Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. It was scanned using Xerox software and equipment at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using CCITT Group 4 compression. The digital data were used to create Cornell's replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1984. The production of this volume was supported in part by the New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials and the Xerox Corporation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1993.THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY, JUNE 26, 1873. BY OLIVER G. STEELE. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been requested by the Board of Managers of this . Society to prepare for this occasion a brief sketch of the origin, history and objects of the organization. The subject of organizing a Historical Society in this city was discussed by many of our citizens previous to 1862. The importance of procuring and preserving authentic memorials of the settlement of the city and county, and of the individuals who were its pioneers, and gave tone, direction and character to its early history, became more and more apparent as the city advanced in population and importance. There had been oc- casional gatherings of early settlers for festive or charitable purposes previous to i860; but the institution of “Old Settlers' Festivals’' was not organized in any permanent form until the early part of the late civil war, and no organization of a speci- ally historical character had been effected. The gradual passing away of individuals identified with the origin and growth of the city, impressed many of our citizensi32 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF with the importance of securing the scattered remnants of early local history floating throughout the city and vicinity, and pre- serving them in a tangible and systematic manner. In the process of organization no interest could be awakened except by the voluntary action of such of our citizens as felt interested in preserving such memorials for the benefit and for the example of those who would fill their places in the future business growth and intellectual progress of the city. No legal power existed which would compel individuals to gather up and deposit such historical memorials as they might possess; neither was there any existing fund or provision in any form which would induce parties to give attention to the subject. The movement was therefore entirely spontaneous, dependent upon the interest which might be created by the action of a few in- dividuals. Such was the condition of the public mind in i860 and 1862. A few gentlemen in discussing the subject in the early part of .1862, determined to make an effort to organize what it was believed would meet the wishes of a considerable number of our citizens. A call for a meeting of citizens for this purpose was made through the daily papers, to be held at the law office of O. H. Marshall, March 25th, 1862. This call was signed by the fol- lowing gentlemen: Geo. R. Babcock, Henry W. Rogers, O. H. Marshall, Wm. Dorsheimer, Dr.. John C. Lord, Dr. Walter Clarke, L. F. Allen. The call was responded to by the following gentlemen: Geo. W. Clinton, LI. W. Rogers, Geo. R. Babcock, Oliver G. Steele, Jas. P. White, Dr. Walter Clarke, Henry Lovejoy, Wm. Dorsheimer, A. L. Baker, Joseph Warren, David F. Day, Edward S. Rich, John Howcutt. Mr. Lewis F. Allen was appointed Chairman, and O. H. Marshall, Secretary. After some discussion and interchange of views, it was, on motion of H. W. Rogers,THE BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 133. Resolved, That it is expedient to organize a Historical Society for the City of Buffalo and County of Erie; and that the Chairman appoint a committee of seven to report a plan of organization. Mr. O. H. Marshall, Rev. Dr. Hosmer, Rev. Dr. Clarke,, Messrs. Wm. Dorsheimer, James P. White, Geo. R. Babcock and Geo. W. Clinton were appointed said committee. This committee met April 8th, 1872, and a draft of a Consti- tution and By-laws was agreed upon and directed to be reported to a meeting of citizens, to be held at the rooms of the Medical Association, No. 7 North Division street, April 15th, 1862. At the time specified a highly respectable number of citizens assembled, and organized by the appointment of Hon. Millard Fillmore as Chairman, and O. H. Marshall as Secretary. Mr. Marshall, from the committee, submitted the Constitution and By-laws prepared by the committee, which were unanimously adopted by the meeting. The Constitution and By-laws then adopted have, with slight alterations, continued to be the laws of the Society to the pres- ent time. The documents were directed to be engrossed; and the com- mittee were authorized to obtain the signatures of all citizens who might desire to become members. A meeting for the election of officers was fixed for the first Tuesday in May, 1862, and was well attended. The election resulted as follows: President—Hon. Millard Fillmore. Vice-President—Lewis F. Allen. Councillors—Geo. R. Babcock, Geo. W. Clinton, Walter Clarke, Nathan IC. Hall, H. W. Rogers, Wm. Shelton, O. H. Marshall, Geo. W. Hosmer, W111. Dorsheimer. At a meeting of the Board of Managers, held at the office of Rogers & Bowen, May 13th, 1862, Chas. D. Norton was ap- pointed Secretary and Treasurer, and Guy H. Salisbury Corre- sponding Secretary and Librarian. Mr. Dorsheimer offered the use of his office as a place of134 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF meeting for the Board of Managers, and of deposit for the books and papers of the Society, which offer was accepted. On motion of L. F. Allen, the President was requested to deliver the Inaugural Address before the Society, at such time as he might select. Messrs. Babcock and Dorsheimer were appointed a committee to procure a suitable place for meeting. The Society met June 3d, 1862, at the office of Mr. Dor- sheimer. The committee on Inaugural Address reported that they had procured American Hall as the place for its delivery. The Inaugural Address was delivered July 2d, 1862, by the President, at American Hall, to a large and appreciative audi- ence.* It set forth in simple and appropriate language the ob- jects of the Society, which were to “ discover, procure and pre- serve whatever may relate to the history of Western New York in general, and of the City of Buffalo in particular.” It was not to teach but to preserve history. The Address sketched the early history and appearance of the settlement; discussed at some length the origin of the name of Buffalo as applied to this locality, together with the singular names of the streets and avenues, as fixed by the agent of the Holland Land Company, Mr. Joseph Ellicott, with the subse- quent alterations to the present names, etc.; and closed with an appeal to the citizens to co-operate earnestly in carrying into effect the objects of the Society. The Address and the proceedings of the meeting gave tone and direction to the progress of the Society; completing its or- ganization and laying out definitely the line of effort which it would be called upon to adopt to insure success. The meetings of the Society since that period have been held monthly, and have always been attended by a sufficient num- ber of members to insure and perpetuate its existence. Mr. Guy H. Salisbury, the Corresponding Secretary and Li- *See Inaugural Address, ante, p. i.THE BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 135 brarian, gave much of his valuable time to the books and papers of the Society, and also for a considerable time acted as Recording Secretary. Mr. Charles D. Norton, who had temporarily filled the office of Treasurer, resigned in September, 1862; and Mr. Oliver G. Steele was appointed Treasurer, which office he continued to fill until 1870. In the fall of 1862 an arrangement was made for a series of lectures before the Society on subjects of local history, by mem- bers of the Society, without expense, and free to the public. The lectures were well attended during the winter of 1862-63, .and a great variety of local information was acquired for the benefit of the Society. It soon became evident, however, that a special effort was necessary to provide sufficient income to meet the current ex- penses of the Society, and insure its permanence. At the suggestion of Mr. Fillmore it was determined to se- cure sufficient private subscriptions to enable the Society to provide for its current expenses for five years. Under this •suggestion fifty gentlemen bound themselves to pay twenty dol- lars per year, for five years. This arrangement was afterwards modified by allowing each subscriber to pay fifty dollars at one time, and become thus a life-member of the Society, and the balance of the subscription in annual payments of ten dollars. This arrangement having been effected, the Society has con- tinued its organization, carrying out successfully to the present time the general objects of the Society. In concert with other societies of the city, an arrangement was made with the Young Men’s Association for a joint occu- pancy of the Association Buildings, on the corner of Main and Eagle streets, which continued until January, 1873. The great increase of valuable books, papers, portraits and other miscellaneous property of the Society, could not but im- press the officers with the necessity of obtaining more extensive apartments, and such as were fire-proof.136 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF The rooms we now occupy were offered to the Society by the Western Savings Bank on terms so favorable, and were so well adapted to its purposes, that it was determined to secure them for its permanent use. An amicable and satisfactory arrange- ment was made with the officers of the Young Men’s Associa- tion for the cancelment of the lease, and the rights under it. This Society, therefore, took possession of their present rooms early in