nelson, William Barker; 1862, Jere-
miah Frank; 1863, Henry Heath; 1804, A. J. Chamberlain. Sherman Sibley; 1865, William Barker, A. W.
Rasey; 1866, Jeremiah Frank; 1867. Sherman Sibley, Elias H. Hess; J868, S. W. McCoy; 1869, S. W. McCoy,
George Rider ; 1870, A. W. Rasey ; 1871. A. C. Mason. Perry Whaley ; 1872, Sylvester Faraday, Sherman Sib-
ley ; 1873, Sherman Sibley; 1874, Charles Potter, Horace H. .Morgan; 1875, E. A. Hayes; 1876, Wilson N.
Howe, Walter H. Gibbs: 1877, Sherman Sibley; 1878, Charles P. Potter; 1879, G. Hitchcock; 1880, Frank
Snow; 1881, Sherman Sibley; 1883, J. E. Chase; 1883, J. D. Frank; 1884. G. Hitchcock; 1885, Sherman Sibley;
1886, John Markham; 1887, P. O. Berry; 1888, G. Hitchcock; 1889. William Pemberton; 1890, Miles Norton;
1891, Miles Norton; 1893, John Markham; 1893, H. H. Morgan.
LITTLE VALLEY.
Benjamin Winship, son of Benjamin and Mar}' (Adams) Winship, was of
English origin and of New England stock. He was born in Salem, Mass., in
1796. He served in the War of 1812 and received a land warrant from the
government and after his death another was granted his widow. In 18 17 or
18 18 he located a farm at Little Valley Center, now Elkdale postoffice. He
made the journey with a yoke of oxen and a wagon and was si.x weeks on the
road. He took a contract for about 300 acres. In 1832 he received his iirst
deed for fifty acres, to which he added until he had a farm of 156 acres, on
which he died Dec. 10, 185 i. In 1823 he married Hannah Sanders, of Ash-
ford, a native of Salem, Mass. Mr. Winship was many years a deacon of the
Freewill Baptist church. He was assessor, town clerk, and commissioner of
highways. The remains of his father and mother as well as those of himself
and wife repose side by side in the cemetery near the homestead. His chil-
dren were Nathan, Charles, Benjamin S., Joseph, Isaac, Truman, and Esther.
Nathan was born June 29, 1824, married Eunice Wheeler, and settled on a
farm in Little Valley. In 1855 or 1856 he sold it and removed to Wisconsin,
where he was first a farmer and then a merchant and postmaster in Tunnel
City, where he died April 14, 1866. Charles, born December 21, 1825, married
Eveline Starks, and settled on a farm in his native town. He was a car-
penter, highway commissioner, and overseer of the poor, and died May I,
1880. Benjamin S., born April 2, 1831, married China E. Thompson, and was
a liveryman and then a merchant in Little Valley. He removed to Wisconsin,
where he was a hotel keeper, merchant, and lumberman, and died April 15,
1882. Joseph, born September i, 1833, married Laura Wellington. He was
a school teacher and also removed to Wisconsin, where he was a farmer and
teacher. He served in the war for the Union, ?.nd died April 23, 1881. Isaac,
iis6 History of Cattaraugus County.
born October 15, 1835, married Adaline Starks, and settled on the homestead,
where he has always lived. He has always been a farmer and has also manu-
factured and dealt in lumber and furnished wood to the railroad. He is a
Democrat and has held most of the offices fn town. He has served as super-
visor, justice of the peace twelve years, and is now the overseer of the poor.
He has added to the homestead until he now owns 258 acres and has a herd
of high grade Holstein cattle of his own breeding. Truman, born September
26, 1837, married Candis Fairbrother, commenced business as a partner with
his brother Isaac, and co-nducted the farm and rafted lumber down the Alle-
gheny river to Cincinnati and Covington. They divided the property in 1863
and he now owns the Donaldson farm, a part of the Crosby farm, and a small
portion of the Winship homestead, in all 3ioacres, which adjoins his brother's
estate. He continues the lumber trade, and is a wholesale and retail dealer
in western pine shingles. He has also been an extensi\'e dealer in butter and
cheese. He is a Democrat and has served as assessor and highway commis-
sioner. He owns a fine herd of thoroughbred and grade Holstein cattle.
Esther (Mrs. Edwin D. Carter) earl)- went west as a teacher. She married in
Wisconsin and settled in Humbird.
I'dSToFriCKS AMI I'li-IMASTKRS.
I'OSTOFI'iCI-',. TOWX. POSTMASTER.
Abbott's Ischua Howard Otto.
* Allegany. Allegany William Spraker.
Ashford. Ashford _. Robert Hughey.
Bird Machias WiUiam J. Vandev/ater.
Bowen Randolph E. \V, Biirley.
Cadiz . Franklinville Merlin E. Mead.
Carroll Portviile A. Van Brunt.
* Carrolton _ _ Carrolton Cora B. Evans.
* Cattaraugus New Albion Morris J. Hoag.
* Conewango Conewango Charles C. Thacher.
Cottage ^ _ Dayton _ _ E. S. Lafferty.
* Dayton Dayton _ J. M. Parmalee.
* Delevan _ Yorkshire Milo M. Whiting.
Devereux Station Franklinville . _ William H. Reynolds.
East Ashford _ Ashford_ Edwin F. Hammond.
East Leon - Leon William J. Prichard.
* East Otto East Otto J. De Mott Laing.
* East Randolph Randolph M. F. Merrill.
Eddy ville Mansfield _ William H. Corter.
Elgin Lyndon _ . Belle M. Campbell.
Elkdale Little Valley R. F. Winship.
Elko Elko Alfred A. Chandler.
* Ellicottville Ellicottville Joseph D. Randall.
Elton . . Freedom Martin Cole.
Fairview Farmersville Hugh Griffith.
Farmersville Farmersville Willis D. Smith.
* Farmersville Station Farmersville. William C. Williams.
Appendix. 1157
Fitch Franklinville Fraqklin Fitch.
Four Mile Allegany P. H. Sullivan.
* Franklinville Franklinville Margaret Andrews.
Freak's Red House _ E. W. Stickney.
Freedom Freedom John W. Williams.
* Gowanda Persia S. H. Arnold.
* Great Valley Great Valley Willi.im S. Morton.
Hall's Red House E. J. Hall.
Haskei Flats Hinsdale Elias D. Bryant.
* Hinsdale Hinsdale CD. Bandfield.
Humphrey Humphrey Truman Z. Bozard.
Humphrey Center Humphrey Milo Berry.
* Ischua Ischua Frank D. La Fever.
Kill Buck Great Valley George J. Witherell.
* Knapp's Creek Allegany George F. Curtis.
Laidlaw Farmersville C. E. Wright.
Leek Machias Lee Brown,
* Leon Leon C. E. Turner.
* Limestone Carrolton Anna Schoonmaker.
* Little Valley Little Valley W. W. Henry.
* Machias Alachias Marvin Austin.
Maples Mansfield Richard P. Hi n man.
Markham Dayton John R. Wallace.
*Napoli. Napoli Allen B. Richmond.
New Albion New Albion..... L. N. Hill.
* Glean Glean. W. R. Page.
*Onoville South Valley . S. W. VoUentine.
* Otto Otto Thomas B. Soule.
* Perrysburg Perrysburg . . B. H. Graves.
Persia Persia . . B. D. Allen.
Plato East Otto H. F. Hiller.
Pope Conewango Mrs. Mary A. Shannon.
* Portville Portville William Holden.
* Randolph Randolph Daniel A. Sackrider.
Rawson Lvndon . . Mrs. C. Nettleton.
*Red House. Red House J. B. McCabe.
* Salamanca Salamanca ... Hudson Ansley.
* Sandusky Freedom Perry E. Merrill.
* South Dayton Dayton Edwin F. Beach.
* Steamburgh Cold Spring Harvey G. Wyman.
Sugarto wn Great Valley Mrs. Helen Sherman.
* Tunesassa _ Elk(5 '. Victor F. Oburg.
Vandalia Carrolton Andrew B. Canfield.
* Versailles Perrysburg William W. Merrill.