January last, and have fitted them up and furnished them in the manner and style which you now see before you. The success of the Society has certainly exceeded the expec- tation of its originators. This result has been owing far more to the steady, persistent attention of the original members, than to the expenditure of money. Its income has barely provided for the current expenses, but it has endeavored to preserve the life-membership fund intact, as the basis of a permanent endow- ment fund. The books, pamphlets, manuscripts, photographs, &c., have been presented to the Society by its members and others inter- ested in its success. By the last report, made at the annual meeting, July 14th,, 1872, they appear as follows: No. of Volumes in Library........................................ 4,283. “ Newspapers and Periodicals................................ 381 “ Pamphlets in Cases........................................ 4,326 “ Portraits in Oil............................................. 43 “ Cabinet Photographs......................................... 133 “ Maps on Rollers........................................... 60 * “ Photographs in Albums, about................................ 300 “ Autographs................................................. 235. There is also quite a collection of coins and relics of the war of 1812, and of the late civil war. The Obituary Record from 1811 to 1872 contains the names of nearly ten thousand citizens of the city and county. The Marriage Record for the same period contains about twelve thousand names. The Society is indebted for these last named very valuableTHE BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 137 books of record to the present librarian, Dr. G. S. Armstrong. The increased expenses of the Society, and the lack of resi- dent paying members, together with the contingency of contin- ued interest in the Society, in a community so largely interested in the active business of the city, shows plainly the necessity of providing a foundation fund to insure its permanence. The present fund is about $4,000. A movement is now in progress by the officers of the Society, to increase that fund to at least $20,000; the income from which, with the current income from resident members, will place the Society upon a firm foundation, and reflect credit upon the city and the individuals who con- tribute to that end. It is hoped that this satisfactory result may be reached within the present year. For the information of the audience, I give the names of the several gentlemen who have presided over the institution since its organization: Hon. Millard Fillmore. Henry W. Rogers....... Rev. Dr. A. T. Chester O. H. Marshall........ Hon. N. K. Hall....... William H. Greene. . . . Orlando Allen. ...... 1862 to 1867 ...... 1868 ...... 1869 ...... 1870 ....... 1871 ....... 1872 ...... 1873 One of the pleasantest features connected with the Society, during the ten years of its existence, has been the Society club meetings during the winter season. These club meetings have been in the highest degree successful. Our citizens have thrown open their mansions freely for the use of the club, and papers, have been prepared and read by gentlemen of the city, from all. classes and professions, which will compare favorably with any of a similar character in any other city in the Union. Many of these papers have been published in pamphlet form, and nearly all have been placed on file, and it is the intention of the Society, as soon as it can command sufficient income to warrant the expense, to publish volumes of its transactions,., embracing a portion of the papers read at the club meetings.3 3*8 PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY. As I have before stated, the success of the Society has been the result of the steady faithfulness of its officers. It has been a labor of love with them, and the exhibition before you shows what can be accomplished by well-directed personal effort, with but little expenditure of money. The valuable historical property in its possession has been accumulated from voluntary contributions of individuals; and now that the rooms are fire-proof, still larger and more valuable contributions may confidently be expected. Such, briefly, is the history and progress of this Society to the present time, and its results thus far are before you. We appeal to you now, and to both ladies and gentlemen, for jour cordial co-operation in carrying out the intention of the Society, which is to collect and preserve memorials of our past and future history as a city, and of every family and inhabitant who has been or may be identified with its business pursuits, public institutions or social character. Whatever is deposited in these rooms will be as safe and well cared for as human prudence and foresight can suggest, and will be a standing monument to the history, progress and character of those who have contributed to its physical growth, and moral and intellec- tual condition.