Wesley Dayton Charles W. Hall.
West . Ellicottville Emmet E. Warn.
* Weston's Mills Portville William W. Weston
West Perrysburg. Perrysburg Ellen R. Hall.
* West Salamanca Salamanca Frank A. Reeves.
* West Valley Ashford A. O. Tillinghast.
West Yorkshire Yorkshire William W. King.
* Yorkshire Yorkshire Edwin Henshaw.
* Money-order offices.
iiS8
History of Cattaraugus County.
Abstract of U. S. Census Reports of Cattaraugus County, 1810 to 1890.
Towns.
Allegany
Ashford
Carrolton
Cold Spring- .
Conewango _ .
Dayton
East Otto
*Elko ...
Ellicottville ..
Farmersville .
Franklinville .
Freedom
Great Valley.
Hinsdale
Humphrey . ..
Ischua
Leon
Little Valley
Lyndon 1
Machias
Mansfield
Napoli \
New Albion..!
Clean . 45I
Otto ....
Perrysburg . .j
Persia ..I
Portville . . ..'
Randolph
Red House...
Salamanca
South Valley.
Yorkshire
1S14 : iSjo.i 1830. 1 1840. i 1850.
rS6o.
261
1,453
631
53°
■,469
1,712
673
1,317
946
1,037
1,658
515
59>
1,408
1,44s
2,129
1,975
779
667
1,359
1,294
1870.
2,485
1,801
1,142
835
1. 281
1,267
1,164
4,044
1.8.3
2, 1 7 I
984
1,299
'•705
1890.
3,611
1,710
1,884
901
1,273
'.7.^5
I.28S
27 1 1
1:26
1,005]
9031
',5051
6471
919
1,084
1,294
1,293
1,83'
852
1,937
444
484:
Total 458
276; 1,047
'.'-'-'-{'S35
336
271
735
378
852
380
561
1,224
2,440
776
1,326
700
628
1,085
942
1,145
1,016
638
2,133
1,660
89;
46:
1.28
1,725
',554
1,706
1,652
1,638
1,302
824
906
1,340
1.383
1,092
1,342
1,057
1,233
1,633
899
2,267
1,861
'■955
747
1,606
1,881
',389
1,819
1,424
1.525
1,708
9 ^'3
986
1-399
1,206
1,161
1,275
1.265
1,238
',579
2,7ot
1,075
1,439
1,304
1,625
',954
823 1,292
561
2,0 ro
900
718
1,844
537 4,00c 16,724! 28,872 38,950 43,886 43,909 55, 806 60,866
1,833
1,114
1,559
1,371
1,641
1,491
1,065
872
1,204
i,io8i
894!
i,i70j
1,135;
1.174!
1,487!
2,668!
1,028]
1,313
1,220
1.814
2,167,
407
1,881
743'
1,575.
1.949
1, 1 28
1,982
1,312
1,859
1,594
997
935
1,192
1,196
831
1-545
1,106
1,126
1,732
6.575
1,111
1,376
1,370
2,400
2459
487
3,498
995
1.784
1,931
1,082
2,224
1,251
1,705
1,312
866
853
1,194
1,326
677
1,536
1,022
962
1,858
11,507
1,042
1,123
1,506
2,339
2,448
1,156
4,572
1,249
1,723
■ Formed November 26, 1890; population in 1892, iX.
Pc.ssrs;i^=«
SiJSSSJi
i5-,£i
SpSSfegr5 = w^^&S East Ashford.
fSSSSS^gis
iiSstSfS::
^^■^CQ
SSSSegKSi^S^*-! 1 East Otto.
agJ5=Ss:x-
S;ts:E:ss
«5§£
S§i;^i5S:382:i3§SSS 1 East Randolph.
gSSoiSSt^S
KSc-.!3g»
5S==
gSSSiSf^SSiiScln 1 Eddyville.
g^ssss^s
SfcSSiSS
s:3£5
goOToSISf:a:oS5 1 Elgin.
So^S§^^ii3?SS^=^^Mij;s:!Gci2SSS^J2Stlt^c^S I Ellicottville.
ww^i; iii:;cii-*- W*" MMM 55 W ^ Tf '^ lilt <9 ± .^ 1 „ •..
13 I
34 0
40 3
12 0
15 0
tJSji
^^.SgSSsSicDt:
s£-,r:E
-''^ 1 tranlilinville.
S!JS:.-,gri
d^\i
ft^::gJ:«gSS
SEsat
=° 1 Uowauda.
SssSrS
^4^ :D
ii^SSSSSS::^
= ^goi5
1 Great Valley.
20 4
30 0
49 3
20 1
29 ll
43S
g6e:t:|
Hinsdale.
ga5iggSSS^g'ig = S*a;x§|5 | Humphrey.
S:SgS::;tt5.c=5r:S»S-.KgGS 1 Leon.
*-S?.fefc:>^i;S — 33 — sinSJil-.iS 1 Limestone.
SSi2o:S»Er:i2ca:iiSic.j»iS Little Valley.
x^sS:^^ySr;aSJtSiga| Maehias.
gif.ar-.2=Hv.5St:3:^g-i i Napoii.
£3gSSs::aM3S==8s§ 1 New Albiun.
SSSS=^5Si;w.SgS 1 oiean.
=^nr.^^-i^!?II*^°"^""'--
itSdS-SSxSjr 1 otto.
Ss-gfiS^^a 1 Perrysburg.
^^^^^='j-- Portville.
fefeSlc:S = -! 1 Randolph.
CC O: QC 4- O IC CI 1
M = bo;o--- Kutledge.
"^"-•^ 1 Salamanca.
-,c-.*3S 1 Sandusky.
&6Jo 1 steamburgh.
IW 2 ft "^
fl — . en k
t" o „. ^
n K -• ^
<-f ifl ,^ *
" = 5 k/
? S^ ^ ^
§ "o Cu
If t^;
INDEX.
Note.— Biographical sketches in the several town chapters have been arranged alphabetically; those in
the Medical chapter appear under the headings of the towns with which the subjects were or are most
intimately identified.
Adkins, James - - 273
Agricultural in t erests - - - "6
Allegany Indian reservation 38
Allegany, town of 416
sketches 430-i46
physicians of 113
Allen, Dan - 274
Allen, Dan B - - 370
Allen, Henry F 3t;4
Allen, Herbert W... 403
Allen, Norman M -- 372
Anderson, Emory A -- 381
Andrews, William H -. 340
Angel Wilkes 328
Angel, William Pitt 326
Ansley, Hudson 371
portrait of..- - -- 372
Appendix - 1154
Armstrong, William -. 393
Ashf ord, townof - -- 446
sketches -. 453-462
physicians of 116
Bacon, David R.. 320
Bailey, D.C - 325
Bar, the- - 303
Barker, George P - 314
Barney, Hiram H. 32.5
Baxter, John T 411
Beardsley, Charles E 314
Reardsley, Horace A. L 410
Beecher, Moses 296
Bench and Bar .-. 245
Benson, Martin V - 383
Bentley, Stephen T .-- 327
Berry, P. O 350
Bessey, Ashley D .- -. 265
Bingham, Daniel G -.- 347
Bixby, James E 4(J7
Blackmon, Fred J 400
Blackney, Charles W SSJ
Boardman family, the 902
Boardman, Olcott P 903
portrait of 902
Bolles, David H .' 3-54
Bolles,John H 405
Bouton, Joseph 358
Brooks, EnosC 357
Brooks, James 273
Brooks, Wells 317
Brown, A. M 3ti.'>
Brown, Samuel A.. 314
Bruce, A. A 358
Bryan, Dudley C 314
Bryan, Henry 308
Bryan, John A 307
Bryan, Russell C -..- 313
Bunn, Romanzo 3.5:i
Burke, Albert G 313
Burlingame, Ira L 358
BurneU, Madison 327
Burnham, Milton M .- 371
Burr, Alvan 306
Burt, James 317
Button, Jonas K 647
portrait of 648
Canals, etc 60
Canfleld, George W 341
146
Canfleld, Milton B... 308
Carrolton, town of 462
sketches - - 469-484
physicians of -.- 118
Cary, CharlesS.... 348
Caswell, Zephaniah Z.... 306
Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society ■. 83
Cattaraugus County Medical Society 108
Cattaraugus reservation 41
Census table 1158
Chamberlain, Benjamin 275
portrait of 276
Chamberlain Institute 1031
view of- - 1032
Champlain, Mai-shall B 327
Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties Medical
Society -.. 112
Cheney family, the 681
Cheney, Col. Harrison 682
portrait of -- 682
Cheney, Daniel W 1119
Cheney, Francis J. 1120
portrait of 1120
Cheney, John 1120
Chipman, Austin C 320
Civil war, the 202
Clark, J.T 337-
Clark, James O 409
Clarke, Hon. Staley N 586
portrait of 586
Coats, Alanson 322 '
Cobb, Nelson 332
Cobb, William 412
Cochran, J. Wilbur 381
Cole, George W 408
Cold Spring, townof. 484
sketches 497-501
physicians of 119
Conewango, townof 501
sketches 511-5Ki
physicians of 120
Congdon, Benjamin F 384
Congdou, Joseph M 384
Converse, Julian C ... 358
Cook, Elijah 399
Cooke, John 313
Court, first in Cattaraugus county.. 282
Courts of Common Pleas and General Ses-
sions _ 271,283
Courts, organization of 2.57, 263
County Aims-House and Asylum 70
County Bar Association 418
County Court, the 290
County otficers 64-68
County seat, the... 26.5
Coxe, Perry Bruce... 396
Crandall, Joel J 409
Crooker, George A. S 380
Crosby, Alanson 36;{
Crosby family, the... 651
Crosby, James O : 346
Crosby, Manley 36:5
portrait of... 362
Cross, Lester 325
Crowley, Rodney B 368
Cruger, Daniel 306
Curtis, Henry R 403
Curtis, Israel 273
Cutter, George W 320
ii6:
IXDEX..
Davie, Carey D - -W-
Day, Henry - - -T9
Day. Israel-- - - 279
Dayton, town ot - 523
sketches 5:>j-d4o
physicians of -- 121
Deuel, J. W - --.- :15U
Dickinson, Charles F - - - 95
Distance table -- - 1159
District attorneys 301
Diven, A. S 327
Dodge, Myron A - 393
Donnelly, Henry -- 411
Dow, Albert G-- 104*
portrait ot -- 104S
Dow, Amos - 1050
Dowd. Thomas H-- - *>>
Dunham, Samuel - 3S1
Dusenbury, Henry 10U9
portrait of---- - lUlO
Dusenbury, John E 1010
Dutch Hill war 19«
Dwinnells, Charles S --- HIB
Early discoveries _1
Early settlements.-- 57
East Otto, town of.--- - 515
sketches - 552-364
Dhj'sicians of -- — 1*J
Eaton, Earle H - 410
Eaton, Fred L-- - 399
Eclectic Medical Society 112
Educational interests. - 6S
Edwards, Hon. James T 1031
portrait of - — 1032
Elko, town of -- 364
sketches -- -- 569-570
Ellicottvllle, town of - - 570
sketches - - 582-603
physicians of 124
Emmons, Wales - - 321
Erie railway, the 60
E.xplorations by the French- - 24
Farmersville, town of - 60:3
sketches - 61i> 622
physicians of - 12S
Fenner, Arthur B — - 32S
Ferrin, Augustine W - 103
portrait of - 104
Field, Myron B --- -.. 402
Finch, J. B - -- - :S-56
■ Fletcher, Mark W - 311
Fosdick, Morris --- --- 322
Fo.\, Chauncey J - 309
portrait of _ 310
Fo.\, Pliny L -- 318
Franklinville, town of- - 622
sketches -- 646-673
physicians of 129
Freedom, town of-- - 673
sketches 6S1-68S
physicians of- -- 135
Freeman, Ashbel - 2"!
Friends' mission and settlement- 41
Fuller, Allen C -.. 331
Gallagher, James M 382
Geological formation 52
Gibbs, Anson 311
Gibbs, Asgill 'Sai
Gibbs, W. Hutchinson --.. 395
Giflford, Isaac T 314
Gillett, George W - 332
Gillett, J. Monroe 329
Goldsborough, Dr. Levi 161
portrait of - 162
Goodwill, Johnson V - 370
Gould, Edward A 405
Gould, William E -.. 403
Great Valley, town of - 688, 1155
sketches- - - - 693-701
physicians ot 136
Green, Benjamin F S30
Green, Francis --- 273
Green, George H - 308
Green, H. L - - 3,32
Green, James '. 274
Greenfield, Hiram-- --- 320
Griswold, Elijah...- J 914
Grover, Martin, .- 327
Guiteau, ...- --- - 350
Haigbt, Samuel S--- 308
Hall, Lewis -- - 'HO
Hamlin, Orlo J - Xi~
Harmon, Eleazar - 315
portrait of.. 316
Harrington, Henry W- 350
Hastings, Allen J - ...- --.- 411
Hatch, Wolcott ---- --- 329
Hawes, Horace M 326
Hawkins, Oscar - 368
Hayes, Everand A — -- 397
Hazard, Joseph E - 401
Hazen, Asa --- - 305
Hendei-son, William H --- 350
portrait ot 350
Henry. James T -- 92
Herrick, Hiram M - -- :. 385
Hewett, L. H -.- 320
Higgins, David, Jr -.. 306
Hmsdale, town of - " 701
sketches - 709-723
physicians of --- 137
Howe, Chester -- - --. 317
Howe, John W 311
Hull, Isaac .- - 280
Humphrey, town of- -- - 723
sketches 733-745
physicians of -.- 139
Huntley, Williams B 352
Kurd, Ashbel H- -.-- 282,320
Indian festivities 26
Indian occupancy, etc -- --. 29
Indian utensils - - 33
Inman, John J - 401
Internal improvements --- 60
Irish, Ira C -- 327
Iroquois League -- -- 25
Ischua, town of -- -- 1125
sketches - -- 1130
physicians of 140
.Jacobs, Horatio M -- 329
Jenkins, Merrill T - 'H'i
Jenkins, WalterS--- 40.8
Jewell, Joseph K :»i
Jewell, Marcus B-... --- - 406
Johnson, Dr. Corydon C-- --- 168
portrait of 168
Johnson, Hon. James G -.. 363
reminiscences of 8.55
Johnson, . 'Samuel P 323
Jones, Patrick Henry - 358
Judges of the Common Pleas _ 272
Judges of the County Court 291
Judges of the Supreme Court 299
Justicesof Sessions - 303
Kimball, William - - 374
King.Manley E -- 413
Kinnicutt, H. M. S 314
Ki'use, Ernest F... 407
Kruse, Frederick W — 3.94
Laidlaw, William G 375
Lake Erie Medical Society - 110
Lamb, Rensselaer-- -- ---283. 355
Lamb, Silas A 385
Land titles-- -- "i
Laning, Albert P --- 330
Lawyers, list of , in 1893---- 414
Leavenworth, Alson -- 149,274
Leavenworth, Alson E 361
Legal profession, the 245
Leland, Cephas R- - 318
Leon, town ot 743
sketches - 752-758
physicians of- - 140
Leonard, Irving R-.- - 395
Lewis family, tne -- 685
Lewis, Burton B --- 685
portrait of 684
Lincoln, Charles Z - 390
Index.
1 163
Litchfleld, Beals E .-- - - 594
portraitof... -- -- •»*
Little Valley, town of. - i-tS, IIm
sketches - - ^'°"i?.'
physicians of - !■*-
Littlejohn, Levi S - ^'i
Locke, Edwin O ---- •»*
Lockwood, Seth .-. 32a
Loomis, Nelson »*1
portrait of %f-
Lowe, William - 313
Lowry, A. N... «2
Lumbering and rafting... 1^
Lyman, Joseph T - - 331
Lyndon, town of - --- H*-
sketcbes
physicians of 1*>
Lyon, Delos E - - 3b3
Machias. to\vn of - -- TOT
sketches ..-. iflS-SOl
physicians of l-to
.Mack, Elisha 313
Manley, William - 3oi
Mansfield, town of... "*:.
sketches - 806-813
Map of CattarauKUS county Inside back cover
Markham, .Tames E --- 3H8
Martin, Fredericks ~8U
Marvin, Kichard P ^ 3U
.Masten, Peter - SW
Masters and examiners in chancery.. 3(XI
.\Iastei-s, Josiah S 3l!t
Matteson, Elias L ;«■'
Mutteson, Mordecai E 389
McCluer, David 320
.McCluer, William M .- 3d»)
.McConnell, John K -- ^^62
McDuffie, William E 380
McKay. Cyrus G 322
McKnight, Fletcher 30S
McXair, Samuel K .- ««
McVey, James Dow 385
Mead, Andrew lo2, 2T«
Mead, Stephen P 341
Medicine and surgery lf!6
Medicine man 37
Meloy, William A 3.58
Merrill famUy, the BIT
Merrill, Henry S 818
portrait of ''18
Mersereau, Hon. John G.. 1013
portraitof 1014
.Mersereau, Samuel 1014
Mexican war.. 189
Miles, George 308
.Miles, John E 320
Military, the.. 186
Militia, the old State 1!*
re-organized 201
iiitchell, William 328
.Mitchell, WilUamC ^^28
Morris, Lorenzo 328
.Morris, Thomas -. 274
.Morse, J. C 322
Mosber, Benjamin -- 341
Mosher, John F .-. 392
Moulton, Charles P... 392
Mound builders H
Mounds, etc., illustrated 16
.Mudge. Linus T 408
.Mullett, James, Jr 307
Murphy, LewisJ.. 389
.Murray, Charles D 369
Xapier, John 799
portrait of 800
Napoli, town of... 813
sketches 818-823
physicians of 148
Nash, Eugene A 366
New Albion, town of 823
sketches.... .8.S0-S)3
physicians of 149
Newell, Frank A 367
Newspapers and their editors 86
Newton, John B 365
Northrup, Edwin D 374
Norton family, the.. 716-718
Norton, Ira... ..- 274
Norton, Hon. Nelson I 7B
portraitof... 7B
Nourse, William H.. 391
Olean, town and city of 8.51
sketches 897-92;!
ph3'sicians of 1.5-
Organization and civil jurisdiction S.'i
Otto, town of-. 92!
sketches. 931-946
physicians of 16!
Overton, William C 4Hj
Owen, Robert, Jr.. W
Parker, J. M 33£
Parker, Spencer B 40f
Parker, WiUisD.. 405
Parmelee, James 27!i
Patterson. A 3.58
Peck, Luther C 313
Pei-rysburg, town of 946
sketches. 95:5-962
physicians of 164
Persia, town of... 962
sketches 984-1000
physicians of 166
Petroleum 53
Phelps, George H 393
Phelps, Harper H.. 378
Pheips.Kalph R 313
Phelns, W.Darwin .- 396
Physicians and surgeons. 106
Pindar, William R 39]
Porter. Timothy H ..273, 30'
Portville, town of 1000
sketches ....1007-1027
physicians of 170
Postofflcesand postmasters 1156
Powell, DanielE ..- 408
Pratt, Orville C 327
Press, the 86
Price, William 273
Pu bl ic ofB cers 64-68
Pulling, David J 328
Railroads 60
Randolph, town of 1027
sketches 1039-1078.
physicians of. 172
Rann, vvilliam S 407
Read, Albert L 383
Rebellion, the 202,
Red House, town of 1079
sketches 1081
Reilly, Dewitt C 39;
Religious development 69 ,
Revolutionary war veterans... 187
Reynolds, Vedder C 400
Rice Addison G 329
Rice, E. L 337
Rice, Milton L 332
Rich, Burdett A 402
Rider, George M 386 I
Robinson, Frank H 393
Rochester, William B 309 ;
Rose, Orange 329 I
Roster of soldiers and sailors 209
Rumsey, Fra-nk 398 ;
Russell, A. Philemon 3.54
Russell, Samuel M 316
Sackrider, Daniel A 397
Sage, UdolphV 413
Salamanca, town of 1082
sketches 1092-110:J
physicians of 179
Sanger, E. M 388
Sawin, Albert 328
Sawyer, Moses 308;
Scott, Allen I). 381
Scott, Lyman, .Jr - 316 j
Searl, Orange S. 365 i
Sears, E. H 340 ,
Seminole wars. 189 1
Seneca Indians. 30 1
Severance, Charles C 320 I
1 164
Index.
374
Shankland, Robert H
91, 2!Hi
35-t
S5C
Sherwood, Thomas S
Sill.Delos E..
3U!I
89
3-.'8
.381
Smith, Theodore
:$J8,600
portrait of
am
3B.T
IIO
Smith, William V
402
South Vallej-, town of.. ..-
110:5
1112-1113
337
Sparg-ur, William P
380
SpauldiQg-, Preston D. _
..-' 100
378
278
405
391
409
. 33.5
Spring. Samuel Stowe'lf -..
342
342
St. Stephen's Episcopal church, Olean,
Starke, William L
view of- 890
.... SiO
.. 332
387
. 320
.. 325
322
411
314
331
391
.370
321
Stuart, Hon. William H., reminiscences ol> 903
commissiouere of
301
. 295
Surrogates' Courts
292
320
Swift, Zenas M
390
Tallent, Alfred
337
413
Tefft, Royal
274
Teller, Willard
3B4
Ten BroeckFree Academy
Ten Broeck, Peter
, 6.38
, 278
.. 28.3-299
Terry, Charles W
413
Thomas Orphan Asylum? children of .
36
. 365
Thorp, Lewis P
... 283
Thrasher, Winfield S.
... 389
Tillinghast, John L
.. 308
47
Torrance, CyreniusC
34<J
39S
Trail, Marvin
3-20
316
337
Turner, John W
327
393
Van Aernam, Hon. Henry, M.D
131
132
Vedder, Commodore P
378
portrait of 388
Wait, Joseph 313
Waith, William.. 319
Walker, Gideon L 3:2
War of 1812-1.5, soldiers of.. 187
Ward, Arunah 3S|J
Ward, Elisha 328
Ward, John K. 411
Ward, Josiah.. 3IH
Waring, James H 390
Waring, William W 4Ciu
Warner, Dennis 1018
Warner, Col. Lewis D 1019
portrait of 1018
Warner, Oris wold E 274
Warren, E. F ., 320
Washburn, Charles P.. 3:38
Weeden, Joseph E 323
portrait of aS
Wells. Henry.. :3i«)
Wendover, Peter V. S 31S
Wentworth, Alexander 3B2
Western New York Home for Homeless and
Dependent Children 1033
view of... 1032
Weston, William W icr20
portrait of... 1020
Wheaton, Stanley N 403
Wheeler, Dani-1 R 325
Wheeler, Hoc. Nelson P 1034
Wheeler, Thomas J ..120,380
Wheeler, Hon. William E 1024
Wheeler, Hon. William F 1021
portrait of 1024
Whipple, James S 403
portrait of 404
White, Justus 413
White, Roderick KS
Wilkins, Joseph B 342
Willett, Marinus :jl3
Williams, Charles H. S 335
Williams, Thomas J 320
Willover, Abram 721
Willover, Christopher. 731
portrait of 720
Willover, John 730
Willson, John M 411
Willson, Nelson P .337
Wilson, Joseph 314
Wilson, Robert S 320
Winship, Benjamin 11.55
Winters, George L 409
Wood, George B a58
Wood, George N 95
Wood, William H 334
Woodbury, William 335
portrait of.. 336
Woodcock. D.Carlos SX
Woods, WiUiam 307
Wooster, Jeremy 295
Wright, Charles K 1025
portrait of 1026
Wright, Richard.... 280
Yates, Edgar N 404
Y'orkshire, town of 1114
sketches 1119-1135
physicians of 184
Heckman
< D E R Y. I
Bound-lb-Pleaae*
AUG 01
N. MANCHESTER. INDIANA 46962